"I would appreciate it if you could take your seat, as you are causing a disruption to the other guests."
Rosalind's words were soft.
But those words carried quite a strong force.
The softness was because the atmosphere had just been broken by Yuina's entrance.
At Rosalind's words, Yuina removed her gaze from her and moved to her assigned seat.
There was no particular reply.
An attitude as if she didn't care about her at all.
"Miss, that girl has arrived too, you know?"
Yeon Seonye, who was watching Yuina, whispered into Michiko's ear.
The way she whispered gave off quite a timid impression.
"She would come. The item I desire today is quite important to Yuina as well."
"Is that so? What on earth could it be."
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"I told you. A necklace."
With that conversation, the auction began to proceed.
Explaining the items brought up one by one, Rosalind presented them to the people.
The people each took interest in the items and let out exclamations of admiration.
As if those items were actually real.
'Yeah, as if they were real.'
The actors present unwittingly thought so.
"As for this item, 1680. It is an item discovered on a pirate ship that roamed the oceans. As you can see, this large chest is made entirely of gold."
Sparkling eyes.
Looking into those blue eyes feels like being drawn in.
The items prepared as props for acting are quite plausible, but of course, everyone knows they are fake.
However, listening to Rosalind's words, even though it's acting, it makes one unconsciously utter admiration from their lips.
"You talk too much. I get it now, so how about proceeding with the auction."
At that moment, Yuina opened her mouth with a sneer.
She had been quiet until now, but it seemed she didn't quite like Rosalind's calm explanation.
Originally, Yuina had little interest in anything other than the necklace.
At her words, the sound of people gasping could be heard around them.
However, no one dared to say anything to Yuina.
The Kasugayama family was a clan with that much powerful authority.
A place that ruled the night streets from mainland Japan, someone they absolutely must not get on the bad side of.
"My."
At Yuina's remark, a smile hung on Rosalind's lips.
Her blue eyes narrowed, and her gaze headed toward Yuina.
"I guess she acts like that because her personality is trash. Doesn't she know what an auction is for?"
"Seonye. Didn't you say this is your first auction too?"
"I don't cut people off like that, though."
The conversation between Yeon Seonye and Michiko, who were watching the situation, was heard in the silenced auction hall.
As if Yuina, with her sensitive ears, heard those words, she swiftly glared at Yeon Seonye.
"Oh my."
Yeon Seonye hurriedly shrugged her shoulders and averted her gaze.
A comical appearance, as if she didn't know she would be heard.
Up to this point, it was a light gag scene.
And then.
"So it's Miss Kasugayama Yuina."
Rosalind leaned her body on the cane she held in her hand and continued speaking.
The light atmosphere instantly turned chilling.
"An auction has its own rules. Those who are accustomed to taking what belongs to others might not be familiar with those rules, so they might not know well."
Soft, but biting words.
It was an attitude an auctioneer shouldn't take, but it was something she could say because Yuina had ignored her earlier.
Besides, Rosalind was actually a noble.
She was a merchant and the host of the auction selling goods to them, but she was by no means an ordinary merchant.
Therefore, it wasn't strange for her to speak like that.
Because Yuina's actions were that rude.
'That is the setting within the work.'
Goto Isamu, who was standing right beside Yuina, watching that series of acting.
In other words, Lee Sangsoo realized that Rosalind's──Stella's acting had become deeper.
Much richer than the tone she had initially put forward.
Probably, she realized that her acting was overwhelmed by Seoyeon's atmosphere in their first meeting.
So she went on the offensive.
'She realized she's not an opponent to be taken lightly.'
He noticed at a glance.
Stella was a great actress, a heaven-sent genius unrivaled among her peers.
Because she possessed innate talent, she naturally looked down on others.
To put it nicely, consideration.
Even if she stepped up to trample her opponent, if she showed overly intense acting and crushed the other actor, the work itself would shake. Then her own acting would look strange too.
So, Stella tried to match her opponent in her own way.
