CH73

Ian spun a pen between his fingers. Along with the rhythmic tapping of chalk, shapes began to appear on the blackboard. It was a geometry class, and the backs of focused students were visible. 'Not too difficult.'

In the American education system, good grades were required to progress to the next level. This could mean being two years behind peers or, as in Ian's case, advancing a grade earlier than usual. Ian wasn't particularly ambitious academically, but…

"Wouldn't the other kids work harder if they saw you? I hope you can be a role model."

He had given in to the principal's persuasion, though he wondered how much difference it would make. Seeing a class of seventh graders filled with eighth-grade lessons, it seemed to have had an effect.

As soon as the class ended and the teacher left, the kids crowded around him.

"Have you been alright?"

"I saw the photos of your makeup! Are you going to do that at our school festival too?"

"No, the tail got ripped off."

Ian felt relieved as the children expressed their disappointment. If Evan hadn't torn it, it might have become the festival's mascot.

While Ian was fielding questions about his absence and the fun of filming in New York, one child asked,

"Ian! What are you going to do about high school?"

"High school?"

It was late March 2013, and Ian was in seventh grade. The private high schools the children aspired to required entrance exams starting at the end of the year, so it made sense they were curious.

"I might just go to a public school."

"Why?! Your grades are good."

"Yeah! It would be a shame to just go to a public school."

Even if it was a public school, this was Beverly Hills. Both parents and students were highly interested in education, and those destined for university typically preferred famous private schools.

"It's hard to attend regularly with filming, so how could I go there?"

"That's true, but…"

"It's a shame."

Their disappointment was evident, but it was more about wishing well for someone they liked, which brought a smile to Ian's face.

Of course, schooling was one story.

'I'm also wondering if I should even go to college.'

Ian wasn't completely disinterested in college life. He had envied normal students during his homeless days and was curious about the experience. He just wasn't sure if it was worth spending time on it.

College was a distant concern, so he moved on to the next class, chatting with the kids.

"So, is Alien Hunter almost done shooting?"

"Just a few more times on set, and it'll be over."

"That's great! So you'll be at school until summer break?"

"Ah," 

He hadn't mentioned that yet.

"I'm starting shooting for the next movie soon."

"..."

Suddenly, silence fell.

Turning around, Ian saw the kids' faces had turned to stone.

"…Maybe it'll finish before the summer break? Maybe."

It was meant to be comforting, but it seemed not to help.

"Caught you!"

Chased like a zombie, Ian was quickly caught and bombarded with complaints from his classmates.

***

Director Go Jun-hyuk surveyed the scene. Most of the staff milling around were of different ethnicities—a clear sign of the changed filming environment.

"It's tough. Very tough."

Having directed for over ten years, he felt like a novice again in the American filming setting, so different from Korea's.

"What are you pondering so deeply about?"

The familiar Korean and intonation needed no second guessing. The speaker was Park Nam-soo, a veteran actor with whom he had collaborated on many projects.

"Have you arrived?"

The director greeted the elderly actor formally. Park Nam-soo was a respected senior actor whose presence demanded reverence, regardless of the familiarity born from numerous collaborations.

"Why so formal between us? Just tell me what had you zoning out."

"I knew it would be a challenge, but it feels very unfamiliar."

"I struggle too, especially with English. It's quite a headache. Reminds me of the time I used to get chocolates from American soldiers."

Laughing heartily, Nam-soo pulled a small chocolate from his pocket, a habit of sharing treats with fellow actors.

"By the way, when is Ian expected?"

"He has school classes, but he'll be here on time."

"That's good."

Nam-soo thought of Ian. A child internationally adopted who became a noted child actor in the US. While the public focused on his story, those in the entertainment industry were drawn to his other qualities.

"How did you find his acting in person?"

"You won't be disappointed. Despite his upbringing, or perhaps because of it, he has quite a playful side."

"Ha! I've heard that story. He really fooled someone, didn't he?"

"His skill in deception could fool almost anyone."

As Jun-hyuk affirmed Ian's acting prowess, Nam-soo looked forward with anticipation. Many child actors were talented, but:

"He has a depth that's rare for his age."

That was why discerning people were paying attention to Ian.

