《Hobbyist VTuber》 Chapter 0 People tend to meet their end when they try things they¡¯re not used to doing. Even if it¡¯s something as small as choosing the stairs over the elevator they usually take. -Thud. ¡°...Ah.¡±@@@@ I lost my balance on a patch of water I hadn¡¯t noticed on the stairs, and down I went. The pain radiated through my whole body, with a particularly sharp throbbing in my head. Before long, drops of red liquid began to fall onto the sterile white patient gown I was wearing. When I closed and opened my eyes, I found myself being wheeled away. ¡°Stay awake, please! Keep your eyes open!!¡± The urgent voice belonged to someone I couldn¡¯t see, but I could hear their panic. Blinding light from a flashlight blinked in rapid succession. But before I even reached ten seconds... -Ssshrk. The line between consciousness and unconsciousness blurred, and I felt myself slipping away. Even if I didn¡¯t want to know, I knew. I wouldn¡¯t be opening my eyes again. It was a wretched life, just as one would say in any famous poem or story. *** -Tap, tap. -Tap, tap. A foreign sensation. ¡°Oh, who did you take after to turn out this pretty, Ha-eun?¡± ¡°Hmm, they say daughters usually take after their fathers....¡± ¡°What was that?¡± Unfamiliar voices. ¡°Well, can¡¯t ignore the mom¡¯s DNA either. Actually, looking now, she¡¯s the spitting image of you.¡± ¡°...Really?¡± ¡°Yeah, really.¡± An unknown atmosphere. None of this felt like anything I knew, and it was enough to dispel the notion that I was seeing my life flash before my eyes. This scene was ironic, unrealistic yet somehow grounded in reality. Only one conclusion made sense: reincarnation. If someone asked what my future ambition was, I could easily say model or actor without any shame. That said, I hadn¡¯t yet decided on either career path. My appearance was balanced for now, but who knew what might happen as I grew older? After a long period of contemplation about the future of ¡°Lee Ha-eun,¡± ¡®...Why¡¯s the visitor so engrossed in that, ignoring the patient?¡¯ ¡®Oh, this? It¡¯s something called a VTuber©¤¡¯ A memory surfaced from the depths of my mind, floating back up to my ears. Oh yeah, that career path existed too. I¡¯d read a few stories about people suddenly transforming into women and becoming streamers or VTubers. The thought of being a VTuber wasn¡¯t hard to imagine. Back then, I¡¯d never imagined I¡¯d become one of those characters. But here I was. And surprisingly, the more I thought about it, the more the idea of becoming a VTuber didn¡¯t sound half bad. Especially since this was a time when the concept of VTubers didn¡¯t even exist yet. With actors and models, the competition was already fierce. The entertainment industry could hardly be considered a ¡°blue ocean.¡± But if I prepared for an uncharted profession that hadn¡¯t even been explored yet, patiently waiting until the internet overtook TV in influence, and jumped into VTubing before anyone else... I could grab the so-called ¡°success¡± by the horns. No one but fate knows how things will turn out, but that¡¯s all the more reason to choose the path with the lowest risk of failure. Recalling all the knowledge I had of VTubers, I inspected it like a panorama. Looking at the young girl in the mirror who still felt unfamiliar, I cautiously opened my mouth. ¡°Haa¡ªwoo.¡± I puffed my cheeks just like a VTuber I¡¯d seen, responding to a donation during a live stream. And, not even a second later... ¡°Ribbit-ribbit. Playing around with mom¡¯s mirror from the morning, are we? Ribbit-ribbit.¡± ¡°Ribbit-ribbit. I guess the Frog Prince story I read to you made quite an impression, huh? Ribbit-ribbit.¡± ¡°...!...!!¡± When I turned, I saw the two shadows behind me, whose playful voices had turned me into a frog on the spot. And just like that, my cheeks blushed bright red, as red as a tomato. In that instant, I finally understood what VTubers must feel like when they accidentally reveal their ¡°red pills¡± on stream before even debuting. ...It was already proving not to be easy. Chapter 1 A new body, a new life, a new name, a new...family. As I gradually got used to all the new things in my life, the thing I paid the most attention to was my health. I knew I was a completely different person now, but just in case... Whether I wanted to be a model, an actress, or a VTuber, none of it would mean anything if I wasn¡¯t healthy. Though I was only six years old, far too young to be worrying about health, I didn¡¯t really have a reply if someone pointed that out. Anyway, I didn¡¯t want to go through what I¡¯d experienced in my previous life again, so I went to the general hospital even before I started kindergarten. I begged and pleaded to get every little test done, even the ones that weren¡¯t necessary. ¡°Uh, doctor, am I okay?¡± ¡°Well...¡± The doctor¡¯s hesitation made my heart sink. My mom, standing next to me, also froze. As the seconds ticked by, my mouth grew dry, and I waited for the doctor to continue. And after a moment, he finally spoke. ¡°Except for a slight vision issue, you¡¯re absolutely fine. Almost a waste of the exam fees.¡± As a six-year-old, this made me feel utterly robbed. I let out a heavy sigh that sounded far too mature for a child. The doctor¡¯s smile as he tricked me and laughed about it was infuriating. I was relieved there was no mention of any complicated, incurable disease, but I had no tolerance for this kind of joke, so keeping a straight face was tough. ¡°Take care~.¡± ¡°Goodbye...¡± I bowed like a polite little kid and secretly prayed to every deity I¡¯d heard of that I¡¯d never have to see that prankster doctor again. It wasn¡¯t just his cheeky personality but also the fact that I hoped never to need a general hospital visit. Maybe that¡¯s why, from that day on, I spent at least a few hours each day on exercise for my health. Sure, it was just skipping rope or playing with a kid¡¯s hula hoop, but better than nothing. My dad¡¯s jokes about stunting my growth with too much exercise went in one ear and out the other. Still, he was a pretty great dad. He¡¯d even play catch with me sometimes, helping me exercise while we played. He would chuckle and tease me whenever I missed the ball, but compared to certain people in my past life, he didn¡¯t come close. As time went by, I began to feel myself growing stronger and healthier. ¡®...What should my name be?¡¯ I started coming up with various ideas for my future VTuber persona¡ªthings like settings and stream content. After all, a VTuber is still an entertainer. To truly succeed, an entertainer must be distinct, unique, and captivating in their own way. Sure, I could just copy the styles of VTubers I remembered, but for now, I¡¯d keep them as references. Since VTubers were already unique by nature, I figured it¡¯d be even better if I stood out with something that was uniquely mine. The key to a VTuber¡¯s individuality is, of course, the voice. While the avatar¡¯s visual design is crucial, that¡¯s something the designer handles, not me. ¡°Ribbit ribbit, little frog sings his song...!¡± ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough. I give you 8 points out of 10.¡± ¡°Huh? Why...?¡± ¡°7 points seemed too low, but 9 felt a bit much.¡± ¡®...What¡¯s with that?¡¯ My dad¡¯s incomprehensible scoring criteria almost discouraged me, but at least he hadn¡¯t said I was bad, so I managed to continue practicing my voice. Up until then, he thought it was just typical parental bias. But after exactly three seconds passed... ¡°The kid who was supposed to throw the first pitch caught a stomach bug?¡± ¡°Yeah, it seems they can¡¯t do it. So they¡¯re urgently looking for a replacement.¡± When Na-yeon started talking about a friend who worked in pro baseball, Sung-yoon realized the conversation was already heading in an unexpected direction. ¡°Is it that easy to choose who throws the first pitch?¡± ¡°Apparently, they saw Ha-eun¡¯s photo and immediately said okay.¡± ¡®What a sloppy way to operate.¡¯ He couldn¡¯t tell if letting Ha-eun step onto such a big stage would be good or bad for her. It was impossible to decide. After all, the chance to throw the first pitch was something unique, a rare experience. And it would only take about five minutes. ¡°It¡¯s been a while since you played catch with her. Don¡¯t you think people would love her cute face and surprisingly skilled throw?¡± Na-yeon was right; Ha-eun¡¯s throwing skills were exceptional for her age. That was thanks to her dedicated, structured exercise routine, far surpassing most kids her age. But whether Ha-eun could handle the pressure of thousands of spectators¡¯ eyes on her was a different question. Even Sung-yoon, who rarely took things seriously, couldn¡¯t easily answer. ¡°So, Ha-eun, do you want to throw the first pitch?¡± He decided to ask Ha-eun directly. To his surprise, after a moment of blank staring, Ha-eun said she wanted to give it a try. [42 km/h. That was a remarkably clean fastball! A textbook pitch.] [Her expression is as composed as an adult¡¯s. She¡¯s got real charisma.] Hearing the announcers on the stadium speakers compliment Ha-eun¡¯s pitch form, Sung-yoon sighed in relief. He felt a touch of pride in her smooth throw. ¡°Our Ha-eun, you¡¯re amazing!!¡± Na-yeon¡¯s cheers rang out as she watched Ha-eun finish the pitch with style. Sung-yoon felt a bit embarrassed by her disregard for others¡¯ stares, but he didn¡¯t try to stop her. -Click. He began snapping pictures of Ha-eun and Na-yeon from afar with Na-yeon¡¯s digital camera, thinking that today would surely be memorable. However, the day ended up becoming memorable in a way he hadn¡¯t anticipated. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Director Kang Eun-tae. I¡¯d love to cast Ha-eun as the model for a children¡¯s vitamin commercial©¤¡± Because the snowball of that pitch rolled in an unexpected direction. Just as they were about to head home, a man named Kang Eun-tae approached them, causing a question mark to appear over Sung-yoon¡¯s head. Chapter 2 "Ha-eun, do you want to throw the first pitch?" When Dad first suggested it, I thought he was just joking, like usual. But with his expression a little more serious than usual, he explained further. In the end, he assured me it was entirely my choice¡ªno pressure. "Are you...worried about me?" "Well, yes, I am worried." I began to think seriously about what it would be like to stand on that mound, the center of attention for a whole stadium. If I think about it, VTubers also have jobs that place them under the scrutiny of countless people. Trying it out in advance to prepare for those nerves didn¡¯t seem like a bad idea. However, the brief moment of pressure on the pitcher''s mound wasn¡¯t what influenced my choice. What struck me most was that my dad was ¡°worried¡± about me. "I¡¯ll give it a try." "Really?" "Yes, really." I knew it was natural for a father to worry about his daughter, but it didn¡¯t feel pleasant. Was it because of my past life? Having lived a sickly life that brought constant worry from others, I seemed to have developed an aversion to being worried about. I disliked the feeling, regardless of who it was or their intentions. I wanted to prove to my dad that he didn¡¯t need to worry about me¡ªnot even a father¡¯s natural concerns¡ªby giving a flawless first pitch. That confident, hopeful smile I showed was all part of it. "What if you pitch so well they want to recruit you as a real pitcher?" "Well, the team¡¯s pitcher has been struggling lately. Who knows? Maybe they really would try to recruit you." Only when the familiar light-heartedness returned to his voice did I let my expression relax. And so, I committed to throwing the first pitch. We practiced catch more frequently and for longer, preparing for the big day until it finally arrived. "Don¡¯t worry if you make a mistake. Just relax." "Okay." Leaving my parents¡¯ mixed looks of worry and excitement, I walked to the pitcher¡¯s mound with the Sehwa Eagles mascot. That¡¯s when I realized how massive the stadium was, and how many eyes would be focused solely on me, even if only for a moment. ¡®Hmm...¡¯ But surprisingly, I didn¡¯t feel as nervous or anxious as I¡¯d expected. Imagining the crowd as the audience for my future streams helped a lot. After all, they weren¡¯t staring right into my eyes. The only difference between baseball fans and my future viewers was whether they¡¯d be watching me live or through a screen. I kept telling myself that this was just a short five-minute broadcast. I locked eyes with the catcher on the other side and mimicked the pitchers I¡¯d seen on TV. -Whoosh! And a presence that wouldn¡¯t be overshadowed by the crowd¡¯s loud applause. If these three elements blended well, it would surely create a commercial that satisfied both Kang Eun-tae and the client. Working at a baseball stadium instead of a studio was unexpected, but so what? Nothing else mattered if he could get Ha-eun in front of a camera at the studio. ¡°There¡¯s no need for Ha-eun to perform like a professional actor. We¡¯d focus on capturing her natural expressions.¡± What he wanted was a display of Ha-eun¡¯s health, nothing more. If this were a food ad, he¡¯d need flashy visuals and lots of acting, but for a vitamin, the key was imprinting the product¡¯s effectiveness in viewers¡¯ minds. The child models he¡¯d reviewed earlier all felt a bit bland to him. The shoot date was approaching, yet he couldn¡¯t finalize a model because no one matched the image he envisioned. Not too energetic, not too shy. Kang Eun-tae wanted a sense of calm, the poise of an athlete ready for the Olympics. ¡°As you know, most ads featuring child models tend to be rather lively.¡± Compared to adult models, the appeal of a child model¡¯s cuteness would be secondary here. Kang wanted to capture Ha-eun¡¯s unique charm beyond cuteness. ¡°I plan to convey Ha-eun¡¯s quiet confidence, portraying the vitamins as the source of that assurance, as if they¡¯ll help her face any challenge.¡± Taking time to carefully explain his vision to Ha-eun and her parents seemed to pay off, as they didn¡¯t immediately reject him. Just as he was about to cautiously ask for an answer soon, Ha-eun spoke for the first time. ¡°Um...¡± ¡°Hm?¡± Her small voice broke the silence, posing a question that was oddly mature and yet childlike. ¡°How much would the fee be?¡± ¡°Oh, I forgot to mention the most important part.¡± Drawing the numbers carefully on a white notepad so that Ha-eun could understand, he explained the amount she¡¯d receive for the commercial. Watching Ha-eun¡¯s round eyes grow wider with each zero he wrote, Kang couldn¡¯t help but smile. Though it wasn¡¯t objectively a huge amount, it was a sizable sum for a child. For Ha-eun, whose VTuber plans required some initial capital, this offer was a golden opportunity. Ha-eun glanced sideways at her dad. ¡°Is it okay if I try making money...like you, Dad?¡± Her simple, slightly naive question made him chuckle. ¡°Well, then, I guess we¡¯ll need to open a bank account for you.¡± With a straightforward answer that implied his approval, her dad nodded. Kang Eun-tae extended his hand to Ha-eun, who shook it with an innocent smile. However, no one could have predicted that the sports papers would run a feature on Ha-eun¡¯s first pitch the next morning, increasing her market value. Or that a fan interview suggesting Ha-eun replace the struggling Sehwa Eagles pitcher would appear at the bottom of the article. Chapter 3 Before Kang Eun-tae scouted Ha-eun, the storyboard for the commercial had already been finalized. Everything from the overall concept to the image they wanted to convey to consumers was submitted to the client, Handong Pharmaceuticals. However, the model for the ad remained undecided up until just days before the scheduled shoot. Han Min-ah, the ad team leader from Handong Pharmaceuticals and the liaison between the company and Kang Eun-tae, was feeling the pressure mounting day by day. This was why she invited Kang, who was also her college junior, to a cafe for a direct conversation. ¡°Well, well, the sun must be rising in the west tomorrow if you actually called me out,¡± he said with a teasing smile. ¡°I called to see if you were still alive. Why on earth do you ignore my calls and only answer Minsu¡¯s?¡± she retorted, exasperated, remembering all her attempts to reach him as he¡¯d kept her on radio silence. The topic of the child model for the commercial came up immediately after. ¡°When are you going to choose the model, Eun-tae?¡± ¡°I already did.¡± ¡°...What? You chose someone?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± His gaze was unwavering. Min-ah knew from college that, while he could be cheeky, he wasn¡¯t one to lie. Her initial plan to give him a stern talking-to faded, and she asked who he had selected. Kang rummaged through his bag and pulled out a crumpled newspaper, pointing silently at an article with his finger. **"A Child Pitcher Who Throws Better Than the Starting Pitcher"** - On the 19th at the Suwon game against OG, young pitcher Lee Ha-eun shocked spectators with her flawless pitching form. A fan, who had attended with his girlfriend, joked that this was the first time he¡¯d seen a pitch hit the strike zone for the Sehwa Eagles. Kang¡¯s finger rested on the photograph of Ha-eun, positioned center on the page. The image showed Ha-eun lifting one knee, locking eyes with the catcher, radiating a charisma rarely seen. Her graceful features added to the effect. Despite her striking pitch form and attention-grabbing looks, Min-ah raised an eyebrow. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me... the model you chose is...¡±@@@@ ¡°It¡¯s written here in big letters¡ªLee Ha-eun.¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re actually planning to shoot a commercial with this child?¡± ¡°Why not? I already got her parents¡¯ consent.¡± Casting someone as the main face of an ad was a different story, though. Min-ah decided to listen to what Kang had in mind, hoping he hadn¡¯t impulsively chosen Ha-eun just based on the impact of her first pitch. ¡°She¡¯s incredibly calm for her age. But even more impressive, she knows how to set the mood.¡± ¡°The mood?¡± ¡°When Ha-eun looked at the screen with those eyes... she looked like she was about to devour Min Gwang-chul, the catcher.¡± She had once been furious at Kang for blowing off work to take in a game without even selecting a model. But now, she couldn¡¯t care less. This was, perhaps, fate. ¡°...Why are you staring like that? You¡¯re scaring me.¡± ¡°Ha! Don¡¯t pretend you¡¯re afraid of anything,¡± she scoffed. *** ¡°Ms. Ha-eun, you and your mother can sit in those black chairs over there.¡± Following Kang¡¯s guidance, we entered a surprisingly large conference room. Around the long table, a few people were already seated, including a particularly muscular man in the corner, likely part of the production crew. ¡°Would you like some water or orange juice?¡± a friendly woman asked as I sat down. After some thought, I chose orange juice, and she handed me a fresh 500ml bottle. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go over the commercial in more detail now,¡± Kang¡¯s voice echoed as the meeting began. He turned on the projector, and the storyboard for the ad appeared, drawing everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°This commercial¡¯s concept is ¡®Healthy Children, Healthy Future.¡¯¡± The story was an expanded version of what he had explained to me earlier at the cafe. The sketched images on the screen provided a clearer picture of each scene to be filmed. But then, a new detail emerged that made me do a double take. ¡°Ha-eun will receive a baton from Kim Min-jun, then jog around the track. Oh, by the way, we¡¯ll be adding some CG effects to the baton, so don¡¯t shake it too much.¡± The moment I heard the name of the additional cast member, my mind filled with questions. Wait, no one mentioned I¡¯d be filming with a national athlete! ¡°Actually, we only confirmed him recently. Initially, we had someone else in mind, but after watching your first pitch, Kim Min-jun himself wanted to join. He thought it¡¯d be fun.¡± In other words, I was partly responsible for his decision to participate. If you think about it, who better embodies a healthy image than a national athlete? So it¡¯s not entirely strange for him to appear in a vitamin commercial. The problem is, this isn¡¯t just any vitamin ad; it¡¯s a children¡¯s vitamin ad. That means I need to ensure my presence isn¡¯t overshadowed by the national athlete¡¯s. **¡®Why is this so challenging?¡¯** I realized I needed to come up with a strategy. It wouldn¡¯t be easy for a child who had one day of fame to outshine a national athlete¡¯s presence. Whether or not I could meet him in advance to assess his aura, I asked cautiously. ¡°Hmm, I doubt you¡¯ll meet him before the shoot day. But just in case, we¡¯ll try reaching out,¡± Kang replied, sounding somewhat evasive. That was when I started sensing that my commercial fee might be hanging by a thread. Chapter 4 The children¡¯s vitamin commercial wasn¡¯t something I had to do¡ªit was something I chose to try. Yes, the unexpectedly large fee played a part, and seeing my parents even more surprised than I was made me feel a strange, ticklish sensation in my chest. But that wasn¡¯t all. This was my first experience where the outcome could be significantly affected by my own will and effort. The time could end up as either something I¡¯d regret or something I¡¯d gain as an experience, depending on how I handled it. I wanted it to be a meaningful time, something I could look back on without any regrets. ¡°Um, Director, may I ask you something?¡± ¡°Go ahead, ask anything you¡¯re curious about¡ªexcept for my bank account password.¡± His voice was encouraging, willing to answer whatever he could. So, I asked him about his vision for the commercial and exactly what he wanted to convey. The director had already said I didn¡¯t need to act out any particular emotions, that I should just run naturally on the track. But I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that there was something more he wanted. ¡°I¡¯d like to understand your thoughts a bit better,¡± I ventured, aware that it might sound like a bold request. Thankfully, he wasn¡¯t annoyed or dismissive. Instead, he offered a more detailed explanation of his vision, which helped me get a clearer sense of what he had in mind. The main problem, though, was still the lack of an opportunity to meet with Kim Min-jun, my co-star, before the shoot. Even just a day with him would help. ¡°Ha-eun, why are you so eager to meet Mr. Kim Min-jun?¡± my mom asked. ¡°I have something I want to ask him directly,¡± I replied, though I didn¡¯t share the full reason with her. It was hard to explain in words¡ªit felt vague even to me. Since there wasn¡¯t much I could do other than wait for the chance to meet Kim Min-jun, I spent my time studying the commercial storyboard after the meeting ended.@@@@ After all, this was also part of my preparation for my future streaming career. Filming a commercial with a national athlete isn¡¯t exactly an everyday experience. If I could weave unique experiences like this into my broadcasts, I thought I could create content that would stand out. Of course, if I shared everything verbatim, it might reveal too much, so a little creative adjustment would be necessary. Time passed, and finally, about four days before the shoot, I got the chance. ¡°This Saturday? Yes, that¡¯s fine.¡± Finally, I would get to meet Kim Min-jun in person. *** ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re Ha-eun! The genius girl who throws better than the starting pitcher!¡± ¡°......¡± His eyes sparkled with curiosity and friendliness, and he extended a strong handshake. Our meeting that early morning was a bit more lively than I had anticipated. But then, halfway down the track¡ª *Thud.* In an unexpected stumble, Ha-eun¡¯s feet got tangled, and she fell to the ground¡ªa mistake captured by all the cameras. Instinctively, one would expect Director Kang to call ¡°cut¡± immediately. But instead, he stopped anyone who rushed over to help and said urgently, ¡°Zoom in on Ha-eun¡¯s face.¡± Fortunately, there were no tears, but continuing to shoot seemed baffling to everyone but Director Kang. Following his command, the cameras focused on Ha-eun¡¯s expression as she slowly got up and jogged to the finish line, maintaining her composure. It wasn¡¯t until she reached the end of the track that Director Kang finally called, ¡°Cut.¡± He then walked over to Ha-eun himself, checking to make sure she was alright¡ªa gesture that surprised the crew, who knew him as an unyielding presence on set. ¡°Get the first-aid kit and clean up her scrape. Young-tae, explain the situation to her mom,¡± he instructed. ¡°Oh, uh... yes, sir.¡± After leaving Ha-eun¡¯s care to another staff member, he returned to his chair and began reviewing the footage he¡¯d captured without the usual NG sign. **¡®...Interesting.¡¯** All he could feel was a sense of de?ja? vu. In the footage, Ha-eun¡¯s posture and the way she held her head mirrored Kim Min-jun¡¯s style. But in that one critical moment when her feet stumbled and the set fell into silence... **Flash.** Her gaze, fixed steadily on the finish line with complete determination, filled the camera frame. The initial sense of familiarity transformed, emphasizing her unique aura. The contrast between her previously steady stride and the stumble only served to heighten the effect. With each step she took toward the finish line, her small frame rose steadily back to its original stance, her expression calm as if nothing had happened. It perfectly encapsulated the essence of the commercial concept Director Kang had pitched a few days ago: **¡°I want to express Ha-eun¡¯s calm confidence as a result of taking the vitamin, the kind that makes her ready to face any challenge.¡±** **¡®I had a good feeling about her.¡¯** Seeing this first take align so closely with his vision, a slight smile crept up on Director Kang¡¯s lips. Chapter 5 From the moment Kim Min-jun expressed interest in joining the commercial, it was clear that the main character would no longer be Ha-eun, but him. Even though she¡¯d recently caused a bit of a sensation, there was no way her presence could overshadow a national athlete. The structure of the commercial had shifted slightly from Kang Eun-tae''s initial vision, but the core concept remained intact. After all, it seemed safer to rely on the reputation of Kim Min-jun, the national athlete, rather than completely on Ha-eun¡¯s unexpectedly mature aura. The key was to ensure that this remained a children¡¯s vitamin commercial, not just an ordinary health supplement ad. So Ha-eun¡¯s role, or at least what was originally expected of her, was simply to serve that purpose. **¡°So she¡¯s never had any acting lessons? Was that a lie?¡±** Right from the first take, Ha-eun''s performance had shocked everyone, even drawing a surprised exclamation from Director Kang himself. The filming director was equally taken aback. ¡°...She¡¯s got an amazing presence. Maybe it¡¯s the black-and-white filter?¡± The monochrome effect, chosen to enhance the seriousness, had somehow brought out an atmosphere that felt even more vivid than in color, as if they¡¯d transplanted the storyboard sketches directly into reality. But the scenes were more than just a replication of the storyboard. Ha-eun¡¯s natural aura seemed to complement the static filming techniques, bringing her unique atmosphere to the forefront. Above all, her posture¡ªso similar to Kim Min-jun¡¯s when she took the baton¡ªcreated a strong sense of de?ja? vu. This clever framing bridged the transition from a famous athlete to an unknown child, seamlessly drawing the audience¡¯s focus back to Ha-eun. It was hard to believe she¡¯d never taken any acting classes. The way she commanded the screen with her expressions and movements was beyond what you¡¯d expect from someone without formal training. Even the stumble could have been intentional. If she had fallen on purpose, using that moment of vulnerability and the following close-up to capture the full weight of her expression... then Kang realized he might not be working with a ¡°raw talent¡± after all, but rather with a **force to be reckoned with**. He could no longer view Ha-eun through the narrow lens of ¡°just a kid.¡± Whether intentional or not, her innate star quality was undeniable. ¡°Could you explain your vision to me in more detail, Director?¡± ¡°In more detail? Like what?¡± ¡°Well, I think just running isn¡¯t enough. I¡¯d like to understand what you want me to feel as I run.¡± And so, she had grasped Kang¡¯s vision and executed it flawlessly on camera. Just how many actors, he mused, could interpret someone else¡¯s abstract ideas and turn them into something tangible? Typically, if a child actor was injured during a shoot, filming would be postponed. But there was no need to delay; with just one take, Ha-eun had captured exactly the image and mood that Kang wanted.@@@@ In fact, Kang decided to reassign some of Kim Min-jun¡¯s lines to Ha-eun, confident that including her voice along with Kim¡¯s would amplify the overall effect of the commercial. *** ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Ma¡¯am. We should have been more careful.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for a reshoot? But... didn¡¯t you just say¡ª¡± ¡°Well, the first take turned out so well that the director thinks we won¡¯t be able to capture that same moment again.¡± Na-yeon initially thought they were just settling for the first take out of necessity. With the tight schedule, postponing filming until Ha-eun¡¯s knee healed was nearly impossible. If it had been a solo shoot, things might have been different, but this involved Kim Min-jun too. The words of Han Min-ah, the ad manager at Handong Pharmaceuticals, added to Na-yeon¡¯s apprehension. ¡°Our director can be quite meticulous. If he pushes too hard, you may need to help mediate for Ha-eun¡¯s sake.¡± Given Kang¡¯s reputation, it was hard to believe that he would dismiss Ha-eun¡¯s stumble as nothing worth reshooting. And for him to shift some of Kim Min-jun¡¯s lines to Ha-eun was equally puzzling. Yet, she didn¡¯t want Ha-eun to be forced to keep running on the track with an injured knee. ¡°Alright, then. We¡¯ll send you a text with the recording date for the ad lines. And please, let us know if there¡¯s any issue with Ha-eun¡¯s knee.¡± Offering a slightly embarrassed apology, Kang bowed and thanked them for the day. Na-yeon returned the farewell with a polite nod. Time passed, and finally, the day before Ha-eun¡¯s first day of kindergarten and the scheduled airing of the vitamin commercial arrived. **¡°Sometimes, we stumble and find ourselves overwhelmed by the challenges in front of us.¡±** As the commercial played, Na-yeon recorded it onto a video tape, watching her daughter¡¯s calm, composed face on screen as Ha-eun¡¯s voice delivered the lines. **¡°But I won¡¯t give up, no matter what. Because even if I go slowly, I¡¯ll eventually reach my goal.¡±** Hearing Ha-eun¡¯s voice recite lines that sounded like they came from her own aspirations, Na-yeon¡¯s eyes reddened with emotion. Meanwhile, the girl who had delivered those heartfelt words was... ¡ª*Thump! Thump!* ¡ª*Flap, flap!* ...furiously kicking her blanket in embarrassment on her bed, fighting the cringe that overwhelmed her. She knew it was just a commercial, but it didn¡¯t stop her from squirming with secondhand embarrassment. Chapter 6 Several months had passed since the CF shoot. Or maybe it was because I hadn''t seen the final version of the CF beforehand. "Everyone stumbles sometimes, and sometimes we all feel overwhelmed by the challenges ahead." Seeing my first CF for the first time on the living room TV was... different. No, it felt very different from what I''d expected. It wasn¡¯t that the CF concept that Director Kang Eun-tae had shared with me had been edited beyond recognition. Rather, it took a lot more courage than I thought it would to confront my own image reflected back at me on a TV screen instead of in a small hand mirror. Because of that, I didn¡¯t sleep well for the first time. And, of all days, the day after the CF aired was my first day of kindergarten, so there was no chance of sleeping in, let alone taking a nap. "Ha-eun~. You can¡¯t be late on your first day of kindergarten~." "...I know...." With what felt like the weight of dumbbells on my eyelids that morning, I barely managed to get up and start getting ready. Ten minutes later, I looked the part of a proper kindergartener. Though, technically, the kindergarten¡¯s entrance ceremony had already happened six months ago. My mom, a little more enthusiastic than the average parent about my education, had been searching for the best kindergarten for me, which led us here, in the middle of fall. "On the first day, everyone might feel a little awkward, Ha-eun. But if you gather the courage to talk to others, you''ll make friends quickly." I was about to join a group of kids who¡¯d already gotten somewhat close to one another. Being a high school detective in a child¡¯s body was one thing, but trying to befriend six-year-olds was another. I doubted I¡¯d feel all that disappointed if I didn¡¯t manage to make friends right away. Still, I knew my parents would worry if they heard that I was struggling to connect with kids my age. "The more friends, the better, right?" "Of course. If you get along with your friends, you¡¯ll have more fun too, Ha-eun." So, I decided to try and befriend as many kids as possible, just as Mom wanted. After all, she had spent the last half-year comparing and contrasting various kindergartens to provide the best environment for me; it would be a shame to let her efforts go to waste. With that in mind, we finally arrived at a private kindergarten a bit of a distance from home. "You got this, honey!" "...I got this." I clenched one of my fists lightly in response to her encouraging double-fist pump. Shortly after, a teacher who¡¯d been informed of my arrival led me to a classroom called the Dalnim (Moonbeam) Class. "Everyone, we have a new friend joining us today." At the soft voice of the teacher, all eyes turned to me. Around twenty pairs of bright little eyes stared intently at me, which felt a little unfamiliar. ¡®Hmm... more kids than I expected.¡¯ This was my first time ever attending kindergarten, even across both of my lives, so I felt a little strange. When I thought about it, I¡¯d missed more days than I¡¯d attended during elementary, middle, and high school. Technically, this was the first real school life I¡¯d ever experienced. But at least now, I wouldn¡¯t be going to the hospital instead of school anymore. Blending in with these fresh-faced kids didn¡¯t seem like such a bad idea. I¡¯d have to think about what kind of expression might help me approach them. "Our new friend¡¯s name is Lee Ha-eun. She¡¯ll be with us from now on, so let¡¯s all give her a big welcome!" -Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap- "Hmm, so that belly of yours can get indigestion, huh?" As they exchanged light-hearted jokes, the atmosphere gradually relaxed, and their stomachs were partly satisfied by the glistening meat. "The ad you did recently, Eun-tae, it has a really good vibe." Talk turned to Kang Eun-tae¡¯s CF, which had garnered considerable attention as an innovative move in the advertising world. They also touched on the new music video for Double Lee, the hip-hop crew Lee Jun belonged to. Strictly speaking, a CF and a music video had different vibes. But in a way, a music video was like a CF introducing music as a product to consumers. "I actually have the storyboard with me right now. Can you take a quick look?" "Sure, hand it over." It wasn¡¯t surprising that Lee Jun wanted feedback from the skilled CF director Kang Eun-tae. Taking a set of around ten storyboards from Lee Jun, Kang Eun-tae began to carefully review the concept for Double Lee¡¯s new music video, *Matchstick*. "This concept is great." "Really?" "Yeah. There¡¯s always a reason for success." In Kang Eun-tae¡¯s opinion, the storyboard Lee Jun presented didn¡¯t need any adjustments. In other words, it could go into production as it was without any issues. However, seeing Lee Jun insistently ask him to check every last page made him a bit suspicious. As he finished his review and looked at the last storyboard, he noticed a blank space for the role of the matchstick girl. ¡®...No way.¡¯ When his gaze drifted from the storyboard to Lee Jun, it was just as he suspected. "The girl from your ad¡ªher name was Lee Ha-eun, right?" With a sly grin, Lee Jun finally revealed the real reason he¡¯d invited him out. "So, can you give me Ha-eun¡¯s contact info, Eun-tae? I''ll cover everything tonight." Ha, and here he¡¯d claimed he just wanted to catch up. "Fame¡¯s made you ruthless, Jun." "Come on, help me out. Gun-yeol and I have been searching high and low, but no one fits our music video better than Ha-eun." Kang Eun-tae looked at Lee Jun''s earnest expression. Lee Jun wasn¡¯t one to compromise when it came to music. "Alright, then I¡¯m ordering more meat." It was clear to Kang Eun-tae that Lee Jun felt the same certainty about Ha-eun that he¡¯d felt when he first met her. "Sure, order whatever you want. I¡¯m not full yet, either." A short while later, thick slices of beef sizzled on the heated grill, turning a rich brown. And just like the meat gradually changing color, the butterfly effect of Kang Eun-tae introducing Ha-eun to the screen was slowly becoming more apparent. Chapter 7 It had been three months since Ha-eun started kindergarten. A short period for some, but a long one for others. And during this time, Ha-eun¡¯s daily life had changed in ways she hadn¡¯t quite anticipated. Strictly speaking, her routine outside of kindergarten hadn¡¯t changed much. After getting home, she still spent time doing light exercises like jump rope, just as she always had. Two or three times a week, she played catch with her father, Lee Seong-yoon, and right before bed, she would jot down ideas in her notebook for future content for her VTuber broadcasts. These things stayed the same. However, her life inside kindergarten was, ultimately, a little different. "Ha-eun, Min-seo took my toy!" "Si-woo, you took my crayons too!" Whenever conflicts or arguments broke out between the kids, they would almost always run to Ha-eun, eager to hear what she thought. And whatever Ha-eun said was regarded as a kind of final judgment, accepted with the authority of a judge¡¯s ruling. This unique kindergarten life of hers was due to various reasons, but the most decisive one was her unchildlike calmness. Since her first day at kindergarten, Ha-eun had never had even a minor argument. Sometimes misunderstandings would lead other kids to say mean things to her, but even then, it was nothing more than childish antics. Ha-eun had never once truly gotten angry over such petty squabbles. Instead, she would simply smile calmly and say, "I see," letting it pass without pointing out their flaws. Ha-eun¡¯s main goal was to maintain harmonious relationships with everyone, nothing more. After all, the only thing her parents had asked of her when they sent her to kindergarten was to get along with her friends. However, since she always stayed calm and never lost her cool, no matter how unreasonable the other kids were, her image among them gradually evolved from "a pretty girl" to "an angel descended among mortals." In this way, the idolization of Ha-eun among the innocent kids, untouched by the world, eventually transformed her into an untouchable presence. In the end, the children found they didn¡¯t need to go to the teacher when conflicts arose. Just bringing Ha-eun over was enough to settle any dispute with her serene voice.@@@@ The teachers at the kindergarten were also deeply impressed by Ha-eun, who never caused any trouble. "Ha-eun from Dalnim Class is such a sweet child, isn¡¯t she?" "So polite, and she doesn¡¯t even fuss over food. Ha-eun¡¯s mother is so lucky." Since Ha-eun started attending kindergarten, the frequency of classroom disruptions gradually decreased. In other words, the teachers¡¯ workloads also began to lighten. As kindergarten teachers, it wasn¡¯t ideal to favor any child, but with Ha-eun, they couldn¡¯t help it. She was simply too endearing to resist. For her part, Ha-eun could only sense that something seemed a bit off. Having never attended kindergarten before, nor formed friendships with peers, she couldn¡¯t pinpoint exactly what was unusual. And so, her kindergarten life continued, filled with attention from both classmates and teachers, even as the fall leaves turned to snow. Around that time, Ha-eun found herself drawing attention outside of kindergarten as well. "Well... to me, it looks like she¡¯s trying not to cry. Smiling actually makes it feel even sadder." At that, Gun-yeol, who had been quietly watching their conversation, let out a small breath of surprise. Ha-eun¡¯s interpretation matched over 80% of their intended meaning. As Ha-eun continued to unravel various intentions hidden within the storyboard, they were reminded why they¡¯d wanted to cast her in the first place. Even though her CF appearance had been less than a minute, she¡¯d left a lasting impression. Her emotional depth was far beyond that of her peers, and the range of emotions she could express exceeded what was typical. In hindsight, they felt foolish for even considering alternatives. After all, who could possibly replace Ha-eun? "When did you say the snow would start, Jun?" "The 19th. Exactly one week from today." Almost in unison, Gun-yeol reached out and placed his hand over Ha-eun¡¯s small hands resting on the storyboard. "You¡¯ll play the matchstick girl for us, won¡¯t you, Ha-eun?" His gaze was a mixture of earnestness and expectation. At this point, with her careful review of the storyboard, it was almost as if she¡¯d already agreed to appear in the music video. Ha-eun nodded slowly, confirming her role in the music video. "But... do I really have to wear these bright red clothes for the shoot?" "Yes. Our goal is to convey the contrast between fairy tales and reality." The conversation then turned to Ha-eun¡¯s costume measurements. They planned to try on several versions of the matchstick girl¡¯s outfit to find the one that suited her best. However, much to their surprise, Ha-eun then hesitantly asked if she could make a request. They immediately agreed to hear her out. They were unwilling to let her slip away over a request that could be easily fulfilled, as long as it wasn¡¯t something overly difficult. Thankfully, Ha-eun¡¯s request wasn¡¯t at all demanding. It was actually quite different from what they¡¯d expected¡ªnothing like an increase in appearance fees or a request for a signed limited-edition Double Lee CD. "If it¡¯s okay, I¡¯d like to learn singing from you two... even just once a month." In the end, no one voiced any objections. Ha-eun¡¯s face lit up, a hint of childlike excitement shining through. It was the first time that Lee Jun and Gun-yeol witnessed a truly childlike side of Ha-eun. Chapter 8 Snowflakes drifted slowly down. It was a December day, the first day of shooting for the *Matchstick* music video. From the moment she left home early that morning, to the time she arrived on set instead of her usual kindergarten, Ha-eun¡¯s small hand clung tightly to her mother, Song Na-yeon. ¡°Nervous?¡± At her mother¡¯s gentle question, Ha-eun shook her head slightly. It would be a lie to say she wasn¡¯t nervous at all, but more than anything, she didn¡¯t want her mother to worry. Besides, Ha-eun had already memorized almost everything about the character of the matchstick girl she¡¯d be portraying today. In the past few days, she¡¯d met with the Double Lee members multiple times and discussed the ideal portrayal they envisioned. Since she wasn¡¯t a professional actor, she¡¯d been reassured countless times that she didn¡¯t need to worry about a few NGs (no-goods). After all, it wasn¡¯t her first time in front of the camera. She had done all the preparation she could. Yet, her expression still lacked its usual confidence. ¡°Oh, Ha-eun, you¡¯re here early.¡± ¡°...Hello.¡± The reason was simple: it was her first time acting seriously enough to be called an ¡°actress¡± by someone else. In the children¡¯s vitamin CF, the only ¡°acting¡± she¡¯d done was running as if she were jogging. She had even added a bit of falling down for effect, so she wouldn¡¯t be overshadowed by the presence of the national athlete, Kim Min-jun. But the performance expected of her in the *Matchstick* music video was far more detailed and complex than that. Every expression, atmosphere, and even the smallest gestures had a precise answer. She had to make sure not to stray from the matchstick girl image that Lee Jun and Gun-yeol envisioned.@@@@ It wasn¡¯t that she lacked confidence. It was just that the expectations from the Double Lee members didn¡¯t feel light. They had placed their trust in her after seeing only a single CF. At the very least, she felt she should do her best. ¡°Ha-eun, over here.¡± A familiar voice called out from a distance, and when she turned her head, she saw Lee Jun waving at her. Beside him, Gun-yeol stood with a serious expression, reviewing the storyboard one last time. ¡°Hello.¡± ¡°Oh, you¡¯re here. Let¡¯s get you to the dressing room first.¡± Following Gun-yeol¡¯s lead, she headed to the dressing room, where she was reunited with the matchstick girl outfit they¡¯d selected as the best fit after trying on several versions a few days ago. With her mother¡¯s help, Ha-eun transformed from head to toe into the matchstick girl. Even though she¡¯d worn the outfit a few times before, it felt different on the day of the shoot. ¡°Wow... you really look like the matchstick girl, Ha-eun. You look so beautiful.¡± Ha-eun¡¯s outward appearance was serene, a stark contrast to her slightly tangled inner feelings. Both her mother, who adored her, and the makeup artists waiting in the dressing room praised how well the outfit suited her. The bright red costume contrasted strikingly with her pale skin. A small, detailed basket prop completed the look, capturing everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s fix your hair a bit and do some light makeup.¡± With the gentle hands of a makeup artist, Ha-eun closed her eyes. The brush tickled her face, but remembering they¡¯d have to start over if she moved, she did her best to stay still. -Click. -Click, click, click. The occasional camera shutter sound made it obvious who was taking photos without needing to open her eyes. Although it was a little overwhelming, she didn¡¯t feel strongly enough to ask them to stop. ¡°All done, Ha-eun. You can open your eyes now.¡± Even after she was transformed by the skilled makeup artist, Ha-eun remained silent. ¡°How do you feel, Ha-eun? Do you like it?¡± ¡°...Yes.¡± ¡°Matches... for sale...¡± Her voice was so quiet that it could barely be heard. Perhaps that¡¯s why, or maybe people just didn¡¯t want to listen. The passersby didn¡¯t seem to notice her. Or, if they did, they chose to ignore her. -Thud. ¡°Ouch...¡± Bumped by someone¡¯s elbow, the small girl stumbled, finally collapsing to the ground. The little wooden basket in her hands fell over, spilling its contents. The person who¡¯d knocked her down kept walking without so much as a glance back. Without a word, the girl picked herself up. With a youthful smile reappearing on her face, she held up her matches to the people passing by, her breath visible in the cold air. But time passed, and her basket remained as full as ever. Only the snow on her hair and shoulders continued to accumulate. From afar, the sound of laughter drifted by. Unconsciously, she looked toward the sound, and her gaze met the eyes of people chatting over warm coffee in a cafe?. But as quickly as they looked at her, their gazes returned to each other. Left alone, the girl looked at her reflection in the cafe?¡¯s glass. -Hoo. A white puff of breath rose. Finally, unable to endure the cold, she pulled a match from her pocket. -Swish. A small flame flickered to life, briefly illuminating her face. But a gust of wind snuffed it out almost immediately, casting her face back into shadow. A second match flared to life, only to be extinguished again by another breeze, leaving behind a thin wisp of white smoke. Her head slowly drooped. ¡°Matches... for sale...¡± Her gaze no longer met that of the people on the street. Yet she forced the corners of her mouth to rise, showing a smile instead of tears. -Swish. Once more, a soft glow spread across the snowy ground. At the same moment, a single drop of warmth trickled down her cheek. For a fleeting instant, her eyes shone red, though her lips held a faint smile. Her gaze, drifting downward, showed a small, pitiful body crouched to hold onto what little warmth she had. Finally, in the last moments, as night deepened and fewer people walked the streets... ¡°I... missed you.¡± Her young eyes lifted to the sky, carrying a faint expression other than a smile. And with that, it was over. The night grew darker, and the snow continued to fall. By morning, the girl was nowhere to be seen. Only an empty matchbox lay in a snowy corner of the street. Other than that, there was nothing left. Chapter 9 The fairy tale *The Little Match Girl* has no prince on a white horse, nor a kind-hearted fairy. The familiar phrase, "And they lived happily ever after," is also absent. It¡¯s simply the story of a girl who, in her final day, knew neither the warmth of a fire-filled stove nor the softness of freshly baked bread, struggling to survive. ¡°Matches for sale, matches for sale....¡± She smiled at strangers who wouldn¡¯t spare her a glance, only to find not salvation but rest in her final moments. A bitter story without any moral lesson or satisfying justice. While the story does feature people who later regret their indifference, the girl¡¯s life has already ended, making their remorse meaningless. The only thing that remains in people¡¯s memory is the image of the girl, smiling until the very end, leaving behind a lingering sense of guilt. This feeling of guilt is the strongest emotion that *Matchstick*, Double Lee¡¯s new song, seeks to evoke. Thus, the *Matchstick* music video had to embody this guilt. Ha-eun¡¯s outfit, mirroring that of the matchstick girl from the fairy tale, contrasted starkly with the extras, dressed in the clothing of ordinary modern-day people. The matchstick girl appeared just as she did in the storybook from childhood, while the people who ignored her wore modern attire. This directorial choice emphasized the contrast between the one conveying emotion and the ones receiving it, making viewers of the music video see themselves as similar to those who ignored the matchstick girl. However, this setup relied on the assumption that the image of the matchstick girl would indeed stir feelings of guilt. If the portrayal failed to evoke sympathy, the immersion would be lost. This was the main concern for Lee Jun and Gun-yeol. In the music video, the matchstick girl smiles from beginning to end, but her dire situation, where even getting through a single day is hard, must be clear. In other words, their version of the matchstick girl had to show misery through her smile, and despair through her laughter. ¡°Isn¡¯t this asking too much of a child actor? Even adult actors struggle with that kind of nuance.¡± ¡°...Maybe you¡¯re right.¡± They wavered at the advice and concerns of those around them. The storyboarded image of the matchstick girl leaned more toward ideal than reality. Still, Lee Jun had gone as far as pulling connections from his school days to bring an unconventional child actor to the set. And the result could be summarized in one word: ¡°...I missed you....¡± Perfection. The exact vision they had once pictured was now captured on camera. Her eyes, filled with both longing and emptiness, the gradually weakening gaze, her voice wavering between dryness and wetness¡ªevery detail was there. The small, pitiful hand reaching into the empty air, as if grasping at a hallucination, then falling lifelessly to the ground when it caught nothing. -Thud. When that small hand finally met the cold, snow-covered ground, a single tear slipped from her faded eyes, filling the set with a stunned silence. Everyone was so moved by the forlorn silhouette before them that they scarcely dared to breathe. ¡°She said she¡¯d never had acting lessons...¡± Lee Seong-yoon wore a puzzled expression, watching as a well-known celebrity praised his daughter. To him, Ha-eun was the same as always. He¡¯d heard from Na-yeon about how impressive her acting was, but he¡¯d figured it was likely just on a child¡¯s level. Wasn¡¯t all this worry a bit overblown? Still, if they were offering to protect Ha-eun... There was no reason to decline. ¡°What do you think, Ha-eun?¡± ¡°Well, I think it would be best to follow what the uncles say... They¡¯re experts, after all.¡± ¡°Alright. When you don¡¯t know something, you listen to the experts.¡± As always, he let Ha-eun make her own choice, supporting her decision. A few days later, Double Lee¡¯s *Matchstick* music video was finally released, and, as Lee Jun and Gun-yeol had expected, the reaction was explosive. The video¡¯s views skyrocketed daily, and articles discussing its content flooded the media. Ha-eun, naturally, became the main focus. Her looks were captivating, but even more remarkable was how she seemed to bring the matchstick girl to life, evoking emotions far beyond what was typical for actors her age. People began to take a genuine interest in Lee Ha-eun. Some even went so far as to dig up her past work, ultimately rediscovering the children¡¯s vitamin CF. Sales of the children¡¯s vitamins produced by Handong Pharmaceutical, already popular, surged once again. This, at least, had been expected. They also carefully sorted through interview requests, accepting only those that would be beneficial for Ha-eun. However, Double Lee, despite their ten-plus years in the entertainment industry, faced an unexpected situation. ¡°I can understand them wanting her for auditions, given how talented she is...¡± ¡°Then why oppose it?¡± ¡°If it were a regular audition, we might have mentioned it to Ha-eun. But a film for mature audiences is too much, isn¡¯t it?¡± The agency CEO was adamant about pushing Ha-eun into the audition, seemingly incensed that his child actors had been rejected for the role. ¡°And that title¡ª*The Man Next Door*? Who names a film like that?¡± No one could have guessed that this oddly titled film would one day make history in Korean action cinema, except for one person¡ªHa-eun. Of course, Ha-eun hadn¡¯t heard a word about the audition yet. Today, as always, she was playing judge at kindergarten, before walking home with her mother Na-yeon, who¡¯d come to pick her up, and heading to the empty lot near their house. -Swish, swish! Using a sturdy jump rope, she worked toward a healthier body. ¡°Huh, you can do double jumps so easily now... Should we start training you to be a national jump-rope champion?¡± Chapter 10 ¡°One, two, three, four, five, six zeros... Hmm....¡± Ha-eun¡¯s expression grew complex as she counted the views on the music video she had starred in. The numbers on the computer screen were anything but modest. Considering Double Lee¡¯s prominence, it wasn¡¯t shocking, but still... *It¡¯s not even a month yet.* In just two short weeks, over a million people had watched her, leaving her with a faint, ticklish feeling in her chest. This time, unlike the CF, the view count was right there for her to see, making it all the more tangible. When sales of Handong Pharmaceutical¡¯s children¡¯s vitamins had soared months ago, she¡¯d felt a similar sense of reality¡ªespecially when she¡¯d received a box of vitamin packs as a gift from them. Even her kindergarten teachers¡¯ slightly different glances reminded her of the growing recognition she was experiencing. Her classmates, on the other hand, were too young to care about hip-hop artists like Double Lee, so not much changed with them. *¡°Ha-eun, I saw you on TV yesterday!¡±* Occasionally, some kids would ask her questions about her appearance in the *Matchstick* music video after seeing her on TV. Their innocent curiosity came simply from the novelty of seeing a classmate on the screen. Ultimately, Ha-eun¡¯s casting had exceeded Lee Jun and Gun-yeol¡¯s expectations. The two made arrangements for Ha-eun to join their agency, Luna Entertainment, providing her a layer of protection from the sudden attention. Additionally, the promised singing lessons were increased from once a month to twice a week. This change was largely thanks to Gun-yeol¡¯s insistence that a monthly class wouldn¡¯t allow for meaningful improvement. Regardless of the lesson frequency, learning from some of the top names in the music industry was invaluable. These mentors knew better than anyone how to use their voices to captivate an audience. With their guidance, Ha-eun¡¯s singing skills would develop rapidly, giving her a powerful tool for her future as a VTuber. Not all VTubers were great singers, but the top performers¡ªthe so-called ¡°major players¡±¡ªusually possessed excellent vocal skills. *¡°Just curious... Is it your dream to become a singer, Ha-eun? Not an actress?¡±* On her first day of singing lessons, Lee Jun had asked her about her aspirations. Ha-eun vaguely replied that she was considering multiple paths, which seemed to satisfy him, as it wasn¡¯t uncommon for kids her age to change their minds frequently. Ha-eun, too, had occasionally considered changing her goals. Every expression, gesture, and tone she¡¯d crafted had never once failed to deliver. *¡°Based on recent tests, there¡¯s a high chance it¡¯s ¡ö¡ö¡ö¡ö. Please be prepared for...¡±* But the memory of everything she¡¯d once believed to be hers vanishing in an instant was still vivid. She had already experienced what it was like for the concept of a ¡°normal life¡± to become something elusive and out of reach. So, even now, she didn¡¯t take the attention and praise as a given. After all, these changes had only happened in the span of a year. What the future held was uncertain, and that was why Ha-eun continued to stick to the safest, most reliable path she could think of. Though her commitment to becoming a VTuber wasn¡¯t entirely practical, it was something she wanted. For now, acting in commercials or filming didn¡¯t bother her. Each experience was new and valuable. Even her parents wanted her to gain various experiences, which could be considered her way of fulfilling her duty to them. Watching Seong-yoon¡¯s eyes widen in amazement after seeing the *Matchstick* music video was a rewarding sight. There were still over ten years before the concept of a VTuber would be known to the world. Until then, Ha-eun was determined to prepare and live her life as normally as possible. She aimed to fill her time with typical experiences she had missed, like going to school and making friends. But... ¡°Ha-eun, could I have a quick word before class starts?¡± ¡°...?¡± Just then... -Creak. ¡°Here I am, Director Kwon.¡± Quickly, Kwon Jong-hyuk pocketed his lighter as the imposing figure of Luna Entertainment¡¯s CEO stepped into the room. ¡°Oh, Mr. Jung! What brings you here?¡± ¡°I heard someone in the industry thought Luna had no talent, so I came to see that fool myself.¡± Unfortunately for Kwon, the person who had made this remark, albeit in a casual drinking conversation, now stood before him. But since it had been nothing more than harmless banter¡ªsimilar comments had been made about other agencies¡ªKwon felt a twinge of resentment. ¡°Well, let¡¯s get through this audition with ¡®Miss Lee¡¯ first. We can address our grievances afterward.¡± *Is he trying to intimidate me or what?* In any case, Kwon¡¯s appointment was with the child actor, Ha-eun, not CEO Jung Do-chul. Finally, he saw Ha-eun, previously hidden behind the CEO¡¯s large frame. ¡°H-Hello, I¡¯m Lee Ha-eun.¡± Her voice carried a shy awkwardness that immediately dampened Kwon¡¯s interest. She seemed no different from the countless other child actors he had seen. But with the CEO watching, Kwon couldn¡¯t just breeze through the audition. After finishing the setup for recording, he addressed Ha-eun. ¡°Start whenever you¡¯re ready.¡± ¡°Ah, yes...¡± She took a soft breath, casting a fleetingly uncertain glance forward. And then, from her slightly parted lips, a dry chuckle escaped. Kwon felt taken aback as the laughter slipped from her, tainted with self-mockery. Glancing up, he locked eyes with her, momentarily tense. ¡°I... just find it funny,¡± she said, her voice low. ¡°I knew someone like me wouldn¡¯t get noticed... but I guess I still hoped, like a fool.¡± Her previous hesitance was gone, replaced by a bitter smile and tear-filled eyes that held Kwon¡¯s gaze. Just behind her, he saw CEO Jung grinning. *That sly old fox...* Whether he liked it or not, Kwon had to admit he¡¯d been outplayed. TL NOTE: Please don''t skimp on the stars for the translation - it inspires me and gives me the strength to write more. Thank you~! If you want to buy me a /kimsu Chapter 11 Acting is about expression. Whether it¡¯s a hero or a villain, a lead or a supporting role, it doesn¡¯t matter. Acting brings to life a character who previously existed only as text in a script, shaping them through expressions, voice, and gestures. However, acting almost always involves a touch of the actor''s personal interpretation. There¡¯s no single ¡°correct¡± way to perform a role, though some performances may feel closer to the truth. But countless ¡°wrong¡± interpretations exist. It¡¯s only natural. No actor is a machine made exactly like another from head to toe. Acting is the culmination of life experiences, honed skills, and current mental states, all mixing together in a unique blend. And an audition is merely a way to find the performance that best aligns with the director¡¯s vision. "I''m not mad at you, Mister. I¡¯m not even disappointed. It¡¯s just... it made me realize I¡¯m still alone... That¡¯s all.¡± So what was unfolding in front of Kwon Jong-hyuk now wasn¡¯t just an audition. Ha-eun wasn¡¯t merely trying to act as close to ¡°right¡± as possible. Rather, she was making Kwon Jong-hyuk recognize her performance as the ¡°right¡± one. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for making you worry. I won¡¯t let this happen again.¡± With a look that spoke of resignation, abandoning even the faintest hope she once had for ¡°Mister.¡± With a voice that struggled to hide her sorrow. With a weak gesture, as if she¡¯d already given up on the notion of holding hands with the only friend she ever had. She seemed to be silently asking Kwon Jong-hyuk, the director of *The Man Next Door*, who else could this be if not ¡°Kim Ji-ah¡±? Could anything else be considered ¡°Kim Ji-ah¡±? It was closer to a re-creation than an act¡ªa bold re-creation in which Ha-eun was the one conveying the moment Kim Ji-ah had experienced, as if she were showing Kwon Jong-hyuk herself. Whatever Ha-eun said, whatever expression she wore, she was simply Kim Ji-ah¡ªa pitiful girl who was never granted even the faintest hope that things would get better over time. Ha-eun¡¯s performance differed from the child actors who had tried to interpret and understand Kim Ji-ah. It was as if she had experienced countless similar situations herself. Without forcing herself, Ha-eun naturally embodied Kim Ji-ah, speaking not with words that sounded like something Kim Ji-ah *would* say, but as Kim Ji-ah herself. "Well, I¡¯ll be off now. Oh, I¡¯ll return the umbrella tomorrow morning." Only at the very end did she say her goodbye. ¡°...It¡¯s over.¡± Even after Ha-eun, who had just been Kim Ji-ah a moment ago, returned to her true self, Kwon Jong-hyuk¡¯s lips stayed shut for a long time. These were lines he¡¯d heard dozens, if not hundreds, of times throughout the countless auditions. Lines he¡¯d grown tired of long ago. ¡°Hey, Ha-eun, how did the audition... go?¡± She was greeted by Lee Jun, who had a look that mixed curiosity with a hint of apology for pushing her to attend the audition. She responded in her usual calm tone, saying it went okay. Jeong Do-cheol, who had accompanied her to the audition, was all smiles, even as he patted her shoulder almost hard enough to dislocate it, bragging about how she¡¯d put Kwon Jong-hyuk in his place. Yet Ha-eun had seen Kwon Jong-hyuk¡¯s face, and he hadn¡¯t looked all that impressed. She couldn¡¯t tell if her performance had passed his expectations or if she¡¯d end up being rejected like Luna Entertainment¡¯s other child actors. Her performance this time had drawn from her past life, blending memories of scenes with her own ¡°Mr. Next Door¡± with her deep-seated empathy for Kim Ji-ah. But since he did say he¡¯d contact them soon, she figured he hadn¡¯t been entirely displeased. And if given the chance, she was ready to put in her best effort. Afterward, they enjoyed a meat-heavy dinner Lee Jun had prepared. When they later met up with Na-yeon after Ha-eun¡¯s singing lesson with Double Lee, she briefly shared her thoughts about the audition. ¡°The camera was bigger than me! And it had all these strange buttons stuck all over it.¡± ¡°Really? That must have been fun to see!¡± But Na-yeon brought up a thought Ha-eun hadn¡¯t considered. ¡°Hm... if my daughter gets cast, I guess it¡¯ll be about ten years before I can even see the film.¡± Only then did Ha-eun remember that the film she¡¯d auditioned for was rated for mature audiences. Later, Ha-eun brought up something Jeong Do-cheol had suggested to her on the way back from the audition. ¡°Mom, isn¡¯t it tiring to come pick me up every time?¡± ¡°Are you worried about Mommy¡¯s legs? Oh, you¡¯re such a sweet girl.¡± In response, Na-yeon pulled her into a tight hug, her warmth overwhelming Ha-eun. She did feel a bit guilty about making her mom go out of her way every time she had a lesson with Double Lee. Finally, she managed to lift her head and speak up. ¡°The CEO offered to assign me a manager. He thinks I¡¯ll be getting busier soon.¡± ¡°A manager? Who?¡± ¡°I... don¡¯t know yet. I¡¯ll have to ask him later.¡± She shared the news that she might soon have a manager to drive her, meaning Na-yeon wouldn¡¯t need to pick her up every time. ¡°Then you¡¯ll really be a proper actress now! Ha-eun, could I get an autograph?¡± ¡°Oh, um... I don¡¯t have a pen or paper right now, so... maybe later.¡± Na-yeon¡¯s playful request brought a rosy blush to Ha-eun¡¯s cheeks, her ears also turning red, showing how unfamiliar she was with being called an ¡°actress.¡± But she didn¡¯t mind it. After a while, maybe she¡¯d even grow used to this gentle, tickling feeling. Chapter 12 "Happy 7th birthday, Ha-eun!" "Congratulations, sweetheart!" "Happy birthday!" It was a few days after my first audition. A cake with one more candle than last year was sitting in front of me, and an extra person had joined in to celebrate. "Um, Ha-eun, you might get burned if you get too close, so it¡¯s better to blow out the candles from a distance." The person sandwiched comfortably between my parents, fussing over a tiny candle, was Joo Jung-yoon¡ªthe manager that CEO Jeong Do-cheol had promised to assign to me. From what I¡¯d been told by both Jeong Do-cheol and Jung-yoon himself, this was his first time working as a manager. Maybe because of that, he still had some awkward tendencies. Then again, it would have been odd to assign a seasoned manager to someone like me, who barely had any schedules. Although Jung-yoon was a graduate of a prestigious university and proud of his driving skills... ¡°I¡¯ll cut the cake for you. We wouldn¡¯t want you to hurt your fingers.¡± ¡®...It¡¯s a plastic knife, though.¡¯ In every little way, he seemed to be overdoing it. At times, his hyper-vigilance made me feel like I was some precious gem he had to protect from the smallest scratch. But it wasn¡¯t quite enough to consider asking for a new manager. Besides, both Mom and Dad seemed to like him. And above all, Jung-yoon was here because of the CEO¡¯s generosity. A seven-year-old like me wasn¡¯t about to deny someone¡¯s goodwill. The seventh birthday party wrapped up around ten minutes later. "Well, Ma¡¯am, Sir, I think we should start getting ready." "Oh, yes. Let¡¯s get going." Unlike last year, when we had no plans, today was a special day¡ªmy screen test for the role of Kim Ji-ah in *The Man Next Door* had been scheduled on my birthday. I was about to have the unique experience of spending my birthday on a movie set. We climbed into the black van that towered over the smaller cars in the parking lot, heading first to a makeup shop where I¡¯d be prepped to look the part of Kim Ji-ah. ¡°Oh, Ha-eun! Long time no see!¡± ¡°...Hello.¡± I was reunited with the warm-faced makeup artist from the music video shoot. -Brush, brush. -Tap, tap. The familiar ticklishness of makeup brushes. To be honest, I thought it was strange to do makeup for a screen test for Kim Ji-ah¡¯s role. In my memory, Kim Ji-ah looked worn out and shabby. I thought I¡¯d go to the screen test as I was, without makeup. "If you go like that, you¡¯d be too dazzling." ¡°...I¡¯m not bald, you know.¡± ¡°I mean your face is glowing. You¡¯re naturally too cute!¡± According to the makeup artist, the goal was to make my face plain enough to match Kim Ji-ah, so I ended up getting a muted makeover for a full hour. Even this toned-down look seemed adorable to Mom, who went full photographer mode, asking me to pose in front of the mirror. ¡°You look like a little country squirrel, Ha-eun. Let¡¯s go visit a farm one day.¡± ¡®...That¡¯s oddly specific.¡¯ For a while, I became the exclusive model for ¡°Song Na-yeon Productions,¡± reluctantly following Mom¡¯s requests until Jung-yoon gently reminded us that we needed to head to the set. Finally, I was free from the mirror. Back in the black van, I spent the drive rereading *The Man Next Door* script, and before I knew it, we had arrived at the building where the set was located. ¡°This is Lee Ha-eun from Luna Entertainment.¡± ¡°Yes, you¡¯re checked in. Please wait a moment.¡± ¡®This is as good as it gets.¡¯ It was impressive enough that a veteran actor like Kang Seon-woo thought it was good. Da-yeon¡¯s performance explained her reputation within the industry. After a brief set reset, as Da-yeon reviewed her performance, she noticed a girl standing nearby. ¡®...Is she nervous?¡¯ With a nearly robotic expression, the girl looked more like a statue than a human. But Da-yeon couldn¡¯t stop looking at her. She was striking and was clearly the next actor up to audition for Kim Ji-ah¡¯s role. This girl, Lee Ha-eun, was also Da-yeon¡¯s competition. Even if she couldn¡¯t outperform Da-yeon, the fact that she¡¯d made it to the screen test meant she had skill. Watching Ha-eun perform might be beneficial, regardless of her skill level. Da-yeon¡¯s father always said there was something to learn from every experience. Shortly afterward, the set was ready, and Kang Seon-woo returned. ¡°All right, let¡¯s begin. Get ready... Action!¡± With Director Kwon¡¯s command, the final screen test began. ¡°...Ji-ah?¡± The deep voice of Jin Kang-sik signaled the start of the scene. He was only her next-door neighbor, yet today he felt something strange about Kim Ji-ah¡¯s silence and began scanning her body. It didn¡¯t take long for his eyes to land on the bruises and small scars. Blueish marks covered her thin legs. ¡°What... Who did this to you?¡± Anger and confusion began to spread across Jin Kang-sik¡¯s rugged face, and Ji-ah trembled, momentarily fearful of him. Eventually, Jin Kang-sik managed to calm himself and, in a slightly gentler tone, asked if she was all right. Only then did Ji-ah slowly lift her head, meeting the eyes of her only companion, Jin Kang-sik. Resentment, sorrow, bitterness, and resignation swirled in her gaze as she finally looked into his eyes. ¡°Are you... okay?¡± That was the moment when Kang Seon-woo became conscious of the fact that they were acting. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m fine. After all, no matter what, she gave birth to me, so I don¡¯t think she¡¯s planning to kill me.¡± Her voice, noticeably cracked, her tilted head, and the faint, humorless smile from her scarred lips... It all left Kang Seon-woo¡ªno, Jin Kang-sik¡ªmomentarily speechless, the next line frozen in his mouth. ¡°...What¡¯s the big deal? Weren¡¯t you aware of this all along?¡± It was only natural. These were emotions a child should never know. ¡°But, hey, nothing¡¯s broken. I¡¯ll be able to go to school.¡± Looking straight into Kang Seon-woo¡¯s suddenly trembling eyes, she continued with calmness from beginning to end. The injuries on her legs seemed to be just another part of daily life for the girl named Kim Ji-ah. ¡°I¡¯m really fine. So, please... don¡¯t look at me like that. When you do, it makes me feel like I¡¯m actually... pitiful.¡± Chapter 13 It would be a lie to say she hadn¡¯t underestimated her. Yes, Ha-eun was signed with Luna Entertainment, a major agency, but her experience was limited to a vitamin commercial and a music video. She was still a rookie, far from having any lead roles in movies or even minor roles in daytime dramas like Min Da-yeon herself. Sure, the internet had buzzed about her as a modern-day ¡°Little Match Girl,¡± but Da-yeon thought she could easily pull off that level of acting herself. Yes, that¡¯s what Da-yeon had assumed. Acting, as she understood it, was something she had studied, learned, and excelled at since she was younger. What she had just performed as Kim Ji-ah in front of the camera reflected that belief. ¡°...Are you okay?¡± - Gasp. Just five words. She hadn¡¯t even begun the lines that required deep emotional immersion. ¡®What... is this?¡¯ Da-yeon immediately sensed that what she was witnessing was different from her own performance. There was none of the awkwardness or lack of polish that she would have expected from a rookie like Ha-eun. Instead, Ha-eun¡¯s presence felt purely natural.@@@@ A movie is ultimately a product of fiction. Some degree of artificiality is an unspoken agreement between the screen and the audience. Even the most famous actors can¡¯t completely bridge the gap between themselves and their characters. No matter how much effort they put into their craft, they can never fully *become* their character. That¡¯s why they train and practice so rigorously. So, what was this? This unsettling sight, so devoid of any hint of pretense. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m fine. No matter what, she¡¯s my mother. I don¡¯t think she¡¯s trying to kill me.¡± This was not the kind of acting Da-yeon knew. It couldn¡¯t be grouped with the type of performance that came from practice, study, and training. If she had to name this strange phenomenon, it would be ¡°experience.¡± Ha-eun seemed to be experiencing, in real-time, the events Kim Ji-ah had endured in *The Man Next Door*, not merely acting them out. Unlike Da-yeon, Ha-eun didn¡¯t need any prior preparation. All she had to do was bring forth the emotions she felt as Kim Ji-ah and let them pour out in front of the camera. ¡®How... is this possible?¡¯ Da-yeon had done what she always did to prepare for the role of Kim Ji-ah: she¡¯d studied the script, visualized each scene in her mind, and thought about which expressions and gestures best suited the character. Of all the child actors auditioning, Da-yeon was confident she had put in the most effort. She was fully committed to portraying Kim Ji-ah. So why? How could this be? ¡°...Why are you acting surprised? You knew all along, didn¡¯t you?¡± The same line Da-yeon had spoken just moments ago, yet the depth of emotion was entirely different. However, the slightly stiff expression Ha-eun wore as she replied was anything but helpful. ¡°Some things are better left unknown.¡± ¡®...Just say you don¡¯t want to tell me.¡¯ Frustrated, Da-yeon turned her back on Ha-eun, her expression sour. In a way, she understood why Ha-eun might not want to share¡ªthis was her secret, after all. But then... ¡°Hey, Min... Da-yeon.¡± ¡°?¡± ¡°You did well.¡± Da-yeon couldn¡¯t make sense of Ha-eun¡¯s sudden compliment. Was she mocking her? Even though she had begrudgingly acknowledged Ha-eun¡¯s skill and her own defeat, it seemed like acting talent and a kind personality didn¡¯t always go hand in hand. ¡®Go step in some dog poop.¡¯ With that thought, Da-yeon mentally berated the girl who had gone from being an impressive acting prodigy to a truly annoying little brat. Then she turned and headed over to the people waiting for her. A few days later, on a whim, she called Kwon Jong-hyuk to inquire about the casting decision. [ ...I¡¯m sorry we couldn¡¯t work with you this time, Da-yeon. But if an opportunity arises in the future, I¡¯ll be sure to reach out. Please don¡¯t feel too discouraged. ] Finally, she heard the official news: Ha-eun had been chosen as Kim Ji-ah. Strangely, she didn¡¯t feel as disappointed as she¡¯d expected. Maybe because she hadn¡¯t put much stock in it from the beginning. The only thing that left her feeling a bit regretful was knowing she wouldn¡¯t see Ha-eun¡¯s performance on the big screen for another ten years. She would have loved to buy a ticket for the earliest showing, just so she could pick apart every little detail of Ha-eun¡¯s acting. ¡®But, I¡¯ll be the bigger person...¡¯ With a sigh, Da-yeon tried to clear her mind of thoughts about Ha-eun. She flipped through the script of *The Neighbor*, a movie she had recently been offered a role in. After all, if she and Ha-eun both stayed on the path of acting, they were bound to cross paths again. She didn¡¯t need to be hung up on it right now. Little did she know that a few years down the line, she would run into Ha-eun not on set, but in the hallway of an elementary school. Nor could she have guessed how persistent her connection with Ha-eun would become in the years that followed. Chapter 14 After finishing all her lines for the screen test as Kim Ji-ah, Ha-eun waited for Kwon Jong-hyuk¡¯s ¡°okay¡± to come from afar. Even after hearing they could head home, she found herself still exhaling deeply. ¡°Hoo...¡± It had been easier to bear than she¡¯d expected. Well, easier than she¡¯d thought. The memories she had dredged up to create her own Kim Ji-ah¡ªdistinct from Min Da-yeon¡¯s portrayal¡ªweren''t exactly happy ones. Though she knew she¡¯d moved beyond those people and those experiences, just recalling them brought a weight to her chest. Aftereffects. Or maybe trauma. Digging deeper into her emotions than usual had left her feeling a bit mentally drained. -Sip. At least the apple-flavored drink Jung-yoon had bought her helped a little. Maybe there was truth to the idea that sweet things ease stress. Anyway, the screen test was over now. Once her mom returned from the restroom, they could finally head home. ¡°Ha-eun.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Suddenly, Min Da-yeon appeared before her, calling her name so naturally, despite Ha-eun never having introduced herself. Debating whether to acknowledge her or not, Ha-eun remembered that Da-yeon was a well-known child actress. She decided to make eye contact. But the question that followed took her completely by surprise. ¡°Does your mom hit you?¡± ¡°...What?¡± She couldn¡¯t help but ask in return, baffled by the odd question. Da-yeon¡¯s answer came swiftly. ¡°You were acting like a real abused kid. Just checking.¡± Ha-eun couldn¡¯t tell if it was a compliment or an insult. ¡°Misunderstanding. My mom would never do that.¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s a relief.¡± Whatever image Da-yeon had of her, Ha-eun brushed it off. Only after this response did Da-yeon reveal the real reason she had approached her. ¡°That acting of yours¡ªwho taught you?¡± ¡°No one taught me.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t lie.¡± ¡°It¡¯s true.¡± Their eyes met, and Da-yeon¡¯s narrowed gaze held both irritation and suspicion. A few seconds later, her voice rang out again, laced with frustration. ¡°If you weren¡¯t abused and no one taught you, how could a kid like you pull off that pitiful act?¡± ¡°...We¡¯re the same age.¡± ¡°Ugh, whatever!¡± Da-yeon¡¯s face flushed slightly, and it dawned on Ha-eun that Da-yeon had been dwelling on her performance. It seemed that Da-yeon, too, had felt the same competitive spark that Ha-eun had. Her question hadn¡¯t held any malice; it was pure curiosity. And yet... Ha-eun responded with bits of knowledge she¡¯d picked up from watching other streams. Though there were a few other viewers, only she was chatting, making it feel almost like a one-on-one stream with the streamer. In truth, she¡¯d never played the game he was streaming, either in her past or current life. Her reason for watching had nothing to do with the game itself. [ Meteor Blade +11 Enhancement Challenge - Streamer: *Squirrel* ] This ¡°Squirrel¡± would one day become a massive figure in online streaming, famous enough to be known as the ¡°children¡¯s president.¡± He would also be the founder of *Fantasy World*, the VTuber group that would eventually change her life. ¡°Oh, oh, oh...! It worked!!!¡± She wanted to leave a good impression while he was still an unknown ¡°rookie streamer¡± with single-digit viewers. It was what you¡¯d call an early investment. Someday, if she applied to *Fantasy World* under the same username, , maybe he¡¯d recognize her and be happy to see her. So, she continued watching Squirrel¡¯s stream until she started to feel sleepy. By then, the memories that had clouded her mind earlier had faded like a mirage. There¡¯s no better stress relief than this. Though she¡¯d probably need to exercise a bit more tomorrow to make up for the sugar intake from the cake, it was far better than feeling restless and uneasy. --- -Bzzz. -Bzzz. ¡°Hello?¡± [ Oh, Manager Joo. It¡¯s Do-cheol. ] ¡°Oh, yes, sir. What can I do for you?¡± [ Is our young actress in a lesson right now? ] Jung-yoon glanced across the room at Ha-eun, who was in a recording booth, staring intently at the sheet music of a popular singer¡¯s song while wearing a headset. The sight was far from what one would expect in a typical children¡¯s singing lesson. Remembering that this had been the case for a few weeks now, she replied. ¡°She¡¯s in the middle of a lesson. If it¡¯s urgent, I can step out and©¤¡± [ No, no, nothing urgent. Just let her know that we¡¯ve officially secured her first movie role. ] The rough tone of Jeong Do-cheol¡¯s voice was filled with pride, as if reaffirming that his judgment had been spot-on. With no further warning, the call ended abruptly. Moments later, she received a text with the contact information of the *The Man Next Door* production team. ¡®...Where should I start?¡¯ Jung-yoon began pondering her first steps for Ha-eun¡¯s involvement in *The Man Next Door*. Still, she knew who to contact first. She quickly typed out a message to Ha-eun¡¯s parents, figuring they should be the first to hear this good news. ¡°Hello, ma¡¯am. It¡¯s Joo Jung-yoon. I have great news for you.¡± She told them that Ha-eun had officially been cast as Kim Ji-ah in *The Man Next Door*. Predictably, Na-yeon¡¯s joyful voice filled the other end of the line, and Jung-yoon responded with a promise to do her utmost for Ha-eun. Not long after, she crossed paths with Gun-ye ol, who, judging from his expression, had overheard her phone call. ¡°Is it true Ha-eun got cast as Kim Ji-ah?¡± -Nod. She confirmed his question with a nod, though she couldn¡¯t quite understand the comment he muttered to himself afterward. ¡°...Guess it was worth the steak dinner. We really nailed that early investment.¡± Chapter 15 Ha-eun found out that she was officially cast as Kim Ji-ah after her singing lesson with Double Lee. More precisely, she learned the news in the black van on the way home. ¡°You¡¯ll be pretty busy from now on. So, if there¡¯s anything you need, be sure to tell me in advance, okay?¡± ¡°...Yes.¡±@@@@ It would¡¯ve been a lie to say she hadn¡¯t been hoping for it. After all, she had given her best performance and had been quietly hoping to pass the screen test. Yet, now that she¡¯d actually won the role over Min Da-yeon, it felt almost surreal. -Rustle. In a mix of excitement and seriousness, Ha-eun began flipping through the pages of *The Man Next Door* script, reading it from the beginning. The official filming script would be sent later, but there wouldn¡¯t be any major changes. In her mind, Ha-eun relived some of the highlight scenes from *The Man Next Door* and recalled the unique version of Kim Ji-ah she¡¯d created during the screen test. She planned to use both to bring depth to her portrayal and make her time on set meaningful. In a way, it was her first time beating someone else in a competitive setting¡ªthrough acting. Being cast as Kim Ji-ah over Min Da-yeon, a famous child actress, was proof that Ha-eun¡¯s acting had what it took to compete. It also meant that when she eventually debuted as VTuber *D.A.*, she¡¯d have a good chance of drawing people¡¯s attention. ¡°Thank goodness.¡± She sighed, feeling slightly relieved. Jung-yoon¡¯s cautious voice sounded from the front, where she had been stealing glances at Ha-eun through the rearview mirror. ¡°Um, Ha-eun, reading in the car will make you carsick.¡± ¡®I¡¯ll remember to bring some nausea medicine next time.¡¯ Ha-eun realized that one day she¡¯d have to have a more serious conversation with Jung-yoon. While she understood that it was normal for adults to worry over a child her age, Jung-yoon¡¯s constant fretting over the smallest things was getting a bit much. Besides, Ha-eun disliked being the subject of anyone¡¯s worry. Rather than enduring Jung-yoon¡¯s excessive concern, she figured it would be better to address it gradually. ¡°Oh, and Ha-eun, I think it¡¯s best to take a break from your singing lessons for now. Double Lee has an overseas concert tour planned next month, so©¤¡± As she listened to Jung-yoon outline the upcoming schedule, they arrived at her house. ¡°Let¡¯s work well together... Jung-yoon unnie.¡± Ha-eun extended her hand for a handshake, aware that both she and Jung-yoon would be busy until filming wrapped up. After all, Jung-yoon would be her only source of support on the set. ¡°Oh, yes. I look forward to working with you, too.¡± With a calm exchange of glances and a light handshake, the partnership was sealed between an actress on her first film project and a manager taking on her first job. --- When the day of her first shoot finally arrived, Ha-eun found herself facing a new sight. ¡°Ha-eun, I¡¯ll be right back after I take something for my nerves.¡± Watching Jung-yoon, who seemed more anxious than herself, Ha-eun¡¯s gaze narrowed slightly. It seemed she might have picked the wrong person to rely on. Still, now that they were at the filming location, there was nothing to do but move forward. Once Jung-yoon returned from her quick trip to the restroom, Ha-eun stepped into the bustling set. ¡°Hello.¡± --- From the moment she met Ha-eun for their script reading sessions a few days before filming started, to the day they finally stood alone together in front of the camera, Kim So-hyun had her doubts. ¡®Can I really bring myself to hurt such a cute kid...?¡¯ Kim So-hyun, neither a star nor a complete unknown, but somewhere in between, wasn¡¯t sure if she could pull this off¡ªbullying someone as pretty and adorable as Ha-eun. This was her first time playing a villainous character like Seo Do-yeon, and it wasn¡¯t an easy role to refuse, as it had come as a recommendation from Kang Sun-woo, a celebrated actor in her own agency. She still didn¡¯t know why he¡¯d suggested her for Seo Do-yeon, but she didn¡¯t want to disappoint the senior actor she admired. ¡®Hello, I¡¯m...¡¯ -Swish. Forcing herself to ignore Ha-eun¡¯s polite greeting was part of her attempt to focus on the character. Even though she already planned to apologize to Ha-eun after the shoot, she had to prepare herself mentally to be Seo Do-yeon. Moments later, she would need to become Seo Do-yeon, the abusive, alcohol-dependent mother, and torment her ¡°daughter¡± Kim Ji-ah¡ªin other words, Ha-eun. Steeling herself with Seo Do-yeon¡¯s twisted mindset, she waited for Director Kwon¡¯s cue. ¡°...Do you think I¡¯m a joke, too?¡± With a voice heavy with simmering anger and a hint of bitterness, she staggered toward Kim Ji-ah and eventually backed her into a corner, trapping her with no escape. -Bang! Pushing her ¡°daughter¡± all the way against the wall of the dark, cramped room, So-hyun locked eyes with Ha-eun¡¯s unflinching gaze. ¡°Tell me. Where did you hide the money from my drawer?!¡± In this scene, Seo Do-yeon mistakenly believes Kim Ji-ah has stolen her money. In reality, Seo Do-yeon herself had spent it but was too drunk to remember. Yet from Kim Ji-ah, who silently looked up at her, there was no response¡ªno excuses or explanations. She knew Seo Do-yeon wouldn¡¯t listen. Unfortunately, her silence only fueled Seo Do-yeon¡¯s anger. -Smack! Seo Do-yeon¡¯s alcohol-fueled rage exploded, striking Kim Ji-ah. Without resistance, Kim Ji-ah collapsed to the floor. ¡°Stop pretending and get up! Where did you hide my money?!¡± As she grabbed Kim Ji-ah by the collar and yanked her up, she was met with the same silence as before. But unlike the earlier silence, there was now a trembling lip, clenched tightly, and a pair of hollow, empty eyes that appeared to suck in Seo Do-yeon¡¯s emotions like a bottomless pit. ¡°Fine, Kim Ji-ah... let¡¯s see how long you can keep this up.¡± For a moment, the experienced actress Kim So-hyun faltered, stumbling over her lines as she looked into Ha-eun¡¯s lifeless gaze. In a cruel twist, instead of Seo Do-yeon dominating her ¡°daughter¡± with hatred, it was Kim Ji -ah¡¯s hopeless despair that seemed to overwhelm Seo Do-yeon. Chapter 16 Attempting to finish the entire shoot in one take without a single mistake is ambitious. No matter how much time she had poured into practice, the rehearsal environment would never be the same as the actual filming set. ¡°Cut, cut! Let¡¯s shoot it again~.¡± So, there was no need to feel like a criminal for fumbling a single line. Kim So-hyun knew well enough that berating herself over a recent mistake wouldn¡¯t do any good. However, the resigned look in Ha-eun¡¯s eyes from a moment ago... Those empty eyes that seemed to say, "Just let it end." ¡®Whoa... was she always... like this?¡¯ The image lingered in Kim So-hyun¡¯s mind, sending chills down her spine. After all, no child actor she¡¯d worked with before had ever shown eyes that devoid of life. It was an unsettling feeling. Or perhaps, guilt. It was a despairing performance, one that couldn¡¯t possibly come from a child that age. Ha-eun seemed to be taking her portrayal a few steps further than what was agreed upon between actors, as if she were fully embodying the hopeless character from the script. The Ha-eun in front of the camera was a girl so deeply entrenched in despair that even a depraved person like Seo Do-yeon would hesitate to harm her. And that alone was more than enough to unsettle Kim So-hyun, not just as an actor but as a human being. ¡°Alright, Kim Ji-ah. Today, you¡¯re going to learn a lesso... ...Sorry, let¡¯s do it again.¡± Even during the second and third takes, Kim So-hyun¡¯s performance continued to falter. It was almost inevitable that Director Kwon Jong-hyuk would start to worry with So-hyun¡¯s repeated mistakes. ¡®...She¡¯s been overpowered.¡¯ It¡¯s common for actors to be influenced by each other¡¯s performances in collaborative scenes. This phenomenon happens even more frequently when child and adult actors perform together. But typically, it¡¯s the child actor¡ªoften lacking in experience or vocal projection¡ªwho succumbs to the adult actor¡¯s performance. It was rare to see the opposite, with the adult actor being swallowed by the child¡¯s performance. Ha-eun didn¡¯t raise her voice or break into a sob. She simply made eye contact. Yet, with that atmosphere she created, she silently suppressed Kim So-hyun¡¯s performance, shifting all control to her side. Strictly speaking, Ha-eun was performing exactly as the script dictated. In fact, her portrayal was even more true to Kim Ji-ah than described in the script. It was Kim So-hyun who was holding up the shoot. Instead of Seo Do-yeon¡¯s twisted emotions suppressing the young Kim Ji-ah, it was Seo Do-yeon who was being restrained. Kim So-hyun was aware of this and tried to reset her scattered performance. But the more time passed, the darker and heavier Ha-eun¡¯s presence seemed to grow. As a result, the camera continued to capture scenes almost identical to the first take. Director Kwon, observing this, didn¡¯t think pressing on would improve the situation. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s take a short break and pick it up again. So-hyun, why don¡¯t you take a moment to catch your breath?¡± ¡°Ah, yes....¡± They decided to take a 30-minute break before resuming the shoot. After a while, Kang Sun-woo, who had been watching the shoot from Director Kwon¡¯s side, approached Ha-eun. He felt a little bad for So-hyun, but objectively speaking, Ha-eun¡¯s performance was stronger. If Ha-eun adjusted her performance as Sun-woo suggested, it would likely harmonize with So-hyun¡¯s acting. Regardless of age, the actor most capable of adapting should be the one to adjust. ¡°Instead of showing Kim Ji-ah¡¯s misfortune in its entirety, it¡¯s more about provoking Seo Do-yeon¡¯s anger and frustration. Do you get what I mean?¡± ¡°...Yes.¡± Just then, Joo Jung-yoon, who had been standing silently like a stone statue, hesitantly informed them it was time to return to the set. Having said everything he needed to, Sun-woo was ready to leave it at that. ¡®I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll do well on her own.¡¯ He didn¡¯t need to double-check how Ha-eun would adjust her performance. After all, this was the exceptional child who had left him speechless during the screen test a few days prior. Giving her just a new direction was enough. ¡°Director Kwon, Ha-eun¡¯s back~.¡± And so, the shoot for the scene depicting Kim Ji-ah¡¯s troubled home life resumed. ¡°Stop whining and get up. Where did you hide my money?!¡± Seo Do-yeon¡¯s emotions peaked as So-hyun¡¯s voice intensified, hitting harder than before. ¡°...What money could a debtor even hide?¡± For the first time, Ha-eun, who was supposed to stay silent, murmured a barely audible line. It was so soft one would have to listen carefully to even hear it. But within those empty eyes now flickered a hint of anger. A faint resentment aimed at the woman hardly worthy of being called her mother. And perhaps most telling, the slight upward curl of her lips, as though mocking Seo Do-yeon. ¡°What...what did you just say...? Alright, Kim Ji-ah, let¡¯s see if you can survive today!¡± Seo Do-yeon¡¯s anger exploded, perfectly provoked by Ha-eun¡¯s subtle ad-lib. About five seconds later, Director Kwon¡¯s mouth finally opened. ¡°Cut!¡± Naturally, there was no added NG signal. Almost simultaneously, Sun-woo raised a discreet thumbs-up toward Ha-eun. She met his gaze briefly, then quietly walked to a corner of the set with Joo Jung-yoon, who appeared with a strawberry milk in hand. ¡°Focus on the situation rather than the character...¡± Perhaps it was because this was the first time she had encountered such a different perspective on acting. A complex feeling, not entirely good or bad, lingered within her. Chapter 17 Cut! Great work, everyone~.¡± Four hours had passed since Ha-eun¡¯s first scene wrapped up, and now she had finished her final shoot without any major mistakes. She and her manager, Joo Jung-yoon, exited the set together. Just before leaving the set entirely, Kim So-hyun approached her. Ha-eun gave her a curious look, similar to the one she¡¯d given earlier when Kang Sun-woo came over unexpectedly. "Ha-eun, um... I mean...¡± After a moment of stammering and hesitation, Kim So-hyun finally managed to speak up. "I wanted to... apologize. For everything today.¡± She apologized for several things, including ignoring Ha-eun¡¯s greeting earlier. Unsure how to respond, Ha-eun hesitated, then brushed it off with a quick ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± as she held no grudge against her. After offering her a simple farewell, she left the set and climbed into the black van with Joo Jung-yoon. As they drove along the empty highway late at night, Ha-eun¡¯s mind began to drift back to the advice Kang Sun-woo had given her. ¡°Ha-eun, you¡¯ve got a good interpretation, but it might be better to focus more on the situation than the character itself.¡± It was the first time anyone had offered her acting advice, and it was the first time that advice had made a significant impact. Focusing on the emotions of others, instead of solely her own¡ªshe had never even considered it before. It was a strange feeling. But with just a small adjustment, So-hyun¡¯s endless NGs had stopped. Despite the ad-lib not being in the script, it made the dialogue flow more smoothly. Her previous performance wasn¡¯t wrong, and even Sun-woo, who had given her the advice, had said so. Still, from the perspective of a seasoned actor like him, her acting had seemed a bit ¡°self-centered.¡± ¡°Ha-eun, reading the script in the car will make you feel nauseous.¡± ¡°...I can manage for now.¡± This advice made her realize that she shouldn¡¯t stick to just one method of portraying Kim Ji-ah. She opened her script once more, reading it through again. With each passing day until the next shoot, Ha-eun spent her time visualizing how to focus on the situation rather than just the character. She wasn¡¯t planning to focus solely on the situation going forward, as both approaches had their pros and cons. But being able to switch between both would make her performance smoother for *The Man Next Door.* --- ¡°...Hello.¡± ¡°Oh, Ha-eun, you¡¯re here.¡± By the time she arrived at the remote filming location, an old church, she had been turning over Sun-woo¡¯s advice repeatedly in her mind. They began walking around the set together. "Did you have breakfast?" "Yes, I ate." "Oh? You already ate? It¡¯s only eight o¡¯clock." ¡°I usually wake up at seven to eat breakfast.¡± "Oh... you have a very healthy routine, Ha-eun." As she chatted with Sun-woo, she continued mentally rehearsing her scenes, which would soon begin. Voices from the crew echoed around, signaling it was time to prepare. The first scene was of Kim Ji-ah and Jin Kang-sik meeting for the first time. It was a simple conversation, not requiring intense emotions. --- ¡°Hey, mister. Are you here to eat too?¡± ¡°I¡¯m here to meet someone. I already ate.¡± ¡°Then, can I have your meal ticket? I guess I¡¯m at that growing age because no matter how much I eat, I¡¯m still hungry.¡± To survive, she had to become the ideal child they wanted. She wore the expressions they wanted to see, spoke with the voice they wanted to hear, and portrayed the image they desired. It wasn¡¯t her real self. She was just like a doll made of clay. And unlike the wooden plaque in front of her, no breath of life was ever given to her. Eventually, she saw herself as nothing more than a puppet, putting on the face that everyone wanted to see. Maybe that¡¯s why she had been drawn to VTubers, individuals who, like her, showed only the side they wanted others to see. But unlike her, they received love. They laughed, and people laughed with them. No trace of loathing lingered in their hearts. At some point, she began to envy them, even though they, too, were puppets. Unlike her, they seemed genuinely happy. Now, living a somewhat ordinary life, with a normal family and daily routine, she still remembered the unreachable people behind the screen. Even now, as she was about to act in front of people with another fabricated expression, she didn¡¯t deny the dream she had long ago in that dark hospital room. She wasn¡¯t human, just a doll¡ªbut she wanted to be loved. Even if she had to fake being human. --- *Creak.* The sound that wasn¡¯t part of the plan caught the attention of everyone on set, all eyes turning toward the storage room. The door slowly creaked open, and Ha-eun, her expression stiff, stepped out. Even Sun-woo, who was about to run to the storage room to save her, was momentarily stunned by the unexpected sight. Then, in a small, wavering voice that had none of the usual calmness of Kim Ji-ah, she called out, ¡°...Mister...?¡± Her small frame began to tremble as she gazed intently at Jin Kang-sik, who was still some distance away. Realizing that the girl he had been trying so desperately to save was finally right before him, Jin Kang-sik took one careful step after another toward her. His face showed a complex mix of worry, anxiety, relief, and gratitude. Finally, he reached her, his shadow falling over her as he bent down to meet her gaze. ¡°...Let¡¯s go home, Ji-ah.¡± With that, he conveyed that all of Kim Ji-ah¡¯s ordeals had finally come to an end. As he carefully extended his hand toward her trembling figure, his scarred hands wrapped fully around her. *Tears began to flow.* At last, the suppressed emotions poured out in a surge of warmth. ¡°M-Mister... I... I missed you so much...¡± Her voice trembled uncontrollably as she held him tightly, making him embrace her even more firmly. ¡°Cut!¡± Everything from start to finish had deviated from the script. But not a single person felt Ha-eun¡¯s performance was wrong. No one on set could bring themselves to say that her performance was anything but perfect. Chapter 18 In the script, Kim Ji-ah was supposed to be cowering in the corner of the storage room until Jin Kang-sik opened the door to rescue her. Since her kidnapping, her mental state had been pushed to the limit. Locked in a dark storage room, waiting for the day she¡¯d be killed, Kim Ji-ah never imagined that Jin Kang-sik, a man unrelated to her by blood, would come to save her. Because of this, Ha-eun¡¯s choice to open the door herself and step out before Jin Kang-sik entered needed an explanation. Though the resulting scene was undeniably moving, this ad-lib could potentially disrupt the film¡¯s flow. To ensure smooth editing, Director Kwon Jong-hyuk needed to understand Ha-eun¡¯s intent behind the ad-lib. ¡°So, Ha-eun, persuade me. Why did Kim Ji-ah open the door on her own?¡±@@@@ Kwon understood the emotions Ha-eun was trying to convey through her performance: the confusion upon seeing the unconscious thugs defeated by Jin Kang-sik, and the childlike vulnerability she finally allowed herself to show as she realized she¡¯d been saved. While the outcome differed from his original plan, the scene still resonated deeply. However, he couldn¡¯t quite grasp why Ha-eun, who usually adhered strictly to the script, had chosen such a different approach. He invited her to sit beside him at the director¡¯s seat in the middle of the set, and as he replayed the scene, he asked her to explain her interpretation. Ha-eun found herself facing not only Director Kwon but the entire crew, including Kang Sun-woo, who had flawlessly adapted to her unscripted move. Their focused gazes were unnerving, but she didn¡¯t feel she¡¯d acted incorrectly. ¡°I thought this approach would convey a sense of suspense better,¡± she explained. ¡°Suspense, you say?¡± ¡°Yes, suspense.¡± Ha-eun began explaining her intentions for the scene, step by step. ¡°It would have been safer for Kim Ji-ah to stay in the storage room rather than stepping outside. She had no idea what was happening beyond that door.¡± ¡°True, all she knew was that someone was fighting outside.¡± As Ha-eun described, the odds of Kim Ji-ah surviving if she ventured outside were slim. It wasn¡¯t an easy decision for her to make. ¡°But if she stayed locked in the storage room, she would eventually die. If she did nothing, nothing would change.¡± ¡°So, are you saying Kim Ji-ah¡¯s decision to open the door was a desperate attempt, regardless of the risks?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± In a way, it was a gamble¡ªa leap of faith with odds stacked against her. If, against all odds, Kim Ji-ah miraculously encountered Jin Kang-sik outside, the audience would experience a powerful sense of catharsis. ¡°Kim Ji-ah must have felt the suspense too. But if she stepped out and miraculously found herself face-to-face with Jin Kang-sik...¡± ¡°The scene would carry an even stronger dramatic impact?¡± ¡°Um, yes, I think so.¡± In the end, the film was set to have a happy ending, so building up dramatic tension wouldn¡¯t hurt. And that feeling was so new to her. ¡®...Wait. I just... smiled, didn¡¯t I?¡¯ For a brief moment, she caught herself smiling¡ªnot acting, but genuinely smiling. From afar, Joo Jung-yoon, who had been watching her, could hardly believe the soft smile she¡¯d seen. --- ¡°...Time flies. I can¡¯t believe it¡¯s already June.¡± ¡°Right?¡± The movie¡¯s production was nearly complete, with filming wrapped up and post-production nearing the final stages. With the release date of *The Man Next Door* approaching, the marketing team held yet another meeting to discuss promotional activities. Highlight trailers summarizing the film¡¯s key scenes had already aired on TV, and the online reactions were promising. Still, they knew they needed additional promotions, such as a press conference. ¡°So, the director and Kang Sun-woo will definitely attend. I think having Ha-eun there would be ideal for the third spot.¡± ¡°Ha-eun would be the best choice, but she¡¯s still a child. I¡¯m not sure if she¡¯ll be able to handle the reporters¡¯ questions.¡± The PR team of *The Man Next Door*¡¯s distributor, MakeFuture, debated who should attend the press conference. ¡°Maybe it¡¯d be better to have So-hyun Kim or Gwang-hyun Jung attend instead. Although they¡¯re both supporting actors, their characters stand out.¡± ¡°But Ha-eun is the lead. It would be odd for her not to appear at all.¡± ¡°If she stumbles over her words, it could backfire. We need to be cautious.¡± Ultimately, they couldn¡¯t reach a firm decision, so they reached out to Director Kwon for his input. [ What¡¯s there to debate? Of course, the leads should attend the press conference. ] ¡°But, Director Kwon, while it¡¯s fine for Kang Sun-woo, Ha-eun is only seven...¡± [ Ha-eun¡¯s age is irrelevant. I want the press conference to include the director and the lead actors. ] With such an unusually firm response, they had no choice but to suppress their concerns and agreed to include Ha-eun. About two weeks later, on the day of the press conference rehearsal, Ha-eun¡¯s words took everyone by surprise. ¡°I tried to portray her in a balanced way, not too pitiful but not overly bold either.¡± ¡°Oh, um... I see. That definitely came through in the trailer.¡± Her mature vocabulary and tone left them speechless, making some reflect on what they had been like at her age. But Ha-eun simply spoke her thoughts as they were, her mind focused on presenting herself as a serious child actor to the public. Chapter 19 Reflecting on the terms of her contract, Ha-eun recalled a clause: after filming was complete, she was expected to actively participate in the movie¡¯s promotions. However, when she had signed on to play Kim Ji-ah, all she¡¯d focused on was the acting itself. Somewhere along the line, she¡¯d come to assume that her responsibilities as a child actor ended once she finished her scenes on set. After the last scene, she thought she¡¯d return to her kindergarten, play hospital games with her classmates, or maybe get back to singing lessons with Double Lee after their overseas tour. But that wasn¡¯t how it turned out. "Ha-eun, I got a message from MakeFuture...¡± "?" Hearing from Joo Jung-yoon that she¡¯d have to attend *The Man Next Door*¡¯s press conference was the moment she realized that an actor¡¯s job extended beyond the set. Time flew, and soon enough, the day of the *The Man Next Door* press conference arrived. ¡°...My daughter should¡¯ve been a model, not an actress.¡± Ha-eun had been at the makeup salon since early that morning, styled to match the image of a ¡°real actress.¡± She looked completely different from the plain Kim Ji-ah. In a white blouse, navy skirt, and with her hair styled to look voluminous and refined, Ha-eun¡¯s face was adorned with an elegance that fit perfectly.@@@@ The constant sound of her mother¡¯s camera snapping was understandable given how she looked. The makeup, meant to highlight her features, left her looking almost unrecognizable from the character she¡¯d portrayed these past few months. ¡®...Will they even recognize me?¡¯ She thought it wouldn¡¯t be surprising if Director Kwon or Kang Sun-woo mistook her for someone else. Still, she wasn¡¯t entirely comfortable with her appearance. Accepting the girl staring back at her from the mirror as herself was something that would take time. Only about two hours remained until the press conference, so she and her manager headed to the Apgujeong OGV, where it would be held. When they arrived and made their way through the underground parking lot, then took the elevator up, Ha-eun found herself wondering how Director Kwon and Kang Sun-woo would react to seeing her like this. Then, something else caught her off guard. ¡®...Why are there so many people?¡¯ The OGV lobby was packed, almost to the level of an amusement park on Children¡¯s Day. Thankfully, a staff member met her as soon as she arrived and guided her to the waiting room without incident. ¡°Wow, it looks like Kang Sun-woo¡¯s here. So crowded.¡± As they walked, she overheard the staff muttering, which helped her realize why so many people had come early to the OGV. She met the very reason behind the crowd five minutes later. ¡°Hello, Ha-eun. It¡¯s been a while!¡± ¡°...Hello.¡± Recognizing her instantly despite her concerns, Kang Sun-woo, her co-star and the other lead in *The Man Next Door*, was, without a doubt, a star. His immense popularity even before joining the film made it natural for people to gather just to catch a glimpse of him. Joo-eun was momentarily taken aback by Ha-eun¡¯s striking appearance, which bore little resemblance to the somber Kim Ji-ah in the trailer. The host began asking a series of questions to Director Kwon and Kang Sun-woo, with no disruptions from the audience so far. ¡°Ha-eun, what kind of performance did you aim to deliver in *The Man Next Door*?¡± When the host directed a question to Ha-eun, she answered confidently, without stuttering, and Joo-eun thought this might actually be a rare, smooth press conference. But about 20 minutes later, during the reporters¡¯ Q&A, things started to shift. ¡°As you know, *The Man Next Door* is rated for mature audiences. Did Ha-eun¡¯s parents have any concerns about her acting in such a film?¡± A question came from a reporter seated behind Joo-eun, seemingly unrelated to the movie¡¯s content. Soon, a few more reporters joined in, targeting Ha-eun with similar, pointless questions. ¡®Did these people get bribed to ask such ridiculous questions?¡¯ Although most questions were normal, these few reporters seemed intent on provoking a reaction. Some journalists sought statements they could twist into sensational headlines. And young actors like Ha-eun, who lacked media experience, were easy targets. ¡°Was portraying Kim Ji-ah emotionally challenging? This is your first film, after all.¡± The question was framed as if it were about her experience but hinted at deeper implications. If Ha-eun said it wasn¡¯t challenging, it might imply her acting lacked depth. If she admitted it was difficult, they could spin it as her being overwhelmed by a mature film set. Noticing this, Director Kwon and Kang Sun-woo both raised their microphones to intervene. ¡°What exactly do you mean by ¡®challenging¡¯?¡± Ha-eun spoke up first, turning to the reporter with a wide-eyed innocence, flipping the question back at him. Momentarily thrown off, the reporter hesitated before replying, ¡°Well, it¡¯s the kind of performance that leaves you feeling heavy, as if a weight is on your chest. It¡¯s the type of acting you¡¯d rather not experience again.¡± A vague, unclear answer. But Ha-eun, unfazed, continued. ¡°So then, does that mean a performance you can do over and over, feeling comfortable each time, is a ¡®good¡¯ performance?¡± Her question left the reporter speechless. She looked at him with a serene smile and continued, ¡°If acting feels challenging, doesn¡¯t that mean I put my heart into it?¡± Poised with a refined smile, she added, ¡°So I¡¯m grateful that playing Kim Ji-ah was challenging for me.¡± The reporter¡¯s mouth shut even tighter. Ha-eun glanced toward the next question with calm composure, showing not a hint of anxiety. *Click.* At that moment, Joo-eun snapped a picture, confident she¡¯d found the main focus for her article. Her camera captured Ha-eun¡¯s poised expression as she answered the next question with ease, showing the confidence of an actor far beyond her years. Chapter 20 "A great tree can be identified from its very first leaves." This was what a judge had told a young, nervous Kang Sun-woo, fresh to Seoul and attending his very first talent audition. Now, having grown into one of the top actors in the country, Kang Sun-woo found himself recalling those words as he watched Ha-eun handle the reporters with a maturity and poise beyond her years. When the reporter tried to bait her with a calculated question, she didn¡¯t flinch or stumble. Instead, she responded calmly, with words that not only deflected the question but also left no room for further speculation. The finesse she displayed wasn''t simply talent¡ªit was something more refined, something close to instinct. Kang Sun-woo knew Ha-eun was special; he¡¯d seen her perform time and again while filming *The Man Next Door*. He had marveled at her ability to embody a role so naturally. Still, he had assumed it was limited to the world within the camera¡¯s frame. He¡¯d met child actors with striking looks, those who had an early understanding of expressing emotion, and those who had an innate aura that attracted attention. But after today, he understood: Ha-eun was in a category of her own. She wielded her presence like a seasoned performer, neutralizing the reporter¡¯s question with a quiet smile and a well-chosen response that clearly showed she saw through the attempted trap. ¡°Thank you for your hard work, Ha-eun,¡± he said after the conference ended. ¡°...You too, Kang Sun-woo-nim,¡± she replied, adding an honorific. Sun-woo noticed that since returning to the waiting room, Ha-eun had suddenly started addressing him with more formality. She¡¯d always called him ¡°Sun-woo ajusshi¡± (uncle) before, but now she seemed hesitant to speak to him so casually. After she continued to politely insist on calling him ¡°Kang Sun-woo-nim¡± instead of ¡°ajusshi,¡± Sun-woo decided to ask her mother. ¡°Ms. Song, did I... do something to make Ha-eun uncomfortable?¡± Song Na-yeon shook her head, looking equally puzzled. ¡°I don¡¯t think so. She¡¯s only had good things to say about you.¡± Neither Sun-woo nor Ha-eun¡¯s mother realized that Ha-eun was intimidated, not by him, but by his fame. Feeling slightly disappointed, Sun-woo couldn¡¯t help but wish they¡¯d be as close as they had been while filming. But the press conference had wrapped up successfully, despite the reporters'' attempts at manipulation, and he likely wouldn¡¯t see Ha-eun much now that the project was over. ¡°Well, it¡¯s dinner time,¡± he announced. ¡°Let¡¯s go out to celebrate, Ha-eun.¡± ¡°Dinner? A party?¡± she asked, looking surprised. ¡°Yep! When we finish a big event like this, we all go out together and eat something good,¡± he explained. However, since she was still far too young to watch the movie herself, she could only read the comments and blogs about her role. As a result, while she gathered that people were impressed with her acting, she couldn¡¯t quite grasp the full impact of her performance. The adults around her¡ªher mother, her teachers¡ªhad seen the film and praised her, but in vague terms. She wanted to know more about specific scenes and emotions she¡¯d portrayed, but she felt too shy to press them for details. <*The Man Next Door* Hits #1 for Fifth Week in a Row!> <*The Man Next Door* Surpasses 5 Million Tickets Sold!> ¡®That¡¯s a relief.¡¯ Reading these headlines, she could tell that the movie was doing as well as she remembered. She¡¯d once worried that her casting might negatively impact the film¡¯s success compared to what she knew of the original version, but the numbers seemed to align with her recollections. Ultimately, though, she reminded herself that *The Man Next Door* was a project that was now behind her. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m heading out with Jung-yoon unnie for a bit!¡± she called. Her next priority wasn¡¯t related to her acting career but rather the upcoming ¡°Autumn Sports Day¡± at kindergarten. She went to the nearby open field with her manager, Joo Jung-yoon, to practice. Having trained regularly for quite some time, Ha-eun was the ace of her class, Dalnim-ban, and she was set to play a key role in multiple events. ¡°Ready... Go!¡± Jung-yoon called, stopwatch in hand. Ha-eun dashed across the open field in a straight line. Although the distance wasn¡¯t exactly 50 meters, she clocked in at 9.11 seconds, a time that would be impressive even for an upper-elementary boy. Not satisfied with her first time, Ha-eun ran a few more sprints until she finally broke into the eight-second range. ¡°You¡¯re the final runner for your relay, right?¡± Jung-yoon asked. ¡°Yes,¡± Ha-eun nodded. ¡°Then unless you¡¯re way behind when you start, I think your team¡¯s going to win for sure,¡± Jung-yoon said with a grin. Ha-eun took it as a simple compliment. Given her frail health in her past life, she still found it difficult to gauge her own physical capabilities. But she was determined to give her best, especially for her classmates who had placed their faith in her as their final relay runner. There wasn¡¯t a single grain of sand in her mind that even considered taking it easy. Chapter 21 People generally prefer winning over losing in a competition. And this is no different for children, who are still untainted by the world. Whether it¡¯s simply because winning feels good and losing doesn¡¯t, or because they want to earn praise from their parents, children display a competitive spirit that¡¯s no less fierce than that of adults. They just don¡¯t experience ¡°competition¡± as frequently as adults do. ¡°The 7th Autumn Sports Day at Areum Kindergarten will now begin~~~~~!¡± However, when the announcer¡¯s voice echoed across the expansive futsal field, signaling the start of the sports day, the young and innocent eyes that were usually wide with wonder turned much more serious. Especially with the many parents in the audience watching, there was no way the kids could afford to lose focus. Except for one child. For Ha-eun, who just a few months ago was spending her days on a movie set instead of at kindergarten, the attention directed her way held a slightly different meaning. ¡°Honey, isn¡¯t that the girl from *The Man Next Door*?¡± ¡°She definitely has a different air about her, like an actress should.¡± ¡°Maybe we should ask her for a picture with our child later?¡± ¡®...Maybe I should just go to the bathroom and wait it out.¡¯ Even her classmates in the Moonlight class, who had previously only thought of her as the pretty girl in their class, were sneaking glances at her. With all this attention, it was natural for Ha-eun to feel a bit uncomfortable. This was the first time Ha-eun truly realized the extent of her fame. She was aware that the movie *The Man Next Door* had set a record, reaching an impressive 7 million viewers. But honestly, Ha-eun hadn¡¯t yet fully grasped the fact that she¡¯d become a celebrity. This was mostly because, apart from the movie''s press conference, she hadn¡¯t been exposed to the public eye much. Outside of school, her outings had been limited to the open field near her house, where she¡¯d been exercising for a while, and occasionally Double Lee¡¯s studio. And even for her trips to the studio, she had always ridden in Joon-jung''s van, leaving little opportunity for strangers to recognize or approach her. So, for Ha-eun, this autumn sports day was her first real experience being out in front of a crowd as a known figure. Of course, Ha-eun hadn¡¯t expected that no one would recognize her, but still... ¡®It¡¯s a bit much, being stared at like this.¡¯ She couldn¡¯t help but feel a little like a beluga in an aquarium, with everyone looking at her in fascination. ¡°Our daughter¡¯s a real celebrity now, huh? All I hear people talking about is you,¡± her dad remarked with a grin. ¡°Dad... do you think I should have worn a mask?¡± ¡°Hmm, that might have made people even more curious about you.¡± Sung-yoon added a gentle suggestion that Ha-eun might be better off relaxing. After all, she hadn¡¯t done anything wrong, so why feel uncomfortable under everyone¡¯s gaze? It wasn¡¯t bad advice, but the reality was that just adjusting her mindset wasn¡¯t enough to handle this level of attention. When the first event of sports day, the ¡°Burst the Bag¡± game, started, Ha-eun thought back to her recent pitching practice. She threw her beanbag with full strength, bursting the bag on her third try. -Whispers. -Side glances. As the eyes of everyone fell heavily on her again, Ha-eun awkwardly scratched her head. But this time, she didn¡¯t notice that there was a different kind of gaze mixed in. [Ah, oh my, it seems the Blue Team¡¯s bag wasn¡¯t secured properly.] The announcer scrambled to manage the situation, which had ended in less than 15 seconds. After a few more events came and went, it was finally lunchtime. ¡°Mom tried her best with the lunchbox today. How is it, Ha-eun? Does it taste good?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s delicious.¡± ¡°Huh, huh?!¡± Everyone, including his parents, was looking behind him with wide eyes. ¡®No way...¡¯ Imagining the unthinkable, he turned his head to look back. ¡°...Hello.¡± -A chill ran down his spine. ¡°Wh-what the?!¡± Facing Ha-eun¡¯s calm gaze in real life, not just in his imagination, he felt a shiver. He only had about twenty steps left to the finish line, and losing to her at this point was worse than anything. But despite his best effort, he couldn¡¯t widen the distance. In fact, she was closing in on him. -Swish! With only five steps left, Ha-eun leapt forward, stretching her arm to snatch the white finish tape right in front of him, landing in a cheetah-like pounce, just like one he¡¯d seen on a documentary. Ha-eun then tumbled across the dirt, clutching the finish tape, but quickly regained her footing, showing no concern for the dirt on her. She left the stunned and heartbroken Ye-jun behind, heading toward her cheering classmates. ¡°Ugh... waaah!¡± Emotions that were too much for a seven-year-old to bear hit him all at once. The humiliation, frustration, and embarrassment all spilled out in tears. Even though the teacher tried to comfort him, Ye-jun felt an intense shame. If only he had lost without saying anything... The most painful part was that Ha-eun hadn¡¯t even glanced back at him after narrowly beating him. But Ha-eun, who had unknowingly dealt this emotional blow to Ye-jun, actually thought quite highly of him as a runner. In fact, she hadn¡¯t intentionally ignored him; her attention had just been caught by her sobbing teammate running towards her. In the end, the Blue Team, Ha-eun¡¯s team, won the relay and the sports day. Holding the prize¡ªa stationery set (which she later learned was the same prize given to the runner-up team)¡ªshe returned to her mom, Na-yeon, who had been cheering under the tent. And then, for the first time in her seven years, she heard her mom scold her. ¡°Jumping onto the dirt like that at the finish line! What were you thinking?¡± Even her dad, Sung-yoon, who asked why winning wasn¡¯t enough, got scolded alongside her. Still, despite being banned from exercise for a week as punishment, Ha-eun felt it was a meaningful day. Thus, her first lesson in restraint ended, and in November, as autumn leaves started to fall... ¡°What... Ha-eun is nominated for Best New Actress?¡± This unexpected news reached her ears one day as she attended her regular singing lesson at Double Lee¡¯s studio. Chapter 22 Ha-eun still wasn¡¯t entirely sure how her performance had resonated with audiences beyond the movie screen. But one thing she could confidently say was that she had done her best in portraying Kim Ji-ah. And to her, that was enough. Her goal in filming *The Man Next Door* was never about gaining fame or popularity; it was simply to gain experience in acting. The movie¡¯s success, however¡ªsurpassing what she had ever anticipated¡ªwas indeed a pleasant surprise. Knowing that her efforts hadn¡¯t gone to waste was a relief. For someone like Ha-eun, who hadn¡¯t had any formal acting training, just that sense of relief was enough satisfaction. Yes, she hadn¡¯t asked for anything more than that. She had always considered it excessive to expect too much from her unrefined acting skills. ¡°So, Ha-eun, have you prepared your acceptance speech for the Korean Film Awards?¡±@@@@ It felt as if people were treating her win as a certainty, as if it was only natural that she would surpass the other nominees. ¡°...It¡¯s not confirmed yet,¡± Ha-eun replied. ¡°You came all dressed up like you¡¯ve already won. Don¡¯t pretend you¡¯re not prepared.¡± Kang Sun-woo added, mentioning it was the first time he¡¯d been so impressed by a child actor¡¯s looks. Ha-eun had to admit, even to herself, that she looked more polished than ever. Yet, sitting in the limousine with Kang Sun-woo on the way to the awards ceremony felt strange¡ªlike she was heading to a party she wasn¡¯t really invited to. Objectively speaking, Ha-eun¡¯s invitation to the awards wasn¡¯t odd. After all, *The Man Next Door* was one of the biggest movies of the year, so her being there made perfect sense. However, receiving an award was a different story. Almost all of her acting had been drawn from the memories of her past life. To embody the suffering of Kim Ji-ah, a girl tormented by her only remaining family member, Ha-eun had dredged up painful memories. If Ji-ah had been a little happier, a little brighter, would people still be praising her? She couldn¡¯t shake the thought that she was simply lucky to have gone through experiences similar to Ji-ah¡¯s. In her mind, her performance succeeded only because of that alignment. It was unsurprising that other child actors like Min Da-yeon, who had no comparable experiences, would struggle to portray a character like Ji-ah. ¡°Here, take my hand and step out carefully.¡± Even as she took Kang Sun-woo¡¯s hand for support and walked alongside him down the red carpet into the awards venue, she couldn¡¯t convince herself she deserved to be there. She felt like she¡¯d ended up in this spot by a twist of fate¡ªa series of coincidences rather than any true talent. Unlike other actors who pursued acting because they loved the craft or wanted to entertain, Ha-eun¡¯s acting had stemmed from necessity, a means of survival forced upon her by her previous life¡¯s parents. She wondered whether a performance that had started on such a misguided path deserved any award at all. ¡®Even if your insides are churning, keep a smile on your face. Even if breathing is hard, keep your voice steady.¡¯ These were things she¡¯d whispered to herself countless times, huddled in the corner of a dark hospital room, artificial and painful from start to finish. ¡°Ha-eun, are you feeling unwell?¡± Kang Sun-woo asked. ¡°No, it¡¯s just... I think I feel a little intimidated. There are so many amazing people here.¡± She thought her performance was different from the dazzling starlight of other actors. Her acting, rather than sparkling like starlight, was something born from a dark, deep swamp¡ªsomething that evoked pity and sympathy in others. ¡°You shine brightly too, Ha-eun. Have confidence.¡± ¡°Thank you, even if it¡¯s just words.¡± ¡°I mean it.¡± Ha-eun believed that the actresses nominated alongside her were true actors, the kind people admired for their ¡°real¡± acting. Meanwhile, she felt her own acting, drawn from her painful memories, could only convey the concept of misfortune. She thought it was ¡°Kim Ji-ah¡± who deserved applause and recognition, not the ¡°child actor Lee Ha-eun.¡± Even after seven years of receiving genuine parental love, her sense of self-worth was incredibly low. After all, she had lived a life thinking herself worthless¡ªa burden, a shackle, an obstacle to others. Her own rigid, unkind self-perception, shaped by her parents¡¯ mistakes, still held her back. And yet... ¡°Next up is the Best New Actress award. We have some truly beautiful nominees....¡± Her thoughts were interrupted by the voice of the presenter. ¡°...The winner of the 8th Korean Film Awards¡¯ Best New Actress is... Congratulations to Lee Ha-eun from *The Man Next Door*!¡± It was an answer that perfectly suited the person she knew him to be. But as she thought about not seeing this brilliant person again, a hint of sadness crept in. ¡°I hope you continue acting.¡± ¡°I never said I¡¯d retire.¡± ¡°Still. Just in case.¡± In an uncharacteristic move, she extended her pinky, and they made a promise to meet again in front of the camera someday. And so, they forged an uncertain promise with no binding force. As time continued its unstoppable march forward, the casting offers for Ha-eun, who had taken home an award for her debut film, flooded in. ¡°Thank you for the offers, but Ha-eun is very firm on her decision....¡± Aside from short-term commercials or public service ads, most offers were promptly declined. Ha-eun wanted to enjoy a bit more of a normal school life and felt she wasn¡¯t ready just yet. Three and a half years later, the location of her early mornings had shifted from kindergarten to elementary school. Ha-eun¡¯s life, once limited to singing lessons with Double Lee, had transformed significantly. One major part of her life now was... ¡®I don¡¯t think you even need acting lessons at this point,¡¯ said one of her instructors at the acting academy contracted with Luna Entertainment. ¡°Thank you, but I still have a lot to learn,¡± Ha-eun replied. She hadn¡¯t gotten close to the other child actors in her class at Luna Entertainment¡¯s academy, but Ha-eun didn¡¯t mind as long as she could learn. So her life was quite busy, but she didn¡¯t mind, as it was by her own choice. However, there was one part of her daily routine that wasn¡¯t entirely up to her... ¡°Hey, Lee Ha-eun. Are you joining the audition for *My Love from the Star*?¡± ¡°...Yeah.¡± Or rather, one person. ¡°When you kept turning down casting offers because you weren¡¯t ready, then suddenly decided to join this audition, what¡¯s that about?¡± ¡°I just thought I¡¯d test how prepared I am.¡± ¡°What? You¡¯re using this audition, one that people are dying to get into, just to test yourself?¡± This person added both busyness and noise to her life. ¡°...I¡¯ll give it my best,¡± Ha-eun said. ¡°Oh, come on! Why do you have to be so dramatic about it?¡± scoffed Min Da-yeon. Their relationship was complicated. She couldn¡¯t simply ignore Da-yeon, though, as she was the only other person at her school who understood the entertainment industry. ¡°Anyway, I¡¯m going to the *My Love from the Star* audition, so don¡¯t bother. Just keep up with your precious training.¡± ¡°Are you scared you¡¯ll lose again?¡± Ha-eun asked with a grin. ¡°Wha¡ªwho¡¯s scared of losing?!¡± The way Da-yeon reacted whenever Ha-eun playfully provoked her was, admittedly, quite amusing. Friend. Or perhaps, frenemy. However their relationship might be defined, Ha-eun felt it was better to keep Da-yeon around. Even if Da-yeon didn¡¯t quite see it that way. Chapter 23 From the day I started doing things independently at six until now, many things have changed in my life. But one thing has remained constant. It¡¯s my commitment to a structured, disciplined lifestyle. ¡°Mom, it¡¯s 7 a.m. now, so I¡¯m going to go exercise.¡± ¡°Okay~.¡± Simply put, I go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. In a more formal way, you could say I live my life according to a pre-planned schedule. And it seems to work well. Even the common flu, which most people catch at least once, hasn¡¯t touched me. According to a famous doctor on TV, a regular lifestyle pattern greatly helps with health and conditioning. Added to that, the small exercises I do have started to give me the faint outlines of abs. The same goes for my singing lessons with Double Lee and the acting academy I joined when I started elementary school. Every week, on the same days and at the same times, I head to Double Lee¡¯s studio or the acting academy for lessons. The only thing that bothers me a bit is... ¡°Hello, my name is Lee Ha-eun. I¡¯ll be joining the acting class from today¡ª¡± ¡°Hah, like there¡¯s anyone here who doesn¡¯t know your name.¡± ¡®...Is that an insult or a compliment?¡¯ The other child actors from Luna Entertainment didn¡¯t seem to like me very much. There had already been a few times when I overheard them gossiping about me behind my back. But no matter how I thought about it, I couldn¡¯t recall doing anything that would make them dislike me. When I asked Min Da-yeon, the only person around me who understood this kind of thing, she replied, ¡°They¡¯re jealous, obviously. Didn¡¯t the CEO take you personally to the *Man Next Door* audition?¡± ¡°What about it?¡± ¡°Ugh... Do you really not get it, or are you just pretending? It¡¯s clear the CEO favors you. They don¡¯t show that kind of kindness to just anyone. Of course those kids wouldn¡¯t like you.¡± Apparently, the other child actors saw me as a ¡°newcomer¡± who was receiving special treatment from CEO Jeong Do-cheol shortly after joining Luna Entertainment. Honestly, it felt a bit unfair. For the *Man Next Door* audition, I hadn¡¯t even wanted to go¡ªit was already decided. I was just told to audition, so I did, and I put in my best effort, as always. ¡°...Do you think it¡¯ll make me look even worse if I say that out loud?¡± ¡°Do you even need to ask, you dummy?¡± For now, getting close to them seemed impossible, so I decided to focus only on the lessons at the acting academy. After finishing the lesson, I¡¯d go home and prepare for the *My Love from the Star* child actress audition scheduled in a few days. I also watched ¡°Squirrel¡¯s¡± broadcast in the evenings before bed whenever I could.@@@@ Why? Because... **Broadcasting Host** Squirrel (0ekfkawl0) **Manager** D.A. (eldkdlqslek123) Ha-eun¡¯s innocent smile, as if to say, ¡°Fair enough, right?¡± rendered Min Da-yeon speechless. Ha-eun¡¯s pure, straightforward attitude caused Da-yeon¡¯s blood pressure to rise ever so slightly. **¡°My lord, please slow down a bit. With these short steps of mine, it¡¯s hard to keep up with your swift strides.¡±** Thus began Ha-eun¡¯s performance. Whatever else one could say about Ha-eun, Da-yeon had long acknowledged her acting skills. She decided to watch, secretly hoping for a mistake so she could tease Ha-eun. But as always... **¡°But... isn¡¯t this place noisier than I expected? Are markets always so bustling?¡±** From start to finish, there was no slip-up in Ha-eun¡¯s lines. Da-yeon watched with folded arms, glaring at her. ¡°How was it?¡± ¡°...You sounded like a little brat trying to act noble.¡± ¡°Huh? But isn¡¯t that what *Han Yoo-hwa* is supposed to be¡ª¡± ¡°Quiet! Anyway, now it¡¯s your turn to watch me. Keep your eyes peeled.¡± Da-yeon then recited the lines Ha-eun had just performed with an exaggerated tone, adding more expressive gestures than Ha-eun had used. Ha-eun¡¯s response was pure admiration, like that of a beginner watching a veteran. It made sense. Unlike Ha-eun, who had spent a long time in ¡°preparation,¡± Da-yeon had been actively working in movies and dramas, so it was natural for Ha-eun to be impressed. Her eye contact was so realistic, as if a nobleman really was standing in front of her. She tried to walk faster but stumbled slightly, adding a believable touch. Everything was calculated to intimidate Ha-eun, drawing from Da-yeon¡¯s deep analysis of the *My Love from the Star* script. However, when the day of the audition finally arrived... -Stumble. **¡°Ah, my lord!¡±** Seeing Ha-eun perfectly replicate her careful, faltering steps, Da-yeon finally realized her mistake. ¡®That... that annoying brat!¡¯ In the end, Da-yeon had inadvertently given Ha-eun a personal acting lesson. It was a harsh lesson in the price of letting her pride get the best of her. Chapter 24 The drama *My Love from the Star* is set in the modern day, but the story of its two main characters begins hundreds of years ago in the Joseon era. This intriguing premise might sound a bit confusing at first glance. To bring a sense of authenticity to this storyline, the screenwriter, Seo Eun-mi, gave the male lead, **Park Do-jun**, a backstory involving eternal life. Meanwhile, the female lead, **Han Yoo-hwa**, has a tragic story¡ªshe died young in a past life and was reincarnated in the modern era. According to Seo Eun-mi''s script, both when Park Do-jun first met young Han Yoo-hwa in the Joseon era and later when he reunited with her reincarnated self, Han Yoo-hwa was still a young girl. This meant that they needed a child actor who could convincingly portray both the Joseon-era and modern-day Han Yoo-hwa. Director Hwang Min-soo knew this wouldn¡¯t be an easy casting decision. Still, he was determined to find the perfect child actor who could transcend the time periods and embody the essence of Han Yoo-hwa. ¡°Well, we¡¯ll find someone eventually, won¡¯t we? It¡¯s not like there¡¯s only one applicant.¡± ¡°Hah... finding a needle in a haystack would be easier.¡± Determined to stay optimistic, Hwang Min-soo reviewed nearly a hundred applications with casting director Jeon Sang-hyuk. After sorting through many candidates, they invited a select few to the audition¡ªthose who had both the looks and the acting skills to potentially embody Han Yoo-hwa. At this point, the casting process was no different from any other drama. The young actors who had been shortlisted for the role were all incredibly talented. However, upon learning about the child actor auditions, the actress cast as the adult Han Yoo-hwa, **Yoo Sung-ah**, decided to attend as well. ¡°Um, Ms. Sung-ah... are you going to keep those sunglasses on?¡± ¡°Yes. Is there a problem?¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s not exactly a problem, but...¡± Hwang Min-soo couldn¡¯t help but feel uneasy as Yoo Sung-ah sat beside him, projecting a formidable presence that might easily intimidate the young actors. After all, Yoo Sung-ah was a top actress, a star in her own right. No matter how talented they were, the child actors would likely feel the need to lower themselves by a few levels¡ªor perhaps even several¡ªaround her. And because of that, he worried even more that the young actors might feel too pressured to give their best performance. Yet, he couldn¡¯t exactly send Yoo Sung-ah away. This audition was, after all, to find a young actress to play her childhood counterpart. Although Han Yoo-hwa and Yoo Sung-ah were not the same person from head to toe, they shared similar characteristics and values. ¡°Director Hwang, no one knows you better than you know yourself.¡± ¡®Well... that¡¯s true.¡¯ Unable to find an excuse to ask her to leave, Hwang Min-soo began the audition. As expected, the young actors hesitated as soon as they opened the audition room door and laid eyes on Yoo Sung-ah.@@@@ Even though she was wearing dark sunglasses, preventing any direct eye contact, her aura alone was enough to make the children nervous. ¡°I¡¯m sorry... Can I try that again?¡± ¡°No need. Han Yoo-hwa isn¡¯t as timid as you are.¡± The audition began, and Yoo Sung-ah showed no tolerance for even minor mistakes. Turning her head slowly toward him, she replied, her voice carrying a mix of faint delight and a hidden melancholy. **¡°These are flowers that will soon cease to be, my lord.¡±** At this point in the story, Han Yoo-hwa is set to marry the elderly Minister Kim in a political arrangement. Though she¡¯s only just begun to discover the wide world around her, she faces the tragic fate of being confined to the narrow existence of a minister¡¯s wife. **-Pressing softly.** **¡°These fragile flowers, which are trampled and destroyed so easily... Why did they even bother to bloom in the first place? I can¡¯t comprehend it.¡±** She pressed down on a solitary flower, lamenting her gloomy circumstances. A bitter smile spread across her youthful face as she looked back up at Park Do-jun. **¡°You once told me, my lord, that memories remain because of the moments we experience. But all that¡¯s left beneath my feet now... are crushed petals.¡±** The time she had spent with Park Do-jun had brought her joy, but his veiled hints of an impending farewell and her looming fate as the wife of an elderly man left her feeling that all her happiness had been in vain. **¡°What are memories? What are moments worth remembering? What... what are they?¡±** As her eyes reddened with restrained tears, she didn¡¯t hesitate to show them to Park Do-jun. After all, she was still a young girl, not yet hardened by life¡¯s adversities. Whether it was childish petulance or raw resentment, it was clear that she was vulnerable. Then, Park Do-jun¡¯s gentle voice filled the silence. **¡°If marrying into a powerful family pains you so, come away with me down a different path. Though it may not be the most fitting path for your delicate shoes...¡±** It was a future Han Yoo-hwa had never even dreamed of. At the same time, the flowers she had trampled were magically revived by Park Do-jun¡¯s mysterious power. **¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be better than scattering regrets and sorrows along the path you¡¯ve walked?¡±** Her tear-filled eyes began to waver, and Park Do-jun extended his hand toward her. **¡°I¡¯ll show you, time and again, why foolish flowers continue to bloom.¡±** Slowly, Han Yoo-hwa¡¯s small fingers intertwined with Park Do-jun¡¯s, their hands meeting completely. ¡°Cut! That was fantastic! We could use that scene as-is!¡± Director Hwang¡¯s satisfied voice echoed through the audition hall, filling the space with a sense of accomplishment. Chapter 25 Despite *The Neighbor Uncle*, Ha-eun''s debut film, achieving an impressive box office milestone of 7 million viewers, and her winning the Best New Actress award at the end-of-year awards ceremony, Min Da-yeon hadn¡¯t seen Ha-eun''s full acting prowess since the screen test for the role of Kim Ji-ah. After all, Min Da-yeon was only eleven years old, and *The Neighbor Uncle* was rated for mature audiences, so Da-yeon couldn¡¯t watch the film to see Ha-eun¡¯s performance on the big screen. All she had access to were the brief two-minute trailers. But unlike a few years ago, when Da-yeon had dismissed Ha-eun as a mere amateur, she now acknowledged Ha-eun as a legitimate actress. She was aware of the hard work Ha-eun put into her craft by attending acting classes, despite already being talented. Even so, Da-yeon decided to compete against Ha-eun once more because she hadn¡¯t just been idly waiting around. Unlike Ha-eun, who had only filmed a few minor commercials and then taken a break, Da-yeon had gained experience by continuously acting in various dramas and films, which gave her a measure of confidence. But it was a miscalculation. **"What is memory? What are moments worth remembering? What... are they?"** ¡®...How am I supposed to beat that?¡¯ Watching Ha-eun¡¯s performance first, Da-yeon found herself regretting the decision. Ha-eun embodied Han Yoo-hwa¡¯s character so flawlessly that it made Da-yeon question whether she should even bother watching the others. As the auditions progressed, with each actor stepping forward, Da-yeon eventually had her own turn. However, among the four finalists, there was no doubt as to who best suited the role of Han Yoo-hwa. This much was clear from the attention both lead actors, Ha Yoon-sung and Yoo Sung-ah, paid solely to Ha-eun. "It feels like just yesterday when I saw you in *The Neighbor Uncle*. You''ve grown up a lot, haven¡¯t you?" Ha Yoon-sung commented, admiring Ha-eun in her hanbok attire. At the same time, Yoo Sung-ah muttered that Ha-eun was sure to make a few boys her age cry. Even though Da-yeon¡¯s fame far exceeded Ha-eun¡¯s, it seemed irrelevant at this moment. The final audition for young Han Yoo-hwa ended similarly to the previous screen test, leaving Da-yeon with a bitter taste as she walked out of the audition room. ¡°Hey, Da-yeon. How did the audition go?¡± her manager, Kim Jin-soo, asked, holding out a strawberry latte, seemingly oblivious to the situation. Da-yeon knew that he genuinely didn¡¯t mean any harm, so she simply climbed into the car without snapping at him. Yet, even as she sipped her strawberry latte and reminded herself that she had given her best performance, the memory of Ha-eun¡¯s immersive acting lingered in her mind. ¡®...What¡¯s so different about that brat and me? Why is there such a gap between us?¡¯ No matter how much she acknowledged Ha-eun¡¯s talent, she couldn¡¯t shake her curiosity about how Ha-eun had become such a natural at acting. What kind of life had Ha-eun lived that she could act with such depth and authenticity? How had the gap between them grown so wide? For the past four years, Da-yeon had tried to uncover the secret behind Ha-eun¡¯s acting skills. She had hoped that if she discovered Ha-eun¡¯s unique approach, she could replicate it in her own performances. But the more time she spent with Ha-eun, the more she realized that Ha-eun was, at her core, just a normal girl with above-average looks. ¡°...I have plenty of friends, Mom.¡± For the first time in her eleven years, Ha-eun found herself arguing back. While she might not have friends with whom she shared all her secrets, she was confident in her friendships and felt she was well-connected. ¡°Sure, Ha-eun. I don¡¯t mean friends you just know by name. I mean a ¡®real¡¯ friend¡ªone you¡¯d want to have a sleepover with in your room.¡± At that, Ha-eun had to concede. For some reason, only Da-yeon came to mind as a ¡®real¡¯ friend. In any case, she was able to grant Da-yeon¡¯s odd request. The next day, she met with Da-yeon and shared the news that everyone had given their approval. Da-yeon simply nodded, as if unfazed, and they spent the day together after school. They boarded the van together, surprising their driver, Joo Jung-yoon, who wasn¡¯t expecting Da-yeon to join them. Thus, from acting school to Double Lee¡¯s studio, and even to the local training ground where Ha-eun often exercised, the two were inseparable. When they finally arrived home, Na-yeon warmly greeted Da-yeon. "Hi, Da-yeon~" "Oh, hello." Everything was fine¡ªuntil what happened next. ¡°Well, I¡¯m going to take a shower. You can read a book in my room or¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯ll join you! I sweated a lot following you around.¡± Only then did Ha-eun realize that Da-yeon¡¯s request to ¡°follow her around¡± truly meant staying by her side at all times. Before long, Na-yeon, who had overheard their conversation, intervened. -Shhhhhh... ¡°...¡± And that was how Ha-eun and Da-yeon found themselves soaking in the bathtub together. It wasn¡¯t too strange, strictly speaking, but... ¡®...What is that... Are those... abs?¡¯ From Da-yeon¡¯s perspective, the faint outline of a toned core on Ha-eun¡¯s belly¡ªsomething she¡¯d only ever seen in adult models¡¯ photoshoots¡ªcaught her attention. Compelled, she reached out and poked Ha-eun¡¯s firm stomach. ¡°...What are you doing...?¡± With a mix of bewilderment and embarrassment, Ha-eun¡¯s blinking gaze met Da-yeon¡¯s, who was at a loss for words. Chapter 26 Min Da-yeon had no ulterior motive¡ªshe swore to the heavens. She was simply amazed that Ha-eun, at just eleven years old, already had faintly visible abs. That alone was the reason she had poked the spot right next to Ha-eun¡¯s navel with her index finger. There was no other reason, none at all. "So, please stop being mad at me. I said I was sorry." "...I''m not mad." Ha-eun¡¯s tone was calm, as usual, but her ears were bright red, almost the color of a tomato. Having been by Ha-eun''s side for nearly four years now, Da-yeon knew that her sudden action had rattled Ha-eun. Despite having finished their bath and dinner, Ha-eun still hadn¡¯t fully recovered from the embarrassment. Honestly, Da-yeon couldn¡¯t quite understand why Ha-eun was so flustered; they were the same age and both girls, so what was the big deal about a little poke? But it was such a rare, unfamiliar expression on Ha-eun¡¯s face that even the self-centered Min Da-yeon found herself paying attention. ¡®How long has she been working out to already have abs...?¡¯ Da-yeon¡¯s ambitious plan to uncover Ha-eun''s acting secrets had momentarily taken a backseat. Soon enough, Na-yeon brought in a plate of fruit, reminding them not to stay up too late. Ha-eun, still speaking awkwardly, pulled a few books off her shelf for Da-yeon to read, casting quick, shy glances at her. ¡®...This is awkward.¡¯ Da-yeon felt an urge to set the books aside and do something¡ªanything¡ªto break the tension, but she found herself holding back when she saw Ha-eun sitting at her desk, writing something that looked like a diary. But just then, Da-yeon noticed something. ¡°Alright, now it¡¯s exactly 9 p.m., so if you haven¡¯t already, please hit that like button~.¡± Realizing that the video on Ha-eun¡¯s monitor wasn¡¯t just any YouTube video but a livestream, Da-yeon¡¯s curiosity grew. Not only was Ha-eun watching a livestream, but she was also jotting down notes as she watched. Da-yeon leaned in, curious. ¡°Hey, Ha-eun, what... are you doing?¡±@@@@ Standing on her tiptoes, she peeked over at Ha-eun¡¯s notebook, which was filled with densely written notes. Ha-eun hesitated, almost stammering as if unsure of what to say. Da-yeon¡¯s mind raced with a theory. ¡®Could this be... Ha-eun¡¯s secret acting method?!¡¯ Not long after, Joo Jung-yoon arrived at Ha-eun¡¯s home with news worth celebrating. ¡°Ha-eun, you¡¯ve been officially cast as young Han Yoo-hwa! Filming begins in two weeks, so from now on, you¡¯ll need to...¡± Jung-yoon proceeded to discuss everything Ha-eun would need to know before starting the shoot for *My Love From the Stars*. But as a seasoned actress with experience in lead roles, Ha-eun felt confident about the new project. She had already familiarized herself with many key scenes from the script. ¡°Double Lee has been busy filming *Infinite Challenge* and *Don¡¯t Stop the People*, so it might be better to take a break from vocal lessons for a while¡ª¡± ¡°Oh, Jung-yoon unni. Can I still keep the vocal lessons? Even if we cut it down to once a week, or once every two weeks?¡± Unlike the filming for *The Neighbor Uncle*, Ha-eun was determined to continue her vocal lessons with Double Lee, even if it meant reducing their frequency. ¡®Ha-eun, can you lower the pitch just a bit this time? And don¡¯t always rely on your chest voice; try mixing in some head voice occasionally.¡¯ ¡®Joon, we don¡¯t want to strain her voice. She¡¯s too young to be pushing herself so hard.¡¯ ¡®I can¡¯t help it. She corrects herself with every single piece of feedback we give her.¡¯ Ha-eun wanted to keep seeing the two members of Double Lee together in their studio. In her memories, an unfortunate incident would soon tear them apart, but that event hadn¡¯t happened yet. In other words, there was still a chance to prevent it. She valued her relationship with Double Lee dearly and wanted to do whatever she could to help preserve it. Of course, Ha-eun had no idea what ripple effects this decision might have in the future, but she figured it was better to act now than regret it later. ¡°Alright then, I¡¯ll talk to them and see what we can arrange.¡± ¡°Thank you, Jung-yoon unni. Also, could I ask you one more favor?¡± ¡°Yes? What is it?¡± ¡°Um... could you possibly get me the contact information for Joon and Gun-yeol¡¯s managers?¡± As always, Ha-eun was determined to give it her best shot. She had no intention of doing any less. Chapter 27 On a chilly November day, autumn leaves swirled in the cold wind. It was also the first day of filming for *My Love From the Stars*. "Cut! Good job!" the director called out. Dressed in what people often called a ¡°tteokbokki coat,¡± Ha-eun simply stood watching the scene unfold on set. Her own shoot was scheduled for later that evening, so she didn¡¯t have to be there early, especially since it was a chilly outdoor location instead of a warm indoor set. Ha-eun didn¡¯t need to arrive in advance; there wasn¡¯t much for her to do except watch the lead actors, Ha Yoon-sung and Yoo Sung-ah, perform. However, the producers had invited journalists for the drama''s first day of filming as a promotional tactic, allowing media coverage for a single day in this outdoor setting. Pedestrians passing by were drawn to the excitement, creating quite a scene. While this publicity might have been great for the network, the same couldn¡¯t be said for the staff and cast, who were under a lot of pressure. This included Ha-eun and her manager, Joo Jung-yoon. ¡°Ha-eun, it''s freezing. Wouldn¡¯t it be better to wait in the car?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯ll stay here,¡± she replied. The reason Ha-eun refused Jung-yoon¡¯s suggestion and chose to remain in the cold was simple: today, she would be filming a scene as *the modern Han Yoo-hwa*, not the *Joseon-era* version of her character. Right now, the scene being filmed also featured the modern Han Yoo-hwa, meaning it was a chance for Ha-eun to observe Yoo Sung-ah¡¯s interpretation of the character. "Really? You don¡¯t know me? I¡¯m Han Yoo-hwa¡ªthe star guarantee," Yoo Sung-ah exclaimed in character. ¡®So, *that¡¯s* what celebrity arrogance looks like,¡¯ Ha-eun thought, amused. Since she would be playing the younger, modern Han Yoo-hwa in a few hours, it was better to stay and study Yoo Sung-ah¡¯s performance rather than sitting in the car. Unlike her Joseon-era character with her traditional speech and clothing, the modern Han Yoo-hwa would need to reflect a bit of Yoo Sung-ah¡¯s portrayal, though not entirely. Despite her determination, Ha-eun couldn''t completely ignore Jung-yoon, who was visibly shivering beside her. ¡°Um, Jung-yoon unni, you don¡¯t have to stay out here just for me. Why don¡¯t you go wait in the car?¡± Ha-eun suggested, her voice gentle. Jung-yoon gave her a faint smile, narrowing her eyes slightly. ¡°How could I leave you out here and go warm up by myself? I¡¯m not *that* selfish, you know.¡± ¡®But I really am fine,¡¯ Ha-eun thought, feeling a bit guilty for keeping Jung-yoon out in the cold. Still, observing Yoo Sung-ah remained her top priority. She continued watching, intent on capturing every detail of Sung-ah¡¯s performance as Han Yoo-hwa. Yoo Sung-ah¡¯s portrayal was, at first glance, somewhat brazen and even shameless, the kind of personality that could easily provoke envy or dislike in others. Yet she wielded her exceptional acting skill to transform this into the unique charm of her character, Han Yoo-hwa. Ha-eun realized she would need to be careful to prevent viewers from feeling off-put by her younger Han Yoo-hwa. The character she¡¯d be portraying today was a mix of confidence¡ªrooted in Han Yoo-hwa''s striking beauty¡ªand a certain naivety that came with her young age. Ha-eun decided to draw confidence from Yoo Sung-ah¡¯s performance while sourcing her character¡¯s innocence from different inspirations. Time passed, and soon the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving the set wrapped in evening darkness. Like the others gathered around the recently-opened food truck, Ha-eun lined up for a meal, loading her plate mostly with vegetables, and settled at a folding table. She was simply hoping to fill her stomach before her first scene. Just as she began eating, Ha-eun noticed an unfamiliar woman, someone she hadn¡¯t seen around the set, quietly sitting across from her. The stranger didn¡¯t touch her food but instead kept glancing in her direction. ¡®...What¡¯s going on?¡¯ Ha-eun thought, feeling a bit uncomfortable. ¡°Excuse me, who might you be?¡± Jung-yoon asked, noticing the woman¡¯s odd behavior and stepping in for Ha-eun. The woman responded by handing over her business card. ¡°You¡¯re Lee Ha-eun, right? If it¡¯s okay, would you be open to a quick interview after your scenes wrap up tonight?¡± she asked. ¡°Sorry, but my body isn¡¯t just for anyone to grab,¡± she replied, adding a sarcastic edge to her tone. Her next question, asking if he really didn¡¯t recognize her, came naturally. After all, she was the entertainment industry¡¯s newest rising star. However, his response was a dry ¡°Huh?¡± leaving her face flushed as she puffed her cheeks in frustration. ¡°How can a Korean not know who I am? Are you some sort of spy?¡± As if to answer, her phone buzzed in her pocket, interrupting her thoughts. She pulled out her sticker-covered phone, her expression darkening as she read the message. Staying out this late was sure to get her scolded, but she thought, maybe the fault lay with the person who¡¯d made her not want to go home. If they¡¯d wanted her to be a good daughter, they shouldn¡¯t have messed around in the first place. ¡°Ugh, forget it!¡± she muttered, tossing her phone battery into a nearby trash bin. The man watching her sighed. ¡°Why the sigh? What¡¯s it to you?¡± she shot back. ¡°It¡¯s just... I wonder if I should have ignored you even 500 years ago,¡± he replied, looking thoughtful. ¡°So you¡¯re one of *those* people. Thanks for saving me, but I¡¯m not interested in hearing any sermons,¡± she quipped, backing away with a lighthearted laugh. Unfortunately, her retreating steps caught on a small stone. ¡°Ah¡ªoh, no!¡± she yelped, losing her balance, only for the man¡¯s arm to catch her once again. ¡°Please, stop making me worry,¡± he murmured. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask you to save me!¡± she retorted, shaking off his arm. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve saved you twice now, so I suppose I deserve a reward,¡± she replied, trying to compensate for his help monetarily, adding that after that, they¡¯d be even. When he asked why she hated being in anyone¡¯s debt, she answered with exaggerated gestures, ¡°Because living with someone holding power over me sounds worse than death. I want to live *my* life, exactly how *I* want.¡± Then, she offered him a small glimpse into her aspirations. ¡°You know, mister? I¡¯m going to be a star. A bright one, so high that no one can look down on me.¡± She lifted her gaze to the sky, her eyes capturing its vastness. Her white neck shimmered under the gentle moonlight. Realizing that he was watching her in silence, she gave a faint smile. With a delicate tilt of her head, she added, ¡°Someone like me, destined to be a great star, can¡¯t let herself be held back by just anyone.¡± Her elegant posture was mesmerizing, like a creature from a tale of legends. ¡°...Please, stop making me worry,¡± he murmured. For Park Do-joon, it was a familiar sight from 500 years ago, yet once again, he found himself captivated. Chapter 28 "Cut! That¡¯s a wrap!" The term ¡°one-take¡± was only something Ha-eun had heard of before, but now, the crew on set witnessed it firsthand. ¡®I knew she felt different from other child actors,¡¯ thought Ha Yoon-sung, who had just finished a scene with Ha-eun. He revised his opinion of her entirely. Even for a child who won awards with her debut film, a hiatus could often dull their skills. Yet Ha-eun transformed into the young Han Yoo-hwa without a hint of hesitation in front of numerous cameras, flawlessly delivering her lines with no mistakes. Even in areas beyond dialogue, there was nothing to criticize. Her performance resembled Yoo Sung-ah¡¯s portrayal from earlier, making it easy for viewers to believe that Ha-eun¡¯s Han Yoo-hwa would grow into Sung-ah¡¯s character in the future. Ha-eun¡¯s expressions and gestures radiated a familiar confidence that Yoon-sung recognized well. Though he¡¯d seen child actors mimic adult expressions, gestures, and voices before, it was his first time encountering one who could even capture the same emotional depth as an adult.@@e to think of it, she did mention spending her hiatus studying acting.¡¯ Remembering their brief conversation during the audition, Yoon-sung approached Ha-eun. ¡°Hey, Ha-eun. To celebrate your first successful scene, how about we take a photo together¡ª¡± Yoon-sung, viewing her as a ¡°hard-working genius¡± and a worthwhile connection, thought of posting the picture on social media. However... ¡°...Huh? Where did she go?¡± In just the short time he looked away, Ha-eun had vanished. Thirty minutes later, Yoon-sung heard from a staff member that she had left with her manager. ¡°Ha-eun? I saw her heading to the parking lot with her manager,¡± the staff member replied. ¡°What? Already? Does she have another schedule?¡± ¡°It¡¯s almost 9 PM, Yoon-sung. Kids like her start getting sleepy around this time,¡± the staff member joked. ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re calling me old?¡± ¡°Not at all! If you¡¯re old, then I must be a ghost with nothing but bones left.¡± In the end, Yoon-sung had to postpone his social media post with Ha-eun. However, contrary to the assumption that she had gone home, Ha-eun was, in fact, at a nearby cafe, sitting with her manager, Joo Jung-yoon, and the journalist, Huh Joo-eun. ¡°Order whatever you like. I can afford it,¡± Ha-eun said. ¡°...People don¡¯t usually say that at a cafe, do they?¡± ¡°Anyway, think of it as my thank-you for accepting the interview.¡± A short while later, the interview that Huh Joo-eun had eagerly anticipated began. "So, since *The Neighbor Uncle*, you haven¡¯t taken on any projects. What have you been up to in the meantime?" ¡°Hmm, up until recently, I didn¡¯t have one, but now it kind of feels like I do.¡± It was a lighthearted joke, yet Yoo Sung-ah and her manager couldn¡¯t take their eyes off Ha-eun from afar because her acting resembled Sung-ah¡¯s so closely. Of course, it wasn¡¯t that Ha-eun looked exactly like a younger version of Sung-ah, as she wasn¡¯t actually her daughter. But her expressions, mannerisms, and even the underlying emotions in her performance were a perfect echo of Sung-ah¡¯s portrayal of Han Yoo-hwa. It was only natural that Sung-ah, the person most familiar with her own acting, would recognize these similarities immediately. "My manager knows, too. To my mom, I¡¯m not just ¡®daughter Han Yoo-hwa.¡¯ I¡¯m ¡®income-bringing daughter Han Yoo-hwa.¡¯" ¡®Guess it¡¯s true what they say¡ªkids these days are scary,¡¯ Sung-ah¡¯s manager thought. Sung-ah¡¯s portrayal of Han Yoo-hwa was that of a person driven by self-assured pride. Her confidence and ego were sky-high, nearly unbreakable. Yet, hidden behind that radiance was a strained family dynamic. Yoo-hwa¡¯s refusal to rely on anyone extended even to her own family. This distrust would naturally be present in young Han Yoo-hwa as well. Seeing Ha-eun embody her younger self so well, Sung-ah couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of pride and understanding. Normally, it would be unfair to compare a child actor¡¯s performance to that of a top star like Sung-ah. After all, child actors lack the experience, vocal control, and range of expression that adult actors possess, and usually receive more leniency on set. In particular, when child actors play the younger versions of adult characters, some compromises are typically made. Most productions don¡¯t expect flawless accuracy in these portrayals, often settling for just a passing resemblance. Yet with Ha-eun, no such concessions were necessary. Her portrayal required no special consideration for her age¡ªshe simply was young Han Yoo-hwa. "...Maybe it would have been better if I¡¯d been born in an orphanage," Ha-eun muttered in character, her face displaying frustration as she practiced a line about her character¡¯s parents, who only sought her financial support while offering her nothing in return. Watching her work through these emotions alone in front of the mirror, Sung-ah thought she was looking at her own younger self. Han Yoo-hwa was a girl who, despite her brilliance, felt utterly isolated¡ªa bright but lonely star. Ha-eun perfectly conveyed this complex blend of emotions. ¡°Cut! Excellent work, Ha-eun. Keep this up, and you¡¯ll be set,¡± the director praised. ¡°Thank you,¡± Ha-eun replied, bowing politely. As she turned to head back to her manager, Yoo Sung-ah stopped her. ¡°Ha-eun, do you have a moment?¡± With her commanding presence, Sung-ah asked to discuss the upcoming scenes with her. Ha-eun briefly wondered what would happen if she outright declined, but she quickly decided otherwise. After all, in terms of experience and status, Sung-ah was a major senior to her. ¡®...I¡¯ll save this story for a broadcast someday.¡¯ Embracing the opportunity, Ha-eun mentally added her interaction with Yoo Sung-ah to her list of stories. Chapter 29 *Star.* A term that describes those whose talent and charm captivate the world. Yoo Sung-ah was one of those stars, a figure who was, without exaggeration, the most popular actress at the time. Ha-eun found herself seated at the same table in the same cafe as this superstar by sheer happenstance. *Click.* *Click-click.* *Click-click-click-click...* "Excuse me, are you Yoo Sung-ah? Could I trouble you for an autograph¡ª" "If it''s not too much, could we take a photo together¡ª" Chaos surrounded them. Ha-eun hadn''t even exchanged a proper word with Yoo Sung-ah or learned why the actress had asked to meet her. Of course, quite a few people recognized Ha-eun, too. However, the overwhelming number of people who noticed Yoo Sung-ah drowned out any attention directed at her. It took another twenty minutes for the atmosphere to settle enough for conversation. Yoo Sung-ah finally broke the silence with a calm remark. "It¡¯d be good for you to get used to this kind of attention, Ha-eun. Before long, you¡¯ll be dealing with it yourself." The comment wasn¡¯t directly related to *My Love From the Stars,* but Ha-eun took it as a compliment and thanked Yoo Sung-ah. Soon after, Yoo Sung-ah began explaining why she had asked Ha-eun to meet her. "I¡¯ve been watching your acting closely. It genuinely feels like I¡¯m watching my younger self standing in front of the camera." Yoo Sung-ah continued, offering Ha-eun praise for her acting. However, Ha-eun sensed that this meeting wasn¡¯t just for compliments. She patiently held Yoo Sung-ah¡¯s gaze, waiting for her to reach the true point. "The reason I wanted to meet with you today is because of the flashback scenes that will start filming next week," Yoo Sung-ah finally revealed. Yoo Sung-ah¡¯s true purpose for the meeting began to unfold. "Up to this point, it seems like you¡¯ve been too focused on mimicking my portrayal of Han Yoo-hwa. While that¡¯s not necessarily a bad thing, it feels like you¡¯re limiting your own range as an actor." Neither the crew nor the cast had any complaints about Ha-eun¡¯s performance. Yet, Yoo Sung-ah couldn¡¯t help but notice how it differed from the acting Ha-eun had shown years ago in *The Neighbor Uncle.* "Personally, I¡¯d like the Joseon-era Han Yoo-hwa to be slightly different from the modern one. It might be better to highlight the contrasts between her past and present selves instead of showing her the same way across both timelines." While the modern Han Yoo-hwa inevitably overlapped with Yoo Sung-ah¡¯s portrayal, Yoo Sung-ah suggested that Ha-eun¡¯s version of the character from centuries ago take on a distinct flavor. This was Yoo Sung-ah¡¯s personal opinion, based on intuition. No one could know if this advice would ultimately help or hinder Ha-eun in the future. But if Ha-eun could harness that special quality she had shown in *The Neighbor Uncle,* the one that had made her stand out from countless other child actors... "As you know, the flashback scenes from Episodes 2 to 5 are your stage, Ha-eun." Not only would her scenes carry the expectations set by Yoo Sung-ah and Ha Yoon-sung¡¯s powerful performances in the first episode, but she could also give viewers another reason to be deeply invested in *My Love From the Stars.* ¡°So, let the audience be mesmerized by *Lee Ha-eun,* not just a young doppelga?nger of Han Yoo-hwa.¡± ¡°Alright, everyone, we¡¯ll begin filming at precisely 8 o¡¯clock! Please take your positions!¡± Ha-eun moved to her spot on set, and Ha Yoon-sung, who played Park Do-joon, walked over to join her. ¡°Moments like this make me the most nervous. You don¡¯t seem nervous at all, Ha-eun,¡± he remarked casually. But Ha-eun was too preoccupied with Yoo Sung-ah¡¯s advice to pay much attention to his small talk. Though she hadn¡¯t watched *The Neighbor Uncle* herself, she grasped Yoo Sung-ah¡¯s suggestion to bring a unique version of Han Yoo-hwa to life on screen, instead of simply emulating Sung-ah¡¯s interpretation. ¡°Is everyone ready? Alright, three, two, one... Action!¡± In that moment, Ha-eun set aside the version of young Han Yoo-hwa she had crafted by observing and emulating Yoo Sung-ah. Instead, she layered her own interpretation and analysis onto the character, bringing forth a fresh perspective on Joseon-era Han Yoo-hwa. ¡°Someone has reported seeing those vile creatures hiding by the riverside. Find them at all costs!¡± The scene opened with the chilling voice of the patrol captain, his eyes bloodshot as he glared. Both Park Do-joon and Han Yoo-hwa were seen as monsters to be hunted down, with dozens of soldiers mobilized to capture them. And, as if matters couldn¡¯t get worse, tonight was a full moon¡ªthe very night when Park Do-joon¡¯s powers would weaken. ¡°My lady, you must flee first. I¡¯ll buy you some time,¡± Park Do-joon said, releasing her hand. As he prepared to confront the soldiers alone, Han Yoo-hwa hurried forward to stop him. ¡°No, please... don¡¯t do this.¡± Park Do-joon¡¯s gaze faltered slightly as she stepped in front of him. ¡°You said you have a place to return to. You told me our journey together would be brief, that we wouldn¡¯t walk this path forever.¡± To Han Yoo-hwa, abandoned by everyone, including her parents, Park Do-joon was her only sanctuary. Without him, her life would be a lonely and hollow existence. ¡°So please... don¡¯t throw away your path. You know what matters most...¡± Losing Park Do-joon would be like losing her own life. She realized it was better to repay her benefactor, her savior, even if only this once. ¡°Do you know, sir? You¡¯ve already shown me why even foolish flowers bloom.¡± In that moment, a resolute determination, rare for someone as young as her, emerged in Han Yoo-hwa. ¡°Please remember, sir. Like the foolish flowers that only ever wanted to bask in the sun...¡± With a gentle smile, contrasting the tear-filled eyes, she finally expressed her heartfelt gratitude. ¡°Once, long ago, there was a flower that was happy simply to be by your side.¡± Han Yoo-hwa, that beautiful flower, had reached her time to fade. Chapter 30 To Park Do-joon, Han Yoo-hwa was initially nothing more than a passing amusement. At least, that was how it had started. *Screeech.* ¡°Here she is, the eldest daughter of the Han family, Han Yoo-hwa, whom you were so desperate to find. Feeling satisfied now?¡± ¡°Oh dear, there seems to be some misunderstanding... I was looking for your brother, not you.¡± ¡°...Pardon?¡± Their first meeting had been a mix of misunderstandings and coincidence. Upon realizing her mistake, Han Yoo-hwa¡¯s cheeks and ears flushed red in embarrassment. From that day forward, Park Do-joon began visiting her home more frequently¡ªfirst, once a month, then every two weeks, then weekly, until he was visiting nearly every day. There was something amusing in seeing her flustered every time their eyes met, averting her gaze and fidgeting shyly. Her reactions reminded him of a ripening chestnut, ready to burst open. Then, one day, during an unexpected rainstorm that forced him to stay with her longer than usual... ¡°So, you¡¯re saying you¡¯ve never set foot outside the main gate?¡± ¡°Yes. Is there a problem with that?¡± They shared a deeper conversation than usual, and through it, Park Do-joon learned that Han Yoo-hwa had lived her life like an orchid in a pot, confined to her quarters. Though her grand, tile-roofed house was spacious, it was cramped compared to the world beyond. So, the next day... ¡°L-Lord, please slow down a bit. I can¡¯t keep up with your fast pace.¡± ¡°Strange, I thought I was already walking slowly enough.¡± With uncharacteristic insistence, he took her to the marketplace to let her see the world outside her home. He wanted to witness her experiencing the bustling world beyond her walls, reacting with awe to each new sight. Then, a merchant with a long beard approached them and offered her a beautiful floral hairpin. When she placed it on her head and turned to face him... ¡°Why... why aren¡¯t you saying anything? Do you think it suits me, or does it not?¡± For a brief moment, Park Do-joon couldn¡¯t tell what was the flower and what was Han Yoo-hwa. Seeing his usually calm demeanor shift made Han Yoo-hwa tilt her head in puzzlement. Though he never voiced it nor admitted it to himself, after that moment, he found himself growing fond of her. There was no denying that affection had crept into even his lighthearted teasing. He began to cherish her with the delicate care one would reserve for fine porcelain, treating her with more reverence than any relationship he had formed before. It wasn¡¯t entirely devoid of love, but it was less a romantic feeling and more a human-to-human desire to see her happy. And that was why, when she found herself lamenting her arranged marriage to a man her father¡¯s age, he offered her his hand. ¡°I¡¯ll show you as many times as it takes why foolish flowers keep blooming.¡± *Crunch.* Han Yoo-hwa took one final step, distancing herself from Park Do-joon as much as she could. And then¡ª *Thwack.* Arrows pierced her frail shoulders, her dirt-stained chest, her bruised arms. *Thwack.* *Thwack-thwack-thwack...* The soldiers drove their arrows deeper into her, relentless, ensuring the life was entirely drained from the cursed creature. *Thud.* Her small knees buckled as red began to seep through the white fabric of her hanbok. Even so, she struggled to hold on to her fading consciousness, lifting her head one last time. With her gaze fixed on the clear, wide night sky above¡ªthe place where he had come from and would eventually return¡ªshe uttered her final wish, barely a whisper for anyone to hear. ¡°Please... stay safe...¡± And with that, her small, lonely figure collapsed on the boundary between the reeds and the road. As she lay there, all warmth drained from her body. The only thing left behind was a single tear that slipped from her half-closed eye. ¡°...Cut.¡± It was an ¡°okay¡± from Director Song Tae-gwon, devoid of any enthusiasm, no words of praise. Yet no one thought he was being stingy. Everyone knew that this wasn¡¯t a reflection of Ha-eun¡¯s performance. It was a natural reaction. The entire crew, including the extras who had been shooting hostile glances at her just moments before, had been utterly captivated by her acting. Her performance had been a fusion of situational depth and raw emotion, a display of that special ¡°something¡± Sung-ah had once recognized in Ha-eun. Call it charisma, presence, or aura, but whatever it was, it defied precise explanation. ¡®They say an actor speaks through their performance...¡¯ Ha-eun¡¯s portrayal forced everyone to feel only what she intended, leaving no room for stray thoughts. Her performance was like a deep, sticky swamp¡ªonce you were pulled in, there was no escape. Without any need for flashy praise, it was terrifying in its power to consume. Chapter 31 In my past life, acting was something I *had* to do. I performed for the people who had given me life, who said that just not abandoning me was fulfilling their duty as parents. But, in an unspoken way, I had been grateful, because they smiled at me. Those who usually only looked at me with cold or disdainful gazes smiled at me for the first time. Now, with everything so different, I know how wrong it all was. I realize those smiles weren¡¯t the kind I¡¯d truly wanted. Still, the memory of craving their approval so desperately that I pushed my frail body to keep acting remains vivid. And though, deep down, I knew they weren¡¯t giving me real love, the fool who hoped for it still lingers in my memory, convinced I might truly be loved someday. So, drawing out memories best left forgotten, I began acting once more. ¡°...And the winner of the 8th Korean Film Awards, Best New Actress, goes to... Congratulations! Lee Ha-eun from *The Neighbor Uncle!*¡± Less than a year later, I finally experienced the love I¡¯d once longed for in my past life. People loved me for my acting. But still, feeling my own inadequacies, I studied alongside people who didn¡¯t like me, all to improve my craft. Now, acting is something I want to continue at all costs, something I must show my past self was worth doing for me, not just for others. Since I began my journey as an actress, I¡¯ve constantly strived to achieve a more ideal performance. So, after putting all of my effort into shooting this last scene of young Han Yoo-hwa... ¡°Senior Ha Yoon-sung... did I do... okay?¡± For the first time, I felt it was okay to be a bit selfish, to hope that none of the people here, who all stood silently rather than smiling, saw this the way I had hoped they might. ¡°Hm, Ha-eun. Don¡¯t you know better than anyone if you did well or not?¡± Yoon-sung¡¯s response, his gaze warm as he looked down at me, reassured me that all my efforts had borne fruit. He seemed to think Sung-ah would say exactly the same thing. ¡°I don¡¯t know what task Sung-ah set for you, but after watching your performance, she¡¯d pass you whether she wanted to or not.¡± ¡°Ah... thank you.¡± Walking alongside Yoon-sung to review the final cut, I couldn¡¯t shake my concern about the dirt stains I¡¯d gotten on my costume during the fall. ¡°...I¡¯m sorry. You told me not to fall.¡± Technically, Ha-eun¡¯s name had appeared in articles as well, in connection with her role as young Han Yoo-hwa, though it hadn¡¯t garnered as much attention as the main stars. But from what PD Hwang had seen in Ha-eun¡¯s recent footage, her performance was striking enough to capture people¡¯s attention. So they decided to include a brief glimpse of her as a hidden card in the teaser, something that hinted at an unexpected twist. ¡°People say young actors can be intense these days, but Ha-eun seems a few steps beyond even that.¡± ¡°And thank goodness for that. From our perspective, it¡¯s all to our advantage, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°True enough.¡± At this point, Ha-eun was receiving only moderate attention, mostly as an addition to the impressive lineup of stars Yoon-sung and Sung-ah. People generally assumed that, like most child actors in past dramas, she wouldn¡¯t play an exceptionally prominent role alongside such top-tier leads. Moreover, viewers usually have a subconscious belief that the main character will survive any crisis, no matter what. If Ha-eun¡¯s portrayal of young Han Yoo-hwa could shatter that expectation, demonstrating a powerful performance unlike any typical child actor... ¡°A new star is about to be born.¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± The impact of that moment would be undeniable. Of course, the teaser, being only a minute long, wouldn¡¯t be able to convey everything, but it would give a hint that something truly significant was coming. After all, a teaser is only a teaser. The real focus would always be on the drama itself. The plan was to build the initial hype with Ha Yoon-sung and Yoo Sung-ah¡¯s performances in the first episode. Then, starting from the second episode, Ha-eun¡¯s outstanding portrayal would begin to captivate the audience further. ¡°Whatever happens, whatever sounds you hear, don¡¯t look back. Just keep going.