"Okay."

I thought Yoo-Jin would get really angry when I told her I was doing the stunt, or that she would start asking why I had to do everything while everyone else stood around. If not that, she would threaten to pull the steering wheel out if she had to just to stop me from driving.

However, Yoo-Jin simply nodded with a calm expression.

"Are you really okay?" I asked.

Yoo-Jin smiled softly and answered. "I told you I'm okay. But... the safety equipment is all set up properly, right? And you really can drive... Oh, right. You're good at driving. Still, you've never actually done a stunt before..."

"No. I completed a stunt course."

"Oh, really? Then that's fine. What about an ambulance? Did you call one?"

"The helicopter can take me straight to the hospital, so we didn't call an ambulance. Instead, there's a staff member with an EMT license standing by. Mr. Chae Ill-Bok will be watching too."

I added that Team Lead Chae Ill-Bok, who was thirty-nine this year, also held an EMT certification, telling her she didn't need to worry.

"Still, call one just in case," said Yoo-Jin.

"Alright. I'll call one."

Yoo-Jin stretched again and spoke as if nothing at all was wrong. "Then I should start getting ready for filming."

She set down the Powertuff Girls blanket she had been using and stepped out of the van.

Thump.

But before she even took a full step, she suddenly turned her head. "Wait. Aren't we doing a ritual?"

"Huh? We skipped it because we were busy."

"Come on. No matter how busy we are, we should still do it."

"That's the Director's decision..."

At that moment, Yoo-Jin looked around. When she spotted Director Yeo Ik-Hwan and President Shin Jong-Ki standing near the front of the set, she raised both hands and shouted.

"Mr. Yeo! Let's do the ritual before filming! We can just gather everyone together, right?" Yoo-Jin's voice rang loudly across the set, and everyone turned to look.

These days some productions skip the ritual since people treat it as superstition. Yet, when the lead actress insisted like this, it was hard to ignore.

"Alright! Why not! Let's all gather and do a quick bow! Everyone, gather in front of Set Number 1!"

At Yeo Ik-Hwan's instruction, the entire staff gathered in front of the set.

Just then, Yoo-Jin grabbed my arm and pulled me along. "Oppa. You should come bow too."

As we walked together, I carefully glanced at her expression. Fortunately, Yoo-Jin was smiling as if nothing was wrong. It was strange how quiet she was being about all this, but thanks to that, the pressure on me eased.

"Yeah. Okay."

Thanks to Yoo-Jin understanding my situation, my steps toward the ritual felt lighter.

***

After everyone finished the ritual for safety, we headed to the entrance road of the set where Scene 10 would be filmed. After running a few rehearsals with the stunt vehicle, I finished preparing for the start.

Vroom.

I put on a racing suit and tightly secured my gloves and helmet, preparing for any possible situation.

Just then, Chae Ill-Bok walked over and tapped on the window.

Tap, tap.

I lowered the window slightly. Wearing his own racing suit, Chae Ill-Bok pointed toward the ramp in the distance.

"Mr. Jung. When you put the left wheel on that ramp over there, never take your foot off the accelerator. If the speed drops, the car won't flip."

"Got it."

"And the water trucks will be spraying water everywhere, so there's a chance hydroplaning could occur. If that happens, grip the steering wheel tightly, but never hit the brakes while you're driving."

"Understood. I also learned wet-road driving at the driving course."

Chae Ill-Bok let out a small sigh. "Then that's a relief. Anyway, don't worry even if you fail. My condition has improved a lot, so I can take the backup vehicle if needed."

Chae Ill-Bok was wearing a racing suit in case I failed and he had to jump into the backup vehicle for a reshoot. However, the more he prepared like this, the more it felt like Everyday's schedule entry might actually come true. That meant I had to finish this in one try no matter what.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure you won't have to step in, Mr. Chae."

Chae Ill-Bok gave me a thumbs-up. "That would be even better. Anyway, good luck."

"Thank you."

Just then, Jung Sang-Bong came running over holding my phone. As he approached, Chae Ill-Bok stepped aside.

Jung Sang-Bong held out the phone with the Everyday app open. "Mr. Jung, here."

