Being a versatile actor meant you had to maintain this perfect image you made of yourself no matter what, which also meant never refusing a role in fear of disappointing whoever had high expectations of you.

Even if you had to work with your rival.

Working with Izumi was impossible— with everyone he presented himself as a stoic and polite man, while maintaining everyone at arm’s length as a professional should do. But only you knew what hid behind that.

He was actually the most prideful, nagging and nit-picky douchebag you have ever seen, always belittling you if he saw you eating more than usual or giving you unsolicited criticism after silently judging you while rehearsing.

He always preached about how he was undoubtedly the best between you two, so you couldn’t understand why he felt so threatened by you.

And when you found out you had to play a kissing scene with him for your next drama, you wanted to quit your job right there. He took it so seriously that he brought you somewhere private so you two could rehearse even outside of work hours.

“I can’t believe you never played a kissing scene,” he scoffed. “But what else did I expect from a cheap actor like you?”

He yanked you towards him by your arm, his face completely unbothered as he rolled his eyes at your flushed cheeks.

“I am not going to let you ruin my part.”