'However, Miss Seoyeon's acting was much more intense than expected.'
A blackness that dominated the play just by looking at Rosalind, without even any lines.
That was an intensity allowed because Yuina was the 'villain'.
Even if she completely killed Rosalind's presence, Yuina, as the main villain, could do that.
However, it seemed that was quite a blow to Stella's pride.
Right now, her offensive was extremely sharp.
"Your tongue is long."
"Merchants naturally have long tongues. However, it seems the Kasugayama family does not even know the etiquette between nobles."
"Isn't giving too many useless explanations a virtue a merchant should avoid?"
"The one to decide that is not Miss Kasugayama. Wouldn't it be the guests present here?"
Yuina's words lashing out throughout, and Rosalind smoothly deflecting them.
"Hmph."
At Rosalind's words, Yuina fiddled with the pipe she held in her hand.
The pushing black momentum paused for a moment.
At that sharply approaching acting, Yuina's intense atmosphere momentarily shrank back a little.
There was nothing to actually refute in Rosalind's words, and she also couldn't find the right color to properly receive the color of her acting that flew like an arrow.
So to speak, the situation and the dialogue intertwined to suppress Seoyeon's intensity.
It would be strange to get angry here, so the emotional line she could display was extremely limited.
On top of that, Yuina's acting was continuously strong, and Rosalind handled it like a child.
Yuina's eyes narrowed, staring at Rosalind.
The previous scene didn't overwhelm anyone, and they achieved a perfect draw.
But visually, Rosalind's figure would have been more emphasized than Yuina's.
If one were to divide victory and defeat, it would probably be Rosalind's victory.
"Furthermore, it seems what you are interested in is not exactly the item..."
Rosalind uttered that line and momentarily turned to Yeon Seonye, who was with Michiko.
Her words just now had two meanings.
The reason Yuina is aiming for the necklace.
In other words, the purpose of the auction was not the auction item itself, but to take 'revenge' on Michiko by obtaining it.
The other was Yeon Seonye, whom Yuina's eyes had been directed at the moment she first entered the auction.
Rosalind, as a merchant, instantly noticed what Yuina held dear.
Such emotions were fully revealed in her twisted smile.
The acting that Rosalind had seen through Yuina's emotions.
"Let's end it here. We must continue with the auction."
At that acting, Yuina─Seoyeon looked at Rosalind with a chilled gaze.
It felt as if her insides were boiling.
This wasn't because she was surprised by Stella's acting, but probably because she had assimilated into Yuina's emotions.
She didn't like it.
Because Stella's acting was exactly like the Rosalind Seoyeon had imagined.
Just looking at it displeased her.
That attitude.
That swaying smile.
At the same time, the fact that Rosalind's gaze had reached Yeon Seonye.
Yuina realized it at this time.
That Rosalind's true nature was the same as hers.
That she possessed a vicious disposition that wanted to ruin what the other person cherished.
However, Seoyeon knows.
Yuina is not a beast of prey.
She is not a beast that rushes at the opponent and bites their neck.
Yuina's hunting method was extremely cool-headed, unlike her disposition.
She makes a trap, and quietly waits for the opponent to cross the line and crawl into that trap on their own.
Just like she did to Michiko.
And now, looking at Rosalind, she twisted her lips into a bitter smile.
Yuina understood Rosalind's disposition.
If so, predicting what she would do was also an easy task.
***
There is a common saying, an acting showcase.
Probably, everyone present in this room would think so.
A series of scenes.
The feast of acting shown by the young actresses was very different from what they had expected.
A typical shoot involves several NGs, loosening up lightly, and proceeding.
However, today's shoot had a sharp edge to it.
As if a mistake would mean being cut by a knife.
The staff watching the acting would feel it, so how about the actors?
No, rather, they might not have any thoughts at all.
Coming to the country of Japan, acting on an unfamiliar set felt like arriving in the real Gyeongseong of the past.
Surprised as if they had become real characters in the work, not just acting, and overwhelmed by the atmosphere of Rosalind and Yuina.