¡± By the time the backstory reached its climax in Episode 5, Ha-eun¡¯s heart-wrenching performance... ¡°You know, Mister? I¡¯m going to become a star. So high and bright that no one can look down on me.¡± ...and her ability to embody a younger Sung-ah would give viewers yet another reason to keep watching *My Love From the Stars.* *...It would be strange if this didn¡¯t succeed.* With the accumulated tension between the two lead characters unfolding in full force, this would give viewers all the more reason to tune in, cementing *My Love From the Stars* as a must-watch drama. Chapter 32 *¡°The teaser will air at around 8 PM, so if you can, try to watch it, Ha-eun.¡±* A few days prior, PD Hwang Min-soo had called Ha-eun specifically to inform her of the teaser¡¯s airtime, adding that it would be something worth looking forward to. In response, Ha-eun had assured him that she would definitely watch it. ¡°Ha-eun! Your dad says he¡¯ll be here in about ten minutes!¡± ¡°Oh, okay. I¡¯m almost ready.¡± Ha-eun was packing a small yellow suitcase, filled with clothes and now adding some stationery and her diary. This would be her very first family trip in her eleven years of life. Of course, Ha-eun hadn¡¯t forgotten her promise to PD Hwang; she was still curious about the teaser for the drama she¡¯d worked so hard on. However, during her interview with Heo Joo-eun after her first day of filming for the drama... *¡°So, have you had any special trips or events with your family lately, like maybe a trip abroad?¡±* *¡°Um... no, nothing like that.¡±* Her straightforward answer had weighed on her parents, Seong-yun and Na-yeon. They realized just how little they¡¯d gone out together as a family. This pang of guilt eventually led them to make a decision: to gift their always-responsible daughter with a memorable family vacation. Ha-eun had only learned about their plan the night before. ¡°Huh? A cottage?¡± ¡°Yes! Once we arrive, we¡¯ll have a barbecue, and then the next day we¡¯ll head to a traditional activity center for some hands-on experiences.¡± Na-yeon had added, just like PD Hwang, that it would be something to look forward to. Ha-eun had felt a sudden tightness in her chest but maintained her usual expression, acting as if it hadn¡¯t deeply affected her. That night, she drifted off to sleep, her mind filled with excitement about her first family trip instead of the drama¡¯s first teaser. The next day, she went through her usual routine, then added her personal items to the bag Na-yeon had prepared. She soon found herself in Seong-yun¡¯s white sedan instead of the usual black van driven by her manager, Joo Jung-yoon. With a pamphlet for the traditional activity center in hand, she passed the time reading about the experiences she could look forward to. After several hours, they arrived at the cottage, grilling crimson-colored meat over a glowing red charcoal fire. The next morning, they set off early to the traditional activity center. Everything was as wonderful as expected¡ªperhaps even better than she had hoped. She had missed the teaser for *My Love From the Stars*, but by the time they got back, she figured it would already be uploaded to the drama¡¯s website. For now, she was happy to fully enjoy her first family trip. But then, something unexpected happened when she entered the traditional activity center. Specifically, during her first archery attempt at the *Traditional Archery* station. *Thwonng!* ¡°Uh... it shouldn¡¯t be that easy to draw the bowstring, right?¡± A staff member, who had assumed Ha-eun¡¯s bowstring had come loose, came over and took her bow. But all he found was that the bow was perfectly fine. Then, with a slightly puzzled expression, he returned the bow to Ha-eun, who once again drew it smoothly, aiming a perfect shot at the bullseye 30 meters away. One after another¡ª*thwonng!*¡ªeach arrow Ha-eun fired hit dead center on the target. *What... what on earth...* The fact that this eleven-year-old could draw the stiff bowstring with ease was surprising enough. But when every arrow she released struck the bullseye, the astonished staff member was left speechless. ¡°Yes.¡± They hit the play button on the teaser that occupied the center of the website. For about twenty seconds, only Ha Yoon-sung and Yoo Sung-ah appeared on the screen, leaving them slightly disappointed. It made sense that the network would focus on the two main actors, given their popularity, but they¡¯d hoped Ha-eun would have a little more screen time. *¡°You know, Mister, I always get this... strange feeling when I look at you. Like I¡¯ve met you somewhere before.¡±* But as soon as Sung-ah¡¯s voice ended, her gaze filled with curiosity as she looked at Yoon-sung, the scene started to shift, rewinding several hundred years into the past. The shift in the scenery gradually widened the eyes of both parents. *Step.* A shadow, different from Sung-ah¡¯s, began to appear, filling their gaze with a deepening intensity. Then, an expansive view of a wide field of reeds filled the screen, and there, standing alone in the middle, was a serene silhouette. *¡°...My lord.¡±* The face that Seong-yun and Na-yeon saw was Ha-eun¡¯s, a faint smile on her lips. But there was also a hint of sadness in her expression that made them pause. Then, in that moment, as if Ha-eun was staring directly at them from within the screen... *A single tear traced down her cheek.* And then, the screen went black. At that moment, they heard her voice, layered with a complex mix of emotions impossible to categorize into just one feeling. *¡°Just... please, remember me.¡±* With that, the title *My Love From the Stars* appeared, signaling the end of the teaser. The view counter on the monitor was already surging past 300,000, nearing 400,000 views, but Seong-yun and Na-yeon¡¯s focus was on each other instead. ¡°Honey... that was... that was our daughter, right?¡± ¡°Yeah... the same one who¡¯s sound asleep in her room right now.¡± The performance they had just witnessed was so hauntingly intense that even the two people who had raised Ha-eun couldn¡¯t help but feel a chill. Her performance had been utterly captivating, holding their gaze without wavering for even a moment. But what they had seen was only a brief teaser, barely a minute long. Ha-eun¡¯s actual screen time had been less than ten seconds. Which meant that Ha-eun¡¯s full performance in *My Love From the Stars* had yet to be truly unveiled. ¡°Our daughter is... really incredible.¡± ¡°...Yeah.¡± Both Seong-yun and Na-yeon decided, without question, that they would watch *My Love From the Stars* live when it aired in four days. Chapter 33 At some point in the early hours, Ha-eun''s eyes opened. She was already an early riser, but even by her standards, this was very early. Once awake, she found herself completely alert and without any lingering sleepiness. ¡°...I¡¯m thirsty...¡± Rather than lying around aimlessly, she decided to get up and do something. She wandered into the empty living room. -Plop... She blankly watched the water dispenser as it poured lukewarm water into a glass cup. For some reason, she felt a vague sense of having forgotten something important, but it was just a fleeting thought. Still in a half-dazed state, she couldn''t quite pinpoint what was missing. Holding a half-filled cup, she sank into the sofa and spaced out again. Being a Sunday, there was no need to get ready for school like on weekdays. ¡®...What should I even do?¡¯ She was genuinely at a loss for what to do. No one would mind if she did nothing, but she couldn¡¯t shake the sense of duty ingrained over the past five years to make every minute count. The first thing she did was write a quick note for her parents. ** Although she planned to return before the usual breakfast time, she left the note just in case. She didn¡¯t like worrying others, so leaving a note brought her a sense of reassurance. Changing into more comfortable clothes and grabbing a jump rope from the corner of the shoe cabinet, she headed to an open area near her home. In truth, an empty space nearby was the only place an 11-year-old could really go this early in the morning. From there, she began her usual light exercises. It was an amateur¡¯s routine with no formal coaching, but it was effective. ¡®I hope I don¡¯t go bald from this.¡¯ Every time she glimpsed the faint beginnings of her toned abs, a sense of doubt filled her. Was it okay to look like this at her age? No one had ever told her that her abs were gross or ugly, but the sight had left Min Da-yeon staring in amazement. ¡®...What are you doing...?¡¯ ¡®Oh, uh, I... It¡¯s just... amazing. It¡¯s like the abs of those bodybuilder ladies.¡¯ Da-yeon¡¯s gaze lingered on her stomach, confirming that her appearance was indeed unusual. It wasn''t anything embarrassing, but it still left her feeling oddly self-conscious. After going through her usual routine, it was finally time to head back home. The morning workout left her a bit thirsty. She decided to stop by a convenience store to grab a sports drink. -Tinkle. ¡°I¡¯m home©¤¡± ¡°Oh, my lady, why have you returned from your morning stroll alone, without an attendant?¡± ¡°?¡± ¡°The air is so chilly these days, my lady. Next time, wear a thicker coat, not just a windbreaker.¡± ¡°???¡± Her parents had somehow adopted speech straight out of a historical drama, instantly erasing the pleasant feeling in her chest and replacing it with utter bewilderment. *** - So, when¡¯s our Jia¡¯s scene? ?¡°Our¡± Jia? She¡¯s your daughter now? ?She¡¯s my wife, actually. ?Teacher, please, hold your breath for one hour. ?Another one who should get shot by Kang Sun-woo. ?Who¡¯s Jia? ?She¡¯s the girl Kang Sun-woo saved in *The Neighbor Uncle*. The actress is Lee Ha-eun. It was around the halfway point of the first episode of *My Love From the Stars*. Even though Ha-eun hadn¡¯t appeared yet, her brief teaser appearance had created a buzz. Various posts about her flooded drama community sites. - They said she¡¯s playing young Han Yoo-hwa. ?Yoo-hwa and Park Do-joon are at each other¡¯s throats right now. How is her younger self even relevant here? ?My thoughts exactly. - Isn¡¯t this supposed to be a rom-com? Why is Lee Ha-eun wearing a hanbok like it¡¯s a historical drama? ?It was a rom-com in the teaser. The historical part was only in the last ten seconds. ?Exactly. Why is there a historical scene in a rom-com anyway? ?How would I know? ?If you don¡¯t know, find out. Despite the first episode¡¯s strong plot, which had already generated significant buzz even before airing, the ratings were promising: 21.2% for the first episode alone. Compared to the previous show¡¯s peak of 28% in its final episode, this was a remarkable start. ¡°Yoo Sung-ah is still Yoo Sung-ah, I see. Even after a ten-year break, her ability to pull in viewers hasn¡¯t faded.¡± The assistant director marveled at Yoo Sung-ah¡¯s screen presence, echoing the sentiment that director Hwang Min-soo¡¯s plan seemed to be working. However, the pivotal moment for ratings lay ahead, with the release of the second episode and its brief preview still to come. ¡°It¡¯s too early to pop the champagne.¡± ¡°But we could at least prepare the corkscrew.¡± ¡°You never miss a chance to argue, do you?¡± Director Hwang Min-soo and the production team decided to keep a cautious stance. The first episode of *My Love From the Stars* slowly drew to a close, and soon enough, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived. The scene of Ha Yoon-sung dressed as a Joseon scholar and Ha-eun as an elegant noblewoman aired. Not only at the UBS broadcast station, nor in drama communities brimming with fans theorizing about Ha-eun and Ha Yoon-sung¡¯s relationship, but even in a few homes across a distant continent, where the Korean wave of *Hallyu* had taken hold. ¡°Shu-ran! Did you see this?¡± ¡°Huh? What¡¯s this?¡± ¡°This is a new drama from Korea that just started airing©¤¡± The Korean wave had begun to ripple across distant shores, bringing the kind of ¡°butterfly effect¡± that only true cultural phenomena could create. Chapter 34 *My Love From the Stars,* often abbreviated as *My Stars,* was a Wednesday-Thursday drama. This meant that the reaction to the first episode, which aired on Wednesday, would mostly emerge on Thursday. Likewise, the response to Thursday¡¯s second episode would be seen on Friday. However, perhaps due to the overwhelming interest that saw the teaser reach 900,000 views in just two days, anticipation for Ha-eun, who made a striking appearance at the end of the teaser, had already started to surface on Monday. Of course, the attention on the two lead actors, Yoo Sung-ah and Ha Yoon-sung, was still strong. However, as their ¡°previews¡± had been released in various promotional articles since the initial filming of *My Love From the Stars,* much of the discussion had already been consumed. - Do child actors usually get such a weighty role? ?Why all this fuss over a child who only appeared for the last 10 seconds? ?The fact that she got a solo shot at the end shows her role is significant. Do you even know what you¡¯re talking about? - Kang Sun-woo saved Kim Ji-ah while getting stabbed, all for this moment. ?Wow, just how far did he plan ahead? ?So far ahead that he hasn¡¯t been able to secure his next project for five years; ?Stop doing CFs and just come back in a movie or drama, please! - That kid¡¯s voice projection is on par with a professional voice actor. - Comment here if the ending blackout gave you chills. ?Maybe the chills were from seeing your own face in the monitor reflection? ?That¡¯s a bit harsh, don¡¯t you think? ?Can¡¯t say it¡¯s wrong, though. ?Out!!! The only known fact about Ha-eun was that she played the young Han Yoo-hwa, yet discussions about her had already started spreading across various forums. However, it was offline, not online, where Ha-eun truly felt the extent of the attention focused on her¡ªnamely, at her elementary school. "Is she really a student at our school?" "If you don¡¯t believe me, come see her during break." As soon as first period ended on Monday, the classroom became noisy as three or four kids from other classes came to see Ha-eun in Class 4. The same thing happened during the second and third period breaks, and even as lunch began after fourth period. Ha-eun tried to answer their questions as best she could, since it was still manageable. However, Min Da-yeon, who was beside her as always, quickly intervened. "Hey, don¡¯t you guys know that entering another class means a one-point penalty?" With that, she drove out most of the curious students who had come to see Ha-eun, and soon, the classroom regained its usual quiet. For Da-yeon, who had been well-known as an actress for years, dealing with this was second nature. After four years of experiencing it over and over, she had learned to nip such annoyances in the bud. "Still, wouldn¡¯t it be fine to listen to what they¡¯re curious about?" "Once you start listening, it never ends. Ever." Although Da-yeon had watched the teaser for *My Love From the Stars* multiple times, she hadn¡¯t voiced her curiosity about it out of sheer pride. Previous projects Ha-eun had been part of, like Double Lee¡¯s music video or *The Neighbor Uncle,* were generally not interesting to elementary students. For kids Ha-eun¡¯s age, Double Lee were just funny guys from *Don¡¯t Stop People* and *Infinite Challenge,* while *The Neighbor Uncle* was a restricted film, making it unwatchable for them. As a result, while Da-yeon¡¯s school life had been chaotic, Ha-eun¡¯s had been relatively quiet. To put it another way, Da-yeon¡¯s popularity had consistently overshadowed Ha-eun¡¯s in school. Ha-eun appreciated being able to enjoy a normal school life, but for Da-yeon, it had been a time to flaunt her fame in front of Ha-eun. With that, she committed the audacious act of taking control of the remote from her father, the household authority over TV channels, and changed channels to catch Ha-eun¡¯s appearance as the elegant noble lady. Unsurprisingly, just as she had done in the past, Ha-eun showed nothing that Da-yeon could criticize. ¡¸...What are you staring at?¡¹ ¡¸Oh, nothing. It¡¯s just that your ears are so red they resemble strawberries. It makes me want to have a taste.¡¹ ¡¸Wh-what?!¡¹ ¡¸Haha, I¡¯m joking. Even I wouldn¡¯t do something so shameless.¡¹ With nothing to find fault with, Da-yeon quickly forgot her original intention and became completely absorbed in *My Love From the Stars.* When Friday morning came, Ha-eun, hoping for feedback, subtly observed Da-yeon¡¯s reactions. However, seeing Ha-eun¡¯s eagerness made Da-yeon reluctant to give any feedback, so she kept her mouth shut, even through second period break, eventually leaving the classroom under the pretext of going to the restroom. After leaving the restroom, however, Da-yeon noticed a commotion in the hallway. Standing on tiptoe to get a better look, she saw... "Wow, it¡¯s really Han Yoo-hwa!" "What¡¯s Yoo Sung-oppa like in person? Does he really shine?" "Hey, Lee Ha-eun! Pose with a V sign! I¡¯m posting this on Facebook!" Every imaginable kind of attention, as well as annoyances, were directed solely at Ha-eun. Thankfully, it was the last day of the semester and the beginning of winter break. This meant that after today, Ha-eun would have a break from being swarmed by kids. -Grab! "Run, you dummy!" Pushing through the crowd, Da-yeon grabbed Ha-eun¡¯s wrist and dashed toward the school gate. The only thing left behind were fresh footprints in the snow covering the schoolyard. After reaching the nearby cafe? where manager Kim Jin-soo was waiting, they finally caught their breath. While Da-yeon was panting, Ha-eun appeared suspiciously unfazed, as if she hadn¡¯t run at all. "We didn¡¯t even finish homeroom yet." "Is that really your concern right now?" Da-yeon sighed in exasperation at Ha-eun¡¯s cluelessness. Did she honestly think homeroom would proceed as normal in that chaotic scene? "I left my bag in the classroom." "You can grab it later!" Da-yeon was confident that leaving Ha-eun in that mess would¡¯ve led to something catastrophic. And yet, Ha-eun¡¯s utterly untroubled expression was almost enough to render her speechless. "If the fifth- and sixth-graders had started swarming, there would¡¯ve been no way out! You blockhead!" She shouted at the oblivious celebrity, who seemed entirely unaware of the reality of being in the public eye. Chapter 35 It was still before the airing of the second episode of *My Love From the Stars.* ¡°*¡®My Stars¡¯ premiere breaks 20% viewership!* *UBS¡¯s ¡®My Love From the Stars¡¯ captures viewers¡¯ hearts right from the first episode* *Top stars Yoo Sung-ah and Ha Yoon-sung overpower MBS¡¯s ¡®Face Queen¡¯*¡±@@@@ ¡®...Still the same as ever.¡¯ In front of Ha-eun were articles about the success of the first episode of *My Love From the Stars.* Yet, even with all the articles, Ha-eun didn¡¯t feel surprised or overwhelmed. She already knew *My Love From the Stars* would be a huge success. To her, these articles were simply confirmation of what she¡¯d expected for a long time. Of course, the fact that she hadn¡¯t appeared in the first episode contributed to her sense of detachment from the news. To her, the first episode felt like something separate from her. However, when it came to the preview for the second episode, things were different. The preview showcased Ha-eun¡¯s appearance in a hanbok, the same look that had sparked a lot of attention in the teaser. The scenes that Yoo Sung-ah had once called Ha-eun¡¯s ¡°stage¡± were coming up¡ªstarting with the backstory sequence spanning episodes 2 to 5. So, from Thursday morning, the day after the preview aired, Ha-eun found herself paying unusual attention to her classmates. She began to notice conversations about ¡°young Han Yoo-hwa¡± among them, realizing the growing interest in her character. At that point, she was prepared to accept the attention without resistance. She even thought about sharing fun anecdotes from the drama¡¯s filming with the curious kids who approached her. ¡°Um, you¡¯re Lee Ha-eun... right? I wanted to ask¡ª¡± ¡°Hey, you guys know you get a penalty for entering another class, right?¡± So, she couldn¡¯t understand why Min Da-yeon was so adamantly driving away the kids who came to see her, chalking it up to Da-yeon¡¯s usual prickly behavior. That was part of why she¡¯d asked Da-yeon to watch *My Love From the Stars.* Knowing Da-yeon, her pride alone might keep her from watching the drama. Out of everyone, Ha-eun especially wanted Da-yeon, her former rival for the young Han Yoo-hwa role, to see her performance. Da-yeon was the only one who truly knew how hard she had prepared over the past four years. ¡°I worked hard, so please make sure to watch it live, senpai.¡± ¡°...!...!!¡± Unsurprisingly, the word ¡°senpai¡± had Da-yeon¡¯s shoulders and nose rising sky-high. With this perfect excuse of Ha-eun asking her directly, there was almost no chance that Da-yeon wouldn¡¯t watch *My Love From the Stars.* As time passed and the second episode finally aired, Ha-eun watched it from start to finish with her mother, Na-yeon. Then, as the preview for the third episode began, Ha-eun¡¯s phone rang¡ªit was Yoo Sung-ah. [ ¡°I¡¯m glad to see my nagging paid off. We¡¯ll keep watching, of course, but I¡¯m confident... you¡¯re definitely not just a doppelga?nger. I¡¯ll be looking forward to next week, too.¡± ] Hearing such sincere praise from Yoo Sung-ah without any flattery was enough to fill Ha-eun with happiness. She was too focused on the drama¡¯s smooth progress to think about anything else. Just as usual, she tuned into Squirrel¡¯s stream until she fell asleep, woke up the next morning at her usual time, and walked to school with a spring in her step. Having no real sense of how far-reaching the success of a drama breaking 20% viewership from its first episode could be, Ha-eun¡¯s thoughts were preoccupied with whether Double Lee had watched the show and if they¡¯d mention it at her singing lesson that afternoon. ¡°Ha-eun, can you come outside for a minute?¡± ¡°Huh? Why?¡± ¡°Well... my friends wanted to meet you.¡± A girl from Ha-eun¡¯s class had led her out of the classroom while Da-yeon was momentarily absent. And within seconds, she found herself facing¡ª ¡°Wow, she¡¯s so pretty...¡± ¡°This is my first time meeting a celebrity.¡± ¡°Do you think she¡¯ll give us her autograph?¡± ¡°I really want to shake her hand.¡± The tension quickly faded when Da-yeon¡¯s manager, Kim Jin-soo, returned with a strawberry latte and a mango ade. It was then that Ha-eun finally asked the question she¡¯d been dying to ask. ¡°So, what did you think of *My Love From the Stars* episode 2?¡± ¡°It was... fun... and watchable, I guess.¡± Truthfully, Ha-eun wasn¡¯t too concerned with what Da-yeon thought. Regardless of how harshly Da-yeon judged it, she knew she¡¯d given her best. However, episode 5¡ªthe one she¡¯d poured the most effort into¡ªwas scheduled to air on the Wednesday of her birthday in two weeks. Since it was during winter break, Ha-eun thought she¡¯d celebrate in a unique way. ¡°Hey, Da-yeon, can I stay over at your place in two weeks on Wednesday?¡± ¡°W-what?¡± ¡°Why are you so surprised? You stayed over at my place, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°W-well, that¡¯s true, but... why all of a sudden?¡± ¡°Staying over at a friend¡¯s house is something I¡¯ve always wanted to try.¡± For her 12th birthday, Ha-eun asked Da-yeon if she could spend a day with her. Though she didn¡¯t get an immediate ¡°yes,¡± she didn¡¯t hear a ¡°no¡± either. When the day of episode 5¡¯s airing finally arrived, it also happened to be Ha-eun¡¯s 12th birthday. -Ding dong~ For the first time, Ha-eun¡¯s index finger pressed the doorbell of Da-yeon¡¯s house instead of the code to her own door. *** ¡°Shuran! Episode 5 is about to start¡ªwhat are you doing in there?¡± ¡°...I can¡¯t watch .¡± ¡°What? Why?¡± ¡°It ended with them being chased by soldiers in episode 4. If either of them gets hurt, I won¡¯t be able to take it, sis.¡± ¡°Oh, come on, they¡¯re the main characters! They¡¯re not going to die; they¡¯ll escape at the last second.¡± ¡°I hope so... but I have a bad feeling.¡± Shuran¡¯s sister, Liwei, listened as Shuran murmured that if anything happened to either of the protagonists, she¡¯d blow up the UBS drama forum. At that moment, Liwei thought it was just talk. In fact, many people who heard similar remarks from their daughters, sisters, or friends thought the same thing¡ªthat it was just talk. They couldn¡¯t deny that *My Love From the Stars* was explosively popular, but it was still a fictional story with fictional characters. Would they really go that far? Most people dismissed the notion with a shrug. Chapter 36 *My Love From the Stars* was a blend of genres, a drama that seamlessly merged romance, comedy, and historical elements. Scenes moved fluidly between the distant past and the present, creating a timeless story that appealed to a broad audience. Despite the shifting timelines, the drama maintained a clear narrative, allowing it to break record viewership ratings day by day, thanks to the cast¡¯s exceptional performances and the consistent storyline. Whether set in ancient times or modern-day, the romance between Park Do-joon and Han Yoo-hwa remained the heart of the story. But the timeline couldn''t remain split between past and present forever. While Park Do-joon, being immortal, remained the same in both timelines, Han Yoo-hwa, as a mortal, existed differently in each era¡ªeven if her soul remained the same. Ultimately, the main plot would focus on the modern-day Han Yoo-hwa and Park Do-joon, meaning the story of their past selves had to come to an end. Yet, this ending would be far from typical. ¡°Why am I so nervous about this?¡± Director Hwang Min-soo, who had stayed late at the studio every night since the show¡¯s premiere, felt his heart pounding once again as he awaited the start of episode 5. This episode was pivotal in many ways.@@@@ Of course, he was confident. The past storyline had consistently delivered high-quality scenes, but the highlight was undoubtedly Ha-eun¡¯s performance in this fifth episode. ¡®Only someone special could pull off a performance like that.¡¯ As someone who had seen countless actors over the years, Director Hwang knew that Ha-eun¡¯s portrayal was unique, not something easily described as ¡°familiar¡± or ¡°expected.¡± The sheer terror in her eyes as she faced the approaching soldiers, yet still stepping forward with unwavering resolve. Then, as the soldiers¡¯ arrows rained down on her, Yoo-hwa collapsed to the ground, gazing up at the vast night sky as her eyes dimmed, succumbing to death. Ha-eun¡¯s performance left viewers with no doubt that Yoo-hwa¡¯s story had ended. It also conveyed, beyond question, why Park Do-joon couldn¡¯t forget Yoo-hwa even after 500 years. When they¡¯d filmed that scene, Director Hwang had felt confident that no other performance could serve as a better conclusion to the past storyline. Even the first encounter between the young modern-day Han Yoo-hwa and Park Do-joon had been so perfect that they¡¯d filmed it in a single take. However, from episode 5 onward, Yoo Sung-ah would portray Han Yoo-hwa. Although viewers had already seen Yoo Sung-ah as Yoo-hwa in the first episode, Director Hwang worried. Would the viewers be able to accept Yoo Sung-ah¡¯s portrayal of Han Yoo-hwa? ¡°Good grief, I never thought I¡¯d be this worried about Yoo Sung-ah.¡± After becoming so invested in Ha-eun¡¯s version of Han Yoo-hwa, it wouldn¡¯t be easy for the audience to transition to Yoo Sung-ah¡¯s portrayal. Although Yoo Sung-ah¡¯s acting was among the best in the industry, her character hadn¡¯t had any major, impactful scenes yet. There was a risk that Ha-eun¡¯s impressive death scene might overshadow Yoo Sung-ah¡¯s performance. Standing at the edge of the reeds, Yoo-hwa stopped and, with tears streaming down her face, bid a tearful farewell to Park Do-joon. - Something doesn¡¯t feel right. - Why isn¡¯t Park Do-joon stopping her? - He¡¯ll probably grab her just before she steps out of the reeds. - But would grabbing her change anything? Yoo-hwa stepped further away from Park Do-joon, moving directly toward the soldiers. -Swish. ¡°...Kids today are something else...¡± Within seconds, arrows rained down on Yoo-hwa, and she collapsed helplessly. In her final moments, she looked up at the vast night sky before her life faded, like a flower wilting as its last bit of warmth slipped away. ¡°Director Hwang... *My Love From the Stars* just hit... 35% in viewership.¡± ¡°Wh-what?!¡± In an instant, it felt like a massive wave had swallowed everyone captivated by the tragic tale of Han Yoo-hwa. ¡°No... this can¡¯t be happening!!¡± ¡°Shu-ran, calm down! It¡¯s not over yet!¡± But it didn¡¯t just engulf them; immediately after Yoo-hwa¡¯s death, time seemed to shift rapidly, as a new but strangely familiar flower bloomed in its place. ¡¸What? Why are you staring at me like that?¡¹ ¡¸Oh, it¡¯s nothing... You just look like someone I knew.¡¹ ¡¸Must¡¯ve been a beautiful person then, if you think they look like me.¡¹ Though her quiet, sorrowful breath had ceased, the bond between Park Do-joon and Han Yoo-hwa remained unbroken. ¡¸She was lovely. So much so that I regret ever meeting her.¡¹ ¡¸Then she must¡¯ve been too good for a shady guy like you.¡¹ ¡¸...Maybe.¡¹ As time flowed forward once more, Park Do-joon, now reunited with the adult Han Yoo-hwa, reached for her hand. ¡¸Hey, Park Do-joon. Do you know the meaning of the flower I gave you¡ªthe forget-me-not?¡¹ ¡¸...It means, ¡®Please don¡¯t forget me.¡¯¡¹ ¡¸Oh? You knew? I was going to tell you, thinking you had no idea.¡¹ ¡¸You told me a long time ago. In a way I could never forget.¡¹ Just as the vision of the young Han Yoo-hwa, who had remained at Park Do-joon¡¯s side for centuries, smiled softly as always. ¡¸Just remember me, my lord. That alone is enough.¡¹ In the end, she drifted away, not to be forgotten, but to make way for a new beginning, her face showing no trace of regret. Chapter 37 "It¡¯s really heart-wrenching, but at the same time, I¡¯m glad the two ended up together." "Ha Yun-seong is one thing, but the child actress¡¯s performance is absolutely amazing." "It¡¯s strange. The past and present Han Yoo-hwa are obviously played by the same actress, but why do they feel like different people?" "Maybe it¡¯s because they were a couple who had already separated once. It just feels more sentimental than other dramas." As soon as Episode 5 finished airing, a flood of comments poured into the TV station''s message board. There were so many posts that each time the page refreshed, a new page appeared. While there were other sites with more raw and unfiltered reviews, for elementary schooler Min Da-yeon, the UBS network¡¯s message board was her only go-to place to check the drama¡¯s feedback. Click. Click, click. She kept scrolling through the station¡¯s board, reading one post after another. Typically, this wasn¡¯t something Min Da-yeon would spend her time on. But her mind was a mess, more so than ever. She felt like reading the opinions of strangers¡ªpeople she¡¯d never even met¡ªmight help her sort through her thoughts. It took her about twenty minutes to reach some sort of conclusion, just as Ha-eun walked into Da-yeon¡¯s room, still damp from her bath. Ha-eun¡¯s face was as familiar as always, but Da-yeon couldn¡¯t help but notice how the slight wetness in her hair and her flushed cheeks felt a bit unfamiliar. Overall, though, she looked just as she had for the past four years. "What were you looking at?" "...Nothing." But even Ha-eun¡¯s simple question, asked without any particular intention, drew an unusually curt response from Da-yeon. She even turned off her monitor, hiding the fact that she¡¯d been looking at the feedback for *My Love From the Stars* just moments before Ha-eun entered the room. A few days earlier, in a cafe? near their elementary school, Ha-eun had said something that Da-yeon couldn¡¯t shake off, thinking all those words were just excuses. Whether it was really Ha-eun¡¯s birthday today, or if spending the night at a friend¡¯s house was indeed her wish, Da-yeon felt there had to be another reason why Ha-eun wanted to spend the night in the same room under the same blanket with her. Maybe, just maybe, Ha-eun wanted to boast about winning the role of young Han Yoo-hwa, the part she had snagged away from Da-yeon. Perhaps it was even more than that. Maybe Ha-eun wanted Da-yeon to see her most memorable scenes, the ones she¡¯d been able to film only because she had taken the role from Da-yeon. "...May you... live long and well." Da-yeon couldn¡¯t shake the thought that Ha-eun had asked to stay over just to witness Da-yeon¡¯s reaction to the scene, hoping to see her shock firsthand. "Hey, Lee Ha-eun. Be honest. This whole birthday thing, it¡¯s just an excuse, isn¡¯t it?" "...It really is my birthday."@@@@ "No, I mean, the real reason you asked to stay over. What is it?" Da-yeon fixed her gaze on Ha-eun, refusing to give her any chance to dodge. It was as if she¡¯d decided to drag out the real reason Ha-eun was here, whatever it took. But despite their locked gaze, all she could see in Ha-eun¡¯s eyes were countless small question marks. Then, as if confirming her confusion, Ha-eun spoke in a puzzled tone. "Um, Da-yeon... Are you trying to have a staring contest with me?" With that one sentence, Ha-eun shattered the serious atmosphere Da-yeon had been struggling to maintain. Her voice weakened as she asked again. "Lee Ha-eun, you just wanted to see me feel small. You wanted to make sure I¡¯d never think about competing with you in acting again." And so, Da-yeon finally voiced the bitter truth she had realized while sitting alone in the room, waiting for Ha-eun to finish her bath: the harsh acceptance that she could never surpass Ha-eun¡¯s acting. "You know you¡¯re good at acting. It¡¯s infuriating how good you are. But why do you keep...?" Her breathing trembled, her vision blurred as tears began to fill her eyes. The rational gears in her mind had started grinding the moment she met Ha-eun¡¯s gaze, and there was no way she could keep hiding the feelings she¡¯d buried over the past four years. "When I got rejected in the Kim Ji-a screen test and lost the Han Yoo-hwa audition, everyone said it couldn¡¯t be helped because of who I was up against. They said I was unlucky, but that one day, I¡¯d get my chance...." Ha-eun continued to comfort and encourage Da-yeon. Though her words didn¡¯t have an overwhelming impact, seeing the Ha-eun she had always looked up to struggling to cheer her up felt somewhat... endearing. "...Pfft." Unable to hold back any longer, Da-yeon chuckled, and the heavy atmosphere dissipated. Almost immediately, Ha-eun asked a new question. "Da-yeon, can I ask you something?" Trying to change the subject, Ha-eun¡¯s question came off as a bit silly to Da-yeon. "You don¡¯t actually think you¡¯ll have a normal school life, do you?" "So I just have to keep getting recorded by the other kids?" "If that¡¯s all that happens, consider yourself lucky. I know someone whose classmates even stole her textbooks, and she had to transfer schools." Da-yeon bluntly told Ha-eun that a normal school life wasn¡¯t in the cards for her. Then, after a pause, she asked Ha-eun why she wanted one so much. "Why are you so obsessed with being normal, Lee Ha-eun? What¡¯s so great about it?" It was an innocent question, more out of curiosity than anything else. Watching Ha-eun cling to normalcy for the past four years had left her a bit frustrated. But when Ha-eun looked at her with that familiar expression, there was a hint of sadness. "It¡¯s just... I feel like I¡¯m missing out. I wanted to go on school trips and excursions, too." "It¡¯s not like you¡¯ll never go... Just that you¡¯ll have to be more cautious." In the end, it was Da-yeon who ended up comforting Ha-eun. It felt odd, given Ha-eun¡¯s seemingly perfect life. With each passing moment, it felt like she knew less and less about Ha-eun. --- "Yes, I think it¡¯s time they made a guest appearance on a variety show." "Exactly, Producer Hwang! So, what if we made an entire episode themed around *My Love From the Stars*? It would be great for publicity." Producer Choi Soo-hyuk enthusiastically explained the promotional benefits of having the cast of *My Love From the Stars* appear on *Don''t Stop People*. But considering the show¡¯s sky-high ratings, they didn¡¯t really need the extra promotion. "Makeup will get ruined, bodies exhausted, and reputations hurt. The downsides outweigh the benefits." While Ha Yun-seong, who enjoyed working out, might not mind, Yoo Seong-ah had long avoided variety shows and would never agree to join *Don''t Stop People*. Hwang Min-soo pondered how to dismiss Choi Soo-hyuk''s eager pitch. Then, a thought crossed his mind¡ªone neither Hwang nor Choi had recalled. Ha-eun had once appeared in Lee Gun-yeol¡¯s (a member of Double Lee) music video for "Matchstick." And given her close relationship with Double Lee, Ha-eun was the most likely candidate from the cast to consider appearing on the show. "Gun-yeol, maybe you could talk to her. But don¡¯t pressure her." "Of course, if she¡¯s not interested, that¡¯s that. I won¡¯t push it like certain others." "...Let¡¯s not bring up old times." One of *Don''t Stop People''s* cast members, Lee Gun-yeol himself, would be the one to subtly suggest the idea to Ha-eun. Chapter 38 Was it because she¡¯d stayed up late talking with Ha-eun? Or maybe because she¡¯d finally let out feelings she¡¯d kept bottled up for so long? "Da-yeon, Da-yeon... wake up... Breakfast is ready." "Just... ten more minutes...." As usual, Ha-eun had been up bright and early, but no matter how much she tried to wake Da-yeon, she just wouldn¡¯t budge. On any other day, Ha-eun would have persisted, but after Da-yeon had shared her deepest feelings last night, Ha-eun found herself more considerate than usual, not wanting to disturb her friend. "...If even eating instant ramen wouldn¡¯t make your eyes this puffy." In the end, she gently placed a soft blanket over Da-yeon¡¯s swollen eyes instead of waking her up. She then carefully suggested to Da-yeon¡¯s parents that they let her sleep a bit longer. After that, breakfast began without Da-yeon. Sitting across from someone else¡¯s parents and having breakfast together felt uncomfortable, but skipping a meal was bad for one¡¯s health, and Ha-eun valued health above a little awkwardness. So, she quietly ate the healthy dishes in front of her. "My, Ha-eun, you¡¯re such an easy eater... Your mother must enjoy cooking for you." Da-yeon¡¯s mother, Jung Go-eun, commented softly, admiring Ha-eun¡¯s open attitude toward food. Her father, Min Jung-woon, added a short wish directed at Da-yeon. "I don¡¯t ask for much, but I wish Da-yeon would at least pick up Ha-eun¡¯s good habits." "...Good thing I didn¡¯t wake her up." Already feeling stressed from being compared to Ha-eun, Da-yeon would have surely blown up if she¡¯d been awake to hear her parents comparing even her habits.@@@@ But Ha-eun couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit uneasy as both parents kept glancing in her direction. While their gazes weren¡¯t hostile, she felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles. "I feel like I might get indigestion...." About fifteen minutes later, breakfast finally came to an end. Just then, she received a message from her manager, Joo Jung-yoon, letting her know they¡¯d be arriving soon, so she began to prepare to leave. Since Da-yeon was still deep in sleep, she had no choice but to say her goodbyes to her parents only. "Thank you very much for having me." "Oh, please. You¡¯re welcome anytime." After politely bowing, Ha-eun stepped outside Da-yeon¡¯s house. "Lady Han Yoo-hwa! I¡¯ve missed you so much!" "...She didn¡¯t say Mom would be coming too." To her surprise, her mother Na-yeon had come along with her manager, and she immediately ran over to give Ha-eun a tight hug. Almost at once, Na-yeon started pouring out her reactions to Episode 5 of *My Love From the Stars*. "Do you know how much I cried after watching you last night? You should¡¯ve told me in advance that Han Yoo-hwa was going to die!" ¡®...I can¡¯t breathe....¡¯ The thief who managed to escape, thanks to Squirrel¡¯s sacrifice, responded with an equally familiar line. "I swear I shall never forget Lady Squirrel, no matter when that day comes!" Ha-eun¡¯s focus on the broadcast instantly sharpened. Moments later, the cops found Squirrel and fired their arrows in rapid succession. Within seconds, her avatar looked like a pincushion and died on the spot. - "Fake Yoo-hwa, cut down immediately, lol." - "The real Han Yoo-hwa didn¡¯t even get hit this much." - "It¡¯s like they shot her immediately because she was impersonating Han Yoo-hwa." "Come on, don¡¯t you think I look a little like her? Not even a bit?" - "Nope." - "The real Han Yoo-hwa would never squeak like that." - "Also, comparing Gangjeong to Park Do-joon is just... no." "What¡¯s wrong with my Jung! I mean, even I admit it¡¯s a bit off." - "Oops, your true feelings slipped out!" - "Countdown to Gangjeong sulking in 10, 9, 8..." - "Please, Squirrel, compare him to someone else. I mean, there¡¯s no way our Yun-seong oppa would ever look at someone like Gangjeong¡ª(Message deleted)" - "Anyway, we managed to get the jewel out, so it¡¯s a happy ending!" The chat was filled with discussions about *My Love From the Stars* as Squirrel and her viewers continued chatting. Given the drama¡¯s national popularity, it wasn¡¯t surprising, but seeing so many people talk about Ha-eun¡¯s performance in such an enthusiastic way felt unfamiliar. Finally, the confusion that had clouded Ha-eun¡¯s mind all day lifted, replaced by a warm, pleasant sensation. In the small mirror beside her monitor, Ha-eun noticed the corners of her mouth gradually curling upward. The feeling was so good that no stray thoughts could break through. --- Buzz... Buzz... Click. "Hello?" [Oh, Manager Joo. It¡¯s Lee Gun-yeol.] "Ah, yes, Gun-yeol. What¡¯s up?" [Well, there¡¯s something I¡¯d like to discuss with Ha-eun. Is she busy right now?] Glancing over, Joo Jung-yoon saw Ha-eun at a nearby table, eating a delicious-looking slice of cake while giving yet another interview across from Heo Joo-eun. This time, however, Heo Joo-eun had brought a photographer, so the sound of camera shutters filled the cozy cafe?. "She¡¯s in the middle of an interview. I think it¡¯ll be about another 30 minutes. Is it urgent?" [No, no, it¡¯s nothing that urgent. I¡¯ll try again a bit later.] With that, the call ended, and almost simultaneously, the shutter clicked again, making Joo Jung-yoon realize something. ¡®...I never thought I¡¯d actually become a star manager.¡¯ From a complete novice with zero experience as a manager, he had somehow become the manager of a rising star like Ha-eun. The constant inquiries and missed calls from people wanting to reach Ha-eun made this even more surreal. ¡®Maybe I should ask for a raise...?¡¯ Chapter 39 If there was a drama currently stirring up the most buzz, it was undoubtedly *My Love From the Stars*. Starting with over 20% viewership from episode 1, the drama had only reached higher peaks, hitting 35% during episode 5¡ªa remarkable feat. *"The beautiful star who dominated theaters five years ago now conquers the winter TV screens."* *"The stellar child actors in *My Love From the Stars* continue to drive record-breaking ratings with unexpected twists."* *"Former rivals on Wednesday-Thursday slots no longer stand a chance... MBS''s *Face Queen* continues to decline in ratings."* As expected, the media was flooded with articles about *My Love From the Stars*, online and offline. Watching her fellow entertainment reporters rush to publish stories about the drama, reporter Heo Joo-eun thought to herself: "...Good thing I secured that early interview." She felt relieved she¡¯d been the first to spotlight Ha-eun on the day of the drama¡¯s initial shoot, back when no one had been paying her any attention. Strictly speaking, only the two lead actors, Ha Yun-seong and Yoo Seong-ah, were supposed to be the focus of coverage that day. "What¡¯s with this? Interviewing a twelve-year-old is like reaching for the stars!" Now that Ha-eun, not the main stars, was in the spotlight, her undercover approach on set, posing as a staff member just to get to Ha-eun, had indeed been a masterstroke. Truth be told, Heo Joo-eun¡¯s first interview article hadn¡¯t garnered much attention back then. It was, after all, a simple piece with nothing particularly newsworthy. But now that Ha-eun was seen as a major force in *My Love From the Stars*, the situation had completely changed. In a twist of fate, Heo Joo-eun was the only reporter Ha-eun had granted an interview to¡ªa fact that left her colleagues in disbelief. "Reporter Heo, do you have any other scoops on Lee Ha-eun?" "I don¡¯t know...." "Come on, Reporter Heo! You watched episode 5 of *My Love From the Stars* too. You know a single recent photo of Ha-eun would be an instant hit." "Well... the truth is, I didn¡¯t bring a camera to our first interview, so I don¡¯t actually have any recent photos." Her fellow reporters, who hadn¡¯t even managed to meet Ha-eun, were probing Heo Joo-eun for any scrap of information. Then, as if to prove the adage about speaking of the tiger and it appears, her phone started ringing. When she looked at the screen, the name displayed was: **"Actress Lee Ha-eun"**@@@@ "...What?" The name was enough to shock Heo Joo-eun and the colleague beside her. She picked up her phone almost faster than light. "Hello?" [Hello, Reporter Heo. This is Lee Ha-eun. I¡¯d like to follow up on the promise I made last time. When would be convenient for you¡ª] The rest of the call was a blur. She hadn¡¯t expected Ha-eun to reach out first, let alone so soon after episode 5 had aired. With heartfelt gratitude, she thanked Ha-eun. It was rare indeed for an actress to offer an interview proactively, especially one that promised such exclusive insight. Returning to the office reluctantly, she sifted through dozens of photos taken by the junior reporter who¡¯d accompanied her, carefully selecting the best shots. This article was sure to make waves, so she wanted Ha-eun¡¯s images to be as beautiful as possible. --- "*Don¡¯t Stop People*? Me?" "Yes." Lee Gun-yeol¡¯s steady gaze held no hint of playfulness, and the stack of broadcast scripts on the table added weight to his proposal. "Of course, you won¡¯t have to play intense games like name-tag chase. Just a few on-screen challenges." Gun-yeol continued explaining the details of the program, but Ha-eun¡¯s attention drifted to the filming date rather than the content. ¡®...Maybe he¡¯ll come with me if I ask after the shoot.¡¯ Coincidentally, the shoot date aligned with a major event she remembered vividly. Strictly speaking, it would also be a critical day for Gun-yeol. Revealing the future to him would only make him think she was crazy. The best approach would be to handle it naturally, without raising his suspicions. After all, sticking close to Gun-yeol would make it easier to resolve the situation. "What do you say, Ha-eun? Want to film *Don¡¯t Stop People* with me?" "Yes." In the end, she agreed to appear on *Don¡¯t Stop People*. Besides the incident, it was a show she had wanted to experience, so it felt like perfect timing. She wondered if it might be a bit excessive to include this in her VTuber stream topics, but it would still be a worthwhile experience. "Well, I¡¯m not sure about everyone¡¯s name tag, but can I try to drop Dong-gook¡¯s name tag? If I ask nicely?" "Dong-gook is great with kids. Don¡¯t worry." For now, she decided to focus on anticipation rather than worry. If she handled both the show and the upcoming incident well, she¡¯d have peace of mind. "Will he give me an autograph if I ask?" "Of course. But I bet Dong-gook would want your autograph first." "Really?" "You wouldn¡¯t believe how much he enjoys *My Love From the Stars*. When he found out you were the girl in our old music video, he was starstruck." Chapter 40 *Don''t Stop People*, UBS¡¯s flagship variety show, aired during the prime Sunday evening slot. Its cast included actors, singers, comedians, and other entertainment figures, and its guest list was always filled with high-profile celebrities. No other show could match *Don''t Stop People* in terms of public interest, and its ratings were consistently impressive. However, the show''s signature segment, "Name Tag Chase," and other games typically demanded physical activity, often leading to cast and guest members ending up in funny and sometimes ridiculous situations. In fact, the entertaining mishaps and human moments these celebrities showed while facing difficult challenges were key to the show''s appeal. "Still, don¡¯t you think it''s a bit much to have an elementary school kid play Name Tag Chase, Soo-hyuk?" Despite the importance of ratings, MC and regular cast member Seong Yoo-seok expressed concerns over the segment plan presented by Producer Choi Soo-hyuk. "I think it would be better to place her in the role of a referee rather than a participant." "Neither you nor the other members will go all-out against Ha-eun. And you won¡¯t know her hiding location until the end of the recording, so there¡¯s little chance of her feeling overwhelmed." Producer Choi reassured Yoo-seok, explaining additional adjustments made specifically to accommodate Ha-eun¡¯s age. They had minimized any elements that could be challenging for her. "Alright, Soo-hyuk, if you¡¯ve really thought it through. Still, I can¡¯t shake the feeling she might be a bit uncomfortable with the chase segment." "Actually, she specifically requested to participate in it. She said it seemed really fun!" "...Really? You¡¯re serious?" "Would I lie to you, hyung?" Seong Yoo-seok finally relented, accepting that the setup was designed to suit Ha-eun¡¯s requests and ensure her safety. Having Ha-eun on the show was a big win; she was the main force that had propelled *My Love From the Stars* to incredible heights. There was no telling how many new viewers would tune in just to see her appearance, making this a golden opportunity for UBS¡¯s entertainment division. However, Yoo-seok remained cautious, primarily due to Ha-eun¡¯s young age. ¡®...Gun-yeol will really need to support her.¡¯ Even though Producer Choi had arranged accessible missions for her, the show would include a lot of conversations with the regular cast, requiring wit and charm. Most celebrities who appeared on *Don''t Stop People* had unique stories to share, making it easy for them to engage with the cast. But at just twelve years old, it was uncertain if Ha-eun would be able to captivate audiences with her words alone. Fortunately, one of the regular members, Lee Gun-yeol, had known Ha-eun for quite some time, so he could take the lead in sharing stories and make things easier for her. Finally, the day of the [Don''t Stop People: *My Love From the Stars* Special] recording arrived. "Why does my hat not hide my funny face?" Yoo-seok grumbled as his coordinator joked with him while they waited for Ha-eun and the other members to arrive. Not long after, more members began arriving, bringing similar light-hearted teasing his way. "Hey, I¡¯m not the only one, okay? Do you all think you¡¯re much better?" ¡®Well, I suppose she has her reasons.¡¯ It was his responsibility as MC to steer clear of questions that might make guests uncomfortable, so he decided to focus on other topics Ha-eun had approved. As he finished briefing her on the show, less than ten minutes remained before filming. Just then, Ha-eun hesitantly approached Yoo-seok. "Mr. Yoo-seok, may I ask one question?" "Of course! Feel free to ask anything about the filming." "Actually... it¡¯s not about the filming. It¡¯s a personal question. Is that okay?" "Hmm... go ahead." Delaying attaching his microphone for a moment, Yoo-seok turned his attention fully to her. "Mr. Yoo-seok, when you became famous, did people start recognizing you at cafes or grocery stores?" "Well, yes, I suppose." "Do you find it uncomfortable? It can¡¯t be easy to relax with that kind of attention." Although he didn¡¯t understand her exact reason for asking, he could tell it wasn¡¯t a lighthearted question. "Well, that¡¯s part of the responsibility that comes with fame. It¡¯s not as easy as it was before, but as long as I can manage, I try to handle it." Yoo-seok answered without a hint of his usual playfulness, offering her honest advice. Ha-eun¡¯s thoughtful expression showed she was absorbing his words. "Thank you, Mr. Yoo-seok. I appreciate the advice." Satisfied that he¡¯d offered her some reassurance, Yoo-seok hoped her worries would ease. Soon, Producer Choi Soo-hyuk¡¯s voice called for standby, signaling the start of recording. Within seconds, the cameras were rolling. "Thank you all for waiting! Today¡¯s special guest is none other than Lee Ha-eun!" As the MC, Yoo-seok welcomed Ha-eun with genuine enthusiasm. At that moment, however, he had no idea just how much Ha-eun would dazzle everyone during the recording. TL NOTE: Please don''t skimp on the stars for the translation - it inspires me and gives me the strength to write more. Thank you~! If you want to buy me a /kimsu Chapter 41 "Let¡¯s do our best." At first, that was the only thought that crossed Ha-eun''s mind. For her¡ªand honestly, for anyone¡ªthe chance to appear on a popular variety show like *Don¡¯t Stop People* wasn¡¯t an opportunity that came around often. Of course, in a way, everything Ha-eun had experienced up until now hadn¡¯t exactly been common. But those past experiences had all been within the realm of "acting." This was the first time Ha-eun was stepping out of that familiar category. Instead of thick scripts from dramas or movies, there were thin cue cards, and two or three VJs assigned to follow her throughout the day. Nothing felt familiar. More than anything, there wasn¡¯t a set script or emotions the cameras on set wanted from her. She felt a different kind of pressure from when she had lines to recite or emotions to portray. Still, it wasn¡¯t as if she had to handle everything from start to finish on her own. The members, including Lee Gun-yeol, whom she already knew, were considerate and kind. So, she was determined to give it her all. Just like she always had. ¡°Now, thank you all for waiting. Today¡¯s special guest, here is Miss Lee Ha-eun!¡± With that reassurance, she believed things would go smoothly. **Step.** Calming her slightly trembling heart, Ha-eun took her first steps onto the center of the set. Instantly, the members erupted in exaggerated excitement. ¡°Oh my, it¡¯s really Han Yoo-hwa!¡± ¡°Wait, how is she alive? Didn¡¯t she die from an arrow shot?¡± ¡°Gah, an arrow? Watch what you¡¯re saying in front of a living person!¡± ¡°Punish this guy for his disrespect!¡±@@e she received was even more chaotic than what she¡¯d heard from the waiting room. Ha-eun was taken aback for a moment. But, knowing this was her first appearance on *Don¡¯t Stop People*, she needed to make a strong first impression. She approached Yoon Si-hyuk, who had made the comment about her character''s death and was now playfully lying on the floor, pretending to be sprinkled with salt by the other members. **Swish.** She leaned forward¡ªnot too fast, not too slow. ¡°I am very much alive, sir. Could it be that you had a bad dream last night?¡± She adopted a mischievous smile, the same one she¡¯d used as Han Yoo-hwa in her scenes with Park Do-jun in the marketplace. Yoon Si-hyuk looked stunned, momentarily lost for words. Sung Yoo-seok, noticing Yoon Si-hyuk¡¯s blank expression, stepped forward and, with an exaggerated tone, demanded that he immediately apologize. ¡°Why did you only bring desserts?¡± ¡°Hey, kids these days love sweets. Not that someone like you, still single, would understand!¡± Some members, confident that she¡¯d pick their plates loaded with chocolates and snacks, cheered the loudest. But to their surprise, Ha-eun¡¯s choice wasn¡¯t any of the sugary plates. She chose the meticulously balanced meal prepared by Jeon Dong-guk, resembling a healthy school lunch. ¡°H-Huh? This one is your favorite?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Having had his sweets snatched away by other members, Jeon Dong-guk had thrown together a healthy meal with no expectation of winning. Shocked, he remained dazed long after Ha-eun declared him the victor. ¡®She... has a unique palate.¡¯ With the first mission complete, they boarded a bus to the next filming location. Once everyone was on, it was time for a casual chat. Following some pre-arranged questions from Sung Yoo-seok, the conversation began. ¡°So, Ha-eun, what do you usually do in your free time?¡± ¡°Hmm... Lately, I¡¯ve been watching a lot of online videos.¡± ¡°Oh, online videos! Could you tell us about the last one you watched?¡± It was a simple question. Ha-eun could have easily said she¡¯d watched highlights of *Don¡¯t Stop People*. But instead, she replied, ¡°It was a video about making bread from home-grown wheat. Unfortunately, an accident happened, and all the bread was ruined. I felt so bad for them.¡± The unique response piqued Sung Yoo-seok¡¯s curiosity, and he asked for more details. ¡°What happened to the bread? Did someone steal it?¡± ¡°Oh, no, it wasn¡¯t stolen. The storage where they kept the bread... exploded. The owner cried so much...¡± ¡®...The storage exploded?¡¯ For a moment, silence filled the bus. In that brief calm, Sung Yoo-seok concluded that it must have been a sad documentary. ¡°It sounds like a heartbreaking documentary. I can understand why you felt sorry for them, Ha-eun.¡± It wasn¡¯t surprising. In Sung Yoo-seok¡¯s mind, a video with such events could only be a documentary. ¡°Watching videos like that reminds you of how precious food is, doesn¡¯t it? By the way, I remember Ha-eun mentioning that she¡¯s not picky about food?¡± ¡°Yes, there¡¯s really nothing I dislike.¡± ¡°That¡¯s probably because you already understand the value of food. Knowing that even a single piece of bread isn¡¯t easily earned... That¡¯s incredible.¡± ¡°...Huh? I¡¯m... incredible?¡± ¡°Absolutely! When I was your age, I¡¯d leave kimchi because it was too spicy, and anchovies because they were too salty...¡± And so, the conversation veered in a direction Ha-eun hadn¡¯t anticipated. Before she knew it, she was seen as a model child with an admirable sense of values. Ha-eun, who had simply been recounting a scene from Squirrel¡¯s livestream the night before, was left baffled as to why the word ¡°documentary¡± had come into the discussion. Chapter 42 It was back when *Don¡¯t Stop People: My Love From the Stars Special* was still in the planning stages. ¡°Wait... Gun-yeol, who did you just finish talking to?¡± [Ha-eun.] Hearing the unexpected name over the phone, PD Choi Soo-hyuk jolted upright in surprise. ¡°Ha... Ha-eun, as in Lee Ha-eun? The one who played young Han Yoo-hwa in *My Love From the Stars*?¡± [Who else would it be? So, is this going to work or not?] ¡°Of course, it will! Definitely!¡± [Knew it.] Gun-yeol ended the call, casually mentioning that PD Choi owed him for making things easier and that he could repay the favor with a *Don¡¯t Stop People: Lee Gun-yeol Special* someday. ¡°Wait... it¡¯s really Lee Ha-eun? Seriously?¡± For PD Choi, who had been struggling to finalize the guest lineup for the *My Love From the Stars* special, this was unexpected, wonderful news¡ªso much so that he kept letting out breaths of disbelief. He hadn¡¯t even known that Gun-yeol and Ha-eun knew each other, let alone that Gun-yeol would personally suggest she appear on the show. Regardless of the process, though, Ha-eun was a star whose presence was impossible to ignore. No PD in their right mind would refuse such a popular celebrity whose fame spanned both online and offline. In the following days, they held countless meetings, day and night, to create a plot and missions that would suit Ha-eun. Finally, when they ran out of ideas, they set up a meeting with her to confirm her appearance. Still, Choi Soo-hyuk couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit concerned. After all, it was Ha-eun¡¯s first time on a variety show, and she was only twelve. Regardless of her impressive acting skills and popularity, her age meant certain physical limitations were unavoidable. Although PD Choi¡¯s missions included considerations for Ha-eun, he couldn¡¯t make things too easy for her without compromising the show¡¯s entertainment value. So, a few of the missions required some light physical activity. Nothing risky, of course... ¡®...Just don¡¯t let it turn into a children¡¯s playtime.¡¯ Ha-eun needed to participate just enough to prevent the show from feeling childish. As long as she put in a little effort, veteran entertainers like Sung Yoo-seok would carry the rest. No one on the production team expected Ha-eun to have the smooth charisma of Yoo-seok, the playful antics of Yoon Si-hyuk, or the all-around problem-solving skills of Jeon Dong-guk. All they wanted was for the audience to experience young Han Yoo-hwa¡¯s charm on-screen one more time. That was all PD Choi hoped for from Ha-eun. So, when the opening scene began... ¡°I¡¯m very much alive, sir. Could it be that you had a bad dream last night?¡± ...and Ha-eun delivered her witty ad-lib, PD Choi couldn¡¯t help but sigh in relief. If she could keep this up, he had no more demands. When Ha-eun surprised everyone by choosing Jeon Dong-guk¡¯s seemingly bland dish in the first mission, and later on the bus spoke naturally without any hint of nervousness, he found himself feeling immensely grateful for Gun-yeol¡¯s help in bringing her onboard. ¡®One of these days, we really need to do a Gun-yeol Special.¡¯ Ha-eun was currently everything he¡¯d hoped for. However, not long after, as the second mission, *Petal Toss for a Fake Park Do-jun*, began... ¡°Just a reminder, everyone: the closer you get to Ha-eun¡¯s shoe landing spot, the more points you¡¯ll earn. This isn¡¯t about throwing it the farthest.¡± ¡°PD-nim, should I just throw it any which way?¡± ¡°Oh, yes. It doesn¡¯t matter where Ha-eun¡¯s shoe lands.¡± ¡°P-PD Soo-hyuk... is this really okay?¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s not bad, is it?¡± ¡°I mean... I guess not, but...¡± PD Choi¡¯s mind was too busy adjusting the editing plan to reassure the assistant. Regardless, Ha-eun was dazzling. Her performance was captivating, albeit for reasons different from her role in *My Love From the Stars*. And as long as the ratings were high, PD Choi couldn¡¯t complain. There was nothing dire enough to halt the shoot. With the recording proceeding smoothly, it was finally time for the final mission. ¡°Ms. Bo-ram, are Ha-eun¡¯s tags in place?¡± ¡°Yes, she¡¯s on her way to the final location with Writer Kim Hyun-jin.¡± ¡°Alright. Please let Writer Kim know to update me upon arrival.¡± Shortly after, word came that Ha-eun had arrived at the final location. PD Choi then allowed the cast members to exit the bus one by one and announced the day¡¯s final mission. ¡°Currently, Han Yoo-hwa is hiding somewhere in this traditional village, trying to evade the fake Park Do-jun. The first person to find her and reach the final podium with her will win today¡¯s game.¡± After scattering the members throughout the village, he gave the writers a cue to reveal the identity of the fake Park Do-jun. ¡°The fake Park Do-jun¡¯s final objective is to remove Han Yoo-hwa¡¯s tag before she escapes in the UFO. But remind him¡ªno physical contact with Ha-eun.¡± The members¡¯ faces grew tense as they absorbed their instructions. But in contrast, Ha-eun, with her usual calm expression, hid quietly in the vast traditional village with her assigned VJ. ¡°Um, Ha-eun...?¡± ¡°?¡± ¡°We still have three minutes before filming starts. Would you mind taking a picture with me?¡± ¡°Oh, sure.¡± Ha-eun stood next to the friendly VJ, making a peace sign as they prepared to take the photo. At that moment, her only concern was which cast member would find her first. ¡®It¡¯s probably going to be Dong-guk, right?¡¯ She hadn¡¯t considered what to do if that cast member happened to be the fake Park Do-jun. She didn¡¯t even know who the fake Park Do-jun was. The only thing she knew was that the fake Park Do-jun would attempt to remove her tag. Still, with six out of the seven members being the ¡°real¡± Park Do-jun, she didn¡¯t think the fake one would be the first to find her. And yet, exactly twenty minutes later... ¡°Hah... hah...¡± A figure, gasping for breath, finally found her, focusing intensely not on her, but solely on her tag. ¡®...They say even the smallest chance can be enough.¡¯ Ha-eun realized, perhaps a little too late, that one should never disregard even the slimmest of odds. Chapter 43 The sky was painted a deep crimson as dusk settled, casting long shadows over the dirt path. All around, the thatched houses stood in quiet stillness, exuding an almost eerie silence with not a hint of movement to be seen. "Ha-eun... no, Lady Yoo-hwa." The voice that called out was soft and calm. Familiar, even without looking, Ha-eun knew exactly who it was. "We need to escape before the fake Park Do-jun shows up. Come, let¡¯s hurry." A hand extended toward her, accompanied by the sweeping hem of a traditional robe. Had it been anyone else, she might have followed without a second thought¡ªsomeone she hadn¡¯t known well enough to read their intentions at a glance. But she knew him too well. Even his small habit of slightly twitching his index finger when he had a secret was unmistakable. "Looks like the fake Park Do-jun is already here." Instead of taking his hand, Ha-eun took a few steps back. Almost immediately, a lighthearted chuckle followed. "Oh? Was it that obvious?" Scratching his head with a playful grin, Lee Gun-yeol¡¯s expression was friendly, yet there was a strange chill to it. There was just something unsettling about a villain with smiling eyes. "I promise I won¡¯t hurt you. So just come quietly." "I¡¯m not ready to give up yet." "What do you think you can do now? The others don¡¯t even know where you are." He took a step closer, then another. Gun-yeol¡¯s shadow stretched across the ground, slowly reaching toward her. She tried to back up further, only to be blocked by the dirt wall of the house and a row of large earthen jars. Trapped. She could try grabbing his arm and holding him off or make a scene to buy time, but she doubted she could hold out until someone found her. "Can¡¯t you at least give me a chance to pretend to run away?" "Haha. Pretend to run? I know how fast you are." "Do you think I could outrun you, though?" "Honestly, I think we¡¯re about even." She decided to stall for time with small talk, figuring that struggling would be better than going down without a fight. Keeping the conversation going with the fake Park Do-jun, she wracked her brain for any possible escape plan. **Thud.** ¡®...Huh?¡¯ Ha-eun suddenly realized that the row of earthen jars behind her wasn¡¯t as tall as she¡¯d assumed. While her hanbok was a bit restricting, it wasn¡¯t so uncomfortable that she couldn¡¯t move. If she could step onto one of the jars, the wall behind them was low enough for her to climb over. ¡®...I probably won¡¯t break anything even if I fall.¡¯ She had no idea what was on the other side of the wall, but staying here and getting tagged out seemed far worse. After all, the show was called *Don¡¯t Stop People*. Simply hiding quietly in some shadowed corner until she was tagged out felt like a betrayal of the show¡¯s spirit. "Oh, fake Lord Park Do-jun, do you really wish to harm this poor girl?" "Well, there¡¯s not much choice now, is there?" "Please, my lord. I have yet to see the spring blossoms or the autumn leaves." "Save those for your next life." As the fake Park Do-jun stepped closer, Ha-eun¡¯s eyes widened, and she glanced to the side as if spotting someone. "Lord Jeon Dong-guk!" ¡°?!¡± She shouted out the name of the one person capable of resolving this situation and the one name that would surely distract the fake Park Do-jun. In a flash, Ha-eun leapt onto the jar behind her. **Rattle.** The lid of the jar wobbled beneath her feet, but with no time to hesitate, she grabbed the edge of the wall and vaulted over. "Ha-eun! That¡¯s dangerous¡ª!"@@@@ But before Gun-yeol could reach her¡ª **Thud.** She landed not on hard ground but on something soft and squishy. Feeling her feet hovering in midair, Ha-eun cautiously opened her eyes. And found herself staring into the concerned face of Jeon Dong-guk, holding her in a princess carry. Their final destination was a bar along the main street. But Ha-eun couldn¡¯t go inside a bar. Gun-yeol offered to retrieve Lee Joon himself. "Wait here, Ha-eun. I¡¯ll bring him out." However, she tugged him back, stopping him in his tracks. "Look, that¡¯s Lee Joon¡¯s car over there. I¡¯ll hide inside, and when he comes back, I¡¯ll... confront him." "C-Confront him? Do you really need to?" "People who break promises must face consequences." Rel uctantly, Gun-yeol unlocked Lee Joon¡¯s car with a spare key, and together, they hid in the backseat. After what felt like an eternity of tense waiting... "There he is." As soon as Ha-eun saw him exit the bar, she signaled to Gun-yeol to stay silent. The car door clicked open, and Lee Joon slumped into the driver¡¯s seat, the smell of beer filling the air as he fumbled with the ignition. With a firm hand, Gun-yeol slammed the car into park just as Lee Joon was about to shift into drive. "Hey." ¡°!?!! Why are you here?!¡± Gun-yeol¡¯s eyes narrowed, fierce and unyielding, his previous nervousness evaporating. Opening the door, Ha-eun slipped out, leaving the two adults alone to ¡°sort things out.¡± As the car rocked with muffled sounds, Eun-hyuk cautiously asked Ha-eun, "Um, Ha-eun... what¡¯s going on in there?" "Not yet, Manager-nim. You¡¯ll find out soon enough. But for now, let¡¯s leave them to it." She grabbed his arm, suggesting they grab a snack at the nearby convenience store. Soon, she and Eun-hyuk were sharing a couple of onigiri, thanks to a convenient 1+1 deal. It had been quite the eventful day¡ªboth in good ways and... not so good ways. --- "So, this is the trophy you got for winning on *Don¡¯t Stop People*?" "Yep." "...Let me see." In a flash, Da-yeon bit down on the trophy. "Ouch! This isn¡¯t real gold!" "Hmm, I never said it was..." "Then at least tell me if it¡¯s plated!" Da-yeon had grabbed the trophy without permission, but Ha-eun didn¡¯t seem to mind, used to her friend¡¯s impulsiveness. After enduring Da-yeon¡¯s outburst, Ha-eun finally turned to the coffee table, reaching for a thick script. "So, why¡¯d you bring the *To Busan* script here?" Da-yeon hesitated, then took a deep breath. "Ha-eun... let¡¯s have a rematch. Rock-paper-scissors." She wanted another showdown, another chance to compete in acting. But to her surprise, Ha-eun¡¯s response was one of reluctance. "Hmm... can we do another audition instead?" "What? Why?" Da-yeon instinctively grabbed Ha-eun¡¯s shoulders, shaking her in frustration. "I... don¡¯t want to do any more sick scenes. It¡¯s a movie about an epidemic, right?" "But you¡¯ve done death scenes plenty of times!" "This is different." "How?" "Just... different." Da-yeon couldn¡¯t understand why the very person who once said that you just have to keep going until you win¡ªwhether in rock-paper-scissors or acting¡ªwas now avoiding the challenge. Ha-eun had always been the one who embraced every competition with determination, seeing things through until the end. But here she was, hesitating, and it puzzled Da-yeon deeply. Chapter 44 For Da-yeon, Ha-eun was an irreplaceable rival. Auditions without Ha-eun simply didn¡¯t carry the same weight. That¡¯s why, upon discovering the upcoming lead role audition for *To Busan*, Da-yeon immediately wanted Ha-eun to join her. Showing up unannounced at Ha-eun¡¯s house was just an extension of her determination. ¡°Da-yeon, there are roles I don¡¯t want to play,¡± Ha-eun replied calmly. But Ha-eun¡¯s responses were nothing but rejections. Da-yeon tried goading her, asking if she was afraid. She even pleaded, in an unusually desperate tone, to take the audition together, but Ha-eun¡¯s answer remained firm. In the end, Da-yeon couldn¡¯t help but ask why Ha-eun was so averse to playing a sick character. Ha-eun¡¯s response was only silence. ¡®...What¡¯s her deal?¡¯ What could possibly make Ha-eun reject her proposal so firmly, especially since it was ¡°just acting¡±? After all, it was just a simple patient role, involving a few coughs and sneezes. ¡°I don¡¯t want to play a patient role... ever again.¡± Ha-eun¡¯s eyes were filled with a mix of emotions that Da-yeon had never seen. This was nothing like the carefully curated expressions she showed in front of the camera. With no choice but to let the audition idea go, Da-yeon decided to set a condition that would prevent Ha-eun from backing out of their next competition. "Fine, Ha-eun. If *To Busan* surpasses *The Neighbor Uncle*, then you¡¯ll have to go along with whatever I say next time, whether it¡¯s an acting showdown or rock-paper-scissors." Putting forth a condition that even seemed unrealistic to her, Da-yeon tried to make it impossible for Ha-eun to dodge the next face-off.@@@@ After a brief hesitation, Ha-eun nodded in agreement. "Alright, if *To Busan* surpasses seven million, I¡¯ll do whatever you want. Acting contest, rock-paper-scissors, whatever." "And one more thing. You have to come watch it with me on the first day." "...Fine." Knowing how well *To Busan* would perform from her previous life, Ha-eun decided to accept Da-yeon¡¯s terms, using it as a reason to avoid this audition. Eventually, Da-yeon went on to ace the audition and secure the lead role, pouring her energy into the project with the sole purpose of proving herself to Ha-eun. Months later, on the film¡¯s opening day... "Excuse me, students, this movie is rated 15. You¡¯ll need a guardian to enter." ¡°...Give me a moment. I¡¯ll call someone.¡± Before they could even enter the theater, Da-yeon almost saw her plans fall apart. Fortunately, she managed to summon her manager, Kim Jin-su, who was killing time at a nearby PC cafe?, to act as their guardian and save the day. Once they entered, though, Da-yeon faced another problem as the unsettling images she¡¯d only seen in the script now filled the screen. [Graaaargh!] Startled by the grotesque scene, Da-yeon let out a high-pitched scream, jumping in her seat. Almost instantly, Ha-eun reached over, tightly covering her mouth and grabbing her arm. The popcorn she held nearly flew everywhere, but Ha-eun managed to prevent a disaster. "If it¡¯s too scary, we can leave." Ha-eun whispered, trying to reassure her. ¡°I-I¡¯m not scared!¡± "Hmm... but your face says otherwise." ¡°What¡¯s wrong with my face?!¡± Unfortunately for Da-yeon, not even a few minutes later, an even more terrifying scene flashed on the screen. [Screeeeeech!] Da-yeon jumped again, flinching violently, and once more Ha-eun had to hold her in place. "Look, we can¡¯t disturb other people. Let¡¯s just leave before you spill your soda, too." ¡°Mmhm! Mmmmh!¡± --- "Hmm... where should I start?" Na-yeon, Ha-eun¡¯s mom, swung open her daughter¡¯s door. Though Ha-eun wasn¡¯t home, Na-yeon couldn¡¯t ignore her room on such a rare cleaning day. But once inside, she was unsure where to begin, so she started by looking over Ha-eun¡¯s belongings. First, her gaze landed on the bookshelf crammed with old notebooks and novels. Then she glanced at the bed, where a large teddy bear lay, one Ha-eun often hugged while sleeping. And finally, her eyes settled on the soundproof booth at the center of the room, the largest object among Ha-eun¡¯s furniture. ¡®...When did she add a lock?¡¯ The soundproof booth, which they¡¯d bought as a middle school graduation gift, seemed to be the one thing Ha-eun kept immaculately clean. Na-yeon respected her daughter¡¯s privacy, yet she couldn¡¯t help but reminisce about the times when little Ha-eun would sing her heart out. ¡®Feels like just yesterday she was toddling around. Time flies...¡¯ She smiled wistfully, recalling Ha-eun¡¯s innocent, high-pitched voice from those days. Her reverie was interrupted when she noticed a slightly tilted display case. **Rattle.** Carefully, she removed the trophies, adjusting the case until it stood straight once more. Then, she took out some wipes and polished each trophy until they gleamed. As she read each inscription, memories came flooding back. "First film¡ªBest New Actress. First drama¡ªYouth Acting Award... My girl really is amazing." After some quiet moments of reflection, she returned each trophy to its place, tidying up the rest of Ha-eun¡¯s room until it was pristine. When Ha-eun finally returned, Na-yeon hoped she¡¯d be delighted by her mother¡¯s effort. --- **Bang!** But as soon as Ha-eun opened the door, she rushed inside, her face filled with urgency, oblivious to her freshly cleaned room. She had a reason. Today was the deadline for the application to join *Fantasia*, a VTuber group she had prepared for, only to realize the deadline was much sooner than expected. After hastily submitting her application, Ha-eun stared at her inbox. **[Unread]** Click. **[Unread]** Click. Click. Click... **[Read]** "...!" Five long hours later, she finally exhaled in relief when she saw the "Read" notification. Chapter 45 **"Even mountains change in ten years."** This saying signifies that nothing remains unchanged as time passes. So, since the time Ha-eun began doing things on her own at her sixth birthday, an entire 12 years and two months have gone by¡ªa long span indeed. Naturally, many things about Ha-eun, including her physical appearance, had inevitably changed. "Hmm..." Currently, Ha-eun was gazing into a long, full-length mirror, not a small hand mirror. Reflected back at her was not a cute, innocent little girl, but a charming young lady. Of course, she knew that calling herself "charming" was a bit self-indulgent, but she also knew that it would be dishonest to describe herself as "plain-looking." Her long, voluminous hair... Fine yet slightly sharp, almost cat-like eyes... And beneath those, a chest that was slightly more prominent than average. As her gaze continued downward, she saw a toned lower abdomen and well-shaped legs without any excess fat. It seemed that the worrisome "awkward phase" she had feared as a child hadn''t happened. Thanks to the exercise she had done over the years, her body was overall well-balanced. Because of this, her manager Joo Jung-yoon, and even the rarely seen CEO Jeong Do-chul, complimented her on how well she took care of herself. On the other hand, Da-yeon, who had been itching to "outshine" Ha-eun for 11 years, commented that Ha-eun looked like a school bully, though even Da-yeon couldn¡¯t bring herself to call her unattractive, even as a joke. In other words, Ha-eun had every reason to be confident about her appearance. So, to maintain her attractive appearance in a healthy way, Ha-eun changed into her workout clothes and headed to the usual open area. However... **** **** "Huh...?" Unfamiliar signs, building materials, and bright yellow heavy equipment blocked Ha-eun¡¯s way. The open space, once hers alone, was now packed with muscular construction workers.@@@@ And most strikingly, the soft grass of the open field was now overturned and torn up by the fierce machinery. *-Thud-* As soon as Ha-eun realized that the open space was no longer hers, her legs gave out. Almost immediately, the middle-aged workers, startled, shouted to check if she was okay. "Uh... can you stand up, miss? Do you need us to call 911?" "Oh, no... sorry for worrying you." With that, Ha-eun walked away from the construction site, shoulders slumped, looking completely dazed. Lee Ha-eun. Eighteen years old. Facing an unwanted change, she tasted the bitter feeling of loss as if her world had collapsed. --- "Uh, Manager Joo, what''s up with Ha-eun today?" "I''m not sure... she was fine just yesterday." Sitting in the corner of the studio, hunched over, Ha-eun caught the glances of Lee Gun-yeol and Joo Jung-yoon. But the somber, almost gloomy atmosphere was so palpable that they quickly turned their heads again. However, one thing became clear: Ha-eun¡¯s sadness was indeed because the open space had become a construction site. "How about you come with us to our judo classes?" Instead of correcting her misunderstanding about the gym, Lee Joon and Lee Gun-yeol suggested that she join them at the judo academy they attended as a hobby. After all, as a high schooler, it wouldn¡¯t hurt to learn some self-defense. "Hmm... I¡¯ll think about it." After finishing her plate of sushi, Ha-eun stood up and entered the recording booth in the studio. She began practicing an idol song she¡¯d been passionately working on lately. Everyone knew it was for the singing audition Ha-eun had been eagerly anticipating. Her voice was so remarkable that no further vocal training was needed, and any song she sang was a joy to listen to. But, precisely because her voice was so impressive, it was hard for Lee Joon and Lee Gun-yeol to understand why she would audition with an idol song. She could easily handle more challenging songs. If she was going to audition, wouldn¡¯t a more impactful, soulful song be better? "Hey, Ha-eun. Don¡¯t you think a song with a more serious vibe would be better? Like a drama OST, maybe?" So, he asked her directly from the other side of the recording booth. "A drama OST? Like which one?" "*Turn Back Time* from *Haeseumdal* or *My Fate* from *Starry Hall* could work." "Uh... don¡¯t those songs not have any choreography?" She dismissed his suggestion, as they lacked choreography. This response only deepened the mystery of Ha-eun¡¯s secretive audition. "How about you keep practicing your current song but also prepare one that showcases your pure singing talent?" It was Lee Gun-yeol¡¯s final suggestion, as he couldn¡¯t bear to see her vocal skills go to waste. After all, she could easily pass any audition with her pure vocal talent alone. "If they turn you down, it just means they don¡¯t know good music." "Thanks for saying that, at least." "When have we ever lied to you about singing? You really are talented, Ha-eun." At that moment, Ha-eun thought they were just flattering her to boost her confidence. It wasn¡¯t that she had no confidence in her singing skills, but she didn¡¯t think she was good enough to earn high praise from people like Double Lee. However, not long after, while she paused to sip some lukewarm water... *-Tap-* "...?" A few sheets of white sheet music landed in front of Ha-eun. When she asked in a puzzled voice what it was... "It¡¯s for a new song in our upcoming album. We¡¯re not sure about the female featuring part, so could you sing it for us?" It turned out to be sheet music for Double Lee¡¯s new song. They added that she should feel free to treat it as a guide recording. The problem was that Lee Joon¡¯s expression was strangely awkward. Watching him suspiciously, Ha-eun started singing the female featuring part earnestly. ¡¸©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡¹ She hadn¡¯t yet noticed that Lee Gun-yeol had slipped on a pair of thick headphones in preparation. Chapter 46 In the CEO¡¯s office at Luna Entertainment. Normally, it would only be CEO Jeong Do-chul in this room. However, after a long conversation the previous night, Lee Joon and Lee Gun-yeol had joined him. The reason they were meeting Jeong in his official capacity rather than in a casual setting was simple: they had a favor to ask from him as the CEO of Luna Entertainment, not just as their close friend. "Look at you two, acting all high and mighty now that you''re doing well. Back in the day, you couldn''t even look me in the eye." "Hyung, please, just listen to what we have to say first. We didn¡¯t come to see you early in the morning for nothing." With that, Lee Joon played an MP3 file from his laptop. Jeong paused his commentary and began listening to the rough recording of Double Lee¡¯s new song. After about three minutes, the playback ended, and Jeong''s lips finally parted to speak. "Never mind you two, but where on earth did you find that vocalist?" The question referred to the ethereal female vocal that had captivated Jeong¡¯s ears during the chorus. Lee Gun-yeol¡¯s response to this was almost like a riddle. "You know her, hyung." "Look here, Gun-yeol, I¡¯m not in the mood for riddles with grown men at my age." Frowning, Jeong implicitly told him to drop the riddles. With a light sigh, Lee Gun-yeol eventually revealed the vocalist¡¯s identity. "It¡¯s Ha-eun." "You¡¯re talking about that actress, right?" "Who else would we mean by Ha-eun?" Jeong met the unwavering gaze of Lee Gun-yeol, who was known for his honesty, especially when it came to music. It seemed the captivating voice indeed belonged to Ha-eun. But the bigger question was why Double Lee had chosen to play this recording for Jeong. Jeong had a suspicion, but he decided to hear them out first. "You remember, hyung, how you teased us about volunteering to train a kid back then?" "I wasn¡¯t teasing. It¡¯s just that it¡¯s unusual to teach someone for years over one music video." "To be honest, we had other intentions. Of course, we were grateful to Ha-eun, but there was more to it." What followed was the true reason why Double Lee had continued teaching Ha-eun for so long. "Just like you raised us years ago, we wanted to guide Ha-eun¡ªto mold her into a singer who could perfectly match our style." "She¡¯d probably be disappointed to hear that." "But she was the one who asked to learn music first. It¡¯s a win-win." They could have found plenty of skilled singers if they¡¯d wanted, but they¡¯d never found anyone who could capture Double Lee¡¯s unique vibe as well as Ha-eun did. "So, all we could teach her was our style." "Who¡¯s complaining?" "No, it¡¯s just...you¡¯ve been looking at us like we¡¯re trash this whole time." Instead of compromising with a close-enough voice, they decided to create a perfect match from scratch. This was only possible because Ha-eun had initially asked them to teach her. "Hyung, don¡¯t you think Ha-eun¡¯s voice fits our songs better than any featuring singer we¡¯ve used before?" It was only natural, after all. They had personally refined and shaped Ha-eun¡¯s voice over a decade, making it more compatible with their music than any other voice in the world.@@@@ "Yes." "Then, what if we created one more character? A fictional persona who could feature in Double Lee¡¯s songs?" This suggestion offered Ha-eun a way to fulfill Double Lee¡¯s request without increasing her own fame. Technically, it wasn¡¯t Ha-eun¡¯s public image that needed to stay low-key, but rather her voice¡¯s. Turning down a proposal crafted by the CEO himself was difficult. Besides, the *Fantasia* audition hadn¡¯t even begun, while Jeong¡¯s suggestion was an immediate issue that needed solving. "I¡¯ll...talk it over with the guys." With that vague response, Ha-eun managed to navigate her way through the choice in front of her. She then cautiously asked about the "good news" Jeong had mentioned. "Oh, that. There¡¯s a cross-dressing role you wanted¡ªthis one¡¯s even a lead." To her surprise, the role was in the drama she had told Da-yeon she wanted to be part of. "That¡¯d be *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds*. I hear it¡¯s based on a novel." "Oh, yes. I¡¯ve read it a few times. It¡¯s really entertaining." "So, you¡¯d love to be in such a fascinating story?" "...Yes." They ended the discussion by adding her name to the candidate list for the lead female role in *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds*. However, Jeong couldn¡¯t shake off one concern and decided to mention it. "The director is known for being particular. I¡¯ve heard he insists on the lead performing all the swordplay scenes themselves and even makes his casting decisions based on those scenes." In other words, if Ha-eun wanted this lead role, she¡¯d have to learn action sequences typical of historical dramas. For her, this was a golden opportunity. "So, I¡¯ll need to join an action school, right? And combine rigorous exercise with training all day?" Which also meant she could resume the workouts she hadn¡¯t done for four days. "Are you sure it won¡¯t be too difficult?" "No, I could start at an action school tomorrow! Actually, I really want to." "...?" Instead, Ha-eun eagerly requested to attend action school. Jeong was a bit taken aback by her enthusiasm. In a way, it made sense. Action schools were notoriously tough and not an ideal place for a young actress like Ha-eun. Why would she be so thrilled to go to such a place? Yet her determination seemed genuine, so Jeong reluctantly agreed to introduce her to an action school he knew . Shortly afterward, Ha-eun made another request. "Um, CEO, could I borrow a practice room? Just for a short while, maybe 10 minutes?" "Sure, we have plenty of empty practice rooms. Planning to shoot a TikTok or something?" "What? Oh, no. I just wanted to record a dance cover of an idol routine for myself." She didn¡¯t mention that the dance video would be submitted for the *Fantasia* audition. Nor did she reveal that *Fantasia* was looking for videos showing applicants¡¯ "talent." Some of the VTubers she remembered had once been idol trainees, so she thought submitting a video that mirrored their idol-like image would score her extra points. Moreover, if she submitted the idol song recording she¡¯d practiced so diligently, she was confident she¡¯d stand out among the many *Fantasia* audition hopefuls. Chapter 47 The mirrored wall covered one side of the spacious practice room, reflecting everything within. The floor was a light gray, firm but not too hard. In the center of the room stood a small tripod. "Hey, Ha-eun, do you really need to wear that hat and mask while filming?" Ha-eun¡¯s face was hidden beneath a white baseball cap and a black mask. "I want the judges to focus only on my dancing. After all, this audition doesn¡¯t require showing my face." This was part of her strategy, keeping in mind that one of the VTuber¡¯s content activities involved full-tracking movements. By showcasing her dance skills, she would also demonstrate her potential to handle full-body tracking. So, in Ha-eun¡¯s submission video, she wanted only her dance moves to stand out. To a VTuber, appearance was just a "red pill"¡ªimportant, but ultimately secondary. Yet even Joo Jung-yoon, who had grown close enough to Ha-eun to drop formalities, still couldn¡¯t understand why she was interested in such an unconventional audition like Fantasia. As Ha-eun began dancing to a well-known idol group¡¯s hit song, showing only her eyes, Jung-yoon watched with a mix of curiosity and amazement. Ha-eun continued the choreography she¡¯d practiced for quite some time¡ªmostly during her private sessions in the open field¡ªwith flawless precision. Even to Jung-yoon, who didn¡¯t know much about idol choreography, Ha-eun¡¯s moves seemed flawless. Perhaps her years of varied exercise paid off. ¡®...With a figure like hers, she really does look like an idol.¡¯ After finishing her dance routine, Ha-eun turned to Jung-yoon. "Do you think it turned out okay, unnie?" Jung-yoon gave her feedback with a touch of exaggeration. "It looked so good; anyone would believe you were a real idol. But when did you find the time to practice all that?" "I squeezed it in here and there." Ha-eun¡¯s shoulders rose slightly in response to the praise. Although her face remained calm and unbothered, it somehow made her look even more endearing. In the past, Jung-yoon had only thought, ¡®She¡¯s impressive for a kid,¡¯ but after watching over Ha-eun for over a decade, she now saw her more as a younger sibling than a rising star. So now, instead of maintaining formalities, she could tease her more freely. "I should send this video to your mom and dad." "...?!" "They¡¯ll love it; they¡¯ll think it¡¯s adorable." "No way...even if they¡¯re my parents..." It wasn¡¯t uncommon for Jung-yoon to make Ha-eun flustered with these kinds of lighthearted jokes. And watching Ha-eun¡¯s reactions was just as entertaining. "Just kidding~." "...I¡¯m going to fire you, unnie." "?!" When Ha-eun fired back with her own joke, Jung-yoon¡¯s heart skipped a beat before she realized it was a joke. She then reached over and pinched Ha-eun¡¯s cheeks with playful frustration. "You little...! That was mean...!" Jung-yoon even had a tiny tear in her eye, making Ha-eun realize that her manager was more fragile than she appeared. *-Knock, knock-* A knock on the practice room door signaled that their time was up. Gathering up the tripod, Ha-eun left the room and soon climbed into the familiar black van in the agency¡¯s basement parking lot. "So, are we heading home now?" Jung-yoon asked from the driver¡¯s seat. "No. Let¡¯s go meet the guys," Ha-eun replied. "I don¡¯t think anything will change just by me thinking it over alone." Realizing that the sooner she resolved things with Double Lee, the better, Ha-eun decided to settle everything today. From Double Lee¡¯s perspective, they couldn¡¯t wait endlessly for her decision, especially with a new album on the horizon. So she would bring closure to the matter today. "I¡¯ll do it." "...Really?!" "On a few conditions." Ha-eun agreed to feature in their song under certain terms. "First, I¡¯m using a pseudonym. So don¡¯t go around telling people I did the featuring." "...Alright." "And one more thing." "...?" *-Sigh-* "*Help me sing in this kind of voice. Originally, I wanted to surprise people by using my real voice, but now, thanks to you two, I can¡¯t use it.*" To be honest, they didn¡¯t quite understand her reasoning. Of all things, they couldn¡¯t comprehend why she wanted to sing in a voice different from her real one. But since the chance to share Ha-eun¡¯s voice with the world was now within reach, neither Lee Gun-yeol nor Lee Joon raised any objections to her conditions. --- "It was such a great idea to separate the first and second application emails." "Exactly. This way, we can filter out the joke applications in the first round, making things easier for the staff and ourselves." It was now late spring, as blossoms began to fade, and Ji Hye-min (VTuber alias: Squirrel) sat reviewing the second round of Fantasia applications, which had just closed the previous day. The cherry blossoms, carried by the breeze, drifted around her. Meanwhile, her fellow VTuber, Lee Dong-jin (alias: Kangjeong), was also reviewing the applications beside her. "Uh, unnie? What¡¯s with this highlighted email?" Noticing an unusual application, Dong-jin pointed it out. "Oh, that? I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s genuine or a fake, but... I know the person who applied to Fantasia. I set it aside to read last." She explained why this particular email was highlighted. Curious, Dong-jin asked who it was from, but Hye-min only gave a cryptic reply. "Hey, Dong-jin, can you imagine a kindergartener logging onto New World TV when I first started streaming?" Dong-j in tilted his head, thoroughly confused. "Well, back then, it was really a hidden gem. But how would a kindergartener even know about internet streaming?" "Exactly, right? I mean, it¡¯s probably an impersonator..." Her suspicions were understandable. After all, the applicant named "Dia" was only 18 now. It had been 11 years since a viewer named "D.A." first appeared on her streams. Back then, New World TV was more of an underground site. It seemed unlikely that a 7-year-old "D.A." would be the same person as this "Dia." But despite her doubts, she couldn¡¯t shake off a lingering curiosity. ¡®...Honestly, I didn¡¯t expect them to be this committed.¡¯ This person had already made an impression during the first round with a long, heartfelt email. In the second round, they submitted a dance video and two song recordings, showing even more dedication. She hadn¡¯t reviewed the dance or song files yet, but if by chance, this devoted applicant "Dia" was the same "D.A." who had loyally supported her streams for years... "I¡¯m getting them into Fantasia, no matter what. I¡¯d even beg them to join." Even if it compromised the fairness of the audition, she couldn¡¯t ignore someone as significant as "D.A.," who meant so much to her. To her, "D.A." wasn¡¯t just any viewer¡ªthey were almost like her favorite VTuber, a mysterious yet cherished presence. Therefore, ignoring an applicant with the same username, "Dia," was almost impossible, even though she knew little about them aside from their age, gender, and the VTuber name they aspired to use. Chapter 48 Spring. A lively season with birds chirping cheerfully, and petals of all colors drifting in the breeze. And yet... "Alright, everyone, put your pens down. The person at the back, please collect the OMR sheets!" It was midterms season. Whether Ha-eun was busy preparing for her Fantasia audition, recording Double Lee¡¯s song featuring part, or planning to attend the action school that CEO Jeong Do-cheol had introduced, she still had her duties in school. Since she sat at the very back of the class, it was her job to stand up and collect the answer sheets. This was a familiar scene for Ha-eun, who, as a second-year high school student, was experiencing her fifth year of exams, if you included middle school. She¡¯d even studied for exams in her previous life, although the subjects and purpose differed. Her previous studies had little to do with high school grades, given her condition had often kept her from attending school. But now, in this life, she had a healthy body and the opportunity to experience something she had once longed for¡ªa normal... "Ugh, can¡¯t art schools just skip exams?" "You need to be good at studying to say that. Like me." ¡®Didn¡¯t both of them just fill in random answers and sleep?¡¯ Ha-eun thought, rolling her eyes at her classmates¡¯ chatter. She was determined to make the most of this unfamiliar yet treasured school life. Studying wasn¡¯t about grades, but rather about being part of the process¡ªsitting in the same classroom, using the same desks, and participating in the same lessons as everyone else. Her grades turned out pretty well, so she had no reason to dislike studying. Meanwhile, in the class next to hers, Da-yeon... ¡®If my parents compare me to that know-it-all Ha-eun again, I swear I¡¯ll lose it...¡¯ Da-yeon hated studying. With her busy schedule, she couldn¡¯t study properly, and school grades didn¡¯t really affect her life choices. So, she felt it was unfair for her parents to compare her scores with Ha-eun¡¯s. But unfortunately, Da-yeon¡¯s parents often mentioned Ha-eun¡¯s grades in passing, treating her like the model daughter, or "mom¡¯s friend¡¯s perfect child." Once, unable to hold back, Da-yeon had even asked Ha-eun if she planned to quit acting and go to college. Ha-eun had simply laughed and replied: "I¡¯ll go if I can. Why not?" A response that shot Da-yeon¡¯s blood pressure through the roof. "Don¡¯t worry too much, Da-yeon. I won¡¯t quit acting just because of college¡ª" "Shut up!!" After that, Da-yeon had seen Ha-eun as her mortal enemy... until a few days later, when they bumped into each other at the school snack bar, and Ha-eun treated her to two strawberry milks and a pizza bun. Only then did Da-yeon finally forgive her. Whether this exam season would lead to the same fallout was yet to be seen. But at least the dreaded exams were finally over. *-Step, step.* As usual, Da-yeon approached Ha-eun to chat about her current drama project. Of course, it was more of a one-sided boasting session. Despite Ha-eun¡¯s scene-stealing talent, the title of "lead actress" still held significant value, and Da-yeon was eager to remind Ha-eun of her advantage. ¡°Hey, Lee Ha-eun, stop grading yourself and come outside... What the¡ª¡± Da-yeon expected to see Ha-eun anxiously comparing her test answers, but the scene before her was entirely different. "Do I need to do something about this long hair if I want to play a male role?" The receptionist looked surprised and rushed away to the back office, leaving Ha-eun confused. Currently, Ha-eun was in her "celebrity incognito" attire, her face concealed by a baseball cap and mask, just like when she filmed her dance video. She assumed the receptionist hadn¡¯t recognized her, given that she had addressed her normally before hearing her audition name. But why had the receptionist¡¯s attitude changed so suddenly after she mentioned "Dia"? She hadn¡¯t made any unusual remarks in her application email, nor had she arrived at an unscheduled time. After about ten minutes, the receptionist returned, accompanied by a second unfamiliar figure. ¡®...Did I come to the wrong place?¡¯ Ha-eun wondered, contemplating whether she should make a quick escape. That was when a familiar voice called out. "Hello, Dia. I¡¯m Squirrel. My real name¡¯s Ji Hye-min, so call me whichever is comfortable." A short woman with brown bobbed hair and a generally cute face stood before her. But what struck Ha-eun more than her face was... an impressive chest. She suddenly realized that this was indeed Squirrel in the flesh and couldn¡¯t help but wonder if that could really be a human¡¯s chest. "Anyway... please, follow me. I think we should have our conversation in the interview room." Following Ji Hye-min, Ha-eun found herself stealing glances at her, and before she knew it, they arrived in the interview room. At Hye-min¡¯s gentle invitation to sit, Ha-eun took a seat on the black wooden chair in the center of the room. "Um... do you have any scars or burns on your face?" one of the interviewers asked, requesting if she¡¯d show her bare face. With a sigh, Ha-eun removed her hat and mask, prompting wide-eyed reactions from the others. "Are you really actress Lee Ha-eun? Not just someone with the same name?!" "...Yes." She had expected her identity to be revealed during the in-person interview, so she politely asked them to proceed with the Fantasia audition. "Just one thing before we start... Are you the same D.A. who used to moderate my streams?" "Oh, yes. You once told me just to keep the manager role as a formality¡ª" "No way! You¡¯re really D.A.?! This person is really that person?!" The room filled with excited chatter rather than interview questions. Within seconds, they declared her acceptance. "We¡¯re not interviewing D.A.! Let¡¯s get ready to sign her on¡ª" "Hold on, calm down, unnie. We still need to ask a few questions," Dong-jin interjected, stopping Hye -min from instantly admitting Ha-eun into Fantasia. With a more serious expression, he turned back to Ha-eun. "Ms. Ha-eun, do you have a favorite manga or anime that left a deep impression on you?" They wanted to test if Ha-eun had the kind of taste that would appeal to viewers. Until that moment, Dong-jin had half-expected her to mention something mainstream like *One Piece* or *Demon Slayer*, assuming she¡¯d give a generic answer. "*Fullmetal Alchemist,*" Ha-eun replied. "Accepted." The mention of a true classic immediately removed all of Dong-jin¡¯s preconceptions about her. Watching his quick change in attitude, Hye-min couldn¡¯t help but feel amused by the whole scene. Chapter 49 VTubers possess various charms at once. Their addictive speaking styles, unique avatars, unexpected singing talents¡ªeach aspect contributes to a VTuber¡¯s appeal and serves as their signature weapon. But among all these, I believe the greatest appeal of a VTuber lies in empathy. No matter how captivating a VTuber may be, the ability to communicate with the audience is essential. One of the core foundations of communication is the ability to empathize with others. Thus, if I want people to come to see VTuber Dia, I need to learn to empathize with them. People naturally prefer interacting with someone who resonates with them over someone who doesn¡¯t. ¡®Shared interests.¡¯ The most reliable way to empathize with others is to have similar tastes. Thankfully, those who watch VTubers tend to have overlapping interests, so if I can grasp these preferences well, I¡¯ll be able to run the streams smoothly. Having similar interests to those who would eventually watch my streams was something I could work on even before passing the Fantasia audition. During my middle school years, I spent so much time at a newly opened manga cafe? near my house that I practically became a regular. I explored a wide range of other interests too. Some things I got so absorbed in that I had to step back a little, lest they take over my life...@@@@ ¡°Wow, that¡¯s unexpected! How do you know so much? Don¡¯t most celebrities stay away from subcultures?¡± ¡°Hey, Ha-eun has been watching Squirrel¡¯s streams since kindergarten. She¡¯s been unique from the start.¡± Seeing their pleased reactions to my answers made me feel that all my efforts to adopt new interests hadn¡¯t been in vain. Honestly, I¡¯d felt a bit nervous just before the interview, but it seemed to have paid off. ¡°Okay, Ha-eun, from now on, this is no longer an interview. Let¡¯s just chat about the future. Feel free to speak openly.¡± The questions that followed were related to streaming¡ªwhat time I could stream, the best environment setup, and so forth, alternating between the two interviewers. ¡°Personally, I think it would be best if D.A.¡ªI mean, if you, Ha-eun, streamed during the evening hours when you used to watch my streams.¡± ¡°Even if we go with that schedule, figuring out the streaming setup is the real challenge. Do you think your parents would allow you to set up a soundproof booth?¡± ¡°Oh, I already have one.¡± ¡°Huh? What do you mean?¡± ¡°A soundproof booth.¡± At that moment, their eyes blinked in astonishment, as if the word "surprise" had come to life. ¡°You actually have a soundproof booth at home?¡± ¡°Yes, and the microphone setup is all done as well.¡± Double Lee, a professional singer, had arranged my microphone setup, so there shouldn¡¯t be any additional adjustments needed. I added that only the VTuber avatar setup was left. ¡°...Celebrities really do come prepared...¡± Ji Hye-min muttered something under her breath, which tickled my ear. I didn¡¯t bother denying it, as I had indeed prepared thoroughly. However, I was a little bothered by the fact that no other candidates were present. In my past life, I remembered nearly 200 applicants. No matter how strict they were in reviewing the application emails, it didn¡¯t make sense that I was the only one to make it to the interview stage. Fantasia was supposed to be a VTuber group of four members. Moreover, I had wanted to meet the other candidates, so I asked about them. Kim Kyu-tae continued to discuss Ha-eun¡¯s upcoming training while examining the *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds* script. Like with many actors before, he explained each step, from basic fitness to choreography with stunt actors. Since Ha-eun needed to change into more comfortable attire for the assessment, one of the female instructors led her to the dressing room. It was after this that Kim Kyu-tae discovered an unexpected fact. ¡°Professor, is Ha-eun really eighteen?¡± ¡°Yes, is there a problem?¡± ¡°Not exactly... but she has more muscle than most high school girls.¡± The instructor¡¯s cautious voice mentioned Ha-eun¡¯s pronounced abs. At first, he thought she was joking. After a quick body assessment and stretching, they began the basic endurance and stamina exercises actors usually struggled with. ¡®...Why isn¡¯t she tired?¡¯ Despite being told to rest whenever needed, she showed no sign of stopping. She seemed almost like the Energizer Bunny in a battery ad. The more she sweated, the happier she seemed, her usual calm expression giving way to a slight smile, making her look genuinely pleased. If I exaggerated, she seemed possessed by the spirit of someone who¡¯d died from lack of exercise. Among stunt actors with years of experience, she stood out with her bright expression. Still, better this than showing weakness. They decided to start the sword training immediately, something they¡¯d planned to do only after building her basic stamina. ¡°Okay, we¡¯ll demonstrate the moves. Try to learn each step.¡± A choreographed group sword fight, led by Kim Kyu-tae, unfolded before Ha-eun. Plastic swords clashed, weapons flew, and the action scenes from *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds* came to life before her. ¡®It¡¯s flashier than I imagined.¡¯ Compared to the novel¡¯s descriptions, it felt more extravagant. But considering that dramas aim to enhance visual appeal, it was understandable. After the demonstration, Ha-eun took hold of her own plastic sword. ¡°We¡¯ll go full speed on the first try and slow down for the second practice!¡± Kim Kyu-tae¡¯s voice resonated as they began with the highest level of difficulty, allowing Ha-eun to gauge how much she¡¯d need to improve her swordsmanship. Moments later, plastic swords flew toward her. The sight of the burly stunt actors advancing with swords aimed only at her filled Ha-eun¡¯s vision. She held her sword in the same stance as Kim Kyu-tae had demonstrated, sweeping the sword through the air in an arc. - Thud. The sword of the leading stunt actor fell to the ground. She took a step forward and sliced horizontally. Her sword¡¯s end traced a tight spiral, forcing the stunt actors back. Then, moving swiftly, she aimed a fierce blow that stopped just short of piercing through the shoulder of the nearest stunt actor. The bright, innocent expression she¡¯d shown earlier had shifted into an intense hostility toward her opponent. Chapter 50 In *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds*, the female lead, "Yeongwol," serves as the Crown Prince''s bodyguard. She is a secretive protector of the male lead, "Crown Prince Lee Hyun." Ordinarily, a woman like Yeongwol could not have become a royal bodyguard. However, with her expert disguise as a man and her exceptional sword skills, no one suspected she was a woman. This is why Ha-eun believed she needed to master swordsmanship if she wanted to be cast as Yeongwol. Although the swordsmanship required was for filming, rather than actual combat, both types demanded skill with a blade. Ha-eun had mimicked Kim Kyu-tae''s movements, hoping that by emulating his textbook-perfect form, she could deliver an impressive, "visually pleasing" sword performance. However, from Kim Kyu-tae¡¯s perspective... ¡®...I¡¯ve seen this somewhere before.¡¯ Ha-eun¡¯s swordsmanship seemed closer to another style than his own. Considering this was her first sword performance, she displayed remarkable talent. Most actors he¡¯d taught struggled even to hold the right stance at first. Her facial expressions, as if she were Yeongwol come to life, were flawless. Without any dialogue, she conveyed urgency, hostility, and murderous intent through her expressions alone. But the feeling of familiarity in Ha-eun¡¯s swordsmanship nagged at him. He spent a long time trying to recall where he¡¯d seen such swordplay. ¡®Dad, can you teach me this?¡¯ ¡®Sorry, son. Not even I can make waves appear from my sword.¡¯ Finally, he recalled an anime his young son had recently asked to learn from, a Japanese animation featuring a sword technique called ¡°Water Breathing,¡± which traced ellipses with the blade, just like Ha-eun¡¯s movements. After Ha-eun¡¯s flawless first performance, as she glanced over at Kim Kyu-tae, awaiting his feedback, he spoke: ¡°It¡¯s true that the sword techniques in *Demon Slayer* look cool, but period drama swordplay is different. Let¡¯s start from the basics.¡± He made it clear that anime sword techniques were not the same as real-life swordsmanship. Almost immediately, Ha-eun¡¯s face turned beet red. Her ears burned so much that she could barely focus on the period swordsmanship lecture Kim Kyu-tae began. She couldn¡¯t retain a single word. *** After her first swordsmanship class, which had started with excitement and ended in embarrassment... ¡°So, off to action school again today?¡± ¡°...Yes.¡± Determined to overcome the shame of her first class, Ha-eun asked Joo Jung-yoon to take her to Kim Kyu-tae¡¯s action school almost daily. After all, she¡¯d been training for twelve years now and couldn¡¯t just stop. For Kim Kyu-tae, however, it was a bit of a hassle. He had other actors to teach, and working seven days a week was a nightmare. He understood Ha-eun¡¯s desire to secure the role of Yeongwol through relentless sword training. After all, youthful passion often burned the brightest. ¡°Um, Ha-eun, as much as I admire your enthusiasm, having lessons every day might be a bit much.¡± ¡°Well... could I at least use the training grounds?¡± ¡°Huh? You¡¯d really be okay with just using the grounds?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± They reached an agreement that worked well for both. Ha-eun got her training space, and Kim Kyu-tae could point her out as a model for other stunt actors. So, Ha-eun¡¯s training resumed, but something else made her schedule even more intense. ¡°Just one more time, Ha-eun.¡± ¡°...Are you going to take responsibility if I lose my voice?¡± ¡°Of course, just one more time.¡± Thanks to accepting Double Lee''s offer to feature in their song, she found herself spending hours in their studio. While being in the studio itself wasn¡¯t too exhausting... ¡°Image is everything for an artist.¡± ¡°For an anonymous artist?¡± ¡°Yes, even a name has an image. Who¡¯d want to listen to a singer called ¡®Tone-Deaf¡¯?¡± ¡®...I think people might give it a listen, just out of curiosity.¡¯ The two men finally began to seriously discuss her stage name, only for their voices to start rising as they debated. ¡°I¡¯ll choose my own name, thank you. Now, stop it.¡± Seeing no reason to let things get heated over this, Ha-eun took control of the conversation. ¡°Did you have a name in mind?¡± ¡°...Pinocchio. I¡¯ll go with Pinocchio.¡± Pinocchio, the classic symbol of a liar, seemed fitting for Ha-eun, who aspired to be the world¡¯s greatest liar. ¡°Korean or English?¡± ¡°Korean. English would be too long.¡± Thus, ¡°feat. ???????? (Pinocchio)¡± was added to every track Ha-eun featured on. Finally, the day of the album release arrived. [ Ha-eun, you should be here with us on a day like today. ] ¡°I have an important appointment, but I promise to drop by tomorrow.¡± She stood outside an MCN building, not Double Lee¡¯s studio, awaiting the long-anticipated meeting with the other Fantasia members. After reassuring the disappointed voices over the phone... ¡°Phew...¡± Taking a deep breath, Ha-eun headed inside for the meeting she was both nervous and excited for. The first person she met was Ji Hye-min, the project manager of Fantasia. ¡°Ah, welcome, Ha-eun!¡± Hye-min¡¯s expression was lively, in contrast with her formal attire. But Ha-eun¡¯s gaze was drawn once again to the remarkable, conspicuous presence on Hye-min¡¯s chest. She was informed that the other Fantasia members were already waiting. ¡°They¡¯re all waiting for you, so let¡¯s go say hello!¡± It was also mentioned that the others already knew her identity. This revelation made Ha-eun even more nervous. After walking down a long corridor, they finally reached the room where the other members waited. - Squeak. As Hye-min confidently opened the frosted glass door, Ha-eun found herself under the gaze of the others. - Bow. Without thinking, she respectfully bowed. At that moment, the women beyond the door seemed more like celebrities than any she¡¯d met before. Of course, the women, caught off guard by her polite gesture, thought: ¡®...Shouldn¡¯t we be the ones bowing to her?¡¯ Ha-eun¡¯s courtesy made them feel slightly embarrassed. Chapter 51 Arriving about ten minutes late? Understandable. Unlike the others, who were all adults, Ha-eun was still a high school student. They could brush it off, assuming her class ended later than usual today. Being a high school student who wanted to become a VTuber? Also understandable. There weren¡¯t any strict age restrictions on being a VTuber, after all. In fact, finding what she wanted to do at such a young age and even passing the audition was something to praise Ha-eun for. However, no matter how you looked at it... ¡°...Could I get your autographs?¡± ¡°Wait... you want *our* autographs?¡± The fact that the person who should have been asked for an autograph was now the one requesting them was hard for them to wrap their heads around. In this room, the most famous person was undoubtedly Ha-eun. She was the one with widely recognized charm. But still, why would she want the autographs of people who hadn¡¯t even debuted yet? If she really wanted an autograph, she should have asked Squirrel, Ji Hye-min. ¡°I already got hers.¡± ¡°Oh... I see.¡± A few seconds later, Ha-eun looked at them with earnest eyes and a polite voice, full of sincerity. Unable to refuse, everyone ended up giving her their autographs. The thought of turning down a request from someone as famous as Ha-eun was simply too daunting. So, once Ha-eun carefully put the sketchbook with the four signatures into her bag... ¡®...Wait. Four signatures?¡¯ Realizing something was off, Ha-eun¡¯s mind filled with questions. There were six people in the room, including herself, or five if she excluded Ji Hye-min. This meant there were five successful candidates, not the original four intended for Fantasia. Moving closer to Ji Hye-min, who was standing behind her, Ha-eun whispered in a slightly perplexed voice, ¡°Why are there five?¡± Ji Hye-min, realizing she¡¯d forgotten to explain, responded quietly, ¡°Originally, it was supposed to be four, including you, but I couldn¡¯t bring myself to eliminate any of the others, so we decided to add one more spot.¡± ¡°Is that allowed?¡± ¡°Well, adding one more won¡¯t kill us,¡± Hye-min replied, adding that each member was talented enough to justify the decision. Since the project manager had approved it, Ha-eun didn¡¯t question it further. In fact, she was slightly relieved. Now, all the members she remembered would debut under the name Fantasia. Ha-eun, who had been silently worried that one of the members might lose their spot because of her, felt a bit of relief. But there was still a noticeable distance between Ha-eun and the other members. ¡°Huh... We were all chatting comfortably before, but now everyone¡¯s gone quiet. Feel free to chat with Ha-eun,¡± Hye-min urged. ¡®Casually? ...How am I supposed to do that?¡¯ The other members were all ordinary people. While some of them had recognition in their fields, Ha-eun was in a league of her own, with fame that anyone on the street could recognize. Even if someone didn¡¯t know Ha-eun, they¡¯d at least know her from her role as the young Han Yoo-hwa of *Byul Ondang*. There were plenty of ways to describe Ha-eun beyond ¡°young Han Yoo-hwa,¡± but how much did they really need to explain? To the others, Ha-eun was like a disruptor. Even Ji Hye-min, when she first learned of Ha-eun¡¯s involvement, had assumed she was just dabbling in VTubing. Inside, the atmosphere matched the warm camaraderie Hye-min had hoped for. She was relieved on all counts. *** ¡°Eun-hye¡¯s here, Mi-so¡¯s here, Maria, and... Ha-eun just joined too.¡± ¡°Ye-na, aren¡¯t you going to invite the director?¡± ¡°The director said she¡¯ll make a separate chat with the team leader later.¡± Late in the evening, after the sun had completely set, the Fantasia members exchanged contact information and made plans for their next meeting. Ha-eun shared her number with them as well, but the reactions... ¡°A celebrity¡¯s phone number...!¡± ¡°I never thought I¡¯d get a celebrity¡¯s number. Incredible.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll treasure it as an honor for my family, actress Lee Ha-eun!¡± The playful remarks had a mischievous edge, and as soon as everyone went their separate ways, Ha-eun practically sprinted toward Joo Jung-yoon¡¯s van. All she wanted at that point was to get home and rest in her cozy bed. But, unfortunately for Ha-eun... ¡°©¤©¤©¤? ©¤©¤?©¤?¡± The song playing in Joo Jung-yoon¡¯s van sounded all too familiar. It didn¡¯t take long for her to realize it was Double Lee¡¯s newly released album, and Jung-yoon had specifically selected the songs Ha-eun had featured on. ¡°...You too, unnie?¡± ¡°Hm? I just played the top songs on the real-time chart.¡± Jung-yoon also shared the album¡¯s success on the charts. ¡°There was even an article titled, *¡®The Sudden Rise of the Vocal Star, Pinocchio¡ªWho Are They?¡¯*¡± ¡°...You¡¯re kidding.¡± ¡°I figured you¡¯d say that, so I saved a screenshot. Look, the headline really says ¡®Pinocchio.¡¯¡± Jung-yoon showed her the screenshot, and although Ha-eun tried to deny any connection to Pinocchio, the sight of it left her silent. ¡°Can I set this *Tunnel* song as my ringtone?¡± Crushed by Jung-yoon¡¯s teasing, Ha-eun retreated to the back seat. But she didn¡¯t stay there long. ¡°The *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds* casting audition is tomorrow at 7 p.m.¡± They started discussing the preparations for the role of Yeongwol, including the specific costume style she needed. ¡°First, wear a compression vest. Then, you¡¯ll need bandages on top.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t I just use bandages? Yeongwol didn¡¯t wear a compression vest in the novel.¡± ¡°If you only use bandages, it¡¯ll be painful, and you might have trouble breathing.¡± Hearing Jung-yoon¡¯s blunt reminder about her chest size, Ha-eun, glancing down momentarily, muttered, ¡°...It¡¯s really not that big.¡± To Jung-yoon, who was somewhat self-conscious about her own size, this sounded like a thoughtless comment. But Ha-eun wasn¡¯t just saying it¡ªafter being around Ji Hye-min earlier, she felt her own size was quite average. Ignoring Jung-yoon¡¯s narrowed gaze, she focused on the upcoming casting. With only about ten minutes remaining until the Yeongwol audition, Ha-eun asked: ¡°Is this a real sword?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s a prop.¡± ¡®...For a prop, it¡¯s quite heavy.¡¯ The texture and weight felt different from the plastic swords at Kim Kyu-tae¡¯s action school. It was sharp enough to cut a tuft of grass effortlessly, making it seem almost real. Chapter 52 *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds* was slated as a Friday-Saturday drama, KBC''s ambitious project aimed at revitalizing its drama division, which had been in a slump for three years. This drama wasn¡¯t just any show; it was one the KBC drama team desperately needed to succeed to secure their positions. Rather than creating a new story from scratch, they decided to adapt a previously popular novel into a drama. ¡®You want to turn... my novel into a drama?¡¯ ¡®Yes. We hope you¡¯ll consider it positively.¡¯ Since adapting a well-loved novel was safer and more assured, they chose a novel that had already proven its popularity. KBC¡¯s determination didn¡¯t end with the planning phase. They brought in the highly skilled director Jin Gyu-seong and even granted him authority over casting decisions. That¡¯s why they held the casting audition for the lead role of Yeongwol through an intense sword-fighting scene. In Jin Gyu-seong¡¯s mind, the core of Yeongwol¡¯s character lay in her charisma as a female bodyguard. ¡°Isn¡¯t it a bit too much to judge swordsmanship and mask work at the same time? Why not use a stunt double¡ª¡± ¡°An action scene performed by the lead will surely make waves. And if we¡¯re hunting rabbits, why not go for two?¡± No compromises or negotiations were made; the audition proceeded exactly as Jin Gyu-seong had planned. Using part of the drama set for the audition elevated its quality. The setting looked so complete it could have easily been mistaken for an actual shoot. But this wasn¡¯t a real shoot, just an audition, and there was a reason for that: the stunt actors were instructed to prioritize the lead actor¡¯s safety. The actors auditioning for Yeongwol were given only the script; there was no chance to coordinate with the stunt actors in advance. This was something Jin Gyu-seong was well aware of. ¡°All of you, just focus on embodying Yeongwol. These stunt actors are experienced professionals, so they¡¯ll adjust accordingly.¡± He made it clear that as long as the performance suited Yeongwol¡¯s character, he wouldn¡¯t mind how the sword work was executed. Of course, any clumsy attempts would be halted immediately. Even so, Jin Gyu-seong had already noted a few actors he was interested in. He could judge their suitability for Yeongwol¡¯s androgynous look even before the audition began. Ha-eun was on his list. Her sharp gaze and toned body suited a warrior¡¯s look perfectly. But her age¡ªjust eighteen¡ªwas a concern. Competing with experienced adult actors in action sequences would not be easy for her. Most of Ha-eun¡¯s previous roles were restrained, static performances. While Jin Gyu-seong acknowledged her immersive acting, he wasn¡¯t sure if that intensity would carry over into an action role. ¡®...It¡¯s a pity. The costume and makeup suit her well.¡¯ Watching Ha-eun struggle slightly with the lightweight prop sword prepared for the actresses, he felt a pang of regret. If she found this light sword difficult, her overall swordsmanship might lack strength. The audition for the role of Yeongwol finally began. Starting with the first actress, each candidate took turns performing their sword routines. As each actress completed their scene, they showcased various styles. Then, after the actress right before Ha-eun finished with a slight stumble, it was finally her turn. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s begin... Action!¡± The moment Ha-eun stepped onto the set, which would eventually become the Crown Prince¡¯s palace, the atmosphere shifted. ¡®...Wait, something feels...¡¯ Her gaze, her demeanor, her expression¡ªeverything about Ha-eun turned cold in an instant, almost hollow. Even the slight tension she¡¯d shown moments before disappeared, leaving an impression like a lifeless doll. The assassin, now visibly trembling, finally exhaled the breath he¡¯d been holding. And Yeongwol¡¯s last words echoed toward him. ¡°Tell those who sent you...¡± Yeongwol¡¯s final line. ¡°That I, one who has turned her back on destiny, am here to protect the Crown Prince.¡± Her sharp gaze glistened beneath her wet, disheveled hair, eyes filled with seething hostility. Her voice carried a deadly edge. Even after countless clashes, her animosity seemed only to deepen. Then, with a fierce look, her eyes finally shifted away from the assassin. Director Jin Gyu-seong, a bit stunned, signaled the end of the scene, and Ha-eun¡¯s performance concluded. None of the actors who watched her remained unaffected; they couldn¡¯t hide their awe. None had executed such a realistic sword fight like Ha-eun¡¯s. However, an odd feeling lingered in their minds. The intensity of Ha-eun¡¯s performance and the responsiveness of the stunt actors felt unlike anything they had experienced. There was something more genuine, deeper about it. ¡°Ha-eun.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°By any chance... have you had specific training in period drama sword fighting?¡± Jin Gyu-seong¡¯s voice was curious yet hesitant. Ha-eun truthfully replied that she¡¯d only been training at an action school for just under a month. Even so, it was her first time performing with these stunt actors today. ¡®The decision is made.¡¯ Among all the candidates for Yeongwol, Ha-eun was undoubtedly the best fit. Director Jin praised the stunt actor, Kwon Jun, whose sweat-drenched face showed how challenging it had been to match Ha-eun¡¯s performance. ¡°As expected from a veteran. Great work, Kwon Jun.¡± However, Kwon Jun, who had given his all, could only think about Ha-eun¡¯s sword. He hadn¡¯t had a chance to inspect it closely, as a pale-faced staff member had quickly retrieved it as soon as Ha-eun finished. But he was certain that Ha-eun¡¯s sword had been different¡ªheavier and sturdier than the prop swords the other actresses used. He had even tried to pause the scene at one point. Tried. But he hadn¡¯t dared to open his mouth, fearing something irreversible might happen if he let his guard down. ¡®...I just escaped death...¡¯ Kwon Jun, a veteran stunt actor, found himself chugging cold water to calm his nerves. He had never experienced such an intense performance in his entire career. While everyone else in the room was absorbed in their thoughts for various reasons... ¡®I wonder if I can borrow that sword?¡¯ The source of all their concerns, Ha-eun, was simply focused on the unexpected workout benefits of her intense swordplay. It felt like she¡¯d done a weightlifting session with a heavy dumbbell. Chapter 53 ¡°Ha-eun is definitely the best choice.¡± Two days had passed since the audition for the role of Yeongwol. In a spacious meeting room at the KBC Drama Department, the casting meeting for *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds* was in full swing. The main topic was, of course, the casting of the lead role, Yeongwol. No casting decision is more important than choosing the main character. Typically, these meetings can last a long time, as they need to discuss and debate to find the actor who best fits the lead role. However, this time was different. The staff who had been at the audition for Yeongwol already knew who was destined for the role. "Honestly, there were actors who were somewhat comparable in terms of looks...¡± ¡°But when it came to the swordplay performance, no one could match her. It was so realistic it gave me chills.¡± Her gaze, her expressions, her movements¡ªeverything perfectly matched the essence of Yeongwol. A performance that left no room for criticism. But beyond the quality of Ha-eun''s acting, there were other aspects that earned her additional points. ¡°I honestly didn¡¯t expect her to go to action school just for the audition.¡± ¡°And she started exactly when we began looking for the Yeongwol actor. It¡¯s rare to find an actor who shows that level of dedication.¡± ¡°Not to mention, I saw her personally greet every stunt actor. I thought, ¡®This one¡¯s got it.¡¯¡± Her behavior was far from arrogant. Considering that other stars her age often get lost in their own fame, Ha-eun''s mature attitude at the audition stood out as a major plus.@@@@ No one opposed casting Ha-eun for the role of Yeongwol. With that, Ha-eun was officially chosen to take on the role. ¡°How about using her audition footage as a promotional teaser?¡± One of the staff members suggested using Ha-eun¡¯s audition video, which had impressed everyone, as a teaser for the drama. ¡°Yeah, it would be a waste to just discard that footage.¡± ¡°Even releasing just a two-minute uncut clip would probably create a huge buzz.¡± The video showed both life-or-death intensity and realism, made possible by Ha-eun¡¯s incredible performance and the dedication of the stunt actors who played against her. However, one person in the room held back his enthusiasm. Director Jin Gyuseong of *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds* was that person. ¡°...I have some reservations.¡± While the other staff were blinded by the potential promotional impact, he took a different stance. ¡°Let¡¯s start filming first. If we capture a similar scene, then we can decide.¡± Ha-eun¡¯s performance at the audition was impromptu. No one had given her instructions about her footwork, gaze direction, or the sequence of sword moves. The only things set were the lines and atmosphere. While the future sword scenes would be based on the audition scene, recreating the audition¡¯s spontaneity during actual filming seemed nearly impossible. That¡¯s because the sword Ha-eun used in the audition... "Uh, Director, I¡¯m sorry. Some of the swords were missing, so we brought a few extras from the props storage...¡± The sword wasn¡¯t one specifically prepared for the Yeongwol audition. Nor was it one intended for *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds*. Unlike the lightweight swords chosen with actresses¡¯ wrists in mind, this one differed in both material and weight. While it wasn¡¯t as sharp as a real blade, its worn-down edge was still quite dangerous. Why such an old sword was even in the drama department''s prop storage remains a mystery. But above all... "...Usually, if a sword is heavy, wouldn¡¯t an actor ask for a different one?" Most importantly, it was as if she was prepared to clash head-on with Ha-eun. ¡°To be honest, I think any other actress would get completely overshadowed by Ha-eun.¡± This convinced Director Jin that Da-yeon was the right fit for Queen Yoon¡ªa formidable match for Ha-eun¡¯s Yeongwol. ¡°Indeed, when you think of someone to face off against Ha-eun...¡± Da-yeon¡¯s presence grew, and after watching her audition footage on the monitor, the decision was clear. ¡°...It¡¯s settled, then.¡± There was no one left to oppose casting Da-yeon. As Director Jin predicted, only Da-yeon¡¯s performance could stand up to Ha-eun¡¯s. *** ¡°So, filming starts at 3 p.m.?¡± ¡°Yeah. I¡¯ll probably have to leave after the fifth period.¡± In a small meeting room at Narae Arts High School¡¯s faculty office, Ha-eun was discussing her adjusted schedule with her homeroom teacher. This was because she had just received confirmation yesterday that she was cast as Yeongwol. ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll let the other teachers know, so you can just leave when it¡¯s time.¡± ¡°Oh, thank you, teacher.¡± Narae Arts High had always accommodated its celebrity students, so Ha-eun¡¯s early leave wasn¡¯t an issue. However, something else weighed on her teacher¡¯s mind. Earlier, Da-yeon, from the class next door, had spoken to her homeroom teacher about the same schedule. But it wasn¡¯t just that she was leaving at the same time¡ªshe had also made a specific request to Ha-eun¡¯s teacher. ¡°Please don¡¯t tell Ha-eun about this. I¡¯m asking you as a favor.¡± Da-yeon had asked her teacher not to let Ha-eun know they¡¯d be leaving at the same time. Given that Ha-eun and Da-yeon were known to be close friends, this was unexpected. Regardless, the teachers had a hunch. Both of these actresses from Narae Arts High were likely cast in the same project. ¡°So, if I ask what the project is, I suppose you won¡¯t tell me?¡± ¡°Teacher Park, rumors spread so fast on social media these days. Let¡¯s wait for the news. We¡¯ll know soon enough.¡± Curious and excited about Ha-eun and Da-yeon¡¯s first joint project, the teachers speculated. ¡°Do you think they¡¯ll be playing friends?¡± While Ha-eun¡¯s homeroom teacher imagined a friendly relationship between their roles, Ha-eun and Da-yeon were having a rather different conversation. ¡°Um, Ha-eun.¡± ¡°Hm?¡± ¡°Well, if I, uh... slap you, will you be mad?¡± Chapter 54 Did she eat something bad? Or maybe she forgot to eat something she should have? That was Ha-eun¡¯s first thought after hearing Da-yeon suddenly declare she wanted to slap her. This time, she really couldn¡¯t figure out the reason. "...Did I do something wrong?" "No, it¡¯s probably not your fault, Ha-eun." "??" Ha-eun knew that Da-yeon wasn¡¯t the warmest person and was well aware that she had no reservations about expressing her feelings toward Ha-eun. Throughout their 11 years of friendship, Ha-eun had always figured she just needed to wait until Da-yeon¡¯s mood improved. Things had always sorted themselves out over time. However, this was the first time Da-yeon had shown the desire to act on her feelings. And Ha-eun couldn¡¯t even guess what could have triggered them. The expression on Da-yeon¡¯s face was different from her usual look when she was angry or sulking. It looked as if she was being cautious about something. Seeing that rare, almost careful expression on Da-yeon¡¯s familiar face, a thought flashed through Ha-eun''s mind. At the same time, the word "No way" popped up in her head, but everyone has their secrets. ¡°...Is that your thing?¡± Taking a step closer to Da-yeon, Ha-eun leaned in and whispered daringly. At that, Da-yeon¡¯s face turned red instantly. "Wh-what the hell are you saying, you crazy girl!!" Sure enough, Da-yeon¡¯s shout echoed down the hallway, making Ha-eun¡¯s whispered approach pointless. A few seconds later, curious stares from people in the hallway fixed on Da-yeon, whose face now burned bright red. Embarrassed, Da-yeon turned on her heels and fled. "...Did she really eat something bad?" Ha-eun¡¯s question about Da-yeon¡¯s behavior remained unanswered. Although, even with her usual calm demeanor, Ha-eun wasn¡¯t entirely comfortable with the idea of getting slapped out of nowhere. She decided to talk to Da-yeon again when they could be alone. As much as Da-yeon might love picking on her, she couldn¡¯t have asked about slapping her for no reason. However, Da-yeon seemed to start avoiding Ha-eun. For a full week. By Friday, they still hadn¡¯t had a chance to talk. The little "1" by Ha-eun''s last message to Da-yeon remained unread. But as the newly cast lead of *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds*, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t keep dwelling on Da-yeon¡¯s behavior. Deciding to try solving it on Monday, she focused on her upcoming first script reading scheduled for Saturday afternoon. As time passed, with about an hour left until the first script reading began... "Oh, am I the first one here?" "Ah... Hello. It¡¯s nice to meet you." After all, Queen Yoon was the character who would relentlessly antagonize her character, Yeongwol. And to think that Da-yeon had been cast as Queen Yoon... it was enough to make Ha-eun worry about what lay ahead on the set of *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds*. Her eyes widened, and, subtly, she even felt a twinge of betrayal. Still, no matter her feelings, this was the script reading for *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds*. "Let¡¯s start with [S#13. The Three in the East Palace]." Ha-eun did her best to steady her slightly sore throat and focused on the script. However, it was hard to ignore Da-yeon, especially since the upcoming scene involved Queen Yoon. In the scene, Queen Yoon, who had replaced Crown Prince Lee Hyun¡¯s late mother, subtly kept him in check. Meanwhile, Crown Prince Lee Hyun silently guarded by Yeongwol, held his own stance. Queen Yoon¡¯s lines were sharp and taunting. Like: "How leisurely you must be to stroll into the East Palace in broad daylight, Your Majesty." A mocking line from Sung-jae, pointing out that while the king lay ill, the queen was freely wandering around. Or Da-yeon¡¯s biting retort: "I cannot help but worry about the fragile Crown Prince. Isn¡¯t he too afraid to leave the East Palace without his guard?" A thinly veiled insult targeting the Crown Prince, who, despite his age, still relied heavily on Yeongwol¡¯s presence. But the sharpest line was directed squarely at Yeongwol. "How can a mere servant coddle the Crown Prince¡¯s every whim? Even a sparrow stops feeding its young when they¡¯re grown." It was a line targeting Yeongwol, who never left the Crown Prince¡¯s side, and Da-yeon¡¯s intense glare was deadly. ¡®...Just as expected.¡¯ From Director Jin¡¯s perspective, Da-yeon¡¯s performance as Queen Yoon was exactly what he had hoped for. Unlike other actresses, who played Queen Yoon with a refined demeanor, Da-yeon brought a raw sense of distrust, acknowledging both the Crown Prince and Yeongwol as adversaries. While other actresses could have tried to act wary of Yeongwol, Da-yeon was the only one who did. "I am merely a humble servant, Your Majesty. My teeth are bared only for the Crown Prince¡¯s enemies. Rest assured." Ha-eun¡¯s line followed, directly clashing with Da-yeon¡¯s performance, and brought a look of satisfaction to Director Jin¡¯s face once more. Chapter 55 An unyielding, tense standoff. Eyes as sharp and cold as ice, devoid of any trace of warmth. "Starting off strong, I see." "They don¡¯t seem uncomfortable with each other at all." It was their first time exchanging lines together, yet there was nothing ordinary about it. Especially the power struggle between Queen Yoon and Yeongwol¡ªit felt even more intense than expected. "You talk as if you''d give anything for the Crown Prince if he asked." "If my meager life can be of use to His Highness, how could I not?" One sought to hold the Crown Prince back; the other, to protect him. Both saw the other as an adversary. With the actors'' ages and the drama¡¯s setup aligning, the clash between them felt more real, a fierce and balanced exchange where neither side could be seen as superior or inferior. In other words, Ha-eun and Da-yeon¡¯s performances complemented each other perfectly. If one actor dominated the scene, it would weaken the tension. "They¡¯ve both changed their images completely." It was Ha-eun¡¯s first time playing such a sharp-edged role like Yeongwol. Similarly, it was Da-yeon¡¯s first attempt at playing a villainous role like Queen Yoon. They both felt unfamiliar¡ªno, they felt new. Yet, there was not a hint of awkwardness or forced performance, allowing everyone watching to become deeply immersed. Most importantly, this sense of novelty matched exactly with Director Jin Gyuseong''s vision. "All three of you did great. I¡¯m really looking forward to the filming." Director Jin¡¯s praise for the just-completed [S#13. The East Palace Confrontation] scene showed his full approval. The second scene reading then began, featuring interactions among the lead, supporting, and minor characters. As they read through scene after scene, perfecting the tone, intensity, and inflection of each role, a sense of optimism grew among the staff. "This one really feels different." "I hope we can finally celebrate with a success this time." Three years had passed since KBC Drama Department entered its slump. They were tired of the bitterness of failed dramas. This time, they hoped to savor the sweetness of success. The superb acting they witnessed made them believe that sweetness was within reach. The cast and crew lost track of time during the extensive script reading, so engrossed in the flow that they didn¡¯t notice the late hour. By the time the sky darkened and night had fallen... "Alright, let¡¯s wrap up with just one more scene." Director Jin announced that they¡¯d finish with one of the highlight scenes from *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds*. Naturally, everyone was curious about which scene it would be. "[S#47. The Wounded Yeongwol]. Begin whenever you¡¯re ready." S#47. The Wounded Yeongwol. It was the scene Ha-eun had mentioned as her favorite when talking with Yoo Sung-jae earlier. It was also the scene that had made Ha-eun want to play Yeongwol, inspiring her interest in performing a cross-dressed role. It wasn¡¯t a scene of conflict with antagonists like Queen Yoon, nor one showcasing the charisma of a warrior. "It¡¯s the scene where Yeongwol first reveals her feminine side." In this scene, Yeongwol, a woman disguised as a man, first shows hints of her femininity¡ªa subtle and emotional scene, portraying the complex dynamic of a person balancing both male and female identities. Ha-eun felt she could perform this transition confidently. No one could match her ability to shift seamlessly between masculine and feminine roles. After all, no one else had experienced life as both a man and a woman. Ha-eun was the only one in the world with that unique perspective. "Ha-eun, are you ready?" "...Yes." Confirming that Ha-eun was prepared, Yoo Sung-jae cleared his throat, and moments later... Suppressing the feelings she could never express, she forced herself to respond, her voice tinged with slight emotion, her face the darkest it had ever been. With Yeongwol¡¯s expression reflecting her mixed emotions, the scene S#47. The Wounded Yeongwol finally ended. Breaking the silence, Director Jin spoke up, delivering a brief but precise review. "That was perfect." As the heavy atmosphere gradually lifted, a murmur of reactions filled the room, everyone expressing their thoughts on Ha-eun and Yoo Sung-jae¡¯s performance. Amid the murmurs of awe and anticipation, one person remained silent: Da-yeon. Yet, when Ha-eun eventually approached her, Da-yeon couldn¡¯t help but respond. "...Why didn¡¯t you tell me?" Ha-eun¡¯s face held only disappointment directed at Da-yeon. Her usual calm demeanor had vanished. "I didn¡¯t think I needed your permission to apply for a role I wanted." "But... you could have at least told me. I told you everything." Ha-eun¡¯s expression clearly conveyed her frustration at Da-yeon¡¯s secrecy. However, Da-yeon hadn¡¯t auditioned for Queen Yoon¡¯s role just to slap Ha-eun, but rather to resolve an "unsettling feeling" she had experienced when seeing Ha-eun surrounded by their classmates. "...Let¡¯s act like strangers until the filming wraps." Declaring that she would keep her distance from Ha-eun for the time being. After all, staying close to Ha-eun would make it impossible for her to fully immerse herself in the role of Queen Yoon, who constantly antagonized Yeongwol. Unlike Ha-eun, who could handle her emotions freely, Da-yeon needed to maintain her composure outside of filming as well. "If I don¡¯t do this, there¡¯s no way I can handle that girl." Once she had underestimated, been embarrassed by, admired, and even resented Ha-eun¡¯s acting. So, she was determined not to face Ha-eun¡¯s performance with a half-hearted resolve. However, there was one thing Da-yeon hadn¡¯t anticipated in her decision to distance herself from Ha-eun. "...I¡¯m so bored." The truth was, aside from Ha-eun, she didn ¡¯t have any close friends. Perhaps due to her sharp aura in preparation for Queen Yoon¡¯s role in *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds*, no one at Narae Arts High dared to approach her. To fill the growing emptiness, Da-yeon turned to her phone, specifically a stream clip featuring a name that felt oddly familiar. "Do I have a boyfriend? Oh, of course¡î" - gasp - omg - Dia, my heart hurts, Dia, my heart hurts, Dia, my heart hurts - laugh - omg - Wanna perform at a dome too? Wanna perform at a dome too? Wanna perform at a dome too? "What¡¯s the surprise? I think I¡¯ve got about 3,000 boyfriends in this room alone." - what - lol - Not hurt anymore, not hurt anymore - laugh - dead - I want my firstborn to be a daughter (message deleted) - Since when did I escape being single? "...It¡¯s actually pretty entertaining." At first, she watched because the name sounded familiar, but soon enough, she found herself drawn in by the lively voice and the ever-changing chat comments. Of course, she only watched when no one else was around. She wasn¡¯t yet comfortable explaining to her classmates if they asked about it. Chapter 56 ¡°...Let¡¯s just pretend we don¡¯t know each other until this filming wraps up.¡± This moment came right after the script reading for *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds* had ended. Ha-eun was left speechless by Da-yeon¡¯s unusually serious suggestion to keep some distance between them. No matter how hard she tried, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t think of anything she might have done wrong to deserve it. But more than anything else... "You promised that if *To Busan* surpassed seven million viewers, you¡¯d do things my way. Keep your promise." That familiar voice reminded Ha-eun of a long-ago pledge to compete in an acting duel, choosing *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds* as their stage. And Da-yeon¡¯s expression was more serious than ever. ¡°...Alright.¡± This made it impossible for Ha-eun to try and hold on to Da-yeon any longer. However, it wasn¡¯t Ha-eun who held Da-yeon back from leaving; it was someone else entirely. ¡°Excuse me, Da-yeon, could I get your contact information?¡± With a clean-cut look, a bright smile, and a gentle voice, Yoo Sung-jae, another lead actor in *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds*, approached Da-yeon, explaining he was creating a group chat for the cast and asking for her number. Naturally, he then asked Ha-eun for her contact information too. It was right after Ha-eun gave her number to Sung-jae that she noticed Da-yeon slipping away. She silently watched Da-yeon¡¯s retreating figure for a moment. "Uh, Ha-eun? I think you have a call," Sung-jae mentioned, bringing her back to reality. Ha-eun quickly reached into her pocket and took out her phone. **Missed Call: Ji (CEO)** ¡®Huh?¡¯ The only "Ji CEO" in her contacts was Ji Hye-min, who only ever contacted her about matters related to *Fantasia*. So... ¡°I... I should get going, too,¡± she stammered, saying a quick goodbye to Sung-jae before stepping out of the KBC building.@@@@ After glancing around to make sure no one was nearby, she called Ji Hye-min back. "[The avatar is ready!]" "...!" It was the news she had been waiting for¡ªthe *Dia* virtual avatar was complete, and the debut schedule for *Fantasia* was set. However, unlike the other members, who were adults with flexible schedules, Ha-eun was a high school student and an actress with a packed timetable. "[We¡¯re planning to come over to your place for the setup and to run a few tests. Is that alright?]" Since Ha-eun¡¯s schedule wouldn¡¯t allow her to visit, Hye-min and her team from the MCN offered to handle the setup at her home. Ha-eun saw no reason to refuse. "[Alright then, we¡¯ll stop by around noon tomorrow!]" Was the microphone not suitable for streaming? Or was there an issue with the settings that Double Lee had done for her long ago? The tension of having a guest in her room was making her mind spiral toward worst-case scenarios. But contrary to her worries... ¡°This is the kind of equipment you can¡¯t buy even if you have money! It¡¯s practically a collector¡¯s item.¡± From Hye-min¡¯s perspective as an audio enthusiast, Ha-eun¡¯s soundproof booth was a treasure trove. The headset and headphones on her desk were top-quality as well. ¡°Um... a friend gave it to me.¡± ¡°A friend just *gave* you something like this?¡± ¡°Well, they upgraded to better equipment and were going to throw the old stuff out, so I just asked if I could have it.¡± ¡®Is this some modern-day *The Giving Tree* scenario?¡¯ Hye-min had forgotten all about the initial purpose of setting up Ha-eun¡¯s streaming equipment and continued marveling over her collection. Of course, her assistant didn¡¯t share Hye-min¡¯s enthusiasm. ¡°If you don¡¯t get back to work, I¡¯ll tell Dong-jin. Stop distracting her and come out here.¡± With that, Hye-min was finally dragged out of the soundproof booth, allowing the setup for *Dia* to begin. About 20 minutes later, the basic setup for her streaming equipment was complete. ¡°Ha-eun, could you take a seat and give it a try?¡± They started a test stream for her virtual avatar, then gestured for her to try speaking into the microphone. At that moment, they expected her to say something simple like ¡°Hello¡± or ¡°Nice to meet you¡±¡ªand certainly didn¡¯t expect her voice to be so different from the calm tone they were used to. So... "Streaming on Christmas? Hmm, maybe~¡î" ¡°?!¡± Her unexpected voice and phrase left them momentarily questioning their ears. But Ha-eun, unfazed, continued. ¡°Why do you keep asking? Who doesn¡¯t have plans on Christmas... Or maybe I shouldn¡¯t say that?¡± The experienced tone Ha-eun displayed seemed out of place for someone who hadn¡¯t even started VTubing yet. --- "Looks like we can¡¯t leave *Tunnel* out of the producer performance." "Yeah, but figuring out Ha-eun¡¯s part is the tough part... Her actually singing would be best." "She¡¯d probably give us a death glare at just the mention of performing. Guess we¡¯ll have to rely on the backing track." It was around the time Double Lee confirmed their appearance on *SIT ON THE MONEY*, a famous hip-hop survival show. Planning for the producer performance that would kick off the show, Lee Geon-yeol and Lee Joon inevitably discussed Ha-eun. However, given that Ha-eun was determined to conceal her identity, they doubted she¡¯d agree to stand on stage with them. Ultimately, their plans for a joint stage with ¡°Pinocchio¡± fell through. ¡°I really hope we can perform with her one day.¡± ¡°She¡¯ll probably retire before that happens.¡± ¡°...Can¡¯t argue with that.¡± But regardless, she still occasionally visited their studio to practice singing with a different voice. For now, their focus was on honoring the promises they¡¯d made to her in the past. After all, Ha-eun¡¯s voice had already been recognized by so many people. Rather than forcing her, they decided to wait for the day they¡¯d finally share a stage. Neither Geon-yeol nor Joon knew that day would come in just two months. And they certainly couldn¡¯t predict the impact when ¡°Pinocchio¡± revealed her true identity. Chapter 57 Her long, white hair with a gradient of bright, lively colors. Eyes that seemed to capture the beauty of a glowing sunset. A delicate, off-the-shoulder white dress that exuded elegance and purity. The *Dia* avatar Ha-eun now faced was flawless; there wasn¡¯t a single part of it she didn¡¯t adore. When Ha-eun tilted her head, *Dia* did the same. When she opened her mouth to say "ah~," *Dia*¡¯s mouth moved in sync. The avatar even perfectly mimicked her expressions as she practiced VTuber catchphrases from memory. ¡®...Finally.¡¯ The cute *Dia,* *Fantasia¡¯s* youngest member, was everything Ha-eun had imagined and more. She almost forgot. ¡°Um, Ha-eun?¡± That she wasn¡¯t alone in her soundproof booth right now. ¡°It looks like the avatar tests are done, so let me explain a few more things.¡± Turning her gaze slightly, Ha-eun noticed Hye-min, who was struggling to keep her lips from trembling in amusement. And there it was¡ªa high-pitched voice, *Dia*¡¯s voice, replaying on Hye-min¡¯s phone due to the stream delay. ¡®...Oh.¡¯ Ha-eun felt her face turn red, realizing she¡¯d lost herself for a moment there. To be fair, she didn¡¯t need to be embarrassed in front of Hye-min and her assistant; after all, they already knew her identity as *Dia.* But it was the fact that she¡¯d just revealed her carefully practiced expressions and voice to others for the first time that flustered her. ¡°This here, Ha-eun, or rather *Dia,* is your waiting screen. And next, this screen is¡ª¡± -Click. -Click, click. ¡°On the left monitor, you¡¯ll see donations, the chat, and *Dia¡¯s* avatar status¡ª¡± ¡°We¡¯ll also set up manager permissions for your moderators¡ª¡± For a while, Ha-eun could barely focus on what Hye-min and her assistant were explaining. She understood the basics but found it nearly impossible to maintain eye contact for more than a second. It took about twenty minutes for the basic VTuber streaming guide to wrap up, giving her some time to cool down. But then... ¡°Ha-eun, it looks like *Dia¡¯s* debut stream on Tuesday will have to be a solo broadcast.¡± ¡°?¡± Ha-eun learned that the *Fantasia* debut schedule, initially set for Monday through Wednesday, had been slightly altered. Now, she would debut solo. ¡°It feels a bit heavy to introduce two members two days in a row.¡± ¡°We figured you¡¯d do well solo since you¡¯re the most experienced, Ha-eun. Based on your practice lines earlier, you seem to have a knack for this.¡± ¡°Are you alright, Ha-eun?¡± In the dressing room, as her outfit and makeup transformed her into Young-wol, she debated watching the *Fantasia* PV on her phone. Apparently, her preoccupied expression looked a bit uncomfortable to others. ¡°Hmm, it¡¯s better not to be too stiff. Should I loosen the bandages a bit?¡± ¡°Oh... no, it¡¯s perfect as it is.¡± Thus, the bandages on her upper body stayed in place as she changed into Young-wol¡¯s dark costume. Watching the *Fantasia* PV would have to wait until after filming wrapped up for the day. However, as soon as she held her sword... ¡°Huh...?¡± She was surprised by how light the prop sword felt¡ªbarely a quarter of the weight she remembered. Naturally, she asked the nearby staff member if there were any other swords available. ¡°Um, Ha-eun, you¡¯d have to ask Director Jin about the swords.¡± ¡°?¡± ¡°Actually, he insisted on handling the props himself. So if you want a different sword, you¡¯ll have to check with him.¡± The staff member¡¯s vague response didn¡¯t provide much clarity, but she decided to follow up with Director Jin Kyu-sung to find a heavier sword. ¡°Director, is there a heavier sword available?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the heaviest sword we have.¡± ¡®That can¡¯t be right.¡¯ She couldn¡¯t find a sword as heavy as the one she¡¯d used for the audition. Though Kyu-sung handed her the heaviest available sword, it still didn¡¯t feel quite right. His expression was so firm, she couldn¡¯t press further. And then, Yoo Sung-jae, now fully transformed into the Crown Prince Lee Hyeon, approached her. ¡°They said your costume looks amazing, Ha-eun. I was curious, but... you really look like Young-wol stepped right out of the novel.¡± ¡°Ah... thank you. You also look exactly like Crown Prince Lee Hyeon.¡± Setting aside her thoughts about the sword, they began discussing the scenes they¡¯d be filming together. ¡°The line¡¯s on the first page, so it¡¯s hard to forget. Although, there¡¯s not much dialogue in this scene anyway.¡± As Sung-jae mentioned, the scene they were about to shoot was the very first one in the *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds* script. Director Jin Kyu-sung preferred to shoot scenes in script order. The scene they¡¯d soon film was the moment when Crown Prince Lee Hyeon, on an outing outside the palace, meets Young-wol in a forest for the first time. ¡°Just don¡¯t accidentally cut me, alright?¡± ¡°Well... I¡¯ll try.¡± It was also the scene where the prince would realize Young-wol¡¯s extraordinary swordsmanship, as Young-wol would save him from a charging boar just in time. It was a tense situation, where one wrong move could result in the prince being cut instead of the boar. Although it was just a scene, Sung-jae couldn¡¯t help but joke about it. ¡°Alright. 3, 2, 1... action!¡± At the director¡¯s cue, the filming began. Sung-jae, fleeing from an imaginary boar, stumbled and fell right in front of Ha-eun¡¯s hiding place. At that moment... -A chill. Sung-jae felt an eerie sensation, as if he really might be cut by Ha-eun¡¯s blade. Her expression was so intense it looked like she might actually attack him. Chapter 58 *Fantasia.* A virtual YouTuber project led by broadcasting giant *Daramji.*@@@@ - "Is the ''youth president'' really becoming a VTuber? Is this for real?" ? "Don¡¯t resist it¡ªVTubers are the trend of the times." ? "And so are your mom¡¯s tears!" ? "Why are you being so harsh?" - "A few years back, they milked kids¡¯ money with Minecraft, and now it¡¯s VTubers draining the pockets of their grown-up fans." ? "Well, those kids are now those grown-up fans." ? "Once hooked, they¡¯re hooked for life, haha." ? "Building up the hype¡ªlegendary!" The project began just as the concept of "VTubers" started to gain mainstream attention, drawing immense interest right from the recruitment phase. Some of this interest was undeniably negative, but most attention toward *Fantasia* focused on pure curiosity about its members. Originally planned for four members, the project expanded to five due to the extraordinary talents who auditioned. Despite this being *Daramji''s* first virtual YouTuber project, they didn¡¯t increase the number lightly. - "*Daramji:* Honestly, every chance I get, I talk about *Fantasia.*" ? "She said she¡¯s breaking her savings for it¡ªcheers!" ? "If it fails, she''s done for!" ? "(Insert broke meme)" - "The *Fantasia* PV quality is insane!" ? "It¡¯s outsourced to Japan, so the frames are super smooth." ? "VTubing did originate in Japan." ? "*Prism Live,* prepare yourself¡ª!!" ? "We¡¯re doing Korea vs. Japan even with VTubers now?" - "*Daramji* just said ''calm before the storm'' on stream, lol." ? "Wow." ? "Who''s the rookie now, huh?" ? "Whoa, let¡¯s not go there." Every time *Daramji* teased new details about *Fantasia* on her stream, online communities buzzed with anticipation. Both she and her MCN (Multi-Channel Network) kept up aggressive marketing. So, as the PV showcasing *Fantasia''s* members was released, and especially after "Cream" and "Mile" successfully debuted the previous night... - "Ugh, this is such a tease¡ªwhy not debut them all at once?" ? "*Daramji:* Too much goodness too fast, and you¡¯ll get indigestion." ? "I don¡¯t care! Let me in, now!" ? "Whoa, calm down." - "But seriously, who is ''Dia''? Cream and Mile act like she¡¯s some kind of goddess." ? "She¡¯s the youngest, so they¡¯re just taking care of her." ? "No, they¡¯re treating her like a literal deity." - "From her avatar and profile, *Dia* has to be a pro." ? "It¡¯s like she perfectly knows the VTuber fans¡¯ tastes." ? "Could she secretly be *Daramji* herself?" ? "*Narrator:* ''This is why observant kids are a problem...''" Interest in *Fantasia* skyrocketed, with *Dia,* the third debut and only solo debut member, drawing particular attention. Even before her stream began, she had hit 3,000 viewers¡ªnumbers Cream and Mile had only achieved after they started streaming. The *Fantasia* team, including *Daramji,* was especially attentive to *Dia.* As a famous actress, *Dia¡¯s* real-life identity was well-known, and the fact that someone of her status had aced the audition to join *Fantasia* had only fueled public intrigue. "This isn¡¯t something you can miss." For those in the industry, watching *Fantasia¡¯s* streams was less leisure and more research. However, interest in *Dia¡¯s* debut wasn¡¯t purely out of curiosity. In terms of business, *Dia¡¯s* debut held significant weight. She needed to sustain the excitement Cream and Mile had generated and pass it on to the next debuting members. Put simply, *Fantasia''s* success hinged on *Dia.* ¡°Think she¡¯ll do well?¡± Despite her trust in Ha-eun, *Daramji* (Hye-min) couldn¡¯t shake her nerves as she prepared to monitor *Dia¡¯s* stream live, as she¡¯d promised. ¡°You¡¯re not supposed to worry about celebrities.¡± ¡°She¡¯s not just any celebrity to me. She¡¯s D.A.¡ªshe¡¯s been watching my streams since she was seven!¡± ¡°Who decided to make that seven-year-old debut solo?¡± ¡°Ugh, that¡¯s not the point!¡± Even as Dong-jin, sitting beside her, teased her, Hye-min stayed visibly anxious. She¡¯d been nervous before Cream and Mile¡¯s debut, but she was even more on edge with *Dia.* However, regardless of Hye-min¡¯s trembling or Dong-jin¡¯s bemused head shakes... "My body is a gift from a kind mage! They wanted to show me how fun the human world is." [NoName has donated 1,000 won!] : "Have you met the other members?" ¡°The other members? Oh, I think I heard voices from afar. I¡¯ll go check it out later©¤¡î¡± Questions about her avatar or the other members were all answered from *Dia¡¯s* innocent perspective. She continued fielding viewer questions until it was time to move to the next part of her debut plan. ¡°Hey, everyone. Would it be okay if I call you *Noeulies*?¡± She introduced the fan name she had chosen for her viewers. ¡°Every time I meet a beautiful sunset, it makes me happy.¡± [TIFH has donated 20,000 won!] : "So you¡¯ll feel happy meeting your viewers every time?" ¡°Yeah! I don¡¯t think anything would make me happier than seeing you all!¡± - Pure-hearted GOAT - She really is the god of innocence - Emotional overload - *Dia,* I¡¯m about to cry - Don¡¯t ruin this with cynicism! (deleted message) With the fan name *Noeulies* established, she moved on to discussing her personal preferences and stream rules. [Streamer Sketchbook] : *Dia* [Type: Custom Word Game] [Time: 120 seconds] [30 rounds] ¡°Feel free to ask for hints! Let¡¯s... begin!¡± Launching *Gartic Phone,* an online drawing game for streamers, she kicked off her self-introduction. With 5,519 participants, the server began to slow down. Unaware of this, Ha-eun¡¯s flushed cheeks showed her excitement. The scene she had dreamed of for so long had finally come true, making her usual calm disappear. --- - "*Dia* << her entire approach is unique." "Which VTuber kicks off their debut with *Gartic Phone* as an introduction?" ? "And she¡¯s not even a great artist!" ? "But she explained with stick figures! Cheers!" ? "So cute, make it a double!" - "So that¡¯s what a lively voice sounds like." ? "*Dia* might even rival *Prism Live.*" ? "She¡¯s probably a children¡¯s anime voice actor, right?" - "She¡¯s acting innocent, but it¡¯s not an act." ? "When she said she¡¯d kick out mean commenters with a sweet laugh, my head spun." ? "This is... VTubing?" ? "At one year old, anyone saying mean things would look terrible." ¡°See? Didn¡¯t I tell you not to worry about her?¡± ¡°...She¡¯s amazing.¡± Chapter 59 **Fantasia** A virtual YouTuber group project led by the major broadcasting figure, Squirrel. --- **Online Community Snippets:** - *"The nation''s elementary school president is a VTuber now? Is this even real?"* ? *"Don¡¯t fight the trend. VTubers are the ¡®flow¡¯ of the times."* ? *"Yeah, like your mom¡¯s tears are also a ¡®flow.¡¯"* ? *"Why do you have to talk like that?"* - *"A few years ago, they milked elementary kids¡¯ money with Minecraft, and now they¡¯re milking the ¡®soup generation¡¯ with VTubers."* ? *"Those elementary kids are now the soup generation."* ? *"Oh, so once you¡¯re milked, it¡¯s for life? LOL."* ? *"What a legendary build-up."* --- The timing of the Fantasia project¡¯s launch coincided with the rise of VTubers in mainstream awareness. From its recruitment phase, it attracted immense attention. Of course, not all of it was positive, but the main curiosity surrounding Fantasia stemmed from pure interest in its members. Initially planned as a four-member group, the addition of a fifth member was no small feat. Even though this was Squirrel¡¯s first foray into the virtual YouTuber world, expanding the roster was not a decision taken lightly. --- **Community Buzz:** - *¡°Squirrel can¡¯t stop talking about Fantasia whenever she gets a chance.¡±* ? *¡°I heard she broke her savings for this. Cheers!¡±* ? *¡°If it doesn¡¯t succeed, she¡¯s done for!¡±* ? *(insert meme of someone completely broke)* - *¡°Fantasia¡¯s PV quality is insane!¡±* ? *¡°Must¡¯ve been outsourced to Japan. The frame rate is so smooth.¡±* ? *¡°Well, VTubers did originate in Japan.¡±* ? *¡°Prism Live, watch out©¤!!¡±* ? *¡°So now even VTubers are part of Korea vs. Japan?¡±* - *¡°Squirrel just made a ¡®calm before the storm¡¯ comment during her stream. LOL.¡±* ? *¡°OMG.¡±* ? *¡°Are you trash, or are we trash...?¡±* ? *¡°Stop it, no more of this.¡±* --- Every time Squirrel teased Fantasia-related content on her stream, the community went wild. Squirrel and her MCN kept aggressively marketing the project to sustain this buzz. As time went on, the teaser PV featuring the stories of Fantasia¡¯s members was released. More specifically, after the successful debut streams of *Cream* and *Mile*, interest in the group reached new heights. --- **Community Chatter:** - *¡°Ugh, this is so frustrating. Why didn¡¯t they debut all at once?¡±* ? *Squirrel: ¡°No matter how delicious it is, eating too fast gives you indigestion.¡±* ? *¡°I¡¯ll take the indigestion! Just give me more, now!!¡±* ? *¡°Calm down, buddy.¡±* - *¡°So who is this Dia person that Cream and Mile practically worship?¡±* ? *¡°The youngest always gets extra care.¡±* ? *¡°No, this isn¡¯t just care; they treat her like a goddess!¡±* - *¡°Looking at Dia¡¯s avatar and profile, she¡¯s 100% a veteran.¡±* ? *¡°She knows VTuber fans¡¯ preferences way too well.¡±* ? *¡°Could she be Squirrel¡¯s secret alt account?¡±* ? *¡°This is why sharp kids are such a pain.¡±* --- Interest in Fantasia was skyrocketing, to the point where it felt like it couldn¡¯t get any better. The attention and anticipation surrounding *Dia*, Fantasia¡¯s third debut member and sole solo debut, were immense. Before her stream even started, she had already surpassed 3,000 followers¡ªa number Cream and Mile only reached after several streams. ¡°Casual speech right off the bat? What¡¯s ¡®casual speech¡¯ mean?¡± Dia, having lived as a spirit before gaining a human body, knew nothing about the human world. To her, the countless viewers tuning in were just friendly companions, not people requiring formalities. ¡°How old am I? One year old©¤¡î¡± --- **Chat Reactions:** - *¡°Gasp.¡±* - *¡°Everyone, hands off your keyboards!!!¡±* - *¡°This is gold!¡±* - *(Message deleted: inappropriate comment)* - *¡°She¡¯s like a literal baby!¡±* --- When asked if she had a boyfriend, Dia answered without hesitation: ¡°Of course, I do!¡î¡± - *¡°Wait, WHAT?!¡±* - *¡°It¡¯s me.¡±* - *¡°Dia, my heart!¡±* - *¡°How many concerts do I need to attend?!¡±* ¡°Why are you surprised? My boyfriend? There are at least 3,000 of them in this room right now!¡± --- **Establishing ¡°Noeulies¡±:** ¡°Can I call you guys *Noeulies*? Sunsets always made me so happy.¡± Her fans responded with overwhelming support, officially becoming her ¡°Noeulies.¡± --- **Interactive Gameplay:** Dia transitioned into a game of *Gartic Phone* with her viewers. With 5,519 participants, the server quickly began to overload, though Ha-eun was too engrossed in the moment to notice. Her usual composure had long since disappeared, overwhelmed by the sight of her dream coming true. --- **Community Highlights:** - *¡°Dia¡¯s got her own unique vibe. Who uses Gartic Phone for an introduction?!¡±* ? *¡°She¡¯s not even a good artist, LOL.¡±* ? *¡°But her stick figures are adorable. Cheers!¡±* - *¡°This voice... it¡¯s so dynamic!¡±* ? *¡°She could seriously rival Prism Live.¡±* - *¡°She acts pure, but it¡¯s not fake. She¡¯s genuine!¡±* ? *¡°Seeing her smile while warning against bad comments was mind-blowing.¡±* --- ¡°See? I told you not to worry about her.¡± ¡°...She¡¯s amazing.¡± Chapter 60 "A scene money can¡¯t buy." This sentence perfectly captured the emotions of those who knew Dia¡¯s true identity as they watched her debut stream. --- **On the Stream:** "*Ugh, I told you, it¡¯s about guessing my favorite *food*! Why does Hawaiian pizza keep popping up?*" - *¡°Wait, Dia, are you saying Hawaiian pizza isn¡¯t even food?¡±* - *¡°Well, Hawaiian pizza isn¡¯t food, technically, is it?¡±* - *¡°Dia, are you secretly from Italy?¡±* - *¡°Even a one-year-old spirit skips Hawaiian pizza. Dang.¡±* Her stream flowed seamlessly. The tension never dropped for a second. But what stood out the most was her clear, cheerful voice, which perfectly demonstrated what it means to be lively. --- ¡°Is this seriously her first-ever broadcast?¡± ¡°She¡¯s an actress. Maybe she prepared a script beforehand.¡± For those involved in the Fantasia project, watching Dia¡¯s debut felt like being struck on the back of the head. Even though they *knew* ¡°newbie VTuber Dia¡± and ¡°actress Lee Ha-eun¡± were the same person, it was impossible to connect the two in their minds. --- Seeing a renowned actress like Ha-eun hosting a VTuber stream was rare enough. But delivering a broadcast that perfectly embodied what it means to be a VTuber? That was an entirely different story. When she auditioned for Fantasia¡ª No, even when she signed her contract as ¡°Dia¡± after being accepted¡ª She had always carried an air of seriousness and gravity. No one had suspected she had this bubbly, playful side hidden within her. If someone called her two-faced, they wouldn¡¯t have been entirely wrong. --- **On the Stream:** "*Am I good at LoL? Are you talking about roll cakes?*" - *¡°These League players are crazy.¡±* - *¡°Who¡¯s teaching bad things to our Dia?¡±* - *¡°Protect Dia at all costs!¡±* - *¡°Roll cakes are delicious, though.¡±* There was nothing anyone could criticize. Her interactions with viewers felt natural. Her friendly, approachable tone created no sense of distance. Nothing about her performance gave room for fault. --- The Fantasia project team could only hope the other two members debuting on Wednesday would deliver a performance like hers. But unlike the project team, who evaluated Dia¡¯s debut from a business perspective, the other Fantasia members who knew her true identity had a different reaction. --- Dia¡¯s successful debut caused Ha-eun¡¯s already packed schedule to become even busier. Her days started early with school, followed by shoots for *The Moonlight Split by Clouds* or action training at Kim Kyu-tae¡¯s studio. She also visited the DoubleLee studio to practice singing as *Dia*, not *Pinocchio*. After all this, she managed to fit in two to three hours for short streams. Though she wanted to stream longer, she knew it would harm her health, so she resisted the temptation. --- **At the Breakfast Table:** ¡°So, are you dating someone?¡± ¡°Cough!¡± The unexpected question made Ha-eun choke. She quickly sipped lukewarm barley tea to calm herself before replying. ¡°N-no, I¡¯m not!¡± Her answer was completely truthful, but her father, Sung-yoon, wasn¡¯t convinced. --- ¡°I don¡¯t know... you just seem softer lately,¡± he said. ¡°Where exactly?¡± she asked, frowning. ¡°From head to toe. Like you¡¯ve fallen for someone ridiculously handsome.¡± ¡°???¡± His teasing left her flustered, but she couldn¡¯t tell him the real reason for her change¡ªher secret life as Dia. --- At school, a classmate¡¯s casual question¡ª¡°Ha-eun, do you have a boyfriend now?¡±¡ªcompletely shattered her composure. ¡®...What¡¯s so different about me?¡¯ During the first break, she rushed to the bathroom, splashed her face with water, and stared into the mirror. But no matter how hard she looked, she couldn¡¯t find anything ¡°different.¡± The only person who might¡¯ve had an answer was Da-yeon. --- **At the Set:** Eventually, Ha-eun found Da-yeon¡ªnot at school, but at the set of *The Moonlight Split by Clouds*. Da-yeon was at the end of a hallway, staring intently at her phone. Ha-eun cautiously approached her, but then froze when she saw what was on Da-yeon¡¯s screen. It was a paused clip of Dia¡¯s stream. --- ¡°...What¡¯s this?¡± Ha-eun asked, her voice trembling. Da-yeon turned to her, her usual playful expression replaced by the poised, commanding look of Queen Consort Yoon. Ha-eun felt her mind go blank as the unmistakable sound of her own voice played softly from Da-yeon¡¯s white earphones. Chapter 61 Two weeks. That¡¯s how long it had been since Da-yeon and I had spent any real time together. It wasn¡¯t an incredibly long period, but it wasn¡¯t particularly short, either. Truthfully, things had grown slightly awkward between us during this time. Even though it¡¯s impossible to suddenly become strangers with someone you¡¯ve known for over a decade, there¡¯s a reason people say that when bodies drift apart, so do hearts. There were moments when I wondered if we could ever return to the way we used to be. We had agreed to keep our distance during the drama¡¯s filming period, which made sense, but after the shoot, I hoped we could go back to how things were. The problem was situations like this¡ªwhen we happened to meet during the filming period. --- "...If you have something to say, spit it out." Strictly speaking, I was the one who sought her out this time. But even so, breaking through the awkward air that had developed between us while we¡¯d been apart and actually speaking up wasn¡¯t easy. Asking why she suddenly started watching VTuber streams? That was even harder. At least she hadn¡¯t recognized my voice¡ªit was a massive relief. But why had someone like her, who never even mentioned the word "VTuber," suddenly changed so much? At this moment, I was more curious about what had changed Da-yeon than I was about what might have changed in myself. At the same time, I couldn¡¯t help but worry. --- No one in her class seemed to know where she went these days. The only thing I managed to hear was that she would sometimes disappear without explanation. Concerned, I reached out to her parents, taking the risk of being seen as intrusive, but they said everything at home was normal. The Da-yeon I knew would never ask for help herself. She had such a stubborn pride that I¡¯d seen her take on unnecessary struggles just to avoid leaning on others. Of course, I knew my meddling might be unwelcome. Da-yeon wasn¡¯t the warmest friend, and her personality could be challenging to deal with. But I¡¯d spent too much time with her to ignore the way she seemed to be hiding something. Even if it meant we¡¯d have to become complete strangers one day, I wanted to ensure that ¡°incident¡± didn¡¯t happen before that. --- I¡¯ve never been the type to just stand by while people I care about suffer. Just as I was finding happiness in my life as Dia, I didn¡¯t want others to stray too far from their own normal routines. --- So I said it. "If you¡¯re struggling with something, just tell me. ...Please." I pleaded earnestly, my expression and tone serious, asking her to let me help. --- The problem was that no matter how much time passed, Da-yeon didn¡¯t say a word. Well, she *did* say something just as we were about to part ways¡ª --- "...If a dating rumor about us spreads, it¡¯ll be a huge problem. End it quickly before things get out of hand." --- But even that had nothing to do with what was actually troubling her. Once again, I found myself at a loss for words, unable to offer any meaningful response as I watched her walk away. --- *...Why does she even think I¡¯m dating someone...?* --- ### **Interlude** "Doesn¡¯t Ha-eun seem a little different lately?" The question sent Yoo Seong-jae into a mild panic. His eyes quickly scanned her from head to toe. But aside from her slightly gentler demeanor compared to the first shoot, he couldn¡¯t spot any changes. --- "...Did you change your lipstick?" "No." "Uh, then... Maybe your eyeshadow is a little darker?" "I don¡¯t wear eyeshadow." --- His guesses, none of which related to her acting, were all wrong. --- "You really can¡¯t tell?" "...No." --- He answered honestly, and to his surprise, Ha-eun¡¯s expression brightened slightly. He¡¯d expected her to look disappointed and found himself confused by her reaction. --- "Thank you for being honest," she said with a smile. "It seems everyone else was just mistaken." --- Before Yoo Seong-jae could figure out what she meant, the countdown to the shoot began. --- "Three, two, one... Action!" Pushing his curiosity aside, Yoo Seong-jae stepped into his role as Crown Prince Lee Hyun. --- The scene, S#51, was a leisurely stroll through the market¡ªa rare outing for the Crown Prince and his bodyguard Yeong-wol. Unlike earlier scenes where Yeong-wol was nothing more than a loyal guard, this one depicted her slowly coming to terms with her feelings for Lee Hyun. --- "These bracelets symbolize wishing for each other¡¯s safety. Would you like to try one on?" The simple gift of a bracelet left Yeong-wol visibly shaken, her usually sharp gaze softening. --- Her attempts to act unaffected crumbled when Lee Hyun noticed her flushed cheeks. "Your face is red. Do you have a fever?" "...! Y-your Highness!" --- S#51 was a quintessential romantic scene, full of subtle tension as Yeong-wol, unmistakably in love, struggled to maintain her composure, while Lee Hyun remained oblivious. This scene was a build-up for S#52, where the lighthearted atmosphere would take a drastic turn, catching viewers off-guard. --- "...Know your place!" *Slap!