The air was electric with anticipation as the cast and crew of Stara Entertainment's newest teen drama, "Their Stories - Edition 1 - When it was Summer," prepared for their first day of shooting. The relentless grind of consecutive table reads for the past week had finally given way to the thrill of actual production. Actors and staff alike were ensconced in their respective dressing rooms, awaiting the unveiling of their costumes.

1st July
Twenty-five minutes to Ten
Stara Entertainment

The bustling company was a well-oiled machine, churning out hit after hit. Today, however, was special. This was the debut shoot of "Their Stories - sequel one," a high school teen drama centering on a group of four friends. The genre was predominantly mystery, with whispers of romance woven into the narrative, promising an engaging blend that had both the cast and crew eager.

The air in the dressing rooms was thick with the mingling scents of makeup and anticipation. The main cast, each lost in their scripts, meticulously revisited their lines. They had recited them over five times during the table reads, achieving a near-perfect synchronicity that promised seamless takes. As usual, Yua, an A-list actress known for her single-take perfection, exuded a quiet confidence that was both reassuring and intimidating to her fellow actors.

Outside the dressing rooms, the crew buzzed with a collective energy, smiles painted on their faces. They knew that with such a strong start, the day would be smooth sailing. No long shifts, no retakes; the first shoot was already a triumph. Their jubilation was palpable when Shia's manager, Ji Baeji, made her entrance, carrying a collection of white bags. She radiated a poised confidence, her dark bobbed hair and sparkling black eyes drawing the attention of everyone she passed.

On set, director Nova was absorbed in reviewing the morning's takes. Sitting with one leg casually draped over the other, she scrutinized the footage, her mind a whirl of creative calculations. She barely acknowledged Baeji's approach until a cup of sealed coffee was placed in her hand.

"Working hard as always, Director," Baeji remarked with a radiant smile.

Nova accepted the coffee without looking up, her right hand deftly taking the cup. She took a sip and immediately paused. "It seems there is almond milk in this."

"The way you like it," Baeji responded, her smile unwavering. "Almonds, as you prefer."

Nova finally looked up, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Who is this lady again?" she asked Tae-Hyun, who stood nearby.

"She is Kwon Shia's manager. Ji Baeji," he whispered hurriedly.

"Ji Baeji? The retired influencer?" Nova’s curiosity piqued.

Tae-Hyun nodded briskly. Nova's gaze sharpened as she scrutinized Baeji. "What business do you have with me?" she inquired, her tone icy.

"Oh, nothing serious, Director Nova. Just wondering how Shia is doing."

Nova's eyes flickered with understanding. Baeji’s approach, her seemingly innocuous question, the coffee—all were part of a thinly veiled attempt to curry favor, to perhaps elevate Shia’s standing or influence her role in the drama. Nova met Baeji's smile with one equally bright, a silent acknowledgment of the game being played.

As Baeji distributed coffee to everyone on set, Nova quietly schemed her next move. Confronting Baeji directly would be risky; the retired influencer held considerable sway in the entertainment industry. Nova decided to let the check hidden in the coffee cup sleeve stay hidden, for now.

"Alright. Scene two," Nova announced, her voice cutting through the chatter.

Yua was the last to take her coffee, catching a brief, hostile glare from Baeji. The actress frowned slightly, wondering if she had imagined it. "Am I too tired right now? Miss Baeji couldn’t have glared at me, right?" she thought, bowing politely to the manager.

The set transformed as the actors moved into position. Scene two was straightforward, yet crucial in establishing the dynamic between the characters. Rufford, played by Wubin, would follow Lieri, portrayed by Shia, captivated by her frustration. Helios, Junhyeok's character, remained aloof but would eventually engage with them during lunch, drawn to Lieri’s usual hideout. Louise, Yua’s role, was the ace student—a contrast to the bold Lieri. This scene would mark the beginning of Louise opening up to the group.

"Action," Nova signaled.

Lieri, frustration etched on her face, walked across the corridor towards the stairs. She muttered to herself, unaware of Rufford sneaking up behind her. His sudden tap on her shoulder made her spin around, her squeaky scream of surprise echoing through the set. She flinched, nearly toppling over before Rufford caught her arm.

"Didn't know I would scare you that much," he teased, his voice light with amusement.

"Of course, you scared me, you dummy! Why would you appear like that?" Lieri retorted, her annoyance clear as she straightened up.

At that moment, a football crashed through a nearby window, sending glass shards scattering. Both Lieri and Rufford ducked instinctively.

"What was that? Why would they play on the field like that!" Lieri exclaimed, her voice a mix of outrage and shock.

Rufford nodded in agreement. "Who knows, maybe they're just idiots."

Louise, descending the stairs, noticed the broken window and the football on the floor. She rushed over, peering out to see if anyone was around. "Are you both okay?" she asked, concern coloring her voice.

They nodded in unison just as Helios appeared, a bag of lunch in his hand. Oblivious to the chaos, he tripped over the football, landing hard on his front.

"Ugh..." he grunted, pushing himself up.

Louise jumped the remaining stairs, skidding to his side. "A-are you okay? The nurse’s office is right next to the—"

"I'm fine, so calm down," Helios interrupted, sitting up and leaning against the wall.

"And cut," Nova's voice rang out.

The actors immediately slipped out of character. Shia slumped to her knees, exhausted but exhilarated. Yua and Junhyeok were already sprawled on the floor, while Wubin leaned against the wall, catching his breath. They had been both excited and nervous about this shoot, and seeing Nova satisfied lifted a weight off their shoulders.

As they relaxed, Nova reviewed the footage once more, her critical eye searching for any flaws. She found none. A small smile tugged at her lips—a rare sign of approval.

"Great job, everyone. Let's take a short break before we move on to the next scene," she announced.

The crew sprang into action, preparing for the upcoming scenes. The main cast retreated to their dressing rooms, their adrenaline slowly ebbing. Shia’s manager, Baeji, circulated among the staff, her demeanor as composed and confident as ever. She approached Nova once more, her eyes glinting with a mix of curiosity and hidden agenda.

"How’s the shoot progressing, Director?" Baeji inquired, her tone light.

Nova’s smile was a polished facade. "Very well, thank you. The cast is performing wonderfully."

"That's good to hear. Shia has been quite excited about this project."

"I'm sure she has," Nova replied, her tone neutral.

Baeji’s eyes flicked to the coffee cup in Nova's hand. "Enjoying the coffee?"

Nova’s smile widened, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Yes, it’s quite... stimulating."

Baeji's smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she regained her composure. "I'm glad you think so."

As Baeji walked away, Nova’s mind raced. She needed to handle this situation delicately. Baeji’s influence could make or break careers, but Nova was not one to be easily swayed. She decided to keep the check as leverage, a card to be played when the time was right.

In the meantime, the day continued. The cast returned from their break, re-energized and ready to tackle the next scene. This one involved a more intense interaction between the characters, delving deeper into the mystery that would drive the series.