They were showing reactions incredibly faithful to their roles as extras.
"Is this... acting?"
"It's a bit unfamiliar."
There weren't only Korean staff present for this shoot.
Unlike before, where it was just broadcasting station people gathered simply to shoot a documentary, proper film industry staff were also present.
Figures from the production committee gathered for Asher Baldwin's film this time.
Of course, Stella wasn't starring in their film.
She was merely someone who came to Japan chasing Asher.
The reason they came here was solely to read the mood of the great master Asher Baldwin.
To protect his daughter, Stella.
Just to that extent.
"Certainly, there are some parts where the sensibility is a bit different."
"I think I understand why Korean dramas and movies are so strong lately. Especially..."
Because the actress matching wits with Stella, Seoyeon, was holding her ground without yielding an inch.
The actress who made a cameo appearance in the drama Goto Reika starred in.
She was impressive then, but to think she was at this level.
The acting she showed in the cameo was only a tiny fraction of what she could show.
"Actress Joo Seoyeon too, but leaving Joo Seoyeon aside, how should I put it, everyone's color is completely different."
"Those two, right?"
Jo Seohee and Lee Jiyeon.
Those two were also showing appropriate acting in their respective positions.
They didn't show the same intensity as the two, but that would be an issue of the scene, not a lack of acting skill.
"Hmm."
"Why?"
"I was just thinking it would be fun to shoot a variety show with those four."
"Ah, really? But that's definitely true. Since they all have different colors, it would definitely be fun if they appeared together."
"Rather than that, hmm. Maybe it wouldn't be bad to bring it up once? It would be good for promoting
At his words, the staff from the
"Eh~, but I don't think Director Baldwin would ever allow it."
"You never know. I've seen Actress Stella's acting several times, but somehow she looks the most enjoyable today. Perhaps it's because she doesn't have much experience acting with peers her age."
"Hmm."
Having that conversation with the staff filming the
Four people, four colors.
If the four of them appeared on one variety show, it felt like it would be quite good.
As their conversation continued, the 'auction house' part was also nearing its end.
The final scene wrapping up the activity of the minor role, Rosalind.
The scene where Rosalind lays a hand on Yeon Seonye.
***
With Stella's participation, the role of 'Rosalind' was newly created, but the overall framework of the story did not change significantly.
The mother's necklace appears, and Yuina and Michiko compete in the auction, but Michiko buys it for an astronomical sum.
Up to that point was the existing storyline.
What changed was exactly from there.
The part where the newly changed script begins.
"I will give you the auction item, so it seems you just need to send your maid."
Rosalind said so to Michiko.
Michiko waits outside for a moment, and sends only Yeon Seonye to Rosalind.
And.
"I'm sorry, but I can't give you the necklace."
Rosalind says so with a smile to Yeon Seonye, who had come to her.
"Don't worry, I'll deliver the necklace properly. Because I've sent the proper people to your lady waiting outside."
Smiling kindly, Rosalind speaks like that.
Because she had been interested in Yeon Seonye, who was by Michiko's side, from the very beginning.
"Actually, I was suspicious from the beginning. About who the maid constantly hovering by the side of that highly guarded lady was."
Her widely opened blue eyes took in Yeon Seonye entirely at a glance.
As if the kind face she had shown until now was a lie, Yeon Seonye couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the twisted emotions contained in those eyes.
No, it wasn't Yeon Seonye who was overwhelmed.
Jiyeon couldn't help but be crushed by Stella's acting, where such emotions were vividly revealed.
However, because of that.
"I have one thing I want to ask as well."
The situation where Yeon Seonye, with both arms grabbed, is pressed against the wall and overwhelmed.
In that situation, she opened her mouth in a small voice.
"In the first place, why did you have that necklace? You said it, Miss. That your mother wore it around her neck to a party. And that it hasn't been seen since."
A necklace that suddenly disappeared one day.
The time it disappeared was probably after attending the party, they said.
"At that time, you..."
