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Chapter 43 - Feast to Attention

Three pairs of eyes locked onto the table full of food, proof that at least three people were present. Yet, at this moment, only one mouth was moving—and not just eating, but devouring.

Yoona's mouth stretched open, wide enough to rival a crocodile's maw, as if her jaw had no limits.

With effortless precision, she shoveled an absurd amount of food inside, chewing with the efficiency of a machine built for one purpose—devouring.

Across the table, Jihoon and Changwook sat frozen, their chopsticks hovering mid-air, their hunger completely overshadowed by the spectacle before them.

They had come here expecting a casual meal, maybe some light conversation, but instead, they were witnessing something that defied logic.

Yoona had meticulously arranged a mountain of food on her plate—a portion that would take a normal person at least two or three bites to finish.

But for Yoona?

It was just a single mouthful away.

With an almost theatrical nonchalance, she scooped up the oversized bite and shoved it into her mouth, chewing with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine.

Jihoon blinked. Then blinked again.

Changwook wasn't faring any better. His expression teetered somewhere between fascination and horror, like he had just witnessed a supernatural phenomenon.

Their eyes met, a silent exchange of disbelief passing between them.

Is this real?

Are we seeing this correctly?

Jihoon had seen impressive eaters before—Taeyeon, for one, had always amazed him with her ability to clear a plate with speed.

But compared to Yoona, Taeyeon's appetite was child's play. This was something else entirely.

This wasn't just hunger—this was a force of nature.

For a moment, Jihoon even wondered if Yoona had a black hole in her stomach.

As she reached for another portion, still chewing, still looking completely unbothered by the sheer quantity she was consuming, Jihoon and Changwook exchanged another look.

Speechless.

Dumbfounded.

Utterly, hopelessly defeated by the sheer power of Yoona's bottomless appetite.

The clatter of a spoon against a plate shattered the stunned silence.

"Yoona," Jihoon finally spoke, his voice teetering between awe and sheer disbelief. "Where the hell does all that food even go?"

Yoona barely paused, effortlessly swallowing her latest bite like it was nothing.

She attempted a playful wink, though with her mouth still stuffed, it took a moment before she could actually speak. Finally, after a dramatic gulp, she grinned.

"Just fueling my energy for the day," Yoona said with a mischievous grin, effortlessly scooping another serving onto her plate.

Changwook let out a long sigh, watching her with a mix of amusement and disbelief. "At this rate, you're going to need a nap after all that."

A waitress happened to pass by, momentarily slowing down as she took in the nearly empty plates that had once held an abundant feast.

Her eyes flicked between Yoona, Jihoon, and Changwook, as if trying to figure out who was responsible for the feast disappearing so quickly. It didn't take her long to make the connection.

Jihoon caught her glance and let out an exasperated sigh, rubbing his temples. "Sigh... She's just been released from prison."

The waitress stifled a chuckle, clearly used to odd dining situations, and moved on.

Yoona, now finally slowing down, leaned back in her chair with a satisfied sigh. "Now that really hit the spot."

Jihoon glanced at the remains of their meal—or rather, the lack thereof. "Yoona, that was enough food for four people."

She tapped her stomach thoughtfully. "Huh. Maybe five."

Changwook let out a low whistle. "And yet, you're still so slim. Life is unfair."

Yoona grinned. "My training is tough."

Jihoon exhaled slowly, shaking his head. "Remind me never to buy you lunch again."

Yoona winked at him. "Too late, oppa. Next time, bring your A-game."

Changwook shook his head in awe. "I honestly don't know how you do it. You're like a walking vacuum cleaner."

Yoona smirked. "I just make sure I never leave any crumbs behind."

Jihoon raised an eyebrow. "That's an understatement."

Yoona shrugged casually. "I'm just helping the environment, one empty plate at a time."

Changwook let out another whistle. "At this rate, you could probably eat an entire buffet by yourself and still look like you've never eaten a thing."

Yoona laughed, stretching her arms out. "Challenge accepted. Next time, it's on me."

The atmosphere was easy and relaxed. The tension from their first meeting was long gone, and now, Jihoon, Changwook, and Yoona sat together enjoying lunch.

Laughter filled the air, and their conversation flowed smoothly. They weren't just a director, an actor, and an actress anymore—they were friends.