* No one would have predicted that Yeong-wol¡¯s budding feelings would lead her straight into the clutches of Queen Consort Yoon¡¯s schemes. Her tender vulnerability in S#51 would soon be met with harsh betrayal, leaving both the characters and viewers reeling. Chapter 62 A hunting cat. Or perhaps, an eagle. When Yoo Seong-jae first caught sight of Ha-eun¡¯s sharp eyes, those were the images that came to mind. Of course, this impression was purely about her appearance. He didn¡¯t think of Ha-eun herself as someone inherently fierce. Her calm tone conveyed a composed and measured atmosphere, with a layer of caution underlying her every move. Despite his frequent attempts to strike up conversations, Ha-eun didn¡¯t push him away. She chose her words carefully, making it easy for him to close the distance between them. However, there was a particular moment from the past. When Ha-eun¡¯s blade¡ªmeant for an imaginary boar¡ªbarely missed Seong-jae¡¯s robe. The emotions radiating from her sharp gaze in that instant were far removed from anything resembling affection. Romance... is it even possible? This doubt lingered in Yoo Seong-jae¡¯s mind. As the male lead in The Moonlight Split by Clouds, a historical romance drama, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder if the genre¡¯s core element would come through. He found it hard to imagine someone with Ha-eun¡¯s piercing demeanor portraying love. It was an unnecessary concern. Having a sharp appearance and performing as a character in love were, ultimately, two separate matters. "From now on, I¡¯ll only go out with you." "M-me? Just the two of us?" "Yes, just the two of us. The others only nag me endlessly." The playful exchange during their outing seemed lighthearted enough, but Yeong-wol¡¯s feelings betrayed none of that lightness. The joy of being able to go on another outing with Lee Hyun filled her heart. But so did sadness. Yeong-wol, the bodyguard, could accompany Lee Hyun freely. But Yeong-wol, the woman, was never granted that privilege. "What has you so deep in thought? Do you hate following me around as I enjoy my leisure every day?" "...So, you¡¯re aware of how much you enjoy your outings." There was no self-awareness, however, of how much his actions pained her. The words she swallowed down left a bitter taste in her mouth. Her heart still wavered. The man she served as Crown Prince felt less like her superior and more like a man she admired. Tap, tap. "A bodyguard shouldn¡¯t walk around with leaves on their shoulders." Even the light brush of his hand as he removed the stray leaf startled her. Her unspoken feelings, the ones she¡¯d given up on expressing, still weighed heavily on her chest, making it hard to breathe. Her piercing gaze and sharp features remained. Yet, the emotions layered over them¡ªthe feelings directed at Lee Hyun¡ª softened her in a way that made her appear less a warrior and more a woman. In the past, Lee Hyun had only shown her the affection of a ruler toward a loyal subject. But what Yeong-wol truly desired now was the affection between a man and a woman. However, her belief that staying as his bodyguard was the best way to serve him held her back. "...The sun is setting. You should return to the Eastern Palace." Suppressing her desire to spend more time with him, she forced herself to walk behind him, not beside him. When Lee Hyun began walking ahead, only then did Yeong-wol allow herself to look at him. The unspoken emotions in her gaze were filled with nothing but yearning. Cut. The scene played out exactly as Jin Gyu-seong had imagined when reviewing the script, so there was no need for an NG call. "Compared to the first episode, she¡¯s definitely softened up." Shooting the scenes in chronological order offered a unique advantage¡ª it allowed the gradual evolution of the characters¡¯ relationships and emotions to naturally unfold. The initial dynamic between Lee Hyun and Yeong-wol was far from romantic. But over time, their reasons for valuing each other shifted. "Once this airs, Seong-jae is probably going to get some flak." "If this were a man-to-man relationship, no one would care. But with a woman, it feels like flirting." "Unintentional flirting tends to come across even worse. It can¡¯t be helped." Capturing the emotional distance between Lee Hyun and Yeong-wol was crucial. Scenes like S#51, where Yeong-wol¡¯s feelings don¡¯t reach Lee Hyun, would make their eventual connection all the more poignant. The next scene, S#52, was equally pivotal in setting up their eventual union. Unlike the tranquil tone of S#51, however, S#52 was far darker. "We need to rehearse the slapping scene. Da-yeon, let¡¯s get ready." This scene marked a turning point, signaling a crisis for both Lee Hyun and Yeong-wol. "Try angling it slightly downward and grazing her cheek this time." If the Queen¡¯s goal was truly to brand Yeong-wol and her father as traitors, there was no need for such threats. ¡°Leave the Crown Prince¡¯s side. Never return to the palace.¡± What followed was a narrative of power struggles between Lee Hyun and Queen Yoon, specifically the Queen¡¯s fears for the safety of the child in her womb. ¡°If the Crown Prince ascends to the throne, he will undoubtedly eliminate my child. Do you think he will let a threat to his position live?¡± ¡°His Highness would never do such a thing.¡± ¡°Even if the Crown Prince isn¡¯t that kind of man, the throne is a position that demands such measures.¡± But if Yeong-wol left Lee Hyun¡¯s side, his mind and spirit would begin to crumble. Eventually, he would fall out of the King¡¯s favor. ¡°His Majesty will entrust Joseon to me, not to a weak man who collapses just because a single bodyguard is gone!¡± If this happened, Queen Yoon and her child would be safe. ¡°For the sake of your aging father, leave. This is the last mercy I can offer.¡± The Queen was determined to isolate Lee Hyun, even if it meant forcing Yeong-wol to leave. She made it clear that her method was the only way to protect everyone. ¡°If you disappear, no one will be harmed. Truly, no one.¡± Her heavy, unyielding gaze. Her authoritative voice, steeped in the power of her high status. The cold reality Yeong-wol faced left no room for choice. ¡°............................¡± The realization that she had become Lee Hyun¡¯s greatest vulnerability crushed Yeong-wol. When Da-yeon saw the profound sorrow in Ha-eun¡¯s eyes as they filmed this scene, something clicked. Throb. It was then she understood why she had found Ha-eun¡¯s behavior odd when surrounded by classmates in the past. ¡°Cut! That was excellent!¡± Even as the cameras and lights were packed up, even after changing into her usual clothes and stepping into Kim Jin-soo¡¯s white van, Da-yeon couldn¡¯t shake the image of Ha-eun¡¯s sorrowful eyes from her mind. For 11 years, Da-yeon had shown nothing but sharpness toward Ha-eun. Like Queen Yoon, she had played the villain. ¡®How did it end up like this?¡¯ At first, it had been a matter of pride. A competitive drive to surpass Ha-eun¡¯s acting. She stayed close to Ha-eun to savor the satisfaction of outperforming her. But as time passed, Da-yeon began to notice things beyond the competition. Subconsciously, she feared that Ha-eun, tired of her unfriendly demeanor, would eventually leave her. She had refused to acknowledge this fear, choosing to ignore it until she saw Ha-eun chatting comfortably with others. Throb. In that moment, she was reminded of her own isolation. Of how, at six years old, she had driven others away, believing herself special. Taking on the role of Queen Yoon in the same drama as Ha-eun had been Da-yeon¡¯s last act of desperation. She thought competing with Ha-eun on screen would help her forget her loneliness. It was a grave miscalculation. The more she played the villain opposite Ha-eun, the heavier her guilt became. It was just acting. There was no need to take it to heart. But the turmoil inside her only grew. Tap. ¡°Da-yeon? Are you okay?! Why are you crying all of a sudden?¡± ¡°I... I don¡¯t know. Nothing¡¯s wrong....¡± Da-yeon finally understood why Ha-eun had stayed by her side all this time. It was because Ha-eun was kind. If Ha-eun ever decided to push her away, she would have no one left. Should she apologize before it was too late? But perhaps it was already too late. She knew she had to change. But she had no idea where to begin. [ekdus7 has donated 100,000 won!] "I¡¯ve had a friend I¡¯ve bullied since we were kids. I want to apologize, but I¡¯m afraid they won¡¯t forgive me. It¡¯s hard enough just to approach them after all this time apart. But I don¡¯t want to let things end like this. What should I do? It¡¯s so embarrassing to even say that I still want to be friends." Get to the point.Why are you confessing here?This isn¡¯t a school counseling session.Too long, couldn¡¯t read.Well, you can¡¯t ignore 100,000 won, lol. ¡°Um, well...! Let¡¯s discuss this one-on-one©¤¡î¡± Chapter 63 Interaction with viewers. One of the basic skills required of a VTuber. Even personal counseling fell under the umbrella of communication. From that perspective, it wasn¡¯t such a strange sight. ¡°So, first question©¤¡î Why were you mean to your friend?¡± [ekdus7] - I don¡¯t really know... ¡°Second question©¤¡î Anyway, do you want to stay friends with that person?¡± [ekdus7] - ...Yes. Although I didn¡¯t have a professional counseling license or anything, simply having a conversation was well within my ability. Especially when ignoring a generous donation of 100,000 won would have been difficult. However, the username felt oddly familiar. The situation the viewer described didn¡¯t feel entirely unfamiliar either. ¡®...No way.¡¯ I began to suspect that the person behind ¡°ekdus7¡± in the one-on-one chat might be someone Ha-eun knew. The problem was that the more the conversation with ekdus7 continued, the more Ha-eun''s suspicion turned into certainty. ¡°How long have you been friends with this person?¡± [ekdus7] - We''ve been together since first grade in elementary school... So, it¡¯s been about 11 years this year. ¡°Then, have you ever had a major fight with that friend during those 11 years?¡± [ekdus7] - We¡¯ve never really had a big fight. Actually, now that I think about it, I feel like I was the one always getting angry and snapping at them... Is your friend a saint or what?Did you find out their weakness or something?You¡¯ve bullied them for 11 years, and you¡¯re just saying sorry now?Are you a girl? If you are, I can be your frie©¤ (This message has been deleted.) ¡®...Time to freeze the chat.¡¯ With that, all chat messages except for ekdus7¡¯s were temporarily frozen. I carefully asked why they suddenly felt the need to apologize. ¡°Did you do something bad to your friend? Recently, I mean©¤¡î¡± [ekdus7] - Well, to be honest, I did slap them a few hours ago, but that was for filming (This message has been deleted.) [ekdus7] - I mean, technically, they told me to slap them first (This message has been deleted.) [ekdus7] - I just felt like I should apologize before it¡¯s too late. I feel sorry for them about literally everything... ¡®It¡¯s definitely Da-yeon.¡¯ If I said I wasn¡¯t at all surprised to realize that the person behind ¡°ekdus7¡± was indeed Da-yeon, it would be a lie. Ha-eun had seen with her own eyes that Da-yeon occasionally watched Dia¡¯s streams. But she never expected that Da-yeon would share her personal concerns with Dia. Nor did she know that Da-yeon, who always appeared so cold, harbored such worries deep down. But for now, she was Dia, not Ha-eun. Even if she responded, it had to be from Dia¡¯s perspective. Thus, ¡°If this person has stayed friends with you for 11 years, I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll accept your apology¡î¡± [ekdus7] - But... I don¡¯t know where to start apologizing. ¡°Then, why not apologize for everything from the beginning to the end? I think it¡¯ll be better for you to let it all out!¡± [ekdus7] - ...Everything from the beginning to the end? ¡°Yep! After you finish apologizing, shake hands and hug it out©¤¡î¡±@@@@ Her response, innocent if phrased kindly, could also be considered childish. Dia. A pure spirit who had only spent a little over a year in the human world. As a spirit untainted by human cynicism, she genuinely believed that a heartfelt apology, a handshake, and a hug could resolve everything. For the sake of Dia¡¯s roleplay, she had to believe it herself. From Ha-eun¡¯s perspective, the advice felt a bit cringe-worthy. But she didn¡¯t think Da-yeon would actually take Dia¡¯s advice to heart. Just as Da-yeon knew Ha-eun well, Ha-eun also understood Da-yeon thoroughly. She believed that Da-yeon¡¯s high pride would never allow her to lower herself enough to apologize, no matter the circumstances. Anyway, the counseling session worth 100,000 won eventually came to an end. Ha-eun unfroze the chat that had been paused for Da-yeon¡¯s sake. And almost immediately after: [User has donated 1,000 won!] Dia, I want to marry you. How can I make that happen? A donation that stretched the definition of ¡°counseling¡± arrived. Dia¡¯s response to this was: ¡°Marriage? Hold on~. A cute wizard once said to let them know if anyone makes such a proposal under a sunset like this©¤¡î¡± Gasp!Everyone, hands off your keyboards!!The wizard¡¯s coming for this guy, the wizard¡¯s coming for this guy, the wizard¡¯s coming for this guy...Respected wizard, I said nothing, I swear!Run away©¤!! It was a reaction quite different from how she had addressed ekdus7 earlier. It also served to make the viewers forget about ekdus7¡¯s concerns entirely. The stream ended about an hour later. As usual, Ha-eun headed to bed, completely drained of energy. However, she couldn¡¯t shake the lingering thoughts about Da-yeon. More specifically, the thoughts about Da-yeon¡¯s inner turmoil. ¡°...I was never really angry, though.¡± Before falling asleep, Ha-eun reflected on the things Da-yeon regretted. Things Ha-eun had dismissed as trivial because she didn¡¯t think she¡¯d done anything wrong. Moments that were nothing more than fleeting whims at the time. ¡°Guh, guh-ugh...!¡± Blood gushed from the assassin¡¯s mouth, but Yeong-wol paid no attention. She withdrew her sword and turned it toward the next foe. What followed was a one-sided massacre. -Slash©¤! -Shwick! -Clang©¤! What was once whole was split into two. Broad chests bore straight sword scars. Bodies collapsed to the ground, mangled from head to toe. ¡°Sp-spare me©¤!!¡± The shadow of an assassin who begged for mercy was ruthlessly torn apart, disappearing completely. The pungent scent of blood hung heavily in the air. Even so, Yeong-wol¡¯s sharp aura did not waver as she sought out any remaining threats to Lee Hyun. Though crimson liquid seeped from her black clothing, now was not the time to worry about mere injuries. Countless lives were extinguished by Yeong-wol alone. As she moved toward the faint sounds of the few remaining enemies, her steps did not falter. -Shiver. But then, a different kind of murderous intent enveloped Yeong-wol. Clenching her teeth, she swung her sword again, beginning the final showdown. The trajectory of Yeong-wol¡¯s bloodstained sword drew irregular, jagged lines. Her opponent¡ªa man far larger than any assassin she had faced so far¡ªcountered her with exceptional swordsmanship, pushing her to her limits. -Clang©¤! -Ching! -Clang-clang©¤! Each strike was aimed to kill, leaving no room for hesitation. A downward slash toward her waist was immediately redirected to her shoulder joint. When that too was blocked, she switched her grip and attacked from another angle. Their blades clashed violently like a raging storm. The duel finally reached its conclusion just before dawn, as the pale blue light of morning crept into the Eastern Palace. ¡°You... monster....¡± With one last thrust of her battered, broken blade, Yeong-wol ended the life of the final assassin. Despite her exhaustion, she couldn¡¯t stop her trembling steps. She hadn¡¯t yet confirmed the safety of the one she had fought so desperately to protect. ¡°Your... Highness....¡± Her face was pale, her body battered. Even taking a single step seemed miraculous. Fueled by sheer willpower, she dragged herself forward, moving only for Lee Hyun¡¯s sake. And at the end of that grueling journey, she was met with¡ª ¡°Die©¤©¤!¡± The sight of Lee Hyun standing among a pile of six or seven fallen assassins, with the last remaining foe swinging a sword toward him. ¡°...!!¡± Summoning the last of her strength, Yeong-wol threw herself forward, driving her broken blade into the assassin¡¯s heart. Not even a second later, she collapsed with a dull thud. Her energy and strength completely spent, Yeong-wol lost consciousness. How much time had passed since Yeong-wol had blacked out? -Blink. -Blink, blink. ¡°Your... Highness...?¡± As her vision slowly cleared, the face she had longed to see came into focus: Lee Hyun. But she also became aware of her own state¡ªlying in a hospital bed, partially undressed, receiving treatment. -Thud. A sinking feeling overwhelmed Yeong-wol, as if her heart had plummeted into an abyss. Chapter 64 If S#87 showcased Yeong-wol¡¯s unparalleled strength, S#88 was the highlight where her true identity was revealed. ¡®Would this count as a red pill moment?¡¯ As Ha-eun prepared to film S#88, the most troubling part was understanding Yeong-wol¡¯s emotions after her secret as a woman was finally exposed. This scene prominently displayed the unique traits of her "disguised as a man" character. Like countless other female characters disguised as men, Yeong-wol was flustered when her identity was uncovered. Despite her injuries, she desperately tried to hide her femininity. ¡®The mask.¡¯ To Yeong-wol, her male guise was the mask that had allowed her to stay by Lee Hyun¡¯s side. Even though it was too late, she turned away from Lee Hyun to hide her exposed upper body. Only as Yeong-wol, the bodyguard, could she remain near Lee Hyun. She had to wear that mask of lies, from start to finish, to be with him. However, now that the mask had been removed, now that her true identity had been revealed, Yeong-wol subconsciously knew she could no longer hide her secret. She could no longer stay by Lee Hyun¡¯s side. **¡°Punish this woman who dared deceive Your Highness....¡±** Engulfed in deep sorrow, she accepted the punishment for deceiving Lee Hyun all this time. Her outward appearance was frailer than ever before. Ha-eun understood why someone as strong as Yeong-wol would become so weak over something as simple as her identity being exposed. No, she had known it all along. ¡®Of course, she¡¯s afraid.¡¯ In her past life, Ha-eun had also crafted a false image to gain affection. She knew all too well the terror of having her frail, true self exposed by an unintentional mistake. The vanishing of the affection earned through a lie. The abandonment and rejection that filled the void of what she had once desperately sought. Strictly speaking, Yeong-wol had not yet been abandoned or rejected. But she firmly believed she would soon be cast away by Lee Hyun. Ha-eun, who had experienced that searing pain countless times in her past life, thought Yeong-wol¡¯s feelings must be the same. She believed Yeong-wol¡¯s expression could be mirrored in the dark reflection she once saw in a hospital window. A pitiful figure with not even a grain of hope left. Quietly, Yeong-wol waited for Lee Hyun¡¯s judgment. -*Swish.* Instead of cold words, warm fingers slid between her scarred fingers. Following this was a voice, calm and gentle, entirely devoid of anger. **¡°They¡¯re so small.¡±** When Yeong-wol turned her gaze, almost instinctively, she was met with a serene expression. There wasn¡¯t even a trace of betrayal in Lee Hyun¡¯s face. She couldn¡¯t help but be flustered. She couldn¡¯t help but feel confused. She was a criminal who had deceived the Crown Prince. Punishment and judgment were all she deserved. Mercy and kindness were impossible. They shouldn¡¯t exist. Yet¡ª **¡°Thank you for coming back.¡±** His eyes. His expression. His voice. And lastly, the warmth of the hand that enveloped hers. **¡°And from now on... don¡¯t leave again. That¡¯s an order.¡±** It was nothing but warmth. What could she say? What could she possibly say? A scene she had never even dreamed of. A scene she wasn¡¯t even allowed to dream of. It was impossible to believe that such a dreamlike moment was reality. **¡°I am a sinner... for deceiving Your Highness.¡±** **¡°And you are the benefactor who saved my life.¡±** **¡°I only wanted to stay by your side. It was my selfish desire.¡±** **¡°It¡¯s because of that selfish desire that I¡¯m still alive.¡±** **¡°I feared the oppression my father would face, so I couldn¡¯t trust you and fled!¡±** **¡°That was my failing, not yours.¡±** However, Sung-jae and a few of the male actors had to stay behind. The reason being¡ª ¡°It might be better to practice with the music on full volume. Does anyone have a Bluetooth speaker?¡± ¡°Hee-seong went to get one.¡± A special promotional dance video for Moonlit Divide was just around the corner. Since everyone had their own schedules, it made sense to practice while they were all still gathered on set. After all, it was an effort to ensure the success of Moonlit Divide, so the actors were determined to give it their best. The dance practice continued for about 30 minutes, and someone had been quietly watching the entire time. ¡°Isn¡¯t that Ha-eun over there?¡± ¡°Has her manager not arrived? Why hasn¡¯t she gone home yet?¡± Before long, urged by the others¡ªwho claimed it was his duty as the ¡°older brother¡± of the group¡ª Yoo Sung-jae paused the dance practice and approached Ha-eun. However, before he could ask why she was still on set¡ª ¡°Can I join?¡± ¡°Join the dance video? Or just the practice?¡± ¡°Hmm... both?¡± Ha-eun had come forward with a request to appear in the dance video. In her memory, the Moonlit Divide special promotional video had garnered significant buzz. With over 10 million views, she thought that her inclusion as Yeong-wol could generate even more excitement. After a moment of deliberation, Sung-jae asked the promotional team staff if Ha-eun could participate. ¡°Ha-eun can¡¯t join.¡± However, Jin Gyu-seong, who happened to overhear the conversation, immediately shut it down. His reasoning was that participating in the dance video might damage Yeong-wol¡¯s strong and charismatic image, particularly in the early and mid-stages of the drama. Ha-eun personally didn¡¯t think it would have much of an impact, but since the director had spoken, she gave up on appearing in the dance video. Still¡ª ¡°Then, can I at least join the practice?¡± ¡°I won¡¯t stop you from practicing, but... why do you want to?¡± ¡°Oh, well... it just looks fun.¡± And so, Ha-eun joined the dance practice after all. ¡®Who else can say they danced with Yoo Sung-jae?¡¯ Her reasoning was purely personal. Thus, the dance practice resumed, now with Ha-eun included. Unlike the male actors who had practiced together several times before, this was Ha-eun¡¯s first time joining. They decided to treat her participation as symbolic rather than serious. However¡ª ¡®Why is she so good?¡¯ Having practiced for the Phantasm Audition promotional video in the past, and vividly recalling the choreography from Moonlit Divide¡¯s special video in her memories, Ha-eun blended seamlessly into the group. ¡°This could go into the behind-the-scenes reel.¡± A staff member, impressed by Ha-eun¡¯s flawless dancing, suggested including the footage in the making-of video. This time, Gyu-seong didn¡¯t have any objections and accepted the suggestion. A few days later, during a promotional meeting for Moonlit Divide¡ª ¡°Rather than Sung-jae appearing alone on 2 Days and 3 Nights, wouldn¡¯t it be better for Ha-eun to join as well?¡± Several additional ideas for promoting the drama with actress Lee Ha-eun were proposed. The most popular suggestion involved 2 Days and 3 Nights, one of KBC¡¯s flagship variety shows. Although its ratings had dipped slightly in recent years, the show was still a strong platform for achieving their promotional goals. However, Ha-eun¡¯s status as a minor raised some concerns. The show had a reputation for being a bit rough, which made Gyu-seong hesitant. If Ha-eun came across as awkward or inexperienced, it could harm Yeong-wol¡¯s image as well. Thus, Gyu-seong expressed his concerns about sending Ha-eun to such a variety program. ¡°What? Director, are you serious? Ha-eun is amazing on variety shows!¡± ¡°...What do you mean by that?¡± After hearing about Ha-eun¡¯s legendary guest appearance on the popular variety show Don¡¯t Stop People years ago, or more precisely, after seeing the viral GIF titled Han Yu-hwa teaching wannabe Do-joon¡¯s a lesson with her physique, Gyu-seong began to reconsider. ¡°Having both lead actors appear on 2 Days and 3 Nights together... might not be a bad idea.¡± Gyu-seong¡¯s stance shifted in favor of Ha-eun joining the show. The sheer impact and freshness of the viral clip had left quite the impression on him. Chapter 65 Moonlit Divide was a drama structured around two distinct narrative arcs, each with a beginning, rise, climax, and conclusion. The filming for the conclusion of the first arc, ¡°The Union of Lee Hyun and Yeong-wol,¡± had just wrapped up. With about a month left until its first broadcast, the early episodes of Moonlit Divide had already been edited and were ready for airing, so there were no major issues. ¡°Hmm... the casting for Lovers of the Full Moon still bothers me.¡± ¡°Honestly, we¡¯re at a disadvantage. Over there, even the minor roles are filled with veteran actors.¡± The problem lay in the flood of new articles about Lovers of the Full Moon, a competing drama airing in the same time slot on MBS. The two leads of Moonlit Divide, Yoo Sung-jae and Ha-eun, were considered ¡°fresh blood.¡± Both were undoubtedly talented actors, but neither had much experience as main leads. In contrast, most of the cast in Lovers of the Full Moon were ¡°proven¡± actors. To exaggerate a little, one might even worry about the budget of MBS¡¯s drama division. Just as KBC¡¯s drama division had poured its heart into Moonlit Divide, MBS had also sharpened its blade for this showdown. Given KBC¡¯s string of failures over the past three years, it was inevitable that they felt the pressure. However, when it came to desperation for success, KBC wasn¡¯t about to lose. ¡°MPN News asked for our promotional dance footage!¡± ¡°MPN? Isn¡¯t that a cable channel?¡± ¡°So what if it¡¯s cable? They came, interviewed citizens, and even filmed!¡± ¡°Alright, alright, calm down, Writer Kim. You¡¯re way too excited right now.¡± Efforts to aggressively promote the drama, such as the special dance video featuring the main and supporting male actors, were now in full swing. Moonlit Divide had to succeed, no matter what. This was the year KBC was determined to break its three-year slump. For the sake of Moonlit Divide¡¯s success, they were willing to pull out all the stops. This is why, less than a week after the release of the special dance video, a large-scale production showcase was held. The goal was to use the buzz generated by the dance video and amplify it with articles about the showcase. ¡°Alright, Sung-jae and Ha-eun, strike your signature poses!¡± ¡°Perfect. Now, turn to the right~.¡± And so, Ha-eun found herself facing a crowd of reporters, enduring endless requests for poses, and relentless flashes from their cameras. ¡®...Hope this doesn¡¯t ruin my eyesight.¡¯ Nothing about this was easy or comfortable, though she kept her composure outwardly. The photo time stretched on for quite a while. Since it was part of the production showcase, she had no intention of phoning it in. ¡®How long do I have to stay linked arm-in-arm like this?¡¯ Striking couple-like poses with Yoo Sung-jae, who played the Crown Prince Lee Hyun, was no easy feat. Perhaps it was because she maintained a calm demeanor outside of filming. Though her relationship with Sung-jae wasn¡¯t awkward, it was hard to create the lovey-dovey atmosphere or sweet gazes that the reporters seemed to expect. If framed positively, it could be called a poker face. Negatively, it was plain dry. Standing right next to her, Sung-jae couldn¡¯t help but notice Ha-eun¡¯s demeanor. Five minutes later, he cautiously whispered to her. ¡°...Ha-eun, are you not feeling well today?¡± ¡°...No, I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°...If anything¡¯s bothering you, let me know right away.¡± ¡°...What¡¯s bothering me is you whispering to me like this.¡± ¡°...Sorry.¡± After his failed attempt to check on her, Sung-jae fell silent again. Judging that continuing the couple shots wouldn¡¯t be productive, the organizers shifted to solo shots. When it was Ha-eun¡¯s turn to stand alone in front of the cameras, things became much easier. While couple shots required her to exude a romantic energy fitting Yeong-wol¡¯s feelings for Lee Hyun, solo shots only needed her to showcase Yeong-wol¡¯s weighty, commanding presence. ¡®She really shines when she¡¯s alone.¡¯ ¡®Wow, she¡¯s still in high school, but that charisma....¡¯ ¡®She¡¯s intense.¡¯ The burden on Ha-eun¡¯s mind began to lift little by little. Though the camera flashes were still blinding, she managed to endure. Her solo photo time ended after about three minutes. Afterward, she stepped down from the stage, leaving Sung-jae to take his solo photos. Once Sung-jae¡¯s session concluded, the Q&A with reporters began. -Ding. Gasp!Dia¡¯s the murderer?! What is happening?!A one-year-old murderer, LOL.Does she even know what murder means?It¡¯s Dia. She¡¯s gonna get caught instantly.If she gets 2¨C3 people, that¡¯s already a lot. The content of this Phantasm collaboration was a game of ¡°Hide and Seek with a Murderer¡± within Minecraft. The premise was a showdown between a murderer, who must eliminate all the other players, and the citizens, who must deduce the murderer¡¯s identity and apprehend them. The collaboration featured a total of 9 participants: the 5 Phantasm members, joined by 4 members from the Daramji Crew, including Ji Hye-min. The key point? Ha-eun, or Dia, had been assigned the sole role of the murderer. In other words, from this moment on, Dia had to act and speak as ¡°the murderer.¡± ¡°Alright, everyone! Let¡¯s split up and start looking for clues about the murderer!¡± As the content officially began, Dia abandoned her usual high-energy tone and cheerful voice. Even as she wandered around searching for her targets, she kept her voice soft and quiet. ¡°Footsteps... I need to follow the footsteps...¡î.¡± Her whispering makes her even cuter.Look at that immersion.Dia¡¯s a pro. She¡¯s a total pro.The first ASMR-style murderer, LOL. As a result, her energy consumption wasn¡¯t too high. The strain on Ha-eun¡¯s throat was also far less than usual. Perhaps that¡¯s why¡ª ¡°Oh, it¡¯s Dia!¡± ¡°...Hello, unnie....¡± Even when Dia encountered Cream, one of the citizens she had to eliminate, she maintained her low-energy demeanor. When Cream asked why she was whispering so much¡ª ¡°...What if the murderer is listening somewhere nearby...?¡± ¡°...When you put it that way, that makes sense.¡± Dia justified her quiet tone by attributing it to fear of being overheard by the murderer, making her low tension seem reasonable. After all, the citizens were supposed to be running from an unseen murderer at all times. As a result, Cream also started whispering, adopting a tone similar to Dia¡¯s. Since they had run into each other, Cream decided to stick with Dia and look for clues about the murderer¡¯s identity. ¡°Hey, Dia. There¡¯s a chest over there...!¡± But just as Cream discovered her first clue about the murderer¡ª -Swish. Dia¡¯s avatar, which had been holding nothing until now, suddenly equipped a small, sharp object. And just seconds later¡ª ¡°...Goodbye¡î.¡± -Slash! ¡°?!?!?!!?!¡± In a swift, clean move, Cream¡¯s avatar was completely eliminated. AAAAHHHH!What the heck just happened?!What was that voice?!That was so chilling, OMG.Cream, I just lost it.Is that really Dia?! ¡°Oh, um... hold on. I got so scared. Let me, um, go get some water.¡± Even as Cream got up from her streaming chair and headed to the living room, her hands were still trembling slightly. Her heart was still pounding. ¡®Why does it have to be Ha-eun?¡¯ The chilling voice she had just heard refused to leave Cream¡¯s mind. Was this what people meant by ¡°a professional moment¡±? For someone like Cream, an ordinary person, seeing through Ha-eun¡¯s acting was almost impossible. She had been completely fooled. Strictly speaking, there were still seven citizens left, but¡ª for some reason, it felt like none of them would be able to uncover Dia¡¯s identity as the murderer. Chapter 66 -Ding- The system message announced the murderer¡¯s first move. Considering that kills could only happen every ten minutes, it was relatively early. ¡°They struck as soon as the cooldown ended... Who could it be?¡± Even Ji Hye-min, the organizer and host of this collab, had no idea who the murderer was. After all, knowing the identity in advance would inevitably give it away. It was a purely random assignment¡ªa necessary choice to preserve the immersive tension of the content. However, there was a potential risk: compared to the [Squirrel Crew], who had played this "Hide and Seek with the Murderer" content countless times, the Fantasia members were less experienced. If one of them ended up as the murderer, their inexperience might result in a dull, anticlimactic game. That¡¯s why several precautions had been put in place. One of them was the inclusion of a role called the "Spy." Spies assisted the murderer by sowing discord among the citizens or framing specific players as the murderer. If the spy and the murderer were the last ones standing, the spy would also win. The role required more skill and strategy than that of a regular citizen or even the murderer. For this reason, Ji Hye-min had decided beforehand that she would take on the role of the spy herself. -Ding- "...At this rate, I probably won¡¯t even need to help." Barely ten minutes after the first kill, another system message announced yet another murder. Judging by the pace, Ji Hye-min figured she could stay back for now. If she intervened too soon, the citizens might get wiped out entirely without a fighting chance. For now, she decided to focus on maintaining the balance of the game to keep the experience thrilling. That was when she spotted Diah wandering nearby. ¡°That¡¯s not Ha-eun. That¡¯s Diah. That¡¯s not Ha-eun. That¡¯s Diah...¡± Ji Hye-min chanted silently to herself. Up until now, she¡¯d always spoken formally to Ha-eun. But addressing Diah, who was role-playing as a one-year-old spirit, with honorifics felt a bit... odd. ¡°Hey, Diah~. Have you found anything~?¡± ¡°...I haven¡¯t found anything yet....¡± ¡°Huh? Why does your voice sound like that?¡± ¡°...I¡¯m scared....¡± Ji Hye-min adjusted her tone, treating Diah like a younger sibling for the sake of the broadcast atmosphere. "She''s too cute, seriously.""Her voice is literally shaking.""Baby Diah is scared of the big bad murderer!""A 1-year-old left at the mercy of a 30-something spy (not fake).""This could stir up some drama, lol." Ji Hye-min ignored the increasingly chaotic chat. She trusted her moderators to handle the trolls swiftly. Taking advantage of this encounter, she decided to ask Diah about her experience so far. Maybe she could offer some advice if Diah seemed to be struggling. Before Ji Hye-min could say anything, though¡ª ¡°Um, boss...¡± ¡°Hm?¡± ¡°I found something earlier. It was in a chest, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn¡¯t jump high enough to reach it....¡± Diah made her request so innocently that Ji Hye-min immediately felt compelled to help. ¡°Where is it?¡± ¡°Over there, on that brick rooftop....¡± Seeing that Diah had no clues about the murderer, Ji Hye-min decided to retrieve the chest¡¯s contents herself. It required a bit of skillful jumping, something Diah claimed she struggled with. Years of Minecraft streaming had made Ji Hye-min an expert at parkour. Helping a novice like Diah was a minor favor and hardly a game-breaking advantage. The challenge began. Ji Hye-min¡¯s avatar leaped from one platform to the next, steadily approaching the chest. She was nearly there when¡ª -Thud.- ¡°?!¡± She turned just in time to see Diah¡¯s avatar standing right behind her. Before she could react, Diah swung her fist, knocking Ji Hye-min off the platform. Ji Hye-min¡¯s avatar plummeted to the ground, taking heavy fall damage. As she landed, Diah calmly jumped down beside her. In one fluid motion, Diah pulled a small, sharp item from her inventory and muttered softly, ¡°Idiot.¡± -Slash!- Ji Hye-min¡¯s avatar, weakened from the fall, died instantly. -Ding- ¡°What the¡ª?! What is this?!!!¡± Ji Hye-min shouted, her disbelief evident in her voice. - Hahaha! - OMG lolol! - Totally baited! - Imagine getting outplayed by a one-year-old spirit with 11 years of Minecraft streaming experience (no lies here). - RIP Spy. - I can hear her rage-shots from here, lol. Ji Hye-min felt utterly dumbfounded. Was this what it meant for your brain to completely shut down in disbelief? She had played "Hide and Seek with the Murderer" dozens of times over the years. And yet, this was the first time she¡¯d ever died like this. She was the Spy, for crying out loud¡ªthe master strategist meant to assist an inexperienced murderer. "Trust is overrated, honestly.""Whose fault is it for believing the murderer?""But honestly, who would¡¯ve guessed Diah was the murderer?!""That wasn¡¯t beginner luck. She¡¯s got skills. Damn.""Oh no, Diah¡¯s about to get canceled!""RIP Diah¡¯s career. She¡¯s homeless now.""Let¡¯s all take a breath and enjoy the show, folks.""You can practically hear Ji grinding her teeth from here." -BOOM! A bolt of lightning shot down from the heavens, striking Gnyuk¡¯s avatar and reducing it to ash. This was the penalty for one citizen killing another. ¡°Uh...?¡± In the blink of an eye, two innocent citizens were gone. Sangchoo, the last remaining citizen, froze in disbelief. His mind struggled to process what had just happened. Finally, he managed to ask the obvious question. ¡°D-Diah... why did Gnyuk die?¡± ¡°...Do you really want to know?¡± A chill ran down Sangchoo¡¯s spine. ¡°No... no, of course not...¡± ¡°...Your last words are kind of short, though¡î.¡± In less than a second, shing. Diah¡¯s avatar, which had been empty-handed until now, pulled out a sharp, deadly dagger. Swick! Ding! No justice was served. Only eerie silence and the stench of metaphorical blood remained. Diah had successfully eliminated every last citizen. And as the final reckoning of the game drew near¡ª Ding! [Zurine has donated $100!] Message: ¡°Type ¡®Noob¡¯ in chat for an extra $50!¡± ¡°...Fifty bucks? Hell yeah!¡± Diah¡¯s keyboard clattered as she typed her response. : Noob. The chat exploded, and the chaos spilled over into internet forums. Diah¡¯s first official collab had come to an unforgettable close. LIVE UPDATE: Diah types ¡®Noob¡¯ as the finale.¡°Honestly, who would¡¯ve suspected her? She played scared so well!¡± ? ¡°Remember how she stammered the moment she heard ¡®murderer¡¯? No way anyone guessed.¡± ? ¡°??? : ¡®Have you all enjoyed yourselves?¡¯¡±¡°The final murder isn¡¯t killing with your own hands; it¡¯s making them kill each other.¡± ? ¡°Oh God, Kurosaki Ichigo, not you again!¡± ? ¡°We call this poetic justice now.¡± ? ¡°No, no, it¡¯s political strategy. Let¡¯s keep it simple.¡± ? ¡°What¡¯s complicated about that?¡±¡°Diah <<< Teabagging GOAT.¡± ? ¡°When she called the squirrel ¡®stupid,¡¯ I lost it.¡± ? ¡°The fact that she actually said it, though!¡±¡°Who taught her how to deliver those death-line one-liners?¡±¡°When she pushed Hye-min off the ledge, I got Rachel flashbacks.¡± ? ¡°You... you just said the ¡®R-word.¡¯¡± ? ¡°Wait, do today¡¯s kids even know the Rachel meme?¡± ? ¡°Excuse me, sir, how old are you?¡± ? ¡°Welcome to the retirement home.¡±¡°The squirrel crew is dead! Diah and the Twilight Guild now reign supreme!¡± ? ¡°It¡¯s just one lucky win, dude, calm down.¡± ? ¡°Lucky? Your leader got wrecked in the first round.¡±¡°Is this the first time the cops failed to craft handcuffs in Murderer Hide and Seek?¡± ? ¡°They had all the items.¡± ? ¡°Why didn¡¯t they craft it?¡± ? ¡°Because they all died before they could.¡± ? ¡°Fair enough.¡± The news about this historic collaboration spread like wildfire. Fans were stunned by Diah¡¯s unexpected brilliance, and even the participants couldn¡¯t stop talking about it. When the game ended, the other players bombarded Diah with questions. But Ha-eun, with only 10 hours left until she had to be filming the opening of 2 Days & 3 Nights in a remote mountain village, knew she had to excuse herself. ¡°I... I have to get up early tomorrow morning, so... I¡¯m really sorry, but I think I¡¯ll have to leave now.¡± Her tone was cautious, apologetic. After bidding the collab members goodnight, she logged off, shut down her computer, and collapsed into bed. Despite sleeping fewer hours than usual, she was up before dawn, boarding Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s black van. Half-asleep and swaying with the ride, Ha-eun eventually found her seat being reclined back by Ju Jung-yoon, who insisted she get more rest. Back to dreamland she went. The lingering thrill from her first collab still clung to her as she slept. It¡¯s been so long since I¡¯ve seen her smile like that.... Ju Jung-yoon noticed the faint, uncharacteristic smile on Ha-eun¡¯s face as she slept. Click. She couldn¡¯t resist capturing the rare moment on camera. Ju Jung-yoon immediately sent the photo to Na-yeon and Sung-yoon. Of course, she swore them to secrecy. Ha-eun would never find out. When they finally reached the filming location for 2 Days & 3 Nights, Ju Jung-yoon gave Ha-eun a cheerful send-off. ¡°If you end up falling into the water, make sure to call me. I¡¯ll bring you a change of clothes... and, uh, totally not come just to take photos.¡± ¡°...Did I just hear something weird in the middle of that sentence?¡± ¡°It¡¯s your imagination! 100% imagination!¡± Chapter 67 "What a view." That was Ha-eun¡¯s first thought as she finally arrived at the opening location for 2 Days & 3 Nights. When you think about it, the very premise of 2 Days & 3 Nights is a travel program designed to uncover Korea¡¯s hidden tourist gems. Naturally, the scenery around the opening location was bound to be stunning. But whether this appearance was for the sake of promoting Moonlight Piercing Through the Clouds or not didn¡¯t matter. The mere fact that she had come to such a beautiful place for a ¡°trip¡± was enough to make Ha-eun¡¯s heart flutter just a little. "The air is so fresh." The breathtaking natural landscape before her was a world Ha-eun had never experienced before. A world she could never have imagined during the days she was confined to a narrow hospital room. Just looking at it felt wonderful. The mere fact that she could look at it was enough to make her happy. After spending some time taking in the scenery, Ha-eun finally noticed another guest, Yoo Seong-jae. Unlike Ha-eun, who had no prior connections with the regular cast of 2 Days & 3 Nights, Seong-jae was different. "Seong-jae, you¡¯re going in the water today, no matter what." "Come on, hyung. I¡¯m an actor, you know? Someone like me lives off their image." "You can live just fine off a ruined image too~." Yoo Seong-jae, who already had some rapport with the show¡¯s MC, Jang Seong-ho, and the other members, was boisterous and lively even before the opening began. The atmosphere around them was warm and friendly. Still, one way or another, every single person over there would be spending the next two days and three nights with Ha-eun. -Step.- Before the filming officially began, Ha-eun decided to step forward and introduce herself. Not long after, she made eye contact with Jang Seong-ho, the eldest cast member, and gave him a polite bow. "Hello. I¡¯m actress Lee Ha-eun." "Ah, nice to meet you. I¡¯m Jang Seong-ho." He had a kind and approachable face. But in stark contrast, his muscular physique immediately stood out. The arm he extended for a handshake was just as burly¡ªlike a glimpse of his days as a major league pitcher 20 years ago.@@@@ When Ha-eun lightly shook his hand, it felt like shaking hands with a bear. But then, Jang Seong-ho asked her a rather unexpected question. "So, Ha-eun, have you done any sports?" The odd question made Ha-eun blink in surprise for a moment before she regained her composure and nodded. "I thought so. The moment I shook your hand, I could tell. What kind of sports? Swimming? Track?" "Oh, just a bit of jogging and jump rope, things like that..." "Really? That doesn¡¯t seem like enough to build this kind of physique, though?" His tone was curious. Ha-eun hesitated before explaining that it might be because of the swordsmanship lessons she had been taking for her acting role. Technically, she wasn¡¯t lying. Before attending Kim Gyu-tae¡¯s action school, she had never trained in any specific sport. With her goal of introducing herself accomplished, Ha-eun turned her attention back to the picturesque scenery, letting it fill her eyes like a painting. About ten minutes later, preparations for the opening began. After being fitted with a microphone by her writer, Ha-eun found herself left alone with Yoo Seong-jae, waiting for their turn to appear. "How¡¯s your condition, Ha-eun?" "I think I¡¯m okay. What about you, Seong-jae?" "Honestly? Not great. Seong-ho hyung is the kind of guy who actually does what he says, so I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯ll end up in the water later." "...Oh no." They continued chatting about random, mundane things until the opening of 2 Days & 3 Nights officially began. The regular cast members, now gathered in front of the camera, started ramping up the energy, turning the set into a lively, chaotic scene. "Hmm... Watching this on TV and seeing it live are really two different things." "Diving in person will probably feel different from watching it on TV too." "Ha, even you, Ha-eun?" "Well, just do well in the mini-games, and you won¡¯t have to dive." She was completely sincere. Ha-eun had no intention of deliberately failing and taking a penalty just to create drama. She was determined to avoid any situation where she ended up looking like a drowned rat. And she absolutely wouldn¡¯t give Ju Jung-yoon an excuse to show up with a spare set of clothes and secretly snap pictures of her while struggling to stifle her laughter. Once the rest of the cast followed suit, they all opened their slips simultaneously at Seong-ho¡¯s signal. ¡®...Is this even a type of bread?¡¯ Ha-eun¡¯s slip read ¡°Chrysanthemum Bread¡±. The exact location of the shop wasn¡¯t written on it, and the same applied to the other cast members¡¯ slips. Seong-ho, taking charge, asked the production team for clarification. "So, we can buy it from any store?" "Yes. As long as it¡¯s within the traditional market, any store is fine." "Just to be sure¡ªdoes this go by first-come, first-served?" "Yes, that¡¯s correct. The first to return with their item will receive the highest points. So... everyone, go!" "?! Wait, you¡¯re telling us to go without any warning?!" Seong-ho exclaimed, his tone tinged with disbelief. But before he could even finish his sentence, someone bolted toward the traditional market at full speed. "Who was that?!" The figure was the smallest-framed member of the group, yet they were moving so quickly that even the seasoned 2 Days & 3 Nights VJ, who had seen it all, could barely keep up. It was Ha-eun. And her expression was deadly serious. The previously timid and slightly awkward demeanor she¡¯d shown around the high-energy cast was now completely gone. *** [ "It seems... I won¡¯t be able to do the featuring. I¡¯m sorry, I need to stay with my guardian." ] "No, no, family comes first. Don¡¯t worry about us¡ªjust take good care of your mother." And with that, the call abruptly ended. Until the very last moment, Lee Geon-yeol maintained a calm tone, but as soon as the line disconnected, his face darkened considerably. The finals of the hip-hop survival show SIT ON THE MONEY, where Double Lee was participating as a producer, were fast approaching. The sudden withdrawal of the female singer who had promised to feature in the final performance was a major setback. All the other female singers who had connections with Double Lee were already tied up with their own schedules. They could try asking around, but how many would be willing to appear on such a grand stage as SIT ON THE MONEY¡¯s live finale on such short notice? To make matters worse, they had no time to secure another featuring artist. Even if they managed to find someone tomorrow, the recording for the final song would still be cutting it extremely close. "...Let¡¯s just remove the featuring part from the final performance." "It¡¯ll definitely feel like something¡¯s missing." "We¡¯ll have to extend my and Ji-hoon¡¯s parts a bit. There¡¯s no other way." In the end, they decided to proceed with the finals without a featuring artist. The finalist rapper, Hwang Ji-hoon, didn¡¯t argue against the decision¡ªhe knew there was no other choice. But that didn¡¯t mean he believed the performance would be the best it could be. After all, the final song had been created with the assumption that a female singer would be featured. The overall atmosphere of the track. The vocal tone and the intention behind the lyrics. And lastly, the performance they had envisioned to make the finale worthy of the title. So much had to be abandoned because the promised singer had to withdraw for unavoidable reasons. For Hwang Ji-hoon, who had lived his life as an unknown rapper until now, the SIT ON THE MONEY finals were nothing short of a dream stage. He didn¡¯t want to let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip through his fingers. The song he wanted to share. The performance he wanted to show. He believed that to truly aim for victory, there could be no compromises or regrets with either of these two elements. Whatever the other contestants might think, at least this was what Hwang Ji-hoon firmly believed. For a long time, he racked his brain, desperate to find a solution¡ªa small glimmer of hope amidst the seemingly insurmountable challenges of the finals. A lifeline that could save him from walking onto the stage burdened by unfinished ambitions. It wasn¡¯t until 30 minutes later that Hwang Ji-hoon found something resembling a lifeline. However, whether or not he could grasp that lifeline remained uncertain. Finally, after staying silent for so long, he cautiously opened his mouth. "Hey, hyungs." "Hmm? What¡¯s up?" "Well, uh... I was wondering... What do you think about asking Pinocchio?" He mentioned the name of a certain singer who had debuted by featuring on Double Lee¡¯s 10th album. Chapter 68 2 Days & 3 Nights. A real variety program once dubbed the nation¡¯s favorite, capturing the love and attention of countless viewers. Even now, after its peak, the show retained enough charm to remain competitive. No other program could replicate the friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere created by famous celebrities mingling with rural locals in scenic countryside settings. ¡°Reality is key.¡± It was the natural, unscripted charm of the show¡ªfree from artificial setups or contrived scenarios¡ªthat Ha-eun believed made 2 Days & 3 Nights so beloved. For this reason, Ha-eun decided to present herself exactly as she was on the show¡ªnot as a scripted character, but as actress Lee Ha-eun. Rather than introducing her character Yeongwol from Moonlight Piercing Through the Clouds, she wanted to showcase what kind of person Lee Ha-eun was. Despite spending over a decade in the entertainment industry, her name and face were only somewhat familiar to the public, and her off-camera persona was virtually unknown. Most importantly, she needed to leave a favorable impression on viewers watching from home. ¡°...Let¡¯s give it our all.¡± Actors who appeared on variety shows like 2 Days & 3 Nights with a lackluster or uncooperative attitude often faced a decline in their public image. Determined to avoid this fate, Ha-eun resolved to show her most enthusiastic and dedicated side. At 18 years old, Ha-eun was still a high school student. A young actor who tried hard at everything would naturally earn bonus points from the audience. After all, an actor¡¯s image directly impacted the perception of the projects they worked on. Ha-eun believed that if she could create a positive impression of herself through 2 Days & 3 Nights, it would also reflect well on Moonlight Piercing Through the Clouds. That was why, the moment the producer signaled the start of the mission, Ha-eun sprinted to the traditional market and became the first to arrive. If she performed well in this first-come, first-served mission, she could avoid penalties like diving into cold water. ¡°Chrysanthemum bread is bread, so... I should probably start with a bakery.¡± The problem was that Ha-eun had never been to a traditional market before. She also had never tasted chrysanthemum bread. In fact, this was the first day she had learned such a thing even existed. Having avoided street food for health reasons¡ªdespite admitting its reputation for being delicious¡ªshe had never paid it any attention. This preconception led Ha-eun to assume that chrysanthemum bread was some kind of regional specialty made with actual chrysanthemum flowers. As a result, she wandered from bakery to bakery in the market, diligently searching for a menu item labeled ¡°chrysanthemum bread.¡± ¡°...Why can¡¯t I find it?¡± Despite visiting multiple bakeries, she couldn¡¯t find the chrysanthemum bread anywhere. Her early arrival at the market now seemed pointless. To make matters worse, local vendors who recognized Ha-eun began to gather around her. ¡°I won¡¯t charge you, so try this! It¡¯s really delicious.¡± ¡°Oh, no, I can¡¯t just take it for free! I really appreciate it, but¡ª¡± ¡°Tsk, when an elder offers, you just say thank you and take it. Now, open your mouth.¡± She found herself being pulled aside to taste various side dishes, such as seasoned vegetables. -Gulp.- ¡°There you go. You eat so well.¡± ¡°Could I get a picture with you? My son is a huge fan of yours.¡± Unable to refuse their kindness and enthusiasm, Ha-eun ended up eating snacks and posing for photos instead of finding the chrysanthemum bread. Eventually, feeling the pressure of time, Ha-eun decided to ask a question at a pork trotter shop. She had been determined to find it on her own but now realized that any further delay could disrupt the filming schedule. ¡°Excuse me, do you know which bakery sells chrysanthemum bread?¡± ¡°Huh? There¡¯s no bakery in this market that sells chrysanthemum bread.¡± ¡°What?!¡± ¡°If you want chrysanthemum bread, you need to look for a street vendor. Why¡¯re you asking about bakeries?¡± ¡°...Street vendors sell bread?¡± The shopkeeper¡¯s wrinkled finger pointed to a vendor in the distance. ¡°See that man with the red cap over there? What he¡¯s grilling is chrysanthemum bread.¡± ¡°But... isn¡¯t that just bungeoppang?¡± ¡°Bungeoppang is chrysanthemum bread. Didn¡¯t you know?¡± She hadn¡¯t known. She hadn¡¯t realized that chrysanthemum bread wasn¡¯t made with chrysanthemums but was simply a sweet bean-filled pastry, similar to walnut cakes. The shopkeeper gave her a puzzled look, and Ha-eun felt as if she¡¯d been struck on the back of the head. She couldn¡¯t help but cringe at the thought of herself wandering from bakery to bakery, ignoring the numerous street vendors around her. Blushing furiously, Ha-eun turned and shuffled toward the vendor the shopkeeper had pointed out. ¡°...One bag of chrysanthemum bread, please.¡± Her voice barely above a whisper, she ordered 2,000 won worth of chrysanthemum bread. Naturally, her VJ captured every moment of her awkward interaction on camera. The ping-pong game began anyway, with no special accommodations for the two novice players. After all, 2 Days & 3 Nights prided itself on being a real variety show. To make matters worse, all the show¡¯s regular members were seasoned ping-pong players. Unsurprisingly, Seong-jae and Ha-eun lost their first game by a landslide, scoring only 3 points to their opponents¡¯ 11. To be fair, the game was fun to watch. Cameras repeatedly caught Seong-jae successfully serving and Ha-eun hitting the ball with all her might. That is, until the ball she hit veered far off course and soared across the room. ¡°Aaah! This isn¡¯t baseball, Ha-eun!¡± ¡°...I¡¯m so sorry.¡± Ha-eun¡¯s powerful smash was more reminiscent of a home run from a fourth batter. Seong-jae¡¯s expression of despair in response to her wild hit was comedic gold, sure to bring laughter to the audience. Even though they lost, their efforts would likely leave a positive impression, positioning them as endearing rather than unlikable. However, as fate would have it, the day¡¯s punishment fell on the two guests. ¡°Since they¡¯re guests, it¡¯d be a bit much to punish both. Let¡¯s decide who gets spared with rock-paper-scissors! Ready? Rock, paper, scissors!¡± In an instant, Seong-jae and Ha-eun thrust their hands forward in a desperate bid to avoid punishment. The result? ¡°Wow, Seong-jae, you¡¯re so ruthless.¡± ¡°A real man should lose on purpose in times like this! Tsk, tsk.¡± ¡°But you said a real man always throws rock!¡± ¡°That¡¯s one thing; this is another~.¡± Ha-eun lost with scissors against Seong-jae¡¯s rock. She tried to maintain a poker face, but the faint trembling of her eyelids betrayed her disappointment. Fortunately, the punishment turned out to be sleeping outdoors rather than diving into cold water. ¡°So... when¡¯s the diving punishment?¡± ¡°Hmm... Probably tomorrow, after we harvest the watermelons.¡± ¡°...So the watermelon harvest is tomorrow.¡± Ha-eun sighed in mild exasperation as she finally learned more about the mission she had eagerly awaited. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯ll be okay, Ha-eun?¡± ¡°A punishment is a punishment. It¡¯d be weird to back out now.¡± With that, she headed toward the outdoor sleeping area¡ªa small hut in the middle of the watermelon field. When she arrived, she was greeted by a yellow one-person tent already set up, along with four infrared cameras mounted on the hut¡¯s posts. To avoid attracting bugs, there were no lights installed. However, this had an unexpected upside. ¡®...The stars are so bright.¡¯ The clear night sky, dotted with countless twinkling stars, was breathtaking. Ha-eun took out her phone from her pocket. -Click.- She snapped several photos of the beautiful night sky from different angles. Selecting the best ones, she posted them to the group chat for Fantasy Haven. [Lee Ha-eun (Diah)] - (Attached: 10 photos of the night sky) [Lee Ha-eun (Diah)] - The stars are so clear tonight. [Lee Ha-eun (Diah)] - (Otter emoji marveling) She wanted to share the dazzling scenery with her fellow Fantasy Haven members. The responses began pouring in, most expressing envy and a desire to visit such a picturesque location themselves. However¡ª [Kim Eun-hye (Ria)] - Ha-eun, you¡¯re the youngest of us, but moments like this make you seem like an old soul. [Lee Ha-eun (Diah)] - An old soul? [Kim Eun-hye (Ria)] - You know, like how older folks always share scenic photos like this. Ria¡¯s unintentional jab left Ha-eun feeling slightly hurt. [Lee Ha-eun (Diah)] - ...That¡¯s mean. Ha-eun sulked a little. Chapter 69 The filming schedule for "2 Days & 3 Nights" is exactly as the title suggests: three days and two nights. Throughout this period, the cameras never stop rolling. Even scenes of the cast waking up in their respective accommodations are captured, all thanks to one of the show¡¯s signature segments: the wake-up mission. Typically, the wake-up time is set around 8 a.m. to ensure the cast¡¯s condition remains optimal. Forcing the cast awake at an ungodly hour to complete a mission would likely do more harm than good. No matter how seasoned and experienced the 2 Days & 3 Nights cast might be, they¡¯re only human, after all. Considering the fatigue accumulated from the previous day¡¯s filming, the production team ensured the cast had enough time to recover. Unlike one-off variety show episodes, 2 Days & 3 Nights required three consecutive days of shooting, meaning everyone¡¯s condition had to be as close to peak as possible to maintain the show¡¯s quality. That¡¯s why, when Ha-eun emerged from her tent at exactly 6:30 a.m., causing a rustling commotion, the staff couldn¡¯t hide their surprise. ¡°...Huh? Isn¡¯t that Ha-eun?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not even 7 yet. Why¡¯s she up already?¡± Her appearance startled the staff, who were just beginning to prepare for the wake-up mission. No previous guest on 2 Days & 3 Nights had ever woken up this early. After all, filming from early morning to late night inevitably wore down even the most seasoned entertainers. And yet, Ha-eun didn¡¯t seem tired. If anything, she appeared refreshed¡ªdare they say, even invigorated. ¡°Ha-eun, aren¡¯t you tired? Are you sure you don¡¯t want to rest more?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine, really.¡± Her clear eyes, lively voice, and flawless complexion¡ªdevoid of any signs of fatigue¡ªleft the staff with only one conclusion: ¡°Youth is truly a cheat code.¡± The staff assigned to Ha-eun quickly sprang into action. ¡°Eun-sung, grab the camera! Ha-eun¡¯s already awake.¡± ¡°What? Already?¡± ¡°Yes, already!¡± This left VJ Gwak Eun-sung, responsible for filming Ha-eun, no choice but to start rolling at the unusually early time of 6:40 a.m. He also had the additional task of conducting the first-wake-up interview, a signature part of the show. Approaching Ha-eun, who was casually stretching in the middle of the filming site, he spoke in a friendly tone: ¡°Ha-eun, do you usually wake up this early?¡± Her response reminded him of something he¡¯d briefly forgotten. ¡°I have school, so I have to wake up early to get ready on time.¡± ¡°Ah, right.¡± Unlike the other adult cast members, Ha-eun was still an 18-year-old high school senior. Naturally, her early wake-up habits made sense. But the fact that she woke up on her own to prepare for school at such an early hour added an interesting dimension to her character. Continuing the interview, Eun-sung asked more questions about her daily life, knowing that viewers would be intrigued by her routine. Celebrity routines were always a point of interest for 2 Days & 3 Nights viewers, and Ha-eun was the show¡¯s first-ever high school guest.@@@@ ¡°How¡¯s studying? Isn¡¯t it tough to juggle school and acting?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not easy, but I find studying as fun as acting, so I manage.¡± ¡°Wow, only people good at studying say things like that. You must be a great student!¡± ¡°Not that great. I just try to do enough to avoid getting scolded by my parents.¡± Ha-eun¡¯s image as a "high school actress" became a focal point. Her ability to balance schoolwork and acting was unique, offering the kind of story only she could share. Her openness made her easy to talk to, and the conversation flowed without awkwardness. Indeed, Ha-eun¡¯s professionalism as an entertainer shone through. ¡°How do your teachers treat you?¡± ¡°They¡¯re really considerate. Sometimes they even mention the shows I¡¯ve been in and say they enjoyed watching them.¡± ¡°Would you like to leave a video message for your teachers?¡± ¡°Hmm... I¡¯m always grateful to them. Oh, and I¡¯d be even more thankful if they watched Moonlight Piercing Through the Clouds live!¡± Her words were thoughtful and articulate¡ªeasy to understand but pleasant to hear. Having captured plenty of footage, Eun-sung shifted the focus to the upcoming mission: ¡°The wake-up music starts at 8, so why don¡¯t we head to the mission area before everyone else wakes up?¡± Ha-eun immediately sprinted toward the mission area without hesitation. Caught off guard, Eun-sung had no choice but to grab his gear and chase after her, all while internally cursing himself for mentioning the wake-up mission. By the time the wake-up music blared across the filming site, Ha-eun and Eun-sung had already arrived at the mission area. [Bap-bap-ba-ba¨J Bap¨K-bap-ba¨J Good! Mo! Ning~!] With the unmistakable wake-up music as her cue, Ha-eun assumed the elephant pose, preparing for the mission: spinning five times in place and kicking a shuttlecock three times. It was something Ha-eun had never done in her 18 years of life. But with her focus set entirely on scoring high, she spun five times, picked up the shuttlecock, and kicked it three times. ¡°Lee Ha-eun! Success!¡± After completing the mission faster than anyone else, she plopped down on a makeshift chair and calmly watched the other cast members sprinting toward the area. *** "Since Ha-eun came in first in the wake-up mission, she gets to draw first." "Ah, okay." It was right after the morning wake-up mission and breakfast had concluded. The 2 Days & 3 Nights cast gathered to draw lots to determine how many watermelons each of them would need to harvest. When everyone had their lot in hand, Jang Sung-ho called out: "One, two, three!" At his cue, they all revealed their lots simultaneously. One cartload... Is that not much? Saying she wasn¡¯t surprised would have been a lie. But even now, she couldn¡¯t let her reaction show. Not long after, the group posed for a photo. Standing beside the elder, Ha-eun smiled on cue as the PD gestured with the camera. As soon as they left the elder¡¯s home, Ha-eun pulled out her phone and called Ju Jung-yoon, who was waiting at the parking lot near the set. "...I¡¯m doing the punishment, unnie." [What? Really? How did that happen?] "I worked hard harvesting watermelons." [Huh?] She didn¡¯t explain further. Even she couldn¡¯t articulate the feelings she¡¯d experienced. Yet, the soft smile that lingered on her face told her that this feeling¡ªwhatever it was¡ªwasn¡¯t bad. After another walk, they arrived at a stream behind the watermelon field. Standing before the long, glistening stream¡ªtoday¡¯s final highlight¡ªHa-eun... SPLASH! ...jumped straight into the center of the stream alongside Jang Sung-ho. She willingly became a drenched mess, fully embracing the punishment. To be honest, the water was much colder than she¡¯d expected. "So, Ha-eun, how does it feel? Pretty different from watching it on TV, right?" Yoo Sung-jae¡¯s playful tone broke the silence. Ha-eun glanced at him sideways before replying: "Didn¡¯t you say yesterday you were determined to throw Sung-jae in the stream?" "Ah, that¡¯s right." With that, Yoo Sung-jae turned toward Jang Sung-ho, but before he could protest, Jang Sung-ho and Lim Nam-soo seized his arms. "This isn¡¯t fair! I don¡¯t deserve the punishment!" "Talk too much, Sung-jae~. Time to go~." SPLASH! They threw him into the deepest part of the stream. Yoo Sung-jae emerged moments later, spluttering and shouting in protest. Wrapped in thick towels, they waited for Ju Jung-yoon to pick them up. Even then, the strange sensation from earlier lingered in Ha-eun¡¯s chest. "Ha-eun, you felt good when the elder thanked you, didn¡¯t you?" "Yes." "And when you were chosen for the punishment, you didn¡¯t feel all that bad, did you?" "That¡¯s true. I wasn¡¯t upset at all." Sitting beside her, Jang Sung-ho spoke gently: "Helping others is one of those things that naturally makes you feel good. So, Ha-eun, promise me you¡¯ll always help those you can." The request came from a man with the nickname "Donation Angel." Nodding again, Ha-eun promised to help whenever she could. Shortly after, Ju Jung-yoon arrived. Predictably, she pulled out her phone to snap a photo of the soaking wet Ha-eun. "What? You¡¯re going to take a picture?" "Ah, no... I mean, not really..." "It¡¯s fine. It¡¯s all going to be on TV anyway." But with Jang Sung-ho standing protectively nearby, Jung-yoon ultimately didn¡¯t take a single photo. The mere look he gave her was enough to dissuade her completely. "Uh, Ha-eun... Let¡¯s go change your clothes." "Okay." Later, after Ha-eun returned dry and fresh to the camera, she spent the evening sharing stories from the filming of Moonlight Piercing Through the Clouds with the rest of the cast. By the time night fell, there was no need for an additional punishment like sleeping outside. Lying on a soft mattress, she immediately fell into a deep sleep, too exhausted to even dream after such an eventful day. *** "Alright, let''s slate¡ª" "Stop. When there''s a guest, the guest has to do the slate." At Jang Sung-ho''s suggestion¡ªno, insistence¡ªthe honor of clapping the slate was passed to Ha-eun, the guest. And so, clap. The single sound marked the end of the long, three-day shoot for 2 Days & 3 Nights, echoing through the set. "Good work, everyone~." "You did great~." Ordinary farewells. And not-so-ordinary exchanges of contact information. "Call me anytime if you miss me~." How many people in Korea could boast having the contact information of a celebrity like Jang Sung-ho? Even though it had been over a decade since Ha-eun entered the entertainment industry, the surreal feeling of saving other celebrities¡¯ phone numbers never really faded. Finally, with the filming of 2 Days & 3 Nights wrapped up, her mind was already racing. All she wanted was to rush home, set up her stream, and go live as her VTuber persona¡ªa three-day hiatus felt like an eternity. But there was a catch. "So, Ha-eun... I¡¯ve been debating whether to tell you this or not. I really wasn¡¯t sure, but I think I should." "?" "You¡¯ve gotten a request. Not as actress Lee Ha-eun, but as Pinocchio, the singer." The name she hadn¡¯t used in a long time. It echoed in her ears, bringing a moment of stunned silence. After hearing the full details from Ju Jung-yoon, she didn¡¯t know what to say. For once, words failed her. "They¡¯re saying it has to be you. That Pinocchio has to be the one to help." "...Let¡¯s go meet them. Something like this needs to be discussed face-to-face." Chapter 70 Singing wasn¡¯t something I hated. No, I¡¯d say I actually enjoyed it. It¡¯s been 12 years since I started learning to sing from Double Lee. I wouldn¡¯t have stuck with something I disliked for such a long time. Debuting as a rookie singer under the name Pinocchio had been a bit of a surprise, to be honest. But in the end, everything turned out well, and I was grateful for that. The songs tagged with ¡°feat. Pinocchio¡± had decent chart success too. Debuting as a singer was definitely a good experience. I felt a distinct sense of accomplishment as a singer. However, separate from the successful debut of rookie singer Pinocchio, I was determined to keep Pinocchio¡¯s true identity a secret. If, by any chance, it were revealed that the singer Pinocchio and actress Lee Ha-eun were the same person... If people discovered Pinocchio¡¯s real identity and began focusing on my voice... It would inevitably increase the chances of Diah¡¯s true identity being exposed. ¡°They¡¯ll figure it out eventually... but not yet.¡± Strictly speaking, my voice had already been exposed for a long time. That¡¯s why I worked hard to differentiate my voice as an actress from the one I used as Diah during streams. Regardless, for a VTuber, it¡¯s better to keep the "red pill" hidden. There might be cases where a VTuber does better after their true identity is revealed, but such situations are rare. In general, it¡¯s a bad thing for a VTuber. Fortunately, no one had figured out Diah¡¯s true identity yet. So, I planned to keep separating the voices of actress Lee Ha-eun and VTuber Diah, continuing to juggle both roles. I had no intention of offering any more clues that Lee Ha-eun and Diah were the same person. That¡¯s why, when I first heard that the request was for Pinocchio, not Lee Ha-eun, I was ready to refuse outright. But. ¡°They¡¯re in a tight spot right now. You¡¯re the only one who can step in, Ha-eun.¡± After hearing just how desperate this situation was for the unknown rapper Hwang Ji-hyuk... And realizing I was the only person who could help him right now... ¡°...Let¡¯s meet them in person. I think we need to discuss this face-to-face.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± In the end, I headed to Double Lee¡¯s studio instead of home. The hesitation I¡¯d always had about my singing career came from personal reasons. And while those reasons weren¡¯t necessarily wrong or bad, they didn¡¯t seem significant enough to ignore someone else¡¯s desperation entirely. Just as I put my heart into being Diah the VTuber, Hwang Ji-hyuk must have poured everything into reaching the finals of SIT ON THE MONEY. Of course, comparing whose passion was greater was meaningless. ¡®...This is tough.¡¯ I could weigh what I¡¯d gain by helping Hwang Ji-hyuk against what I¡¯d gain by not helping. After all, just because Pinocchio¡¯s identity was revealed didn¡¯t mean Diah¡¯s "red pill" would automatically be exposed. Pinocchio¡¯s identity would inevitably be exposed. So. ¡°Can you call Hwang Ji-hyuk for me?¡± To decide if this finale was worth revealing Pinocchio¡¯s identity, I decided to speak with him directly. Within five seconds, the call connected. Lee Geon-yeol began explaining. ¡°Ji-hyuk, we spoke with Pinocchio, and...¡± [ So... she said no? ] ¡°No, she didn¡¯t say that.¡± [ Oh? Wait, does that mean... she¡¯ll feature?! ] ¡°Hold on, Ji-hyuk. It depends on how you respond. Your words will decide whether she agrees or not.¡± With that, he handed me the phone in speaker mode. ¡°...Hello, Hwang Ji-hyuk. This is Pinocchio.¡± [ H-Hello! This is Hwang Ji-hyuk!! ] His voice was filled with nervous energy. He was already flustered even though I hadn¡¯t said anything yet. I cut to the chase. ¡°Can you win?¡± [ Win...? I want to, of course, but to do that©¤ ] ¡°Just answer yes or no.¡± [ ...Yes. I can win. ] His steady voice gave me pause. After a moment of silence, I finally spoke. ¡°Keep your promise.¡± I accepted the offer to feature. A clear, serene voice filled the studio. Her breathing never faltered, not even once. She effortlessly shifted between chest voice and falsetto. ¡°What do you think? Ha-eun¡¯s a great singer, right?¡± ¡°...I think I¡¯m falling for her.¡± ¡°Hey, don¡¯t take that too far. She¡¯s still a high school student.¡± The scene unfolding before Hwang Ji-hyuk was unbelievable. It didn¡¯t feel real at all. Absentmindedly, he slapped his cheek. His reddening skin confirmed this wasn¡¯t a dream. Suppressing the overwhelming excitement bubbling inside him, he rubbed his face repeatedly. ¡°The world is so unfair. How is she this good at singing too?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate her. She¡¯s been practicing for over a decade. She¡¯s been coming to our studio since kindergarten.¡± ¡°Our Ha-eun¡¯s been properly trained.¡± The pride in their voices was unmistakable. Hwang Ji-hyuk let out a helpless laugh. It was absurd. Laughably absurd. ¡°Hey, Jun. I think Ji-hyuk really fell for her.¡± ¡°Look at that grin. It¡¯s practically touching his ears.¡± ¡°...It¡¯s her voice. I fell for her voice.¡± Chapter 71 A blessing in disguise. There was no better way to describe Hwang Ji-hyuk¡¯s current situation. ¡°Wow... She¡¯s incredible.¡± ¡°Who do you think trained her?¡± Despite seeing the sheet music and lyrics for the first time today, she didn¡¯t miss a beat. All it took was listening to the guide recording a few times, and Ha-eun flawlessly delivered her featuring part. ¡°Ji-hyuk, do you need to give her any feedback?¡± ¡°I¡¯m too busy just enjoying it. Honestly, I don¡¯t think there¡¯s anything to correct.¡± At this point, it was almost puzzling. Why hadn¡¯t Double Lee considered asking Ha-eun to feature earlier? If they¡¯d introduced her to him a little sooner, all that stress and worry could¡¯ve been avoided. Unaware of Ha-eun¡¯s reluctance to pursue a singing career, Hwang Ji-hyuk couldn¡¯t help but feel regret. But as night fell, even someone as determined as Hwang Ji-hyuk couldn¡¯t keep Ha-eun in the studio any longer. ¡°I¡¯ll come back to finish the rest another time. Is that okay?¡± ¡°Ah, of course. See you then!¡± With that, the studio¡¯s metal door clicked shut behind her. Immediately afterward, Ji-hyuk began replaying the recording of the finals track featuring Ha-eun. He imagined her on stage, envisioning the performance of ¡°Pinocchio the Singer¡± during the final round. Stage performance was a key part of the evaluation. While the twist of Pinocchio secretly being a famous actress would already make for an unforgettable performance, he didn¡¯t want to rely solely on her popularity to win. ¡°Using the featuring artist¡¯s fame to win would be cheap.¡± As the star of this finale, Ji-hyuk wanted to give it his all. Otherwise, it might end up feeling like it was Pinocchio featuring Ji-hyuk instead of the other way around. Eventually, Ji-hyuk left Double Lee¡¯s studio at around 4 a.m. Despite the late hour, he didn¡¯t feel tired at all. ¡°I¡¯m so excited I can¡¯t stand it.¡± He couldn¡¯t stop imagining the finals performance he¡¯d share with Ha-eun. The worries and anxieties that had consumed his mind just a day ago had completely vanished. With Ha-eun now set to feature in Hwang Ji-hyuk¡¯s SIT ON THE MONEY finals track, her schedule became busier. There was much more to do than just recording her part. This would be her first time on stage as a singer. While she didn¡¯t need to learn choreography, she still had to practice her movements for the stage. ¡°A live broadcast for my debut stage...¡± Mistakes during live broadcasts could be catastrophic, especially during something as high-profile as the SIT ON THE MONEY finals. It was nothing like filming a drama. For example, if she made a mistake while shooting The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds, they could simply start over. But a mistake during a live broadcast? That was a disaster. Any slip-up would instantly be immortalized in screenshots and memes all over the internet. In other words, a mistake would ruin the image of ¡°Lee Ha-eun.¡± Thus, practicing her stage movements with the dancers who¡¯d be performing alongside her was essential. She couldn¡¯t afford any missteps during the finals performance. However, as a side effect of preparing for this stage, the number of people who now knew Pinocchio¡¯s real identity¡ªHa-eun¡ªhad grown to nearly a dozen. -Glances. -Side glances. ¡®...This is overwhelming.¡¯ Concerned, Ji Hye-min asked: ¡°Ha-eun, is something bothering you?¡± Ha-eun hesitated before explaining that her appearance in the finals could potentially affect ¡°Diah.¡± She sincerely apologized for taking on something that might impact her VTuber activities. Though Ji Hye-min understood the risk of Diah¡¯s identity being revealed, she didn¡¯t think it was as serious as Ha-eun feared. ¡°Ha-eun, I get why you¡¯re worried, but I don¡¯t think you need to feel this guilty.¡± She reassured Ha-eun and even suggested some ways to keep Pinocchio¡¯s identity hidden. ¡°If you¡¯re really worried, why not wear a mask on stage?¡± ¡°I thought about it, but... wouldn¡¯t that draw even more attention during a live broadcast?¡± Since Pinocchio would be performing on stage during the finals, she decided it would be better to reveal her identity outright than risk unintended consequences. As a faceless artist, Pinocchio¡¯s only identifiable trait was her voice. The more people speculated about her identity, the more attention her voice would draw. To prevent this, Ha-eun wanted to redirect the focus away from her voice and onto her as a person. ¡°It¡¯s better if people pay attention to me as a person rather than just my voice.¡± ¡°...That makes sense.¡± Before Ha-eun left, Ji Hye-min reassured her once more, reminding her not to let the stress get to her. ¡°Your featuring part was amazing. Don¡¯t let such a great voice go to waste.¡± ¡°...Thank you.¡± Ten minutes later, Ha-eun left, waving goodbye as she disappeared through the front door. Still surprised by the revelation that Ha-eun was Pinocchio, Ji Hye-min replayed the song Tunnel on her Bluetooth speaker. Knowing it was Ha-eun¡¯s voice made it all the more captivating. With less than a week left until the SIT ON THE MONEY finals, Ha-eun balanced her preparations with her drama shoot for The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds. On one such day, she found herself in the makeup room, getting an unfamiliar style of makeup. Her role that day wasn¡¯t as a guard but as a dancer. Gone was her black robe, replaced with a pink hanbok, her hair neatly tied back. For the first time since filming began, she was ready to reveal a softer, more feminine side of her character. Just as she finished getting ready, a knock came at the door. ¡°Ha-eun, do you have a moment?¡± It was Da-yeon¡¯s manager, Kim Jin-soo. Though they weren¡¯t particularly close, Ha-eun agreed to talk, sensing something unusual. ¡°Da-yeon hasn¡¯t been herself lately. She won¡¯t tell me what¡¯s wrong.¡± Hearing this, Ha-eun decided. ¡°Get her a cake for her birthday today. But don¡¯t tell her¡ªit¡¯ll be a surprise.¡± Something told her she couldn¡¯t leave Da-yeon alone any longer. Chapter 72 ¡°...Where have you been?¡± A lifeless gaze. A low voice. When Kim Jin-soo returned to the waiting room, the sight that greeted him was Da-yeon¡¯s endlessly dark expression. But since he and Ha-eun were secretly preparing a surprise birthday party for her, he couldn¡¯t let her find out. ¡°I, uh... just went to the restroom for a bit.¡± ¡°...Let me know next time before you leave.¡± ¡°Ah... right. I¡¯m sorry. My bad.¡± He lied, saying he had only gone to the restroom, keeping his meeting with Ha-eun a secret.@@@@ What followed was a heavy silence, broken only by the sound of Da-yeon flipping through her script. ¡®If only she¡¯d tell me what¡¯s bothering her...¡¯ Having spent almost every moment with Da-yeon as her manager, Kim Jin-soo knew her current state better than anyone. But he had no idea what had cast such a dark shadow over her. After all, no matter how many times he asked, she wouldn¡¯t answer. Even though he tried to figure it out by revisiting his memories again and again, he couldn¡¯t think of a single reason why Da-yeon¡¯s condition should have worsened. She had passed her audition for the role of Queen Yun against stiff competition. Her midterm scores had even improved a little. And ever since filming for The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds began, she had received praise for noticeably improving her acting. From one to ten, everything seemed like good news. There was no reason for such good news to negatively impact her. -Tap. ¡°What...? Da-yeon, are you sick?! Why are you crying all of a sudden?¡± ¡°I... I don¡¯t know... it¡¯s nothing....¡± That was the day she burst into tears after successfully completing a shoot for The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds. Worried, he cautiously asked if playing Queen Yun was too difficult, but she simply shook her head in silence. The bigger issue was that, since that day, Da-yeon had almost completely stopped speaking. The atmosphere around her grew darker and darker. The only time she seemed a little better was when she was watching internet streams on her phone. At all other times, she seemed entirely consumed by gloom. Sometimes, it went even further. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for getting annoyed over little things, for snapping about your grades, for making you come out and follow orders, for forcing you into acting, and for asking you to look at my advertisements....¡± Talking to her own reflection in the mirror of the empty waiting room, she muttered inexplicable apologies. Disturbed by her behavior, Kim Jin-soo had forcibly taken her to a doctor the next day. ¡°It¡¯s definitely not schizophrenia. Da-yeon is just trying to muster courage in her own way.¡± That was the doctor¡¯s opinion after their consultation. Meanwhile, Da-yeon left the office red-faced, her eyes burning with a dangerous intensity. In the end, all he could do was watch from a distance. He feared that any action he took for her might make things worse. ¡°Da-yeon, it¡¯s almost time for your shoot~.¡± When a staff member came to fetch her, Kim Jin-soo patted Da-yeon¡¯s shoulder with a supportive ¡°good luck¡± and reassured her that she¡¯d do great in scene #101. From Da-yeon¡¯s perspective, those words were surely appreciated. But they didn¡¯t seem to have much of an effect. And why would they? After all, Kim Jin-soo wasn¡¯t the one who had caused her to feel this way. ¡®Should I ask Yoo Sung-jae for help...?¡¯ These days, the person spending the most time with Ha-eun was Yoo Sung-jae. Unlike Da-yeon, who found it nearly impossible to even run into Ha-eun, he was with her constantly. No matter what, the only solution was to mend the relationship between Da-yeon and Ha-eun. Nothing else seemed capable of improving Da-yeon¡¯s condition. So, she had to meet Ha-eun. Even if it meant asking Yoo Sung-jae to help arrange it, she had to apologize sincerely and ask for forgiveness. ¡°...Why?¡± His composure cracked, and visible confusion flickered across his face. Queen Yun¡¯s lips curved into a sinister smile. Soon, everything would collapse. Two dancers took their positions at the center of the stage. With swords drawn, they began their dangerously elegant performance. ¡®...Wait.¡¯ The face of one of the dancers caught Da-yeon¡¯s attention. It wasn¡¯t unfamiliar¡ªit was disturbingly familiar. Long, neatly tied hair. A delicate white flower hairpin resting atop it. ¡°...No way.¡± Even Queen Yun faltered, startled by the unexpected sight of this dancer. This wasn¡¯t the assassin she had arranged. Every strike aimed at the dancer¡¯s vital points was evaded with practiced ease. The entire audience was captivated by the breathtaking performance, unable to look away. ¡°Why... are they here?¡± Queen Yun¡¯s confusion slipped out, her confidence shaken. As the flawless sword dance concluded, it became clear that the screams Queen Yun had anticipated would never come. ¡°I hope you all enjoyed the peace and harmony I wish to bring to Joseon.¡± Lee Hyun¡¯s voice resonated through the hall, cementing the success of the banquet. Queen Yun¡¯s face twisted with rage as the scene ended, the cameras cutting. From a distance, Da-yeon¡¯s gaze sought out Ha-eun. But the stage where Ha-eun had stood was now empty. ¡°...............¡± Realizing Ha-eun had disappeared again, Da-yeon¡¯s expression darkened. Just then, Yoo Sung-jae approached her. ¡°Da-yeon, can you come with me for a moment?¡± His gentle voice broke the silence. ¡°...Where to?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a surprise. But trust me, you won¡¯t regret it.¡± Reluctantly, she followed him. -Creak. ¡°Go on in.¡± He gestured toward a waiting room, holding the door open. Da-yeon hesitated, then stepped inside. ¡°Happy birthday.¡± The familiar face she hadn¡¯t expected to see, and a small slice of cake with a single candle burning softly atop it. Silence filled the room, broken only by the flickering flame. ¡°...Don¡¯t cry, Da-yeon. It¡¯s your birthday¡ªwhy are you crying?¡± Her legs trembled, struggling to keep her upright. Overwhelmed by a surge of emotions from deep within, her chest tightened. Chapter 73 Ha-eun already knew what she had to say when she finally faced Da-yeon. She had even practiced a few times. But when the moment came, all she could muster was a guilt-ridden sob. -Clench.@@@@ With trembling hands, Da-yeon reached out and grabbed the hem of Ha-eun¡¯s cherry blossom-colored hanbok. The only thought racing through her mind was that she couldn¡¯t let Ha-eun leave. ¡°Don¡¯t... don¡¯t hate me. Please....¡± Emotions that had festered deep within her heart erupted all at once. Tears streamed down her bloodshot eyes, large droplets falling one by one. Her breathing quickened. Her hunched shoulders shook uncontrollably. There were so many things she wanted to say. So many things she needed to say. ¡°I¡¯ve never hated you.¡± Ha-eun¡¯s calm voice broke through. It shattered Da-yeon¡¯s composure entirely, leaving her in tears. A moment later, Ha-eun extended her arms and gently embraced her. The small slice of cake with its delicate, sweet aroma had long since toppled over. The waiting room¡¯s pristine white door had closed firmly behind them. But none of that mattered. Nothing else existed in that moment except the person who was still her friend. ¡°...I¡¯m sorry for snapping at you about your grades.¡± -Nod. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for forcing you to look at my advertisements.¡± -Nod. ¡°And I¡¯m sorry for secretly applying for the role of Queen Yun behind your back. I¡ª... why do you keep nodding like that?¡± Da-yeon¡¯s gaze sharpened slightly. Ha-eun quickly explained that she was simply nodding to show she was listening. To Ha-eun, none of the things Da-yeon was apologizing for had actually hurt her. She hadn¡¯t expected Da-yeon to apologize for everything, from start to finish. And so, when Da-yeon finally hesitated for a moment before extending her hand to Ha-eun, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t help but think: ¡®Is she really 18?¡¯ Caught off guard by Da-yeon¡¯s serious expression and outstretched hand, Ha-eun eventually gave in and shook it, accepting her attempt at reconciliation. The problem was that Da-yeon didn¡¯t stop at a handshake. The next moment, Da-yeon pulled Ha-eun into a tight hug. ¡°How old are you again, Da-yeon?¡± ¡°Sh-shut up. A proper hug is part of making up, okay?!¡± ¡®She¡¯d probably faint if she knew I was the one who said that first.¡¯ In the end, Ha-eun let Da-yeon cling to her until she was satisfied. After all, Ha-eun bore some responsibility for what had happened between them. Then, as if trying to get something else off her chest, Da-yeon spoke again. ¡°By the way, back when you came to see me at the set... why did you come?¡± ¡°Oh, that... I... I couldn¡¯t figure out what had changed about me.¡± What followed was a conversation about the rumors that had been circulating about Ha-eun. Specifically, a sudden dating rumor. But before Ha-eun could fully explain, Da-yeon interrupted her. The first episode of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds was set to air on Friday. Ha-eun had initially promised to join the cast and crew to watch the premiere together. The problem was that the live finals of SIT ON THE MONEY were also on Friday. ¡°But my heart will be there with you.¡± ¡°Your heart¡¯s invisible, so I¡¯ll just put a giant teddy bear with your photo taped to it in your seat.¡± ¡°...You¡¯re joking, right?¡± ¡°Nope. I¡¯m even posting it on social media with the hashtag #traitor.¡± Before Ha-eun could protest, Yoo Sung-jae made a quick escape, disappearing into the distance. As she watched him leave, Ha-eun muttered under her breath: ¡°...What kind of show films so late at night?¡± Startled, she spun around to find Da-yeon standing right behind her. ¡°...When did you get here?!¡± Da-yeon¡¯s curiosity about Ha-eun¡¯s secret schedule was palpable. ¡°If I told you, I¡¯d have to disappear. It¡¯s classified. I signed an NDA.¡± Of course, no such non-disclosure agreement existed, but Ha-eun needed an excuse. Quickly, she changed the subject, suggesting they focus on changing out of their costumes. As they walked to the dressing room together, it felt like old times again. But as they changed back into their regular clothes, Da-yeon noticed something odd. ¡°Wait, why is your hanbok wet?¡± ¡°Ah, uh... sorry, I accidentally spilled water on it.¡± The truth¡ªthat the stains were from Da-yeon¡¯s tears¡ªwas something Ha-eun decided to keep to herself. When Ha-eun finally stepped out of the dressing room, Da-yeon was waiting for her. This time, Da-yeon grabbed her hand tightly and, as if that wasn¡¯t enough, linked their arms together. ¡°Aren¡¯t you hungry?¡± ¡°Hmm, I haven¡¯t eaten anything yet....¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s grab dinner together. Jin-soo oppa made a reservation.¡± Da-yeon even added that it was still her birthday and that she hadn¡¯t gotten to blow out her candles yet. In the end, Ha-eun found herself climbing into Jin-soo¡¯s van, heading to a nearby restaurant. By the time they arrived, it was almost 10 p.m., and the place was completely empty except for them. But it didn¡¯t matter. With just her one friend sitting across the table, Da-yeon didn¡¯t feel lonely at all. ¡°Hey, Ha-eun. Do you remember the squirrel from your house?¡± Da-yeon began reminiscing about her first visit to Ha-eun¡¯s home years ago. The problem was... ¡°That person started this ¡®Raising Broadcasters¡¯ project recently. It¡¯s really fun. You should check it out.¡± She was now trying to share her new hobbies with Ha-eun, unaware of the tension she was causing. As Da-yeon started playing clips of Diah¡¯s streams, Ha-eun froze in place. ¡®Why are you doing this to me?¡¯ For the first time in a while, Ha-eun seriously considered running away. Any hole to crawl into would do. Chapter 74 It was around the time when the delicious food at the restaurant began to be served on the table. ¡°Let me take you home, but make sure to contact Jung-yoon unnie in advance.¡± ¡°...Okay.¡± Ha-eun nodded without much resistance to Da-yeon¡¯s offer to give her a ride home. Her mental stamina was completely drained after continuously watching clips of Diah¡¯s streams. Even when all the dishes they ordered were placed on the table, and even when they lit the candles on the new birthday cake Kim Jin-soo had brought for Da-yeon¡¯s 18th birthday. ¡°Happy... birthday to... you, dear Da-yeon...¡± ...Does she have a sore throat? Aside from Ha-eun¡¯s voice cracking terribly during the birthday song, everything seemed fine. However, after finishing their meal, as they climbed into Kim Jin-soo¡¯s van that was waiting for them outside: ¡°Here.¡± Da-yeon handed Ha-eun one side of her wired earphones without hesitation. To be exact, the voice coming from the pristine white earphones¡ªDiah¡¯s voice¡ªthrew Ha-eun into a panic. Does she... know it¡¯s me? Da-yeon even tilted her phone slightly towards Ha-eun, as if worried she might not see the screen properly¡ªa small but thoughtful gesture. Perhaps it was because the days of Da-yeon being lonely had come to an end, or maybe because she had shared all her innermost feelings with Ha-eun earlier. "My favorite food is cotton candy¡ªbecause it looks just like a cloud¡î!" ¡°Isn¡¯t she just adorable?¡± ¡°Y-yeah... super cute...¡± Da-yeon¡¯s actions had no brakes that day. She leaned close to Ha-eun, their shoulders touching, eager to share a fun video. From Ha-eun¡¯s perspective, however, it was overwhelming. She felt the urge to leap out of the van for an emergency escape. But running away wasn¡¯t an option, so she made an excuse. ¡°Um, hey, Da-yeon... I think I¡¯m getting carsick.¡± Feigning dizziness, Ha-eun removed the earbud from her left ear. Da-yeon, left to watch the video alone, seemed unbothered. Even as they approached Ha-eun¡¯s house, the videos on Da-yeon¡¯s phone continued to play uninterrupted, punctuated by Da-yeon¡¯s occasional bursts of laughter. ...Is it really that funny? Ha-eun felt conflicted¡ªgrateful that Da-yeon enjoyed Diah¡¯s streams, yet uneasy knowing the person on the screen and the one sitting next to her were the same. To make it up to them, Ha-eun rummaged through her old notebooks filled with stream ideas until she found one: "Shirooni" Horror game ¡ï¡ïNot too scary for a horror game ¡ï¡ï¡ïViewers can backseat ¡ïPopular ¡ï¡ï¡ï This is it. The plan? Diah¡¯s first horror game stream¡ªa perfect way to surprise and delight her audience. When the day arrived, she began her stream as usual: [I''m here¡î] The chat was already buzzing with complaints about her two-day break. Diah, what¡¯s with two consecutive off days?Are you abandoning us for a trip again?Ugh, I was the only one who cared... Smiling awkwardly, Ha-eun tried to calm them down, but the unrest continued. Finally, she displayed her stream settings on-screen and typed loudly enough for her mic to catch: [It¡¯s cleaner than expected? (Shirooni horror game stream)] The chat exploded in excitement. ?! Diah, are you confident?Is this her first horror game?OMG let¡¯s gooo~Can a spirit even get scared? Even donation challenges rolled in. [Donor: Won¡¯t die even once? 50,000 KRW if you do.] [Donor: Add 100,000 KRW to that.] ¡°Okay~¡î¡± Despite the challenges, Ha-eun knew the game inside out. Still, she decided to pretend to struggle a bit¡ªreaction was key in horror game streams. Launching Shirooni, she set her character name as ¡°Diah¡± and began. ¡°It¡¯s cleaner than expected~¡î¡± Barely five minutes in: Something¡¯s coming!Diah, didn¡¯t you hear the door creak? ¡°Huh? What creaked¡ª¡± [THUMP!] [RAWR!!] A white ghost appeared from an unexpected place, and Ha-eun¡¯s mind froze. Her startled scream even caused her mic to briefly glitch, and the chat erupted: Is Diah alive?Someone call 911!She really fainted, look at her avatar! Chapter 75 Fear. The emotion of being afraid of something. It wasn¡¯t an unfamiliar feeling to Ha-eun. In fact, it was probably one of the most familiar emotions she had ever known. After all, the very reason Ha-eun first started acting was out of fear of her parents in her past life. And when her performance as a healthy child faltered due to a minor slip, the first emotion to engulf her was also fear. However, fear was not one of the emotions her parents allowed her to express toward them. She had been forced to learn how to suppress it early on. Perhaps that was why Ha-eun rarely showed fear, and why there had been so few occasions for her to even feel it. ¡°I plan to stream Shirooni this Wednesday.¡± [Hmm, it¡¯ll definitely have an impact, but... are you sure you¡¯ll be okay?] ¡°Yes. I¡¯m confident.¡± Ha-eun confidently assured her VTuber manager over the phone while scheduling her stream. She hated being worried about by others, even now. Shirooni, as a horror game, wasn¡¯t considered particularly scary. Its graphics were cute 2D pixel art, far from the hyper-realistic 3D visuals of modern horror games. So Ha-eun thought she could clear it easily. All she needed to do was focus on showcasing Diah¡¯s new reactions. In hindsight, it was a grave miscalculation. ¡°A-There was nothing here earlier! Where the hell did that come from?!¡± It wasn¡¯t nothing. You just didn¡¯t see it.What confidence, standing there like that. LOL.First time I¡¯ve seen someone die in the kitchen.Witness the VTuber who lost 150,000 won in seconds.Prediction: She¡¯s not sleeping tonight. Her vision blurred. Her breathing became erratic. Her heart pounded so loudly it felt like it might burst. And her avatar? It collapsed backward as if it had fainted. ...This is bad. Every detail was undeniable proof: Ha-eun was genuinely scared. Her plan to ¡°act scared like a child¡± as Diah had gone out the window. She knew Shirooni¡¯s storyline inside and out. She remembered most of the traps and mechanics. Her plan was to play smoothly enough not to frustrate her audience but still get caught by traps or yokai occasionally for dramatic effect. The problem was, the version of Shirooni she remembered was from several years ago. The version Diah was playing had been updated multiple times since then. So when she tried to hide in a storage room: Clank.Clank, clank. ¡°...Huh? W-Why won¡¯t this open?¡± Locked doors don¡¯t open. Because they¡¯re locked.Find the key, Diah.Try saying Open Sesame. Maybe it¡¯ll work.Uh-oh, shadow behind you.RIP. LOL. Instead of acting scared, Ha-eun genuinely failed to escape. She was caught and eaten by the yokai. Her terrified scream, picked up perfectly by her microphone, was anything but staged. It was only natural. The most potent fear is the fear of the unknown. Ha-eun, who thought she had grown immune to fear, realized she was utterly unprepared for the unknown. The fear she was accustomed to was ¡°learned fear,¡± based on things she understood. But Shirooni thrived on sudden jump scares and the unpredictability of when or where the white yokai might appear. ¡°Piano... the third key on the right...¡± Apparently, the yokai is mad you touched their piano without permission.To the yokai, you¡¯re the trespasser.She died again! And again! And again! LOL.But it¡¯s already been eaten over ten times.Maybe raw face should be acceptable?Even the yokai is tired of you. LOL.What did you come here for? A lunch delivery?It¡¯s the homeowner¡¯s choice.You disturbed the yokai¡¯s peace. LOL.LOL.This is why sharp kids are scary.I¡¯m guessing at least 20 tries.Didn¡¯t another streamer spend an hour here?And no saves. LOL.?Why is she so good?Who¡¯s controlling her?Where does she even learn this stuff?She¡¯s way too hyped. [Grab!] ¡°?!¡± [RAWR!!] A yokai dragged her back into the depths, killing her instantly. LOL, never change, Diah.Back to the start! Ignoring the ¡°no fun¡± comments, Ha-eun gritted her teeth and completed the game. Finally, the ¡°Thanks for Playing!¡± screen appeared. She moved the cursor to close the game when¡ª [Crash!] [RAWR!!] The white yokai screamed again, startling her so much that her avatar fell over, seemingly fainting. The chat exploded: She¡¯s really dead this time. LOL.RIP, Diah. After catching her breath, Ha-eun whispered, ¡°...Bye-bye,¡± and ended the stream. Later that night, still haunted by the game¡¯s final jump scare, Ha-eun found herself standing outside her parents¡¯ bedroom. ¡°Can I... sleep here tonight?¡± ¡°Huh? Did you have a bad dream?¡± ¡°...Something like that.¡± Slipping between her parents, she found comfort in their embrace, finally letting herself relax. *** "How''s Ha-eun doing?" "She doesn''t seem to be in bad shape." "Phew... that''s a relief." It was about two hours before the live finals of SIT ON THE MONEY. Having been busy running errands all morning, Lee Geon-yeol and Lee Jun finally arrived at the waiting room, where they quietly observed Ha-eun. Their concern was solely focused on ensuring Ha-eun¡¯s condition was optimal. This SIT ON THE MONEY finale was, after all, Ha-eun¡¯s¡ªor rather, Pinocchio¡¯s¡ªfirst live stage. They wanted to do everything they could to support her. However. "Um, excuse me, guys. The person I mentioned before just arrived. Would it be okay if I stepped out for a moment?" Ha-eun had just received word that her acquaintance had reached the venue. She politely asked for permission to leave the waiting room briefly. "Make sure you don¡¯t get recognized. Wear a hat and mask." "Got it." "Wait a second. Just in case, use the back exit. This writer here will guide you." They entrusted a staff member with keeping Ha-eun¡¯s identity hidden. And so, Ha-eun left the room, accompanied by the staff member, to meet her guest. Navigating through narrow emergency corridors, Ha-eun walked and walked until, at last, she reached the venue entrance. "Sorry for dragging you out on a Friday night, reporter." "Ah, no need to apologize. It¡¯s Ha-eun we¡¯re talking about. Of course, I had to come." There, Ha-eun finally met her only invited guest for the SIT ON THE MONEY finale: reporter Heo Joo-eun. Chapter 76 Actor. Singer. And VTuber. While these professions are entirely distinct, they share a significant commonality: they influence public opinion as public figures. Even the mundane daily lives of public figures can affect public sentiment, but the times when public opinion is most impacted are when they actively engage in their respective fields. That was why Ha-eun used to scour the internet for reactions to her performances in the past. After debuting as a VTuber, she did the same with Diah, diligently monitoring the public¡¯s response to her streams. Unlike being an actor or a singer, though, VTubers often had detailed metrics showing shifts in public opinion. [Diah] [The youngest of Fantasyland | Spirit | Came to the human world because it looked fun©¤¡î] [Followers: 134,000] ¡°Wait... wasn¡¯t it just 120,000?¡± When Ha-eun noticed that Diah¡¯s follower count had increased by 10,000 in just one day following the Shirooni stream, she immediately realized something had happened while she was asleep. That¡¯s why she logged into VTuber community forums early that morning, determined to figure out what had caused the sudden spike. And in less than a minute, she found herself staring at the answer. Diah Jumpscare Compilation.gifSummary of Diah¡¯s Stream YesterdayDiah: First Ever Rage Collapse, Followed by Instant JusticeBefore the Run: ¡°Are you sure your wallets are okay?¡± After the Run: ¡°Your wallets are definitely fine.¡±Fallen Diah.jpg The forums, which usually discussed a variety of VTubers, were completely flooded with posts about Diah. The posts varied in timing, from the moment Diah began her stream to just a few minutes prior. As Ha-eun scrolled endlessly through the posts, she eventually clicked on the most upvoted one. Title: Compilation of Diah¡¯s Death Moments User: SunsetWillFade | 01:28 Doesn¡¯t she have a horror game roulette or something? ? She said she¡¯ll do one if she ever needs to take another break.If she struggled this much with Shirooni, she¡¯d probably need to be hospitalized after playing a pizza game. ? Speedrunning the pizza game? Two nights minimum. ? Two nights? That¡¯s insane. ? Certified national-level challenge.I followed her and turned on notifications. ? Same. Next stream, I¡¯m spamming ¡°Play Poppy Playtime¡± with 23,521 mentions. ? Whoa, don¡¯t go full dark mode.The funniest part was her speedrun in the maze at the end. ? Wait, really? ? Yeah, she cleared it in one try without much trouble. ? But why didn¡¯t you mention her dying while tea-bagging at the end? ? Anyway, she did make it to the maze collapse scene in one shot. And as a result, that positive reception could spill over to her drama, The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds. ¡°Hello, Reporter Heo. This is Lee Ha-eun.¡± [Oh, hi, Ha-eun. What¡¯s the occasion?] ¡°I have a favor to ask. Could you cover something this Friday? Are you free?¡± Ha-eun reached out to the only journalist she knew, Heo Joo-eun. She only requested coverage of the finals and didn¡¯t tell Heo that she would be performing as Pinocchio. She simply asked her to write about the most memorable performance. ¡°Do you have a favorite rapper, reporter?¡± ¡°I plan to root for whoever wins. Team winners!¡± Ha-eun smiled. She had a good idea of what performance would make the article. If Heo covered Pinocchio¡¯s performance, the buzz would spill over to Ha-eun¡¯s drama premiere 30 minutes after the live finals ended. ¡°Every little bit helps.¡± The SIT ON THE MONEY finals were scheduled to end at 10:00 PM, and The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds would air its first episode at 10:30 PM. If the buzz about Ha-eun spread fast enough, it could positively impact the drama¡¯s ratings. As Heo took her seat in the press area, she pulled out an expensive digital camera, taking test shots of the rehearsal. Suddenly, a singer appeared at the back of the stage. The lighting obscured her features, but her captivating voice rang out. ¡°Wait... who is that?¡± The singer remained at the back of the stage, never stepping into the spotlight. Even as the rehearsal ended, Heo couldn¡¯t discern her face or silhouette clearly. Chapter 77 "You did amazing, Ha-eun. Let''s keep this momentum for the live broadcast." A satisfied voice. A smiling face. As Lee Geon-yeol patted Ha-eun''s shoulder a couple of times, her usual composed expression remained unchanged as she gave a small nod. She didn¡¯t think she had made any mistakes during the rehearsal either. However, since it was crucial to keep Ha-eun¡¯s participation in the SIT ON THE MONEY finals a secret from everyone except Hwang Ji-hyuk, after completing her stage makeup and donning her performance outfit: "We¡¯ll come get you when it¡¯s your turn, so stay put and don¡¯t wander around~." "Okay." She had to quietly wait in a different waiting room, away from the one used by Double Lee and Hwang Ji-hyuk. Of course, her manager, Ju Jung-yoon, stayed by her side. With the TV in the waiting room airing a preview of the SIT ON THE MONEY finals, there wasn¡¯t much time for boredom. They passed the time with idle chatter, both occasionally voicing their thoughts about the finals as they watched the screen. "Your parents should¡¯ve come too. It¡¯s a shame." "I¡¯d just get more nervous if they were here. It¡¯s better they don¡¯t know anything about the finals." "But you¡¯ll tell them later, right? That you¡¯ve debuted as a singer too?" "Mm... wouldn¡¯t they find out on their own, even if I don¡¯t say anything?" "Still, I think it¡¯s better if they hear it from you directly. If they learn about their daughter¡¯s new side from an article, they might feel hurt." In the end, Ha-eun nodded. She promised to personally tell her parents, Sung-yoon and Na-yeon, after the SIT ON THE MONEY finals that she and Pinocchio were the same person. But before she could dwell on it further, her phone, sitting idly on the table, vibrated. -Buzz- Interrupting her conversation with Jung-yoon, Ha-eun picked up her phone and unlocked it. A notification had appeared, alerting her to a new post on Yoo Sung-jae''s social media. Immediately, a memory resurfaced in her mind: "Since I can¡¯t see what¡¯s in Ha-eun¡¯s heart, I¡¯ll stick her photo on a giant teddy bear and put it on a chair." "...You¡¯re joking, right?" "Nope, I¡¯m serious. I¡¯ll even post it on social media."@@@@ The last conversation she¡¯d had with Yoo Sung-jae. ...No way. Ha-eun quickly opened Sung-jae¡¯s profile and tapped on the newest post. In less than a second, her screen was filled with an image of a massive teddy bear. The teddy bear itself wasn¡¯t the issue. The problem was the photo attached to its fluffy face. "Wait, isn¡¯t that your photo stuck on the bear?" "...Yeah. It looks like it is." It seemed Sung-jae had followed through on his outrageous words. Without delay, Ha-eun called Da-yeon, who was watching the first episode of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds. -? -? -? -Click- [Hello?] "Hey, Da-yeon. I need a favor¡ª" After explaining what Sung-jae had done, she asked Da-yeon to retrieve the bear for her. Moments later, the stage dimmed, and Hwang Ji-hyuk¡¯s footsteps echoed as he took his place. It was about to begin. Pinocchio¡¯s debut stage. "Ji-hyuk." "Yes?" "Keep your promise. Win." "...I will!" Even as Ji-hyuk stepped forward to begin his rap, Ha-eun focused only on her part. Just sing. That was all she needed to do. After Ji-hyuk¡¯s smooth start, Lee Jun and Geon-yeol moved to their respective positions, leaving Ha-eun alone behind the stage. "Stage doors opening in five seconds. Five, four, three¡ª" Lifting her microphone, she watched the enormous doors slide open. "Ladies and gentlemen... Pinocchio." As Ji-hyuk introduced her, Ha-eun opened her mouth and began to sing. "The stars in the night sky are still there, but my gaze fell downward©¤?" The sound of her voice filled the microphone. "What I was staring at was the same black... but it wasn¡¯t the sky anymore©¤?" The crowd¡¯s murmurs started to grow, but due to the blinding stage lights and her white baseball cap covering most of her face, her identity remained hidden. All they could see was a silhouette¡ªyoung, unfamiliar, yet undeniably captivating. But the familiarity of her voice and name left the audience entranced. The moment came during the second feature. Her slow footsteps toward the stage''s center, coupled with the removal of her cap, revealed her face. A stunned silence swept through the audience. Moments later, the realization struck: Pinocchio and actress Lee Ha-eun were the same person. "They said it¡¯s all because of me, all because of me©¤©¤©¤?" As her voice soared in powerful high notes, the audience erupted in cheers. In the midst of the thunderous applause, the faint sound of Heo Joo-eun¡¯s typing on her laptop hinted at the day¡¯s biggest story. It was a scoop. Chapter 78 The contestants in the SIT ON THE MONEY finals were all skilled. None of the finalists particularly stood out or lagged behind significantly. It was a situation where even the smallest difference could determine victory. Naturally, each of them hoped that the ¡°small difference¡± wouldn¡¯t come from their own performance. Perhaps that¡¯s why... ¡®This is really... not something to celebrate.¡¯ ¡®Talk about bad luck.¡¯ A few days before the live finals of SIT ON THE MONEY, news broke that the female singer who was supposed to feature on Hwang Ji-hyuk¡¯s final performance had to withdraw due to unavoidable circumstances. The other finalists were informed of this development at that time. While they expressed pity for Hwang Ji-hyuk on the surface, inwardly, they felt relieved. After all, one of their competitors had essentially stumbled on his own. Regardless of Hwang Ji-hyuk¡¯s circumstances, they weren¡¯t responsible for his misfortune. The absence of his featured singer would inevitably lower the quality of his final performance, which was a problem solely for him to handle. Even as time passed and the day of the live finals arrived. Even as their own performances concluded without major mistakes. Even as Hwang Ji-hyuk¡¯s final performance began as the last act of the finals... In the minds of the other contestants, Hwang Ji-hyuk had already been excluded as a serious competitor. They believed there was no way he could compete with them after hastily revising his performance just days before the finals. However, after Hwang Ji-hyuk¡¯s unexpectedly stellar solo rap concluded, and the stage camera briefly panned to the back of the stage... [ Feat. Pinocchio ] The caption that appeared in the corner of the live broadcast screen instantly froze the other finalists in their seats. What followed was a pure, crystalline voice that had once occupied countless playlists. Even though the singer stood still with no choreography, their presence was overwhelming. The unwavering clarity of their voice gently yet completely dominated the atmosphere of the stage.@@@@ The previous noise in the venue had quieted at some point. In its place came murmurs and curiosity aimed toward Pinocchio. Even the other finalists, seated in their respective waiting rooms, sat spellbound as they watched the screen, unable to say a word. And then, as the second featured part began and the silhouette in black stepped forward a few paces... ¡°Wait... What?! No way!!¡± Faced with a familiar voice and an even more familiar face, some of them jumped to their feet involuntarily. Almost simultaneously, the text voting numbers began to skyrocket, quite literally exploding in real time. It was as though someone had struck them all on the back of the head. All they could do was stare blankly at the rapidly rising vote count, their minds stuck on the thought, How is this even possible? Strictly speaking, stage performance was also part of the SIT ON THE MONEY finals. When you broke it down, all Pinocchio had done was sing her feature part and walk to the center of the stage. There was no violation of the finals¡¯ rules anywhere in her performance. Yet the unbelievable reveal of her identity, the cheers pouring in from the audience for just one person... ¡°Wow, seriously...¡± ¡°This is insane.¡± ¡°What kind of cheat code is that?!¡± ¡°I¡¯m here!¡± After greeting the people who warmly welcomed her, Ha-eun plopped down in the seat next to Lee Jun. From that point on, she had to keep an eye on him. ¡°Hmm, marbled beef pairs perfectly with sake¡ª¡± Glare. Pinch. ¡°Ahhh! Ouch!!¡± ¡°Do that again, and I¡¯ll report you to Gun-yeol.¡± ¡°I-I was just saying it for fun. Just for fun...¡± ¡°Don¡¯t even joke about it.¡± Currently, Lee Geon-yeol had gone to his hometown for a family memorial service right after the finals ended. So instead of heading to where Yoo Sung-jae and Da-yeon were, Ha-eun stayed next to Lee Jun to keep him in check. Well, in any case. Hwang Ji-hyuk had kept his promise to win, and it was just in time for the first episode of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds to air. ¡°Excuse me, boss. Can I change the channel for a moment?¡± After getting permission from the restaurant owner, Ha-eun switched the TV channel. And there it was¡ªthe first episode of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds. ¡°Oh? Is that The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Wow, it¡¯s well-made. The wild boar CGI looks so real. Even the part where they cut the boar¡ªit looks like they¡¯re actually slicing it.¡± ¡°..................¡± ¡°...It¡¯s CGI, right?¡± ¡°..................¡± ¡°...Hello?¡± ¡°T-The meat¡¯s going to get cold. Let¡¯s eat.¡± Ha-eun kept silent and continued eating, focusing on her chopsticks as she put pieces of well-grilled beef into her mouth. Meanwhile, as everyone at the celebration enjoyed their delicious barbecue while watching Ha-eun¡¯s performance in The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds... Elsewhere, a little farther from the SIT ON THE MONEY celebration venue: ¡°Director, have you seen the internet? It¡¯s flooded with articles about Ha-eun!¡± ¡°Yes, Writer Seong already told me.¡± The buzz about Ha-eun brought unexpected publicity to The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds. However, they were still uncertain about the current ratings. For now, the focus was solely on ensuring that the first episode aired without issues. Director Jin Gyu-seong of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds didn¡¯t pay much attention to anything else. ¡°D-Director!¡± ¡°I know about the articles on Ha-eun.¡± ¡°N-No, it¡¯s not that. Our ratings!¡± ¡°?¡± The current ratings for The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds had far surpassed those of its timeslot competitor, Lovers Under the Full Moon. Upon overhearing this, Yoo Sung-jae hurriedly approached Da-yeon, borrowed the bear plushie she was holding, and announced: ¡°Today¡¯s MVP! Applause!¡± He then prompted the The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds cast and crew to clap for the bear plushie, which now had Ha-eun¡¯s photo attached. ¡°...What an incredible person.¡± The group¡¯s opinion of Ha-eun drastically shifted. By some twist of fate, the show that would air before Episode 2 of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds¡ªTwo Days, Three Nights¡ªwas now completely out of their minds. None of them, including Jin Gyu-seong, could predict what it would mean for Ha-eun to be the center of attention for two days in a row. Chapter 79 When it comes to movies or dramas, the most important thing is to make people want to watch them. Regardless of the story or direction, a production only has value as a video work if people actually tune in. The key lies in how much buzz the content generates among viewers. Especially for dramas, whose success hinges on public reception, how much attention they attract determines whether they succeed or fail. In the end, the primary reason people choose to watch a drama is the actors. Promotions for dramas often focus less on their plots and more on their cast. Thus, the unprecedented situation of a faceless singer with a uniquely clear voice being revealed to be a famous actress¡ªduring the live finale of a hip-hop survival program¡ªwas nothing short of extraordinary. ¡°Faceless Singer¡¯s Shocking Twist: Captivating the Public During the SIT ON THE MONEY Finals¡±¡°A Record-Breaking Vote Count Brought by an Unexpected Twist. Hwang Ji-hyuk Clinches Victory by a Landslide¡±¡°The True Identity of Singer Pinocchio Is Actress Lee Ha-eun: A Decade-Long Connection with Double Lee Revealed?¡±¡°Thirty Minutes After the SIT ON THE MONEY Finals: KBC¡¯s The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds Dominates MBS¡¯s Lovers Under the Full Moon Right From the Start¡± This not only heightened the fame of the actress herself but also brought significant attention to the drama she starred in. By the day after the SIT ON THE MONEY finale, articles about Ha-eun, initially trickling in slowly, had completely flooded the entertainment sections of major portal sites. It was only natural that The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds, Ha-eun¡¯s first leading drama, would also draw public interest. From the perspective of KBC¡¯s drama division, this was a cause for celebration. In the history of KBC dramas, no newly launched series had ever garnered this level of attention right out of the gate. ¡°Director, did you know Ha-eun would appear in the SIT ON THE MONEY finals?¡± ¡°I knew she was appearing, but... I didn¡¯t expect it to blow up like this. I thought it was just some music show.¡± ¡®...Is this what they call a generational gap?¡¯ In any case, they had achieved a complete victory over MBS¡¯s Lovers Under the Full Moon in their first head-to-head competition. Not only was the buzz incomparable, but the ratings for The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds were over three times higher than its competitor¡¯s. The stark contrast between The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds and Lovers Under the Full Moon couldn¡¯t have been clearer. For MBS¡¯s drama division, it was nothing short of a disaster. Perhaps that¡¯s why... ¡°This is just a short-term buzz. It¡¯ll completely die down in less than a week.¡± During a meeting on Saturday morning, Ko Jae-wan, the chief producer of Lovers Under the Full Moon, tried to reassure his staff with a calm expression. After all, it had only been the first episode. It was too early to judge the future success or failure of the show based on one minor setback. At least, that¡¯s what he wanted to believe. ¡°Think about our cast lineup. Once their dedicated fans start tuning in, the numbers will be overwhelming.¡± It was undeniable that the cast lineup for Lovers Under the Full Moon outshone that of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds. Every single actor in the cast had proven themselves, and their performances during the filming had been outstanding. So, while one of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds¡¯ lead actors becoming a viral sensation overnight was concerning, Ko Jae-wan didn¡¯t want to overreact. He believed that the star power of Lovers Under the Full Moon¡¯s cast could still turn the tide in their favor. However, he couldn¡¯t shake his unease about the preview for last Saturday¡¯s episode of Two Days, Three Nights. He hoped that this week¡¯s episode, which featured the two leads of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds as guests, wouldn¡¯t attract too much attention. In truth, he secretly hoped some controversy might arise from the episode. The grueling filming conditions of Two Days, Three Nights were infamous, and he thought it possible that Ha-eun, being only 18 years old, might show signs of struggling. ¡°Controversy doesn¡¯t spare anyone, not even kids.¡± -Tap, tap, tap!- ¡°W-Who¡¯s that?!¡± The chaos began when Ha-eun, who had been calmly listening to the PD¡¯s instructions, suddenly sprinted toward the traditional market at full speed. What was that just now?Why is she so fast at running lol.She¡¯s like a ninja; what is this? ? Excuse me, how old are you? ? You understood that reference, so what about you? ? What¡¯s with you boomers clinging to each other? The frequency and speed of community posts providing live commentary began to rise. No one had expected Ha-eun, a high school actress, to be so proactive from the start of filming. After all, her previous roles were all serious, heavy characters, which had led to the perception that she might be somewhat rigid in real life. At that point, viewers were still thinking, ¡°Well, it happens.¡± There had been other enthusiastic guests on Two Days, Three Nights in the past, after all. But then... ¡°Chrysanthemum bread is still bread... So, let¡¯s check out the bakeries first.¡± When Ha-eun said something that wasn¡¯t in the ¡°it happens¡± category, things escalated. Chrysanthemum bread is bread, so she¡¯s looking for a bakery? Do Gen Z kids not know what chrysanthemum bread is these days? ? But they know walnut cookies. ? Walnut cookies are technically chrysanthemum bread, nationally balanced. ? Why do I need to know that? What is she, a chaebol¡¯s youngest daughter? Has she never seen a street vendor? Meanwhile, she eats food from the market stalls just fine lol. Even seasoned cucumber salad¡ªsomething I wouldn¡¯t touch¡ªis eaten with such relish. The commotion on the forums grew louder. As Ha-eun continued wandering aimlessly from bakery to bakery in the traditional market... ¡°If you want chrysanthemum bread, you have to go to a street vendor. What¡¯s this talk about bakeries?¡± ¡°Huh? A street vendor?¡± After receiving this not-so-subtle scolding from a jokbal shop owner... ¡°That guy with the red cap over there is making chrysanthemum bread right now.¡± ¡°Uh, sir, that¡¯s fish-shaped bread... isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Fish-shaped bread is chrysanthemum bread. Didn¡¯t you know that?¡± When it became clear that Ha-eun¡¯s actions weren¡¯t some calculated ¡°concept¡± but genuine cluelessness... Wait, she really didn¡¯t know?This is already a mess lol.Oh, now I understand why she had to dive into the water in the preview.She¡¯s motivated, but it¡¯s all motivation with no plan. ? Got it. Understood. Even Ha-eun¡¯s smallest mutterings and gestures started drawing reactions from viewers. Chapter 80 The primary reason for the spike in Two Days, Three Nights¡¯ ratings was the curiosity surrounding ¡°Lee Ha-eun.¡± People who had only seen her act as scripted characters in dramas were eager to find out what she¡¯d be like on a real variety show. -Beep. ¡°Huh? Why are you suddenly turning on the TV?¡± ¡°Lee Ha-eun¡¯s a guest on Two Days, Three Nights this week. Didn¡¯t you know?¡± ¡°Lee Ha-eun? Do you mean the actress from The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds? Or the singer who debuted recently?¡± ¡°Mom, they¡¯re the same person.¡± ¡°What? Really?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡±@@@@ Even people who didn¡¯t usually watch Two Days, Three Nights found themselves sitting in front of the TV to watch the show. Starting with her energetic sprint toward the traditional market the moment the PD signaled the start of the mission... ¡°...One bag of chrysanthemum bread, please....¡± ...and her embarrassed request for the bread she had been desperately searching for, her flushed face and shy demeanor were all broadcasted. ¡°Oh my, is she blushing because of the chrysanthemum bread? She¡¯s adorable.¡± ¡°Wait, didn¡¯t you say yesterday that she looked scary while watching The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds?¡± ¡°Well, dramas and variety shows are different.¡± Families gathered in their living rooms to watch Two Days, Three Nights together, exchanging such remarks. Meanwhile, online communities that had already been abuzz with talk of Ha-eun began discussing this new side of her. She gave it her all, so let¡¯s drink to that!Her face turning red is seriously adorable.Seeing her genuinely embarrassed is delightful...Confession: I learned that fish-shaped bread is chrysanthemum bread from this show. ? You too? Every aspect of Ha-eun¡¯s appearance was unexpected. No one could predict what she might say or do next. This unique charm of Ha-eun began shaping a positive buzz around her. Her distinctive personality amidst the noise made her stand out even more. Perhaps that¡¯s why... ¡°Why... isn¡¯t the rating dropping?¡± ¡°Exactly. I thought the ratings would spike briefly and then fall back.¡± Contrary to expectations, Two Days, Three Nights¡¯ ratings didn¡¯t drop back to single digits. Instead, entertainment articles covering the show began piling up. As a result, not only Ha-eun but also the episode of Two Days, Three Nights she appeared on became a hot topic. The show¡¯s production team, confused but excited, began monitoring audience reactions to the latest episode. After the opening mission wrapped up, the broadcast moved on to the cast riding a bus. Most of the conversations revolved around Yoo Sung-jae sharing small anecdotes from the filming of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds. ¡°??? I¡¯ve never let such filthy commoner food touch my lips¡± (loosely interpreted).¡°I said bring me cake instead of such unheard-of nonsense!¡± (heavily interpreted).¡°What even is chrysanthemum bread? Why should I know?¡± ? ¡°Keep it up, and it¡¯s off to the guillotine for you!¡± ? ¡°Huh?¡±¡°She wiped the floor with 40 older actresses. Deidara Madara level dominance...¡±¡°High schoolers these days are scary...¡±¡°Makes sense why she was cast. She¡¯s just built different.¡±¡°???¡±¡°What the hell?!¡±¡°Ugh, these ad breaks are the worst!¡± ? ¡°Does KBC have ad blockers? No? Didn¡¯t think so.¡± The reason for the buzz that followed? ¡°Why isn¡¯t she moving at all?¡±¡°I think she¡¯s breathing, but she¡¯s not even tossing or turning.¡±¡°Is that tent super comfy or what?¡± Unlike other guests, Ha-eun seemed perfectly comfortable sleeping in the outdoor tent. This stark contrast to past guests sparked even more online chatter. When Ha-eun woke up at 6:30 a.m., the VJ asked her a question. ¡°Do you usually wake up this early?¡± ¡°I have to get ready for school, so I wake up early to avoid being late.¡± Even the short interview momentarily silenced the previously noisy online communities. ¡°Wow, that¡¯s impressive. She even manages to study well despite her busy schedule.¡± ¡°...Why are you looking at me when you say that?¡± ¡°Well, no reason. I was just wondering why my son, who has no schedule, can¡¯t even¡ª¡± ¡°#!$#@%$#%!!¡± Unintentionally, Ha-eun¡¯s comments left countless parents comparing her to their own children. For a brief moment, her image shifted from endearing to irritating. Finally, the highlight mission of the episode¡ªwatermelon harvesting¡ªbegan. Ha-eun, lucky to be assigned the smallest load, followed the others to the watermelon field. -Thud. -Plop. As Ha-eun easily lifted large watermelons into her cart, the buzz reignited. ¡°A single watermelon is like 7-8 kg. How is she lifting them so easily?¡±¡°No wonder she crushed the competition at her audition.¡±¡°High schoolers these days are terrifying...¡± With her cart full, Ha-eun delivered her watermelons and successfully completed her mission. She then decided to help Yoo Sung-jae, who hadn¡¯t finished yet. As the camera captured the two working together, it seemed almost cinematic. Soon after, articles flooded the internet: ¡°KBC¡¯s Lee Ha-eun and Yoo Sung-jae: Romance in the Watermelon Field on Two Days, Three Nights¡±**¡°A Touching Moment Between Crown Prince Lee Hyun and Yeong-wol in the Watermelon Patch¡± Even Ha-eun, watching the broadcast with her father later, had to endure his teasing. ¡°So, Ha-eun...¡± ¡°?¡± ¡°Just wondering... Yoo Sung-jae isn¡¯t, you know...¡± ¡°...Say that one more time, and I¡¯ll seriously get mad.¡± ¡°Hmm, they say strong denial is strong confirmation...¡± ¡°I¡¯m seriously getting mad.¡± ¡°Okay, okay, I¡¯m sorry!¡± Chapter 81 The defining feature of Two Days, Three Nights was its focus on "connection." The candid, informal interactions between celebrities and rural residents had always been the core reason the show was beloved. For this week¡¯s Two Days, Three Nights: Haman, Gyeongsangnam-do episode, where Ha-eun and Yoo Sung-jae were guests, the main theme also revolved around connecting with local residents. As a result, the interactions extended from the opening mission at the traditional market to the highlight mission in the vast watermelon field. ¡°Well, of course, you¡¯re quick on your feet, being a young man!¡± ¡°Excuse me, ma¡¯am, what about me?¡± ¡°Jang Sung-ho, you¡¯ve worked out before. Don¡¯t compare yourself to a young man!¡± The cast continued to chat with local residents who had gathered to watch the filming. Even while the cast rested to recover their energy, the residents playfully teased them. ¡°That young lady hasn¡¯t taken a break even once, but you all keep sitting down. Why is that?¡± ¡°Ah, elder, young people are full of energy. We should let them use it while they can.¡± ¡°Excuses, excuses. And that¡¯s why you¡¯re still unmarried, Mr. Im Nam-su!¡± This back-and-forth banter between the cast and the locals ensured there was no lull in the audio. Meanwhile, the camera angles focusing on Ha-eun and Yoo Sung-jae captured their moments without interference.@@@@ ¡°Take it easy, Ha-eun. You¡¯ll get full-body muscle pain if you overdo it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine... Uh, Sung-jae.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a caterpillar on your left shoulder.¡± ¡°?!¡± What followed was a piercing scream that echoed across the vast watermelon field. Unfazed by Sung-jae¡¯s loud reaction, Ha-eun calmly reached out with a decisive move. -Grab. Her actions were far from what one might expect from an actress. ¡°...Bear Grylls said caterpillars are good for you, you know.¡± Her statement was just as unexpected. What did I just hear?Even fitness junkies would say, "Nah, not for me!"Does she really think caterpillars are like health supplements?Is she serious?Don¡¯t even think about eating it! Viewers were wide-eyed as they watched Ha-eun gaze at the small caterpillar in her hand. Sung-jae, still sprawled on the ground, looked up at her with an expression of sheer disbelief. ¡°I¡¯m joking. You¡¯ll get sick if you eat things off the ground.¡± With that, Ha-eun gently released the caterpillar into the grass. She then went back to harvesting watermelons as if nothing had happened, while the VJ¡¯s camera captured the scene. Sung-jae, still lying on the ground, eventually got up and resumed harvesting as well. After all the watermelons in the field were collected, the cast gathered at the edge of the field. Jang Sung-ho led them to their next destination. ¡°We¡¯re here, elder!¡± ¡°Oh dear, I told you not to come. I already feel so bad for asking for help with my watermelons....¡± ¡°Oh, but we had to at least say hello. Everyone here came just to help you, elder.¡± Another round of ¡°connection¡± began. The broadcast showed a letter sent to KBC by the elderly man¡¯s granddaughter: Subtitles revealed that the elder had been a fan of the show for 14 years. ¡°The elder has a god-tier sense of humor.¡±¡°This is broadcast gold!¡±¡°Perfect content.¡±¡°???¡±¡°Wait, are those abs?¡±¡°Isn¡¯t she still a high schooler?!¡±¡°Holy crap, I didn¡¯t expect her body to look like that.¡±¡°Is this it? Are we doomed?¡±¡°We¡¯re gonna lose, aren¡¯t we?¡±¡°¡®Lose,¡¯ for sure.¡±¡°Looks like we¡¯re going to bed hungry tonight, haha.¡±¡°Jang Sung-ho is merciless when it comes to food. We¡¯re screwed.¡±¡°Are we about to witness Jang Sung-ho losing it over food for the first time in forever?¡± The game began, with ¡°steamed eggs¡± as the prize. As per Ha-eun¡¯s request, the production player served an easy shot. -Tap¡ª!! Ha-eun struck the ping-pong ball¡ªnot with the flat surface of the paddle but with its thin edge. The ball hit the table and flew off into the distance. A brief silence followed. ¡°...It works.¡± Her simple comment broke the silence, and the referee belatedly declared her point valid. At first, everyone assumed it was just a lucky shot and watched her quietly. But then... -Tap¡ª!! -Ping¡ª!! -Thunk¡ª!! Ha-eun continued smashing the ball with the edge of her paddle, scoring point after point. ¡°How is she doing that?¡± ¡°Why does that even work?¡± The voices of disbelief filled the audio. Even viewers who had been waiting for her to lose stared at her antics in stunned silence. ¡°Is that physically possible?¡±¡°Well, she¡¯s scoring points, so I guess it is?¡±¡°I¡¯ve never seen anyone play ping-pong like this in my life.¡± When the final match ended with Ha-eun¡¯s victory, she calmly counted the side dishes she¡¯d earned. The other cast members, unable to contain their excitement, rushed over to her. ¡°Hey! On the count of three, lift her up!¡± The cast repeatedly tossed Ha-eun into the air in celebration. ¡°Wasn¡¯t she terrible at this just yesterday?¡±¡°How can her ping-pong skills improve so much in one day?¡±¡°I think her skills are the same; it¡¯s just her smashing technique that changed.¡±¡°Physics engine malfunction?¡±¡°No, it¡¯s not a bug; it¡¯s a skill~.¡± Thanks to Ha-eun, what was expected to be a lackluster dinner became a lavish feast. Throughout the meal, cast members couldn¡¯t stop offering her thumbs-up in gratitude. ¡°Wow, thanks to Ha-eun, we¡¯re feasting tonight!¡± ¡°See? Athletes just have natural instincts for this kind of thing.¡± ¡°This braised tofu is amazing. Ha-eun, you should try some!¡± The cast showered her with praise and doted on her, going out of their way to make sure she had everything she needed. With a slightly bashful smile, Ha-eun accepted their kindness graciously. By the final night of the episode, Ha-eun had only shown ¡°scenes worth watching,¡± leaving viewers thoroughly hooked. After all, no previous guest on Two Days, Three Nights had managed to deliver the level of entertainment she did. Every moment she gave her all, but her efforts often resulted in hilariously disastrous outcomes. Yet, when no one expected much, she surprised everyone with fresh and impressive performances. Every scene she appeared in was a highlight. There wasn¡¯t a single throwaway moment. It was clear: Ha-eun was destined to rise. Even people who only vaguely knew her name or face felt certain that she was on her way to even greater heights. Chapter 82 The successful broadcast of Two Days, Three Nights and the second episode of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds filled entertainment news columns on major portals once again with articles about Ha-eun. The effects of Ha-eun¡¯s recent activities were larger in scale and influence than she had anticipated, reaching unexpected areas¡ªone of which was fan communities like her fan cafe? or fan gallery. Strictly speaking, these fan communities had been around for quite some time. However, since Ha-eun entered middle school, her activities in the entertainment industry had been sporadic at best. 1463rd repost: Collection of Lee Ha-eun GIFs from ¡®You Who Came From the Stars¡¯Ha-eun-ah... I¡¯m freezing... I¡¯m gonna die like this...What¡¯s with the sudden despair here? ? It¡¯s because Mr. Love is over. ? What? It¡¯s only the second episode? ? Yeah, but Ha-eun isn¡¯t in it after episode three!!! Up until a few months ago, most of these fan communities were practically dead. They only briefly revived when Ha-eun returned to the screen with a minor or supporting role, but even then, they quickly quieted down again. But then¡ª ¡°Lee Ha-eun cast in KBC¡¯s The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds. Will act alongside Yoo Sung-jae as Crown Prince Lee Hyun.¡± News suddenly appeared about Ha-eun being cast in the new drama The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds, playing none other than the lead female role, Yeong-wol. She¡¯s the lead??????The article says she¡¯s doing her swordplay scenes without a stunt double? That¡¯s insane LOL.What¡¯s The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds about? Anyone know? ? Check Gyodong Bookstore. They sell the original novel, and it¡¯s good. The previously lifeless fan communities started to buzz. Wait, Ha-eun showed up in the preview for Two Days, Three Nights?*??? No way, she really did! A week before the premiere of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds, Ha-eun appeared briefly in the next episode preview for Two Days, Three Nights. WTF, Ha-eun¡¯s on SIT ON THE MONEY?*What is going on?Ha-eun is singing live!!!! The moment fans saw Ha-eun perform live during the finals of SIT ON THE MONEY, it was like a festival had begun. Thanks to this, the first episode of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds, which aired 30 minutes later, and the second episode the following day, were both watched live by a significant portion of her fanbase. Ha-eun carrying the ping-pong match and doing mukbang.jpgHa-eun¡¯s first SIT ON THE MONEY scene + removing her baseball cap GIF.Full-body shot of Ha-eun diving into the water.Even in a disguise, her beauty is insane.Today¡¯s episode of Yeong-wol annihilating the assassins.gifCompilation of Yeong-wol solo shots. Fans spent the entire night buzzing about every moment Ha-eun appeared in any show, making the fan communities livelier than ever. With highlight after highlight airing on Friday and Saturday, discussions about Ha-eun never ceased. The problem was that one of these buzzing fan communities was the official fan cafe? managed directly by Luna Entertainment, Ha-eun¡¯s agency. Being the "official" fan cafe?, its condition directly impacted Ha-eun¡¯s public image, making its management crucial. ¡°12,759 new membership applications...?¡± The biggest issue was that only one employee was managing Ha-eun¡¯s fan cafe?. In the past, when the cafe? was quiet, one person was enough. But now, with the cafe? busier than ever, it was impossible for a single employee to handle. By Sunday morning, the employee began reaching out for help. In the end, five or six staff members spent over 12 hours solely managing Ha-eun¡¯s fan cafe?. Thus, while Luna Entertainment staff had an unexpectedly eventful weekend, Ha-eun herself was only slightly flustered. When Monday morning, the start of a new week, finally arrived: ¡°C... CEO.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Our Luna Entertainment stock... has risen 11.9% compared to last Friday.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Ha-eun¡¯s skyrocketing popularity had unexpected effects elsewhere. This included a flood of inquiries about her via email on Monday morning.@@@@ During lunch, she vented everything to Da-yeon, recounting the day¡¯s strange events. However: ¡°You¡¯ve already debuted, so what can you do? Just accept the senior treatment.¡± Even Da-yeon had no practical advice. Left without a solution, Ha-eun trudged back to her class, resigned to endure more senior treatment. After spending the day in ways she hadn¡¯t anticipated, she rushed to Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s van after the final bell as though escaping. She poured out her frustrations about her schoolmates¡¯ behavior, seeking help. But¡ª ¡°Ha-eun, let¡¯s handle the urgent matters first.¡± News that CEO Jung Do-chul was looking for Ha-eun soon reached them, and her concerns about school had to be set aside for now. They headed to Luna Entertainment¡¯s headquarters. About 30 minutes later, Ha-eun arrived at the CEO¡¯s office. ¡°Hello, sir.¡± ¡°Oh, our golden treasure is finally here!¡± ¡®...Golden treasure?¡¯ Ha-eun quietly sat on the office sofa as CEO Jung flashed her a warm smile. Within seconds, he spoke again: ¡°Should we start with the advertising offers or the drama casting offers?¡± Faced with the sudden choice, Ha-eun blinked in confusion. After a moment of deliberation, she replied: ¡°Uh... I think we should start with whatever you think is more urgent.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s begin with the advertising.¡± Thus began the discussion about advertisements. Ha-eun expected offers for cosmetics or clothing brands, but¡ª ¡°You¡¯ve heard the phrase ¡®A bed is science,¡¯ right?¡± ¡°...Are you saying the offer is for a bed advertisement?¡± ¡°Yes. Apparently, your sleeping scenes on Two Days, Three Nights left quite the impression.¡± A famous furniture company known for hiring male actors wanted her to star in a bed commercial. Ha-eun paused, seriously questioning how her image had become associated with being a ¡°sleepyhead.¡± But then¡ª ¡°I really think you should take this ad. The pay is incredibly high.¡± Hearing the staggering advertising fee from the CEO, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t help but reconsider. ¡°This is S-tier treatment. If you take this ad, it¡¯ll pave the way for more S-tier opportunities in the future.¡± ¡°...I¡¯ll do it!¡± In the end, she accepted the bed advertisement. After all, who could argue with money? Chapter 83 Advertising. It was the reason Ha-eun first stepped into the entertainment industry as a child and now, the clearest indicator of her current popularity. This time, the offer was particularly significant: a bed advertisement for the renowned furniture company Sears, which held the number one spot in the industry. Not only was the company itself a powerhouse, but the ad series was already well-known. The previous models featured in their campaigns were almost exclusively top-tier celebrities. ¡®What exactly was so special about my sleeping appearance?¡¯ Ha-eun still couldn¡¯t fully understand what had made Sears choose her as their model for a bed advertisement. However, one thing was certain: Ha-eun was now being evaluated on the same level as the many star celebrities who had previously represented the brand. Most striking of all was the immense advertising fee. The countless zeros on the contract¡ª ¡°...Is this real?¡± ¡°In today¡¯s world, drafting a fake contract would land us in serious trouble.¡± This effectively erased the option of refusal from Ha-eun¡¯s mind. Regardless of how her sleeping appearance in Two Days, Three Nights had looked, she decided to take the bed advertisement. Thus, the advertising discussion wrapped up in just ten minutes. Then came the next topic that had led Jung Do-chul to call Ha-eun into his office: a new drama casting. ¡°It¡¯s a drama called The Sunshine. It¡¯s not airing on a major network but on cable. Still, the lineup of actors and the screenwriter¡¯s reputation make it stand out.¡± The Sunshine. A drama praised as a masterpiece, with exceptional plot, direction, and acting. Something about the lead female character¡¯s family background triggered a sense of de?ja? vu for Ha-eun. It left an impression on her in a way different from other dramas. ¡°They want you to take on the lead role, Kim Jung-hyun.¡± Do-chul handed Ha-eun a thick script, encouraging her to take a look. As she flipped through the familiar story, a strange thing began to happen. The character Kim Jung-hyun started to overlap with the memories of Ha-eun¡¯s past life. ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± Without hesitation, Ha-eun agreed to the role. Her quick decision caught Do-chul slightly off guard. ¡°Are you sure? You don¡¯t need more time to think it over?¡± He added that the drama¡¯s pre-production nature meant the filming period would be quite lengthy. Even so, Ha-eun¡¯s resolve didn¡¯t waver. ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to try a role like this, playing a rich girl. I¡¯m confident I can do it well.¡± ¡°Well... if that¡¯s what you want.¡± The discussion about the drama casting concluded much sooner than anticipated. However, since Ha-eun¡¯s decision to appear in The Sunshine was made so quickly, Do-chul brought up another related suggestion earlier than planned. Following Park, they boarded a sleek, high-end elevator. It brought them to the very top floor, where an elegant meeting room awaited them. -Slide. ¡°This is the contract. Please take your time reviewing it, and let us know if you have any questions.¡± Ha-eun spent the next few moments meticulously scanning the dense text of the contract. However, since Luna Entertainment¡¯s legal team had already reviewed it in detail, she mainly focused on key points like the advertising fee and terms. ¡°Mr. Park, may I ask you a question?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± After double-checking the critical details, she finally spoke up. ¡°What about my sleeping appearance made it so memorable?¡± ¡°Y-Your sleeping appearance?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± It was the question that had been on her mind ever since she¡¯d received the offer for the bed advertisement. Park hesitated briefly, clearly caught off guard, before managing a response. ¡°Well, it... uh... it looked incredibly peaceful? Like you were having the best sleep of your life.¡± To be honest, citing Ha-eun¡¯s appearance while sleeping in Two Days, Three Nights as the reason for casting her was more of a convenient excuse. The real reason was her soaring popularity and favorable public image. Fall was just around the corner. And with it, the furniture industry¡¯s prime season for newlyweds and movers¡ªthe ¡°autumn marriage and relocation boom.¡± To capitalize on this, Sears decided to cast Ha-eun, one of the most buzzworthy celebrities of late, as their bed advertisement model. Her stunning visuals. Her skyrocketing recognition fueled by endless news articles. And most importantly, the refined ¡°noble young lady¡± and ¡°responsible honor student¡± image she had crafted on Two Days, Three Nights. ¡®It¡¯ll definitely enhance our brand¡¯s premium appeal.¡¯ This solidified Sears¡¯ decision to invest in Ha-eun as their model. Even the eye-watering advertising fee, which had left Ha-eun momentarily speechless, was part of this calculated plan. However, despite having agreed to the deal initially, Ha-eun hesitated to sign the contract. ¡°Is there something wrong with the contract?¡± Park inquired gently, careful not to pressure her. Losing this contract at this point was simply not an option. Ha-eun¡¯s voice, cautious yet sincere, broke the silence. ¡°Um, I... I¡¯d like to give this bed as a gift to my parents. Is it possible to order one now?¡± ¡°O-Order?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± To say Park was taken aback would be an understatement. Ha-eun was the first advertising model he¡¯d ever encountered who asked about ordering rather than receiving a product through sponsorship. Perhaps that¡¯s why¡ª ¡°If you sign the contract, the bed will be delivered within a week. It¡¯ll be provided free of charge, so all you need to do is make sure it¡¯s installed properly.¡± ¡°F-Free of charge?¡± ¡°Providing the product to our models is a standard practice. It¡¯s nothing unusual. We¡¯ve done the same for every other model as well.¡± This time, it was Park who proactively offered to provide the bed as a sponsorship. If Ha-eun signed the contract, granting her such a request was a trivial matter. With that reassurance, the negotiation was one step closer to completion. Chapter 84 ¡°When the schedule for the ad shoot is finalized, we¡¯ll contact you again.¡± With a warm smile, Park Hwan-soo offered a polite farewell, and Ha-eun, having just signed the contract, responded in kind. Moments later, Park asked about The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds, which was performing even better than Ha-eun had expected. ¡°Your character¡¯s name is Yeong-wol, right? The woman disguised as a man?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Then, when will Yeong-wol¡¯s image start to change? She can¡¯t pretend to be a man forever, can she?¡± Park speculated that the shift in Yeong-wol¡¯s image would influence the ad¡¯s direction. After a brief moment of thought, Ha-eun recalled that the preview for the next episode included Scene #88: Reunion. ¡°Her image will start changing no later than this week.¡± Without giving away spoilers, Ha-eun explained Yeong-wol¡¯s impending transformation. She also suggested reading the original novel for more details. However, as with most advertisements featuring female celebrities, there was an expectation to highlight femininity. For Ha-eun, her femininity was still an uncharted territory. That¡¯s why, the day after officially signing with Sears, she turned to Da-yeon for advice. ¡°What do you think of me?¡± ¡°About what?¡± ¡°As a woman.¡± ¡°...? Did you just ask what I think of you as a woman?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Ha-eun dragged Da-yeon, the only person in her circle with prior CF experience, to the school snack shop to discuss her femininity. She had a scene to shoot later that day as Yeong-wol, where her feminine side would be fully revealed. But for some reason, Da-yeon squinted suspiciously. ¡°Did you fall for someone again?¡± ¡°No! It¡¯s because of the advertisement, not a guy.¡± ¡°Advertisement? You got an ad deal?¡± ¡°It just... happened.¡±@@@@ After explaining the details of the Sears bed advertisement, Ha-eun finally received Da-yeon¡¯s assessment. Despite her usual awkwardness when complimenting Ha-eun, Da-yeon offered something closer to praise than criticism. ¡°You look like an actress.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± ¡°...It means you¡¯re pretty.¡± ¡°Oh... thanks.¡± Having been inseparable from Ha-eun for over a decade, Da-yeon had seen her receive confessions from both male classmates and upperclassmen, only for Ha-eun to reject them all. Still, if Ha-eun had been confessed to, it must mean she had a certain charm as a woman. Even Da-yeon, as another girl, found Ha-eun¡¯s looks striking. But Ha-eun herself had little understanding of what made her feminine or how to emphasize it. ¡°How do you approach ads when you shoot them?¡± Given Da-yeon¡¯s experience with advertisements that focused on femininity, Ha-eun asked for tips. While Ha-eun had some commercial experience herself, it was from her time as a child actor, so it didn¡¯t quite count. ¡°Gaze softly into the camera. And...¡± ¡°And?¡± ¡°Smile gently. Tilt your head slightly, too.¡± Pulling a compact mirror from her bag, Da-yeon demonstrated. But¡ª ¡°I don¡¯t get it.¡± Ha-eun couldn¡¯t grasp what part of Da-yeon¡¯s smile emphasized femininity. After some thought, Da-yeon offered an answer that left Ha-eun flustered. ¡°Hmm... think of it like seducing the camera.¡± ¡°S-Seducing?¡± ¡°Why are you so surprised? You¡¯ve done it before.¡± ¡°I have? When?¡± ¡°You know, in You Who Came From the Stars... Actually, hold on, let me show you.¡± Da-yeon pulled out her phone and, moments later, began playing a highlight clip from You Who Came From the Stars. ¡°Did you know, sir? I¡¯ll become a star. A star so high and mighty that no one will dare to look down on me, one that everyone will have to admire.¡± -Swoosh. -Snap. Her hand, reaching sideways, intertwined with his. ¡°When did you become so bold?¡± ¡°Is holding my husband¡¯s hand truly such a bold act?¡± ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s just your husband¡¯s hand you¡¯ve taken?¡± ¡°Just for this moment, be my husband.¡± Yeong-wol¡¯s calm voice carried a weight he couldn¡¯t ignore. ¡°Soon, there will be a selection for the Crown Princess.¡± Yeong-wol remained silent, listening. ¡°But don¡¯t worry. I will reject every candidate. No woman will take that place.¡± To his surprise, Yeong-wol objected. ¡°The selection of the Crown Princess is a significant matter. It must not be disrupted.¡± Her voice was firm, her eyes unyielding. ¡°Why are you telling me to choose someone else?¡± ¡°I never said to choose another woman.¡± ¡°Then why urge me to proceed with the selection?¡± ¡°Because your position will become unstable otherwise.¡± The selection wasn¡¯t just tradition; it was a necessary step to secure his claim to the throne. Without it, chaos would follow, and his enemies, especially Queen Yun, would seize the opportunity to strike. ¡°So, Your Highness must choose.¡± His gaze darkened. ¡°Who am I supposed to choose?¡± Yeong-wol pulled him down to the ground, catching him off guard. Lying beneath him, she looked up, her eyes sharp yet unwavering. ¡°Choose the woman standing before you. The woman who has loved you all this time.¡± Her words broke the silence. ¡°Let Kim Yeon, the eldest daughter of Minister Kim Ho-jin, stand by your side and bear your heir.¡± With that, she revealed another hidden truth¡ªher last wish. ¡°I am yours, Your Highness. So take me.¡± Her steady gaze never wavered. ¡°You will be scorned once your identity is revealed.¡± ¡°There is nothing more important to me than Your Highness.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want you to suffer because of ignorant fools.¡± ¡°Then protect me. Keep me close, where no one can touch me.¡± Her resolute determination could not be shaken. Finally, he nodded. He wouldn¡¯t let the selection go astray. As her face softened, her smile radiated a sincerity unlike anything he had seen before. Her hand, now trembling with emotion, reached for him. ¡°I love you, Your Highness.¡± The moonlight bathed her in an ethereal glow, and he couldn¡¯t break free from her spell. A terrifyingly captivating woman had stolen his heart. Seconds later, he gave in, lost in the warmth and closeness of her presence. And in that moment, he realized he had fallen completely and irrevocably. Chapter 85 The setting of Scene #145 was the same forest where Lee Hyun and Yeong-wol first met in Scene #1. Even their outfits closely mirrored those from that earlier scene. However, unlike Scene #1, which was devoid of any romance, Scene #145 was saturated with mutual affection between Lee Hyun and Yeong-wol from start to finish. The intense romantic atmosphere, driven by Yeong-wol¡¯s unusually proactive behavior, stood in stark contrast to the light-hearted tone of Scene #1, further amplifying the emotional impact. The identical location and costumes from Scene #1 made the difference in their gazes and expressions all the more striking. What stood out most was Yeong-wol¡¯s ever-changing demeanor. ¡®I knew she could act, but I didn¡¯t think she could go this far....¡¯ As Yeong-wol¡¯s presence built to a crescendo with her alluring smile directed at Lee Hyun, Yoo Sung-jae found himself completely captivated, momentarily losing himself in the scene. It wasn¡¯t until Jin Gyu-sung gave his ¡°okay¡± sign that Sung-jae finally exhaled the breath he didn¡¯t realize he¡¯d been holding. But while Yoo Sung-jae remained immersed in the lingering emotions of Scene #145¡ª ¡°Are you not going to monitor the scene?¡± ¡°You... go ahead, Ha-eun. I¡¯ll check it later.¡± Ha-eun, who had effortlessly returned to her usual calm self, left Sung-jae at a loss for words. She seemed like a completely different person from the one who had exuded an irresistible, seductive aura just moments ago, captivating everything around her. It had been four months since filming for The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds began. By now, Yoo Sung-jae thought he would be used to Ha-eun¡¯s remarkable acting, yet he still couldn¡¯t fully adjust to how seamlessly she controlled her emotions on command.@@@@ As he silently watched Ha-eun¡¯s retreating figure, he felt the spell she had cast on him in the scene gradually wear off. Only then did he manage to rise to his feet. ¡°Do you want to reshoot any parts?¡± Jin Gyu-sung asked. Sung-jae shook his head slightly and replied that the shoot had been flawless, leaving him with no regrets. However¡ª ¡°Sung-jae.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°There¡¯s... something on your right shoulder. It looks like a grasshopper.¡± Jin Gyu-sung, who had been tilting his head curiously for a while, finally revealed what Sung-jae had unknowingly been carrying. And with that, for an entirely different reason than during Scene #145, Sung-jae¡¯s heart began racing uncontrollably. *** The day after Yoo Sung-jae nearly fainted from the tiny, uninvited grasshopper perched on his shoulder¡ª ¡°Cut! Great job, everyone!¡± The final scene of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds, set against a backdrop of a crimson sunset and a vast flower field, ended with Jin Gyu-sung¡¯s satisfied ¡°okay¡± sign. With that, filming for The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds was officially complete. As the set began to wrap up, Ha-eun headed to the dressing room to change back into her regular clothes. However, just as she was about to head straight home as usual¡ª In the end, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t bring herself to blacklist Da-yeon, even as she started her stream. Diah!Battle Island? Is this real?Let¡¯s stream-snipe! Stream-snipe! Stream-snipe!Should we... abduct her?Diah, go to the new map! There¡¯s even a polar bear there! [67889 has donated 10,000 won!] Message: Do you even know what a supply drop is? [ExclusiveJetRatul has donated 10,000 won!] Message: First win = 50,000 won bonus! Today¡¯s stream title, and the game Diah would be playing, was Battle Island, an FPS battle royale game. Its reputation for being ¡°easy to stream-snipe¡± had already turned the chat and donation alerts into a chaotic frenzy. Technically, this wasn¡¯t Ha-eun¡¯s first time playing Battle Island. But it was Diah¡¯s first time, so¡ª ¡°How do I start the tutorial~?¡± In keeping with Diah¡¯s roleplay as an innocent spirit newly arrived in the human world, she planned to begin with the mundane tutorial. It was then that her phone buzzed repeatedly. -Bzzt. -Bzzt. ¡®...What¡¯s this?¡¯ Turning off her mic, she unlocked her phone to check the source of the buzzing¡ªa flurry of messages in the Fantasy Land group chat. [Lee Yena (Yuna)] - (Screenshot of Lee Hyun & Yeong-wol¡¯s kiss scene) [Lee Yena (Yuna)] - This brat... doing what even I haven¡¯t done yet...!! [Park Mi-so (Mile)] - Oh my... oh my... oh my... (embarrassed lion emoji) [Kim Eun-hye (Ria)] - Our youngest looks so pretty!! [Jung Maria (Cream)] - Ha-eun, were those tears real or artificial drops? The group chat was filled with reactions from the Fantasy Land members who were watching Episode 9 in real time. Just as Ha-eun¡¯s embarrassment peaked, the emoji spam began. [Lee Ha-eun (Diah)] - (Otter emoji kneeling and begging) [Lee Ha-eun (Diah)] - (Otter emoji kneeling and begging) [Lee Ha-eun (Diah)] - Please don¡¯t post those screenshots. [Lee Ha-eun (Diah)] - I¡¯m begging you. [Lee Ha-eun (Diah)] - I¡¯m streaming right now. [Lee Ha-eun (Diah)] - Ask me questions after the stream. Her ears were burning red, and her face paled by the second. Even so¡ª -Bzzt. [Lee Yena (Yuna)] - (Another screenshot of the kiss) [Lee Yena (Yuna)] - (And another) [Lee Yena (Yuna)] - I can¡¯t tell if your lips actually touched!! [Lee Yena (Yuna)] - Did you and Yoo Sung-jae go ¡°smack smack¡± or not?! With the reactions escalating, Ha-eun finally gave in. [Lee Ha-eun (Diah)] - There was no tint on his lips. [Lee Ha-eun (Diah)] - We didn¡¯t ¡°smack smack¡± or whatever. [Lee Ha-eun (Diah)] - It was just an angle trick. [Lee Ha-eun (Diah)] - Satisfied now? [Lee Ha-eun (Diah)] - (Enlightened otter emoji) Reluctantly, she dredged up an embarrassing memory she¡¯d rather have buried to explain the truth. Even so, her shattered composure remained far from recovered, even after resuming the stream. Chapter 86 For the members of Fantasy Land, Ha-eun was a unique presence: their only celebrity acquaintance and their adorable youngest member. Strictly speaking, her sharp features didn¡¯t align with the typical idea of ¡°cuteness.¡± However, she always seemed to drop her guard and show her most vulnerable sides only to them. Since Ha-eun¡¯s debut as a VTuber, every broadcast she appeared on inevitably became a hot topic in the Fantasy Land group chat. Watching Ha-eun grow flustered as the chat revolved entirely around her was a rare and delightful sight for the group. The same was true for Episode 9 of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds. The episode showcased the pinnacle of Ha-eun¡¯s swordsmanship performance and revealed Yeong-wol¡¯s true identity for the first time. But the climax of the episode was, unfortunately¡ª "Please... become my husband." "With all my heart." A kiss scene between Lee Hyun and Yeong-wol, where their feelings for each other reached their peak. ¡°Holy¡ª¡± Yena Lee (stream name: Yuna) couldn¡¯t stop herself. Without hesitation, she sent screenshots of the passionate scene between the two leads into the Fantasy Land chat. As always, this opened the floodgates, with all the members joining forces to mercilessly tease Ha-eun. But when Ha-eun¡¯s frantic messages started flooding in at five times her usual speed, Yena belatedly realized¡ª ¡®...Maybe I went too far.¡¯ Half out of guilt for teasing Ha-eun too much and half out of curiosity about Diah¡¯s first Battle Island stream, Yena decided to tune in. If Diah¡¯s energy seemed noticeably low, she was even prepared to send a significant donation to lift the mood. But what greeted Yena on the stream was an entirely different sight. -Bang! [Diah>>>?ConstructionHelmetThief] -Ratatatatatata! -Boom! [Diah>>>?BabyStrollerRaceChampion] [Diah>>>?LibraryNoiseMaster] [Diah>>>?CafeteriaAlcoholWhale] "This is what happens when you mess with me!" Diah was effortlessly taking out multiple enemies with skillful precision, leaving behind a trail of eliminations that seemed almost unreal. Predictably, the chat was going wild. OMG! YESSSSS!!!Queen Diah!Empress Diah!Her aim is insane, LOL.Diah, why does your stream title say ¡°first time playing¡±?The stream snipers are getting schooled hard. Contrary to everyone¡¯s expectations, Diah¡¯s skill in Battle Island left the viewers both astonished and ecstatic. Most could only sit back and watch in awe as she delivered a dazzling performance. ¡°...What am I even watching?¡± Yena, who had been worried about Ha-eun¡¯s mood just moments ago, could only gape in confusion at the Diah on her screen. At this point, sending a hefty donation to forcefully lift the mood seemed unnecessary and might even distract Diah¡¯s focus. Like the rest of the viewers, Yena decided to stay quiet and simply enjoy the show.@@@@ *** Battle Island was an FPS battle royale game where players scavenged for items while avoiding an encroaching toxic cloud, battling others to be the last one standing. Noeuljers, assemble!Charge! Charge! Charge!This isn¡¯t even a hot drop, but it¡¯s become one now.They¡¯re not even trying to hide that they¡¯re stream sniping, LOL.Wait, what?!Why is she so good?That recoil control looks military-level.There¡¯s no way this is her ¡°first time.¡±Diah, if you practiced, just admit it.Do they teach marksmanship in the spirit world now?Look at her avatar¡¯s focus¡ªit¡¯s insane.Where did you even learn the term ¡°self-defense¡±?And her aim¡ªso clean, LOL.So it¡¯s ¡°You sniped me, so I¡¯ll snipe you back (literally)¡±?Ridiculous but hilarious.Yeah, yeah, it¡¯s all the Noeuljers¡¯ fault.Diah, did you... turn something on? [Diah>>>?BrotherPulledAWM] [Diah>>>?PreschoolCloudClassK.O.] [Diah>>>?AhoyAhoyAhoy] Noeuljers, I surrender! (but actually die).Wait, only 30 players left already?!Her movement and speed are practically pro-level.Did she secretly train for this?Can¡¯t wait to see her go up against real pros someday. Her aggressive gameplay quickly whittled the player count down to four. [Zone Notice>>>?AimHackNormalizedIsGreat] No, three. ¡®Wasn¡¯t there a challenge about winning the first round?¡¯ Ha-eun figured she might as well go all-in and secure the victory, especially with the donation challenge riding on it. Losing now would feel like a waste. The final safe zone was a bridge, and from the lack of gunfire, she deduced that the last two players were likely camping, waiting for her. ¡®...They¡¯re definitely guarding the bridge.¡¯ After contemplating her options, she came up with a plan. -Clink. -Fwoosh! She tossed every smoke grenade she had, blanketing the bridge in thick white fog. Then, she hopped on a nearby motorcycle. -Vroom! Racing onto the bridge, her bike tore through the smokescreen. As the two hidden players opened fire on the approaching vehicle¡ª -Bang! The first bullet struck the bike. -Whoosh! Ha-eun jumped off, diving into the river below. Meanwhile, the motorcycle, still speeding toward the center of the bridge, drew their focused fire. -Ratatatatata! And then¡ª -KABOOM! [Diah>>>????TangSuyukIsWithSauce] [Diah>>>????WhenIsBocchiSeason2] The motorcycle, now a blazing fireball, took out both players in a glorious explosion. As the Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! message filled the screen, Diah declared with a triumphant voice, ¡°Mission accomplished¡ª¡î¡± But while Diah sounded pleased, the chat was in utter chaos over what they had just witnessed. What even is she?!If I hadn¡¯t watched this live, I¡¯d never believe it, LOL.This was legendary.Start the next round! Noeuljers are suffocating!I¡¯ve never seen someone win with a motorcycle before.She turned Battle Island into Mission Impossible, LOL. The frenzy in the chat showed no signs of calming down anytime soon. Chapter 87 Diah¡¯s first-ever Battle Island stream became legendary for multiple reasons: her unexpected FPS skills revealed within just 10 minutes, the jaw-dropping moment she weaponized her motorcycle to take out the final players, and the sheer chaos that followed. All of this was more than enough to drive her viewers, the Noeuljers, into an even more ¡°toxic¡± frenzy. Already eager to snipe her during the stream, they escalated their efforts during the second round, resulting in a spectacle that could no longer be called a battle royale but rather a full-fledged Diah Raid. -Ratatatatatata! -Whoosh! BOOM! -Bang! Bang! Bang! ¡°Why... why are they all coming after me?!¡± You¡¯re really asking, Diah? LOL.It¡¯s the fate of every battle royale streamer. Accept it.Look at all those snipers swarming her. The Noeuljers had learned from the first round not to underestimate Diah¡¯s shooting skills. Unlike before, when they charged recklessly, this time they came fully equipped¡ªwith Molotovs, grenades, and vehicles¡ªdetermined to take her down. No matter where Diah went, cars trailed her relentlessly. Even her impressive skills had limits. After countless firefights, her stash of medkits and health-restoring items began to run out. Technically, she was playing solo mode, but with dozens of Noeuljers teaming up against her, she found herself increasingly cornered. -Ratatatata! [Diah>>>?HeadedToMars] [Diah>>>?DontCSMyItems] ¡°I-I did it¡ª!¡± -Ratatatatata! [IWantToLive500Won>>>?Diah] ¡°AAAAAH!¡± FINALLY got her, LOL.The magic of ¡°I think I got them¡± strikes again.Her scream sounded like a pterodactyl, OMG.That death wail... chef¡¯s kiss.This is it. This is what we came for.Her avatar¡¯s already flat on its back, LOL. After the first round¡¯s victory, Diah failed to win a single game. Frustrated by the Noeuljers¡¯ relentless antics, her avatar¡¯s expression darkened, causing an immediate reaction in the chat. Uh-oh... she¡¯s mad.We messed up, guys.Protect Diah at all costs!!!Okay, five consecutive raids might¡¯ve been too much.It¡¯s our fault! We¡¯re sorry! We¡¯re sorry! We¡¯re sorry! We¡¯re sorry! We¡¯re sorry!Just one more game! Pleeease! One more game! One more game! Diah sat in the Battle Island lobby, refusing to press the start button. The Noeuljers, sensing the danger, quickly took action. -Ding. [LeeHaul donated 30,000 won!] Message: Buy yourself a box of cotton candy, Diah! [Agatram donated 30,000 won!] Message: You¡¯re amazing at Battle Island. You should go pro! The chat flooded her with ¡°financial therapy¡± and compliments to soothe her. About three minutes later, Diah¡¯s avatar¡¯s scowling brows softened. With her usual cheerful tone, she announced this would be her last round and pressed the start button. However, unlike her previous rounds, this time she didn¡¯t collect any weapons beyond a pistol. Diah, there was a Beryl over there... why didn¡¯t you pick it up?Why is she only grabbing pistols?A headshot with a pistol isn¡¯t even a guaranteed kill, though?Wait, what...?Our Diah has turned into a terrorist, guys.This is pure chaos, LOL.Mission accomplished (self-included).She wasn¡¯t bluffing at all, LOL.Only Diah would actually go through with it.This is pure streamer-viewer chaos, and I love it.Imagine joining a battle royale, and nobody even tries to win.As long as we had fun, it¡¯s all good!Bye, Diah!Are you streaming tomorrow?Sleep well!What a wild ride... [Jung Maria (Cream)] ¨C (10th episode preview screenshot #1) [Jung Maria (Cream)] ¨C (10th episode preview screenshot #2) [Jung Maria (Cream)] ¨C ¡°Wait, is that Ha-eun?¡± [Park Mi-so (Mile)] ¨C (nosebleeding lion emoji) [Park Mi-so (Mile)] ¨C ¡°That hanbok fit is stunning.¡± [Park Mi-so (Mile)] ¨C ¡°You can tell she¡¯s a real actress!¡± [Lee Yena (Yuna)] ¨C ¡°But why is she suddenly dressed as a dancer?¡± [Park Mi-so (Mile)] ¨C ¡°Didn¡¯t the Queen Dowager plant an assassin? That¡¯s why, right?¡± [Kim Eun-hye (Ria)] ¨C ¡°Should we all get matching hanboks and take group photos? I bet it¡¯d look amazing.¡± Realizing the conversation about the kiss scene had completely vanished, Ha-eun decided not to bring it up. Without sending a single message, she quietly logged out of the chat. *** The currently most buzzworthy drama, The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds, aired on Fridays and Saturdays. Online, the reactions to the drama came immediately and unfiltered, unhindered by time or place. However, for offline reactions¡ªsuch as those from Ha-eun¡¯s classmates¡ªit wasn¡¯t until Monday that she could see the full extent of their impact. ¡°I''m off to school,¡± Ha-eun said. ¡°Have a good day!¡± her mother replied. To be fair, Ha-eun had already anticipated that the kiss scene from last Friday night¡¯s episode would cause a stir among her classmates. Just as the Fantasy Land group chat had been abuzz with questions about her first on-screen kiss, she expected her friends at school to bombard her with similar inquiries. As usual, she arrived early and quietly sat in her seat while other students trickled into the classroom. Then, the floodgates opened. ¡°So, how does it feel to lip-lock with Yoo Sung-jae, Lee Ha-eun?!¡± ¡°We didn¡¯t do that. Sorry to disappoint.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t lie!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not lying.¡± Even as questions about her kiss scene were hurled at her right after the morning roll call, Ha-eun answered with calm composure. She maintained her poise because everything she said was 100% true. However... ¡°Hey, Ha-eun,¡± her class president called out hesitantly. ¡°Hm?¡± ¡°So... it¡¯s about the Fall Festival. Our class is doing a musical, and I was wondering if you could play the lead role?¡± That was when things started to veer off course. The class president, a teenage fashion model, made an unexpected request regarding their school¡¯s upcoming Fall Festival. ¡°Uh... why me?¡± Ha-eun asked. ¡°Well, because you sing well... and you nailed that kiss scene.¡± ¡°...Huh? Singing, fine, but why the kiss scene?¡± ¡°Our musical ends with a kiss scene.¡± Learning that the musical¡¯s lead role required both singing and a kiss scene was enough to throw Ha-eun off balance. For the first time that morning, she couldn¡¯t maintain eye contact, let alone agree to the role outright. ¡°Um... Sorry, maybe you should ask someone else¡ª¡± ¡°If we win first place at the festival, we get to go to Japan for the school trip! Please, just this once!¡± The class president¡¯s earnest plea stopped her mid-sentence. Beads of sweat formed on Ha-eun¡¯s forehead as she faced his desperate expression. While Ha-eun was struggling to fend off her class president¡¯s persistence, a completely different conversation was happening in the entertainment division of MBS. ¡°Hey, Jun, do you think we could get Ha-eun for this year¡¯s Infinity Challenge Music Festival? If she joins, the ratings would absolutely skyrocket!¡± ¡°Well... I guess I could ask, but I¡¯m not sure if she¡¯ll accept.¡± Producer Jeon Yoon-seop and Lee Jun, discussing yet another stage for Pinocchio, were strategizing how to secure Ha-eun¡¯s participation. Chapter 88 ¡°It¡¯d be great if Ha-eun could join too.¡± Just a few days ago, that was the extent of the 2nd-year, Class 2''s interest in casting Ha-eun. Strictly speaking, everyone in Class 2, including class president Gong Hye-yeon, knew well that Ha-eun was an exceptional actress. She was also the first to be recommended for the lead female role in the fall festival performance, Shall We Fall Together. However, the tone of Shall We Fall Together leaned heavily into a somber atmosphere. This meant that if Ha-eun were to play the female lead, Empress Aria, there would be a problem. ¡°Honestly, wouldn¡¯t Ha-eun completely overshadow everyone else?¡± ¡°Hmm...¡± If Ha-eun took on the role of Empress Aria, the other characters might become dull and lifeless in comparison. Gong Hye-yeon herself, along with the rest of the class, felt that Ha-eun¡¯s performance could overwhelm everyone else. Given that the teamwork and harmony section carried a significant portion of the evaluation score, this presented a clear issue. Additionally, the final scene required Empress Aria to perform a kiss scene with the male lead, Knight Kyle. "Asking someone with a boyfriend to do that feels... awkward, right?¡± It was already difficult to ask Ha-eun, who was rumored to be in a fresh new relationship, to play Empress Aria. If she did participate in Shall We Fall Together, they had intended to cast her in a role other than the female lead. But then. ¡°My dearest, Moonlight.¡± The highlight of Episode 9 of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds was the kiss scene between Lee Hyun and Yeong-wol. More precisely, it wasn¡¯t just the kiss itself but the single tear streaming down Yeong-wol¡¯s left cheek as the kiss began. ¡°Let¡¯s just ask Ha-eun.¡± ¡°What if the other kids¡¯ acting ends up looking like bad performances in comparison?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll just have to practice more. It¡¯d be such a waste to give up on Ha-eun for something like that.¡± ¡°That¡¯s... true.¡± In the end, they decided to cast Ha-eun as Empress Aria. They judged that the bonus points her impactful performance would bring would outweigh the deductions for any acting disparity.@@@@ Ultimately, the most important thing was leaving a strong impression with Shall We Fall Together. Creating a performance that was, without question, the best. With that, on Monday morning, they approached Ha-eun, pleading more desperately than ever. They whispered about the festival¡¯s hidden secrets, trying their hardest to persuade her. ¡°Directors and casting agents sneak in to watch the performances. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯d be great to leave a strong impression on them?¡± ¡°Hmm...¡± ¡°If you play Empress Aria, we¡¯ll definitely win first place. Please, just this once!¡± Ha-eun, who seemed to waver slightly at Gong Hye-yeon¡¯s persuasion, stayed silent for a while, deeply considering the matter. Finally, she broke her silence. ¡°If we win first place at the festival, we get to go to Japan for the school trip?¡± She started asking about the first-place prize: a trip to Japan. ¡°I confirmed it with the vice principal. The winning class definitely gets a trip to Japan.¡± ¡°Did you ask where in Japan?¡± ¡°Tokyo. They said we¡¯d decide the tourist spots through a survey later.¡± Ju Jung-yoon, as usual, delivered the news while driving Ha-eun in her van. *** A suburban advertising studio. In just 30 minutes, filming for Sears'' new bed commercial was set to begin. "It¡¯s been a while since I worked with a kid." "She¡¯s 18. That¡¯s not a kid anymore; she¡¯s practically an adult." "Personality-wise, she¡¯s probably still a kid. I just hope she doesn¡¯t throw a tantrum..." The staff was busy speculating about Ha-eun, who had recently been chosen as Sears'' new advertising model. This would be the team¡¯s first time meeting Ha-eun in person. Perhaps because of that, they had preconceived notions about her personality. With her skyrocketing popularity, some assumed she might be arrogant. Strictly speaking, Ha-eun¡¯s public appearances so far had shown her to be anything but arrogant. "It¡¯s probably just image management. We¡¯ve been fooled before." Many had dealt with models who acted differently off-camera. After several bad experiences, they had mentally prepared themselves for the worst. It didn¡¯t help that young celebrities like Ha-eun often developed less-than-ideal attitudes, thanks to their early success. Exactly 10 minutes later, Ha-eun emerged from the dressing room, her makeup finished. "Hello, I¡¯m Lee Ha-eun." Elegant features. A composed voice. Casual autumn-inspired attire exuding warmth. But most striking of all¡ª Her presence carried an air far more ¡°regal¡± than anyone had anticipated. "...Is she really 18?" All predictions about her being a typical high schooler were shattered. If anything, it felt as though a queen had entered the room. The combination of her sharp gaze and commanding aura created an atmosphere of extreme caution. No one dared disturb the delicate balance. Even as the shoot began, the studio remained eerily quiet, everyone too intimidated to disrupt the mood. Ten minutes into filming, the first take was finally completed. Director Bae Ho-yeon leaned over to review the footage on the monitor. "Huh..." Unintentionally, a soft gasp escaped his lips. On the screen, Ha-eun smiled languidly¡ªa smile so poised, so noble, it seemed to exude an unspoken authority. With her slightly tilted head and mesmerizing eyes, she managed to create the illusion of a profound status difference¡ª A kind of elegance that made it hard to believe she was just a teenage actress. Chapter 89 The commercial shoot for Sears'' new bed model was being held at a suburban studio. With just 30 minutes left before filming began, conversations about Ha-eun were buzzing among the staff. "It¡¯s been a while since I worked with a kid." "She¡¯s 18. That¡¯s not a kid; she¡¯s practically an adult." "Personality-wise, she¡¯s still a kid. Hopefully, she doesn¡¯t throw a tantrum..." This was the first time the team would meet Ha-eun in person. Given her rising popularity, some assumed she might be difficult or arrogant. While her public appearances painted a completely different picture, showing her as calm and polite, the staff remained skeptical. "It¡¯s probably just for show. You know how it is with media-trained celebrities." Having been burned by entitled models before, many were prepared for the worst. Young stars like Ha-eun, who achieved success at an early age, often carried undesirable attitudes. Ten minutes later, Ha-eun appeared, fully prepared for the shoot. "Hello, I¡¯m Lee Ha-eun." Her graceful presence immediately silenced any lingering doubts. Her autumn-themed casual outfit paired with her serene voice exuded a charm beyond her years. "...She¡¯s really 18?" All assumptions about her immaturity were shattered. It was as if a queen had stepped into the room, commanding the atmosphere effortlessly. The air of caution surrounding her was palpable, and even as filming began, the studio was silent, almost reverent. Throughout the shoot, Ha-eun gave her all. Despite being in normal condition, she felt a heightened sense of responsibility for this particular commercial. The ad contract included an extraordinary payment, and Sears had even gone as far as offering her and her parents their own beds. "What size bed do you use, Ha-eun?" "Pardon? My bed?" "You¡¯ll need to use one of our beds, of course. Who would believe a model endorsing a bed they don¡¯t use?" "Oh... thank you very much." This unexpected generosity made Ha-eun determined to excel. During filming, Ha-eun channeled the regal aura she¡¯d been practicing for her role as Empress Aria in Shall We Fall Together. Her ability to subtly "seduce" the camera, a tip from her friend Da-yeon, was on full display. Director Bae Ho-yeon, who reviewed the footage, couldn¡¯t hide his amazement. "It¡¯s rare to get such perfect takes every time. Would you mind doing just one more shot?" "Not at all. Let¡¯s do it." For the next take, Ha-eun reclined on the bed, draped in a half-folded white blanket. She gazed into the central camera with a languid smile before closing her eyes slowly, exuding elegance. With a gentle motion, she turned onto her side, embodying a sense of pure comfort. "Cut! That was excellent. Ha-eun, you¡¯re fantastic!" The tension from earlier in the day had completely vanished from the director¡¯s face. The rest of the staff, equally impressed, showed similar expressions of satisfaction. When the shoot wrapped up, Ha-eun went around the studio, bowing and thanking each staff member. Her polite demeanor left everyone stunned. "Wow... kids like this still exist?" "She¡¯s so well-mannered. She¡¯s going places for a reason." "She¡¯s a natural. A true professional already." Their initial skepticism transformed into admiration. Meeting a celebrity with such grace and humility was rare, and it left a lasting impression.