[Everyday V13]

[Date: April 21, 2021]

-06:30 p.m.: [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin]

The filming of She was Beautiful postponed indefinitely.

The current time was 6:10 p.m. However, the schedule saying the shoot would be postponed still hadn't disappeared. It was probably because if I failed, Chae Ill-Bok might have to step in after all, which meant I absolutely had to succeed in one try.

Jung Sang-Bong tilted his head and asked, "But why are you telling me to check this blank screen, Mr. Jung?"

As expected, only I could see Everyday. I pressed the home button on the phone and returned to the main screen, then handed it back to Jung Sang-Bong.

"Oh, it's nothing. More importantly, keep an eye on Mr. Chae's condition."

"Mr. Chae? Why?"

"He hasn't looked well since earlier. And even if I fail the stunt, don't let him take the wheel. Got it?"

"Understood. Anyway, please be really careful. If you get hurt, this whole set is finished."

"Don't worry. The safety gear is solid. There's no way I'll get hurt."

"Okay."

"And tell Mr. Shin to keep the helicopter engine running. If something happens, we need to head straight to the hospital."

"It's already running just in case. Don't worry."

"Good."

I wouldn't get hurt, but as long as the schedule hadn't disappeared, I couldn't let my guard down.

Just then, Yoo-Jin appeared in the distance after finishing her special makeup, with fake glass embedded in the right side of her forehead. When she spotted me, she gave a thumbs-up.

Yoo-Jin's entire right side of the face was covered in fake blood, making her look like she had stepped straight out of a horror movie. Nevertheless, because she was smiling so brightly, the tension eased on its own.

In the end, I raised my own thumb and sent her a silent thank-you.

At that moment, Yeo Ik-Hwan's voice came through the radio installed in the car.

Crackle.

-Mr. Jung. When you're ready, give us an okay sign with your left hand.

I made a circle with my left hand.

-Good. Then we'll start the water trucks.

Whoooosh.

To create the rain scene, the water trucks parked along the road sprayed water high into the air.

Patter.

Heavy droplets began striking the windshield of the car I was in.

Screeeak.

Screeeak.

When I turned on the wipers, the loud rubber scraping sound began clearing my view.

-Stand by...

The moment had finally come to film the rollover stunt scene. I took a brief deep breath and waited for the signal.

-Alright, here we go. Ready—action!

The moment Yeo Ik-Hwan shouted, I pressed my foot down on the accelerator.

Vroooom.

The vehicle began accelerating. The heavy rain pouring outside slammed against the windshield. My view was gradually becoming obscured, but all my focus was fixed on the ramp where the car's left front wheel had to hit.

Splash.

The tires cut through the water flooding the asphalt as I pushed the speed even higher.

Vroooom.

'30 meters. 20 meters. 10 meters...'

The distance closed rapidly until I was right in front of the ramp.

At that moment, the car suddenly felt as if it had lifted off the ground. Hydroplaning had begun. A chill ran down my spine, but I couldn't slow down. If I slowed here, the car wouldn't reach the minimum speed required to flip.

So instead, gripping the steering wheel tightly, I pressed the accelerator even harder.

Vroooom.

'5 meters... 3 meters... 1 meter...'

Thud. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

The left wheel hit the ramp. At the same moment the vehicle tilted sharply to the right, and my body leaned with it. Then the van began rolling sideways.

Crash! Crunch.

Each time the vehicle rolled, the metal frame crumpled with thunderous noise.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

I had no idea how many times the car rolled. Then the stunt vehicle tumbled once more down into a rice paddy about one meter below the roadside.

Bang.

And at that moment, my vision went dark.

***

-Mr. Jung! Stay with us!

At the distant voice, my eyes snapped open. Blood rushed toward my head. When I turned my head, I realized the stunt vehicle was upside down.

-Chief Jung! Are you okay?

-Are you badly hurt?

Still hanging upside down, I moved my hands and feet. Fortunately, the safety restraints had held firmly and I wasn't injured anywhere.

Just then, Yeo Ik-Hwan's voice came through the radio.

-Chief Jung! Are you really okay? If you are, stick your hand out!

I immediately stretched my hand outside and gave an OK sign.

Yeo Ik-Hwan let out a relieved breath.