"So what are you going to do about it?"
To her speaking in a small voice, Rosalind brought her face right up to hers and said.
"You see, I'm not satisfied unless I take what she has. The young lady of the Amanabi family. Truly, she's displeased me since she was young."
"Y-You didn't even meet that often!"
"That's not important. What's important is that I don't like her."
Yeon Seonye was perfectly crushed by such a Rosalind.
Atmospherically and scenically.
Her words.
Her acting.
Yeon Seonye.
Lee Jiyeon realized that fact, and immediately came to the conclusion that she couldn't receive this acting head-on in this situation.
However, if one were to ask, "Is this scene awkward?"
'No.'
It's still okay.
Originally, this scene is one where Rosalind shows herself as the 'villain'.
This level of intensity is within the allowed range. Yeon Seonye, an ordinary person, could rather be helplessly overwhelmed here and it would be fine.
Stella knows that too.
Because she knows, she performs this acting without holding back.
At the same time, her blue eyes wanted to ask Lee Jiyeon.
'So, what are you going to do now?'
Even if she asked what she would do, Jiyeon didn't have a proper move.
In the first place, there was an enormous gap in acting skill between Jiyeon and Stella.
If so.
'Just pass it to the one who can do it.'
Jiyeon changed the direction of her acting.
Anyway, she couldn't counter Stella's acting.
"W-Why are you doing this to me! I'm just a n-normal maid!"
Then what else could she do.
Just run away.
"What?"
Stella looked at her as if it was absurd.
That was Stella's emotion coming ahead of Rosalind's.
Definitely, in this scene, Yeon Seonye should be lashing out at Rosalind.
The lines are the same, but lashing out and backing away in panic are different.
It fits, but as a protagonist, how would it be.
Thanks to that, Rosalind was in a position of completely subduing Yeon Seonye.
'Ah.'
At the same time, Stella realized.
Thinking about the scene after this anyway, this direction didn't matter.
'After this, it's the part where Yuina makes her entrance.'
Then she could just leave the response to Yuina.
Stella realized that and looked at Yeon Seonye.
The scene had already come over to her side.
Jiyeon didn't even meet her eyes.
She literally ran away.
But, this really suited Yeon Seonye.
Was it improvisation?
Then, it might be a bit amazing.
'...But, why isn't Yuina coming?'
When Stella thought that.
"NG! It's an NG!!"
"Yes?"
Stella's flustered gaze headed toward Director Baek Min.
At the same time, she realized the expressions of the others were peculiar.
"Ah, well, Yuina is supposed to come in pushing past Rosalind's bodyguard standing in front of the door."
Stella's gaze headed backward.
There, two bodyguards rolling on the floor could be seen.
And Seoyeon, who was standing beside them, quietly averted her gaze.
'I was too immersed in the scene.'
This was all because Rosalind was pressing Ramiel the moment the door opened.
Because she momentarily became 'Joo Seoyeon' from 'Yuina', strength suddenly went into her hands.
Throwing the bodyguard she should have lightly pushed aside was for that reason.
"……Hmm."
However, Director Baek Min, who saw that scene, stroked his chin.
"No, this is pretty good?"
"Yes?"
"Let's just go with a long take of Yuina for this scene. Instead of the door, make it a scene where they charge at Yuina in the hallway."
In other words, it meant Yuina pushes through the bodyguards and advances.
"Well, setting-wise, Yuina has been changed to a yakuza family, so it makes sense. It looks quite good in terms of scene directing too, what do you think, Miss Seoyeon?"
"That's..."
No, it's fine, but.
Is it okay to do that?
'Yuina suddenly became too strong.'
Even Seoyeon, who liked strong things, was a bit flustered.
Because she wondered if it was okay to change the setting and the scene so suddenly like this.
And the most flustered one was.
'...Don't tell me I also have to get into a physical fight with Miss Seoyeon.'
The actor playing Goto Isamu, who would later have a fight with Yuina.
In other words, Lee Sangsoo.