@@@@ "Battle Island again? Are you sure about this?""Still haven¡¯t learned from getting sniped, have you?""Time for a little lesson in humility!""Did she just block the screen to queue secretly?""Diah¡¯s getting smarter now, huh.""Honestly, last time¡¯s sniping was too much.""Huh? Why the Chinese?""Wait, is this the Asia server?""She¡¯s resorting to tricks now?""Who taught her this!?""Sorry, but we¡¯ve been sniping for years. See you soon~" The result? A sudden and dramatic shift in the chat¡¯s atmosphere. ¡°Aaaaaahhh!¡±¡°Please spare me! Please spare me! Please spare me!¡±¡°Somebody¡¯s dead!!!¡±¡°Diah, I didn¡¯t say anything! Have mercy!¡±¡°Domhwaaaangcha!!¡±¡°Where did you learn those knife tricks?!¡± The chaos unfolding in the chat was unlike anything seen before. For now, the bold and daring Noeulies who openly declared their intent to snipe Diah were nowhere to be found. Having reclaimed control of her stream, Diah returned to looting as if nothing had happened. Seconds later, the kill feed lit up: [Diah>>>?ililllllilllil] "Bye-bye~¡î" Compared to her first Battle Island stream days ago, the game had become significantly more enjoyable. With less interference, Diah¡¯s impressive FPS skills began to shine. The chat quickly filled with admiration. ¡°Wow!¡±¡°I noticed last time too¡ªwere you a pro before?¡±¡°Her reflexes are insane!¡±¡°So smooth!¡±¡°Diah, have you considered joining tournaments?¡±¡°Wait, the M249 is that strong?¡± Her precision aim and calm responses to sudden ambushes wowed her viewers as she repeatedly landed clean headshots. The result of the first match? Victory. While it was a casual match rather than ranked, winning wasn¡¯t something just anyone could easily achieve. -Ding! [RubikCube has donated 100,000 KRW!] **Message: Grand Empress Diah, King God Ultra Super General Diah! ** [Sapenku has donated 50,000 KRW!] **Message: Congrats! Congrats! Congrats! ** Donations poured in from the Noeulies congratulating Diah on her victory. "Thank you~¡î" For the next ten minutes, Diah read and responded to every single donation message, her cheerful voice delighting the chat. Once she¡¯d finished, she blacked out the screen again to start another matchmaking queue. The Noeulies who had been lurking in wait for an opportunity to snipe her groaned in frustration. ¡°Sniping her is basically gacha now?¡±¡°Which server is it this time?¡±¡°Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s the South American server...¡±¡°I¡¯m bringing my laptop. Time to multi-queue.¡± Determined to snipe her, they resorted to every trick they could think of. Thus began a psychological battle between Diah and her Noeulies. Still, the server split left many Noeulies struggling to even match with her. And for the few persistent snipers who did manage to queue into her game, Diah¡¯s skill proved insurmountable. Instead of the frustrated, defeated reactions the snipers hoped for, Diah smiled brightly as she effortlessly eliminated them. -Bang! Bang! [Diah>>>?????????????????????????????] "Wow, Noeulies are so bad at games~¡î" The chat erupted again: ¡°Excuse me?!¡±¡°Hey, create a private lobby if you¡¯re so confident!¡±¡°T-bagging GOAT.¡±¡°Somebody call a pro to take her down, please!¡± Diah¡¯s laugh rang out brightly, her cheerful energy infectious as the stream carried on in its unique chaos. Chapter 90 Stream Sniping The act of deliberately queuing into the same game as a streamer to disrupt their gameplay. Typically, streamers who fall victim to snipers are helpless. While the streamer struggles to identify the sniper¡¯s username, the sniper has full visibility of the streamer¡¯s position, movements, and even their perspective. This dynamic turns the streamer into a punching bag¡ªa primary reason and motivation behind sniping. Viewers often enjoy the dramatic reactions streamers show when they¡¯re targeted by snipers. But this time was different. -Dudududu©¤! [Diah>>>?DiahIsAFamousPineapplePizzaLover] "Cut the fake news, Noeulie~¡î" Instead of Diah becoming the snipers¡¯ target, it was the snipers who were getting pummeled by her. The reversed dynamic was clear: the supposed victim was now annihilating her snipers, venting her stress in the process. The chat went wild: ¡°This isn¡¯t even close; she¡¯s on another level!¡±¡°Her reaction time isn¡¯t human;;¡±¡°She just wiped out a two-sided ambush by herself??¡±¡°How many smoke grenades does she even have? LOL.¡± The Noeulies began brainstorming ways to deal with Diah¡¯s overwhelming FPS skills, vowing to finally take her down. The only viable strategy identified so far was a brute force approach¡ªoverwhelming her with sheer numbers, as they had in her first Battle Island stream. Yet even that plan was fraught with challenges. Diah¡¯s constant server switching made it hard to queue into her game, and even when they succeeded, their numbers were too small to execute the strategy. The snipers who opted for precision tactics found themselves thwarted as well. If they waited for Diah while she looted, she would already be fully geared and in "walking disaster" mode by the time they arrived. If they ambushed her mid-loot, they effectively handed her more resources. In this deadlock, frustration simmered among the snipers. While watching Diah laughing gleefully as she took down opponents was amusing, the Noeulies knew that seeing her truly flustered would be far more entertaining. A New Challenger Appears -Ding! [UserX has donated 10,000 KRW!] **Message: Hey Yuna, hop into Battle Island with Diah! ** Yuna, another VTuber from Fantasy Land, had just started her stream. The idea was simple: Yuna¡¯s notoriously bad FPS skills could serve as a handicap for Diah, dragging her down and increasing the difficulty. "Huh? She started streaming already?" "Yeah, said she was feeling good today, so she started early.""The crazy part? She¡¯s already played a few matches.""Even crazier¡ªshe¡¯s won all but one." Yuna seemed intrigued. "Should I team up with the rookie?" "Don¡¯t say she¡¯s babysitting Yuna; that¡¯s mean!""Diah¡¯s cracked at Battle Island, though.""Yuna can¡¯t even tell single-shot from burst-fire. Meanwhile, Diah dodges grenades by sound.""Will the bus crash, or will Diah carry?" Moments later, Yuna sent Diah a message asking if she wanted to team up. Diah and Yuna: The Duo We Didn¡¯t Know We Needed "Hi-hi! Can you hear me, Diah?" "Yes©¤¡î" Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Diah accepted Yuna¡¯s proposal, forming an unexpected duo. Diah¡¯s excitement visibly rose the moment the collaboration began, her cheerful energy lighting up the stream. With around 7,000 Noeulies watching Diah¡¯s stream and 5,000 viewers on Yuna¡¯s, over 12,000 viewers eagerly anticipated the chaos to come. Snipers poured into the queue, ready to take down the Diah-Yuna duo. -Dududun©¤! The matchmaking sound signaled the start of a new game. As the match¡¯s pre-lobby loaded, countless avatars swarmed around Diah and Yuna, following them wherever they went. Yuna, overwhelmed by the sheer number of snipers, tested their obedience by commanding them to sit. To her shock, all but a handful complied, sitting down as if part of a coordinated army. "Wow... are these all our viewers?" Her voice wavered between amazement and disbelief, rendered nearly speechless by the sheer volume of snipers. In contrast, Diah remained calm, cheerfully circling around Yuna. "Yuna-unnie, where should we go~?" "Uh... no matter where we go, they¡¯ll just follow us." "Then let¡¯s go to Base Camp©¤¡î" Base Camp. The center of the map and a hotspot for intense skirmishes due to its abundance of loot. While the location¡¯s benefits were significant, so were the risks¡ªit was a magnet for chaos. "Base Camp? Really?" Yuna hesitated, knowing the dangers all too well. Going to Base Camp with so many snipers seemed like certain death. "Don¡¯t worry, unnie! I¡¯ll take care of everything©¤¡î Just trust me!" Despite her reservations, Yuna had little choice but to follow Diah¡¯s lead once the game began. For the snipers, this was a jackpot. Not only had Diah revealed their destination, but Base Camp¡¯s lack of vehicles meant no escape routes. As soon as Diah and Yuna landed, the chaos began. -Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! -Dudududududu©¤! Avatars swarmed Base Camp, looting frantically while engaging in all-out warfare. Amid the chaos, Yuna was completely lost. "Ahhh! A grenade exploded¡ªoh, it¡¯s across the building." She floundered in the cacophony, struggling to make sense of the situation. Meanwhile, Diah calmly focused on looting in a nearby warehouse. Within three minutes, Diah declared she was done looting. When Yuna looked over, she was stunned. "Wait... That¡¯s it? That¡¯s what you call fully looted?" "Yep!" Diah¡¯s avatar carried nothing but two machetes, yet she appeared utterly confident. -Clomp, clomp.@@@@ The sound of approaching footsteps signaled the arrival of more players. Diah handed Yuna a riot shield and several smoke grenades. "Hide behind the shield and throw smoke grenades whenever they run out©¤!" "W-what? How do I even...?" "Smoke grenades~! Just keep throwing them~!" As smoke filled the warehouse, Diah vanished into the thick cloud, leaving Yuna crouched in a corner with her riot shield. Though no gunshots were heard, Diah¡¯s kill messages began flooding the screen. [Diah>>>?????ReleaseTheMintChocoLovers] "What...?" Curious, Yuna opened Diah¡¯s stream on her secondary monitor. "How is she hitting them with just sound?!""When did Diah become Draven?""Swordmaster vibes. Absolutely insane.""This is circus-level chaos LOL.""We have no idea either LOL.""Diah¡¯s in a league of her own.""What the hell LOL.""Diah¡¯s trolling so hard rn.""Her teabagging is unparalleled.""Honestly, what an honorable death.""She¡¯s a natural superstar¡ªher ability to make people lose their minds is unparalleled.""Watching her crawl through the smoke to avoid gunfire was mesmerizing.""These snipers wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against pros. Let¡¯s not overhype her strats.""Are these snipers pros, though? No.""I remember someone with the exact same playstyle. What was their name?""Wasn¡¯t it Barcode?""How do you even know that?""Because I got destroyed by them, obviously.""Straight to trending. Absolutely.""Stop calling it a ¡®collab,¡¯ though¡ªDiah carried.""You could tell she genuinely likes Yuna.""The polar bears are crying again today.""Until the day all Arctic ice melts.""At this rate, she¡¯ll be the first Fantasy Land VTuber to hit 200k.""I reported Diah for hacking. Cope harder, or show us a hand cam.""Are you serious?""Wow, your intelligence is truly on par with someone who¡¯s unlocked a Rubik¡¯s Cube once or twice.""Diah <<< She should honestly compete in tournaments.""Is this the birth of Fantasy Land¡¯s greatest export?""She¡¯s already Fantasy Land¡¯s top streamer by viewership.""Yuna) I never thought I¡¯d live to see Yuna actually win a chicken dinner.""Just shut up and worship Diah, the GOAT.""She literally grabbed Yuna by the scruff of her neck and strapped her to the bus seat to stop her from jumping out LOL.""Real-time update on Diah¡¯s TreeWiki page.jpg""Even Railgun¡¯s standing ovationing Diah¡¯s clip now?" "Who the heck is Railgun, you nerd?""Wow, kids these days don¡¯t know Railgun? The Season 1 legend with 1,100 points?""If you¡¯re low on health, just log off already~" Ultimately, instead of outright rejecting the idea, Ha-eun said she would think about it and tucked the Infinite Challenge Music Festival documents Lee Jun handed her into her bag. Shortly after, another request came from Lee Jun. ¡°By the way, can Geon-yeol and I come watch your musical?¡± Technically, there was no reason to refuse. Falling Together didn¡¯t require any special qualifications to attend. However, the fact that Double Lee¡ªwell-known to be close to Ha-eun¡ªwanted to come and watch posed a dilemma. If her classmates, who already saw Ha-eun as intimidating, found out that Double Lee was attending, they would likely feel even more pressure. But Ha-eun couldn¡¯t outright refuse. ¡®Apparently, movie directors and casting agents secretly come to watch these performances. Making a good impression on them could be beneficial for you too.¡¯ The secret about the Narae Arts High autumn festival, which Gong Hye-yeon had previously shared with her, crossed her mind. Double Lee and Lee Geon-yeol were respected figures¡ªalmost idols¡ªto trainee performers. Having them watch the musical could leave a good impression and help Ha-eun in unexpected ways. Moreover, this was a rare chance for her classmates to showcase their talent to successful musicians like Double Lee. It could even lead to her friends gaining more recognition. With all that in mind, Ha-eun gave her permission instead of outright forbidding them to attend. She added a personal request: ¡°If you meet any of my friends...¡± ¡°If I meet them, what?¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t treat them like juniors or trainees. Just act like you¡¯re friends. And if you do call me ¡®senior,¡¯ make sure to mention it would hurt my feelings if you keep it up.¡± ¡°Do they really act that formal around you?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Even if her classmates were already overly respectful toward Ha-eun, refusing a request from Double Lee would be far more daunting for them. In a way, turning down Double Lee¡¯s request might create more problems than simply treating Ha-eun as a peer. Lee Jun¡¯s response was a reassuring ¡°Okay.¡± It was ironic to solve the hierarchy issues created by the industry¡¯s rigid seniority system with more seniority, but it was better than having awkward relationships with her classmates. After another two hours of vocal practice, Ha-eun returned home, just in time for the airing of Episode 15 of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds, featuring the final highlight scenes. -Beep. ¡°Oh? Watching it together?¡± ¡°I need to check some things.¡± For the first time in a while, Ha-eun watched the broadcast with Nayeon, feeling it was necessary to review her acting before tomorrow¡¯s rehearsal for Falling Together. Episode 15 opened with Lee Hyun and Yeong-wol venturing outside the palace together. ¡°The moon is already full.¡± The final highlight began to unfold, showcasing the moments that made Ha-eun¡¯s portrayal of Yeong-wol so memorable. -Rustle. As Yeong-wol¡¯s genuine emotions slowly entangled her fingertips, they finally intertwined completely with Lee Hyun¡¯s hand. Lee Hyun¡¯s response was a brief laugh and a calm voice. ¡°Since when did you grow so bold?¡± It wasn¡¯t a question that sought an answer. Yeong-wol responded with another question. ¡°Is holding my husband¡¯s hand such a bold act?¡± ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s only your husband¡¯s hand you¡¯ve taken?¡± ¡°At least for this moment, stay as my husband.¡± Their gazes slowly locked, fingers still interlaced. Time flowed as the conversation delved into the Crown Princess selection. Even as the scene transitioned to Yeong-wol asking Lee Hyun to choose a Crown Princess, the hand she had taken remained firmly held. -Sway. When she boldly pulled the Crown Prince onto herself, committing an act of defiance, the grip never loosened. ¡°Choose the woman standing before you¡ªthe woman who has long loved you.¡± Yeong-wol¡¯s earnest emotions seeped into her calm voice, pleading that their intertwined hands never separate. ¡°Let Kim Yeon, the eldest daughter of Minister Kim Hojin, serve and carry your lineage.¡± Yeong-wol was willing to pay any price to stay by Lee Hyun¡¯s side. No cost was too high; she would give anything and endure everything. Thus¡ª ¡°I will... be yours, Your Highness.¡± Her gaze overflowed with love. The gentle smile illuminated by the moonlight and her heartfelt voice¡ªall these elements combined to show just how much she didn¡¯t want to let go. As their shadows overlapped completely, her sincerity was laid bare, her devotion reaching its peak. ¡°Anticipate this. It will surely become an unforgettable moment.¡± With a sultry smile, Yeong-wol promised the impossible. The night sky faded into the deep blues of dawn, which then transformed into the golden hues of sunrise. A new morning had arrived. -Step. A new woman. ¡°Have you been well during this time?¡± What the entire assembly at the Crown Princess selection witnessed was an aura of undeniable superiority. Even Lee Hyun, familiar with her in every detail, struggled to recognize her. Meticulously adorned, every aspect of her appearance was refined to perfection. The ferocious sharpness she once carried had transformed into a sophisticated grace that permeated even her smallest gestures. Hostile gazes filled with resentment clashed directly with her unwavering eyes, yet she showed no sign of retreat. Even as those who realized she was Yeong-wol bombarded her with scorn and rebuke, she remained composed. For what seemed like an eternity, she faced a storm of insults and sarcasm with nothing but a serene smile. The atmosphere she exuded was entirely different from before. ¡°The choice belongs solely to His Highness. Why, then, do the esteemed ministers, as loyal subjects, cross a line that should remain uncrossed?¡± Her youthful features, still evident, were cloaked in a confidence that bordered on arrogance. A soft smile bloomed as her gaze briefly met Lee Hyun¡¯s, conveying an unwavering trust in him. Step by step. Each light footfall brought her closer to Lee Hyun, enveloping the hall in another wave of stunned silence. Her flowing crimson hanbok swayed gracefully with her movements, her silken hair catching the light with each step. The faint sound of her steady breaths, underscored by an unyielding strength, amplified the formidable aura she radiated. Before long, her mere presence exuded an oppressive force that demanded reverence. ¡°Kim Yeon, eldest daughter of Minister Kim Hojin, greets His Highness, the Crown Prince.¡± Her gaze was unwavering, lifted upwards in absolute poise, her expression unflinching. The subtle curve of her lips and the confident arc of her eyes only accentuated her commanding presence. Everyone in the hall was thoroughly overpowered, left with no choice but to witness her display in silence. Not even a single breath dared to break the stillness. ¡°Which scene was your favorite, Ha-eun? For me, it was when Yeong-wol returned with an entirely different aura.¡± The scene Yu Sung-jae once called his favorite unfolded as Yeong-wol revealed her terrifying power in the presence of the one she cherished most. Chapter 91 The new promotional strategies were strikingly innovative. Whether it was the sudden surge in the actor¡¯s name recognition or something else entirely, one thing was clear: In the end, what remains in people¡¯s memories is the acting. The impact left by the actor on screen is what stays imprinted in the audience¡¯s mind. What truly matters is how they will be remembered. What will linger in people¡¯s memories? "¡®And they lived happily ever after.¡¯ A classic line, no doubt. But there¡¯s a reason classics endure." This was what Jin Kyuseong said while preparing for the final shoot of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds. From the earliest days of storytelling to the present, there are elements that have always captivated audiences. If something is loved, it is because it has an undeniable reason to be loved. A happy ending. Among countless possible conclusions, it is often called the closest thing to the right answer. The conclusion that had previously existed only as words in the original novel was now to be reborn as a performance. Happiness... Kim Ji-ah from The Neighbor Next Door never even knew what that concept was. Han Yu-hwa from You Who Came from the Stars held onto it momentarily but ultimately had to let it go. For Ha-eun, acting as someone fully and completely happy was a first. It was unfamiliar in so many ways. Yet, precisely because it was unfamiliar¡ª "Lady Kim. Or perhaps I should now call you Bin-gung." A warm gaze directed at her. The warmth felt right beside her. Not a single thing was familiar. "Bin-gung, who has long wished to stay by my side¡ªhas that wish been fulfilled now?" "...Yes." Because happiness was foreign to Yeong-wol, her emotions were vividly expressed. Her cautious yet awestruck demeanor, as if everything around her was new, gave the scene a refreshing atmosphere. Slowly, two shadows began walking side by side. Their uninterrupted exchange of words formed a calm yet sweet undertone. "From tomorrow, Bin-gung should accompany me when I visit the king. What do you think?" "I will follow Your Highness¡¯s wishes. However... I fear His Majesty may take offense at my presence." "You need not worry. I have promised to protect you, and I will not break that promise." Their steps eventually led to a small garden. Among the many vibrant and beautiful flowers, Yeong-wol walked carefully, her face adorned with a quiet smile. "If I¡¯d known how much you liked flowers, I would have brought you here much sooner." "I am happy to see them with Your Highness. How could flowers not be lovely when seen with one¡¯s husband?" Her voice remained as composed as ever, but the pure joy beneath it could not be hidden. Yeong-wol¡¯s steps began to slow, and then, not long after, they came to a complete stop. "...Your Highness. May I ask you something?" Her gaze remained on the flowerbed before her rather than turning toward Lee Hyun. Her voice carried a hint of tension, for reasons unclear. Lee Hyun, momentarily puzzled, asked what was on her mind. The question she posed shortly after was¡ª "When did you start seeing me as a woman?" "I believe I¡¯ve already answered that question." "Then... why did you come to hold me in your heart?" It was the final remnants of Yeong-wol¡¯s lingering insecurity. In her mind, the image Lee Hyun had of her was far from anything resembling feminine charm. Though she understood intellectually that he loved her, a part of her remained uneasy, longing for reassurance. A brief silence followed. And then¡ª Clink. Ha-eun deliberately set her spoon down on the table with a loud clatter and stood up. Without a word, she proceeded to clear the table as she usually did. But for some reason, as her father, Seong-yoon, continued his meal, Ha-eun walked over to sit next to Na-yeon. ¡°Mom.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Dad hid beer behind the kimchi container.¡± Without a moment¡¯s hesitation or an ounce of guilt, Ha-eun exposed Seong-yoon¡¯s secret to Na-yeon. Although she whispered as if sharing a secret, her voice was loud enough for the whole room to hear. Seong-yoon, looking back and forth between Na-yeon and Ha-eun, began to pale visibly. ¡°D-daughter, that wasn¡¯t part of the deal¡ª¡± ¡°You broke the deal first, Dad.¡± What followed was Na-yeon cracking her knuckles as she marched toward the kimchi fridge, while Seong-yoon slowly backed away, step by step, toward the front door. ¡°I¡¯m heading to musical practice. I¡¯ll eat dinner with my friends, so don¡¯t worry about me!¡± Ding! In no time, Ha-eun had finished getting ready and bolted out the door. The high-pitched screams seeping through the front door were something she pretended not to hear. When she arrived at the auditorium right on time¡ª Glance. Glance, glance. ¡®...Huh?¡¯ Something felt off. Her classmates, who had been treating her normally just yesterday, now had a strange air about them. Just in case, Ha-eun checked her appearance several times but couldn¡¯t find anything unusual. Finally, the only classmate making eye contact with her, Gong Hye-yeon, broke the silence. ¡°Ha-eun, um... our costumes are here. Let¡¯s go change.¡± Following Hye-yeon, Ha-eun changed into the empress¡¯s costume for Aria. The white gown, adorned with delicate jade beads, was even more impressive than she had imagined. However, when she returned to the auditorium after putting on the full ensemble, including the empress¡¯s cloak, the atmosphere among her classmates grew even stranger. They seemed like they wanted to say something but kept holding back, stealing nervous glances at her instead. Finally, unable to take it anymore, Ha-eun made a move to approach them¡ªand they froze like statues. Watching the scene unfold, Hye-yeon, standing beside her, spoke up at last. But the words that came next¡ª ¡°First five people to speak up get a chance! Rehearsals start in five minutes, so make it quick!¡± ¡ªwere far from what Ha-eun expected. ¡°Ha-eun, is it true you made Yoo Sung-jae fall over?¡± ¡°I heard he almost fainted on set. How intense was that kiss to make that happen?¡± ¡°Hey, can you tie a cherry stem with your tongue too?¡± In less than five seconds, a tsunami of questions overwhelmed her, leaving her brain frozen. Their faces were practically glowing with excitement. Eighteen years old. The age where love feels like everything. Ha-eun had underestimated just how deeply her friends were invested in The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds, a romance drama. The impact of the kiss scene in episode 15, so much more passionate than the first, had exceeded everyone¡¯s expectations¡ªincluding hers. Chapter 92 The situation felt akin to holding a press conference the day after a major scandal broke. ¡°Did you really hear Yoo Sung-jae¡¯s heartbeat when he hugged you?¡± The kind of scene Ha-eun had only ever seen on TV news was now unfolding before her eyes, leaving her momentarily speechless as she blinked in disbelief. Still, since every bit of this was a misunderstanding, it was crucial to clarify things. The drama¡¯s scenes had nothing to do with reality, and letting these misunderstandings fester wouldn¡¯t do her or Yoo Sung-jae any favors. Thus, even after Gong Hye-yeon¡¯s self-imposed five-minute limit had passed: ¡°See, here you two were completely overlapping. Are you saying you weren¡¯t actually touching?¡± ¡°The camera angle made it look like that. We only actually touched fingers.¡± ¡°Swear on your life?¡± ¡°Swear on my life.¡± ¡°...If she¡¯s willing to swear on her life, I guess they really didn¡¯t touch.¡± Ha-eun kept her poker face throughout, determined to prevent further misunderstandings. At the very least, she wanted to squash the absurd rumor that her "amazing kissing skills" had made Yoo Sung-jae nearly faint. ¡°So, what¡¯s this about Yoo Sung-jae almost fainting on set?¡± ¡°A grasshopper landed on his shoulder. He said his heart nearly stopped the moment he made eye contact with it.¡± ¡°Ah, I see.¡± By the time she answered the final question with 100% honesty, Ha-eun thought she had handled the situation well. She did hesitate for a moment when one classmate nervously asked for her autograph¡ªapparently a desperate request from the classmate¡¯s cousin¡ªbut ultimately relented. Unlike the girls who had swarmed her in excitement after Gong Hye-yeon¡¯s announcement, however, the boys of Class 2 still seemed uneasy around her. Especially¡ª ¡°Do-yoon, you¡¯re 100% being compared to Yoo Sung-jae right now.¡± ¡°...Should I just quit while I can?¡± ¡°You can¡¯t. There¡¯s no backup to replace you at this point. Just suck it up.¡± ¡°Wow... easy for you to say when it¡¯s not your problem.¡± ¡°Yeah? And what are you going to do about it? Besides getting utterly destroyed by Yoo Sung-jae in looks, what else can you offer?¡± Joo Do-yoon, who was cast as the male lead, Knight Kyle, in Should We Fall Together? wore a troubled expression. It was clear he was feeling the pressure of sharing the stage with Ha-eun as her counterpart. The problem was, Ha-eun hadn¡¯t had easy, casual conversations with boys her age since elementary school. After entering middle school, she could barely manage polite greetings, let alone forge any deeper friendships. Not because she wanted to drift away from them, but because too many boys mistook her attempts to be friendly for romantic interest. Over time, she had no choice but to keep her distance. ¡®It¡¯d be nice if he could at least make proper eye contact.¡¯ What mattered now was ensuring that rehearsals for Should We Fall Together? proceeded smoothly. Awkward situations like this couldn¡¯t be allowed to persist. Perhaps that¡¯s why¡ª ¡°Hey, Hye-yeon.¡± ¡°Hm?¡± ¡°This crow mask here¡ªcan I use it?¡± In the corner of the prop box, a crow mask caught Ha-eun¡¯s eye. She figured that if her face was hidden behind a mask, it might help Do-yoon make eye contact without too much difficulty. When she ran the idea past Gong Hye-yeon, she got the okay after a moment of thought. While they¡¯d need to check her expressions as Empress Aria later, Hye-yeon decided it was more important to focus on the performances of the other cast members for now. And so, rehearsals began with Ha-eun¡¯s upper face hidden beneath the crow mask. Soon, the song criticizing Empress Aria, performed by the classmates cast as citizens, echoed through the auditorium.@@@@ ¡®Hmm...¡¯ To be blunt, it wasn¡¯t perfect. If Lee Joon or Lee Geon-yeol had been there, they would¡¯ve immediately called for a redo. Still, it was the first rehearsal. Ha-eun decided to prioritize assessing her classmates¡¯ overall level rather than fixating on the quality of the song. However¡ª Even as time dragged on and their auditorium reservation ended, the shock lingered. During dinner, Hye-yeon and the others finally thought they could catch a break from Ha-eun¡¯s relentless feedback. ¡°Carbonated drinks are bad for your throat. Stick to water.¡± For reasons unknown, she had now turned her critiques to their choice of beverages. By the end of the day, Ha-eun had earned herself a new nickname among her classmates: ¡°Nagging Overlord.¡± *** It was about three or four rehearsals into Should We Fall Together?¡ªand things were progressing in a slightly different direction than Ha-eun had expected¡ªwhen she heard the unexpected news. ¡°What? Attending The Sunshine child actor auditions?¡± ¡°It¡¯s more of a suggestion than a request. If you don¡¯t want to go, you don¡¯t have to.¡± The update came from Ju Jung-yoon: an invitation to attend the child actor auditions for the drama The Sunshine, which was now nearing the final stages of casting. To be precise, the male lead of The Sunshine, Baek Tae-hoon, had personally asked for Ha-eun¡¯s presence at the auditions. In truth, whether she went or not wasn¡¯t a big deal. It was simply a light suggestion, the kind of thing you could decline without much consequence. But then¡ª ¡°I just thought it wouldn¡¯t hurt for you to cheer on the kids you helped prepare.¡± Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s words reminded Ha-eun of the children she had helped during their audition prep at the request of Director Jeong Do-cheol. The adorable kids who had bowed a perfect 90 degrees the first time they met her, earnestly asking for her guidance. She felt a small but undeniable desire to cheer them on. ¡°Nice to meet you. I¡¯m Lee Ha-eun.¡± ¡°...I¡¯m Baek Tae-hoon.¡± In the end, Ha-eun made her way to the audition venue, where Baek Tae-hoon was already waiting. A brief handshake followed. Since it was their first time meeting in person, there was an air of awkwardness between them. But with the filming of The Sunshine set to start in earnest in a few weeks, Ha-eun knew it was necessary to close that gap. ¡°So, um... I really enjoyed The Informants. Your acting was amazing.¡± She attempted to break the ice by mentioning The Informants, one of Baek Tae-hoon¡¯s more recent films. And then, barely a few seconds later¡ª ¡°...That¡¯s an R-rated movie.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Baek Tae-hoon¡¯s reminder hit her like a freight train, completely derailing her attempt at small talk. Beads of cold sweat formed almost instantly. ¡°Uh, I mean, not that I watched it in the theater or anything! There¡¯s this 40-minute summary on YouTube...¡± Ha-eun¡¯s flustered words came tumbling out as she tried to salvage the situation. Even though she¡¯d watched the film as an adult, admitting that outright felt like a trap she couldn¡¯t step into. The more she tried to explain, the more Baek Tae-hoon¡¯s expression shifted into one of bewilderment, as if to say, What on earth is she even talking about? With that look alone, Ha-eun knew¡ªher first impression was a complete disaster. Chapter 93 The stream of explanations and excuses had only made things worse, so Ha-eun ultimately chose silence to end the awkwardness. Fortunately, the arrival of The Sunshine director, Kwon Jae-hyup, broke the stifling tension. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Ha-eun.¡± ¡°Oh, it¡¯s good to see you again, Director.¡± Unlike with Baek Tae-hoon, whom she was meeting for the first time, Ha-eun had already met Director Kwon during a meeting about her role as Kim Jung-hyun two months prior. With his kind demeanor and perpetually smiling face, he was an easy person to talk to. Still, Ha-eun¡¯s presence here was strictly to observe the child actor auditions. Following Director Kwon, who led her to a seat prepared in advance, she headed into the audition hall. The problem? The seat assigned to Baek Tae-hoon was right next to hers. Given that Ha-eun and Baek Tae-hoon were the lead actors of The Sunshine, it made sense for their seats to be side by side. But¡ª ¡®This is suffocating...¡¯ The ice-breaking attempt with Baek Tae-hoon had been a disaster, leaving her awkwardly hyperaware of his presence next to her. To make things worse, Baek Tae-hoon wasn¡¯t just her co-star¡ªhe was her senior in the acting world. He had been a rising star years before Ha-eun debuted as Kim Ji-ah in The Neighbor Next Door. Though his youthful looks made the age difference between them feel negligible, his experience and stature in the industry made him seem intimidating.@@@@ ¡®I know he¡¯s not the overbearing type... but still.¡¯ It was difficult to approach him. Even making small talk felt impossible. Perhaps sensing her discomfort¡ª ¡°Ha-eun, Miss Ha-eun, or just Ha-eun? What do you prefer I call you?¡± His sudden question startled her. She hadn¡¯t expected him to initiate conversation. ¡°It¡¯s best to address people in a way they¡¯re comfortable with, so I thought I¡¯d ask.¡± ¡°Oh... just calling me by my name is fine.¡± Baek Tae-hoon, both older and more experienced than Ha-eun, was undoubtedly her senior. His straightforward and serious demeanor made him seem unapproachable, and if he insisted on using formal honorifics, the distance between them would feel even greater. While she appreciated the respect others showed her by addressing her formally, what mattered now was bridging the gap between her and Baek Tae-hoon. Moments later, Baek Tae-hoon handed her a stack of evaluation sheets. He mentioned that her input might influence the selection process for the child actors. ¡°You¡¯re the only one here who started acting as a child,¡± he added. ¡°Well, that¡¯s true... but are you sure it¡¯s okay?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just for reference. Keep it simple¡ªjust jot down quick notes as you observe.¡± With that, he turned his attention toward the entrance to the audition hall, noting that things were about to start. The thin pen in his hand suggested he was ready to evaluate the child actors¡¯ performances. However¡ª ¡®I should say something before this becomes a problem.¡¯ Since several of the children auditioning were ones Ha-eun had helped prepare, she worried that her involvement might raise concerns about fairness. She began jotting down her impressions on the evaluation sheet in front of her, writing concise notes about how the actor¡¯s performance resonated with her. Beside her, Baek Tae-hoon was also scribbling evaluations, adding remarks like "Good attention to detail," "Strong vocal projection," and "Slightly nervous eye contact." After the performance, Baek Tae-hoon watched the child actor leave the audition room. As if sensing his gaze, the actor stopped and turned back. ¡ªBow. The actor gave a polite, nearly 90-degree bow, to which Baek Tae-hoon responded with a brief word of encouragement. What caught Ha-eun off guard was when Baek Tae-hoon gently nudged her arm twice with his elbow. ¡ªTap, tap. ¡®...?¡¯ Puzzled, Ha-eun blinked at him, only to realize he was silently prompting her to do the same. Quickly, she turned to the child actor and offered her own encouragement. ¡°You did well. Keep it up.¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± the actor replied in a bright, youthful voice before leaving. As the auditions progressed, Baek Tae-hoon continued to make eye contact and exchange greetings with every child actor who finished. Seated right next to him, Ha-eun also ended up interacting with all of them. Time passed, and when the auditions finally concluded¡ª ¡°Senior, I have a question.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Curious about why Baek Tae-hoon had gone out of his way to greet every child actor, Ha-eun approached him. His response was simple yet profound. ¡°Sometimes, just five or ten seconds of acknowledgment is enough. Certain memories stay with you for a lifetime.¡± He went on to explain that inviting Ha-eun to the auditions had also been for the sake of inspiring the young actors. With her reputation as an outstanding actress, her encouragement could make a lasting impact on their confidence and motivation. ¡°An actor¡¯s individual skill is important, but so is fostering the next generation. That¡¯s how the craft has always continued.¡± ¡°...Am I already at an age where I should be mentoring others?¡± ¡°You¡¯re already a seasoned professional. You¡¯re in a position to encourage others, and you should embrace it.¡± Baek Tae-hoon then added that it was time for her to start carrying a sense of "responsibility." Ha-eun nodded, acknowledging his words, and with that, the two parted ways. Even after climbing into Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s van, which had come to pick her up, Ha-eun¡¯s thoughts remained tangled. ¡°Hey, unni. Am I famous?¡± ¡°...Are you seriously asking me that? The internet is plastered with your kiss scene¡ª¡± ¡°Ah! Not that kind of famous!¡± Despite her best efforts, Ha-eun ended up learning things she would rather have avoided. Ju Jung-yoon gleefully teased her by shoving screenshots of the The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds kiss scene in her face, leaving Ha-eun utterly defeated. Chapter 94 ¡°Lee Ha-eun and Yoo Sung-jae¡¯s The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds Breaks Another Record with Its Final Episode!¡± ¡°KBC Drama The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds Concludes with a Staggering 33.7% Viewership Rating.¡± ¡°MBS¡¯s Lovers of the Full Moon Fades Away with a Meager 8.1%, Overshadowed by KBC¡¯s Hit Drama.¡± "Guess... that means it was a success." There was no denying it. No matter how much I tried to downplay it, I couldn¡¯t reject the truth: my first lead drama was a success. It felt like a good result¡ªbecause it was a good result. Yet, realizing that it was a good outcome brought with it a mixture of other, inexplicable emotions. ¡ªCreak. I rose from the studio chair and stepped out of the soundproof booth. What greeted me was unmistakably a woman¡¯s room. The overall white tones gave the space a feminine atmosphere. While it was hard to pinpoint what exactly made it feel that way, it was undeniably closer to a woman¡¯s room than a man¡¯s. Inside the closet, every piece of clothing¡ªwithout exception¡ªwas women¡¯s attire. Even the training clothes I wore for workouts leaned slightly neutral but were still distinctly feminine. I could freely choose what to wear without much hesitation, and I had even mastered the so-called ¡°polished look¡± to some extent. Now that I thought about it, I¡¯d never really felt a sense of discomfort about it. But that wasn¡¯t a matter of preference; it was born out of ignorance. Back when all I could wear were dull hospital gowns, I didn¡¯t even know what felt awkward or what suited me. I suppose my lack of confusion about my gender identity came from the same root. Living as a woman might have felt strange, but it wasn¡¯t something I hated or rejected. Still, summing up my life as simply ¡°a woman¡¯s life¡± felt far too simplistic. ¡°An actress, a singer, a celebrity... a public figure.¡± I murmured the words quietly, listing the terms that could describe who I had become, as I slowly walked toward the full-length mirror. What I saw reflected was the image of a well-known figure. A face more familiar to others than to myself. I experimented, shifting through various expressions. A parade of emotions, each distinct and recognizable, flitted across my face. For a brief moment, countless characters appeared in the mirror and disappeared just as quickly. I cycled through every vibe and mood I could project. Only when there were no new expressions left to create did I finally erase the act entirely. ¡°...So this is what my face looks like.¡± Blurred eyes. A hollow gaze. An expressionless face that felt more like a doll than a person. It was empty. I couldn¡¯t feel anything. The lack of even the most basic emotions on my face was deeply unsettling. It didn¡¯t feel alive. And yet, strangely, the more I stared at the inhuman face in the mirror, the more at ease I felt. It was as if the chaos in my mind began to settle, bit by bit. ¡°...I think I can do it.¡± Soon enough, the actress Lee Ha-eun reappeared in the mirror. The person standing there, receiving attention from every direction, gazed back at me with the same calm demeanor as always. They were sitting in the teacher¡¯s office for the second-year students at Narae Arts High School¡ªmore specifically, in a small meeting room within the office. ¡°To be honest with you, Ha-eun, someone of your caliber could easily receive offers for special admissions. You don¡¯t even need to study for the college entrance exam.¡± ¡°Special admissions are frowned upon by some people.¡± ¡°Why does what they think matter?¡± ¡°It matters to me because those people are important. I also need to make sure my school name looks good on paper.¡± ...Is she planning to marry into a chaebol family or something? At that moment, Ha-eun was having a career counseling session with her homeroom teacher. Strictly speaking, it wasn¡¯t much of a discussion¡ªHa-eun seemed more intent on convincing her teacher. ¡°Ha-eun, I know you¡¯re a great student. But don¡¯t you think balancing your acting career and academics will be too much?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. I promise I¡¯m not overextending myself.¡± Despite her teacher¡¯s repeated attempts to dissuade her, Ha-eun¡¯s stance didn¡¯t waver. Eventually, the teacher had no choice but to wrap up the meeting, conceding with a resigned, ¡°Alright, if you¡¯re sure.¡± About ten minutes later, the teacher pulled Ha-eun¡¯s midterm report card out of her drawer. Her expression shifted through several emotions as she looked at the grades. It was clear Ha-eun had put in the work. Her teacher, who had overseen countless students over the years, recognized the ambition behind Ha-eun¡¯s dual focus on academics and acting. She understood better than anyone that trying to excel in both was a bold¡ªif not overly ambitious¡ªendeavor. But the grades in her hands proved one thing: Ha-eun was serious. After the fall festival ends, she¡¯s diving straight into filming for a new drama... Can she really handle this? Ultimately, the teacher couldn¡¯t decide whether to strongly discourage her or wholeheartedly support her. That¡¯s why she called Gong Hye-yeon, the class president of Class 2-2, to the office. Hye-yeon, who had been practically glued to Ha-eun lately due to their rehearsals for Should We Fall Together?, seemed like the best person to shed light on Ha-eun¡¯s current state. However¡ª ¡°Ha-eun... is honestly kind of scary.¡± ¡°Huh? What do you mean?¡± The stories Hye-yeon shared were completely unexpected. ¡°Ever since a few days ago, she¡¯s changed a lot. Like, if someone makes even one little mistake, she¡¯ll lecture them for thirty minutes straight. She doesn¡¯t yell or anything, but she¡¯s so calm and precise about it that it¡¯s even harder to argue back. Oh, and during rehearsals for the ending scene with Joo Do-yoon, she kept adjusting the angle of their heads over and over, saying the kiss had to look convincing to the audience. She made him practice hundreds of times.¡± In short, Ha-eun had become much more assertive. When the teacher cautiously asked if Ha-eun seemed overworked or exhausted, Hye-yeon shook her head firmly. ¡°Out of everyone in our class¡ªor even the entire school¡ªHa-eun is by far the most energetic.¡± Her immediate, unwavering answer left the teacher no choice but to send her back to class. For some reason, any concerns seemed utterly pointless. Time flowed on, and soon, it was less than ten minutes before the performance of Should We Fall Together?. Ha-eun¡¯s homeroom teacher entered the backstage area, taking on her role as a calming presence. ¡°Alright, everyone, don¡¯t be nervous. Stay relaxed. Just focus on having fun!¡± She went around, encouraging each student individually, offering words of support. She even gave Ha-eun a gentle pat on the shoulder, whispering a quick, ¡°You¡¯ve got this.¡± Up to that moment, there was nothing unusual about Ha-eun. She simply nodded with her usual composed expression, declaring her intention to win first place and go to Japan. The only odd thing was her muttering to herself about ¡°Japan travel stories¡± in an uncharacteristically distracted manner. But¡ª ¡°Next up is Class 2-2¡¯s performance of Should We Fall Together?!¡± The moment the curtains rose, everything changed. ¡°The blame lies with me. I am guilty of it all. The entire nation is my sin. And so, as a sinner... I must crumble into dust.¡± Standing precariously at the center of the stage, Empress Aria delivered her lines with an intensity that reshaped the atmosphere of the entire performance. I knew it... but still. She¡¯s... different. It¡¯s undeniable. Watching Ha-eun dominate the stage, the teacher realized that evaluating her by the same standards as the other students was meaningless. Ha-eun was an enigma¡ªunfamiliar in every sense. Chapter 95 Narae Arts High School. A school primarily attended by celebrities and students aspiring to join the entertainment industry, with numerous ties to the world of show business woven throughout its structure. The fall festival was no exception¡ªit served as another link to the entertainment world. While the festival booths in the morning resembled those of other high schools, the class performances in the afternoon were a different story. These performances drew the direct attention of entertainment industry professionals. ¡°They call it the gateway for rookies, don¡¯t they?¡± The festival was often referred to as the "Gateway for Rookies."@@@@ Many came to assess whether the budding talents on display held the potential to become stars. If a student was deemed "valuable," the groundwork for casting offers would often begin quietly behind the scenes. This process wasn¡¯t limited to unproven talents. Even students who had already established themselves as entertainers found the fall festival an opportunity to gain even more recognition. ¡°Of course, you still have to stand out to make that happen.¡± Having been in the entertainment industry for quite some time, Lee Geon-yeol and Lee Jun understood all too well how cutthroat the field could be. They were also keenly aware that only a select few would attract meaningful attention during the festival performances. In the end, it all came down to how much someone stood out. Only those who demonstrated superior skill and passion compared to their peers could capture the eyes of industry professionals and gain recognition. Strictly speaking, Geon-yeol and Jun weren¡¯t there for casting purposes; their main goal was to enjoy Ha-eun¡¯s musical performance. However, as professionals in the entertainment world and not just Ha-eun¡¯s acquaintances, they couldn¡¯t help but evaluate the overall performance level of the Narae Arts High students. Is this what they call a professional hazard? ¡°...It¡¯s really bothering me how they don¡¯t pull the mic away when breathing.¡± ¡°Ugh, now you¡¯ve got me noticing it too.¡± As they watched the performances, their attention was drawn to small, technical details. Finally, the announcer¡¯s voice echoed through the auditorium, signaling the start of Ha-eun¡¯s performance of Should We Fall Together?. Both of them straightened up in their seats. At nearly the same moment, Jun pulled out his gimbal camera. ¡°Hmm, how should I shoot this to make it look good later...¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t Yoon-seop tell you not to overthink it and just record?¡± ¡°Would it hurt to use a little zoom?¡± ¡°Just film it properly and don¡¯t mess up.¡± Footage from this musical performance¡ªincluding a few of Ha-eun¡¯s scenes¡ªwas slated to be included in the broadcast of Infinite Challenge Song Festival. Of course, all other students would be blurred out. Jun¡¯s gimbal camera was solely for capturing video clips to introduce the singer ¡°Pinocchio.¡± The agreement with Narae Arts High limited the filming to short highlight segments. As the auditorium lights, dimmed just moments ago, began to gradually brighten¡ª ¡°Oh? It¡¯s starting!¡± All that was left now was to sit back and watch. *** ¡°Your Majesty.¡± Kyle¡¯s call, soft and measured, resonated through the auditorium speakers as he finally found Empress Aria. His voice held no urgency, only an unshakable calm, as if he could stand there indefinitely until she responded. Gradually, the noble figure of Empress Aria turned toward him, her movements deliberate. For a fleeting moment, a hint of recognition and warmth flashed in her eyes. ¡°It seems I still can¡¯t escape your gaze, not then, not now.¡± ¡°The night air is cold. Let us return to the palace.¡± ¡°You¡¯re as full of lectures as you were back then.¡± The Empress¡¯s steps, slow but deliberate, drew her closer to Kyle. ¡°She really is... different.¡± The audience was well aware that the actress portraying Empress Aria was Lee Ha-eun. They had come to expect exceptional acting from her, based on her prior performances. That belief held true as she delivered a masterful portrayal of the Empress. For those who remembered Ha-eun as the singer Pinocchio, her greatly improved vocal skills drew as much attention as her acting. But as the story progressed¡ª ¡°Find the Empress!¡± ¡°That vile woman must be removed from this world!¡± ¡°Down with the tyrant!¡± As the rebellion¡¯s cries grew louder and the citizens stormed the palace, the audience¡¯s focus shifted. Empress Aria, overwhelmed by their fury, crumbled onstage, her voice heavy with despair. ¡°I only wanted to live. We all did. Why... why did it come to this?¡± The weight of her words settled over the room, and the audience found themselves drawn deeper into the tragic tale. ¡°Flee, Your Majesty. I will hold them off as long as I can.¡± Kyle, his uniform stained with blood, his arms covered in cuts, stood firm. Despite his injuries, he pledged himself to protect her. Empress Aria, seeing the only person who had stood by her, rose to her feet. She walked slowly toward him, step by step. ¡°Y-Your Majesty...?¡± As she drew close enough for their breaths to mingle¡ª ¡ªShrrk. The long blade at Kyle¡¯s waist was drawn by her trembling hands. Before he could stop her, she turned the blade toward herself, forcing his hands to hold its hilt. ¡°Take my life with this sword. Raise it high, and become a hero to the people. That is... your only path to survival.¡± Her voice, calm but unwavering, revealed her final wish. For Kyle, the one who had stayed with her to the end, this was the only gift she could offer. She guided the blade to her throat, the sharp edge pressing against her pale neck. In that instant, Kyle, with a sudden surge of strength, hurled the sword away. Her eyes widened in shock, trembling as she pleaded. ¡°No... Kyle. If you don¡¯t kill me, you will die as well!¡± Even as she resigned herself to death, she begged for Kyle¡¯s survival. But¡ª ¡°Let¡¯s run, Your Majesty. To a place where no one can find us.¡± Kyle, resolute in his decision, refused to leave her. ¡°You¡¯ll be hunted... for the rest of your life.¡± The audience was left stunned by the palpable shift in the atmosphere. Ha-eun¡¯s performance was familiar, yet strange. Something about it was entirely new¡ªraw, visceral, and hauntingly real. Chapter 96 The foundation of my acting ultimately stems from my past life. Although I¡¯ve learned new techniques and refined my skills in this life, the core of my performance undeniably comes from someone other than Lee Ha-eun. ¡°Not that it¡¯s an issue.¡± Knowing that my acting draws from my past life doesn¡¯t make me reluctant to perform. After all, my past life was far removed from that of an actor. The lingering doubts about my "past self," and the emotions stirred whenever I noticed traces of that life within "Lee Ha-eun¡¯s" acting, only went so far. I had no intention of assigning those feelings any deeper meaning¡ªnor did I need to. However, my curiosity about my past self wasn¡¯t new. ¡°...What gave me the confidence back then?¡± At the height of my teenage years, I finally gave in to my curiosity and visited a familiar hospital and a familiar room. I had to confirm the existence of that person with my own eyes. I remember being incredibly nervous, much like the protagonists of countless doppelga?nger films. I wondered if meeting ¡°another me¡± would cause one of us to disappear like a mirage. But in the end, nothing happened. My turbulent teenage years came to an abrupt end on the day I realized that my past self and "Lee Ha-eun" were entirely separate individuals. From that point on, I was no longer plagued by questions about my identity. Yet, I couldn¡¯t completely ignore my past self. I knew when and where they would die. If my only choices were to either or , then I wanted to choose . And now, as I became certain that I could expand the scope of what ¡°saving¡± meant¡ª This wasn¡¯t just about preserving their life. It was about rescuing the life that came after. ¡°...All this time, I¡¯ve kept such a foolish man by my side.¡± Ironically, this realization pushed me to be even more proactive about my "hobby" of acting.@@@@ To put it simply: I needed to become a great actor. Or perhaps, a superstar. I needed to wield enough influence that no one could look down on me. Only then could I approach them¡ªthe ones who had tormented my past self¡ªand cut them off entirely. I had to ensure they could no longer hurt my past self. For someone like me, who is entirely separate from my past self, to reach those people, I needed to stand out even more. This journey began with Should We Fall Together?, but it couldn¡¯t end here. I had to keep climbing to greater heights. ¡°Truly, a foolish man... stayed by my side....¡± With a new depth of emotion, a different acting approach, and a clearer goal as an actor, my sights were set on something higher. This allowed me to change many things¡ªexcept for the inherent worthlessness of those people. The ones who abused their child to the bitter end. They had no real value, none worth preserving. Breaking such worthless people wouldn¡¯t be some grand achievement. This wasn¡¯t about some lofty ambition. This was just a hobby. A lighthearted hobby, where I¡¯d become a superstar. A hobby, where I¡¯d completely dismantle those worthless people. A hobby, where I¡¯d save my past self. A simple, lighthearted story. I wasn¡¯t blinded by vengeance to the point of ruining my own life. I would continue to enjoy my career as an actor and put even more effort into my streams as Diah. I had simply discovered something I wanted to do. That was the only reason I became more committed to my ¡°hobby¡± of acting. *** ¡°...This is your last chance to avoid a life of misery, Kyle. End me now.¡± Her voice was resolute, cutting through the tension like a blade. Seated on the ground, Empress Aria looked up at Kyle with a fragile calmness, a fac?ade barely concealing her inner turmoil. Her face betrayed an aching vulnerability as if she was fighting to suppress her emotions. But rather than the sharp edge of a blade, what met her gaze was Kyle lowering himself to her level. Kyle knelt down, sitting on the ground as well, so that their eyes met. Ha-eun, in her characteristic calm tone, replied, ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± Had this been during rehearsal, she might have given him a long lecture about his mistake. But after the final performance, pointing out a slip in his lines felt like a pointless exercise. Regardless, there was no denying that the Should We Fall Together? performance had gone well. If anything, the way her more intense emotions had caught Joo Do-yoon off guard during the live show might have contributed to the mistake. ¡°It¡¯s more manageable than I thought.¡± Now, all that was left was the results announcement. With that in mind, Ha-eun headed toward the makeshift dressing room in the auditorium¡¯s storage area to change back into her school uniform. The problem arose as she was buttoning up her blouse. ¡ªStep. ¡°Hey! Lee Ha-eun!¡± The moment she began fastening the buttons, a very familiar voice called out her name. ¡°!!¡± Ha-eun turned to find Kim Da-yeon frozen in place, clearly startled and embarrassed. Turning slightly to shield herself, Ha-eun said, ¡°Really? Barging in while I¡¯m changing? Not cool.¡± ¡°Uh, well, I didn¡¯t know you were changing! The kids in your class just said you were in the storage room!¡± Da-yeon¡¯s voice was a mix of defensiveness and embarrassment. Still, after a moment, she offered an apology, which Ha-eun begrudgingly accepted. However, she couldn¡¯t help but wonder why Da-yeon had rushed to find her in such a hurry. ¡°So, what¡¯s the deal?¡± Ha-eun asked as she finished buttoning her blouse. Da-yeon hesitated for a moment before speaking, her tone unusually cautious. ¡°...Are you okay?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°You know... that kind of acting. You used to find it hard.¡± Da-yeon added that Ha-eun didn¡¯t look entirely well. ¡°I¡¯m fine now.¡± Ha-eun answered with her usual sincerity. She was closer to fine than not fine, so her words were at least partially true. ¡°Well, you do look okay to me,¡± Da-yeon said, her voice lightening slightly. Still, she handed Ha-eun a carton of strawberry milk. ¡°Everyone¡¯s saying your class is going to win first place. Consider this an early congratulatory gift.¡± Da-yeon¡¯s tone was casual, but her action was deliberate. Her follow-up instruction, ¡°Drink it all in one go,¡± wasn¡¯t so much a suggestion as a command. It was... funny, really. Ha-eun quickly understood the true meaning behind Da-yeon¡¯s gesture. But knowing that Da-yeon would flatly deny it if questioned, Ha-eun decided to let it slide. ¡°You¡¯re such a tsundere sometimes.¡± ¡°...Huh? What¡¯s a tsundere?¡± ¡°It¡¯s... a thing.¡± Ha-eun left it at that. Drinking the sweet strawberry milk in one go, as instructed, she found that it did make her feel a little better. Time passed, and the results of the fall festival were finally announced. When it was revealed that Should We Fall Together? had earned overwhelmingly high scores in every category except ¡°Collaboration & Harmony,¡± Ha-eun felt a wave of relief. ¡°Thank goodness.¡± She realized that her new approach to acting had been effective. This performance had proven that she could refine her skills even further, paving the way for future growth. As long as she continued to improve steadily, Ha-eun was confident she could eventually reach her goals. Recognizing that she wasn¡¯t stagnating but progressing gave her a strong sense of motivation. However, the emotional toll of the intense performance left her subconsciously craving some form of ¡°healing.¡± ¡ªClick. [Healing Game¡î (Ocean Butterfly)] For today¡¯s stream, she chose one of the healing games that her Noeulies had recommended in the past. Compared to her usual Battle Island streams, this one promised to be more relaxed and soothing¡ªexactly what she needed. Ha-eun had no idea what the true nature of Ocean Butterfly was. She had deliberately avoided looking up any information about it, knowing it was one of those games where spoilers would ruin the experience. - ¡°Ocean Butterfly as a healing game? Really?¡± - ¡°Anyway, it¡¯s totally a healing game lol.¡± - ¡°The pixel art is so cute and calming.¡± - ¡°The BGM is relaxing too~.¡± - ¡°Diah, if you go down the stairs at the branching point in the ending, you¡¯ll find out the true nature of Ocea¡ª (message deleted).¡± Unaware of what awaited her, Ha-eun dove into the game, ready to embrace a peaceful and tranquil stream¡ªfor now. Chapter 97 Pressing the Start Game button for Ocean Butterfly seemed no different from her usual streams at first.@@@@ Even when a rarity for a "healing game" appeared¡ªa difficulty selection screen¡ªthere were no red flags yet. ¡ªDing! [ Please select your game difficulty. ] Story Mode [ You are invincible. ][ For casual gamers who wish to experience the story only. ] Easy [ Player damage is halved. ][ Health fully regenerates after a short period without taking damage. ][ For casual gamers who enjoy a sense of accomplishment upon clearing stages. ] Normal [ Health regenerates up to 50% after a short period without taking damage. ][ For passionate gamers who want to engage actively in gameplay. ] Hero [ Player takes double damage. ][ Health does not regenerate. ][ Enemies attack more aggressively. ][ For brave gamers confident in their skills. ] ¡ªClick! "I''m brave, so I''ll go Hero!" Ha-eun, streaming as Diah, selected the hardest difficulty without hesitation. She was confident in her gaming skills. Besides, picking an easier difficulty felt like admitting defeat before even starting. "Our brave, fearless Diah! Totally not panicking inside.""Oh, the hero we need?""Choosing Hero right away? Someone¡¯s going to regret this.""I can already see the future: rage-quitting into Story Mode, LOL." "What could be so challenging about a healing game?" Brushing aside her chat''s teasing concerns, Ha-eun proceeded to the game¡¯s tutorial. So far, everything seemed perfectly normal. Unlike Battle Island, an FPS battle royale game with no storyline, Ocean Butterfly leaned heavily on its narrative. "Saving Strawberry Squad is Daddy¡¯s mission!" ¡°¡®Saving Strawberry Squad is Daddy¡¯s mission!¡¯ Aw, this kid is adorable.¡± As a VTuber, Diah mimicked the character''s lines in her own voice, adding a unique charm to her stream. This was a hallmark of VTuber streaming¡ªinfusing gameplay with the personality and voice of the streamer. Viewers found it far more engaging than a silent, unvoiced playthrough. "A brave and heroic soldier like Daddy can definitely do it! Now, go on!" ¡°A brave and heroic soldier like Daddy can definitely do it! Now, go on!¡± "Hmm, didn''t it take another streamer an hour to finish the tutorial?""Hero difficulty really suits her, maybe.""Okay, be honest, Diah. Have you played this before?""We¡¯re onto you!""Hmm... okay, we¡¯ll trust you¡ªfor now.""Still, calling this a healing game reeks of newbie energy.""Oh no. Don¡¯t touch it!""Ahhh, here we go.""RIP Daddy''s peaceful life.""Oh no oh no oh no.""Big things are coming.""She doesn¡¯t realize what¡¯s happening, LOL.""Explosion incoming!""Art is an explosion, after all.""Oh no, not the kid!" The game, however, didn¡¯t pause. The title screen reappeared¡ªnow drenched in blood-red hues. What followed was a grim new sequence. "Help me!" "No... if you kill, you¡¯ll be killed." The protagonist, transformed into a vengeful figure, massacred an entire mafia organization. There wasn¡¯t a trace left of the kind father who once played hide-and-seek with his daughter. ¡°This... this was supposed to be a healing game! What the hell is this?!¡± "Not a healing game. It¡¯s a killing game, LOL.""Diah, you got tricked again.""She really didn¡¯t see it coming, did she?" As the protagonist''s rampage continued, Ha-eun debated whether to quit the game entirely. But stopping now would mean the ultimate streamer disgrace¡ªrage-quitting a game under the guise of ¡°healing.¡± Resigned, she pressed on. Eventually, the wire mechanic, once used for simple traversal, evolved into a deadly weapon. ¡ªSlash! ¡ªThud! ¡ªBoom! "Your skills haven¡¯t dulled, Major. Now I know who wiped out Deadbear." The game¡¯s first boss fell to Diah¡¯s expert wire control. But for Ha-eun, the emotional toll was immense. Performing as Diah often amplified Ha-eun¡¯s emotions far beyond her usual level of intensity. While this worked perfectly for cheerful games, it left her vulnerable in darker, more emotional games like this one. "Look, Daddy! The flowers are blooming!" ¡°Why... why is she still here? Even if it¡¯s just a memory...¡± "Stop, I¡¯m crying.""Diah is so emotional right now.""If she¡¯s tearing up already, what¡¯s she going to do at the ending?" Caught in the whirlwind of emotions delivered by the game, Diah found herself increasingly drawn into the story. When the protagonist met a peculiar girl who seemed the same age as Ha-eun, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something significant was about to happen. Her chat became louder and more chaotic, anticipating the next twist. But Ha-eun had no idea how deeply she would become entangled in the girl¡¯s fate. Nor could she foresee how the emotional aftermath of Should We Fall Together? would intertwine with this journey. Chapter 98 ¡°The name of this unprecedented genius engineer is Baek Il-hong. Just call me H!¡± The trembling, frightened girl was nowhere to be found as Baek Il-hong introduced herself with overwhelming self-assurance and a hint of vanity. After hearing the protagonist mention they were searching for someone called Ocean Butterfly, Il-hong eagerly offered to help. ¡°This dangerous city feels safest next to you, mister.¡± ¡°And why exactly should I bring you along?¡± ¡°You can¡¯t find Ocean Butterfly alone anyway. Let¡¯s help each other out!¡± ¡°Does she want to join the party? What happens if I say no... oh, I can¡¯t decline.¡± ¡°Why would you even think of refusing, Diah?¡±¡°If you leave her alone, she¡¯s going to die. Again. Every time, she dies. ????¡±¡°You have to save her this time!¡±¡°I swear these NPCs are cursed.¡±¡°Manager, time for some ban-hammering! The spoilers keep flying!¡± Although it was true that the protagonist had scoured the city solo with no success, leaving a girl like Il-hong to fend for herself in a perilous mechanical dystopia felt... wrong. Thus, Il-hong joined the team. Their first destination? A colossal factory referred to as The Harbor. ¡°I¡¯ll check the CCTV for traces of Ocean Butterfly. While I¡¯m at it, mister, you can...¡± ¡ªTHUMP. THUMP. THUMP. ¡ªSCREEEEEECH! ¡°...deal with that robot dog for a bit.¡± ¡°Ah, so ¡®be the meat shield¡¯ is what you meant.¡± The "robot dog" was anything but cute. Standing at nearly 5 meters tall with a body length at least twice that, its frame was covered in reinforced alloy plating. Razor-sharp metal fangs protruded from its maw, while turrets and guided missiles adorned its massive form. It only bore a faint resemblance to a Doberman due to its overall silhouette, but up close, it was nothing short of terrifying. To buy Il-hong time, the player had no choice but to face off against the monstrous mechanical beast. ¡ªSWOOSH! ¡ªCLANG! ¡ªCLICK! ¡°C-come here, doggy!¡± The protagonist launched their left wire at the robot¡¯s neck, wrapping it tightly like a leash. ¡°LMAO, doggy¡¯s confused!¡±¡°Breaking and entering and assaulting guard dogs? Tsk tsk, Diah.¡±¡°But it¡¯s okay! Diah is innocent!¡± With the right wire, they repeatedly targeted the robot¡¯s joints, maneuvering with acrobatic precision. To a casual viewer, it might have looked like a circus act. ¡°This is supposed to be Hero difficulty, right?¡±¡°You get one-shot if you get hit, but she¡¯s not getting hit at all!¡±¡°Are we sure she didn¡¯t practice beforehand?¡±¡°Is Diah secretly from the Survey Corps?!¡± Sure enough, the chat grew rowdier. Still, Diah said nothing, her focus entirely on the battle. The robot was a formidable opponent. ¡ªRATATATATAT! ¡°ACK!¡± ¡°What was that pterodactyl screech?!¡±¡°RIP headphone users!¡±¡°She dodged all that?! This reaction time is insane!¡± The most dangerous part of the fight was the robot¡¯s erratic machine-gun fire. Predicting its attack patterns was impossible; dodging required lightning-fast reflexes. After a stray bullet grazed the protagonist, leaving their HP critically low, Ha-eun cranked up her mouse sensitivity for more precise control. The clash dragged on with dozens of evasions and counterattacks. Finally, the mechanical beast collapsed. ¡ªCLANK! ¡ªCRASH! ¡ªSCREEEEECH! ¡°Did I... did I get it?¡± ¡°No! Never say that line!¡±¡°This time, you did... probably.¡±¡°Phew, we¡¯ll allow it just this once.¡± The defeated robot emitted a harsh grinding noise before falling silent. Moments later, a tsunami swept in from the nearby coastline, dragging the hulking mass away. The protagonist stood still for a moment, catching their breath. Then they turned to Il-hong, who had approached unnoticed. ¡°Did you find any trace of Ocean Butterfly?¡± ¡°Well, I did, but...¡± Hesitant, Il-hong trailed off. It wasn¡¯t until the protagonist¡¯s tone grew sharper that she revealed her findings. ¡°It seems they¡¯ve gone into the sewers.¡± ¡°The sewers?¡± ¡°Yes, the tracking algorithm stopped there.¡± The duo ventured into The Anthill, a sprawling labyrinth of sewer tunnels perfect for hiding. At Il-hong¡¯s suggestion, they split up to cover more ground. ¡°How are we staying in contact?¡± ¡°Here, take this. It¡¯s an old, non-waterproof radio. Don¡¯t drop it!¡± Equipped with the radio, the protagonist entered the sewers. They searched diligently until... ¡°Mister... s-static... there¡¯s something... s-static...¡± ¡°What? The signal was fine just a moment ago!¡± ¡°NO, NOT AGAIN!¡±¡°Il-hong in danger! Il-hong in danger!¡± Panic surged as the protagonist rushed toward Il-hong¡¯s last known location. ¡ªRATATATAT! ¡ªSWOOSH! The protagonist''s wires flew out, carrying them at breakneck speed. ¡°OMG, she¡¯s Levi IRL!¡±¡°She¡¯s a Captain in this game too, huh?¡±¡°That wire control is god-tier!¡±¡°She found something, all right.¡±¡°Let¡¯s see how badly this goes.¡±¡°It¡¯s because ?? is actually ??!¡±¡°Classic case of not being able to call ?? what it really is.¡±¡°Looks like she¡¯s under hypnosis or something. (Deleted message)¡±¡°Why am I already sad? ????¡± "I¡¯ve been living because I couldn¡¯t die. I¡¯m not afraid of death anymore," Il-hong declared, her voice trembling but resolute. "Il-hong¡ª" "Let me go. If you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll die right in front of you." Her declaration, turning her own life into leverage, intensified the situation further. The man, clearly torn, finally relented, letting the player go but not without clear reluctance. As the battered player resumed their march toward Ocean Butterfly, Il-hong¡¯s voice rang out behind them, softer than ever: "Mister, do what you need to do. I¡¯ll... I¡¯ll do what I have to as well." With those parting words, she pressed a small remote in her hand. Gray static began to fill the game¡¯s screen. Even as Il-hong disappeared and the player fought their way through waves of humanoid guards, destroying them all, the weight of her words lingered. Finally, the player reached the basement where Ocean Butterfly was said to be hiding. "Am I really supposed to go into the basement now?" The closer they got, the more oppressive the gray static became. Each step felt heavier, as though the game itself resisted progress. Il-hong¡¯s cryptic behavior nagged at them, and so¡ª The player turned back. "I can¡¯t finish the game like this... not with so many unanswered questions." But what awaited them at the building¡¯s entrance was startling. "How surprising. I didn¡¯t think a robot could develop a will of its own," the man from earlier said, standing among a crowd of citizens. The player, referred to as a robot, hesitated, confused by the sight of so many people and the man¡¯s enigmatic words. "What will you do now, defect?" "I¡¯ll ask why she helped me. And I¡¯ll hear her answer." "Information acquisition? Inefficient. Hearing her answer won¡¯t change anything. It¡¯s meaningless." The man, surprisingly, let the player go without further conflict. As the player passed through the sea of citizens, something odd happened: a flood of information overwhelmed their mind. Current dates, details about the city, and more¡ªall at once. By the time they reached the city¡¯s control room, where Il-hong¡¯s signal was located, the truth hit them. "...Why are you here?" Il-hong¡¯s voice, now cold and distant, greeted the player. Their AI-enhanced vision began analyzing Il-hong, revealing details they hadn¡¯t noticed before. What was once a strange girl now bore a deeper, more personal significance. "Are you... asking me to play with you one more time?" Her voice faltered, fragments of censored dialogue becoming painfully clear. "I agreed to travel with you only until we found Ocean Butterfly," the player repeated, now struggling to hold their composure. "Is revenge really so important? Can¡¯t you just play with me one last time?" The fragmented truth began to coalesce: "Don¡¯t touch that person!" "Wake up, Il-hong! That¡¯s not a person¡ªit¡¯s just a tin can!" Everything clicked. "You¡¯re worse at hide-and-seek than I thought. But this time, you found me." Scenes from the past, the tsunami that engulfed the guard dog, and the flooded sewers all aligned. "This city... is sinking," Il-hong stated matter-of-factly, still turned away. The truth unraveled further with each step. "Butterflies don¡¯t cross oceans. That¡¯s what I dreamed of¡ªan impossible dream." Finally, Il-hong, her voice breaking, screamed: "Don¡¯t torture me with meaningless malfunctions anymore! You don¡¯t even know who I am!!!" Her silhouette crumpled as tears streamed down her face. Yet the player¡¯s rusted metal hand, gentle as a memory, reached out to wipe them away. "Have you hidden, my daughter?" "Yes, Daddy!" The memory of a loving father, long buried, resurfaced. "I¡¯ve finally found you. Now, you¡¯re it." The poignant reunion between a broken robot and a long-forgotten memory marked the beginning of an inevitable farewell, underscored by a warning siren and the soft trickle of water into the control room. The chat exploded with emotion as the player¡¯s shoulders shook, grief transcending the screen. Chapter 99 "Ugh, Dad learning to play the flute properly is slower than a butterfly crossing the ocean." "...Dad will practice hard," the voice from the memory replied. A voice that only existed within memories. A voice that could only be heard in the echoes of the past. "Don¡¯t worry, Dad. Everyone¡¯s clumsy at something." "You¡¯ve grown up more than I thought, my little girl," the voice said fondly. The exchange was a relic of the past, a conversation long since transformed into a cherished memory¡ªone that could no longer continue.@@@@ "Still, someday you have to play this song for me, okay? This one, ¡®Ocean Butterfly.¡¯" "I promise." It was a promise made so long ago that even remembering when it happened was impossible. A promise forgotten, one thought never to be fulfilled. And yet. "???©¤©¤©¤" Through the blaring cacophony of warning sirens, the faint, clumsy sound of a flute pierced the air. It was so vivid, so clear, that it couldn¡¯t be ignored, even if there was no longer any certainty left to grasp. "...I¡¯m sorry. I made you wait far too long." Those words, laced with genuine feeling, slipped through the rigid mechanical tone of the voice. And in that moment, their gaze finally met. Rising from where they had collapsed helplessly, the figure leaned forward, stepping into that cold, unyielding embrace. The reunion of the player and Il-hong filled the broadcast screen with a poignant illustration. The frozen cursor, stuck motionless for what felt like an eternity, mirrored the gravity of the moment. Beyond the soft background music, all that could be heard was the ragged breathing and faint sobs of the two figures on screen. Il-hong¡¯s tearful voice, muffled as she wept into the player¡¯s chest, drowned out even the flood of donation messages pouring in. "...Ugh... Huuuuh..." "????????????????????""This scene is such an emotional cheat code. ????????????????""Wait, are they really crying?""DIAH IS CRYING ????????????""God, Ocean Butterfly always hits so hard, no matter how many times you see it.""Legit tears?""This feels like real emotion, not forced.""How long has it been since we¡¯ve seen real crying?" [User ????????? has donated ?10,000!] This scene always makes me cry. ???????????? [User ???????? has donated ?10,000!] Diah¡¯s tears just broke my heart. ???????????? [User ?????? has donated ?10,000!] Seeing someone who never cries start to weep¡ªit¡¯s even more heartbreaking. The chat and donation feeds were livelier than ever, and the viewer count had surged exponentially. Though Ocean Butterfly had been out for years, its reputation remained untarnished, and its reach was still formidable. Viewers flooded in from every corner of the web, drawn by the promise of witnessing the game¡¯s iconic, heart-wrenching ending in real time. And then, there was the streamer¡¯s unfiltered, raw sobbing¡ªa rare and deeply genuine moment being broadcast to the world. The phenomenon only accelerated as viewers shared clips across social media, turning the moment viral. It all culminated in Diah reaching a monumental milestone: surpassing 10,000 concurrent viewers. However. "Can¡¯t we just... run away? Please!" Il-hong begged. "I¡¯m sorry," the player replied. "No, no, I can¡¯t live without you anymore! What¡¯s the point of life without the ones you love?!" In this moment, nothing else mattered but Il-hong and the player. A daughter and a father on the verge of yet another farewell. It had been revealed that the player was not human but a humanoid robot¡ªa being that embodied the ultimate taboo, a machine instilled with a consciousness. "?""Why are you so quiet, DiahDiah?""Was it that emotional? ????????????""Ocean Butterfly is truly a masterpiece.""Oh no, here we go again. ????????????""There was one last shot left to fire.""Junjang-nim, noooo! ????????????""Diah¡¯s crying again. ????????????""It¡¯s so heartbreaking, even at the very end.""Ocean Butterfly (Complete)" Diah, now overcome once more, typed out her farewell and ended the broadcast. The chat and donations continued pouring in, but she couldn¡¯t bring herself to pay attention anymore. Exhausted, both physically and emotionally, she shut everything down. After a long time sitting numbly in her chair, Diah finally moved. Collapsing onto her mattress, she tossed and turned, unable to settle. Her memories, sharper than usual, replayed vividly, like bubbles briefly rising to the surface before bursting. All that filled her mind were countless hypothetical scenarios. Even though she had parents, they hadn¡¯t been the kind she needed. "...Would it have been better to have no memories at all?" Having already cried her heart out, no more tears came. That was the only solace she could find. *** Ding. [????? has donated ?1,000!] Hey, Cream, did you see Diah playing Ocean Butterfly? "Oh, yes. She¡¯s still young, so she¡¯s very sensitive and emotional." "Well, being 1-year-old is definitely young. ????""Ocean Butterfly really is a masterpiece.""Then what about Maile, who cried even harder during her second stream?" "Maile unnie? That¡¯s just her being an F by nature." "Wow, harsh, Cream.""Cream, are you a T?""Alright, Cream, you¡¯re next. You need to play Ocean Butterfly too." "It looks way too hard for me. Diah made it to the ending, but if I tried, I¡¯d be up all night and still not finish." "That¡¯s because Diah played on Hero difficulty.""Oh, right. She did go Hero mode, lol.""Everyone was so distracted by her crying that we forgot it was on Hero difficulty." [????? has donated ?10,000!] Call Diah and ask if she¡¯s okay, and I¡¯ll donate ?30,000 more. "Hmm..." With such a reasonable mission, streamer Cream (real name Jung Maria) hesitated. She was genuinely worried about Ha-eun, who had been far more emotional than usual throughout the Ocean Butterfly stream and had even struggled to speak by the end. After a moment of consideration, Maria decided to call Ha-eun. Even a brief chat might help Ha-eun feel a bit better. However. ??...click. The call connected almost instantly, within a single second. [...Hello?] "Whoa.""What??""Noonaaaaaaa!!!""Holy¡ª""That voice!""I¡¯m dying over here.""She¡¯s killing us with her voice. ????" The voice that came through was entirely different from the usual tone Diah used on her streams. "D-Diah! Unnie¡¯s live right now!!" It only took a few seconds for Jung Maria to realize she¡¯d made a huge mistake¡ªa colossal, irreversible mistake. To be fair, having Diah on a live call during her streams wasn¡¯t anything new. They¡¯d had casual chats about Diah¡¯s streams several times before. But this time. [...Oh.] "Noonaaaaaaaaaaa!""Who IS this??""I¡¯m swooning.""Her voice is unreal, omg.""Norae, we¡¯re blushing on your behalf!!!!" The voice coming through the speakerphone wasn¡¯t Diah¡¯s usual cheery tone. It was Ha-eun¡¯s true voice¡ªlow and husky from her strained throat. And it was the first time her audience had ever heard it. The contrast was striking, making the moment even more memorable. Chapter 100 LUX. An MCN ranked among the top five in South Korea, led by the well-known streamer Daramsquirrel, and the company responsible for the comprehensive management of Fantasy Horizon VTubers. To cut to the chase, LUX was thriving. The Fantasy Horizon VTubers had fully established themselves in the world of online streaming, and their success had spurred collaborations with external partners. Initially a gamble for LUX, Fantasy Horizon was now on the verge of becoming a legitimate and lucrative revenue model. The recent summons of the entire Fantasy Horizon team to the LUX headquarters was specifically for a meeting regarding the ¡°Cover Song Project.¡± Among the core elements of VTuber content, cover songs stood out as a key area. With proper preparation and a polished final product, a well-received cover song could elevate the already successful Fantasy Horizon streams to even greater heights. Several candidate songs were already selected. A ¡°special vocal trainer¡± was scheduled to attend the meeting, reaffirming its focus on the project. However, if you thought the meeting was solely about the cover songs, you¡¯d be mistaken. ¡°You should¡¯ve texted before calling to let her know you were live.¡± ¡°Well, the first time I called, I did text her. But over time, she started answering in her broadcast tone even without a heads-up... I¡¯m really sorry...¡± And so, the cover song meeting was delayed. The reason? A broadcast mishap during Cream¡¯s stream a few days prior. ¡°If Ha-eun decides to make this an issue, it¡¯ll become a problem.¡± ¡°Ha-eun¡¯s contract was signed through her agency¡¯s legal team. If ¡®Actress Lee Ha-eun¡¯s¡¯ image is tarnished due to our negligence, her agency could hold us accountable.¡± ¡°C-could I get sued?¡± ¡°The chances aren¡¯t zero. Though, knowing Ha-eun¡¯s personality, I doubt it¡¯ll go that far... Start with an apology.¡± Manager Ji Hye-min, handling the matter, repeatedly emphasized the severity of the situation. Across from her sat Jung Maria (Cream), head bowed, unsure how to proceed. Maria was fully aware that the incident was her fault. On the day it happened, she¡¯d felt her heart drop, immediately banning all chat messages referencing Diah¡¯s real voice, regardless of context. But she hadn¡¯t anticipated things spiraling to this extent. Screech¡ª ¡°...Hello.¡± When Ha-eun stepped into the small meeting room where only Ji Hye-min and Maria had been, Maria¡¯s already pale complexion turned ghostly white. She knew she needed to apologize but couldn¡¯t find the words. She just chewed nervously on her lip. A heavy silence fell over the room. Even Ji Hye-min, who had summoned Ha-eun, tread carefully as she asked Ha-eun about the broadcast mishap. ¡°A hoarse voice, huh? Personally, I don¡¯t think it was that noticeable. What do you think, Ha-eun?¡± ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t know. These days, people can identify someone from just their hand movements...¡± ¡°...Fair point.¡± Ha-eun had no way of knowing how or where her hoarse voice might be analyzed. For all she knew, somewhere in the internet''s depths, Diah¡¯s true identity might already have been uncovered. But she recognized that clinging to things outside her control would only cause her stress. Rather than worrying about vague possibilities, she decided to focus on actionable steps in the present. ¡°Maria unnie.¡± ¡°Y-yes?¡± ¡°I bought a separate phone for streaming. Please use this number to contact me when I¡¯m live.¡± Ha-eun handed over her new streaming contact number to Maria. Ha-eun asked whether the collaboration could happen at Jung Maria¡¯s place or the LUX office. Hye-min quickly suggested that the LUX office would be more convenient: "If you stream from Maria¡¯s apartment, it¡¯ll be harder to manage if something unexpected happens." "Ah, okay." Maria, still feeling guilty, had no objections. Opposing Ha-eun¡¯s suggestion was out of the question for her. And so, the first IRL collaboration stream between Diah and Cream was decided. The meeting ended with Maria still apologizing profusely, to the point that Ha-eun had to reassure her it was okay. However, the day¡¯s agenda wasn¡¯t over just yet. "Ha-eun, did everything go okay?" "Yes, it¡¯s all sorted." Ha-eun and Maria joined the other Fantasy Horizon members in a different meeting room, where the redness around Maria¡¯s eyes hadn¡¯t entirely faded. Once all the members were gathered, Hye-min entered the room, clapping her hands. "Okay, okay. Let¡¯s get to business first!" The long-awaited meeting for the cover song project began. "Our special vocal trainer, who¡¯s been dominating the charts for four weeks straight and is receiving love calls from everywhere¡ªgive it up for them!" As Hye-min finished her introduction, all eyes turned toward the meeting room door¡ªexcept for one. Screech. Instead of the door opening, the sound of a chair scraping against the floor drew everyone''s attention. Sitting there was Ha-eun, now wearing dark sunglasses. "From this moment on, I¡¯ll be speaking informally. From now on, refer to me as ¡®Instructor.¡¯" Ha-eun¡¯s tone shifted dramatically, as she began establishing her authority. Hye-min had explicitly told her to be tough and take no prisoners while training the members. Even the introduction of Pinocchio, the vocal trainer, had been scripted by Hye-min herself. "Do I really need the sunglasses?" "Of course! It makes you look cooler. Like a secret agent¡ªit¡¯s so stylish!" Ha-eun wasn¡¯t entirely sure how sunglasses equated to charisma but decided to go along with it, given Hye-min¡¯s satisfied expression. What Ha-eun didn¡¯t realize was that Hye-min¡¯s motivation wasn¡¯t purely professional. The manager simply wanted an excuse to see Ha-eun in sunglasses. That satisfied look? It wasn¡¯t for Pinocchio the vocal trainer but for D.A, a loyal fan of Daramsquirrel¡¯s streams for over a decade. Chapter 101 ¡°Then, Ha-eun will¡ª¡± ¡°Instructor.¡± ¡°Instructor, are you the one teaching all four of us?¡± Lee Yena asked the question while looking at Ha-eun with a mixture of curiosity about the cover song project and interest in the singer Pinocchio. The rest of the Fantasy Horizon members mirrored Lee Yena¡¯s expression, alternating their gazes between Ha-eun and Ji Hye-min. Ji Hye-min¡¯s response to the Fantasy Horizon members came immediately afterward. ¡°Once everyone has decided on their cover songs, we¡¯ll register you at a vocal academy for lessons. Ha-eun will only handle occasional confirmations.¡± No matter how talented Ha-eun was, teaching all the Fantasy Horizon members herself was realistically impossible. Ha-eun¡¯s schedule wasn¡¯t exactly open, either. However, the chance to teach singing to people she had admired for so long was an incredibly rare opportunity for Ha-eun. She planned to dedicate every bit of her limited free time to vocal training for the Fantasy Horizon members. After all, Ha-eun had spent over a decade taking singing lessons from Doubly. If she could condense and share the essence of those countless lessons with the members, the result would undoubtedly be beautiful and well-received cover songs. With the introduction of the special vocal trainer for Fantasy Horizon¡¯s first cover song project complete, it was now time for the members to choose the songs they wanted to cover from the prepared list.@@@@ ¡°You don¡¯t have to pick only from this list. If there¡¯s a song you¡¯ve always wanted to cover personally, don¡¯t hesitate to speak up.¡± What followed was a session of music appreciation. Songs prepared by LUX, along with tracks that the Fantasy Horizon members had personally considered, played one by one in the spacious meeting room. Ha-eun, who had already chosen Diah¡¯s cover song a long time ago, silently watched the other members as they selected their songs. However¡ª ¡°This one¡¯s mine!¡± ¡°Oh? You like Youthful Adolescence too, unnie?¡± After extensive discussion among the Fantasy Horizon members, the cover songs they decided on turned out to be the exact same tracks Ha-eun had heard in her previous life. Even the members assigned to sing them matched her memories perfectly. ¡°What do you think, Ha-eun? Oh, I mean, Instructor, what¡¯s your opinion?¡± ¡°It seems good. It matches well with your virtual avatars¡¯ images, too.¡± When asked about their choices for cover songs, Ha-eun replied confidently, saying they would perform well. After all, she had already heard the results many times before. ¡®I can¡¯t wait.¡¯ Ha-eun was completely confident that this cover song project would succeed. She believed the preparation would proceed without any significant issues. The suggestion to assess the current singing abilities of the Fantasy Horizon members came from Ji Hye-min soon afterward. ¡°We need to know where everyone stands so we can decide how to tailor the vocal lessons. Come on, everyone, follow me.¡± About ten minutes later, they arrived at a self-service karaoke room near the LUX headquarters. The group headed to a spacious party room, and the Fantasy Horizon members, along with Ji Hye-min, began settling onto the soft leather sofas one by one. Strictly speaking, Ha-eun wasn¡¯t unfamiliar with karaoke, having visited similar places with her family during childhood. However, the people now sitting around her were none other than those she had admired deeply in her past life. ¡°Ugh, this feels like going to karaoke with actual professional singers....¡± ¡°...You¡¯re the only actual professional singer here, though.¡± The sheer dreamlike nature of the scene made Ha-eun¡¯s heart race faster. She was so caught up in her fangirl admiration for Fantasy Horizon that she barely registered Lee Yena¡¯s puzzled comment from beside her. Not long after, it was time for the Fantasy Horizon members to begin singing. By this point, Ha-eun found herself slightly dazed, silently enjoying their performances. To put it bluntly, none of the songs were perfect or flawless, but the slight imperfections didn¡¯t bother Ha-eun in the slightest. Time passed as Ha-eun indulged in what she perceived as an auditory feast¡ªat least from her perspective. Then, it was finally Lee Yena¡¯s turn to sing the cover song that had been one of Ha-eun¡¯s favorites in her past life. Nod. It was a valid concern. Pinocchio¡¯s voice and tone were so unique that hiding her identity would indeed be a challenge. However, Ha-eun had prepared for this. Though not yet perfect, she had been refining her ability to sing in Diah¡¯s voice. ¡°That performance was as your vocal coach.¡± Beep. ¡°Now, here¡¯s Diah¡¯s version.¡± For the first time, Ha-eun performed in Diah¡¯s voice for someone other than Doubly. When she finished, she turned back cautiously and asked, ¡°How was it? Doesn¡¯t it sound different enough?¡± ¡°...Well, it does sound different, but....¡± ¡°...Pfft.¡± ¡°You sang well. Really well, but... hmm....¡± Confused by the mixed reactions, Ha-eun tilted her head. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Ha-eun. Diah¡¯s just a one-year-old baby, right? Cute covers suit her perfectly.¡± Realizing how her performance must have sounded, Ha-eun dropped her head onto the table, her ears bright red. From that moment on, she swore to never sing in Diah¡¯s voice in front of the Fantasy Horizon members again. *** ¡°Ha-eun, while you¡¯re great at singing, you¡¯re still not skilled enough at composing songs. You¡¯ll need a team.¡± This conversation took place about three days after the Fantasy Horizon cover song project meeting. Now, with the recording of the Infinite Challenge Music Festival looming just around the corner, Lee Joon was taking Ha-eun somewhere. The destination was a sleek, sophisticated private studio. Everything inside, from the studio¡¯s layout to the brand-new sound equipment, exuded modernity and quality. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s been a while, Ha-eun. How have you been?¡± Sitting inside the studio was none other than Hwang Ji-hyuk, the rapper and winner of SIT ON THE MONEY, with whom Ha-eun had shared the stage several months ago. After briefly shaking hands with Ji-hyuk, Ha-eun was informed of the latest news. ¡°This time, Ji-hyuk will be producing for you during the festival.¡± ¡°What about you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a guest this time; I¡¯m one of the regular members. I¡¯ll be teaming up with a different guest, so I won¡¯t be able to focus on you this time.¡± Lee Joon reassured her that since she had already worked with Ji-hyuk once, they would have no trouble collaborating again. Around this time, Ha-eun also noticed the intense determination radiating from Ji-hyuk toward her. ¡°This time, you¡¯re not just a featuring artist but the main star of the festival. I¡¯ll make sure to create a song that perfectly suits you.¡± Hwang Ji-hyuk expressed his desire to repay the debt he felt he owed Ha-eun for helping him secure victory in SIT ON THE MONEY. Strictly speaking, it hadn¡¯t yet been decided which of the Infinite Challenge regular members Ha-eun would be teaming up with. However, one thing was certain: Pinocchio, the singer, would be the star of the upcoming Infinite Challenge Music Festival stage. ¡°I swear on my grandfather¡¯s honor! I¡¯ll make it happen!¡± ¡°T-that¡¯s really not necessary. Seriously.¡± Ji-hyuk¡¯s resolve to make Ha-eun the star of the stage was unwavering. Chapter 102 It was just after Lee Joon had left the studio. ¡°Is there a specific style of song you personally prefer, Ha-eun?¡± Still radiating warmth and enthusiasm toward Ha-eun, Hwang Ji-hyuk asked for her opinion on the style of song they should create for the Infinite Challenge Music Festival stage. In response, Ha-eun said that as long as it wasn¡¯t overly cheerful, she would be fine with it. ¡®Cute songs are a bit... not my thing.¡¯ Ha-eun wanted to ensure that her public image as an entertainer and Diah¡¯s VTuber persona didn¡¯t overlap too much. After all, the image of ¡°actress Lee Ha-eun¡± had always been far removed from anything overly cute. She thought it would be better to maintain the weighty, serious aura she had cultivated as an actress and carry it over to her activities as a singer. However, since she wouldn¡¯t be performing on stage alone for the Infinite Challenge Music Festival, this wasn¡¯t solely her decision. ¡°Should we really proceed with just the two of us, even though we don¡¯t know yet who my teammate will be?¡± She asked if discussing the song style shouldn¡¯t wait until they knew who her teammate would be. Ji-hyuk explained that this was just preliminary planning. ¡°It¡¯s better to sketch out a few rough ideas now rather than starting completely from scratch later.¡± Ji-hyuk had been preparing for this ever since he was first invited to appear on the Infinite Challenge Music Festival. After all, neither Ha-eun nor whichever regular Infinite Challenge member ended up on her team had any expertise in composing. He believed it was better to establish a general direction and then make adjustments later as needed. And so, the brainstorming session between Ha-eun and Hwang Ji-hyuk began. ¡°The Infinite Challenge Music Festival tends to favor upbeat, lively songs. So, something too calm or serious might not work well.¡± ¡°Hmm... What about a J-pop-inspired style? Something with a bit of rhythm.¡± ¡°Oh, J-pop sounds great. Could you name one J-pop song you enjoy? I¡¯ll try to pick up on the melody.¡± The brainstorming session lasted about an hour and resulted in five or six rough melody sketches. After listening to them one last time, Ha-eun and Ji-hyuk parted ways, agreeing to meet again soon. After leaving Ji-hyuk¡¯s studio, Ha-eun headed to the LUX headquarters, specifically to the streaming room inside the building. ¡°I¡¯m here.¡± ¡°Oh, welcome, Ha-eun! I just got here too.¡±@@@@ Jung Maria, who was sitting in her streaming chair preparing various things for the broadcast, greeted Ha-eun warmly. The look of determination on Maria¡¯s face wasn¡¯t just an illusion¡ªit was clearly genuine. ¡®She doesn¡¯t seem nervous... but hmm.¡¯ Today marked Diah¡¯s first broadcast after the chaos surrounding her real voice reveal. It was also her first IRL collaboration stream. Postponing the broadcast any longer would have negatively impacted Diah¡¯s reputation for consistency, so they needed to reassure the audience as soon as possible. The Fantasy Horizon official channel¡¯s stream was already live, showing the waiting screen. Open the door!!!Kyaaa! Diah! Cream!Cream, I¡¯m cold... I¡¯m falling asleep...Is this the stream of the spirit goddess?Let me hear what they heard too!!Open sesame, open sesame, open sesame, open sesame, open sesame, open sesame, open sesame!The chat¡¯s already chaotic, LOL. Thanks to the collaboration stream announcement posted earlier on the fan cafe, a large number of viewers were already waiting, even though the broadcast hadn¡¯t started yet. The announcement post had also garnered an overwhelming number of comments, which was both exciting and a bit daunting. Before Bed, Diah¡¯s Screams: You¡¯re alive!!!!!!!Noori: An IRL collab? ????Round Sun Rises Jim: Prepare the booze and the kennel! It¡¯s time for the heroes! ? DiahS2 Hawaiian Pizza: Hero, warrior, come eat~Save the Polar Bear: Is she going to use her baby voice for the snail moment? ? DiahBehindShiroOni: Nope, it¡¯ll be her goddess voice while playing with Cream like a favorite doll. ? DiahDakimakuraWishDay111: Both of you, get out.SwordmasterDiah: I missed you ????"Why are you late? Why are you late? Why are you late? Why are you late? Why are you late? Why are you late? Why are you late? Why are you late? Why are you late? Why are you late?""Diah!""Diah, explain the real voice incident!""Is our Cream sitting next to you??""Diah noonaaaaaa!""Why is our Cream martyr so silent?""Did you tape Cream¡¯s mouth shut or something? Dang.""Cream, if Diah is threatening you right now, tilt your head as a signal.""Gasp.""Another world (ban).""If you displease me, I will carry out a purge of blood. (Roughly translated.)""But seriously, when are we getting the explanation about the real voice incident? (This user has been banned.)""Ahhhh, someone¡¯s been banned!!!""What¡¯s with the ban speed?""Are they using an auto-clicker to ban people? That¡¯s insanely fast.""First-ever permanent ban? Dang.""But what if someone offers an amount of money that can¡¯t be refused?""Somebody donate an entire cotton candy factory.""Wait, what? Donations above 100,000 won are blocked?""Argh! Open the door!! I loaded up my donation balance for this!!""What¡¯s going on here??""What? There¡¯s a second part?""Will we see the legendary mid-air combo with 11 hits?""Wasn¡¯t Cream a ranked player in Iron Fist?""Diah, can you please use your real voice just once? I¡¯m asking for the 12th time¡ª (This user has been banned.)""Isn¡¯t this Diah¡¯s first time playing Iron Fist?""If Diah¡¯s gaming talent is as god-tier as usual, she might even crush Cream." Soon, the stream¡¯s screen switched to the Iron Fist lobby. True to its reputation as the world¡¯s most famous two-player fighting game, even the lobby exuded an intense, competitive atmosphere unique to the genre. Still, just playing for fun without any stakes might be a little dull for the audience. ¡°How about this: the loser of each round gives the winner one wish ticket. What do you think, unnie?¡± ¡°Sounds good to me.¡± With that, they decided to bet "wish tickets" on the matches. Ha-eun wasted no time revealing what she planned to wish for if she won. ¡°A full playthrough stream of Biohazard: Big City. From start to finish¡ªno breaks!¡± ¡°W-wait, what? All the way to the ending?!¡± "Hell yeahhhhh!!!""Diah, you¡¯re a genius streamer. I believe in you.""Please win! Please win! Please win! Please win! Please win! Please win! Please win!""Is Diah playing too?""Out of all the games, why Biohazard? LOL.""Wasn¡¯t Cream¡¯s trigger point zombies? This is so cruel.""This is evil. LOL." Without giving Cream any chance to protest, Ha-eun started the game immediately. Cream had no choice but to pick her character and dive into the match against Diah¡¯s chosen fighter. "Wow, she picked Takuo right away. How much does she hate the idea of playing Biohazard?""She¡¯s bringing her main character right from the first match. LOL.""So shameless.""Diah, can you say ''hello'' in your real voice just once? (This user has been banned.)""Using tryhard mode against a noob. LOL.""Will Diah be okay?" The match began with an intense standoff. Cream¡¯s character, Hanata Takuo, a boxing champion, and Diah¡¯s character, Experiment Subject: Tora, circled each other cautiously in the arena. Takuo¡¯s probing jab punches¡ªhis signature boxing move¡ª MISS! ¡ªwere dodged by Tora, who opted for evasion instead of blocking. From that moment, things took a drastic turn. More specifically¡ª ¡°¡ý¨K©¤! ¨J¨J? Special Grapple Attack!¡± Ha-eun¡¯s lightning-fast combo inputs sent Takuo sprawling onto the arena floor. MISS!BAM!MISS!BAM!MISS! MISS! MISS!BAM! BAM! BAM! Takuo¡¯s punches continued to hit thin air as Tora repeatedly knocked him to the ground with grapple attacks. No matter how much Cream tried to mix in feints to escape the endless grapple combos, she couldn¡¯t find a way out. ¡°¡ú ¡ú?! ¡ý¡ú¨K! Now for the Special Spinning Kick!¡± Just as Takuo braced for another grapple, Tora¡¯s foot came flying instead, landing a devastating axe kick. "This IRL collab is about to turn into an IRL fight.""Why does she keep falling for the same two moves?""The problem isn¡¯t the attacks¡ªit¡¯s Diah¡¯s reaction speed. It¡¯s insane.""She¡¯s attacking, but it¡¯s like her attacks don¡¯t exist.""??? ''What are you looking at? That¡¯s just my afterimage.'' LOL.""She¡¯s dodging everything. What even is this?""Cream, give up your rank already." The first round ended as a clean game, with Cream failing to land even a single hit. Watching her descend into panic at the thought of a Biohazard marathon stream was a spectacle in itself. ¡®During the collab, I might mess with you a bit. Is that okay?¡¯ ¡®Y-yeah! Mess with me as much as you want!¡¯ In hindsight, this was far from ¡°a bit.¡± It was pure domination, as if Cream was nothing more than a toy in Ha-eun¡¯s hands, just as the viewers had described. Cream glanced sideways at Ha-eun, whose cheerful smile seemed brighter than ever. For a moment, Cream thought she saw a pair of bright red horns sprouting from Ha-eun¡¯s head. It was probably an illusion, but it didn¡¯t feel like one. Ha-eun had never looked so cheerful before, yet to Cream, her expression could only be described as the very embodiment of madness. Chapter 103 Everyone has at least one thing they excel at. For Jung Maria, that "one thing" was none other than Iron Fist. No matter what else could be said about her, Maria could confidently declare her skill in Iron Fist. She had memorized all the combos for over thirty different characters long ago, and her rank in the game was consistently at the very top tier. Even after becoming a member of Fantasy Horizon as the VTuber Cream, she never gave up Iron Fist. She frequently hosted viewer participation streams, using the game as a way to establish her dominance in a ¡°ranking order.¡± In fact, Cream had even received offers to go pro in the past. Over all this time, no viewer had ever managed to defeat her in Iron Fist. So, while Diah was renowned as a ¡°pro gamer VTuber¡± for her skills in various games, Cream was confident that this time, she wouldn¡¯t lose. Thwack¡ª!Whoosh¡ª Thud! K.O©¤! ¡°Ughhhh!!¡± But after losing the second round as decisively as the first, Cream couldn¡¯t help but let out a genuine scream of frustration. The chat erupted with mocking comments aimed squarely at Cream. ¡°Goodbye, Cream. You were nothing more than a commoner who existed only before Diah entered Iron Fist!¡±¡°Is she losing? Is she losing? Is she losing? Is she losing? Is she losing? Is she losing?¡±¡°To be honest, I think Cream should lose her ranker title!¡±¡°An Iron Fist ambassador losing to an unranked newbie, LOL!¡±¡°??? ''Don¡¯t you need a handicap?'' <<< Turns out she was talking to herself, LOL.¡±¡°There¡¯s no way such a weakling could be a ranker. Are you mocking me, Kurosaki Cream?!¡± Although the plan was to play three rounds of Iron Fist, it didn¡¯t really matter anymore. After all, Diah had already stated she¡¯d use her wish ticket to force Cream into a Biohazard: Big City full-playthrough stream. With only one more loss standing between her and that nightmare, the stakes couldn¡¯t have been higher. If she lost even one more round, Cream would be forced to clear the horror game filled with all kinds of zombies, all the way to the ending. The biggest problem was Diah¡¯s insane reaction speed. Miss! Miss! Miss! ¡®There¡¯s no way she can see the future, so how is this even possible?¡¯ No matter what attack Cream¡¯s character Takuo threw, Diah¡¯s character Tora dodged everything by the narrowest of margins. Despite the fact that Tora had only been using grapple and spinning kick moves, Cream simply couldn¡¯t land a hit. It was no exaggeration to say that Diah dodged almost all of Cream¡¯s attacks automatically. Unless Cream came up with a plan, the third round was bound to be her last. Desperate, she started recalling the countless moments she¡¯d experienced while playing Iron Fist. Cream decided to rely on the one advantage she had over Diah¡ªher extensive experience with the game¡ªand began crafting a counterstrategy. Keeping the standoff between Takuo and Tora intact, she wracked her brain for a way to counter Diah¡¯s absurd reaction speed.@@@@ ¡°She¡¯s not using a dodge hack or anything, but this is just insane, LOL.¡± A viewer¡¯s comment admiring Diah¡¯s incredible dodging skill caught Cream¡¯s eye, and in that instant¡ª ¡®...!¡¯ It felt like a lightbulb went off in her head. Cream recalled a strategy she had once used against an opponent who had been cheating with hacks. Miss!Miss! Takuo began throwing exaggerated, wide punches to lure Tora into dodging, just as she had been doing. Meanwhile, Cream slowly maneuvered Tora toward the edge of the arena, so subtly that Diah wouldn¡¯t notice. ¡°Cream, why are you only hitting air, LOL.¡±¡°It was close earlier, but now she¡¯s not even grazing her.¡±¡°Is this WWE now?¡± ¡°Hmm~¡î At this rate, I could dodge with my eyes closed~¡î¡± Miss!Wham!!Whoosh¡ª Thwack!Smack! Thud¡ª!!"She knocked her out in one combo!""Cream wins! Cream wins! Cream wins! Cream wins! Cream wins! Cream wins!""Hell yeah!!""''Win.''""That ranker experience is showing, LOL.""This is what I''m talking about.""Honestly, I believed in you from the start!"Click. To make matters worse, Takuo, the character Maria was currently using, was a direct counter to Baron Mineta. Most of Mineta¡¯s attacks were easily blocked or dodged by Takuo¡¯s defensive and evasive skills. Despite this, the fourth round began. Still puzzled by Diah¡¯s unexpected choice, Maria started pressing her advantage with a series of aggressive attacks. Almost simultaneously¡ª Bzzzt©¤!! Baron Mineta¡¯s special move, Rapid Bleeding, activated, reducing his HP by nearly 90%. In return, a crimson-black aura appeared, signifying a massive increase in his attack power. "?????""What is Diah doing right now?""Why is she self-harming?""At this point, one little tap could knock him out.""Wait, that¡¯s an actual move?" Takuo¡¯s relentless attacks continued, and just like Tora in the previous round, Baron Mineta was gradually pushed into a corner of the arena. Thwack©¤! ¡°Huh?¡± For some reason, just before being cornered, Mineta allowed himself to take a hit. While briefly rendered invincible by the move, he immediately countered with a punch that slammed into Takuo¡¯s jaw with incredible force. Bang!! The sound of the hit was distinctly different from Takuo¡¯s earlier punches. With Mineta¡¯s HP now down to a sliver, his attack power had become monstrous. Takuo¡¯s HP plummeted rapidly. Within two seconds, Mineta landed a light jab, finishing him off. Thud. K.O©¤! ¡°Noooo!!¡± Takuo collapsed to the arena floor, completely drained of HP. The words YOU LOSE appeared on Maria¡¯s monitor as her shrill scream echoed through the mic. ¡°Cream unnie, your rank has been officially adjusted. From now on, I¡¯ll reign supreme!¡± Diah¡¯s high-pitched, mocking voice filled the air as she began teabagging Maria¡¯s fallen character. The chat erupted into chaos, a mixture of praise for Diah and excitement for Cream¡¯s impending Biohazard: Big City stream. While Maria managed to win the next two games by a narrow margin, the damage was already done. She had lost a critical match and fallen victim to Diah¡¯s sneaky tactics. ¡°You know you can¡¯t use your wish ticket to cancel my wish, right~?¡± ¡°W-what do you mean?! It¡¯s a wish, isn¡¯t it?!¡± ¡°Still not allowed~¡î¡± "She¡¯s ruthless.""This is peak Diah energy.""Diah knows how to play the game!" As a result, Cream¡¯s streaming schedule was updated to include a full Biohazard: Big City playthrough. With Iron Fist wrapped up, Diah began preparing for the second part of the stream: the J-pop Ideal Type World Cup. Maria, resigned to her fate, had no choice but to proceed. Not even ten minutes had passed before the next segment was in full swing. ¡°No way, how can you eliminate Lemon?!¡± ¡°Samurai Heart sounds way better!¡± What started as a lighthearted discussion quickly escalated into a full-blown debate. Diah and Cream¡¯s vastly different tastes in J-pop made it impossible for the two to find common ground, resulting in endless bickering between them. Chapter 104 The J-pop Ideal Type World Cup. A content segment where the participants select and eliminate J-pop songs to narrow down their favorites until only one remains. When a solo broadcaster does this, the focus is usually on discussions between the broadcaster and the audience. However, when two people, like Diah and Cream, participate, the primary dynamic shifts to debates between the two. And so¡ª ¡°Number one in J-pop views! What more needs to be said?¡± ¡°Views aren¡¯t everything! What matters most is how good it sounds!¡± "Gasp.""Diah, are you saying Lemon doesn¡¯t sound good?""Oh boy, this is gonna be controversial.""Honestly, if it¡¯s just about views, what¡¯s the point of doing a World Cup?""But to be fair, Lemon got big without any anime tie-ins¡ªit¡¯s pure music.""Okay, but do you even know the artist of Samurai Heart?" Diah and Cream¡¯s fierce, head-on clash of opinions spilled into the chat, dividing the audience. Every statement the two made ignited waves of support and opposition, creating a lively and chaotic atmosphere. At some point, the chat and donations about Diah¡¯s real voice completely disappeared. As Ha-eun had anticipated, the audience''s curiosity about her real voice dwindled during this polarizing "like or dislike" content. Regardless of whether Ha-eun¡¯s strategy worked or not, her focus for now was singular: to protect her favorite J-pop song from being eliminated by Cream. ¡°J-pop started with rock! Where¡¯s the rock in Lemon?!¡± She presented every argument she could think of, attempting to overwhelm Cream with logic. Yet, Cream¡¯s stance remained unshaken. In the end, they had no choice but to settle the dispute with a spin-the-wheel program to decide which song would survive. When the spinning wheel finally stopped, the song selected to move forward was, much to Diah¡¯s dismay, Lemon. ¡°And there it is~. Lemon wins! Samurai Heart is out!¡± ¡°Ugh, what a noob! Cream unnie, you¡¯re a total J-pop noob!¡± Diah¡¯s voice, filled with despair, echoed through the mic as Samurai Heart was eliminated from the list. Not long after, their next disagreement erupted with even more fervor as Diah¡¯s pitch rose again. ¡°I¡¯ll never give up Zenzenzense! Never!!¡± ¡°It has to be The Reason I Thought About Dying!¡± "Oh, Diah¡¯s an otaku!""You have to admit Zenzenzense is amazing, people.""Why are they so desperate, LOL.""The Reason I Thought About Dying beating Zenzenzense? Really?""Why is every matchup a battle of giants?""This World Cup is already way too intense, LOL." The broadcast featured endless heated debates between Diah and Cream until the very end of the segment. Even after the final surviving song was chosen, the energy between them remained high. However, the broadcast end time was fast approaching. ¡°After the stream, I¡¯ll have a serious talk and educate her on J-pop properly! Bye-bye~!¡± Diah signed off with her usual high-energy farewell, her voice filled with her trademark enthusiasm. As soon as the broadcast ended, though¡ªplop. ¡°Haah...¡± Completely drained, Ha-eun let out a faint groan as she slumped over onto the desk. For Jung Maria, this was the first time she had ever seen Ha-eun like this. Alarmed by Ha-eun¡¯s sudden change, Maria quickly asked if she was feeling unwell and scanned her face anxiously. ¡°If you weren¡¯t feeling well, you should¡¯ve told me earlier!¡± ¡°I¡¯m just a little tired... I¡¯ll be fine after a short break, so don¡¯t worry too much.¡± Since there was no particular reason to refuse, Ha-eun thought about her schedule briefly before nodding. The two soon found themselves heading to a nearby cinema. Both wearing hats and masks, they looked a bit conspicuous, but it couldn¡¯t be helped given their public personas as well-known figures. The crowded theater lobby only added to the awkwardness of their suspicious attire. ¡°Get the tickets, and I¡¯ll grab popcorn and drinks. Caramel flavor, please.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Splitting tasks to avoid standing around too long, the two moved separately. Da-yeon didn¡¯t mention what movie they were watching, but Ha-eun didn¡¯t particularly care either way. At the concession stand, Ha-eun ordered caramel popcorn and two sodas as requested. ¡°Excuse me, would you like to order the couple¡¯s combo instead? It¡¯s the same price, but with an upgraded size.¡± ¡°Couple¡¯s combo?¡± ¡°I thought I saw you come in with your boyfriend earlier. It¡¯d be a better deal for the two of you.¡± Caught off guard by the cashier¡¯s assumption, Ha-eun glanced toward Da-yeon, who was getting the tickets. ¡®Hmm... I guess from a distance, it could be confusing.¡¯ While Ha-eun¡¯s long hair fell to her shoulder blades, Da-yeon¡¯s short bob, paired with a deeply pulled-down hat, could easily make her appear masculine from behind. In the end¡ª ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll take the couple¡¯s combo.¡± ¡°Great choice!¡± Instead of correcting the cashier, Ha-eun chose the practical option. A small part of her also thought it might be amusing to tease Da-yeon about being mistaken for her boyfriend. When the cashier handed over the upgraded caramel popcorn and sodas, she smiled warmly and added, ¡°Enjoy your lovebirds¡¯ day!¡± Struggling to suppress her laughter, Ha-eun quickly grabbed the snacks and walked back to Da-yeon. ¡°What¡¯s with the sudden grin?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll tell you after the movie. Got the tickets?¡± ¡°Yeah. Theater 5, row G, dead center.¡± It was then that Ha-eun finally learned the title of the movie they¡¯d be watching. Strangely, it was a genre Da-yeon didn¡¯t typically enjoy. ¡®...Don¡¯t tell me.¡¯ Ha-eun had a feeling she knew why Da-yeon had asked her to spend the day together. After all, the movie Da-yeon had chosen shared one major trait with Sea Butterfly: it was notorious for making audiences cry their eyes out. Having known Da-yeon for over ten years, Ha-eun could tell right away that there was a hidden agenda behind the movie choice. ¡°Ha-eun, have you seen Along with the Gods?¡± ¡°No, not yet....¡± ¡°Perfect. Let¡¯s go; it¡¯s about to start.¡± And so, with no room for protest, Ha-eun followed Da-yeon into the theater. The determined look in Da-yeon¡¯s eyes sent a chill down Ha-eun¡¯s spine. Chapter 105 After the filming of Moonlight Cleaved by Clouds was completed, Ha-eun hadn¡¯t had much free time. Even at school, where they could occasionally meet, preparations for Will We Fall Together? had made it impossible to spend time together. And with the impending start of filming for Infinite Challenge Song Festival and The Sunshine, meeting up would only become harder. ¡°Uh, Da-yeon, should I carry the popcorn...?¡± ¡°Do whatever you want.¡± It had been a while since Da-yeon sat beside Ha-eun, watching the same movie in the same theater. She wasn¡¯t particularly fond of the thought of spending another extended period apart from Ha-eun. Officially, that was the reason. But unofficially, there was more to it. When the heartfelt twists and turns of the movie brought tears to her eyes, Ha-eun had bolted for the bathroom as soon as the credits rolled. "Haah..." Da-yeon waited silently in the lobby while Ha-eun exhaled unsteady breaths in the last stall of the bathroom. The sound of gulping water followed soon after. She could hear Ha-eun clearing her throat repeatedly, trying to regain her composure. Finally, the door creaked open. Aside from the slight redness lingering around her eyes, Ha-eun looked no different from her usual self. ¡°Sorry for the wait. Was it long?¡± ¡°Not really.¡± Da-yeon didn¡¯t ask why Ha-eun had hidden her emotional state. The fact that Ha-eun had suppressed her tears in secret only reinforced Da-yeon¡¯s suspicions.@@@@ But for now, they were just friends spending time together. And Da-yeon had long known a way to test her theory, even without asking directly. ¡°Hey, Ha-eun. You said you¡¯d explain after the movie.¡± ¡°Explain what? ...Oh, right.¡± Rather than pressing about Ha-eun¡¯s emotions, Da-yeon chose to bring up why Ha-eun had seemed unusually cheerful earlier. She didn¡¯t want to make Ha-eun uncomfortable. So Ha-eun began recounting the incident at the concession stand. ¡°You see, when I was ordering popcorn earlier, the worker mistook you for my boyfriend¡ª¡± Still, it wasn¡¯t the most comfortable topic either. "A boyfriend? Of course I have one~¡î" ¡®...Why does this keep coming to mind...?¡¯ Ha-eun couldn¡¯t help but recall Diah¡¯s infamous line from her first stream. Even though the tone of voice was entirely different, it stuck in her mind, gnawing away. ¡°You should¡¯ve told them I wasn¡¯t your boyfriend!¡± ¡°But we got a free size upgrade.¡± ¡°How much is a size upgrade even worth to you? You turned me into a guy!¡± ¡°Relax, Da-yeon. From a distance, it¡¯s hard to tell.¡± ¡°What?!¡± When Ha-eun carelessly teased her sensitive spot, Da-yeon lost her composure and lunged at her. Grabbing Ha-eun¡¯s shoulders, she started shaking her while shouting in a mix of irritation and jealousy. ¡°It¡¯s just because of the clothes, okay?! I get compliments about my figure when I dress up properly!¡± ¡°Honestly, from far away, it¡¯s hard to tell¡ª¡± ¡°At least I don¡¯t have your chest that gives it away from a mile away, you smug brat!¡± ¡°...Sorry.¡± Finally realizing her mistake, Ha-eun awkwardly apologized, looking sheepish. From then on, Ha-eun walked alongside Da-yeon, trying to gauge her mood carefully. About ten minutes later, they arrived at a pasta restaurant near the theater. SpiritChildish personality & emotionsSunset? Dusk? Sunrise?Hidden talent in gaming ¡û Practice until reaching top rank in famous games ¡°...Ha.¡± The truth stared back at her from the pages of this notebook, a collection of Ha-eun¡¯s childhood notes and thoughts. What Da-yeon had once thought were Ha-eun¡¯s acting secrets turned out to be Diah¡¯s role-playing concepts as a VTuber. In a rush, memories from those days flooded back into her mind, unfolding like a vivid panorama. Overwhelmed, Da-yeon stumbled toward the corner of her room where her bed lay. Thud. She climbed onto the bed and buried herself deep under the covers. ¡°Ugh, ah, AAAAHHHHHHHH!¡± She screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice carrying all the mortifying emotions tied to the realization of her unintentional ¡°cringe history.¡± She clawed at her hair, running her hands over her face in frustration as if trying to scrub away the memories. Even after exhausting herself with these motions, the embarrassment and confusion refused to fade, threatening to drive her insane. Ding! [ Diah has started streaming. ] ¡°Hah... hah....¡± The notification she had set months ago appeared, signaling the start of another stream. On autopilot, her body moved, and her monitor was soon filled with Diah¡¯s live broadcast. There she was: the same cheerful face as always, speaking in the bright, familiar voice Da-yeon had come to know. "Since I¡¯m the older sister, all of you Sunrays must be newborn babies! So, just keep being my boyfriends, okay?" GaspDAH DIAHAh, I guess I have no choice but to be her boyfriend.Who am I? Diah¡¯s boyfriend.Just this once~So, Diah, when¡¯s the date? "A date? Hmm.... Alright! First three people to invite me to Battle Island get a date with me, so hurry up and send your invites!" The sharp ache deep in her chest... what was it? Even though Da-yeon already knew about the ¡°Red Pill¡± incident, this sensation felt entirely different¡ªsomething she couldn¡¯t place, only adding to her growing confusion. What did Ha-eun look like right now? Was she wearing that same innocent, childlike expression as the spirit Diah while smiling brightly? Was that smile also part of her eerily convincing act? ¡°..................¡± She couldn¡¯t tell anymore what was real and what was fake. Yet, she couldn¡¯t stop herself from watching. She couldn¡¯t let go of either version of Ha-eun¡ªthe friend who had accepted her without reason, and the VTuber who brought her comfort. With her face flushed crimson and her heart pounding like it might burst, Da-yeon kept her eyes locked on the screen. The secret that was no longer a secret became, in itself, a new secret to keep from Ha-eun. If Ha-eun ever discovered that Da-yeon had figured it out, she might lose both Diah and Ha-eun. And no matter what, Da-yeon couldn¡¯t risk that. Nothing was scarier than losing them. Chapter 106 -Ding. [ekdus7 has donated 50,000 KRW!] : Enjoy some delicious cotton candy worth 50,000 won. A significant donation amount. The requested reaction was nothing unusual¡ªone she had performed several times before. As a VTuber who received such affectionate gifts from her viewers, this kind of request was naturally something she could grant. It was something she should grant. Yet, because the donor¡¯s username was so incredibly familiar... ¡°Uwuh, yum-yum~~~! This cotton candy is so huge and tasty©¤! Thank you~.¡± -Click. ¡°...Ugh....¡± The moment she finished the requested reaction, she quickly muted her microphone and covered her flushed face with both hands. The urge to ban Da-yeon¡¯s account was stronger than ever before. She could easily perform reactions as Diah for the other supportive viewers who expressed their affection through donations. But she couldn¡¯t lump the username ekdus7 together with the rest. She understood that the donation was for Diah, not Ha-eun. Still, it seemed like Da-yeon didn¡¯t yet know Ha-eun and Diah were one and the same. ¡®No way someone who figured it out would stay this quiet....¡¯ Even so, performing a cute, sugary voice for someone she had been sitting across from at the same table just hours earlier was far from easy. ¡®I can¡¯t exactly tell her to stop donating. What on earth should I do?¡¯ For a long time after, the warmth in her ears wouldn¡¯t subside. No matter how hard she tried to collect herself, the thought of having acted cutesy specifically for Da-yeon kept swirling in Ha-eun¡¯s mind. She realized¡ªjust as VTubers dread exposing their "red pill" (real identity), VTubers also dread being exposed to their viewers¡¯ identities. As a result, she spent most of the night struggling to sleep. Time passed, and when Ha-eun found herself reunited with Da-yeon at the bustling snack shop of Narae High School, she couldn¡¯t help but glare at her slightly. ¡°What¡¯s with the look?¡± ¡°...Nothing. It¡¯s nothing....¡± Seeing Da-yeon act no different from usual, Ha-eun had no choice but to soften her narrowed eyes. There was nothing to gain from bringing up the donation from ekdus7. The conversation eventually shifted to the day¡¯s topic: the filming of The Sunshine, which began today. ¡°You¡¯re shooting with Baek Tae-hoon, right?¡± ¡°Yeah. We¡¯ve already worked out the details.¡± ¡°Wait, you worked it out with Baek Tae-hoon?¡± ¡°Oh, no. Senior Baek approached me first. I just asked him to drop the formalities since it felt more awkward.¡± Technically, Baek Tae-hoon was even more of a senior than Da-yeon. However, since their paths rarely crossed, Da-yeon referred to him casually by name. She wasn¡¯t the type to maintain excessive formality in someone¡¯s absence, anyway. Ha-eun briefly considered calling Da-yeon out on this but decided to let it slide, continuing their conversation. Most of their discussion revolved around the scenes Ha-eun, as Kim Jung-hyun, would be filming. ¡°You¡¯re wearing hanbok again?¡± ¡°Not all the time. I¡¯ll also wear western-style outfits, like suits.¡± ¡°You¡¯re playing the role of a rich lady from the late Joseon era, right? Why would a lady wear a suit? Are you playing a collaborator or something?¡± ¡°N-no! I¡¯m not a collaborator.... Anyway, if I say more, it¡¯ll spoil things.¡± Ha-eun shared what she could about her character¡¯s look for The Sunshine without giving away spoilers. ¡°Oh, right. I heard you helped judge the child actor auditions for The Sunshine?¡± Da-yeon¡¯s comment, a mix of truth and teasing, made Ha-eun recall the children¡¯s auditions. ¡°At first, I thought I was just there to observe. But somehow, I ended up sitting next to Senior Baek and evaluating them.¡± ¡°Weren¡¯t they too childish for your taste? Knowing you, they must have all seemed below average.¡± ¡°Not really.¡± Not all the child actors at the audition had been stellar. However, some, including those Ha-eun had assisted, showcased performances so exceptional that it was hard to pick the best. Ha-eun honestly replied that staying in the waiting room felt boring, so she came to watch the set instead. Since no one told her she wasn¡¯t allowed to be there, she carefully took a seat on an empty chair in a corner of the set. There, she watched as scenes she had witnessed during the child actor auditions came to life on the expansive set, more vivid than before. What unfolded was the heart-wrenching cry of Young Park Joo-ho, even more realistic than during the auditions. ¡°P-please, milady, save them! They¡¯ll die if this keeps up!!¡± The guilt of causing his parents to be brutally beaten due to his mistake. The frustration of knowing his parents¡¯ lives were considered worth less than a small scratch on Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s hand. The desperate plea to save his parents¡¯ lives. Every emotion was delivered without awkwardness or hesitation. Even from a distance, Ha-eun could fully grasp the intensity of Park Joo-ho¡¯s feelings. ¡°Milady! I beg you!!¡± The sight of Young Park Joo-ho desperately resisting the hands of the servants trying to pull him away from Young Kim Jung-hyun. The raw despair visible in his already reddened eyes. Yet, the relentless beating of his parents continued. No mercy was granted to mere servants, not even at the bitter end. Not long after, the scene concluded with the image of Young Park Joo-ho breaking down in despair, his parents lying motionless. ¡°Cut!¡± Director Kwon Jae-hyup¡¯s voice signaled the end of the take, and the set buzzed with activity once more. Cameras and lighting were meticulously adjusted by the staff, while others scurried about the set performing various tasks. Though such sights were nothing new to Ha-eun... Step. Step. ¡®...Where is he going?¡¯ Her gaze fell on Kim Min-seong, who began walking off alone to somewhere. Without much thought, Ha-eun found herself following him. A short while later, Kim Min-seong came to a halt. Looking around briefly, he sat down in the empty tiled house set, his breaths quick and labored, soft groans escaping his lips. It was then that Ha-eun noticed his hands trembling uncontrollably. ¡°Ugh... huff...¡± Ha-eun didn¡¯t know why Kim Min-seong was struggling alone like this. However, she couldn¡¯t leave him to bear the emotional aftermath of the scene on his own. Instead of continuing to watch silently, she approached him cautiously. Rustle. Ha-eun¡¯s shadow fell over Kim Min-seong¡¯s pale, trembling face. She knelt slightly, lowering herself to meet his gaze. ¡°Close your eyes. Breathe slowly,¡± she said in her usual calm voice. Taking his small, trembling hands gently in hers, she continued, ¡°Don¡¯t think about anything. There¡¯s no need to worry about anything right now.¡± She carefully pulled Kim Min-seong out of the emotional mire he had unintentionally fallen into. Having once sunk herself to the bottom of such a pit, Ha-eun understood his current state all too well. ¡°You¡¯ll be okay. I promise.¡± She had many questions she wanted to ask the boy struggling alone. And many things she wanted to say to those who had allowed him to struggle like this. ¡°It¡¯s okay to be okay.¡± But for now, what mattered most was something else entirely. Instead of asking about the tears pooling in his youthful eyes, Ha-eun gently wiped them away.@@@@ Chapter 107 ¡°Why... why are my parents¡¯ lives worth less than a scratch on your hand, milady?!¡± There were no mistakes in the delivery. Every line, memorized through relentless practice, was spoken naturally and without hesitation. ¡°Milady! Please!!¡± The raw emotions of Young Park Joo-ho¡¯s desperate plea were portrayed without flaw. The gloomy feelings Kim Min-seong had rehearsed countless times were captured vividly by the cameras today. Opposite him were two supporting actors playing the roles of Park Joo-ho¡¯s parents. The only difference from rehearsal was that Min-seong, for greater immersion, had superimposed his real parents¡¯ faces onto theirs in his imagination. Everything was perfect: The way his gaze shifted toward Young Kim Jung-hyun. The helpless struggle of resisting the servants pulling him away from Jung-hyun. The expression of despair as he looked upon his beaten, barely-breathing parents. ¡°A-ah... AAAH...!!¡± The scene shouldn¡¯t have been much different from what he practiced at the acting academy. -BEEEEEP©¤©¤!@@@@ So why was everything so loud inside his head? ¡®...What...?¡¯ The world around him buzzed incessantly, drowning out all other sounds. Dizziness he hadn¡¯t noticed before suddenly overwhelmed him. Every time his gaze fell on the lifeless bodies of Park Joo-ho¡¯s parents lying on the ground, something tightened painfully in his chest. The imagined faces of his real parents overlaid on the actors¡¯ wouldn¡¯t fade away. He knew this was just a shoot. He knew the scenes unfolding before him were merely part of the performance. But his rationality slipped further with each passing second. The emotions he had summoned to embody Young Park Joo-ho caused his breathing to grow erratic. The last thing his hazy vision registered was the sight of Director Kwon Jae-hyup shouting "cut" from afar. Realizing the take had ended, Min-seong hurriedly walked away, seeking a secluded spot. If anyone discovered his sudden condition, it could disrupt the shoot. In the worst-case scenario, his role as Young Park Joo-ho might be reassigned to another child actor due to ¡°health reasons.¡± And above all, his mother¡¯s weighty advice kept echoing in his mind: "You have to do well this time so you can keep acting in the future. Even if you¡¯re nervous, endure it and act bravely." That pressure compelled him to hide his distress. If he showed his current state to others, it would undoubtedly affect his future as an actor. Kim Min-seong had to be the child actor who flawlessly portrayed Young Park Joo-ho from start to finish in The Sunshine. Under no circumstances could he reveal any sign of weakness. Ha-eun listened silently, letting him speak at his own pace. Only after he finished did she ask two simple questions: ¡°Personally, I think you should go home and rest. Do you not want to go home?¡± ¡°...No. I still have scenes left to shoot.¡± ¡°Then... are you really okay to return like this?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Once Ha-eun was certain of his resolve, she fell silent for a moment, deliberating. Finally, for the first and only time, she issued a ¡°command¡± as a senior actor to her junior. ¡°When it gets hard, don¡¯t run off to hide alone. Go to the nearest adult. Always.¡± ¡°But... won¡¯t they scold me...?¡± ¡°No one would scold you for something like this. There¡¯s nothing scold-worthy about struggling. No decent adult would... would...¡± For a moment, her steady voice seemed to falter. Min-seong, seeing the shadowed expression on Ha-eun¡¯s face for the first time, quickly nodded in agreement, promising to do as she said. It was only after this exchange that Ha-eun finally stood upright again. She extended her hand to him once more, and though he hesitated briefly, he took it. Together, they retraced the path Min-seong had walked alone earlier, returning to the bustling set. The filming of a scene where Young Park Joo-ho seeks refuge in a missionary¡¯s home was completed without further incident. Later, as Ha-eun watched Min-seong perform from the sidelines, their eyes met. Approaching him, she said, ¡°Good work.¡± She lightly patted his shoulder and handed him a small pack of banana milk. Startled, Min-seong instinctively accepted it and murmured a quiet, ¡°Thank you.¡± Then, he hesitated before asking, ¡°May I... watch you act? My acting coach said just observing you would be educational...¡± Just as Ha-eun had observed him, he now wanted to do the same. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Ha-eun nodded and replied, ¡°Of course.¡± Not long after, Ha-eun¡¯s first scene began. The cameras captured Kim Jung-hyun, the protagonist of The Sunshine, in her first appearance. For Min-seong, her performance was mesmerizing. ¡°Milady, if the lord finds out you¡¯ve been reading Western texts, he¡¯ll be furious!¡± ¡°Is there a difference between the knowledge of Westerners and Joseon scholars? Why make such a fuss over learning?¡± Every line was flawless, devoid of even a grain of awkwardness. To Min-seong, her acting wasn¡¯t just a performance¡ªit was a goal to strive toward. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind teaching you this alphabet if you¡¯re interested. Do you wish to learn, nanny?¡± As Ha-eun delivered her lines with a gentle yet commanding presence, her gaze directed at the supporting actress playing the nanny, Min-seong watched in awe. He dreamed of one day acting at that level. Chapter 108 Kim Jung-hyun was a girl cherished by everyone around her from the moment she was born. The expression "a flower nurtured in a greenhouse" perfectly described her. The only granddaughter of the most prestigious family in Joseon, Her beauty and temperament were so extraordinary that not only her family but even the guests visiting their home adored her. To say that everyone who knew the name Kim Jung-hyun treasured her would not be an exaggeration. Yet, for Kim Jung-hyun, such affection was also... ¡°The world of Hanseong is changing because of modernization, but my life remains as still as a calm lake.¡± ...the very reason she became a sheltered frog in a well, unaware of the broader world. ¡°Live like a lotus on a tranquil lake. That is the life that suits you.¡± Her grandfather, Kim Ja-gyeom, had isolated her from all external influences, believing they might harm her. This led to a clash between the two. ¡°Foreigners and Japanese roam freely in the capital, and more women are trading their hanbok for Western attire.¡± ¡°Such matters are none of your concern.¡± ¡°How could the affairs of Joseon not concern a Joseon citizen?¡± ¡°Do these events seem like something Joseon has initiated? Joseon is merely being swept along!¡± Kim Ja-gyeom, though aware of his granddaughter''s frustration with her confined life, Still believed it was better to keep her away from a world in upheaval. To him, she was more precious than any treasure. Even if it meant earning her resentment, he would not allow her safety to be jeopardized. Kim Jung-hyun faced the unyielding gaze of her grandfather, whose vigor defied his near-eighty years of age. She had no choice but to fall silent again. Kim Ja-gyeom was the most stalwart person Kim Jung-hyun knew. He had lived his entire life adhering to the rigid mindset of a Joseon aristocrat. As the head of Joseon''s most prestigious family, he earned respect for upholding his noble duties, like Beomjung-eom (an aristocratic code). However, when it came to strict distinctions created by class and gender, he was utterly inflexible, and no one could sway his beliefs. Servants were servants. Commoners were commoners. Nobles were nobles. Men were men. Women were women. The roles and lives assigned to each were immutable. He believed they should remain so forever. Thus, especially for his beloved granddaughter, Her role as "someone to be cherished" and her destiny to "marry a good man and live beautifully, like a flower until the end" were non-negotiable. ¡°If you bring another strange book into your room, I¡¯ll punish your nanny severely!¡± Kim Ja-gyeom confiscated her books and issued a stern warning. Though frustration and disappointment clouded her expression, Kim Jung-hyun eventually had to back down. One of these was the Infinite Challenge Song Festival, set to begin filming in just two days. According to Lee Jun, other singers participating in the festival would be showcasing themselves to promote their careers. This meant that Ha-eun also had to prepare a PR strategy for Pinocchio, her persona as a singer. For any singer, PR inevitably centers around their songs. Unlike the other performers, who had been cast purely for their musical talent and reputation, Ha-eun owed her invitation in part to her fame as an actress. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤? To stand out as a singer, she needed to solidify her image and leave no doubts about her vocal abilities. That¡¯s why she¡¯d been rigorously practicing a particularly challenging song, even incorporating Lee Jun¡¯s feedback. ¡°Think of it as asserting dominance right from the start. If you don¡¯t go all out, they might underestimate you because of your age.¡± Lee Jun¡¯s determination for Ha-eun to leave a strong impression as a singer was as resolute as his faith in her acting. He reminded her that many people still primarily recognized her as an actress, not a singer. ¡°This isn¡¯t about being an actor who can sing decently; this is about being a bona fide singer. Don¡¯t hold back, alright?¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Her intense practice sessions continued for hours. However, her visit to Doubllee¡¯s studio wasn¡¯t solely about the Song Festival. -Ding. [¡°Yuna_Cover_Song_Demo_Final_Final_Last_Really_Last.mp3¡±] [Yena Lee (Yuna)] - ¡°Please save me, coach. I feel like my throat is going to tear.¡± [Ha-eun (Diah)] - ¡°Hmm.¡± [Ha-eun (Diah)] - ¡°For someone who sang like their throat was tearing, it¡¯s still a little lacking.¡± -Ding. [¡°Yuna_Cover_Song_Guide_v11.mp3¡±] [Ha-eun (Diah)] - ¡°I adjusted the breathing for the difficult parts and recorded it. Try singing along with this version.¡± [Yena Lee (Yuna)] - (flailing duck emoji) [Yena Lee (Yuna)] - ¡°Can¡¯t we just use yours? Do you know how demoralizing it is to be told I can¡¯t even match the guide vocal?¡± [Ha-eun (Diah)] - ¡°Then practice until you don¡¯t feel demoralized anymore.¡± [Ha-eun (Diah)] - (thumbs-up otter emoji) [Yena Lee (Yuna)] - ¡°HEY!!!!!!!!¡± Currently, Pinocchio wasn¡¯t just part of the Infinite Challenge Song Festival lineup. She also served as a special vocal coach for the Fantasy Horizon cover song project. Among the VTubers, Ha-eun had been focusing particularly on Yena Lee, crafting guide vocals for her covers. Every time Yena¡¯s vocal skills improved, Ha-eun would incrementally increase the difficulty of the guide tracks. Yena, overwhelmed, repeatedly called and messaged her to ask why she was pushing her so hard. ¡°Because I think you can do it,¡± Ha-eun replied simply. When Yena hesitated and half-jokingly asked if this was punishment for teasing her about the kiss scene in The Moonlight Splitting the Clouds, Ha-eun¡¯s answer was, ¡°That¡¯s not entirely off the mark.¡± She also added that she wouldn¡¯t stop until she was satisfied. This left Yena alternating between silent screams of despair and actual cries of protest. But in the end, she couldn¡¯t blame anyone but herself¡ªit was all the result of her own teasing. Chapter 109 No thoughts, head empty. That was the phrase that came to Jo Jung-yoon¡¯s mind every time she looked at Ha-eun these days. Although Ha-eun had always worn a calm, almost expressionless face, something felt different lately. Ever since the conclusion of The Moonlight Splitting the Clouds brought a brief lull in her schedule, only for it to ramp up again with The Sunshine, she seemed more dazed. ¡°She looks a bit tired,¡± Jung-yoon thought to herself. Yet, Ha-eun didn¡¯t skip school, not even coming in late. She committed herself fully to The Sunshine, which had begun filming just days ago. And her hours spent at Doubllee¡¯s studio preparing for the Infinite Challenge Song Festival, set to start in two days, kept increasing. According to Na-yeon, even at home, Ha-eun holed up in her soundproof booth, studying¡ªor so she claimed. As a parent, Jung-yoon knew that a self-driven, academically focused daughter was something to encourage rather than worry about. ¡°But she¡¯s like a machine. I wish she had even a moment to breathe.¡± As her manager, Jung-yoon couldn¡¯t help but worry about Ha-eun¡¯s condition. After all, keeping up with such an intense schedule without showing any signs of struggle was no small feat, even for an adult. In fairness, Ha-eun¡¯s physical health remained robust. Even after wrapping up The Moonlight Splitting the Clouds, she had continued frequenting Kim Gyu-tae¡¯s action school, practicing various exercises. She¡¯d even taken up parkour recently to prepare for the action scenes in The Sunshine. However, no matter how physically fit she was, the mental exhaustion from such a tightly packed schedule couldn¡¯t be ignored. ¡°Hey, Ha-eun. Want to come somewhere with me for a bit?¡± Just after Ha-eun had finished her workout at the action school, Jung-yoon took her to a pre-booked counseling center. It was a place frequented by celebrities seeking psychological care, so the visit was nominally unproblematic. The session Jung-yoon had arranged was focused on burnout prevention. She wanted to ensure that Ha-eun wouldn¡¯t collapse from overwork. After some light conversation between Ha-eun and the head counselor, the session delved into more specific topics.@@@@ ¡°Hmm... I¡¯ve never really thought of myself as struggling,¡± Ha-eun admitted. She explained that every single activity on her schedule was something she chose to do. This was true. Not a single task or event was imposed on her against her will. However... ¡°While it¡¯s understandable for filming commitments to be non-negotiable, is there a reason you avoid resting even in your free time?¡± The counselor was curious about certain aspects of Ha-eun¡¯s life. In particular, she brought up Ha-eun¡¯s personal live-streaming activities, asking why she continued them despite their apparent toll. ¡°I think you should start by adjusting that streaming schedule. Collapsing after every session isn¡¯t a good sign.¡± She suggested Ha-eun begin moderating the parts of her life she had control over. Their discussion turned to the content of Ha-eun¡¯s streams. ¡°Do you have to play games every time you stream?¡± ¡°No, not really. But my viewers want to see me play games....¡± Initially, her streams had been more conversational, in the "Just Chatting" category. But over time, gaming streams had become the primary focus, to the point where almost every session revolved around them. - Diah¡¯s here! - Why the fan cafe? all of a sudden? - Betraying your Battle Island fans? - I was already logged into Battle Island! - Can you look at fan art if I post it now? ¡°Well... I¡¯ve been told to take it easy for health reasons, so I¡¯ll be taking a break from gaming streams for a while.¡± The chat exploded: - Don¡¯t get sick, Diah ??? - We must protect Diah! - Health first! No graduating, though, okay? - Did Cream beat you in a duel or something? - Are your fingers broken?! - Diah, take care of yourself, you adorable squirrel!! The super chats rolled in: [Bernstein donated $10,000!] ¡°Have you seen a doctor?¡± [SsongIs donated $10,000!] ¡°Health is wealth, Diah. Take care of yourself first!¡± [EternalYG donated $10,000!] ¡°It must be the season. A lot of us are feeling under the weather.¡± After letting the chat settle down, Ha-eun began exploring the fan cafe? as promised. ¡°Wow, there¡¯s a lot here!¡± While she hadn¡¯t completely ignored the cafe? in the past, the sheer activity was startling compared to her last visit. One post caught her attention, standing out with overwhelming views, recommendations, and comments: [Diah at the Beach] Curious, she clicked the post¡ªand froze as a fan art filled her monitor. It depicted Diah in a swimsuit, her figure accentuated more than Ha-eun had ever imagined. For several seconds, she stared blankly. 1 second. 2 seconds. 3 seconds. Her brain short-circuited. The chat, meanwhile, exploded: - WHOA WHOA WHOA! - Big sis, I¡¯m dying here!!! - Incredible artwork! - That body tho ????? - Can we get a swimsuit edition for your avatar, Diah? Heart pounding, Ha-eun scrolled away frantically, but it didn¡¯t help. ¡°W-what is this?!¡± The chat wasn¡¯t letting up. **- Diah, it¡¯s YOU. Come on, give us a swimsuit edition!Scroll back! I missed it!!!** Chapter 110 The first thing Ha-eun felt at the sight of Diah¡¯s swimsuit fan art was confusion. The second was embarrassment. And the third, final feeling that bubbled up inside her was... ¡°...Do people actually... like this?¡± The chat responded instantly: **- Yep. Definitely.Can¡¯t get enough.A connoisseur¡¯s delight.Diah¡¯s stunned lol.(shock) (confusion)Her pupils are literally shaking.Is she too innocent to understand?** Overcome with curiosity, Ha-eun scrolled down to the comments section of the post. Comments (Sorted by Most Recent) **- (Smirking emoji of a fan) (Fan emoji aggressively licking)Wow.Saving this for later appreciation.(Fan emoji laughing slyly)(Thumbs-up SD Diah emoji)So, when are we getting swimsuit dakimakuras?Incredible.Do you take commissions?** Ha-eun blinked at the screen, unsure of how to process the flood of enthusiasm. ¡°...It¡¯s... pretty, I guess?¡± The chat erupted again. **- Fifth request to see the fan art again. So many talented fans out there.There¡¯s lots of other gorgeous ones too!(Huge licking tongue emoji) x5Please, Diah, release a swimsuit edition in 3D. It¡¯s a lifelong wish.** Ha-eun recalled how, during her VTuber debut prep, she had researched what kinds of illustrations fans liked. But no amount of research had prepared her for this level of enthusiasm. All it took was a change of outfit¡ªa swimsuit, no less¡ªand the fans were losing their minds. Wasn¡¯t this a little too much? ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because they¡¯re seeing a side of Diah they don¡¯t usually get to see...¡± Ha-eun was aware that her primary audience leaned toward preferences for this sort of content, but she didn¡¯t fully understand why. Clack-clack-clack. She hastily typed out a reply to the post. Diah: ¡°It¡¯s beautifully drawn. Please make more of Diah in other outfits next time~.¡± Leaving a short comment and a like, she prepared to move on to another fan art post, recalling the counselor¡¯s advice to relax more during streams. - Ding. [ekdus7 has donated $50,000!] Message: Please do 10 seconds of eye contact. They really love that swimsuit fan art, huh?Respect.Can¡¯t even ban them; they¡¯re a big spender.Let¡¯s gooooo!**Diah¡¯s angry!RIP to the 250,000 KRW they spent.She¡¯s furious! LMAO.Can¡¯t blame her though.** ¡°Why, WHY are there so many of these?!¡± **- ???. Isn¡¯t this going to get the stream flagged? LOL.Absolute chaos.Poor Diah. She¡¯s losing it.This is bullying at this point.Someone save her!Diah¡¯s about to quit streaming LOL.** Unable to handle the barrage, Ha-eun began closing posts the moment she suspected they were risque?. ¡°My heart is racing way too fast... If I keep looking at this stuff, I might have to move to the spirit realm for good....¡± The chat, for once, showed concern: **- Don¡¯t leave us, Diah! Is it a heart condition?Honestly, some of these were over the top.If you go to the spirit realm, take me with you!** Ha-eun used the fans¡¯ concern as an opportunity to steer the stream toward tamer territory, focusing on wholesome fan art. As she browsed lighter, more comedic art, she began to genuinely relax. Many of the posts recreated memorable moments from her streams. ¡°Oh, this one¡¯s from my first Battle Island stream! They drew the exploding motorcycle so well.¡± **- That stream was like watching Mad Max. Did you train to go pro in Battle Island?Even the railgun respected Diah¡¯s skills!Seeing live trash-talking in a game was gold.** With every fan art she viewed, Ha-eun¡¯s mood lifted. The calm enjoyment her counselor had recommended was finally kicking in. The fan art exploration lasted another hour, feeling far less hectic than her usual gaming streams. By the time she wrapped up, her throat felt noticeably less strained¡ªa small but meaningful improvement. Ending with her signature goodbye, Ha-eun shut down the stream. For once, she still had some energy left. She briefly considered studying, reading her script for The Sunshine, preparing for the Song Festival, or even reviewing Yena¡¯s cover song feedback. But Jung-yoon¡¯s earlier words rang in her ears: ¡°Rest at home!¡± ¡°...Okay.¡± For the first time in years, Ha-eun lay down in bed with energy to spare. ¡°Hmm...¡± It had been so long since she¡¯d simply rested that the feeling felt foreign. For a fleeting moment, she stared at the ceiling, her mind blissfully blank, before sleep swept over her. The dream she had that night eluded her memory. But she woke up refreshed, feeling lighter than she had in months. Chapter 111 ¡°The mysterious singer who received love calls from all our members! Let¡¯s find out who they are now©¤!¡± With those smooth words, Sung Yu-seok, the host of the Infinite Challenge Song Festival, masterfully set the tone for the event. As soon as his announcement ended, the double doors slid open, and Ha-eun stepped forward, walking slowly and confidently. Before long, the Infinite Challenge members, recognizing her face, began to rise from their seats one by one in surprise. At the same time, Sung Yu-seok¡¯s voice introduced her¡ªnot as a mysterious figure but as her real self. ¡°She¡¯s one of the hottest stars right now! Please welcome Lee Ha-eun~!¡± The room erupted in applause. Ha-eun gave a polite bow in response to the warm reception, then introduced herself as a participant in this year¡¯s Infinite Challenge Song Festival. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Lee Ha-eun. I¡¯m grateful for the opportunity and honored to be working with such great people. Please take good care of me.¡± Her calm and composed voice, as always, was met with another round of enthusiastic applause. Once the clapping subsided, Sung Yu-seok initiated a brief interview with her. ¡°You received love calls from every single one of the Infinite Challenge members, including me. How does that feel?¡± ¡°I¡¯m just glad everyone liked my songs. Honestly, I was a little nervous about it.¡± ¡°Ha-eun, nervous about singing? There¡¯s no one here who doesn¡¯t know how amazing your voice is.¡± The conversation then shifted to Ha-eun¡¯s recent activities. She briefly shared what she had been up to since the filming of Moonlight Drawn by Clouds wrapped up. ¡°I was lucky enough to land a role in a new drama. I¡¯m doing my best to make sure the character truly shines.¡± ¡°How¡¯s school been treating you?¡± ¡°It got a little noisy because of the last drama I was in, but for the most part, things are pretty normal.¡± ¡°Hmm, normal? I doubt that! Not normal at all~!¡± ¡°?¡± Before she could process his teasing, a giant screen behind her lit up, displaying an official performance video from her school¡¯s YouTube channel. The scene on screen was all too familiar. And then, the moment of truth. "You¡¯ve claimed me, so you must also take my wretched fate." "My sins are now yours, Kyle. Until the day I die... regret it bitterly." The voice echoing from the speakers was none other than Ha-eun¡¯s. She recognized it as the performance from Should I Fall With You?. Realizing this, she awkwardly alternated her gaze between Sung Yu-seok and the screen. ¡°Our Ha-eun is a complete superstar at school, isn¡¯t she? What do you think, Lee Jun?¡± ¡°Absolutely. No question about it.¡± Lee Jun¡¯s exaggerated account of the audience¡¯s thunderous applause and cheers during her performance followed. While Ha-eun felt it was slightly embellished, it wasn¡¯t entirely untrue. ¡°She sings well, acts well... Is there anything Ha-eun can¡¯t do?¡± Sung Yu-seok¡¯s comment, tinged with playful admiration, made Ha-eun smile softly. She modestly replied that hard work had brought her good results. After that, the other members took turns speaking. As the newly energized Yoon Si-hyuk chatted with Ha-eun, his question turned to the upcoming session. ¡°Do you have your own studio?¡± ¡°No, but someone I know is lending me theirs. We¡¯ll probably make the song together.¡± ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°Hwang Ji-hyuk. He¡¯s the winner of Sit On the Money. Do you know him?¡± As soon as Ha-eun mentioned Hwang Ji-hyuk¡¯s name, Yoon Si-hyuk nodded enthusiastically, adding that he had recently been listening to Hwang Ji-hyuk¡¯s songs. ¡°Wow, you¡¯re teaming up with some seriously talented people.¡± His joy was palpable as he received the studio¡¯s address and Ha-eun¡¯s contact information. Bubbling with excitement, Yoon Si-hyuk expressed how much he was looking forward to next Monday¡¯s shoot. After they parted ways, Ha-eun watched him skip away, his steps full of cheer. Shortly after, her phone buzzed. Ring-ring. She called Hwang Ji-hyuk, letting him know that Yoon Si-hyuk would be their team member for the festival. [¡°Oh, Yoon Si-hyuk-ssi? I¡¯ve heard he¡¯s a decent singer. Sounds like this will be fun!¡±] ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll see you next Monday.¡± [¡°Got it. See you then!¡±] Everything seemed to be falling into place. Ha-eun was confident that the dynamic between her and Yoon Si-hyuk would bring plenty of energy to the next filming. But that was for the future. For now, she had more pressing matters to attend to. The day after the first Infinite Challenge Song Festival recording, Ha-eun headed straight to Ji Hye-min¡¯s house after school. It was Tuesday, and with a school trip spanning Wednesday through Saturday, she needed to arrange for another hiatus from streaming. Ji Hye-min, as Fantasy Horizon¡¯s manager, bore the brunt of responsibility for all external and internal matters related to the group. Since there had already been a health notice about Diah a few days prior, Hye-min wanted to ensure that fans wouldn¡¯t misinterpret Diah¡¯s upcoming four-day hiatus. ¡°Alright, everyone, listen up for a moment!¡± Sitting next to Ha-eun, Ji Hye-min started an important announcement stream, believing it best to personally deliver updates as the manager of Fantasy Horizon. Chat: Dotoridan, attention!Why is Ramsay suddenly frying pancakes?An important announcement?! With four exclamation marks?What¡¯s this about a special guest in the title? Is it her boyfriend?Ramsay¡¯s finally getting married? T_TWe¡¯ll miss you! (Actually, not at all). The plan was straightforward: Hye-min would make the key announcements, and Ha-eun would simply assure fans she¡¯d rest well during her break. The stream was going smoothly. But then, in the second half of the broadcast¡ªdedicated to Battle Island¡ªthings took an unexpected turn. ¡°Wow, boss, you¡¯re really bad at this. Are you even aiming before you shoot?¡± Chat: Gasp.Diah, can you even handle the aftermath of this?Calling out the boss like a pro, LOL.The ultimate provocateur strikes again! No one had anticipated Ha-eun, still using Diah¡¯s voice, would unleash a wave of backseat gaming disguised as commentary. In hindsight, Hye-min realized she should¡¯ve sent Ha-eun home as soon as the announcement ended. Chapter 112 To Ji Hye-min, Ha-eun was like a cherished stuffed animal. Not that she literally carried her around everywhere for hugs, but simply looking at her evoked a feeling of warmth and affection, much like a beloved keepsake. And honestly, it was understandable. Ha-eun was not only one of her most loyal viewers, having supported her streams longer than anyone else, but also the deus ex machina of Fantasy Horizon. ¡®...Why did I ever think that was normal?¡¯ Despite being the youngest member of Fantasy Horizon, Ha-eun was undoubtedly the most talented at VTuber streaming. If there were ever a textbook example of what a VTuber should be, it would be Ha-eun¡¯s Diah. Thanks to Ha-eun¡¯s steady role as Diah, Fantasy Horizon had been able to establish deeper roots. Her innate talent as an entertainer shone brilliantly in her VTuber persona, bringing endless benefits to the team. Even when she wasn¡¯t streaming, she often appeared in other members¡¯ broadcasts, effortlessly adding spice to their content. She even maintained a close connection with others off-stream, exchanging messages without any sense of distance. Of course, this occasionally led to minor mishaps, but nothing serious. However, the fact that even Hye-min unconsciously relied on Ha-eun meant she had failed to notice just how excessively devoted Ha-eun was to her role as Diah until it was far too late. ¡®I should have realized it sooner.¡¯ When Ha-eun first mentioned her health concerns a few days ago, it felt like a slap to the back of Hye-min¡¯s head. Up until then, Ha-eun had always seemed fine¡ªso much so that Hye-min had assumed there wasn¡¯t anything wrong. In hindsight, she realized how foolish that was. Of course, it was a relief that Ha-eun¡¯s condition wasn¡¯t critical. But as the busiest member of Fantasy Horizon, it was clear that if Ha-eun continued to overwork herself, problems would inevitably arise. Even though there weren¡¯t any immediate red flags regarding Ha-eun¡¯s health, that was only true for now. From Hye-min¡¯s perspective, Ha-eun¡¯s current state was like a teetering stack of blocks¡ªone small push, and it could all come crashing down. As someone who both depended on and cared deeply for Ha-eun, Hye-min couldn¡¯t just stand by anymore. That¡¯s why she was the one who suggested making a public announcement together. ¡°If we¡¯re announcing a break anyway, let¡¯s also address her stream schedule adjustments.¡± ¡°Hmm... Do you think that¡¯s okay?¡± ¡°If you want to have a long career, you need to adjust your schedule. Ha-eun, you¡¯re not a superhero.¡± Looking back, it was clear how abnormal it was for someone as busy as Ha-eun to stream nearly every single day while managing her career as a celebrity. So instead of letting Ha-eun continue deciding Diah¡¯s schedule, Hye-min decided it was time to step in and find a more sustainable balance. ¡°More importantly, taking four days off immediately after mentioning a health issue might lead to misunderstandings.¡± ¡°Misunderstandings?¡± ¡°Like, ¡®It¡¯s just four days now, but what if she gets sicker and has to quit streaming entirely?¡¯ or ¡®Her streaming career isn¡¯t sustainable.¡¯ Those kinds of misunderstandings.¡± As a veteran of the online broadcasting world for over a decade, Hye-min had seen these types of assumptions arise countless times. She wanted to prevent Ha-eun from being subjected to unnecessary speculation. Thus, the stream began with the title "!!Important Announcement!! (with Special Guest)", and Ha-eun sat beside Hye-min. The unusual title drew not only Fantasy Horizon¡¯s regular viewers but also a large number of curious onlookers, pushing the viewership to an astounding 34,000. Once again, Ha-eun was reminded of Hye-min¡¯s unparalleled status as the legendary VTuber, "Ramji." Finally, Hye-min began addressing the announcements regarding Diah¡¯s stream schedule. ¡°Our youngest member will be taking a short trip to Japan, so she¡¯ll be on hiatus for about four days.¡± Chat: Another trip?What happens if someone who¡¯s sick goes on vacation?Four days? Are you trying to freeze us to death, Ramji?Can¡¯t she do an IRL stream in Japan? ¡°No IRL streams. This trip is purely for rest. She needs to recharge so she can keep streaming for a long time.¡±@@@@ Hye-min then elaborated on Diah¡¯s demanding stream schedule, emphasizing the need to prevent it from negatively affecting her health. ¡°You all want to keep seeing her for a long time, don¡¯t you? Please understand and support her.¡± Chat: Is she really in that bad of a condition?From the way you¡¯re talking, it sounds like she¡¯s hooked up to an IV while streaming.A frail beauty? Gasp...!Just don¡¯t graduate her, please! ¡°She isn¡¯t unwell right now, so don¡¯t worry too much. These adjustments are just to ensure she stays healthy.¡± For the next ten minutes, Hye-min detailed the new streaming schedule, which accounted for Ha-eun¡¯s filming commitments for The Sunshine and her participation in the Infinite Challenge Song Festival. Once the Q&A about the new schedule concluded, Hye-min gestured to Ha-eun, encouraging her to say anything she wanted to add. Clearing her throat, Ha-eun leaned closer to the microphone and, in Diah¡¯s signature high-pitched voice, said: ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to share all the juicy details about my trip when I¡¯m back, so wait for me©¤¡î¡± LMAO, Diah¡¯s roasting her!She¡¯s even bullying the boss now!The youngest is completely taking on the boss!Let¡¯s be real, if you can¡¯t sound-locate, what¡¯s the point of staying silent?Ramji¡¯s probably grinding her teeth live. LOL.Funniest part is Ramji knows Diah¡¯s good, so she can¡¯t even fight back.Diah (1st Generation): Will die but still speaks her mind.At this rate, she might actually die for real. LOL.Historically, loyal advisors who couldn¡¯t hold their tongues were executed.Oh no, is this Diah¡¯s final stream? RIP...Rest in peace, you glorious VTuber... ¡°I see,¡± Hye-min finally said. ¡°But there¡¯s one condition.¡± ¡°A condition? What kind?¡± ¡°Instead of ¡®boss,¡¯ call me ¡®Hye-min unnie.¡¯ It¡¯s been a dream of mine to have a little sister like you.¡± ¡°Well... considering our age gap, shouldn¡¯t it be ¡®Hye-min aunt¡ª¡¯¡± The temperature dropped. ¡°What was that?¡± Hye-min¡¯s smile didn¡¯t reach her eyes, a chilling aura radiating from her as she waited for an answer. ¡°N-Nothing! Of course, Hye-min unnie!¡± Ha-eun quickly corrected herself, all too aware of the shift in atmosphere. For a moment, silence hung between them, broken only by the sound of Hye-min chuckling softly. ¡°Have a good trip.¡± Relieved by the shift in tone, Ha-eun grinned and promised to bring back souvenirs, including gifts for the other members. ¡°They¡¯ll love it,¡± Hye-min assured her, waving lightly as Ha-eun turned to leave. Moments later, Ha-eun climbed into the waiting taxi, departing from Hye-min¡¯s home. As she settled into her seat, she glanced at her phone. Somewhere along the way, Hye-min¡¯s contact name had changed from ¡®Boss Ji¡¯ to ¡®Hye-min Unnie.¡¯ *** "Alright, everyone, let¡¯s do one final check to make sure we didn¡¯t forget anything!¡± The teacher¡¯s voice filled the airport waiting area that morning, commanding the attention of the second-year Class 2 students from Narae High. Each student diligently rechecked their belongings, preparing for their upcoming trip to Japan. However... ¡°Ah, looks like it¡¯s time to leave. I¡¯ll see you all later!¡± Comments on Instagram Live: Have a great trip~Don¡¯t miss Beauty and the Beast at Disneyland!(Plane emoji)x2I wish I could go to Japan too~~ Ha-eun, instead of checking her luggage, waved at the camera during an impromptu Instagram Live broadcast. ¡®...This is actually kind of fun.¡¯ She had recently learned more about Instagram Live while exploring the features of her own account. It was during this exploration that she discovered how many other celebrities used Live as a way to connect with fans. ¡®I should do this more often.¡¯ Unlike her VTuber persona, Diah, Ha-eun hadn¡¯t been particularly active in engaging with her fans as an actress. This morning, before boarding her flight to Japan, she decided to test the waters with her first Instagram Live broadcast. To her surprise, the overwhelming viewer response and positive feedback piqued her interest. But now, it was time to actually board the flight. She switched her phone to airplane mode, pocketed it, and followed her teacher¡¯s lead onto the plane. Apart from a brief moment of nervousness as the plane lifted into the sky, the flight went smoothly. After about two hours, they landed in Japan without any incidents. Upon arriving at their hotel, where they would stay for the next three nights and four days, Ha-eun and her roommates began unpacking their luggage. And then... ¡°Excuse me, teacher. There¡¯s a convenience store nearby¡ªcan I quickly go check it out?¡± ¡°Be back at the hotel lobby by 2 PM, alright?¡± ¡°Got it!¡± One of Ha-eun¡¯s roommates, Gong Hye-yeon, got permission to leave and led the group toward the convenience store. For some reason, though, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t shake an odd feeling as they stepped outside. And, as if to confirm her uneasy premonition... ¡°Ha-eun, Ha-eun! Look at this!¡± ¡°Huh? What is i¡ªahhh!!¡± CRASH! One of her friends boldly picked up an adult magazine from a corner of the convenience store and thrust it toward Ha-eun¡¯s face. Startled beyond measure, Ha-eun let out a sharp scream and lost her balance, falling to the floor. Her heart pounded in her chest, practically echoing in her ears. ¡°What¡¯s going on? What happened?¡± ¡°Well, I just thought I¡¯d give her a little scare with this, but... looks like it wasn¡¯t ¡®a little¡¯ at all.¡± ¡°Geez, I thought something serious had happened... Anyway, that¡¯s gross. Put it back and stop fooling around.¡± Unfazed, Gong Hye-yeon calmly returned to the beverage aisle, while the friend who had wielded the magazine casually slid it back into its original spot. To say the experience was mortifying would be an understatement. Whether it was coming face-to-face with the overly risque? cover or the fact that she was the only one in the group so completely shaken, it was a moment Ha-eun knew she¡¯d never live down. Her face burned bright red, half from embarrassment and half from humiliation. As she awkwardly picked herself up off the floor, she couldn¡¯t help but mentally berate herself for agreeing to join her friends on this little excursion. Chapter 113 Ha-eun¡¯s goal for this trip to Japan was simple: rest. She wanted to unwind, clear away the lingering fatigue, and take the time to reflect on her future with a clear mind. Most importantly, this was her first-ever trip abroad. The thought of experiencing landscapes so different from what she was used to filled her with excitement. Of course, the first steps of her trip were marred by her friends¡¯ playful antics. And yes, the explicit covers of adult magazines¡ªwhich she absolutely shouldn¡¯t have seen as a minor¡ªkept flashing through her mind. ¡®Well, I¡¯ve got things to do.¡¯ Like her friends, who were enthusiastically exploring the unique items at the convenience store, Ha-eun turned her attention to the shelves, her curiosity piqued. After all, ¡°exploring Japanese convenience stores¡± was one of the experiences she¡¯d been looking forward to. What really broke her self-control, though, was the opportunity to purchase items she had only ever seen in anime. ¡°Ha-eun, are you seriously buying every flavor of pudding?¡± ¡°Yup.¡± As a result, her shopping basket ended up significantly heavier than her friends¡¯. She had scooped up nearly every collaboration item exclusive to Japan. Among the products, the ones featuring the famous VTuber group Prism Live took up the most space. Looking at them, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t help but daydream about her VTuber persona, Diah, one day having her own collaboration merchandise. ¡®It¡¯s a long way off, but who knows?¡¯ For now, the items in her basket were a testament to people who had achieved the kind of dreams she aspired to. While it still felt like a distant possibility, the items served as a small reminder that her dreams weren¡¯t entirely out of reach. But then... ¡°¤¢¤Î¡¢¤â¤·¤«¤·¤ÆÜ¿ÄÜÈˤÆ?¤¹¤«?¡± ¡°...?¡± As she placed her items on the counter, the cashier suddenly spoke to her. ¡°S-Sumimasen!¡± Scrambling to reply, Ha-eun uttered one of the few Japanese phrases she knew and quickly pulled out her phone to activate the voice translation app. The translation revealed words that felt oddly familiar: ¡°Are you a celebrity? I think I¡¯ve seen you on TV before.¡± The familiarity of the situation brought to mind scenes from novels she had read in her past life. Particularly those where characters like her¡ªliving as women¡ªfound themselves in similar encounters. ¡®Hmm, this feels like de?ja? vu.¡¯ With her striking looks, a perk of her reincarnation, she¡¯d had plenty of moments like this back in Korea¡ªwhether it was convenience store clerks or internet cafe? staff reacting to her appearance. But for this to happen in Japan, where she was relatively unknown? That was new. Still, she wasn¡¯t sure how to respond to the cashier¡¯s curious gaze. ¡°Why? What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°They asked me if I¡¯m a celebrity.¡± ¡°What? Really?¡± Gong Hye-yeon, standing behind her, took over effortlessly, her Japanese fluent and smooth. ¡°¤«¤ó¤³¤¯¤Î¤¹¤³?¤¯ÓÐÃû¤ÊÅ®ƒž¤µ¤ó. ±¾µ±¤Ë¤¹¤³?¤¤ÈˤÆ?¤¹.¡± ¡°¤«¤ó¤³¤¯¤ÎÅ®ƒž¤µ¤ó? ¤Û¤ó¤È¤¦¤Ë?¡± The conversation between Hye-yeon and the cashier filled the air, leaving Ha-eun clueless about what was being said. However, as their discussion continued, the cashier¡¯s eyes widened in recognition. When Hye-yeon showed something on her phone to the cashier, the reaction became even more animated. ¡°±¾µ±¤ËŒŽÔ½¤Æ?¤¹¤«? ¤¢¤Îë…¤«?·Ö¤«¤ì¤¿Ô¹â¤Î´ó¥Õ¥¡¥ó¤Æ?¤¹!¡± ¡°Ha-eun, they said they¡¯re a huge fan of Moonlight Split by Clouds!¡± This unexpected revelation caught Ha-eun off guard. Before she knew it, she was posing for a photo with the cashier. ¡®I didn¡¯t realize Moonlight Split by Clouds was popular in Japan... Interesting.¡¯ Of course, she couldn¡¯t admit that to Hye-yeon. She was worried that doing so would earn her teasing comments involving an infamous anime studio starting with O and ending with -ku. Either way, they reached the top floor. Knowing that time was tight and they needed to get back before curfew, they both moved quickly. ¡°Wow, no one¡¯s here!¡± ¡°Really... this place is empty.¡± The open-air bath was spacious and serene, and the two entered together. Hye-yeon, with an adept touch, began wrapping towels around her hair and Ha-eun¡¯s. ¡°Ta-da! Sheep head, complete!¡± After styling her own towel into a sheep-like design, Hye-yeon slid into the bath. Ha-eun followed suit shortly after, settling into the water beside her. ¡°...It¡¯s not as hot as I expected.¡± The lukewarm temperature disappointed Ha-eun, who had envisioned something akin to a boiling cauldron from the comics she had read. The difference between her imagination and reality left her feeling a little deflated. But her disappointment was soon interrupted by Hye-yeon¡¯s subtle glances. ¡°Hey, Ha-eun... can I, um, touch your abs?¡± Hye-yeon¡¯s eyes darted between Ha-eun¡¯s face and her midsection, her curiosity apparent. Reluctantly, Ha-eun nodded, and Hye-yeon immediately began poking at her well-defined abs. ¡°Wow, amazing! The elasticity is insane!¡± ¡°That tickles....¡± Hye-yeon seemed utterly fascinated, treating Ha-eun¡¯s abs like a high-quality mattress with perfect springs. She couldn¡¯t stop asking how Ha-eun achieved such a sculpted physique, prompting Ha-eun to reluctantly explain her workout routine. However, things escalated when Hye-yeon, unable to contain her curiosity, insisted on arm wrestling Ha-eun. The moment their hands clasped, Hye-yeon realized the immense challenge ahead, resorting to using both hands. ¡°Ugh¡ª! Nngh¡ª!!¡± As Hye-yeon turned red from exertion, Ha-eun merely held her ground, careful not to overpower her friend. One wrong move could result in someone getting hurt. Eventually, Hye-yeon collapsed in exhaustion, utterly defeated. When the nickname She-Hulk escaped her lips, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t help but wonder if she had misheard. After finishing in the bath and washing up, they returned to their room. Hye-yeon immediately fell asleep, joining their other roommates, who were already snoring in their respective beds. ¡°So much for the late-night party they were so excited about....¡± It seemed the day¡¯s activities, which began with the Skytree, had thoroughly drained everyone. Left alone, Ha-eun pulled out her phone and earbuds, tuning into Cream¡¯s livestream, which was being broadcast from across the ocean. But mere minutes later... Creak. ¡°!!!¡± The sound of the door opening made Ha-eun freeze. A shadow stretched across the room as their homeroom teacher peeked inside. Ha-eun immediately pretended to be asleep, heart racing. ¡°This must be what it feels like to play a horror VR game....¡± Although getting caught wouldn¡¯t lead to anything worse than a brief scolding, the tension was still nerve-wracking. The teacher, satisfied, left without a word. Ha-eun exhaled in relief, ready to return to Cream¡¯s stream. Ding. [Teacher] - Go to sleep. The notification on her phone made her heart drop. She quickly realized that Cream¡¯s voice had been audible through her earbuds. Outmatched by a teacher with over a decade of experience handling students, Ha-eun had no choice but to follow her roommates¡¯ example and go to bed. Chapter 114 The short but impactful message from her homeroom teacher¡ª"Go to sleep already."¡ªleft Ha-eun turning in for the night an hour or two earlier than usual. Whether it was due to the renowned effects of the hotel¡¯s open-air bath or simply the carefree fun of spending the day with friends without worrying about acting, academics, or streaming, she couldn¡¯t say for sure. By 6 a.m., Ha-eun found herself wide awake. ¡°Breakfast probably hasn¡¯t started yet... What should I do?¡± Her mind was unusually clear for someone who had just woken up, and she felt refreshed rather than groggy. The other girls, who had gone to bed even earlier than she had, were still deep in their dreams, sprawled across the crisp white sheets of their hotel beds. Outside, the sky still clung to the soft blue hues of dawn, not yet fully embracing daylight. Going back to sleep wasn¡¯t an option. The drowsiness was long gone, leaving Ha-eun restless but energized.@@@@ After mulling it over for a while, she decided to make the most of her early rise. Creak. Step, step. Leaving her room quietly, Ha-eun set off on a stroll around the hotel grounds to pass the time until breakfast. It was her first experience of a Japanese morning, and the cool, crisp air felt invigorating. ¡°The morning air here is so fresh....¡± She walked leisurely, savoring the tranquility of the dawn. The stillness around her made it easy to sort through her thoughts and clear her mind. A small dandelion blooming by the roadside caught her attention. Click. Unconsciously, she pulled out her phone and snapped a picture of the perfectly framed flower. Soon after, she noticed the sun beginning to rise over the horizon and took another photo. For quite some time, Ha-eun wandered around, filling her phone with snapshots of serene, picturesque moments. When she finally felt satisfied, she reviewed her collection, finding herself drawn into the calm, sentimental mood of the early morning. ¡°So this is what ¡®morning vibes¡¯ are all about....