-Thank goodness. The rollover shot was perfect. We'll get you out now, so stay still.

Hearing that everything had gone perfectly, I finally let out a sigh of relief. More than anything, I wanted to get out and check Everyday.

At that moment, the production crew opened the door of the vehicle I was in.

Creeeak.

As the vehicle flipped over, the frame twisted and the driver’s side door would not open easily.

"Everyone, give it some strength! The door won’t open!"

"Yes, sir!"

The production staff all rushed in at once and struggled to pry the door open. Finally it gave way.

Creeeak.

One of the staff spoke. "We’ll unfasten the seatbelt for you."

"Okay."

The staff reached in together, supporting my back as they released the belt.

Click.

My body dropped downward, but with their help I was able to steady myself.

Step by step, I climbed out of the vehicle and immediately asked one of the staff, "Did the shot come out well?"

"Good grief! You're worried about the shot in a situation like this? It came out great, so don't worry. Grab my hand. I'll help you."

"Thank you."

Even though I had been strapped in, the shock from the impact still lingered and my legs were not steady yet. In the end, I accepted their support and climbed back up onto the asphalt road.

At that moment, the production staff suddenly started applauding all at once.

Clap clap clap.

"Wow, he nailed it in one try."

"Mr. Jung! That was amazing. The roll looked incredible on camera."

I bowed my head slightly. "Thank you."

Just then, I saw two people sprinting toward me like crazy from the stunt vehicle's starting point. It was Yoo-Jin, with one side of her face covered in fake blood makeup, and Jung Sang-Bong.

However, Yoo-Jin's face looked pale as she ran. Just earlier she had been smiling brightly without putting any pressure on me, so I had no idea why she looked like this now.

A moment later, Yoo-Jin reached me. "Huff... huff... Oppa, are you okay?"

"Of course I'm okay. But what's with you all of a sudden?"

At that moment, Yoo-Jin started firing off worried words in a voice only I could hear. "You thought I'd make a fuss earlier, right? But it looked like you'd already made up your mind. And there wasn't any other option. So I pretended everything was fine on purpose so I wouldn't pressure you. You didn't realize that?"

Hearing that she had hidden her feelings because she was worried about me made my chest tighten slightly. However, my emotional moment lasted less than ten seconds.

"Anyway, wait until we get home. Do you know how nervous I was?"

With fake blood smeared across one side of her face and glass shards stuck to her forehead, Yoo-Jin glared at me. It looked like something straight out of a horror movie.

"Stop glaring like that. It's scary."

"Hmph. And just so you know, I'm telling Miso about what happened today."

'Yoo-Jin, please spare me. At this rate I might end up in the hospital from a heart attack before we even get home. If Miso found out, she'd cry her eyes out and cause a huge scene!'

"Yoo-Jin... maybe not that."

Yoo-Jin thought for a moment and then sighed. "Yeah... maybe telling Miso isn't a good idea. Anyway, you're really not hurt, right?"

Seeing Yoo-Jin still pouting made a wave of guilt wash over me. "Yeah. I'm fine. See?"

I spread my arms and turned my neck side to side, and only then did Yoo-Jin let out a relieved sigh. "Phew. That's a relief. Anyway, good job."

Just then, Jung Sang-Bong ran over holding my phone. "Mr. Jung, here you go."

"Oh, thanks."

I looked at my phone and checked Everyday. I was sure the schedule would be gone now. However, I couldn't help but be shocked.

[Everyday V13]

[Date: April 21, 2021]

-06:30 p.m.: [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin]

The filming of She Was Beautiful postponed indefinitely.

The current time was 6:20 p.m. The notice that filming would be postponed indefinitely in ten minutes was still there.

'But the shoot had already finished. So why?'

Just then, Chae Ill-Bok walked toward us. However, something about his behavior and speech was strange.

"Chie...f Jung. Are you... okay?"

His speech was slurred, and his movements were slow.

I studied him carefully and said, "Oh, I'm fine. But what's wrong with your speech?"

"Ah... maybe I'm nervous. You kept your foot on the accelerator until the end... that was the...best"

At that moment, a chill ran down my spine. At the same time, a thought flashed through my mind.

