Chapter 445: Awkward Romance

?"That girl is acting weirder than usual," June said, taking a bite out of the banana that the staff had provided him.

Meanwhile, Jay opened his mouth and followed the action. June noticed this from his peripheral vision and turned to him with furrowed eyebrows.

"What the heck are you doing?" June asked.

Jay shook his head with a smile.

"Can you spare me one banana?"

June sighed heavily before giving the half-eaten banana to his manager. "Just take it," he grumbled.

"Thanks," Jay chimed like he had won the world's greatest prize. "What were you talking about again?" he asked, his cheeks filling like a greedy hamster.

"Arin," June said, nodding toward her way. "She's acting weird."

"She's always been weird," Jay responded. "She's sweet to the other crew members, but she's hellish with you."

"Yeah, but she's acting even weirder than usual. She keeps evading my gaze every time our eyes meet," June said.

Jay smirked, tossing the banana peel into the trash. "You really have no clue, hmm?"

June turned to him with one eyebrow raised. "Clue about what?"

Jay shook his head. "Nothing, nothing. It's more fun if you find out for yourself," he muttered.

June sighed, squeezing his hands together as he waited for the crew to finish setting things up on the school's rooftop. Today was their second to the last day of filming, and they were going to film Jin asking Nayeon out for their very first date.

"Are you alright?" Jay asked, sensing June's nervousness.

June stiffly nodded, not really answering his question.

Truth be told, he was the most nervous to film these types of scenes when he first read the script. It was definitely less intense than the scene they filmed in the forest, yet somehow, June still felt it was the hardest to portray.

Well, of course, it would be difficult to emanate an emotion he had never felt before—love.

Not just any kind of love, but romantic love.

June could only act well in the other scenes because he had felt something similar before in his past life. However, he was afraid he couldn't really fake this certain emotion.

June tried thinking of Mei Ling when he practiced the lines, but before he could even begin, he quickly became weirded out.

He wasn't an anime protagonist who could feel something like that for his sister!

"Are you sure you're alright?"Jay asked, still finding June's behavior a bit weird.

"I'm fine," June dismissed him.

"Actors, please go to your areas!" Director Nana shouted.

June and Arin moved hesitantly to the middle of the rooftop. A while ago, only Arin was unable to meet June's eyes; now, June also felt the pressure of filming the scene, subsequently making him feel awkward around her.

"Are you guys ready?" Director Nana asked.

June and Arin wordlessly nodded.

"Alright, let's do this," Director Nana said, excited for the romantic scenes.

She got behind the camera and shouted, "3...2...1...Action!"

The set turned quiet; only the sound of the soft wind was heard.

The camera panned to where Jin and Nayeon were standing. They were facing each other with shy and hesitant smiles on their faces.

The sun was bearing down on them; however, it wasn't really unpleasant since the weather was still cold. Behind them were blue skies and some fluffy clouds, setting the perfect environment for a proposal for a first date.

Fortunately, the characters were supposed to be awkward with each other for the first part of the scene since they were still coming to terms with their feelings.

Jin cleared his throat, looking at anywhere but Nayeon's eyes. Meanwhile, Nayeon looked down at the ground, a soft blush adorning her cheeks.

Director Nana smiled from behind the camera. The two had perfectly encapsulated the feeling of awkwardness after a fresh confession.

In Arin's mind, a million thoughts raced—

"Goodness, why is he so handsome today out of all days?'

'My heart is going to explode.'

'Maybe I shouldn't have watched his fancams late in the night.'

'Gosh, when is this going to end?'

'...But maybe I don't want it to end.'

'Wait, he's evading my eyes too. Does that mean he's harboring some feelings?'

'Maybe I'm delusional, but he must be thinking of me!'

Meanwhile, June's head was also filled with thoughts—

'How do you act in-love?'

'They never taught me this at school.'

They continued to engage in an awkward conversation, which made the onlookers endeared to the young couple.

June didn't have a hard time acting this out since he felt truly awkward.

However, he knew what was coming next.

Nayeon, only wearing her uniform, shivered in the cold wind. June froze. This was the part he was dreading.

June tried to show a fond smile, but it came out stiffer than he had imagined.

Nayeon, too, froze as June started taking off his jacket, almost robotic in movement.

Director Nana tilted her head in confusion before looking at Bubbles for some kind of validation.

Bubbles, too, appeared perplexed. They had never had any major setbacks in the shoot—only a few retakes to get the right emotion. However, seeing the two on the screen right now, it seemed like they were complete amateurs!

June walked closer to Arin, yet somehow, the space was still too large. June opened the jacket and wrapped it around her body.

"There," he stiffly said. "You shouldn't be cold."

"Thanks," Arin responded in an equally stiff voice.

Jay, who was watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but shake his head in amusement.

So, this was the reason why June was acting awkward, huh?

Director Nana decided to wait it out for a couple of minutes to see if their acting would get any better. However, it didn't.

"Go on a date with me," June said without any emotion, saying the line as if he were casually asking one of his members to go grocery shopping with him.

"Alright, this can't go on like this," Director Nana muttered, holding her hand high in the air.

"Cut!"