¡± About ten minutes later, Ha-eun uploaded several of her photos to her Instagram. She didn¡¯t forget to include a few timer selfies that captured both her face and full-body shots, following the advice of her manager, Ju Jeong-yoon. "Even if it¡¯s just selfies, post them to show that you¡¯re enjoying your trip." After realizing her follower count had surpassed a million, Ha-eun had started taking her Instagram more seriously. Ju Jeong-yoon, who had noticed the shift, took the opportunity to coach her on how to make the most of her account, sharing tips for crafting posts with the coveted "Instagram aesthetic." Thanks to his guidance, the photos Ha-eun uploaded this morning carried a distinct aesthetic charm. The reactions in the comments were overwhelmingly positive, brimming with admiration. The simple act of sharing snippets of her day-to-day life and receiving such warm responses left Ha-eun feeling unexpectedly happy. ¡°So this is why people love social media....¡± However, while Ha-eun found joy in her new pastime, her fans were far less subdued. In her fan communities, such as the "Ha-eun Fan Cafe?" and "Ha-eun Gallery," her new posts sparked an uproar: ¡°Ha-eun¡¯s recent updates.jpg¡± ¡°[Instagram] Ha-eun¡¯s dawn in Tokyo¡± ? ¡°As expected from the famous early bird.¡± ? ¡°Did she take that dandelion picture herself?¡± ? ¡°Her ¡®V¡¯ pose in front of the flower is so cute lol.¡± ? ¡°Her skin looks flawless even at dawn. T_T¡± (Image-heavy) What¡¯s with this dawn aesthetic? ? ¡°This is basically a photo album.¡± ? ¡°I wish she¡¯d release an actual photo book. T_T¡± ? ¡°Agreed x2.¡± ? ¡°Same here. I¡¯d sell it out immediately.¡± ¡°Today¡¯s Ha-eun outfit breakdown¡± ¡°Looks like she¡¯s enjoying a relaxing trip in Japan.¡± ¡°Her updates are so frequent these days, and I love it!¡± ? ¡°Totally agree.¡± ? ¡°She¡¯s really gotten into Instagram lol.¡± ? ¡°If only she could fix the backlight a bit....¡± ? ¡°It¡¯s fine. Ha-eun¡¯s face outshines any backlight.¡± ? (Nods in agreement emoji) With each new post, Ha-eun¡¯s fan community grew increasingly lively, their enthusiasm far outpacing what Ha-eun might consider ¡°modest.¡± Even after breakfast and during their trip to Disneyland, her fans were still buzzing with activity. The excitement reached a fever pitch when Ha-eun arrived at one of the attractions, Western Hunter, which offered a shooting game experience. ¡°Her shooting stance alone looks professional!¡± ¡°Breaking news: Ha-eun scores a perfect 20/20 in Western Hunter.¡± ? ¡°Wait, 20 points are possible?¡± ? ¡°It¡¯s possible if you hit everything, but the last target pops up out of nowhere. How did she nail it lol?¡± ¡°Disneyland staff applauding Ha-eun.gif¡± ¡°She absolutely has to join next year¡¯s Idol Sports Championship.¡± ? ¡°Wait, Ha-eun¡¯s an idol?¡± ? ¡°She sings better than most idols.¡± ? ¡°She dances well too¡ªcheck out the behind-the-scenes clips from Moonlit Clouds.¡± ? ¡°I¡¯d die happy if she joined solo.¡± ? ¡°Agreed x2. She¡¯d put every idol in their place.¡± Ha-eun¡¯s fan community exploded with admiration and excitement, their chatter turning her casual trip into an online spectacle of praise. It was as if their collective amazement had materialized in real-time. *** Subtly, Ha-eun surveyed her friends, suspecting they might once again try to prank her with hidden adult magazines or something equally mischievous. About ten minutes later, Gong Hye-yeon returned from stepping out, announcing that she had confirmed their homeroom teacher was asleep. That was the cue for a variety of snacks to be pulled out, and the night¡¯s activities began. The first event: a game of truth or dare. The spinning bottle landed on Ha-eun first. ¡°You can only answer with the truth. No lies allowed.¡± ¡°O-okay.¡± ¡°Alright, first question: Out of all the actors you¡¯ve worked with, was there anyone you wanted to date?¡± ¡°Or someone you fell for at first sight!¡± It didn¡¯t take long for Ha-eun to realize her earlier foreboding was justified. As the classmate with the closest ties to the entertainment world, she became the focal point for an avalanche of questions. Some questions edged uncomfortably close to crossing the line, particularly for someone still a minor. Though not all were directed exclusively at her, she bore the brunt of the attention. ¡°So, if you were dating someone like ¡ö¡ö¡ö¡ö, how far would you¡ª?¡± ¡°S-sorry! I¡¯m feeling really sleepy. I think I¡¯ll head to bed now!¡± Before the questions could become even more difficult to answer, Ha-eun made a hasty retreat to her bed. Even after her escape, the raucous, boundary-pushing conversation among her classmates showed no signs of dying down. The friends she had been joking and chatting with just hours ago now seemed almost intimidating. Their unbridled 18-year-old energy and lack of filters were more overwhelming than anything Ha-eun had imagined. *** Ding-dong. ¡°...I¡¯m back.¡± Ha-eun¡¯s voice rang softly as she entered her house, announcing her return. Na-yeon greeted her warmly, but Ha-eun politely excused herself, saying she needed some rest, before heading straight to her room. The unpacking began soon after. Ha-eun meticulously organized the souvenirs she had brought back, separating gifts for others from those she had bought for herself. Once done, she headed to the kitchen to grab a pair of white cooking gloves before returning to her room. What followed was a long period inside her soundproof booth, where she conducted various tests. After countless adjustments, she was finally ready. Click. [Japan Trip Recap¡î] As soon as her usual streaming time arrived, Ha-eun¡ªnow in her virtual persona, Dia¡ªlaunched her promised ¡°storytime stream,¡± recapping her trip to Japan for her loyal viewers, the Noeul (Sunsets). At first, the stream seemed no different from her usual broadcasts. She shared photos she had taken at Skytree and other tourist spots, narrating the stories behind them. Then, she suddenly said: ¡°I even bought one of those famous melon breads! Hold on a sec~.¡± That¡¯s when things took an unexpected turn. After completing the photo explanations, Ha-eun activated her newly optimized streaming camera. In less than a second, the broadcast screen displayed an image that caused an uproar: two delicate hands clad in slightly oversized white cooking gloves, positioned neatly over her desk. Arrayed in front of the gloves were the various souvenirs from her trip. ¡°Wow, look at those slender fingers!¡±¡°Kyaaaaaa!!!¡±¡°DA-DIAAAAAA!¡±¡°I always believed in you!!!¡±¡°Oshi confirmed! Oshi confirmed! Oshi confirmed!¡±¡°Her skin is so flawless, like a baby¡¯s!¡± Ha-eun tilted her gloved hands into a playful V-shape and waved them toward the camera. Her simple gesture stirred the chat into a frenzy. The reaction was... overwhelming, to say the least. While Ha-eun understood in theory what her Noeul fans liked, she couldn¡¯t quite wrap her head around their level of enthusiasm. ¡°It¡¯s just my hands in gloves... Why are they so excited?¡± Still, excitement was far better than displeasure. More importantly, her new camera setup seemed to be working flawlessly. ¡°Well, as long as they¡¯re happy.¡± Ha-eun adjusted her gloves and shifted her focus back to the stream¡¯s original purpose¡ªfulfilling her promise of a trip recap. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s start with the melon bread! Let¡¯s see if it actually tastes like melon~.¡± She opened the wrapper with deliberate care and began her review of the souvenirs she had brought back. Thanks to the clarity she had gained over the four-day trip, Ha-eun found herself navigating the broadcast more smoothly than ever before. For the first time in Dia¡¯s streaming career, she had ventured into a new realm with a camera-enabled broadcast¡ªand it was an undeniable success. Chapter 115 Chew, chew. ¡°Hmm, it doesn¡¯t taste like melon at all. I got tricked!¡± After taking a big bite of the melon bread, Ha-eun placed it back on the desk. Her voice, describing the taste, sounded slightly disappointed. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because it didn¡¯t meet my expectations? It¡¯s sweet and tasty, but something¡¯s... off.¡± Still, for some reason, the chat window suddenly sped up, prompting her to pause the review and glance at the messages. ¡°Dia, if you¡¯re not going to finish that melon bread, give it to me.¡±¡°It looks brown inside, so maybe it¡¯s chocolate flavor.¡±¡°Selling half-eaten melon bread by Dia¡ªstarting bid, anyone?¡±¡°Don¡¯t waste good food! Share it with us, please!¡± Seeing the Noeul''s intense interest in her leftover melon bread, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t resist. A mischievous smile crept across her face as she picked up the bread and slowly moved it toward the camera. ¡°Alright, open wide~ Here comes a bite!¡± ¡°Aaaaaahhhhh!¡±¡°AAAA!¡±¡°Back off, it¡¯s mine!¡±¡°This is practically an indirect kiss!¡±¡°First time getting such a close-up of melon bread.¡± Just as the bread was about to touch the camera, Ha-eun swiftly pulled it back and took another bite herself. Chewing the not-so-melon-flavored chocolate bread, she teased, ¡°Did you really think I¡¯d give it to you?¡± ¡°Ha! Fooled you! I¡¯m eating it all by myself!¡± ¡°WHAT!?¡±¡°MINE!¡±¡°Give me back my melon bread!!!¡±¡°This is controversial behavior!¡±¡°Even during a trip recap stream, Dia¡¯s out here trolling her fans.¡±¡°You can¡¯t give and take away like that!¡±¡°Stop eating, you greedy pig!¡±¡°Dia is officially the greediest VTuber.¡± As she watched the entertaining reactions flood the chat, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t suppress a growing grin. The satisfaction of trolling her fans¡ªjust like during her Battle Island streams¡ªwas exhilarating in its own way. Of course, there were still plenty of souvenirs from her Japan trip left to review. After finishing the melon bread, she brought out an array of puddings and spread them across the desk. For quite a while, she sampled the various treats she¡¯d brought back, tasting and commenting on each one. Occasionally, she¡¯d tease her viewers by holding a pudding up to the camera. ¡°Doesn¡¯t this look so delicious? Bet you¡¯d love to take a big bite of this, huh?¡± ¡°Dia¡¯s having way too much fun.¡±¡°Just one bite, please!¡±¡°Why do you enjoy teasing us so much?¡±¡°If you keep this up, I¡¯ll leave the chat and never come back!¡±¡°You call yourself a boyfriend? All you do is mess with us!¡±¡°Keep this up, and we¡¯re breaking up for real!¡± The chat, predictably, was on fire, filled with exaggerated protests and playful threats. Though their reactions were amusing, Ha-eun knew better than to push things too far. ¡°Alright, time for a surprise event!¡± Swipe. Clunk! ¡°This time, it¡¯s a real gift for my Noeul!¡± She placed a small maneki-neko figurine on the desk, its shiny gold surface gleaming under the camera. The sudden appearance of an actual gift sent the chat into a frenzy of question marks. ¡°What did she just say?¡±¡°A gift???¡±¡°?????¡±¡°Is this for real?¡±¡°If this is another lie, I¡¯m done with you, Dia!¡±¡°What¡¯s with the surprise event??¡± Seizing the moment while her fans were distracted, Ha-eun switched the camera view to her monitor and began typing a new announcement on the Hyangsang fan cafe?. ¡°When I was in Japan, I bought gifts for my boss and the older girls, but it didn¡¯t feel right to leave out my Noeul.¡± Click, click, click. ¡°So, as a thank-you for waiting while I was away, I prepared something for you all!¡± Ding! !!Special Return Gift Event!! ¡°Alright, fine... just this once.¡±¡°I¡¯m so touched, I might cry.¡±¡°Hand-deliver the gift, and all is forgiven!¡±¡°So, we¡¯re getting a 24-hour no-break stream as an apology, right?¡±¡°Get your keyboards ready, heroes! It¡¯s time for the Great Acrostic Era!¡±¡°Dia always thinks of her fans. Truly a treasure.¡±¡°Noooo, it¡¯s too soon!¡±¡°Dia, don¡¯t leave us!¡±¡°Why are you ending so early???¡±¡°I¡¯m still hungry for more!!!¡±¡°Hands off the end-stream button!!!¡± Na-yeon immediately asked for the exact date and venue of the Infinite Challenge Song Festival. Ha-eun pulled out her phone once more and searched for the event¡¯s details, showing her mother the location. ¡°Oh? Gocheok Sky Dome? You¡¯re really performing there?¡± ¡°Yes. You and Dad will be seated in the specially prepared guest section.¡± During the live finale of SIT ON THE MONEY, Ha-eun had chosen not to invite them, worried their presence might make her too nervous. However, her determination to become a major star meant she could no longer let stage nerves hold her back. ¡°You¡¯ll make time to come, right?¡± Ha-eun asked Na-yeon to attend the Infinite Challenge Song Festival performance, explaining that it would be a stepping stone for her to reach even greater heights. This concert wasn¡¯t just any event; it was taking place at Gocheok Sky Dome, a venue that had been pivotal in Ha-eun¡¯s early steps into the entertainment world. Years ago, as a child, she had appeared there as a ceremonial first pitcher. Now, she was returning as one of the industry''s rising stars. ¡°Well, if it¡¯s my daughter¡¯s performance, I¡¯d go as many times as you¡¯d ask... but are you sure you can perform in such a huge venue?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯m confident I can do it. It¡¯s not like it¡¯s my first time there,¡± Ha-eun replied, resolutely reaffirming her determination in front of Na-yeon. She asked her mother to look forward to the show, to replace any concerns with pure excitement. ¡°Please, just have high expectations. I¡¯ll exceed them¡ªI promise.¡± Unconsciously, Ha-eun found herself wishing she could face Na-yeon and Seong-yoon on the day of the performance as the proudest version of herself. There wasn¡¯t a single ounce of insincerity in her hope. After resting during her trip to Japan and finishing the final tune-ups needed to move forward, she felt ready to soar. As Ha-eun¡¯s vision for her future became crystal clear, elsewhere on the internet, the buzz about Diah¡¯s return broadcast was growing louder. Diah¡¯s broadcast feels unusually polished since her break. Is it just me? It¡¯s the way she shifts from jokes to a surprise event to calm her audience¡ªit¡¯s just veteran behavior at this point.For real.Her skills at handling her fans are leveling up.I made ChatGPT do an acrostic poem about Diah. Solid or nah?If you¡¯re glad Diah doesn¡¯t seem sick, smash that like button. Smashed.Special exception this time, liked!Diah went to an onsen, but no onsen selfies? What¡¯s the deal? HEY HEY HEY!Wasn¡¯t Diah supposedly one year old?This weirdo...Let¡¯s just leave it.This guy knows too much.Well, he¡¯ll soon learn how cramped prison bars can feel. The community¡¯s chatter about Diah¡¯s broadcast wasn¡¯t unusual. However, unlike past breaks where the reason was vague, this time, her trip¡¯s location and timing were more concrete. This led to more targeted speculation about uncovering Diah¡¯s true identity. Title: Isn¡¯t Diah a High Schooler? Author: BigBigDiah | 23:11 Isn¡¯t it high school trip season?Her itinerary matches a school trip route. Wouldn¡¯t you think it¡¯s weird to visit a car museum on a personal trip? Title: But didn¡¯t Diah¡¯s souvenirs exclude beer? Author: Don¡¯tSayAnythingBadAboutRia | 23:47 All my friends buy Japanese beer when they go, but there was none in her haul. She might be underage. Title: If Diah¡¯s Really a High Schooler, Here¡¯s How to Expose Her Author: BlameItOnMe | 23:59 (Screenshot of an article about Korea having around 2,000 high schools)Go through school websites and find permission slips for trips. Cross-check the itineraries with hers. Then scour social media for matching hands. Boom¡ªcase closed. While no definitive conclusions had emerged, some speculations were growing closer to the truth. The dominoes were trembling, with Diah¡¯s secret poised to tip over at any moment. But this shift in the online world was beyond Ha-eun¡¯s control. Her focus was elsewhere¡ªon her work as an entertainer. Maybe that¡¯s why, by the time the second recording session for the Infinite Challenge Song Festival approached, her thoughts were solely on her partner, Yoon Si-hyuk. ¡°All you need to do is think of it as filming a casual reality show in Hwang Ji-hyuk¡¯s studio. Just relax and chat naturally,¡± the production staff reassured her. As she nodded in response, Ha-eun mulled over her plan. ¡®Should I start by talking about that one time during the Don¡¯t Stop People shoot?¡¯ Her mind was occupied with preparing the perfect conversation topics, leaving no room for the storm brewing online. Chapter 116 Small cameras were set up all around the tidy studio. The production staff of Infinite Challenge had transformed the adjacent room into a monitoring station, busily preparing for the shoot. ¡°So, this is how they film observational variety shows... Interesting.¡± Ha-eun had just arrived at Hwang Ji-hyuk¡¯s studio and was curiously taking in the bustling scene. It wasn¡¯t long before her assigned writer approached and fitted her with a microphone for the shoot. Thanks to an early morning visit to the makeup studio for on-camera makeup, there was no need for additional touch-ups. Strictly speaking, the makeup she¡¯d received was minimal¡ªjust a quick fix of her bangs and eyebrows. ¡°Yoon Si-hyuk said he¡¯ll be here in about 15 minutes.¡± The voice belonged to PD Lee Seung-hwan, who was in charge of filming today¡¯s Infinite Challenge Song Festival segment featuring Ha-eun and Yoon Si-hyuk. After listening to his instructions attentively, Ha-eun found herself waiting with Hwang Ji-hyuk in the inner part of the studio. However, PD Lee had a special request: he wanted the cameras to capture some casual small talk between Ha-eun and Hwang Ji-hyuk. ¡°Hmm, why do you look so stiff?¡± ¡°P-public broadcast is a first for me... I¡¯m really nervous.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll get used to it. Or, would you like to go wash your face real quick?¡± Noticing how nervous Hwang Ji-hyuk appeared¡ªmore so than during the SIT ON THE MONEY live finals¡ªHa-eun struck up a lighthearted conversation. After all, the smoother things went with Hwang Ji-hyuk, the easier it would be for her and Yoon Si-hyuk to work on the song. Since they¡¯d be meeting frequently to prepare for the Song Festival performance, making a good first impression was essential. Continuing in that spirit, Ha-eun asked him to share some of the melody sketches he had already worked on. Keeping him focused on his craft seemed like the best way to ease his nerves. ¡°You mentioned Yoon Si-hyuk enjoys your music, so don¡¯t worry too much.¡± ¡°He does? Yoon Si-hyuk?¡± ¡°Yes, he said your style suits him perfectly.¡± Engaging him in conversation, Ha-eun listened to the melody sketches, which varied widely in mood and emotion, offering plenty of options to choose from. Gradually, Hwang Ji-hyuk¡¯s nervous demeanor faded as he busied himself with the studio¡¯s equipment. By the time Yoon Si-hyuk arrived, he was able to greet him with the composure of a seasoned musician rather than that of a nervous rookie on a variety show. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Hwang Ji-hyuk. We spoke over the phone before.¡± ¡°Ah, great to meet you! I really enjoy your music.¡± After exchanging pleasantries, Yoon Si-hyuk turned his attention to Ha-eun, showing clear excitement at seeing her again. ¡°How long has it been since we last met on TV? Seven, eight years?¡± ¡°Yeah, about that long.¡± ¡°Wow, time flies. I first saw you when you were in elementary school, and now you¡¯re in high school.¡± His voice carried a touch of nostalgia, and he soon added with a smile: ¡°You were adorable back then, but now you¡¯re a full-fledged queen. Kids who stand out early definitely grow into something special.¡± ¡°Thank you. Oh, and congratulations on your new baby boy!¡± Their conversation naturally drifted into catching up on life events. Since it had been a while since their last meeting, there was plenty to talk about. From reminiscing about Don¡¯t Stop People to Yoon Si-hyuk¡¯s thoughts on Moonlight Divided by Clouds, they shared their stories. It wasn¡¯t until after all this that they finally began discussing the Song Festival performance. As the discussion kicked off, the studio filled with the melodies that Ha-eun and Hwang Ji-hyuk had sketched out in advance.@@@@ After playing all the sketches, Ha-eun turned to Yoon Si-hyuk with a question. ¡°So, which one do you like best?¡± ¡°Can I be honest?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°They¡¯re all amazing. I want to do all of them!¡± He let out a small sigh, muttering to himself, ¡°This is such a tough choice...¡± Then he asked to hear the melodies again, prompting Hwang Ji-hyuk to queue them up for replay. With the second recording session for the Infinite Challenge Song Festival as the starting point, Ha-eun¡¯s schedule began to pick up pace once again. Days when she would either leave school early or head straight to the set of The Sunshine after classes became increasingly frequent. This was due to the varied time settings of the scenes featuring her character, Kim Jeong-hyun, in The Sunshine. Some scenes took place in the late evening, just before sunset, while others were set at midday, when the sun was at its highest point. Of course, she had no complaints about this process, especially since it was all part of creating a drama that would eventually be hailed as a masterpiece. Regardless of the timing, she gave her best effort to portray Kim Jeong-hyun. The filming of The Sunshine was proceeding smoothly, without any major delays. The quieter, early stages of the drama were nearly completed, paving the way for the more dynamic middle portion. The middle part of the drama saw Kim Jeong-hyun evolving from a stereotypical ¡°wealthy young lady¡± into a more multidimensional character. To deliver a more immersive performance, Ha-eun arranged a meeting with The Sunshine¡¯s scriptwriter, Hong Su-eun. ¡°I know the scenes well enough.¡± Ha-eun had seen the drama¡¯s scenes on TV before, and while she could follow the lines and actions from memory, she couldn¡¯t capture the underlying intentions and meanings hidden within them. To better understand the motivations behind Kim Jeong-hyun¡¯s many choices, Ha-eun wanted to hear directly from the person who created her character. The day of the meeting arrived. Much like her first visit to Ji Hye-min¡¯s home, Ha-eun carried a small gift in hand as she rang the doorbell. Ding-dong. Creak. ¡°Oh, Ha-eun. I¡¯ve been waiting for you. Come on in.¡± Following Hong Su-eun inside, Ha-eun was greeted by a neatly organized home. Despite the absence of luxury items or famous artworks, the house exuded an understated elegance. The destination was Hong Su-eun¡¯s personal study. The wooden table and black-painted chairs lent a refined atmosphere to the room. As Ha-eun was about to ask the questions she¡¯d prepared about Kim Jeong-hyun, something caught her eye. ¡°Huh, what¡¯s that...?¡± On the scriptwriter¡¯s desk lay a notebook with the title Gods and Goblins written on the cover. Instead of starting with her prepared questions about her character, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t resist asking about the notebook. Hearing her tentative question, Hong Su-eun picked up the notebook and began to explain. What Hong Su-eun revealed matched Ha-eun¡¯s memories exactly, from the title to the details. This meant that the story within the notebook also aligned with what Ha-eun remembered. ¡°The protagonist is a high schooler like you, Ha-eun. Would you mind sharing some thoughts from a high schooler¡¯s perspective?¡± When Hong Su-eun asked if she could help complete the still-unfinished story, Ha-eun nodded without hesitation. Gods and Goblins was one of the works she absolutely wanted to appear in someday. More importantly, in Ha-eun¡¯s memory, the impact of Gods and Goblins on society was monumental, almost a cultural phenomenon. If she wanted to achieve her dream of becoming a superstar, grabbing the opportunity to be part of Gods and Goblins was essential. Thus, Ha-eun¡¯s initial goal of deepening her understanding of Kim Jeong-hyun was joined by a new objective: pursuing Gods and Goblins. As a result, her return home was delayed by several hours, but she didn¡¯t mind. She couldn¡¯t afford to let either of these opportunities slip through her fingers. Having faced death once, Ha-eun understood better than anyone that opportunities didn¡¯t come easily. Chapter 117 To put it simply, the meeting was mutually beneficial. Both Ha-eun and Hong Su-eun gained something from each other. However, what they gained wasn¡¯t of the same type, let alone the same kind. First, what Ha-eun gained: a deeper understanding of her character, Kim Jeong-hyun. And¡ª ¡°I¡¯d like to meet with you again if the opportunity arises.¡± ¡ªher expressed interest in appearing in Gods and Goblins. Ha-eun¡¯s statement, aimed at opportunities following her current project The Sunshine, caught Hong Su-eun slightly off guard. After all, Gods and Goblins was still an unfinished drama without a completed script. There were no confirmed cast members, no production schedule, and not even a broadcasting network had been approached. Expressing interest in a role purely based on the appeal of the script was highly unusual. Yet, instead of thanking her, Hong Su-eun simply replied with an ¡°Alright,¡± driven by an unshakable sense that Ha-eun could perfectly embody Baek Seol-hwa, the heroine of Gods and Goblins. This conviction was rooted in what Hong Su-eun had gained from her extended conversation with Ha-eun that evening. While Ha-eun sought to resolve her doubts about Kim Jeong-hyun, she ultimately left with much more than simple answers. ¡°If I¡¯d known, I would¡¯ve invited her over sooner.¡± It was undeniable that Ha-eun¡¯s desire to meet Hong Su-eun stemmed from her questions about Kim Jeong-hyun, something the writer was well aware of. However, as their conversation progressed¡ª ¡°So, what exactly does Park Joo-ho mean to Kim Jeong-hyun? Is that why she can¡¯t let him go?¡± ¡ªit became evident that Ha-eun¡¯s doubts ran far deeper than Hong Su-eun had initially anticipated. Ha-eun¡¯s understanding of Kim Jeong-hyun extended beyond a simple resolution of personal curiosity. ¡°I thought it was just idle curiosity...¡± In the end, Hong Su-eun had to completely revise her perception of ¡°Lee Ha-eun¡± as an actress. She was no longer just an actor with exceptional talent. To be fair, it isn¡¯t unusual for actors to have questions about their roles. Curiosity is an integral part of understanding a character. Naturally, performances from actors who truly grasp their roles differ in authenticity from those who don¡¯t. After all, reciting lines from a script is vastly different from acting through those lines. While it was true that Ha-eun¡¯s previous performances showed no signs of awkwardness, she hadn¡¯t fully grasped the writer¡¯s intentions and thoughts behind Kim Jeong-hyun. Even Ha-eun herself was vaguely aware of this. Her decision to visit Hong Su-eun¡¯s home stemmed from a realization that there were still gray areas she didn¡¯t fully understand. However, the extent of those gray areas exceeded even Hong Su-eun¡¯s expectations. ¡°So, it all comes down to responsibility? Kim Jeong-hyun is the only one who can change Park Joo-ho¡¯s mind, after all.¡± ¡°Ah, yes. That¡¯s correct.¡± After answering all of Ha-eun¡¯s prepared questions, Hong Su-eun found that Ha-eun seemed to understand Kim Jeong-hyun almost as deeply as she did¡ªif not more so. Her clandestine visits to the home of Hanson Arnold, a missionary settled near Hanseong, were motivated by academic zeal. Learning the alphabet from Hanson and hearing stories of foreign powers outside Joseon brought her genuine joy. Thus far, all of Kim Jeong-hyun¡¯s actions and words had been rooted in personal desires. However, after continued interactions with Hanson and learning the hidden truths he uncovered¡ª ¡°So, laying down railroads in Hanseong and erecting those shining pillars... all of that is...¡± ¡°To make Joseon reliant on them, under the pretense of introducing modern civilization.¡± ¡°And ultimately, to swallow Joseon¡ªour entire nation¡ªwhole?¡± ¡°Most likely.¡± ¡ªshe could no longer remain absorbed in her personal pursuits. Her reasons for leaving the expansive, tiled mansion changed completely. ¡°I can¡¯t act like I¡¯m following a noble cause just for show.¡± What Ha-eun ultimately needed to portray was the transformation of Kim Jeong-hyun: a woman who comes to understand why her grandfather, Kim Ja-gyeom, once called Joseon a precarious nation. This meant that she now sought out Park Joo-ho, who until then had been nothing more than an American in Joseon garb, to seek his guidance. Park Joo-ho, as it stood, had connections with the U.S. military stationed in Joseon. In other words, he was one of the few characters around Kim Jeong-hyun with diplomatic influence. ¡°I need your help.¡± For the first time since his return to Joseon, Kim Jeong-hyun approached Park Joo-ho with a clear purpose. Yet his response was brutally dismissive. ¡°Stick to your studies. Keep your interest in firearms as just a hobby.¡± ¡°Do my intentions sound that trivial to you?¡± ¡°Do you think anyone will take the words of a young lady, pampered in her quarters her whole life, seriously?¡± Park Joo-ho remained unyielding no matter what Kim Jeong-hyun said or asked. To him, her pleas were nothing more than the whims of a wealthy girl indulging in rebellion. The memories of his parents, beaten and ultimately killed for their status as slaves, remained vivid in Park Joo-ho¡¯s mind. To him, Joseon was a nation unworthy of saving. So when Kim Jeong-hyun stepped forward and seized his arm as he turned away¡ª Step. Rustle. ¡°Don¡¯t take my act of reaching out lightly. My plea to you is not something trivial.¡± ¡°How shameless. Have you forgotten what your grandfather did?¡± ¡°What stands before you now is not my grandfather, but my desperation. Are you saying I have no right to face you?¡± Her grasp was firm, her resolve unshakable. Kim Jeong-hyun, standing as a Joseon woman desperate to save her country, refused to let him walk away. From Park Joo-ho¡¯s perspective, her persistence only deepened his wish for her to vanish from his life, along with Joseon itself. This young lady who constantly made him hesitate, who forced him to confront his lingering regrets, was someone he wished would disappear entirely. But for Kim Jeong-hyun, such a desire could never be fulfilled. Thus, her gaze toward him, steady and unwavering, was imbued with both the guilt of a privileged daughter and the earnestness of a Joseon citizen. ¡°For the sake of Joseon, does my sense of shame truly matter?¡± Her words carried a weight that even Park Joo-ho couldn¡¯t ignore. In that moment, Ha-eun fully embodied Kim Jeong-hyun. Her delicate fingers, cautiously grasping Park Joo-ho¡¯s coat but refusing to let go until the end. Her trembling lips, hesitating to open until Park Joo-ho finally responded¡ªall of it. Every detail of her performance, down to the smallest gesture, forced even Baek Tae-hoon, who played Park Joo-ho, to respond in kind. For that one moment, Ha-eun wasn¡¯t just acting as Kim Jeong-hyun¡ªshe was Kim Jeong-hyun. Chapter 118 Kim Jeong-hyun is a girl who craves freedom. Although the meaning and form of freedom evolve between the early and middle-late stages of the drama, her relentless pursuit of it¡ªby any means necessary¡ªremains constant until the end. ¡°Did I empathize with her? Or was I envious...?¡± The fact that Kim Jeong-hyun¡¯s greatest desire was freedom mirrored parts of Ha-eun¡¯s past life. Just as Kim Jeong-hyun longed to break free from all restraints, Ha-eun in her previous life dreamed of escaping the confines of a stark white hospital room. Both had lived in objectively privileged environments, yet neither experienced a truly comfortable or peaceful life¡ªanother point of similarity. However, Kim Jeong-hyun¡¯s proactive resolve to achieve her goals by any means necessary stood in stark contrast to Ha-eun¡¯s past. Unlike Kim Jeong-hyun, who could take decisive action, Ha-eun had been denied any means or opportunities to act. Confronted by abuse and restrictions, she could only crumble helplessly, unable to even imagine escape. Thud! ¡°Ugh... I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry...!¡± ¡°...Not enough yet.¡± She had spent her life striving to meet the expectations of others, only to ultimately fail to achieve what she truly wanted, her life ending in despair. ¡°Would things have been different if I had resisted, even forcibly?¡± Though both began their lives in circumstances of ¡°unfreedom,¡± their responses and outcomes diverged dramatically. Perhaps this was why The Sunshine had left such a deep impression on her. It was, in a word, regret. Or perhaps lingering attachment. Despite knowing that every moment from her past was long gone, Ha-eun often found herself imagining ¡°what if¡± scenarios. ¡°Hmm, you look like something¡¯s on your mind. Not happy with your performance?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s just... I got lost in some old memories. I think the performance went well.¡± It was simply bittersweet that she could only now perform so well. The words she couldn¡¯t bring herself to confide to Baek Tae-hoon still lingered heavily in her throat. But she couldn¡¯t let herself remain trapped by the past forever. Rustle. Ha-eun shifted her unfocused gaze away from old memories and fixed it on the script in front of her. For the sake of someone who would one day watch her performance in The Sunshine, she resolved to give it her all. What had already passed was beyond her control. What she could do now was dedicate herself to the present, capturing on camera the kind of person her past self had once admired. ¡°Let¡¯s do this.¡± Unconsciously, Ha-eun hoped that her performance would convey something meaningful to her past self, still trapped in that hospital room, and that perhaps this time, things would turn out differently. Preparations for filming the scene of Kim Jeong-hyun acting for the freedom of her nation began soon after. ¡°Alright, everyone, filming starts at exactly 5 o¡¯clock!¡± The voice of Director Kwon Jae-hyeop filled the expansive The Sunshine set as Ha-eun¡¯s assigned writer came to fetch her. Following the writer, Ha-eun made her way to the dressing room. This marked the start of a complete transformation: new makeup and a costume change. Her elegant hanbok was removed, replaced with a black suit and a thick coat. Her neatly tied ribboned hair was undone and restyled into a simpler look. The back of her hair was pinned up and concealed beneath a black bowler hat. Finally, a thin mask covered the lower half of her face, revealing a figure that looked every bit like an assassin. The refined young lady adored by all had vanished entirely. The impact sent her colliding with a wooden cart, shattering it to pieces. Kim Jeong-hyun lay limp amidst the wreckage, struggling to lift her head as the voices of Japanese soldiers echoed ominously nearby. Knowing she would be captured if she remained there, she forced herself up, staggering deeper into the alley. Before she could fully disappear into the shadows, however¡ª Click. The sound of a gun being cocked came from dangerously close. Kim Jeong-hyun turned her head slowly, her expression dark, as she realized everything was over. ¡°...What possessed you to do this? You used to flinch at the slightest scratch,¡± Park Joo-ho said, his face conflicted with mixed emotions. Kim Jeong-hyun met his gaze and replied bitterly, ¡°If you¡¯re going to shoot, shoot. If you¡¯re going to let me go, do it. I¡¯m in a hurry.¡± The scene ended with Kim Jeong-hyun collapsing against Park Joo-ho¡¯s chest, forcing him to confront the depth of her resolve. The tension of their complex, intertwined relationship was perfectly captured on camera. But as soon as Director Kwon called ¡°Cut!¡±, Ha-eun¡¯s eyes shot open. Pop! ¡°Whoa! That startled me,¡± Baek Tae-hoon, who played Park Joo-ho, exclaimed as Ha-eun quickly pulled away. ¡°You didn¡¯t need to get up so fast¡ªI nearly fell over.¡± ¡°Ah... I¡¯ll be more careful,¡± Ha-eun said sheepishly. *** The mid-stage filming of The Sunshine proceeded smoothly following Kim Jeong-hyun¡¯s first action scene. However, Ha-eun¡¯s schedule wasn¡¯t solely dedicated to the drama¡¯s production. [ Are you free around lunchtime on Saturday? I have something I need to discuss with you. ] ¡°Oh, yes. I¡¯m free.¡± Messages like this, often summoning her to LUX¡¯s headquarters, meant that even on non-filming days for The Sunshine, Ha-eun was kept busy with various engagements. Still, everything on her schedule consisted of things she genuinely wanted to do. With careful pace management, Ha-eun didn¡¯t feel like she was overexerting herself. Mentally, she was in a much better place than she had been in the past. However, independent of her newfound mental balance¡ª ¡°We¡¯re planning to release Illusionary Land¡¯s first merch line as soon as possible after the cover song is out.¡± Ji Hye-min, speaking from her desk in LUX¡¯s executive office, began outlining the details. Specifically, she mentioned plans for merchandise that included a voice pack tied to Illusionary Land. ¡º Heh, you fell for it again. Dummy~. ¡» ¡º Ahaha! You¡¯re really bad at this¡ª! ¡» ¡º Ew! You¡¯re so ugly! ¡» ¡°W-wait, why are all the lines like this?¡± ¡°There are other ones, too. I just picked out the ones that suit Diah¡¯s personality the best.¡± The dialogue was nothing short of shocking. ¡°H-how did this even happen?¡± Ha-eun found herself utterly bewildered. She was flustered, wondering when Diah¡¯s image had taken such a sharp turn. Even though she had much more to discuss with Ji Hye-min, her mind was already spinning. Chapter 119 It had already been half a year since Ha-eun and Ji Hye-min started meeting regularly. When considering Ha-eun¡¯s time as D.A., the devoted listener of Daramji, it had been more than ten years that she had known Ji Hye-min. Therefore, Ha-eun knew very well that Ji Hye-min was someone who clearly distinguished between personal and professional matters. It was a long time, and she couldn¡¯t help but know this. Crucially, Ji Hye-min was the CEO of LUX and the head of Illusionary Land. Someone in such a "responsible position" would never mix personal feelings into important business, like the creation of Illusionary Land''s merchandise. However, that meant¡ª ¡°Ugh, sorry. ...Actually, I¡¯m not sorry at all!¡± The lines Ha-eun saw on the monitor in front of her were a direct result of Ji Hye-min¡¯s strict separation of business and personal life. This wasn¡¯t some playful collection of lines made just to tease Ha-eun; these were lines that Ji Hye-min had carefully chosen as suitable for Diah¡¯s voice pack. ¡°W-wait, are you saying these actually suit me? These kinds of lines?¡± ¡°You¡¯re the first one to question them, Ha-eun. Everyone else thinks these lines fit you perfectly.¡± Ha-eun was stunned to learn that not only Ji Hye-min but also the other members of Illusionary Land believed these lines suited Diah. She realized that she was the only one who found it strange. Despite her growing realization, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t bring herself to accept this truth right away. She simply couldn¡¯t accept the idea that Diah, a pure and innocent character, could pull off these mischievous lines. Of course, Ha-eun didn¡¯t deny that she had teased the other members, including the less skilled Noh-eul, during streams. But that was always for the sake of entertainment, not because of any deeper intention. However, from Ji Hye-min¡¯s perspective, who had monitored Diah¡¯s streams countless times, Ha-eun¡¯s thoughts were¡ª ¡°I don¡¯t think it feels forced at all.¡± ¡°B-but... even so, this is too much!¡± ¡°Ha-eun, these are toned down versions. There are even more extreme ones out there.¡±@@@@ It wasn¡¯t just denial of reality¡ªit was more than that. ¡°Look up Diah¡¯s most popular YouTube videos. You¡¯ll see why these lines suit her.¡± With cold, hard facts¡ªbased on actual statistics and data¡ªJi Hye-min shattered Ha-eun¡¯s stubbornness and misconceptions. In the end, Ha-eun had no choice but to reluctantly accept something she didn¡¯t want to admit. After the discussion about the voice pack, they moved on to other merchandise ideas. ¡°We¡¯re thinking acrylic stands, keychains, character files, and pin buttons for now.¡± Ha-eun was then asked what kind of design she thought would work best for the merchandise. Soon, a variety of Diah¡¯s illustrations appeared on Ji Hye-min¡¯s monitor. These included the concept art submitted when Diah¡¯s virtual avatar was created, as well as Diah¡¯s broadcast waiting screens, SD emojis, and various other illustrations. After a lengthy deliberation, Ha-eun¡¯s first pick was an illustration of Diah wearing a sweater. ¡°I think this kind of character file illustration would look nice.¡± She continued to pick her favorite illustrations for Diah¡¯s merchandise, carefully selecting which ones would best fit. The most attention was given to the full-body illustration for the acrylic stand, as she wanted it to be of the highest quality. Ha-eun even made additional notes, suggesting elements that weren¡¯t included in the example illustrations. Given Ha-eun¡¯s already packed schedule, finding extra time to record the voice pack would be difficult. Though she could easily record the cover song at Double E¡¯s studio, recording the voice pack there would be a bit too much. ¡°I think it¡¯s better to keep the voice pack a secret from the Double E crew. They¡¯re known for being pretty mischievous.¡± ¡°Ah, yes. We definitely have to keep it a secret.¡± So, Ha-eun would have to record the voice pack in LUX¡¯s internal studio. Ji Hye-min stayed with her during the recording, providing feedback along the way. The feedback was mostly related to Diah¡¯s cuteness, innocence, and cheerful tone, which was a bit of a problem for Ha-eun. ¡°Happy~ birthday~~~!¡± ¡°Hm, just make it a bit cuter.¡± ¡°Happy~! Birthday, yay~~!¡± ¡°Good.¡± Ha-eun understood that it was necessary, but it was hard not to feel embarrassed, especially with Ji Hye-min listening intently. ¡°Why are you laughing...?¡± ¡°Nothing, just... you¡¯re so cute.¡± ¡°...Can I record this at home?¡± In the end, Ha-eun seriously considered fleeing from the recording, embarrassed by the whole situation. But unlike with the cover song, where Ha-eun had full autonomy, Ji Hye-min was the expert when it came to the voice pack and firmly refused. ¡°It¡¯s better if I provide feedback while I¡¯m here. Now, next, line 23.¡± ¡°...Ugh...¡± Ha-eun had no choice but to continue recording, her face growing redder with each line. And so, she faced the awkward task of recording the voice pack, with no escape in sight. *** "Hey, Ha-eun. What¡¯s on your mind?" It was around lunchtime at Narae High School, to be specific, on the long bench in the hallway. As usual, Ha-eun was trying to engage in casual conversation with Da-yeon. However, after a certain point, Ha-eun had fallen silent, lost in deep thought. "Da-yeon..." "?!" "That... the thing you showed me earlier, the merch... Do I really have to buy it?" Da-yeon, without a doubt, was a devoted fan of Diah. This meant that the possibility of her buying Diah¡¯s merchandise, including the voice pack, was pretty high. When Da-yeon had shown the promotional post for Diah¡¯s merchandise earlier, with a completely unashamed expression, Ha-eun had belatedly realized, "Ah, this could be an issue." For some reason, Da-yeon had been gripping her fist tightly, though Ha-eun hadn¡¯t paid much attention to it at the time. Should she add Da-yeon¡¯s account, ekdus7, to the blacklist on the merchandise site? Or should she find the buyer who listed Da-yeon¡¯s address and cancel their order under the excuse of "out of stock"? "Is there a problem? It¡¯s not even that expensive." "Ah, no. It''s not a problem, but..." Ha-eun continued to struggle with how to convince Da-yeon, who seemed resolute in buying Diah¡¯s merchandise. Despite her efforts, she came to the conclusion that there was no way to change her mind. Sigh... "Doesn¡¯t this seem ridiculous to you? Is there something going wrong on The Sunshine set?" "...I guess this moment is an NG..." "...??" In the end, Ha-eun resigned herself to the situation. She failed to notice that Da-yeon, sitting right beside her, was holding back a laugh with a determined expression. Chapter 120 If she could, Ha-eun would have wanted to erase the two characters Diah from Da-yeon''s mind completely. If only she could. ¡®This is the first time I¡¯ve felt this powerless...¡¯ As is often the case when you find yourself thinking, If only I could..., the thought came because it was something that simply couldn¡¯t be done. Ha-eun was overwhelmed by the bitter reality of facing an issue she couldn¡¯t solve. No matter how much she wracked her brain, there was no solution. There was no way to prevent the disaster of Diah¡¯s voice pack playing through Da-yeon¡¯s pristine white earphones. The fact that Da-yeon would end up owning and enjoying a compilation of Diah¡¯s cute voice lines was already a problem in itself. But the greater issue was the potential for an even worse disaster to occur. What if, just what if... ¡°Hey, Ha-eun... you should listen to this... It¡¯s so cute and soothing...¡± If Da-yeon ever said those words and played Diah¡¯s cheerful voice for Ha-eun, there was no doubt that Ha-eun would be faced with the ultimate humiliation when Da-yeon¡¯s earphones were inserted into her ears. In the end, all Ha-eun could do was politely decline Da-yeon¡¯s suggestion to also buy Diah¡¯s merchandise. She had no choice but to fear the disaster that would unfold in the future. The crushing reality was that she was helpless. Sigh... Ha-eun couldn¡¯t hold back a groan as she buried her face in her hands. She slumped her head low. ¡°Ugh...¡± Upon hearing Ha-eun¡¯s sudden change, Da-yeon¡¯s voice, full of confusion, came through. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you feeling sick?¡± ¡°...It¡¯s because of you.¡± Ha-eun¡¯s response was a whispered thought, hidden behind her now-closed eyes. She could almost hear a trace of laughter in Da-yeon¡¯s confused voice, though it could have been a momentary misunderstanding. After a few moments of shuffling around, Da-yeon pulled out her phone again to browse the promotional post for Diah¡¯s merchandise. ¡°And I¡¯ll put the acrylic stand on my bed¡¯s shelf. The keychain should go on my wallet.¡± Right next to Ha-eun, as if to make sure she could hear, Da-yeon murmured a list of the items she intended to buy. Her voice wasn¡¯t meant for Ha-eun, but the timing made it impossible not to hear. ¡°Hm, it would¡¯ve been nice if they had character cushions. Why isn¡¯t there a cushion?¡± ¡°...Maybe they just didn¡¯t offer it...¡± Ha-eun knew she had to keep a poker face no matter what Da-yeon said if she wanted to protect her identity. But at that moment, the best she could do was show no interest in the Diah merchandise. Soon, the lunch hour was nearly over. Ha-eun quickly stood up, citing the excuse that it was time to prepare for her fifth class, and quickly walked away, heading toward her classroom. And as Ha-eun left, Da-yeon, still sitting on the bench in the hallway, let out a quiet chuckle. ¡°...Pfft.¡± Ha-eun didn¡¯t hear the meaningful laugh, unaware of Da-yeon¡¯s amusement. *** ¡°Hey, Ha-eun, did something happen at school?¡± The moment Ha-eun stepped into Ju Jung-yun¡¯s van, she was greeted with her manager¡¯s curious voice. In response, Ha-eun muttered vaguely, brushing it off with, ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Afterward, she shifted the conversation to the upcoming final recording session for Infinite Challenge Music Festival, scheduled for the following week. ¡°Next week, do we need to go to the broadcasting station instead of the studio?¡± ¡°Yes, and we¡¯ll stop by the makeup shop first.¡± The next recording was a final gathering of all the festival participants at the Gocheok Sky Dome before their big performance. Unlike previous sessions where everyone worked individually with their partners, this time, all the participants would come together at the studio. They¡¯d discuss their expectations and excitement for the performance. However, as Infinite Challenge was an entertainment show, not a documentary, the day¡¯s recording would also include filming for various mini-games, with rewards related to the performance. ¡®I think they said we¡¯d determine the performance order during this session.¡¯@@@@ She recalled that among the mini-game prizes was the right to choose the order of the performances. In other words, to secure her preferred slot, Ha-eun needed to give her best and win the games. Ha-eun reached out to Illusionary Realm¡¯s general manager with her plan. [Ha-eun, based on what you¡¯re suggesting, it seems like the stream might go on for quite a while. Will your schedule allow it?] ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t have any other commitments on the day of the cover song release.¡± Ultimately, they decided to split the marathon broadcast into two parts: Part 1 for the release of Diah¡¯s first cover song and Part 2 to showcase Diah¡¯s merchandise. By combining the two events into a single day, Ha-eun aimed to amplify interest in both. Plans were also in motion to review other members¡¯ cover songs and merchandise as soon as possible. In particular, Ha-eun was eager about the broadcast reviewing Yuna¡¯s cover song¡ªa project she had poured her heart into. ¡°...I can¡¯t wait.¡± It was exhilarating to think that the song Ha-eun had loved most in her previous life was something she had now coached and refined to present to the world. For now, her focus was on Diah. As the first Illusionary Realm member to release both a cover song and merchandise, Diah¡¯s success would set the tone for the others. Finally, the day of Diah¡¯s cover song and merchandise broadcast arrived. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!¡°Is this the ¡®Cute Talents Show¡¯ broadcast?¡±Open the door! Open the door! Open the door! Open the door!FBI OPEN UP!!!!!¡°At last! Today is the day our Diah sings!¡±¡°Diah, I¡¯m dying from anticipation. Save me!¡±¡°There are still three minutes left! Aaargh!¡± Having completed all her preparations, Ha-eun picked up her phone to replay the version of her cover song she had re-recorded with a calmer vibe. Without saying a word, she listened, letting the music steady her nerves. ?©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤??©¤?? Diah¡¯s usual high-energy vibe had been toned down, replaced with a more serene atmosphere. It wasn¡¯t quite like the dazzling skill and clear timbre of Pinocchio; instead, it was a voice characterized by its composed simplicity. Ha-eun wasn¡¯t sure how others would perceive it, but to her, it perfectly captured a ¡°serious¡± side of Diah. As the countdown began, the chat became increasingly animated. 10!¡°Finally, 10 seconds left!¡±999999999¡°What does a pigeon¡¯s coo sound like?¡±999998!!!!8888888 Ha-eun slipped on her headset as the Noeulis¡¯ countdown reached its climax. Click. The previously empty broadcast screen lit up with the music video for Diah¡¯s first cover song, ¡°Faded Staccato.¡± The serene illustrations that filled the screen quickly grabbed everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°Whoa, what¡¯s this?¡±¡°Wow.¡±¡°The art is amazing.¡±¡°She¡¯s been hiding this gem, huh?¡±¡°Is that really our Diah?¡± Although Ji Hye-min had suggested releasing the illustrations ahead of time, Ha-eun had kept them under wraps, believing it would heighten anticipation. Judging by the overwhelmingly positive reactions in the chat, it seemed her decision was correct. As the instrumental intro faded and the first vocal part arrived, Ha-eun began to sing. ¡°Disjointed. A mess. So clumsy it was...?¡± Instead of the full music video, she streamed the instrumental track (MR) and sang live. Even though over ten thousand Noeulis were now watching, not a single one realized that what they were hearing was a live performance. ¡°This brings back so many memories!¡±¡°The Korean lyrics are beautifully adapted.¡±¡°Wait... why is she singing so well?¡±¡°All hail Queen Diah!¡±¡°The chat¡¯s gone silent because everyone¡¯s too busy enjoying this!¡± No one¡ªnot even Ji Hye-min¡ªhad been told about her surprise live performance. While Ha-eun could have simply played the pre-recorded music video, she wanted to momentarily fulfill the dream that had driven her to learn to sing in the first place. So, she left her microphone on. Her gaze drifted to the small Diah acrylic stand on the streaming desk. Behind it, her monitor displayed an overwhelming flood of praise. ¡°She¡¯s so captivating in this serious mode.¡±¡°Who is this? Seriously, WHO IS THIS?¡±¡°Was this song always this good?¡±¡°Our baby Diah has gained charisma!¡±¡°Playlists updated!¡± These were all things she had dreamed of for so long. Her vision blurred slightly as emotions welled up, even though ¡°Faded Staccato¡± wasn¡¯t a sad song. Just being able to sing like this felt like a dream come true. ¡°...How was it?¡± ¡°All hail Queen Diah!¡±¡°What a vibe. My heart...¡±¡°Calm and lovely.¡±¡°You¡¯ve clearly practiced a lot!¡±¡°She¡¯s got every right to scold Yuna for being lazy, LOL.¡±¡°Can we have more singing streams now?¡±¡°Who knew our ¡®baby¡¯ Diah was the best singer in Illusionary Realm?¡± Ha-eun¡¯s lips curled slightly into a small smile as she read the chat, her heart brimming with joy. Chapter 121 The stream screen displayed the completed playback of the music video for Faded Staccato. In the top right corner, the chat window was scrolling at a dizzying speed. And in the previously empty bottom-right corner... Shfftt.@@@@ ¡°...Thank you. I¡¯m glad you think I sang well.¡± Diah¡¯s avatar reappeared, wearing her usual youthful smile, though her voice was now slightly calmer. Maybe that¡¯s why... Mom, when I grow up, I want to be like Diah! Mom, when I grow up, I want to be like Diah! Mom, when I grow up, I want to be like Diah!Diah, are you a former trainee or something?Diah is secretly OP; everyone knows it.Why did you dodge every karaoke request until now if you could sing this well?We are living in Diah¡¯s era, folks! We are living in Diah¡¯s era! We are living in Diah¡¯s era!The music video and the song are both insane. Fr. The already fast chat became even faster. Most messages were about Diah¡¯s first cover song, with fans marveling at her incredible singing skills. However, no one among the Noeulis had yet caught on to the secret of the live broadcast. ¡°Hmm, just wait a moment~. I¡¯ll show you something fun~.¡± Click. Swish. Diah decided to reveal a hint about the real nature of the song they¡¯d been listening to. The mouse cursor began moving slowly toward the progress bar of the music video. ??Did you hide an Easter egg in the music video?I can¡¯t resist Easter eggs. Tell us already!Kya, Diah always delivers.Okay, I believe you. You really care about your cover songs.But where could an Easter egg even fit in that video? While the Noeulis speculated wildly about the existence of an Easter egg, the mouse cursor circled the progress bar and then finally settled on it. Simultaneously, on the broadcast screen: |? II ?| ???? ¡ñ©¤©¤©¤ A surprise prepared just for the Noeulis. ?? Why is it muted????The audio was fine earlier.Is this a bug?What¡¯s going on?Oh, wait, I think I get it. The sudden mute symbol filled the chat with confusion. A few seconds later, the cursor restored the video¡¯s volume. The intro to Faded Staccato started playing again. And that¡¯s when the Noeulis began to sense something different. ?©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤??©¤?? Then, abruptly, the audio cut out. For ten seconds, the "original" audio of Faded Staccato played before being silenced. What replaced it was Diah¡¯s youthful voice, tinged with playful mischief. What?!Wait, what???Hold on, I didn¡¯t get that.So this wasn¡¯t just a cover reveal¡ªit was a concert?!OMG, she¡¯s insane. LOL.What even is this girl?!?Kyaaaaa!Squirrel <<< whipped worker.There¡¯s a squirrel next to her with a knife, forcing her to advertise merch (rough paraphrase).Even a one-year-old is working for money; why am I not?An evil boss forcing a baby to sell merch (age 30+).This is going to be controversial, I swear. After a brief yet intense debate among the Noeulis, the first item to be showcased was chosen: Diah¡¯s acrylic stand. ¡°This is the front side¡ªit¡¯s my usual look. And the back? Ta-da!¡± Gasp.Wait, why did her expression suddenly turn mischievous? LOL.Even her acrylic stand is teabagging us now. What is this?The contrast, though.Why does it look like she¡¯s plotting something all of a sudden? LOL. The acrylic stand perfectly captured Diah¡¯s unique charm¡ªsweet yet quirky. Even the slightly odd, childlike innocence of the design didn¡¯t go unnoticed. One curious Noeuli asked about the size of the acrylic stand. Swish. The camera showed Diah¡¯s hand giving a thumbs-up next to the stand for comparison. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s about the size of my fist!¡± The thumbs-up is adorable LOL.Even her fist looks small in gloves. So cute!Are Diah¡¯s fists for sale, too? Asking for a friend.Even with gloves, it looks like a marshmallow fist. The explanation finished, Diah was about to showcase the next item, a character file, when¡ª Ding! [ekdus7 donated 100,000 KRW!] I¡¯m not sure what the voice pack in the merch list is. Could you give us a sample? The large donation came with a request for a preview of the voice pack instead of the planned showcase. Naturally, the Noeulis jumped on board with the idea. Crazy levels of commitment.They spent 100,000 KRW just to ask about merch?That¡¯s not even rude¡ªjust buy me some chicken.Chairman vibes, omg.When did this person get released from prison?The voice pack costs 10,000 KRW, and they donated 100,000 KRW. LOL.Sample time, let¡¯s gooooo!You can¡¯t say no to that, Diah. While the voice pack was technically part of the merch lineup, its intangible nature left some Noeulis genuinely curious. Others, knowing full well what it was, feigned ignorance just to get a preview. Faced with overwhelming chat pressure and no valid excuse to refuse, Ha-eun ultimately caved. Suppressing the wave of embarrassment bubbling up from deep within her chest, she adopted the mindset of a true professional VTuber. ¡°...Yummy~! This cotton candy from Noeulis is super tasty~!¡± Her voice, brimming with cheer and cuteness, filled the stream. The chat window instantly exploded, scrolling so fast it seemed to blur. Unable to endure it any longer, Ha-eun reached out and turned off her mic. Click. ¡°Ugh... Ughhh...!¡± She buried her face in her hands, cringing at herself. At that moment, she couldn¡¯t help but curse her past self for not stopping Da-yeon from becoming a Diah fan. Chapter 122 Da-yeon likely had no ill intent behind her donation. To her, Diah was like an adorable little cousin. ¡°At least she hasn¡¯t caught on yet,¡± I thought with relief. The request for a sample of the voice pack wasn¡¯t directed at me, Ha-eun¡ªit was for Diah. She simply wanted to hear the cute voice of someone she adored, and for that, she spent a hefty 100,000 KRW. It wasn¡¯t the first time she used money to get what she wanted from Diah, but from her perspective, nothing about the situation seemed strange. She was just a fan, eager to check out the first merch release of a streamer she followed and admired. So, naturally, she showed up to the merch showcase stream and made her request. There was no hidden agenda behind her actions. Everything Da-yeon did stemmed from her genuine affection for Diah. Because of this, the image of Diah that Da-yeon saw had to remain natural. I couldn¡¯t ignore her donation or half-heartedly fulfill her request. To Da-yeon, Diah and I were two completely separate people. Our relationship also had to stay separate. Da-yeon¡¯s donations and requests for Diah could only be answered by Diah. My responses¡ªthose of Ha-eun, her acquaintance¡ªcouldn¡¯t slip through the broadcast mic. So even when I delivered the voice pack sample... Even when I reluctantly turned the mic back on after a surge of unbearable embarrassment... ¡°U-uh, there¡¯s more than just that one line! Please check out the full voice pack!¡± I had to make sure my trembling lips weren¡¯t noticed. Any sign of my nerves could increase the chances of Da-yeon discovering Diah¡¯s true identity. ¡°Compared to the day she might find out, this is nothing,¡± I reassured myself. That inevitable day, when Da-yeon would take the metaphorical red pill and learn the truth about Diah... The storm that would follow had to be delayed as long as possible. Is this a steal? (genuinely don¡¯t know)I think I need to hear it again to decide LOL.Is it true the pack includes alarm and ringtone files?So, when is it going on sale?I¡¯m dizzy here. Just give us the voice pack already! Thankfully, the chat didn¡¯t pick up on anything unusual. I proceeded with the planned program, introducing Diah¡¯s character file next. ¡°When you look at it this way, it¡¯s just lying down. But when you overlap it with the back... tada! It¡¯s a night sky!¡±@@@@ Oh.So that¡¯s how character files look these days.That¡¯s cool.Can we get a dakimakura version of this, Diah?Is the outer layer semi-transparent? I continued pulling items out of the merch box one by one, showing each to the camera. The focus on the merch helped ease the lingering embarrassment from the voice pack preview. Finally, after showcasing the tiny keyrings as the last item, I transitioned the cam view back to the main broadcast screen. I displayed a detailed product introduction image in the center of the screen, offering more clarity than the teaser post. ¡°All orders will be shipped together after the pre-order period ends. If you have any questions, please post them on the fan cafe?~.¡± With that, all the requested announcements about the merch were complete. However, the chat was still bustling, requiring a bit more time to settle down. ¡°So, from now on....¡± Click. Click, click. Clack-clack-clack¡ª ¡°I¡¯ll do a sneak peek of the other members¡¯ merch! Let¡¯s see how chaotic their items are!¡± I began scrolling through the teaser posts for the other members¡¯ merch, casually sharing my thoughts on what I¡¯d like. The full showcases would be handled by the respective members, so I avoided spoilers. Still, I let my personal preferences slip out here and there. ¡°For me, I¡¯d love to have Ria¡¯s keyring. Imagine her dangling from my bag¡ªit¡¯d be so fun¡î.¡± What?Gasp, omg.Diah, are you saying you want to hang Ria?!Ria, rest in peace!!!Translation: ¡°My dream is to carry Ria like a trophy.¡± LOL. Once the chat had calmed down, I began preparing to end the stream. The extended runtime today had served its purpose. Both the cover song and merch had successfully drawn more attention to Diah. ¡°Well then, next time, I¡¯ll tell you more about how I turned Yuna into a proper singer. See you at her cover song reveal~.¡± Diva.Is there no third part to today¡¯s stream?Is it true you locked Yuna up until she could sing properly?How bad was she, that even a spirit would say, ¡°I made her human¡±? LOL.Judging by the teaser, it doesn¡¯t sound bad.This is a precious cover song, forged with sweat, tears, and perseverance. Ding! ¡°...Haa....¡± I slowly got up from the streaming chair. I wasn¡¯t as drained as I used to be, but... there was still something. ¡°So this is what textbooks looked like during the Joseon era. Fascinating.¡± As she marveled at the prop, the director¡¯s countdown echoed through the set. ¡°Three, two... action!¡± Within seconds, Park Joo-ho pushed open Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s door, which he had been loitering outside for some time. ¡°...Still alive, I see.¡± ¡°Thanks to a kind soul who saved me. I¡¯ll make sure to repay the favor handsomely.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t bother. I accept money from everyone else, but not this household.¡± A moment of silence followed. Both characters were aware of the many eyes and ears near Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s room. ¡°Hah, playing the role of a teacher is not in my destiny.¡± Despite his discontented expression, Park Joo-ho began teaching Kim Jung-hyun the alphabet. Unexpectedly, Kim Jung-hyun exuded confidence. ¡°No need to start from scratch. I¡¯ve already grasped the basics.¡± Kim Jung-hyun confidently listed words for each letter, managing to make it to J. ¡°K is for Key. L is for Love. How¡¯s that? Isn¡¯t this impressive?¡± Declaring himself an excellent student, Kim Jung-hyun proudly awaited Park Joo-ho¡¯s approval. However, Park Joo-ho, now wearing a slightly stern expression, asked about the meanings of the words. ¡°It¡¯s easy to say them. What matters is their meaning.¡± ¡°U-uh, Key means ¡®key.¡¯ Love is...¡± Kim Jung-hyun hesitated, visibly struggling to recall the meaning of Love. But then, a memory surfaced. "When you trust someone with your life, that¡¯s Love," he remembered Hanson Arnold, the missionary, saying long ago. ¡°Ah, I¡¯ve got it. What you and I are doing right now¡ªthat¡¯s Love.¡± With a completely straight face, Kim Jung-hyun delivered an answer that was either terribly wrong or unexpectedly right. Despite his calm demeanor, Park Joo-ho¡¯s subtle reaction made Kim Jung-hyun nervous. ¡°Love means affection. Though there¡¯s a kind of affection where people can¡¯t stand to live without each other.¡± The implication was clear: That¡¯s not what we have, is it? Park Joo-ho¡¯s steady gaze and deep, unwavering voice cut through Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s composure. Flustered, Kim Jung-hyun stammered, ¡°N-no, that¡¯s not what I meant! You¡¯re misunderstanding me!¡± His voice wavered, his face went pale, and his lips began to tremble. He lowered his head, his ears reddened, and tears glistened in his eyes. ¡°...Forget I said anything....¡± Barely audible, Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s plea earned a fleeting smirk from Park Joo-ho. For the first time, Park Joo-ho smiled at Kim Jung-hyun. The scene wrapped up there, followed by Baek Tae-hoon¡¯s casual question to Ha-eun. ¡°That scene¡ªdid you practice it beforehand? It turned out even better than I expected.¡± Ha-eun couldn¡¯t bring herself to answer. The truth was, her portrayal of Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s embarrassment had drawn directly from her own experience the day before. "How am I supposed to explain performing aegyo for 10,000 viewers?" For Ha-eun, acting meant doing whatever it took. Even if it meant dredging up the most mortifying moments of her life. ¡°I just did a bit of imagining here and there.¡± Revealing the full truth wasn¡¯t an option. Even thinking about it made her cringe all over again. Chapter 123 Kim Jung-hyun was, in many ways, a sheltered girl. Having grown up as a delicate flower in the confines of a grand hanok, her experience in the broader world was severely lacking. While her determination and ability to act decisively were impressive by any standard, her privileged upbringing often held her back. ¡°The quintessential rich girl, it seems.¡± Her awkwardness and inexperience became evident whenever she ventured into the unfamiliar. These qualities¡ªher clumsiness and naivety¡ªwere what Kim Jung-hyun found most humiliating about herself. For instance, her lifelong misunderstanding of the word Love was one thing, but an unintentional confession of love? That was beyond mortifying. As someone accustomed to being treated with reverence, she was conscious of maintaining her image as a proper "lady." Thus, whenever her awkwardness resulted in unintended consequences, she would turn red with embarrassment. Ha-eun, in her role as Kim Jung-hyun, had to embody this sense of shame. ¡°Embarrassment...¡± However, Ha-eun had rarely acted out such emotions before. Perhaps it was because she herself had little tolerance for the feeling of embarrassment. It wasn¡¯t until yesterday that she truly grasped this new emotion. While Baek Tae-hoon¡¯s praise confirmed she had portrayed the emotion effectively, understanding it on a personal level was a different matter entirely. Experiencing and understanding new emotions was never something Ha-eun found easy. Whenever she found herself stepping into unfamiliar territory like this, it brought about a flood of thoughts. The lingering emotional residue from her performance was stronger than usual this time. Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s embarrassment, which had taken hold of Ha-eun during the shoot, refused to dissipate. ¡°Maybe I got too into character.¡± She shook her head lightly, trying to dispel the heat rising to her face. The memories of the previous night¡¯s cringe-worthy moments floated to the surface like soap bubbles, taunting her. Despite her efforts, the emotional turmoil refused to subside. It seemed she had overextended herself while channeling this unfamiliar feeling for her performance. By the time the next scene was set to begin, there was only one minute left. Still tangled in her thoughts, Ha-eun finally made a decision. Step. She stepped in front of the camera, her emotions still raw. She chose to portray Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s ongoing turmoil as authentically as possible, allowing her lingering embarrassment to shape her performance. She aimed to fully embody Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s inner turmoil, while also using this opportunity to explore how far she could push her own limits in portraying embarrassment. ¡°I¡¯ll reward myself with cake later,¡± she decided, knowing the strain of such an emotionally intense performance would leave her drained. With the director¡¯s Action cue, the scene began. ¡°Tsk, the old man who raged at every minor scratch is strangely silent about a gunshot wound.¡± ¡°He thinks it was my mistake. Please don¡¯t reveal the truth you know.¡± The official story was that Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s injury resulted from a hunting accident, not an assassination attempt. Her grandfather, Kim Ja-gyeom, used the injury as an excuse to confine her to the inner quarters of the hanok. Even allowing Park Joo-ho access to her room was part of this strategy to keep her inside. Better she read foreign books indoors than risk another incident involving an American firearm outside. However, as Park Joo-ho¡¯s "alphabet lessons" dragged on... ¡°Why do you keep repeating the section on L?¡± ¡°I-I haven¡¯t fully mastered it yet. It¡¯s definitely not for any other reason!¡± The time Kim Jung-hyun spent alone with Park Joo-ho in her small room continued to stretch on. Haunted by the "Love" incident, she found herself stealing glances at him more frequently. Over time, her focus shifted. The letters in the textbook began to matter less than Park Joo-ho¡¯s gaze. She cared more about what he was thinking than the words in the American books. To Kim Jung-hyun, Park Joo-ho was an enigma¡ªsomeone whose significance she couldn¡¯t quite define. Though he often appeared disapproving, he never cut ties with her or abandoned her. On the day her injury worsened, it was Park Joo-ho who brought a skilled doctor to her side. Perhaps that was why... For the first time in years, the empty revolver he carried was loaded with bullets. *** ¡°Your performance was sharp today. Good work.¡± Baek Tae-hoon¡¯s satisfied voice followed the scene¡¯s completion, which had wrapped up flawlessly in a single take. Catching her irregular breaths, Ha-eun returned the sentiment with a polite, ¡°Thank you for your hard work today.¡± A little while later, Joo Jung-yoon approached, holding the small slice of cake Ha-eun had asked for earlier. Only after taking a bite and savoring the soft sweetness melting in her mouth did the tightness in her chest begin to ease. However, it had been a long time since Ha-eun had requested something sweet. Naturally, this piqued Jung-yoon¡¯s curiosity as to why she had pushed herself to such an emotional performance. And so, the question came. ¡°Did you just confess your love to Baek Tae-hoon or something?¡± As Ha-eun¡¯s manager, Jung-yoon was aware of the on-screen relationships in The Sunshine, so the question wasn¡¯t entirely out of left field. Still, Ha-eun¡¯s response leaned more toward denial. ¡°I was a bit flustered during the shoot, but no, I haven¡¯t confessed anything like that.¡± ¡°Then what¡¯s the deal?¡± ¡°Well... let¡¯s just say I kept sending him ¡®love calls¡¯ until he picked one up.¡± Ha-eun reflected that she might have let her emotions get the better of her. But before she could elaborate further, Jung-yoon cut her off, telling her to finish her cake first. As someone who knew Ha-eun well, Jung-yoon understood that sweets helped calm her down. The conversation shifted away from The Sunshine and onto the upcoming recording of Infinite Challenge Song Festival, an effort to redirect Ha-eun¡¯s focus as they climbed into the manager¡¯s van. ¡°This time, all the mini-games involve a lot of movement, so dress comfortably,¡± Jung-yoon advised. ¡°Can I wear sweats, then?¡± Ha-eun asked. ¡°...Not that comfortably. Let¡¯s keep it reasonable.¡± Jung-yoon explained the outfit guidelines for the recording day: flexible enough for physical activities but stylish enough to reflect Ha-eun¡¯s charm as a female singer. Of course, knowing Ha-eun¡¯s boundless energy all too well, Jung-yoon felt compelled to add: ¡°If you tear your clothes, it¡¯ll be a total disaster. Don¡¯t overdo it, okay?¡± ¡°...Fine.¡± ¡°Wait, why the hesitation? Keep this up, and I¡¯ll make you wear a dress.¡± ¡°Okay, okay, I get it! I¡¯ll be careful!¡± Determined to prevent any wardrobe malfunctions caused by Ha-eun¡¯s enthusiasm, Jung-yoon¡¯s nagging persisted right up until the recording day of Infinite Challenge Song Festival. The day¡¯s line-up was packed with popular idols and solo male singers, each boasting massive fanbases. While the regular cast of Infinite Challenge was accustomed to the chaos, Jung-yoon was particularly concerned about guest singers like Ha-eun accidentally overwhelming the competition. ¡°In my day, if a male idol so much as brushed against a female guest, fans would show up at their doorstep to throw insults.¡± ¡°No way, that¡¯s a bit much... isn¡¯t it?¡± Ha-eun replied skeptically. ¡°It¡¯s true.¡± About an hour later, the recording of Infinite Challenge Song Festival began. The show¡¯s host, Sung Yoo-seok, recapped amusing anecdotes from the preparations so far. Meanwhile, in the back of Ha-eun¡¯s mind, Jung-yoon¡¯s repeated pleas of ¡°Please, take it easy!¡± kept replaying. ¡°Okay, rock-paper-scissors, winner takes all¡ªlet¡¯s go!¡± The game to determine the performance order at Gocheok Sky Dome had begun: a hammer game with colorful plastic hammers and steel bowls. Still somewhat distracted, Ha-eun faced off against a male solo singer who quickly realized he had lost the round. Clang! The singer hastily donned a stainless steel bowl as a makeshift helmet. But the moment Ha-eun¡¯s toy hammer struck the bowl, the sound reverberated through the set. Thud! The sturdy bowl dented slightly at the center, despite supposedly absorbing the impact. Yet Ha-eun frowned, dissatisfied. ¡°Hm, I think I need to swing it faster next time.¡± Her comment, devoid of any awareness of wrongdoing, sent a chill through the male singer. ¡°Time out! Can I request a substitution, please?!¡± Desperate, he called for a teammate to take his place, having seen stars flash in his vision the moment Ha-eun¡¯s hammer connected. Jung-yoon, watching from the sidelines, buried her face in her hands. She had warned Ha-eun repeatedly, but now it seemed like the only thing she could do was pray the rest of the show would survive Ha-eun¡¯s enthusiasm. Chapter 124 From the start, she was different. This sentence aptly described Ha-eun¡¯s presence in the entertainment world, particularly in variety shows like Infinite Challenge. Her talent in variety shows had been evident since her first appearance, when she was just a fourth grader in elementary school. ¡°Child actress Lee Ha-eun shines with athletic skills on Don¡¯t Stop People!¡±¡°Young Ha-yoo-hwa¡¯s sharp wit wins Don¡¯t Stop People! amidst all odds!¡±¡°Child prodigy breaks 35% viewership barrier; Lee Ha-eun drives Don¡¯t Stop People! to record ratings!¡± Becoming the highlight of almost every scene she was in wasn¡¯t something just anyone could pull off. Clips from the Don¡¯t Stop People: Stars from Another World special featuring Ha-eun were still widely shared online years later. One legendary moment, in particular, had Ha-eun scaling a wall to escape a fake antagonist. The quick thinking and fiery determination she displayed had yet to be surpassed by any guest since. However, that scene hadn¡¯t come without controversy. ¡°Lee Ha-eun! Hands up straight!¡± ¡°...I¡¯m sorry....¡± Her mother, Na-yeon, had been furious, her heart sinking at the sight of her young daughter taking such a dangerous risk. Na-yeon scolded her relentlessly, making Ha-eun kneel in apology and even write a reflection letter afterward. Her father, Seong-yoon, tried to mediate, but his attempts only made things worse. Ha-eun¡¯s talent for variety shows was long-established. In her most recent appearance on Two Days, Three Nights, her ability to steal the scene was on full display. Perhaps that¡¯s why, on the day of the Infinite Challenge Song Festival, producer Jeon Yoon-seop took a moment to speak directly to Ha-eun. ¡°Do your best to score high! That way, you can pick your ideal performance slot. Give it all you¡¯ve got!¡± He encouraged her to approach the recording like she was playing around with close friends rather than trying to navigate the awkwardness of other guests. As the person who had cast Ha-eun for this high-profile special, Jeon had high hopes for her. He wanted to see her replicate the energy she¡¯d shown on Don¡¯t Stop People and Two Days, Three Nights. Jeon had intentionally included several physical mini-games in the schedule, knowing they would highlight Ha-eun¡¯s athletic prowess. It was a departure from the usual interview-heavy format for female celebrity guests on the show. The primary goal, of course, was entertainment. With Ha-eun¡¯s popularity rising steadily, her active participation in the games was sure to make for engaging television. Jeon¡¯s instincts were right. In every mini-game he had prepared, Ha-eun shone. The hammer game, conducted as a tournament, proved particularly memorable. ¡°Alright, rock-paper-scissors... go!¡± One by one, the other participants revealed their nerves, even stammering slightly as they faced Ha-eun. Her swings with the toy hammer were faster and harder than those of most grown men. Winning against her in rock-paper-scissors meant you could attack her first¡ªthough her quick reflexes ensured she blocked every attempt. But losing? That was a different story entirely. Whack! ¡°Ugh! Ack!¡± Those who lost to Ha-eun quickly found themselves at the mercy of her hammer. The impact was so strong it left their heads spinning. If they didn¡¯t manage to don their protective bowls in time, Ha-eun would hold back slightly¡ªthough not much. But when the stainless steel bowls were in place, she went all out. Clang! The sound of her hammer hitting the steel reverberated through the set, accompanied by groans of pain and exaggerated cries. ¡°Ahhh!¡± ¡°Ha-eun! Do you have something against us?!¡± From a variety show perspective, the interaction was pure gold. Watching the chaos unfold, Jeon Yoon-seop couldn¡¯t help but marvel at Ha-eun¡¯s instincts. ¡°She knows exactly what makes good TV.¡± He had to admit, Ha-eun¡¯s on-screen presence exceeded even his high expectations. Her boldness and confidence were undeniable. And while the last performance slot was indeed a daunting choice, Jeon trusted that Ha-eun had the self-assurance to pull it off. *** "Lee Ha-eun is appearing on Infinite Challenge?" A few days before the airing of the first episode of the Infinite Challenge Song Festival, a post appeared on an online community speculating about Ha-eun¡¯s participation in the variety show. Initially, the post went unnoticed. However, once the opening moments of the episode aired, featuring a mysterious female singer with a breathtaking voice, things began to shift. ¡°Who is this singer, receiving love calls from every member? Let¡¯s find out!¡± The reveal of the singer¡¯s identity as Ha-eun sent shockwaves through the audience. "Ha-eun¡¯s singing is insane!""I can¡¯t believe it¡¯s actually Lee Ha-eun, LOL.""National treasure vibes.""Her voice is incredible!""Wait, the child actress from Stars from Another World is singing this song? How do you even process that?!" Suddenly, the internet was abuzz with discussions about Ha-eun''s transformation into a singer. Her voice was powerful enough to stand out among established female vocalists. The buzz grew even louder when her festival partner was revealed to be Yoon Si-hyuk. And just as excitement peaked, the preview for episode two teased yet another unexpected twist: ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Ha-eun.¡±"????""Wait, Ji-hyuk hyung is on this too?!""Is this real?!""Out of nowhere, this has become an SIT ON THE MONEY reunion, LOL.""Legendary, absolutely legendary!""The production quality of Infinite Challenge is off the charts." The reveal of Hwang Ji-hyuk as Ha-eun¡¯s additional partner brought an unprecedented level of excitement. Their past collaboration during the finals of SIT ON THE MONEY had left a lasting impression. Ha-eun and Ji-hyuk: A Pairing That Dominated Ha-eun, who had once dominated the music charts as the featured singer for Double Lee under the alias ¡°Pinocchio,¡± teaming up again with SIT ON THE MONEY champion Hwang Ji-hyuk was more than enough to ignite discussions across forums. The combination of their skills and chemistry was a testament to why producer Jeon Yoon-seop had been so determined to cast Ha-eun for the Infinite Challenge Song Festival. A Commercial Success Beyond Expectations But the ripple effect of Ha-eun¡¯s Infinite Challenge appearance wasn¡¯t limited to online communities. ¡°P-Park Team Leader!¡± In an office at Sears, a mid-tier furniture company, an employee rushed to Park Hwan-soo, the team leader of their advertising department. They had been monitoring the performance of Sears¡¯ latest mattress commercial, which had started airing just a few days earlier. The employee handed over reports showing a sudden spike in ad views and an increasingly steep sales trajectory. ¡°This... might be something big,¡± the employee ventured. ¡°...Let¡¯s keep watching for now. It¡¯s still a long way to the autumn peak season,¡± Park replied cautiously. In the furniture industry, fluctuations in sales were not uncommon, especially around seasonal campaigns. As such, Park urged patience, continuing to monitor the situation. However, it didn¡¯t take two weeks for the situation to escalate further. ¡°Team Leader, the IT department just called. Our website has crashed from the traffic....¡± ¡°...Hah.¡± The sales trajectory was no longer just an upward curve; it had transformed into a near-vertical surge. Sears¡¯ website, overwhelmed by the influx of customers, was completely paralyzed. When Park had initially planned the commercial, his goal had been modest: to bring some life back to Sears¡¯ stagnant sales. Yet the company¡¯s new model¡ªLee Ha-eun¡ªwas achieving results far beyond anyone¡¯s expectations. The meteoric rise of Sears¡¯ mattress sales, fueled by Ha-eun¡¯s soaring popularity, marked the beginning of a commercial phenomenon. Chapter 125 Pinocchio ''Ha-eun'' Forms Team with ''Hwang Ji-hyuk'', Winner of ''SIT ON THE MONEY'' Once Again Not as an Actress, But as a Singer. ''Ha-eun'' Appears on Infinite Challenge The Love Call from All Members of Infinite Challenge for ''Nae Unmyeong'' from Star On Dang, Sung by Han Yuhwa ''A Stage That Will Be Talked About for a Long Time'': Ha-eun''s Aspirations Revealed in Front of Star Singers Articles covering Ha-eun¡¯s appearance on the Infinite Challenge Song Festival. Most of the articles focused on the fact that this was Ha-eun''s first broadcast as a singer, not an actress. Although Ha-eun still had a strong image as an actress, there were definitely some skeptical views about her appearing as a singer. After all, the other guests were well-known singers¡ªno questions about it. However, a few months ago, the 10th album of Doublely, which had dominated the music charts for a while, was re-highlighted, particularly for the three tracks, including the title track Tunnel, which Ha-eun had featured on. More importantly, the actress who had once portrayed the young Han Yuhwa in Star From the Stars was now singing the OST of the show, and it became quite a topic of discussion. How could I forget you, Yuhwa? Am I the only one who prefers this version? ? Yeah, I feel it too. ? Something about the emotional tone? It feels more alive here. ? Definitely more heart-wrenching than the original. Can you upload the full version of ''My Fate'' on YouTube? She really sings so beautifully... In the end, there was no controversy, not even a hint of it. The label of being cast due to Lee Jun¡¯s connections was also not applied. It was a situation where Ha-eun had proven herself with sheer talent. She had been fully recognized as someone who deserved the spotlight at the Infinite Challenge Song Festival. But, the spotlight wasn¡¯t just on Ha-eun as the singer Pinocchio. ¡°Now even my sins are yours, Kyle. Regret it until the day I die.¡± A video showcasing Ha-eun for the Infinite Challenge audience. Originally, it should have been a reaction video shot directly by Lee Jun and Lee Geon-yeol during Ha-eun¡¯s performance, but due to unavoidable reasons, it was replaced by an official video on the Narae High School YouTube channel, and it had an unexpected impact. What¡¯s going on at high school festivals these days? Is this what musicals are like? This is amazing. ? You need to see it in person for the real experience. ? It¡¯s already over, how can I see it now? What¡¯s with that outfit? The Empress moment was crazy. I watched the original novel, and it really feels like this. Are they going to do a re-run of this later? ? Probably not, since it was for a high school festival, no re-runs. Strictly speaking, Ha-eun¡¯s Falling Together video aired for less than a minute. Yet, despite the brief moment, the odd emotional tone conveyed in that instant caused the views on the official Narae High School YouTube channel to skyrocket. Especially, the video where only Ha-eun¡¯s highlights were clipped and edited even made it onto the trending videos list for a brief moment. Meanwhile, as old content that had already been publicly revealed was being actively revisited... Step by step.Swoosh. The only thing that hinted at the impact of her ad was the voice of Park Hwan-soo on the other end of the phone earlier that morning. He had said Ha-eun¡¯s Sears ad had achieved something beyond just success. His words ended with a request for continued collaboration. Well, anyway. Ha-eun figured that as long as her ad didn¡¯t have any negative consequences, she didn¡¯t need to worry too much about it. Though, the situation at the moment was already overwhelming enough to make Ha-eun feel a bit of relief. Time flew by, and it was now the day of the Infinite Challenge Song Festival at the Gocheok Sky Dome. The location was the waiting room inside the dome. And the situation she was facing was... ¡°Do you know how many years it¡¯s been since I¡¯ve been friends with Ha-eun?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve even been married. Don¡¯t you think the queen should come out?¡± An absolute morning drama. ¡®...How did it end up like this?¡¯ In truth, not even a rehearsal had been done yet, let alone makeup or costume changes for the performance. In front of Ha-eun, the sudden formation of a rivalry between Yoo Seong-jae and Da-yeon didn¡¯t seem to be an issue at first. Both of them had come to celebrate Ha-eun¡¯s Gocheok Sky Dome performance. That was the official story, anyway. However, when Yoo Seong-jae handed Da-yeon an unprepared bouquet and said, "Congratulations on the dome performance," that¡¯s when things began to shift. More specifically, ¡°Is it alright to take a photo before the rehearsal later?¡± ¡°Ah, yes.¡± When Yoo Seong-jae and Ha-eun started setting up for a photo to upload on their Instagram, Click!Snap! ¡°...? Da-yeon?¡± For some reason, Da-yeon, whose expression had been long and drawn out, suddenly wedged herself next to Ha-eun. Flustered, Yoo Seong-jae initially took a photo with all three of them, but for some reason, Da-yeon didn¡¯t leave afterward. ¡®...Is one of them going to ask who likes who more?¡¯ ¡°You¡¯re not going to choose me over the queen, right, wife?¡± ¡°Wife? Who¡¯s calling who a wife?!¡± In the end, a sudden love triangle centered around Ha-eun emerged. Though Yoo Seong-jae was clearly joking, Da-yeon¡¯s frown revealed it was all genuine. After taking over ten photos with Da-yeon, Ha-eun was finally able to calm her down. It was ironic, since Ha-eun had met Yoo Seong-jae far fewer times than Da-yeon, but it was Da-yeon who held a grudge against him. Of course, this impromptu morning drama between the three of them was all captured by the cameras of the Infinite Challenge Song Festival. In the future, it was going to be published as a story about the royal competition between the crown prince, Lee Hyun, and the queen, Yoon-si. Anyway, it was time to go for the first rehearsal. ¡°You two, I¡¯ll see you later!¡± Ha-eun quickly fled the waiting room, almost as if escaping. Though she was a bit concerned that the VIP seats given to Da-yeon and Yoo Seong-jae were next to each other, there was nothing she could do but ask them not to fight. Chapter 126 On the Stage, Checking and Adjusting Lighting and Sound The vast number of audience seats spread out in all directions. The view of the Gocheok Sky Dome, which Ha-eun had reunited with after 12 long years since her baseball pitch, was still as grand as ever. In such an immense space, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t help but wonder how she had managed to perform her pitch without any nerves. She found herself reflecting on her past self. ¡®Five hours. No, maybe four hours left.¡¯ Every seat in front of her was already booked. In other words, by the time the Infinite Challenge Song Festival performance began, the whole place would be packed with people. And, it was none other than Ha-eun herself who needed to provide these people with an unforgettable moment. The weight on her shoulders felt a little heavier. Joining Yoon Si-hyuk who had been chatting with the other performers from the Infinite Challenge Song Festival came next. ¡°I¡¯m here.¡± ¡°Oh, you¡¯re here?¡± The next question was about how Ha-eun was feeling. She responded with a vague answer, saying she wasn¡¯t sure yet, and the two began discussing their rehearsal for the Ha-eun & Yoon Si-hyuk team. The discussion with Yoon Si-hyuk lasted for about ten minutes, covering what parts of the stage needed more attention and which parts of the song required the most focus. However, just before the first rehearsal was to begin, they were informed that they would need to do a quick interview. So, they moved to a folding chair, placed slightly away from the stage, for the interview. The first question was about their teamwork throughout the preparation for the performance. The interview writer requested an honest, unembellished answer, and Ha-eun replied, ¡°Uncle Si-hyuk was the one who approached me first, so it was comfortable. He really listened to my feedback.¡± It was a simple, honest answer that summarized their smooth practice sessions. Yoon Si-hyuk¡¯s answer was similarly aligned with Ha-eun¡¯s. However, ¡°When I got first place in the mini-game, I thought I¡¯d perform last, and my back seriously ached.¡± With his half-serious, half-joking remark, Yoon Si-hyuk shot a playful glare at Ha-eun, causing her to smile awkwardly and barely mutter a ¡°Fighting¡± under her breath. Then came Yoon Si-hyuk¡¯s playful response, ¡°If I fight with Ha-eun, I lose. To stay alive, I have to be obedient. If Ha-eun wants to perform last, then she performs last...¡± Ha-eun knew very well that there would be no actual fighting with Yoon Si-hyuk, so she didn¡¯t bother to counter his words. Still, she did wonder, in hindsight, whether her slightly aggressive behavior in the mini-game might have worried him a bit. ¡®Well, it¡¯s just a rubber hammer... nothing major.¡¯ She decided to think of it as just part of the variety show. She had no idea how her passionate moments from the mini-game would be edited for the broadcast. The second question came¡ªthis time about the people who had come to watch Ha-eun and Yoon Si-hyuk perform. Swoosh. Of course, the photos wouldn¡¯t be uploaded until after the performance was completely over. For now, it was just... ¡°Your mom said you look really pretty, Ha-eun.¡± ¡°...Mhm.¡± Ha-eun sent a picture of her stage outfit to Nayeon and Seongyun, who were waiting in the VIP seats. Her earlobes turned a bit red as a result. She spent the remaining time listening to the track for her performance over and over again, rehearsing mentally. Not long from now, she would be performing in front of the full Gocheok Sky Dome, and she quietly recited her lyrics to herself. Time passed again, and then... ¡°Until now, the Rick & Song Hyun-min team! Thank you©¤!¡± Ha-eun¡¯s performance was next. That is, the Infinite Challenge Song Festival¡¯s second-to-last performance had just ended. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go~.¡± Ha-eun walked backstage with Yoon Si-hyuk, as casually as always. Not long after, Seong Yu-seok¡¯s announcement rang through the speakers. ¡°Next up is Ha-eun & Yoon Si-hyuk¡¯s ¡®T. R. E. N. D.! Let¡¯s give them a big round of applause©¤!¡± The loud roar of the crowd followed. Ha-eun and Yoon Si-hyuk¡¯s footsteps moved toward opposite sides of the stage. The stage was still completely dark. Ha-eun exhaled a deep breath as she faced the many audience members, their camera flashes resembling fireflies in the darkness. It would have been a blatant lie to say she wasn¡¯t nervous at all. Still, the melody of the song began to play, and she knew the time to raise the handheld mic was fast approaching. -?©¤©¤??! As the melody sped up, Ha-eun turned her gaze toward the camera moving toward her. Then, at the exact moment the music abruptly stopped... Swoosh. Ha-eun and Yoon Si-hyuk struck the pose they had carefully chosen. Almost immediately, the stage lights came to life, illuminating the whole area. Ha-eun and Yoon Si-hyuk stood at the center of the vast stage at Gocheok Sky Dome, their images filling the screen. The deafening roar of the crowd followed. Waaaahhhh!!! Then, the melody of T. R. E. N. D. resumed, and Seong Yu-seok¡¯s voice echoed, ¡°Are you all ready to enjoy this©¤!!¡± The moment the whole dome was filled with the sound of the audience¡¯s response, ¡°Now I go higher©¤?¡± Ha-eun¡¯s clear and pure voice resonated powerfully from the start, without any need to hold back. The moment had arrived¡ªthe stage that Ha-eun had said would be remembered for a long time. Chapter 127 What does it mean to be significant to others? What is necessary to carry meaning for people whose names, faces, and lives are all entirely different? ¡°Think about it. The answer is already decided.¡± First and foremost, memory is required. What you see, hear, and feel becomes embedded as memories, constructing the meaning of one¡¯s existence. Thus, the singer on stage captivating countless gazes at this moment... The pure, clear tone emanating from her black hand microphone... The vivid presence she exudes so naturally... ¡°Remember the past. Who astonished everyone back then?¡± All of it was more than enough to become an unforgettable memory. Not even a single intrusive thought could interrupt. The sharp, unwavering gaze directly meeting the camera operated by the performance staff... That unshakable look was displayed on the screens at both sides of the stage, meeting the eyes of each and every audience member. Her light footsteps that followed... The effortless grace radiated naturally as she moved freely among the dancers. ¡°End the question. Haven¡¯t I proven myself enough?¡± A white jacket barely hanging from her arms down to her elbows. A soft dance line emerged from her exposed shoulders. At times, her movements matched the rhythm of the melody precisely. At other times, they broke the tempo, piercing through the beats with syncopation. ¡°Now you know. Doubt is a waste of time.¡± The choreography that left the audience speechless with silent admiration continued throughout the performance. Even so, her breath remained steady, never faltering. The confidence that seeped out of her solemn expression transformed into an aura that spread throughout the audience. Her unique, weighty atmosphere completely dominated the flow of the performance. ¡°Dear my world, don¡¯t be confused anymore©¤?¡± The intense high note resonated again. The clear voice that filled the vast concert hall once more captivated the ears of countless people. The skillful techniques woven into her high-pitched tone drew spontaneous cheers. The explosion of applause and shouts from the crowd was overwhelming. Even as she moved along the route she had rehearsed countless times, her gaze was drawn to the fervent eyes directed at her. And at the same time... Perhaps even a few minutes before Ha-eun¡¯s performance began... Or maybe since the very first screen test when they met Ha-eun as a person... ¡®...Seriously.¡¯ A fleeting chuckle lingered on Da-yeon¡¯s lips as she unconsciously found herself admiring that brilliance. It wasn¡¯t jealousy. She had never thought of such a grand stage as her domain, even at the camera fronts on a film set. Nor was it rivalry. What Da-yeon had competed with Ha-eun in so far was strictly limited to acting as an actress. It was simply absurd. The same girl who would lose her composure and panic just at the mention of ¡°Diah¡±... ¡°©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡±@@@@ Was now singing as if she were enjoying herself before a crowd so vast it was impossible to count. ¡°Wow... Isn¡¯t Ha-eun just incredible?¡± ¡°...Now you¡¯re saying that as if it¡¯s surprising.¡± Da-yeon lingered in thought about how such vastly different images could belong to the same person. When Ha-eun, having returned to her role as an actress, stepped in front of the crowd once more, clad in an elegant black dress... More specifically, when she approached the podium microphone holding a golden trophy... ¡°I will continue to work hard. No, I¡¯ll work even harder from now on.¡± Her usual calm voice and straightforward acceptance speech sounded slightly different to Da-yeon. She could sense that Ha-eun¡¯s pace was accelerating. Thus, to not be left behind... Da-yeon decided to change her mindset and approach. Just as she had said long ago, Da-yeon resolved not to stand still and applaud like everyone else but to do everything she could to follow Ha-eun. What results this determination would lead to in the future, Da-yeon had yet to imagine. Nor did she realize that the place Ha-eun was aiming for was far higher and farther than she had thought. *** By the time Lee Ha-eun and Yoon Si-hyuk''s team wrapped up their T.R.E.N.D. performance, marking the official conclusion of the Infinite Challenge Song Festival... Infinite Challenge Song Festival Lee Ha-eun FancamInfinite Challenge Song Festival Highlight Compilation Despite the official broadcast not yet airing, videos of the Infinite Challenge Song Festival performances were already circulating online. Footage taken directly by audience members had led to a flood of spoilers about Ha-eun¡¯s performance. Photos, GIFs, shorts, and videos were uploaded across various communities. While many of these materials were swiftly taken down under the guise of copyright enforcement, it was practically impossible to erase the news once it had begun spreading. And so, inevitably: Wow, Lee Ha-eun¡¯s live performance is insane, lol. The queen of K-hip-hop is now establishing dominance over idols too. Proof I saw Lee Ha-eun perform live. ? Block this braggart. ? Isn¡¯t the real loser the one who couldn¡¯t attend? ? Take that back...!! Is that seriously a high schooler¡¯s body? ? She already had that aura during the ¡°2 Days & 3 Nights¡± broadcast, but her outfit here just elevates it. ? Careful, any more and you¡¯ll get sued. Why does her live performance sound better than the studio version? Feat. Pinocchio didn¡¯t dominate the music charts for nothing, lol. ? Hey, don¡¯t just call her ¡°feat¡±; she¡¯s the winner of Sit on the Money!* ? Nope, Lee Ha-eun carried the finals. The performance would¡¯ve bombed if not for her. Before the official broadcast even aired, reviews of Ha-eun¡¯s T.R.E.N.D. performance were popping up across online communities. Videos of her performance, shot from every conceivable angle and position, were being analyzed down to the second. To be fair, many of the reactions were not the kind Ha-eun had particularly sought. Nonetheless, her primary objective in participating in the Infinite Challenge Song Festival had been fully achieved. [Lee Ye-na (Yuna)] - (Screenshot of Yoo Sung-jae gifting a bouquet) [Lee Ye-na (Yuna)] - Our youngest got a dome performance!!! [Park Mi-so (Mile)] - OMG OMG OMG [Jung Maria (Cream)] - ...I want Yoo Sung-jae to give me a bouquet too... [Kim Eun-hye (Ria)] - Me too... [Lee Ye-na (Yuna)] - Hmm, is getting a dome performance from Yoo Sung-jae a blessing? Even the Illusionary Realm group chat was abuzz with excitement, though Ha-eun could watch it all without much pressure. The reactions mostly conveyed admiration for her as a "true singer." However, Ha-eun¡¯s T.R.E.N.D. performance also had an unexpected impact in areas she hadn¡¯t anticipated¡ª particularly in elevating her value as a commercial model to levels previously unimaginable. ¡°A winter... photoshoot?¡± ¡°Yeah. They said they absolutely want you as the model.¡± Once her schedule related to the Infinite Challenge Song Festival had fully concluded, Ha-eun had to dive straight into another project. Kong Hye-yeon, a teenage model, personally took Ha-eun to her own agency for a meeting, assisting her throughout the process. In other words, even Kong Hye-yeon was eager for Ha-eun¡¯s photoshoot to happen. This was because the photoshoot also included partial collaborative shots featuring both Ha-eun and Kong Hye-yeon. But just as with the other singers who had participated in the Infinite Challenge Song Festival... ¡°Are you sure this is your first time doing a photoshoot? Your poses are so professional!¡± ¡°I-I was just imitating Hye-yeon...¡± ¡°Honestly, you¡¯re better than my daughter. Must be the actress in you.¡± As a result, Kong Hye-yeon had to witness her own livelihood as a model being threatened by Ha-eun¡¯s winter photoshoot. By the time she realized something was amiss, it was already far too late. Chapter 128 A black-toned outfit. The edge of the hat adorned with soft white fox fur. ¡®...It¡¯s a bit warm.¡¯ It seemed to be a high-end padded coat, offering excellent insulation. However, there was still a long way to go before Ha-eun''s winter photoshoot would be over. ¡°Next, let¡¯s have you hold the hat with both hands. Don¡¯t put it on all the way¡ªjust about 70%.¡± The person giving directions was Gong Jae-ho, the overall director of this winter photoshoot and, coincidentally, Gong Hye-yeon¡¯s father. Following his instructions, Ha-eun struck a new pose different from before. The sound of the camera shutter clicking multiple times soon filled the air. The monitor linked to the photographer¡¯s camera displayed Ha-eun¡¯s photos once again. From the sidelines, where Gong Hye-yeon had been watching the shoot, came a brief sound of admiration. As a full-fledged fashion model, Gong Hye-yeon instantly recognized that Ha-eun¡¯s pictures were perfect for a fashion magazine. The photoshoot continued for quite some time. Ha-eun wore various winter outfits beyond just the padded coat, capturing an array of poses for the photographer. ¡°You¡¯ve worked hard today~.¡± At last, when Ha-eun¡¯s photoshoot was completed, Gong Jae-ho¡¯s satisfied voice resonated. He mentioned that it wouldn¡¯t be long before Ha-eun¡¯s pictures appeared in various department stores. This was something Ha-eun already knew, thanks to the photoshoot meeting held a few days prior. Still, the thought of her photos being displayed in department stores didn¡¯t quite feel real yet. Perhaps that¡¯s why, when the department stores contracted with Gong Jae-ho¡¯s company began using Ha-eun¡¯s photos for winter clothing advertisements... ¡®Hmm... It looks pretty good, I guess....¡¯ Ha-eun found herself visiting a department store she didn¡¯t frequent often, just to see her own pictures. Of course, she disguised her appearance with a black baseball cap and mask. Somehow, it felt incredibly strange. The idea that countless shoppers would come across her photos in department stores was unfamiliar territory. If she thought about it, her Sears advertisement for their new mattress was also seen by many people. The behind-the-scenes footage of the ad, uploaded to Sears¡¯ official YouTube channel, also garnered substantial views. Ding! [Park Mi-so (Mile)] - Guys, I met Ha-eun! [Park Mi-so (Mile)] - (Selfie with Ha-eun¡¯s photoshoot in the background) [Park Mi-so (Mile)] - But she didn¡¯t even say hi. I¡¯m so hurt, Ha-eun TT_TT. [Lee Ye-na (Yuna)] - LOL But encountering her own photos in real life through advertisements was a first. The messages from friends, classmates, and other acquaintances who sent proof shots of her ads felt foreign. Because of that, Ha-eun began visiting department stores whenever she had time after that first outing. She even embarked on a sort of ¡°tour,¡± seeking out department stores where her photos were displayed beyond the first one she visited. ¡°What¡¯s in Akihabara? Are you buying a camera?¡± However, Ha-eun evaded answering truthfully about her main objective¡ªmostly related to subculture merchandise. She turned her gaze slightly and vaguely mentioned that she might pick up a camera if she had the chance. With school attendance sorted out, all that remained was to finalize the travel itinerary. Ji Hye-min had mentioned that Ha-eun could share any specific places she wanted to visit. Outside of the ski resort, the other travel decisions were left to the Illusionary Realm members. Naturally, the group considered their fanbase¡¯s curiosity about whether Diah would join the trip, as shared in the official fan cafe? announcement: [Travel Planning Broadcast¡î] - Diah - A spirit venturing into the human world, constantly on trips, huh? - Damn it, another trip. Meanwhile, we Sunsets are freezing to death... They hosted a livestream focused on planning their Japan winter trip shortly before departure. To avoid revealing red-pill details, they refrained from discussing exact schedules. The broadcast was primarily to gather recommendations from Sunsets¡ªplaces to visit, food to try, and activities to do. ¡°Catching snow while soaking in an onsen has always been a dream of mine. Should I go to an outdoor hot spring?¡± - Absolutely. - If you¡¯re going to Japan in winter, you need to experience an onsen while it¡¯s snowing. - Pure romance. Amazing. - Take me with you. [?? has donated 1,000 KRW!] ¡°Is it a mixed-gender bath? (Genuinely curious)¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s mixed or not... ...Wait, that didn¡¯t seem like a genuine question, did it?¡± - Gasp! - Damn, smart kid saw through us! - Violation! Emergency blade dance incoming! - Mercy! Mercy! Mercy! - We¡¯ll meet in the mixed bath (This user has been banned). - Ahhhh, someone¡¯s been killed!!! The chat grew chaotic for a moment. Soon after, Diah¡¯s avatar displayed a stark shift in expression, going from playful to almost neutral. ¡°Now, don¡¯t just apologize. Tell me¡ªwhy were you curious about whether it¡¯s mixed?¡± The user who had asked the question finally confessed their intent, only to face... ¡°You just wanted to see something ¡®amazing¡¯ in the mixed bath, huh? Out you go~.¡± [The user has been forcibly removed.] "Get out!!!" Diah¡¯s voice tone shifted dramatically, and the banned Sunset¡¯s fate left the broadcast chatroom awash in mock sorrow. Of course, the majority of the chat was simply pretending to be sad. The recently banned Sunset was quickly elevated to the status of a ¡°martyr.¡± In response, Diah pulled up another one-on-one chat with a different Sunset on her stream screen, questioning why the previous Sunset was being celebrated as a martyr. Thus began an era of terror. This time, the broadcast chat was genuinely filled with fear. Chapter 129 To begin with, only one Sunset was actually banned by Diah during the stream. Nevertheless, the reason so many Sunsets were trembling with fear was due to the one-on-one chatroom with Diah. -Click©¤! [PineapplePizzaJMT] - Opening Notepad.@@@@ ¡°What could you possibly want to write in your notepad~?¡± Diah, with her lightning-fast reaction time, immediately caught any suspicious messages that flashed by in the chat. Then, she initiated what could only be described as ¡°intense interrogation,¡± pressing the Sunset to explain themselves until they confessed. The scariest part of this interrogation process, however, was... ¡°Huh? Why aren¡¯t you answering~?¡± -Click. -Click. [PineapplePizzaJMT] - Please spare me. Diah had effectively weaponized the temporary ban feature as a tool for intimidation and questioning. She refused to let the Sunset go until she received a satisfactory explanation or apology. - Cyber waterboarding, wow. - Is Spiritland actually North Korea? - This isn¡¯t her first rodeo with interrogation skills. - I am an individual, I am an individual, I am an individual... - Oh no, Baby¡¯s red, but in a whole new way! The chatroom was still reeling from the shock and terror, but Diah continued her cheerful interrogation unfazed. ¡°So, what were you planning to write in that notepad~?¡± [PineapplePizzaJMT] - Uh, well... [PineapplePizzaJMT] - I wasn¡¯t planning anything weird, for sure... ¡°If it¡¯s not weird, then what~?¡± [PineapplePizzaJMT] - I wanted to jot down the Japanese winter travel spots. [PineapplePizzaJMT] - The ones recommended by the Sunsets matched my preferences. [PineapplePizzaJMT] - I thought I¡¯d make a note for when I visit Japan in the future, haha. - Oh wow, smooth save. - You passed. - Survival instincts: 100. - Look at that maneuvering, lol. ¡°Ah, I see. You were just taking down travel tips~.¡± [PineapplePizzaJMT] - Yes, yes! ¡°Okay! Got it, I understand now~.¡± Just as Diah moved her mouse cursor toward the button to close the one-on-one chat, it suddenly shifted course. Instead of closing the chat, her cursor circled around the Sunset¡¯s nickname. ¡°Your nickname is kind of strange, huh~?¡± - Gasp! - Oh no. - The torture isn¡¯t over yet, teacher! - Time for a nickname change, right? - Diah¡¯s rage button ON, lol. ¡°Change your name to and come back!¡± Five seconds. Four seconds. Three seconds. ¡°...Why aren¡¯t you answering?¡± Two seconds. One second. Even though only five seconds of the clip played, it was enough to make Yuna scream in terror. Ultimately, Yuna surrendered. [I-I¡¯ll never say anything about your... uh, size again!! Please forgive me!] ¡°Just this once.¡± At last, Diah¡¯s cursor hovered over the stop button, silencing the Pandora¡¯s box of a recording once more. Moments later, Diah mused aloud into her broadcast mic. ¡°But unnie, isn¡¯t there someone who¡¯s actually bigger? I still can¡¯t forget the shock I felt when I first met the boss.¡± [Oh, right! There¡¯s someone far beyond us, for sure!] - Gasp. - They¡¯re talking about the squirrel, aren¡¯t they??? - Of course, a true legend. - Diah & Yuna agree: Squirrel has god-tier proportions. Briefly, they reminisced about meeting the squirrel, recounting their initial impressions. As expected, the chat grew increasingly chaotic. Yet, some Sunsets began requesting the full version of the bizarre clip from earlier. ¡°I¡¯ll send all the draft files to Yuna-unnie. If you want them, ask her, not me~.¡± With that, Diah shifted the burden onto Yuna. Yuna¡¯s flustered protests echoed faintly, but Diah pretended not to hear them. Meanwhile, the squirrel, set to stream in a few days, would undoubtedly face similar uproar thanks to Diah¡¯s offhanded comments. However, since it was factually true, it wouldn¡¯t be too much of a problem. About a week later, the day of the Illusionary Realm group¡¯s trip to Japan finally arrived. -Step. -Step, step, step. Ha-eun, who was the first to arrive at the airport, sat in a cafe? waiting for the others. Suddenly, rapid footsteps approached her. Within seconds, firm hands gripped her shoulders tightly. -SQUEEZE!! ¡°Ha-eun, don¡¯t you have something to say to me~?¡± ¡°Uh, um...¡± Ji Hye-min was smiling, undeniably so. But the increasing force on Ha-eun¡¯s shoulders left no room for doubt. As her upper body was shaken vigorously, Ji Hye-min vented her frustrations about the squirrel comment. ¡°People keep saying my proportions are government-grade! What are you going to do about it?!¡± ¡°Haha... S-sorry about that.¡± ¡°Apologize on stream right after the trip! No excuses!¡± Eventually, Ha-eun offered a sheepish apology. Just then, Jung Maria joined them, standing beside Ha-eun. Maria nonchalantly remarked, ¡°Oh, I saw that clip too. But honestly, what¡¯s there to correct about what our youngest said?¡± ¡°...Excuse me?¡± ¡°I mean, everything was accurate.¡± Within seconds, Hye-min¡¯s grip shifted to Maria¡¯s shoulders, eliciting cries for mercy. Watching Maria collapse under Hye-min¡¯s iron grip, Ha-eun nervously swallowed. ¡®...Turns out the real person not to mess with is someone else entirely.¡¯ Chapter 130 Sitting awkwardly inside a cafe?, Ha-eun was sipping a strawberry smoothie in small sips, her face showing mild discomfort. Beside her, Jung Maria, leaning on Ha-eun, was spaced out. And in front of them, for some reason, Ji Hye-min was snapping her fingers, seemingly lost in thought.@@@@ ¡®What¡¯s going on?¡¯ To Lee Ye-na, who had just entered the cafe?, this scene was rather perplexing. After all, the talk about the squirrel''s real-life appearance between Ha-eun and Yuna had been completely forgotten by Ye-na, as it had been a few days ago. However, Ji Hye-min, who had been relentlessly hounded by the Acorn Squad, who were fans of the squirrel, had never forgotten that conversation about the squirrel¡¯s real-life appearance, particularly the revealing talk between Diah and Yuna. - Snap. ¡°Ye-na, come here.¡± As soon as Ji Hye-min noticed Ye-na, who was hesitating in the middle of the cafe?, she immediately ordered her to sit next to her. And so, Ye-na reluctantly sat down next to Ji Hye-min. Ji Hye-min¡¯s last act of mercy toward Ye-na came right after that. ¡°If you confess now, I¡¯ll let it slide.¡± However, Ye-na¡¯s response was... ¡°A confession? About what?¡± Sadly, that kind of answer was exactly the kind that made Ji Hye-min¡¯s temples throb. - Aaahhh!! ¡°If only you had backed me up, huh? If you hadn¡¯t said anything about ¡®heavenly proportions¡¯!!¡± ¡°...!...!!¡± As a result, Ye-na had to endure the same rough treatment as Ha-eun and Jung Maria had earlier. It wasn¡¯t until she remembered the past conversation about the squirrel¡¯s real-life appearance that she quickly apologized, but by then, it was already too late. Meanwhile, the last members of the group, Mile and Ria, who had just arrived at the cafe?, saw this dreadful scene. ¡°...Let¡¯s go in a bit later.¡± ¡°...Yeah.¡± This scene was enough to make them turn around and walk in the opposite direction. Both Mile and Ria had also made mentions of the squirrel''s real-life appearance a few times, after all. Around ten minutes later, the entire Illusionary Realm group had gathered at the cafe?. Then, Ji Hye-min began explaining the overall plan for the day. Everyone¡¯s attention turned toward her. ¡°First, we¡¯ll go to the hotel and check in, then we¡¯ll eat afterward.¡± The conversation continued for quite a while. However, unlike Ha-eun¡¯s previous school trip, this time the Illusionary Realm members would be filming vlogs for their YouTube channels during the group trip. ¡°So, as much as possible, let¡¯s use our nicknames instead of real names. The editors will be checking everything, but just in case.¡± ¡°I¡¯m going for skiing. Mile-unnie is¡ª¡± ¡°Hmm, I think Mile-unnie is into snowboarding.¡± ¡°How did you know that?¡± Ha-eun pretended to read their minds for a moment, startling the other members. As expected, no member managed to stump her. After spending some time chatting, they finally got into taxis to head to their hotel. The group split into two taxis and headed to their pre-booked hotel to settle in. Once at the hotel, Ria¡¯s vlog resumed, though Mile¡¯s vlog, just starting, was a bit behind. ¡°Here¡¯s Ria filming Mile filming Ria~.¡± ¡°Hey! I was going to say that line!¡± When they arrived at a nearby restaurant, a playful ¡°tagging¡± style filming session began, with Ria and Mile taking turns filming each other¡¯s vlogs. The other members, including Ha-eun, watched with interest. Eventually, their late lunch, or early dinner, was served: a plate of beef tongue. Ji Hye-min reminded them to savor the expensive meat. Just as Ha-eun was about to pick up a piece of the crispy beef tongue, ¡°Diah.¡± ¡°?¡± ¡°Do you know what beef tongue is?¡± Ria, who was filming Ha-eun¡¯s chopsticks, asked the question. Ha-eun, thinking it was just regular beef, replied. ¡°Beef tongue is the tongue of a cow.¡± ¡°Wait, really?¡± ¡°Yeah. So if you eat it, it¡¯s like kissing a cow!¡± With a hint of mischief in her voice, Ria made the comment, causing Ha-eun¡¯s chopsticks to momentarily freeze. After all, the kiss scene from The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds had made Ha-eun extra sensitive to the word ¡°kiss.¡± As Ha-eun pondered whether to eat it or not with a serious expression, Mile couldn¡¯t hold back and burst into laughter, patting Ha-eun¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Just because you¡¯re eating pork belly doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re kissing a pig¡¯s belly. It¡¯s fine, eat it.¡± ¡°Ah.¡± At last, Ha-eun was able to savor the deep flavor of the beef tongue. And as Ha-eun let out a sigh of relief without realizing it, Ria and Mile, who sensed the highlight of the Japan trip vlog was about to unfold, exchanged knowing glances. When the vlogs were uploaded to YouTube, it would no doubt be a hit. The fact that Diah¡¯s role as the pure 1-year-old spirit would shine through during the Japan trip was sure to have a positive impact. And perhaps that¡¯s why, after finishing their meal and arriving at their first tourist destination, Asakusa¡¯s Senso-ji Temple... ¡°Hey, what do you think?¡± ¡°You look amazing.¡± ¡°Anyone who didn¡¯t know would think you¡¯re a kimono model.¡± When Ha-eun quickly changed into a kimono at a rental shop on the street and emerged, everyone praised how well it suited her. But when Ji Hye-min insisted on taking a photo and asked Ha-eun to pose, the cheerful atmosphere vanished. Ha-eun suddenly took on the same serious expression as during her photoshoot weeks ago. - Click. ¡°Wow.¡± ¡°The vibe is insane, Diah!¡± Seeing Ha-eun¡¯s photo, the Illusionary Realm members marveled at her talent, knowing that she was a true actress. Her aura was completely different from Diah¡¯s usual high-pitched voice, leaving everyone in awe. Chapter 131 ¡°Hm, I think it would look great on you guys too. You should try it on©¤!¡± Ha-eun, who still maintained her signature high-pitched voice, made the request. In the end, Ji Hye-min and the other members followed Ha-eun to the kimono rental shop where she had chosen her kimono and tried on kimonos that suited them. Although the rental fee for the kimonos was higher than expected, they couldn''t help but exclaim in surprise. When they left the rental shop and reunited with Ha-eun, compliments flowed naturally. ¡°Wow. No, wow...¡± To exaggerate a bit, the members seemed enchanted by each other¡¯s kimono outfits. The actress-like aura Ha-eun had exuded earlier when her kimono photo was taken had now completely disappeared. Soon after, Ha-eun eagerly requested a group photo. Mile quickly switched her phone from vlog mode to selfie mode. ¡°Alright, are we ready? 3, 2, 1!¡± - Click. The selfie stick, lifted high by Mile, was used several more times after that. Ha-eun, not satisfied with just one shot, continued to ask for different poses. Thus, they took photos until Ha-eun was satisfied, then immediately sent the pictures. Ha-eun''s heartfelt voice followed, saying that she would print the photos once they returned to Korea and keep them as cherished memories. ¡°Wait, you''re going to print our pictures, not yours?¡± ¡°Why would I print my own photos? If I¡¯m going to print something, it should be your photos.¡± ¡°...Are you immune to your own photos or something?¡± Naturally, Ha-eun and the other members couldn''t quite understand each other. Their views on each other¡¯s photos were too different. The other members thought that Ha-eun¡¯s solo photo, with its captivating atmosphere, was a truly amazing shot. Since she was a real advertising model, the quality of her photos was bound to be exceptional. Meanwhile, Ha-eun believed that the group¡¯s kimono photo was the one that was truly worth keeping. It was a photo that only Ha-eun could have, given that she was the only one in the Illusionary Realm with the privilege of taking such a picture. In any case, the Illusionary Realm group¡¯s Japan trip had just begun. Now that they had already changed into kimonos, they decided to explore more places. They enjoyed the trip, wandering around souvenir shops, snack bars, and famous photo spots around Asakusa Senso-ji Temple. ¡°Ah, fortune telling!¡± They arrived at a fortune-telling stand where many people were already trying their luck. With less than a month until the new year, they all secretly hoped for a good fortune for the upcoming year. After paying 100 yen, Ha-eun drew a long wooden stick. They found the drawer that matched the number written on the stick and pulled out a fortune paper. ¡°33, 33, where is it... Ah, found it!¡± Ha-eun, still speaking in Diah¡¯s cheerful voice, read her fortune on the translation app on her phone. ¡°Eh? Great fortune©¤! Big luck©¤!!¡± With an even more cheerful demeanor, Ha-eun proudly showed her fortune paper to Ji Hye-min and the other members. Of course, her excited voice was fully captured in Mile and Ria¡¯s vlogs. But to the other members, Ha-eun already seemed to be living a very successful life. ¡°Hm, what does our youngest need to do to succeed even more?¡± ¡°Yeah, what should she do?¡± It was hard to imagine Ha-eun becoming even more successful than she already was. Eventually, they joked about something impossible, like surpassing 1 million concurrent viewers, and filled the audio of the vlog with lighthearted banter. Mile and Ria filmed the vlog for about three more hours. More specifically, ¡°Yap! Diving into the bed©¤!¡± After finishing their dinner at a Gyukatsu restaurant, the last scene of the Day 1 vlog was Ha-eun jumping onto the wide bed while holding the selfie stick. Once the cameras of Ria and Mile were turned off, Ha-eun could return to her original voice. Thanks to drinking water in between, her throat wasn¡¯t too sore. Before long, they arrived in Dreamland. On Day 2 of the trip, they had to go to the ski resort early in the morning, so Ha-eun tried to get a good rest. However, the other members hadn¡¯t gone to bed yet, so it was the first time Ha-eun was seen sleeping by the other members. Perhaps that¡¯s why... - Ding. ¡°Diah sleeping ASMR, starting now...!¡± The members secretly started recording Ha-eun¡¯s sleep sounds without her knowing. Technically, the only thing they recorded at that moment was the white blanket covering Ha-eun and her peaceful breathing, but that short scene would end up being the most popular part of the Japan trip vlog. No one knew exactly why, but it was certain. As time passed and the sun began to set again, ¡°Ah, that¡¯s the Shinkansen!¡± ¡°Wow, Ria unnie, you¡¯re really an otaku©¤¡î¡± ¡°What?¡± From that point, Ye-na kept a firm hold on Ha-eun¡¯s mouth until they finished showering with lukewarm water after leaving the hot spring. ¡°By the way, Ha-eun, you really have a great figure.¡± ¡°...Thank you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not trying to tease you, but really, the shape of your body¡ª¡± - Swipe. - Tap. ¡°You¡¯re the first person I¡¯ve seen with such a clean shape. No flab whatsoever.¡± ¡°Uh, no need to touch it...¡± ¡°Come on, when else am I going to touch a girl¡¯s abs? Just flex your stomach for me.¡± ¡°...........¡± - Flinch. - Ting©¤! ¡°Ah, you really flexed it!¡± ¡°...I still think you¡¯re teasing me.¡± A little while later, after putting their clothes back on, they stepped out of the hot spring. At least, Ha-eun was satisfied because she had checked off her goal of experiencing snow while in the hot spring. But the day wasn¡¯t over yet. Since they hadn¡¯t had much of a chance to chat the night before, they could freely talk tonight. ¡°Hmm, what should we buy?¡± Just like the other members, who were picking up snacks for the night at the convenience store, Ha-eun also added some snacks to her basket. Thanks to her past experiences from the school trip, it was easy for Ha-eun to pick out foods she liked at the store. The only issue was that the other members, who were adults, bought quite a bit of Japanese beer, even Ji Hye-min. ¡°Ha-eun, you know you can¡¯t buy alcohol, right? If you do, there will be articles all over the internet, and things will spiral out of control, you know?¡± ¡°...I know...¡± With a teasing tone, Ji Hye-min bought several cans of her favorite beer, leaving Ha-eun feeling a bit left out. So, after returning to the hotel, when they started the New Year¡¯s party with the snacks they had bought, - Click. - Sssshhhh©¤. ¡°Ahhh©¤. This is the taste.¡± While Ji Hye-min and the others were enjoying their ¡°adult pleasures,¡± Ha-eun could only sip on a can of cola. But the conversation never stopped. ¡°If, just if. If Ha-eun¡¯s red pill gets exposed, will people start thinking we¡¯re all celebrities?¡± ¡°Oh, now that you mention it, that might actually happen.¡± The conversation was filled with casual talk and some talk about the upcoming Illusionary Realm end-of-year broadcast, which would take place in about two weeks. ¡°We still don¡¯t know what we should do for the joint broadcast. Should we do a year-in-review first?¡± ¡°I think it¡¯d be fun to do a rolling paper!¡± ¡°Wait, like a rolling paper for each member? That sounds good!¡± Or, they discussed the upcoming 1st anniversary of Illusionary Realm members in spring and the new recruits for Illusionary Realm 2. ¡°...Hmm...¡± But for some reason, Ha-eun began to feel dizzy. Perhaps it was because the fatigue from skiing hadn¡¯t worn off yet. - Sip. - Tap. ¡°Ah, I finished it... yeah. Maria-unnie, can you get me another can of cola?¡± ¡°...? What¡¯s going on with you?¡± A puzzled expression greeted her. Then, not long after, they heard a surprised voice. ¡°Wait a minute. Why is my Jack Coke here?¡± Jack Coke. More precisely, Jack Daniel¡¯s with Coca-Cola. ¡°Wait, wait, how many cans did you drink?!¡± Technically, it was Coke, but the label clearly said Coca-Cola. ¡°Unnie, the cola... is it more?¡± The real identity of the drink was whiskey with about 7% alcohol. ¡°...Hic.¡± When Ha-eun hiccupped, a brief silence filled the room. But Ha-eun, without caring, began to crawl toward Maria, still a bit tipsy. ¡°Unnie, I... I drank the cola... I want more...¡± ¡°That... that¡¯s not the cola, Ha-eun!¡± As Maria tried to calm Ha-eun down, - Hug. - Slither. ¡°Ha... Ha-eun?¡± Ha-eun suddenly embraced Maria and buried her face in her chest. It was clear from the voice that followed: ¡°Cream, cream... Hmmm...¡± Ha-eun was completely out of it. This was undeniable evidence that she was drunk. Chapter 132 It was clinging tightly. There was no more accurate way to describe Ha-eun''s current state. Her face was surrounded by a reddish aura. Her forehead was rubbing just beneath Jeong Maria''s chest. Her arms were tightly wrapped around Maria''s soft waist. Her hands were locked behind Maria¡¯s back, ensuring she couldn¡¯t escape. And then¡ª "I... I really, really liked Cream... I liked you, so we used to talk on the phone a lot..." Ha-eun had started muttering to herself at some point. "After that day... you stopped calling me first... Why are you keeping your distance...?" Taken aback by Ha-eun''s completely different behavior from usual, Jeong Maria asked for help from the other members and Ji Hye-min. However, everyone else just watched with intrigued expressions, showing no intention of intervening. Even Ji Hye-min, at some point, was filming the situation with her phone. "It seems like Maria has hurt Ha-eun a lot. You should listen to her~." Ji Hye-min, who clearly had no intention of stepping in for the moment, spoke as she crunched through a snack, as if she had discovered an amusing spectacle. The other members were doing the same, watching with similar interest. Eventually, Jeong Maria realized she would have to solve this situation on her own. She gently patted Ha-eun¡¯s back, her mind drifting to memories of calming down her younger cousin who used to whine. "Ugh, hmm... What could be making our Ha-eun so upset...?" Her voice was stiff and awkward. However, Ha-eun, whose rationality had already shut down, couldn¡¯t stop herself from blurting out the words that had been buried deep within her heart. "Everything...! I made mistakes, apologized, said it was okay... shouldn¡¯t we go back to normal? Why aren¡¯t you calling me...?" Ha-eun''s voice trembled slightly. Jeong Maria was once again flustered, but ultimately, she didn¡¯t extend a hand to help. Instead, she kept patting Ha-eun¡¯s back and muttered apologies like "I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s my fault" or "I understand now, you were really hurt because I didn¡¯t call..." It was true that after the incident with Diah¡¯s real voice, Jeong Maria had become extremely cautious about calling Ha-eun. It seemed that this shift in attitude had been noticed by Ha-eun. For quite a while, Ha-eun¡¯s not-quite-self-talk continued. Still firmly held by Ha-eun, Jeong Maria could do nothing but respond to Ha-eun¡¯s murmured voice, waiting for Ha-eun to calm down. And then, who knows how much time passed. Ha-eun¡¯s head slowly moved from just below Jeong Maria¡¯s chest to above, and then, it rose a little higher and rested on Jeong Maria¡¯s shoulder. Another faint murmur followed. "Cream... you¡¯re not mad at me, right...?" In a soft voice that almost seemed like a whisper in her ear, Jeong Maria nodded, saying that she couldn¡¯t possibly be angry with Ha-eun. Almost simultaneously, a voice filled with relief came from Ha-eun. "Hehe, I¡¯m glad... at least Cream isn¡¯t mad at me..." By that point, Jeong Maria thought Ha-eun had calmed down. She thought Ha-eun would release her grip on her. But¡ª "Then... will you say you love me? Just once, please..." Ha-eun, who had slowly been lifted from Jeong Maria¡¯s shoulder, now faced her directly, making yet another request. At this, Jeong Maria was, understandably, taken aback. After all, the only thing she could feel from Ha-eun''s face so close to hers was pure sincerity. "...Pfft." "Ha-eun when she''s drunk is all about the charm. Maria, you¡¯re so lucky~!" The other members, who had been watching with amused expressions, commented on the situation. Ji Hye-min¡¯s phone was still busy capturing Ha-eun¡¯s drunken face. At that moment, Jeong Maria, turning her head slightly away from Ha-eun, glared at the others with a bitter expression as she silently blamed them for this situation. -Tok. -Tok. Tok. "...Huh?" Something warm started to fall onto Jeong Maria''s thigh. Almost simultaneously, a sobbing voice was heard. "Please... really, just once. Just once, please...!" The beautiful face that had once again been brought into view seemed precarious for a moment. It looked as if it might collapse with the slightest touch. Tears were already quietly streaming down her delicate face, which appeared dangerously fragile. Crucially, Ha-eun''s eyes, which were already bloodshot, looked strangely hollow for some reason, as if there was no life left in them. "I... I love you. Our Ha-eun, I love you so, so much!" Jeong Maria, who had almost doubted her own eyes in the moment, hurriedly gave Ha-eun the answer she had asked for. No more than a few seconds later, a soft laugh came from Ha-eun. "...Ha, haha." However, everyone except Ha-eun realized something was wrong, and the laughter quickly faded. Ji Hye-min¡¯s phone was slowly tilting downward. "Why, why couldn¡¯t I... just say it once...?" Her head hung down, her hair drooping, her shoulders shaking, and tears falling in small drops. "I couldn¡¯t say it even once. Why... what¡¯s so... hard about it... god..." At first, Jeong Maria had thought this was just acting. But no matter how much she thought about it, it wasn¡¯t. If it were acting, no one would be able to tell the difference between Ha-eun¡¯s lies and the truth. "...Ugh, ahhh..." Ha-eun was truly in pain. The familiar yet unfamiliar bitter feelings gnawed at her, as she cried out, exhausted, until she fell asleep. For a long time, the room was filled with the sorrowful sound of her sobs. Eventually, once Ha-eun collapsed and fell unconscious, the other people, except for Jeong Maria, began to show signs of panic. So, Ha-eun focused on trying to resolve the awkward tension between her and Jeong Maria, which was what troubled her the most in that moment. Yet, no solution came to mind. In the end, she had to cover it up with a ridiculous excuse. An excuse so weak that anyone who knew Ha-eun from school would immediately know it was a lie. "Well, um... so, my relationship with my parents is actually really good..." "Then why were you crying?" "Uhh, um... It was because of my... boyfriend." "My... boyfriend? Ha-eun, you had a boyfriend?!" Jeong Maria suddenly stood up, startling everyone, and all eyes turned toward Ha-eun and Jeong Maria. Jeong Maria slowly calmed down and sat back down, while Ha-eun hastily continued with her excuse. "I really liked him. But he didn¡¯t care about me at all, and in the end, he cheated on me." In that moment, Ha-eun made up an imaginary boyfriend, turning him into a scumbag. Jeong Maria, who had been thinking deeply for a moment, finally uttered a harsh phrase. "That¡¯s a real jerk." "Uh, yeah... he wasn¡¯t a good guy, huh?" "He¡¯s a fucking scumbag! How could he cheat on our Ha-eun?!" Jeong Maria seemed angrier than Ha-eun herself. For the next 30 minutes, Jeong Maria vented all her frustration and anger at Ha-eun¡¯s fictional boyfriend. Of course, these harsh words were all meant to comfort Ha-eun. At the same time, Jeong Maria was relieved that it wasn¡¯t related to Ha-eun¡¯s family situation, which she had imagined the night before. Ha-eun, completely deceiving Jeong Maria with her lie, also felt relieved. She certainly didn¡¯t want her real parents to be misjudged. Ji Hye-min eventually called all the members of Illusionary Realm, and after having learned the whole situation¡ªalthough it was a lie from start to finish¡ªshe hugged Ha-eun tightly. Then, Ji Hye-min lowered her head toward Ha-eun¡¯s ear and whispered softly. "Don¡¯t go through this alone. If there¡¯s anything you can tell me, just say it. I¡¯m always on your side." She promised to do whatever it took to help Ha-eun with any problems or wounds she might have had in her heart. Ha-eun could only smile awkwardly and say thank you. "...I¡¯m grateful, at least for the words." At that moment, Ha-eun felt that words alone were enough. She felt that Ji Hye-min¡¯s sincere intentions were more than enough to help. But not even two weeks later, Ha-eun found herself desperately wishing for Ji Hye-min¡¯s help when a rather terrifying situation came up. "Da-yeon." "What?" "Even so... it¡¯s the acting awards." Ha-eun cautiously voiced her concern, asking if it might be inappropriate to bring a VTuber keychain with her. Her worry was met, unfortunately, with a refusal to accept it. "It¡¯s cute, what¡¯s the big deal?" "It¡¯s not that it¡¯s not cute... I¡¯m just worried that it might cause trouble when the photographers take pictures¡ª" "I¡¯ll handle it." "...Okay..." And so, Da-yeon, several hours later, was heading off to the KBC Acting Awards with a beautiful dress and an expensive luxury handbag. The problem was that the keychain of Diah was attached to the edge of that luxury handbag. When Da-yeon stood on the photo line at the KBC Acting Awards, it would be inevitable that her handbag would be photographed too. Still, Ha-eun didn¡¯t have the means to solve these problems at that moment. After all, the actress Lee Ha-eun had nothing to do with the VTuber Diah. Even pretending to know about Diah¡¯s keychain was not an easy task. "I¡¯m really losing it..." As time passed, Ha-eun¡¯s distress didn¡¯t end until less than two hours before the live KBC Acting Awards. "...Ugh..." Perhaps that was why. "...What¡¯s wrong?" A slightly worried voice came from Yoo Sung-jae, who was seated right next to Ha-eun. However, since they had to enter the KBC Acting Awards together as the two leads of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds in just a few moments... "It¡¯s... nothing." Ha-eun instinctively knew that the situation with Da-yeon was already out of her control, already a lost cause. Telling Yoo Sung-jae about Diah would have been pointless; he wouldn¡¯t understand at all. At any rate, it was time to enter the KBC Acting Awards. -Creeeek. They finally stepped out of the limousine, with Yoo Sung-jae, the male lead of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds, linking arms with Ha-eun. At the same time, a barrage of camera flashes erupted. -Click! -Click, click! The cameras flashed, alternating between Yoo Sung-jae¡¯s suit and Ha-eun¡¯s dress. It felt like she might go blind from the bright lights. Technically, she had dressed up beautifully for this very moment to be captured by the cameras. "Walk slowly, be careful not to trip." "...Okay." As they walked down the red carpet in sync with Yoo Sung-jae¡¯s slower pace, the camera flashes didn¡¯t stop. Ha-eun felt a shiver run down her spine, thinking that Diah¡¯s keychain had been photographed in the midst of the flashing lights. "...Sigh..." "...Was my pace too slow?" "No, no, I wasn¡¯t sighing because of you, Sung-jae. Really." Chapter 133 A long red carpet. The cameras of entertainment reporters filled both sides. The photo wall visible beyond. ¡®...How many years has it been?¡¯ This entire scene was something Ha-eun had not encountered in a while. After attending the UBS Acting Awards as young Han Yoo-hwa in You Came From the Stars, she hadn¡¯t really attended any other award ceremonies since then. The faint memories of receiving a juvenile acting award at the vast stage of the UBS Acting Awards and being overwhelmed felt distant now. She couldn¡¯t even recall what kind of acceptance speech she had given. The only thing that was clear was that, for the first time since she was a child actor, Ha-eun was now walking the red carpet as a full-fledged lead actress. The realization that she wasn¡¯t just a child actress but a respected leading lady slowly began to sink in. -Swoosh. After reaching the photo wall with Yoo Sung-jae, they stopped for a moment and waved their hands slightly towards the cameras. A calm smile, typical of an actress, graced Ha-eun¡¯s face. The unease caused by Da-yeon¡¯s Diah keychain had long since disappeared. Perhaps that was why... "...Hmm." Yoo Sung-jae, who had noticed the change in Ha-eun¡¯s overall atmosphere, briefly turned his gaze toward her. The response he got was Ha-eun¡¯s puzzled voice. "Did something get on me?" "No, just... you seem fine now." It wasn¡¯t that something had gotten on her. Only when Yoo Sung-jae¡¯s soft voice reached her did Ha-eun¡¯s suspicion clear. Almost simultaneously, a familiar voice was heard again. "You look beautiful today. The dress really suits you, Ha-eun." "Ah... you too, Sung-jae." To be precise, it wasn¡¯t the first time Ha-eun had been called beautiful. Her makeup artist, and even her manager Ju Jung-yoon, had complimented her, saying that she looked especially beautiful today. Hearing it from Yoo Sung-jae didn¡¯t feel particularly burdensome either. Ha-eun couldn¡¯t deny that her current look was more like a leading actress. However, just after that, Yoo Sung-jae¡¯s voice, murmuring softly, made things unusual. "...¡ö¡ö¡ö¡ö." -Click click click click©¤! The camera shutter sounds filled the air, overlapping with his words, making it hard to hear. Because of this, Ha-eun asked Yoo Sung-jae once more in the relatively quiet interior of the ceremony hall. "Sung-jae, what did you say earlier, outside?" There was a brief silence. But the words that came next weren¡¯t what Ha-eun had been curious about. "I said you look beautiful today." "No, after that." "The dress suits you well?" "...A little further back." "Ah, that was just a mumbled comment... No, maybe it wasn¡¯t exactly a mumbled comment?" Yoo Sung-jae pondered for about 10 seconds, but in the end, Ha-eun didn¡¯t get the answer she was hoping for. "I¡¯ll tell you later. It¡¯s a long story." "Ah, okay." Ha-eun and Yoo Sung-jae then walked toward the seats ahead. They arrived at their respective seats, labeled ¡®Lee Ha-eun¡¯ and ¡®Yoo Sung-jae.¡¯ It was then that a voice of someone already seated in the ceremony hall was heard. "So, how is it?" Da-yeon asked, wondering if it made a difference to get properly dressed. Ha-eun, briefly turning her gaze toward Da-yeon, replied with the same words that Yoo Sung-jae had just said to her. "Beautiful." Da-yeon was wearing a white-toned dress, with makeup that softly complemented her strong features. From head to toe, she looked just as stunning as Ha-eun. Of course, Ha-eun had simply spoken the truth, without comparing herself to Da-yeon. However, Da-yeon personally wished Ha-eun would have complimented her a little more.@@@@ "How beautiful?" Without even glancing at Yoo Sung-jae, Da-yeon kept pressing Ha-eun for an answer. Ha-eun, unsure of how to respond, could only give an awkward expression. Despite that, Da-yeon¡¯s persistence didn¡¯t end. After much deliberation, Ha-eun finally replied. "...You¡¯re as beautiful as you." It was a compliment that, if Da-yeon denied it, would make it awkward. It was Ha-eun¡¯s way of escaping Da-yeon¡¯s persistent questioning. But Da-yeon¡¯s reaction wasn¡¯t what Ha-eun had expected. Why? As soon as Da-yeon heard the compliment, her shoulders raised, and Ha-eun had expected her to proudly show off her own beauty. However... "What... what do you mean?" Da-yeon¡¯s face was slightly flushed, and her eyelids were trembling. It wasn¡¯t anything Ha-eun had expected. It felt unfamiliar in many ways. "Just... that you¡¯re as beautiful as you... why?" "Oh, no... uh... thank you." After that, there were no more questions about Da-yeon¡¯s appearance. For some reason, Da-yeon had grown very quiet. ¡®Why is she acting like this?¡¯ Honestly, Ha-eun wasn¡¯t completely indifferent to it. But a few minutes later, with the KBC Acting Awards about to begin, she missed the timing to ask. Soon, two middle-aged actors appeared on the stage. The lights began to focus on the stage, accompanied by brief remarks. "It¡¯s an honor to be here with all of you in this festive occasion." "Such amazing people are sitting in front of me right now~." Soon, the discussion turned to the various KBC dramas, their influence, famous scenes, and actors who became famous through KBC. "Now, let¡¯s begin the KBC Acting Awards with the wonderful people who have graced this place!" The huge applause and cheers echoed loudly. Hearing this after such a long time, Ha-eun¡¯s past memories gradually began to resurface. 11 years since Neighbor Uncle¡¯s Kim Ji-a. 7 years since young Han Yoo-hwa in You Came From the Stars. The time it took to return to the grand scene full of actors wasn¡¯t short, but not particularly long either. However, Ha-eun was certain that there were more things to come than what had already happened. This moment was not going to be her last award ceremony. Clap clap clap clap©¤! However... "Come on, Sung-jae, say something!" "Well... I¡¯d appreciate it if you wouldn¡¯t pay attention to the couple¡¯s affection, Your Majesty~." "?!" Da-yeon¡¯s eyes grew even narrower at Yoo Sung-jae¡¯s playful voice, and Ha-eun, caught between the two, felt even more awkward. It was like sitting on a thorny cushion. Or a bed of needles. "Be confident, madam. Why are you so embarrassed?" "Madam? What do you mean by that?" "It¡¯s embarrassing, Your Majesty. If you¡¯re jealous, just admit it." At this point, even Yoo Sung-jae got pulled into a childish argument with Da-yeon, and Ha-eun couldn¡¯t even lift her head. She wanted to hide in a mouse hole. The ceremony continued. The applause continued. The speeches continued. In the final part of the awards, the candidates for Best Actress were announced. Ha-eun¡¯s name was included in the list of nominees. But she didn¡¯t expect much. After all, she had already won the Best Couple Award, and the other nominees were all outstanding actresses. Though The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds had been a big success, Ha-eun never imagined she would win over the other amazing actresses. "KBC Acting Awards, the winner of Best Actress is... Congratulations, Lee Ha-eun from The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds!" "...Huh?" The grand scenes of Ha-eun¡¯s performances filled the large screen. Clink. "...I¡¯ll kill them all." The assassin who entered the palace, cutting down enemies as she rushed toward her beloved. "Die©¤©¤!" "...!! Your Highness!!" In the end, the woman protecting her loved one, even throwing herself into danger, was none other than Ha-eun. And so, once again, she had to rise from her seat and head toward the stage. Clap clap clap clap clap clap©¤! With thunderous applause and the golden trophy handed to her, Ha-eun felt a mixture of emotions. Her acceptance speech started in a more composed tone than her previous speech. "Hello, I¡¯m Lee Ha-eun, who played Yeong-wol in The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds." As always, she was calm. The words she needed to say and the words she wanted to say were clearly spoken into the microphone. But a memory that slowly resurfaced in Ha-eun¡¯s mind asked her a question, and now she felt she could answer it. ¡®I think I¡¯ve become someone worthy of this award...¡¯ "I¡¯m grateful to have become someone worthy of this award." Ha-eun, who had once bowed her head at her first award ceremony, now held her head high until she finished her acceptance speech. Though it might have seemed slightly arrogant, she didn¡¯t care. "Then, I¡¯ll continue to work hard... No, I¡¯ll work even harder. Thank you." And so, holding the golden trophy tightly, she returned to her seat, back to her place as "Actress Lee Ha-eun." There was no doubt this was her place. She had become the right person for it, so she had the right to sit there. There was no way she would give up her seat to anyone else. It was a seat just for her, Lee Ha-eun. *** This year¡¯s KBC Acting Awards was broadcast live from start to finish, so reactions to the ceremony were immediately visible in real-time. And so, the community reactions started appearing as the ceremony was still going on. Lee Ha-eun KBC Acting Awards Entrance gif ¡°Wow, what¡¯s going on with that dress?¡±¡°The dress fit is insane, seriously ????¡±¡°Unnie, I¡¯m going crazy, seriously¡± ¡°Shouldn¡¯t Ha-eun be the unnie?¡±¡°If you¡¯re prettier than me, then you¡¯re unnie.¡± Live) Lee Ha-eun & Yoo Sung-jae Best Couple Emergence ¡°Did you see the footage from The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds?¡±"They only play the most epic moments, haha.""Maybe it''s because they''re 15, but they don''t censor it at all." Ha-eun seems to be in a slump Unexpected Kiss Scene Causes Lee Ha-eun to Freeze ¡°She¡¯s so cute when she¡¯s embarrassed, seriously.¡±¡°She¡¯s not usually the type to stutter, but it¡¯s no wonder she¡¯s freaking out, haha.¡± Ha-eun¡¯s fan communities were actively live-streaming her reactions from the KBC Acting Awards, capturing every moment. To be honest, nothing too strange happened, but there was another community, somewhat distant from Ha-eun¡¯s fanbase, that started to react differently. Live) Min Da-yeon Diah Shoutout ¡°That¡¯s definitely a Diah keychain.¡±"Yeah, it¡¯s Diah¡¯s keychain.""That¡¯s a pretty expensive handbag, but there¡¯s Diah¡¯s keychain hanging off of it, haha." Who says VTubers are underground!!! "Our Diah is world-class!!""Diah¡¯s style is amazing; she even charms working actresses." I didn¡¯t expect to like Min Da-yeon so much, but suddenly she feels like a friend ¡°Hey, celebrities are people too~ They¡¯re not gods~¡±¡°Why separate us Noeulis by rank, haha.¡± The community was abuzz with talk about Ha-eun¡¯s appearance, with some of it being due to Da-yeon¡¯s actions, but overall, there was increased attention on Diah. Perhaps that was why... Click. Illusionary Realm Year-End Party ¡°Hello~¡± ¡°Hello, hello©¤¡î¡± The most popular messages during the group stream at the end of December were mainly about Da-yeon and Diah. ¡°A celebrity gave a shoutout to a VTuber.¡±¡°Isn¡¯t Min Da-yeon watching right now?¡±¡°Our baby is already world-class...!¡±¡°Isn¡¯t this the stream for a high school student and a famous actress??¡±¡°Just shout it out¡ªDiah GOAT.¡± Fortunately, the attention didn¡¯t extend to Da-yeon¡¯s associates. Ha-eun, who had been concerned that people would focus on her because of her close relationship with Da-yeon, didn¡¯t get that kind of scrutiny. But then... Ding. [WithCoin sent 10,000 won in donation!] "Is Diah¡¯s real name something like Min, the middle part of it, and Yeon at the end?" "What... What does that even mean...?" Ha-eun had never imagined someone would confuse Diah with Da-yeon. That was why she was left speechless in shock. ?"Why is she stuttering?""Is it true????""This can¡¯t be Diah, right? It can¡¯t, right??""Wait, my head¡¯s spinning...""Can you say it more clearly?" ¡°Ugh, I see some weird comments... Anyone spreading rumors will be banned. Be careful with your actions, okay?¡± ¡°That squirrel is a little off.¡±"The rumors aren¡¯t rumors though.""Let¡¯s hear Diah¡¯s clarification first?""So, is she Min Da-yeon or not!!?""Hmm, looks like the blue pill situation ??." Chapter 134 If the name suggested as Diah¡¯s real name had been utterly ridiculous, there would have been no need for Ha-eun to feel embarrassed. If it had been a name completely unrelated to Diah, she could have just ignored it. After all, the message asking if Diah¡¯s real name was Min Da-yeon wasn¡¯t a serious inquiry. Usually, the idea that a famous actress was the real identity behind a VTuber was met with complete disbelief. However, unfortunately, Ha-eun¡¯s case was one where the "normal case" didn¡¯t apply. "Mi... Min Da-yeon? Isn¡¯t she an actress?" Even as she pretended not to recognize the name "Min Da-yeon," Ha-eun¡¯s heart raced. There wasn¡¯t really any way to prove that Diah wasn¡¯t Da-yeon, which made her feel uncomfortably awkward. Anyway, continuing to discuss Diah¡¯s real name was pointless. Ha-eun¡¯s voice, slightly flustered in response to what was likely just a joke in a donation message, was causing the chat to feel increasingly awkward. So, Ha-eun decided to end the topic of Diah¡¯s real name altogether. After quickly checking her tone, she returned to her usual bright, cheerful voice. "So, you¡¯re saying I¡¯m as pretty as an actress, right? Thanks~." Her usual sunny voice followed by a question about Diah¡¯s keychain appearing in the KBC Acting Awards photos. "By the way, was I really wearing my keychain?" "Yep.""You were hanging it from your Chanel bag.""That keychain design can only be Diah.""Aww, live broadcast exploring~." Technically, Ha-eun had seen the photo of Da-yeon¡¯s handbag with Diah¡¯s keychain attached over ten times before, but she continued to act as if she had no idea about the handbag photos until today. With her face covered in blatant confidence, Ha-eun quickly searched for photos of Da-yeon¡¯s handbag while manipulating the broadcast computer. It wasn¡¯t long before she found the images again. "Uh, uh? It really is my keychain? This isn¡¯t a composite, right?" "I thought it was a composite at first too, lol.""It¡¯s in internet articles too, the same one.""That bag is super expensive.""Damn, how famous is she getting?!" For the next five minutes, Ha-eun pretended to be fascinated as she looked at different angles and shots of Da-yeon¡¯s handbag, thankfully with other members on her side, making it hard for anyone to notice any awkwardness. "Our maknae¡¯s really made it~." "Did Diah¡¯s keychain show up well?" "Oh, here too, it¡¯s Diah! Looks like she kept carrying the handbag around." And so, Ha-eun managed to navigate the Da-yeon-related commotion. She passed the baton to Ji Hye-min, who had been waiting for the "Year-End Party" portion to begin. Shortly after, the broadcast started to feel more like a proper year-end show. "Now, let¡¯s take a moment to reflect on the year~." "Wow©¤!" "Clap clap clap~."@@@@ The screen soon filled with a compilation of famous clips from the VTubers of Illusionary Realm. The highlight moments from all the broadcasts since the members¡¯ debut began to play slowly. The video had been edited to include clips from every member, but some of the more famous clips occasionally exceeded the designated time for each member. Since the atmosphere and situations in each clip were so varied, reactions to the clips also varied. As a big fan of Illusionary Realm, Ha-eun was already very familiar with the famous clips from the other members. When their clips played, she could instantly guess what was happening, but... "Piano. The third key from the right..." [ Screech! ] [ Kyaaa!! ] "?! She hasn¡¯t pressed the key yet, hasn¡¯t pressed it!!" "Hahaha""That voice sounds so helpless.""Diah was the first one to react like this to Shirooni.""Shirooni was fun.""As expected, the baby is still a baby.""So Diah cried during Shirooni~? Called Ria crying~.""Just sneaking up behind and scaring her was enough to make her cry.""Diah is famous for being a coward, yeah.""So when will you do a pizza delivery skit?""It¡¯s a miracle she didn¡¯t get sent to 119, lol." Ha-eun shot a sly glance at the other members and Ji Hye-min, who were nearby. Of course, everything was being captured by the broadcast microphone. Therefore... "Our maknae, who¡¯s been treated so badly©¤!" Sori switched to a broadcast tone and grabbed what they called the "switch." What followed was a discussion of the members'' past embarrassing moments. And so, Ha-eun¡¯s first and last counterattack came via Sori. "Cream, when we did Biohazard Big City, you cried a lot more than Diah did!" "Ah, wait a second, that wasn¡¯t...!" "You kept running away from the broadcast, and I had to stop you. Can¡¯t even think of your own past, huh?!" Sori''s uncontainable mode activatedThe truth must be told, Coca-ColaIt¡¯s been a while, huh?Diah awakened the demon...! Once the attack on Cream was over, Ha-eun¡¯s expression finally returned to normal. And then, Ha-eun raised her thumb in Sori¡¯s direction. "Of course, only the manager could do that." Back at her seat, Ha-eun grabbed a piece of cake from the food set and put it on her plate. The squishy sounds made by the broadcast mic followed. "Diah¡¯s cake ASMR~. It must be delicious~. I want to eat it~. But I can¡¯t~." Stop eating already;;I want cake, I want cake, I want cake, I want cake, I want cake.Stop doing that and you¡¯ll get scolded!!!!!!Why is it only you? Why only you? Why only you? Why only you? Why only you? Diah¡¯s teasing wasn¡¯t really teasing. The chat began to explode with activity. Seeing the viewers getting so fired up over Diah¡¯s annoying voice, Ha-eun smiled with satisfaction. She wanted to focus on her own enjoyment right now, even if she knew this would come back as karma later. Perhaps that¡¯s why... "The recruitment period is until February next year, so please show a lot of interest~." At that moment, Ji Hye-min, who had opened her mouth again, was announcing the recruitment for Illusionary Realm¡¯s second generation. Ha-eun slowly walked over to Ji Hye-min¡¯s side and quietly whispered: "If any Noeulis from the second generation pass, they¡¯ll do whatever I tell them to do for a day~." She casually dropped this bomb into the broadcast microphone. Knowing there was no one in the Noeulis group who would make it into the second generation, Ha-eun teased them again. In fact, thanks to her past life¡¯s memories, Ha-eun knew who would be selected for the second generation, and she had never expected a Noeulis to be in it. And so, this comment was just another playful jab at them. But, unbeknownst to Ha-eun, one of the Noeulis would indeed end up applying for Illusionary Realm¡¯s second generation. She had no idea what would come back to haunt her for this. At the moment, Ha-eun was too busy filling the broadcast with her teasing voice. Chapter 135 "Wow, our maknae is brave. What would you do if one of the Noeulis made it into Illusionary Realm''s second generation?" "Wouldn''t it be amazing if someone from Noeulis got in? That would be quite impressive, wouldn''t it?" Diah''s voice had no hint of nervousness at all. She confidently added that if any Noeulis made it through the competitive Illusionary Realm audition, she would gladly give them the "free-use pass." Of course, this statement had been made without thinking about the consequences. However, Diah''s bold remark went unchecked because, from Ji Hye-min and LUX''s perspective, there was no downside to it. ¡®A legal rebellion... This could be fun?¡¯ From Ji Hye-min''s perspective, Diah¡¯s free-use pass pledge was a form of motivation for the Illusionary Realm second generation auditions. It was also an opportunity for the new faces of Illusionary Realm to receive help from Diah. The "free-use pass" item from Diah would be a huge help for the second generation members, who were newcomers to broadcasting, and it would help them establish themselves in the industry. The content where the younger members could interact freely with Diah, a senior, would undoubtedly create a buzz. As one of the most experienced broadcasters in Illusionary Realm, Diah would surely have great chemistry with her juniors, and a future show labeled "With Diah" would likely be a great help in attracting new viewers to Illusionary Realm''s second generation. Not long after, Ha-eun watched in real-time as the official announcement for Illusionary Realm¡¯s second generation auditions was edited. Tap tap. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Title > Illusionary Realm 2nd Generation Recruitment Notice Illusionary Realm (M) | 16:30 Hello, this is Illusionary Realm. We are looking for new members to join Illusionary Realm, and auditions will be held starting from mid-February. Please check the application form for detailed instructions. (Application Link) We appreciate your interest and participation! Illusionary Realm members from the Spirit Kingdom will receive a free-use pass from Diah (new!) ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ "Now it¡¯s official, Diah. Better brace yourself~." With Diah¡¯s free-use pass now firmly written in the official announcement, the speed of the chat skyrocketed. As Ha-eun faced the messages filled with enthusiasm to "educate" Diah, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a hint of anxiety. "Starting tomorrow, I¡¯m signing up for a vocal academy.""Aww, Diah is in for some punishment, lol.""A lot of black history for Diah coming up.""If you pass the audition, Diah comes along? This is a huge deal.""24-hour MMORPG King, let''s go!""We have to do a maid cafe broadcast, everyone is clueless." ¡®...Hmm.¡¯ What had started as a light joke now seemed like it had gotten out of hand. There was no way to deal with it if the second-generation members insisted that they were Diah¡¯s fans. Well, still... The second-generation members were mostly kind, so Ha-eun hoped that the playful Na-el wouldn¡¯t take it too far. And so, in the end, Ha-eun pretended to be nonchalant and said, "If you¡¯re confident, go ahead and apply~." After all, Diah¡¯s free-use pass was meant to be a content-based thing. Using Diah''s free-use pass as a way to get closer to the second generation of Illusionary Realm wouldn''t be a bad thing either, Ha-eun thought. Of course, she would have to ensure that the second-generation members kept their mouths shut. It wasn¡¯t long before the topic shifted away from the second-generation members to something else. "I¡¯m working on a fairly big project, but should I say something about it or not~." At the mysterious tone of Ji Hye-min¡¯s voice, the chat suddenly exploded with excitement. It was revealed shortly after that Illusionary Realm''s first-year anniversary would feature a 3D avatar project. "We¡¯re going to debut the 3D avatars right on the first anniversary of our members¡¯ debuts." "What?""3D?""Is this for real???""If this is a lie, I¡¯ll cut off my hand, Ramji.""So all the 3D avatars of the Great Mage, Slime King, and Gryphon will move around?""What else?""Great Ramji.""That¡¯s so epic, lol.""Are we getting something big? Something big?""How much are they spending on this, damn.""This is crazy.""I¡¯m already full.""What¡¯s going on with Illusionary Realm¡¯s style?""Great Ramji King, now just marry already (message deleted).""I couldn¡¯t even eat rice or soup in the North, lol.""Wait, was the King that King?""Oh, no, not in that way, don¡¯t turn red.""So that¡¯s why the King concept fits so well, huh?""What¡¯s that sniffle?""Aww, is she crying?""Haha, she¡¯s crying ???""Hmm, where did that come from?""I don¡¯t know who it is, but can they call me too?""No, don¡¯t end the broadcast yet!""President, stay!""What about Part 2? Part 2? Part 2?""The chicken hasn¡¯t arrived yet, wait!!!""Is it already over?" "I¡¯m going to take a break now! Please take care of me next year~." And so, the Illusionary Realm Year-End Party broadcast finally ended. Ji Hye-min¡¯s gaze shifted to the food left on the table. "No one can leave until all this is eaten. So, let¡¯s eat first, Ha-eun." "Yes." She then handed Ha-eun a soft Castella. After that, they all stayed seated until the food was finished. The conversation continued, but it was just casual chatter. It was an ordinary meal, but the fact that Ha-eun was sharing it with people she never thought she¡¯d be with made it feel special. ¡®...I hope we have a Year-End Party next year.¡¯ Ha-eun had a feeling that this moment would stay in her memory forever. The scene in front of her, the voices she heard, everything felt special. *** Time passed after the Illusionary Realm Year-End Party broadcast, and finally, December 31st arrived. The winter vacation for Narae High School had already begun, so there was no need to go to school early in the morning. The only scheduled activity for the day was the filming of The Sunshine. Normally, this would mean a somewhat leisurely morning, but... ¡°Mom, I¡¯m going out for a bit.¡± ¡°Okay~.¡± A phone call early in the morning required a brief outing. [Do you have a bit of time today? I want to tell you something I couldn¡¯t say last time.] Click. [It¡¯s fine until lunchtime, right? Then let¡¯s meet at the cafe near the station, around 11.] Click, click. [Oh, and could you wear something like a suit? Or a school uniform is fine too.] Click.Squeak¡ª. [I thought about it, and it might be better to wear something with charisma, rather than comfortable clothes. I¡¯ll tell you the reason when we meet.] ¡°...I¡¯m here.¡± ¡°Oh, Ha-eun! Welcome.¡± There was Yoo Sung-jae¡¯s familiar face, and right next to him, a stranger¡¯s face. ¡®Who is this...? A manager?¡¯ With a slightly puzzled expression, Ha-eun sat across from Yoo Sung-jae. The stranger, who had been carefully observing Ha-eun, spoke to him. ¡°You really look different in a school uniform.¡± ¡°It¡¯s the same, right, Director?¡± Not long after, an unexpected self-introduction followed. But perhaps it was because the name that was mentioned was so familiar to Ha-eun. ¡°Nice to meet you. I¡¯m Kim Hong-seong, the director of Veterans.¡± Ha-eun, momentarily stunned and blinking her eyes, eventually extended her hand. After the brief handshake, Yoo Sung-jae got to the real reason for their meeting. ¡°We were hoping Ha-eun could play the antagonist in Veterans. Would you be interested?¡± A sense of certainty followed, as if Yoo Sung-jae was sure Ha-eun could perform well as the villain. An explanation of the antagonist¡¯s character in Veterans was provided as well. However, Ha-eun already knew about the movie. She was familiar with the character. ¡°It¡¯s a third-generation chaebol, with a bit of a psychopath streak? The character is someone whose way of thinking and emotions are completely different from an average person.¡± The thin script for Veterans was handed over to Ha-eun as the conversation continued. Ha-eun¡¯s gaze lingered for a moment on the character¡¯s trait of being a ¡®third-generation chaebol.¡¯ ¡®...A psychopath, huh.¡¯ In a way, that seemed accurate. Ha-eun whispered something in her mind that she couldn¡¯t say aloud to others. She then turned the script page again.@@@@ Chapter 136 The voluminous, long hair. The slightly sharp, narrow eyes. The exquisite appearance. Finally, the neat school uniform. ¡®Now that I think about it, didn¡¯t I shoot a photoshoot recently?¡¯ From every visible part of her, an aura was emanating that was distinctly different from the ordinary. The clear presence she exuded was naturally felt. This was the reason Yoo Sung-jae had highly praised Ha-eun as an actress. The weight of her presence was still as strong in this moment. And that only made Ha-eun more curious. ¡®A static antagonist. I think it¡¯d suit her really well...¡¯ What would happen if the charisma that quietly suppressed the surrounding atmosphere were to be wielded in a negative direction? What would it feel like if Ha-eun¡¯s calmness were to turn into an indifference toward immoral actions? Perhaps it would be inevitable. Perhaps no one would be able to deny Ha-eun as the villain. ¡®Intense, surely.¡¯ In Yoo Sung-jae¡¯s eyes, Ha-eun¡¯s appearance and acting were perfect for a villain. The ability to completely steal a scene was one of the key traits for any antagonist. It was because of this that Yoo Sung-jae recommended Ha-eun for the villain role in Veterans. He had pushed for Ha-eun and director Kim Hong-seong to meet, reasoning that seeing it was better than hearing about it. A short while later, Kim Hong-seong, who had been watching Ha-eun, spoke again. ¡°Veterans is a crime film. The story revolves around the righteous detectives trying to capture a villain named ¡®Lee Ye-seo.¡¯¡± There are comic elements sprinkled in, but Kim Hong-seong went on to explain the characteristics of Veterans'' villain, Lee Ye-seo. ¡°Lee Ye-seo is a person without limits. She¡¯s a third-generation chaebol, and there¡¯s no one who can stop her from doing anything.¡± In other words, she would engage in actions that should normally be stopped by others. After briefly raising his gaze to look at Ha-eun, director Kim Hong-seong continued. ¡°Throughout the film, Lee Ye-seo commits various illegal acts but doesn¡¯t have any self-awareness of her crimes.¡± ¡°So, she won¡¯t be excited or disturbed by her crimes, right? It¡¯s just part of her daily life.¡± ¡°Yes. Lee Ye-seo believes she¡¯s living a normal life, like anyone else. So, from the outside, there¡¯s nothing particularly odd about her.¡± Though her actions were horrific, everything appeared normal on the outside. For Ha-eun, there was no need to understand these words in depth. ¡®...It¡¯s a strange feeling.¡¯ She had already been forced to act normal while hiding her true self for so long. The only difference between Ha-eun and Lee Ye-seo was whether or not that deceptive acting was voluntary. The fact that Lee Ye-seo was a third-generation chaebol. The fact that she appeared to be living a normal life. The fact that she never showed her emotions¡ªthese were all things Ha-eun could relate to. Most importantly, the reason why someone abnormal could appear normal to others was because of their home environment, just like Ha-eun''s. ¡°Lee Ye-seo received a third-generation chaebol¡¯s education from a young age. Aside from a few close associates, no one could even guess her real nature because she was so meticulous about managing her image.¡±@@@@ She hid herself because there was a need to do so. Legally. Or, regardless of what was morally right or wrong. ¡°However, it¡¯s not that she hides her true self because she considers herself a villain. She hides it because if others find out, things will get messy.¡± She simply hides it for her personal reasons. There was no concept of good and evil in her actions. ¡°For Lee Ye-seo, there¡¯s no such thing as ¡®things you shouldn¡¯t do.¡¯ There¡¯s only ¡®things that will get noisy if you do them.¡¯¡± Even though she committed several illegal acts, it was because she wanted to. She tormented people because she wanted to, she played with people because she wanted to, and she killed people because she wanted to. As long as she wasn¡¯t caught, it didn¡¯t matter what she did. It was simple, really, and Lee Ye-seo¡¯s reasoning was simple and straightforward. "Ha-eun, are you going to the bell-ringing ceremony with your parents?" It was just after the filming of The Sunshine had finished. As usual, Ha-eun had gotten into her van, and Ju Jung-yoon asked her about the night ahead. The response that came back was a negative one. "I have something else to do. My parents are the only ones going to the bell-ringing ceremony." "At midnight? What kind of work could you possibly have?" "I have something important to take care of." Of course, the real reason wasn¡¯t revealed to Ju Jung-yoon. And so, with some lingering uncertainty, Ju Jung-yoon dropped Ha-eun off at her house. "Then, we¡¯ll talk about your appearance in Veterans tomorrow at the company?" "Yes." "Hmm, even though you''re working on January 1st..." "I could just take a taxi by myself." "No, you can''t. If you take a taxi, I¡¯ll get in trouble." After saying they¡¯d meet in the morning, Ju Jung-yoon and her van disappeared into the distance. Ha-eun''s "important task" began about two hours later. Click. Di-ahHow did you know I was feeling lonely?Of course, you should be with your boyfriend on December 31st.Everyone else is taking a break, but of course, it¡¯s only Diah! The chat was absolutely buzzing with excitement over the surprise stream, which hadn¡¯t been listed on the broadcast schedule. In exchange for winning Noeulis'' favor, Ha-eun had to make Seong-yoon feel a little left out. ¡®They said raising a daughter is pointless, tsk tsk.¡¯ ¡®She said it was work. Work! Why is he being so narrow-minded?¡¯ ¡®What kind of company makes you work until midnight?¡¯ Of course, Ha-eun didn¡¯t reveal anything more about her other job. No matter when it was, Ha-eun had no intention of revealing it with her own mouth. Anyway, Na-yeon and Seong-yoon had left a few minutes ago to attend the bell-ringing ceremony. Now, the ones Ha-eun was with were the Noeulis. "Thanks for all your hard work this year~." Sg sg~Why is it already over?Where did my time go??? Before long, the usual small talk continued in the broadcast mic while they waited for the New Year countdown to start. The countdown soon began. 88876666974 (message deleted)555Le55 Ha-eun watched the chat flood in, silently lost in thought for a moment. Then, the clear ringing sound of the bell-ringing ceremony broadcast played, and she spoke up. Ding~~~~. "Everyone, Happy New Year." Almost immediately, click. She turned off the bell-ringing broadcast and clicked on the familiar icon. A majestic background music began to play. The broadcast title had changed as well. "Ten minutes later, at Shabon-di Station. Of course, any Noeulis I run into on the way will be immediately disqualified~." Baekgwi¡¯s back at it again.Damn, not Battle Island again.This time it¡¯s Asia''s representative, huh? We''re doomed, hahaha.Starting the New Year by piling on more bad karma, huh, Diah? Chapter 137 At the end of the year, games usually host special events to celebrate the season. The famous FPS game, Battle Island, was no exception and had its own unique end-of-year event. That was why there were Christmas decorations all over the map of Battle Island. What was usually a simple meadow was transformed into a snowy landscape fitting for the season. But above all else... -Creeeeak. -Vroom©¤!! "Everyone, move out of the way©¤!!" The most eye-catching sight was that all of the vehicles in Battle Island had been transformed into Santa¡¯s sleigh. This was particularly interesting because Battle Island''s genre was battle royale, where only the last player standing survived. In other words, it became possible to run over other players with Santa''s sleigh. This gave birth to a rather chilling scene. -Bang!! [Diah>>>????YouCanCrySantaIsn''tHere] A player who had been walking along the road was hit by Rudolph''s front leg and sent flying far away. Despite this, Diah''s voice remained completely unfazed. "I told you to move!" ????Wahhh, Santa hit someone!!!Instead of giving presents, he just ran them over with his sleigh.How could I move when he just slams into me like that;;Destroying innocence, scary. Of course, the chilling effect was amplified because Diah''s avatar outfit was also that of Santa Claus. Shortly after, Diah, dressed as Santa, got off the sleigh and began happily farming the items of the player who had just been killed. It was shortly after this that Diah spotted the "supply airplane" flying toward the center of the map from the high sky. The supply airplane, which usually provided better items than ordinary ones, had also transformed into a massive sleigh, fitting the holiday theme. "Real Santa has arrived©¤!" The world''s first Santa who gives out sniper rifles as gifts ??The supply boxes have turned into gift boxes too, hahaLet''s go, let''s go, let''s go, let''s go, let''s go, let''s go! Once again, Diah climbed aboard her sleigh. To carry out the action behind the broadcast title , she urged Rudolph forward, again and again. Not long after, they finally arrived at the supply box. However, Diah wasn¡¯t the only one who wanted to farm the good items from the box. -Vroom©¤!! -Tudududududud! Just as Diah was about to put the items into her inventory, players started rushing from all directions. Among these players, nearly all of them were Noeulis who were targeting Diah. As expected, the other players didn¡¯t pay attention to anyone else, focusing all their attacks on Diah. The irony was that most of these attacks, like Diah a few minutes ago, were attempts at roadkills with Santa¡¯s sleigh. "Ugh! How many Rudolphs are there?!" Dashing to avoid Santa¡¯s sleighs coming from all directions, Diah ran here and there. In the end, she couldn¡¯t even finish collecting the items from the supply box and had to hop back onto her sleigh, rushing away. Still, she felt satisfied that she had accomplished her goal of . She didn¡¯t even look at the items left in the supply box, but was instead shocked by the malicious moment of the Noeulis chasing after her sleigh. "Go away, I¡¯m not giving you any presents! Go away!!" Stop right thereThe game genre suddenly turned into racingRudolph, you¡¯re breaking my heart???Oh no, Rudolph is going to get shot. The chase from the Noeulis continued. In the end, Diah had no choice but to get off the sleigh and engage in a shootout with the Noeulis chasing her. Of course, most of the Noeulis were still no match for Diah. Each shot from the high-damage sniper rifle Diah had obtained from the supply box sent Noeulis falling one by one. The problem was that there were Noeulis targeting things other than Diah¡¯s avatar. Diah cut, lolggEven after getting the supply, she still couldn¡¯t win, what a shame(Skeleton Emoji x4)She had to pay the price for going after the supplies.Diah) Double kill with the sleighIsn¡¯t this like a horror show? HahaRudolph¡¯s stealing the spotlight, it¡¯s insaneDiah <<< Solo ConfirmedFrom now on, this place is ruled by the Noeulis ? Cream Bun Squad) This is dictatorship ? Didn¡¯t you guys say your masters are all resting? ? Dictatorship X Robbery of an Empty House O Min Da-yeon <<< As an actress, she has a different perspective. ? There¡¯s a reason for the actress¡¯s pick, haha. ? Min Da-yeon knew... she knew who was serious about the stream... *** Finally, the first day of the New Year arrived. On January 1st, which was a public holiday, Ha-eun headed to the Luna Entertainment building with her manager, Ju Jung-yoon. The person she was going to meet was CEO Jeong Do-cheol. To be precise, it was Jeong Do-cheol who had called Ha-eun after hearing the news of her casting in Veterans. -Knock knock. "Ah, come in." The familiar face of Jeong Do-cheol soon appeared. As expected, the first words he spoke were the usual New Year''s greetings. However, after the brief New Year''s wishes, the conversation took a more serious turn. He needed to explain to Ha-eun what playing a villain like Lee Ye-seo would mean for her as an actress. "Everyone knows you''re a great actress. But the thing with villains is, the better you play them, the more you''re hated." Jeong Do-cheol seemed a bit concerned about this actress¡¯s mental state. He gazed at Ha-eun thoughtfully, who still hadn¡¯t turned 18. Even so, there was no trace of hesitation in her. Despite his words, Ha-eun remained firm in her stance. "I want to do Lee Ye-seo. No matter what happens. For sure." "...I didn¡¯t realize this actress had a thing for psychopaths." "It¡¯s not a thing, though. But as an actress, I have to be able to play roles like that." Ha-eun spoke with complete sincerity, and in the end, it was Jeong Do-cheol who raised the white flag. In the end, what mattered most was Ha-eun¡¯s own will. Playing a villain like Lee Ye-seo was undeniably difficult. However, Jeong Do-cheol knew that Ha-eun, who had never been criticized for her acting, wouldn¡¯t be unable to handle it. Even though playing such a villain could bring side effects, Jeong Do-cheol had called Ha-eun in for this talk because of his concerns. Now that he knew Ha-eun¡¯s decision, there was no longer any reason to dissuade her. ¡®...I wonder what¡¯s going to happen this time.¡¯ In Veterans, there were many good guys like the detectives, but Lee Ye-seo, the villain, was going to be Ha-eun alone. Because of that, Jeong Do-cheol guessed that Ha-eun would put even more effort into her performance. The quality of a villain¡¯s performance was closely tied to the quality of the whole film. In other words, the better Ha-eun¡¯s acting, the better the overall movie would be. That¡¯s why Jeong Do-cheol was curious about just how much artistic value Veterans would have. "Was it Kim Hong-seon who¡¯s the director?" "Yes." "That guy¡¯s pretty talented, so if you have anything you want to suggest, go ahead and suggest it. He¡¯ll definitely listen to you." Once Ha-eun¡¯s participation in Veterans was confirmed, she was finally able to leave the office. But less than a week later, she had to head back to the Luna Entertainment building. "Are these... all presents for me?" "Yes." "...They won¡¯t all fit in the trunk." "Yeah, it seems so." Today was Ha-eun¡¯s birthday. The presents sent by Ha-eun¡¯s fans had already piled up high at the Luna Entertainment building. In just a few minutes, Ha-eun¡¯s Instagram live stream, which was to celebrate her birthday, would begin. She planned to thank her fans for all the gifts they sent and have a small birthday party. However, the number of people who logged into Ha-eun¡¯s birthday live stream was, as expected, beyond imagination. "42,000. No, it¡¯s 44,000, Ha-eun." ¡®...Isn¡¯t this a viewbot?