Two days after the big argument between Third and me, the day finally arrived. It was the official training and press conference day for 'Deep Dive: Into Your Heart.'

 

I dragged myself out of bed at 5 AM, booked a Grab, and arrived at the photo studio in the Lat Phrao area by 6:30 AM, 30 minutes before the scheduled time. I didn't want anyone to criticise me for being late again. I even got there before P'Cher, my own AR. When I arrived, I saw the most perfect, saintly person in the world, the lead actor of the series, already sitting there waiting. He was the first actor to arrive at the studio.

 

"Good morning, P'Susan, P'Waen. Good morning, everyone," I greeted with a smile, bowing politely to the makeup artists, stylists, and other crew members. I deliberately avoided acknowledging Third. He glanced at me briefly before closing his eyes, letting P'Susan, the makeup artist, continue enhancing his already handsome face. I ignored him and quickly changed into my outfit, then sat in the dressing room to have my hair styled. Other actors started arriving one by one, and soon, the dressing room was bustling with chatter and the sound of breakfast preparations.

 

"Are you excited?" Renji, who'd just finished his makeup and hair, came to sit next to me. I was the first to finish dressing and was scrolling through my phone on the sofa outside the dressing room.

 

"Of course, I'm excited," I replied. Honestly, my heart was racing like crazy, and my hands were freezing. I was scrolling through my phone to calm myself down. Even though I'd done some modelling before, today was different. There would be reporters observing, taking photos, and filming for features. I couldn't help but feel nervous since it was my first time giving interviews to the media. I'm already feeling awkward and clumsy. I just hope I won't embarrass myself.

 

"I'm nervous too. Usually, I'm just an extra," Renji said, shaking his leg restlessly. If someone with experience on set was this nervous, what chance did I have?

 

Renji slipped his hand into mine, intertwining our fingers. His cold hands were just like mine, and it made me laugh.

 

"It's okay. Just do your best. P'Pai and the photographers will help guide you," P'Cher, who was sitting nearby, said in her usual calm tone. Normally, I was a bit intimidated by her because she was so strict, but today, I felt comforted having her around. It was like having a mom with me.

 

"Alright, let's do our best!" I told Renji.

 

"Yeah! You too!" He grinned widely. Despite being as big as a Titan, he was like a playful Samoyed puppy, fluffy and adorable once you got to know him. And not just any puppy, but a pampered one, since he was the son of a famous department store owner. His family was ridiculously wealthy. Renji squeezed my hand tightly as if seeking encouragement. squeezed back. If my hair hadn't been styled so perfectly, I would've messed up his head. He's just too endearing, like a little puppy.

 

By a little past eight, it was time to start the shoot. Naturally, the first pair up was the lead actors, Third and Nine, for their first set of photos. Since the reporters hadn't arrived yet, the atmosphere was relatively relaxed.

 

They started with solo shots before moving on to couple shots. Technically, Renji, the other actors, and I, who weren't scheduled yet, could've waited in the lounge. But I dragged Renji out to observe in the studio. I wanted to prepare myself, but mainly, I wanted to see Nine at work.

 

"Move a little closer. Third, put your arm around Nine's waist. Pull him in closer. A bit more. Yeah, just like that," P’Pai, the director, shouted instructions across the studio, accompanied by the sound of upbeat international music playing to set the mood for the actors. 

 

My eyes were glued to Nine. He was so focused and natural at work. He delivered perfectly every time, no matter what the director or photographer asked. He even kept a bright smile on his face, showing no signs of fatigue. My favourite actor was a total professional. I couldn't be prouder. As for the other guy, well, he was just doing

his job. He had to act professionally after criticising someone else (me). If he didn't, he'd look like a fool.

 

"Lean in closer, almost like you're about to kiss. Yeah, that's it! Perfect!" P'Pai shouted, and the photographer's camera clicked away nonstop. I frowned and leaned over to whisper to Renji, "Does it really have to be that close? Their lips are practically touching."

 

"Well. They're probably going to use it for promotion," Renji speculated. I still pursed my lips, confused. The series 'Deep Dive: Into Your Heart' was about competition, chasing dreams, and friendship. The romantic subplot wasn't even that prominent. If they were using this image for promotion, it seemed a bit off from the series' plot. Weird.

 

"Usually, they just take a bunch of photos first and then pick later. These pictures can be used for merchandise, photo books, and stuff. It's all about marketing. They say the fans love it," Renji explained when he saw my furrowed brows. Ah, money really does make the world go round.

