'Rosalyn, daughter of a merchant from Europe.'
Even for a cameo, she has a rather grand name attached.
Of course, who that merchant is hasn't been particularly established.
That's because originally, it was simply a scene where Michiko and Yuina encounter each other at an auction house and have a battle of pride.
'To obtain the necklace put up for auction.'
It was something Michiko's late mother wore around her neck.
A necklace that went missing from the mansion long ago.
And it is found at this auction house.
Naturally, Michiko tries to purchase it, but Yuina, who is also present, interferes with Michiko's actions.
Because being Michiko's mother's keepsake meant it wasn't something completely unrelated to Yuina either.
The possession of a woman she hates.
In other words, she intended to obtain that necklace and destroy it.
The auction heats up, with the price climbing to an absurd amount.
Michiko was about to give up out of necessity, but with Yeon Seon-ye by her side, Michiko calls out an amount even Yuina couldn't easily match and wins the bid.
『And so, the content was to give the necklace obtained that way to Yeon Seon-ye?』
『It appears so.』
『It has changed considerably.』
Asher Baldwin watched the filming that had begun, alongside the Japanese staff observing the current situation from beside him.
The first to appear were Jo Seo-hee and Lee Ji-yeon.
The two who could be called the main leads.
A classic building where the atmosphere of the past remains alive.
Rather than an old Japanese-style building, it looks like a structure right in the middle of Europe.
"My lady, this is my first time at an auction. Do I just watch?"
"Don't make a fool of yourself and stay still. If there's something I want, I'll handle it myself."
"T-Then I shall stay still."
At Yeon Seon-ye nodding with an awkward face, Michiko lightly furrowed her brows.
A gaze that looked as though she found her unreliable yet cute at the same time.
Even though she's an endlessly materialistic child, at times like this, she's also endlessly naive.
"But, my lady. What's the item we need to obtain? You came here for a reason, didn't you?"
"That is..."
Michiko, who hesitated for a moment, stared at Seon-ye.
She was also aware of Seon-ye's suspicious movements lately.
No, she also knew it was clearly related to Yuina.
However, Michiko was already in a situation where she was letting such a Seon-ye go to some extent.
Because that way, even when she herself gives up everything later, she could let her go without hesitation.
"A necklace."
"A necklace?"
"It's not precious, but it belonged to someone precious."
It was a quite ambiguous statement.
Saying it's not precious referred to the necklace as an item up for auction.
But the owner of that necklace was clearly someone precious to Michiko.
Words containing such complex emotions.
Her faintly trembling voice revealed Michiko's feelings.
Michiko's appearance brought a faint admiration to the set.
'Actor Jo Seo-hee is really in the zone today, isn't she?'
'She speaks calmly, but the emotions show so well.'
'Is it because there are a lot of people watching beside her?'
The filming staff's gazes naturally turned toward Asher.
They were curious whether that acting would catch the eye of a world-renowned master.
And Asher Baldwin's reaction wasn't much different from those staff members.
'Not bad.'
At the very least, better than most actors who strut around claiming to be stars in the West.
That neat atmosphere was built through effort rather than talent.
Asher really liked that kind of actor's atmosphere.
He liked those with innate talent too, but he also liked those who had accumulated as much as possible from what they possessed.
'They said she's the best among Korea's young actors.'
Naturally, Asher Baldwin didn't properly know Korean actors.
Those who made it to Hollywood were extremely few.
Among the actors in this place today, there was only one he originally knew.
The man looking at him with an uncomfortable face.
It was actor Lee Sang-soo.
'I remember seeing him in America.'
It was probably a movie by a director he knew.
A director with many controversies.
He was definitely talented, but he remembered that director expressing dissatisfaction toward him.
"Hah, whether Chinese or Korean, why should I use an actor from the East in my movie?"
Something along those lines.
Probably, since there was a Korean company among the investors, actor Lee Sang-soo had been inserted.
But the movie by that director who complained and forced Lee Sang-soo in flopped like a lie.
Asher Baldwin had no choice but to evaluate that movie like this:
'Only that Easterner is visible.'
A controversial but talented director—Asher Baldwin had no intention of denying that either.