The formalities were forgotten. Changwook had even dropped his honorifics when speaking to Jihoon, and the mood felt much more familiar.

Yoona, as always, kept things light, joking around and teasing Jihoon about his tendency to overwork.

Changwook added his sarcastic remarks, making everything even more fun. There was something real about their connection, a bond that was quickly growing between them.

Soon, the production of Jihoon's new film took them to Jeju Island, the perfect location for the film's storyline.

The island's stunning landscape, with its rolling hills, vibrant greenery, and dramatic coastal cliffs, was the perfect backdrop for the film's rustic tone.

The landscape was as much a character in the film as the actors themselves. Jihoon found himself at peace here, in the quiet beauty of Jeju, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

However, as the media began to catch wind of the project, things began to shift.

News outlets couldn't resist the temptation to report on Korea's youngest film director, and Jihoon's name was suddenly everywhere.

The film's production was now a hot topic, and the press was eager for details. The cast's names were leaked to the public, and the buzz only grew louder.

Headlines began to surface:

"Korea's youngest film director, Jihoon's new film is in preparation."

"Director Jihoon's new film to feature fresh talent—will his success continue?"

"Who is the new talent in Jihoon's new film?"

The news spread like wildfire, and Jihoon couldn't help but sigh at the constant influx of articles and rumors surrounding the project.

He knew the media was just doing its job, but the attention was starting to become overwhelming again. He suspected it was Mikyeong behind this act.

After discussing the situation with JH, the company's PR team decided to release an official statement on the company website to quell the rumors and provide the public with concrete details.

The post went live, offering a glimpse into the world of Jihoon's new film:

Movie Name: Your Name.

Directed by : Lee Jihoon

Screenwriter by: Lee Jihoon

Main Lead: Im Yoona, Ji Changwook

Production Companies: JH Entertainement

Distributed by: CJ Entertainment

As the press continued to churn out article after article, the public's curiosity reached a fever pitch.

Headlines exploded across news outlets, social media buzzed with speculation, and fans eagerly awaited any tidbit of information about Jihoon's new film. Comments began flooding the internet.

"I can't wait for Jihoon's new film! New talent? I'm all in! Let's support him to the end! #JihoonMastermind"

"OMG, finally! Jihoon's new film is coming! The wait is killing me! I just know Jihoon is gonna blow our minds again. Im Yoona and Ji Changwook are going to be perfect for this! #YourNameIsComing"

"Jihoon has been on fire lately, and I have no doubt he's got another hit on his hands. This movie is going to be legendary!"

"Everyone's talking about this new movie, but can Jihoon really pull it off with new actors? I mean, his past films had seasoned actors. I hope he knows what he's doing…"

"Are you serious? Jihoon knows exactly what he's doing! His talent is in the direction, not just the actors. He's creating stars—look at Hyunbin oppa now! He's a top star! I'm all in for whatever Jihoon does. #BelieveInJihoon"

"Honestly, I get the concern, but I'm trusting Jihoon completely. He's a visionary, and he's always taken risks that paid off. New talent means new energy. I believe in him! #YourName"

"This is gonna be HUGE. I love the fresh faces. Jihoon is so innovative! I'm 100% on board. Let's go, Jihoon!! #YourName #JihoonIsLegendary"

"I know there's some doubt, but I feel like Jihoon's going to prove everyone wrong. He's not just a director; he's an artist, and artists take risks. Can't wait to see this masterpiece. #TrustInJihoon"

As the comments poured in, the atmosphere online was filled with excitement and anticipation.

The overwhelming majority of fans were quick to express their support for Jihoon's new film. They shared messages of encouragement, confident that he would once again create something exceptional.

But a few voices, however, raised doubts.

Some questioned Jihoon's decision to cast fresh faces in leading roles, wondering if the new actors would live up to the expectations set by his previous films.

But these concerns were quickly drowned out by the support from the majority. Fans were eager to see Jihoon's vision come to life, fully trusting that he would make it work, just as he always had in the past.

Despite the growing buzz and the pressure of public expectations, Jihoon remained focused on the task at hand.

The film set was bustling with activity, the crew moving efficiently to bring his vision to life. Jihoon, ever the perfectionist, directed with unwavering determination, fully immersed in the process of creating his next masterpiece.

[Author's Note: Heartfelt thanks to Wandererlithe and RainPrint for bestowing the power stone!]

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