Because I Like It

….

Keanu leaned toward him, whispering. "Does this happen a lot, or should we be concerned?"

Stephen Jr. shook his head. "If you are looking for logic with that old man, you're in the wrong place."

….

Despite his casual demeanor, Regal had never imagined he would meet the Stephen Hawking in person.

Especially not this early in his career.

And certainly not after rushing out of the house, forgetting both his phone and wallet.

…but more than that - his [Acting Grade: SS -]

Honestly, he hadn't even known there was a grade beyond [A], let alone something like this.

But the more he thought about it, the more it made sense - this was a man who had earned every ounce of his fame.

"Yo, boss! Think we can close up a little early tonight? Oh, and we will need extra chairs." Regal said confidently as he walked in.

Hearing the familiar voice, Jordan maintained his hunch over the counter with a calculator and notepad, without even a look up. "What are you still hanging around here for, brat?" He asked.

"I have got a really important guest with me." Regal declared.

Jordan snorted, still not looking up. "Important guest? From your list of friends? Sorry, I am not seeing how those two things overlap."

Regal frowned, striding over to the counter and leaning in slightly. "Not funny."

"Good. I wasn't trying to be." Jordan replied flatly, jotting a quick note on the paper before finally glancing up.

"..." - "..." For some inexplicable reason, Regal and he ended up in a silent staring contest.

Lastly, Regal's mouth twitched. "Seriously, man, just look in the back. Stephen Hawking is here."

Jordan raised an eyebrow, his expression still unbothered. "If you need something, just spit it out. Don't waste my time with random nonsense. What is it this time? Need a part-time job? Hah, did someone already kick you ou–"

?!But as his gaze shifted past Regal's shoulder, the casual indifference on his face shattered.

Four people had entered the store.

Two of them were familiar - part of Regal's crew. Jordan had met them during that film the brat shot.

Yeah, there were a few shorts Regal filmed in his convenience store.

Jordan had been paid handsomely, so he agreed to let him use the place.

So, he recognized those two.

But the other two? Strangers—at least, that's what he thought - until one of them, an older man, calmly removed the hat shielding his face.

?!Jordan's stomach twisted.

He knew that face.

The man spoke first, his tone calm and courteous. "I would like to apologize to the owner of this establishment for barging in so suddenly."

Standing right there in front of Jordan was - Stephen Hawking.

….and he was apologizing to him?

The pen in his hand dropped to the ground.

"What did you do?" He hissed, yanking Regal closer over the counter.

Regal's expression flickered between smugness and irritation. "Told you he was here."

Jordan's reaction didn't surprise Regal.

He knew the man was a huge fan.

Stephen Hawking had a long thirty year career in Hollywood before retiring in the early 2000's - exactly a decade ago.

And it was an undeniable fact that he was at his peak during 1975 to 1990 - an era where he wasn't just an actor, but a superstar.

…also this was also the period he had amassed his most loyal base of followers.

Not people like Regal or Keanu, who had only heard of his stardom - recorded clips, saw his films, read about his success.

Jordan, though - he was part of the generation that had witnessed Stephen Hawking's rise firsthand.

Jordan released Regal, cleared his throat, forced a polite smile, and turned to Stephen Sr. "Uh… no need to apologize, sir. Customers are always welcome here."

"...Customer, huh…" Stephen Sr. murmured, a hint of surprise flashing across his face.

Actually, just as Regal, the group around him is just as intriguing as him - though for reasons he couldn't entirely articulate.

For once after many years, he didn't feel like the most important person in the room.

There was no suffocating flattery, no excessive deference treating him like some fragile relic of the past.

It was… refreshing.

…And instead of some fancy restaurant, he was invited to a small convenience store the boy was familiar with.

The whole situation was taking an unexpected turn.

Was it the people around him that were remarkable? Or was it simply in his nature to draw the remarkable people to his side?

"Little Sis." Regal said suddenly. "There's an electric cooker in the back. We will need… five cup no-."

He paused, glancing around to count heads. "No, make it six cups of instant noodles, I don't want this grumpy old man glaring at me while I eat."

It was obvious who the 'grumpy old man' was - Jordan.

Regal then shot a look that practically screamed 'please' at least a hundred times before Seren finally started to move.

"I will help." Keanu volunteered.

Regal waved him off. "Nah, Keanu. Head outside to where the car's parked. There is a man out there, ask if he wants anything to eat."

Meanwhile, to the side, Stephen Sr. took note. So his name is… Keanu.