'Stroke checks follow the F.A.S.T rule.'

FAST was a simple guideline used when a stroke is suspected. F stands for FACE, facial paralysis. A stood for ARMS, weakness in the arms or legs. S stood for SPEECH, speech impairment. And T stood for TIME. If even one of those symptoms appeared, immediate emergency treatment was required.

"Mr. Chae. Please raise both of your hands."

"Both... hands? Why..."

"Please!"

Chae Ill-Bok lifted his arms. While his left arm rose normally, his right arm barely lifted. This was definitely a stroke.

I immediately turned and shouted, "Ambulance! We need an ambulance!"

Filming stopped as everyone began murmuring in confusion.

"Huh?"

"Hurry! We have to get Mr. Chae to a hospital!" Everyone looked confused, so I shouted again, "A stroke! It's an emergency!"

Chae Ill-Bok waved his hand, trying to say it wasn't like that. However, the height of his hands was different.

"Bring the vehicle now!"

Just then, the private ambulance rushed over.

"For now, ride to the helicopter in the ambulance."

We had already kept the helicopter running just in case, so we could fly straight to the hospital.

"I... I'm... fine..."

As Chae Ill-Bok tried to continue speaking, I immediately looked at Choi Sung-Moon.

Choi Sung-Moon nodded and said, "Team Lead Chae. If you don't get on that helicopter right now, I won't let it slide! I'm going with you, so get on!"

Choi Sung-Moon supported Chae Ill-Bok and helped him into the ambulance. The ambulance immediately began heading toward the helicopter that was waiting with its engine running.

Then, I finally got the notification I had been waiting for.

[Everyday V13]

[Date: April 21, 2021]

-06:30 p.m.: <Schedule Entry Deleted>

(Deleted Schedule Entry: [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin]

The filming of She Was Beautiful postponed indefinitely.)

Finally, the schedule entry in Everyday was being deleted.

***

-Chief Jung. Thank you. They said it would've been dangerous if we'd been ten minutes later.

Choi Sung-Moon's voice sounded bright over the phone. He had gone to the hospital with Chae Ill-Bok on the helicopter.

'Still...'

"Is there any chance this happened because he rode the helicopter today?"

-Come on. Motion sickness doesn't cause a brain hemorrhage. The doctor actually said the opposite. Because he rode the helicopter, the symptoms showed up clearly.

At that moment, I finally let out a breath of relief. "That's a relief."

-Yeah. It really is. We were lucky.

Then he added.

-Actually... Now that I think about it, it's thanks to you, Chief Jung. If you hadn't called me today, none of this would've happened. Team Lead Chae was originally planning to go fishing alone. If it weren't for you, I might've lost one of my most important team members.

For a moment, I froze, unsure how to respond.

-Anyway, thank you. I'll make sure I repay this debt.

"Oh, it's nothing, Mr. Choi."

-No. I'll definitely repay it.

After saying that, Choi Sung-Moon quickly hung up, saying a hospital staff member was calling for him. When I looked up, Yeo Ik-Hwan and the staff were watching me.

Holding up my phone, I shouted to everyone, "Mr. Chae is safe!"

Cheers and applause immediately erupted across the set. Then everyone began praising me again.

"Chief Jung saved a life today."

"Chief Jung, did your ancestors appear in your dream last night and tell you to save Team Lead Chae?"

"Good work. Thanks to you, our whole project is saved too."

The praise kept going, so I hurriedly said, "M-Mr. Choi. We should start filming again. If the sun drops any further, we'll have to postpone the shoot until tomorrow."

Yeo Ik-Hwan laughed and spoke to the staff. "Alright, alright. We can praise him later. Everyone get ready! We're filming in five minutes!"

As soon as the director gave the order, the staff moved toward the overturned vehicle.

And Yoo-Jin, who had the first scene to shoot, stood up with her eyes sparkling. "Oppa worked really hard for that shot, so now I'll repay it with my acting."

Yoo-Jin smiled brightly and walked steadily toward the overturned car. Whenever Yoo-Jin looked like that, she usually delivered an incredible performance. But for some reason, she looked more like someone marching off to take revenge.

'Yoo-Jin... you're not about to do something weird again, are you?'