¡¯ Ha-eun was confused by Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s voice announcing the real-time viewership numbers. What was even more puzzling was that Ha-eun¡¯s Instagram live stream wasn¡¯t just filled with Koreans. Chapter 138 Behind Ha-eun, neatly wrapped gift boxes were stacked up. In front of her, a beautiful birthday cake was placed on a white table. A few steps away from Ha-eun, Ju Jung-yoon and several other staff members were setting up for Ha-eun''s birthday broadcast. Once they finished adjusting the camera angles, Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s voice finally rang out. "Don¡¯t be too nervous. Just think of it like a video call." "Ah, okay..." To be honest, Ha-eun wasn¡¯t particularly nervous. After all, she had been streaming as a VTuber for over half a year. She didn¡¯t think there would be much difference doing a broadcast as the actress Lee Ha-eun instead of Diah. In fact, this wasn¡¯t her first Instagram live broadcast either. Of course, the unrealistically high viewership of 44,000 still didn¡¯t quite sink in. How many broadcasts would Diah have to do to reach 44,000 viewers? ¡®...This feels strange.¡¯ As she was caught in this ambiguous feeling, Ju Jung-yoon asked if she was ready to begin the broadcast. "Ready?" "Yes." And just like that, the broadcast started. As Ha-eun¡¯s image appeared on the vertical screen, the chat speed surged dramatically. ¡®...I can¡¯t read this.¡¯ The chat was scrolling so fast that Ha-eun¡¯s eyes were spinning. It wasn¡¯t just in Korean; English, Chinese, and Japanese were mixed in, confirming that she wasn¡¯t seeing things. For a brief moment, she was flustered. After all, her previous Instagram live broadcasts weren¡¯t like this. ¡®...What¡¯s so different about a birthday stream?¡¯ Looking back, her previous Instagram live streams had been spontaneous and unannounced. But this birthday stream was an official broadcast with a prior announcement from the agency. This was bound to be different from the casual streams she did on her own time. In any case, she had to focus on the broadcast now. "Hello, this is Lee Ha-eun." She waved lightly at the camera and greeted the viewers beyond the screen. Almost immediately, she was met with reactions that felt somewhat different from Diah¡¯s broadcasts. HelloWowwowLove you, unnie ????????OhhhhhhiAww, so cute??? As she had felt during her first Instagram live stream, the vibe in the Instagram live chat was certainly different from Diah¡¯s broadcasts. While Diah¡¯s broadcasts felt more like a conversation with friends, the Instagram live stream had the atmosphere of a fan meeting. "Oh, the cake? A fan ordered it custom-made for me. Look, my initials are even on it." OhThe photo cake turned out really niceHappy Birthday, Ha-eun!!!Unnie, you¡¯re beautifulBirthday?? The chat was mostly filled with exclamations of admiration, and the atmosphere remained unchanged. Even when Ha-eun placed the number-shaped candles on the cake and lit them, the chat was filled with comments from fans. However, when Ha-eun asked them to sing Happy Birthday with her, the chat became completely filled with the lyrics of the song. Right after Ha-eun blew out the candles, the chat exploded with clapping emojis and "Clap clap clap clap." "Now I¡¯m really 19. Time flies so fast." Then next year, you¡¯ll be an adult, hahaWhat did you wish for when you blew out the candles?You look cute in that outfitUnnie, you look so beautiful today, what¡¯s going on?How long will the live stream go on today?? Afterward, Ha-eun spent some time chatting with the viewers. The chat speed was still incredibly fast, but Ju Jung-yoon and the other staff members pointed out questions that Ha-eun should answer. "Someone¡¯s asking who wished you a happy 19th birthday first among your friends." "Hm, hold on a second." She quickly pulled out her phone. She scrolled through the messages from her friends and found the first birthday wish, then spoke again. [Min Da-yeon] - Happy Birthday [Min Da-yeon] - Min Da-yeon sent a gift and message. [Min Da-yeon] - (image of an expensive gift coupon)@@@@ As expected, best friendWhat did you put on your lips?Is Da-yeon referring to Min Da-yeon?Oh, it¡¯s Ha-eun¡¯s birthday today!!!I want some cake too???Now you look like an eating YouTuber, hahaI''m a big fan of you ????????????????There¡¯s whipped cream on your upper lip The unexpected singing voice came from the writer of The Sunshine, who was in charge of Ha-eun¡¯s character. A round of rhythmic applause followed. All the staff gathered around were celebrating Ha-eun¡¯s birthday. Even Ba Jin-hyeok, who had brought Ha-eun here, was celebrating her birthday. "Now, blow out the candle before the wind blows, Ha-eun. Oh, don¡¯t forget to make a wish." As Ba Jin-hyeok said, Ha-eun blew out the candle again, and the area was filled with applause. A quiet smile appeared on Ha-eun¡¯s face, which had been there since the beginning. "Everyone... thank you." She didn¡¯t mention the birthday party she¡¯d already had earlier in the morning. After all, there was no rule that she could only have one birthday party. So, Ha-eun¡¯s surprise birthday party, which would later be featured in The Sunshine¡¯s making film, ended smoothly without any issues. Not long after, the filming of The Sunshine began. "Alright, let¡¯s begin. ...Action!" The scene to be filmed today was the reunion between Ha-eun¡¯s character, Kim Jung-hyun, and her old friend, Hwang Tae-seong. The reunion took place less than a week after Kim Jung-hyun had left to help the righteous army at the request of Park Joo-ho. Upon hearing that he was recovering, I hurried over. Are you feeling better? However, Hwang Tae-seong wasn¡¯t just Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s old friend; he was also her betrothed. So, meeting him after several years, emotions were naturally mixed. But ultimately, happy memories from childhood resurfaced. Long time no see. With a gentle smile, they exchanged a steady gaze. Underneath the soft expression directed at Hwang Tae-seong, there was a sense of joy. I was worried because I hadn¡¯t heard from you, but I¡¯m relieved to see you¡¯re alright. For a brief moment, Ba Jin-hyeok was at a loss for words after hearing Ha-eun¡¯s calm voice. It was a side of Ha-eun that he wasn¡¯t used to seeing. It¡¯s still cold outside, so let¡¯s talk inside, shall we? As Ha-eun turned away from Ba Jin-hyeok and started walking, a deep, indescribable aura radiated from her. Even though the scene they were filming was a simple everyday moment, the intensity of the emotions wasn¡¯t light. The friendship between Kim Jung-hyun and Hwang Tae-seong was palpable. At the same time, there was a vague affection directed toward someone other than Hwang Tae-seong. You¡¯ve changed a lot in the time I¡¯ve been away. Hwang Tae-seong¡¯s words were full of meaning. He had cherished Kim Jung-hyun since childhood, and now, his feelings were stronger than he had anticipated. It felt like the depth of his emotions had suddenly intensified. Everything felt different. At least, today, it certainly felt different. Why are you standing still? Your feet haven¡¯t frozen, have they? At that moment, Kim Jung-hyun flashed a small smile toward Hwang Tae-seong. Yet, the intense aura surrounding her made it hard to distinguish between acting and reality. However, Ha-eun didn¡¯t know that this unexpected change started with her surprise birthday party. At this moment, Ha-eun was simply enjoying herself. What Ha-eun herself didn¡¯t know was that her acting had begun to reflect Diah¡¯s emotional lines. Chapter 139 Birthday. The day of birth. However, for Ha-eun, it wasn¡¯t just any birthday. It was a "rebirth" day, making it a little more special than others. It was the day she could truly feel that she was living a life different from her past life. Unlike her previous life, which had been uneventful, today was a day she could look forward to. Birthday cake. Gentle candles. Happy birthday song. People to spend it with. A day when she could expect all of that. ¡®...Am I still young?¡¯ Of course, nothing particularly extraordinary happened on her birthday. However, just being celebrated by others, like everyone else, made her feel emotional. The most significant moment was the surprise birthday party thrown by the The Sunshine staff and actors. ¡®I never expected I¡¯d be blowing out candles on set.¡¯ As always, Ha-eun had a tendency to be deeply affected by things she didn¡¯t expect. For example, the sudden appearance of Shirooni. Or the unexpected twist in Sea Butterfly. The things that were different from what Ha-eun had thought ultimately lifted her emotions. The surprise birthday party just a few minutes ago made Ha-eun feel even more emotional. Perhaps that¡¯s why. "Looks like you really enjoyed studying abroad in Tokyo." "...Why do you think so?" "Because you stopped sending me letters. Honestly, I was a little hurt." Today, Kim Jung-hyun felt more like a friendly girl than a noble lady. She treated Hwang Tae-seong not as her betrothed but as her childhood friend, showing a side of her that was far from the usual dignified self. There was an air of youth about her. The atmosphere of their conversation was also not much different from their childhood days. "So, did you really come back to Joseon because of me? Were you that worried about me?" "Isn¡¯t it weird not to worry if someone gets shot?"@@@@ It felt like Ha-eun was talking to the young Kim Jung-hyun. The gaze, expression, and voice that Ha-eun directed at Hwang Tae-seong showed no distance at all. Even her graceful eyes seemed a little more excited, as if she was genuinely happy to see him. Today, Ha-eun looked very youthful in many ways. It would be a complete lie to say that Ha-eun¡¯s acting didn¡¯t fluster Ba Jin-hyeok even a little. Ha-eun¡¯s voice tone, which was unexpectedly friendly, led to several small NGs from Ba Jin-hyeok. "Ah, sorry for laughing. I just can¡¯t help it, you remind me of my niece." "It¡¯s... fine." Although Ba Jin-hyeok still didn¡¯t fully understand why, the boundary between Ha-eun¡¯s acting and her true self felt particularly blurry today. That¡¯s why Ba Jin-hyeok¡¯s voice tone kept wavering. However, in the script, Kim Jung-hyun saw Hwang Tae-seong not as a lover but as a comfortable friend. So Ha-eun¡¯s friendly acting tone wasn¡¯t wrong. Hwang Tae-seong, whom Ba Jin-hyeok had to portray, saw Kim Jung-hyun as more than just a friend¡ªhe saw her as his fiance?e. Therefore, Kim Jung-hyun couldn¡¯t laugh and treat Hwang Tae-seong like a friend. What needed to be captured by the camera was the duality of Hwang Tae-seong, his outside and inside not matching. "Well, it looks like you weren¡¯t seriously injured." "Well, it wasn¡¯t a small injury." "Then why did you get involved in dangerous things like hunting? You used to cry so much even when you stumbled." "C-Cried? When?" "Remember when you were seven? You cried so loud, your voice echoed." Hwang Tae-seong acted like he was treating Kim Jung-hyun as a casual friend, but inside, he was still deeply concerned about what to do with her. His feelings toward Kim Jung-hyun were conflicted, and this needed to come through in his acting. Hwang Tae-seong¡¯s desire was for the promise made years ago to be fulfilled. He wanted to see the bond of marriage that he and Kim Jung-hyun had made as children come to life. The real reason Hwang Tae-seong had returned to Joseon after finishing his studies in Tokyo was to marry Kim Jung-hyun. The news that she had been shot was enough to make him impatient. He couldn¡¯t wait any longer. He had fallen in love with her at first sight as a child, and just being near her made his heart race. He wanted to be with her somehow. But, he knew that revealing his feelings immediately might make Kim Jung-hyun feel burdened. So, for now, he decided to focus on making her see him as a man, not just a childhood friend. "I¡¯ll make sure to visit you often. Take good care of yourself." But still, it wasn¡¯t a bad or unpleasant feeling. "The seaweed soup... it¡¯s delicious." "Of course, isn¡¯t it?" They chatted casually, eating the meal Nayeon had thoughtfully prepared. It was just light conversation about the events of the day. But it was fine. Just talking at the same table, in the same house, was enough for her. However, as dinner came to a close, Nayeon shared something unexpected. "Da-yeon called Mom and said Happy New Year." "She did? She told me to tell you Happy New Year too." The conversation shifted to Da-yeon. And then came more surprising news. "Oh, by the way, Da-yeon wants to hang out to celebrate your birthday." From Nayeon¡¯s perspective, it wasn¡¯t a bad thing for her daughter to take a break and hang out with her friend Da-yeon instead of just working. She had even lightly fabricated the fact that Da-yeon had asked when Ha-eun had a day off. Of course, Ha-eun had no real reason to refuse, as rest was important. And so, barely a week after Ha-eun¡¯s birthday, she met up with Da-yeon. The first place Da-yeon wanted to go was a nearby comic cafe. ¡®...Did she like comics?¡¯ Ha-eun had often gone to that comic cafe during her middle school days, but this was the first time Da-yeon had shown interest in comics. "Hey, Ha-eun. Recommend me the most popular one." It was a bit of an unfamiliar sight. Ha-eun recommended some bestsellers, but after that, Da-yeon didn¡¯t say a single word and just stared at the comic book. ¡®Hmm...¡¯ In the end, Ha-eun sat quietly beside Da-yeon, reading a comic herself. The only conversation they had was when ordering snacks and smoothies. But it was fine. Once you get into a comic, you don¡¯t pay attention to anything around you. But when the time at the comic cafe ended, Ha-eun asked where to go next. Da-yeon unexpectedly chose a PC bang. "PC bang." "...Really?" "Why? Can¡¯t we?" "No, it¡¯s not that it¡¯s not allowed... just didn¡¯t expect it." Ha-eun was once again confused. And when they arrived at the PC bang and sat down in a two-person seat, Ha-eun was even more surprised. This proud Da-yeon was asking Ha-eun to teach her how to play a game. And not just any game¡ªBattle Island, Diah¡¯s main game. ¡®...Is she trying to target me?¡¯ Ha-eun couldn¡¯t refuse, though. She logged in with her old sub-account, not Diah¡¯s ID, just in case. But just a few minutes later, "Ha-eun, people keep throwing apologies at me!" "It¡¯s fine. Even if you get hit, you won¡¯t die." The noise in the Battle Island waiting room gave Ha-eun a bad feeling. Unlike Diah, who pretended to be a newbie, Da-yeon was a real newbie. But her desire to win was immense. "Ah! I got hit!!" When she got hit for the first time, she screamed as if she had been shot. At the same time, Ha-eun pulled her baseball cap down lower. "...Should we start the tutorial again?" It was a little embarrassing. Ha-eun had no idea why Da-yeon was suddenly so interested in comics and games. Chapter 140 "Okay, this is how you click." "...If you don''t teach me properly, I¡¯m going to get mad." "Sorry." Finally, Ha-eun''s Battle Island tutorial began. She started from the very basics, explaining how to pick up items from the ground, tailored to Da-yeon¡¯s complete newbie level. She showed Da-yeon how to equip a bulletproof vest and helmet, how to attach various accessories to the gun, and how to use healing items like medkits. Lastly, she covered how to use throwable weapons like grenades and smoke grenades. "Be careful with grenades. They explode after 5 seconds, so don¡¯t hold onto them." Ha-eun provided as many detailed tips as she could, but the problem was, no matter how much Ha-eun tried, she couldn¡¯t teach Da-yeon how to aim. Tudududududu! "Hey, Ha-eun. Every time I shoot, the screen shakes. Can¡¯t you fix that?" "Yeah. You just have to shoot while adjusting to the shake." In FPS games like Battle Island, the most important skill, shooting, couldn''t be easily learned just from instructions. So, Ha-eun decided to play some regular games to make things easier. After all, the reason she met with Da-yeon today was to hang out. She wanted to enjoy the fact that she was playing Battle Island with Da-yeon. As they boarded the Battle Island plane, Ha-eun fully accepted Da-yeon''s opinion. "Where should we go?" "We don¡¯t have a specific destination, so let¡¯s just go wherever you want." Even when it came to choosing a place to farm for items, Ha-eun gave Da-yeon the choice. They ended up in a small village. "I found a shotgun. Is it any good?" "If you hit them up close, it¡¯s a one-shot." "What about the Molotov?" "Molotovs are good too." Every time they farmed items in the village, Da-yeon asked questions about them, and Ha-eun enjoyed explaining. Maybe this was why seasoned players liked duoing with newbies. However, when they were farming near a house, Ha-eun sensed the presence of other players. "There are items on the third floor, so keep farming." She sent Da-yeon up to the top floor and started patrolling the area around the house. Soon, she spotted other players and shot them without hesitation. Tudadadadang©¤!Bang! Bang! Unlike Diah¡¯s Battle Island streams, which were flooded with snipers, there weren¡¯t many snipers here. Perhaps it was because the game matched them with other newbies of similar skill levels. As a result, there was no player who could pose a threat to Ha-eun. The "easy win" scene was unfolding. However, Da-yeon, who was still busy farming, didn¡¯t notice Ha-eun¡¯s killing spree. She didn¡¯t even know how to read the kill logs. "Hey, I keep hearing gunshots outside?" "That¡¯s just my gun. Don¡¯t worry." Soon, when Da-yeon finished farming, only corpses remained. The problem was that Da-yeon¡¯s farming was very strange. "Why do you have two shotguns?" "Well, you said shotguns are one-shots up close." "Yeah, that¡¯s true... but still..." Ha-eun almost tried to correct Da-yeon¡¯s farming choices but decided to let it go. After all, Da-yeon wouldn¡¯t be able to hit other players with sniper rifles, so it didn¡¯t seem like she could do much with them. ¡®Well, shotguns are fine, you just point and shoot.¡¯ It was right after that when the poisonous gas cloud started approaching. So, they decided to get in the car and head for a safe zone where there was no gas. "Da-yeon, want to try driving?" "If I drive, I¡¯ll flip the car. You should just do it." At some point, Da-yeon¡¯s avatar had moved to the back seat. So, Ha-eun ended up taking the wheel. Dudududududud©¤!Bang©¤! Bang©¤! "Die!!"Bang! Bang!Ding. Ha-eun knew very well that Da-yeon had really enjoyed the day. The reason Da-yeon wouldn¡¯t admit it was because of some late-found embarrassment. After leaving the PC bang, Ha-eun quietly smiled as she saw Da-yeon bashfully trying to hide her excitement. She didn¡¯t tease her, though. Later, Ha-eun got a taxi for Da-yeon, who was heading home. "Goodbye." After saying goodbye to Da-yeon, Ha-eun went back home. Ha-eun felt that the goal of spending time with a friend had been achieved perfectly. But for Da-yeon, ¡®...I guess I can¡¯t do game collaborations anymore.¡¯ After realizing just how strong Ha-eun¡¯s gaming skills were, Da-yeon knew she had to revise a few of her plans. Not long after, Da-yeon¡¯s house came into view. "Hey, Da-yeon. What about dinner?" "I¡¯ll eat later. I have something urgent to do." Passing by Da-yeon¡¯s mother, Jeong Go-eun, Ha-eun headed straight to Da-yeon¡¯s room. There, Da-yeon powered on her computer and opened a text file she had been working on for weeks. It was a character concept sheet. Medieval WitchCalm personality & emotionsFan nickname: Hansel or GretelHobby: Eating childrenMain content: Talk / Singing Caught up in her imagination about the character Hida, Da-yeon began to work on it. Tap tap. She began filling out the application form with the words "Application" written at the top. ¡®Well, if you think about it, it¡¯s just acting. I¡¯m confident.¡¯ While Ha-eun was an actress who matched herself to a character, Da-yeon was an actress who matched a character to herself. So, Da-yeon believed she could perform as Hida with no awkwardness at all. The problem was the last section of the application form. "Hmm, a video showing the applicant¡¯s talent..." She went online and searched for movies or dramas Da-yeon had been a part of. Eventually, she found a highlight video of Da-yeon and copied the link to paste it into the application form. With that, Da-yeon¡¯s application for Illusionary Realm¡¯s 2nd season was sent to Ji Hye-min¡¯s email. Afterward, Da-yeon played a video of the "opera genius" girl she had portrayed long ago. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤? Opera had been one of Da-yeon¡¯s specialties, forced upon her by the director during practice. She hadn¡¯t sung opera in a while, but she was still very good at it. Soon after, Da-yeon¡¯s eyes met Jeong Go-eun¡¯s, who had been watching from the doorway. "Opera? You said you¡¯d never do it again." "...When did I say that?" *** "Hey, someone¡¯s impersonating Min Da-yeon?" "?" "Look at this. They only put a highlight reel of Min Da-yeon for their application video." "Who even does that..." Chapter 141 As is the case with many companies at the beginning of the year, LUX was busy as well. There were many tasks to be done: rigging the 3D avatars for the first generation members of Illusionary Realm, producing their first group song, and recruiting new members for the second generation. Therefore, verifying the authenticity of a strange application email claiming to be from the famous actress Kim Da-yeon was inevitably pushed to the back burner. After all, the recruitment period for Illusionary Realm¡¯s second generation was until February anyway. ¡°Well, if it¡¯s a case of impersonation or not, we can just ask Ha-eun.¡± ¡°If it¡¯s really Da-yeon, that¡¯d be interesting, noona.¡± ¡°Do you think so?¡± Time passed, and on the last day of January, when the snow was gently falling, It was also the day the first group song recording for the first-generation members of Illusionary Realm was scheduled. Creak. ¡°...Ha-eun hasn¡¯t arrived yet, right?¡± ¡°Oh, no. Yena was the first to arrive.¡± Yena, who had shown up three hours earlier than the scheduled time, quickly entered the recording studio. Her aim was to finish the recording as soon as possible and escape before Ha-eun arrived. ¡°If Ha-eun catches me, I won¡¯t be able to go home today.¡± Yena vividly remembered the torment she had suffered when Ha-eun had harassed her during Yuna¡¯s cover song recording. Ha-eun had even recorded the guide vocals herself and made Yuna endure it so fiercely that Yena had nightmares a few times. Of course, Yena knew very well that Ha-eun was an exceptional singer. She also knew better than anyone that thanks to Ha-eun¡¯s training, Yuna¡¯s first cover song received positive feedback. But, at least when it came to singing, Yena didn¡¯t want to get involved with Ha-eun again. For someone like Yena, who wasn¡¯t a professional singer, Ha-eun¡¯s teaching style was too harsh. And especially, Yena never wanted to meet those chilling dark sunglasses again... Creak. ¡°Hello.¡± ¡°Kyaaah!!!¡± Almost simultaneously, thud. Yena, who had just been about to begin her first recording, fell backward right in the middle of the recording studio. There was still a lot of time before the other members of Illusionary Realm were scheduled to arrive. Yena hadn¡¯t told any of the other members she was already at the studio. However, it was a clear and undeniable fact that the person outside the recording studio talking to the composer was Ha-eun. No matter the reason Ha-eun had shown up earlier than the scheduled time, the truth remained that Ha-eun had met Yena regardless. ¡°So, who was the person who just fell in the recording studio?¡± ¡°That was Yena.¡± ¡°Ah? Yena unni?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Yena trembled with nervousness as she listened to the conversation between Ha-eun and the composer through the headphones in the recording studio. Just a few seconds later... Thud. Thud. The familiar presence she had felt earlier was now right in front of the recording studio door, and it didn¡¯t stop. Eventually, the encounter she had been dreading came¡ªthe dark sunglasses.@@@@ ¡°What¡¯s this? Why are you falling like that?¡± ¡°You... it¡¯s your fault! And why are you wearing sunglasses again?¡± ¡°Ah, that¡¯s because Hye-min unni told me to come as the instructor, not as the youngest today¡ª¡± ¡°Ughhh...¡± And just like that, thunk. The news, more terrifying than anything, made Yena slump down onto the floor of the recording studio. Unfortunately, she didn¡¯t foam at the mouth, but it was still enough to send a chill down her spine. Ha-eun subtly grabbed both of Yena¡¯s wrists and began dragging her out of the recording studio. Ha-eun turned to the composer, asking if she could start recording herself. ¡°I think it¡¯s better to record the guide vocals first. I¡¯ll give feedback on Yena unni¡¯s part after I¡¯m done with mine.¡± ¡°Ah, yes. That works.¡± The composer, already familiar with Ha-eun¡¯s singing abilities, didn¡¯t refuse her suggestion. For Yena, this was a total shock. However, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t understand Yena¡¯s reaction. The reason Ha-eun had arrived early was to record the guide vocals before the other members did. In other words, meeting Yena was purely a coincidence. So perhaps that was why... ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be this passionate. I¡¯m impressed.¡± Ha-eun, mistakenly thinking that Yena had come early out of pure enthusiasm for the group song, looked at her with admiration. This is why Ha-eun had decided to sing Yena¡¯s part in the group song with extra care. The pure, clear tone of Pinocchio resonated in the studio for a while after that. The group song, which was about four minutes long, was being recorded solely with Pinocchio¡¯s voice. However, in the end, the song was supposed to have five voices, so... Thud.Beep.Beep.Creak. Finally, when the other members arrived, Yena managed to escape the recording studio. Step.Step.Thud. ¡°119, someone call 119 for me....¡± Of course, no one took out their phone. Everyone, except Yena, just figured she was overreacting and didn¡¯t think much of it. It was probably a relief for Yena that Ha-eun¡¯s attention had shifted away from her and toward the other members. ¡°Since Yena unni and I are done with our recording, let¡¯s start with Misun unni.¡± Then, as Illusionary Realm¡¯s eldest, Park Misun, entered the recording studio, completely unaware of what was about to happen, ¡°Ah, right. Ha-eun, there¡¯s something you need to check. Could you come out for a sec?¡± Ji Hye-min, who had been standing behind Jeong Maria, called Ha-eun out of the studio. Then, from Hye-min¡¯s bag, a new tablet was pulled out. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s true, but just in case.¡± The image that appeared before Ha-eun was a screenshot of an application form for Illusionary Realm¡¯s second generation. The problem was that the name and contact number written on the form were eerily familiar. ¡°...Hye-min unni, is this really an application form?¡± ¡°Why? ...Could it really be Da-yeon?¡± At the same time, Ha-eun¡¯s head, which had been trembling slightly just before, lowered briefly, then lifted again. ¡°Really? Is this really Da-yeon¡¯s number?!¡± ¡°Yes... It seems like it¡¯s really Da-yeon.¡± Strictly speaking, there were no other disqualifications for the applicant other than the uncertain personal details. Now that those uncertain details had been confirmed to be true, it meant they couldn¡¯t reject her. ¡°Ha-eun.¡± ¡°...Yes?¡± ¡°Da-yeon is an actress, like you.¡± ¡°...Yes.¡± ¡°She wrote a good application, and she sings well.¡± ¡°...............¡± ¡°But! If you¡¯re uncomfortable with this, we can think about it more.¡± Shakes head. ¡°The opportunity should be fair. If things like family connections or personal ties affect the interview, it would stir up problems.¡± ¡®...Then what does that make me?¡¯ Ha-eun, who had been chosen for Illusionary Realm just because she was the broadcast manager D.A.¡¯s closest friend, couldn¡¯t help but think of this. But in the end, all the other factors were good enough, and Ha-eun was accepted. It wasn¡¯t something that could be avoided just because they were close friends. So, like Ha-eun back then, Da-yeon was going to have her interview. Strictly speaking, neither Ji Hye-min nor LUX would lose anything. Because, quite literally, it was like a pumpkin falling off the vine. Just as Ha-eun had held Illusionary Realm¡¯s first generation together, Da-yeon, who had been famous since her childhood, could be expected to hold the second generation together. ¡°But please, just don¡¯t make us meet.¡± ¡°Ah? Why?¡± ¡°Diah doesn¡¯t know that I¡¯m me.¡± If she found out the truth, both she and I would be ashamed. Ha-eun muttered to herself quietly, and Ji Hye-min nodded. ¡°Ah... I understand now.¡± And just as the conversation about Da-yeon was wrapping up, ¡°Ha-eun.¡± ¡°?¡± ¡°You know that Da-yeon is Noeul, right?¡± ¡°Yes, I do.¡± ¡°Then, if Da-yeon passes, Ha-eun, you¡¯ll be Noeul¡¯s plaything for a day.¡± Are you okay with that? At Ji Hye-min¡¯s somewhat worried voice, Ha-eun¡¯s mind went blank. After all, she knew very well how much Da-yeon loved Diah. But, the water had already been spilled, and the bus had already left. ¡°...Well, at least the views will be great.¡± In the end, Ha-eun reached a state of enlightenment. Her gaze, which had been aimed at the floor, lost all focus. Chapter 142 It was a thing of the past. Or rather, clinging to things that couldn''t be changed or things that couldn''t be helped was not a very productive thing to do. Instead of things that couldn''t be done, Ha-eun believed it was wiser to focus on what could be done, to spend time on things that could be changed rather than worrying about the unchangeable. Step That¡¯s why she turned back into the recording studio where Misun¡¯s recording had just started. After all, she had to finish the recording for Illusion first. She thought it was pointless to worry about what Da-yeon might do now. ?©¤©¤©¤ ¡°Ha-eun, doesn¡¯t Misun unni¡¯s high note sound amazing?¡± ¡°Yeah, her breath control is steady, so it sounds really nice.¡± And so, she tried to focus entirely on the Illusion recording. She didn¡¯t want to think about anything else. For Ha-eun, worrying about Da-yeon was a fruitless worry. It was something she couldn¡¯t change with her own power. Yeah, it was probably just needless worry. Worrying about what might happen with Da-yeon in the future would change nothing in the present. ¡®...She won¡¯t fail the interview, right?¡¯ Why couldn¡¯t she forget this? ¡®Looking at the RP she made, she must be confident...¡¯ She kept overthinking things that didn¡¯t matter. She found herself imagining different possible outcomes for the future that hadn¡¯t even arrived yet. However, in any case, she couldn¡¯t imagine Da-yeon failing. After all, actress Kim Da-yeon was an exceptional actress. ¡®VTubing is acting, too.¡¯ She was someone who had lived as an actress her whole life. It was rare to find someone who could perform a character better than a current actress. Of course, even Da-yeon, no matter how great she was, probably hadn¡¯t done live interactions as a VTuber. But then again, none of the other applicants had done internet broadcasts either. ¡®There were no former streamers among the second-generation Illusionary Realm applicants.¡¯ In Ha-eun¡¯s mind, it was nearly impossible for Da-yeon to fail the interview. She knew better than anyone how much effort Da-yeon put into things once she decided. She had learned everything there was to know about VTuber broadcasting. Da-yeon must have prepared thoroughly, based on all the streams she had watched of Diah. And judging by the positive feedback her RP got from Ji Hye-min, it seemed like Da-yeon had done her market research. Her singing skills had also received praise, so Ha-eun felt confident that Da-yeon¡¯s acceptance into the second generation of Illusionary Realm was a done deal. The bigger problem was that Ha-eun, who was Kim Da-yeon¡¯s friend, couldn¡¯t know anything about Illusionary Realm¡¯s second generation. ¡®If I show I know something, it¡¯ll look weird.¡¯ The fact that Da-yeon had applied for Illusionary Realm¡¯s second generation was known only to Illusionary Realm¡¯s staff. If Ha-eun asked Da-yeon anything about it, she would essentially be revealing that she worked for Illusionary Realm herself. Ha-eun had been worried for a long time about the possibility that Da-yeon might learn about Diah¡¯s red pill. The option of revealing Diah¡¯s true identity and trying to stop Da-yeon from participating was never even on the table. In other words, it was inevitable that, like Ji Hye-min had said, Ha-eun would eventually become Da-yeon¡¯s plaything. "Ah, cold water isn¡¯t good for your throat. I think it¡¯s better to ask for warm water instead." "...Did we come here to drink warm water?" "Taking care of your throat can¡¯t hurt." As a result, they didn¡¯t end up ordering any extra drinks like beer or soda. Ha-eun had firmly stopped them from ordering, insisting that it was unhealthy. Of course, the grilled beef was more than enough to satisfy their hunger. It would¡¯ve been even better with cold drinks, but... As they continued to taste the tender beef, "Okay, okay, listen up for a second." Ji Hye-min, who had been grilling the meat like a mother bird feeding its chicks, spoke up. What followed was a discussion about the 3D avatars for the members of Illusionary Realm. "As you all know, we¡¯ll be doing a live performance for our one-year anniversary." To make the stage even better, dance lessons were necessary, which followed as the next piece of information. In other words, the work related to Illusion was far from finished. "Dance lessons will start next Tuesday. The instructor is someone we¡¯ve worked hard to bring in, so let¡¯s all do our best." The reason Ji Hye-min had reserved the beef restaurant ahead of time was, in fact, because of the grueling dance lessons. The idea was that since they¡¯d eaten expensive beef, they should work hard at the dance lessons, something like that. However, Ha-eun, who had already stood on stage twice as a singer, didn¡¯t worry much about the dance lessons. ¡®I¡¯ll need to buy the VR and full-tracker gear soon.¡¯ Right now, Ha-eun was only thinking about doing full-tracking broadcasts with her Diah 3D avatar. She was thinking about what kind of content she could create using full-tracking. This was why she turned to Ji Hye-min to ask about the progress of the 3D avatars for the Illusionary Realm members. ¡°Is there still a lot left to finish?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that far off. I think they¡¯ll be ready by mid-February to early March.¡± ¡°So, can I get it before the performance? I want to practice some things on my own." The response was positive. However, she was reminded that the avatars couldn¡¯t be revealed before the one-year anniversary performance. "As long as you don¡¯t spoil the 3D avatars." In other words, Ha-eun could use her 3D avatar as much as she wanted, but she couldn¡¯t show it to the public yet. A little over an hour later, after Ha-eun returned home, she bought the VR gear and full-tracking equipment. At any rate, getting used to VR came first. Therefore, Ha-eun started playing VR games, familiarizing herself with the VR-specific sensations. And so, time passed. Ding-dong~! ¡°Delivery¡¯s here~.¡± The day Ha-eun¡¯s VR equipment and full-tracking gear were delivered to her house, Tap-tap-tap. DiahVR Chat, let¡¯s go!Online fan meeting time~ Ha-eun, for the first time in her VTuber career, started streaming a VR game. She displayed a list of VR games she had pre-selected on the stream afterward. ¡°Alright, vote for the game you think will be the most fun~.¡± Everything went according to Ha-eun¡¯s plan until she began receiving VR game votes from Noeulis. She also made sure to remind them that this was her first time playing VR games, so she might be inexperienced. But as she connected to the VR game that received the most votes, Beat Saber, Ding. [ ekdus7 has donated 30,000 KRW! ] : VR horror games would be fun, lol. The donation message sent a chill down Ha-eun¡¯s spine. Chapter 143 Virtual Reality (VR). As the name suggests, Virtual Reality is a technology that allows you to experience a virtual world as though it were real. VR games, which use VR technology, provide an even more immersive experience compared to regular games. It feels as though you are physically inside the world of the game. ¡®Maybe it¡¯s because it¡¯s expensive, but the performance is definitely impressive...¡¯ Ha-eun, who had just logged into the popular VR game Beat Saber, felt more immersed than she had expected. She was definitely benefiting from having bought a good VR device. The VR screen and sound had no noticeable lag, allowing Ha-eun to truly feel the immersion of the virtual world. However, it was the sponsorship message from Da-yeon about VR horror games that had just arrived that made her rethink things. VR horror games, this is the real deal.Looking at the roulette, there aren¡¯t any horror games.Boss, you''re done for.Look at the avatar''s pupils shaking, haha. Ha-eun finally realized that the excellent realism of VR could also work against her in certain situations. ¡®...Why is she doing this to me?¡¯ Ha-eun truly resented Da-yeon, who was behind the screen. The virtual world in front of Ha-eun could easily turn into a haunted mansion, with monsters jumping out at her. The thought alone made her shiver. A horror game with VR that felt even more real than reality? Ha-eun was certain she could faint while playing. ¡®This is definitely going to cause a broadcast accident.¡¯ However, she couldn¡¯t directly criticize ekdus7, who had donated. After all, if she showed any fear of VR horror games, it would only backfire on her. So, for the moment, Ha-eun chose to ignore Da-yeon¡¯s sponsorship message. Mentioning the existence of VR horror games wouldn¡¯t bring any benefit. Not long after, Ha-eun started playing Beat Saber instead. ¡°Hmm, I wonder what song would be good?¡± Not Beat Saber, horror games (deleted message).Let¡¯s go with Angel¡¯s Thesis, Diah.Awaken, let¡¯s go!When will the avatar mode be installed?Reneda would be fun, too.Will you play later with the 3D avatar? Beat Saber was a rhythm game. Blocks named "notes" would fly toward the player, and the player would slice them with two lightsabers to score points. To be honest, it looked fun. Ha-eun was especially intrigued by the part where you slice the blocks with the lightsabers to score points. ¡®It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve used a sword.¡¯ Perhaps it was because of the memories of wielding a sword like an extension of her body during the filming of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds. Even though the music hadn¡¯t started, her hands moved instinctively. In that fleeting moment, a sword dance from Yeong-wol unfolded before her. The two laser swords in her hands traced smooth arcs as they floated in the air for a brief moment.@@@@ Oh, haha.What was that just now?The posture¡¯s on point.The frames are so smooth. In that unexpected fluid motion, the speed of the chat momentarily sped up. Swish. ? ? ??? As the beats of the song started, the map of Beat Saber began to change, shifting to a steep cliffside. Soon, a wind effect was added around the cliff, making it feel like a scene from a martial arts comic. The bamboo forest on either side of the cliff only enhanced that feeling. With a swift motion, Ha-eun¡¯s right-hand sword was lifted, facing forward. At the same time, she muttered a famous line from a sword master. ¡°Ahh, this chilling and heavy sensation. It¡¯s been so long©¤!¡± Hahahahaha.No way, hahaha.Sword Master (1st generation).Diah, you¡¯ve seen that comic too?So flashy!Such a show-off, haha.Why is she so good?Didn¡¯t you say it¡¯s your first time??The dual-wield form is insane, wow.You know Demon Slayer?What do you mean "cutting fast"?What¡¯s with the buffering? You forgot the name of the breath, hahaha.The sword speed is more like a demon than the demon slayers.Swish.What?Hahahahaha.What¡¯s Kaminari? You geek (deleted message).Haha, you¡¯re so excited.Whoosh!Hah!Suddenly, Diah¡¯s laying down the law for Noeulis, haha.Time to go play a horror game. (deleted message).Can I say something like ¡°you pathetic spirit XX¡± without getting in trouble?Always beating up Noeulis whenever there¡¯s a chance. ???Diva.That was a good stream today.Look at how out of breath she is.Bye bye. Of course, she spent far more time trembling and ripping the headset off than actually wearing it. She had to cover her mouth to stifle her screams so Nayeon or Seongyun wouldn¡¯t hear her. What Ha-eun hadn¡¯t realized was one small detail. [Diah] [Online ????] ¡°Oh? Diah is gaming?¡± ?It¡¯s really her.What¡¯s the game?If you¡¯re playing, turn on the stream. ?? People who had added Diah as a friend could see what game she was playing. Yuna, who was streaming a regular game broadcast, tried to call Diah. However, the call didn¡¯t last long. It was because Diah¡¯s mental state was literally shattered. [ ...It¡¯s funny, it¡¯s fun, but... I¡¯m scared.] ¡°Ugh, yeah. Hang in there, Diah.¡± Since Diah had asked her not to reveal the name of the game she was playing, Ha-eun didn¡¯t disclose it. She just told Yuna¡¯s viewers that Diah was playing something she wanted to on her own. ¡°Everyone keeps saying ¡®turn on the stream,¡¯ but how can I always do that? Sometimes, Diah just wants to play a game to relieve stress.¡± Stress?Her voice was really shaky though.Are you sure you¡¯re relieving stress? Haha.Noeulis are freezing to death again today. While Yuna was covering for Diah¡¯s horror game session, Ha-eun, who had reached her limits with VR horror games, took off the headset and immediately splashed her face with cold water. The resentment toward Da-yeon was still fresh in her mind. Though she would use Diah¡¯s free-use pass for fun, ¡®...I¡¯ll deal with this later.¡¯ Ha-eun firmly promised herself that she would never let Da-yeon¡¯s actions go unpunished. If Da-yeon really became an Illusionary Realm 2nd-gen member, Ha-eun would act as a proper senior and give her a hard time. The reason Ha-eun had prepared a few secret accounts, ones that no one else knew about, was exactly for this purpose. Just like how Da-yeon had hidden behind the nickname ekdus7 to harass Diah, Ha-eun also planned to hide behind anonymous nicknames to make Da-yeon flustered. *** As time passed, it was already mid-February. The preparations for the live stage of Illusionary Realm¡¯s first generation¡¯s group song, Illusion, and the recruitment process for the second generation of Illusionary Realm were gradually nearing completion. However, it wasn¡¯t just the Illusionary Realm-related tasks that were coming to an end. ¡°The sunlight we faced that day was light yet heavy, and the long shadow held onto my ankles until the end.¡± ¡°How is it? The teaser turned out well, right?¡± The voice of Director Kwon Jae-hyeop asked for Ha-eun¡¯s opinion on the completed teaser for The Sunshine. Ha-eun nodded and replied that she thought it was a good teaser. The long journey of The Sunshine, which had continued for quite some time, was also nearing its end. Strictly speaking, the filming for the second half hadn¡¯t been completed yet, but the key parts were nearly finished. ¡®...Let¡¯s do well until the end.¡¯ Ha-eun, who had been deeply impressed by The Sunshine, wanted to give her best until the very end. She started to settle her emotions in preparation for the shoot that would begin in an hour. However, Ha-eun¡¯s subconscious still carried concerns about Da-yeon. She was worried about how long she could keep Diah¡¯s red pill secret. ¡°Alright, get ready. ...Action!¡± Step ¡°...Tell me, who exactly are you?¡± Ha-eun flinched slightly at the question about Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s secret activities as a righteous army, asked by Hwang Tae-seong. Just like Ha-eun and Da-yeon, Kim Jung-hyun and Hwang Tae-seong had been friends for a long time. The expressions they wore were also incredibly complicated, which made Ha-eun uneasy. It felt strangely unsettling to have her secret identity discovered by her closest friend. Chapter 144 Ha-eun¡¯s portrayal of Kim Jung-hyun was that of the only granddaughter from one of the most prestigious families in all of Joseon. A beautiful girl loved by everyone in Hanseong. She was promised to marry the heir of the wealthiest family in Joseon, Hwang Tae-seong. Literally, her life was without hardship. There were no thorny paths in her life¡ªonly a well-paved road ahead. So perhaps that¡¯s why Ha-eun had trouble understanding Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s choice. To walk the thorny path of the righteous army. A choice that put the country¡¯s freedom over her own happiness. A choice that could potentially cost her life. ¡®...A value more precious than life, huh... I still don¡¯t understand.¡¯ It was hard for Ha-eun to comprehend why Kim Jung-hyun would choose such a dangerous path. After all, Ha-eun had once felt that her own life had no meaning. ¡®Knowing it would be hard, she still chose it.¡¯ Ha-eun found it difficult to empathize with Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s choice to give up a guaranteed life of happiness. For Ha-eun, life itself was something precious, something she wouldn¡¯t trade for anything. But there was one thing Ha-eun truly admired¡ªthe freedom Kim Jung-hyun sought. The unwavering will to walk the path she had chosen, no matter the difficulty. Squeak "Ah... Hello, writer." "Ah, Ha-eun, I¡¯ve been waiting for you. Come in." Ha-eun visited the writer, Hong Soo-eun, in person, hoping to understand Kim Jung-hyun better. Ha-eun wanted to portray the person she had once admired with more sincerity. She asked Hong Soo-eun about the gray areas she didn¡¯t understand, trying to learn more about Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s thoughts and values. They spent hours talking late into the night, discussing the essence of Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s decisions. Eventually, Ha-eun began to see Joseon through Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s eyes. "I misunderstood. You misunderstood me. Could you tell me I was wrong?" "...I¡¯m sorry." The choice to hold hands with the man who truly adored her, The choice to live a happy life with an old friend¡ªthose options were gone. What Ha-eun gained from her conversation with Hong Soo-eun was a new sense of mission. She slowly began to feel the weight of this unfamiliar, serious new mindset. She gradually started to understand Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s decisions.@@@@ "Then, the gunshot wound on your shoulder. And the letters from the righteous army... were all because of that?" "I¡¯m part of the righteous army." "...Why?" "Because I was weak." Ha-eun couldn¡¯t turn away from the new things she had learned. The bitter smile she showed Hwang Tae-seong reflected the feelings of Kim Jung-hyun. Kim Jung-hyun had once read Western books and learned the alphabet because of her curiosity about the unknown. She had always wondered what the world outside the protective walls of the traditional Korean house looked like. But the "world" Kim Jung-hyun learned about was something much more dangerous. "I¡¯m afraid of dying too. But if I close my eyes to just save myself, I feel like I¡¯ll keep living as if I were blind. It wouldn¡¯t feel like living at all." It was a sight too precarious to ignore. A reality that mirrored the phrase "like a lamp in the wind," a tragic image of being oppressed and exploited by the countless powers surrounding her. "...I didn¡¯t want to be cowardly." In the end, Kim Jung-hyun stepped away from her own happy life and walked the path for Joseon¡¯s freedom. She humbly bowed to a man who had once been a slave, pleading with him to help, rather than ordering him to assist the righteous army. "With you, I¡¯d surely be happy. We¡¯d go flower viewing in the spring and have lovely children." Swish. The ring case that Hwang Tae-seong had dropped earlier was now in Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s hand. However, rather than opening the case, she returned it to him. "But I¡¯ve come too far to go back to you now. ...I¡¯m sorry." Hwang Tae-seong¡¯s face darkened noticeably. Still, he took slow steps toward her. Just as Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s shadow was about to completely leave Hwang Tae-seong, his hand reached out and grabbed her wrist. "Could you stop for a moment? At least let me get closer." "Will Lee Ha-eun dance with a sword again?""Baek Tae-hoon¡¯s wrist is going to get slashed again, lol.""Lee Ha-eun is going to slice through the Japanese army with a sword while Baek Tae-hoon plays the surprised guy." "Spoilers, please!""Oh, I¡¯ve watched the drama.""The atmosphere is crazy.""Lee Ha-eun¡¯s hanbok looks incredible.""Was that Lee Ha-eun falling off the roof?""Why is the male lead pointing a gun at the female lead? Lol.""The child acting is amazing.""So he was Baek Tae-hoon as a child?""The level of acting in kids these days is insane." For a long time, scenes unfolded showing how bleak young Park Joo-ho''s life had been. The scene where he couldn¡¯t save his parents from the brutal beatings and fainted. Then, the scene where, late at night, he snuck away and begged a foreign missionary to save him. "Please, please save me, sir. If I go back to that house, I will die...!" Kim Min-seong¡¯s heartfelt performance made The Sunshine feel heavy and serious. Thanks to that, opinions that it was a childish or predictable story disappeared. Afterward, scenes filled with little to no comedy continued, and then StepStep The scene overlapped again, with young Park Joo-ho heading toward a distant port to escape the Joseon that had taken away his parents and his home. The young Kim Jung-hyun, who had been watching Park Joo-ho flee from a distance, started to overlap with Ha-eun¡¯s appearance. Then, once again, Kim Min-seong¡¯s figure passed by Baek Tae-hoon. But Baek Tae-hoon was heading in the opposite direction of Kim Min-seong. Shortly after, in the middle of a street in Hanseong, Park Joo-ho and Kim Jung-hyun met again. "...Have we met somewhere before?" "Not sure." Kim Jung-hyun, looking up at Park Joo-ho, had a look of confusion in her eyes. Park Joo-ho, who was looking down at Kim Jung-hyun, had eyes filled with suppressed anger and sorrow. It was a suffocating first meeting. The truth was that it was a reunion, but it felt very different from the typical image of a reunion. In that moment, one protagonist didn¡¯t recognize the other, while the other deliberately avoided acknowledging the other. Step Without continuing the conversation, they both walked past each other, heading toward their respective destinations. After that, the focus of the scenes shifted to Kim Jung-hyun, not Park Joo-ho. "Miss, if the master finds out you¡¯re reading books from foreigners, he¡¯ll be furious!" "Is there a difference between learning from a foreigner and from a Joseon person? People learn from people, why make such a fuss?" In the vast tiled house, Kim Jung-hyun revealed her gentle gaze and beautiful features. Her every action fit perfectly with the dignified image of a noblewoman. The extreme contrast between the two protagonists captivated the viewers. There was no awkwardness in any part of the first episode, which certainly contributed to the success of the drama. A short while later, after the first episode had ended, and after the preview for episode 2 had aired, several hours later, it was revealed through internet articles that Baek Tae-hoon and Lee Ha-eun''s acting face-off from the very first episode of The Sunshine! The slave and the noblewoman capture the late winter¡¯s attention ¡®The Sunshine¡¯ starts with a 11.7% viewership rating, a strong debut. Even though The Sunshine was a cable drama and not a public broadcast, it was receiving significant attention. It was praised for being highly anticipated, not because of flashiness or noise, but purely because of the actors'' performances. As The Sunshine showed signs of something big from the very start, Ha-eun, who had revealed her own presence through Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s acting, was now, "Hello, I¡¯m Lee Ha-eun, playing the role of Lee Ye-seo." In a gathering of actors and staff from Veterans, Ha-eun greeted them in a calm voice. Having already started to gain attention after The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds, all eyes were on her. However, the characters Ha-eun played in The Sunshine and Veterans were completely different in nature. ¡®Her poker face is really good though.¡¯ ¡®Will she be a villain?¡¯ ¡®Lee Ha-eun as a villain...¡¯ There were some doubts about Ha-eun, who had never played a villain before. But in the end, those doubts were completely dispelled after just one script reading. "Hey, mister." Thud "Don¡¯t make it so hard for me." Thud, thud "The CCTV deleting thing, honestly, it¡¯s such a hassle. Let¡¯s just do it cleanly." Thud, thud, thud, thud...Whoosh!! Her character, who seemed detached and unfeeling, was portrayed with such naturalness that it gave the viewers chills. Chapter 145 Veterans is a film centered around the theme of "Good triumphing over evil." The story follows the "righteous detectives" who struggle to arrest the villain Lee Ye-seo. Most of the lead actors in Veterans played roles that were directly opposed to Ha-eun''s character, Lee Ye-seo. Ha-eun, playing Lee Ye-seo, had to face these actors, who were established names in the industry, in their first script reading. Maybe that''s why... "I''m Seo Jin-tae, playing the role of Jeon Jae-han." "I''m Yoo Sung-jae, playing the role of Kang Chan-seong~." The actors who were playing the main roles of Jeon Jae-han and Kang Chan-seong stood up to introduce themselves, making Ha-eun feel a bit nervous. Yoo Sung-jae, who had worked with her in The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds, and Seo Jin-tae, a highly respected actor, were both formidable talents. It wouldn''t be easy for Ha-eun to face off against such excellent performances by herself. ¡®...Eventually, I''ll have to engage in physical fights with them.¡¯ Especially since Jeon Jae-han and Kang Chan-seong were the ones who would directly clash with Lee Ye-seo in the story. Both of them were key characters in the Veterans drama, working as detectives in the "Gwangsu District" police unit. ¡®Their action styles will definitely be different... This will be tough.¡¯ Jeon Jae-han, who would eventually have a physical confrontation with Lee Ye-seo, was a seasoned detective with around 20 years of experience. He had been arresting criminals on the front lines with his exceptional instincts and skilled fighting abilities. Though he had grown accustomed to dealing with many crimes over the years, he had a firm belief that all criminals must be punished, no matter what. Actor Seo Jin-tae, who played Jeon Jae-han, also had a solemn presence. With an image of a middle-aged man who could be mistaken for someone you¡¯d find in a neighborhood, he still didn¡¯t look weak. "A few years ago, I played a Yakuza, and now I¡¯m playing a detective. Please take care of me," he said. He had an atmosphere that demanded respect, not to mention his actual age and experience that surpassed Ha-eun''s. On the other hand, Yoo Sung-jae, who would play Kang Chan-seong, was a so-called "enthusiastic detective." A younger, fresher police officer compared to Jeon Jae-han, with a shorter career. "I¡¯m glad I get to work with a respected senior. Please take care of me," he said. An eager, passionate detective, full of zeal and ready to charge into any situation to uphold justice. This setting for Kang Chan-seong mirrored Yoo Sung-jae¡¯s real-life personality in some ways, especially his proactive nature. ¡®He¡¯s still inexperienced, so he¡¯ll probably struggle a bit.¡¯ Compared to the seasoned Jeon Jae-han, Kang Chan-seong was a rookie. Still, he perfectly embodied the idea of a righteous detective. Once the introductions were over, all eyes shifted toward Ha-eun. ¡®Hmm, she had a kind image in The Sunshine.¡¯ ¡®Maybe it¡¯s because she¡¯s been so quiet and neutral. She gives off a different vibe now.¡¯ To be honest, Ha-eun¡¯s casting was a bit questionable. After all, the roles she had taken on until now were all positive, righteous characters. Many people still remembered her as the young Han Yoo-hwa from The Star Came From You. Her portrayal of a young girl dying in solitude had deeply etched itself into people''s memories. Her appearances on variety shows like 2 Days & 1 Night or Infinite Challenge also didn¡¯t align with a villainous image. Even her overwhelming aura during the Gocheok Sky Dome event was a different kind of aura from a villain. ¡®Yoo Sung-jae recommended her, right?¡¯ ¡®Is there something different when actors work together?¡¯ In truth, Ha-eun¡¯s sharp eyes and serious atmosphere fit the image of a villain perfectly. However, since her acting style had often emphasized extreme emotions, it was uncertain if she could portray Lee Ye-seo, a character whose emotions rarely changed. ¡®The director wouldn''t cast her without reason though.¡¯ ¡®Maybe because she¡¯s the youngest among the actors, there¡¯s a bit of doubt.¡¯ Various discussions and speculations about Ha-eun circulated among the staff and actors of Veterans. Even after Ha-eun finished her greeting, curiosity and doubt about her performance lingered. Among those who sensed this the most were three people. Ha-eun herself, of course, Yoo Sung-jae, who recommended her for the role of Lee Ye-seo, and the director of Veterans, Kim Hong-seong. After a brief discussion between Yoo Sung-jae and Kim Hong-seong, they finally decided to move forward. "How about continuing from S#17 to S#18?" "Hmm, up to S#18...?" Ultimately, Yoo Sung-jae''s suggestion was not rejected. Kim Hong-seong believed that S#17 and S#18 were the scenes that would most clearly show Lee Ye-seo''s character. In other words, it was the perfect opportunity to assess whether Ha-eun could portray Lee Ye-seo well. So, at the director''s request, Ha-eun and a few supporting actors stood up and made their way to a space slightly separated from the main table. As the actors began to position themselves, Ha-eun¡¯s atmosphere started to shift. Smirk. "Ah, Director Park. Long time no see." Ha-eun¡¯s acting began. The mask-like smile that had been in place for some time appeared on her face. "This construction order, the chairman is interested. It¡¯s a project that could determine the future of the company." Her emotions were faintly felt, as if she were forcing the conversation forward. However, from the perspective of Director Park, who had no idea about Lee Ye-seo¡¯s true identity, this wasn¡¯t strange. It was completely normal for a wealthy heir to be interested in the company¡¯s matters. "Then, I¡¯ll see you at the executive meeting." Her tone was both friendly and businesslike. Neither too familiar nor too distant, but in an ambiguous space. It wasn¡¯t suspicious, though. The atmosphere was calm, with no sense of discomfort. For Director Park, Lee Ye-seo was simply a young person who had inherited her position through family power, nothing more, nothing less. So there was no reason to probe deeper into Lee Ye-seo¡¯s character. Mmph! Mmph! "Sorry, mister. There are so many people calling for me today." Finally, their eye level completely matched. ¡°...You know, mister.¡± With that hollow gaze, Ha-eun stared directly into the supporting actor¡¯s eyes and spoke, extending her hand forward. Almost simultaneously, a dull sensation was felt beneath her chest. ¡®She¡¯s stabbed him with a knife.¡¯ The supporting actor, who had already familiarized himself with the S#18 script, immediately realized what Ha-eun had done. The expression on Ha-eun¡¯s hand, slowly rotating in a clockwise motion, twisted for that reason. "Don¡¯t make it so hard for me." Thud. The sound of something like blood splattering seemed to fill the air. It was the sound of Ha-eun stabbing the supporting actor in the chest with an invisible knife, pulling it out, then stabbing once again and twisting it in the process of committing murder. Thud, thud. ¡°Honestly, erasing the CCTV footage is a hassle. Let¡¯s do this cleanly.¡± Thud, thud, thud, thud......Whoosh!! ¡°Ugh, damn it. I¡¯ve ruined all my clothes. What am I supposed to do with this?¡± Ha-eun flicked her blouse, as if blood had splattered on it, while casting a contemptuous glance at the victim, who was now in a sorry state. ¡°Still being all clingy and annoying until the end. Damn bastard...¡± After turning away from the victim, Ha-eun began undoing the top button of her blouse. However, just as she was about to undo the second button, a cautious voice interrupted. ¡°Ye-seo, didn¡¯t you go out for a breath of fresh air? Don¡¯t tell me you¡ª¡± ¡°Oh, oppa. Let¡¯s just clean up one more piece of trash.¡± She acted as if she were talking to another supporting actor while keeping her disheveled clothes in place. There was no noticeable shift in her emotions. As Ha-eun finished the call with a slight sigh, the S#18 scene wrapped up. However, no one around her, not even Director Kim Hong-seon, was brave enough to speak up. Not even Yoo Sung-jae, the one who had brought Ha-eun here in the first place. ¡®I thought she¡¯d do well, but...¡¯ I didn¡¯t expect it to be like this. Ha-eun¡¯s ability to naturally perform such a brutal scene, where human life seemed less significant than her own clothes, left everyone speechless. What was even more surprising was the lack of any joy or guilt over taking a life. Above all, the meticulous detail of that cruel stabbing. ¡®Could she have really... killed someone?¡¯ It wasn¡¯t just stabbing a person. What stood out was how the knife was twisted inside, disturbing the victim¡¯s organs, a detail that kept gnawing at me. However, Ha-eun herself couldn¡¯t understand why everyone was looking at her with such trembling gazes. Then again, the Ha-eun just a moment ago was only mimicking a scene from a famous VR horror game. ¡®I tried to imitate it as best I could... was it awkward?¡¯ As the people around Ha-eun looked at her with tense expressions, she couldn¡¯t help but glance at them, her own unease starting to show as well. Chapter 146 Originally, the villain plays the role of driving the plot forward. The tension and sense of crisis caused by the villain are what create the immersion in the story. When it comes to acting as a villain, the most important thing is, of course, charisma. The villain¡¯s presence is meant to establish them as a powerful force, maximizing the interest in the story. Perhaps that''s why... ¡®I thought this might be a bit too heavy for Ha-eun.¡¯ Among those who had doubts about Ha-eun''s casting, there was Jeong Jae-han¡¯s role, played by Seo Jin-tae. He didn¡¯t undervalue Ha-eun''s acting skills, but the fact that she had no experience playing a villain bothered him. This was something Seo Jin-tae, a respected actor, couldn¡¯t easily ignore. His doubts about Ha-eun came from his own experience as an actor. Everyone has their first time. Everyone is awkward at first. ¡®There are always exceptions, though...¡¯ At least, in the world of acting Seo Jin-tae was a part of, a ¡°first performance¡± could never be an outstanding performance. No matter what, experience played the largest role in acting. But that was a thing of the past now. ¡°Ha-eun-ssi.¡± ¡°Yes, yes?¡± ¡°That was a terrifying performance. I think I understand why Sung-jae recommended you.¡± ¡°Ah... Thank you.¡± Ha-eun¡¯s acting was so impressive that veteran actor Seo Jin-tae personally praised her. At this point, questioning whether she had experience playing a villain was pointless. To Seo Jin-tae, Ha-eun''s villainous performance wasn¡¯t something she had never done¡ªit was something she had never shown. Especially that blank, emotionless gaze in S#18¡ªit was not something an amateur would possess. ¡®I was genuinely chilled.¡¯ A gaze completely free of guilt. A gray world where no morality or ethics could hold sway. It was a look that made it clear she was living in a completely different world from ordinary people. What stood out most was how this couldn¡¯t be understood with a regular worldview¡ªit was what made it feel so psychopathic. The chilling performance in S#18 made me recall the ordinary acting in S#17. ¡®An acting performance that makes you realize too late that you were deceived... There really was a veteran in the making.¡¯ The gaze Seo Jin-tae directed toward Ha-eun carried a deep seriousness. Despite this being a completely different style of acting from what he was used to, he had done it skillfully, which meant that she could likely master other styles as well. There was no sign of any limits to her acting potential. At least, not at this moment. ¡®Sung-jae wasn¡¯t joking when he said kids these days are scary.¡¯ This was why Seo Jin-tae requested a script reading for Jeong Jae-han¡¯s scene. Now that he knew she could perfectly portray Lee Ye-seo, he wanted to challenge her directly. ¡°How is S#29, Director?¡± Smile. This was the same for those who had witnessed the real Lee Ye-seo¡¯s appearance earlier. Even though they knew they were seeing a fake version, they couldn¡¯t help but be deceived. "Was I... okay?" "There¡¯s nothing to give feedback on. You¡¯re really good." After quite a long time, the script reading for Veterans continued. "Everyone, thank you for your hard work." With a satisfied expression, Director Kim Hong-seon said, "See you next time," and everyone left. Ha-eun headed toward the usual black van afterward. It was only after that when she heard some new news from Ju Jung-yoon. "Volunteer work with coal briquettes?" "Yeah. Jang Seong-ho called directly." To cut to the chase, Ha-eun accepted the offer. After all, it was a good cause. The new schedule didn¡¯t overlap with her existing commitments. If she could help, she would. There was no reason to need another excuse to help someone. Two days later, she reunited with Jang Seong-ho. Even though more than six months had passed since the filming of 2 Days 3 Nights, it didn¡¯t feel awkward. "Sigh, Nam-su, that bastard, broke his leg. Anyway, thanks for coming. Really." Then came Jang Seong-ho¡¯s question about whether Ha-eun had ever done volunteer work with coal briquettes. To which Ha-eun honestly responded that it was her first time actually seeing them today. However, after Ha-eun had her work gloves on, and after learning the location of the first house she would visit, "Seong-ho-ssi, Seong-ho-ssi." "Huh?" "The kid you brought, carrying four briquettes at once... Is that okay? Shouldn¡¯t we dry them first?" "...Four at a time?" Ha-eun¡¯s obsession with exercise flared up. This was because the volunteer work with coal briquettes was, in fact, excellent cardio exercise. Crucially, the fact that it was all to help others completely shattered Ha-eun¡¯s restraint. There was no harm in carrying four at once instead of one like everyone else, so she gently ignored Jang Seong-ho¡¯s caution. "You did the same during the watermelon harvest. What will you do if your arms break?" "I¡¯m not overdoing it. Really." "Oh my...!" Thus, the coal briquette volunteer work finished much earlier than scheduled. The elderly people who received the briquettes praised her as a world champion, and Ha-eun responded by promising to return next year and wishing them well. However, a thought lingered in her mind. What if... ¡®What if these old people watch Veterans and get shocked?¡¯ If these elderly people watched Veterans when it was released, ¡®Maybe I should have warned them in advance...¡¯ It seemed like it might become a difficult situation. It wasn¡¯t rare for the elderly to genuinely hate or fear villains in movies or dramas. Yet, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t just ask them not to watch Veterans. Now she understood why Jeong Do-cheol, the CEO, had worried about her villainous performance. Chapter 147 After the coal briquette volunteer work with Jang Seong-ho, Ha-eun¡¯s schedule had a gap of about a week. This was because the filming schedules for The Sunshine and Veterans were slightly delayed due to the other actors¡¯ schedules. By the end of February, Ha-eun was preparing for the new school year at Narae High School. In other words, she was preparing for the special transition into being a ¡°senior¡± in high school. ¡®Already a senior in high school... Time really flies...¡¯ Strictly speaking, it wasn¡¯t anything extravagant. It was just about extending the study time she had been fitting into her filming schedule. ¡®Last year, I could study at the cafe?...¡¯ But that was no longer feasible. As she briefly missed the sweet desserts from her regular cafe?, Ha-eun eventually opened her study books in her room instead. No matter what, if Ha-eun went to the cafe? now, she wouldn¡¯t be able to study at all. Like in her past life, The Sunshine, which had just started airing, was rapidly gaining popularity. As a result, Ha-eun could no longer go out easily without using Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s van.@@@@ ¡®It¡¯s great that the drama is doing well, but...¡¯ More people recognized Ha-eun than she had anticipated. It was probably also because the buzz from Infinite Challenge Song Festival hadn¡¯t completely died down. After briefly reminiscing about the people who had asked for autographs and photos, Ha-eun focused on studying for about three or four hours until lunch. However, after a simple lunch, as she sat back at her desk, ready to flip through the pages of her study book, Vroom, vroom©¤! [Min Da-yeon] - Hey [Min Da-yeon] - Hey [Min Da-yeon] - I¡¯m bored [Min Da-yeon] - Let¡¯s play LoL A message from her friend, who had no interest in studying, came into Ha-eun¡¯s phone. The problem was that this friend was the one who had somehow passed the audition for Illusionary Realm season 2. Ha-eun didn¡¯t want to make her friend feel bad, especially since she was about to gain a free pass to Diah''s world. Who knew what might happen if she made her friend upset? So, in the end, Ha-eun turned on her computer. ¡®...Should I ask what she¡¯s thinking?¡¯ Since things had gotten this far, Ha-eun decided to test her friend Da-yeon a bit, though she wouldn¡¯t reveal her identity as Diah. [Hello? Can you hear me?] ¡°Yeah, I can hear you.¡± After connecting to Da-yeon¡¯s Discord call ¡ª using a newly made Discord ID ¡ª Ha-eun finished a regular game of LoL. ¡°Da-yeon.¡± [The jungle with no ganks should stay quiet.] ¡°Why all of a sudden, I¡¯m curious why you started enjoying games. You didn¡¯t really care about them back in middle school.¡± With a hint of curiosity in her voice, Ha-eun asked why Da-yeon had taken up gaming as a hobby. The cheeky tone came after that question. ¡°Is it because of someone named Diah?¡± [Huh?] ¡°I searched on YouTube, and all I found were videos of you playing games.¡± A brief silence followed for about 10 seconds. Ha-eun could tell that Da-yeon was visibly flustered on the other end of the call. Ha-eun still believed that Da-yeon didn¡¯t know Diah¡¯s true identity. Therefore, Ha-eun thought there was no problem referring to Diah as if she were someone else. Of course, for Da-yeon, it was the most confusing thing Ha-eun could say. She had no idea why Ha-eun would mention Diah. The question Ha-eun had actually wanted to ask Da-yeon came right after. Click.Tap, tap.Is this a top-jungle duo?Jungle, can you please come help? I don¡¯t have cleanse anymore, haha;Top, make sure to carry this. (Ignoring the chat from An-Opens.) Of course, they won the game. LoL was a game Ha-eun had once dove deep into, even trying to hold herself back from playing it too much. ¡®It was because of the streamer LoL tournament.¡¯ Losing a game against someone like Da-yeon, who was a beginner, was almost impossible. At least Ha-eun believed so. The good thing was that Da-yeon sounded satisfied with the game too. [See? It¡¯s so easy when you just focus on me.] With her bright voice, it almost sounded like Da-yeon was claiming to have carried the game herself. Ha-eun kept her thoughts to herself. Looking at the KDA, it was clear that Ha-eun¡¯s Lee Sin had done all the work, but she decided to hype up Da-yeon, who had destroyed the enemy Nexus as Darius. ¡°Da-yeon, you¡¯re really talented. Just keep doing what you¡¯re doing.¡± [I know.] *** Three days after the online duo with Da-yeon. Once again, Ha-eun was focusing solely on studying before Diah''s streaming time, when Ji Hye-min¡¯s call came through. [Hello?] "Yes, unnie. What¡¯s going on?" [Ah, about that. There¡¯s a content idea for Illusionary Realm season 2.] What Ji Hye-min conveyed through the phone was about a "getting to know each other" content idea for the season 2 cast of Illusionary Realm. It was a content idea to help the somewhat awkward season 2 members become closer with each other. [If we do something like an avatar blind date, I think it¡¯ll look great for the YouTube angle.] "So, would we be controlling the Illusionary Realm season 2 members?" [Yeah. The seniors will ask questions to help the new members get to know each other. Are you up for it?] To cut to the chase, Ha-eun immediately agreed. She had never turned down any proposals related to Illusionary Realm content before. Of course, Da-yeon¡¯s character would be excluded from Diah¡¯s control. Originally, the Illusionary Realm season 2 members didn¡¯t know who was controlling whom, but just in case, Ha-eun wanted to avoid that confusion. And so, an interesting situation arose. ¡®...Wait. Come to think of it, this is anonymous.¡¯ Through the Illusionary Realm season 2 members, Ha-eun could talk to Da-yeon. In other words, Ha-eun could say anything to Da-yeon, and Da-yeon would have no idea that it was Ha-eun speaking. Was this the reason? [Ah, hello!] "Hey~! So, you¡¯re Nael?" The moment the conversation with Nael, the season 2 member who would be controlled by Diah today, started, Ha-eun asked Nael to repeat whatever she said. "I¡¯ll make sure to give you great YouTube content, just trust me!" [Ah, okay!] Not long after, Getting to Know Each Other started. The content, which would first be recorded and later uploaded to the official YouTube channel after the official debut of the Illusionary Realm season 2 members, began. "Question for Hida~!" [Question for Hida~!] "Your avatar¡¯s chest is huge, but doesn¡¯t it look a bit too different from the real thing?" [The avatar¡¯s chest is... um... S-senpai?!] "Chest. Really. Is. Way. Too. Different. From. Reality. Come. On. Quickly." From the first question, Ha-eun¡¯s revenge plan began to unfold. Nael, who had once faced the famous actress Min Da-yeon ¡ª known as Hida in Illusionary Realm ¡ª was terrified to speak up. However, Diah¡¯s voice kept commanding her, repeating the same sentence again and again. Chapter 148 What if I get sued? That was the first thought Noeulis had when ordered to ask about Hida¡¯s real chest size. [Say that Hida¡¯s avatar doesn¡¯t reflect reality~. Quickly~.] ¡®How on earth is she going to handle the aftermath of this...!¡¯ To put it bluntly, it was extremely awkward. After all, the person Noeulis had to talk to was a real celebrity. Telling a famous person ¡ª whose name everyone knows ¡ª outright that ¡°your chest is small¡± is essentially declaring, ¡°Please sue me.¡± In any case, this was still part of the content, so a lawsuit probably wouldn¡¯t follow. ¡®And she¡¯s still a minor.¡¯ For an ordinary person like Noeulis, this was terrifying. She couldn¡¯t even reveal the truth about Hida¡¯s red pill to Diah, which made her even more uncertain. Strictly speaking, Hida¡¯s avatar was indeed exaggerated compared to reality. Technically, the avatar was still just a concept, but even with just that concept, one could easily guess the size of the chest. It was a size that most people could never even dream of. It could never be considered natural ¡ª later, Noeulis would learn from Ji Hye-min that nothing in this world is truly absolute. ¡°Hi, I think Hida¡¯s avatar... doesn¡¯t match reality!¡± ¡°Hm, what do you mean by that?¡± ¡°The, um... real reflection. Ah, since Hida¡¯s a witch, could it be that she grew it with magic? Haha...¡± Even without knowing about Hida¡¯s red pill, it was clear that the size was exaggerated. Diah, who had never met Hida in person, probably started teasing her based on this assumption. The funny thing was that the avatar blind date was originally designed to go exactly this way. The content was designed to make Noeulis ask difficult questions, forcing both Hida and Noeulis to become embarrassed at the same time. ¡®I¡¯m really losing it.¡¯ While Diah, controlling Noeulis, and the viewers enjoyed the carefree pleasure, Noeulis, controlled by Diah, was left with the awkward responsibility of carrying out the avatar blind date. And so, a brief silence passed between Noeulis and Hida. All kinds of thoughts started filling Noeulis¡¯ mind. Why is it so quiet? Is she mad? I was told not to mess with people with small chests, why did I say that? Noeulis was thinking things like that. But just a few seconds later, [It wasn¡¯t grown by magic.] ¡°Huh?¡± [My body has always been like this.] Hida began to clarify, not really explaining, but giving a sort of answer. [Reality reflection... I don¡¯t really understand what you mean. The witch¡¯s appearance that Noeulis is seeing right now is my reality. There is no other reality.] ¡°Ah, I see. I must¡¯ve been mistaken~.¡± Noeulis agreed with everything Hida said. She deliberately ignored the voice of Diah muttering ¡°This isn¡¯t it...¡± in another chat. Noeulis thought that Hida was really pushing her RP hard. She made it clear that there was no room for any discussion about the actress Min Da-yeon, only Hida the witch. ¡®Maybe this is for the best.¡¯ Not having to worry about the actress Min Da-yeon and just aligning with Hida¡¯s RP was a relief for Noeulis. Every time Noeulis reminded herself that she was talking to a real actress, she felt a little breathless. The problem, however, was Diah. Crossing boundaries and playing with lines was Diah¡¯s identity, and Noeulis was worried about what kind of question Diah would ask next. Sure enough, [Hmm, ask if her hobby is eating children? Ask if she¡¯s a cannibal¡ª¡î] Diah¡¯s playful voice once again echoed in Noeulis¡¯ ears. Yet, Noeulis couldn¡¯t help but repeat what Diah said. ¡°Is... your hobby eating children?¡± [Yes.] ¡°Uh, excuse me, but... are you a cannibal?¡± Chilling. However, Noeulis, who still had something to say to Diah, stopped her. ¡°Hold on a second.¡± Just as Diah was about to leave the chat room, Noeulis discreetly grabbed Diah''s profile. Ji Hye-min also stayed a little longer in the chat room, deciding to observe the conversation between the two. Then came the familiar sound of a click. Noeulis started sharing her screen on Discord, and both Ha-eun and Ji Hye-min began to realize what Noeulis was about to say. Soon, a long-awaited post appeared on the screen. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Title > Illusionary Realm 2nd Generation Recruitment Announcement Illusionary Realm (M) | 16:30 Hello, this is Illusionary Realm. An audition will be held from mid-February to find new members to walk alongside Illusionary Realm. Please check the recruitment form for more details. (Application Link) We look forward to your interest and participation! *Spirit World members will be provided with a Diah free pass (new!) ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ ¡°Ha-eun. The last line here, is it real? You¡¯re not going to change your words now, are you¡ª¡± [This, verification! If you can¡¯t prove you¡¯re Noeulis, I won¡¯t acknowledge it!] As Noeulis tried to escape the chat room, citing a lack of proof that she was Noeulis, DING. ¡°Ha-eun, can you see this?¡± Noeulis activated her computer camera, showing something very familiar on the Discord screen. Ha-eun was left speechless. [Why... is my keychain there...?] ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t it be? Since I¡¯m Noeulis, of course it¡¯s there.¡± Looking at the free pass, Noeulis said that and picked up Diah¡¯s keychain with her hand, shaking it slightly. Of course, the scene of Diah¡¯s keychain shaking in Noeulis¡¯ hand was shared on Discord. Was that why? [This is solid proof, Diah.] [...I don¡¯t know...] Ji Hye-min, the head of Illusionary Realm, directly confirmed that Noeulis was indeed Noeulis. Then came Ha-eun''s groan. Thus, Noeulis¡¯ sudden coming out as Noeulis ended the call completely. The room was instantly quiet. However, Noeulis stayed sitting in front of the computer for quite a while afterward. With a keen eye, she was watching the famous Japanese VTuber group Prism Live¡¯s cooking show. ¡®Ah~! Please do it, Jennifer!¡¯ ¡®Mmm... Wow, this is delicious?!¡¯ Just like the women on the screen, Noeulis also wanted to serve Diah the food she made in the future. There was a bit of curiosity about Diah''s red pill, which was worshipped as a god in the Illusionary Realm 1st generation, but more than that, she wanted to hear Diah¡¯s voice admiring her cooking skills. "...I wonder what kind of cotton candy would be good." More than anything, she wanted to hear Diah¡¯s voice praising her cooking. She was considering testing it with an enormous cotton candy, wondering if Diah, like her RP, truly liked cotton candy. After a while, watching Prism Live''s cooking videos again and again, ¡°Ji Hye, The Sunshine has started.¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m coming now¡ª!¡± Only then did Noeulis get up from her seat, completely absorbed in the drama she had been following for the past few days. She had to see what happened after Park Joo-ho aimed a gun at Kim Jung-hyun, who had been shot. Chapter 149 The Sunshine is a melodrama set during the late Joseon Dynasty. As with other melodramas, the central story of The Sunshine revolves around the entangled fates of its male and female protagonists. The core plotline follows Park Joo-ho and Kim Jung-hyun as they gradually come to terms with their feelings for each other. However, by the end of Episode 5, which aired yesterday, there wasn¡¯t even a hint of romance between them. ¡°Director Kwon, it¡¯s starting now.¡± Many eyes were glued to the screen as Episode 6 began. This included the production team of The Sunshine. It wouldn¡¯t be an exaggeration to say that the future of the drama hinged on this episode. After all, this was the episode where the relationship between Park Joo-ho and Kim Jung-hyun would take a significant turn. A pivotal episode meticulously crafted to establish their emotional connection. It marked the beginning of Park Joo-ho¡¯s gradual change in attitude toward Kim Jung-hyun, whom he had previously treated coldly.@@@@ ¡®This episode must hint at their future.¡¯ Director Kwon Jae-hyeop, now seated with familiar faces, wore a serious expression. The other staff members also appeared tense, watching the on-screen interaction between the two protagonists. This episode needed to show viewers that The Sunshine was a melodrama. It had to subtly foreshadow the changing dynamics between the leads, building anticipation for the future. Online Comments as Episode 6 Began: "Episode 6 is on!""Wow, starting off with a gunshot, huh? LOL.""Falling from that height must hurt like hell.""So... does Kim Jung-hyun die?" Thankfully, the reactions on community forums and social media were positive so far. The recap of the climactic scene from Episode 5, added to the beginning of Episode 6, made it easier for viewers to understand the current situation between Park Joo-ho and Kim Jung-hyun. Click. ¡°...What courage made you do this? A woman who used to tremble at the slightest scratch...¡± Park Joo-ho pointed his gun at Kim Jung-hyun. ¡°Shoot if you¡¯re going to, or let me go if you¡¯re not. I have places to be.¡± To Park Joo-ho, Kim Jung-hyun was the daughter of the man who had killed his parents¡ªa bitter enemy. Kim Jung-hyun was well aware of this. Her bitter smile reflected that understanding. At least Park Joo-ho had a valid reason to want her dead. Thus, she didn¡¯t run. Even as blood from her gunshot wound caused her vision to blur, she stood her ground. Disheveled hair. A suit ruined by dirt and dust. A shoulder soaked in crimson blood. This was far from the beloved young lady of Hanseong that Park Joo-ho remembered. Anyone who saw the current state of Kim Jung-hyun would be utterly shocked. ¡°Do you even know what path you¡¯re walking?¡± Park Joo-ho scolded her, his face twisted in frustration. The Kim Jung-hyun before him was no longer someone he could simply hate. ¡°I don¡¯t know much. But I know this is my path.¡± ¡°Killing a traitor changes nothing! Why put yourself in danger?¡± ¡°...If only I¡¯d known earlier that you were this kind...¡± Kim Jung-hyun swayed precariously, her weakened figure barely holding up. Park Joo-ho instinctively reached out to steady her. The gun he had been holding was now lowered, no longer aimed at her. Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s gaze, faint and unfocused, slowly drifted upward to meet Park Joo-ho¡¯s. The sharp clarity that usually defined her eyes was completely gone. "Their acting is phenomenal.""That fainting scene is so realistic.""What are they waiting for? They should kiss already!""If there¡¯s a betrayal here, this could be a masterpiece.""The tension is unreal. ????????????"Step.Step. "I¡¯ve thought about it endlessly, alone." Her neatly tied hair. The elegant hanbok. The dainty floral shoes. She was exactly as Park Joo-ho remembered her¡ªgraceful and poised. But if she intended to continue walking the path of a freedom fighter... If she chose to tread such a perilous and unpredictable road... "If I were to give you another chance to live, another opportunity to survive..." She would inevitably fade away like the snow falling now, leaving only a cold emptiness behind. She was someone who might one day vanish completely, destroyed by the relentless bullets of the Japanese military, leaving Park Joo-ho behind. A dull ache tightened in his chest. He wished she would no longer descend into his life like this, bringing pain with her. He wished he could rid himself of the faint remnants of attachment he still clung to. "Like a butterfly newly awakened, shed everything and fly lightly. Embrace this vast world with your heart." And yet, his head wouldn¡¯t turn away. His eyes wouldn¡¯t close. "Live as freely as anyone could." That quiet utterance, neither fully to herself nor entirely to him, caused Park Joo-ho to press his lips tightly together. Her face was as composed as ever. "Even if I can¡¯t see what lies ahead, even if arrows come flying from all directions..." Like the wind, she would carry on. Kim Jung-hyun smiled softly as she watched the snowflakes gently scatter around her. The scene was like a painting. Through Park Joo-ho¡¯s eyes, the young lady before him was breathtakingly serene. "The chance you gave me... I won¡¯t waste it." Her appearance, her voice, her thoughts¡ªeverything about her was so pure. She was someone he didn¡¯t want to see scarred by the struggles of the resistance, someone he wished wouldn¡¯t be stained by hardship. "...She¡¯s beautiful...." Not just Park Joo-ho¡ªviewers like Nael couldn¡¯t take their eyes off the screen either. Kim Jung-hyun, standing alone amid the delicate snowflakes, was a sight straight out of a masterpiece. The scene of her locking eyes with Park Joo-ho spread like wildfire across online communities and social media. That single shot, of the two staring at each other in silence, was deemed an "iconic moment," one worthy of being called a ¡°life¡¯s best still.¡± The climax of Episode 6 left a deep impression, concluding with grace. The Sunshine also broke its own viewership record with this episode. A New Chapter: March Whether it was inevitable or destined all along, time moved on. By the time March arrived and the new semester began at Narae Arts High School, the long corridor buzzed with murmurs as Ha-eun walked in. The gazes were different this time. Not the usual stares she¡¯d received simply for being a celebrity, but something more. "Isn¡¯t this the third-year floor? Why are there so many first-years here...?" "Don¡¯t play dumb. They¡¯re all here to see you, Lee Ha-eun." "...I should be studying." Ha-eun couldn¡¯t help but smile awkwardly as students¡ªboth peers and juniors¡ªgathered to catch a glimpse of the remarkable friend or senior who had been the talk of the internet all weekend. This kind of attention was unfamiliar to her, and it was clear from her slightly bashful expression. Chapter 150 A normal school life. It was one of Ha-eun¡¯s simple wishes. Thus, anyone who disrupted her normal school life was, by definition, an enemy. After all, what else would you call someone who obstructs another¡¯s dream? By that measure, the first-year students who caused a commotion every time they crossed paths with Ha-eun were her clear enemies. Specifically, the first-years at Narae Arts High School were undoubtedly Ha-eun¡¯s sworn foes. "But you can¡¯t just eliminate them." "Of course not. You want to end up in the news?" Da-yeon sipped on a strawberry milk she¡¯d bought from the cafeteria as she responded. Her lack of interest in Ha-eun¡¯s grumbling was almost cruel. Even though Da-yeon received just as much attention from the first-years, she didn¡¯t seem the least bit bothered. Perhaps it was because she wasn¡¯t as fixated on having a ¡°normal school life¡± as Ha-eun was. "They ask for photos. Every break, they come and interrupt my studies." "Just ignore them. Pretend they don¡¯t exist." "How can I ignore kids who came just to see me? They¡¯re my fans too." "...Then what do you expect me to say?" Da-yeon shot her a look of disbelief. Feeling her words were nonsensical even to herself, Ha-eun slumped over her desk in resignation. ¡®It¡¯ll get better with time.¡¯ At least, that¡¯s what she told herself. But as long as The Sunshine was airing, it was inevitable she¡¯d remain in the spotlight. It would be stranger if she weren¡¯t. Conclusion: "Da-yeon, I want to go to the cafeteria." "Then go." "Come with me." "I already went." "Still. If you¡¯re with me, they won¡¯t talk to me." "...?" Whenever Ha-eun needed to go to the cafeteria or restroom, she always dragged Da-yeon along. Da-yeon¡¯s naturally sharp demeanor intimidated the first-years, making them hesitate to approach her. Da-yeon¡¯s aura was imposing even when she was just standing still. Her perpetually sharp gaze kept others at bay. Granted, Ha-eun¡¯s own presence was just as intimidating. However, because her character Kim Jung-hyun in The Sunshine had a gentle and refined image, it seemed to neutralize her intimidating aura in real life. ¡®Come to think of it, during The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds...¡¯ Back when Ha-eun played Yeong-wol in The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds and portrayed a strong and stoic bodyguard, the school had been quieter. If anything, her classmates had been slightly wary of her. But the moment interest in Ha-eun surged again was after the kiss scene between Lee Hyun and Yeong-wol. When Yeong-wol¡¯s character gained a new layer of emotional vulnerability as a woman, the attention skyrocketed. In other words, the way people reacted to Ha-eun depended on the roles she played. ¡®Maybe things will calm down once Veterans is released.¡¯@@@@ Ha-eun figured that once her first villain role as Lee Ye-seo was revealed, she might finally enjoy a quieter school life. Of course, that was still a long way off. However, with news of Ha-eun¡¯s role in Veterans recently making headlines... "Since she¡¯s playing a chaebol heir, will it give her an elegant image?" Questions about her villainous character Lee Ye-seo arose during discussions. After all, an actor¡¯s roles in dramas and movies often influenced the public perception of their CFs. Especially significant was the nature of the role. For instance, an actor who had starred in a public safety ad wouldn¡¯t want to play a hit-and-run driver in a movie¡ªit would seem contradictory. "I heard she¡¯s playing a charismatic villain, right?" "Ah, charisma... Yeah, that¡¯s true." Maintaining a positive image for the CF was crucial. Surprisingly, Re?ve wasn¡¯t concerned about Ha-eun¡¯s villain role. In fact, they seemed excited about it. "It¡¯s hard to find impressions as striking as a villain¡¯s. We¡¯re looking forward to it." Their expressions showed no trace of worry. Even though Ha-eun herself thought, A villain might hurt a CF¡¯s image, no?, it was clear Re?ve had thoroughly considered the implications before making their offer. The real concern was that Re?ve¡¯s stance might change. If her portrayal of Lee Ye-seo ended up creating a worse impression than they anticipated, the contract could still be canceled. Of course, Ha-eun¡¯s image as an actress wouldn¡¯t be permanently tied to the name Lee Ye-seo. At present, her reputation was still dominated by Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s elegance. ¡®Hmm....¡¯ Considering that Ha-eun¡¯s role in Veterans was markedly different from her previous performances, the aftereffects were something she couldn¡¯t afford to underestimate. Perhaps it was necessary to bolster her image as harmless by appearing on lighthearted variety shows. While Ha-eun was preoccupied with thoughts about her first cosmetics CF, the solution came from an unexpected direction. "Let¡¯s release just one album while you¡¯re still a high school student. Do you realize how rare and valuable the ¡®high schooler¡¯ title is?" "It¡¯s just a mini-album, so it won¡¯t be too much work! Only five songs¡ªno more, no less!" This was a proposal for a solo album from Double Lee, who hated the idea of Ha-eun¡¯s voice going to waste¡ªeven though she was already using it well as Diah. His voice, tinged with exhaustion, followed as if he were battling a creative slump. "At times like this, I need to work on someone else¡¯s songs to clear my head." "...Why don¡¯t you just take a break?" "Taking a break isn¡¯t as easy as it sounds. When my projects stall, it¡¯s all I can think about." And so, just this once¡ª Just as he had when they first met long ago, Lee Gun-yeol clasped both of Ha-eun¡¯s hands in his own. For some reason, this wasn¡¯t the first time Ha-eun had heard him plead ¡°just this once.¡± Still, both for managing her image as a CF model and for advancing toward her goal of becoming a megastar... "...Would there be a music video for it too?" "Oh, I wouldn¡¯t expect a music video." "No, it¡¯s just that... I¡¯d like to try shooting one." "...What?" Using the name Pinocchio wouldn¡¯t be a bad move. She had no idea how well her first solo album might perform, but... "Think of it as symbolic¡ªa meaningful challenge, you know?" "...If releasing an album is a ¡®challenge¡¯ for someone who¡¯s performed in domes, what does that make the rest of us?" Chapter 151 The singer who first gained recognition through Double Lee¡¯s 10th album. The singer who once again stood in the spotlight during the finals of a famous hip-hop competition. The singer who performed at Gocheok Sky Dome. "Does it even make sense that such a singer doesn¡¯t have a proper album?" Lee Jun¡¯s follow-up comment¡ªthat there wasn¡¯t anyone more unique than Pinocchio¡ªwas impossible to refute. When you thought about it, it was strange. The only song released under the name Pinocchio was T.R.E.N.D., a collaboration with Yoon Si-hyuk. And even that was part of a special variety show segment on Infinite Challenge. "Shouldn¡¯t there be at least one song that comes to mind when people think of Pinocchio?" "Alright, let¡¯s listen to some demos first. Tell me if anything catches your ear." "What? Right now?" "Strike while the iron¡¯s hot." And so, swept up in Double Lee¡¯s sudden burst of enthusiasm, Ha-eun found herself sitting on the studio sofa for what felt like an eternity, listening to demo after demo of their melodies. Given that Ha-eun¡¯s solo album needed to offset Lee Ye-seo¡¯s menacing image from Veterans, the melodies she selected were mostly bright and upbeat. "Hmm... it¡¯d be nice to have something like a soft ballad too." Lee Jun, considering the album¡¯s overall balance, chimed in with a suggestion. After all, this was a chance to create a song that showcased Ha-eun¡¯s vocal range to its fullest. "You know, something like strumming a guitar by the Han River, that kind of vibe¡ªlike a casual busking session." "Um, I don¡¯t know how to play guitar...." "It¡¯s just the vibe I¡¯m talking about." One way or another, Double Lee were seasoned artists with multiple hit songs to their name. At the same time, they knew Pinocchio as an artist better than anyone else. "Let¡¯s include at least one emotional track. Sound good?" They were confident that Ha-eun¡¯s clear, pristine voice could produce a masterpiece. Now that Ha-eun, who had been reluctant about her singing career for so long, was finally showing interest, they wanted to make the most of this opportunity. The discussion eventually shifted to the album¡¯s overall concept. This gave Ha-eun the chance to elaborate on her role as Lee Ye-seo in Veterans and her cosmetics CF for Re?ve. "A villain? You?" "And not just any villain¡ªa psychopathic murderer?" "...The articles are already out." "I had no idea. I¡¯ve been stuck in the studio this whole time." Lee Jun and Lee Gun-yeol, surprised to hear about Ha-eun¡¯s role in Veterans, seemed genuinely uninformed. Since it wasn¡¯t something they would¡¯ve encountered unless they actively searched for it, Ha-eun let it slide. Still, it was crucial to explain the image she wanted to project through this solo album. It couldn¡¯t contradict the elegant image Re?ve¡¯s cosmetics CF was aiming to establish. "If the CF contract gets canceled, the penalty fees are no joke. Honestly, it¡¯s a bit scary." "How much are we talking?" "It¡¯s in the billions." "...Yeah, I¡¯d be scared too." After much discussion, they decided on a concept for the album: a high school girl. The main themes of the album would focus on the fresh, youthful emotions unique to school life¡ªinnocence and vibrancy. The idea for Pinocchio¡¯s first music video came soon after. "Why not shoot it in a school uniform?" "A school uniform?" "Yeah. There¡¯s nothing quite like it." To be honest, the entire process felt like it was moving at lightning speed. It was fascinating to see melodies and ideas pour out so effortlessly for an album that was still in its planning stages. That¡¯s why Ha-eun couldn¡¯t help but ask, recalling what she¡¯d heard a few hours earlier. "Weren¡¯t you guys in a slump?" "This isn¡¯t our album¡ªit¡¯s yours." "Do you really think these old men, who¡¯ve known you for over a decade, wouldn¡¯t have brainstormed a single idea for this?" Call it a side effect of their profession. Or perhaps just vague daydreaming. Double Lee had been sketching and imagining concepts ever since they met Ha-eun as a young girl. It was preparation for the day the girl who visited their studio every week would grow into a full-fledged artist. Unexpectedly, not only Diah¡¯s 3D avatar but also those of the other members had to be tested. It felt strange when another avatar, not Diah, mimicked Ha-eun¡¯s movements. Especially when testing the avatar of her favorite VTuber, Cream, Ha-eun felt a peculiar unease. Though it was merely a test, the thought of "becoming one with Cream" sent tingles from her fingertips to her toes. "Hmm...." Even the smallest gestures were executed with utmost care. Watching her curiously, Ji Hye-min made a request: "I¡¯ll play the MR. Can you perform Illusion for a bit?" "Oh, sure." To summarize, the 3D avatar had no noticeable issues. No glitches occurred between Ha-eun¡¯s movements and the avatar¡¯s responses. After the trial performance ended, however: "Hey, Hye-min-unnie." "Hmm?" "There¡¯s something I¡¯ve always wanted to try with a 3D avatar. Can I do it?" Ha-eun, still wearing Diah¡¯s 3D avatar, made an unexpected request. "Is it something weird?" "No, nothing weird." "Alright, then. Go ahead." Watching Ha-eun in the center of the studio with a mix of curiosity and confusion, Ji Hye-min waited. And then, mere seconds later... -Whoosh- Ha-eun jumped in place and executed a flawless backflip. Ji Hye-min was left utterly speechless. But the backflip wasn¡¯t all Ha-eun had in mind. -Swoosh... Whoosh! -Thunk. "Wait, is that... a deep bow? The avatar can do that too?" "Y-Yeah... it¡¯s doing it perfectly, actually...." "Doesn¡¯t it hurt?" Ji Hye-min asked, genuinely curious. Still standing on her hands, Ha-eun reassured her that she was fine. What Ha-eun hadn¡¯t accounted for was one small detail. -Creak. -Step, step. "Oh, noona. Is Ha-eun here...? Uh, uh, uh?!" Lee Dong-jin, who had just entered the studio, quickly averted his gaze upon seeing Ha-eun. And understandably so¡ªbecause it wasn¡¯t just Ha-eun¡¯s body that was upside down. "I-I¡¯m so sorry!" Gravity had taken full effect on Ha-eun¡¯s T-shirt, leaving her toned abs prominently displayed. While her pants thankfully prevented a worse disaster, her defined abs were on full display. "...Could you please step out for a moment?" "Y-Yes, of course!" Ha-eun¡¯s face turned bright red, on the verge of exploding from embarrassment. Meanwhile, Ji Hye-min was nearly doubled over with laughter. "If there¡¯s ever a broadcast mishap, Diah¡¯s abs are going to be the star of the show~." "...That¡¯s so mean...." Chapter 152 Ha-eun couldn¡¯t help but be excited about the unexpectedly high quality of her 3D avatar. She was also genuinely curious about just how much could be accomplished with the 3D avatar. That¡¯s why she tried out the deep bow she had been secretly practicing. From start to finish, everything she did was meant as preliminary practice for Diah¡¯s full-tracking broadcast. "Couldn¡¯t someone have warned me that someone was coming...?" "How was I supposed to know Dong-jin would walk in at that exact moment?" Having someone catch her in a circus-like pose was embarrassing enough. The fact that it was a male senior in her workplace made it even worse. "...How am I supposed to face Kang-jung now...?" "The more you dwell on it, the weirder it gets. Just forget about it¡ªit¡¯ll be easier for both you and Dong-jin." The embarrassment and shame were overwhelming, far beyond what Ha-eun could handle. That¡¯s why she ended up crouching in a corner of the studio instead of continuing her personal practice. Of course, Diah¡¯s 3D avatar still functioned perfectly. As a result, Diah on the screen was also crouching, her face buried in her knees. "At least you weren¡¯t wearing something skintight. If you¡¯d been in a bodysuit, it would¡¯ve been way worse than what just happened." "Is... is that supposed to comfort me?" "Probably?" The suggestion to grab lunch came shortly after. Ji Hye-min added that she¡¯d treat Ha-eun to something delicious as thanks for her hard work on the 3D avatar test. Since it was already past noon, Ha-eun accepted the invitation. However, as it turned out, Lee Dong-jin, who had been outside the studio, ended up joining them for the meal. -Step, step. -Step, step. ¡®...This is so awkward I could die....¡¯ On the way to a restaurant near the LUX office, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t bring herself to say a single word to Dong-jin. It wasn¡¯t as if Dong-jin was any less uncomfortable around her. However, he was adamant about separating personal and professional matters. "Um, Ha-eun?" "Y-Yes?" "So, about the rehearsal schedule for the one-year anniversary performance..." Sitting across from Ha-eun at the table, Dong-jin forced himself to speak. He needed to sort out the schedule issues first and foremost. "It seems there¡¯s a delay in the delivery of the motion capture equipment we ordered from overseas. Because of that, we¡¯ll likely need to push the rehearsal dates back a bit." What followed was a discussion about Ha-eun¡¯s packed schedule. Since she had to attend school in the mornings and head to filming sets in the afternoons, an alternative plan for the postponed rehearsals was suggested shortly after. "I believe you have a The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds shoot scheduled on this day, correct?" "Oh, yes." "In that case, could you come to the studio after the shoot? It seems like the only time available will be later in the evening." For Dong-jin, who had to coordinate the schedules of five people, this was the best solution. While it was essential to prioritize Ha-eun¡¯s schedule, the other members¡¯ commitments also had to be taken into account. Fortunately, Ha-eun¡¯s response was positive. With that, they were able to finalize a new rehearsal schedule. "You¡¯ll probably be tired after filming The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds, so we¡¯ll try to wrap things up as quickly as possible." Dong-jin¡¯s visibly relieved expression made it clear how stressed he had been. Only after resolving the scheduling issue did he finally pick up his utensils to eat. Once the atmosphere at the table became more relaxed, and Ha-eun managed to push the memory of her earlier embarrassing moment out of her mind, she brought up Diah¡¯s full-tracking broadcast. "What do I need to do for a personal broadcast using the 3D avatar?" "Oh, we¡¯ll show you how to link the avatar later. Alternatively, we can set it up remotely for you©¤" The discussion about 3D avatar setup continued for quite some time. They also talked about potential content ideas for Diah¡¯s full-tracking broadcast. In conclusion, there were no significant issues with the content Ha-eun had planned. Considering Ha-eun¡¯s excellent physical abilities, everyone felt confident she would handle the full-tracking broadcast with ease. However, there was one concern regarding future plans. "Hmm, Ha-eun?" "Yes?" "Our next major project after the one-year anniversary performance is Illusionary Realm¡¯s second generation debut." The concern was indirectly tied to Diah¡¯s full-tracking broadcast. To be more precise: "Whenever she gets the chance, she talks about you, Ha-eun." According to Dong-jin, most of the small talk during Nael¡¯s debut preparations revolved around Ha-eun and her character, Kim Jung-hyun. However, for some reason, every time Nael brought up Ha-eun, Da-yeon¡¯s mood would noticeably shift. When Nael first mentioned collaborating with Diah, Da-yeon¡¯s demeanor became especially sharp. "She doesn¡¯t openly show that she¡¯s upset, but... how should I put this? There¡¯s this subtle glare." "...Why do you think that is?" Dong-jin, perplexed by Da-yeon¡¯s pointed reactions, asked Ha-eun to let him know if she ever figured out the reason behind them. *** "Lee Ha-eun." "?" "Don¡¯t ever accept snacks or anything like that from someone you don¡¯t know." "Only take what I give you." Da-yeon, sitting right next to Ha-eun, said this as she handed over a cookie she¡¯d bought at the school store. Her words sounded like the kind of safety lecture you¡¯d hear as a child¡ª¡®Don¡¯t follow strangers, okay?¡¯¡ªso Ha-eun naturally found them odd. When she asked why Da-yeon was saying this, she replied: "I-I saw it on the news. Someone spiked coffee with drugs and then kidnapped people." Da-yeon, looking slightly flustered, insisted that she was just worried about Ha-eun. Ha-eun blinked in confusion but decided to go along with it and said she understood. She had no idea that all of this stemmed from Da-yeon¡¯s concern about the upcoming cooking collaboration with Nael. After all, Da-yeon wasn¡¯t supposed to know Diah¡¯s true identity. So Ha-eun took her words at face value. She didn¡¯t think the cookie in her hand carried any deeper meaning. However, seeing Da-yeon acting uncharacteristically protective sparked a playful streak in Ha-eun. "Should I not eat what Jung-yoon unnie gives me either?" "M-Manager unnie is fine." "What about the food my mom makes?" "...Give me the cookie back." Ha-eun teased her relentlessly until Da-yeon finally snapped. As Da-yeon reached out to grab the cookie from Ha-eun¡¯s hand, Ha-eun quickly bit into it with a mischievous grin. "Snatch it if you can~." But when Da-yeon actually tried to snatch it right out of her mouth, the cookie broke clean in half. In the end, Ha-eun only managed to eat half of it. The other half? Straight into Da-yeon¡¯s mouth. When Ha-eun, impressed by how sweet the cookie was, asked for another one, Da-yeon... -Swoosh. -Chomp. "Snatch it if you dare." ...mimicked Ha-eun¡¯s earlier teasing exactly. Ha-eun, quick with her hands, tried to swipe the cookie from Da-yeon this time. -Snap! But just as her hand was about to reach, Da-yeon shut her mouth and swallowed the cookie whole. As a result, Ha-eun¡¯s hand inadvertently struck Da-yeon¡¯s lips. "Ow, ow, that hurt...!" "I-I¡¯m sorry." Ha-eun hastily apologized, brushing at the tint mark now smudged on her hand while glancing nervously at Da-yeon. The faint tears forming in Da-yeon¡¯s eyes suggested she really had been hurt. What Ha-eun didn¡¯t notice, however, was that Da-yeon wasn¡¯t looking at her face but at her hand. Nor did she catch the subtle tremble in Da-yeon¡¯s gaze. Chapter 153 "Ha-eun, you seem to be deep in thought. Is something on your mind?" "I almost broke a friend¡¯s tooth by accident." "...High school girls these days are really something, huh?" "We weren¡¯t fighting! I mean it!" "Sure, sure. The one hit never thinks it¡¯s a fight." "...Sunbae Baek." "Alright, I¡¯ll stop teasing." The follow-up question from Baek Tae-hoon was pointed: Was the person you accidentally hit Min Da-yeon? In response, Ha-eun silently nodded. "Oh dear. Did you apologize?" "I did right away, but she keeps avoiding eye contact with me..." "Well, maybe she¡¯s still mad." Or maybe she¡¯s scared of you. That quip from Baek Tae-hoon sounded all too plausible to Ha-eun. ¡®I shouldn¡¯t have teased her.¡¯ Since Ha-eun was the one who initiated the cookie antics, she scratched her head in regret. She figured she¡¯d need to buy some strawberry milk from the school store later to appease Da-yeon. If, by some slim chance, Da-yeon harbored any grudge, it would spell trouble¡ªespecially with an upcoming collaboration stream looming. Ha-eun made a mental note to tread carefully around Da-yeon to ensure fewer headaches down the line. As she mulled over her playful response to Da-yeon¡¯s earlier kindness... "Ha-eun, it¡¯s time for makeup!" The familiar voice from beyond the actors'' waiting room snapped her out of her thoughts, and she got up. After parting ways with Baek Tae-hoon, who was already prepped and dressed, she headed toward the makeup room. After a short walk, Ha-eun arrived at the familiar dressing area. Today¡¯s look, however, was far from familiar. "Is this what they call a ''modern girl'' look?" A pink ribbon-adorned fedora. A white high-neck blouse. A light sky-blue long skirt. The outfit, a blend of the Western-inspired fashion of the late Joseon period, was neither the graceful hanbok of a noble lady nor the stealthy black suit of an assassin. Ha-eun¡¯s character, Kim Jung-hyun, was disguising herself as an ordinary woman from the late Joseon era. Her mission: to travel covertly to Japan and assassinate an official plotting to exploit Korea. "Korean assassin in the heart of Japan..." It was far riskier than any of Jung-hyun¡¯s previous endeavors. The resistance from people like Hwang Tae-seong, who opposed the mission, made this clear. Today¡¯s shoot depicted the pivotal moment when Jung-hyun set out on her dangerous journey¡ªa key scene leading to the climactic events of The Sunshine. -Swipe. -Tap, tap. "Alright, all done!" After her makeup was completed, Ha-eun stood up from her chair. Joo Jung-yoon, the manager, commented with a mix of admiration and surprise: "Wow, maybe it¡¯s because this style is new for you, but you look so different, Ha-eun." She asked Ha-eun to do a slow turn for a photo to post on Instagram. Ha-eun complied, spinning gracefully in place before another suggestion came her way. "Wait a second, Ha-eun. I think you¡¯d look amazing holding a parasol with that outfit." "A parasol?" Moments later, Jung-yoon returned with a pure white parasol. With it in hand, Ha-eun posed for another round of photos. -Snap. -Snap, snap. If Jung-hyun had previously exuded the aura of a traditional Korean noblewoman, today she looked like a Western aristocrat. The parasol added a refined touch to the unfamiliar but striking ensemble. But the contrast between her appearance and her true identity as an assassin sparked a mix of thoughts. "An assassin who wields a sniper rifle while dressed like this..." After taking a few more Instagram-worthy shots, Ha-eun made her way to the set. Before long, she found herself on a meticulously designed set resembling an old train station. Parked on the tracks was a small vintage train, completing the period-appropriate aesthetic. She soon encountered Bae Jin-hyuk, who played Hwang Tae-seong, her companion for the upcoming scene. "Wow, Ha-eun, your outfit... It¡¯s brighter than I imagined!" "...Does it not suit me?" "No, no! It suits you perfectly. It¡¯s just so different from the hanbok look¡ªI was caught off guard." They chatted briefly about their costumes. As the heir of a wealthy family who had studied abroad in Tokyo, Tae-seong¡¯s wardrobe had remained consistent throughout the series. "Man, I envy your variety of outfits, though." "Even if they¡¯re consistent, sunbae¡¯s outfits really suit you. They never feel boring." "Haha, thanks." Bae Jin-hyuk¡¯s warm laugh carried an air of sophistication, perfectly in line with his character. However, today¡¯s scene wasn¡¯t a lighthearted one. They would be filming a farewell between Jung-hyun and Tae-seong¡ªa deeply emotional moment. "Have a safe journey. Write to me if you can." "...I will." As Jung-hyun disembarked, Tae-seong sat motionless, grief consuming him. "...Loving such a cruel woman is my sin." But Tae-seong didn¡¯t remain idle. Determined to help her, he left the train at the next station and sent an urgent telegram to an ally. Meanwhile, at the port, Jung-hyun was preparing to board a ship to Japan. "Hey, you there!" Japanese soldiers, suspicious of her lone presence, called out. As their boots clattered closer, the tension mounted. -Step. "What business do you have with my wife?" Park Joo-ho, posing as an American citizen, stepped between Jung-hyun and the soldiers. "Your wife? This woman?" "Watch your mouth. She¡¯s not someone you can speak to so casually." With that, Joo-ho extended his hand toward Jung-hyun. Her trembling hand hesitated before slowly intertwining with his calloused one. "How...?" "There was someone who wished you luck on your journey." Together, they walked past the soldiers and boarded the ship. As the camera captured Jung-hyun¡¯s conflicted expression, the scene came to an end. Thus, the stage for The Sunshine¡¯s climax was set. *** It was the day before the final shoot for The Sunshine. At the same time, it was the day before the rehearsal for Illusionary Realm''s 1st anniversary concert. "I''m here." "Wow, wearing your uniform really makes you look like a proper student." "Enjoy it while you can~." Lee Ha-eun arrived at a park dressed in her school uniform. Today marked the filming of Pinocchio''s very first music video. "Okay, for now, could you stand right over there? The director says that tree gives the best angle." "Got it." And so began the filming of Pinocchio''s debut MV. Not long after they started¡ª Swoosh. The breeze swept by, sending petals of cherry blossoms scattering in the air. At that exact moment, the cinematographer''s pupils slightly widened. He was momentarily at a loss for words, caught off guard by an unexpectedly perfect angle. The reason was simple¡ªwhat he had just captured was the epitome of purity and grace. "Hey, what do you think about using this shot as the album cover? Doesn''t it look incredible?" The cinematographer shared the still with Double Lee and Ha-eun, asking for their opinions. He added that moments like this were nearly impossible to stage intentionally. To sum it up, no one objected. The serendipitous shot perfectly aligned with the album''s concept, capturing a natural and ethereal charm. "I think Ha-eun''s album is going to be a hit." "Seriously, everything''s already pointing to success." Chapter 154 Was it because Ha-eun had originally been an actress? There were no real issues during the filming of Pinocchio''s first music video. Her eye contact was perfect. She was also skilled at striking the right pose according to the camera angle. However, from Ha-eun¡¯s perspective, it was the first time she¡¯d ever acted in such a pure and innocent way. ¡°Do I really just have to stand there and look quietly?¡± She felt a bit doubtful about the script for the music video "On a Spring Day." After all, it just said to slowly look up at a cherry blossom tree, with no dialogue. She couldn''t quite grasp how just looking could convey innocence. The costume was just a simple school uniform too. Still, she got reassurance from Lee Jun and Lee Gun-yeol, who told her there was no problem. ¡°Adults can¡¯t fake innocence, no matter how hard they try.¡± ¡°Why would a high schooler act like a high schooler?¡± When they followed up by asking if she was bragging about being young, she avoided eye contact and remained silent. Looking back, it almost felt like she was being deceived in some way. Anyway, since they were professionals who had done music video shoots many times, Ha-eun decided to stop questioning things. ¡®This feels more like a commercial shoot than a music video shoot.¡¯ For quite a while, she stood in front of the camera, taking the so-called ¡°emotional shots.¡± The outdoor scenes for the ¡°On a Spring Day¡± music video weren¡¯t the only ones being filmed¡ªthere were also indoor studio scenes to shoot. By the time all the filming was done, the sky was starting to get dark. But with so many takes to choose from, Ha-eun had to pick the one that she liked the most. ¡°...It¡¯s already 12 o''clock.¡± ¡°Well, it turned out okay, didn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Yeah, I guess... it¡¯s better than not looking good.¡± For the first time in her 19 years, Ha-eun came home at dawn. She had already told Na-yeon that she¡¯d be coming home late, so she wasn¡¯t really scolded, but she still felt a little awkward. ¡®...Will I have a curfew when I turn 20?¡¯ It was common for parents to set curfews for their daughters. It was something Ha-eun had never experienced in her past life since she wasn¡¯t a daughter back then, so she was curious about how it would feel. ¡®But I¡¯m sure there won¡¯t be that many times when I¡¯ll come home late...¡¯ Regardless, next year she would turn 20 and officially become an adult. She had heard that once she entered college, there would be more occasions for drinking, but... At least, for now, she wasn¡¯t interested in it. To Ha-eun, alcohol was unpleasant and bad for her health. Especially for someone like her, a public figure, drinking carried a higher risk of causing undesirable controversies compared to ordinary people. ¡®I did enjoy the drinks in Japan, though... but the blackout part was... dangerous.¡¯ She didn¡¯t plan to drink regularly in the future. It wasn¡¯t as though she was worried about getting scolded by Na-yeon, who was probably fast asleep in the living room. Thinking about what it would be like to turn 20 and become an adult, Ha-eun drifted off to sleep. When her eyes opened again, it was already morning. She had woken up later than usual, since she usually got up at dawn. Maybe that¡¯s why. As she was just about to get out of bed, Na-yeon came into the room to wake her up. Their eyes met. And almost at the same time¡ª Squeak! ¡°Our daughter, from now on, how about texting to let us know what time you¡¯re coming home~?¡± Na-yeon pinched Ha-eun¡¯s nose with her thumb and index finger, pulling it slightly. Through that, Ha-eun realized that Na-yeon wasn¡¯t very fond of her coming home so late at night.@@@@ ????...Click. That was Ha-eun¡¯s defense when she was thirty minutes late for the rehearsal at the Illusionary Realm 1st-anniversary concert. ¡°...Honestly, there was a bit of traffic.¡± ¡°You came three hours early for the recording~. But now, you¡¯re late for rehearsal because you didn¡¯t want to wear tights~.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not it, really.¡± ¡°So why can¡¯t you look me in the eye?¡± ¡°Well... Honestly, the sight of you all right now...¡± It was too funny. Ha-eun couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter, causing Lee Yena¡¯s eyes to narrow further. However, Ha-eun didn¡¯t notice it at all. ¡°You guys really look like the henchmen from Power Rangers.¡± After making an extra remark, Ha-eun managed to push Yena and the others to the limit, and they firmly decided to punish her. Ticklish.Ticklish, ticklish, ticklish. ¡°Aha, no! I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorrry!!¡± ¡°Henchman? Hench¡ª?!¡± ¡°Do you think you¡¯re any different, Ha-eun? Huh?¡± In the end, it was different. Especially in the chest area. Technically, "tights" were clothes that naturally stuck to the body, but somehow, the undeniable truth of fashion over looks applied even to the motion-capture suits. ¡°...I feel like I¡¯ve seen this look before.¡± ¡°Huh? This is the first time you¡¯re wearing tights like that today?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯ve seen you in them before...¡± Pff ¡°Eun-hye, are you crazy? Ha-eun¡¯s still a minor!¡± Ha-eun was momentarily confused by the misunderstanding. She didn¡¯t understand the jokes about whips and such that the other members were making. Anyway, the reason they were all gathered in this strange fashion¡ªHa-eun¡¯s very subjective evaluation¡ªwas because it was just a rehearsal. Soon after, they each went to their positions, and Ha-eun had to practice the choreography to the song Illusion that they¡¯d all worked hard to perfect. Ha-eun and the rest of the group wore what¡¯s commonly called an "idol mic," which is an in-ear microphone. In other words, they had to sing and dance at the same time during the rehearsal. ¡°...The last part of the first verse is strange. Let¡¯s do it again.¡± A few errors were made by the other members during their performance, which was why Ha-eun kept going back and forth to the monitoring room. Strictly speaking, it wasn¡¯t too strange. This was the first time the Illusionary Realm members were doing a live performance, so it would have been odd if there were no mistakes. Eventually, the rehearsal ended much later than expected, much to the dismay of the crew. Of course, Lee Dong-jin and Ji Hye-min hadn¡¯t planned for the rehearsal to run this long. They just couldn¡¯t stop Ha-eun, who was trying to perfect everything. ¡°...I told your mom we¡¯d send you home early.¡± ¡°Well, it can¡¯t be helped...¡± At that point, as Ha-eun was checking the rehearsal footage¡ªnot the actual studio scene, but the 3D avatar footage¡ªJi Hye-min hesitated for a moment before finally deciding to approach her, somewhat awkwardly. He revealed that he had spoken to Ha-eun¡¯s mother. ¡°Wait, did mom... call you?¡± ¡°Y-yeah. But don¡¯t worry. She doesn¡¯t know about your streams yet. I covered for you as best I could.¡± ¡°...Mom¡¯s way too perceptive...¡± Chapter 155 - Ding-dong. ¡°I¡¯m home...¡± The house was dark. The only light came from the hallway lamp that had just been turned on. Still, out of caution, Ha-eun quietly opened the door to her room, hoping she wouldn¡¯t be noticed. ¡°...Phew.¡± Fortunately, both Na-yeon and Seong-yoon were asleep. After all, there was no reason for them to be awake at 3 a.m. Ha-eun, relieved, headed straight to her own room and fell asleep. Five hours later. ¡°Ha-eun.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Sweetie, it¡¯s great that you¡¯re making money, but... don¡¯t you think working so late already is a little... too much?¡± As she sat down for breakfast, Ha-eun heard a concerned voice she had never heard before. Simultaneously, her body froze from head to toe. ¡°W-wait, what do you mean...?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s just... lately, you¡¯ve been working really late.¡± There were so many things on Ha-eun¡¯s mind, but the one thing that stood out the most was, of course, the Illusionary Realm-related activities. Ji Hye-min had done her best to cover for Ha-eun, but... The problem started when Na-yeon made that call to LUX instead of Luna Entertainment. LUX wasn¡¯t just any famous entertainment agency¡ªit was an MCN, a company for people involved in internet broadcasting. That meant Na-yeon had started to suspect that Ha-eun¡¯s late-night returns had something to do with LUX¡¯s internet broadcasters. ¡®How much does she know...?¡¯ Ha-eun couldn¡¯t help but break into a cold sweat. It was no surprise¡ªpeople from her generation, like Na-yeon, often didn¡¯t have the best opinion of internet broadcasting. Of course, Na-yeon might not have any prejudices against it, but even if she didn¡¯t... ¡°Couldn¡¯t someone else do the performance simulation for you?¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s something only I can do.¡± ¡°Does it have to be you, Ha-eun?¡± ¡°...Yes...¡± Ha-eun was certain that Na-yeon couldn¡¯t find out about Diah. That¡¯s why, she carefully looked for a way to tell Na-yeon that she would try to schedule as much as possible during the day moving forward.@@@@ ¡°Still, I¡¯ve wrapped up most of the urgent stuff. The Sunshine shoot is completely done too.¡± ¡°Is it because of the people you¡¯ve met while working? Are you so attached to them that you can¡¯t quit?¡± ¡°Yeah, they¡¯re people I like... but... I¡¯m really doing something I enjoy.¡± Ha-eun smiled softly as she said this, nervously checking Na-yeon¡¯s expression. For Na-yeon, this was not the usual Ha-eun. Still, Na-yeon didn¡¯t ask any more questions because she knew Ha-eun wasn¡¯t doing anything bad. No matter what, Ha-eun hated making others worry about her. Na-yeon, who knew this better than anyone, decided not to interfere with the "puppet show" things any further. However, not interfering didn¡¯t mean... ¡°But, Ha-eun.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Are you doing puppet shows on YouTube lately?¡± ¡°...What?¡± But after dinner... - Click. [ Illusionary Realm Quote World Cup¡î ] DiahWelcome, babyOf course, I¡¯m confident we¡¯ll make it to the 128th round.Is this the broadcast that started out as a grand challenge and turned into reality? As always, Ha-eun turned on the stream in her soundproof booth, which was now familiar to her. By now, the 1st anniversary of Illusionary Realm was fast approaching. [ Cream: ¡°Ah? Ice avocado?¡± VS Mai: ¡°If you can¡¯t break it, take it.¡±] ¡°Oh, the black-and-white with quotation marks gives it such a vibe, even though it¡¯s nothing special!¡± The lineup from the start was hilarious ??????Let''s not make bad comments about questioning someone''s intellectual levelMai, who tried to steal a car after saying that, was hilarious when caughtI have no idea how that avocado line came up, but it¡¯s confusing These days, Ha-eun focused most of her content on interacting with the Noeulis. While she occasionally did gaming streams like Battle Island, as Illusionary Realm''s 1st anniversary drew closer, she prioritized more interactive communication with her fans. One thing Ha-eun particularly focused on was dropping hints about the 1st anniversary live concert. ¡°Our group song really turned out well. Especially Cream¡¯s part¡ªit¡¯s so amazing, I can¡¯t help but say ¡®wow!¡¯¡± Here comes the Cream lover again.So when are you and Cream getting together?Everyone except you said Diah¡¯s part was the best.Diah, Yuna says a lot of bad things about you. - Ding. [ eternalyg donated 30,000 won! ] ¡°Was it really you who said the Demon King in the tights looked like a Power Ranger henchman the moment you saw them?¡± ¡°No, I wasn¡¯t making fun of them. You guys would say the same if you saw them dressed like that too, I swear.¡± Then show us first?Why only you? Why only you? Why only you?We¡¯ll judge for ourselves, show us the photo ?? This way, Ha-eun used her 1st-anniversary live concert and the upcoming 1st-anniversary special broadcast to shift the focus of the Noeulis. Other members besides Diah also checked out the 3D avatars and the teaser for the group song Illusion during the broadcast. However, aside from that, there was also a growing interest in Illusionary Realm''s 2nd-generation debut, which was mentioned frequently. This was all part of the strategy from Daramji, the project leader for Illusionary Realm. Just as Daramji had done before the debut of Illusionary Realm¡¯s 1st generation, Daramji was now dropping hints about the 2nd generation. The problem, however, was that some of these hints were related to Diah. More specifically, the hints were about Diah¡¯s free pass for content access. So, there were often moments when the Noeulis became interested in the dopamine-filled content about Diah''s free pass. - Ding. [ WithCoin donated 10,000 won! ] ¡°I heard that among the 2nd-generation members, there are not one but two Noeulis¡ªis that true?¡± ¡°...Yeah.¡± ???????????Yeah, go ahead, we won¡¯t greet youLet''s go with some ¡®tough love¡¯ training ??If the junior tells you to bark, do you bark like a dog? ¡°Pfft! Who do you think you are, junior? This is Korea, Korea! The land of courtesy!¡± You were speaking casually to me from the startGot roasted ?????Territorialism ???If you¡¯re scared, just say you are, babyDaramji said both Noeulis are grinding their teeth like crazy For the next few days, Ha-eun¡¯s broadcasts focused on both the 1st-anniversary of Illusionary Realm and the upcoming debut of the 2nd generation. What Ha-eun hadn¡¯t anticipated was that there were people watching her broadcasts in preparation¡ªsuch as Nael, one of the 2nd-generation members. One of the Noeulis, Nael, frequently referenced Diah¡¯s streams. This included looking at Diah¡¯s stream chat. So, whenever the Noeulis mentioned Nael, Ha-eun would respond in a quiet mutter, not meaning to but unable to stop herself. Though Nael¡¯s name hadn¡¯t been officially revealed, Ha-eun could get the gist of it from the context. Then one day... [ Off day or late notice (Drama issue...!) ] Diah posted an announcement in the official Illusionary Realm cafe about taking a break for just one day. This was due to Na-yeon¡¯s request to watch the final episode of The Sunshine together. The content of the announcement was about how she¡¯d been hooked on a drama recently and couldn¡¯t resist watching it, asking for the Noeulis¡¯ understanding. At least, for Nael, it had a slightly different meaning. ¡°Wait, you watch The Sunshine too, senior?¡± Later, during a cooking stream collaboration with Diah, they decided to talk about The Sunshine. Having common interests made it easier to get closer, which Nael saw as a great opportunity. Time passed, and the long-awaited final episode of The Sunshine began. However, what Nael saw wasn¡¯t what she had been expecting. [ ¡°I told you I lost. But why...?¡± ] In the later part of the episode, the atmosphere began to feel ominous, and despite Nael''s belief that it would end on a happy note, that wasn¡¯t what happened. - Thud. [ ¡°...This can¡¯t be. You can¡¯t be like this...?¡± ] ¡°No, no... this isn¡¯t...¡± As the world around them blurred, Nael couldn¡¯t watch the scene she had been waiting for. That iconic scene, which had a 27% viewer rating, was now painful for Nael to witness. Chapter 156 Ha-eun¡¯s life had always seemed perfect, without any major worries. A peaceful life under the protection of a prestigious family, surrounded by people who truly cared for her. Her longtime friend and fiance?, her future was secure. But Ha-eun, as the character Kim Jung-hyun, knew that her life was one where there was more to lose than gain. Having only recently acquired what she cherished, the weight of ¡®loss¡¯ felt distant and abstract to her. Thus, when Kim Jung-hyun turned her back on everything she held dear and headed to Japan, Ha-eun found herself pondering the emotion behind this final gesture for days. ¡°Trying to act exactly the same is impossible. The independence fighters were incredible people.¡± In response to Ha-eun¡¯s question about Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s emotional arc, Baek Tae-hoon replied. The firm resolve of those who fought for independence with their lives was something hard to comprehend. They chose paths that defied logic and were remarkable for it. ¡°We are, after all, messengers. So, first, we need to be clear about what we want to convey.¡± The grueling, sad story of those who sacrificed everything for their country¡¯s independence. Instead of forcing herself to mimic something she couldn¡¯t fully understand, Baek Tae-hoon advised Ha-eun to focus on the overall theme of The Sunshine. In a harsh reality, there are special people. Their journey started as enemies, but in the end, they help each other for something more important. And through that process, emerged... - Bang! - Bang, bang¡ª!! "Run!" A deadly fight to save each other''s lives. Ha-eun¡¯s expression, voice, and gestures were already predetermined to convey this. She had seen it with her own eyes in her past life and had followed its path slowly in her current one. - Crash! ¡°Hide until morning.¡± ¡°...Got it.¡± A precarious and nerve-wracking scene.@@@@ Ha-eun had to adjust her acting direction all the way until the very end for that fragile moment in The Sunshine. What was needed was acting that focused on the overall situation. The scenario where Kim Jung-hyun, disguised as Park Joo-ho¡¯s wife, sneaked into Japan, assassinated a Japanese official, and then hid in a rundown warehouse to avoid the bullets of the Japanese soldiers. ¡°First light, we head straight to the embassy.¡± ¡°Do we really have to stay so close?¡± ¡°If you want to freeze to death, stay apart.¡± ¡°...You could at least be a bit kinder with your words...¡± It had to look both shabby and beautiful. She needed to clearly understand what melodrama was more than ever before. First, there was guilt. Next, there was embarrassment. Finally, she quietly embraced the man who became the object of gratitude and love. In the end, it was a drama. In the end, it was the actor¡¯s performance, the lines from the script, and the direction on set. Thus, Ha-eun had to make Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s final moments in the drama unforgettable. The quiet, sorrowful, yet powerful glow of this little giant. - Swoosh. - Swish, swish... Ha-eun did her best to capture it in front of the camera, in the form of acting, as best as she could. The Sunshine had to be remembered as the great drama it was until the very end. So, she had to deliver an acting performance that matched the scale of the masterpiece. The ''situation'' she created with her hands had to fall within the realm of ''acting.'' Soon, letters began to form on the fogged-up window. The weak index finger slowly wrote the words, which then clearly appeared in front of Park Joo-ho. Lost ¡°...The current Joseon has lost its way. Swept by foreign powers, we don¡¯t even know where we¡¯re headed...¡± The letter L. It was the same letter Kim Jung-hyun had written over and over again in front of Park Joo-ho in the past. What had initially caused unintended misunderstandings was now Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s final request. ¡°...I¡¯m not saving Joseon, I¡¯m saving you.¡± ¡°Joseon has abandoned you, but you haven¡¯t abandoned Joseon... Have you? ...Or maybe you haven¡¯t...?¡± ¡°...This can¡¯t be. You can¡¯t be like this... can¡¯t you?¡± The red-tinged eyes gazed hazily at the two closed eyelids. Warm liquid, falling onto Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s black suit, stained by the dust of the earth. Still, the camera slowly began to zoom out, and Park Joo-ho¡¯s head, lowered toward Kim Jung-hyun, gradually moved further away. A few seconds later, the camera captured the entire rundown warehouse, not the two main characters. The gentle background music, which had started playing quietly, amplified the already bitter atmosphere. The screen gradually shifted, showing the places Kim Jung-hyun had been. Eventually, the screen arrived in Joseon, across the sea. The faces of many familiar people filled the screen. Thus, the images of the many people Kim Jung-hyun had encountered in The Sunshine were shown, one by one. - Swoosh. ¡°...A butterfly?¡± A white butterfly flew toward Hwang Tae-seong, who was sitting alone in a vast tiled house. After briefly seeming to look at Hwang Tae-seong, the butterfly spread its wings once more and soared into the sky. What followed was like the epilogue of The Sunshine. It showed how Park Joo-ho, unable to refuse Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s final request, continued to live, and how Joseon progressed afterward. And finally, at the moment The Sunshine reached its conclusion: - Swoosh. ¡°...¡± A photo of Kim Jung-hyun and Park Joo-ho, taken long ago when they had pretended to be a married couple, briefly appeared. In Park Joo-ho¡¯s gaze, fixed silently on the photo, were memories of the past. ¡°Director Kwon, the viewer ratings...¡± ¡°27.4%. I thought we¡¯d only see these kinds of numbers on public broadcasts.¡± ¡°It¡¯s thanks to all of you. Great work, everyone.¡± And so, The Sunshine was completely wrapped up, with the last unforgettable moments marking the end. The drama, which had ended on a sad note, naturally caused a stir on the internet. On social media and in forums, discussions about the final episode of The Sunshine spread. Yet, there were no major negative reviews, which was a testament to the drama¡¯s excellence. However, Ha-eun¡¯s final performance deeply impressed everyone¡¯s mind. The attention on Lee Ha-eun, as a person, increased sharply. Perhaps that was why... [ Pinocchio (????????) _ One Day in Spring (????? ???????) ] The day after the final episode of The Sunshine, Pinocchio¡¯s new album was released. Among the tracks, the music video for the title song One Day in Spring briefly became the number one trending video. Her pure voice, the unpretentious lyrics, and many other factors contributed to the success of the album. But, still lingering from The Sunshine, Ha-eun¡¯s innocent emotions gave the song an effect reminiscent of a cherished memory. Dressed in her school uniform, Ha-eun walked the streets. Her school days, which everyone had experienced, passed through her mind. ¡°You and I¡ª? Can we one day think it¡¯s okay©¤?¡± The imagined future where the girl Kim Jung-hyun would have been happy and ordinary. The sad ending left a long-lasting impact, drawing everyone¡¯s attention. And it was the same for Nael, a passionate fan of The Sunshine. Her playlist always included Ha-eun¡¯s One Day in Spring. However, at least for now... ¡°©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡± She couldn¡¯t have imagined that she would one day experience the dream-like moment of hearing One Day in Spring live, right in front of her, at the Illusionary Realm after-party. ¡°...I could die happy now...¡± ¡°That, uh, might be a bit much.¡± Chapter 157 At first, Ha-eun¡¯s debut album had quite a flashy entrance. The final episode of The Sunshine, aired the day before the album''s release, had achieved a momentary viewership rating of 27%, wrapping up successfully. - ?? What¡¯s this Pinocchio music video? - New Pinocchio track, finally. Her fresh, youthful vibe¡ªsomething Ha-eun hadn¡¯t revealed much before¡ªcaptivated people''s eyes. Especially the title track One Day in Spring, which was gentle yet emotionally powerful in its highlights, received the most attention. As a result, her debut album made it into the top 20 of music charts in its first week. The album''s high quality and the buzz generated from Ha-eun''s role as the female lead in The Sunshine certainly contributed to this success. Fan-made videos compiling Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s most memorable scenes with the song One Day in Spring surpassed 300,000 views in just one day. Ha-eun, as Kim Jung-hyun, singing the song with its calm atmosphere blended perfectly with the nostalgic feeling from The Sunshine.@@@@ ¡°I sometimes feel scared©¤? and walk slowly without realizing it©¤?¡±¡°Shaken by the light breeze, messy and muddy. I couldn¡¯t catch even a single leaf flying lightly...?¡± You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 158 The overall concept for Illusionary Realm¡¯s first generation was ¡®travel¡¯. The story revolves around people who lived in different dimensions and met a wizard named Daramji, who invited them to Earth for a journey. The 1st-anniversary live performance, Illusion, was also based on this background story. The intro video for the stage began with images of each member¡¯s original world. "©¤©¤?©¤©¤©¤?" The sky island surrounded by clouds, the green swamps, the towering demon king¡¯s castle, and the quaint library. Finally, the spirit forest full of subtle fireflies. The 2D background illustrations created for the live broadcast passed by from a first-person perspective. As the journey from various worlds reached the blue planet Earth, the moment arrived. Sarruk. "Walked and walked following the morning star©¤?" With the effect of white griffon feathers, Mile appeared. After a few more steps.@@@@ Kyaa kyaa kyaaDa MileWowThe stage quality is insane hahahahaThis is it, Mile.Illusionary Realm! Illusionary Realm! Illusionary Realm! Illusionary Realm!(Dancing dinosaur emoji) X9Our Cream has changed!!!!!Is this really the same Cream who used to beat the audience with a metal spoon..?The group song is so good.The Demon King is totally owning the stage.Looking at how Diah is last, I guess it¡¯s by age?Big one? Big one? Big one? Big one? Big one? Big one? With the subtle firefly particles, the last member, Diah, appeared on the right side of the stage. Almost simultaneously, the drum and bass sounds began to pick up speed. "Giving you a dream-like moment, a memory like an illusion? Like an illusion©¤?" (Hotdog giving a thumbs up emoji) X11Ungaey Kittaaaaaaaaaaa(Rainbow-colored glowing emoji) X5Look at that group dance ??Diah¡¯s squirming is so cute for real;; As the chorus began, all the members'' voices harmonized beautifully. The viewer count passed 60,000. Soon, the five members gathered in the center of the massive concert stage, performing the same choreography for the camera. Their harmony was still intact. However, when the second verse started, specifically when the song followed a slightly different order from the first verse, "Follow the shining star? Break out of the darkness?" La, La, La©¤?.Kyaa kyaa kyaaEncore, encore, encore, encore, encore, encoreWhat¡¯s with the stage production? It¡¯s insaneMom, I want to become Illusionary Realm! Mom, I want to become Illusionary Realm! Mom, I want to become Illusionary Realm! Mom, I want to become Illusionary Realm! Mom, I want to become Illusionary RealmIf there are 7 billion Diah fans in the world, I¡¯m one of them (...)Swish.Whoosh!Clap.HahahahahaNo way, she actually did it hahahahaDiah''s core muscles are insane;)The bow wasn¡¯t a lie?Her reactions are so entertaining for realSwish.Whoosh!Churrk!HahahaNot a little devil, just pure evilShe only gets cute when playing public games hahahahaI¡¯m sure Diah will blame Noeulis for thisIsn¡¯t Diah the one who kept hitting Noeulis every chance she got?Swish.Step.Step.Splat!WowYour hair is so softThe modeling is amazing o oAwwAkaGot it, got it, I just need to send the paymentWhat¡¯s this Witch¡¯s taste? ?? You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 159 A Mischievous Senior, Nael¡¯s Introduction to Chaos The moment Nael first met her senior, she was bombarded with quirky commands and bizarre questions. It wasn¡¯t surprising coming from a spirit whose favorite pastime was teasing viewers. Known for her unique, exceptional gaming skills, the youngest member of Illusionary Realm had built a reputation so infamous that even the senior members of the agency were wary. And then. ¡°Um, since Nael is technically a junior, I was thinking of using informal speech during the stream. Would that be okay with you?¡±@@@@ ¡°Uh, she just knows that... a coworker is visiting,¡± Nael stammered. ¡°Well, in that case, I think it¡¯d be better if you gave her a heads-up.¡± And so, Nael found herself in a position where she couldn¡¯t escape a one-on-one conversation with a real celebrity. Calling a celebrity as her guest was one thing, but ghosting said celebrity would have been an even bigger disaster. Resolute in her situation, Nael nodded enthusiastically at everything Ha-eun said, hanging on her every word with rapt attention. She still couldn¡¯t bring herself to meet Ha-eun¡¯s gaze directly, but she focused on her calm voice with every ounce of concentration she could muster. That¡¯s when it hit her like a soap bubble popping. ????????????Why¡¯s the boss so nervous?Nael, be confident!Time to teach Diah a lesson!Finally caught!Evil overlord Nael strikes again!This is karma, rookie!Nope, not saving you. Live with your boss forever.Wait, what?OMG, terrifying!From WWE to UFC real quick.????????????????Look at her smug face!Perfect wife material.Marry me, Diah!Why is she flipping pancakes like a wok chef at a Chinese restaurant?Of course, typical.Sigh.Stop hogging all the good food, Diah!Please burn it for karma.Guess you¡¯re staying single forever, Diah. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 160 "There''s Something Different About Her" From the moment Nael first met Ha-eun, the thought struck her: there was something unmistakably different about this person.@@@@ Of course, she was already aware of Ha-eun¡¯s striking beauty. But seeing her in person revealed qualities that went far beyond her appearance¡ªher presence, aura, and overall atmosphere were in a league of their own. Particularly striking was the transformation Nael witnessed when the stream began. Ha-eun¡¯s previously calm and composed demeanor shifted subtly but surely. A playful glint appeared in her expression, and a youthful energy colored her composed voice. ¡°N-no, no! I can eat it myself!¡± Nael protested, flustered. ¡°Ah, but you see, there¡¯s a mission involved.¡± ¡°E-even so...!¡± ¡°There¡¯s no such thing as rejecting a mission in my book! Now, ah~~.¡± "Classic Diah move.""Great, now I¡¯m hungry.""That pancake looks so good.""Marry me, Diah!""You¡¯re flipping pancakes like a wok chef¡ªchill!""Why does everyone say that when they meet her?""Show me what you¡¯re seeing!""What¡¯s with this chaotic energy?""Her antics are evil, but she¡¯s too cute to resist.""That¡¯s enormous!""Looks so good.""Diah is so hyped, lol.""She¡¯s practically bouncing with joy.""That cotton candy is insane.""Wait a second.""Was that genuine?""Throwing Sunsets under the bus, huh?""Is this a ship now?""Another boss has appeared, lol.""150,000 won?! Dang.""Look how desperate Hida is!""The witch queen has entered the chat.""Here comes Nael, the mega-fan!""Just hearing the title makes me emotional ????""There¡¯s nothing left to milk, Nael. Let it go!""Didn¡¯t Diah like The Sunshine too?""64 rounds is a must!""Even 128 wouldn¡¯t be enough for Nael!" You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 161 "Which Scene Do You Prefer, Senior?" Nael¡¯s voice was filled with anticipation, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Even though Ha-eun was sitting beside her not as an actress but as a senior from Illusionary Realm, the fact that she had played Kim Jung-hyun in The Sunshine made Nael¡¯s heart race with admiration. Her expression was brimming with pure fandom, a vast improvement from earlier, when she couldn¡¯t even meet Ha-eun¡¯s eyes out of nervousness. "Um... I think the right one is better," Ha-eun said tentatively. ¡®Is it because I¡¯m right here?¡¯ It seemed Nael¡¯s rationality had temporarily short-circuited due to the presence of the actress who played her favorite character. Ha-eun couldn¡¯t entirely blame her¡ªshe had felt similarly starstruck when meeting her own idol, Cream, back in the day. "Alright, let¡¯s go with the right one," Ha-eun decided. "Okay, got it!"@@@@ "Please stop.""Who thought this World Cup was a good idea?""Nael, you¡¯re giving us all decision paralysis.""Left has the best visuals; it¡¯s not even a contest!""And what¡¯s your point?""Just pick one, Nael!""Nael, stop making us indecisive too!""Diah, you savage.""She keeps her junior in check, I love it.""Thank you, Diah, for saving us all!""Can we quit this World Cup now?""What kind of words are even in this dictionary, lol.""Loving how smoothly this is moving along.""This is what being a senior looks like.""Master (20 years old) cutting off Servant (1-year-old).""Nael¡¯s eyes must be shaking right now.""Choose your words carefully, Nael!""Diah''s Muscle Destruction Mode: Activated.""Senior vs. favorite¡ªwho will win?""Honestly, no one can outshine an actress, no matter how pretty they are.""Let¡¯s take this to the arena!""Of course a regular person can¡¯t compete with an actress, lol.""Nice try, Diah. Better luck next time.""At least she hesitated, have a drink to that!""Diah, are you sulking? Lmao.""Daaamn, Hida laying down the law!""The Witch Queen strikes again!""Someone hand her a ruler, she¡¯s going full teacher mode.""600 years old? Let¡¯s not call her a granny, lol." You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 162 [ "Hida¡ªwell, I mean, Da-yeon¡ªinsists it must be this day. She really hopes you¡¯ll make time for her, Diah." ] Over the phone, the general manager chuckled apologetically, expressing regret for being unable to rein in Da-yeon¡¯s stubbornness. It wasn¡¯t entirely unreasonable. Neither Da-yeon nor Ha-eun had much free time, so from the perspective of someone managing their schedules, juggling commitments like this was undoubtedly a headache. In the end, Ha-eun relented, replying, "Okay." She wanted to push it off again but realized she had already postponed their collaboration several times. Another excuse might only anger Da-yeon further, especially when she''d find out Ha-eun had time for Nael¡¯s stream but not hers. ¡®Maybe she enjoys teasing me because she likes me.¡¯ Ha-eun hoped for a calm and uneventful collaboration, like the one with Nael. But judging from Da-yeon¡¯s past comments and donation messages on Diah¡¯s streams, chaos seemed inevitable. Still, with only ten minutes left before the meeting with Rev for their CF shoot, Ha-eun had to cut the conversation short. "I have to hang up now; my CF meeting is about to start." [ "A... meeting?" ] Crack."The queen, the legend: Hida!""Her determination to make Diah play Cat Playtime is admirable.""I love you, Hida!""Can¡¯t wait for this chaos.""So, what are we doing while it installs?""Let¡¯s gooooo!""Hurry, Diah, before the omelet gets cold!""If you stall, Hida might actually eat you, lol.""Clips are on, everyone!"Bang bang bang!"LMAO!""The existential crisis is hitting her hard!""Hida is officially the GOAT now.""Can Hida handle the aftermath?""Never has there been a junior like this." You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 163 First Blow: Calling the Noeulis "Master" Ha-eun suffered the first emotional blow when she had to address the Noeulis with the supreme honorific of "Master." Second Blow: The ¡°Delicious Spell¡± The second came when she was forced to recite the humiliating ¡°delicious spell¡± in front of countless viewers.@@@@ "Uuuhhh..." "Is Diah crying?""There¡¯s a person dying on stream, folks!""LOL""Protect Diah ???""This is peak authenticity right here.""Real-time editors must be loving this." But most of the Noeulis were firmly on Hida¡¯s side. After all, she was a bright-eyed newcomer managing what even the veterans of Fantasy High School¡¯s first season hadn¡¯t achieved: humiliating Diah. Hida¡¯s background as a former Noeulis herself also played a big role. To them, she was one of their own¡ªa representative who could finally give Diah a taste of her own medicine. Ding."That¡¯s it.""Once a maid, always a maid!""Diah is living the dream, LOL.""Hail Queen Hida!""Milking that free pass for all it¡¯s worth!""We love you, Hida!"Ding."Oh, no.""Can¡¯t we uninstall and reinstall it?""What about overtime maid service?""My chicken just arrived, though!""We can hear Diah grinding her teeth!""This is gold!""Hida supremacy forever!"Ding.Press any key to continue"Did Diah just roast Hida?""Did she call her a deaf hag?"Creak.Creak.Thud, thud, thud...Rustle.CHOMP!Crunch, crunch, crunch.Snap!"Welcome, You Died LOL!""Diah!! Your arm!!""Shanks wants to be your friend, Diah!""The lion statue had a feast today.""Should¡¯ve pulled your arm out faster.""Spoiler: You actually do need to check the lion statue.""You¡¯re just bad at investigating, Diah.""Skill issue LOL."Tap, tap, tap.Thud, thud, thud...Crunch!"Those screams are top-tier!""Diah, are you alive??""This one¡¯s a goner, folks.""RIP to a great VTuber.""Press X to pay respects.""Oh, she¡¯s alive.""Diah¡¯s pouting¡ªBIAS ALERT!!""We respect you, Diah! Totally didn¡¯t say anything mean, promise." You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 164 "[S-Stop chasing me!!]" "[Alright, just gotta put in the battery and... wait, wait, wait, why is it moving?!]" "[Argh... died again...]" The most familiar voice in the world. The same voice that made Dayeon chuckle uncontrollably whenever she heard it. "[O-oh...? Stay back! Don¡¯t come near me!! AHHHH!!]" "[O-Only the Viking ride left. Nothing else, right?]" "Don¡¯t know, lol.""Think you missed the carousel?""Better check everything again from the start!""The ending¡¯s right ahead.""Uh-oh, look behind you.""Yeah, she¡¯s dead again. RIP." "[Huh? Why can¡¯t I move my feet?]" Squeak.Thud! "[Ah! Let go of me!!]" "You really think they¡¯ll listen to reason? Just accept your fate as their snack." "[Grr...! Easy for you to say...!!]" And just like that, the stone statue grabbed Diah¡¯s avatar and swallowed her whole. From there, Diah served as a special treat for the various monsters until she finally discovered the last clue to unlock the ending. "Can¡¯t believe Diah¡¯s obsessing over me. Never thought I¡¯d see the day.""What a girlfriend, amirite?""Crazy girlfriend who shoots her boyfriends for fun.""Is red pill beauty everything? Oh wait, it is. Diah forever.""Diah never sides with us Noeulis anyway!""Oh wow, intense.""Poor kitty. ;_;""Monsters have feelings too.""But let¡¯s not pretend the monsters were just minding their business, okay?""She knows everything lol.""Diah''s perfect counter: Hida.""Of course, she¡¯s a true Noeuli.""What excuse can she even come up with now? Answer: none.""Yes!!""Go for it, Witch-sama!""I heard you¡¯re good at singing too, is that true?""What¡¯s the song going to be?"Ding."What?""Did I just see that right?""Is this for real?""Why this song?!""What the...?""Wow, just wow.""She killed it.""What is this form?!""Why is she so good?!""This is insane!"Ding.Flinch.Shhhk.... You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 165 The slight tremor in her gaze. Eyes instinctively lowered before the palpable aura of intimidation. Her voice carried the unmistakable quiver of fear. ¡®Hmmm... as expected, Min Da-Yeon.¡¯ To Director Kim Hong-Sung, Da-Yeon¡¯s performance was authentic and riveting. It captured the raw reaction of an ordinary person facing someone as unpredictable as Lee Ye-Seo¡ªan immersive portrayal that resonated deeply.@@@@ "Apologies, Director. I promise this will never happen again..." "Promises aren¡¯t made with words. Trust is rebuilt through action, don¡¯t you think?" Her unease was unavoidable. Da-Yeon¡¯s guilty conscience meant she feared Ha-Eun¡¯s presence more than anything else. It was a fear that went beyond the emotional beats of the script¡ªit was primal. Even though she knew this was just a shoot, fear was still fear. After all, why do people feel scared when they stick their hands in a crocodile¡¯s mouth, even knowing it¡¯s part of a controlled experience? "I¡¯ll do my best to make it right..." "Not just ¡®do your best,¡¯ but do it well. Please." With her final line delivered, Ha-Eun let go of Da-Yeon¡¯s shoulder with a bright smile. Yet the fear lingered on Da-Yeon¡¯s face. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 166 The fact that Ha-eun¡¯s role as Lee Ye-seo was that of a villain was something Da-yeon had already known. She also knew that Ye-seo was a psychopath killer with no qualms about taking lives. However, Da-yeon had never seen Ha-eun''s performance as a villain before. Moreover, the chilling aura that Lee Ye-seo possessed far exceeded Da-yeon¡¯s expectations. "Hmm..."@@@@ Screeeech©¤!Thud thud! But now, what Da-yeon faced was an unfamiliar type of acting she had never seen before. She had never doubted Ha-eun¡¯s exceptional acting skills, but... ¡®She definitely cried... but she doesn¡¯t look sad at all.¡¯ Unlike the past performances where she could clearly understand the emotions, this time, Da-yeon couldn¡¯t figure out what emotion Ha-eun was trying to convey. The emotional depth was so faint, and the way Ha-eun expressed it was also different. Everything about Ha-eun was familiar to Da-yeon, which made the character of Lee Ye-seo seem even more foreign. Ha-eun, today, was showing Da-yeon only the aspects of herself that Da-yeon hadn¡¯t known before. Why are they so good at dancing??The outfit suits them so well.When did they even practice this? LOLA 600-year-old grandma with rusty joints can¡¯t pull this off... I shouldn¡¯t say that, right? You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 167 After Diah¡¯s spectacular K-pop performance ended without a hitch, the background of her broadcast seamlessly transitioned from the vast concert stage back to her familiar streaming room. Soon, Diah approached her usual desk and took a seat in front of it.@@@@ The next segment began with a question: how was the performance? Around 13,000 Noeulis eagerly shared their impressions in the chat. Youth is unbeatable ;;Encore, encore, encore, encore, encore, encore, encore, encore!Your expressions have gotten prettier.Diah is the best!Was this full tracking?For dancing, she¡¯s definitely Illusionary Realm''s #1, for sure. Suddenly, the broadcast screen went dark. Only the chat window and donation overlay remained visible. ??What happened?Diah, did you mess something up?This isn¡¯t the end, right? Please tell me this isn¡¯t the end!Our baby disappeared ???? The sudden disappearance of Diah¡¯s 3D avatar caused a surge of rapid messages in the chat. Moments later, an upbeat musical intro began to play. ©¤©¤?©¤©¤©¤? Kyahhhhhh!D I AI knew it! Damn, I knew it! Damn, I knew it! Damn, I knew it! Damn, I knew it! Damn, I knew it!Why is the energy so high at night? LOLOh, it¡¯s Galaxy!Kyahhhhhh!Look at that gorgeous choreography!She¡¯s singing so well???This is it.Our baby has leveled up ;;Viewer count just passed 15k ??She must¡¯ve practiced so much LOLTake a breather, please ;;(Cheering speech bubble emoji) x10You did amazing!Hmm, LOLWait, this sounds oddly familiar.Live footage of Yuna having a hypertension episode.Now I get why Yuna had such a hard time.But still, you nailed it¡ªcheers to that!Yuna is crying LOLA pro¡¯s mindset, I guess.Fearless youth (age 1).Now that I think about it, the Noeulis haven¡¯t lost anything here, huh? LOLDiah, you¡¯re doing great. Keep it up.WOW!!!Hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me!This new feature is insane LOL.Hug me too, hug me too, hug me too, hug me too, hug me too, hug me too, hug me too, hug me too, hug me too!Is it possible to pet us too?Please stream just a little longer!One more roulette spin, let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go!This new feature is next-level ;;Getting gently spun by baby Diah? I can¡¯t resist.I¡¯ll buy an entire cotton candy factory if you hug me just once ??????Look at all the Noeulis losing their minds LOL.Wait, WHAT.Don¡¯t leave, don¡¯t leave, don¡¯t leave, don¡¯t leave, don¡¯t leave, don¡¯t leave, don¡¯t leave!Where are you going???Hug me!How can you show us this right before ending the stream?!You¡¯ll come back tomorrow, right? Tomorrow, right? Tomorrow, right? Tomorrow, right? Tomorrow, right? You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 168 BB cream, skin lotion, and lip balm to prevent chapped lips. That was the extent of Ha-eun¡¯s makeup experience. Anything beyond that was uncharted territory for her. Even the few products she could use were only thanks to her mom, Na-yeon, teaching her how.@@@@ "Oh, I know how to apply sunscreen too." "...Wow, impressive." From what Da-yeon had observed, Ha-eun wasn¡¯t the type to dislike dressing up. Still, the undeniable truth was that Ha-eun was a complete novice when it came to makeup. "Did you have a grudge against cosmetics in your past life or something?" Da-yeon asked bluntly, curious why Ha-eun was so bad at it. But then¡ª "Uh, no... I don¡¯t think I held a grudge...?" You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 169 All of Ha-eun¡¯s fan meeting tickets were sold out. According to Luna Entertainment, the competition for them had been fierce. Apparently, there were even scalpers secretly trading tickets, which suggested that far more people were interested in the event than Ha-eun had expected. ¡®I thought 500 seats would be enough....¡¯@@@@ Part of her felt sentimental seeing the display of her photos. But the real reason she stopped¡ª "Are these still cuts not for sale? They¡¯d sell really well as photocards." "Oh, they¡¯re not for sale. We¡¯ll be giving them out as gifts on the day of the fan meeting." "Ah, I see." ¡ªwas because Yoon Seung-jae was chatting with one of the fan meeting staff in front of her life-size standee. Tap, tap.Swish, swish.Step. And then another step. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 170 Two laptops. Three tablets. Five unused phones. And finally, the additional specialized help (friends) to assist Nael. The scene, reminiscent of a spy movie operation, was actually Nael''s preparation for the ''Lee Ha-eun Fan Meeting Ticketing.'' ¡°...A bonus of 30,000 won for those who succeed.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°Accepted.¡± Eventually, Nael reached the final moment of locking eyes with Ha-eun. Unlike Nael, who was excited to the point of being frantic, Ha-eun recognized Nael instantly, her eyes widening for a brief moment. However, of course, she couldn¡¯t act like she knew. The reason she hastily grabbed the handheld mic she had set down was because of this. ¡°You¡¯re, you¡¯re really cute, I was surprised. Anyway, since you got the answer right, I think you can receive your prize later.¡± After acknowledging Nael¡¯s correct answer, Ha-eun swiftly moved on to the next quiz, looking at the cue card. Nael nearly fainted from Ha-eun¡¯s comment about how cute she was, but Ha-eun was none the wiser. "When we walk side by side, one day©¤?""Kyaaaa!!"Step.Chill.Stumble. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 171 Lee Ye-seo didn¡¯t hate Kang Chan-seong. Nor did she want to kill him out of hatred. It wasn¡¯t even that Kang Chan-seong wanted to kill Lee Ye-seo out of suspicion. It was simply because she was curious. Swoosh©¤!Bang! ¡°Ugh!¡± ¡°You¡¯d better give up. The thing about poison is, the more you move, the faster it spreads.¡± Lee Ye-seo wanted to hurt Kang Chan-seong simply because she was curious about what it felt like to kill a police officer. She was like a child who had found a new toy. Or, like a mischievous kid wanting to crush an ant beneath their foot out of curiosity. Though there was murderous intent in Lee Ye-seo¡¯s flying punches toward Kang Chan-seong, there was no true malice. Kang Chan-seong gritted his teeth and tried to fend off Lee Ye-seo¡¯s attacks, but the poison slowly took hold, and it wasn¡¯t long before he was completely subdued. Crack!Creak. The tip of Lee Ye-seo¡¯s dagger began to gently pierce Kang Chan-seong¡¯s chest. Kang Chan-seong¡¯s face contorted in pain. Yet Lee Ye-seo¡¯s face still wore that serene smile. She lowered her head near his ear and whispered, urging him to share what he was feeling. ¡°Is it cold? Does it hurt? Does it sting? Tell me, huh?¡± Knock knock. ¡°...What the hell?¡±@@@@ Thwack©¤!Screech.Grin.Chill.Mmm, mmm. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 172 Using Diah''s voice was a last-ditch effort. She thought that if she spoke in a cute voice, maybe Gyu-jae''s wariness would lessen, just a little. Even though she knew Gyu-jae¡¯s mother was watching right next to her, Ha-eun changed her expression to one that looked completely innocent. With candy and chocolate¡ªtreats that kids around this age usually love¡ªshe made her offer. ¡®...I don¡¯t think he¡¯s watching broadcasts yet, right?¡¯ Honestly, Ha-eun herself thought it was dangerous to openly use Diah¡¯s voice in front of someone. However, since both Gyu-jae and his mother likely didn¡¯t know much about VTubers, she figured it would be fine.@@@@ There was little chance that Gyu-jae or his mother would recognize Diah¡¯s voice. Even though her ears were burning from speaking in such a cute voice, it was a separate issue. So, with a cheerful farewell, Ha-eun left the waiting room. At the same time, she called Ju Jung-yoon to ask if she could prepare some candy and chocolates for Gyu-jae. Step, step. ¡°...Uh... Si-hyuk?¡± ¡°Ah, busted.¡± Ha-eun noticed Yoon Si-hyuk standing at the end of the hallway. His explanation, which wasn¡¯t quite an excuse, followed. Blink.Blink, blink.Swoosh.Whack!Zing. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 173 Whether she liked it or not, her debut as a singer had started with featuring on Doublely¡¯s 10th album. Before the album was released, Ha-eun had been more worried than excited.@@@@ ¡®At least it didn¡¯t become a dark chapter of my life.¡¯ Ha-eun had never stood on stage for Doublely¡¯s 10th album, which could be considered her debut. Strictly speaking, the plan was to perform not only the 10th album¡¯s tracks but also others. Lee Jun and Lee Gun-yeol believed that with just a few days of practice, Ha-eun would have no problem covering the parts originally sung by another female vocalist. ¡°University festivals are so much fun.¡± ¡°There¡¯s a ton of food stalls too!¡± Can outsiders enter Y University¡¯s festival?Does K University allow non-students? Asking seriously.If I miss this, it¡¯s the end for me.Will performance videos be uploaded later?Foot.Wow, investigating Noeulis¡¯ personal details?Is Chicken University considered a college?I¡¯m studying at Harvard. Verification possible.Does grad school count?Graduate students don¡¯t even count as students, huh? ?????What¡¯s this about?I¡¯m a history major at H University.S University mechanical engineering, handhandhandhandhand.Why is the Noeulis average like this...Suddenly feeling a sense of distance.Aren¡¯t you at least 20? Why are you acting like a baby?This is going to cause a controversy.Who¡¯s that, and why¡¯s Diah hugging them???Babe, who is that guy?!!!I¡¯m turning darker, darker, darker, darker, darker, darker, darker, darker.She¡¯s openly cheating now. ??????Rustle, rustle.Whisper, whisper. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 174 A white off-shoulder blouse. White-tone shorts to match. This was the general outline of Ha-eun¡¯s stage outfit. Her makeup, too, leaned more toward a singer''s style than an actress''s. Unlike Ha-eun, however... While Ha-eun and Doublely exchanged casual banter, the performers scheduled ahead of them began to arrive backstage. ¡®...They weren¡¯t kidding about the star-studded lineup. They¡¯ve only invited big names.¡¯ From globally popular girl groups to hip-hop artists adored by guys Ha-eun¡¯s age, the backstage area was brimming with celebrities. Some even stopped by Ha-eun and Doublely¡¯s waiting room to greet them. Step, step.Screech.Waaaahhh!! [ ¡°What¡¯s this? Is that all you¡¯ve got? Should we go back and try again?¡± ]Kyaaaaaaa!!!!!!! [ ¡°Okay, DJ, let¡¯s go!¡± ]Step.Waaaaaahhh!!Click.Lenny is top tier, no doubt.Wait, so you¡¯re saying Diah was in that crowd of people?Why didn¡¯t you say hi, Diah?Did you try the pancake?Ding!LOLNo way, she rolled with it? LOLImpersonation is a crime, Diah; don¡¯t forget!This is going to be controversial.Diah: A new scandal brews.VTuber accused of impersonating a celebrity.jpgShe¡¯s going to get sued for sure, RIP.Crybaby mode activated.If you¡¯re sorry, then do a full bow.Do it!Life is real, Diah!Do it.Do it.Click.Ding!Gasp!Pineapple pizza slander out of nowhere.Did she just go full serious mode?That¡¯s it. They¡¯re done for.The time for purging has come!!! You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 175 Diah¡¯s ¡°apology stream¡± concept ended with a donation message that touched her one and only forbidden topic¡ªpineapple pizza. The neatly dressed suit and green chroma key background shrank away, disappearing into the void. ¡°Phew, that was close. I almost went down a rabbit hole~.¡± Lol, how is she not canceled yet?It¡¯s about time, though.Fifth time asking, what did you eat at the festival?Was the girl screaming in front of Lenny actually Diah?I saw Diah demolish ten plates of pancakes sitting down, for real.Gasp;;Protect freedom of speech for Noeulis!!!Click? Click? Click?Everything leads to a ban. This is oppression!????Was the Spirit Kingdom secretly a dictatorship?Click. [kskoo11] - Do it. [kskoo11] - Do it. [kskoo11] - Diah¡¯s office look, wow wow. [kskoo11] - Words alone aren¡¯t enough. Show us sincerity. Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go. [kskoo11] - Every time we speak, it¡¯s a ban.???? ¡°...Hmm.¡± Average Noeuli, sigh.Public execution live, lol.What¡¯s even going through their head? (Actually doesn¡¯t know).This feels like lawsuit material.They¡¯re literally asking to get banned. Diah¡¯s expression went completely blank as she stared at the logs in silence. With a slight mouse movement, she refreshed the chat. [kskoo11] - Im sorrrryyyyy. [kskoo11] - Sorry. [kskoo11] - I was wrong. Ding.Lol, if you don¡¯t want to get sued, keep up the compliments!She¡¯s working hard to dodge the lawsuit beam, take a shot.Listen to her trembling voice, lol.Diah, are you that scared of getting sued? You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 176 To sum it up, Doublely and Ha-eun successfully completed their university festival performances, including the final event. Both offline and online, there wasn¡¯t a single negative review about their performances. [ Doublely & Pinocchio at Hongseo University Festival ] [ 270,000 views ] I think I¡¯ll still be watching this 10 years from now...It¡¯s my dream to attend their concert. Will the three of them perform together again next year?This combo is absolutely legendary.01:38 proves it¡¯s live for sure.They¡¯re seriously amazing.7:12 Ha-eun high-fiving a fan¡ªso heartwarming ???.Wow, I¡¯m so jealous. Doublely came to our festival.9:55 the crowd singing along, goosebumps.Did they change the lyrics to include Hyeonseong University? 6:01 yep, totally did;. [ Dongbaek University Festival Audio Rip ] [ 720,000 views ] Wow, this was cleaned up really well.Can¡¯t they release this version officially? The original version of the song had already ranked high on music charts, but the rearrangement featuring Ha-eun¡¯s vocals was praised for feeling more harmonious and enjoyable. As expected, Pinocchio was regarded as a singer who best matched Doublely¡¯s style. This naturally led to Ha-eun being evaluated as a vocalist who blended well with Doublely¡¯s existing songs.@@@@ Wait, is Ha-eun¡¯s academic record that good?Isn¡¯t she talking about applying through the practical skills track at Yere University? She said she¡¯d apply through the regular admission process, though?Click, click.Tap, tap.Click.Slide.Whoosh!Whoosh, whoosh! You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 177 S#156: The Arrest. The scene, which marked the conclusion of Veterans, was one of the most challenging for Ha-eun to film. ¡®Though I knew it was coming....¡¯ She was well aware of Veterans¡¯ overarching theme of good triumphing over evil. She had also known from the beginning what kind of end awaited Ye-seo.@@@@ From a young age, Ye-seo was identified as a psychopath, eliciting concern and fear from her family. She struggled to empathize with others¡¯ emotions and felt her own emotions only faintly. This trait¡ªa hallmark of psychopathy¡ªmeant that while Ye-seo could intellectually understand what emotions were, she couldn¡¯t truly feel them. Her way of expressing emotions was also markedly different from that of an average person. At the same time, her intense need for control¡ªa common trait of psychopaths¡ªmade her dislike being perceived as ¡°abnormal.¡± Squeeze!Whack!Bang!Crash!Crack!Step.Step, step.Zap!Click. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 178 Movie Promotions Promoting a movie typically involves appearing on variety shows or at events to attract attention to the film. Scheduled events like the press conference for Veterans and Seo Jin-tae''s appearance on a job-experience variety show were part of the movie''s promotion strategy.@@@@ For Ha-eun, who had already experienced similar activities, this wasn''t entirely new territory. "I don¡¯t remember if it was a zookeeper gig in my past life, though..." In any case, as a lead actor in Veterans, Ha-eun was destined to be swept up in the film¡¯s promotional activities. "Will I get to feed them myself?" You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 179 Most young mammals have relatively small bodies compared to their heads and eyes, along with playful behavior more prominent than their adult counterparts. This is a survival strategy. Their evolutionary trait¡ªcuteness¡ªensures a higher chance of survival by eliciting care and protection from others.@@@@ The lion cubs'' affectionate behavior toward Ha-eun was also a part of this survival instinct. But to Ha-eun, such information was utterly irrelevant at the moment. They were just too cute to handle! In other words¡ª -Whoosh- "Ah!" One of the cubs, tired of waiting for its turn to be petted, suddenly leapt onto Ha-eun. The impact of its weight was akin to a large dog tackling her, and Ha-eun tumbled backward, pinned by the cub¡¯s tiny body. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 180 The meeting with the dog shelter run by Na-yeon¡¯s acquaintance didn¡¯t take long to arrange. From the shelter¡¯s perspective, there was absolutely no downside. Finding someone willing to adopt a stray dog was already a blessing. But having the adopter be a rising star in the entertainment industry, willing to promote dog adoption at the same time? "Thank you so much, Ha-eun. Truly, thank you." To the shelter director, Kwon Hong-eun, Ha-eun¡¯s arrival felt like a miracle. She held Ha-eun¡¯s hands tightly, expressing her gratitude repeatedly. For Ha-eun, however, the formal tone felt a bit uncomfortable, especially coming from someone who was a close friend of her mother. "The puppy has had its vaccinations, but you should still take it to the vet, just in case. Since it¡¯s still young, you¡¯ll need to soak its food in water before feeding it," Kwon Hong-eun explained. They discussed the dog¡¯s current health, care instructions, and its backstory. "This one had been adopted once before, but unfortunately, the adopter had an accident and couldn¡¯t take care of it anymore, so it was returned." "That¡¯s... unlucky," Ha-eun said sympathetically. "Still, it¡¯s lucky in a way¡ªit¡¯s going to your family now. That¡¯s a happy ending for it." Ha-eun posted about promoting shelter dog adoption on Instagram a few days ago.Diah mentioned adopting a dog during her stream, also a few days ago.Q.E.D.Diah, just start the stream already.Diah, how are you going to deny this when the evidence is piling up?Wait, Ha-eun didn¡¯t just promote adoption? She adopted a dog too?Can people stop comparing them? It¡¯s uncomfortable for both sides.The mods are definitely lurking, watching us like hawks.If Diah really is Ha-eun, she¡¯s probably sweating bullets right now.¡° ¡±¡ªthis guy just said ¡° ¡± LOL. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 181 In the early hours, standing at the boundary between dawn and morning, Ha-eun was already up as usual. She left the house for her routine morning jog, an activity that had long been part of her daily life.@@@@ But today was different. Unlike the countless mornings she had jogged alone, this time, she had a companion¡ªa promise she had made with Na-yeon finally fulfilled. -Pitter-patter. Pitter-patter-patter. Tapping the record button on her camera app, she began filming their walk as if shooting a vlog. For the next ten minutes or so, she captured clips of Baekseol energetically running ahead. However, because Baekseol was always a few steps ahead of Ha-eun, it wasn¡¯t her but the puppy who caught the attention of passersby. "Oh my, it¡¯s such a baby!" "Hi there, little one!" You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 182 ¡°Seo Jin-tae and Lee Ha-eun are appearing on Job People?¡± ¡°Breaking: Lee Ha-eun confirmed for Job People.¡±@@@@ It was a week before the broadcast of Job People¡¯s latest episode. The teaser for the upcoming "Zookeeper Special" had briefly caused a stir in online communities. While Job People had recently risen in popularity as a variety show, the excitement was largely driven by the featured guests: Lee Ha-eun, whose stardom skyrocketed after The Sunshine, and the legendary actor Seo Jin-tae, known as a "box office guarantee." The announcement that the zookeeper special would include lead actors from the movie Veterans naturally attracted even more attention. These two factors alone piqued curiosity about Veterans. The biggest draw, however, was the stark contrast between Ha-eun¡¯s heart-wrenching role in The Sunshine and her new role as the villain Lee Ye-seo. ¡°The articles say Ha-eun¡¯s playing a villain?¡± ? ¡°What?!¡± ? ¡°Yeah, a psychopathic chaebol heiress.¡± ? ¡°Wait, isn¡¯t Kim Jung-hyun¡¯s character dead already?!¡± ? ¡°Why bring up someone who¡¯s been dead for ages?!¡± ? ¡°What the hell? Where are you from?!¡± ¡°A chaebol villain? Does she run people over while drunk?¡± ¡°¡®Seo Jin-tae & Yoo Sung-jae face off against her in action scenes.¡¯ <<< Is that true?¡± ¡°Is the Crown Prince finally getting stabbed by Yeong-wol for real this time? LOL.¡± Speculation about Ha-eun¡¯s portrayal of Lee Ye-seo continued in online forums even as the air date for Job People approached. Growl... ¡°Huh? Did you hear that? They said they like me!¡±"Monkey D. Lee Ha-eun, wow.""That¡¯s the Emperor''s color, right?""The first actress to make a tiger scared, lol.""I¡¯d lose in a staring contest with Ha-eun in one second."Puff!Puff! Puff! Puff...! You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 183 The first teaser trailer for Veterans was predominantly composed of scenes from the detectives'' perspectives. It showcased a sequence of action-packed moments, featuring Detective Jeon Jae-han and Detective Kang Chan-seong taking down criminals like gangsters and thugs in contrasting styles. Jeon Jae-han, a seasoned middle-aged detective, moved with precision and elegance, while the younger, zealous Kang Chan-seong executed flashy and chaotic moves to subdue offenders. The overall tone was more lighthearted and upbeat than heavy or intense. Lee Ye-seo, the villain of the story, was briefly shown in only a few fleeting glimpses. Even in those moments, she appeared more like an ordinary corporate executive than the decadent, third-generation chaebol heiress she was rumored to be. However, when people connected to Lee Ye-seo started to disappear, and the teaser transitioned to an isolated house in the countryside, everything changed in the last ten seconds. "Hey... Mister." Gone was the subtle smile from before. Lee Ye-seo¡¯s expression turned cold and emotionless as she looked downward. Gripping a small dagger beside her, she passed by the camera.