Superstar 837
by CristaeThe next day.
Grace: Today’s your first shoot, right?
< Yeah. I’m on the way now.
In the backseat of the car heading to the first shoot of New Eclipse, Seo-jun leaned against the seat, texting with his friends.
Grace and original author Laura Welton had returned to New York a few days after Seo-jun’s birthday. They had checked the set, locations, and cast, so there was no more need for them to stay.
“Anything more would just get in the way.”
That’s what Laura had said over dinner at Seo-jun’s place before they left. She looked genuinely relieved.
“Wilma is amazing! We can trust her completely!”
It seemed her faith in Director Wilma had deepened.
“Of course, we trust you and the cast, too!”
Remembering Laura’s sparkling eyes, Seo-jun smiled faintly.
From the driver’s seat, manager Choi Tae-woo glanced at him in the rearview mirror, smiling at the sight before refocusing on the road. Driving in LA was now second nature to him.
Grace: Thanks for the pics you sent earlier!
Grace: My sister loved them!
The production company, New Age, surely sent reports to Laura as well, but Seo-jun had shared additional photos:
Pictures with wolves and wolfdogs, him wearing the mechanical wolf ears (videos too), the meeting with the cats, and some shots from training sessions.
He figured it would help Laura and Grace feel more reassured.
< I’ll send more from time to time.
Grace: It’s okay!
Grace: What you’ve sent already is more than enough!!
Grace: You’ll be busy with filming.
< I’ll just send them during breaksㅎㅎ
Grace: Junㅠㅠㅠ
Seo-jun grinned at Grace’s message. It was part of a leader’s duty to care for his pack’s morale.
Charlie: You’re filming it for real now, huh.
Charlie: I’m the one shaking.
Grace: Right?!
Grace: I always hoped you’d be the one to do it!
Grace: After Mangclipse, I thought it was all over!!
Seo-jun, Grace, and Charlie all cherished that childhood Halloween meeting. The novel Eclipse, which had been born from that moment, held a special place in their hearts.
So they had been excited when it was adapted into a film—but utterly disappointed when Mangclipse came out.
Now, it was time to erase that disappointment and create another cherished memory.
Grace: We believe in you, actor-nim!
Charlie: We believe!
< Yes. Leave it to me!
Two grown-up werewolves and a witch giggled over text.
“Have all the extras arrived?”
“Lighting team’s asking for a few more power lines to be connected!”
The film set buzzed with activity in preparation for the first shoot.
Seo-jun liked it.
Walking toward the waiting room with Choi Tae-woo under the staff’s guidance, Seo-jun looked around. He enjoyed the silence during filming, but he also loved the lively chaos beforehand.
“One of the chroma key screens got torn!”
“WHAT!?”
Okay, that sounded serious.
But with time before filming and the highly capable Hollywood staff on hand, he wasn’t too worried.
“Jun! You’re early!”
Wilma greeted Seo-jun with a bright smile.
“It’s the first day of filming. I got a little too excited.”
“I see! Then let me show you arou—”
“Director!!”
The call cut her off.
Seo-jun chuckled.
“You should go.”
“I’ll be back soon, Jun! Feel free to look around!”
Wilma quickly rushed off as staff and assistant directors followed, throwing out questions. Wilma issued calm but quick instructions.
“She’s so quirky, but she’s clearly a pro,” Tae-woo remarked.
“No doubt.”
Even her eccentric ideas always served the project. It was clear she was sincere about her work.
“Shall we head out?”
“Yeah.”
After dropping off their things in the waiting room, Seo-jun and Tae-woo stepped out.
The first shoot for New Eclipse was on an outdoor set designed like a city street. Green chroma key panels stood here and there.
“They’re replacing the torn screen.”
“Looks like it.”
While observing, Wilma and Haley Roge arrived.
“Hey, Haley. You’re early?”
“I was too nervous to wait at home. You too, Jun?”
“Same.”
The two lead actors laughed, and Wilma beamed at them.
“Alright, then let’s tour—”
“Director!”
“…I’ll be back.”
With a sigh, Wilma turned toward the shout and left. Seo-jun and Haley laughed.
“First shoot nerves got everyone on edge,” Haley said.
“Yeah. It’s been hectic since we got here.”
They toured the set with light hearts. The staff’s dedication made them feel reassured.
“Time to prep?”
“Yup.”
Haley checked the time. Seo-jun nodded with a smile.
Soon after, in full costume and makeup, the lead actors returned to the set.
Extras were in position, checking movement paths. Haley carried props to her spot. Seo-jun exhaled slowly after one final check of his wardrobe. Filming always filled him with anticipation.
“We’re starting!”
With the assistant director’s call, the set fell silent.
Wilma scanned both the monitors and the set with a sharp eye before calling out,
“Ready…”
At her cue, Seo-jun opened his eyes.
“Action!”
Filming began.
A small town in America.
Not a big city, but brimming with the energy of its people.
From a large supermarket emerged a woman, carrying heaps of items.
Hair tied tightly to keep a single strand from falling. Thick glasses. A dark, plain outfit that stood out from the crowd’s colorful clothes. Arms loaded with bulging plastic bags and square boxes stacked almost to her eyes.
Passersby glanced as she carefully navigated the sidewalk beside the street.
“Excuse me. Sorry. Coming through.”
At her polite voice, people stepped aside.
“Need a hand?”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
She declined with a smile. Claire could manage this alone.
…Might be a thief.
“Always stay cautious outside, Claire!”
Remembering the orphanage director’s words, she adjusted her grip with a grunt and pressed on.
Avoiding traffic. Dodging pedestrians. Trying not to get lost in a new city.
Despite her dreary appearance, her expression radiated joy.
Maybe she’d overbought. But no—she shook her head.
The weight of these bags, maybe even heavier—
Claire was happy.
These were hers.
All hers.
Unbelievable.
She still couldn’t get over the excitement. So happy, she felt like flying.
It had been her decision to buy all this. After leaving the orphanage, she had saved diligently to find a place to live—but had blown it all in one go.
Why?
Because she already had a house!
Her very own home.
Her own.
She grinned at the memory of that miraculous stroke of luck.
Bam!
Distracted, Claire slammed into something hard. She stumbled—didn’t fall—but her bags toppled to the ground. People looked.
“I’m sorry! So sorry!”
She crouched quickly, cheeks burning, and began collecting her things.
Thankfully, the bags weren’t torn. Just a bit of dirt. As long as nothing inside was damaged, she’d be fine.
That’s when a strange hand entered her view—picking up one of her things.
A thief?!
Startled, she looked up—only to see a hooded man handing the item to her.
She blushed even harder.
“…Thank you.”
“I wasn’t watching where I was going either.”
Wait—he’s the one I bumped into?!
She thought she’d hit a wall!
As the man helped, Claire glanced at him.
His hood covered his face, and only his worn, grimy clothes stood out.
A homeless man?
Kind one, at least.
When she finished gathering everything, she stood. So did he.
“Thanks again.”
She hoped to repay him someday.
But then she noticed—the man was staring.
Though his face was hidden, she could feel it.
“You…”
He stepped closer.
Was he… sniffing?
“Y-yes?”
Uh-oh.
He moved closer, and Claire stepped back.
The man grinned.
“A witch.”
Claire’s jaw dropped.
And then—
“THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!”
She shouted.
Grabbing her stuff, she bolted for home.
A witch? Seriously?!
Clearly, he wasn’t just a kind homeless man. He was a crazy one.
Praying she’d never see him again, Claire ran without looking back.
And the hooded man watched her go.