Chapter 95: Unnie, I’m jealous (seriously).

“Move.”

Yang Ha-rin’s sharp words.

Sua thought—Not now. Not like this.

She wanted to move aside immediately, but given the state of her tailored dress, she couldn’t.

Yang Ha-rin narrowed her eyes and spoke again.

“Did you not hear me? I said move.”

“I heard you.”

Realizing she couldn’t delay answering any longer, Sua responded while quickly stepping back.

Riiiip!

“….”

At the same time, she felt the fabric around her hips tear a little more. Sua froze again—this time, involuntarily.

“….”

It was over.

Once a tear had started, the rest would easily follow. If she kept walking, the entire back of her dress would shred apart.

Yang Ha-rin’s expression twisted even more.

“What? You think you’ve already made it big?”

Of course, she wasn’t speaking loudly enough for the reporters to hear.

“Or do you think you’ve already won an award?”

She leaned in, resting her chin on Sua’s shoulder as she whispered.

Yang Ha-rin was experienced enough to know how to keep the conversation private.

As a result, the clueless reporters called out:

“Oh? You two know each other?”

“What’s the relationship between you two?”

Meanwhile, Yang Ha-rin continued.

“You’re getting all the special treatment from the agency, Sun-il and Yeon-ju are adjusting for you, and now your arrogance is showing. I get it. But.”

“…Mm.”

Yang Ha-rin seemed to think that Sua was deliberately extending her photo time out of sheer pride.

The reality was the opposite—she just desperately wanted to escape.

“There’s a saying, you know—riding on a tiger’s back doesn’t make you a tiger. A fox is still just a fox. Do you really think you’re a tiger?”

“…I’m a fox.”

Sua, in her usual way, decided that being a fox wasn’t so bad.

“Yeah, at least you’re aware.”

Then, silence.

“….”

Sua was confused because she thought she was being praised.

Yang Ha-rin was thrown off because Sua accepted it so quickly.

An awkward, heavy pause.

Finally, Yang Ha-rin broke the silence.

“…If you’re done figuring out your place, move.”

But at that moment—

Sua held something out toward Yang Ha-rin.

“…What’s this?”

Yang Ha-rin looked puzzled.

“A… hand mirror?”

It was a hand mirror.

Of course, even Sua herself hadn’t given it much thought.

Wasn’t there a saying that even an earthworm will leap and bite when cornered?

Well, no, such a saying didn’t exist—but that was how Sua felt at the moment.

She had just grabbed whatever was within reach.

It was the best plan she could come up with—if the cameras turned their attention to Yang Ha-rin, it would make slipping away easier for herself.

Flash! Flash! Flash!

Sure enough, the camera flashes began popping.

The photographers captured Yang Ha-rin blankly fiddling with the mirror in confusion.

Grip!

At that moment, Seo Yeon-ju clutched Sua’s waist.

Just a few minutes earlier.

“Why is Sua just standing there like that?”

That was the brief thought that crossed Seo Yeon-ju’s mind.

Kim Sun-il had already disappeared inside, but Seo Yeon-ju had lingered near Sua.

The way they looked together in the photos was quite nice, after all.

And then, she realized the reason.

Her hips.

There was a problem with Sua’s tailored dress.

It had ripped.

“What the….”

For a brief moment, Seo Yeon-ju felt despair rather than concern.

It was something she had never even imagined happening to her.

Yet for Sua, it was almost expected.

In fact, the idea that Sua was going through something like this didn’t even seem that surprising.

Yeah, well… She had already seen that body during the 808 filming.

But still, this was troubling.

Just how much effort would Seo Yeon-ju need to put in to make the fabric over her hips burst?

Impossible.

Nearly impossible.

No, wait—maybe not entirely impossible.

If she sled down an asphalt road on her butt…

Would that do it?

Wouldn’t it tear then…?

“….”

…Wait, what?

She needed to stop these depressing thoughts.

And then—

“…?”

Seo Yeon-ju’s concern turned into confusion.

The more the dress tore, the more she noticed—

Sua’s choice of underwear was questionable.

It wasn’t that it was overly revealing or too daring.

No.

The issue was something completely different.

…It would have been better if she had worn something revealing. But what even is this?