 

Once the lead actors finished their shoot, it was time to change into new outfits and take a break. Next up were the supporting roles, starting with solo shots. At first, I was a bit stiff, so the director and P'Cher had to guide me closely. But after about five minutes, I got into the groove, fully embodying my character, Sky, a two-faced, spoiled rich kid.

 

"Alright, give me a haughty look. Perfect. Now, let's see some disdain in your eyes."

Disdainful eyes? Got it. My inspiration? The look the lead actor gave me the other day, of course!

 

"Okay, Wan, you're done. Take a break and get ready for the group shots with Third and Nine when the reporters arrive," P'Pai announced.

 

After twenty minutes, my session was over. I let out a relieved smile, gave the crew my wai, and went to sit down. I didn't forget to give Renji a fist bump for encouragement as he headed in for his turn.

 

"Wan, how was it? Everything goes smoothly?" Nine, now in a new outfit, greeted me as soon as I walked into the lounge.

 

"Yeah," I smiled automatically at him, deliberately ignoring the other lead actor lounging on a single sofa. He didn't seem to care about me either, lost in his own world with his AirPods in and eyes closed.

 

"Around eleven, the reporters will be here. It'll be a bit crowded, but don't be nervous. Just stay calm," Nine advised me in his usual sweet and kind manner. I nodded eagerly, my eyes sparkling. I liked him even more now. After that, Nine and I didn't talk much since he needed to focus. I went to change outfits and then sat quietly next to him, trying to be calm. After a while, a staff member called us to schedule the photo session.

 

"The reporters are here. Be mindful of your expressions and body language," P'Cher whispered as I was about to leave the room. I nodded and followed Third and Nine out. When we entered the studio, I was stunned to see a crowd of thirty to forty reporters surrounding the photo set.

 

"Good morning, everyone. Welcome," Nine greeted the reporters with a sweet smile. I quickly gave them a polite wai and smiled at them as well. Meanwhile, Third, who was walking ahead, gave a small smile, turning on his charm and fully switching into work mode. He was nothing like the cold, aloof guy he was off-camera. Professional actors, huh?

 

"Alright, let's start with a group photo of the three of you. Then we'll do couple shots with Third and Nine," P'Pai instructed. I walked onto the set with the other two, my heart pounding. This was my first time being in the spotlight with so many cameras aimed at me.

 

Normally, I was the one taking photos of others. Being on the other side of the lens made me nervous. But I tried to stay composed, focusing only on P'Pai's voice as he shouted directions. I held my breath a little when I had to stand next to Third.

 

At 178 centimetres tall, I was considered quite tall for a Thai guy. But Third was nearly ten centimetres taller than me, making me feel like a Smurf next to him. It was even more frustrating when we were directed to look at each other, with Nine standing in the middle. Being shorter made me feel overshadowed.

 

"Wow, Third and Wan, great energy! Keep it up!" P'Pai shouted, sounding pleased. I glared at Third, who returned the look with a condescending gaze, perfectly in character. Of course, the energy's there. We don't like each other anyway.

 

After my session, it was time for another set for the lead actors, followed by a group photo with the entire cast. The nearly hour-long session left me surprisingly exhausted. Staying in character and putting so much energy into the role was more tiring than just being myself. But there was no time to rest after the shoot; we had to head straight to the press conference.

 

"So, the series 'Deep Dive: Into Your Heart' is about chasing dreams, competition, friendship, and love within a swimming club."

 

The smooth, pleasant voice of Nine, who was answering the reporters' questions, echoed in front of the crowd and numerous cameras. The interview flowed seamlessly. Standing to Nine's right, I glanced at him as he spoke, a small smile of admiration forming on my lips. Who would have thought I'd find myself standing next to him in a press circle today from just watching his interviews on YouTube?

 

"There's been a buzz about shipping the two of you since the last series, and now you're paired together in this one. How do guys feel about it?" a female reporter asked.

 

"Uh... I'll go first," Nine smiled at the camera, glancing over to see that the other person being asked had no reaction. I glanced at Third. His expression and eyes were emotionless.

 

"I've noticed the hashtags our fans created since the last series. I really want to thank everyone for supporting the two of us. I'm also grateful and happy that the producers gave us this opportunity. Third and I are both thrilled to be working together on this project. We're already close, so there wasn't much adjustment needed. We can understand each other just by looking. Working together will probably make us even closer," Nine said with a shy laugh, turning to look at the person on his left.

 

That answer is going to make the fangirls swoon for sure. By tonight, this will definitely be trending on social media.

 

"And what about you, Third? How do you feel?" The reporter shifted her focus to another lead actor of the series.

