The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

YUJIN, who lazily raised his head, was also surprised when he saw Astrid Townsend. But it was only for a second. Because if he thought about it carefully, it's not really that weird for them to be in the same spacecraft. First, they were travelling to the same filming studio planet. And second, they were going to the same filming crew.

But his agent, Carmine, couldn't hide her surprise and shock. It took a while for her to recover. In fact, she only did so because she saw the woman sitting in front of her raised her eyebrow. As if she found her momentary gaff funny. 

Carmine gathered her senses and showed a very, very fake smile. "Oh, it's Miss Payne. What a coincidence. I didn't expect to meet such a famous agent. As an agent myself, I feel quite honored."

"Then, I have to apologize since I have no idea who you are," Ellis said with a smile.

But in Carmine's eyes, it seemed more like a smirk. As if the other was mocking her or something. 

"That's only natural. After all, I'm only starting as an agent five years ago when Miss Payne left the industry. Honestly, it came of a shock to me that you returned. Many of us thought that you suffered a tremendous trauma you won't ever return to this industry again. Thankfully, that seemed to be not the case. Just look at you, you came back strong, even finding such a diamond in the rough. I'm truly glad that you're okay."

Ellis chuckled. "I didn't think such gossip was going around. You should be careful not to believe things so easily. After all, you're an agent, not a paparazzi. Isn't that right, Miss…?"

"Clancy. Carmine Clancy," Carmine said through gritted teeth. How could she not hear the other calling her a gossipmonger? 

"Oh, there's also one thing I have to correct. My artist is not a diamond in the rough," Ellis said before continuing with an arrogant smile. "He's already a diamond."

Carmine only felt like a vein on her forehead would pop at any second now. Ellis said that in a way as if she's not boasting but simply telling the truth. Which only annoyed her to no end.

"Is he? I'm sorry, my eyes are not good these days. I couldn't really see it," she said, her meaning was she couldn't see in which angle was Astrid a 'diamond'.

"Then, I suggest you go to an ophthalmologist to have your eyes checked," Ellis said with an expression as if she's sympathizing at her. "We don't want you to go blind now, do we?"

The two looked at each other and then both fake laughed.

Seeing this, Astrid only felt like watching a show where two characters were doing 'ho-ho-ho' laugh while their hands were raised to the side of their face. He shook his head helplessly before turning to the young man sitting in front of him. It just so happened that the other also turned to his direction. 

"Hello," he took the initiative to greet the other. "I'm Astrid Townsend."

The other seemed to have not expected that he would take the initiative to greet him and even introduce himself. But his surprise only lasted for a second.

"Yujin Wells," Yujin also introduced himself. "It seems that we're both going to [The Great War]'s filming crew."

"Yes," Astrid only said. 

He had seen the list of casts when his script was sent to him. He was very surprised when he found Yujin Wells' name on it. Apparently, even if he didn't get the part of Luan Escanor, he still managed to get a role in the show. And not just any extra but the third male lead to boot.

Astrid wouldn't question why the other was suddenly part of the cast. Maybe when he auditioned as Luan Escanor, the director thought he was more suited to the role of the third male lead. It's better to think that than to assume that it was because of the influence of the other's company.

After all, he hardly knew the other. If he assumed the worst when they hadn't even had a single conversation, wouldn't that make him no different from others who loved to talk behind someone else's back? He didn't one to be one of those people. 

Yujin was observing the teenager when he said that they were going on the same crew. He was actually expecting some kind of disdain, even a little bit. But there was none, not even a tiny bit.

It was not a secret that Kaleido was pushing him as their next big star. That's why he's used to other actors/actresses showing disdain or hostility towards him. When they looked at him, they only saw the unfairness of it all, not his talent, not even his hard work. He already got used to that kind of gaze. That's why he could immediately tell just by their gaze if someone thought of him in the same way.

Surprisingly enough, Yujin didn't feel anything from Astrid. The other was simply looking at him like normal. It didn't take long before he realized the reason why. 

It's because Astrid had confidence in his own talent that there's no need for him to feel inferior to others. He didn't think that Kaleido's support to Yujin was unfair. Because he was confident that even with that support, he could still surpass him in no time.

Yujin couldn't help but chuckle at the thought that he just had. Well, the next few days would probably determine whether his guess was correct or not.

"I'm looking forward to filming with you," he said with all honesty. 

He truly wanted to see the acting that beat him to lose the role of 'Luan Escanor'.

Astrid smiled. "Me as well."

The two managers finally stopped laughing when they saw this peaceful scene between their artists. They looked at each other and then immediately looked away. 

[For the sake of Yujin, I'll ignore this sly woman.] – Carmine.

[For the sake of Astrid, I'll ignore this childish woman.] – Ellis.