@@@@ "Chills... this is insane.""So you¡¯re saying that¡¯s the same Kim Jung-hyun? Seriously?""The atmosphere is terrifying.""She¡¯s cutting through everyone¡ªliterally!""Why does she become a completely different person when she holds a knife? LOL.""This is the first time someone¡¯s face has genuinely scared me."Murmur murmur.Whisper whisper."Hihi!""Welcome, Witch!""Let¡¯s play Minecraft today!""Hida, did you know your house decor changed a little?""Don¡¯t tell her Diah did it, though.""Uh, what¡¯s that lava in your hand for?""Where¡¯d you get a blindness potion?!""If that hits someone, it¡¯s permanent, Hida!""Your housewarming gift is a bit extreme, don¡¯t you think?""Oh no, it¡¯s war!!!""Invade the Spirit Kingdom! Let¡¯s gooo!" You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 184 Fantasy Online. A large-scale collaboration server running for two weeks, Fantasy Online offered a variety of rich content.@@@@ From a random gacha system to obtain higher-tier items, to an RPG system where players could select professions and learn flashy special skills, to active farming systems like agriculture, mining, and fishing, and even the ability to construct unique, personalized homes¡ªthis server had it all. Step. Step step. ¡°...Found it.¡± The recent ¡°Diah''s prank on Hida¡¯s house¡± incident was, in essence, a kind of roleplay. Now, as Hida located Diah¡¯s house and prepared to exact her revenge, this too could be seen as an extension of their playful antics. Both Diah and Hida¡¯s Fantasy Online playthroughs had been racking up views on their respective channels, and the audience responses were overwhelmingly positive. Hida¡¯s upcoming revenge arc was expected to become another hit piece of YouTube content, but¡ª Whoosh! ??????????!Swish!Thwip! Thwip!"The witch is toast! ????????????????""Flaming arrows? Damn.""They were lying in wait, too!""Strategic genius, LOL.""Game over! ????"Whip!Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!Bang! Bang! Bang!"LOL!""Hida, calm down before you break your hand.""This is how seniors show love.""These two have been at each other¡¯s throats forever, huh?"Ding...Ding...Ding......Crack!"Whoa.""Oof.""Wait, it actually breaks?!""How tragic...""R.I.P.""Hida, get a grip¡ªthat¡¯s lava!""This is not looking good.""She¡¯s losing it. She¡¯s actually losing it.""This reminds me of that time Daramgi¡¯s +20 weapon broke. ????""Our witch is officially gone. ????"Ding!"LMAO!""That donation hit hard.""Diah¡¯s trolling can bring even a broken mind back to reality.""True madness wins again, LOL."Ding!"But your smile says it all.""Senior love is scary.""Not just a base orb, but a +8?!""A foolish junior, but a lovable one!""Diah, our benevolent troll!"Click, click.Click, click, click, click.... You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 185 The cast lineup for Veterans¡¯ press conference consisted of four key actors: Seo Jin-tae and Yoo Sung-jae, playing the lead detectives, Lee Ha-eun as the villain Lee Ye-seo, and Jeong Soo-hyun, who played Lee Eun-hyuk, Ye-seo¡¯s accomplice. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s start with Seo Jin-tae,¡± the MC announced. ¡°Hello, everyone. I¡¯m Seo Jin-tae, and I play Detective Jeon Jae-han in Veterans.¡± Being both the eldest among the cast and a top-tier actor in the industry, Seo Jin-tae was naturally the first to introduce himself. His greeting set the rhythm for the rest of the cast¡¯s introductions. ¡°Before we officially begin, let¡¯s take a look at a special video.¡± At that moment, the venue darkened. The main screening hall of Apgujeong¡¯s OGV, the largest in the area, became the stage for the premiere of Veterans¡¯ official main trailer. Doom. Doom. ¡°The footage shows them entering but never leaving. What¡¯s going on here?¡± ¡°Who? ...Ah, Min-hwa?¡± The trailer opened with a tense confrontation between Lee Ye-seo and Detective Kang Chan-seong. Ha-eun¡¯s ever-calm gaze met Yoo Sung-jae¡¯s wary eyes, the tension between them crackling in the air.@@@@ Doom. Doom. Doom.DOOM¡ª!Whish!Swish!Thud!Boom!Click-clack.Clack-clack-clack.Step.Step.Creeeak... You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 186 Ticket Power. The influence an actor has on ticket sales for movies, musicals, and other performances. A single actor¡¯s ticket power significantly impacts the overall audience turnout, as many people choose what to watch based on the cast. For some, their admiration for a particular actor is enough of a reason to buy a ticket. Veterans was no exception. Even during her streams as a second-gen VTuber of Illusionary Realm, she¡¯d put up a bold warning: Mentioning Veterans = Instant Ban. That was how seriously she took this. The moment she settled into her seat, a mix of anticipation and nervousness filled her. After about ten minutes of previews¡ªsomething neither she nor her parents usually paid much attention to¡ª Ssshh.... ¡°People always ask: How can I become more beautiful? How can I become even more radiant?¡± ¡°Oh? Isn¡¯t that Lee Ha-eun?¡± ¡°I-It is!¡± Step.Step.Thudrrr....Thudrrr....Trriiing?Ziiip¡ª.Thud.Thud.Thud.Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud....Smack!Click. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 187 The first place where rumors about Veterans spread like wildfire was none other than Narae Arts High School. Which made sense¡ªafter all, the lead actress attended this very school. Thanks to last year¡¯s festival performance of Shall We Fall Together?, Ha-eun¡¯s name was already well known among the students. To them, she wasn¡¯t just some celebrity they occasionally saw on TV. ¡°Hey, Jjudo! Your queen¡¯s movie is out!¡± ¡°...She hasn¡¯t been my queen for a while now.¡± Even for Joo Do-yoon, who had played Kyle in Shall We Fall Together?, Lee Ha-eun¡¯s presence wasn¡¯t something he could easily ignore. Her intense performance¡ªsomething he had witnessed firsthand on stage¡ªwas still burned into his memory.@@@@ But at the end of the day, You, Me, and Us was a channel that produced scripted content. So watching a film that was currently dominating the box office was a good way to study and learn. ¡°Like, the sound design, the directing¡ªstuff like that.¡± ¡°Pfft, anyone can say they¡¯re analyzing those things.¡± ¡°Hey, let me pretend to sound cool in front of our junior for once!¡± ¡°Haha....¡± And so, the day passed. Then, the next day¡ªafter watching Veterans¡ª ¡°Alright, we¡¯re playing soccer. If you want to join, start kicking. If you¡¯d rather chill in the classroom, go ahead.¡± ¡°Sir! Class 1 has free period too¡ªcan they join?¡± ¡°Do whatever you want.¡± ¡®...Wait. Class 1?¡¯ The moment Do-yoon spotted the students from Class 1 approaching the field, he started to sweat. Whoosh!BANG.CRASH!SPLAT!Tap, tap, tap!BOOM!Tap, tap, tap!Whoosh!...Tap, tap! BOOM!Click.Click, click.Yep yepAre those your parents under the emoji cover?Caramel popcorn? Nice, nice.Did you not get nachos? Nachos are top-tier.Ah, here we go¡ªNael, the Lee Ha-eun cultist, is at it again lmaoNael... she¡¯s underage, y¡¯know?Okay but she was kinda... y¡¯know...That scene was nothing compared to what came next, though.Wait¡ªIs there a nude scene in Veterans?? Asking for a friend.Tbh, I kinda lost it too.Lee Ha-eun? Cursing?I wanna call you dramatic, but... yeah, no. That scene was unreal.Squelch.Knock, knock.Creak.Smile.Step.Shing. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 188 Yoon Seung-jae had a hunch. Without leveraging the power of a conglomerate to grasp Jeon Jae-han¡¯s financial or social weaknesses. Without preemptively drugging him as she had done in her fight against Kang Chan-seong. It would be difficult to defeat Jeon Jae-han. ¡°Haa... Haa...¡± She had always been exceptionally sharp since childhood. She knew the stark physical gap between men and women. She knew the difference between a veteran detective and an ordinary civilian. From the beginning, the smart choice would have been to avoid confronting Jeon Jae-han altogether. ¡°Wow, calling me a bastard? That¡¯s a little harsh.¡± Should she run? Should she hide? Until now, everything in her life had been under her control. So why¡ªwhy was this man different? Thus, she refined her approach. She needed to kill Jeon Jae-han, no matter what. Sharpening her only weapon¡ªa single knife¡ªand her self-defense techniques to their most optimal form, she executed her plan. Swish! A razor-sharp blade darted straight for his vital points. Forced to face it barehanded, Jeon Jae-han twisted his waist, barely dodging the lethal strikes. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 189 A trip to Europe. There was no real reason to dislike it. For starters, the accommodations were at a five-star hotel. I wasn¡¯t sure where the Start Again production crew would be staying, but the cast, including myself, had been assigned private rooms. The facilities looked amazing. When I looked up the hotel, I saw that even the gym was fully stocked with state-of-the-art equipment. Which meant I could keep up with my workout routine while in Europe. No matter how I looked at it, this was a great opportunity. In my past life, a trip to Europe would¡¯ve been a pipe dream. So, I planned to take my time, explore every tourist attraction, and finally see in person the places I¡¯d only ever seen on the internet. ¡°But will foreigners even understand my songs?¡± ¡°They won¡¯t fully understand since they¡¯re in Korean. But that doesn¡¯t matter. Apparently, even if they don¡¯t get the lyrics, they¡¯ll still clap like crazy if it sounds good.¡± Lastly, the core of Start Again¡ªbusking. I had a positive outlook on it. Damn, the unnis are putting their foot down today.She¡¯s basically royalty LMAO.Wait, isn¡¯t this actually Diah¡¯s birthday???What¡¯s the hierarchy in this group???Something feels off about this LOL. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 190 After Ha-eun and the other members finished exchanging their birthday gifts, Jung Maria¡¯s party began to wind down. As they enjoyed the rest of the food, casual conversations started bouncing around the room. Unsurprisingly, the topic that took up most of the discussion was Veterans. All of them had seen the movie, and since Ha-eun had played one of the leads, there was no shortage of things to talk about. ¡°Ha-eun, the way you cursed sounded so natural.¡± ¡°I know, right? The moment I heard you say fuck, I was shocked. You never curse, so it was terrifying.¡± ¡°To be honest, I thought Ha-eun playing a murderer would be kinda cute? But nope. Not at all.¡± ¡°That scene where you smashed your old classmate¡¯s face? The guy sitting next to me at the theater got so startled he spilled his popcorn.¡± ¡°That¡¯s technically Ha-eun¡¯s fault, then. Shouldn¡¯t she compensate him for the lost popcorn?¡± ¡°Ahaha... I¡¯ll think about it.¡± And just when the conversation was starting to wind down¡ª ¡°Oh, right. One of the second-gen members is a huge Ha-eun fan.¡± ¡°You mean the one who collabed with her?¡± You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 191 From the first semester final exams at Naerae Arts High School. At the same time, about four days had passed since Veterans hit ten million viewers. "There''s going to be a lot of paparazzi following you, so let''s stay home for a while." "Hmm, but I have to go jogging with Seol in the morning." "Jogging... fine. Jogging is okay. But try not to go out otherwise." "Got it." Following Ju Jung-yoon''s advice, Ha-eun was currently staying home with Baek-seol. She had no desire to have unwanted photos taken by paparazzi, after all. No one understood the consequences of Ha-eun being linked to LUX better than she did. That was why all discussions regarding the first joint collaboration between the first and second generations of Illusionary Realm members were being handled entirely through Discord. "Three hours... no, about two hours left." Thinking about the upcoming Illusionary Realm collab in a few hours, Ha-eun stepped into the quiet living room. Na-yeon and Seong-yoon had gone out to the theater to watch Veterans together.@@@@ You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 192 "Seol, noona has to work now."@@@@ Blink. Blink. Blink. Blink. "Ugh...! Looking at me like that won¡¯t change anything! C¡¯mon, let¡¯s go to the living room." Step by step, little by little¡ª Slide... Click. ¡°...Phew....¡± Only after she was safely back in her room did she finally let out a sigh of relief. DIAAAWoooahBaby''s here, welcome~First as always lolDamn, look at that prison sizeLet¡¯s go bomb the opening areaLet¡¯s stash some jewels in advance kkkkkLOOOLWhy does she sound so tempted lmaoUh-oh, you¡¯ll get in trouble with the bossBetter do it before it¡¯s too late, go go goOH NOWE¡¯RE BUSTEDManager''s here, manager''s here!!Instant arrest lmaoBaby''s heist¡ªFAILEDHmmmmmmmBaek-seol bars are valid thoShe¡¯s scared lmaoooDIAAAA just confess and repent alreadyFor sure, no doubtI''ve been playing Minecraft for 11 years, you¡¯ll need a running startJust jump and figure it out later...Whoosh...LOOOOOOOLThat was never gonna work lmaoMoney is a powerful motivator;;Don¡¯t tell her she wasn¡¯t gonna get 30,000 even if she made itRead it again, it said 3 Min-won not 3 Man-won (3 minutes not 30,000 won)GaspDiah didn¡¯t read the dono properly, her own fault smhBeware of donation traps.jpgWhat a god-tier reaction lmaoLegendary¡ª10k won for a death scene, 10/10 would donate againWTFSHE¡¯S FALLINGGGGGShe¡¯s dead. 100%.If it were Mile, she¡¯d just fly out with her wings lolWhat is this, boot camp?! LMAOThat name is awful, whose idea was this?Rip Diah¡¯s vocal cordsEar assault, holy...D-Diah, I can¡¯t hear anymore...LMAOSHE TRUSTED YOU!! SHE BELIEVED IN YOU!!!I can already taste the betrayal, omgNael would literally give her soul if Diah asked, and now she¡¯s on her team LOLI¡¯m so jealous of Nael right now wtfNael¡¯s gonna be so salty after this game, calling it now. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 193 Cops & Robbers. A game where thieves must steal a jewel and escape, while the cops must capture every last one of them. The six-member thief team, including Nael, had to first locate the jewel¡¯s whereabouts. And since Diah was still pretending to be on the thieves'' side, that meant she had to do the same. [ Let¡¯s split up and find hints. Meet back at the park in 20 minutes! ] [ Got it! ] [ Yes, senpai! ] "20 minutes at the park~." With that, the thief team scattered across the map, searching for hidden hints. They still had about ten minutes before the cops began their patrol.@@@@ Why does she sound like she actually means it?Stay focused, Diah, you¡¯re a cop!If all the thieves get caught and she¡¯s the only one left, it¡¯s a perfect crime.She¡¯s literally singing now lmao.Might as well switch sides for real. Let¡¯s go. ¡°...Ugh, another dud.¡± None of the cops knew that Diah was the undercover officer. All they had been told was that a mole existed somewhere among the thieves. That meant Diah had to find the contact item, meet up with the cops, show her undercover badge, and start leaking information. But since she had been monologuing loudly this whole time, she hadn¡¯t exactly been subtle. [ Oh! Diah-senpai! ] GaspOh no, it''s Nael.RUN, IT''S OVERABORT MISSIONShe¡¯s so confident about that lol.I mean, it makes sense for Diah, but Nael... really?The thief team is screwed.Ocean and Riah are searching like crazy while Nael¡¯s just vibing.Nael is a professional menace.She won¡¯t let her escape lmao.Is this stalking...?Nael is actually terrifying.¡°You can¡¯t leave.¡±She¡¯ll chase you to the ends of hell!!!!Her parkour skills are cracked tho.Nael is having the time of her life.Does she even realize she¡¯s tea-bagging an undercover cop?¡°What¡¯s this Walkie-Talkie for?¡± (In front of an undercover cop) LMAOOOOSHE HAS NO IDEA HAHAHALMAOShe¡¯s really going all in on this RP.Nael is gonna feel SO betrayed later.The things she does for content...Cuteness overload.(To the cops) "We need to hide" lmaoNAEL GET OVER HERE!!!RUN FOR YOUR LIFENael, you¡¯re already caught. Just accept it.Hmmm, I wonder why...Revenge is a dish best served cold.Some people say there¡¯s this certain someone who tortured her during a recording session.She said the first thing she¡¯d do after catching Diah is smack her butt 100 times.Well... too bad for her. Diah¡¯s an undercover cop~~Undercover Agent: Thieves gathering at the park.WATASHI GA MAMORU!!!Nael, don¡¯t set up death flags...Imagine getting stabbed by the one you tried to protect.Every line she says is pure gold lmao.<<<<<< the copsGuys, there¡¯s literally a traitor in your group.(Suspicious emoji) x4Hoooooly sh¡ªDO NOT LOOK SUSPICIOUS. DO NOT LOOK SUSPICIOUS.If there¡¯s a spy among the cops, then there¡¯s probably also... shhhhhhhOcean is carrying this team lmao.S-Tier Ace, Ocean.Undercover Agent: Nael spotted on the second floor of the library.Drumroll intensifiesNael was a great thief. RIP.She got all her usefulness squeezed out before being sold out lmao.This is just cruel LOL.LOOOOOOOLUMAI~~~~~Nael finally got cuffed, RIP.Nael¡¯s heart must be shattered rn.Goodbye, tiny outlaw. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 194 If Nael had to admit it, everything had been great at first. After all, getting to participate in Illusionary Realm''s group collab was a rare opportunity. And even rarer¡ªwas the chance to team up with Diah. Ding! "Oh! I''m a thief!" Oooooh.Master Thief Nael, let''s gooo.(Villainous chuckling emoji) x5 Even when the Cops & Robbers game actually started, things were still going great. Step, step, step. [ Oh! Nael, hi~! ] "Kyaaahhh!! We''re on the same team!!" [ U-Um... yeah... G-Good luck~! ] Nael, my ears... I can¡¯t hear.AHHHH EAR EXPLOSION.Her energy level skyrockets when she sees Diah, huh?Are you trying to make us all deaf??? [ Over-over, Nael, can you hear me? Over. ] "Over-over, I can hear you~." [ Okay, let¡¯s head to the first floor. Over. ] "Oh my god. TOO CUTE!!" It was literally cute enough to kill her. She could already picture what kind of face Haeun was making behind her screen, and that alone gave her chills. Of course, Nael¡¯s viewers didn¡¯t really get it. For them, Diah was just a chaotic gremlin, pure and simple. So no matter how much Nael liked Diah, most people in chat just brushed it off. But then¡ª [ Look, see? I''m a cop! ] [ Oh, so Diah was the one who gave away Nael¡¯s location. ] The moment Diah¡¯s betrayal was revealed.@@@@ BETRAAAAAAYED.LOLOLOLOL.Nael, this is what happens when you trust people.This is pure comedy, I can¡¯t.Absolutely destroyed.Oh no. She¡¯s broken.Nael, we need you to stay with us.This is the face of a woman who¡¯s been through too much.Oh no. She¡¯s PISSED.They say the scariest people are the ones who laugh when they¡¯re mad.How much anger is she hiding, wtf.RUN, DIAH.BOOM!!!They sound like little kids, fr.My cousin and her best friend fight like this all the time.Wait, isn¡¯t Hida supposed to be 600 years old...?Mentally, they¡¯re basically the same age.WHACK!RUSHING FOOTSTEPS!OCEAN THE LEGEND.SHE¡¯S A GODDESS.SHE REALLY PULLED IT OFF, WTF.WE LIVE IN OCEAN''S KINGDOM NOW. EVERYONE ELSE, PACK UP.Diah, noooo!You¡¯re streaming tomorrow, right???It¡¯s gonna be so quiet without you, ugh.Diah, what¡¯s that ¡®important announcement¡¯ on your schedule? I¡¯M SCARED.SCRATCH SCRATCH SCRATCH.LICK LICK.SCRATCH SCRATCH SCRATCH.CREEEEAK¡ªSCRATCH SCRATCH SCRATCH SCRATCH.SCRATCH SCRATCH SCRATCH SCRATCH.Blink. Blink.Blink. Blink.BUMP.RUSHING FOOTSTEPS!! You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 195 ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± While Ha-eun, the pickpocket, and the surrounding commotion created an awkward standstill, Kim Jung-hyun, the PD of Start Again, noticed the situation and approached to ask what was happening. After getting a quick rundown, his eyes widened in shock, and he was momentarily speechless.@@@@ First, the fact that a cast member had been pickpocketed was startling enough. But then, another cast member¡ªHa-eun¡ªnot only chased the thief down but actually subdued him and dragged him back? ¡®Is this some kind of hidden camera prank?¡¯ It was such an unexpected situation that the thought naturally crossed his mind, even though the odds of it being true were practically zero. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go catch a taxi first~.¡± Acting as if nothing had happened, ¡®Leo¡¯ cheerfully led the cast out of the airport. A singer-songwriter known for his love of travel, he took the lead as the group¡¯s designated mood-maker, raising the energy levels for the shoot. ¡°I heard Leni was really looking forward to the hotel we¡¯re staying at this time.¡± ¡°Oh, yeah. I heard the spa there is incredible.¡± The cast for this season of Start Again consisted of four members, including Ha-eun. Leo and Leni, who had just been chatting, were two of them. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 196 First of all, Ha-eun preferred physical activities. Not only did she have a level of stamina far above the average person, but her sense of movement and coordination was also exceptionally sharp. That¡¯s why she didn¡¯t shy away from intense shoots like action scenes¡ªshe actually welcomed them. Even back in school, she was more enthusiastic about PE than any of the other girls. So just because she was filming Start Again. Just because she was in the middle of a poolside shoot. Strictly speaking, she wasn¡¯t entirely used to wearing something as revealing as a swimsuit. But after playing around with the other cast members for a while, she found herself getting caught up in the fun. And once she got into it, her initial embarrassment over the swimsuit quickly faded away. What remained was a slightly flushed face and the massive wave created by her small fist slamming into the water. ¡°W-wait, that was like... a tsunami... Leni just got¡ª¡± ¡°...Let¡¯s back away a little, Hyeon-min.¡± Leo muttered nervously as he took a step back, clearly shaken by the sheer size of the wave that had just swallowed Leni whole. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 197 ¡¸H-how do I get the swelling down? My face is twice its normal size...¡¹ Go wash up at the valley, it¡¯ll go away.Nah, you need to go to the hospital, get treated, and take medicine.Wow, look at everyone giving false hope. That effect is permanent.Not a single honest answer here, lmao.Just make a new character, easy fix. ¡¸W-wait, what? I have to remake my character? Seriously!?¡¹ ¡°Pfft, it just disappears over time. Idiot...¡± While Ha-eun was stifling her laughter at Hida¡¯s obvious panic, Song Hyeon-min¡ªwho was sitting one seat away¡ªwas listening to the song he¡¯d be performing at the busking session. ¡¸©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡¹ ¡®...Hmm...¡¯ He even had his eyes closed, fully focused on the song.@@@@ And so¡ª -Tap, tap. His hand lightly touched Ha-eun¡¯s shoulder, and almost at the same time, he spoke up. ¡°What are you watching?¡± Of course, he hadn¡¯t actually peeked at her screen. He was simply curious¡ªnothing more, nothing less¡ªabout what had Ha-eun so entertained. ¡°A-ah! Uh, um... I, uh...¡± You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 198 ¡°There''s plenty of other great actors out there. Why me?¡± ¡°Because to me, you¡¯re the only Mr. Sun-woo.¡± A repeated question. A repeated, unwavering answer. And¡ª ¡°If you won¡¯t come willingly, I¡¯ll just drag you there.¡± ¡°Ahaha. And just how do you plan on carrying me?¡± ¡°You think I can¡¯t?¡± ¡°...What?¡± Her relentless determination. Thanks to that, Kang Sun-woo ended up sitting with Ha-eun for quite a while, discussing God and Goblin. An old voice recording. Hearing her calm voice from years ago, Kang Sun-woo let out a breathy chuckle. ¡°I looked into it, and apparently, verbal agreements have legal validity.¡± ¡°...Wow. I had no idea you even recorded that. You¡¯re thorough.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a compliment.¡± And with that, Kang Sun-woo finally nodded. He couldn¡¯t bear to keep Ha-eun waiting any longer. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 199 First, there were no issues related to Ha-eun''s schedule regarding her appearance in The Gisaeng Family. Unlike Gods and Goblins, which had completed casting with Kang Sun-woo as the final member, The Gisaeng Family was still in the planning stage. ¡®The movie schedule is a little different from what I expected, but... it probably won''t matter that much.¡¯ From what Ha-eun heard, the filming of The Gisaeng Family was scheduled to begin after the broadcast of Gods and Goblins. So for now, Ha-eun only needed to focus on filming Gods and Goblins. Time passed, and finally, it was the day of the first meeting for Gods and Goblins. ¡°Hmm.¡± Ha-eun took out her phone and compared a picture from her high school entrance ceremony with her current self. Her chest had definitely grown, even if her height hadn''t changed much. ¡°Hmm...¡± After putting on the vest over the blouse, Ha-eun felt even more discomfort. But as a high school senior, she couldn''t afford to buy a new uniform. So, Ha-eun reluctantly left the house in the slightly smaller uniform. It was shortly after that she got into Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s van, which had come to pick her up. However, when Ha-eun mentioned her school uniform size to Jung-yoon, she was met with a response that triggered a personal complex. Open the door!!!!Come hereCome ouuuutFinally, the return of Dimo (Generation 1)So when are you turning on the mic???KyyaaaaaaWho are you???Your voice is nice, I¡¯m meltingWow, it''s the third generation of Illusionary Realm, hahahaWhy does your voice sound so awkward?;;HahahahahahaYandere Diah, scaryI thought we were going to break up,???What if we did think about someone else?Getting obsessed with Diah, heheheI couldn¡¯t even breathe properly because I missed you ??Swoosh.Whew...OhWhat was that just now?KyyaaaaaaaaaaaVery satisfying tasteHehehe(Angry emoji) x5Thank you for the reward!!!!Tap tap.Ding ding.??????Is this real?What¡¯s going on suddenly?A solo song is coming out??Who¡¯s that guy, babe?MeWhat the hell, she comes back and starts cheating?Spin the roulette again! One more time!RockNoeulis, you¡¯re going to go black~ go black, go black, go black, go black, go black, go black, go black, go blackMeGotcha hahahahaExtremeKyya, that¡¯s a refreshing moveThe clingy guy, this is just too muchRockI knew it!!!!!ExtremeYep, that¡¯s how it is, say it and it¡¯s overClean move, very satisfying You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 200 Diah''s announcement of her first solo song production and her intention to actively incorporate Noeulis'' ideas into the lyrics caused the participation in the chat to skyrocket. The fact that Diah would sing a solo song with lyrics chosen by the fans had the chat going wild. Of course, some suggestions were less than serious, and others were totally inappropriate for song lyrics. [qhtcl2rldjswp] - How about "Noeulbit" (Twilight Light)? ¡°Noeulbit? ...I like it!¡± There were many ideas that caught Ha-eun¡¯s attention, and before long, the list of suggested words in the notes app grew quite long. What?I have a really good idea though ;;Can we do one more roulette spin, please? Please, pretty please ???Diah, if you don¡¯t listen to me, you¡¯ll really regret it.Just one more spin.Ding.You¡¯re making a music video??Is this the big one? The big one, right? The big one, right? The big one, right?Diah¡¯s name at the start? This is going to be (banned user)What¡¯s the profit sharing going to be like?Since Noeulis made the lyrics, the profits should go to Noeulis, right? Hahaha. ¡°P- Profit sharing? Uhh...¡± Ha-eun pondered for about 20 seconds. Realistically, she couldn¡¯t share profits, and besides, the main focus was on the fact that her first solo song was coming out. ¡°The money from the song? I¡¯ll use it to do something good for Noeulis©¤¡î¡± She boldly declared, in a more shameless tone, that there would be no profit sharing. As expected, the chat filled with playful jeers.@@@@ Are you a mother stealing New Year¡¯s money now?Give me my money!!!Where¡¯s this ¡®good place¡¯ exactly?Sigh, Diah¡¯s probably going to buy more cotton candy with Noeulis'' money.Diah¡¯s the real villain, huh;;What?Wow, you really pulled that one off hereKyya hahahaOkay, just this onceWhen did we register our marriage again?A 1-year-old wife? Is that okay??????Wait a secondWhere are you goingggggggggggNo, it¡¯s not even been an hour yet!I knew it! Damn!!!!Seriously, coming back after 3 weeks, and leaving after an hour? That¡¯s pushing itWhat¡¯s with that nun outfit quality hahahaSo cute thoughHer tone got suddenly so serious, huhYou¡¯re saying you¡¯re going on a month-long hiatus and you expect us not to worry? Seriously, how could you not?I thought you were graduating, DiahI can¡¯t live without you, Diah!Thought this was an emergency announcement, my heart almost stoppedSo, the conclusion is you just wanted to relax for a month, huh?Diah: (SD Diah emoji, lying down and tapping her swollen belly) Diah: "Steak was sooooo good!"Oh no... get well soonIs it really that serious??dungheoga: It¡¯s stage 2 colon cancer, but they say it can get better after surgery.Oh no, it could¡¯ve been worse... Thank goodness it¡¯s not stage 3 or 4; get well soon.Isn¡¯t that Ha-eun¡¯s back?Wow, this is insane hahahaIs the person holding the beach ball in the front Leni and Song Hyeon-min? So, is that really Ha-eun in the front?This isn¡¯t edited, right???Wow, she¡¯s so pretty, what¡¯s this ???Ha-eun¡¯s body line is amazing, is that even a human body??All that exercise really paid off, for realWith that body, she¡¯s definitely bikini-readyTap tapWhat¡¯s she doing??Is she in a hurry to use the bathroom?Wait, the opening hasn''t even started yet, and she¡¯s running away??But why is she running so fast? Is she a track athlete?Swish ¡°Uh, huh?!¡±Thud...Screams!!Is this real????Damn, so Iyeo-seo really existedThank goodness he didn¡¯t have a knife, kid;;Why is Ha-eun in acting and not in law enforcement, though? hahahaDid no one else see the pickpocketing?This is so scaryIf this isn¡¯t scripted, then it¡¯s impressive;Is his bone broken?His hand might just fly off <<< this is realI¡¯m scared, Ha-eun...This is ridiculous, hahahaShe just ran and caught a pickpocket, hahahaHuh, why is her look so intense?Here we go, here we goHer gaze is that of a seasoned criminal ???How is this even entertainment? I really don¡¯t get itStart Again <<< is this a thriller now?I don¡¯t know how anyone could keep up when Iyeo-seo is chasing them ??Seriously, her face is terrifying hahahaSo, was this staged or not?The fact that Ha-eun¡¯s grip can¡¯t be faked is the real truth here;If this was staged, what kind of magic did Ha-eun use to make that handprint? There¡¯s no way this is fake. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 201 Start Again A music variety show where famous Korean singers travel overseas to take on the challenge of busking. The core concept revolved around well-known singers performing on the streets like unknown artists, experiencing the reactions of local audiences firsthand. Since the filming took place abroad, the show also had an element of a travel program. The opening location for this season was Lisbon Airport, exuding a full-on travel atmosphere. However, unlike previous seasons, which began with casual chatter about the upcoming schedule, this season of Start Again had an undeniably different start. Swoosh.Whoa, she turned her head the second he confirmed everything was there, terrifying lolWhy is she saying "that¡¯s a relief" while looking at a kid who''s shaking in fear? ? Because if something was missing, she would''ve dealt with it on the spot, obviously. ? From that kid¡¯s perspective, it really is a relief ?? ? She was probably ready to interrogate him until he confessed lol ? Crazy woman... crazy woman... crazy woman... Before long, major news portals were flooded with articles about Ha-eun. The show¡¯s rising viewership was an added bonus. "Kim PD-nim, it¡¯s already at 10 percent!" "H-huh?" From the very beginning, Start Again had an undeniably strong grip on its audience. Even though it was an unplanned incident from the production team¡¯s perspective, the impact was massive. The broadcast continued with Leo, trying his best to appear cheerful as if nothing had happened. But despite his extensive travel experience, even he had never encountered a situation like this before. Did he really just compare an actress to a cheetah? lolI mean, am I the only one who thinks she could actually keep up with one?She was crazy fast, for real.Oh no, Iyeo-seo¡¯s seal is breaking...Leni is literally coaching her into another kill shot lolNo, no, that¡¯s not how you stabJust because there¡¯s a camera doesn¡¯t mean she won¡¯t kill you, Leni ? Damn ????Wow, he¡¯s stupidly handsomeHis muscles are insane!!!!!He said he¡¯s been keeping up with workouts, and damn, you can tellHyeon-min still got it, this is great hahahaSong Hyeon-min supremacyDamn ?????Maybe not first place, but definitely in one departmentQueen Leni reigns supremeLook at those curvesSplash.Splash.Swish.WhoaThat body isn¡¯t even realThis is insane hahahahahahaShe¡¯s 19?! Are you serious?!Is she even a high schooler???She¡¯s leaner than I expectedLee Ha-eun wins, no contestWhoosh!Smack!!Whoosh!!A person is flying!!!Where is he even landing??Damn, that must be terrifying ??Is Ha-eun a shot-put athlete or something??Splash!BOOM!!!?????What the hell was that just now???How did she even make that kind of wave in a pool? ??Is she Poseidon or something? HahahaLeni¡¯s gonna die, chill out, girlShe¡¯s a freaking TerminatorTap tap.Clink, clink.?What the hell?Is that Ha-eun?Welcome, TerminatorWho is she talking to?Is this a live stream?Is Ha-eun doing a personal broadcast? Why is she so good at talking? lolClick.Is this the broadcast Lee Ha-eun watches??Lee Ha-eun¡¯s beloved ¡®Hida¡¯ form is insane ??Wow, Lee Ha-eun really watches stuff like this? hahahaYour voice is amazing!Witch? What do you mean by witch?If you¡¯re new, just do a basic search first ffsWhy are there so many clueless people flooding in?!? You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 202 For Da-yeon, Hida was a golden ticket. Unlike before, when she was just another faceless fan among many Noeulis, as Hida, she was an official member of Illusionary Realm. More importantly, it gave her a VVIP pass to interact with Diah. Of course, Da-yeon wasn¡¯t just messing around. Getting into Illusionary Realm¡¯s 2nd generation was a huge achievement, considering the competition. So she dedicated herself to fully embodying the Hida persona. And, to be honest... She genuinely enjoyed it. Which meant¡ª No Animal Village today???Lee Ha-eun has this kind of taste? ...Noted...Your model is so pretty!!What the hell is the manager doingMODS, PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF GODThese clowns are everywhere ;; "H-hold on a second~. Let¡¯s switch to subscriber-only mode~." Click click. With a few swift mouse clicks, the overwhelming flood immediately slowed down. For the next 20 minutes, she focused entirely on stabilizing the chat. Gradually, the chaos died down. Finally, peace.Phew...Now we can breathe lolWhoa, she really broke 10K viewers??? ?? With the chat finally under control, only her regular viewers, the ¡°Hansels,¡± remained. But then, the thought hit her. Why the hell was Lee Ha-eun being spammed in the chat earlier? She got caught watching your stream by Song Hyeon-minIt aired on Start Again lolHida, we¡¯re so proud of you!!!!So among us ¡°Hansels,¡± we have a legit high school actress?? WHERE IS SHEIt¡¯s already posted on the official cafe, Hida-nimLOOOOOOLHold up, we¡¯re not just letting anyone take our Hida ? Is Lee Ha-eun ¡°just anyone¡± though? ? What if Iyeo-seo decides to slice her up? ? ...That¡¯s actually a fair pointYeahShe was super into it lolSong Hyeon-min was watching with her tooDamn, that body is insaneHoly sht*LEE HA-EUN IN A BIKINI HEUUUUUUUNGTop-tier body, top-tier woman ??(Elephant spraying water emoji) X6Both of them are STACKED lolAin¡¯t no way either of them are starving in lifeSHE¡¯S STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL??Click click click click click click click click click.NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSKIP BUTTON, STOP IT!Damn it, REWIND!Hida, why are you censoring perfection ;;;Witch, what the hell are you doingFAKE HA-EUN HAS ARRIVED LOLDamn it, Diah, are you just here to mess things up?She has an IMPECCABLE sense for chaos ??GaspPAID BAN ???Hida is PISSED LOLRIP Diah, she¡¯s not playing with you anymoreToxic behavior must be purged ??? You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 203 ¡°...Was this a dream?¡± That was the first thing Park Yeon-woo muttered upon unexpectedly facing both Leni and Diah at the same time. How much more surreal could a sight possibly get than what he was witnessing right now? And yet, despite that¡ª ¡°Would it be okay to shake hands?¡± ¡ªSwish. It was all for the sake of wishing him a quick recovery. Cancer was a battle that took its toll from the very beginning of treatment. If their visit could bring him even a little bit of strength, then that was enough reason to be here. ¡°So, if you undergo surgery... will you get better?¡± ¡°Yes. It¡¯s still stage two, so they say the chances of it coming back after the surgery are low.¡± The fortunate thing was that Yeon-woo himself was looking toward the future with optimism. Because of that, both Leni and Diah were able to speak to him in an encouraging tone rather than a solemn one. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 204 Scene #8 ¨C Cafe? This was the scene where God and the Goblin¡¯s two protagonists, Baek Jin and Baeksulhwa, met for the first time. A moment of stark contrast¡ªBaek Jin, who had never once forgotten Baeksulhwa since their farewell centuries ago. And Baeksulhwa, who had no recollection of Baek Jin at all.@@@@ He had already ceased to live as a human. Yet, cursed with immortality by the gods, he had been unable to die, wandering through countless ages. Meanwhile, Baeksulhwa had lived as an ordinary girl, doing her best to get by. From her student years, she had juggled multiple part-time jobs, including working at a cafe?, striving for a life more human than anything else. Their very existences were so different that the way they perceived each other could only be different as well. On the other hand, to Baek Jin, the current Baeksulhwa was someone he could only look at with a deep sense of longing and sorrow. Because centuries ago, when she was still human, Baeksulhwa had been the most precious person in his life. "L-let go of me!" ¡ªSmack! "Why are you doing this to me? Do I know you?" "...Of course, this must be confusing. I understand." You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 205 One Hour Before Job People Filming Ha-eun was on her way to the Job People opening location, riding in Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s van as usual. They exchanged lighthearted conversation along the way. People at the cafe? were definitely going to recognize her. Most of them would probably know her as Lee Yeseo from Veterans, her latest project. There might even be some customers who found her downright terrifying. "If someone faints, that¡¯d be a total broadcast disaster. What do we do then?" "Come on... No one¡¯s actually going to faint. I¡¯m not a ghost or anything." "So, have you seen Veterans?" "Yeah, I have. Ha-eun was intense in that one." For the first time in a long while, Ha-eun found herself worrying about her public image. Because when that customer had locked eyes with her just moments ago, they had flinched so hard¡ª Like they had seen an actual ghost. Even though she was just standing there in a cafe? uniform. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 206 "Da-yeon, wanna go camping? Just for a night."@@@@ "...?" Lunchtime at Naerae Arts High School. As usual, Da-yeon was sitting next to Ha-eun, eating her meal¡ªwhen suddenly, she was hit with an unexpected proposal. And when she turned to ask what the heck Ha-eun was talking about, the answer she got was four syllables: ¡°Friendholic.¡± The moment she heard the name of that well-known healing variety show, Da-yeon immediately realized that Ha-eun was trying to recruit her as a guest. Honestly, there was no reason to turn it down. Hanging out with Ha-eun had always been fun, both in the past and now. And it wasn¡¯t like they often got the chance to shoot the same programs together. Still, just out of curiosity, she asked¡ª "If I said no, who were you planning to go with?" That was why, on the way back to class, she pressed for more details about the shoot. "Wait, we¡¯re not gonna be running around in bikinis by the river, are we?" "No! We¡¯re just gonna set up a tent and hang out at the campsite." "Okay, that¡¯s a relief." Only then did Da-yeon relax a little. And then she asked¡ª "So why the sudden interest in camping?" For a moment, Ha-eun hesitated. Then, lowering her voice¡ª "...Image management." A slightly embarrassed whisper. Followed by an explanation of what she wanted to achieve with Friendholic. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 207 The healing variety show Friendaholic, where close celebrity friends go on a two-day, one-night trip together. It was a long-running favorite among viewers who enjoyed travel as a hobby or preferred healing variety shows. However, the fanbases of the celebrities appearing on Friendaholic also played a significant role in the show¡¯s ratings.@@@@ The highest-rated episode was the one featuring famous Hallyu stars who had been known for their close friendship since their trainee days. On the other hand, episodes featuring lesser-known, obscure singers tended to have significantly lower viewership. Because of this, the production team of Friendaholic naturally leaned toward casting more famous celebrities. In the broadcasting industry, Ha-eun was viewed as a lottery ticket¡ªsomething immensely valuable but difficult to obtain. That was why, in the past, Shin Dong-woo had not placed much hope in getting Ha-eun on the show. But now that Ha-eun had not only agreed to appear on Friendaholic but had already finished filming¡ª Shin Dong-woo had to make the most of the lottery ticket that had somehow fallen into his lap. There was just one thing that weighed on his mind. "It¡¯s something really personal... I don¡¯t think I can share it. I¡¯m sorry." Flap flap!Flap flap!Rustle rustle.Rustle rustle. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 208 In the end, this episode of Friendaholic was a complete success. A 12.8% viewership rating. Considering the recent decline in TV variety show ratings due to the rise of OTT services and YouTube, this was an exceptional result. At the same time, Start Again¡ªwhich had recently wrapped up¡ªalso recorded strong ratings. Although its numbers gradually dipped over time, the impact of Start Again''s first episode had been unprecedented. Simply put, Ha-eun was a blue chip. Having already made a successful comeback through The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds, she had now turned another drama, The Sunshine, into a hit. On top of that, Veterans, the film marking her return to the movie industry after ten years, had drawn ten million viewers, causing ripples throughout the entire entertainment industry. Ha-eun¡¯s influence as an actress was evident even in the commercials she filmed. Her past CFs had resulted in a significant sales increase for Sears, and Rev had experienced nationwide sellouts due to her endorsement. The brand of "Lee Ha-eun" was solidifying. She had become one of the biggest blue chips in the entertainment industry, and the flood of offers from major brands proved it. Thus, Hwang Yu-cheon made a decision. Ha-eun was not one of those stars who soared in popularity only to disappear without a trace. No, she was a different breed. And so, he needed to ensure that his connection with Ha-eun lasted as long as possible. "We can¡¯t afford to lose her. No matter what." Tadadadak.Diah?!Look at this senior showing up late lol.Where were you? Where were you? Where were you? Where were you? Where were you?Are you asserting dominance over the juniors, Diah?I was so cold, I was so cold, I was so cold, I was so cold, I was so cold...Just let it slide, she¡¯s the senior lol.Stay confident, crybaby.(Arms crossed emoji) x5Is that all? Just words?!If ¡®sorry¡¯ was enough, why do we have laws?!Dogeza... is the only answer...MY CHICKEN GOT COLD!!!Thought you weren¡¯t coming today;;NaelOceanHidaThud. Thud. Thud. Thud. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 209 No matter what, Diah is the youngest member of Illusionary Realm''s first generation. Being the youngest both in terms of her VTuber RP and actual age, Diah had always been treated as the "maknae" among the first-generation members. Of course, Ha-eun herself didn¡¯t mind being treated as the youngest. After all, all the first-generation members of Illusionary Realm had been people Ha-eun admired for a long time. Her personal fan-girling was overflowing. However, now she was collaborating with the second generation of Illusionary Realm members. Technically, the second-gen members were also people Ha-eun had admired in her past life. But currently, Ha-eun was participating in the collaboration not as a fan, but as a respected senior. Thud. Clatter©¤! ¡°How¡¯s that? Did I earn a lot? Impressive, right~?¡± She wanted to show the second-gen members her "senior" status, her worth as a role model. That¡¯s why she proudly showed off all the scraps of metal she had farmed in the game to the second-gen members. Tap-tap-tap! ¡°Hey, guys! I¡¯m back! Get ready to run©¤!!¡± Just as Diah was being chased by the monsters on the deserted island and running toward the helicopter for escape. Vroooom©¤! ¡°Wha, wha? Guys! I¡¯m not on yet!!¡± [ Diah-senpai, bye~! We¡¯re leaving! ] ¡°This is rebellion! Turn the helicopter back!!¡± [ Bye-bye~! ]@@@@ Diah is alive here!All the scrap metals disappeared.Is that really a junior?Throwing away like a dog ??Already eaten by the juniors ????So childish, both of them ?????Abandoned by a 600-year-old grandma, now a 1-year-old baby <<< What¡¯s going on hereReal-time squirrel) Things are looking well at homeFeeling dizzy already ??Wait, seriously? ????What¡¯s she gonna do with that?Tarantula perfume? What is that?Witch, 10 seconds until disaster... 9 seconds... 8 seconds...Satan has been fired;;Diah¡¯s love for her junior is truly the greatest ????What is going on over thereWhoa!!! Diah has gone mad ??Is the big one coming? Is the big one coming? Is the big one coming? Is the big one coming?When is Hida coming?I want to see the Witch ???Open the room, room leader! Open the room! Open the room!Is that Diah??Is this real?Oh, the baby finally got caught.You said you were a special guest, but why are you bringing the child, Witch?Is Diah going to be eaten now? ????Wait, what did you say?Diah: Hida¡¯s mid is just a sucker (slightly offensive joke)HahahahahahaThis will cause some controversy.Diah Cola speaking up;;In front of the person? The guts are insane ?? You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 210 Ding. [ ?? has donated 1,000 won! ] : What¡¯s the real deal with her looks, seriously? Go on, tell us! After Diah''s explosive comment about the red pill, now a donation message arrived, asking about Diah''s red pill. ¡°...How annoying!!¡± ¡°Eh? Why?¡± ¡°Why are you asking about it if you don¡¯t already know?!¡± In the end, there was no way to gossip about Diah¡¯s red pill. There was simply nothing to criticize. Her appearance? She was an actress who had even shot cosmetics commercials. It would be a lie to criticize the appearance of someone whose photo had made it into news articles thanks to The Sunshine¡¯s legendary shot.@@@@ HahahahahahahaWait, how beautiful is Diah in real life?If a girl thinks someone¡¯s pretty, they must really be prettyWhy can¡¯t Hida just say she¡¯s not ugly?Diah¡¯s shoulders have broken through the stratosphereWhy am I feeling flustered?Just take the XP, we¡¯ll carry youFighting ??; All the other lanes are winningLet¡¯s block and do our own thingHahahahahahaIs this Silver average?Diah¡¯s on fire today, scratching the hell out of itHida¡¯s whining can be heard here tooAlready full from laughingTeam members are real-life saints?Is that Diah??Noona!!!!!!!!!!!What the heck?Noeul¡¯s blushing!!!!!!!!!!!Oh my godNoona, I¡¯m dying hereHaha, hahahahaWho are you, who are you, who are you, who are you, who are you, who are you, who are you, who are you, who are you, who are youGive Noona back!!Bring Diah-noona here!!!!!Go away, babyNoooooo!!!!! You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 211 Ha-eun had been broadcasting as Diah for just over a year and five months. It wasn¡¯t an extremely long time, but it certainly wasn¡¯t short either.@@@@ The time was more than enough for Ha-eun, who had been just a regular viewer before her debut, to hone her "broadcasting sense." She had already instinctively learned how to guide a broadcast from early on. Ultimately, since this wasn¡¯t the first time an unintended incident had occurred, Ha-eun was already prepared for the situation. ¡°Wahh~!¡± Flash! ¡°My body¡¯s weird~!!¡± ?Haha, no way!Noona, bring her back~Glowing baby, woahAaaaah?????? As Diah¡¯s unexpected counterattack began, the viewers started squirming. However, there were still messages in the chat requesting Diah¡¯s locked voice. ?????Stop!!!!I feel like I¡¯m going crazyThis is insane, I can¡¯t handle itLet¡¯s speak our language, let''s speak our languageHey hey hey!!!!!Stop the autotune!!AaaaahThis feels like an ant-scratching experience ;;We¡¯re sorry, we¡¯re sorry, we¡¯re sorry, we¡¯re sorry, we¡¯re sorryShe''s not even in her own broadcast anymore(Screaming emoticon) x9Just hearing it makes me salivateWhy torture us with this from the morning? ???I¡¯m on my way to work and I can¡¯t even eatWhy isn¡¯t the camera on??Gonna heat my lunchbox in the microwaveComplimenting yourself, hahaA 1-year-old can¡¯t get a chef certificate, sillyWhy is it only you eating?The avatar¡¯s head movement is so cuteGive me some!!Is Hida starving??HahaDiah, you¡¯re the best...!Love for the junior, that¡¯s the real DiahWhen did you and Hida become close??Bride materialWait, what¡¯s happening with the actual skill?What?Is this really happening, hahaCan you handle the aftermath??Let¡¯s go~ Let¡¯s go~ Let¡¯s go~ Let¡¯s go~ Let¡¯s go~ Let¡¯s go~ Let¡¯s go~¡®Repeated adjustments¡¯Is this the broadcast Ha-eun watches??Hida¡¯s form, loved by Ha-eun, is incredible ??Wow, Ha-eun watches stuff like this, hahaYour voice is so nice, hahaWitch? What¡¯s a witch?If you¡¯re new here, please search before comingWhy are there so many pink-haired fans? ©¤Fake Ha-eun¡¯s here, hahaDamn, is Diah here to stir things up again?You¡¯re really good at starting chaos ?? You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 212 As usual, Diah¡¯s virtual avatar wore a playful expression. And in front of her, a notepad filled with the names of all the members of Illusionary Realm, from the founder Daramji to the first and second generation members. Next to the names of the Illusionary Realm members in the notepad were Diah''s imagined scenarios of what it would be like if she married them. It was just like the imagined marriage content that Hida had done before. However, given the nature of the content, it was only natural that Diah¡¯s personal feelings would be strongly reflected in what she wrote in the notepad. For members like Ocean or Neon, who were still in the stage of getting to know Diah, her imagination was a bit vague. On the other hand, for Cream, who had the nickname "Diah¡¯s favorite doll," Diah¡¯s imagination was much more specific.@@@@ ¡°If I married Cream, I¡¯m sure I wouldn¡¯t have to lift a finger. In the summer, she¡¯d fan me, and in the winter, she¡¯d peel oranges for me. Oh, just imagining it makes me so happy~.¡± Her imagination was much more detailed. That¡¯s why the chat was flooded with similar hypothetical scenarios. Would you feed me too?Maximum personal feelings, hahaIf she fans you and peels oranges, isn¡¯t that just being a servant?No, we can¡¯t give Cream awayWhy is this UFC?What if Cream gets mad at Diah? How will you handle that?Is this real?OMGSweet babyHow about just confessing now?Oh no, I imagined Diah hanging on to her...What?Is there a copyright on imagination now?But I already imagined something worse (Temporarily banned user)Aaah! Someone died!Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorryWhat?Our witch would cry? WoahHida can¡¯t stand scary things... notedThat¡¯s why Diah¡¯s imagination about Hida felt playful. Imagining going to the movies or an amusement park with Da-yeon felt more like playing with a childhood friend than a date. [ eternalyg donated 10,000 won! ] : Is Hida older or younger than Diah? ¡°Oh, that¡¯s really interesting. There¡¯s a 599-year age gap, but I don¡¯t get an older vibe at all.¡± It¡¯s the midlife crisis talkingOther second-generation members said Hida has amazing charisma, but does Diah see it differently?Is this marriage imagination or gossip?Hida looks young, that¡¯s why ¡°Hida looks young? Well, she doesn¡¯t look old, but... she kind of looks fierce. When she glares, it¡¯s like lasers are coming out of her eyes.¡± Woah;;Haha, this is too muchDiah¡¯s official opinion: Hida looks like a tough person (slightly offensive joke)Diah, you¡¯re going to get eaten alive by the witchDiah: Hida is Superman While Diah continued teasing and joking about marrying Hida, Da-yeon, whose patience was at its limit, slowly turned the doorknob. Squeak... And almost immediately, Ha-eun¡¯s inner voice started to make its way into the conversation. OhSounds like a sweet storyI¡¯ve heard this story somewhere beforeHaha, this is funnyIt sounds nice just listening to itShe must be really kind when she¡¯s not on cameraHida¡¯s appearanceFinally, the witch is coming out, hahaDon¡¯t say Diah talked behind Hida¡¯s backBe confident, DiahHida, Diah said you look fierce?But you did say itShameless;;Diah, if you¡¯re scared, just admit itLying will cost you your head, baby!!!I¡¯m working part-time and so hungryYou¡¯re really chomping awayThat pasta looks so goodCan you show us a picture?WoahThat excuse sounds familiarGaslighting is Diah¡¯s specialtyNo wonder Neon¡¯s voice lacked strengthThis is going to be controversialToday¡¯s GOAT: Hida¡¯s donation of 100,000 won at the last minute: ¡®Old Man Kim Cheol-soo on Neighborhood Watch¡¯ For real.It was almost too late with 4 minutes left, but boom, Golden Bell.If today was good, should I try pressing ¡® ¡¯?Big things are always done by the maknaes. Isn¡¯t 600 years old the youngest?When there are 2,000-year-old golems, why are we even arguing about age?Diah¡¯s hoarse voice [113]Voice experts, compare them yourself [97]Seems like a setup, but is this coincidence? [209]They shut down the Lunchbox. As expected of Luna Entertainment.Luna Entertainment¡¯s official notice.Real life injustice. What a laugh.Honestly, I didn¡¯t believe it.Lunchbox pieced all his videos together.Lee Ha-eun¡¯s filming schedule (Source: Instagram) Really busy, huh?What¡¯s even more surprising is that with a schedule like that, her grades are still great.How does she even find time for streams with such a busy schedule? LOL1-sentence summary: The best kind of clever.What¡¯s with Noeulis¡¯ behavior at the end?I mean, her figure is incredible, LOL.At this point, even Noeulis¡¯ fantasies seem real.This person just loves Diah, Ha-eun or not, LOL. You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 213 God and the Goblin¡¯s past segment. The scenes for Baek Jin and Baeksulhwa¡¯s story closely resembled parts of the past segment of You Came from the Stars. For example, the male lead appearing as the female lead¡¯s protector, or the two protagonists, who once parted in the past, meeting again in the modern day. Of course, the details differ, but the general storyline shared similarities. The highlight of God and the Goblin¡¯s past segment, like in You Came from the Stars, was the female lead¡¯s death scene. ¡®Every time I wear a hanbok, it feels like I¡¯m going to die...¡¯ Having already performed a death scene in The Sunshine, Ha-eun felt a sense of de?ja? vu. Technically, she hadn¡¯t worn a hanbok when she died in The Sunshine, but a suit instead. A professional at death scenes. Recalling a line from an article she had read long ago, Ha-eun felt slightly conflicted. Squeak... "...Did you come?" Ha-eun was able to act with ease, as though she had little time left, portraying the image of someone nearing the end of their life. A person dying of illness¡ªno acting was needed, since it felt so real to her. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± ¡°Please, don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s just weakness. A little rest, and I¡¯ll be fine.¡± Her pale complexion. Even her weak breath could hardly be controlled. Each breath¡ªinhale and exhale¡ªwas heavy, as if a giant rock was pressing down on her chest. Every shallow exhale was accompanied by a dry cough. This was the acting depicting Baeksulhwa¡¯s grave illness in the past segment. Though the exact disease wasn¡¯t specified, the deteriorating health was clear, and it was evident that Baek Jin and the viewers watching from the TV were concerned. ¡°I¡¯ve brought medicine. Even if it¡¯s hard, please take it.¡± The yaksha, the yaksha has appeared!Ugh, ugh... Aaaahhh!! You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 214 Ha-eun¡¯s phone was a total of two. In addition to her regular phone, she also carried a separate phone for her Illusionary Realm broadcasts.@@@@ The phone that Cream had just used to call Ha-eun was also this broadcast phone. Since Cream had once unintentionally caused trouble for Ha-eun, she made sure to only contact her through the broadcast phone during streams, especially if there was something important. Of course, each time she called, she never forgot to ask if Ha-eun was available to talk. After all, one mistake was enough. Aww, Diah-mong!!!UghI¡¯M WATCHING YOU ??I didn¡¯t say anythingWhat, 24/7 watch duty? LOL Gradually, the noisy chat began to quiet down. [It¡¯s fine, unnie¡î] ¡°Okay! Did you hear that? No matter what you say, Diah is on my side. Thank you, Diah~.¡± Just as Ha-eun was about to end the call. [What¡¯s there to thank me for? You can ask me anytime... Ahhh!!] ??????????What¡¯s happening?Did Diah die??Did Bar-sensei come over?GGBar-sensei is legitPhewDiah is scared of bugs... making a note of that...Click here to pay your respects You didn''t buy this chapter Buy Now (3 coupons) Chapter 215 When Nael was sitting in the designated seat for Ha-eun''s fans at the Star Athletics Competition, Ha-eun, for a brief moment, was taken aback. ¡®I hope Ha-eun wins all the gold medals?¡¯ Originally, Star Athletics Competition was a program with a strong fan-service element. Not only could fans watch various athletic events featuring celebrities, but they could also cheer at the top of their lungs, just like at a real athletics competition. There was also a separate designated seating for each fan group, added to enhance the fan experience. Fans were allowed to hang banners supporting their idols in their designated seats. Plus, it made it easier for celebrities to spot their own fans when everyone was seated together. And most notably: - Thud, thud. - Nod. During breaks before or in between the recordings, celebrities would often walk up to the fan seats to greet their fans. Just like Ha-eun had just done. ¡°Lee Ha-eun is so pretty¡ª!!¡± ¡°Kya!!!¡± ¡°Ha-eun, fighting!!!¡± Just a few days ago, like Nael, many fans tried to secure tickets for Star Athletics Competition at any cost. After all, it was a rare chance to cheer for their favorite celebrities up close and personal. By pure luck, however, Nael had managed to get an extra ticket while gathering her friends to get tickets for the event. Someone had to accompany Nael to the competition, and that¡¯s how Da-yeon ended up sitting next to her, with her cap pulled down low. ¡®...Why am I here...¡¯ The vast stadium was packed with fans of the celebrities participating # N§àv§Ölight # in Star Athletics Competition. Right in front of Da-yeon and Nael¡¯s seats, a banner supporting Ha-eun was hung. From top to bottom, everything about this place was unfamiliar to Da-yeon. The fact that Nael¡¯s fans were all around them, including Ha-eun¡¯s own supporters, made it even more obvious. ¡°Don¡¯t you think Ha-eun looks great in her athletic uniform? She looks so pretty today~!¡± ¡°Ah, yes... She looks great...¡± It would be a complete lie to say that Da-yeon wasn¡¯t embarrassed. She regretted agreeing to come to Star Athletics Competition with Nael a few days ago. ¡®I only agreed because I didn¡¯t have a schedule... I didn¡¯t expect this kind of atmosphere...¡¯ Well, to be fair, Da-yeon could cheer for Ha-eun as her friend while watching her compete. Honestly, it seemed like it could be fun. It was just that sitting with fans who were as enthusiastic as Nael made it feel a bit awkward. At this point, it almost seemed like Da-yeon was a fanatic fan of Ha-eun, just like Nael. Da-yeon always considered herself Ha-eun¡¯s close friend, not a fan. No matter how it looked, she was embarrassed to be seen as a fan. But, unfortunately for Da-yeon... Swipe. ¡°Hey, Da-yeon. Could you hold this for me?¡± ¡°...?¡± Nael handed Da-yeon a small banner that she had brought along. With a quick flick of her wrist, Nael unfurled the banner, revealing a message of support for Ha-eun. [ ¡ï The actress with ten million fans is here to conquer the Star Athletics Competition ¡ï ] ¡°...Wow.¡± Da-yeon let out a hollow sigh of amazement at the overly flashy banner. The problem was that, before Nael even suggested that she hold it, the Star Athletics Competition had already begun. [ Now, welcome to the grand festival of stars with a long history, the Star Athletics Competition¡ª ] This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. By the time all the spectators turned their eyes to the huge screen in the middle of the stadium, the announcer had finished introducing the celebrities attending the event and was now expressing gratitude to the audience. [ Many fans have come to support this year¡¯s Star Athletics Competition. The atmosphere is already heating up! ] The screen continued to focus on the crowd, and Da-yeon immediately sensed something bad was about to happen. [ Oh! Isn¡¯t that Min Da-yeon? ] Da-yeon¡¯s name echoed across the vast stadium. Immediately after, all eyes were on her, and another announcer started talking about Ha-eun. [ Isn¡¯t Ha-eun participating in this year¡¯s Star Athletics Competition as well? It looks like the two of you, being such close friends, came to cheer her on today. ] [ Oh, and I see you¡¯re holding a banner too! You¡¯re really showing your support for Ha-eun! ] The huge screen displayed Da-yeon holding the banner supporting Ha-eun, and almost simultaneously, her face and ears turned bright red. [ Wait, isn¡¯t Min Da-yeon from a different agency? Was this something that was cleared with her CEO? ] [ Well, it¡¯s probably a case of friendship over company loyalty, don¡¯t you think? ] To be blunt, Da-yeon felt like she was about to die from embarrassment. She wished she could hide in a hole right then and there. Despite everything, though, because she had to maintain her image as an actress, Da-yeon clenched her trembling lips, forced herself to smile, and waved lightly at the camera. The applause that followed was deafening. ¡®I¡¯m going crazy...¡¯ So this is what it feels like to be too embarrassed to even look up. Da-yeon, who had just betrayed her agency to cheer for Ha-eun, felt utterly miserable. *** After the Star Athletics Competition kicked off with the witty banter of the announcers, the stadium gradually dimmed, and a very famous song started playing. Soon, the spotlight shifted to the center of the arena, and the atmosphere became electrified as the famous idol group Ignite appeared on stage. The celebrities¡¯ celebrities. The original Hallyu stars. The national idols. Ignite, a group that included Song Hyun-min, who had gone to Europe with Ha-eun in the past, instantly lifted the mood of the stadium with their entrance. Their opening performance immediately began. Kyaaah¡ª! I! G! N! I! T! E! Oppas are so cool¡ª!! Ignite was the senior idol group that all the idols currently gathered at the stadium looked up to. Fans in the stands, as well as the other celebrities in the stadium, were completely captivated by their performance. After their successful opening performance, a surprising announcement was made: Song Hyun-min and his team would be the special judges for this Star Athletics Competition. After getting off the stage, Song Hyun-min approached Ha-eun with his colleagues. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Ha-eun. How have you been?¡± ¡°Oh, yes. It¡¯s been a while.¡± The conversation that followed was light and casual. Ha-eun, who had grown somewhat close to Song Hyun-min during the filming of Start Again, didn¡¯t feel any distance between them. However, Ha-eun had never met any of Song Hyun-min¡¯s colleagues before. Plus, it seemed like Song Hyun-min had told them something because they referred to Ha-eun as ¡°the girl Hyun-min tossed aside.¡± ¡°Hyun-min¡¯s into sports, you know. Ha-eun, you¡¯re amazing.¡± ¡°By the way, what¡¯s your bench press, Ha-eun?¡± Most of the questions directed at Ha-eun were along those lines. There were also playful remarks from Song Hyun-min, saying that no celebrity could ever beat Ha-eun. ¡°Well, anyway. Fighting, Ha-eun! I¡¯ll see you during the competition later~.¡± ¡°Ah, yes. See you later...¡± It felt like Song Hyun-min had been teasing Ha-eun, and that was why Ha-eun tilted her head slightly as she watched him and his colleagues walk away. Still, for now, Ha-eun had to focus on the recording of Star Athletics Competition. So, she headed toward the so-called ¡°Luna Entertainment Team.¡± A little while later, Ha-eun began greeting the idols she had met a few times while going back and forth from Luna Entertainment¡¯s building. ¡®Come to think of it, I¡¯m an idol too.¡¯ At this point, Ha-eun had a strong intention of becoming friends with the idols around her. The reason? She was also active as a virtual idol under the name Diah. Of course, she couldn¡¯t reveal Diah¡¯s identity, and while Diah wasn¡¯t exactly the same as the idols around her, she still thought of herself as one. ¡®An idol is an idol...!¡¯ For now, at least, Ha-eun considered herself an idol with no shame. However, unlike Ha-eun, who had become a little excited, the idols from Luna Entertainment, who were in the same group as Ha-eun, seemed quite hesitant. ¡°We should do our best.¡± ¡°Yes, yes!¡± They seemed to have a tendency to be a bit nervous around Ha-eun. And that made sense¡ªHa-eun, from their perspective, was like an invasive species. After all, her backer was Doublely. She had recently casually chatted with Ignite¡¯s members, and her debut album had shot up the charts. ¡®What are we even supposed to live on?¡¯ The idols watching Ha-eun probably had similar thoughts. Ha-eun¡¯s success as an actress and now her venture into the music industry was definitely a red flag for them. Above all, Star Athletics Competition was a golden opportunity for idols to gain exposure, and seeing Ha-eun greet so many idols with polite manners didn¡¯t sit well with them. ¡®We can¡¯t let this kid beat us.¡¯ ¡®She seems fit, but our stamina is no joke either.¡¯ As Ha-eun became more of an enemy than an ally among the idols, the first event of the Star Athletics Competition, the short-distance race, was about to begin. The preliminaries started, and Ha-eun took her position at the starting line, just like the other idols around her. The idols assigned to the same heat as Ha-eun thought they could easily beat the 19-year-old Ha-eun and move on to the next round. But as soon as the flag of Ignite, the special judges, was raised¡ª Whoosh! In an instant, Ha-eun, who had been standing at the same line as the other idols, was gone. Less than 8 seconds later, the women¡¯s 60-meter dash preliminaries were over. [ 7.13 seconds! A new record for Star Athletics Competition! ] [ The world record for the 60-meter dash is 6.92 seconds, right? Ha-eun is truly a track and field prodigy! ] The bewildered voices of the announcers echoed, leaving everyone stunned. What in the world had just happened? ¡°Wow... That¡¯s insane...¡± *** ¡°Ha, Ha-eun¡¯s ponytail! She¡¯s got a ponytail, Da-yeon!!¡± ¡°...I see it too...¡± ¡°Take a picture, take a picture!¡± Click! Click click click click! ¡°Uh, uh...? Ha-eun¡¯s running!! Wow!!! 1st place!!!¡± ¡®...Should I run away now...?¡¯ Chapter 216 After Ha-eun¡¯s overwhelming victory in the women''s 60-meter dash A group preliminaries, the stadium¡¯s central screen immediately started replaying the footage of the recent race. The celebrities in Ha-eun¡¯s heat, especially the idol who came in second place, anxiously stared at the screen, wondering if Ha-eun had made a false start. ¡®That can¡¯t be right.¡¯ The gap between Ha-eun and the second-place idol was about 2 seconds, which seemed to imply Ha-eun had started 2 seconds ahead. Of course, if Ha-eun had really started 2 seconds earlier, it would have been obvious, but the idol had no doubt that Ha-eun had made an early start, even if it was only by 0.2 seconds. However, the commentary coming from the stadium¡¯s speakers only praised Ha-eun. [ Ah, her starting posture was perfect. The way her upper body stays straight while running is also very impressive. It¡¯s common for runners to lean back as they run¡ª ] [ The other competitors are no match for her. Ha-eun is incredibly fast! ] [ We already have an unprecedented time gap here~! ] The celebrities other than Ha-eun felt slightly dazed. Was Ha-eun¡¯s demeanor on the screen really that calm, or was it just a trick of the light? Her hair, tied neatly, fluttering in the wind. Her composed expression. And for some reason, her feet looked light as she ran. ¡®Wow, she didn¡¯t even get out of breath once.¡¯ ¡®Why is she so pretty??¡¯ ¡®She must have been looking at her fans the whole time...¡¯ It felt like they were on a completely different level. After the race, when Ha-eun approached them and offered a fist bump, they froze for a moment. ¡°Good job.¡± ¡°Ah, yes...¡± If the difference had been slight, they might have felt disappointed, but it was such a large gap that they didn¡¯t feel any lingering regret. The idea that Star Athletics Competition was a stage for idols no longer held any meaning. Right now, the idols were looking at Ha-eun as, to put it mildly, a bundle of talent. Or, to put it bluntly, ¡°You take everything for yourself.¡± ¡®I was just thinking about learning from her earlier...¡¯ This is probably what the idols were thinking as they watched Ha-eun. In the wild world of Star Athletics Competition, Ha-eun was clearly a predator. But no one knew that Ha-eun¡¯s running posture came from years of training she had observed from national athlete Kim Min-joon, who Ha-eun had watched all day long when she was young. The routines of Kim Min-joon had naturally seeped into Ha-eun¡¯s own training routine. Ha-eun herself had even forgotten about it at some point. ¡®I¡¯m glad it looked good.¡¯ Right now, Ha-eun¡¯s only concern was her image. She kept thinking about her appearance on the screen. What Ha-eun feared the most was that her slightly better physical abilities would be exaggerated compared to others. That¡¯s why, during the 60-meter dash, she had intentionally held back and not gone all {N?o?v?e?l?i?g?h?t} out, adjusting her speed to maintain control over her image. ¡®As planned.¡¯ Ha-eun¡¯s inner self, as Diah, wore an expression just like that famous meme of a character sure that their plan had succeeded. Time passed, and after all other preliminaries were finished, the final for the women¡¯s 60-meter dash was about to begin. Even then, Ha-eun was still focused on maintaining her image and wasn¡¯t planning on running full speed, but... Whirring sound¡ª! [ Min Da-yeon ] ¨C Hey [ Min Da-yeon ] ¨C Everyone can tell you¡¯re holding back [ Lee Ha-eun ] ¨C (a giant confused otter emoji) [ Min Da-yeon ] ¨C If you don¡¯t run seriously, I¡¯ll interview you later ?? [ Min Da-yeon ] ¨C ¡°Ha-eun was just taking it easy in this Star Athletics Competition (laughs)¡± [ Lee Ha-eun ] ¨C (shocked otter emoji) Da-yeon, sitting in the stands, had caught on that Ha-eun was managing her image. The messages that followed were enough to make Ha-eun think twice. [ Min Da-yeon ] ¨C Just run fairly [ Min Da-yeon ] ¨C Otherwise, you might end up with a ¡°Lee Ha-eun/Controversy & Scandals/Star Athletics Participation Attitude Controversy¡±? [ Lee Ha-eun ] ¨C ...Is it that obvious? [ Min Da-yeon ] ¨C Yeah, yeah ¡°...Hmm.¡± Ha-eun knew Da-yeon well enough to know that she wasn¡¯t lying. While others were giving their all, Ha-eun taking it easy might become a controversy. After much deliberation, Ha-eun finally made up her mind. Tap, tap. ¡°Lee Ha-eun, please move to the staging area.¡± ¡°Ah, yes.¡± At last, when the preparations for the women¡¯s 60-meter dash final were finished, Ha-eun decided to run with everything she had, as Da-yeon had suggested. She couldn¡¯t let the other athletes down by holding back. Not long after, Ha-eun opened her phone and typed a message, then held the phone up high for Da-yeon to see. [ I¡¯ll become a cheetah ] Ha-eun sent the message to let Da-yeon know that she would be running seriously. Seeing it, Da-yeon couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. If anything, this was very much in character for Ha-eun. ¡°...Alright, idiot. Stop pretending to be modest.¡± ¡°Huh? What did you say?¡± ¡°Ah, nothing. Just talking to myself, Ji-hye.¡± Then, she turned to Nael, saying that the final was about to start. As expected, Nael¡¯s phone immediately began filming Ha-eun again. Not long after, the final for the women¡¯s 60-meter dash began. [ The race has started¡ª! ] [ The athletes are running with all their might!! ] The slightly excited voices of the announcers filled the air as they covered the race. But barely 2 seconds passed before... [ Oh! ] [ Ha-eun is suddenly pulling ahead¡ª!! ] With Ha-eun accelerating at lightning speed, all eyes were drawn to her. The gap between her and the other competitors widened rapidly, and the crowd began to stir. Then, with a sudden thud, Ha-eun crossed the finish line without any competitors in sight, grabbing the white tape marking the finish. Just as she collided with the mat placed at the finish line. Thud!! [ Oh, wait... It looks like Ha-eun might have hit the mat pretty hard. Is she okay? ] [ Ah, she¡¯s giving a thumbs up, so she¡¯s fine! Congratulations to Ha-eun for the gold medal! ] The announcers let out a sigh of relief as the final rankings were announced, and almost immediately, Ha-eun¡¯s victory interview began. However, something seemed off about the record. [ Okay, Ha-eun¡¯s time just came up... Wait a minute, 6.97? ] [ Wait? Not in the 7-second range, but in the 6-second range? ] [ Ha, Ha-eun should be a national athlete for sure! ] The crowd and the broadcast booth were in an uproar. To be honest, most of the spectators didn¡¯t believe the record and thought there had been some kind of error in the measurement, especially since 6.97 was an Olympic-level time. Still, one thing was certain: Ha-eun was the winner. The screen showed her, smiling and waving after the interview, while cheers erupted from the fans. However, Da-yeon, one of the few who believed Ha-eun¡¯s time was legitimate, couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was wrong. ¡°...I think I just unlocked a seal that shouldn¡¯t have been opened.¡± She couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was off, especially since the mat Ha-eun had hit still had a noticeable dent in it. Was she really possessed by a cheetah, like she said? The thought lingered. *** ¡°Good job, Ha-eun~!¡± After the conclusion of the women¡¯s 60-meter dash, Ha-eun returned to the contestant waiting room and received a bottle of water from Ju Jung-yoon. It was shortly after that when she heard about another fan service event related to Star Athletics Competition. ¡°I have to go distribute afternoon lunch boxes to about 50 fans soon. You can rest if you want, but what do you think?¡± ¡°Hmm...¡± The lunch boxes were packed for around 50 fans and included Ha-eun''s photo cards, making it a special gift for her fans. Ha-eun thought her fans would definitely enjoy the lunch boxes. What¡¯s more, two of Ha-eun¡¯s acquaintances were already in the audience. So, with that in mind, Ha-eun decided to personally hand out the lunch boxes and share a late lunch or early dinner with her fans. ¡°Since everyone came to see me. Da-yeon¡¯s here too.¡± ¡°Got it~.¡± Ha-eun made her way to the audience section, and as expected, the fans welcomed her warmly when they saw her carrying the lunch boxes. The only one who remained calm when receiving the lunch box from Ha-eun was Da-yeon. ¡°Oh, steak? Everyone else got bibimbap or kimbap.¡± ¡°Ah, there¡¯s Korean food too. Let me know if you want it.¡± ¡°...If someone didn¡¯t know better, they¡¯d think you¡¯re handing out in-flight meals.¡± And so, as the ¡®delicious¡¯ lunch boxes that Ju Jung-yoon had strongly recommended were handed out, Ha-eun took one of the remaining lunch boxes and sat next to Da-yeon¡ªnext to Nael¡¯s seat, not hers. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. The conversation that followed was light and casual, the same kind of chit-chat Da-yeon and Ha-eun had shared when they ate lunch together at the Narae High School forecast. However, despite sharing a meal with Da-yeon, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t ignore the stares from everyone around her. Even people who weren¡¯t Ha-eun¡¯s fans were watching her and Da-yeon from afar. ¡°Hey, if I get food on my face, tell me, okay, Da-yeon?¡± ¡°Still good so far.¡± No one had asked, but Ha-eun found herself being handed wet wipes in between bites to clean around her mouth. At least the hearty lunch had satisfied Ha-eun¡¯s hunger. ¡°So, what¡¯s left?¡± ¡°Archery and the relay. Oh, by the way, I¡¯m the last runner for the relay, Da-yeon.¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t win, it¡¯s your fault.¡± ¡°...Does it work that way?¡± After chatting with Da-yeon for a while, Ha-eun stood up when she received a message from the event staff. She politely said goodbye to the fans still eating. ¡°Please continue cheering for the rest of the events. Thank you for coming.¡± The sound of applause and cheers followed her. Nael, one of Ha-eun¡¯s other acquaintances, gave her a high-five. Slap! ¡°Ha-eun, fighting!!!!¡± ¡°Ahaha. Alright, I¡¯ll be back.¡± Ha-eun then returned to the field. As she walked away, Nael murmured quietly. ¡°...Today, I won¡¯t wash my hands.¡± Da-yeon, shaking her head at Nael¡¯s extreme enthusiasm, couldn¡¯t help but feel perplexed. ¡°Does she really like Ha-eun that much? It feels a bit much to treat her like a goddess...¡± ¡®Hmm, is this normal?¡¯ Having never been a fan of any celebrity, Da-yeon found it hard to understand Nael¡¯s behavior. What she didn¡¯t know, though, was that back when she didn¡¯t know Diah¡¯s true identity, she was no different herself. Around 30 minutes later, the Star Athletics Competition resumed. This time, the men¡¯s archery competition took place first, followed by the women¡¯s. However, neither Da-yeon nor Nael was particularly interested in the other events that weren¡¯t Ha-eun¡¯s. [ ¡ö¡ö Winner! Congratulations~! ] Clap clap clap... They clapped, even though they didn¡¯t know who the winner of the men¡¯s competition was. They only started clapping properly when Ha-eun¡¯s archery round began. [ Lee Ha-eun¡¯s posture is perfect. ] [ The bowstring doesn¡¯t shake at all. She¡¯s so calm and composed. ] [ Wow~~. 10 points!! As expected, Luna Entertainment¡¯s ace!! ] The stadium filled with applause as Ha-eun landed 3 out of 4 arrows on the 10-point target. Her fans in the stands were just as enthusiastic. Before long, Ha-eun was ready to shoot her final arrow. The crowd held their breath as her focused face appeared on the giant screen. ¡°Wow... she¡¯s like an elf, really.¡± Click click click click. Nael¡¯s camera clicked again. At this point, Da-yeon had become used to it. However, when Ha-eun shot her final arrow... Thud! [ Oh, oh? The camera lens broke! ] [ Lee Ha-eun broke the lens! ] [ That sounded like the lens breaking, didn¡¯t it? ] The camera lens on the target was shattered. [ Ten-ten-ten, and the last shot ends with a broken lens! Lee Ha-eun, everyone~! ] [ Wow, this is truly incredible. She¡¯s just overwhelming. ] [ Shouldn¡¯t Lee Ha-eun be at the national team training camp instead of here? ] The entire stadium was once again filled with discussion about Ha-eun. Meanwhile, Da-yeon, who had been silently lost in thought, caught Nael¡¯s attention. Nael, curious, asked what she was thinking. Da-yeon¡¯s response was about the aftermath of Star Athletics Competition. ¡°I was just wondering who would win if the Archery Association and the Athletics Federation had a fight.¡± In Da-yeon¡¯s opinion, Ha-eun was the person most likely to attract attention at Star Athletics Competition. There didn¡¯t seem to be anyone else who could take the spotlight. As the commentators had consistently pointed out, Ha-eun seemed to have the potential to become a national athlete. Da-yeon couldn¡¯t help but think that Ha-eun might be offered a spot on the national team. ¡®Well, she¡¯ll probably turn it down anyway.¡¯ Da-yeon knew Ha-eun well enough to know that, no matter the circumstances, she would never give up her broadcasting career. Sure enough... ¡°Thank you for the kind offer, but... I really enjoy acting.¡± "Ha, but, Ha-eun, you could elevate Korea¡¯s prestige so much...!¡± ¡°Could you reconsider, just once?¡± ...No. I¡¯m sorry.¡± In the future, all of the national teams who offered Ha-eun a place in the athlete¡¯s village were turned down. On the surface, she claimed it was because she wanted to focus on her acting career, but in reality, it was because she had to continue broadcasting as Diah. ¡®How could she do broadcasting in the athlete¡¯s village?¡¯ At least for now, Noeulis were more important than any gold medal pension. That¡¯s why Ha-eun never wavered when the offers came in. Chapter 217 [ Ah, Woo Ah-reum has 7 points! ] [ Now, if Lee Ha-eun scores 4 or more points, the Luna Entertainment team wins. Alright, pull it back¡ª! ] [ Her posture is perfect. She¡¯s very stable. ] Whoosh¡ª! Thud! [ Ah, 9 points! The Luna Entertainment team wins! ] [ From the sprints to archery, it looks like Lee Ha-eun is clearly the champion of the women¡¯s division! ] After the women¡¯s archery event concluded, Ha-eun, wearing a chest guard to prevent the bowstring from hitting her chest, waved lightly toward the audience once again. She then noticed some familiar faces. Nael, making a fanfare with her hands, and Da-yeon, who seemed to be slightly embarrassed by Nael, caught Ha-eun¡¯s attention. ¡®I¡¯m glad everything worked out.¡¯ Ha-eun knew that performing well in the competition was also a matter of pride for her fans. She always wanted to give back to those who cheered for her, so every time she achieved good results, she felt relieved. During the following interview, she mentioned her fans first, beginning by saying how grateful she was to be able to show them a good performance. Her words once again brought a round of applause. Time passed, and after giving it her all in the final relay race, Ha-eun stood ready for the awards ceremony. [ Now, we¡¯ll begin the award ceremony. The announced athletes, please come up to the stage. ] The members of Ignite, the special judges for today, began calling out the winners. To everyone¡¯s surprise, the special awards like the teamwork award, fair play award, and challenge award were presented first. Most of the special awards seemed more like opportunities to secure screen time. Even if the athletes didn¡¯t perform well in the competition, they were given a chance to appear on camera. ¡®Hmm, what¡¯s the standard for awards like the Best Scene award?¡¯ She¡¯d heard rumors that some people lobby the PDs to win these special awards, though no one knew if that was true or just gossip. Still, it seemed like getting screen time was the most important thing in Star Athletics Competition. So, with each special award winner, the atmosphere around her changed dramatically. While the applause for the special award winners kept going, the non-winners, especially the other celebrities, seemed to be filled with frustration or disappointment. As someone very sensitive to the emotions of others, Ha-eun could easily pick up on these feelings. [ Next is the MVP award! Let¡¯s see who stands out today as the most impressive performer~! ] [ Well, I¡¯m sure everyone¡¯s already guessed, but there¡¯s only one person who deserves the MVP. ] [ Alright...! Yes, as expected, it¡¯s Lee Ha-eun! Lee Ha-eun, please come up to the stage! ] When her name was called from across the room, Ha-eun calmly walked toward the stage, her usual composed expression on her face. At the same time, she could feel a variety of stares and emotions being directed at her. ¡®Hmm...¡¯ So, this is what a power struggle feels like. What had seemed like a friendly scene on television was actually more like walking on thin ice. But, since Ha-eun hadn¡¯t done anything wrong, she didn¡¯t pay much attention to the negative gazes and emotions. Whether it was the MVP award or any other prize, they were all hers because she earned them with her good performance. She didn¡¯t believe the awards were being given just to increase her screen time. When she stood on the podium with her gold medals for the sprints, archery, and relay, Ha-eun stood tall and proud. However... ¡°Alright, then. Please share a word with the viewers celebrating Chuseok, Ha-eun.¡± Ha-eun hadn¡¯t expected to be the one wrapping up the event, so she hadn¡¯t prepared any comments. As a result, she began to speak off the cuff, though her words were a little disorganized. If she had to summarize what she said in one line, it was, ¡®Anyway, have a joyful Chuseok.¡¯ ¡°Stay healthy, everyone. Ah, I hope you enjoy eating rice cake soup with your families¡ª¡± ¡°Rice cake soup is for Seollal, isn¡¯t it? For Chuseok, it¡¯s songpyeon~!¡± ¡°...Ah.¡± Of course, the interviewer was none other than Song Hyun-min, someone Ha-eun was close to, so he didn¡¯t let even the smallest slip-up slide. While such small mistakes could be used for entertainment, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t help but feel embarrassed. Whoosh. ¡°E-Enjoy a joyful Chuseok!¡± Despite knowing this was just another broadcast moment, Ha-eun¡¯s ears turned bright red. She quickly ended the interview with Song Hyun-min for that reason. As soon as the Star Athletics Competition ended, Ha-eun rushed back to the contestants'' waiting room, but the embarrassment from her earlier mistake lingered. She tried hard to forget it. However, as often happens when trying to forget something, the memory only became clearer, and a small groan slipped out. ¡°...Do you think they¡¯ll edit that part out of the interview?¡± ¡°Maybe?¡± ¡°Ha...¡± After confirming with Ju Jung-yoon, she washed her face a few times in an attempt to refresh herself. ¡°You know, sometimes showing a little silly side helps improve your image.¡± ¡°Confusing rice cake soup with songpyeon isn¡¯t being silly; it¡¯s just being foolish....¡± ¡°It¡¯s the same for the viewers. Actually, they¡¯ll probably like you even more for showing that side.¡± Ju Jung-yoon, who had been comforting Ha-eun, then asked her to stand up for a photo. They needed to send a picture to CEO Jeong Do-cheol, who was waiting for the results. ¡°Hold the medals and flowers so they¡¯re visible.¡± ¡°Like this?¡± ¡°Yeah. Perfect.¡± Click. It was a picture that looked like something out of a victorious hero¡¯s story, and it was soon sent to Jeong Do-cheol. Not long after, the reply came back with a very satisfied tone, and Ha-eun was given a stern order to eat something expensive. ¡°Jeong Do-cheol says if you eat something cheap and nasty, you¡¯ll be fired.¡± ¡°Well, I guess I¡¯ll have to eat junk food. I¡¯ve enjoyed myself, though, sister.¡± ¡°Oh, no, wait. Really?¡± ¡°I¡¯m joking.¡± ¡°.............¡± In the end, Ha-eun¡¯s long day concluded with Ju Jung-yoon pulling her cheeks with a scary expression on her face. Honestly, it had been a rewarding day. She¡¯d shown many great moments in front of Da-yeon and Nael. Most importantly, Ha-eun had never spent such a long time exercising in her 19 years of life. Despite feeling a bit tired, her mood was incredibly refreshed. ¡®It feels like my head is clear.¡¯ This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. Afterward, when Ha-eun went to a fancy restaurant with Ju Jung-yoon, even after finishing an outrageously expensive meal, the good mood stayed with her. Perhaps because of that, even though it was a rest day, as soon as she got home, she turned on her stream. She thought of sharing the joy, as the saying goes, ¡°Happiness is doubled when shared.¡± [ Just a quick stream¡î ] ¡°Hello, hello~.¡± ???DiahRest day (not really)The baby has come, the baby has come, the baby has come, the baby has come, the baby has comeI miss you soooo muchThe chat window exploded with activity during the unexpected stream. From comments about how much they missed Ha-eun to questions about how long the stream would last, all kinds of messages flooded the chat. Before long, the viewer count had risen to nearly the same number as Diah¡¯s usual streams. Ha-eun, debating whether to switch to her main game, Battle Island, or just continue chatting, found that it was easier and more fun # N§àv§Ölight # to stick with casual conversation rather than transition into a gaming stream. For the next 30 minutes, Ha-eun simply chatted with her viewers, and thanks to the many discussions coming from nearly 20,000 Noeulis, the broadcast never had a lull in audio. ¡°Wait, you had seaweed soup for your birthday? That¡¯s good. Seaweed soup is healthy, so make sure to eat a lot of it even on regular days.¡± A photo uploaded to the cafeThat¡¯s not seaweed soup, that¡¯s bad food¡ªno, no, no, noDiah getting serious in 10 seconds...9 seconds...Sweet Diah taking care of her boyfriend¡¯s healthWhy on earth would you do that to seaweed soupDiah, let¡¯s go to the cafe¡°Wait, they uploaded a photo to the cafe? Okay.¡± Click-click. Click-click. ¡°Ah, this must be it. ¡®Had seaweed soup for my birthday.¡¯ Also, sliced some beef and cooked it really well, then added it to the soup. Looks delicious.¡± Ha-eun was reading a post about a Noeuli¡¯s birthday meal setup. The photos in the post, showing the well-balanced seaweed soup and other dishes, made Ha-eun satisfied as she admired the effort. However, when the Noeuli reached for their spoon after setting up the meal... ¡°To start off with something refreshing, pineapple first... What, what are you doing? Ughhh...¡± For some reason, the long spoon wasn¡¯t directed at the seaweed soup but at the pineapple. The bigger issue was that they dipped the pineapple into the seaweed soup, scooped it out, and put it back. ¡°If you eat like this, you can feel both the freshness and the richness. It¡¯s good. ...What¡¯s good about it! No, you can¡¯t do this. Go reflect for three days.¡± Ha-eun couldn¡¯t bear to read further and quickly placed a 3-day activity ban on the Noeuli¡¯s account. This brought a sense of justice to most of the Noeulis, while the few who had claimed that warm pineapple in soup was tasty made their case. Warm pineapple is a ¡®sin¡¯...Honestly, that might taste goodThere are a lot of weird foodies hereDiah, let¡¯s do a knife danceThe chat split into two factions, and Ha-eun, as usual, was about to implement her "rule of fear." After all, warm pineapple was an unforgivable taboo for Diah. To preserve Diah''s RP, it was only right to punish the pineapple enthusiasts. With the mouse in hand, Ha-eun prepared to wield the temporary block sword. ¡°I¡¯m giving you one last chance. Say pineapple is only for dessert!¡± Just as Ha-eun was about to block a Noeuli for defying Diah¡¯s taste... ¡°Pineapple is for dessert! Say it now!¡± [wkxorrudqldnjs33] ¨C Kugh, kill them ¡°Ah, you still haven¡¯t learned! I can really¡ª¡± Ding! [ Hye-min unnie (1) ] [ Hye-min unnie (2) ] [ Hye-min unnie (6) ] ¡°...Wait?¡± By chance, Ji Hye-min¡¯s message had been sent at the perfect time. Ha-eun immediately put down the temporary block sword and entered the chat room with Hye-min, who had news she had been waiting for. Soon, Hye-min confirmed that it was okay to reveal it during the stream, and Ha-eun¡¯s inbox was already filled with the video Hye-min had sent. With that, the punishment for warm pineapple enthusiasts was temporarily paused. Ha-eun changed the stream title to [The Big One is Coming¡î]. ???What is thisDiah, just sneak to the bathroomThere are already two big ones in Diah¡¯s mid (User temporarily blocked)Speak, Diah¡°Wait! It really has to wait!¡± Ha-eun asked her viewers to hold on for just a moment. With a slightly racing heart, she downloaded the teaser video for Diah¡¯s first solo track, Bright Day. ¡°Alright... drumroll please...¡± Once the download finished, Ha-eun full-screened the teaser video and hit play. ¡¸©¤©¤©¤?©¤©¤?©¤¡¹ The black-and-white illustrations showed Diah traveling across the Earth. The black-and-white visuals played for about 20 seconds before briefly going dark. Sparkle. ¡°? In the world dyed by the sunset, there are you and me shining brightly ?¡± The illustrations, now no longer in black-and-white, filled the entire broadcast screen. At the same time, the highlight of Bright Day began playing. The three characters spelling Bright Day slowly appeared as the teaser ended. Ha-eun, who had been silently watching, carefully opened her mouth. ¡°How was it?¡± Ha-eun was just as surprised by the quality of the Bright Day teaser as her viewers likely were. She anticipated that the Noeulis in the chat would be equally impressed. Wow, hahahahaGreat DiahSeriously, the quality is insaneDiah, I¡¯m so proud of you! Diah, I¡¯m so proud of you!LUX form is crazyThis is legendaryThere was no sign of harsh criticism in the chat, and Ha-eun couldn¡¯t help but smile at the positive responses. ¡°Thanks, everyone?¡± Chapter 218 As expected of things with the "first" label attached to them, Diah''s first solo track, Bright Day, was special. The short melody edited for the teaser continued to linger in Ha-eun¡¯s ears, a clear sign of how impactful it was. ¡°I guess they really meant it when they said to expect something good.¡± - Expectation success - So when is the full version coming out? So when is the full version coming out? So when is the full version coming out? - Diah in serious mode, wow - The 1-year-old is huge, lol It was definitely a lie to say she hadn¡¯t been expecting it at all. Ever since she heard that the music video was nearly finished, Ha-eun had been counting down the days. However, when she finally unwrapped the packaging, she found a product far more polished than she had anticipated. ¡°Hey, this is me~! Praise Diah~!¡± Ha-eun¡¯s excited voice was captured by the broadcast mic. It had already been a rewarding day, but with the teaser video as a bonus, dopamine was flowing. Ding. [ orue1001 donated 10,000 won! ] : The lyrics were made by Noeulis, but is there no bonus? ¡°Bonus? What¡¯s that? Oh, you mean like a performance bonus, right? Got it.¡± While Ha-eun usually controlled her emotions with ease, when it came to broadcasting as Diah, it was the opposite. She tended to be swept away by the emotions she felt as Diah. She didn¡¯t quite understand why this happened. Perhaps it was because it was something the past Ha-eun had always dreamed of. Or maybe it was because she had imagined Diah as a character that was completely opposite to her own nature. ¡®What should I do to get a good reaction...?¡¯ If Ha-eun had no memories of her past life, if she had grown up without any bitter memories, living as a daughter of good people from the start... Hmm. ¡°...I love you...¡± Perhaps, if she had no past memories, Ha-eun would have become a cheerful girl like Diah. Someone who liked to joke with close friends and always walked around with a smile, a bright girl. When she broadcasted as Diah, the only time she could truly forget the past life¡¯s memories was during these moments. Maybe that¡¯s why she spoke and acted like a child. ?OhWowwwThank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank youHehePineapple is a major winCan I refill, please¡°Want me to do it again? Why would I¡ª¡î¡± Diah was just a regular girl, expressing emotions without any calculations. She simply spoke and acted honestly, like any normal girl. It was the only time she could truly be "Lee Ha-eun." For now, at least. Ha-eun cherished these moments of broadcasting as Diah, perhaps because of this reason. ¡°Alright, alright. The release is coming up soon, so just wait a little longer~.¡± WhatIsn¡¯t it already finished?Show me what you¡¯ve seen¡°The final version? I haven¡¯t seen it either. I think only the CEO has seen the final version.¡± Ha-eun continued chatting with Noeulis, exchanging various bits of banter. As her eyelids began to droop, she knew it was time to end the stream. ¡°Today was supposed to be a rest day, but I¡¯m happy you all came to watch the stream. See you next time~~~.¡± Click-click. ¡°Before I go, I¡¯ve got some business to take care of.¡± Ding. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [wkxorrudqldnjs33] ¨C Did you know there¡¯s bulgogi with pineapple in it? [wkxorrudqldnjs33] ¨C Honestly, it might taste good [wkxorrudqldnjs33] ¨C This is a pineapple-hate crime;; [wkxorrudqldnjs33] ¨C Kugh, kill them ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ ¡°Alright, here¡¯s the real final chance. Say pineapple is for dessert!!¡± ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [wkxorrudqldnjs33] ¨C Pineapple is fo [wkxorrudqldnjs33] ¨C It¡¯s my favorite food [wkxorrudqldnjs33] ¨C Really, lol ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ < wkxorrudqldnjs33 has been forcibly kicked out by Diah. > ¡°Fabricating things will get you banned!! Out you go!!¡± Crazy person, crazy person, crazy person...Finally goneWhy are they being so stubborn about pineappleLook at their persistence, lolBut I respect their boldness, yeahAnd so, the surprise broadcast ended with the execution of the pineapple enthusiast, who stuck to their belief until the end. Afterward, Ha-eun collapsed onto her bed outside the soundproof booth. Usually, she would fall asleep right away, but today, the lingering feeling from the Bright Day teaser wouldn¡¯t leave her. Do-do-do-do-do. Pat-pat! Sensing Ha-eun¡¯s presence, Baek-seol climbed the dog steps and rushed to her, lying down beside her. ¡°Ah, Seol-ah. Did you wait for me?¡± Lick, lick. Lick, lick. ¡°Hmm, alright, alright.¡± Ha-eun couldn¡¯t fall asleep right away. Instead, she started telling Baek-seol about everything that had happened today. She whispered into Baek-seol¡¯s fluffy ears, telling her about the Star Athletics Competition, meeting Song Hyun-min again, the great results in the events, and how she bragged about Bright Day¡¯s teaser on the stream. Of course, Baek-seol didn¡¯t respond. As usual, she just blinked her eyes while nestled in Ha-eun¡¯s arms. But it was okay. Just being in Ha-eun¡¯s arms was enough. ¡°Hmm, where did our Seol learn to be so calm...?¡± As Ha-eun continued to stroke Baek-seol¡¯s fluffy head, she eventually closed her eyes. Hours later, when she woke up, all the fatigue from the day had disappeared. *** ¡°Oh, so these days, music videos are made like animations? Back in my day, it was almost always filmed.¡± ¡°B-but VTubers can¡¯t film, so... music videos have to be done like this.¡± It was around the time when the heat of summer was starting to subside that Ha-eun found herself in Leni¡¯s studio, the only outsider who had discovered Diah¡¯s red medicine. The conversation they were having until just a moment ago was about Diah¡¯s teaser for Bright Day, which had been released a few days earlier. Leni found Ha-eun to be quite an interesting person, and as a result, she often asked her all sorts of questions. For example, when Ha-eun had started practicing Diah¡¯s youthful voice. How she was able to sing with two completely different voices: Pinocchio, the singer, and Diah, the VTuber. ¡°What¡¯s really impressive is that there are no pitch errors. Doesn¡¯t changing your voice usually strain your throat?¡± ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because I practiced a lot with the older guys? I made a lot of mistakes in the beginning too.¡± As someone who had lived her entire life as a singer, Leni had many ?N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t? questions about vocal techniques. Even though Ha-eun¡¯s natural voice was what it was, the fact that Diah¡¯s youthful voice was now being released as a single was something new and surprising to Leni. Ha-eun answered Leni¡¯s questions earnestly. Though she wasn¡¯t quite used to talking about Diah yet, it was easier because they were speaking as fellow singers. ¡®Maybe it¡¯s because she¡¯s a fellow female singer?¡¯ This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. Since they were only talking about songs and not Diah¡¯s streams, Ha-eun felt a little less pressure. If Leni had started talking about Diah¡¯s sponsorship reactions like Da-yeon did a few months ago, Ha-eun would probably have had a hard time looking her in the eye. However, the reason Ha-eun had come to Leni¡¯s studio today was strictly for the Snow Flower music video shoot. After the shooting crew arrived, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t even bring up Diah¡¯s name. Soon, cameras began to set up all around the recording studio. Ha-eun, who would have to sing Snow Flower alone in front of these cameras, found herself deep in thought. ¡®Did they say I should just sing it the way I always have from start to finish?¡¯ The music video for Snow Flower would include two types of scenes: one of Ha-eun singing in the recording studio, and the other mixing scenes from Goblin appropriately. This was all information Ha-eun already knew, thanks to her past life¡¯s memories. However, unlike before, this time, Ha-eun was the one singing Snow Flower, and for some reason, the filming location was the same as her previous one: Leni¡¯s studio. ¡®Maybe it¡¯s because I don¡¯t have my own studio?¡¯ She wasn¡¯t sure if it was just a coincidence or if there was another reason, so she casually asked Leni about the choice of location. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s just that an older sister I know asked me to borrow it for just one day. Why?¡± That was the simple answer she got. Ha-eun felt a little embarrassed for even wondering about it. ¡®I was just asking because I wasn¡¯t sure. Maybe I¡¯m overthinking it...¡¯ So, after the small mystery was resolved with a simple coincidence, Ha-eun walked into the fully set-up recording studio. The melody of Snow Flower began to play through the headphones. ¡°?©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤¡± To be honest, she was a little nervous since the song had received hundreds of millions of views in her past life. Leni, the creator of that view count, was watching from the other side. However, this time, Ha-eun wasn¡¯t just covering the song as a singer. She was performing Snow Flower as herself, Lee Ha-eun, the actress playing Baeksulhwa in Goblin. ¡°Don¡¯t leave me alone©¤? Now I finally understand the meaning of the gaze I¡¯ve always sent©¤?¡± For a moment, she became Baeksulhwa, her voice soft and nostalgic. She added a little bit of expression and started creating her own Snow Flower music video. After recording Snow Flower without any mistakes, the director, reviewing the footage, asked her to do it two more times. ¡°Ha, Ha-eun, you didn¡¯t make any mistakes, but I think it¡¯d be good to have a comparison to pick the best result. Please?¡± ¡°Ah, okay...¡± After recording Snow Flower fully a few more times, the music video shoot finally ended. The filming crew dismantled the cameras one by one, bidding her farewell with a wish for a good Chuseok holiday. ¡®Come to think of it, Chuseok is only a few days away.¡¯ Like most people, Ha-eun also took time off during holidays like Chuseok and Seollal. Though some daily dramas shoot even during holidays, for Ha-eun, holidays were truly holidays. Of course, she didn¡¯t plan to rest the entire time. On Chuseok day, she would definitely rest, but at the tail end of the holiday, it would be a peak time for broadcasting. ¡®Maybe I should do a stream about making songpyeon.¡¯ She wasn¡¯t sure what would happen during this Chuseok holiday, but she definitely didn¡¯t know that it would all lead back to her time at Star Athletics Competition. Isn¡¯t that Nael shouting in the audience? [219]Nael <<< Da-yeon is right next to her, but she doesn¡¯t even look at her [33]If Nael is cute with red medicine, press ¡® ¡¯? [21]From today, any attack on Nael is considered an attack on me [105]*** As time passed and only three days remained until the release of Bright Day, it also happened to be the last filming day before the Chuseok holiday for Goblin. ¡°How¡¯s the size? Is it okay?¡± ¡°Ah, yes. It¡¯s fine.¡± Ha-eun was currently changing clothes in the locker room of a high school with Ju Jung-yoon. The reason for this was that today¡¯s scene was a school life scene for Baeksulhwa. ¡®Being bullied for being poor, huh... Hmm...¡¯ In the drama, Baeksulhwa was a student from a very poor background. Her poverty made her the target of teasing from her classmates, and at school, Baeksulhwa endured various kinds of bullying. This was meant to show how difficult Baeksulhwa¡¯s life was. However, in her past life, Ha-eun had never experienced anything like bullying, and even now, while attending school normally, she had never been subjected to such treatment. ¡®Would they really stop if I told them to?¡¯ To Ha-eun, bullying felt like a vague concept¡ªsomething she had to imagine more than something she could relate to. Still, this was for a scene in the drama. She was wearing the school uniform that had been prepared for her. ¡°Alright, then. Let¡¯s begin. 3, 2, 1... Action!¡± When the director, Kwon Jae-hyeop, gave the cue, Ha-eun was fully focused on staying true to the script. The main goal was to portray Baeksulhwa¡¯s difficult school life in the cafeteria. With that in mind, Ha-eun began pretending to eat alone in the corner of the cafeteria, passing by the extra actors playing her classmates. ¡°Hey, Baeksulhwa.¡± The extra actors approached Ha-eun at the table. More precisely, they¡ª Whoosh! Thud©¤! ¡°This, we¡¯re paying for it with our taxes. Why aren¡¯t you thankful?¡± One of the extras snatched Ha-eun¡¯s lunch tray and poured the food onto her school uniform. ¡°...Do you have nothing better to do?¡± A sharp, cold emotion leaked through Ha-eun¡¯s voice and eyes, sharper than she had intended. It was frustrating to see perfectly balanced meals wasted like that, and her anger welled up uncontrollably. This fierce aura from Ha-eun was enough to make the extra actors feel nervous. ¡®S-she¡¯s really not angry, right?¡¯ ¡®She¡¯s three years younger than me... Why does she look just like my older sister when she¡¯s mad?¡¯ ¡®...Scary...¡¯ Even though they knew it was just acting, they couldn¡¯t help but flinch. Perhaps that¡¯s why. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to look away?¡± ¡°Hey, are you asking for a slap?¡± The extras who were supposed to be bullying Baeksulhwa were now terrified of her. In other words... ¡°Cut. Let¡¯s do it again.¡± From the director¡¯s point of view, it wasn¡¯t the right take. Ha-eun had to change into a new uniform because of the mess made with the food. ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry, Ha-eun. We¡¯ll do it properly this time.¡± ¡°Ah, it¡¯s okay.¡± So, Ha-eun, holding a new lunch tray, sat back at her spot at the table. The extras, once again, approached her with heavy footsteps. ¡°Hey, Baeksulhwa...¡± Flinch. This time, they hesitated before even taking the tray. They had locked eyes with Ha-eun¡¯s cold gaze once again. ¡°Ah... I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯ll do it again!¡± ¡®...Why is she acting like that?¡¯ Chapter 219 External Strength, Internal Tenderness. This phrase refers to someone who appears tough on the outside but is fragile on the inside. This expression, "external strength, internal tenderness," could best describe the modern-day Snow White. Orphaned and from a poor family, These two circumstances shaped Snow White¡¯s sharp exterior while simultaneously creating a bitter, hidden wound inside. ¡°A bright personality is probably hard for her.¡± Although her insides are already severely damaged, the girl, who reluctantly holds onto venom just to survive, was the Snow White Ha-eun was playing at the moment. Ha-eun had already completed her analysis of the character. All that was left was to act as she had done before¡ªperforming in front of the camera. However, the piercing gaze that Ha-eun had created for Snow White made an impression that felt harsher to others, particularly to the minor actors who met Ha-eun for the first time today. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to lower your gaze?¡± ¡°Ha, keep that up and I¡¯ll slap you!¡± It took a little longer than expected to finish these lines, mocking Snow White, without any NGs (No Good). The good news was that during the scene where Ha-eun pours lunch onto her school uniform, no significant mistakes occurred. Because of that, Ha-eun was able to continue without needing to change into another outfit, just waiting to deliver her next line. ¡°...If there¡¯s nothing else to say, I¡¯ll leave now.¡± With that, Ha-eun began to walk out of the cafeteria, and the shot was cut. The scene of Snow White being bullied in the cafeteria had finally come to an end. However, Ha-eun had to keep wearing the school uniform stained with food. The reason for that was because the next scene involved washing the uniform under running water. Of course, she couldn¡¯t wear the dirty uniform for too long, so the shooting at the sink (S#13) started right away. As soon as Director Kwon Jae-hyeop¡¯s signal to start was heard, the faucet was turned on. ¡°Ssshh¡ª!¡± Cold water poured out from the faucet Ha-eun had just turned on. Now, Ha-eun¡¯s job was to act as she washed away the stains on her school vest and blouse under the running water. Swish, swish. Thud, thud. ¡°...Haah...¡± She let out a sigh as she performed the scene of struggling with the stubborn stains that wouldn¡¯t come off. The following performance was her silently staring down at her dirty uniform. The only sound was the water splashing from the faucet. There was no voice to comfort or pity Snow White. Perhaps because of that, The sorrow that welled up deep inside her turned into a tear and fell, dropping without warning. Her eyes, which had subtly reddened, ¡°...Hah...¡± Ha-eun wiped her eyes quickly, then began wiping the dirt from her uniform again. After all, no one would help her if she cried alone. Snow White had realized, since her childhood, that her life was something she had to live alone. The red eyes, created by the pain in her heart, were nothing more than something others would mock. The scene at the sink (S#13) had no significant dialogue, so the emotional line was crucial. Ha-eun, well aware of this, paid careful attention to her facial expressions during the scene. ¡®The details are good.¡¯ ¡®She¡¯s fully immersed in the role.¡¯ The staff, watching from a little distance away, observed the footage in silence. While the cafeteria scene with other students had been calm, without any emotional shift, when she was alone, she showed her vulnerability. A lonely girl who had lived her entire life on her own. It was this sense of suppressing her emotions that Ha-eun had intentionally captured on camera. It wasn¡¯t that she couldn¡¯t act tough¡ªit was simply that she had understood long ago, in the cold hospital room, that she couldn¡¯t act weak. She had learned how to push through alone, and it was easy to express that struggle in her performance. The reason Ha-eun¡¯s performance at the sink was seen as superior to the minor actors¡¯ performances was precisely because of this. With no dialogue, her facial expressions and gestures alone clearly conveyed what was happening. You could instantly understand the emotions of Snow White, a girl who had lived in solitude and pain. ¡®Her emotional conveyance is so natural.¡¯ ¡®She¡¯s definitely different, for sure.¡¯ Then, something unexpected happened. ¡°Thud.¡± With the sound of footsteps, a shadow appeared behind Ha-eun, who was alone, washing her uniform. Then, a calm but deep voice spoke. ¡°Excuse me, is it alright for a moment?¡± ¡°...?¡± Ha-eun automatically turned her head at the voice, recognizing it. The man standing behind her was the same man who had disappeared like a mirage a few days ago at the cafe?. Her eyes, which had been trembling slightly, Were filled with confusion and a hint of fear as she wondered how he had found her and how he had entered the school. ¡°D-Don¡¯t come any closer! If you take one more step, I¡¯ll scream!¡± Ha-eun hesitated, stepping back. For Snow White, Baek Jin was no more than a creepy stalker. It was only natural to be on guard. But then¡ª ¡°Snap!¡± ¡°You¡¯re going to be late for class. Go inside.¡± With the flick of his finger, Baek Jin turned Snow White¡¯s dirty uniform as if it were brand new. Just like he had done a few days ago at the cafe?, he disappeared again, like a mirage. ¡°...Was I under some kind of spell...?¡± Ha-eun could only blink in confusion, feeling like she had just had a strange dream. Yet, despite everything, The uniform that had been cleaned by Baek Jin seemed to tell her that everything she had just faced was reality, not a dream. ¡°What is this, really...?¡± Unable to make sense of Baek Jin, Ha-eun trailed off. The only thing she knew for sure was that Baek Jin was no ordinary person. Her face, mixed with confusion and wonder, appeared in the final shot of the S#13 sink scene. ¡°Cut! That¡¯s perfect~!¡± Director Kwon Jae-hyeop¡¯s satisfied voice filled the set. It was confirmation that the scene had turned out just as he had envisioned. Ha-eun, relieved, breathed a little easier. After all, this was the first time she had attempted a scene like this, where Snow White was being bullied. Instead of relying on experience, she had used her imagination to create the performance, and was glad it had been accepted. But, because they were shooting at an actual high school, they had limited time to film there. ¡°We¡¯re going to shoot all the school scenes today. Please do your best.¡± Today, Ha-eun needed to shoot all of the school life scenes of Snow White. That¡¯s why she headed to the dressing room to change into her new school uniform. *** ¡°Good job~.¡± As time passed, when all the high school filming was finished, Ha-eun, now changed from her filming uniform into the school uniform of Narae High School, headed to the van with Ju Jung-yoon, just like any other day. In Ha-eun¡¯s hand was a smoothie that Ju Jung-yoon had already packed for her. As always, Ha-eun was able to settle the aftermath of her acting by drinking something sweet and chatting casually with Ju Jung-yoon. ¡°This holiday, if you can¡¯t get in touch with me, you¡¯ll know I¡¯ve died from stress, okay Ha-eun?¡± ¡°...Good luck.¡± ¡°Ugh... Should I just skip going to my hometown and stay with you, Ha-eun?¡± This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. The one who handed Ha-eun the smoothie was already overwhelmed by holiday stress. The following conversation followed the usual routine of holiday questions: ¡°When are you getting married?¡± and ¡°At your age, you¡¯d already have two kids if it were the old days.¡± In reality, Ju Jung-yoon had been working as Ha-eun¡¯s manager for more than ten years, in a stable job. She had been financially independent for a long time as well, but still... ¡°I don¡¯t know why the older folks have to be so nosy. I swear, I die a little every holiday...¡± ¡°Well, just get married then.¡± ¡°You mean I should do it by myself?¡± She hadn¡¯t married yet, and that was the only reason she had to endure these comments. That¡¯s why, she jokingly wished that a prince would suddenly appear out of nowhere to marry her. Even after getting into the van, the conversation about the holiday interrogation continued, and finally, when they arrived at Ha-eun¡¯s house, Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s farewell came. ¡°Have a good holiday! If you need anything, don¡¯t forget to call me!¡± ¡°Can I ask why?¡± ¡°To use you as an excuse to get away. I mean, if the famous Lee Ha-eun is calling, how could they possibly stop me?¡± ¡°Hahaha...¡± Ju Jung-yoon, who said she¡¯d ? N§àv§Öl?g?t ? (Official version) just wait by the phone while heading to her hometown, left Ha-eun with a smile. After Ha-eun wished her a good holiday, the van¡¯s engine finally started, and the black van, along with Ju Jung-yoon, began to disappear into the distance. ¡®She¡¯s been through a lot too.¡¯ Even though there were still a few days left until the Chuseok holiday began, Ha-eun¡¯s schedule as an entertainer had been completely wrapped up today. She wouldn¡¯t meet Ju Jung-yoon again until after the holiday ended. From that day on, it was the continuation of her more relaxed daily life. She woke up early, went for a walk with Baekseol, then went to Narae High School and spent her time studying. After school, she continued studying until dinner. However, after dinner, she would head to her soundproof booth and broadcast as Diah. Time passed, and when the music video for Bright Day was finally aired during a live broadcast, it was already evening. As usual, the chat room was buzzing with excitement, and the countdown was being displayed while waiting for the release of Bright Day¡¯s music video. 444333333333312222Let¡¯s go1Once all the countdowns finished, the full version of Bright Day appeared on Diah¡¯s broadcast screen. As expected, the comments poured in. ¡°On the road we walked together©¤? Following the footprints left behind©¤?¡± KyahhhhhhBoth the voice and the artwork are so prettyThis is so cool(Fluorescent glowing emoticons)X6Big DiahSo calmly grand ??Ha-eun nodded lightly as she enjoyed the music video for Bright Day. When the music video ended, she shared the lingering feeling of her first solo track into the broadcast microphone with a cheerful voice. ¡°It really feels like all that hard work in the studio paid off~.¡± Since this was the last broadcast before the Chuseok holiday, it ended on a sweet note. She also wished the Noeulis, her fans, a happy Chuseok in the chat room. Four days later, the long holiday began. Ha-eun no longer needed to go to Narae High School early, and she slowly began to adjust to the more relaxed routine. Of course, nothing much changed in terms of when she woke up. She kept her morning routine of going for a walk with Baekseol, as usual. However, the day before Chuseok, something unexpected happened. [ I¡¯m bored. ] ¡°The number you dialed is not in service, please check and call again¡ª¡± [ Let me sleep. I don¡¯t want to sleep alone. ] ¡°...How old is our Da-yeon?¡± While her parents were heading to the countryside, Da-yeon stayed at home alone. On the surface, it was because she was a senior in high school and needed to study during the holiday. But in reality, it was more about not wanting to deal with things. To be honest, Da-yeon hadn¡¯t completely avoided seeing relatives. But since she was a famous actress, she was constantly asked questions and faced things she didn¡¯t like, so eventually, she stopped going. This was something Ha-eun could relate to as well. However, while Da-yeon rested and relaxed, Ha-eun had spent her holiday actually studying. ¡°If you¡¯re going to study next to me, come over.¡± [ St-Study? ] ¡°Or not.¡± In the end, Da-yeon came to Ha-eun¡¯s house, but all she could do was watch Ha-eun study. The only consolation was that she could play with Baekseol while Ha-eun studied. ¡°Seol-i, hand.¡± Blink, blink.Blink, blink.¡°...Hand!¡±Blink, blink.¡°Dummy.¡± ¡°Se-Seol-i, don¡¯t curse!¡± In any case, Ha-eun spent time as she did, while Da-yeon spent time with Baekseol. Eventually, when the MBS Chuseok special, Star Athletics Competition, started airing, Ha-eun could finally sit on the couch with Da-yeon. Anyway, Star Athletics Competition was a program Ha-eun had appeared on, so it was almost like a duty to watch it live. However, after the commentators finished their opening remarks, The camera focused on the audience and zoomed in on Da-yeon and Nael, holding a banner in support of Ha-eun. ¡°Hey! Isn¡¯t that Min Da-yeon?¡± ¡°Lee Ha-eun is also participating in the Star Athletics Competition, right? Seems like the two of them are here to cheer her on today.¡± ¡°Wow, they even have a banner. So supportive of Lee Ha-eun.¡± Ha-eun noticed that Da-yeon was holding the banner for her, And, as expected, the corners of Ha-eun¡¯s mouth twitched. ¡°Wow, I didn¡¯t know our Da-yeon was such a big fan of mine. How about I take a picture or sign something for you?¡± ¡°Sh-Shut up! I¡¯m just holding it for Ji-hye!¡± ¡°Pfft, what an excuse.¡± ¡°...!...!!¡± No matter how much Da-yeon tried to explain herself, Ha-eun didn¡¯t believe her even a little bit. Eventually, she directly called Nael to ask about it. [ Da-yeon was really cheering for Ha-eun, wasn¡¯t she? ] ¡°Ah, no. When did I¡ª!¡± [ You were totally into it. Oh my, what would¡¯ve happened if you hadn¡¯t brought the banner~. ] ¡°Excuse me? Excuse me??¡± It seemed that Nael, as expected, sided with Ha-eun, which made Da-yeon¡¯s attempts at explanation look pitiful. Ha-eun, chuckling at the situation, couldn¡¯t help but smile. [ Ah, it¡¯s goldfish walk time. I¡¯ll hang up now, Da-yeon~. ] ¡°?¡± In the end, the ridiculous excuse led to a phone call ending with Nael. Ha-eun couldn¡¯t help but feel incredibly wronged, But at the same time, the corners of her mouth were lifted, and her eyes even started tearing up from laughing so much. And in the middle of it all, Da-yeon stared at the paper Ha-eun had randomly signed earlier. [ To. Min Da-yeon ] [ Always stay happy¡î ] ¡°If you sell this secondhand, it¡¯s not allowed~. You can¡¯t buy and sell autographs~.¡± ¡°Ah, ah... my temples hurt...¡± Da-yeon could feel her blood pressure rising rapidly, But Ha-eun, who kept presenting her autograph, seemed like a fish in water. ¡°Hey, Lee Ha-eun. Just admit it, did you take a class on how to piss me off?¡± ¡°I¡¯m the professor.¡± ¡°...You crazy...¡± Chapter 220 The Great Holiday of the People, Chuseok. Originally, this holiday was a time to hold rituals in honor of ancestors to show gratitude after the fall harvest. However, in modern times, the focus has shifted to the significance of the entire family gathering together. ¡°I''m here~.¡± ¡°Oh, Jung-yoon¡¯s here.¡± ¡°Oh my, why did you bring so much stuff?¡± ¡°If I didn¡¯t bring anything, you¡¯d complain, wouldn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Hey, you brat. You¡¯ve eaten enough rice just from what I fed you while raising you©¤¡± ¡°Ughhh.¡± During the holiday, family members gathered together to catch up, and the children would receive some pocket money. All in all, it was a leisurely time. During these relaxed days, it was common to set aside busy routines and instead pick up a remote control or phone. That¡¯s why TV ratings and OTT usage rise significantly during the holiday period. As a result, many broadcasters create special holiday programming to capture the attention of those gathered in their hometowns. Currently airing MBS¡¯s Star Athletics Competition was one such program. ¡°Now, we will have the athlete''s oath.¡± ¡°Athletes, oath!¡± For holiday specials like Star Athletics Competition, it¡¯s common to air shows that the whole family can enjoy, such as variety shows or sports. It¡¯s hard to secure good ratings for content that might cause strong disagreements across generations. ¡°One, the athletes participating in the Star Athletics Competition will abide by the rules of the competition.¡± ¡°Hey? Isn¡¯t that Jung-yoon¡¯s girl?¡± ¡°Uhh... I¡¯m not sure what that means, but yeah, that¡¯s Ha-eun.¡± The reason Ju Jung-yoon and her family were watching Star Athletics Competition was that it was a perfect program to watch together. Though it was also influenced by the fact that Ju Jung-yoon was Ha-eun¡¯s manager. ¡°Wow, Ha-eun is on the Star Athletics Competition.¡± ¡°Why are you so surprised?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it unexpected? She¡¯s an actress, not an idol.¡± ¡°...Our Ha-eun also works as a singer, you know.¡± Meanwhile, Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s middle school nephews were also watching Star Athletics Competition in front of the TV. At the same time, Ha-eun¡¯s appearance on the show started trending on social media and various communities. Ha-eun appeared on Star Athletics CompetitionThere¡¯s one actress among the idols, something¡¯s upHa-eun has a singer alter ego, but can she really be on Star Athletics? Is there anyone among those standing who¡¯s more of a star than Ha-eun?What?Never mind...!Ha-eun was a bit of an unusual contestant on Star Athletics Competition, which was usually seen as a show for idols. Her name and face were well-known, but she still had a stronger image as an actress. However, because Star Athletics Competition involved athletic events, Those who knew Ha-eun more personally, especially her fan community, welcomed her appearance on the show. Unbelievable!!!!Ha-eun as the Jindo dog on Star Athletics, LOLWow, how will they handle this? They¡¯ll probably feel the wall.Now we¡¯re even ranking the stonesLet¡¯s sweep everything, Ha-eun???: ¡°Do you feel the gap in strength?¡±To be precise, Ha-eun¡¯s appearance had already been announced during the ticketing for Star Athletics Competition, But since Ha-eun¡¯s fans weren¡¯t particularly interested in idol variety shows, Many didn¡¯t know that Ha-eun would be appearing unless they had read the ticketing announcement. Regardless, most of Ha-eun¡¯s fans, who were also resting at home for the holiday, Immediately grabbed the remote and switched to MBS¡¯s channel as soon as they heard about the show. Then, the opening performance of the famous idol group Ignite aired on Star Athletics Competition. Since Ignite was widely known, not just in Korea but internationally, the program''s viewership skyrocketed in an instant. Wow, insaneIs this the big one they were talking about? Creepy;;;Wait, they¡¯re making a comeback on Star Athletics? LOLThe cheers are crazyBut why is everyone getting so hyped? Those idols grew up listening to Ignite when they were young, yupBut why are they still active?(Worship them meme)The original K-pop star, The most successful idol group of the present era, Ignite, finished their opening performance successfully. Then, news spread that Song Hyun-min and his team would participate as special judges for Star Athletics Competition, keeping the ratings steady. Thanks to that, the ratings of the program showed no signs of dropping. The presence of Ignite, whose full lineup kept appearing, was a cheat code that guaranteed viewership. Oh, they¡¯re judges? That¡¯s a shame ??They¡¯d do great if they participated in the competition tooBut still, it¡¯s nice just seeing their facesThen came the first event of Star Athletics Competition, the sprint race. The commentators in the booth introduced the athletes and picked their favorites. ¡°The six athletes in Group A are all participating for the first time this year. Is there a particular athlete you¡¯re keeping an eye on?¡± ¡°Well, personally, I¡¯m excited about Line 2¡¯s Yerim. She has this sleek look to her.¡± ¡°Ha-eun, from Line 5, has her hair tied up. She¡¯s already showing a different level of energy.¡± Soon after, all the athletes, including Ha-eun, lined up at the starting line. The camera briefly showed each athlete¡¯s face. Ha-eun waved lightly, greeting the viewers across the TV screen. Ha-eun¡¯s ponytail, cuteThe tied-up hair suits her wellHer face looks bright, niceThis translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. The responses in the community were still fairly normal. Regardless of the race results, fans of Ha-eun were just happy to see her. Their reactions were similar to fans of other idols. Even if she comes last, just run hard.Or don¡¯t get hurt.Just, go Ha-eun!Fans who liked Ha-eun as an artist were generally responding this way. On the other hand, fans who had followed her from variety shows like 2 Days & 1 Night or Start Again had a different reaction. Can you hear it, ¡®King Engine¡¯?Something¡¯s off alreadyIs Yoon Seung-jae here?Why is she smiling like that, it¡¯s scary The cheetah¡¯s ? N§àv§ÖIight ? (Original source) smiling...Nah, what the heck? LOLThat¡¯s the meme for sure!Ha-eun¡¯s fans, who expected her to create some fun highlights on Star Athletics Competition, were eager for what was to come. After all, Ha-eun always managed to create memorable moments on every variety show she appeared on. And so, all the preparations for the race were completed. Ha-eun and the other athletes placed their feet on the starting blocks, ready to begin. ¡°Alright, the athletes are getting ready.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s see what kind of records the new faces of Star Athletics Competition will set!¡± The voices of the announcers, full of anticipation, filled the broadcast audio. Then came the sound of Ignite¡¯s flag swiftly rising. ¡°The athletes are off©¤!¡± ¡°Wait, what? Ha-eun from Line 5 is incredibly fast! She¡¯s already opened up a significant lead!¡± The camera captured Ha-eun running ahead of everyone. Her neatly tied hair. Her calm expression. Her running form was stable and composed, standing out compared to the other athletes. ¡°Go, finish! Ha-eun makes it to the finals!¡± ¡°7.13 seconds! A new Star Athletics Competition record!¡± The sight that satisfied those who had high expectations for Ha-eun was broadcasted. The surprised voices of the announcers quickly turned into a kind of reaction. Look at the other girls freezing up, LOL(What the heck is that)KyahI think she¡¯s faster than me? Does Yoon Seung-jae look like a rookie?He¡¯s the guy who caught the pickpocket himselfOur Ha-eun is world-classThe competition is no match for herWhy is someone who should be at Taereung here? Oh no, this is slander. She¡¯s a top actress.Top actress (who just shattered the 60-meter record)The veterans said it was a documentary~Ha-eun¡¯s performance, which didn¡¯t betray the high expectations, caused the community to get increasingly lively. Her extraordinary performance was enough to spark discussions all over the internet. By the time the women¡¯s 60-meter final was approaching, The camera clearly captured Ha-eun holding up her phone with a suspicious message. [ I¡¯ll become a cheetah ] With those strange words written, Ha-eun¡¯s figure was clearly visible on camera. Then, during the final race, she showed an even more overwhelming performance. ¡°W-Wait!¡± ¡°Ha-eun! She suddenly takes off©¤!!¡± Thud! ¡°Go... goal! Ha-eun wins!!¡± ¡°It looks like Ha-eun hit the mat pretty hard, is she alright?¡± ¡°Oh, she¡¯s giving a thumbs up. Congratulations on your gold medal, Ha-eun!¡± When Ha-eun¡¯s victory was finally confirmed, the community erupted in celebration. Especially since her record was an unprecedented 6.97 seconds. Insane, 6.97, LOLAt this rate, she should be on the national teamIs the mat okay? I swear it sounded like it was collapsing Stop worrying about Ha-eun, LOLWhy are we worried about Terminator?Ha-eun, stop the dirty tacticsAnd with this, it¡¯s been ¡®proven¡¯ that the stone board means nothing Ha-eun¡¯s just an irregularity, don¡¯t you get it?Is this really about the stone board?Hey, they all ran hard too;¡°The opponent is Ha-eun.¡±While Ha-eun¡¯s victory was being celebrated across various communities in multiple ways, In a certain household in Seoul, More precisely, the home of someone who had once raced against Ha-eun long ago. ¡°Hey, Ye-jun. You barely lost to someone like her. You should be proud of that.¡± ¡°...Why would I be proud of something like that?¡± They were praising Park Ye-jun, who had had a close race with Ha-eun during a kindergarten sports day. However, Park Ye-jun, still feeling the PTSD from that day, awkwardly avoided it. ¡°Hehe, looks like your team lost~. Well then, I¡¯ll be going ahead!¡± ¡°...What kind of confidence was that back then?¡± Park Ye-jun, an ordinary 19-year-old high school boy, only remembered Ha-eun as a classmate from their kindergarten days. He knew that Ha-eun had become a famous actress now, but even at the age of seven, Ha-eun had been a competent actress. He didn¡¯t think much had changed from then to now. Just, she hadn¡¯t changed much. That was all he could think. However, what Ye-jun didn¡¯t know at the time was... [ I¡¯ll become a cheetah ] The clips from the channel Ye-jun subscribed to, The person who was the star of the collection of clips he had found amusing¡ªwas none other than Ha-eun. This was something he could never have imagined. *** ¡°Ugh, look at that face. She looks like a beast.¡± ¡°Da-yeon, didn¡¯t you tell me to run seriously...?¡± ¡°Oh my, when did I?¡± ¡°...Seol-ah, ask her!!¡± Chapter 221 MBS¡¯s Chuseok Special, Star Athletics Competition. The broadcast, divided into two parts, aired on the day before and the day of Chuseok, and the first part had just finished, quickly becoming a hot topic. This was largely due to the extravagant opening stage of Star Athletics Competition. On top of that, Ha-eun''s unexpected appearance, someone who seemed disconnected from the event, took everyone by surprise. Moreover, she set a new record and won the gold medal. ¡°¡®Star Athletics Competition¡¯ Ignite appears, presenting a surprise full-stage performance¡± ¡°MBS ¡®Star Athletics Competition¡¯ actress Lee Ha-eun participates, breaking a new record in the sprint race with an overwhelming performance¡± ¡°Who will be the star of the unexpected twist in the upcoming second part preview of ¡®Star Athletics Competition¡¯?¡± Less than an hour after the broadcast ended, internet articles started popping up. Entertainment reporters from various media outlets, working hard even during the holiday, were typing away. The Star Athletics Competition also stirred up the community. It was no surprise, given that this event was unlike any other. Lee Ha-eun¡¯s 6.97 seconds, the reason it¡¯s unbelievableLee Ha-eun¡¯s cheetah declaration screenshot.jpg Who was she sending this message to?To the fans.Looks like she sent it to Min Da-yeon.Winning like this is so badass, LOL.Star Athletics gallery? From now on, ¡®Ha-eun Su-dal¡¯ will dominate. What¡¯s that, you nerd?It¡¯s Ha-eun¡¯s fan club name.For the first time, Ha-eun, who had previously been an actress rather than an idol, appeared as a solo artist on Star Athletics Competition, effectively ¡°sorting out the rankings.¡± Among all the celebrities in Star Athletics Competition, it was only natural that Ha-eun received the most attention. Although part two of the broadcast, which airs on Chuseok day, was yet to air, Ha-eun¡¯s presence had already made a strong impression in the preview, ensuring her dominance would continue. The spotlight shifted to Ha-eun, especially in the archery segment to be aired early in part two. Ha-eun¡¯s careful attention to her image was already showing results, particularly regarding her appearance. Star Athletics part two preview, what¡¯s this?Star Athletics archery, Lee Ha-eun screenshot.jpg Wow, her face is unreal.Don¡¯t be fooled, that¡¯s Onida.Honestly, she¡¯s super pretty.Ha-eun¡¯s running in the relay too??Looks like she¡¯s planning to take everything, LOL.All the attention was focused on Ha-eun. Perhaps because of that... ¡°Hey, Lee Ha-eun. You¡¯re used to sleeping in a bed, huh?¡± ¡°How could you make a guest sleep on the floor?¡± ¡°Then... we can sleep together... right?¡± ¡°Hmm? What did you say?¡± ¡°...If you don¡¯t want to sleep in the bed, just say so.¡± Even while Ha-eun and Da-yeon were preparing for bed, nothing unusual happened. And when the lights went off and both fell asleep, The communities were still buzzing, especially about Ha-eun. Star Athletics canceled events collectionWhy there should be swimming in Star Athletics (feat. Start Again) Wow, insaneIs this really a 19-year-old¡¯s body?It¡¯s unbelievable, but yes, she¡¯s 19...Uh, let¡¯s stop right there.Lee Ha-eun got stunned after slamming into the mat, even Song Hyun-min was left speechless? If she had veered off course, she might have hit Song Hyun-min instead of the mat, LOL.Suddenly, that¡¯s scary.Was she a Star Athletics survivor?The most mentioned name in Star Athletics Competition related communities was Lee Ha-eun. Aside from special judge Song Hyun-min and his colleagues, no other celebrity was as famous as Ha-eun. This year alone, Ha-eun had started with The Sunshine, released her first album as Pinocchio, and topped the charts. In the summer, her movie Veterans grossed over 10 million viewers. Given the increasing attention Ha-eun was getting, her appearance on Star Athletics Competition was a major highlight. Winning in the first race with overwhelming dominance made a strong statement. ¡°There¡¯s no more intense character than this.¡± That was why Jeong Hee-soo, the PD of Star Athletics Competition, decided to push Ha-eun. Despite being relatively young compared to other celebrities, Ha-eun stood out as unmatched by anyone else in the competition. But in the end, the most important thing was the ratings. Regardless of the screen time distribution among the contestants, securing good ratings was the priority. Thus, Jeong Hee-soo PD decided to feature Ha-eun, using her image to its fullest potential. He even placed Min Da-yeon in the audience, knowing it would bring in even more attention. ¡°Good decision with the seating arrangement.¡± Ha-eun¡¯s fanbase, growing alongside her incredible performance, became more passionate as she performed well. So, the focus of Star Athletics Competition shifted to Ha-eun, especially for the women¡¯s events. Time passed, and finally, the broadcast of Star Athletics Competition part two began on Chuseok evening. ¡°Now, let¡¯s begin the women¡¯s archery competition©¤!¡± The aired episode had a slight change in the event order compared to the recording day. This was all part of the strategy to ensure Star Athletics Competition secured the highest possible ratings. Originally, the men¡¯s archery event was supposed to be shown before the women¡¯s, but with Ha-eun¡¯s success being so prominent in part one, they decided to air the women¡¯s event first to secure ratings from the start. ¡°Lee Ha-eun¡¯s posture is perfect.¡± ¡°The bowstring doesn¡¯t even tremble. She¡¯s incredibly steady and calm.¡± ¡°Ten points!! As expected from Luna Enter¡¯s ace!!¡± The continuous praise from the commentators matched the undeniable accuracy of her shots, as she scored ten points on three of her four arrows during the archery preliminaries. The crowd erupted into applause. Then, the camera panned to show Ha-eun¡¯s fanbase, sitting proudly in the stands. ¡°Lee Ha-eun! Lee Ha-eun! Lee Ha-eun!¡± ¡°Ha-eun is the best!!¡± The camera, slowly moving with the use of a jib crane, showed the full view of her fans. As Ha-eun took her final arrow, The commentators once again hyped up the moment. ¡°Can Ha-eun hit another 10 points this time?¡± ¡°Honestly, Ha-eun has been so consistent with 10 points, but it¡¯s actually really hard to do. It¡¯s impressive.¡± The giant screen in the stadium captured Ha-eun, one eye closed, completely focused. As she released her final shot, the crowd held their breath in anticipation. Thwack! The camera lens shattered. "Wait, what? The camera lens is broken!!" "Lee Ha-eun just broke the lens!" "It really did sound like the lens broke, right?" As the announcers¡¯ shocked voices echoed through the stadium speakers, the crowd in the stands, shown by the jib camera, was filled with passionate cheers. "Wow©¤!!!!" "Lee Ha-eun is so cool!!" "Ha-eun is the best!!! Kyaa!!!" "Lee Ha-eun! Lee Ha-eun! Lee Ha-eun!" This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. When the broadcast audio was filled with the fans¡¯ enthusiastic cheers, the announcers¡¯ voices, mixed with admiration, confirmed Ha-eun¡¯s progression to the finals. "Ten, ten, ten, and she finishes by breaking the lens! Lee Ha-eun!" "Wow, this is truly amazing. So overwhelming." "No, shouldn''t Lee Ha-eun be in the athlete''s village, not here?" After showing a great performance in the sprint race and archery, Ha-eun caused quite a stir in the community. Her status was like that of a superstar in the community. She¡¯s using an aimbot by herself, LOLHow is she shooting arrows so well? The Star Athletics archery might be a bit weaker.Then why can''t the other athletes shoot like Ha-eun?You¡¯ve figured it out, come to the Ha-eun gallery.Ha-eun¡¯s eyes closed, so beautiful, ??? Seriously, she''s super pretty.I feel like I''m looking at a photo shoot.Did some psychopath just come to mind? Press '' '' if you did. This jerk just¡ªIf Yoon Seung-jae was pulling a bow at me, I''d probably shit myself, ??...Sky Girls <<< What¡¯s that face Ha-eun is making next to her? Looks like she really felt the wall.Ha-eun¡¯s archery prelim gifs I mean, this is straight-up bullyingHa-eun, stop doing this here and go to Taereung, please ???Even as the preliminary rounds for the other groups finished, and the men¡¯s archery began airing after the women¡¯s archery, the buzz about Ha-eun continued. In a sense, it was momentum. Since Ha-eun had already become ? N§àv§Öl?§Ôht ? (Don¡¯t copy, read here) a hot topic in the community, posts about her were automatically being uploaded. It was also true that no other athlete had shown a performance better than Ha-eun''s. However, after the men¡¯s archery prelims had fully ended, and the commercial break began, a post in a community somewhat distant from the one covering Star Athletics Competition began to gain attention. This was especially true in the Illusionary Realm related community. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Title > Is that Nael shouting from the stands in Star Athletics? Havanauna | 19:44 (Expanded screenshot from Star Athletics Competition) (Lee Ha-eun¡¯s fan cheering gif) The person sitting right next to Min Da-yeon in row B I keep hearing their voice, it totally sounds like Nael, right? (Volume-up version of the cheering voice MP3 file) (Nael broadcast clip) Compare the voices. Wait, this is definitely Nael, right? What¡¯s going on???? ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ YeahWait, it really sounds like Nael?Is this for real?Hearing Nael¡¯s familiar voice in an unexpected place caused a stir in the community, and soon, photos of Nael¡¯s red medicine began circulating. This was possible because Nael¡¯s red medicine was actually closer to blue medicine. With a petite height slightly below the average for women and an overall cute face, the community''s opinion was overwhelmingly positive. As Nael¡¯s red medicine was revealed, and his fame skyrocketed in the Illusionary Realm community, the fact that Nael was a huge fan of Ha-eun became clear. It was easy to prove Nael¡¯s presence at the Star Athletics venue by the mere fact that he was a fan of Ha-eun. So, just as the Illusionary Realm community became chaotic with the talk about Nael¡¯s red medicine, one Illusionary Realm viewer, who had a feeling something was off, posted something that would later cause a massive stir. But why does Nael <<< call her Ha-eun, not Lee Ha-eun? Are they close?A post that would later lead to a huge wave was uploaded. Although the post was simply raising a suspicion, it would become the first clue that began putting the puzzle pieces together about Diah. The post began circulating in the middle of the community. Chapter 222 Official) Nael¡¯s Red Pill.jpg ? Seriously, she¡¯s pretty. ? I swear, she looks like someone you¡¯d want to scoop up in both arms and cuddle. ? Hey... Nael¡¯s Red Pill is adorable¡ªshould we all press ¡®?¡¯? From now on, any attack on Nael is an attack on me. As the Illusionary Realm community heated up over the sudden discovery of Nael¡¯s ¡°Red Pill,¡± discussions about Nael¡¯s behavior toward Ha-eun also started to emerge. It all stemmed from an edited video of Star Athletics Competition, now being dubbed ¡°Nael¡¯s Red Pill Footage.¡± Ha-eun-ssi is the best!!! <<< This totally feels like a workplace colleague moment... hoxy? ? Hmm. ? Oh no, they¡¯re about to get ¡°Goryeo Rice Cooker¡¯d.¡± What¡¯s the big deal about calling her Ha-eun-ssi? Why are you guys the only ones getting it? ? Normally, you¡¯d use a full name. ? This means Ha-eun and Nael must know each other. Unlike the other fans seated nearby, who all referred to Ha-eun by her full name, Nael was the only one calling her ¡°Ha-eun-ssi.¡± That peculiarity alone was enough to spark multiple theories about their relationship across various communities. And since most of these theories hinged on the assumption that Ha-eun and Nael were already acquainted, people started considering the possible ways a VTuber like Nael and a celebrity like Ha-eun could have crossed paths. Which led to one particular theory gaining momentum: That, just like Nael, Ha-eun was also a VTuber. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Title > Reasons Why Nael¡¯s Stream Proves Ha-eun = Diah ?? | 20:53 If you¡¯ve ever watched Nael¡¯s streams, you¡¯d know. This girl doesn¡¯t know the meaning of tension. (Nael¡¯s horror game stream clip) The background music in the warehouse is terrifying, and she doesn¡¯t even bother looking for a flashlight¡ªjust charges in. Then, when a giant spider ghost jumps out, all she says is, ¡°Huh, that¡¯s actually kinda cute.¡± That¡¯s the kind of person Nael is. Even during her debut stream, there wasn¡¯t a single ounce of forced enthusiasm. But there was one time when Nael was extremely nervous. And when was that? (Diah & Nael IRL collab clip) 00:27~ It was when she had a real-life collab with Diah. ¡°O-oh, today... we have a special guest.¡± She literally started by stuttering. You see her hands twitch every time Diah does something? It¡¯s undeniable¡ªshe was nervous as hell. But what if it wasn¡¯t just because she was streaming with Diah? What if it was because the person she had been fangirling over all this time, Lee Ha-eun, was sitting right next to her? (Clip of Nael malfunctioning when asked whether The Sunshine¡¯s Kim Jung-hyun or Diah was prettier) What if the reason Nael short-circuited in that moment... Was because they were the same person? If every time she looked at Diah, she couldn¡¯t help but blurt out how pretty she was... (Picture of a frog realizing something) What if Nael had already been telling us this whole time? ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ ? Whoa. ? I thought Nael was just being dramatic, but if it¡¯s really Ha-eun... that changes things. ? Yeah, you don¡¯t get that kind of reaction just because someone¡¯s pretty, y¡¯know. The speculation about Diah had simmered down after the Goryeo Rice Cooker lawsuits. But it was never truly gone¡ªjust waiting for the embers to reignite. And now, the flames were creeping back up again. Illusionary Realm) Diah >>>> everyone else ¡®miscellaneous¡¯ Okay, but why would Lee Ha-eun even be a VTuber? ? That¡¯s still a mystery. ? Honestly, she doesn¡¯t have any reason to be one. Wait, so Diah¡¯s dog = Ha-eun¡¯s dog was real??? ? Ha-eun¡¯s Instagram is full of dog photos, but what about Diah¡¯s? ? Idk, on Twitter she only ever mentions how cute her dog is¡ªnever posts pictures. From that point on, the community became obsessed with hunting for more ¡°proof¡± that Ha-eun and Diah were one and the same. If it turned out that Lee Ha-eun was actually VTuber Diah, there wouldn¡¯t be a bigger scandal in the industry. The only thing preventing them from reaching a definite conclusion was the lack of solid evidence. Diah¡¯s ¡°Red Pill¡± moment¡ªwhere her real voice slipped¡ªhad only lasted three seconds. And there wasn¡¯t a single drama or movie where Ha-eun¡¯s voice had ever been recorded in a similarly husky tone. On top of that... ¡°But if Diah really is Ha-eun... doesn¡¯t that mean the unicorns are screwed?¡± Some unexpected posts began appearing in the community, diverting attention away from the search for Diah¡¯s true identity. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Title > But If Diah = ? N§àv§Öl?g?§ä ? (Continue reading) Ha-eun, Aren¡¯t the Unicorns Screwed? KimchiDumplingPack | 21:10 (GIFs of Ha-eun¡¯s skinship scenes in The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds) (GIFs of Ha-eun¡¯s romance scenes in The Sunshine) ??????????????? ? You bastard. ? Delete this post. ? No, no, no, no, no, no, no! ? (Unicorn horn-breaking emoji) The thread quickly devolved into chaos. Some were spamming Ha-eun¡¯s romance scenes, while others were still determined to uncover the truth about Diah. To Noeulis (Diah¡¯s fans), she was essentially their virtual girlfriend. If Diah turned out to be actress Lee Ha-eun, the emotional damage would be catastrophic. Of course, there were those who brushed it off, saying acting is just acting. But there were also those who genuinely feared the fallout from Diah¡¯s ¡°Red Pill¡± moment. And so, as the Illusionary Realm community spiraled into its most chaotic state yet... For the first time, a post surfaced that seriously argued against the theory that Diah was Ha-eun¡ª And it actually had solid reasoning. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Title > I Found Diah¡¯s Real Red Pill (Summary Inside) CottonFieldBound | 01:51 (Screenshot of Daramji¡¯s old New World TV broadcast page) If you know, you know¡ªthis was Daramji¡¯s home base. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. Back in the day, when Daramji was the kid president of YouTube, every one of his live streams had its own restream running in parallel. But those golden days ended five years ago. Now? The place is a graveyard. (Screenshot of Daramji¡¯s old manager list) (Screenshot highlighting user ¡°D.A.¡±) See this? This was the D.A. Daramji always referred to as his ¡°foundation¡± back in the day. (Screenshot of D.A.¡¯s New World TV profile, showing an account creation date of 12 years ago) Twelve. Years. Ago. For the clueless ones, I came prepared: (Old YouTube link of Daramji¡¯s stream, timestamp 2:31~) ¡°Alright, we¡¯ve finalized our new Illusionary Realm members! There are five of them, as announced earlier!¡± ¡°Oh, and fun fact¡ªturns out the youngest member used to be a regular viewer of mine on New World TV back in the day! I was shocked when I found out.¡± In other words: Daramji¡¯s old New World TV manager = Illusionary Realm¡¯s youngest member = Diah = D.A. Do you really still think Diah is Lee Ha-eun? A seven-year-old Ha-eun was supposedly watching New World TV in its one-viewer days? (Kicking frog meme) Cut the bullshit. One-line summary: (Screenshot of a deleted Goryeo Rice Cooker post) Idiot. For now, nothing about Diah¡¯s Red Pill was truly confirmed. The theory that she was actress Lee Ha-eun was gaining traction¡ª But neither side had definitive proof. Not yet. *** "Ah, Woo Ah-reum scores 7 points!" "Now, as long as Lee Ha-eun scores at least 4 points, Luna Entertainment¡¯s team will win. Alright, she draws back and¡ª!" While the Illusionary Realm community was in an uproar over Nael¡¯s ¡°Red Pill,¡± the Star Athletics Competition resumed airing after a brief commercial break, broadcasting Ha-eun¡¯s archery finals. At that moment, Ha-eun and Da-yeon were both seated on the living room sofa, focused solely on watching TV. They had yet to hear the news about Nael¡¯s Red Pill being revealed. "Okay, I get that you¡¯re fast, but where did you learn archery?" "Crash course before the match. Maybe... ten minutes of training?" After briefly discussing Ha-eun¡¯s archery skills¡ª ¡ªWhoosh! ¡ªThunk! "Oh, 9 points! Luna Entertainment wins!" "Winning both the sprint and the archery! Lee Ha-eun is undoubtedly the champion of the women¡¯s division!" Ha-eun¡¯s final arrow secured Luna Entertainment¡¯s victory. And immediately after, Da-yeon¡¯s suspicious tone followed. "...You¡¯re gonna say you just followed the instructions again, aren¡¯t you?" "Because it¡¯s true." "You insufferable little genius." Getting up from the sofa, Da-yeon then mentioned wanting to check out Ha-eun¡¯s soundproof booth. After all, she had already seen Star Athletics Competition live from the stands. What really intrigued her now was the soundproof booth that hadn¡¯t been there the last time she visited Ha-eun¡¯s home. More specifically, she was curious about the setup Diah used for her streams¡ª since Diah was Da-yeon¡¯s favorite VTuber. "I might need to buy one too. I wanna see how it¡¯s set up." "If that¡¯s the case, then sure...." Ha-eun led Da-yeon to her room, opened the soundproof booth¡¯s door for her, then returned to the living room to continue watching Star Athletics Competition. In other words¡ªDa-yeon was now alone inside the booth. "............." That was why she hesitated for a moment while staring at Ha-eun¡¯s computer. And after cautiously peeking outside the booth to check Ha-eun¡¯s whereabouts¡ª ''...Just a quick look. Just for a second.'' Settling into the stream chair inside the booth, Da-yeon finally turned on the computer. She then grabbed the keyboard and mouse¡ª "Jik... bak... gu... ri...." ¡ªAnd began searching for something she absolutely couldn¡¯t let Ha-eun catch her doing. Of course, Da-yeon knew it wasn¡¯t exactly polite to snoop through Ha-eun¡¯s computer. But curiosity got the better of her. What if Ha-eun was hiding something? Something "not-so-appropriate" for minors like them? Fortunately¡ªor unfortunately¡ªDa-yeon found no such content. Disappointed yet relieved at the same time, she decided to open the internet and browse Diah¡¯s streaming channel instead. But then¡ª [ thatkxkd09 ] "Huh?" For some reason, the account that was logged in wasn¡¯t Diah¡¯s. Even more surprising¡ª It was an ID Da-yeon had seen somewhere before. ''...No way.'' She instinctively moved the cursor to check the watch history and donation records of thatkxkd09. And within seconds¡ª "...You¡¯ve got to be kidding me." She was greeted by a long list of records showing that thatkxkd09 had watched Hida¡¯s streams. Not just that¡ªthere were multiple instances of malicious donation messages. Among the infamous trolls that had persistently harassed Hida, one of them had turned out to be none other than Ha-eun herself. It was only after this realization that Da-yeon noticed¡ª Ha-eun had been standing right behind her. "...What are you looking at?" "?!?!?" The sudden sound of Ha-eun¡¯s voice sent Da-yeon¡¯s heart plummeting. However, if they were to compare situations, At this very moment, Ha-eun was basically a criminal caught in the act. "Hey, CottonCandy09. Seems like this witch has a lot of questions for you...." Forcing a smile, Da-yeon offered Ha-eun one last chance to explain herself. A bead of sweat formed on Ha-eun¡¯s forehead. But in her mind, Da-yeon wasn¡¯t exactly in a position to judge, either. "Uh, um... Da-yeon7-ssi? I don¡¯t think you have the right to call me out here...?" Bringing up Da-yeon¡¯s own account¡ªthe one she had been deliberately ignoring¡ªHa-eun went on the defensive. Thus began a mudslinging battle. "Oh, please. At least I had the guts to just name myself Da-yeon7. You, on the other hand, went with ¡®CottonCandy¡¯!" "A... account names don¡¯t mean anything!" "It¡¯s about intent, you sneaky little¡ª!" "Oh yeah? Then what about you always bringing up VR horror games? If anyone here¡¯s got questionable intentions, it¡¯s definitely you!" The argument quickly devolved into a petty back-and-forth over who was more suspicious. But in the end¡ª Both had to admit neither of them had the moral high ground. And so¡ª With a final handshake, they officially agreed to never pull anything like this again. "Hey, Ha-eun. Let¡¯s not be cowards hiding in the shadows." "...Yeah." Once the treaty between thatkxkd09 and ekdus7 had been signed, sealed, and delivered, Da-yeon finally asked what she had come here for in the first place¡ª How exactly did one go about purchasing a soundproof booth? "Having everything set up like this is really convenient. Feels cozy, too." After examining Ha-eun¡¯s booth for a while, Da-yeon made up her mind to buy one for herself. However, there was one thing she couldn¡¯t quite figure out. "What¡¯s this table for?" She pointed at a small table tucked into the corner of the booth. And the answer that came back¡ª "That¡¯s for when Diah¡¯s cam is on. I use it for reviewing merch, introducing products... and snacking." Ha-eun added that she¡¯d be using it during her songpyeon-making stream tomorrow. Remembering this, Da-yeon tuned into Diah¡¯s stream about twelve hours later¡ª "Heh, looks delicious, right~? You want some~?" Damn, that looks good.Oh god, here we go again.Please stop torturing us. ????????????As expected, she was greeted by Diah¡¯s usual playful voice. And a bunch of beautifully made songpyeon teasingly close to the stream cam. "Noeulis, say ¡®Aah~¡¯!" ¡ªWhoosh! ¡ªNom nom nom. "Heh, I¡¯m gonna eat them all by myself~! Mmm, so good~." Diah, you little¡ª!Is it normal to feel the urge to slap someone right now? ????????Of course.SCREAMS IN FRUSTRATION.Da-yeon shook her head instinctively. Diah was clearly messing with the Noeulis on purpose, knowing full well they¡¯d react. And yet, they still fell for it every time. "Boyfriend? Yeah, right. They¡¯re just her personal punching bag." Chapter 223 "You''re buying songpyeon from a rice cake shop? Heh, mine will taste way better~." "How does she look?" "She looks... happy, I think." "Yeah, I¡¯d say the same." Shortly after, click. The streaming window displaying Diah¡¯s broadcast disappeared from Ji Hye-min¡¯s monitor. When she turned her head slightly, she met Nael¡¯s gaze. And that was when Ji Hye-min finally voiced the personal favor she had for her. "I want Ha-eun to keep enjoying her streams just like she does now. Without constantly worrying about her Red Pill." "M-me too. You know I¡¯m a huge fan of Ha-eun-ssi, President." "That¡¯s exactly why I¡¯m telling you this. Of course, none of this is your fault, but I¡¯d like you to keep it a secret that she was being talked about." Bringing up Ha-eun was another reason Nael had been called to the LUX headquarters today. Officially, the meeting was to discuss how to handle Nael¡¯s Red Pill situation. But since they had already gone over how Nael should proceed with her broadcasts, It was time for a different conversation. "I know it might seem like I¡¯m playing favorites with Ha-eun. But considering her circumstances, I can¡¯t help but make this request." "I-I don¡¯t mind at all. Honestly, I¡¯d be completely fine if you did outright favor her." "Heh, I¡¯ll consider it." To Ji Hye-min, Ha-eun was more than just another Illusionary Realm VTuber. If Ha-eun hadn¡¯t kept watching her streams back then, Ji Hye-min might have given up on streaming altogether. She was well aware of that fact. And so, she spoke in a more serious tone. She asked Nael to support Ha-eun so she could continue streaming as Diah without fear or anxiety. It might seem odd to ask a fellow Red Pill victim for help, but still¡ª She hoped Nael would try. "If Ha-eun ever asks you why I seem down, please just make something up. If she finds out it¡¯s because of the Star Athletics Competition, she¡¯ll feel guilty for no reason." "Honestly, all I¡¯ve seen online is praise. So I don¡¯t actually feel bad at all... Hehe." "...That¡¯s a relief." Regardless of the situation, Ji Hye-min had no intention of forcing Nael¡ªor anyone else¡ª to be locked in their rooms, streaming all day. But at the very least, she wanted to prevent Illusionary Realm VTubers from facing unintended backlash. "For now, please avoid attending any broadcasts or events related to Ha-eun. Just for a while." "Ah, understood." Since Nael was already under the community¡¯s scrutiny, Ji Hye-min asked her to be extra cautious. It wasn¡¯t like Nael had done anything wrong, but realistically speaking, being careful was necessary. Of course, as Ha-eun¡¯s devoted fan, Nael was ready to do anything. Even if it meant giving up on tickets to the Leni & Ha-eun Joint Concert¡ª something she did with tears in her eyes. [Lee Ji-hye (Nael)] - Asgard is... not the place...! [Lee Ji-hye (Nael)] - I¡¯ll be cheering from home, so stay strong, Ha-eun-ssi!! [Lee Ji-hye (Nael)] - Fighting!!! [Lee Ji-hye (Nael)] - Lee Ha-eun is the best!!!!! [Lee Ji-hye (Nael)] - By the way, will the concert footage be released later? [Lee Ji-hye (Nael)] - Just in case, I asked my friend to record it for me." "There, see?" "Tell her the full video will be uploaded on the official channel. Also... she really loves you, huh?" "Honestly, I had no idea. I wasn¡¯t like this before." "Huh? What did you say? I didn¡¯t catch that last part." "Ah, uh, n-nothing. Just talking to myself. Don''t mind me." *** The first day of God and the Goblin filming after the Chuseok holiday. Or more precisely¡ª The moment Ha-eun stepped onto set, having just finished her makeup. "Please tell Ha-eun-ssi I need to see her for a moment." Director Kwon Jae-hyeop called for Ha-eun before the shoot, wanting to discuss something with her. And once she approached him, the conversation began. "Ha-eun-ssi, you were informed that we¡¯re filming S#21 today, right?" "Ah, yes. The writer already told me." The scene she was set to film today was S#21. But since it was a continuation of S#20, she needed to be familiar with the previous scene. "Read the synopsis for S#20 once more before we start." "Got it." "I know you¡¯ll do well, Ha-eun-ssi. But this is a critical scene." In S#20, Baeksulhwa, as usual, is working at a small shop. Then, suddenly¡ªshe collapses, nose bleeding. The reason? She had been pushing herself past her limit with consecutive shifts since dawn. Panicked, the shop owner calls an ambulance, and Baeksulhwa is rushed to the emergency room. After she regains consciousness, the doctor warns her about her deteriorating health and advises her to take a break. And with that, she is discharged. The S#21 scene being filmed today takes place right after her discharge. Baeksulhwa, now outside on the street, monologues about her bleak circumstances¡ª only to run into Baek Jin once more. "She looks fine now... but how will she handle it once filming starts?" Since the core of S#21 was emotional acting, this was an intense scene for Ha-eun. She had to suppress a steadily building tide of emotions throughout the entire scene, only to let it all explode at a single moment. Even for veteran actors, it was difficult to achieve such deep emotional immersion right from the first shoot. No matter how skilled Ha-eun was, there was no denying that this scene was tough. So, Director Kwon Jae-hyeop waited patiently. He didn¡¯t rush her. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. Instead, he gave her all the time she needed to mentally prepare. Time passed. And finally¡ª Eyes shut, emotions coiling deep inside her, Ha-eun exhaled softly and spoke. "I¡¯m ready." Only then did the director nod. "Alright, then... cue!" Thus, the S#21 street scene began filming. The moment that marked the true beginning of God and the Goblin. ¡ªStep. ¡ªStep. "................" As she walked and walked through the empty streets, Baeksulhwa thought to herself. She had endured every hardship imaginable from a young age. So perhaps it was only natural that her body had begun to break down. Perhaps it was inevitable¡ª to struggle against poverty until she collapsed, only to fall ill in the end. "...Why." A voice, laden with misery, broke the silence as she questioned the void. Of all the people in the world, why her? Men, women, children, and the elderly¡ª everyone in this world carried their own happiness. So why was Baeksulhwa the only one condemned to misfortune? "Why... why me..." If gods existed, then they must truly despise her. At least, that was what Baeksulhwa convinced herself to believe. Because if she didn¡¯t, she would crumble completely. Because if she didn¡¯t, she would never be able to accept her wretched reality. And so, she resented the countless gods with their nameless, faceless forms. Even knowing it was meaningless. Even knowing that cursing them would change nothing. But if she didn¡¯t¡ªif she didn¡¯t scream out against the heavens¡ª then she wouldn¡¯t be able to bear it. "...How did I even come to think like this?" This was the very scene that Writer Hong Soo-eun had completed with Ha-eun¡¯s help. Having never lived a life like Baeksulhwa¡¯s, she could never have imagined such lines¡ªsuch expressions¡ªon her own. "...If this was how it was going to be, I wish I¡¯d never been born at all." She whispered, her gaze lifting toward the empty sky. With no hand to hold. Clutching only a small envelope of medicine in her palm. Her reddened eyes glistened. And finally, a single tear escaped, rolling down her cheek. An indescribable loneliness. A hollow emptiness, as though she were the last person left in the world. To push away painful memories, she acted¡ªonly to pull them closer. The world blurred at the edges, her heart tightening, suffocating her in its grasp. "Hh... ngh... ah...." It hurt. It hurt so much. If she didn¡¯t strike her own chest with her fist, she felt like she would break apart. And then¡ª At some point, a voice spoke. A voice that was always unfamiliar each time she heard it. At the same ¡ã? N o v e l i g h t ?¡ã moment, her small fist¡ª the one she had been using to hurt herself¡ª was gently caught in someone else¡¯s grasp. "Why do you torment yourself so?" A calm voice, as always. And then, silence. A hesitation as he took in her tear-stained eyes. At the weight of his silence, Baeksulhwa¡¯s lips trembled. And at last, she spoke. "...Mister. Mister, do you... want me... to live?" She was grasping at straws. Even from this strange man whose name she didn¡¯t know, whose identity was a mystery¡ª She just wanted someone to tell her she should live. Yet, deep down, she already understood. That mere words of comfort wouldn¡¯t change anything. That whether she heard an answer or not, nothing would truly improve. And yet¡ª "...Live." "Live, and see the flowers bloom in spring." The man who had been watching her intently spoke. For the first time in her life, Baeksulhwa felt what it meant to be comforted. "In summer, watch the sunlight blaze fiercely in the sky." "In autumn, watch the leaves scatter in the wind." "And in winter... in winter, watch the snow fall from the heavens." A dull, breaking sound rumbled from the depths of her heart. And then¡ª The emotions she had suppressed for so long began to well up. Overflowing. "You are my only lingering regret." She still didn¡¯t understand what Baek Jin meant. But he wanted her to live. For that single reason alone. ¡ªPlop. ¡ªPlop. ¡ª...Drip. "Ah... ah... ngh... nghhh...!" Tears welled up, spilling over. Instead of swallowing them back, she buried her face against the man¡¯s chest and sobbed. For the first time, she cried like the child she truly was. Her emotions surged beyond control. Ugly. Warped, twisted sobs tore from her throat, sounding more like screams than crying. And then¡ª "White ¡®Baek¡¯... and ¡®Jin,¡¯ to move forward." At last, she heard it. For the first time. "That... is my name." A name of only two syllables. A name that had not been called for centuries. A name that had faded into oblivion, lost to time. But just as in the distant past¡ª A name meant for a girl who had struggled alone all her life, to give her something¡ªsomeone¡ªto lean on. "Call it aloud. So that I may hear it." "So that I may always find you, whenever you need me." A voice both steady and desperate. Begging her to know¡ª That she was not alone. That someone stood before her, for her. "I will not let your story¡ªyour ¡®Sulhwa¡¯¡ªbe left to tragedy and sorrow. Not this time. No matter what." A promise. One made with greater weight than any before. Because this time, he would keep it. Because last time¡ªhe couldn''t. "...Cut." Chapter 224 The scene where Baeksulhwa, who had endured every hardship in life, finally broke down¡ª S#21 ¨C Street. The key to this scene was expressing how Baeksulhwa¡¯s /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ battered heart had finally reached its limit. "Honestly... it¡¯s a miracle I held on this long." There were many reasons for Baeksulhwa¡¯s emotional collapse. But if one had to pinpoint the most decisive factor¡ª it was the warning signs of her deteriorating health. For the first time, she realized her body was falling apart. In other words, she was forced to confront the fact that death was approaching. The result of struggling against poverty from such a young age... was an early death. It was a revelation too cruel for Baeksulhwa to bear. Until now, what had kept her going was the fragile hope that, one day, things would get better. While her classmates went to cram school or karaoke, Baeksulhwa had to work¡ª at cafe?s, barbecue restaurants, and countless other places. But even then, she had held on to that one last hope: If I just keep pushing through, someday, things will improve. But after being rushed to the emergency room... after being told her health had taken a turn for the worse... Even that last, desperate hope crumbled. And so, in order to portray Baeksulhwa, Ha-eun had to express an even deeper sense of despair. "...It¡¯s tough. Even now." Was it possible? Yes. In fact, this was perhaps the easiest kind of acting for her. Because Ha-eun already knew what it felt like¡ª to be told that her health had reached a critical state. But maybe it was because she had lived through it once before¡ª that her immersion in this scene was deeper than ever. During S#21, Ha-eun felt her chest tighten, as if she were suffocating. "T-There''s a high probability that it¡¯s ¡ö¡ö¡ö¡ö. It would be best to start preparing yourself¡ª" Even now, after all these years¡ª Ha-eun could recall that day with perfect clarity. The doctor¡¯s white coat. The monitor on the desk. The plush leather chair. All of it, as vividly as if it had happened just yesterday. And so, every emotion she channeled into S#21 was raw and unfiltered. When Baeksulhwa realized, beyond any doubt, that death was creeping toward her¡ª the dizziness, the hazy vision, the overwhelming terror¡ª all of it was captured on camera exactly as Ha-eun felt it. Perhaps that was why. "Like before... I can never tell whether you¡¯re acting or actually crying, Ha-eun." "...Mm." Even as Kang Sun-woo delivered his lines, meant to comfort Baeksulhwa, Ha-eun¡¯s sobs contained a sliver of reality. Because this scene¡ªwas her. Throughout S#21, Ha-eun had projected her past self onto Baeksulhwa. Onto the girl who had lived each day, slowly dying, without anyone to care. And perhaps... that was why the sobs she let out in Kang Sun-woo¡¯s arms sounded so much more wretched. Maybe deep down, the Ha-eun from back then had also been waiting for someone to comfort her. "Oh, no... your clothes are completely soaked..." "It¡¯s just a costume. It¡¯s fine." Only now did Ha-eun realize¡ª how large and unbearable the weight in her heart had grown. Her chest ached, her sobs refused to stop, and in the end, she completely drenched Kang Sun-woo¡¯s shirt with her tears. That was also why, even after the scene was over, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t bring herself to look him in the eye. Even if it had been acting, she felt as though she had cried too much. "...I still have a long way to go." If she truly wanted to achieve her goal, she had to learn to control emotions like this. She couldn¡¯t keep leaning on the memories of her past pain and calling it acting. Until her grief and tears became nothing more than performance, she still had work to do. Because even if others couldn¡¯t tell the difference¡ª she could. It was only some time later that Ha-eun made her way to the dressing room. "You were crying buckets earlier. Were you thinking of a sad movie or something?" "...Something like that." Since her makeup had been ruined from the tears, she needed to get it fixed, and she also had to change into a new outfit. It was there, in the dressing room, that she asked Ju Jung-yoon to bring her something sweet. The first shoot of the day had left her mentally drained. Thankfully, the next scene¡ª S#22 ¨C Flower Shop¡ª was lighter in tone. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. But transitioning from S#21¡¯s deep despair to a bright, cheerful atmosphere in S#22... was its own kind of challenge. "Well... if she showed up all gloomy for an interview, that¡¯d be weird." S#22 ¨C Flower Shop was a scene where Baeksulhwa went searching for a new job. After S#20, where her previous boss had rushed her to the ER and told her to take time off¡ª which was essentially a dismissal¡ª she now had to find new work. No matter how weak her body had become, Baeksulhwa couldn¡¯t afford to stop working. If she did, she¡¯d end up on the streets. That was why she immediately went to apply for a part-time job at a flower shop she had stumbled across. ...The fact that its hourly wage was unusually high may have also played a role in her decision. "Smile. Stay cheerful." Having worked part-time jobs for Jpeople in the past, Ha-eun knew exactly what was needed for an interview. A bright expression. A confident tone. No matter how you really felt¡ª you had to become the kind of employee the employer wanted to hire. And so, as time passed¡ª finally, S#22 ¨C Flower Shop began filming. "If you have any questions, please ask! I meet all of your requirements, sir! Any conditions at all!" In front of Shin and the Goblin¡¯s second lead, Ha Yoon-seong, Ha-eun beamed with enthusiasm, playing Baeksulhwa as someone entirely different from before¡ª a girl whose every word, every action, was acting. But it didn¡¯t matter. She had to get this job. Even if it meant smiling until her cheeks hurt. "Hmm... Flower shop work is harder than it looks. Are you sure you can handle it?" Baeksulhwa nodded eagerly. Though deep down, she feared rejection, there was no benefit in letting that show. "Yes! I¡¯ll do my best, no matter what!" How much longer would her body even hold up? Would she collapse again while carrying a flower pot? Would she end up back in the hospital? But that didn¡¯t matter right now. Right now, she had to smile. Pretend everything was fine. Pretend she was okay. Just so she could pay rent. "Any past work experience?" "A lot! Cafe?s, barbecue restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations... You name it, I¡¯ve done it!" She answered enthusiastically¡ª even as she felt utterly hollow inside. If she got this job, how much more would she destroy herself? But she didn¡¯t even have the luxury of worrying about that. "Why do you want to work here?" "Oh, I just really love flowers!" A blatant lie. Spoken with the brightest smile she could muster. Because none of that mattered. The only thing that mattered¡ª was whether she could get paid. She didn¡¯t realize, back then¡ª "Alright. You can start on Wednesday." That her new employer, the man standing before her, was Park Chasa¡ª a reaper. That every flower in this shop wasn¡¯t for the living¡ª but for the dead. "Ah... T-thank you! I¡¯ll work hard!" And so, Baeksulhwa bowed deeply in gratitude, not knowing that she had just signed her contract... with a grim reaper. "Okay, cut! That was great!" *** After the long holiday, the filming of Gods and Goblins resumed, and overall, everything was going smoothly. This was partly because the lead actors, Kang Seon-woo and Ha Yun-seong, had worked with Ha-eun before and had experience matching their energy with hers. If the filming continued this smoothly, it was possible that the show could be aired slightly ahead of the originally scheduled time. Of course, whether or not the airing would actually be moved up was still uncertain. But the fact remained that there were no significant delays or blockages in the filming process. However, there was one issue. When filming scenes involving Baeksulhwa¡¯s classmates¡ªplayed by the supporting actors¡ªthere were frequent NGs (No Good takes). By the industry¡¯s objective standards, it wasn¡¯t that frequent, but compared to other scenes, it was clearly a problem. Director Kwon Jae-hyeop had already suspected this. ¡°The emotional depth is too different.¡± In Director Kwon Jae-hyeop¡¯s view, the issue wasn¡¯t just with Ha-eun or the supporting actors; there was something that needed to be improved or fixed on both sides. That¡¯s why, at the end of one filming day, Director Kwon had Ha-eun called over. Before Ha-eun left for home after finishing the day¡¯s shooting, there was something he wanted to tell her. ¡°Is it okay if I speak a bit bluntly? Just once.¡± ¡°Ah, yes. It¡¯s fine. Please feel free to speak your mind.¡± The conversation that started was about Baeksulhwa¡¯s emotional line. Director Kwon shared his personal concerns regarding Ha-eun¡¯s portrayal. ¡°Your deep emotions are perfect when filming the highlights, but during the non-highlight scenes, the emotions are still a bit too deep. It gives off this feeling like you¡¯re portraying a person with depression.¡± ¡°Ah...¡± ¡°When you¡¯re with Baeksulhwa¡¯s friends, you could ease up on the intensity a little. Just a little, to about the middle of where you are now. Do you understand what I mean?¡± ¡°Ah, yes. I¡¯ll try to adjust.¡± Ha-eun thanked him, bowed, and left after their conversation. She made her way to Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s van, just as she always did. Strictly speaking, this wasn¡¯t the first time Ha-eun had been asked to adjust her performance or received feedback about her acting. After all, it was Kang Seon-woo, who played Baek Jin, who had initially expanded Ha-eun¡¯s acting range. However, this time, the feedback was about the scenes with Baeksulhwa and her friends. Specifically, the scenes where Baeksulhwa was being ostracized. ¡°Could it be because I¡¯ve been acting from my imagination all this time...?¡± Since the day she spoke with Director Kwon, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t stop thinking and reconsidering her acting. She had never personally experienced bullying or exclusion, so it was a challenge to understand what it truly felt like. Since kindergarten, Ha-eun had put a lot of effort into her friendships, and that carried through to her time at Naerae Arts High School, where she was well-liked and never felt left out. ¡°I can¡¯t exactly ask the kids to pretend to exclude me. Hmm...¡± The closest she had ever come to feeling left out was when she started attending an acting academy after filming Next Door Uncle. Some kids there, jealous of the special attention she received from CEO Jeong Do-cheol, distanced themselves from her. But even then, it wasn¡¯t a traumatic experience. The kids at the academy were still too young for her to really be affected by it. Being ignored by a few elementary school students didn¡¯t feel significant enough to bring about any meaningful change in her acting. So, Ha-eun decided to seek help elsewhere. Since she didn¡¯t understand it herself, she figured she should ask someone else. ¡°Should I ask Da-yeon?¡± It was clear that Da-yeon¡¯s social relationships were more strained than Ha-eun¡¯s. So Ha-eun, with genuine curiosity and no malice, asked Da-yeon what it felt like to be excluded. ¡°...Apologize.¡± ¡°Huh? What?¡± ¡°Apologize. I¡¯m angry.