"I'm eager to sync up with him."

Nam-soo opened his script. His character, Yong-jin, was from beyond the Grand Line, detained after questioning by the upper levels. A figure whose captivity would stir rebellion among the lower levels.

"A senile old man, that's the character."

After a challenging rescue, the lower levels realize he has dementia and entrust him to Eugene, played by Ian—a role that guaranteed significant interaction between Ian and him.

As the actors entered one by one for the script reading, Nam-soo was greeting them appropriately when the awaited boy arrived.

"Hello! Am I late?"

"You came just in time. Welcome!"

"Ms. Kelly, long time no see. You're working here now. Oh, Mr. Hughes is here too."

Even before shooting had started, people were amazed to see Ian greeting the staff so familiarly.

In fact, Ian was a mysterious figure among the actors.

– Like Cinderella, he had to leave even famous award ceremonies by 9 PM.

– He seldom appeared at parties, using his age as an excuse.

– Apart from acting, he was busy with school.

The actors wanted to meet him, but there were hardly any opportunities.

Did that mean he lacked connections compared to actors who frequented parties to network? Not at all.

He had significant connections, whether with actors or directors.

It was a surprise to see an actor known through the media getting along well with the staff.

Ian, who was simply greeting the actors he met for the first time, now stood in front of Nam-soo.

"Ah! You are actor Park Nam-soo, playing the role of Yong-jin, right?"

His Korean was so fluent that it was hard to believe he had never been to Korea since he was a child.

Nam-soo knew, but was still surprised anew.

'It's said that you lose a language if you don't use it.'

Isn't it common for people who live abroad for a long time to become unskilled in Korean?

Curious, he asked,

"You can just call me grandpa. But your Korean is fluent. Do you practice regularly?"

"I practice acting with scripts in Korean. There are also Korean students at my school."

"Scripts in Korean?"

"Yes, if you look at translations, they don't capture the essence. I look at scripts in other languages too."

Nam-soo blinked his eyes.

It's possible to look at scripts in multiple languages. There are quite a few people who are proficient in several languages.

But to be eager enough to delve into scripts from other countries means he must read a lot.

"How many scripts do you go through in a month?"

"Well, I often revisit good scripts, so it's basically by the boxful."

Seeing the child's bright, smiling eyes, Nam-soo clicked his tongue internally.

'Passion? Or almost madness?'

It's rare to see, even among those who have been in acting for a long time. People who would starve but give their all to acting.

Often, the outcome wasn't good.

Worried as he was, Nam-soo couldn't offer advice during their first meeting, so he swallowed the words that rose to his throat and smiled calmly.

"That's impressive. Let's do well moving forward."

"Of course. Let's do well!"

As the greetings among the actors were wrapping up, Jun-hyuk clapped his hands lightly.

"Alright, let's get started then."

With Jun-hyuk's cue, the sounds of flipping scripts and actors performing mingled together.

A scene from the news announcing a volcanic eruption in Yellowstone National Park passed by, describing the background and showing the lives of people living along the Grand Line.

Thud!

A person leaning against the wall quietly went outside after a bumping noise.

"Found it."

He picked up a bird that had collided and died against a building erected like a massive wall.

Life is grand. Just as humans strive to endure, animals struggle to adapt to their environments as much as possible.

Even in the freezing ice age weather and the arid desert, birds flew around.

The man who hid the dead bird in his arms jumped slightly at the sudden comment.

"Jake, you look bulkier. Found some new clothes?"

"Damn, is that you, Eugene?"

Jake frowned.

He was a smart and quick-witted kid, smart enough to survive in the lower classes from a young age. It seemed he was caught having caught the bird.

"So what now."

"I wasn't the only one who heard that noise just now. How about we split it if I help you avoid people's eyes?"

"Split it? Are you a robber?"

Nam-soo blinked his eyes.

"Hey, if you get caught, you won't be able to eat even a piece. Wait, don't you hear footsteps?"

"Damn it, kid! Alright, half. Are you happy now?"

This scene marked the first appearance of the important supporting characters, Jake and Eugene, and Ian's acting perfectly captured the sly nature of his character.

With a strong start, the script reading progressed quickly.

Just when it seemed everything was going smoothly, Ian raised his hand.

