Yoonmin

The studio smelled of coffee, wires and slight nervousness. The actors waited in the hallway outside the door—some were reviewing their lines, some were leafing through the script, and some were just pacing nervously. It was a typical audition day. Jimin sat at a table in the back of the room, idly scrolling through notes. A scene from a movie played on his laptop screen—the very one the candidates were scheduled to perform today. He rubbed the bridge of his nose tiredly. Directing always looked more beautiful from the outside.

“Next,” the assistant said calmly.

The door opened. Jimin didn't even look up right away. First he heard footsteps—unhurried, too confident for someone at a casting. And then he looked. And froze.

— …Are you kidding me?

Yoongi chuckled. He hasn't changed much: the same disheveled hair and cheeky half-smile that made you want to hit him and, for some reason, laugh at the same time at school.

— Long time no see.

Jimin slammed his palms down on the table.

• No. No-no-no. This is a mistake. Assistant Taehyung (who also happens to be Jimin's best friend) looked up in surprise. — He's signed up for open recruitment. Musician.

• He is not an actor.

“I’ve been hearing this for twenty years,” Yoongi remarked calmly.

Jimin narrowed his eyes.

• Why are you here?

— I came to the casting.

• You are a musician.

• AND?

Jimin exhaled heavily and covered his face with his hand for a second. Of all people. Of all cities. Of all the possible directors. — Do you understand that I am the director of this film?

• Certainly.

• Then why did you come?

Yoongi shrugged. — Because the role interested me.

This insolence was almost the same as in school. Back then, he'd bully Jimin—hiding notebooks, making stupid comments, laughing louder than anyone else. But he never crossed the line where it became truly cruel. Jimin looked at him for a few seconds.

• You don't even know the text.

— Give me the page.

Taehyung handed over the sheet of paper. Yoongi quickly scanned the stage and looked up.

• Ready.

Jimin crossed his arms. “Okay,” he said dryly. “Surprise me.” Yoongi nodded and stepped onto the testing area.

director and musician.