But that movie was serious.
There were too many things that stood out to simply call it a problem caused by investors.
Because of that, to Asher's eyes, only the Eastern actor who fought valiantly was visible.
To the point of checking the actor's name that came up in the credits when the movie completely ended.
'It was that guy.'
Asher stroked his chin.
This film has strangely good actor luck, doesn't it.
'Gyeongseong Lady.'
Was there a distributor handling it in America currently?
Probably not.
In the first place, it didn't look like a film with that much budget.
However, the cast was solid to a bizarre degree.
One of the things that costs the most money when making a movie is the actors.
Yet that cast is absurd.
It's not just actor Lee Sang-soo, but Jo Seo-hee as well.
Jo Seo-hee's skills already surpassed mature adult actors.
Simply through effort alone.
'No, thinking like that, it's not just effort.'
That child has something too.
It's just packaged as effort instead.
Though she herself doesn't seem to be properly aware of it.
'What's rather ordinary is...'
The actor playing the counterpart, the 'protagonist' Yeon Seon-ye.
A truly peculiar person.
Compared to Jo Seo-hee who she's acting against, her skills are lacking, yet there's something that draws the eye.
Awkward, but that awkwardness suits the role perfectly.
'Indeed.'
But how far will that kind of acting hold up?
Asher quietly observed the film.
The first scene was a one-take.
The scene that follows immediately is the filming inside the auction house.
Extra actors filling the seats of the auction house.
In other words, the crowd, and among them, Michiko and Yeon Seon-ye sitting together.
The lighting illuminating the interior brightly lit up the hall as filming continued.
"My lady, there are so many people."
"Do be quiet. I'm embarrassed for you."
"Should I have worn a pretty colorful hanbok after all?"
"Seon-ye."
It was the moment Michiko was stopping Yeon Seon-ye who was chattering beside her.
The curtain of the auction house stage opened.
And everyone stiffened.
Because a woman with a glamorous gold bob and a white Western dress stood on the stage with a gentle smile.
Rosalyn Dvorak.
The daughter of the merchant who hosted this auction, and the MC in charge of today's auction.
The moment she appeared, someone could be heard inhaling sharply.
Because on that stage, there was a sparkling golden flower.
"Welcome, esteemed guests who have participated today."
Gold bob.
Fair skin, blue eyes.
And the pure white dress wrapping her slender body.
Just that alone was like a painting.
Though fragile, there was a presence that kept one from looking away.
"I am Rosalyn Dvorak."
It was clear Japanese.
A gentle voice that pleased the ears.
A voice that relaxed body and mind to the point that those who heard it unknowingly smiled.
But that wasn't the only important thing.
Her appearance standing neatly on the stage naturally gathered gazes beyond simply being beautiful.
To the point of realizing belatedly that right beside her was the first auction item to go up.
'Intense.'
Michiko—
No, Jo Seo-hee narrowed her eyes.
Even though she had only uttered a single word, it was as if the person standing on stage was declaring that this was her domain.
It reminded her of how Seo-yeon had devoured the scene with just a few lines when she appeared in a Japanese drama before.
Right now, Rosalyn was like that.
She was a cameo.
A minor role, or an extra.
"The auction will proceed for a total of three hours. We have prepared plenty of items that will satisfy our esteemed guests."
Such a trivial role to call out, but simply standing on the stage made that color shine like gold.
An actor's aura.
The starlight that Jo Seo-hee's mother possessed, which only a select few actors could have.
Blue eyes swept across the crowd, eventually reaching Michiko.
And a slight crack appeared on that neat face, forming a smile different from before.
The difference was certainly very subtle, but it was a change noticeable enough for everyone watching to catch.
After all, this scene was acting.
If it's acting, the audience should notice her change.
It was a seemingly insignificant change in expression, but 'everyone' could understand her reaction.
"Hehe, it seems today's auction will be quite enjoyable."
That gaze wasn't simply directed at Michiko.
She also sent a rather interested gaze to Yeon Seon-ye right beside her.
According to the newly added setting, Rosalyn was a character who disliked Michiko.
