"Hasn't the opportunity finally arrived to use your handiwork, which was only good for making such rags and petty theft?"
It was a day of bad luck.
The pockets of the wealthy-looking gentleman were empty,
and when she took her sick younger sibling to the hospital, all the money she had saved up vanished due to the massive hospital bills.
The worst of all was the words that if the illness wasn't treated quickly, her sibling would die.
On the way back alone, leaving her hospitalized sibling behind.
Without even the money to buy an umbrella, a gentleman approached her as she walked back in the rain.
"This is money you would never be able to touch in your lifetime. With just the advance payment alone, your sibling should be able to recover to some extent."
Unlike her empty wallet, he boldly held out the money to Yeon Seon-ye.
A black suit, a black homburg hat.
He was a man with a dignified and heavy presence.
Bending his knees and meeting Yeon Seon-ye's eyes directly, he said.
"All you have to do is steal one item, and kill one person."
"What are you saying right now? Are you telling someone like me... to kill a person?"
"If you refuse, I have no intention of forcing you. However, it would be best to think about one thing."
The corners of the man's mouth twisted slightly.
A gleaming gaze that didn't suit his kind-looking face.
Yeon Seon-ye instinctively realized that this man was not simply a kind-looking old man.
"If you don't do it, the one who will die is not a stranger whose name you don't even know, but your own sibling."
At those words, Yeon Seon-ye's eyes, having received the money pouch from the man, trembled slightly.
With this money, her sibling's hospitalization issue would be resolved.
So, they would recover their strength and be discharged.
However, the fundamental problem wouldn't be resolved.
"Will you still refuse?"
Because to cure her sibling's illness, she needed much more money than this.
"...I'll do it."
All she had anyway was a slightly cunning mind and innate dexterity.
To save her sibling with this, she only had one choice.
***
'Quite...'
Movie critic Kang Yu-sik looked at the screen with rather interested eyes.
Honestly, he doesn't know much about the actress named Lee Ji-yeon.
'Her acting isn't incredibly good. But, she acts quite smoothly.'
The first impression was that her presence was too thin for a lead role.
He had such thoughts, but paradoxically, that fit the character 'Yeon Seon-ye' surprisingly well.
Yeon Seon-ye is a commoner.
She is just a girl who is a bit good with her hands and quick-witted.
Her impression was quite sharp, but because of that, she felt even more tenacious.
If she lived in such a remote place, it would have been hard with just a docile heart.
'Considering the era as the background, I figured it would obviously be patriotic marketing, but...'
The Japanese colonial era setting existed literally only as a 'background'.
So it felt rather fresh.
The intensity typically represented by this era was somewhat lacking.
Director Baek Min had made independent films before, but was this time different?
'The protagonist Yeon Seon-ye, for her sibling, lays her hands on an endlessly dangerous mission where she must even abandon her morality.'
It was clearly a gloomy situation, but Yeon Seon-ye's acting wasn't too dark.
It gave the impression of being quite steadfast.
The sight of her taking a test to enter the prestigious Amanabi family was enough to elicit laughter from the audience.
'Contrary to her impression, she feels like a girl whose essence is very gentle.'
It was fascinating.
As if, another side was showing.
It wasn't as strong an impression as Jo Seo-hee or Joo Seo-yeon, but there was something that naturally caught the eye.
There was an affectionateness that drew the heart.
And.
As he was gradually having his heart stolen by such a protagonist.
Yeon Seon-ye finally gets introduced to the 'real master' by Goto Isamu.
"So you're the dog Isamu brought in."
And, the appearance of 'Kasugayama Yuina', who contrasts with such Yeon Seon-ye.
Holding a pipe in her hand, her languid speaking appearance caused a strange admiration to flow out in the theater for a moment.
Because it was different from any acting Seo-yeon had shown so far.
A red butterfly.
Like the pattern drawn on her kimono, she was a woman with a mysterious feel.
Tranquility.
Silence.
In the theater where even the background music couldn't be heard, only Yuina's footsteps could be heard.
'Devouring Yeon Seon-ye's presence entirely.'
Even though they were clearly standing together, people felt as if only Seo-yeon was standing on the screen.
An impression that strong.
A directorial miss?
'No.'
It's none other than Director Baek Min, there's no way he would make such a mistake.
Naturally, it revealed that Yeon Seon-ye was an infinitely small person compared to Yuina.
