NLFSD Chapter 11

Chapter 11

“I didn’t originally intend to participate, but it’s come to this. Filming crew, and all our staff members, I look forward to working with you.”

A round of applause erupted for Seo Taecheon as he bowed his head in greeting.

“Director, you’re the best!”

“Oh my gosh! I’m so excited!”

While the Omega and Beta employees cheered enthusiastically, Lee Jiwoon, who had been standing blankly among them, suddenly came to his senses. He pushed through the crowd and chased after Seo Taecheon, who was already walking away.

“Director!”

When Lee Jiwoon called out to him, the secretary tactfully stepped aside. Once they were alone, Lee Jiwoon approached Seo Taecheon and lowered his voice to ask,

“What is going on here?”

“It’s exactly as it looks. I came to show support, but since they were short a partner, I had to step in. It’s an important promotional project — we can’t let it fail.”

Seo Taecheon answered as if this were simply an extension of his work duties. And although that wasn’t wrong, Lee Jiwoon felt an odd tightness in his chest. Disappointment? A sense of letdown? It was a mix of emotions that surged within him.

Couldn’t he at least pretend he came because of me?

That thought crossed his mind for a moment, but was quickly followed by another.

Even if the director came all the way to Jeju because of me, so what? Would that make me feel proud?

“If you don’t have anything more to say, I’ll be going.”

Seo Taecheon said to the confused Lee Jiwoon. Since Jiwoon had no more reason to hold him back, he had no choice but to let him go.

As he watched Seo Taecheon’s back grow smaller in the distance, Jiwoon frowned.

What the hell is this? It feels like I just got splashed with dirty water by a passing car on a rainy day.

The assistant director announced the start of filming. The first shoot took place at the outdoor restaurant attached to the resort and involved a self-introduction segment. The tables were laden with fancy finger foods, all prepared by skilled chefs showcasing their best dishes.

On top of that, the soft jazz music, moody lighting, and cool summer night air created an incredibly romantic atmosphere. The producers had gone to such lengths that, if the participants didn’t feel their dating instincts kick in, there was probably something wrong with them. The staging was meticulous and relentless.

“All twenty of you are here. We’ll now hand out the name tags categorized by Alpha, Beta, and Omega.”

Lee Jiwoon wore a tag labeled <Omega No. 1> and sat at the innermost seat of a rectangular table. Directly opposite him sat <Alpha No. 1>, Seo Taecheon.

Of all places, he’s sitting right across from me.

Jiwoon was still sulking from the earlier not-quite-argument they’d had in the hallway. However, Seo Taecheon, seemingly unbothered, maintained his usual calm demeanor and polite tone.

While the other Alphas wore semi-formal outfits or slacks, Seo Taecheon stood out in a classic suit. Perhaps that’s why every Omega and female Beta present had their eyes on him — ten out of ten were clearly staring. Jiwoon, however, wasn’t admiring; he was scowling and glaring up and down. Still, it was attention.

Seo Taecheon had rolled up his sleeves and loosened his tie — an unusual look for him — which highlighted his well-developed forearms and firm neckline.

From the Omegas and female Betas seated in the same row as Jiwoon, sighs of admiration could be heard.

“Look at the Director. He’s seriously handsome.”

“I… This is my first time seeing him this close. It doesn’t feel real. I’m so nervous.”

Perhaps hearing those comments, the Alphas and male Betas seated in the same row as Seo Taecheon looked around anxiously and began to fidget.

“Let’s begin with self-introductions. Please enjoy the food while each of you introduces yourselves. We’ll start with Alpha No. 1.”

When Seo Taecheon stood, quiet gasps filled the air. Omega No. 2, seated next to Jiwoon, squealed about his overwhelming height and sturdy frame. Jiwoon, thinking Yeah, he’s got the looks, stuffed a chicken tender into his mouth.

“I’m Alpha No. 1.”

The deep timbre of his voice drew open cheers from the Omegas.

“My hobby is drawing, and my ideal type is someone who eats well. That’s all.”

It was a very brief introduction, but Omega No. 3 reacted enthusiastically, saying it was cool and charming. Her bold personal comment clearly signaled her interest.

Popular, huh. Must be nice for you.

As Jiwoon reached for a slice of pizza, the production staff pointed to him.

“Next, Omega No. 1, please introduce yourself.”

Having been called as the second speaker, Jiwoon regretfully put down the pizza and stood up. Along with Alpha No. 1 BBG, Alpha No. 2, Ki Hyunjin, also looked at him.