To be precise, someone who developed an inferiority complex toward Michiko whom she met in childhood.
The two had known each other since they were young and had a quite uncomfortable relationship.
"Especially today..."
The moment Michiko and Rosalyn's eyes met.
With a clank, the door at the entrance of the auction house opened.
Since it was a late participant, everyone's gazes naturally headed toward the door.
Whenever the gazes that had been directed at Rosalyn turned to her one by one, they stiffened with a different meaning than when they had for Rosalyn.
Faces that had relaxed while looking at beautiful flowers were naturally dyed with tension.
Among them were Michiko and Yeon Seon-ye as well.
The eyes that had been on Rosalyn turned to the figure who appeared belatedly.
"Kasugayama Yuina."
Michiko inadvertently muttered those words, then quickly covered her mouth with her hand.
That's because it was a line that originally didn't exist.
But Michiko—no, Jo Seo-hee couldn't help it either.
Today, the person in that place was more Kasugayama Yuina herself than ever before.
A red butterfly on a black background.
A pipe in her hand.
Languidly shining red eyes.
The white skin contrasting with that was extremely impressive.
Those following behind her were all fierce-looking and stood out particularly.
The person standing right beside her was Goto Isamu.
Just as Yeon Seon-ye was beside Michiko, he stood beside Yuina.
He swept his eyes over the crowd watching them with languid gazes.
As if searching for someone in this place.
Those who received that gaze unknowingly inhaled sharply.
Rosalyn standing on stage seemed not to care at all.
Eyes searching only for something else.
Her silent atmosphere was like a flower harboring poison—dangerous, yet one couldn't look away.
Seo-hee inwardly thought she definitely wanted to see this scene again.
Because she believed the reactions shown by the people present at this moment were not acting.
'More intense than usual.'
The existing Seo-yeon had somewhat adapted herself to the surrounding colors.
She hadn't shown an intense image like when she played the main villain 'Cha Seo-ah.'
But today was different.
Today she was more intense than anyone.
A deeper red than ever, like her eyes.
As if red butterflies were flying around her as she stood still.
'She's trying to match the tone.'
Jo Seo-hee predicted it.
The greatest strength of Seo-yeon's acting was making others empathize with emotions.
The method acting where she immerses herself in the role was ultimately one branch of that.
However, Jo Seo-hee too—
And Lee Ji-yeon beside her felt it.
That today, Seo-yeon was in a state of unprecedented immersion into the role of Yuina from the very start.
Why.
The reason was simple.
To match the color of the actor currently on stage.
'No, it's not simply about matching colors.'
Today, Ju Seo-yeon was more sincere than ever.
'That kid has an incredibly strong competitive spirit.'
Anyway, she knows that Stella has been provoking her all along.
In the first place, participating as a cameo today was tantamount to sniping Seo-yeon.
Just as she devoured all the leads in the Japanese drama.
Stella must have intended to do the same today.
The reason was unknown.
Simply for fun?
That didn't seem to be the case, but Stella's target being Seo-yeon was certain.
Yuina's eyes sweeping the surroundings found Yeon Seon-ye first.
Michiko was next.
Upon realizing that herself, Yuina's languid eyes were dyed with displeasure.
And she clicked her tongue briefly.
As if she was uncomfortable with herself for naturally finding Yeon Seon-ye first among Michiko and Yeon Seon-ye.
That complex emotion spread to the surroundings.
Like a drop of red paint falling into a clear pool of water.
"...You're a bit late, guest."
As if displeased that she wasn't in her consideration, Rosalyn standing on the stage opened her mouth.
At those words, Yuina's gaze naturally headed toward the stage.
Rosalyn's noble smile like an aristocrat and Yuina's languid gaze clashed in midair.
Blue eyes and red eyes.
White and black.
Polar opposites.
Two perfectly contrasting colors.
As the two colors intertwined, Rosalyn's smile faded slightly.
A change in emotion that definitely wasn't in the director's request.
Though natural, personal emotions rather than Rosalyn's were mixed in.
Because right now, they could clearly feel the black invading the white.
The difference was very subtle, but it was enough for the two actors to notice.
Who the winner of the first match was.