Flame and Shadow (불꽃과 그림자)

Chapter 1 - Reading Script Day

The morning light filters through my curtains as my phone buzzes with a notification. Still groggy, I reach for it and blink at the screen.

[From: Director Park]
Congratulations, Subin. You've been cast in the drama series 'Friendly Rivalry.' Please find the attached script. You will meet your co-stars at the script reading session in two weeks. Best of luck.

My breath catches. My first lead role.

Two weeks. Just enough time to prepare myself—both for the script and for the unfamiliar world I'm about to step into.

Two Weeks Later

Today is the day. I take extra care in my appearance—a crisp white shirt tucked into well-fitted jeans. Something professional yet casual. Since we'll just be reading through the script, heavy makeup isn't necessary. A natural look should do.

I arrive at the studio at 7:40 AM, twenty minutes early. I expect to be alone, but as I push open the door, someone is already sitting at the long table.

Lee Hyeri.

I pause. She's one of the most famous actresses in the industry, someone I've admired from afar. She's effortlessly elegant, flipping through the script with quiet concentration. I suddenly feel small, but I gather myself and step forward.

"Umm... good morning, unnie." I bow politely. "I'm Chung Subin, cast as Woo Seulgi. Please take care of me."

She looks up, eyes sharp yet warm. Pushing back her chair, she stands and walks over to me, closing the distance with an easy grace.

"Nice to meet you, Subin." Her voice is smooth, almost teasing. "It's our first time working together. Let's get along well. I'm Lee Hyeri, playing Yoo Jaeyi."

She extends a hand. I hesitate for half a second before shaking it.

Her grip is firm yet soft, her fingers warm against mine. I don't know why I notice these things, but for a moment, I don't want to let go.

What am I thinking? I scold myself and pull away.

We take our seats across from each other. The silence stretches. I'm too introverted to initiate conversation, and the longer we sit there, the more I feel the weight of it.

"Subin."

I glance up. Hyeri's gaze is steady, unreadable.

"Should we get to know each other?"

I clear my throat. "Oh, um... I live in Gangnam. This is my first time being a lead actor in a drama, and... um—"

Hyeri chuckles softly. "You're cute when you're nervous."

My face heats up. Cute?

"Relax, Subin." She leans back, studying me with amusement. "I'm easy-going. The more comfortable we are with each other, the better we'll act together."

I nod, pretending that my heart isn't racing for some stupid reason.

The door swings open again. I turn, and my eyes widen in surprise. Kang Hyewon.

"Subin!" she grins, stepping inside. "I didn't know you'd be in this drama too!"

Hyewon and I attended the same university, staying close even after graduation. We haven't seen each other much lately, but the familiarity is comforting.

Before I can reply, she strides up to Hyeri first, bowing politely. "Hyeri-unnie, it's great to work with you."

"Likewise." Hyeri smirks slightly. "Did you use your connection to get her cast in this drama?"

I blink. Was that a joke?

Hyewon just laughs, shaking her head. "I wish I had that kind of power. Subin got here on her own."

Hyeri hums in response, gaze flicking toward me. Something in her eyes lingers too long, but before I can decipher it, she looks away or is it just my imagination?
Their conversation keeps going on and on, just as what extrovert does until all the actors and staffs arrive; then we start our script reading.

After a long day of script reading, Hyewon suggests grabbing dinner together. Just as I'm about to answer, Hyeri steps into our conversation effortlessly.

"Can I join?" she asks casually. "It's good for co-stars to bond."

"Of course, unnie." Hyewon smiles, though her expression flickers briefly. "Should we invite Woo-ri too?"

*(Woo-ri is another actress who will cast as Choi Kyung in the drama.)*

The dinner is pleasant, filled with easy conversation. But there's something beneath the surface—a subtle tension I can't quite name.

At one point, Hyeri turns to me. "Subin, do you drink?"

I hesitate, but before I can answer, Hyewon cuts in smoothly.

"She doesn't drink much. Gets sleepy after just one glass."

Hyeri tilts her head, amused. "Oh? I'd like to see that sometime."

I glance between them, feeling like I've unknowingly stepped into a silent tug-of-war.

After dinner, we step outside. The night air is cool, a welcome contrast to the warmth inside the restaurant. As I pull out my phone to check the bus schedule, Hyeri's voice stops me.

"How are you getting home?"

"Oh, I'll take the bus," I reply. "It's the same route to my place."

Hyeri doesn't respond immediately. She studies me for a moment, then shrugs.

"I'll drive you home."

Before I can answer, Hyewon steps in.

"Subin, let's go. I'll drop you off." Her keys dangle in her hand, her tone leaving little room for argument.

Hyeri's expression doesn't change, but something flickers in her eyes. For a fraction of a second, she hesitates.

Then, with a light smile, she steps back. "Great. You should go with Hyewon. It's safer than taking the bus this late."

Her words are casual, but there's something final in the way she says them. She turns to leave, walking off with Kyung toward the parking lot.

I watch her go, a strange feeling settling in my chest.

Hyewon unlocks her car. "Come on, let's go."

I nod, following her—but I can't shake the thought that, for a moment, Hyeri had wanted me to say yes.

And that maybe, just maybe—I had wanted to say it too.

While we're in the car,

"I'm so surprised to see you today, Subin. You have no idea I missed you."

"Stop joking, Hyewon. We just met two weeks ago and you didn't bother to let me know anything about your casting."

"I just received the news last week, Subin. I was too busy with other promotions. Anyway, I'm happy that we get to work together."

"Yeah, me too. Having my close friend here will make things less awkward. By the way, I got the news the day after we went to the movie. Sorry that I didn't tell you either."