'At the same time, establishing the presence of Isamu standing quietly behind her.'
The tension that this character would not end as a simple extra.
"Therefore, you will be able to obtain a large sum of money that will let you live comfortably for the rest of your life."
Then, the screen closes up on Yuina and Yeon Seon-ye.
Pale, elegant fingers swept Yeon Seon-ye's chin,
and those fingers moved as decadently as her impression.
"My, why are you silent? If you're a stray dog on the street, you should gently wag your tail to your master's words like a stray dog should."
It was the moment she said those words.
The very moment Yuina's fingers touched Yeon Seon-ye's lips.
Yeon Seon-ye bit those fingers slightly with a snap.
"Kyah?!"
Yuina pulled her hand back in momentary surprise.
With that series of events, Yuina's overwhelming presence faded, and the focus shifted to Yeon Seon-ye.
As Yuina, who had set a heavy atmosphere, shrieked like a girl and backed away, laughter burst from the audience seats.
"Ah, I'm sorry. As you said, this humble one is a stray dog, so I accidentally bite when something touches my mouth."
At Yeon Seon-ye's words, spoken with a barking gesture, Yuina had an absurd expression on her face.
A face that said she didn't expect anyone else but her to do such a thing.
"Yes, as the young lady said, this humble one will do everything she is told."
"As long as the young lady keeps her promise, that is."
Yuina had raised her hand, wondering whether to slap her for a moment, but nodded at Yeon Seon-ye's following words.
Of course, not forgetting to narrow her eyes and glare at Yeon Seon-ye.
"...Of course. If a dog listens well, giving a gift is also the master's duty."
Spitting out those words, Yuina motioned with her chin for Yeon Seon-ye to leave.
Goto Isamu approached Yuina, who was staring at Yeon Seon-ye's retreating back for a moment, and spoke to her.
"I thought you might slap her at least once."
"Hmph."
She had actually raised her hand thinking of doing so.
But what would that accomplish?
Anyway, she might end up getting slapped countless times in the future.
Instead, she only gently stroked her index finger, which retained a strange heat, with her thumb.
"As long as she does her assigned job well, it doesn't matter."
Yuina didn't trust Yeon Seon-ye that much.
She was just a stray pup Isamu picked up from the street anyway.
She didn't believe she would be able to do this job well either.
She was just thinking of getting a new dog if she failed.
However.
Even while revealing such feelings, Yuina couldn't take her eyes off the direction Yeon Seon-ye disappeared.
And.
The audience, too, naturally began to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the movie with Yuina's strange mood and Yeon Seon-ye's actions.
'Good scene. The focusing that was shifting to Yuina was naturally transferred to Yeon Seon-ye.'
It was the same for critic Kang Yu-sik, who was looking for various points of criticism.
***
"There's no need to forcefully speak to me. Keep in mind the fact that you are just a mere maid."
Thus, the movie began to progress its story quickly.
Successfully infiltrating, Yeon Seon-ye comes to work as a maid in the Amanabi family.
She is harassed by the other maids several times, but tenaciously overcomes that situation.
She becomes the exclusive maid of the Amanabi family's young lady, Michiko, whom everyone avoided.
Of course, that was a scheme by the maids who avoided Michiko, but for Yeon Seon-ye, it was what she wanted.
"They say the Amanabi young lady is cursed."
"A curse?"
"I heard that everyone who forms a deep bond with her loses their life."
"Come on, there's no such thing."
"Oh my, Seon-ye. You don't know. Do you know what happened to everyone who became the young lady's exclusive maid before?"
One of the mansion's maids who had shown goodwill toward her gave Yeon Seon-ye a big scare.
"All of them, like this."
Swiping her hand across her neck from side to side, she made a chilling gesture.
Yeon Seon-ye, who had been laughing silly at those words, also stiffened her face.
Because it didn't seem like she was lying.
However, she still had a job to do, so she couldn't just stay still.
"The young lady is like a doll."
"Why? Because she can't even resist a single thread swayed by a maid's gesture?"
"I mean she is delicate and pretty. Why would you say it like that?"
At first, it was lip service.
But, there would be no lie in those words.
Indeed, the appearance of Michiko shown on the screen was beautiful.
"Seon-ye, dry my hair. Your touch is delicate, so it feels good."
