Chapter 184: True Skill
The next day after school.
Yuna was quietly reading her script in a corner.
It was the day before the cultural festival, so the atmosphere was lively and bustling, but the air around Yuna remained cold. A few friends from the costume team hesitated before approaching her.
“Hey, Yuna, want to try on the dress one last time?”
It was a cheap dress.
They had bought affordable clothing and added fabric and beads themselves. In line with the school’s educational philosophy of encouraging autonomy, everything except the play’s direction—scripts, costumes, and props—was prepared by the students.
“Sure.”
“It should fit you well.”
Yuna nodded obediently.
Her friends from the costume team helped her into the dress and even tidied her hair. It was a far cry from the coordination she received on set, but for a children’s play, it was quite thoughtful.
“Wow, it suits you perfectly.”
“I told you, adding the red was a good idea.”
“Yuna, turn around.”
“You look like a princess.”
The costume team giggled with delight.
Yuna’s features were delicate and striking. Even the low-quality dress couldn’t diminish her charm; she carried it off like a true child star.
One of the onlookers suddenly shouted.
It was Lee Saeim, the class president and assistant director.
“No! It really doesn’t suit her!”
“Huh?”
“Yuna’s face is too plain for that color. We need to change the beads.”
“Why? It looks great……”
“We’re doing the final rehearsal, so change it now. And get your lines straight, Yuna. There’s no editing here—it’s a live performance. Focus!”
Lee Saeim’s words implied that Yuna’s acting was so poor it needed editing to be presentable.
Normally, Yuna would have ignored her haughtily. But this time, she clutched a friend’s sleeve and spoke up.
“No, the red suits me. There’s no need to change it. This is the second time already. I have a lot to do, so why bother?”
“Hey! I’m the assistant director here!”
“So what?”
Yuna’s retort was sharper than usual.
The room fell silent, and sparks flew between Lee Saeim and Yuna. Lee Saeim crossed her arms and stepped closer.
“You’re really something.”
“……”
“Do you act like this on film sets too? Are you taking this lightly just because it’s a school play? If you’re the lead, at least cooperate. Don’t make me regret casting you.”
Lee Saeim raised her voice for everyone to hear.
She was cunning, turning the class against Yuna. Under the guise of her titles, Lee Saeim let her temper flare.
“Hmph!”
But who was she dealing with?
Yuna had spent more than half her life in the entertainment industry.
This was Yoo Yuna they were talking about.
The same girl who had confronted Lee Hijun, an actor old enough to be her uncle, and stood up to senior actors with a smile.
Frankly, it was surprising she had held back this long.
She had ignored all the scorn directed at her simply because she was a celebrity, but now she decided to stop tolerating it.
Because Muyoung had told her.
There’s no need to endure it, he had said. You have to tell fools directly for them to understand.
“Lee Saeim, watch your words. It’s me who’s carrying all of you.”
Yuna’s clear voice rang out.
“Our parents will be here for the play we’ve prepared all semester. How embarrassing would it be if the lead acted terribly? You should be grateful I’m performing. I’m a professional actor, you know.”
Her words were bold yet flawless.
Lee Saeim struggled to find a rebuttal, but Yuna pressed on.
“Who cast me? Even the homeroom teacher asked me to do it. What are you? Why do you keep talking down to me?”
“……Are you asking for a fight?”
“Yes!”
Yuna glared and answered without hesitation.
It was as if a cat, having hidden its claws, suddenly unleashed a fierce attack. Yuna threw off her dress and shouted.
“Let me make this clear. You’re only acting like this because I got the lead role you wanted. If you were so desperate for the part, why didn’t you audition? You have no confidence, just greed.”
“Have you finished talking?”
“Not even close! Someone’s been leaving trash in my bag and hiding my indoor shoes. I don’t know who, but I’ve got photos. If you keep messing with me, I’ll tell the adults. Just imagine the headlines: ‘Yoo Yuna Bullied at School!’”
Yuna’s voice boomed, and no one dared stop her.
Even those who had been snickering froze, slowly backing away.
“Why not just say it now? If the play gets canceled tomorrow, it’ll be all your fault, Assistant Director. The teacher’s handling the direction, so who are you to act so high and mighty……”
It was the first time anyone had heard Yuna speak so harshly.
For her, this was everyday life, but she had held back to avoid causing a scene.
“Shall I get the teacher?”
“Come on, stop fighting. Both of you, just stop.”
“Yeah, let’s just finish the rehearsal and go home.”
“We only have the final rehearsal left. Why make a fuss?”
“Everyone, just bear with it a little longer, okay?”
The classmates pulled Lee Saeim and Yuna apart.
Lee Saeim stomped her feet in frustration, while Yuna’s nostrils flared with anger.
The fight had left her feeling exhilarated, as if endorphins were surging through her.
She realized she had been holding back unnecessarily. Yuna felt slightly wronged, pressing her palms against her flushed cheeks.
“Final rehearsal in exactly 20 minutes.”
“Get ready. Let’s go.”
The students returned to their seats to wrap things up. Just then, the door opened, and two black bags slipped inside.
“Huh?”
“It’s Ha Muyoung!”
Muyoung smiled as he entered the classroom.
The scent of tteokbokki wafted in with him. Once again playing the snack shuttle, he waved at Yuna.
“Hey, everyone.”
“What’s this? Can we eat it?”
“Of course. I bought it for you. Didn’t you hear the announcement?”
“What announcement?”
Muyoung placed the snacks in front of them.
“The homeroom teacher asked me to attend the final rehearsal as a guest.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, you must have missed it.”
Actually, Muyoung had suggested it himself.
As an industry professional, he thought it would be helpful to watch the final rehearsal and offer some advice. He had fibbed about his schedule being uncertain, and the homeroom teacher had readily agreed.