 

"I'd like to thank the fans for their support. I'm also happy to have the chance to work with such talented directors, crew, and cast. From what I've read of the script, it's very interesting and covers a wide range of emotions. I think it will showcase the acting skills of everyone involved," he explained with a faint smile. His eyes turned serious as he continued with the next sentence. "As for the shipping, I don't want people to focus on shipping us together. We're actors, and I'd prefer if the focus were on our performances. We're committed to portraying the chemistry of our characters as written in the script for everyone."

 

Those words made me feel a bit uneasy, though I managed to maintain a composed expression, smiling slightly as I listened to the reporters move on to other questions. I didn't look around to see how others were reacting, but inside, I felt conflicted.

 

On one hand, I thought Third's response was a bit too dismissive. Maybe it was because Nine had just talked about their closeness. I knew Nine said that because the company had briefed him on it. After all, a BL series often relied on shipping to attract fans. However, Third chose to respond differently, focusing solely on the work. It made me feel like Nine was slightly undermined, and I could already guess that some fans would feel the same. There had been issues about this before, after all.

 

On the other hand, I thought Third had a point. Even though I didn't particularly like him, I wasn't so immature that I couldn't see his reasons. An actor's job should focus on their acting skills, not on shipping. From a business perspective, shipping helped with marketing and built a strong fan base, but it also had its downsides, like being typecast with the same person forever. Some fans could distinguish between fiction and reality, but many couldn't. If you led people to believe there was something more than just a professional relationship, it could cause problems later. Someone as serious as Third probably chose to answer this way to avoid future issues. While he might not have the best personality, it was so clear that he was passionate about acting. He wanted to showcase his talent and gain recognition for it.

 

It was a tough call. But as a fan of Nine, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He tried to play along, only to be shut down. Couldn't there have been a better way to avoid the question? But I didn't really know what the better answer should be either...

 

"We heard this is your first series, N'Wan. A complete newcomer! How excited are you?"

 

While I was lost in my thoughts about other people's issues, a reporter's question suddenly turned to me. I quickly put on a smile, as P'Cher and P'Jarin had always advised me to smile a lot, and answered as I'd been briefed. "I'm very excited, but I'll do my best. I'll focus on learning acting and aim to portray Sky in a way that won't disappoint the audience."

 

"And how has it been working with the other actors?"

 

"Everyone's been really nice. Whenever I don't understand something, they're always there to help. Nine, for example, often explains things and shares acting tips. Everyone else is the same," I said, turning to smile at Nine, who smiled back warmly. 

 

Moments like these are perfect for praising my bias to the reporters. I want everyone to know that he's genuinely kind off-camera, too.

 

The interview continued for about twenty more minutes before moving on to individual interviews. I was pulled aside for a separate interview with a couple of smaller outlets. Meanwhile, the lead actors had a line of reporters waiting to do feature stories. Supporting actors like me finished earlier, so we got to eat lunch and take a short break before doing a quick photo shoot. After that, we changed clothes and were free to head home.

 

"P'Wan, those two are still being interviewed," Renji, who'd already changed, gestured toward a corner of the studio. Third and Nine were still talking to reporters, smiling, though they were probably tired since they hadn't had lunch yet.

 

"That's how it is for famous people. You have to endure it. Who knows? Maybe one day we'll be like them," I teased Renji. No one can predict the future. If you act well and get lucky, you might get more opportunities, become famous, and gain recognition.

 

"I'll go change real quick," I told him. After this, Renji and I had an appointment at the clinic. He was getting lip fillers, and I was going for a laser treatment. Renji had told me yesterday not to bring my motorbike since we'd go together, and he'd drop me off at my condo afterwards.

 

As I went to change and return the outfit, I overheard voices coming from an unused dressing room nearby. My curiosity got the better of me, and I stopped to listen.

 

"We've talked about this before. I've told you many times, Third, not to answer so bluntly," a woman's voice said faintly. If I wasn't mistaken, it was P'Sunny, Third and Nine's AR. Both of them were from the same agency, and Mr Pitch, the owner of their agency, was friends with Mr Wut, the owner of my agency. They collaborated to produce this series, giving their talents a chance to shine, while my agency would gain new talent, benefiting both sides.

 

"Answering like that will just cause more problems. Your fans already argue often enough. Right now, we need the shipping fan base to make the series popular. Can't you play along a little?"

 

"I don't like giving people false hope about something that's impossible. If the script is good and the acting is perfect, the series can succeed on its own," a deep, calm voice replied. It was clear he was talking about the shipping issue. It seemed his AR wasn't happy that Third didn't stick to the script they had prepared.

 

"And if I'm going to have fans, I want them to like me for who I am. This is who I am."

