The next few days passed quietly for Minjae.

He mostly stayed at home, focusing on the script for Winter's Ending. After the dress fitting, he felt like the drama was finally starting to come alive inside him. But he knew he still needed to understand the character more.

Each morning, he woke up early, made his coffee, and sat by the window in his living room where the light felt the softest. He read the script slowly, sometimes saying lines out loud to hear how they sounded in his ears.

On the pages, he wrote small notes in the margins of what he felt like where the right actions and emotions to portray. When he didn't know how to draw a line, he closed the script and just looked out the window. He was feeling his character in his mind.

He didn't watch TV or go online much. Most of his time was spent with the script and his own thoughts.

By Thursday night, he had already read the whole script two more times. His notebook was full of small notes and scribbles.

When Friday came, he felt a bit nervous but also excited.

It was the day for the second part of the script reading. Unlike the first part wherein they were still unsure of how to show the characters, now, they were all probably familiar with it.

He got ready early. He wore a simple white shirt and a light jacket. On the way to the studio, Donghyun looked over at him and smiled.

"You look happy today," Donghyun teased.

Minjae laughed a little. "I feel like I'm more prepared today."

When they arrived at the studio, Minjae stepped out and waved to Donghyun before going inside.

The room felt familiar. There were scripts on the tables, along with pens, sticky notes, and some snacks.

Some of the supporting actors greeted him warmly. The mood felt friendlier than before. People seemed more relaxed now that they had met each other already.

Hayeon was already there, talking to a few staffs. quietly with her script. She looked up and gave him a small nod. Minjae smiled at her before proceeding further into the room.

The conference room this time was different from the first one.

It was bigger and brighter, with large windows that let in the morning light. The walls were lined with simple gray curtains, and there were a few potted plants in the corners, making the space feel a bit warmer and more comfortable.

There were more chairs arranged in a big circle, and a few long tables in the back filled with bottled water, coffee, and snacks like rice cakes and crackers.

Minjae noticed right away that there were more people today. Some were familiar actors he had already met during the first reading and the seminar. But there were also new faces.

Some of these new actors were older, probably playing supporting or parent roles that will show up at the latter stage of the drama. Others looked like they might be extras or cameo actors. A few were chatting softly with each other, while others sat quietly, reading through their scripts or checking their notes.

As Minjae stepped further inside, he greeted a few people with a polite nod and a small smile. He could feel the energy in the room. There was a mix of excitement and nervousness.

He found his seat and set down his script, glancing around to take in all the new faces. Near the window, he saw a man in his fifties, his hair already gray at the edges. He looked serious but calm. Minjae guessed he might play a mentor or elder character in the story.

Beside him was a young woman, probably in her early twenties, her hair tied up neatly. She looked a bit nervous, flipping through her script quickly. Minjae thought she might be one of the junior writers or a new friend character for his character, since there would be lots.

There was also a middle-aged woman dressed in a bright cardigan, chatting warmly with one of the assistants. She seemed lively and full of energy.

As Minjae settled into his chair, he glanced across the circle and saw Hayeon again. She was now seated just a few chairs from his. Her head was slightly bowed as she read her script carefully. Even from afar, he could see her focus.

Not long after, the director stepped forward, clapping his hands to get everyone's attention.

"Thank you for coming today. We'll read Episodes 7 to 12," the director said, his voice warm and encouraging. "Let's try to bring the characters to life more naturally today. Don't be scared to try new things."

He paused and looked around the room, making eye contact with both the old and new actors.

"We also have some new friends joining us today," he continued. "I know it can feel different, but I hope we all support each other so that the story feels even more real."

People nodded and smiled, some exchanging small greetings with the new actors.

Minjae felt a small excitement in his chest. It was like stepping into a new chapter, not just of the story, but of their shared journey as a team.

He sat up a little straighter and took a slow breath, his fingers touching the edge of his script.

Today, he thought, Joon would come alive even more.

And together with all these new and old faces, he would help shape the next part of the story.

When everyone settled into their seats, the room slowly grew quiet. The only sounds were pages flipping and soft breaths.

Minjae looked down at his script, tracing the first line of Episode 7 with his finger. He felt his heart beat a little faster.

The director glanced at the group once more, then gave a small nod.

"Alright. Let's start," he said.

The first lines belonged to one of the new actors — the older man Minjae had seen near the window. His voice was deep and gentle, and as he read, the room started to feel warmer. It felt like someone was just telling a story to them.

After him, more voices followed. The young woman spoke next, her words a little shaky at first but slowly growing steadier as minutes passed by. Every now and then, she would peek up, her eyes meeting the director for a second before darting back down.

When it was Minjae's turn, he took a small breath and started. His voice was calm but carried a quiet strength. He spoke carefully, adding small pauses where he felt Joon would hesitate.

He heard someone near him give a small hum, as if agreeing with the choice. It gave him a bit more confidence.

Hayeon read her lines next. Her voice was soft but clear, and there was something gentle yet strong about the way she delivered each word. Even when she wasn't speaking, she stayed focused, her eyes never leaving the script.

Sometimes, when their lines overlapped or when they had scenes together, Minjae could feel a small connection between him and Hayeon.

As they moved forward, some actors tried new tones or added small gestures with their hands, even while sitting. A few laughed when someone accidentally misread a line or when they slipped into a different voice by mistake.

At one point, the director stopped them with a soft laugh.

"Good, good. Remember, don't be afraid to explore. Even mistakes help us learn," he said.

Minjae felt his shoulders loosen a little. The atmosphere felt more like a team working together rather than people just reading words.

They continued for hours, taking short breaks in between. During breaks, people gathered around the snack table, sharing quick conversations. Minjae saw Hayeon chatting with one of the new junior actors, giving her advice in a kind voice. The young actress looked thankful, bowing many times.

Minjae stood to stretch his legs, sipping on water. A senior supporting actor patted his back lightly.

"Your voice suits your character so well," he said warmly.

"Thank you, sunbaenim," Minjae replied, bowing a little, a shy smile on his lips.

When they sat down again, everyone felt a little more comfortable. The words flowed more naturally. Even small jokes in the script got quiet chuckles from the group.

Finally, after the last line of Episode 12 was read, the room fell into a gentle silence. Everyone seemed to breathe out at once.

The director stood again, clapping his hands softly.

"Good work, everyone. We've made great progress today," he said. "Let's keep thinking about these characters, about what they carry in their hearts. We'll meet again next week to continue for the last part."

A few people clapped quietly, some nodded with tired but satisfied faces.

Minjae closed his script, looking at the cover for a moment before placing it neatly on the table. He felt a gentle warmth in his chest — a mix of relief and excitement for what was ahead.