"Ian, what is it?"

"There's something odd about this line here."

Jun-hyuk looked at the script.

It was Eugene's line, who leads the lower-class rebels and serves as a guide.

"The upper classes have twisted these paths like a maze. But according to the blueprint you sent, if we follow these instructions, it leads to a dead end."

"Really?"

"Yes, just a moment."

Ian picked up a pen and swiftly drew lines on a blank sheet of paper.

The lines he drew quickly transformed into the sent blueprint. He replicated the path's width so precisely it looked like he was tracing over the actual blueprint.

"Wow… how did you memorize that?"

"I don't even know."

Ian drew lines from their current location as described in the script, and indeed, it ended in a dead end.

"It really does?"

"It seems like there was some confusion here."

It wasn't a major issue, but the fact that he caught such a mistake was astonishing.

It meant that he had meticulously reviewed even the supplementary materials sent for reference while preparing the script.

"I'll have it corrected. Thanks."

Jun-hyuk briefly expressed his gratitude, made a quick hand correction, and continued the script reading.

Aside from Ian's intervention, the reading ended smoothly, and the actors approached Ian afterward, praising his efforts.

"I'm busy enough memorizing lines, how did you manage to memorize that?"

"It was exactly the same. You're really amazing."

"Well, if I'm playing the guide, I should at least memorize that much."

The actors burst into laughter at his response as if he really were Eugene, and left him with words of encouragement.

As the reading concluded and everyone was about to disperse, Nam-soo approached Ian.

"Kid, why did you memorize that?"

"Why did I memorize it?"

Ian faced Nam-soo, his expression seeming to catch on to something, and with a gesture, he tilted his head slightly and whispered to the old man.

"It's all part of the performance. Showing this side helps when it's time to shoot."

The old man laughed lightly at the child's playful face.

He was clever in an endearing way.

It looked like it was going to be a fun shoot.

***

After returning to the past, strangely enough, Ian became quite popular among the kids.

Thanks to that, he had plenty of kids he could call friends, but if he had to choose his closest, there were four.

Rachel, Daniel, Dorothy, Larry.

Except for Daniel, Ian had no connection with the others in the past, and they were so unique it was surprising they got along.

"Ian! When are we going to play baseball again, huh?"

"No."

"Ah, why! I just played baseball with some kids from school recently. In the first inning…"

Larry, who could keep talking even if he sank in water, was about to describe the entire game, not just like a radio broadcast up to the ninth inning.

Of course, there were people who didn't like it.

"Quiet, Larry."

Daniel, who was reading, threw a cushion in annoyance.

"So, you wanted to hear the story too? Just be honest. I'll tell you."

"Ugh, go away!"

Daniel, who liked quiet, was always bickering with Larry.

Rachel just nodded her head, busy listening to all sorts of songs.

It was surprising they met up at all; they were like misaligned gears. If not for Ian, their connection probably wouldn't have lasted.

Ian gave Daniel a thumbs up.

'Thanks, Daniel.'

Thanks to Daniel's sacrifice, Ian's eardrums were saved while he read the script until the door burst open.

"Ian! Ian!"

"What?"

Dorothy appeared, her face flushed, clearly having hurried.

"There was something really funny yesterday. It was April Fool's Day."

"Oh, right."

In America, even adults play pranks on April Fool's Day.

Just yesterday, Dylan who gave his mom and Chloe a corndog with a cucumber in it got slapped on the back.

"Someone famous hacked the SNS of a major music magazine and posted an April Fool's joke."

"Really? What did they post?"

Hacking just to play a prank?

That's truly bizarre.

"It's so absurd. They posted a fake article claiming that Rai and you are the same person, and that CEO Elliot did the interview."

"Pfft!"

Daniel, who was drinking water, sprayed it out dramatically.

Dorothy, stepping back as if disgusted, nodded her head.

"Really, it's just ridiculous when you think about it, right? What does it matter if the voices are similar? Surely, I can't be expected to not distinguish between Rai and Ian, right?"

"..."

Ian chose silence, sparing the future Dorothy the task of sorting through the blankets.

'I haven't heard anything serious, so it probably isn't a big deal.'

He should probably check in with Nick.