 

"This industry isn't that simple. A good series doesn't guarantee success. Third. Being yourself all the time isn't always the best approach. Besides, we need to do whatever it takes right now. If you're so opposed to it, just go along with the shipping for a little while. Later on, you can-"

 

I walked away, not wanting to hear the rest of their conversation. Once again, I felt torn. If this were happening to me, what would I choose? Would I agree to the shipping to make the series popular, or would I stay true to myself and let the quality of the series and my acting skills speak for themselves? But wouldn't the latter have better long-term benefits?...

 

I handed the outfit to the stylist and grabbed my bag from the dressing room. Other actors, including Nine and Third, who arrived a bit later, were also coming in to collect their belongings and prepare to head home. Nine was still smiling, while Third's expression remained unreadable as always.

 

"I'm heading out now. See you all at the workshop the day after tomorrow," Nine said cheerfully, bidding everyone goodbye. I saw him nudge Third and say goodbye to him, too. Third's reaction was to grab his designer bag, sling it over his shoulder, and walk out of the room without looking back. This left the other actors and crew in awkward silence, exchanging uneasy glances.

 

"What was that?" I muttered under my breath, watching him leave with a hint of annoyance. This guy has terrible manners. That's twice today he's been rude to my bias. That's not nice!

 

"Don't be mad. He's probably irritated about something. When he's angry, he's like that, silent, not saying a word. He probably doesn't want to take it out on anyone," Nine whispered to me, trying to calm me down as I was clearly fuming on his behalf.

 

Look at this! Even now, Nine is still defending him. Isn't he being too nice?!

 

"Or maybe he just doesn't want to talk to me," Nine added with a sad smile. From what I'd observed, Third really seemed to avoid conversations with Nine. It wasn't just my imagination. Only Nine kept trying to reach out. That made me even more annoyed with Third!

 

"Don't worry about it. There are plenty of people who like you, Nine," I said, trying to comfort him. He nodded and gave me a gentle smile before saying goodbye and leaving with his AR.

 

"P'Wan, are we going now?"

 

"Yeah, let's go," I replied to Renji, the little puppy-like guy who was waiting obediently. My eyes were still on Nine until the other entered the car and left. I let out a deep sigh.

During the filming of this series, I'd probably have to act as a bodyguard for Nine. If that Third guy wanted to mess with Nine, he'd have to get through me first!!!

 

"I'm baaaaack!"

 

"P'Wan! I watched your interview today!" 

 

View came rushing to the door as I was taking off my shoes, holding out her phone with a video from the press conference. "You answered the questions so casually. You're like a real celebrity now!"

 

"Yeah, how was it? Was your brother cool or what?"

 

"Eh, you're okay. There are plenty of other handsome guys," my cheeky little sister said, tilting her head with a sly smile. "Like that one guy, fair skin, small eyes, Renji, right?"

 

"Yeah, that guy's pretty cute. He even drove me home today."

 

"Really? Oh my gosh! Why didn't you tell me? I wanted to take a picture with him!" View squealed dramatically. But honestly, it was probably for the best that they didn't meet. Not because I was an overprotective brother, but because I was worried about Renji. She's a bit of a handful. Let Renji meet someone better, please.

 

"So, how's the feedback? I haven't checked X yet."

 

"It's good! You're trending on X. Most of the buzz is from ThirdNine fans, but there are also a lot of people saying you're cute. It looks like someone even started a fan base for you."

 

"Really?"

 

"Yeah, look!" View held up her phone, showing me the account for my fan base.

Even though it didn't have a hundred followers yet, I couldn't help but feel a little proud knowing people were cheering for me.

 

"Alright, I'm going to shower. I sweated all over."

 

"Okay. I'm going to study. Don't forget to call Mom, though. She's been complaining that you haven't called her lately."

 

"Got it, got it."

 

My cheeky sister ran off to her room, quickly stripped off my clothes and hopped into the shower after being out all day. Once I was cleaned up, I called Mom to keep her from worrying and told her about today. 

 

After hanging up, I sat down at my desk, opened my laptop, and checked the feedback from the press conference for the series. There were quite a few compliments about my looks, and people said they were looking forward to my performance. I hadn't seen any negative comments. As for Third and Nine, just as I expected, some fans thought Third had disrespected Nine, sparking a minor drama. If those fans had seen Third ignoring Nine when we were leaving, as I did, they'd probably be even angrier.

 

My eyes lingered on the handsome face of Mr Famous Actor in the video as he answered questions. I scoffed under my breath, closed X, and opened my photo editing program instead.

 

Just seeing that guy's face annoyed me. Editing pictures of Nine should be a much better way to pass the time.