Of course, the other Alphas and male Betas couldn’t take their eyes off Jiwoon either — from his soft, floating hair to the bits of fried coating on his lips that still made him look delicate and innocent, and his skin so clear it was almost translucent.

“Uh… I’m Omega No. 1. My hobby is also drawing.”

“Oh? Just like Alpha No. 1?”

When the assistant director asked, Jiwoon gave an embarrassed nod. Recently, he had indeed been drawing a lot of stick figures, so he figured it was okay to call it a new hobby. In the past, his hobbies were binge-watching dramas and mimicking the lines with intense immersion, but lately, he found himself sketching more often.

Then came the time to state his ideal type. Suddenly, a dark robe brushed past his line of sight.

Him again?! He’s back! Alarmed, Jiwoon quickly blurted out,

“My ideal type is someone who doesn’t look good in a black robe!”

Seo Taecheon looked up at him, eyes fixed. Jiwoon avoided his gaze and stared off into space.

“That’s a very unique ideal type. Do you mean you like someone who looks good in colorful clothes or something like that?”

Ki Hyunjin asked. Jiwoon nodded vaguely and sat down. Rolling his eyes, he sneaked a glance at Seo Taecheon, who was now sitting with his arms crossed and a pensive expression.

After that, all twenty participants finished their introductions. Some were ordinary, some stood out, and others were funny. But Jiwoon couldn’t recall most of their faces — he had been too focused on eating the pizza in front of him.

“Great job, everyone. We’ll now move on to individual interviews. Please gather in the conference room, and one by one we’ll call you into a small room we’ve prepared.”

“What are we doing in the conference room?”

“We’d like you to honestly share your thoughts — who made the best first impression, things like that.”

“Wow! Already getting into it? This is gonna be fun.”

The request to immediately reveal their romantic interest made the participants feel pressured, but they also seemed secretly delighted. Perhaps someone would choose them. That hopeful anticipation was at play.

The production crew and all twenty participants moved to the conference room together. The filming order followed the seating arrangement at the group table—Alpha No. 1, Omega No. 1, Alpha No. 2, and so on.

“Then we’ll start the first impression interview with Alpha No. 1. Please come in.”

Seo Taecheon moved into the small meeting room. Lee Jiwoon craned his neck to sneak a peek at his retreating figure, when Ki Hyunjin tapped him on the shoulder.

“Jiwoon.”

“Yes? Deputy Manager.”

“Ah… it’s nothing really. Are you going to say there was someone you liked at first impression?”

Ki Hyunjin smiled slyly.

“Well….”

Lee Jiwoon scratched his neck and mumbled his response. The truth was, all his attention was focused on what Seo Taecheon might be saying in that tiny meeting room.

I’m curious. Did he say there was an omega or beta he liked? If so, who could it be? Omega No. 3, the company’s official goddess? Or maybe Beta No. 6, the most beautiful among the betas?

While Lee Jiwoon was biting his lip and lost in thought, the production staff called him.

“Omega No. 1! Please come into the meeting room.”

“Ah, yes! I’m coming.”

Lee Jiwoon hurried into the meeting room. Inside was a small table and a sofa, with lights and cameras set up across from him.

The bright lights and the crowd of staff focused on him made Jiwoon a bit nervous. Noticing this, the assistant director spoke gently.

“Feel free to answer however you like. Haha. Did you have fun today?”

“Ah, yes. It was fun.”

“By any chance… was there someone who caught your eye?”

Jiwoon pondered. If he had to name someone who stood out… Hmm. No one, really.

He hadn’t paid enough attention to the other participants to know, and as for Alpha No. 1, he didn’t know what to say.

“I don’t think so… saying there was feels a bit… um….”

As Jiwoon gave his vague response, a writer handed him a small slip of paper.

“Actually, during the first impression interview, we’re also doing a popularity vote. If there’s someone you thought was the best, just cast a vote for them. It’s just a light popularity poll, not about romantic feelings or wanting to date, so you don’t have to think too deeply.”

Jiwoon took the white ballot and paused for a moment.

This doesn’t have anything to do with feelings or wanting to date, right? It’s just for fun. Just a game.

Then maybe I can think simply. Just pick the best-looking and most impressive person among them.

Jiwoon soon broke the silence.

“I’ll go with Alpha No. 1… please.”

“Ah, I see. Got it.”

Jiwoon wrote “Alpha No. 1” in very small letters on the slip. The writer collected his vote.