"Cut!"
Once again, the director's voice sliced through the quiet air of the audition room.
It wasn't an audition day. The full cast had already been chosen- main leads, supporting actors, everyone.
Yet here they were again, Yushan and Jun, dragged back by the three directors for one final "chemistry test." between them.
They'd been given a week to grow familiar with each other, to let their connection bloom into something effortless. But apparently, that wasn't happening.
"Okay." Director Nana stood up from her seat, brushing a strand of sleek black hair behind her ear.
Her face was calm but unimpressed, every word that followed carrying the weight of exhaustion. "Yushan, I understand it's not easy to build chemistry from scratch, especially when you've worked with the same partner for years. You and Xin had something that clicked naturally. But we can't change the fact that Xin decided to quit from the industry. Unless you're willing to work with someone new, we'll have no choice but to give this series to another pair."
Her tone sharpened slightly. "Just because we at BL Dreamlight company try to pair actors who match doesn't mean you should only perform well with one person. An actor's job is to adapt, to connect. If you weren't ready to partner with someone new, you should've said so before signing. I don't want to sound like I'm lecturing you, but we should've started filming last week. Instead, we've spent this entire time waiting for you two to 'build chemistry.'"
She sighed, rubbing her temple. "And yet somehow, it feels like you've grown colder toward each other. Did either of you even try to get along?"
Her voice softened slightly, almost pleading. "We don't want to replace either of you. You're perfect for these roles- your appearance, your presence, your energy. We just need you to meet us halfway. Please, make this easier for all of us."
The room fell silent. One of the other directors, an older man with silver streaks in his hair, cleared his throat. His eyes settled on Yushan, who stood with arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
"Yushan," he began carefully, "you understand that your fans are used to seeing you with Xin. Some will be disappointed seeing you with someone new, but the way you handle this new pairing will decide whether they stay. You're our most talented and popular actor. If you and Jun can pull this off, your partnership could surpass the success you had with Xin. This series could become the highlight of the year."
He hesitated, tone turning gentle. "But if this continues… we'll have to consider other options."
For a long moment, no one said anything after that. But then Yushan turned his head slightly, eyes flicking toward Jun, who stood stiffly beside him, clearly tense.
When Yushan finally spoke, his voice was calm but edged. "I agreed to the new contract knowing I'd be paired with someone else. I am willing to work with anyone." His eyes met the directors'. "But maybe the mistake wasn't mine. Maybe it was yours."
He tilted his head slightly toward Jun. "Because the problem isn't me. It's him. Maybe you should've chosen someone more experienced. He's too shy; can't even look me in the eye, can't touch me when the script demands it. He can memorize lines, sure, but when it comes to acting, he seems so clueless about it. And I'm the one stuck trying to carry the entire scene."
His voice hardened. "But all you see is me not wanting to cooperate with someone new? Did you even audition him...?"
"I was auditioned," Jun's voice cut in instantly before Yushan can finish.
It wasn't loud, but the frustration in it made all three directors turn toward him with quiet intrigue.
Jun's wide eyes burned with defiance as he looked up at Yushan, his delicate face flushed with emotion.
"And when," Jun continued, his voice shaking slightly but firm, "did I say I can't touch you or look you in the eye?"
The challenge in his tone caught Yushan off guard. For the first time, the corners of his lips twitched into a faint smirk. The directors exchanged quick glances but didn't interrupt.
"Oh?" Yushan tilted his head, eyes narrowing. "Then do it."
Jun blinked. "Do it?"
"Yes," Yushan said simply. "Do the confession scene. The one where you finally kiss my character."
Jun's heart stumbled, but still forced himself to appear unshakable, "Why not just say the part where I kiss you?" The words slipped out before he could stop them.
"Fine." Yushan said, "Do the scene where you confess and kiss me."
The room went still.
Jun swallowed. "You mean... now? You want me to do the scene and actually kiss you?"
"Yes." Yushan stepped closer, his voice steady and unyielding. "If we're doing this series together, then we're definitely going to kiss and even do more than just a kiss, so why not now? There'll be full-blown make-out scenes."
Yushan stepped closer, and instinctively Jun stepped back, but Yushan didn't stop until Jun's back hit the wall. He braced one hand beside Jun's head, trapping him there.
"Stop wasting time," Yushan murmured, voice low, almost taunting. "If you can't do this, just admit it so we find someone else."
Jun's pulse hammered in his ears. The threat of replacement echoed in his mind, and something inside him hardened.
He inhaled shakily, eyes closing for a heartbeat. When he opened them again, he lifted his gaze to Yushan and murmured, "Okay."
His hands trembled, but he steadied them and lifted one to touch Yushan's arm-- just like the script said. Yushan's eyes darkened as he played along, his irritation perfectly in character.
"Yang…" Jun whispered, using Yushan's character's name. The emotion in his tone surprised even him. It came out raw, almost pleading.
"What do you think you're doing?" Yushan's voice snapped, throwing Jun's hand away, just like the script said.
Jun stepped closer, rising on his toes. His lips brushed against Yushan's, barely a breath apart, then pressed softly.
Before the moment could settle, Yushan pushed him back roughly, voice rising. "What the hell is your problem?!"
(Wei) Jun faltered, his eyes glistening as he slipped fully into the scene.
Surprisingly, real tears fell from his eyes as he forced himself to say the scripted lines, "All this time I... I've been clinging to the hope that... that maybe you liked me back, and maybe you would want me back at some point. But it's been years, and all you've given me are mixed signals... Sometimes you say something harsh or completely ignore me, but then another time you act like you care... which has kept my hope alive. I asked you to tell me directly if there could never be anything between us, to reject me directly so I would really know that's your stand, because I knew it would help me move on. But why won't you say it? I know that not saying it is still an answer, but I keep wanting to hear you say it."
He choked on a small sob, wiping his tears. "But from now own... I'll take that answer and stop bothering you."
With that, he turned to leave, but Yushan grabbed his wrist.
The directors leaned forward instinctively as Yushan pulled Jun back. Without hesitation, he cupped Jun's face and kissed him- deeply, fully, as the script demanded.
For a heartbeat, Jun froze. His mind blanked, the world dimming until all he could feel was Yushan's warmth. His lips moved instinctively, responding before he even realized what he was doing.
The warmth of Yushan's lips seeped into his skin, a shiver running through him as every nerve seemed to awaken. His heart pounded.
Was this really acting or was he feeling too much? He didn't know. It was his first role, his first kiss, and suddenly the line between the two was blurring.
When Yushan finally pulled away, Jun was breathing unevenly, his lips tingling, his eyes dazed. Yushan's gaze lingered on him for a beat too long before he looked away.