For a moment, he questioned himself. How did I miss it?

But regardless of that, for now, Stephen could see it in Keanu too - the tiny spark, the faint glimmer of something more.

Though it was faint, barely noticeable under the overwhelming radiance of the 'sun' he was standing beside. No matter how brightly any other light shone, it was always overshadowed.

Still, Stephen wondered how this man's journey would unfold. Would he be swallowed by that brilliance, or would he learn to withstand it?

Then Regal added. "On second thought, he will probably turn it down. Just tell him it was his employee who told you to give it to him."

"Got it. Should I grab whatever looks good?"

"Yeah, sounds fine to me." Regal replied, darting a quick glance at Hawking from the corner of his eye, checking for any signs of disapproval.

Satisfied, he clapped his hands together. "Alright, Junior, you are with me. Let's grab the table from storage and set it up."

Junior? Stephen Jr. blinked, looking a bit confused by the sudden title.

It didn't matter whether he liked it or not - Regal had already subconsciously decided that was his name now.

He just liked how it sounded.

It also gave him a newfound understanding of why a certain someone enjoyed calling him by a similar nickname.

It's just too much fun.

Meantime, Stephen Sr. gave his grandson a small nod of approval, a subtle signal to follow along.

….

Before long, the two were making their way toward the storage area behind the counter.

"What do you thi–!" Jordan's voice rang out suddenly. He seemed to have only just grasped the reality of the situation.

But before he could finish, Regal waved him off, speaking quickly. "I will pay."

Jordan shrugged, his business instincts kicking in. "Okay."

As Regal led the way, Stephen Sr. remained still, watching the chaotic scene with a faint smile, his curiosity piqued - this was far from what he had expected, but for some reason, it felt… not so bad.

….

A few minutes later, the setup was complete.

The table was in place, surrounded by chairs, with snacks, steaming cups of noodles, and drinks neatly arranged on top.

"So… Regal, the film this brat started, actually managed to complete it already and is now ready for the release?" Jordan asked, taking a big sip from his beer glass before placing it back on the table with a dull clink.

"Yep." Regal gave him a smug thumbs-up.

"But how exactly did you meet Mr. Stephen in all this?" Jordan pressed.

"I don't know that part either, not entirely at least." Regal shrugged nonchalantly.

"What was I expecting…" Seren, his sister, muttered under her breath before groaning dramatically and planting her face in her hands.

Jordan, equally unimpressed, shot Regal a deadpan look.

"I think I can fill in the gaps." Keanu chimed in.

He explained the chain of events, and it was, more or less, exactly what had happened.

"Huh, that's a little hard to believe, don't you think?" Jordan said, skeptical.

Seren nodded in agreement, arms crossed.

"It is true." Stephen Sr. interjected. "My grandson showed me a clip from the film. I liked it and decided to meet the person behind the story."

He paused, glancing at Regal to check his expression. "...and maybe help out a little, too."

Regal didn't bother hiding his grin. "That sounds great."

Jordan snorted. "Testing him is pointless. Regal's the kind of guy who loses all sense of shame once he 'thinks' he is close to someone."

"Uh, thanks?" Regal replied, offering a shy, almost confused smile at the backhanded compliment.

Throughout the exchange, Stephen Jr. remained silent, observing quietly.

It was his first time seeing his grandfather this relaxed and casual.

It was… new and even a little disturbing.

Not that he spent a lot of time with his grandfather.

Then, Stephen Sr. turned to Regal, his gaze steady and neutral.

"Why did you want to make films?" He asked out of nowhere.

Keeping aside Regal's obvious talent, Stephen Sr. was curious to know one last thing - one thing that will determine his stance with him in the future.

"Why… Huh?" Regal gives it a genuine thought.

Even Keanu leaned in slightly, intrigued. Lately, he had found himself wondering the same thing - why he enjoyed working on movies as much as he did.

He wanted to put that feeling into words and maybe even give a right name to label it.

"Mmm…" Regal muttered, racking his brain. Then, with a snap of his fingers, he grinned and said. "Because I like it."

Yep - that's the best he could come up with for the reason behind his obsession with movies.

"Hah…" Seren burst out laughing.

It was the same reason Regal said when he was a kid. He really didn't change much - not as much as he looked like at times.

Meanwhile, Stephen made his decision - he already did the moment he saw Regal, but now he was a little more determined.

Knowingly or unknowingly, this event today marked the beginning of one of the biggest debuts a person could get into Hollywood.

.

….

[To be continued…]

★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★

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