Chapter 4: An Unexpected Twist

The set was quieter than usual the next morning.

A few crew members exchanged whispered conversations, and the usual hum of activity seemed subdued.

Minjang arrived early, ready to tackle another day of filming, but there was a sense of unease in the air.

As he walked into the makeup room, he found Jang already there, deep in conversation with Yura.

The director looked unusually tense, her usual composed demeanor slightly off-kilter.

Jang's expression was one of genuine concern, a rarity in their interactions.

Minjang took his seat and pretended to focus on his phone while keeping an ear on their conversation.

Yura was explaining something to Jang, her tone urgent.

"—so I need you to be extra careful today. The stunt is more complex than usual," Yura said, her brows furrowed.

Jang nodded, clearly taking the director's concerns seriously. "Got it. I'll make sure everything's perfect."

As Yura left, Minjang approached Jang, his curiosity piqued. "What's going on? Why the extra caution?"

Jang turned to him with a small, reassuring smile. "Just some complicated stunts in today's scenes. Nothing to worry about."

Minjang frowned. "Complicated how?"

Jang shrugged nonchalantly. "Just some more physical stuff. Could be a bit risky if not done right."

Minjang raised an eyebrow. "And you're okay with that? I thought you weren't a fan of risky moves."

Jang laughed lightly. "I'm fine. It's part of the job."

Before Minjang could reply, Minwoo walked in, holding a tablet. "Director Yura wants to see you both for a quick briefing on today's stunts."

The three of them walked toward Yura's office. As they entered, Yura's face was taut with concentration. "Alright, sit down. We need to go over the details of the stunt sequence."

She laid out a series of sketches and diagrams on her desk. "The scene involves a dramatic chase and a risky move that requires both actors to be in sync. One misstep and it could lead to injuries."

Jang looked at the diagrams with interest, nodding along.

Minjang, on the other hand, was focused on Yura's serious expression. His mind was already running through the potential risks.

Yura continued, "Minjang, Jang, you'll be performing a high-risk stunt where Taehyun chases Jisoo through an office building, culminating in a dramatic fall from a ledge.

We've got the safety measures in place, but I need both of you to be cautious and communicate clearly."

Minjang's pulse quickened at the mention of the fall. He was no stranger to risky stunts, but the thought of falling from a height made him uneasy.

Jang seemed more relaxed, though, which did little to ease Minjang's nerves.

"Got it," Minjang said, forcing himself to sound confident. "When do we start?"

"Right after lunch," Yura replied. "We need to do a few practice runs first. Safety is paramount."

As they left Yura's office, Minjang couldn't help but notice Jang's carefree attitude.

The younger actor was practically bouncing with excitement, his previous concern seemingly forgotten.

"You seem pretty excited about this," Minjang remarked, trying to keep his tone light.

Jang grinned. "I am. It's a challenging stunt. I love a good challenge."

Minjang watched him, a mixture of admiration and frustration bubbling up.

How could Jang be so unfazed by something that made Minjang uneasy?

The afternoon rolled in, and the crew prepared for the stunt. Minjang and Jang donned their safety harnesses, and the stunt coordinator went over the final details.

Despite the safety measures, there was an underlying tension in the air.

"Alright, everyone, let's get this done," the stunt coordinator said, checking the harnesses and rigging.

Minjang took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. He glanced at Jang, who was already in position, ready to start.

The cameras were set, and the crew watched with bated breath.

The scene began with Jang sprinting after Minjang, who was running through the office set, evading capture.

The chase was intense, every movement precise. As they neared the ledge, Minjang felt his heart race, but he focused on executing the scene perfectly.

The final part of the stunt required Jang to make a daring leap, grabbing Minjang and pulling him down to the floor, simulating the fall.

The practice runs had gone smoothly, but the actual performance always had an added element of unpredictability.

As Jang made the leap, everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Minjang braced himself, ready for the impact.

Jang's grip was firm, and they both landed safely on the padded floor. The scene was intense, and both actors breathed heavily, their adrenaline still high.

"Cut!" Yura shouted, her voice breaking through the tension.

The crew clapped, clearly impressed with the execution of the stunt.

Minjang and Jang exchanged glances, the moment of camaraderie fleeting but genuine.

Jang's eyes sparkled with the thrill of the stunt, while Minjang felt a sense of accomplishment, albeit tinged with lingering anxiety.

As they wrapped up for the day, Minjang found himself reflecting on the stunt and Jang's reaction.

Despite the underlying rivalry, there was something about the way Jang tackled challenges that Minjang couldn't ignore. It was a quality he both admired and resented.

Minjang's phone buzzed again, this time with a message from Minwoo: **"How's the stunt going? Any issues?"**

Minjang stared at the screen, wondering how to summarize the mixed emotions of the day.

It wasn't just about the stunt—it was about the evolving dynamics between him and Jang, and how it was affecting everything, both on and off set.

As he prepared to leave, Minjang saw Jang chatting with the crew, his usual carefree demeanor back in full force.

Minjang couldn't help but feel that the rivalry was intensifying, with every stunt and every scene adding fuel to the fire.

But as he watched Jang's infectious enthusiasm, he realized that this rivalry was more than just a professional competition.

It was shaping into something more complex—and he wasn't sure where it would lead.