'Was Jo Seo-hee that pretty?'
'The atmosphere is somewhat, well, erotic.'
Amidst such various impressions, Michiko gradually opens her heart.
Yeon Seon-ye also feels that and gradually builds her agony.
"Could it be that I am the one ruining such a beautiful thing?"
Wondering.
Thus, past the midpoint of the movie.
A scene where Yeon Seon-ye and Yuina are alone together.
"The young lady Michiko is quite demanding, so she doesn't trust me much. Still... I have a rough idea of where the necklace is."
Regularly hearing about Michiko from Yeon Seon-ye, her client and the young lady of the Kasugayama family.
Yuina feels a strange emotion.
Even though she is clearly doing her job properly.
Even knowing that gaining Michiko's favor was Yeon Seon-ye's job, Yuina's gaze gradually chases Yeon Seon-ye.
'There is a change of heart.'
The perceptive Yuina saw through Yeon Seon-ye's heart.
Should she tell this to Isamu?
If it were the usual her, she would have cut ties with Yeon Seon-ye at that point.
However, Yuina couldn't easily do so.
"...Alright, good. Continue to tell me the situation without hiding anything in the future too."
"Yes, I will do as you say."
"..."
Yuina stopped for a moment, about to say something to Yeon Seon-ye who was about to return.
Just as she closed her gaping mouth as if she was trying to do something pointless, and turned her gaze away from Yeon Seon-ye.
"Is something the matter, young lady?"
"What?"
"Unlike usual, you seem a bit down..."
At her mumbling words, Yuina briefly touched her own face.
Did such a thing show?
Well, if it wasn't, this clumsy one wouldn't have noticed.
"...Come here for a moment."
"Yes?"
"Don't argue."
At Yuina's sudden call, Yeon Seon-ye approached her hesitantly.
And seeing Yeon Seon-ye standing in front of her nervously for no reason, Yuina soon smirked.
Afraid her feelings might be found out.
Clumsy thing.
"Hand."
"Yes?"
"Didn't I tell you to hold out your hand."
At Yuina's sharp words, Yeon Seon-ye hesitated for a moment before holding out her hand.
Yuina suddenly grabbed that hand.
Seeing Yeon Seon-ye flinch at that action for a moment, Yuina opened her eyes askance.
"Am I going to eat you or something?"
"Th-That's not it, but..."
Well, isn't it roughly similar?
Yuina laughed lowly at Yeon Seon-ye's gaze looking at her with such thoughts in mind.
Seeing that smile for the first time, Yeon Seon-ye quietly looked at Yuina's face.
"You've hurt your palm."
"Yes? H-How did you..."
"For someone whose only asset is nimble handiwork, it's obvious since you let me grab your hand like this."
Saying that, Yuina opened a nearby box and took out ointment and bandages.
Inside the dark room of Yuina.
The young lady wearing a kimono with red butterflies drawn on it.
Her figure illuminated by the lamplight was only beautiful.
"...If you don't treat a wound like this properly, it will get much worse."
"I-It's fine, you don't need to worry, young lady..."
"Don't get the wrong idea. It's just because it will be troublesome if you can't do your job properly."
"Y-Yes."
"And..."
After wrapping the bandage around Yeon Seon-ye's hand, Yuina paused her words for a moment.
"It's fine if you fail a little, there's no need to overdo it. Anyway, if you fail, I can just pick up another dog to do it."
"There aren't many people who have accomplished as much as I have, right?"
At Yeon Seon-ye's words, spoken as if boasting on purpose, Yuina, who had been speaking seriously, glared at her sharply.
Naturally, Yeon Seon-ye shrank her head under that gaze.
Thinking that this young lady was truly a person hard to understand even when she thought she knew her.
"However, just don't do one thing."
"Yes, um, what is it?"
At Yeon Seon-ye's words, Yuina paused her words for a moment.
Even while knowing it was an unreasonable demand.
Even while knowing that the heart of the girl in front of her was already leaning toward someone else.
Even though she knew that everything she said today was for 'her', still.
"Lie."
Saying so, Yuina smiled softly.
At that smile, Yeon Seon-ye forgot to breathe for a moment and looked at her.
It was the same for the audience watching the two through the screen.
A sorrowful smile.
Because the smile of a girl who had realized her unrequited love was so beautiful it made one lose their mind for a moment.