A small, cartoonish Arctic fox was printed on the fabric.

…?

Seo Yeon-ju suddenly felt a deep sense of dread.

Some actresses strategically use intentional wardrobe malfunctions for media attention, but this?

What could she possibly do with this cutesy underwear?

It was utterly useless for Sua’s image.

“I need to have a word with her stylist. What the hell is this?”

Of course, this was something Sua had chosen herself, carefully selected after much deliberation.

But Seo Yeon-ju couldn’t even imagine that possibility.

Sua picking something like that? No way.

Fortunately, Seo Yeon-ju was experienced in these situations.

Swoosh—

She gently wrapped her arm around Sua’s waist, pretending to be affectionate, and subtly gripped the torn fabric at the back of her dress to hold it together.

“…!”

Sua nearly yelped in surprise.

She barely stopped herself from making an odd noise and glanced at Seo Yeon-ju.

Why are you grabbing my butt?!

More importantly—

She found out!

As Sua’s mind raced in panic, Seo Yeon-ju leaned in and whispered.

“We’re both women, so a little physical contact is fine. We probably just look like affectionate sisters. It’ll even make for a heartwarming article later, about how we grew close through this project.”

“Ah….”

Sua was suddenly touched.

She’s such a good person….

“Of course, you know I’m not just doing this for publicity, right? But next time, make sure your outfit fits properly around the hips. What is this mess?”

Sua nodded.

“Unnie, thank you.”

Hearing that, Seo Yeon-ju smiled without even realizing it.

It was the first time Sua had called her unnie.

“Thank me? If not me, who else would help you?”

“How should I repay this kindness? I need to think.”

“There’s nothing to repay. Just… if something like this ever happens to me, you can help me then, right?”

“I don’t think something like this could ever happen to you, Unnie. That’s why I’m worried. I need to find another way to repay you.”

A completely innocent remark.

Seo Yeon-ju’s smile disappeared.

Sua quickly changed into a fresh outfit.

Kim Yi-seo wasn’t particularly surprised.

She simply commented, “That dress put up a good fight,” as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, Sua’s stylist was suddenly summoned to Seo Yeon-ju’s waiting room.

When she left moments later, she was muttering, Why is she suddenly asking about shapewear…?

Shortly after.

“…What’s up with her today?”

Kim Sun-il appeared, frowning.

Kim Yi-seo, who had just finished helping Sua change, turned toward him.

“Sun-il, what’s wrong?”

“Yeon-ju.”

“Yeon-ju?”

“Yeah, she seems more sensitive than usual. Did she eat something weird?”

However, there was barely any time for Mystic Entertainment’s team to sit and chat among themselves.

They were too popular.

Too many people were coming over to speak with the The Sword production team.

“Sun-il, even though you were only a special guest, your presence was massive! You filmed this while working on Special Task Force 808, right? Do you have two bodies or something?”

“You flatter me. It was just a short cameo, so it didn’t take much time.”

“I wanted to greet Yeon-ju too. Where did she go?”

“She looked really serious earlier. Probably preparing herself for the awards ceremony. She’s ambitious, after all.”

“At her level, I’d think short films wouldn’t even be on her radar, but… Yeon-ju really has such incredible passion.”

Everyone was swamped with attention.

Well—except Sua.

“This is actually great.”

For Sua, it was a relief.

If too many people swarmed around her, she might get overwhelmed and blurt out something embarrassing.

That said, while no one was directly talking to her, they were definitely looking.

Every single person who came to speak with Kim Sun-il or Kim Yi-seo made sure to glance at Sua before leaving.

Their expressions always carried a hint of regret.

—They’re so obvious. They clearly want to talk to Sua but just walk away.

—Well, our seniors aren’t exactly the most approachable. Honestly, this is for the best. At least she doesn’t have to make conversation.

—That’s true….

By now, Sua was used to the voices of Wi Ji-hye Sua and Kim Yuhan Sua bantering inside her head.

And just then—

“Everyone, please take your seats!”

A loud voice from the staff.

The awards ceremony was beginning.

Sua rose from her chair.

Who will win tonight?

It was a fleeting thought.

She had no idea what was about to unfold.