“The teacher will be here in 20 minutes. Let’s finish up while enjoying these snacks.”
“Thank you!”
Yuna glared at Muyoung, annoyed.
When asked how he would help, he had claimed it was a secret, yet all he did was bring snacks. And she had explicitly said she didn’t want them eating anything!
“What’s this?”
“What’s what?”
Muyoung mimicked Yuna’s words, then clapped in admiration.
“How can she be so pretty? She’s like a queen!”
“Eww.”
“No, really! Let me see. Oh, is this the script?”
Muyoung sat beside Yuna and picked up the script. After skimming it, he nodded.
“Sleeping Snowrella? A mix of Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Cinderella? Sounds interesting. Did your friends write this?”
“Yeah, we have a writer.”
The homeroom teacher had provided the guidelines, but the students had typed every word.
The 20-minute play was packed with their maximum effort.
“Kids these days are amazing. So, Yuna’s the lead, which means she’s Snowrella, right?”
Yuna glanced behind Muyoung and nodded. Lee Saeim’s group was glaring at them, likely thinking they were using Muyoung’s fame to gain attention.
“Snowrella, what are you thinking about?”
Muyoung’s sudden question was actually a line from the play—the first line, signaling the start. Yuna instinctively responded in character.
“Just thinking about the ball tonight.”
“Are you worried? Royals from every nation will be there, but the servants are preparing flawlessly.”
Yuna realized it had been a while since she and Muyoung had acted together. The last time was during the filming of The Plague, so this felt long overdue.
“I’m not worried. In fact, I’m excited. I’m sure there will be many handsome princes and beautiful princesses. I couldn’t sleep last night, I was so eager.”
“Then that’s good. Have you chosen your dress?”
Yuna looked up at Muyoung.
Memories of their time filming The Plague flooded back.
Muyoung, equally nostalgic, raised his eyebrows, urging her to continue.
“Of course.”
“But will the Witch Queen from the Witch Kingdom attend the ball tonight?”
The two sat facing each other, acting out their parts, and the busy students paused to watch them.
Strangely, this didn’t feel like the usual Yuna.
Did she always have this captivating presence?
“Well, I hope she does, but considering our relationship, it’s unlikely.”
Her delivery was no longer mechanical.
She exuded the genuine excitement of a princess anticipating the ball. Every gesture and glance was filled with graceful charm.
The students gathered, completely engrossed.
“Yuna’s acting is amazing today.”
“Seriously, she’s on a whole other level compared to before.”
Of course she is.
Unless it’s a monologue, the supporting actor’s skill is crucial. In Yuna’s opinion, her classmates were almost cringe-worthy, and with the added bullying, it was hard to stay motivated.
“I can’t wait for the ball to begin!”
Smack!
Muyoung clapped once to signal the scene change. Then, he mimicked a soft female voice.
“Come here, my dear Snowrella.”
He played the queen. Regardless of age or gender, his natural acting drew Yuna into the scene.
“Mother!”
“My dear, Prince Philip from the neighboring kingdom has finally arrived at the harbor.”
His skills were limitless. Having honed his craft with last-minute scripts, he seamlessly supported Yuna’s performance.
“Eat the poisoned apple, Snowrella!”
“No! I don’t want to! Somebody, help me!”
Yuna’s frantic acting left the students frozen, holding their breath. This was a far cry from their usual giggling rehearsals.
Yuna was a professional.
Being in the same space and living together, they had overlooked this fact. Yuna, acting opposite Muyoung, radiated an aura beyond her years.
“Oh, the poor princess. Asleep like this. Prince Philip has brought these beautiful glass shoes for you.”
The two carried the scene to its climax, and despite knowing the story, everyone was spellbound.
Creak—
“Huh?”
Just before the final scene, the classroom door opened.
The homeroom teacher hesitated at the entrance.
She had expected everyone to be busy preparing, but why were they all gathered like this?
“Are you all done? Ready for the rehearsal?”
“Ah! Right!”
“Just a moment, Teacher!”
The students scrambled back to their seats. The teacher, confused, tilted her head. Muyoung closed the script and smiled.
“Yuna’s skills haven’t rusted at all.”
He gave a thumbs-up, and the other students nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, Yuna, you were like a real princess.”
“I, I had no idea you were this good.”
“Actually, my aunt said she loved the movie you were in. I couldn’t watch it because it was rated R, but… anyway, now I get what she meant when she said you were an amazing actress.”
“You’re incredible. Seriously!”
The kinder students praised Yuna sincerely. Listening to them, she realized something.
“No……”
No matter how bad the situation, she was still an actress. The fact that she had been half-heartedly practicing because her classmates were bad or bullying her was shocking.
That’s why they’re all so surprised now. Seeing her true skills.
“I’m an actress……”
Yes. An actress. No matter what anyone says, that’s who I am.
Yuna tapped her cheeks lightly, as if to refocus.
Her friends crowded around, each sharing a word. Lee Saeim’s group remained distant, but they couldn’t act as harshly as before.
With adults present, and having witnessed Yuna’s true abilities, they realized she wasn’t powerless.
Understanding that her claws were hidden, not absent, the group whispered among themselves and moved to a corner.
“Oppa, you’re coming to the play tomorrow, right?”
“Of course. I even bought a camcorder, just in case.”
“Then go now. See you tomorrow. At my performance.”
Yuna firmly sent Muyoung away.
She wondered if it would be okay, but Yuna’s eyes sparkled with determination, leaving her no choice.
“Alright. Fighting, Senior Yoo Yuna.”
“Thanks, Oppa.” Yuna rubbed her forehead against Muyoung’s waist and smiled.
Muyoung told the homeroom teacher his schedule had been moved up and left the classroom. Until the door closed, Yuna was surrounded by her classmates.