¡± Da-yeon was genuinely hurt by Ha-eun¡¯s question, and in the end, Ha-eun was unable to get the answer she wanted. Fortunately, when Ha-eun explained that she was asking out of concern for her portrayal of Baeksulhwa, Da-yeon¡¯s anger softened. But it was still awkward. After all, bullying was something no one should have to experience. But if Ha-eun didn¡¯t understand the feeling of exclusion, it might affect her performance. So, Ha-eun reached out to others for advice, planning to explain that she was asking solely for her acting and to make sure they didn¡¯t misunderstand. But when she tried to contact people... [ The customer is unable to take your call... ] ¡°...Huh?¡± For some reason, her calls went unanswered. Both Cream, her favorite VTuber, and Nael, her biggest fan, were avoiding her calls. -? -? -? -? [ Ha-eun, ] ¡°Calm down, calm down...!¡± Nael had been asked by Ji Hye-min to keep some distance from Ha-eun, while Cream had simply not heard her phone ringing. But within a week, when Cream and Nael streamed together, Ha-eun found herself in a whirlwind of emotions. ¡°I mean, how could you possibly beat lemons? Isn¡¯t that why it¡¯s number one in views?¡± ¡°See? Look, everyone! Nael and I really get each other~.¡± Watching their JPOP Ideal Type World Cup stream live, Ha-eun was overwhelmed with a feeling she couldn¡¯t describe. Seeing them chat so happily, ignoring her calls, made her heart ache deeply. ¡°...Why...?¡± -Sniffle. ¡°...No, it¡¯s just a misunderstanding. Yeah, it must be a misunderstanding...¡± With a heavy heart, she watched Nael and Cream¡¯s stream. The next day, she called Cream with a bright voice, suggesting they do a joint stream after a long time. [ No, Ha-eun. You¡¯re in your third year of high school. You have less than 50 days until the exam... ] ¡°...Okay. I understand.¡± This time, she was rejected because she was a third-year student preparing for the college entrance exam. Though Ha-eun had already been balancing her studies, it wasn¡¯t wrong for Cream to remind her to focus more on her studies. Yeah, it wasn¡¯t wrong. But why...? Why did she feel so lonely? ¡°.............¡± The overwhelming loneliness consumed Ha-eun, and she eventually retreated to the bathroom, sinking into the tub. She filled the tub with warm water and watched the bubbles form as she exhaled. She just lay there in the warm water, her mind blank. She felt down. Not in the same way as in her previous life, but still... down. *** [ Did I... make a mistake with Maria unni or Ji Hye-min? Or am I just being too sensitive...? I don¡¯t know... Why is everyone having fun without me? I could have enjoyed the Ideal Type World Cup too... ] ¡°Hah... Ha-eun? Ha-eun?¡± [ Did Hye-min unni... find me annoying...? No, if she found me annoying... that¡¯s a strange way to put it... I¡¯m sorry for calling when you¡¯re busy... ] -Click. ¡°...What is this?¡± Chapter 225 [Ji Hye-min] - Is something wrong? [Ji Hye-min] - Are you feeling unwell?? [Ji Hye-min] - Did you drink by any chance? Messages arrived the moment the call ended. Ha-eun stared at Ji Hye-min¡¯s heartfelt concern written in those texts, her eyes still dazed, before slowly typing back. [Lee Ha-eun] - I didn¡¯t drink. [Lee Ha-eun] - I think I¡¯m feeling the autumn blues. [Lee Ha-eun] - Please forget about the call just now. [Ji Hye-min] - (A suspicious-looking squirrel emoji) [Ji Hye-min] - Something smells fishy... More messages followed soon after. Ha-eun hesitated for a moment before simply closing her phone. Only after that did she begin drying her damp hair with a towel. But even after brushing the moisture off the ends of her long hair¡ª Even after changing into the fresh, fluffy clothes she had stored in the bathroom basket¡ª She still felt melancholic. ¡®Why am I like this, seriously...?¡¯ After finishing drying her hair with a hairdryer and applying skincare lotion, Ha-eun headed straight for Baeksulhwa in the living room. Then, holding Baeksulhwa gently in her arms, she trudged back to her room and flopped onto the bed. ¡°...Haah...¡± She let out a faint sigh, the soft embrace of the mattress doing little to ease her gloomy mood. At the same time, Baeksulhwa curled up as usual, settling into Ha-eun¡¯s arms like always. Everything around her remained the same. The long pillow. The oversized teddy bear she usually hugged to sleep. The crisp white blanket. The only thing different was her mood. ¡®...It is around that time...¡¯ On a whim, she tried to count the cycle of her hormonal changes, but quickly shook her head. It was true that the time was approaching, but no matter how she thought about it, this didn¡¯t seem to be the cause. She wasn¡¯t particularly affected by such things in the first place. So, she thought again. And again. Trying to pinpoint the exact reason for this lingering sadness. Trying to understand the source of this unfamiliar loneliness she was experiencing for the first time. ¡®Getting rejected by Maria, watching their collab, them not answering my call...¡¯ Ha-eun had a habit of retracing recent events whenever she felt a new emotion. Finding the cause of the new feeling. Revisiting the moment when the unfamiliar emotion first surfaced. Pondering over the consequences of experiencing such a foreign sentiment. Strictly speaking, this wasn¡¯t the first time she had analyzed an unknown emotion in this way. However, every time she organized her thoughts about an emotion, she couldn¡¯t help but completely immerse herself in it. ¡°...Seol-ah... ...Noona feels lonely...¡± In the end, she succumbed to a deep, gnawing loneliness. Her cold head registered this new entry into her emotional vocabulary, while her aching chest turned her voice sorrowful. Her mind and heart were in complete disarray. Perhaps that was why¡ª ¡°Ha-eun, it¡¯s time to get up~.¡± ¡°...Yeah...¡± Her thoughts spiraled endlessly, feeding into one another, making her unable to sleep for the first time in a long while. She tried to understand why those close to her had made her feel this way, but at the same time, she couldn¡¯t shake off the hurt, making it impossible to close her eyes. The only silver lining was that today was the weekend. Apart from her scheduled stream in the evening, she had no other obligations, so sleeping late didn¡¯t have any consequences. So, after a belated breakfast, after taking Baeksulhwa for a delayed walk, she spent the rest of her time studying, as usual. ¡°...Did I do something to upset them...?¡± Yet, even as she worked through her problem sets, the melancholy refused to fade. That vague, unidentifiable emotion still lingered. Maybe that was why she decided to start her stream earlier than usual. After all, being Diah always made her happy. ¡ªClick-click. ¡ªTaptaptap. [Feeling down, so I bought bread.] You¡¯re on early.Diah~?? What¡¯s up with the title?Can I ask what kind of bread?Cream bread is top tier, just saying.Y¡¯all not knowing her MBTI, smh.¡°I was a little bored today, so I decided to start early~.¡± She figured chatting with Noeulis would help chase away this gloomy mood. After all, she had been sulking all on her own, which had only made her feel lonelier. Soon, over ten thousand Noeulis gathered in the stream. Even though she had started earlier than scheduled, her viewers had assembled in an instant. That realization alone made Ha-eun feel relieved. So what if Cream and Nael had fun in their collab together? Diah had all these people with her. Even as she still felt slighted by those who had ignored her messages, that thought alone made her feel a little better. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight With that, she engaged in lively conversation with her chat, preparing to start today¡¯s stream content¡ªIron Fist gameplay. ¡ªDing-ding. ¡ªDing-ding. [Editor-nim (3)] ¡°...Huh?¡± Several messages popped up from her YouTube channel¡¯s editor. Her voice carried a hint of curiosity as she glanced at her phone. And upon checking the messages, a small gasp escaped her lips. [Editor-nim] - Diah¡¯s channel is about to hit 500K! [Editor-nim] - What do you think about a live stream for the milestone, boss? [Diah] - (Otter emoji rushing to action) Her subscriber count had nearly reached half a million. The unexpected good news lifted her mood instantly, and Ha-eun swiftly switched the stream layout. Soon, the live view of Diah¡¯s YouTube channel¡¯s subscriber count appeared on screen. [Diah Diah] [499,981] ¡°Tada~! Less than 20 subs to go until 500K©¤!¡± Ohhh!Damn lolWhat¡¯s up with Diah¡¯s level of clout??When did it go up this much?Brb, subscribing right now.Within mere seconds, the numbers started climbing. Ha-eun prepared her thank-you speech for the milestone. If she hit 500K live, then seamlessly transitioned into Iron Fist, it would make for a clean and smooth stream. ¡ªDing. [Diah Diah] [499,994 ¡ø] ¡°Oh, just six more to go!¡± At that moment, when the countdown to 500K was well underway, Ha-eun still couldn''t hide her excitement. She had no doubt that the first digit would soon change from a 4 to a 5. And yet¡ª ¡ªDing. [Diah Diah] [499,984 ¨‹] ¡°...Huh?¡± The subscriber count, which had been steadily increasing, suddenly began to drop. LOLUh-ohHold on tight, it''s going dooown500K? Hehe, not happening.¡°Hey, no pranks~! Hit that subscribe button back, quick~.¡± Even then, she thought it was just a temporary fluctuation. That if she waited a little longer, the numbers would rise again. That she would still be able to reach the milestone of 500K. But¡ª ¡ªDing. [Diah Diah] [499,975 ¨‹] For some reason, Diah¡¯s subscriber count continued to decline as time went on. And then came Noeulis'' mischievous comments. Ahhh, dear friends, 500K has left us~~LMAOLet¡¯s go, 480K!Look at Diah''s avatar, completely stunned lolA gentleman''s revenge is swift(Noeulis Emergency Alert) Unsubscribing from every device in the house, including Mom''s and Grandma''s phones.Y¡¯all are brutal lmao¡°...Wha... ...What...?¡± It felt as if her heart had just plummeted. Of course, subscriber counts fluctuated all the time¡ªit was normal for them to go up and down. But seeing them drop in real-time, watching the numbers fall one by one before her very eyes¡ª Maybe you should get on your knees and beg?Apologize for that thing you did last time, and we might consider resubscribing.This feels like my crypto portfolio...Not gonna say it''s karma, but...The teasing in chat today was sharper than usual. Her pupils trembled slightly as a ridiculous thought took hold¡ª As if the disappearing subscribers were actual Noeulis, turning their backs on her and walking away. The thrill she had felt at the thought of reaching 500K had long since vanished. ¡°M-Mm sorry. I don¡¯t know why, but whatever it is, I¡¯m sorry...!¡± ¡ªDing. [Diah Diah] [499,983 ¡ø] ¡°...Phew....¡± ¡ªDing. [Diah Diah] [499,991 ¡ø] ¡°We¡¯re back! We¡¯re so close now¡ª¡± ¡ªDing. [Diah Diah] [499,987 ¨‹] ¡°AAAAH! WHY IS IT DROPPING AGAIN?!¡± LOLNothing that falls has wingsHer reaction is goldI''m so over the baby act~~~Is this what they call playing hard to get?This is literally a stock market chartAs the subscriber count wavered up and down, so did Ha-eun¡¯s emotions. And then¡ªwhen she finally saw the count drop by over a hundred subscribers from where it originally was¡ª [Diah Diah] [499,887 ¨‹] ¡°...You guys too...? Why are you doing this...?¡± ?WaitBro, she¡¯s actually crying lolUh-oh, she''s going dark modeHa-eun¡¯s frustration reached its breaking point. She had gotten so lost in the ridiculous mental image of tiny SD Noeulis running away from her in droves. ¡°Why...why are you suddenly unsubscribing...? Fine! Just go! I... I see how it is. The love is gone, huh? It¡¯s all frozen over... completely ice cold... How could you...¡± ¡°I just wanted to celebrate together... Our channel hitting 500K... To say thank you, and that I¡¯d keep doing my best... But fine, whatever. Goodbye. Bye-bye. If you want to leave, what can I do...?¡± Diah¡¯s virtual avatar slowly faded off-screen. Only her quiet, muttering voice remained. ¡°...You all said I was the only one for you... But it was all lies... What, you''re tired of me now? That¡¯s just cruel...¡± Emergency broadcast!!!This is peak UFC energyThe mental breakdown is real...Why is this kinda hot (User has been banned.)Please whine some more, this is amazing content¡°...You want more...? Fine, I¡¯ll give you more! You¡¯re all happy watching me celebrate 500K and then pulling the rug out from under me, huh?! You love seeing me disappointed, don¡¯t you?! I started the stream early today because I missed you guys, and this is what I get¡ª?!¡±KYAAAAAAHer pout is too cute lmaoIs losing subs really that tragic?!Now you understand how we feel, DiahNooo our baby¡¯s going dark ????Breathe, girl, breatheThe chat was absolutely thriving. The number of viewers kept climbing. Donations started pouring in. Beyond confused, Ha-eun eventually just closed the subscriber count tracker. Then, after pulling her virtual avatar back on screen¡ªnow with an unmistakably sulky expression¡ªshe sighed and started the Iron Fist viewer participation segment, voice subdued. ¡°Drop your usernames... I¡¯ll send invites...¡± At least the Noeulis¡¯ enthusiasm for playing Iron Fist hadn¡¯t wavered. That was... something, at least. But the moment she effortlessly KO¡¯d a viewer with her absurdly fast reflexes, someone in chat typed¡ª [How could you hit your boyfriend like that?] And for some reason, Diah¡¯s avatar¡ªwhose expression had darkened earlier¡ªspoke up. ¡°Then hit me back.¡± It wasn¡¯t her usual playful response¡ª¡®You hit first, so it¡¯s self-defense!¡¯¡ªbut something entirely different. [MorningSquid] - ? [MorningSquid] - ...Hit you with what? ¡°You¡¯re my boyfriend, right? Then tell me how I feel right now.¡± [MorningSquid] - ??? ¡°No way... You don¡¯t know your girlfriend¡¯s feelings? What kind of boyfriend are you?!¡± ¡ªClick-click. ¡ªTaptaptap. One of the chat usernames was suddenly pulled into Iron Fist¡¯s waiting room. And then, Diah¡¯s voice came through the mic. ¡°Only the Noeuli who guesses my feelings correctly will be spared. ? N§àv§ÖIight ? (Read more on our source) If you get it wrong¡ªyou¡¯re a fake boyfriend, and you¡¯re done.¡± Still sporting a grumpy avatar, Diah flashed both players'' profiles on screen. Her mouse hovered over the kick button. ¡°You have two minutes. If you don¡¯t answer in time, you¡¯re both getting booted.¡± WHATIS THIS A DEATH MATCH?!This is basically Russian roulette.As long as it¡¯s not me, I¡¯m fineeeeee~The chat erupted in chaos. Meanwhile, the two unfortunate Noeulis desperately scrambled to type. [SaveUpAndGoBankrupt] - ...You want cotton candy? ¡°Wrong!¡± [MorningSquid] - ¡°You¡¯re trash at this game.¡± ¡°Wrong, wrong!! Twenty seconds left!¡± [SaveUpAndGoBankrupt] - WAIT [SaveUpAndGoBankrupt] - HOLD ON;; When the timer hit zero and still no correct answer appeared, Ha-eun sighed and prepared to execute her promised punishment. ¡°You fake boyfriends! Die¡ª!! ...Wait, actually, I¡¯ll give you one last chance.¡± Diah¡¯s avatar¡ªnow expressionless¡ªglared at the two trembling Noeulis. They had two options. Accept execution, or¡ª Drag another Noeuli into their mess. ¡°Choose. Death or drag someone down with you?¡± Faced with her icy tone, they hesitated¡ªthen, together, they typed. [SaveUpAndGoBankrupt] - ...Drag someone down. [MorningSquid] - Same. And so, Diah¡¯s cursor moved to the chat. A new victim had been chosen. The Iron Fist chat immediately filled with anguished wails. ¡°You get one extra minute. Now, figure out your girlfriend¡¯s feelings, you useless boyfriends.¡± The mic captured Diah¡¯s voice¡ªcold, unrelenting. And almost instantly, a new question popped up in chat. [LostAndNowStranded] - ...Can I also use the drag-down chance? Diah¡¯s avatar slowly nodded. And thus, the cycle of despair began. Chapter 226 A blank-faced virtual avatar. A cold, crimson gaze. And right beside it¡ª [LostAndNowStranded] - I just want to go to sleep right now. [SaveUpAndGoBankrupt] - Who should we execute next? [SlicethisDicethat] - Any hints? Please, I''m begging ????? [MorningSquid] - Weren¡¯t we supposed to be soulmates, Diah? Why has your heart changed? [PotatoSweetPotatoChestnut] - Noeulis unsubscribing makes me sad. The Iron Fist chat window. Originally meant for brief introductions before matches, it now resembled a medieval torture chamber, flooded with the desperate pleas of its victims. ¡°All... all wrong! Seriously?! Now I¡¯m really starting to feel hurt. Not even one of you knows how I feel?!¡± Oh no, baby Diah is in her rebellious phase.LOLUh-oh, the bomb collar is about to go off.What did these poor Noeulis do to deserve this?This is peak entertainment.Dark-mode Diah tastes kinda good, om nom nom.Collective punishment... we''re doomed.The vicious cycle continued¡ª Wrong answers. Time running out. Another Noeuli dragged in as a sacrifice to extend the time limit. And as time passed, the number of hostages only grew. Yet, not a single Noeuli had guessed Diah¡¯s feelings correctly. Strangely enough, every answer given so far had been completely off the mark. ¡°Alright, time¡¯s up. PotatoSweetPotatoChestnut, make your choice. Execution or dragging someone down with you?¡± Diah¡¯s voice grew colder with every word. The usual bright and lively tone was nowhere to be found. [PotatoSweetPotatoChestnut] - STOP!!! [PotatoSweetPotatoChestnut] - LET¡¯S END THIS MADNESS!!! [PotatoSweetPotatoChestnut] - NO MORE!!! NO MORE POINTLESS KILLING!!! [SlicethisDicethat] - ? ¡°Hah. Hah. So, you choose death. Goodbye, PotatoSweetPotatoChestnut... and the rest of you fake boyfriends!¡± [SaveUpAndGoBankrupt] - You son of a¡ª [LostAndNowStranded] - If you wanna die, die alone, you @$#%! [MorningSquid] - He thinks he¡¯s some noble hero, but there ain¡¯t no Shanks here, dude. [PotatoSweetPotatoChestnut] - WAIT!! STOP THE EXECUTION! HALT THE MOUSE CURSOR!! ¡°What. What now.¡± [PotatoSweetPotatoChestnut] - I never said I wanted to die. [PotatoSweetPotatoChestnut] - I choose dragging someone down. [PotatoSweetPotatoChestnut] - Let¡¯s go. ¡°Hah. Should¡¯ve said that from the start.¡± And so, the countdown timer on their bomb collars was extended once again. Then, from the chat, another unlucky username was selected and dragged into the Iron Fist waiting room. [DeliveryReviewScammer] - I have come... to end this war!! [MorningSquid] - SHANKS?! [SaveUpAndGoBankrupt] - I give it one minute before they start begging for mercy. ¡°Alright, the countdown starts now. Tick-tock, tick-tock~.¡± Thus began yet another round of Guess Diah¡¯s Feelings. The Iron ? N§àv§Ölight ? (Exclusive on N§àv§Ölight) Fist chat turned into a frenzied speed game. But unlike the others, who had been floundering with completely off-the-mark answers¡ª This new contestant actually hit the nail on the head. [DeliveryReviewScammer] - You just want to make up with the Noeulis. ¡°...Who are you?¡± Diah¡¯s avatar, still blank-faced, showed a flicker of surprise. ???THAT¡¯S the right answer?!So all this time, she just wanted to reconcile?Bro¡¯s keeping the RP locked in lmao.We didn¡¯t think like a one-year-old, so we failed.Dude¡¯s a legend.[PotatoSweetPotatoChestnut] - I ALWAYS BELIEVED IN YOU!!! [MorningSquid] - SHANKS!!! [SaveUpAndGoBankrupt] - You¡¯re the hero of our village... [SlicethisDicethat] - WE¡¯RE SAVED HOLY SH¡ª And with that, the never-ending cycle of bomb-pass finally came to an end. The Noeuli who guessed Diah¡¯s feelings on the first try was awarded the Official Boyfriend CertificateTM. Shortly after, Diah¡¯s voice came through the mic. ¡°How did you guess my feelings?¡± [DeliveryReviewScammer] - It¡¯s the same as when my girlfriend and I had a fight. After about a week, her voice sounded just like yours. [DeliveryReviewScammer] - I figured she probably wanted to make up. And I was right. [DeliveryReviewScammer] - Anyway, I get to live now, right? Thanks~. A simple yet effective answer. The chat, which had been filled with desperate pleas moments ago, was now overflowing with joy. Except¡ª ¡°I never said I¡¯d let you guys live, did I? You fake boyfriends.¡± Right. From the very start, the only Noeuli allowed to survive was the one who answered correctly. Somewhere along the way, the others had deluded themselves into thinking that if one person got it right, they¡¯d all be spared. The sudden realization hit like a truck. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. The victor? Already standing over their corpses, metaphorically teabagging them. [DeliveryReviewScammer] - See ya, ¡®fake¡¯ boyfriends. [SaveUpAndGoBankrupt] - PLEASE HAVE MERCY!!!! [MorningSquid] - THIS BACKSTABBING BASTARD!!! [SlicethisDicethat] - I¡¯M SORRY I¡¯M SORRY I¡¯M SORRY I¡¯M SORRY [PotatoSweetPotatoChestnut] - Ah... I lived a good life... [LostAndNowStranded] - NOOOOOOOO A few clicks later¡ª Diah carried out the executions. Of course, there was still a revival chance. A slightly softer voice then announced a special condition¡ªanyone who wrote a heartfelt apology in the fan cafe? would be unbanned. ¡°You have to list at least five reasons why Diah is amazing. If I like it, I¡¯ll bring you back.¡± So our baby isn¡¯t a spirit, but a necromancer...¡°Rise.¡±But wait... aren¡¯t we supposed to make up with her?Why is this so cute??So hmph is a real thing after all...And just like that, the tense atmosphere of the stream gradually lightened. Because in the end, Ha-eun knew better than anyone¡ª She couldn¡¯t stay sulky forever. ¡®It¡¯s fun at first, but if I drag it out too long, it just gets weird.¡¯ More than her personal feelings, the broadcast came first. Even her disappointment in the Noeulis¡ª Had just been part of the act. Really. ¡°Alright, hands out, everyone. We shake hands when we make up.¡± What?Hand.Soft baby hands, come here!Hand.Hand hand hand.Foot.Hand.Lips aren¡¯t allowed?Hand.¡°What¡¯s with the foot and lips?! I swear¡ª!¡± A few Noeulis who dared to mention body parts other than hands were immediately scolded for being too suggestive. Meanwhile, Diah¡¯s virtual avatar mimed a handshake in the air a couple of times. It was, after all, a matter of keeping her RP consistent. She was a one-year-old spirit, not a worldly human, and truly believed in sincere apologies, handshakes, and hugs as ways to mend broken bonds. So, after wrapping up the mass handshake with her Noeulis, she even summoned an SD avatar of a Noeuli and gave it a hug. Because Diah gets upset easily, but she also forgives easily¡ªand she had to stick to that roleplay. Then, right after, Ha-eun brought up something she had been secretly checking on her phone this whole time¡ªonto the stream. ¡ªDing. [Diah Diah] [500,078] ¡°Tada~! We finally hit 500K~!¡± OhhhCongrats!Wait, it went up already?!Hold on tight, we¡¯re going up again!LOL??????As the flood of congratulatory messages rolled in, Ha-eun let out a soft chuckle. So they were gonna celebrate like this all along... then why were they messing with me earlier? Well, whatever. They had already shaken hands and hugged it out. Switching her avatar¡¯s expression back to its usual cheerful smile, she also adjusted her voice to match. ¡°Let¡¯s keep going strong~! Until we get that Gold Play Button~~.¡± Having finished her official 500K milestone speech, she was about to resume her Iron Fist matches. That¡¯s why she prompted Noeulis to drop their usernames in the chat again. But then¡ª ¡ªDing. [User eternalyg has donated 10,000 KRW!] ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t that ¡®Review Scammer¡¯ Noeuli cheating? I swear they said they had a girlfriend.¡± The message popped up on-screen. For a moment, Diah¡¯s avatar remained frozen. Then, slowly¡ªher cheerful expression vanished. Her face blanked out. Gasp.Uh-oh.So this is what it feels like to get caught cheating.Bro, get out.Her face turned so scary LMAO.Immediately after, the Noeuli who had previously guessed Diah¡¯s feelings correctly¡ªwas summoned into a one-on-one chat. And then¡ª A voice as cold as ice. ¡°You. Explain yourself. A week after your girlfriend got mad? How exactly did you know what that sounded like?¡± [ReviewScammer] - Hmm. [ReviewScammer] - I¡¯ve been exposed. ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re proud of it? You¡¯re just this confident about two-timing your girl while I¡¯m right here, watching with my own two eyes?¡± [ReviewScammer] - Well... [ReviewScammer] - That¡¯s how it turned out. ¡°...Wow. Not even a single apology? I spent the whole day thinking about my Noeulis, brainstorming fun things we could do together¡ªand you?! While I was worrying about you, you were out cozying up on a date with your girlfriend?! WOW. I CAN¡¯T BELIEVE THIS¡ª!!¡± KYAAAAALMAOTHE CHEATER GOT CAUGHT¡°You traitor¡± << Never thought I¡¯d hear that from our baby.She¡¯s dark-mode again LOLI ONLY HAVE DIAH I SWEARMy hands are trembling from betrayal ????¡°Hah. Forget it. You¡¯re all the same! I don¡¯t wanna play with you anymore! The one thing I can¡¯t tolerate is cheating! And not only did you cheat, but you made it so damn obvious too!¡± Diah¡¯s avatar, which had been emotionless just moments ago, now glared daggers at the cheating Noeuli¡¯s username. Then¡ª Instead of launching Iron Fist, she navigated to YouTube. And¡ª She played an iconic breakup song. ? I trusted you as much as I trusted my friends~~ ? ???WHAT LOLSHE¡¯S REALLY MADThis is a proper breakup scene lmaoHa-eun full-on started singing. As if she had actually been dumped. She didn¡¯t even try to hit the right notes¡ªjust wailed the lyrics into the mic. Which, if anything, made it even funnier. ? You said it was impossible~~ ? So I cried~~~ ? She sounds like she¡¯s drunk LOL.¡°Please don¡¯t do this¡± x7WHO DID THIS TO OUR DIAHIs this... really something a one-year-old should be doing?*** Meanwhile, elsewhere¡ª ¡°...See that? Ha-eun is in critical condition. Seriously.¡± [ Maybe she¡¯s just stressed out because exams are coming up...? ] [ Hm, but Da-yeon seems totally fine. ] ¡°Well, that¡¯s because Da-yeon doesn¡¯t study as much as Ha-eun¡ª¡± [ ...What did you just say? ] ¡°...D-Da-yeon? You were here? That was a joke. Joking. Haha.¡± Chapter 227 ¡ªClick-click. ¡ªTaptaptap. [Feeling down, so I bought bread] ? [Life is loneliness] The stream title, which had already been concerning, took a turn for the worse. Diah¡¯s virtual avatar¡ªpreviously fuming¡ªnow looked on the verge of tears, as if she was desperately holding them back. And finally¡ª ? We used to love each other~~ But now we''re saying goodbye~~ ? A youthful voice continued to belt out one heartbreak song after another. Damn, the emotional depth is crazy lol.I just joined. WHAT is happening?!Ugh, this is so pathetic.Why is she crying the moment I tune in?????????PROTECT DIAH!!!!Did she eat something weird?A spectacle unlike anything seen in her previous broadcasts was now unfolding. Simply put, Diah was genuinely sulking. Of course, neither the Noeulis watching the stream nor Ji Hye-min actually believed that she was truly upset. At the end of the day, this was still part of the act. ? Hello, it¡¯s meee~~ How are you doing theeeeere~~? ? The sheer novelty of this side of Diah drew even more attention. Since debut, she had always ? N§àv§Öl¦Éght ? (Read the full story) been the one throwing punches. Now, she had been devastated by one Noeulis¡¯s infidelity and was pouring her heartbreak into sad songs. For those who knew her usual antics, this was more than enough to pique their curiosity. And as her voice warmed up from the repeated singing¡ª Even her pitch, which had been unstable at first, smoothed out completely. ? Forgetting, being forgotten, erasing it all~~ But missing the moment we first met~~ ? CHEATER EXPOSED! CHEATER EXPOSED! CHEATER EXPOSED!Okay but why is she actually good at singing??DIAH IS THE BEST! DIAH IS THE BEST! DIAH IS THE BEST!...When did this turn into a karaoke stream?Forget that bastard, Diah!WHY DOES SHE SOUND SO GOOD ?? WHY DOES SHE SOUND SO GOOD ?? WHY DOES SHE SOUND SO GOOD ??(Glowstick-waving Noeulis emojis) x6The chat, once filled with confusion, was now fully immersed in the show. Who cared if this had originally been an Iron Fist stream? Right now, Diah¡¯s meltdown concert was top-tier entertainment. And today was Saturday night¡ªa time when most people were at home relaxing. With no school or work early the next day, viewership numbers soared. Diah¡¯s channel had already reached a point where she could pull in big audiences¡ª and with prime time on her side, this was shaping up to be one of her best-performing streams. And so, Diah¡¯s Heartbreak Live wrapped up in a massive success. ¡°Thanks for watching today¡¯s stream, everyone... See you next time... bye-bye... And I hope that cheating Noeulis slips on a banana peel or something....¡± Even as she signed off with a pitifully dejected voice, Diah¡¯s stream was flourishing. The sheer chaos in the chat after her sign-off was proof enough. WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!One more song, please! Just one more!DIVA!!!Good job, baby Diah.You¡¯ll be back tomorrow, right? RIGHT? RIGHT? RIGHT? RIGHT? RIGHT?(Applause Noeulis emojis) x8DIIIIIVA!!!NOOO I JUST GOT HEREWill there be a replay of this stream???Once the stream fully ended, clips immediately started popping up on fan channels. Some highlights included: Diah laughing and crying in real time as her subscriber count fluctuated.Her instant expression change when she found out a Noeulis had cheated.The devastated face she made while dramatically belting out breakup songs.Many of these clips were short-form edits, perfect for YouTube Shorts and TikTok. Of course, Diah¡¯s main channel¡ª the newly 500K-strong [Diah Diah]¡ªwasn¡¯t staying idle either. [Editor] - Breaking news [Editor] - made it to trending videos. [Editor] - Huge win. [Diah] - Wooooow.... The editor had clearly sensed a golden opportunity. With lightning-fast editing, the full stream recap was ready by Sunday afternoon. And not only that¡ª It had officially hit YouTube¡¯s trending page. From a content standpoint, everything had worked out perfectly. ...Even if Ha-eun herself felt a little conflicted. ¡®At some point, I kinda lost myself in it....¡¯ She had been genuinely worried that she let her emotions get too swept up mid-stream. Even to herself, Saturday¡¯s Diah had felt way more childish than usual. If she spun it positively¡ªshe had simply been expressing her emotions honestly. If she spun it negatively¡ªshe had been whining to over 10,000 people. It was fun precisely because it was unlike her usual streams, but she wondered if she might have gone a little overboard. And yet, of all her recent broadcasts¡ª this one had performed the best. ¡®...Even when I think I understand, I really don¡¯t....¡¯ That said¡ªmaybe because she had vented all her pent-up feelings through music¡ª her mood was much better now. The lingering loneliness wasn¡¯t completely gone, but compared to when she had impulsively called Ji Hye-min out of frustration¡ª she definitely felt lighter. Maybe that¡¯s why¡ª [ H-Ha-eun... After exams, do you want to go on a trip? No, let¡¯s go on a trip! All of us! ] ¡°...Right after exams?¡± [ Y-Yeah! You worked hard, so we should celebrate! ] Cream¡ªwho had been avoiding her messages recently¡ªwas suddenly calling her now. And not just that¡ª she was proposing a full-group trip with Illusionary Realm. Ha-eun... couldn¡¯t quite figure out why. But she also didn¡¯t reject it. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. A trip with Illusionary Realm members was always healing. And if it was right after the college entrance exams, it wouldn¡¯t conflict with her filming schedule for God and the Goblin. So, with Ha-eun¡¯s attendance confirmed, even though the exact destination was still undecided¡ª [ ...Still, your voice sounds a little better now. I¡¯m relieved. ] ¡°You didn¡¯t think I was actually sick, right?¡± [ Ah¡ªNo. I mean, I saw your Insta. You posted a picture playing with Baeksulhwa, so... ] Both Cream and Ji Hye-min¡ªalong with others¡ªlet out relieved sighs. They hoped the news of the upcoming trip would lift Ha-eun¡¯s spirits even more. *** Monday had come around once again, as it always did¡ª time slipping by far too quickly over the weekend. As usual, after finishing school, Ha-eun headed straight to the filming site of God and the Goblin. Like always, she went around greeting various staff members, including Director Kwon Jae-hyeop. ¡°You got plenty of rest over the weekend? How¡¯s your condition?¡± ¡°Ah, I think... I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good. Let¡¯s give it our best today.¡± With that, Director Kwon returned to his preparations, and Ha-eun also focused on hers. She recalled their conversation from the previous shoot. ¡°Tone down the emotions a little. Just a little. Make sure you don¡¯t look like a full-on depressive case....¡± Truthfully, it wasn¡¯t easy for Ha-eun to moderate her deep emotions. The memories she summoned to immerse herself in the role of Baeksulhwa pulled her into an abyss without fail. After all, past life memories were heavy. If she wanted to act with a subtle level of emotion, as the director had requested¡ª she would have to use something other than those overwhelming recollections. ¡°Can¡¯t be acting like I¡¯m on the verge of breaking down while working a part-time job.¡± She needed to look troubled, but not outright miserable. In a few minutes, she would be acting as Baeksulhwa, a girl getting through life somehow, rather than crumbling under the weight of it. So, instead of the usual painful memories she used to evoke Baeksulhwa¡¯s emotions, Ha-eun summoned different ones. She even overlaid familiar faces onto the extras playing her classmates. That one¡¯s Cream-unni, that one¡¯s Nael, those over there are the Noeulis who unsubscribed.... It was a new method¡ª anchoring her emotions to something less vague to make it easier to portray them. And with that, Ha-eun¡¯s image training took on sharper clarity. Soon after, the cameras and lights were adjusted to their proper positions. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s begin. 3, 2, 1... Action!¡± With Director Kwon¡¯s cue, the filming for Scene #29 Cafe? began. Ha-eun, dressed in a cafe? uniform, faced off against the extras in school uniforms. ¡¸...How can I help you with your order?¡¹ Baeksulhwa, ever the master of maintaining a neutral expression, lowered her gaze as she spoke. Then came the sneering voices of her classmates. ¡¸Wow, look at you, thinking you¡¯re some kind of barista.¡¹ ¡¸I heard part-timers don¡¯t even get proper wages these days. Want a tip?¡¹ ¡¸If our order¡¯s not ready in a minute, we¡¯re calling the manager~.¡¹ Their words weren¡¯t anything more or less than pure bullying. Rather than reacting to their taunts, Baeksulhwa responded with a cold, detached tone. And when their drinks were finally served¡ª the girls laughed amongst themselves, made a mess of the table, and left. ¡¸Clean up well~.¡¹ ¡¸You gotta do what you gotta do to make money.¡¹ ¡¸Make sure you recycle properly, Sulhwa. Gotta think about the environment!¡¹ Their mocking voices echoed as they walked away beyond the cafe?¡¯s glass doors. Baeksulhwa exhaled a quiet sigh. She was tired, but she refused to let their words weigh on her. Yet, as she cleaned up the mess¡ª her gaze briefly flickered toward the glass wall, where other students sat happily chatting with their friends. ¡®Oh... this is working.¡¯ ¡®This is different from last time.¡¯ The right level of exhaustion and frustration had been captured on camera. It wasn¡¯t like before, when it felt like the entire world was caving in on her. Instead of forcing isolation and despair, Ha-eun had genuinely embodied the quiet sting of loneliness. Because she already had a natural synchronicity with Baeksulhwa, Director Kwon felt, for the first time, that the character was truly coming to life. ¡®I was worried it wouldn¡¯t work out, but I¡¯m glad I gave her that direction.¡¯ More often than not, when actors tried to adjust their performances after receiving feedback, they ended up missing the mark. But right now, Ha-eun¡¯s expression was exactly as he had envisioned. ¡¸...They even soaked the tissues. What a waste...¡¹ Seeing her clean up the table, Director Kwon thought¡ª That¡¯s it. This is exactly what I wanted. Then¡ª ¡¸Is all that sighing because of those kids?¡¹ ¡¸...I won¡¯t say it isn¡¯t.¡¹ Baek Jin¡¯s voice entered the scene. And then¡ª ¡ªSPLASH! ¡¸Kyaaaaah!!¡¹ ¡¸What the hell?! My clothes are soaked!!¡¹ A passing truck had splashed filthy puddle water all over the classmates waiting at the crosswalk. ¡ªFlinch. But Ha-eun¡¯s reaction¡ª Instead of satisfaction, she looked startled¡ªalmost caught off guard. Even her next line didn¡¯t match the script. ¡¸Wait... Did you do that on purpose?¡¹ ¡¸I won¡¯t say I didn¡¯t.¡¹ Fortunately, Kang Sun-woo improvised in response, preventing the scene from going off track. And in some ways¡ª this version actually felt more natural. ¡¸Do you feel a little better now?¡¹ ¡¸Uh... Um... ...Thank you.¡¹ ¡¸No need to mention it.¡¹ ¡°Cut!¡± With that, Scene #29 Cafe? wrapped up¡ª slightly different from the script, but successfully filmed nonetheless. As Ha-eun sat on a folding chair, waiting for the next shoot, Director Kwon approached her. ¡°You didn¡¯t know they were going to get splashed? You looked pretty shocked just now.¡± ¡°A-Ah, no, I knew... it just... hit them a lot harder than I expected.¡± ¡°Ah, I see. Well, good work. Baeksulhwa is perfect now. I don¡¯t think I have anything left to correct.¡± ¡°...Thank you.¡± Hearing the praise, Ha-eun awkwardly smiled. She couldn¡¯t exactly say¡ª That she had been startled because she imagined it was Cream, Nael, and the unsubscribed Noeulis getting drenched. Chapter 228 Emotions are, in essence, consumables. No matter how heavy or shocking a feeling may be, its impact dulls with repeated exposure. The sharper it is, the faster it wears down. Whether it''s actors displaying emotions on screen or the audience experiencing them, if someone is constantly exposed to overwhelming emotions, they naturally build up emotional fatigue. That was precisely why, a few days ago, Director Kwon Jae-hyeop had urged Ha-eun to dial back the intensity of her emotions. Having previously seen her performance in The Sunshine, he was already familiar with how deep her acting could go. Even when compared to seasoned adult actors¡ª perhaps even more so¡ª her performance thrived on its raw intensity precisely because it wasn¡¯t something the audience could get used to. ¡®I didn¡¯t think she¡¯d adjust this quickly, though... She really is different.¡¯ Actors who have reached a certain level naturally develop pride in their craft. Considering how young Ha-eun was, the fact that she chose to follow his direction instead of stubbornly resisting it was impressive in many ways. At that moment¡ª Director Kwon¡¯s evaluation of Lee Ha-eun as an actress rose significantly. Meanwhile, Ha-eun was lost in deep contemplation over an entirely different matter. It was because of Director Kwon¡¯s satisfied tone when he praised her acting. She had been portraying isolation in Scene #29 Cafe?. Which meant that... If her acting had been convincing¡ª it meant she had genuinely expressed the feeling of isolation. In other words¡ª The emotions she had drawn from while imagining Cream and Nael were isolation. ¡°I mean... sure, they haven¡¯t been hanging out with me much lately, but...¡± She knew exactly what memories she had used to fuel today¡¯s performance. But she had only recalled those moments to avoid sinking into deeper depression¡ª not because she consciously thought of them as isolation. Absolutely not. But if she had acted so naturally¡ª Had I actually been feeling abandoned this whole time? Just because they didn¡¯t text me for a few days? Her eyes wavered as the realization hit her. A prickly sense of embarrassment crawled up her spine. The foreign emotion that had been lurking in her mind for days¡ª the one she couldn¡¯t name¡ª was isolation. Which meant that¡ª Lying blankly in the bathtub for hours. Calling Ji Hye-min with a dark voice. All of it¡ª Had been because she thought she was being ignored. ¡°...Oh no.¡± Just thinking about how pathetic she had been these past few days made her break into a cold sweat. Her face was already red¡ªnow it burned even more. The realization that she had been moping over a few missed texts was devastating. If Da-yeon ever found out, she¡¯d never let her live it down. ...Actually, what if she already knew? Cream¡¯s sudden invitation for a full Illusionary Realm trip included all second-generation members¡ª including Da-yeon. Wait a second. Ha-eun suddenly recalled something else¡ª Her entire body stiffened. [Jeong Maria (Cream)] - Ha-eun-ah. [Jeong Maria (Cream)] - Studying must be tough. [Jeong Maria (Cream)] - I¡¯m always cheering for you. [Jeong Maria (Cream)] - You got this. [Jeong Maria (Cream)] - Let¡¯s go, fighting! [Jeong Maria (Cream)] - (Clapping ant emoji) A string of random encouraging messages¡ª sent just minutes after her Saturday stream ended. The dessert gift coupons she received from Nael the very next day. And finally¡ª [ U-uh, Ha-eun... do you want to go on a trip after exams? No, let¡¯s go! All of us! ] ¡°Uh... Right after exams?¡± [ Y-yeah! You worked really hard, so we should have fun! ] Cream¡¯s hesitant voice, as if she was checking her reaction. At the time, Ha-eun had thought, Why is she suddenly saying this? But now... She could guess why. ¡°...I can¡¯t believe this.¡± Everyone had figured it out¡ªexcept for her. That was the real reason Ha-eun let out a silent scream while clutching her face. Her ears burned red in humiliation. But before she could fully process her embarrassment¡ª "Ha-eun, let¡¯s get ready." "A-ah, yes." Kang Sun-woo¡¯s voice snapped her back to reality. She had less than 10 minutes before the next scene. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. She forced herself to calm down, wiping her palms against her thighs. Her hands were shaking slightly. Scene #30 Begins This was the first true conversation between Baek Jin and Baeksulhwa. A pivotal moment that also hinted at the curse of eternal life Baek Jin bore. ¡¸Uh... Baek Jin-ssi? Baek Jin-nim?¡¹ ¡¸Just call me whatever you were calling me before. No need for formalities. It feels distant.¡¹ ¡¸Well... if you insist.¡¹ Baeksulhwa had already noticed that Baek Jin wasn¡¯t an ordinary person¡ª but she still didn¡¯t know exactly what he was. ¡¸Are you, like, a guardian spirit or something? Here to protect me?¡¹ ¡¸For now, you could say that.¡¹ ¡¸¡®For now¡¯? That sounds shady...¡¹ The conversation naturally shifted toward what Baek Jin could offer her. ¡¸Hey, could you do a ¡®gold, appear!¡¯ trick for me? Like, a hundred times?¡¹ Baeksulhwa¡¯s half-joking, half-hopeful tone¡ª and Baek Jin¡¯s exasperated reaction. ¡¸Money doesn¡¯t bring lasting happiness.¡¹ ¡¸Well, how would I know unless I experience it myself? So¡ª¡¹ ¡¸A warm room in winter and a cool one in summer. A quiet desk to study at. A fridge with enough food to eat. Even that is difficult.¡¹ ¡¸Tch. Says the guy wearing an expensive coat... Don¡¯t tell me you stole it?¡¹ ¡¸I¡¯ve never stolen in 900 years. Not even once.¡¹ ¡¸Oh, wow. Good for you.¡¹ Baek Jin¡¯s firm, unwavering expression. Baeksulhwa, her own face slightly sulky, asked: ¡¸Before, you said... you have regrets. About me.¡¹ ¡¸I did.¡¹ ¡¸So... what exactly is it that you want me to do?¡¹ ¡¸Why do you ask?¡¹ ¡¸Well... The world works on ¡®give and take,¡¯ right? If you¡¯re helping me, I should help you too. That way, you won¡¯t leave.¡¹ She had read somewhere that spirits only linger because of unfinished business. If she helped him resolve his regrets¡ª then he could keep helping her. Baek Jin¡¯s answer was simple. ¡¸I already told you what I want.¡¹ ¡¸...Huh? When?¡¹ ¡¸Your happiness.¡¹ ¡¸So if you just did the ¡®gold, appear¡¯ trick a few times¡ª¡¹ ¡¸I want you to be strong enough to say, ¡®I¡¯m happy,¡¯ even without me. To build a life where you no longer need me. That kind of happiness.¡¹ ¡¸...There¡¯s no such thing as ¡®real¡¯ or ¡®fake¡¯ happiness.¡¹ Baek Jin¡¯s endless roundabout responses finally made Baeksulhwa throw up her hands in surrender. In the end, she had already secured a room, a desk, and a fridge¡ª and at that moment, nothing was more desirable to her than those three things. That was why she asked if he could move her out immediately. Before Baek Jin could change his mind, she wanted to get her belongings into the new place first. ¡¸You¡¯ve never lived in a rooftop room, so you wouldn¡¯t know, but¡ª I greet bugs every day, the insulation is terrible, and now the rain is even starting to leak¡ª¡¹ Baeksulhwa¡¯s complaints continued, her expression growing more and more pitiful with each word. The highlight of her rant? That college entrance exams were just around the corner. ¡¸Even the king doesn¡¯t dare touch a senior in high school, but drunkards harass me every night. If they¡¯re drunk, they should just go home¡ªwhy are they yelling in the alley at 3 AM?¡¹ Since Ha-eun herself was a student preparing for exams, it wasn¡¯t difficult for her to pour real frustration into Baeksulhwa¡¯s voice. If she were trying to study and got disrupted by drunks, she would absolutely be furious too. And perhaps because of that¡ª Or maybe it had been his plan all along¡ª ¡ªSnap! ¡¸Two suitcases. And not even half full.¡¹ Kang Sun-woo¡¯s ad-libbed line came with the sound of a finger snap. It was a deviation from the script, and though it briefly startled Ha-eun, she had to keep acting. ¡¸...This is my luggage?¡¹ ¡¸Yes. Oh, the umbrella isn¡¯t yours, so I took it out.¡¹ ¡¸Ha...¡¹ Baeksulhwa stared at the imaginary suitcases in disbelief. Soon after, they reached the final lines of Scene #30. ¡¸Recycling day is on Wednesday. Don¡¯t forget.¡¹ ¡¸...That just killed the mood.¡¹ ¡¸Even guardian spirits follow the law. It is the law of this country, after all.¡¹ ¡¸Wow. Your sense of civic duty is truly inspiring....¡¹ And with that, the scene wrapped up. ¡°Great job, both of you.¡± Director Kwon Jae-hyeop looked pleased as he gave ¡ã? N o v e l i g h t ?¡ã his feedback. The relationship dynamic between the two leads had been captured well¡ª their conversation had flowed naturally, without any awkwardness. But for Ha-eun, there was something on her mind regarding the next scene. ¡°Director, can I ask something?¡± She cautiously brought up the next shot, which was a short scene of Baeksulhwa solving practice problems. Specifically¡ª ¡°Would it be okay if I used my own workbook for the scene?¡± She thought it would make her performance more natural if she used an actual workbook she was familiar with. But her request was denied before she could even push for it. ¡°Ah, about that, Ha-eun¡ª The workbook in the scene is PPL.¡± ¡°...PPL?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Product placement. The workbook Baeksulhwa would be solving on-screen was sponsored. Ha-eun couldn¡¯t understand why anyone would want to do PPL for a workbook¡ª but she could only tilt her head in confusion. Still, there was no changing what had already been decided. Since she had to use the brand¡¯s workbook, she requested an advance copy so she could familiarize herself with it. And while she was flipping through it¡ª ¡°Don¡¯t freak out, Ha-eun.¡± ¡°...Huh? What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°You just got a commercial offer.¡± ¡°...For what?¡± ¡°For the same brand as this workbook. TerraStudy. You know them, right?¡± A huge online education platform. Apparently, Ha-eun¡¯s mock exam scores had been a hot topic online, which had drawn the company¡¯s attention. ¡°But... why now? The entrance exams are literally right around the corner.¡± ¡°Oh, the ad won¡¯t air until January next year. They¡¯re preparing ahead of time.¡± For the most part, Ha-eun was open to commercials. Of course, if she overloaded herself with endorsements, her image would wear out too quickly. But an education-related sponsorship like TerraStudy? That could reinforce her studious, high-achiever image¡ª so she was leaning toward accepting it. Except for one thing. ¡°If you mess up your exam, Ha-eun, they might cancel the contract.¡± ¡°...Seriously?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not impossible.¡± If her actual test scores didn¡¯t meet expectations¡ª the contract could be terminated, and she might even have to return the ad payment. Feeling uneasy, Ha-eun confided in Dayeon about her concerns. ¡°You¡¯re gonna do fine. You already published your grades in an article.¡± ¡°...It¡¯s different now. There¡¯s money involved.¡± ¡°At this point, there¡¯s no turning back. The entire country is watching your grades.¡± ¡°Not the entire country...¡± ¡°Oh? Are you sure?¡± ¡°.............¡± That only made her more stressed. And judging by the gleeful look on Dayeon¡¯s face¡ª this was definitely intentional. ¡°Must be nice for some people, getting into college through practical exams without studying....¡± ¡°W-what? Using the practical track isn¡¯t wrong!¡± ¡°I never said it was wrong. I just said it must be nice.¡± ¡°Then why don¡¯t you apply for the practical track?¡± ¡°I¡¯d get canceled. Too controversial.¡± ¡°...Then what am I supposed to be?¡± Chapter 229 "Ha-eun, do you want to do a concert together?" One day in November. Ha-eun, who had stopped by Leni¡¯s studio for a short visit, blinked at the sudden proposal of a joint concert. But Leni wasn''t just throwing it out there as a casual remark¡ªshe was genuinely trying to recruit Ha-eun for the concert. So, before anything else, Ha-eun asked why. Leni gave three reasons. "At first, I was just going to invite you as a guest, but then I thought¡ªwhy not just make it a full-on joint concert? That would be way more fun and fulfilling." "Fun...?" "My concerts have been kind of samey lately. Of course, people still enjoy them, but this time I wanted to try something different." Leni, who seemed to be experiencing a slight slump even with her concerts, emphasized how well Ha-eun¡¯s first album had performed. She also added that it would help promote God and the Goblin, which was set to air in a month. However, the real reason that ultimately convinced Ha-eun was the last one. "Park Yeon-woo¡¯s surgery went well. From what I¡¯ve heard, he¡¯ll be able to attend this concert." "...!" A few months ago, Ha-eun had met him through Leni¡¯s iPad¡ªa viewer of Diah¡¯s stream who had been battling cancer. He was also the one who had made Leni seriously consider the idea of a joint concert with Ha-eun. Fortunately, he had successfully overcome his illness. "Of course, he still doesn¡¯t know that Diah is actually you, but that¡¯s fine, right? After all, your songs are Diah¡¯s songs." "...You said it¡¯s at the end of November?" "Yup." "I¡¯ll do it." "I knew you would." Right after that, Leni suggested discussing the details once Ha-eun finished her college entrance exam. Then, she pulled out a shopping bag and handed it to Ha-eun. Inside were various brands of chocolates and sweet taffy¡ªexam support gifts. "Good luck on your exam. I¡¯ll be cheering for you." "Ah... T-Thank you, unnie." Caught off guard by the unexpected gift, Ha-eun hesitated for a moment but gratefully accepted it. And when Leni jokingly called it an advance payment for their concert, Ha-eun could only smile awkwardly. But just as Ha-eun was about to leave, Leni asked her to stay a few more minutes. Almost at the same time, the door to the studio opened, and Song Hyun-min walked in. "Sorry I¡¯m late. Traffic was terrible today. Here, this is a gift for your exam, Ha-eun." "Oh... Um... Thank you." As a result, Ha-eun ended up staying in Leni¡¯s studio for another hour. And along with Leni¡¯s gift, she now had another shopping bag of exam treats from Song Hyun-min. ¡®How am I supposed to eat all of this...?¡¯ Of course, she appreciated the support. And it was nice that everything was exactly the kind of sweet desserts she loved. But the sheer quantity... She had no choice but to worry about how to deal with all the chocolates. Then, Song Hyun-min spoke again. "Actually, this is also your recruitment fee." "...What?" "Remember when we made that promise after I got back from Europe? We said we¡¯d release a song together before the end of the year." It was about something Ha-eun had considered just a polite exchange at the time. But now, he was seriously asking her to feature in the title track of his new album. "Oh, of course, we¡¯d record it after your exam. I wouldn¡¯t dare mess with a senior in high school." "Uh, excuse me, but Ha-eun already has plans with me." "Huh?" "We¡¯re doing a concert at the Seoul World Cup Stadium at the end of November." Before she realized it, Leni had wrapped an arm around Ha-eun and told Song Hyun-min to take a number and wait his turn. Song Hyun-min, looking slightly embarrassed, then asked for just ten minutes of her time. "I brought an MP3 file, just in case. Could you try a rough recording right now?" "A rough recording?" "Yeah. My agency keeps rushing me, so I need a sample to, um, negotiate with." Hearing this, Ha-eun said she¡¯d listen first before deciding. She¡¯d have a little more free time after the exam, so if she could squeeze in some recording for Hyun-min¡¯s track, it might be doable. "Ah, ah. Can you hear me?" "Yeah, loud and clear." And so, they went ahead with the test recording. Since Leni was also a singer, she wanted to personally assess how well Ha-eun¡¯s voice matched Song Hyun-min¡¯s song. But contrary to her expectations that their styles wouldn¡¯t blend well... "...It¡¯s good." "Right? I told you, Ha-eun¡¯s voice is amazing." For some reason, even Leni had to admit that their voices meshed surprisingly well. In the end, she couldn¡¯t argue against Hyun-min¡¯s insistence that no one could replace Ha-eun. "See? Doublely trained a monster. Don¡¯t you think so too, Ha-eun?" "...Calling me a monster is a bit much." "Hahaha. It¡¯s a compliment!" And with that, Ha-eun decided to seriously consider featuring on his track. A promise was a promise, after all. ¡®I thought it was just one of those ¡°Let¡¯s grab a meal sometime¡± kind of things... but he actually meant it.¡¯ And so, Ha-eun unexpectedly found herself committed to projects with two major artists, Leni and Song Hyun-min. When she returned to Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s van as usual, she was met with yet another set of unfamiliar shopping bags. "What are these now?" "They¡¯re from Lee Jun and Lee Gun-yeol. They wanted to wish you luck on your exam." "...Wow." If she actually ate all of this, she might end up with cavities in every single tooth. The sheer volume of exam gifts she received was overwhelming. And it didn¡¯t stop there. Every single person Ha-eun had ever worked with, past and present, sent her support gifts. Even Kang Sun-woo and Ha Yun-seong, who she was currently filming God and the Goblin with, gave her presents. ¡®At least the unnies sent me gift vouchers...¡¯ Looking at her freezer packed with desserts, Ha-eun felt a strong certainty. Even if she lived off sweets alone for a while, she wouldn¡¯t run out anytime soon. And then, time passed. At long last, the day of the exam arrived. "...Now! Run!" "O-Okay, I¡¯m going!" Even before the sun had risen, Ha-eun had to dash into the test center. After all, she was a celebrity. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. If an idol showing up at an exam site could cause chaos, then so could she. News had already reported on another famous idol being mobbed by fans outside their test center. Since Ha-eun had worked so hard for this, she didn¡¯t want to be disrupted. If she caused a scene, that would be the worst possible outcome. -Creak- ¡®...No one¡¯s here. Thank God.¡¯ Thankfully, she entered without any commotion. She immediately started warming up by solving a practice test. As time went on, the murmurs around her grew louder. But in the end, no major issues arose. The supervisors had already designated her as a special case for careful monitoring. "Alright, everyone, please leave. You can¡¯t gather here." From before the first subject until lunchtime and even the final break, spectators had been lingering outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. Still, Ha-eun maintained the highest focus of her 19-year life. But when it was time to leave the test center... That¡¯s when she hit the real challenge. ¡®If it turns out like elementary school, I¡¯m doomed.¡¯ Back when You Who Came from the Stars aired, her entire elementary school had been in chaos. She didn¡¯t want to experience that again. So, she carefully turned to the two girls sitting beside her. "Um... Can you pretend to be my friends and link arms with me when we leave?" "Huh? W-What?" "I¡¯ll make sure to properly thank you. Both of you." "...Then can we get an autograph and a photo?" "M-Me too?" "Of course. I¡¯ll do both." A Secret Mission Begins Ha-eun pulled down the brim of her baseball cap, tugged her hoodie snugly over her head, and secured her mask in place. And then¡ª "...We¡¯re going out through the back. My manager is waiting near there." "Ah, okay...!" "Wh-Why am I so nervous about this?" Blending in with the other female students, Ha-eun carefully slipped out of the exam hall. By keeping her head slightly lowered, she managed to avoid eye contact with anyone nearby. This must be what they meant by hiding a tree in the forest. With her arms linked with two girls she had just met today, Ha-eun successfully escaped the test center and made it to her rendezvous point with Ju Jung-yoon. She repaid their help immediately after. Not only did she fulfill her promise of autographs and photos, but she also shook hands, gave them each a hug, and even handed over some unopened snacks. "I hope you both get into your dream universities." "Y-You too, Ha-eun!" "Never thought I''d get exam snacks from a celebrity..." After saying goodbye to the grateful students, Ha-eun climbed into Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s van as usual. However, she soon noticed that Jung-yoon kept glancing at her in the rearview mirror, hesitating to speak. "I think I did well. There weren¡¯t any subjects where I felt rushed for time." She decided to speak first about the exam. Now that it was over, she felt a little relieved. Of course, she¡¯d probably get nervous again when she checked her scores in a few hours, but unless she had made any major mistakes, her results should turn out fine. By the following afternoon, she was already on her way to Incheon Airport, feeling much lighter. After all, there was nothing left to do but have fun. "Well, people who just guessed everything on a single row and dozed off wouldn¡¯t understand this ¡ï Novelight ¡ï feeling." "H-Hey! I answered everything properly!" "Jinsu oppa told me your face was covered in drool marks." "...! ...!!" At that moment, Ha-eun and Da-yeon were the only ones at the airport. Since their faces were widely recognized, it was difficult for the entire Illusionary Realm team to move together. Even their flights were separate. Ha-eun still wasn¡¯t sure of the exact reason, but Ji Hye-min had specifically arranged for her and Da-yeon to travel apart from the other members. And so, the two of them boarded a business class flight. A couple of hours later, they landed in Japan. "Mmm, it already feels like winter here." "Yeah, it does...." Their destination was Hokkaido. Even though it was only November, the temperature was already below freezing, and the landscape looked as though winter had just begun. Once they arrived at their hotel, they managed to check in with the help of a translation app. After that, all they had to do was wait in their room for the rest of the group to arrive. "The bed¡¯s bigger than I expected." "The pillows are huge. A pillow fight would be fun." "...I''m not having a pillow fight with you." "Why not?" "Because I have no plans to end up in the emergency room. I¡¯m not that crazy." As Ha-eun and Da-yeon passed the time chatting in their spacious hotel room, back in Korea, something major was unfolding. The first teaser for God and the Goblin had just been released. The First Teaser of God and the Goblin "Huh...? What the¡ª God and the Goblin?" Nael was the first to notice the teaser¡¯s release. Immediately, she opened the drama¡¯s official website and played the video. The teaser began with a snowstorm raging over a vast, open plain. Gallop. Gallop. Gallop. Gallop. The camera focused only on the back of a lone man, riding a horse at full speed. The only thing certain was that he was wearing old Goryeo-era armor. The hurried sound of hooves continued¡ª "Find her! The Yaksha''s woman is hiding in this village!" As fierce voices echoed, the scene transitioned to a remote village. The next moment, a brutal battle unfolded. -Shing¡ª! The man leaped from his horse and unsheathed his sword, cutting down the surrounding enemies with ease. Every time the long blade flashed, crimson liquid splattered through the air¡ª Severing bodies, piercing chests, and snuffing out lives. After cutting through an overwhelming number of foes, the man sprinted toward an unknown destination. Yet, the camera never showed his face, keeping his identity a mystery. But when his scarred hand urgently pushed open a door¡ª The camera revealed the scene beyond it: A narrow room. A fragile girl collapsed in one corner. Her face unmistakably clear. "...You... came...." Though her voice was faint and broken, it was instantly recognizable. A deep, slightly trembling voice responded¡ª "...Seolhwa...." And at that moment¡ª A small, blood-stained hand slipped from her sleeve and fell lifelessly to the floor. The camera zoomed out. The man¡¯s lonely figure, cradling the now-cold body, grew smaller. Then, time began to speed up. The village where Ha-eun and the man had been standing disappeared, replaced by modern buildings. The scene shifted into the cityscape of the present day. Step. Step. The man reappeared. As he walked forward, his armor gradually transformed into a modern trench coat. Yet, even as he continued moving, the camera only showed his back. The man, still hiding his face, stopped in front of a cafe?. The moment he stepped inside, the camera finally turned to Ha-eun¡ª "Sir, do I know you?" Her expression was filled with confusion. She wore an ordinary cafe? uniform. But the name tag pinned to her chest held three distinct syllables¡ª Baeksulhwa. "...I once did. I once held you in my arms. In the end, I could never forget... so I have come here." As his voice echoed, the perspective gradually shifted. The camera rotated, revealing both the man''s and Ha-eun¡¯s profiles. "So, until we meet again, do not forget me." The moment the camera paused, Ha-eun lifted her gaze slightly and locked eyes with the man. But before even a few seconds passed¡ª The camera angle fully switched to Ha-eun¡¯s point of view. "My one and only... regret." At last, the man¡¯s face was fully revealed¡ª A face filled with loneliness. Yet, one that carried longing and deep affection. It was Kang Sun-woo. And with that, the teaser ended. The moment Kang Sun-woo¡¯s return was confirmed, God and the Goblin went viral. Drama forums exploded. Internet articles flooded in real-time. But while the teaser stirred excitement online¡ª For Ha-eun, the consequences arrived in a much more terrifying form. -Knock knock knock knock. -BANG BANG BANG BANG. -Knock knock knock knock. Loud, relentless pounding echoed from the hotel room door. It sounded like something straight out of a horror movie. "We¡¯re fans~! Please open the door~." "Stop hiding and come out!" "Baeksulhwa... you¡¯re in there, aren¡¯t you?" "Manager, where¡¯s the master key? Don¡¯t you have the master key?" The voices outside belonged to their own team members who had just arrived at the hotel. And their sheer terror made Ha-eun shiver. Of course, she had done nothing wrong. But she was absolutely not ready to face whatever was waiting beyond that door. "...Save me, Da-yeon." "Goodbye, Ha-eun. It was fun while it lasted." "D-Da-yeon! No¡ªwait, witch¡ª!" "Bye-bye." Chapter 230 God and the Goblin A new drama meticulously prepared by OTV, the network that had created a new success story in cable dramas with The Sunshine. However, the only information released so far was that The Sunshine''s writer, Hong Soo-eun, and actress Ha-eun, who played Kim Jung-hyun, were collaborating once again. That alone was enough to generate buzz, but strangely, no other details had been made public. Did the drama get scrapped?Why is there only news about the female lead? Where¡¯s the male lead¡¯s casting announcement? ? Isn¡¯t Ha Yun-seong in it? ? He¡¯s not the male lead, though. (Repost) Ha-eun''s Instagram ¨C on the God and the Goblin set. ? So they¡¯re filming at least. ? Wait, is this a historical drama? Why is she wearing hanbok? ? Damn, seeing her like this reminds me of Our Lady... I¡¯m crying ??? ? Walking corpse ?? ? Where do you live?With no official articles and not even a proper rumor to latch onto, speculation ran rampant across online communities and social media. No matter how big the names Ha Yun-seong and Ha-eun were, it was unusual for a drama to be this secretive. Promotional efforts were essential for a show''s success. Yet, with even the cast list of God and the Goblin remaining undisclosed, debates continued across the internet. Theories included: The lead role of Baek Jin had not been cast yet.The originally cast actor had been removed due to controversy.The production was simply moving at a sluggish pace.When The Sunshine was announced, they confirmed the leads right away.*Maybe they¡¯re trying to delay things since it overlaps with UBS¡¯s Someday?Isn¡¯t Ha-eun busy with exams? Maybe that¡¯s why filming stalled.At least release Leni¡¯s OST already! I¡¯m dying of anticipation ???? ? "Our Leni"? Is she your friend? ? She¡¯s the same age as my daughter. ? Sir, your speech pattern... The sheer lack of confirmed details led to rampant speculation. Some even joked that this was all just an elaborate noise marketing stunt. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Title > ??? : No spoilers now, or ever. ?? | 19:44 (Photo: Hong Soo-eun interview image) "The calm before the storm." "Whether we¡¯re the weak ones or you are¡ªlet the results speak for themselves." "Shut up and be patient until the teaser drops, you little dicks." ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Wait, wasn¡¯t she Korean?Isn¡¯t this defamation? Can¡¯t she get sued for this?So, who¡¯s the male lead, author? ? There¡¯s a rumor it¡¯s Yoo Sung-jae. ? Didn¡¯t he get choked to death by Lee Yeseo? ? *You clearly didn¡¯t watch Veterans. *Time passed, but no official news came. The only confirmed fact was that God and the Goblin was indeed in production. Summer changed to autumn. Autumn changed to early winter. Mentions of the drama grew quieter. Until¡ª The day after Ha-eun¡¯s college entrance exam, with less than a month until the drama''s premiere¡ª God and the Goblin teaser is out.That single post, uploaded late in the afternoon, flipped the narrative. The name God and the Goblin ignited like a spark catching on dry kindling. While Ha-eun appearing in hanbok once again since The Sunshine caught some attention, the real reason the teaser¡¯s view count started skyrocketing was something else entirely. "So, until we meet again, do not forget me." "My one and only... regret." A legendary actor. A man whose face and voice remained etched into people¡¯s memories, despite stepping away from the camera for over a decade. Bro, why are you here?LMAO WHATIs this real???Nah, this has to be a deepfake. ? (Attached: Official God and the Goblin poster) ? The atmosphere is INSANE... AI is scary these days. ? (Attached: Screenshot of Luna Entertainment¡¯s official actor list) ? Nope, it¡¯s real. How did this man not age???It¡¯s annoying how good-looking he still is. ? Legendary compliment ???The final scene of the teaser, revealing Kang Sun-woo¡¯s return, spread like wildfire. Even with the lingering aftermath of the college entrance exams, nearly every community and social media platform was flooded with talk about God and the Goblin. I never thought I¡¯d see this duo together again.Fantasy historical romance <<< ???Came here after watching the teaser.There¡¯s already a gallery for the show LOL.The action sequences look better every time I watch it.Our Lady dies... again. ? At this point, something must be cursing her. Kang Sun-woo¡¯s interview just dropped. GO GO GO ? Apparently, Ha-eun dragged him into this by force? ? Is this real??? ? HA-EUN I LOVE YOU WTF!!!!By Friday evening, God and the Goblin had completely taken over the internet. Gone were the rumors and skepticism. "OTV¡¯s God and the Goblin poised to become the next phenomenon after The Neighbor Next Door." "¡®God and the Goblin¡¯ Kang Sun-woo: The power of a man in a suit." "Kang Sun-woo & Ha-eun, reunited after 10 years... God and the Goblin teaser released." "Two ten-million ticket actors reunite¡ªGod and the Goblin teaser surpasses 1 million views." Entertainment reporters, who had been looking forward to a relaxing Friday night, found themselves scrambling into emergency mode. But they couldn¡¯t complain. Missing out on a story this big would be an instant disqualification as a journalist. And the firestorm wasn¡¯t contained to Korea. It had already crossed the ocean¡ª More specifically, it had reached Ha-eun. "Why didn¡¯t you say anything?!" "So, wait¡ªyou filmed with Kang Sun-woo during the day and then played games with us at night?" "Is Kang Sun-woo really in it? Like, not just a cameo? He¡¯s actually the male lead?" Of course, the reactions in Korea and the ones inside this Japanese hotel were a little different. But the result was the same¡ªpure chaos revolving around Ha-eun. "What do we do with this adorable creature?" "I watched the teaser and I already fell for her." "So... does she die again? If Ha-eun dies again, I might be too depressed to stream." Not only were the first-gen members of Illusionary Realm huddled around Ha-eun, but even the second-gen members, who still felt a little awkward around her, had joined in. ¡®This is just like that meme...¡¯ A helpless baby penguin being mobbed by a horde of others. That was the image that flashed through Ha-eun¡¯s mind, perfectly mirroring her current predicament. She couldn¡¯t laugh. She couldn¡¯t cry. Of course, she understood why everyone was so excited, but... It was suffocating. Being surrounded by people she had admired in her past life was enough to make her head spin. In the end, she made a run for it. Pushing through the noisy crowd, she broke free and darted ¡ô N§àv§Öl?g?t ¡ô (Only on N§àv§Öl?g?t) toward Ji Hye-min, the highest-ranking person in the room. Then, putting on her most pitiful expression, she clung to her. "Unnie, I haven¡¯t even eaten... I¡¯m starving...." "Well, they do say that even sightseeing comes after a meal. Let¡¯s eat first." "...Am I the sightseeing spot in this analogy?" "Can¡¯t say you¡¯re not." "Ugh." This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. With that, Ji Hye-min finally took control of the situation, laying out the upcoming schedule. For now, the group decided to return to their rooms and unpack. As the first-gen and second-gen members all scattered like a receding tide, Ha-eun let out a sigh of relief. Sure, she¡¯d be seeing them again in a few minutes. But at least she could catch her breath for now. The only one left in the room was Da-yeon. Maybe that was why. Or maybe it was the deep betrayal Ha-eun felt when Da-yeon didn¡¯t protect her from the chaos. "I-I think I¡¯ll head out first¡ª" "Where do you think you¡¯re going?" The moment Da-yeon tried to flee, Ha-eun grabbed her tightly with both hands. Lifting her off the ground, she carried her back inside. "You know what happens to traitors." "W-Wait¡ª!" Da-yeon flailed helplessly in midair as a dreadful feeling washed over her. No matter how much she struggled, she couldn¡¯t escape Ha-eun¡¯s grip. "Power slam!!!" "Kyaaaaaa!!!" She was slammed onto the bed, and before she could recover, Ha-eun launched an all-out tickle attack. -Tickle tickle. -Tickle tickle. "Not only did you fail to protect me, you even opened the door and welcomed them in? ¡®Come on in! Come on in!¡¯" "Ahahaha!! I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorryyy!! Hahahaha!!" Overwhelmed by Ha-eun¡¯s fingers relentlessly tormenting her sides, Da-yeon collapsed onto the bed in defeat. Only when she lay sprawled out, weakly twitching, did Ha-eun finally nod in satisfaction. "That¡¯s what happens when you betray me." "...You crazy brat...." With their merciless battle over, Ha-eun threw on a warm coat and headed for the door. Da-yeon, still fixing her disheveled hair, reluctantly followed after her. A short while later, they reunited with the rest of the group in the hotel lobby. Unlike everyone else, who was dressed casually, Nael stood there wearing a hat, sunglasses, and even a mask. "...? Ji-hye, do you have a cold?" Without thinking, Ha-eun asked why she was wearing the classic ¡°celebrity disguise.¡± For a moment, an awkward silence fell over them. "Ah, w-well... Ha-eun, you see...." Nael hesitated, clearly flustered. She glanced nervously at Ji Hye-min. "Well, Ha-eun, Ji-hye says she doesn¡¯t want to show her bare face." "I don¡¯t really care. I¡¯m not wearing makeup either." "...Wait, you¡¯re not??" "?" And just like that, the conversation about Nael¡¯s odd accessories fizzled out. Something about how she only wanted to show Ha-eun her ¡°prettiest face¡± or something like that. Honestly, the strange tension between Ji Hye-min and Nael still felt off. But for now, Ha-eun decided to ignore it. She had more important things to focus on¡ªlike the wagyu steak Ji Hye-min had chosen for dinner. Her mind was occupied with the thought of sinking her teeth into a juicy, flavorful cut of beef. "Is it good?" "Mmh. Sho good." "Finish chewing before you talk." *** ¡°Are you talking about... a premiere screening?¡± ¡°Yes. There¡¯s been a suggestion to pre-release the first two episodes. The teaser response has been great.¡± ¡°Hmm....¡± Director Kwon Jae-hyeop hesitated at the unexpected proposal. For the teaser to surpass a million views on its first day¡ª That meant the drama was already a major topic of discussion. The problem was Kang Sun-woo. His stance on the matter, or rather, his willingness to participate, was completely unknown. He had already agreed to attend the press conference, but a screening event had never been part of the plan. Of course, Kwon Jae-hyeop could ask him directly... But somehow, he felt like his own words wouldn¡¯t be enough to persuade him. Which meant¡ª He needed to find someone else to convince him. ¡®...It has to be Ha-eun, doesn¡¯t it?¡¯ After all, a lead actor like Kang Sun-woo skipping a screening event would be unthinkable. And since Ha-eun had played a pivotal role in bringing him back, she was the only person who might be able to convince him. Not long after receiving the proposal, Kwon Jae-hyeop pulled out his phone. Luna Entertainment, upon receiving the director¡¯s request, immediately contacted Ha-eun¡¯s manager, Ju Jung-yoon. ¡°Hello? Ha-eun, it¡¯s unnie. Do you have a moment to talk¡ª¡± [ ¡°Neeee.... Unnie, go ahead....¡± ] ¡°...?¡± The voice that came from across the ocean sounded strange. It was slurred, drawn out, and sluggish¡ª A tone Ju Jung-yoon had never once heard from Ha-eun before. Chapter 231 The first day of Illusionary Realm¡¯s group trip to Hokkaido consisted of nothing more than dinner and a brief evening stroll. After all, their flight had been in the late afternoon. The real trip would begin tomorrow. So, after returning to the hotel, everyone was supposed to head to their rooms and get some sleep. However, after all the members had returned¡ª "Just until 11! Can¡¯t you share some God and the Goblin stories until 11?" "We offer milk pudding and strawberry pudding from the convenience store as tribute...!" Nael, Ocean, and Neon, all second-gen members, had trailed after Ha-eun and Da-yeon to their room. Ocean even brought her personal laptop. "Are you okay with this, Da-yeon?" "I mean, it¡¯s not like I¡¯m against it... But where¡¯s Yoon?" "Oh, Yoon said she was tired and went to sleep first." And so, Nael and the second-gen members were granted their exclusive talk session until 11 PM. On the table sat Ocean¡¯s laptop, playing the teaser for God and the Goblin. Ha-eun finally had the chance to watch it properly for the first time. She had heard about the teaser dropping, but before she could check it out, she¡¯d been completely mobbed by the others. Now, watching Ocean¡¯s laptop screen with fascination, she muttered to herself¡ª ¡®The CGI looks better than I expected.¡¯ When Kang Sun-woo¡¯s spectacular battle scene appeared, Ha-eun couldn''t help but let out a small "Oh" in admiration. "Wait, what?! You¡¯re Ha-eun, you¡¯re not supposed to be impressed!" "Right? Didn¡¯t you see it live on set?" "Well... I didn¡¯t see the CGI version." "Ah, makes sense." Then, at the very end of the teaser, when Kang Sun-woo¡¯s face was finally revealed, everyone except Ha-eun and Da-yeon let out shocked gasps. Curious voices followed one after another. "So, have you been in contact with Kang Sun-woo this whole time? Even after The Neighbor Next Door?" "The articles said you personally cast him. Can you share the casting story?" "You guys are getting it all wrong. The real question is¡ªwhat exactly is going on between Ha-eun and Kang Sun-woo?" All eyes immediately focused on Ha-eun. Even Da-yeon subtly turned to look at her, clearly intrigued. Left with no choice, Ha-eun finally spoke. "Sun-woo ahjussi and I... it¡¯s a connection from a past life. You saw the teaser, right?" "No way, that can¡¯t be all." "The vibes were totally romantic! The poster is so heart-wrenchingly beautiful." "Well... I guess the poster did turn out well." Of course, giving out spoilers would violate her contract, so she only shared what was already public information. "From the way he looked at you, it¡¯s basically confirmed that you two are going to be a couple. So when does that happen?" "That¡¯s..." "That¡¯s?" "Revealed in December! Please look forward to it~." "Ugh." "S-Senpai... is our friendship really that shallow? I¡¯m so hurt... sob sob..." "I¡¯ll tell you if you agree to pay my contract violation fee. It¡¯s about ¡ö¡ö¡ö¡ö won¡ª" "I will patiently wait in silence!" After successfully fending off all spoiler requests, they moved on to admiring the official posters. Excited voices filled the room again. "Ha-eun, your hanbok is absolutely stunning... The atmosphere is just breathtaking." "Oh no, I¡¯m already crying. You¡¯re so beautifully dressed¡ªwhy do you have to die again, Senpai?!" "Ahaha. I guess the writer really enjoys killing me off." "Gasp." As the conversation continued to flow, time passed in the blink of an eye. Which meant¡ªit was time to end the session. "See you all tomorrow. Good night." "Good night, Senpai." "Wait, why is it already 11? I haven¡¯t finished my pudding yet!" The discussion could go on forever, but 11 PM was the agreed cut-off time. There would be plenty more chances to chat later. "I¡¯m turning off the lights now, Da-yeon." "Mm." With a click, the fluorescent lights went out, plunging the room into darkness. Still, there was something Ha-eun was curious about. "It¡¯s your first time meeting the first-gen members in person. How was it?" She turned toward Da-yeon, who lay on the other bed. The response she got was purely Da-yeon. "I just thought... ¡®Oh, so they¡¯re my seniors.¡¯" "Not that! I mean¡ªweren¡¯t they so pretty you couldn¡¯t even look at them properly? Didn¡¯t they have a heavenly glow?" "...Honestly? No." "They totally did!" "Why are you getting worked up?" To be fair, Ha-eun¡¯s awe at seeing the first-gen members was something Da-yeon could never fully understand. After all, Ha-eun had been a huge fan of Illusionary Realm in her past life, while Da-yeon had only ever cared about Diah. That was the difference. Of course, some might say Ha-eun was just biased¡ª "Maria unnie looks like a literal Greek statue." "...Are you serious?" "You just don¡¯t get it, Da-yeon! Our Cream unnie is¡ª" But Ha-eun absolutely refused to admit it. To dismiss the first-gen members¡¯ overwhelming charm like this? Even if it was Da-yeon, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t forgive it. "You¡¯re a lost cause." "It¡¯s called devotion." "No, it¡¯s called delusion." "Are you picking a fight right now?" "Oh god..." Eventually, Da-yeon gave up and turned her back to Ha-eun. She had known this about her for a while¡ªHa-eun could be stubborn in the weirdest ways. When Ha-eun was like this, there was no point in arguing. Sure, sure. You¡¯re right. Everything you say is right. With that thought, Da-yeon closed her eyes, surrendering to sleep. *** Morning of the second day of the trip. "Let¡¯s go get breakfast, Da-yeon." "...It¡¯s not even seven yet, you crazy lunatic... Go by yourself...." Or rather, dawn. "If you get hungry later, don¡¯t blame me." "...Cool...." "Geez, why do you sleep so much?" Shaking her head at the sight of Da-yeon drifting back into dreamland, Ha-eun sighed. After changing into casual clothes, she made her way to the hotel buffet alone. She ? N§àv§Öl?g?§ä ? (Continue reading) didn¡¯t intend to eat alone¡ª It was just that, for some reason, she was the only one awake. ¡®There¡¯s so much good food... What a waste.¡¯ This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. Considering they were staying at such a fancy hotel, it was a shame that no one else was taking advantage of the breakfast. She glanced toward the entrance, half-hoping to see someone else arrive. But in the meantime, she took out her phone and snapped a few pictures of the food. After double-checking that her face wasn¡¯t reflected in any of the plates, she uploaded them to Diah¡¯s Twitter account. [ A perfectly balanced breakfast! But I¡¯m eating alone since I¡¯m the only one awake. Everyone else is such a sleepyhead. ] The post immediately started getting responses. Some fans commented on how delicious the food looked. Others defended the sleeping members with things like, "Beautiful people need their rest!" A flood of replies filled the thread. ¡®See? It¡¯s not that I¡¯m weird for being up early.¡¯ Ha-eun, amused by the growing number of likes and comments, failed to consider the real possibility¡ª That her fans hadn¡¯t even slept yet. After finishing her delicious breakfast, she went for a morning jog around the hotel. It had become a routine for her since last year¡¯s trip. When she was done¡ª -Knock knock knock knock. -Knock knock knock knock. "Gatekeeper, gatekeeper, open the gate~." "Ha-eun, you¡¯re way too energetic in the morning." "Ah... youth is wasted on the young...." She went around greeting the other members, waking them up one by one. By the time she reached Ji Hye-min¡¯s room, they were already chatting about today¡¯s first event¡ª The zoo. Three hours later, the entire group of eleven arrived at their destination. Since there were so many of them, they decided to split up. "Raise your hand if you want to see the penguins!" "If you¡¯re here for the red pandas, come with me~." Despite the division, Nael and Da-yeon stuck to Ha-eun like glue, regardless of which group she joined. Not that Ha-eun minded. They¡¯d been like this for ages. "Oh, a polar bear!" "Hey, it¡¯s looking right at you, Ha-eun. Go say hi." "Polar bears rip people apart." "Yeah, but you¡¯ll be fine." "......." They spent half the day wandering through the zoo, admiring the different animals. By late afternoon, they regrouped for a late lunch (or an early dinner). Then came the photo-sharing session. Pictures of the Illusionary Realm members posing with the animals flooded their group chat. Not long after, they boarded the bus Ji Hye-min had arranged in advance. And soon enough, they arrived at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant for their meal. Everything was going great¡ªuntil their next destination. "Alright, folks! Right over there is the long-awaited Beer Museum~." For most of the group, this was an exciting part of the itinerary. For Ha-eun and Da-yeon? Not so much. Because legally, they weren¡¯t allowed to drink. "Ahh, this is good~." "Freshly brewed beer just hits different." As the other members sampled various brews, Ha-eun and Da-yeon could only watch. There was a soft drink option for underage guests, but¡ª Compared to the wide selection of beers, the choices were limited and unimpressive. "Everyone looks like they¡¯re having fun." "What, are you jealous?" "Not jealous... just curious about the taste." "Hmm...." Still, the museum had plenty to see aside from the beer tasting, so it wasn¡¯t a total waste of time. By the time they returned to the hotel¡ª "Alright, everyone, great job this year~." "Cheers!" The group kicked off a year-end party in one of the rooms. It was only November, but a full gathering of Illusionary Realm¡¯s members was a rare occasion. That said¡ª "Keep an eye on Ha-eun. If she drinks again, we¡¯re doomed." "Yeah, no scandals before the drama airs. Can¡¯t have the leading actress caught up in controversy." Cream and Yuna, seated on either side of Ha-eun, monitored her every move. Not that she intended to drink. She obediently stuck to non-alcoholic beverages. But then¡ª -? -? -? -? Her phone started ringing. [ Ju Jung-yoon ] A mischievous thought crossed Ha-eun¡¯s mind. She cleared her throat and hushed the group. "Shh. Let me prank my manager real quick." "Ooooh, okay." "Everyone, quiet~." Then¡ªclick. She answered the call in the most sluggish voice she could muster. [ Hello? Ha-eun, it¡¯s unnie. Do you have a second¡ª ] "Neeee.... Unnie, go ahead...." [ ...? Wait. Why do you sound like that? ] "Oh, you see... hiccup..." [ ...D-Did you drink alcohol?! ] "...Hehehe...." [ Have you lost your mind?! You¡¯re still nineteen, Ha-eun!!" ] Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s panicked yelling was so loud that everyone in the room could hear it. An avalanche of scolding followed. And just when her manager¡¯s mental state was about to completely shatter¡ª [ ...I¡¯m telling your mother. ] -Beep. "...Wait, unnie, hold on¡ª!" The moment **the prank threatened to turn into a real crisis¡ª A very alarmed Ha-eun dropped the act and frantically redialed her manager. Thus began a desperate explanation. [ ...So, it was just a joke. ] "Yes, yes! I didn¡¯t drink a single drop! You can even ask Da-yeon!" [ I swear... I almost had a heart attack! ] "S-Sorry...." After barely surviving a brutal lecture, Ha-eun sheepishly nodded along to Jung-yoon¡¯s voice. Then came the real reason for the call¡ª [ Can you talk to Kang Sun-woo about attending the drama screening? ] "I¡¯ll ask him." [ Alright. Enjoy your trip. And for the love of god¡ªNO DRINKING. ] "Of course~. I¡¯ll behave and only drink¡ª" -Sip. "Strawberry milk! Japanese milk is so weird. The carton has a screw cap." [ Drink all the milk you want. Just no alcohol. ] "Yes, yes~." Beep. And then¡ªslurp. "Oh, this is good! But it¡¯s kinda thick? Weird texture." As Ha-eun set her phone down, she noticed the room had gone completely still. Everyone was staring. "...Huh? What?" Their expressions were unreadable. Just as Cream hesitantly opened her mouth¡ª "That¡¯s not strawberry milk. That¡¯s... sake. It¡¯s alcohol, Ha-eun!!" "...What?" -Hiccup. A very real hiccup slipped out. The warmth in her vision spread. "...Oh, crap." The last thing Ha-eun understood before her mind faded out¡ª Was Yuna¡¯s resigned sigh. *** "Our Da-yeon... she¡¯s just a little shy at first... but she¡¯s so sweet, hehe... She acts like it¡¯s a hassle, but she listens to all my worries... There¡¯s no tsundere like this tsundere... I¡¯m telling you...." "Don¡¯t be afraid to get close... Be friendly, be friends... Da-yeon, you too, don¡¯t be so distant... You know what I mean, right...?" "...I¡¯m gonna lose my mind." Chapter 232 A delicate drawing of strawberries. Hiragana stretching down in long vertical lines. A red plastic opening, with a slightly oversized straw sticking out. To a Japanese local, it was unmistakably the appearance of a sake pack. But to Ha-eun, who had never even tasted sake before, it just looked like a slightly bigger-sized strawberry milk. "I- I should''ve asked before drinking it." Of course, she didn¡¯t get drunk immediately after taking a sip. She had even promised herself that if her head started to feel dizzy, she¡¯d immediately lie down on the bed. ¡°Sh- Shouldn¡¯t I just throw it up right now?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll get sick if you try to force yourself to vomit.¡± ¡°H-Ha-eun, just drink some water for now.¡± ¡°Ah... Thanks, unnie.¡± Right, she was definitely still sober at this point. Just in case, she chugged down bottled water one after another. Every five minutes, someone would ask if she was okay, and she would nod while constantly checking her condition. To the extent that¡ª "I should stay near the bed so I can lie down right away..." ¡ªSssk. ¡ªStep, step. She had tried to move from where she was sitting, shifting between Da-yeon and Nael, toward the bedside of the hotel room. ¡ªSway¡ª! ¡ªThud. ¡°...Ow....¡± ¡°H-Ha-eun!¡± ¡°Oh my.¡± ¡°No way...¡± Why was the floor shaking so much? Could it be an earthquake? "Well, it is Japan, after all...." Concluding that the reason her feet wobbled just now was due to an earthquake, Ha-eun immediately hugged Da-yeon, who was right in front of her. Then, waving her hands in all directions, she mumbled as she urged everyone to evacuate. ¡°Everyone, get under the desk...! It¡¯s an earthquake... an earthquake...¡± ¡°There¡¯s no earthquake.¡± ¡°No, I swear, it just shook... Really...¡± ¡°This girl is totally drunk.¡± ¡°...Huh...?¡± And with that, her rationality flickered for the last time as she locked eyes with Da-yeon in a daze. The final thing her fading consciousness picked up was Yuna¡¯s muttered words. ¡°...We¡¯re in trouble.¡± After that, she had no idea what she was saying, what she was holding, or who was beside her. That was why Yuna, Cream, and the other first-gen members attempted to lay Ha-eun down on the bed. ¡°Alright, alright. Our Ha-eun, let¡¯s go to sleep~.¡± ¡°On the count of three, lift her!¡± ¡°Ah, no... I haven¡¯t brushed my teeth yet....¡± ¡°Do it when you wake up tomorrow.¡± And so, in the end, Ha-eun was hoisted up¡ªtwo hands held by Mile and Yuna, two feet grabbed by Cream and Ria¡ªbefore being carried to the bed. It was almost like the scene of primitive humans transporting their prey. For the second-gen members, who had never seen Ha-eun drunk before, it was quite the rare sight. ¡°Oh no, she¡¯s way too cute....¡± ¡°Diah-sunbae is totally gonna be the first one to pass out at the MT.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t we just make her sit still? She¡¯ll be an adult next year anyway.¡± ¡°No way. Last year was a disaster.¡± ¡°Damn.¡± Before long, Ha-eun, whose eyes had lost their focus entirely, was placed neatly onto the bed. Only after she was thoroughly tucked under a thick blanket¡ªpractically sealed in¡ªcould the Illusionary Realm¡¯s year-end party resume. However, because Nael and the other second-gen members were curious about what had happened on last year¡¯s trip¡ª Especially regarding the day Ha-eun had gotten drunk¡ª ¡°Did she also drink sake back then? Or was it beer?¡± ¡°I¡¯m curious about Ha-eun¡¯s drinking habits, sunbae.¡± ¡°Hmm....¡± ¡°Should we say it or not...?¡± Those who remembered last year¡¯s events exchanged conflicted glances. After all, what happened that day wasn¡¯t exactly an easy memory to share. But in the end, they ended up revealing a little about what had happened last year. The reason being¡ª ¡°I¡¯ll take responsibility, so just tell me. I really want to know what kind of mess Lee Ha-eun caused.¡± Da-yeon, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up, saying she was curious. There was no way they could refuse when it was a request from a famous actress and Ha-eun¡¯s childhood friend. ¡°Well... she kind of had a bit of Jack Coke.¡± ¡°A bit? More like five or six cans.¡± ¡°She got super cute. She clung to Maria like a little leech, calling her ¡®unnie¡¯ and acting all cutesy¡ª¡± Hearing these testimonies, both Nael¡ªwho was a huge fan of Ha-eun¡ªand Da-yeon found themselves deeply intrigued. It was a completely different side of Ha-eun than they had ever seen before, a description interesting enough to spark curiosity. Of course, they left out the part where Ha-eun had cried bitterly. Painful memories, after all, weren¡¯t things to be shared carelessly. Especially when they involved a secretive love life, it was even more difficult to bring up. "Even if they¡¯ve broken up now." "Talking about her celebrity ex-boyfriend feels kind of off." "Why bother mentioning the guy who cheated on Ha-eun." It was all a misunderstanding, of course, but either way, they only shared what they could. However, perhaps because Ha-eun¡¯s name kept coming up¡ª ¡ªSsssk. ¡ªSsssk. ¡°What are you guys talking about...? Let me in too....¡± ¡°Gasp.¡± ¡°H-Ha-eun? You¡¯re not asleep?¡± This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. The very Ha-eun they thought was fast asleep suddenly wriggled her way out from under the blanket. The empty spot beside Da-yeon immediately caught Ha-eun¡¯s attention. ¡°...What the heck. Why are you sitting all alone like a loner....¡± In reality, it was the very spot Ha-eun had been sitting earlier. After she was moved to the bed, the spot naturally became empty. ¡°Oh, right, right... I was supposed to be the bridge, wasn¡¯t I....¡± But in her current state, there was no way Ha-eun could process such logic. Yet, she somehow managed to recall the conversation she had months ago with Ji Hye-min¡ªthe one where she had promised to help Da-yeon get closer to the other second-gen members. And so, with nothing but that mission in mind, Ha-eun moved. With the sole determination to make friends for Da-yeon¡ª ¡ªSsssk. ¡ªClap! She lunged at Da-yeon from behind and hugged her tightly. To Da-yeon, this was beyond comprehension. ¡°If you¡¯re drunk, just sleep. What the hell are you doing?¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s okay... I¡¯ll make friends for you, Da-yeon....¡± Then, resting her chin on Da-yeon¡¯s collarbone, Ha-eun slowly scanned the room. And after blinking her eyes sluggishly¡ª ¡°Our Da-yeon... is actually a really good... person....¡± ¡°?¡± She suddenly began a Min Da-yeon appreciation session. Ji Hye-min and the other first-gen members became flustered. The second-gen members burst into laughter, finding the current Ha-eun absolutely fascinating. And Da-yeon herself¡ª ¡°She¡¯s also an amazing actress, memorizes scripts so quickly... Well, except for English words... But no, it¡¯s okay! As long as she memorizes her lines, that¡¯s all that matters....¡± ¡°C-Can you shut up?¡± ¡°Shh, hold on... The unnies need to know... how great... you are....¡± ¡°Y-YA!!¡± Da-yeon wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear. She couldn¡¯t tell if this was a compliment or just extreme public humiliation. The real issue, however, was that Ha-eun¡¯s mind was still flickering in and out. Before anyone could stop her, she suddenly grabbed the hand of the nearest second-gen member¡ªNael. ¡ªSsssk. ¡ªClap! ¡°Here, shake hands~. Hehe... From now on, let¡¯s be close... You should get along as classmates....¡± The biggest problem was that Ha-eun had forcibly clasped Da-yeon and Nael¡¯s hands together, making them shake hands. And then, a series of vigorous shakes followed. ¡ªWhish, whish. ¡ªWhish, whish. ¡°Hey, Lee Ha-eun. What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing...?¡± Thanks to Ha-eun¡¯s overwhelming grip strength, Da-yeon and Nael ended up in what looked like a handshake. Thankfully, Nael didn¡¯t seem all that uncomfortable. No, rather¡ªshe seemed flustered that Ha-eun was holding her wrist, almost as if she was thrilled(?). ¡°...Ji-hye....¡± ¡°Y-Yes?¡± ¡°Why... didn¡¯t you pick up my calls...?¡± ¡°C-Calls? My calls?¡± ¡°Yes! My calls...! Hiccup....¡± And just like that, the target switched from Nael to Ji-hye. ¡°I kept, I kept calling you... Do you know how worried I was, thinking something happened...?¡± ¡°Oh, wow.¡± ¡°Da-yeon, shut up...! This is between me and Ji-hye....¡± ¡°You crazy brat.¡± ¡°B-Bad words! You¡¯re kicked out, Min Da-yeon!¡± ¡°...Ugh....¡± And so, the sudden Min Da-yeon appreciation time ended just as abruptly as it started. Ha-eun slowly peeled herself off Da-yeon and clumsily crawled toward Nael. That was why Nael¡¯s heart started pounding faster and faster. Because everything unfolding before her was simply too intense. ¡°Did I... did I do something wrong to Ji-hye...? I was really happy that Nael was my fan... But I guess Nael wasn¡¯t happy....¡± Ha-eun¡¯s wide, slightly teary eyes stared straight at Nael from an almost touchable distance. Her flushed face. Her adorably murmuring voice. The uneven breaths scattering against Nael¡¯s chest. ¡°...This is insane....¡± Everything Nael saw, heard, and felt was overwhelmingly stimulating. The fact that the beer she had been sipping had slightly gotten to her head didn¡¯t help. So, as she stood frozen, dazed by how dangerously close Ha-eun¡¯s face was¡ª ¡°Ji-hye... Do you hate me...? Do you not like me...?¡± ¡ªA trembling voice, as if on the verge of tears, snapped her out of it. And almost simultaneously, desperate voices from the first-gen members rang out. ¡°Say you love her...! Hurry...!¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t answer, it¡¯s going to be a disaster...!¡± ¡°Quick, quick...!¡± Urged by their frantic shouts, Nael instinctively grabbed Ha-eun¡¯s shoulders. And with the greatest courage she had mustered in all 23 years of her life¡ª ¡°W-Why would I hate Ha-eun? I love Ha-eun so much.¡± ¡°...Really...?¡± ¡°I swear on my parents. I seriously, seriously love Ha-eun. About your calls, I... I was taking a nap and didn¡¯t hear them.¡± Staring Ha-eun straight in the eyes, Nael confessed once again that she was, in fact, still her biggest fan. At that, Ha-eun¡¯s expression turned blank for a moment before she slowly melted into a wide smile. ¡°Hehe, thank goodness... So it was just because you were napping... I was overthinking stupid stuff for no reason....¡± Seeing Ha-eun finally calm down, Ji Hye-min and the first-gen members let out a collective sigh of relief. Meanwhile, Nael, who was facing Ha-eun¡¯s dazed smile up close, felt like she was about to lose her mind. ¡°Then, let¡¯s do the J-pop World Cup together... It¡¯s a promise...?¡± ¡°Yes, yes! A World Cup, whatever you want!!¡± And at that moment, the promise of a collab stream between Nael and Diah was sealed. ¡°...I love you, Ji-hye unnie... Hehe....¡± ¡°!!!¡± Ha-eun¡¯s words alone were enough to knock Nael out. The next thing they knew, her body had collapsed sideways with a thud. ¡°I... I can die happy now....¡± ¡°N-Nooo! You can¡¯t die...!¡± Nael, sprawled on the floor with a blissful grin, and Ha-eun, shaking her and wailing for her not to die¡ª From Da-yeon¡¯s perspective, there was no mess greater than this. "Everyone¡¯s lost their minds." Before long, Cream slowly got up and approached the whimpering Ha-eun. Gently comforting her, she attempted to move her back to the bed. It was an approach based on past experience. Since Ha-eun tended to have a particular fondness for Cream, they figured she¡¯d listen to her. However, contrary to Cream¡¯s expectations¡ª ¡°...Maria unnie. Why didn¡¯t you pick up my calls either? You promised... You promised we¡¯d talk often...!¡± ¡°A-Ah, well... Ha-eun....¡± ¡°Unnie, do you hate me? Do you not like me anymore...? Am I annoying now...?¡± Ha-eun, having now switched her target to Cream, was about to pour out all the resentment she had bottled up. And as soon as that happened, the same dread they had felt the first time Ha-eun had broken into sobs came crashing back. Maybe that¡¯s why¡ª Or maybe it was because Cream, too, had gotten a little tipsy at some point¡ª ¡°I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you.¡± Pressing her lips close to Ha-eun¡¯s ear, Cream whispered the same words over and over again. Just like how she used to soothe her young nieces and ? N§àv§Öl?g?t ? (Official version) nephews, she then planted a kiss on Ha-eun¡¯s cheek. ¡ªSmooch. ¡°Eek!¡± Letting out a startled squeal, Ha-eun collapsed backward. Being caught off guard by affectionate contact from her ultimate favorite VTuber was too much of a shock for her. And so, she finally crumpled onto the floor, completely unconscious. By the time she groggily opened her eyes, her head pounding, it was already morning. ¡°Ugh, my head....¡± Sitting there, clutching her forehead, she finally realized the scene outside the window was bathed in morning light. ¡ªShake, shake. ¡ªShake, shake. ¡°Da-yeon... Let¡¯s go eat breakfast... Wake up....¡± ¡°...I am never traveling with you again....¡± She shook Da-yeon awake from the bed next to hers. But she had no idea why Da-yeon was glaring at her with such resentment. Chapter 233 In the end, it didn¡¯t take long for Ha-eun to learn the truth about last night. That was because the very first thing Da-yeon brought up¡ªafter being half-forced by Ha-eun to come eat breakfast¡ªwas everything that had happened the previous night. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen such chaos in my entire life.¡± ¡°Ugh... um....¡± But as Da-yeon listed out everything drunk Ha-eun had done, she suddenly added one last remark that made Ha-eun¡¯s heart drop. ¡°I¡¯m telling Ajumoni everything.¡± ¡°M-Mianhae!¡± ¡°Hmph.¡± Ha-eun¡¯s face, already tense with anxiety, turned completely pale. Meanwhile, Da-yeon nonchalantly chewed on her fresh salad, completely unbothered. Perhaps that was why¡ª ¡°Just once, can¡¯t you let it slide just this once...? I swear I¡¯ll never drink again.¡± ¡°Nope.¡± ¡°But if Mom gets mad, it¡¯s gonna be scary. She might not let me go on trips anymore.¡± ¡°That¡¯s your karma.¡± Throughout breakfast, Ha-eun practically begged Da-yeon, who sat right across from her. After all, no matter how she looked at it, everything that happened last night was completely her fault. More than anything, if Na-yeon found out about her drinking, she would definitely scold her harshly. ¡°Please. I¡¯ll do anything.¡± ¡°...Anything?¡± Before she even realized it, she had pulled out her ultimate forbidden card¡ªa free-for-all favor¡ªyet again. But she had no choice. To Na-yeon, family members drinking was practically a taboo. She had seen firsthand what happened to Seong-yoon when he secretly drank behind Na-yeon¡¯s back. "I¡¯d rather play a VR horror game." An angry Na-yeon was scarier than anyone. The usually kind and gentle Na-yeon turning into a completely different person¡ª That nightmare mode from her childhood¡ªwas something she had to avoid at all costs. ¡°You definitely said anything, right?¡± ¡°Y-Yeah....¡± ¡°No take-backs. No changing your mind later.¡± ¡°Then... you¡¯ll keep it a secret?¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯ll see how you behave.¡± ¡°...Phew....¡± Only after reaching a dramatic agreement with Da-yeon did Ha-eun let out a relieved sigh. Right now, her top priority was covering up the fact that she had drunk alcohol¡ªbecause to Na-yeon, a mistake was still a mistake. It was only after that that they returned to their hotel room. Since the trip was a 3-night, 4-day stay, and the remaining two days would be spent at a ryokan, Ha-eun and Da-yeon had to pack their luggage. That was why Ha-eun started helping Da-yeon first. She figured that treating Da-yeon nicely over the next two days would improve her mood. And there was also a slight tinge of guilt for forcing Da-yeon to socialize with the second-gen members. ¡°I¡¯ll handle all the chores, my lady, so please rest comfortably.¡± ¡°Ugh, that¡¯s so cringy.¡± ¡°Wasn¡¯t that the right tone?¡± ¡°Just act normal, seriously.¡± After packing up both her own and Da-yeon¡¯s luggage, they headed to the hotel lobby together. The rest of their group, including ¡ï Novelight ¡ï Ji Hye-min, had already gathered there, filling the space with noise. ¡°The youngest ones are here~.¡± ¡°Ha-eun, look over there! It¡¯s snowing!¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Beyond the hotel¡¯s revolving doors, snowflakes danced in the air. The sight of the world being slowly dyed white naturally brought a small gasp of admiration from Ha-eun. Even as they loaded their luggage onto the bus that had arrived shortly after, Even as the 12-person group, including the bus driver, set off toward Sapporo¡¯s famous ryokan, Even after arriving at the breathtakingly scenic ryokan and unpacking their luggage¡ª The snowfall still hadn¡¯t stopped. Thanks to that, the trip¡¯s atmosphere felt even more vivid than before. Perhaps this was the romance of winter. "Well, it¡¯s still November, but if it snows, it¡¯s winter." And so, they walked and walked through the softly fluttering snowflakes. Sapporo, already famous for its natural scenery, was like a work of art with the snow. Perhaps that was why¡ª ¡°Everyone, gather up~! Let¡¯s take a picture!¡± When they reached a bridge, an excited Yuna led the group in taking a group photo. Strictly speaking, this was the first time the first-gen and second-gen members had met in person. But perhaps because they were so immersed in the trip¡¯s atmosphere, there wasn¡¯t even a hint of awkwardness between them. It was only after that that they all huddled together to look at the photos they had just taken. ¡°There were only six of us last year. It really feels a lot livelier with more people.¡± ¡°Yeah. It actually feels like a school trip.¡± ¡°Oh, right! The youngest ones haven¡¯t gone on their school trip yet, right? Since you¡¯re in senior year?¡± ¡°For seniors, it¡¯s not a school trip. It¡¯s a graduation trip.¡± Mile, reminiscing about her own school days, turned to Ha-eun and Da-yeon to ask about Narae Arts High School¡¯s graduation trip. However, both of them had already been scheduled for other commitments on the trip dates. ¡°I have a concert. Da-yeon, weren¡¯t you filming a commercial?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± They could only reply that it was a bit of a shame to miss it. But in the end, since they were traveling with the entire Illusionary Realm group like this, they figured this trip could serve as their substitute graduation trip. ¡°Ahh, both of you are working so hard.¡± ¡°Well, we enjoy what we do, so it¡¯s fine.¡± ¡°No, let¡¯s be real¡ªit¡¯s because you¡¯re making good money.¡± ¡°...Min Da-yeon¡¯s statement has nothing to do with me.¡± ¡°The world runs on money, Lee Ha-eun. Just be honest.¡± Their lighthearted chatter continued as they finally arrived at a restaurant. It was a famous Japanese franchise, and even the signboard was flashy. However, there was one notable thing about this place¡ª ¡°All of the staff are in maid uniforms?¡± ¡°Hey, Lee Ha-eun. Acting all fascinated is even ruder.¡± ¡°...I¡¯ve just never been to a place like this before.¡± ¡°Neither have I.¡± Right now, Ha-eun was fully experiencing the feeling of secondhand embarrassment. The overly cheerful and bright atmosphere of the place wasn¡¯t exactly helping. Strictly speaking, Ha-eun had actually voted in favor of coming here. Even when they held a vote on where to have lunch, she had chosen the maid cafe?. However, actually being here was a whole different story from just imagining it. "I¡ªI was prepared for this, but..." Despite making the effort to come, she now sat stiffly in her seat, filled with tension. Meanwhile, Da-yeon, who seemed perfectly unfazed, looked almost impressive in comparison. Before long, a ridiculously cute parfait and a soft drink arrived. Ha-eun¡¯s omurice and Da-yeon¡¯s hamburger steak were also served shortly after. Most of the food at the other tables had also been served by now. So, the only thing left was to eat and enjoy their meals¡ªor so Ha-eun thought. ¡°Alright, everyone~!¡± "Ah, right." A bright, beaming smile filled the maid¡¯s face as she began to chant a loud phrase. It was one of those cringeworthy magic chants often referred to as a ¡°deliciousness spell.¡± The problem was that the maid serving Ha-eun and Da-yeon¡¯s table also asked them to repeat it. And to make matters worse, Da-yeon flashed a knowing smirk, pulled out her phone, and¡ª ¡°Alright, Diah Maid. It¡¯s been a while, so let¡¯s get a special service today~.¡± ¡ªAt the same time, she mimed drinking alcohol toward Ha-eun. ¡°I¡¯ll be watching to see how well you do.¡± ¡°Ugh... ughhh...!¡± And so, under what was practically a threat, Ha-eun was forced to chant it alone. To top it off, the maid standing right next to her half-forced her into a series of cute hand movements. ¡°Magic spell, make it delicious~!¡± Her trembling gaze. Her slightly flushed cheeks and ears. Her fingers drawing a giant heart in the air. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. Every single moment was captured on Da-yeon¡¯s phone. The moment the satisfied maid walked away, Da-yeon, who had been holding in laughter, burst into quiet giggles. Seeing that only deepened Ha-eun¡¯s embarrassment, but there was nothing she could do about it. ¡°Alright, Diah Maid. Could you cut my hamburger steak for me?¡± ¡°...Do you not have hands? Do you not have feet?¡± ¡°Hm? What was that?¡± ¡°A-Ah, nothing! I¡¯ll cut it for you, so please wait a moment~.¡± *** After lunch at the maid cafe?, time seemed to fly by. That was because the afternoon plan for day 3 was shopping at the department store. ¡°This one, this one is so pretty. Try it on, Ha-eun.¡± ¡°Hm, I think this one would look good on Ha-eun too.¡± ¡°Oh, Da-yeon, how about trying this one? And this hat too.¡± ¡°Wow... It¡¯s like I¡¯m watching a fashion magazine come to life.¡± Since both Ha-eun and Da-yeon were actresses, they naturally became the center of attention. Of course, everyone shopped for their own clothes as well, but they got so absorbed in watching Ha-eun and Da-yeon try on outfits that they lost track of time. "This one¡¯s pretty, that one¡¯s pretty too." "There¡¯s nothing that doesn¡¯t suit them." "They say a great outfit is all about the face, and they¡¯re right." ¡°Even if we don¡¯t buy them, we have to take pictures!¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah. Gotta keep these as memories.¡± ¡°...Somehow, I feel like I should be getting paid for this.¡± Like moths drawn to the instinctive shopping desires of a group of women, the two youngest members were completely at their mercy. ¡ªClick, click. ¡ªClick, click. "It really feels like a professional photoshoot...." Before they knew it, they had spent hours being live mannequins without even realizing it. Eventually, after hearing ¡°You absolutely HAVE to buy this one!¡± from Nael and the others, they ended up purchasing a few outfits. By then, the sun had begun to set in the late afternoon. Having spent hours shopping, everyone was starting to feel hungry, so they decided to go for dinner. The problem? The group was split into two opinions. One side wanted to go to an izakaya, while the other preferred a yakiniku restaurant. ¡°We just drank yesterday.¡± ¡°But we¡¯re in Japan! How can we not go to an izakaya?¡± ¡°What about Ha-eun and Da-yeon? They¡¯re underage; they¡¯re not even allowed inside.¡± ¡°Oh, right. That¡¯s true....¡± After a long debate about the dinner venue¡ª ¡°Let¡¯s just go wherever we want. It¡¯s hard to find a table big enough for a group this size at this hour anyway.¡± They decided to split up. After all, it wasn¡¯t like they could travel to Japan anytime they wanted. There was no reason to force themselves to stick together. Everyone should just eat what they wanted. Of course, Ha-eun and Da-yeon¡¯s choice was already predetermined. ¡°You two can go next year when you become adults. Just hold on a little longer.¡± ¡°Uh, boss... Japan¡¯s legal age is 20, so even next year, they still won¡¯t be allowed in.¡± ¡°...Screw it. What¡¯s one year? Next year, the year after¡ªit doesn¡¯t matter. Right?¡± ¡°Aha... ha....¡± After about 30 minutes of walking, they finally arrived at the yakiniku restaurant. Since Ha-eun and Da-yeon were underage, they joined four others who also wanted grilled meat. Together, the six of them gathered around the table, savoring the sizzling cuts of meat. By the time they finished eating, the streets had turned completely dark. But rather than being unsettling, the darkness revealed a new beauty¡ªthe city¡¯s breathtaking nightscape. ¡°Alright then, say cheese~.¡± Just like earlier in the day, the ¡°yakiniku crew¡± took a commemorative photo together. This, too, was promptly uploaded to the Illusionary Realm group chat. ¡°Oh, it came out really nice.¡± ¡°Told you¡ªphotos are the only things that last.¡± And so, they walked and walked, making their way back toward the ryokan in the distance. By the time they arrived, they dragged themselves to their rooms and collapsed onto the floor. The only variable? The only person sharing a room with Ha-eun was still Da-yeon. Everyone else was still drinking at the izakaya. Perhaps that was why¡ª ¡°There¡¯s an outdoor hot spring here. Wanna go?¡± ¡°Uh... A hot spring?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Ha-eun suggested they soak in the hot spring to wash away their fatigue from the day. The soft, fluttering snow had stopped, but it hadn¡¯t melted yet. There was nothing more romantic than lying in a steaming hot spring, gazing up at the night sky covered in snow. That was the only reason they made their way to the ryokan¡¯s open-air bath. ¡ªSlide. ¡ªSplash. ¡ªSsshh... ¡°Ahh, this is amazing....¡± ¡°...Lee Ha-eun, you sound like a grandma.¡± ¡°Ugh.¡± At Da-yeon¡¯s comment, Ha-eun, who had been melting into the water, immediately straightened her posture. Seeing that, Da-yeon let out a soft chuckle. But after that, the silence around them felt almost deafening. A strange, indescribable stillness hung in the air. Was it because they were alone in the hot spring? Or was it simply because the warm water was lulling them into drowsiness? ¡°..........¡± A quiet night, the warm water releasing billowing clouds of white steam. The only sound was the gentle rippling of the hot spring, making it feel like time had stopped. Perhaps that was why Da-yeon suddenly spoke. She had never been one for heavy or serious atmospheres. And even more so when she was with her only real friend¡ªthough she would never admit it¡ªHa-eun. ¡°We¡¯re really about to become adults, huh....¡± A voice soft, dreamy, floating through the mist like a distant thought. It was a tone uncharacteristic of Da-yeon. Ha-eun let the words sink in for a moment before tilting her head slightly. "Is she worried about something?" Ha-eun, who had long since left childhood behind, didn¡¯t feel the same weight. But she could tell that Da-yeon wanted to say something. So she waited, silently. And then, another quiet voice followed. ¡°What do you think will happen after we graduate?¡± ¡°You said you¡¯re going to college. On a performance scholarship.¡± ¡°...Not that.¡± Da-yeon¡¯s gaze drifted up toward the night sky, and she murmured: ¡°I know I¡¯ll keep acting, keep standing in front of the camera. But will that really be enough?¡± ¡°Do people like watching my acting? Or do they just like actress Min Da-yeon? I wonder about that sometimes.¡± ¡°...Are you going through puberty?¡± ¡°Hey, just¡ªlisten to me, okay? I¡¯m actually being serious.¡± For once, Ha-eun held back her teasing and simply listened. Actors constantly slip in and out of different roles. She had once heard, long ago in acting school, that the more you act, the more you begin to lose sight of yourself. But Ha-eun had never had a ¡°real self¡± to begin with. So she never experienced that fear. ¡°No matter what project I work on, I never feel secure. Maybe it¡¯s just my need for validation. But every time people compare me to you, it gets to me.¡± ¡°Mm.¡± ¡°If I keep going like this, will I die chasing after your shadow? Sometimes, I think about it. Without you as my reference point... Who the hell am I?¡± Da-yeon had spent her whole life next to Ha-eun. Spent her whole life thinking, comparing, and questioning. Yet she still didn¡¯t fully understand herself. That was why she fell silent for a moment. The path Da-yeon had walked wasn¡¯t a failure¡ªbut something felt missing. An absence she couldn¡¯t shake off. ¡°They say adults should be independent. But even after becoming one, I feel like I¡¯ll still be chained to you.¡± Maybe if she finally beat Ha-eun at rock-paper-scissors, this suffocating feeling would go away. Or maybe, when they clashed head-on in the upcoming filming of Parasite Family, she would finally find the missing piece. But Da-yeon had always lived as an actress. So even her struggles were the struggles of an actress. Her lifelong goal was perfect immersion in a role. Yet sitting right in front of her was someone who already had it. ¡°Maybe I should¡¯ve prepared, like you did. Instead of just spending my whole life on set.¡± Time couldn¡¯t be reversed. That¡¯s why it left behind regrets. Had she taken a wrong step from the beginning? She couldn¡¯t even remember when she first started acting. She had been called a child prodigy. Had been praised by everyone. Had believed herself to be special. ¡°...I think I was too full of myself.¡± A frog in a well, who thought she could reach the sky just by stretching out her hand. Only to realize¡ªthe sky was blocked by the shadow of a giant. ¡°...Maybe I¡¯m struggling now because I refused to admit that you were better than me back then.¡± She had fought against the shadow. Had desperately tried to escape the well. But all she gained were scars and wounds. Even now, after so much time had passed, she could still feel the sting. Of course, the giant wasn¡¯t to blame. The giant had merely arrived. And in doing so, had shattered the tiny well that the frog had once believed to be her entire world. ¡°...I don¡¯t want to stay like this forever. But what am I supposed to do?¡± For the briefest moment, Da-yeon¡¯s lips curved into a bitter smile. She turned to the source of her struggles¡ªand asked for an answer. Even though, deep down, she didn¡¯t expect one. But even so¡ª ¡°You¡¯re not going to give up, are you?¡± At the sound of the familiar voice, Da-yeon found herself unintentionally drawn to it. Then, she met a gentle smile. ¡°There aren¡¯t many people who¡¯ve been acting longer than you.¡± That day they first met¡ª Had the one looking up truly been a frog? Or was it actually a giant? Was the frog really wasting her time, while she freely leaped through the muddy world where the giant had once trapped herself? ...Probably not. After all, the very first doll that the giant crafted from the mud was shaped like a frog. Because that was all she could see. ¡°You know... you were good from the very beginning.¡± ¡°...If I was good, I wouldn¡¯t have lost to you.¡± ¡°You lost because you were good. Victory and defeat only happen between equals.¡± Ha-eun wasn¡¯t good with words. She had no flowery way to say it. But what she wanted to tell Da-yeon was simple¡ª You¡¯ve already reached the place you were aiming for. Before you ever set your sights on someone else, there was already someone aiming for you. And that person is sitting right beside you right now. ¡°You are you. I am me.¡± There was no need to struggle to catch up. A shadow could only ever be a shadow. ¡°After all... who¡¯s ever won a game of rock-paper-scissors against a mirror?¡± Through the rising white steam, Ha-eun gazed at Da-yeon. Her soaked hair, different in both length and color from Ha-eun¡¯s own. ¡°You don¡¯t have to copy me. You already have your own thing.¡± It was obvious. They were two different people. ¡°But still, if you really don¡¯t know... I¡¯ll show you. Until you figure it out yourself.¡± Imitation was Ha-eun¡¯s specialty. There was nothing easier than acting like a friend. Than mimicking the person she had watched the longest. ¡°...Thanks.¡± A quiet voice. The surface of the hot spring gently rippled. Was the return of silence a sign of relief? No¡ª It was definitely relief. Because¡ª ¡°I¡¯ll be looking forward to it.¡± There was no one better than Ha-eun. Not a single person. ¡°Whenever that may be.¡± Not a single one. ¡°...Just don¡¯t take too long.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± She had relied on her all this time. And so, one more time, she relied on her again. Even if¡ª It was only so that she could stop relying on her. Because they were friends. And friends could help each other. ¡°The moon is... beautiful. I want to take a picture.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t bring my phone. Should I go get it?¡± ¡°...No. We can take one later.¡± For once, she allowed herself to be selfish. Because someday, she would be the one to hold up the sky for someone else. An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth. She had leaned on her for so long. Now, it was time to become someone others could lean on. It was a simple truth. Chapter 234 Was it because she had been soaking in the warm onsen for so long? ¡°Ugh...¡± Even as she stepped out of the hot spring, water dripping down her body, and headed straight for the shower room next to it. Even after finishing her shower, changing into fresh clothes, and drying each other¡¯s still-wet hair with Da-yeon. Her entire body felt languid. A natural wave of drowsiness swept over her. With her eyelids growing heavier and heavier, it was inevitable that she would seek out the bed. However, the room had twin beds. In other words, unlike the hotel room they had stayed in before, which had two single beds. The ryokan room they were staying in now had only one double bed. ¡°...What should we do, Da-yeon?¡± ¡°Sleeping on the floor... would be kind of bad, right?¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯d be too hard. We¡¯d probably wake up sore.¡± ¡°Well, I guess we have no choice, then.¡± In the end, they lay down in the same bed. Either way, the fact remained that two people had to share one bed. Sleeping next to people who were bound to return from the izakaya completely drunk was, to be honest, not exactly appealing. Besides, Da-yeon wasn¡¯t close enough to anyone else, except Ha-eun, to be comfortable sharing a bed yet. If there was any silver lining, it was that the bed¡¯s blanket was huge. Without fighting over it, Ha-eun and Da-yeon lay down and soon drifted off to sleep. The problem, however, was Ha-eun¡¯s sleeping habit. ¡ªSqueeze... Ha-eun had a habit of hugging something while sleeping. That was the reason why there was a big-sized teddy bear on Ha-eun¡¯s bed at home. And it was also the reason Ha-eun¡¯s hands had unconsciously pulled Da-yeon into her embrace like a stuffed toy. The distance Da-yeon had carefully kept when lying down was now completely meaningless. ¡°...Mmm...¡± Feeling a sense of suffocation, Da-yeon tried to wriggle free from Ha-eun¡¯s arms in her sleep. The problem was that her slow, sleepy movements were no match for Ha-eun¡¯s grip. And so, in the end, she had no choice but to remain locked in Ha-eun¡¯s embrace as she slept. Even if she woke up, she still wouldn¡¯t be able to shake off Ha-eun¡¯s arms. Time passed like that. ¡°The unnis are back!¡± ¡°Huh...? What the, why¡¯s it so quiet?¡± The moment their roommates, who had been out drinking at the izakaya, returned. They were puzzled by the unusually silent room and started looking for the two who had stayed behind. And when they soon discovered the two fast asleep in bed¡ª ¡°Oh my.¡± ¡°They really are best friends, huh.¡± ¡°Would they wake up if I took a picture?¡± ¡°They look just like babies like this.¡± Quiet murmurs of admiration escaped as they took in Ha-eun and Da-yeon¡¯s cozy scene. And soon enough, a picture of them clinging tightly to each other was uploaded to the Illusionary Realm¡¯s group chat. Of course, when Da-yeon woke up a few hours later and saw the picture in the chat, her drowsiness instantly vanished. Regret and embarrassment hit her all at once. But, for some reason, the usually early-rising Ha-eun was still sound asleep. And she was hugging Da-yeon¡¯s neck and chest so tightly it was nearly suffocating. ¡°Hey, hey...! Move...!¡± ¡°...Mmm...¡± ¡ªSqueeeeze! ¡°You crazy girl. Why are you so strong?¡± ¡°......Snore....¡± ¡°...I¡¯m seriously losing my mind here....¡± Struggling desperately to escape from Ha-eun¡¯s grip, Da-yeon eventually reached her limit and slumped in exhaustion. There was just no way to pry Ha-eun¡¯s hands off her. In the end, she only managed to free herself after sending an SOS to Mile in the other bedroom. Only when Mile gently lifted Ha-eun¡¯s arms did she manage to squirm her way out. ¡°Th...thanks.¡± ¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing.¡± This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. Barely escaping from Ha-eun, Da-yeon headed straight to the bathroom to take a shower. By the time she returned, freshly washed, Ha-eun had finally woken up. If nothing else, at least that was a relief. ¡°Hurry up and wash. It¡¯s almost nine.¡± ¡°...Already?¡± ¡°Yeah. Already.¡± Since the ryokan¡¯s last breakfast service ended at nine, Ha-eun, remembering that, hurriedly got up. After all, the traditional Japanese breakfast at a ryokan was something that absolutely had to be tasted. ¡°The fish is good, but the rice is amazing.¡± ¡°That rice is actually just instant rice, Ha-eun.¡± ¡°...What?¡± ¡°Kidding.¡± ¡°Pfft, look at Ha-eun getting all flustered.¡± Still unable to fully dry her hair, Ha-eun savored the traditional Japanese breakfast, including miso soup, before changing from her comfortable indoor wear into her outdoor outfit. With that, she stepped outside the ryokan to enjoy the last day of the trip. The first stop was Mount Moiwa Observatory. She boarded the ropeway, which was called a cable car in Korea, and ascended to the mountain¡¯s peak. ¡®The rooftops are all white. Must be because of the snow.¡¯ Beyond the full-length glass windows of the observatory, the vast cityscape of Sapporo stretched out before her. The wide expanse of buildings wasn¡¯t all that different from those in Korea. The more noticeable difference was in the souvenir shop. ¡°There¡¯s so much stuff.¡± ¡°Oh, they even sell socks. That¡¯s amazing.¡± Clothing with adorable characters and hiragana written on them. Postcards featuring Sapporo¡¯s nightscape. A variety of snacks lined up in rows. Like the rest of her travel companions, Ha-eun wandered through the souvenir shop, browsing the items as if she were shopping. Of course, like most tourists, the act of looking around itself held meaning, but the real reason was for her upcoming trip recap stream. ¡°Do you think Noeulis would like this plushie?¡± ¡°...I don¡¯t think it really matters what plushie it is. It¡¯s coming from you.¡± Just like her previous trip, Ha-eun planned to bring back some reasonably priced souvenirs and hold a small giveaway event. That¡¯s why she was showing various plushies in the shop to Da-yeon, who was once a Noeuli herself. After sifting through cute plushies of rabbits and hamsters for a while, only when it was time to leave the observatory did she finally pick out about six plushies and purchase them. Not long after, they boarded the ropeway again. Once they descended the mountain, they had a quick lunch at a nearby ramen shop. But now, it was time to head to the airport. ¡°Hye-min unnie, can I stop by the convenience store real quick?¡± ¡°Sure. Go ahead.¡± Before boarding their flight back to Korea, she wanted to take one last look at the unique items available in Japanese convenience stores. As expected, Da-yeon and Nael trailed closely behind her. Not that it was a problem. It seemed like both Da-yeon and Nael had things they wanted to buy. However, as they stood in front of the collaboration merchandise section¡ª more precisely, when they were looking at products from the famous Japanese VTuber group, Prism Live¡ª ¡°Hm... I wonder if we¡¯ll ever be able to do something like this.¡± ¡°Why are you even envious of this? You literally shot a Naikayon ad.¡± Ha-eun¡¯s thoughts slipped out as she imagined what a Diah collaboration product might look like. Da-yeon, puzzled by Ha-eun¡¯s reaction, tilted her head. ¡®Is it because she hasn¡¯t done a food commercial before?¡¯ Since Ha-eun ? N§àv§Öl?g?t ? (Official version) had already done plenty of advertisements, Da-yeon couldn¡¯t understand why she¡¯d be jealous of these collaboration products. Rather than envy, she could just accept one of the offers that were surely pouring into her agency. There were probably countless companies eager to collaborate with Ha-eun. If she wanted, they could easily release products featuring her face. ¡°Not my face. Diah.¡± ¡°Does it have to be Diah?¡± ¡°It¡¯s different. Completely.¡± ¡°Hmm...¡± Although Da-yeon had been studying the VTuber industry, she still didn¡¯t fully grasp what exactly Ha-eun wanted. But unlike Da-yeon, someone else did. ¡°If it¡¯s Ha-eun, she could totally surpass Prism Live or anyone else!¡± Since Nael was a die-hard fan of both Ha-eun and Diah, she immediately cheered Ha-eun on, declaring that it was only a matter of time before Diah overtook Prism Live. Hearing that, Ha-eun could only let out an awkward smile. ¡°It¡¯s time to make a move, Prism Live! Diah-senpai is coming for you!¡± ¡°G-Geez, Ji-hye, you¡¯re way too loud.¡± ¡°Oh, sorry.¡± After hurriedly calming down the fired-up Nael, they brought their convenience store baskets, now filled with various products, to the register and checked out. As Ha-eun left the store, she quickened her pace slightly. Part of the reason was that there were other customers inside the store. Of course, since they were speaking in Korean, those people likely wouldn¡¯t understand, but just in case, she made her exit quickly. Soon, the three of them¡ªHa-eun, Da-yeon, and Nael¡ªmade their way back toward the ramen shop. And watching their retreating figures for a moment¡ª ?...Are they aspiring VTubers?? A woman who was about the same height as Ha-eun. After turning her gaze back to the collaboration product that Ha-eun had been holding earlier, she silently fell into thought. Shortly after, she picked up the Lucid VTuber merchandise that Ha-eun had been looking at. The product featured a familiar face¡ªso familiar, in fact, that she had several of them at home. But at the same time¡ª ?Eh, Yume, what are you doing?? A smaller woman with a playful expression approached and teased her. Flinching at the unexpected comment, the woman quickly put down the collaboration product she had been holding. Of course, the mischievous gaze in front of her didn¡¯t miss a thing. ?Yume, are you a narcissist by any chance?? ?...I am not.? ?I mean, with how amazing our Lucid is, I wouldn¡¯t blame you~. It¡¯s fine, really!? ?I said I¡¯m not.? The small woman giggled as she whispered, causing a faint blush to creep up the woman¡¯s ears. She was just... a little surprised that those Koreans had taken an interest in her collaboration product. That was all. However, there was one thing. The faces she had just seen seemed less like aspiring VTubers and more like actors or idols. ?We... might need to stay on guard.? ?Huh? Why?? ?There might be some formidable people across the sea.? A quiet chuckle escaped her lips, carrying a faint weight. The faces she had just seen were enough to make her feel uneasy. Chapter 235 After what felt like a long trip, the moment Ha-eun returned from Japan, the first thing she did was post a special event notice on the Illusionary Realm cafe?. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Title > Picked This Up¡î (Special Event) Diah | 19:05 Write an acrostic poem using Noeuli in the comments! I¡¯ll personally judge them based on my own totally subjective standards, and the five best ones will get... (Photo of the plushies bought from the souvenir shop) (Photo of Diah¡¯s acrylic stand sitting with the plushies) Some cute plushies I picked up in Japan as gifts! The winners will be announced during my return stream, so make sure to join in~ (A meme of a certain famous pirate uncle saying, "If you want the treasure, I¡¯ll give it to you.") (A meme parodying the golden age of piracy, except it declares the golden age of acrostic poems.) ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ The reason for this surprise event was Ha-eun¡¯s packed schedule. Unlike the other members, who would be resuming their streams as early as tomorrow or the day after, Ha-eun wouldn¡¯t be able to stream due to her separate commitments. ¡®At least this will keep them entertained for a bit.¡¯ Tomorrow was the press conference for God and the Goblin. After that, she had to head to Leni¡¯s studio to discuss their upcoming joint concert. The day after that, she had filming for God and the Goblin and a meeting with Kang Sun-woo regarding the preview screening. She had a mission to convince Kang Sun-woo to attend the screening, so their conversation wasn¡¯t going to be a short one. The following day was a TeraStudy commercial shoot. And another concert meeting with Leni¡¯s agency. ¡®I also need to schedule a meeting for Hyun-min¡¯s new song... I should check his availability first.¡¯ All in all, she was incredibly busy. Unlike other seniors in high school who enjoyed their "freedom" after the college entrance exam, Ha-eun¡¯s reality was completely different. Well, what could she do? Every single thing on her schedule was something she had chosen and decided for herself. ¡®I should keep the jokes to a minimum during my return stream.¡¯ Diah¡¯s hiatus¡ªor what people called her "ice age"¡ªhad lasted longer than the other members¡¯ because Ha-eun herself had made that choice. Of course, that didn¡¯t mean Ha-eun had done anything wrong. But it did mean ? N§àv§Öl¦Éght ? (Read the full story) that she needed to be extra mindful of Noeulis¡¯ expectations when she returned. Regardless. Whether it was her busy celebrity schedule or her streams as Diah, she had given them both her all. ¡®Will the end of the year be a little more relaxed?¡¯ For now, the smartest thing to do was to focus on doing her best in the present. No matter what anyone else thought, Ha-eun herself believed that was the right choice. ¡ªTap tap tap tap. ¡ªScritch scritch scritch. ¡°Ah, Seol-ah. Are you hungry? Or do you want a cuddle?¡± ¡ªBlink blink. ¡ªBlink blink. ¡ªLick lick. ¡°Hmm, you want a cuddle? Alright.¡± Lifting up the fluffy Baekseol in her arms, Ha-eun sat down on the edge of her bed. Her hands gently stroked Baekseol¡¯s soft fur. As she absentmindedly ran her fingers through the plush fur, she fell into quiet thought. After all, her break was over. She had rested plenty in Japan, so now it was time to get back to work. She sorted through her thoughts in silence¡ª ¡ªLick lick. ¡ªLick lick. ¡°...Seol-ah, that tickles.¡± Or rather, she sorted through her thoughts with Baekseol. She remained quiet for a long time. Thinking about her future as actress Lee Ha-eun, who was about to take another leap forward with God and the Goblin. And vaguely imagining what it would be like when she finally reached her goal of becoming a major star. But then. ¡ªBeep, beep, beep, beep. ¡ªDing-dong. ¡°I¡¯m home~~. ...Oh? Ha-eun, you¡¯re here?¡± Her once quiet home was quiet no longer. For that one reason alone, she was pulled back to reality. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. ¡ªClick! ¡°Oh wow, our princess is back~~. And Seol is here too~~.¡± ¡°...Did you drink?¡± ¡°Our project went really well this time. Had a drink with my team.¡± Ha-eun¡¯s thoughts about the future completely dissolved as she turned to face Seong-yoon, who looked especially cheerful today. ¡°Lately, everyone at my company won¡¯t stop talking about my daughter. They¡¯re so excited for the drama with Kang Sun-woo. Hahaha....¡± ¡®Yeah, he¡¯s drunk.¡¯ Every single thing he said sounded like a typical dad brag. How Manager Kim from Team 2 asked for Ha-eun¡¯s autograph, or how the new intern, Song, turned out to be a huge fan of hers. ¡°I never actually told them Lee Ha-eun is my daughter, you know? But somehow, everyone knows! I have no idea how.¡± ¡®What are you going to do when Mom gets home?¡¯ Slumping onto the seat next to Ha-eun, Seong-yoon kept repeating himself. Everything boiled down to one thing: his pride as Ha-eun¡¯s father. To be fair, it wasn¡¯t particularly uncomfortable to hear. At the end of the day, it was clear that Seong-yoon was proud of her. But then¡ªhe sneakily stole Baekseol from her arms and suddenly took an interest in the plushies Ha-eun had brought back from Japan. ¡°These... you bought them for your dad, right?¡± ¡°...No.¡± ¡°Huh? You have five of them. Can¡¯t you give me just one?¡± ¡°No. They¡¯re gifts.¡± ¡°Ugh, they say raising a daughter is pointless~! Can¡¯t even get one plushie after all I¡¯ve done for you~.¡± ¡°...Since when did you even care about plushies?¡± Somehow, Ha-eun now had to defend Noeulis¡¯ plushies from her own father. Just minutes ago, he was bragging about her, and now he was acting all sulky. ¡°What are you even going to do with it?¡± ¡°I was going to put it on my office desk.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll get you a different one. I have smaller plushies too.¡± ¡°Huh? You have more? Did you only buy plushies in Japan?¡± ¡°...They were cute.¡± In the end, she managed to pacify him by giving him a different plushie. But then, he shifted his attention to the people she had actually intended to give them to. ¡°Kang Sun-woo and Ha Yun-seong don¡¯t seem like the type to like plushies. Da-yeon... well, she went on the trip with you. That leaves... your school friends.¡± ¡°Are you... are you playing a deduction game right now?¡± ¡°Normally, you¡¯d buy snacks for school friends, not plushies. That means they¡¯re not just friends. In other words¡ª¡± ¡°W-wait a second.¡± Not long after, a voice full of curiosity chimed in, asking if the plushies were for her boyfriend. It was immediately followed by a statement brimming with certainty¡ªas if there was no other possibility. ¡°They¡¯re not for the actors you¡¯re working with, they¡¯re not for Da-yeon, and they¡¯re not for your friends... That means there¡¯s a hidden boyfriend. This is my conclusion.¡± ¡®...How the hell am I supposed to explain this?¡¯ Even to Ha-eun, there wasn¡¯t a good excuse to spin. To make things worse, most of what Seong-yoon had said was technically true. As Ha-eun struggled to come up with a way to counter his relentless deduction, Seong-yoon suddenly seemed to notice something strange and froze for a moment. ¡°...Wait, why do you have five plushies? There¡¯s no way you have five boyfriends... ...Wait.¡± With a loud slap, Seong-yoon carefully placed both hands on Ha-eun¡¯s shoulders. Then, his expression turned unusually serious as he suddenly launched into a fatherly lecture. ¡°No matter how popular you are, playing multiple guys at once¡ªwait, is it still called that if there are five of them? Listen, I totally get that my daughter is in high demand, but...!¡± ¡®...Actually, it¡¯s more than five.¡¯ Within seconds, he went from rambling about cheating to pleading sincerely for her to at least date only one person. He even worried about what would happen if the truth about her many lovers were ever revealed. ¡°If this gets out, the entertainment industry¡ªno, the whole country will be flipped upside down, Ha-eun! You need to clean this up... now!¡± ¡°Th-that¡¯s not something I can just ¡®clean up¡¯ myself....¡± ¡°What? So you want to break up, but they won¡¯t let you go? Who the hell do these bastards think they are, clinging to someone¡¯s precious daughter¡ª¡± ¡®I¡¯m seriously going insane.¡¯ To put it plainly, she was losing her mind. She had no idea where to even begin unraveling this tangled mess of misunderstandings. Would he understand if she told him the truth? No¡ªif anything, he¡¯d be even more confused. To someone like Seong-yoon, the world of VTubing was an entirely foreign concept. ¡°Uh, Dad... I think you¡¯re really misunderstanding something here....¡± She broke into a nervous sweat as she desperately tried to calm him down. But in his fully drunk state, every word she said only sounded like an excuse¡ªas if she were protecting these men who refused to let her go. And so, in the end, nothing improved. The chaotic misunderstanding only spiraled further out of control. ¡ªBeep, beep, beep, beep. ¡ªDing-dong. ¡°I¡¯m home~. Oh? You¡¯re both here?¡± ¡°!¡± It wasn¡¯t until the only person who could bring order to this madness arrived that Ha-eun finally escaped the room with Baekseol in her arms. She immediately rushed to Na-yeon, complaining that Seong-yoon was drunkenly tormenting her. ¡°He said he was just having a drink with his coworkers, but he¡¯s literally writing a whole novel right now....¡± ¡°Oh... so he did end up drinking. And on top of that, he¡¯s bothering you the moment you got off the plane....¡± Within seconds, Na-yeon¡¯s entire aura darkened with a menacing energy. After casually tossing her coat aside, she marched straight into Ha-eun¡¯s room. And then¡ª ¡ªCRACK! Seong-yoon¡¯s joints twisted into impossible angles. ¡°GAHHHHH!!¡± ¡°I told you to watch your liver levels!¡± High-level pro wrestling techniques rained down on Seong-yoon without mercy. It was a brutally violent scene¡ªone that no weak-hearted person should ever witness. ¡°...S-Seol-ah, let¡¯s go wait in the master bedroom....¡± Ha-eun, genuinely terrified, immediately grabbed Baekseol and fled to the master bedroom before the carnage could spread to her. Once again, she was absolutely sure that silencing Da-yeon with an all-you-can-eat meal had been the right move. *** ¡°My dad literally couldn¡¯t even walk properly the next day.¡± ¡°Haha... Your mom must really love him.¡± Time had passed. The press conference for God and the Goblin had come and gone. Now, the very next day¡ª To be more precise, after wrapping up that day¡¯s shoot, Ha-eun was currently heading to Kang Sun-woo¡¯s apartment. Since she had been assigned the mission of bringing Kang Sun-woo to the movie¡¯s preview screening, she figured she might as well start by telling him about the chaos of the past few days. It wasn¡¯t until they actually entered his apartment that the conversation became more direct. ¡°The teaser got a really positive response, so they decided to hold a preview screening.¡± ¡°Yeah. I heard about it.¡± ¡°...Did you hear the part about you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m still thinking about it. Whether I should go or not.¡± But no matter how much they talked, he still wouldn¡¯t give a clear answer about whether he would attend. ¡°...If you keep this up, you might end up like my dad.¡± ¡°...What?¡± Before she even realized it, she had accidentally let out a threat. Apparently, resorting to force when words didn¡¯t work was something she had inherited. Chapter 236 "You attended the press conference, didn¡¯t you?" "A press conference and a premiere are a bit different." "What¡¯s so different... about them? You¡¯ll introduce the drama with me, do a simple event, and take some commemorative photos¡ªthat¡¯s it...." "But the people attending are different." His voice, as always, was calm. But the weight behind it was anything but light. "Reporters at a press conference attend because it¡¯s their job. But the people at the premiere? They¡¯re different. They¡¯re coming purely because they genuinely want to see us." "If you¡¯re saying you don¡¯t feel like you deserve to see them... would I be able to understand that? Leaving the camera¡¯s view was my choice, but still... it¡¯s overwhelming. Even now." The man speaking wore the same gentle expression as always, leaving Ha-eun with nothing to argue against. No matter how sharp she was, she could never fully grasp the weight of what Kang Sun-woo carried. The endless rumors that had surfaced during his ten-year absence. The misunderstandings and falsehoods that had spread simply because he was an undisputed top actor. All he had ever wanted was to take a break. Just as he once told Ha-eun long ago, he had only wanted to travel, read the books he¡¯d been putting off, and spend time as a person¡ªnot as an actor. "Are you afraid you won¡¯t meet people¡¯s expectations?" "To be honest... yeah, there¡¯s some of that too." The world had always judged him harshly as a top actor. To step in front of people again probably took more courage than she could imagine. Still, Ha-eun had no intention of giving up on convincing him. After all, even he said he was still considering it. For a while, she sat in silence, trying to understand his feelings. At the same time, she searched for the right words to persuade him. ¡®What should I say...?¡¯ She thought, and thought, and thought. ¡ªClack. "I¡¯m going to make some coffee. Do you want anything, Ha-eun? I have cocoa too." "Oh, then... can I have cocoa, please?" As Kang Sun-woo disappeared into the kitchen, a memory surfaced¡ªa hint from the past. The hazy mirage of the press conference for Next-Door Uncle unfolded in her mind. That day had been the first time she ever stood in front of the public. And everywhere she looked, the crowd was filled with Kang Sun-woo¡¯s fans. Of course, she was just a child actor who had filmed nothing more than a vitamin supplement commercial¡ª Who would have been a fan of someone like that? ¡®I wasn¡¯t nervous just because I was too young to understand what was happening... that wasn¡¯t all of it.¡¯ There had been a decisive reason why she hadn¡¯t felt nervous despite the massive audience of reporters and fans. And now that she remembered it, she knew exactly what to say to persuade him. Not long after, Kang Sun-woo returned from the kitchen, holding a cup of warm cocoa. "It¡¯s still hot, so be careful." "...Thank you." Taking a small sip of the sweet cocoa, Ha-eun steeled her resolve. Then, cautiously, she spoke. "Do you... remember the Next-Door Uncle press conference?" She brought up the memory from long ago. And after a brief pause, his response was affirmative. "You were such a tiny kid back then. And now, look at you¡ªyou¡¯ve grown so much. Time really flies." "...It really does." Confirming that he still remembered that day, Ha-eun continued. She reminded him that ten years ago, she had been nothing more than a little kid. A seven-year-old who wasn¡¯t even in elementary school yet. "That was the first time I realized just how famous you were." "Oh? Really?" "Yeah. Everywhere I looked, there were fans holding photo books of you." "Hmm, I don¡¯t remember that part. You have a crazy good memory, huh?" ¡®...Honestly, my memory is too good¡ªit¡¯s a problem sometimes.¡¯ Hearing him praise her memory, Ha-eun paused for a moment. Her sharp recall was still a curse that remembered even things she wished she could forget. But right now, there was something more important. ¡ªSwoosh. ¡ªClack. "Actually, I wasn¡¯t nervous back then because you held my hand. Just like this." As she spoke, she gently took his hand. Whether it was for the premiere or for something else, there was something she needed to tell him. "That was... the first time someone held my hand like that." She didn¡¯t mean that no one had ever touched her hand before. Of course, when she was younger, Na-yeon and Seong-yoon had held her hands and played with her. But as for someone grabbing her hand purely out of kindness, Kang Sun-woo had been the first. "If you hadn¡¯t held my hand that day, I might have gotten so nervous that I messed up completely. Maybe even developed stage fright and quit acting forever." "Oh, come on. No way." "You never know." She wanted to tell him¡ª Just like he had once held her hand back then, she wanted to hold his hand now. "You said in an interview that I ¡®dragged you back into the industry by the collar.¡¯" "T-that was just an interview. I exaggerated a little...." "I meant it. I¡¯ll take responsibility for dragging you back out here." If it was too much pressure, he could hide behind her. If someone threw eggs at him, she wouldn¡¯t let a single one hit him. "Wait¡ªare you planning to make me look like a total jerk?" "It¡¯s just a figure of speech. Though, of course, if it really happens, I can totally dodge them." So please, come with me. Ha-eun smiled faintly as she spoke, tightening her grip on his hand. Honestly, it hurt. She had assumed she¡¯d have to convince him with sheer force. But there was one thing. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. "No matter what, you¡¯re better off now than when you were seven. People still love you, you know." Those final words were undeniable. And so, once again, Ha-eun won. "...How could I ever beat you?" "Honestly, I wouldn¡¯t have minded losing. If I failed, I could have just left it to the CEO." "...The CEO?" "Director Jeong. If I couldn¡¯t convince you, I was planning to ask him for help. But luckily, I didn¡¯t have to." Ha-eun, completely unfazed, added that no matter what, even Sun-woo would have to listen to the CEO. Since he was still under contract with Luna Entertainment, he didn¡¯t technically have the right to refuse. "Of course, if you were confident enough to convince even the CEO, that¡¯d be a different story." ¡®...When did this kid ?N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t? get so terrifying?¡¯ And so, Sun-woo¡¯s attendance at the premiere became a done deal. With her mission complete, Ha-eun left his apartment with a satisfied smile. One Week Later At long last, the premiere day of God and the Goblin arrived. "Good evening. I¡¯m Kang Sun-woo, returning as Baek Jin in God and the Goblin." ¡ªKYAAAAAAAH! ¡ªKANG SUN-WOO IS SO HANDSOME!!! ¡ªCLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP! ¡ªOPPA, YOU¡¯RE SO GOOD-LOOKING!! As he bowed toward the audience, Sun-woo realized Ha-eun had been right. All his nervousness had been completely unnecessary. Immediately after, Ha-eun¡¯s voice came through the handheld mic. "I¡¯m Lee Ha-eun, playing Baeksulhwa." Predictably, a second wave of cheers just as loud as before erupted. Especially from one particular seat near the middle¡ªwhere a petite woman in sunglasses and a mask was clapping so hard it looked like her hands might break. ¡®Ha-eun¡¯s really popular, huh?¡¯ Standing beside her was Ha Yun-seong, and beside him, Director Kwon Jae-hyeop and Writer Hong Soo-eun, who also finished their greetings. "Now, we have so many people here at the God and the Goblin premiere tonight. It¡¯d be a shame to send you all home empty-handed, right?" Following the emcee¡¯s cue, a small event began. The lucky draw, a photo session with the selected winners, and gift distribution followed. "I-I¡¯m such a huge fan. I¡¯m so happy you¡¯re back." "Thank you." "Meeting you has been my dream. Oh my God, I¡¯m shaking so much...." "It¡¯s okay. Honestly, I¡¯m a little nervous too." Despite ten years of absence, Sun-woo¡¯s fans hadn¡¯t changed at all. And beside him, Ha-eun smiled knowingly. "See? I told you they still love you." "...They really are incredible people." With the event wrapped up successfully, Sun-woo, Ha-eun, and Yun-seong took their seats in the very front row. In one minute, episode one of God and the Goblin would begin. But first¡ªboth Sun-woo and Yun-seong had a question. "Ha-eun." / "Ha-eun-ssi." "Oh! Jinx." "Uhm... Sunbae, you go first." Somehow, they had spoken at the same time. And due to seniority, Yun-seong had to wait his turn. "That woman in sunglasses earlier¡ªshe seemed close to you. Do you know her?" "Oh, I was going to ask the same thing." With that, both men¡¯s gazes turned to Ha-eun. Now, with two pairs of eyes fixed on her, she felt a bit cornered. Because... ¡®A colleague? Or just a fan...?¡¯ The woman who had collected all three of their autographs not long ago was Nael. For some reason, she was concealing her face more than usual today. As she hesitated, searching for the right explanation¡ª ¡ªFwoosh. The theater lights dimmed completely. And in that very moment, Ha-eun spoke in a near whisper. "She¡¯s... someone who likes me. A lot. She never misses an event I appear in." "Ahh." "No wonder she seemed familiar." And with that, episode one of God and the Goblin began. The opening sequence was soft, melancholic. It focused on Baek Jin and Baeksulhwa¡¯s relationship centuries ago. "As the third month passes, the azaleas bloom, their beauty envied by all." "As the fourth month ends, the nightingale returns. Yet, dear clerk, have you truly forgotten the past?" Dressed in a pure white hanbok, Baeksulhwa recited a poem. Beside her, Baek Jin sat in silence, listening intently. At this moment, before tragedy entered their lives, there was only peace¡ªonly poetry. Perhaps because the teaser had already revealed Baeksulhwa¡¯s fate, the atmosphere on screen felt even more sorrowful. Or maybe, it was just one of those rare cases. ¡ªSniff. ¡ªSniffle. ¡ª...Hic. Somewhere in the audience, someone was already crying. Turning her head slightly, Ha-eun¡¯s eyes landed on a very familiar face. ¡®Why are you crying already...?¡¯ Nael. She was furiously dabbing her eyes with tissues. Ha-eun froze. Then, she worried. Because the actual tearjerking scenes hadn¡¯t even started yet. And if Nael was already like this, then in just a **few minutes, she¡¯d be full-on sobbing. ¡®...Is she going to be okay...?¡¯ Watching Nael sniffle and wipe her tears, Ha-eun suddenly had a lot on her mind. Chapter 237 The overarching theme that runs through God and the Goblin is life and death. These two inseparable concepts are deeply embedded from the beginning to the end of the drama. However, since God and the Goblin is not a thick philosophy book but a drama with a storyline, the concepts of life and death are also presented in the form of a narrative. That narrative is the bond between the two protagonists, Baek Jin and Baeksulhwa. Thus, the theme of life and death is also expressed through these two characters. Ultimately, the past arc from centuries ago represents the death aspect within the theme of life and death. ¡ªCough, cough. ["...You''re here?"] ["How are you feeling?"] ["Please, don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s merely because I am weak. If I rest a little, I will be fine."] Episode 1, which had begun with a calm, everyday atmosphere, gradually grew darker. The audience at the premiere was met with Baeksulhwa, whose complexion was becoming paler by the moment. And then. ["I brewed some medicine. Even if it¡¯s difficult... please drink it."] Baek Jin, watching with heavy eyes as Baeksulhwa¡¯s condition worsened by the day. "This is heartbreaking." "I can¡¯t be the only one thinking of the old man next door, right?" Because the early part had been relatively quiet and wistful, the darkening mood felt even more poignant. In stories, wishing for the characters¡¯ happiness was almost a given. ["Tell me. Are you having trouble breathing? Does your stomach hurt?"] ["Just... if you are by my side, that is enough."] What truly tugged at the audience¡¯s emotions was Baeksulhwa¡¯s attempt to act as if nothing was wrong. Even though she knew her illness showed no signs of improvement, instead of voicing her pain, she merely offered a weak smile. ["Do not... lie to me. Do you think I do not know your condition is worsening?"] ["That is precisely why... I must smile all the more. Since you are so worried, my lord..."] ["...That smile hurts me, Sulhwa."] A girl who, even as she sensed death approaching, smiled until the end for Baek Jin¡¯s sake. That frail, fragile image somehow overlapped with Kim Jung-hyun from The Sunshine. "Why is she so good at acting, even in such painful scenes...?" A dry cough bursting forth with every breath. A face completely devoid of color. Faintly trembling, slender fingers. From start to finish, Nael found the performance to be excessively detailed. Because it was an acting scene that relied more on subtle body language than on dialogue, it felt even more real. Perhaps that was why. ["...You''re a little late today...."] Baeksulhwa, waiting alone for Baek Jin in a small thatched cottage, wearing a lonely expression. A dimly lit room where even the midday sunlight barely seeped in, filled with the sound of her labored breathing. Nael¡¯s vision kept blurring. Wiping with tissues did nothing to help. And still, the heartbreaking scenes did not end. In the silence, her small body swayed weakly, her lips trembled ever so slightly, and the occasional cough sounded unbearably painful. "Ah, I shouldn¡¯t be like this already." Taking off and putting on sunglasses repeatedly to wipe away tears. By now, the sunglasses felt almost useless. At least, thankfully, no one in the audience seemed to have recognized Nael. Then again, who would be paying attention to Nael¡¯s face at the first public screening of God and the Goblin? "Still, just in case... I should keep them on." Nael had come fully prepared, wearing dark sunglasses and a suffocating mask to hide their identity. The safest choice would have been not to come at all, but how could they possibly miss Ha-eun¡¯s new drama premiere? How, exactly? "Stay quiet, just stay qu¡ªahk...." Nael had truly meant to remain as quiet and composed as possible, focusing solely on the screening. But the real problem was Ha-eun on the screen. ["I might be a little late today. Don¡¯t wait up, go to sleep first."] ["When you return... would you bring me just one wildflower?"] ["A wildflower?"] ["I have never received one before. Even the smallest one would be enough...."] Baeksulhwa smiling softly at Baek Jin, who was heading off to war once again. That alone was enough to pierce Nael¡¯s heart. After all, this conversation was a classic trope. ["...I will bring one back for you."] A promise that was certain to remain unfulfilled. A prelude to the inevitable tragic ending. In all the works Nael had ever encountered, not once had such a promise been kept. Judging by the teaser footage, the very next scene had to be that scene. And sure enough¡ª ¡ªFind her! The goblin¡¯s woman is hiding in this village! The scene of the Jurchens, who had sworn vengeance on Baek Jin, raiding the village played out. Then came the bloodcurdling screams of the villagers. ["........."] As the sounds of the Jurchens approaching grew closer, Baeksulhwa realized her end had come. And yet, she still struggled to lift the sword resting in the corner of the room. Because she had made a promise. ¡ªCreak¡ª! ["...So it is you."] That today, as always, he would return. That today, he would bring back a wildflower just for her. ¡ªWhoosh¡ª! ¡ªThunk! ["...Ah...."] The benefactor who had taken in an orphaned girl and given her the name Baeksulhwa. The man she had secretly harbored feelings for. ¡ªThud. He had promised he would return. Just as he always had. And so, she endured. Just until Baek Jin came back. It didn¡¯t matter what happened, as long as she could see him once more. ["...General...."] She clung desperately to her fading breath. Simply because she longed to see him. And then, after what felt like an eternity¡ª ¡ªBang! A scarred hand slammed open the door of the small cottage. A flood of sunlight burst through in an instant. And beyond that golden light¡ª ["...You have... returned...."] The face she had longed to see. Slowly, she lifted her gaze. Beyond her already blurred vision, there he was. ["...Sulhwa...."] Gasping faintly for breath, she opened her lips to respond to his call. But her fading consciousness allowed her no time. ["No... this cannot be.... This cannot... be...."] Baek Jin, his eyes red with grief. Only at the very end did a frail hand struggle forward, grasping weakly at the hem of his robe. Snowflakes clung to his clothes, cold as death. ["You... kept your promise...."] As Baek Jin brought the pure white flowers from the field, just as she had asked, Baeksulhwa faintly smiled. But before she could finish her words¡ª thud. Her delicate arm slipped from his grasp, falling to the floor, losing even the last trace of warmth. Her faint smile, too, gradually faded into stillness. All that remained was a single tear, slipping down unnoticed from her closed eyes. Nothing else remained. Nael¡¯s tear ducts finally burst as they watched Baek Jin holding Baeksulhwa¡¯s lifeless body in disbelief. Their lips trembled, letting out a sound that was somewhere between a sob and a stifled breath. If there was any solace, it was the fact that Nael wasn¡¯t the only one sniffling. Several others in the audience were also wiping away their tears, making it a little less obvious. The screen gradually darkened. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. And then, in the pitch-black silence, the voice of a young narrator echoed through the speakers. "Once upon a time, a goblin lived." "With every step he took, blood splattered." "With every swing of his sword, screams rang out." "A yaksha who lost his child roamed the land, his hands stained with blood." "On nights of the red moon, he sought out the descendants of those who took his child away...." As the narration faded, the screen slowly brightened once more. ¡ªStep. ¡ªStep. Baek Jin appeared alone, staggering through the vast snowy field, his body battered and broken. Several arrows were still lodged in his back. Not long after, thud. His body, having reached its limit, collapsed onto the ground. And then¡ªanother set of footsteps approached. ["...Yaksha, answer the call of the reaper."] A black robe. A black gat. The one commonly referred to as a grim reaper appeared, looking down at Baek Jin as he lay sprawled in the snow. The audience murmured as Ha Yunseong, another lead actor in the drama, made his entrance. And almost simultaneously, a faint whisper¡ª ["Did it truly have to be this way?"] Baek Jin¡¯s hollow muttering. ["She was a pitiful child. One who never had the chance to fully bloom...."] As if questioning the gods themselves, he demanded an answer. What reason was there to make that child suffer so cruelly? If they intended to steal away even the last of her frail breaths, why had she been born into this world at all? But the only response was silence. Exhaling a hollow breath at the heavens¡¯ refusal to answer, Baek Jin no longer cared to listen to the grim reaper¡¯s words. ["A person dies when their ties to this world have ended. You cannot die because you have severed too many ties."] ["You will exist, immortal, to witness all. Only when your story truly ends will you find peace."] Having spoken his final decree, the grim reaper¡¯s lips curved into a subtle smile. Baek Jin, now neither living nor dead, would go on alone for centuries. Scenes flashed by in rapid succession, time rushing forward. From the Goryeo era to the modern day, the long years passed, changing Baek Jin countless times. And then¡ªat last, the moment he had waited for. The moment Baeksulhwa¡¯s reincarnation appeared before him. ¡ªStep. ¡ªStep. The same back view shown in the teaser, now heading toward the cafe? where Baeksulhwa was working. Nael¡¯s eyes grew red again. ["...Sir. Do I know you?"] ["I once did. Once, I held you close. And in the end... I could not forget. That is why I stand before you now."] ["Ah, I see. Well then, hold on a moment. I should call the police."] Thus, when Baek Jin and Baeksulhwa finally reunited¡ªthere were tears, but also laughter. Baeksulhwa¡¯s wary reaction toward Baek Jin was understandable, sad, and yet... a little funny. "...Haah...." As episode one ended with Baek Jin¡¯s final promise to meet again, Nael let out a deep breath. They had cried far more than expected, but at least there would be no more sad scenes. Yes, in episode two, surely it would focus on how Baek Jin and Baeksulhwa¡¯s connection first began. How Baek Jin would approach Baeksulhwa, who was living a poor and difficult life. And yet¡ª ["...Mister. Would you... want me to live...?"] Why. ["Live. Live, and see the flowers bloom in spring."] Why again. ["...Baek (white), Jin (to advance). That is... my name."] ["Call it aloud. So that I may hear. So that I may always find you."] "Hic, hhic...!!" Why did it have to shatter their tear ducts again. ["I will not leave ? N§àv§Öl?g?§ä ? (Continue reading) your story buried in misfortune and sorrow. I swear it."] The strangely drawn-out ending of episode two. As Baeksulhwa wept bitterly, worn down by the weight of reality, Baek Jin spoke his quiet vow. And Nael... once again sobbed uncontrollably. This premiere had been utterly devastating to Nael from beginning to end. There was no other way to describe it. "If I¡¯d known, hhic, I was gonna be like this, hhic, I wouldn¡¯t have come to the premiereeee...." The moment the screening ended, Nael dashed to the restroom and wailed. They picked up their phone, which had been ringing for some time, only to immediately set it back down. [ Ji-hye, where are you¡ª ] "I don¡¯t knoooow... hhic...." [ ...I knew this would happen. ] *** [ Be honest. Ji-hye, did you go or not? ] "I, I did go.... But... I was wrapped up in sunglasses and a mask, so I didn¡¯t get recognized at first." [ Unbelievable... but at least you tried to be discreet. ] "Tried...? Tried to stay barefaced?" [ No, well... there¡¯s just... something like that, Ha-eun. Anyway, I¡¯ll talk to Ji-hye myself. ] And with that, click. Ji Hye-min¡¯s voice, sounding oddly suspicious today, was cut off. It would have been a blatant lie to say Ha-eun wasn¡¯t at all curious. But at the moment, she was at the afterparty dinner for God and the Goblin''s premiere. "Ha-eun, come on, cheers with us." "Ah, yes." Instead of calling Ji Hye-min again, she simply raised her glass of cold water. The crisp clinking of glasses rang through the air. "The sirloin is cooked perfectly, Ha-eun. Eat before it burns." "Yes, yes." From then on, she was too busy moving her chopsticks. Whether it was because she was the youngest or simply old habits lingering, both Kang Sun-woo and Ha Yunseong kept looking after her. It was only after the atmosphere had mellowed that Ha-eun asked Kang Sun-woo about his thoughts on the premiere. "Aren¡¯t you glad you came?" "...Yeah." The conversation naturally revolved around the screening. How Kang Sun-woo¡¯s expression had looked genuinely happy. How, even though it had been a long time since he appeared publicly, the cheers remained unchanged. "Sunbae, you¡¯re still as popular as ever~." "You¡¯re one to talk. Nearly half the audience seemed like they were your fans." "My fans are your fans, mister." What mattered was that even after all this time, Kang Sun-woo¡¯s fans had welcomed him warmly. Just as Ha-eun had said a few days ago, the scene had unfolded just as expected. Seeing the audience¡¯s reaction had reassured Ha-eun. Though her case was slightly different from Kang Sun-woo¡¯s, she, too, was about to make her return. "They won¡¯t necessarily... welcome me. But still, at the very least, they¡¯ll say it¡¯s nice to see me again. Right?" And so, about three hours after the afterparty ended¡ª ¡ªClick click click. [Oren10000¡î] With slight anticipation, Ha-eun started her stream, bringing an end to Diah¡¯s roughly two-week-long ice age. "Hello, hello~. I missed you~." ¡ªFinally, Diah has crawled back ¡ªNice to meet you for the first time ¡ªDo it ¡ªExcuse me, but who are you? ¡ªIt ¡ªCome here right now ?????? ¡ªCrybaby Season #138424 Returns ¡ªDo it ¡ªWow, she¡¯s from the third gen now lololol ¡ªIs it true Diah was the only one who missed the flight? ¡ªIt ¡ªI heard she swam here alone, is that true?? "...Why am I getting flamed the moment I arrive." The reactions were far too different from the God and the Goblin premiere. She had expected a much warmer, more heartfelt reunion. But reality was cruel. Chapter 238 Ha-eun admitted that her break had gone on a bit too long. The friends who had traveled with her had already returned to their streams, yet Diah alone remained on hiatus. That was definitely strange. Of course, she could explain in full detail why Diah had delayed her return. She just couldn¡¯t deal with the consequences. "No need to burn down the whole house just to catch a single flea." Saying she was busy with other schedules was a safer excuse than giving a full explanation. Expecting everyone to understand personal circumstances she couldn¡¯t share was, honestly, too much to ask. But still¡ª "Huh? That¡¯s weird. Where did all the Noeulis who said they missed me go?" ¡ª They ¡ã? N o v e l i g h t ?¡ã froze to death, obviously.. ¡ª Diah... it¡¯s so cold... my eyes... are closing... shiver shiver shiver... ¡ª I shivered on the streets until I died of exposure ¡ª So why were you late? ¡ª Noeulis are people too! If you don¡¯t stream, we starve to death! ¡ª My chicken got cold... Before she could even say a word, the chat had already exploded into flames. So, first, she had to handle the raging masses. The problem was that no matter what Diah said, the chat remained utterly chaotic. "Nothing serious happened! I was just a tiny bit... just a tiny bit busier than usual. That¡¯s all! Sorry for being late...!" ¡ª But still, it¡¯s nice to see you again ¡ª Weren¡¯t we your only ones? Weren¡¯t we your only ones? Weren¡¯t we your only ones? Weren¡¯t we your only ones? ¡ª If ¡°sorry¡± was enough, why do we have laws? Why do we have police?! ¡ª I don¡¯t feel the sincerity ¡ª So when¡¯s the acrostic poem contest judging? ¡ª Damn, it¡¯s been a while Some Noeulis started to calm down at Diah¡¯s apology, while others grew even wilder. Of course, any truly excessive messages were being handled by the moderators. But from Diah¡¯s perspective¡ªwho actually had to keep the stream running¡ªit wasn¡¯t exactly a pleasant sight. "Hmm...." So, she racked her brain, searching for a way to regain control of her own stream. ¡ªClap, clap. "Alright, everyone, focus, focus!" After clapping twice to grab attention, she quickly switched the stream screen from her room to the broadcasting setup screen. "If you keep this up, I¡¯ll have no choice but to press... this blue button...!" ¡ª Gasp ¡ª What ¡ª ? ¡ª Oh no ¡ª Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry ¡ª STOP!! ¡ª This is a cheat code, wtf Now fully embracing her role as a terrorist, Diah threatened the Noeulis in chat. If they didn¡¯t settle down, everyone would go down together in flames. After all, hadn¡¯t they all wanted to see her? "Geez, at this rate, I won¡¯t even last an hour. My hand¡¯s on the mouse right now~. You better stop me before it¡¯s too late~!" ¡ª There will be no negotiations with terrorists ¡ª Go ahead ¡ª Be my guest ¡ª Leaving already? ¡ª Diah, it was fun, see you next time "Huh? After two whole weeks, you¡¯re just gonna watch for 20 minutes and leave? I¡¯m really ending the stream, you better stop me!" ¡ª LOL ¡ª (Without you, I¡¯ll perish) ¡ª Why do you ignore us when we tell you to come back, but now that we say leave, you¡¯re staying? ¡ª Stealth power struggle ¡ª Diah, you¡¯re cute ¡ª Fine, here, take my hand ¡ª Ah, this is that familiar taste ¡ª Is she turning into a menhera now? She continued her half-joking, half-serious threats with the end stream button, but it seemed the Noeulis had grown immune over time. Most of them didn¡¯t even flinch. So, she made good on her threat. "Art...!" ¡ª ? ¡ª Oh no ¡ª If she leaves, we¡¯re actually screwed ¡ª We''re done for ¡ª Oh god "...is an EXPLOSION!!" ¡ª Ding. [ The stream of Diah has ended. ] They had to learn, just once, that the bomb would actually go off. And extreme measures were sometimes necessary for self-regulation. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. Why is medicine bitter? Because it¡¯s good for you. ¡ª OPEN THE DOOR!!! ¡ª BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG ¡ª Only after the flowers have fallen do we realize it was spring... ¡ª Come back, come back, come back, come back, come back, come back, come back... ¡ª Diah, I love you!!!! ¡ª COME BACKKKKKKKK ¡ª I WAS WRONG I WAS WRONG I WAS WRONG I WAS WRONG I WAS WRONG There was no way Diah was going to let her stream descend into complete chaos. Instead of going live again right away, she spent some time looking up news articles about God and the Goblin''s premiere, letting the Noeulis stew in their suffering for a while. As she sneakily glanced at the now differently chaotic chat, she finally started the stream again about ten minutes later. [Oren10000¡î (Second Try)] "Hello hello~! It¡¯s been a while, everyone~! First time seeing you in two weeks~. You missed me, right~?" ¡ª You promised to return! You promised to return! You promised to return! You promised to return! ¡ª I missed you, T^T ¡ª Wait, is this de?ja? vu? ¡ª The missing two weeks, damn... ¡ª Diah <<< literally cannot stop threatening us ¡ª ¡°Okaeri¡± ¡ª I missed you so much "Mmhmm, yeah yeah. So you all really missed me~. I knew my Noeulis were the best~." Her voice was noticeably brighter. Ha-eun, satisfied after successfully restoring order with her surprise end-stream move, grinned in contentment. With the chat now tamed, she moved on to the originally planned content¡ªjudging the acrostic poem event. Perhaps because they had already been through one "terrorist attack" under the name of a forced stream shutdown, the chat atmosphere had mellowed out. "Oh, way more people participated than I expected?" As Diah logged into the Illusionary Realm cafe, she scanned through the various acrostic poems. But for some reason¡ª "No. Noeulis leaving me behind to play around. Eu. Extremely fun, actually. I. I¡¯m telling you, totally worth it. ...WHY is this the winning entry?!" The acrostic poem with the highest number of votes was a direct slander piece against Diah. On top of that, they had even attached a fanart of Diah with a downright villainous expression. "..............." Diah¡¯s virtual avatar glared so hard at the winner¡¯s username, it was like she was trying to burn a hole through the screen. The chat immediately erupted, sensing her shift in expression. ¡ª Uh oh, she¡¯s getting hostile ¡ª Perfect score... perfect score... ¡ª LMAO ¡ª You win ¡ª Diah¡¯s true feelings got exposed lol ¡ª How can the event host win her own event ¡ª This dude is definitely getting the plushie Honestly, she wanted to disqualify it right then and there. The acrostic poems she had envisioned weren¡¯t ones roasting her¡ªthey were supposed to be heartfelt. Rather than give her precious plushie to some cheeky Noeuli, she wanted it to go to someone who had written something touching. And yet, she couldn¡¯t outright reject this one¡ªbecause it had the highest number of votes. "Hold on, who said this was the winner? I didn¡¯t confirm it yet~!" ¡ª What ¡ª Boohoo ¡ª If this isn¡¯t the winner, then what is??? ¡ª It was funny, just give them the plushie ¡ª Majority vote, let¡¯s go Ignoring all those likes on the post would definitely cause some backlash. Sure, technically, the winner was supposed to be chosen based on Diah¡¯s personal judgment. But she still had to consider the Noeulis¡¯ collective opinion. So¡ª "Well, I guess I have no choice. Alright, I¡¯ll take Noeulis¡¯ opinions into account too." She pretended to yield to the crowd¡¯s demands. And almost at the same time, she opened Discord. ¡ª? ¡ª? ¡ª? ¡ª? [ "H-hello? Diah-senpai?" ] "Yep, Nael~. I need a Noeuli¡¯s opinion~." She had called the most undeniable Noeuli in existence. The chat was soon filled with question marks. But Diah didn¡¯t even blink. They had told her to reflect Noeulis¡¯ opinions in the judgment. And that¡¯s exactly what she was doing. "Alright, Nael, tell me. Do you think this acrostic poem deserves a plushie?" [ "Uh, um... honestly, it was kinda funny¡ª" ] "AHEM!!" [ "Oh, wait. Not the right answer. Got it." ] Having fully grasped Ha-eun¡¯s unspoken intentions, Nael immediately switched to harsh criticism. Diah¡¯s avatar nodded along, humming in satisfaction. [ "It had some wit, but... it failed to grasp the event host¡¯s intended theme." ] "That¡¯s what Nael says~. Everyone heard that, right?" ¡ª Rigged beyond belief ¡ª Is this for real LMAO ¡ª Unbelievable ¡ª This is a major controversy ¡ª Nael, if you''re being held hostage, wave a carrot ¡ª How is this any different from a dictatorship ¡ª Diah is a well-known tyrant, actually And so, the top-voted acrostic poem was put on hold. Then, after announcing she¡¯d be stepping away for a moment, Ha-eun got up from her chair. "Nael, take care of the Noeulis for me~." [ "H-huh?!" ] "It¡¯ll only be a second~!" ¡ª Click. The sound of the soundproof booth door opening and closing was caught on the broadcast mic. Ha-eun¡¯s destination: the bathroom. Which meant... until she returned, Nael had to host the stream in her place. [ "Uh, okay... what should I talk about?" ] Thrown into the role of temporary host, Nael hesitated, utterly bewildered. At the same time, the chat flooded with gossip. ¡ª Our baby has lost her way ¡ª Nael, do you know why she was late? ¡ª She doesn¡¯t love us anymore... sigh... ¡ª We were freezing, Nael, do you understand our pain ¡ª Ask Squirrel to extend Diah¡¯s stream time ¡ª The Ice Age isn¡¯t over yetttttt "...What do I do." Nael had just been scolded by Ji Hye-min not too long ago, so they were hesitant to say anything reckless. Truthfully, they had debated whether to even pick up Diah¡¯s call. But right now, they were the only Noeuli who knew the real situation. So, Nael took it upon themselves to cover for Diah. [ "U-uh, well, guys... actually, Diah-senpai collapsed while on vacation. She said the ground was shaking and everything..." ] ¡ª ? ¡ª What ¡ª ??? ¡ª What are you even saying [ "Even earlier, I saw her coughing nonstop, and my heart was aching, you know? I¡¯ve never seen her look that sick before." ] [ "But she said she had to stream today, so she pushed herself. Please don¡¯t be too hard on her, everyone." ] Not entirely untrue statements. But also statements that left room for major misunderstandings. Perhaps that¡¯s why¡ª ¡ªClick. ¡ªStep, step. "I¡¯m back. Sorry for the wait." ¡ª Diah, don¡¯t be sick, T^T ¡ª We¡¯re sorry we¡¯re sorry we¡¯re sorry we¡¯re sorry we¡¯re sorry we¡¯re sorry ¡ª Your health comes first, Diah ¡ª We didn¡¯t even know... we didn¡¯t even know... we didn¡¯t even know... ¡ª Please, just don¡¯t graduate ¡ª If you¡¯re sick, take a break "...?" By the time Ha-eun returned to the booth, the Noeulis¡¯ attitude had done a complete 180. She had only been gone for 10 minutes. Yet somehow, something had happened. And she had no idea what. Chapter 239 Diah''s streaming schedule had undeniably become less frequent compared to the past. As Ha-eun''s schedule grew busier, the time she could dedicate to streaming naturally decreased. In a way, this was inevitable. The longer time passed, the greater the fame and popularity of actress Lee Ha-eun grew. Streaming almost daily like in the early days was simply no longer realistic. ¡®If only I could use shadow clones or something... but I¡¯m not a ninja.¡¯ Of course, her current streaming schedule wasn¡¯t exactly rare either. The decrease in frequency was only in comparison to Diah¡¯s past, relatively speaking. Compared to other members of Fantasia, the difference wasn¡¯t significant enough to matter. Except for one thing. Whenever she happened to take a break, the duration was strangely long. Ding![ An anonymous user has donated 50,000 won! ] : You didn¡¯t end up hospitalized after your trip, did you? [ eternalyg has donated 50,000 won! ] : You said nothing serious happened, nothing serious happened, nothing serious happened, nothing serious happened¡ª Thanks to Nael¡¯s concerned tone¡ªagitation and exaggeration included¡ªthe rumor about Diah¡¯s supposed poor health had spread. Now, the long gaps in Diah¡¯s streaming were being linked to hospitalization. "Uh... um... I¡¯m not really sure what you¡¯re all talking about...." It was only natural for Ha-eun to be flustered at the sudden rumors about her health. If there was one thing Ha-eun had always been confident about, it was her physical condition. She had no reason to be sick, and she certainly wasn¡¯t hiding anything. However, people tend to hear only what they want to hear. The confusion in Diah¡¯s voice was misinterpreted as the pitiful denial of someone trying to hide an illness. To make matters worse, around this same time last year, Daramji had made an announcement about adjusting Diah¡¯s streaming schedule due to health issues. Diah, please stay healthy!Take care of your voice, Diah!We don¡¯t mind if you stream less often, just stay with us for a long time! ???Don¡¯t overdo it!You have to stay healthy so you can stream forever!Nael¡¯s propaganda of ¡®She¡¯s pushing herself even though she¡¯s struggling¡¯ had completely taken effect. "I- I told you I¡¯m fine! It¡¯s weird, so just act normal! Like always!" ?????????A frail beauty, gaspIt feels like my heart is breaking...(crying emoji) x8I¡¯ll behave, I¡¯m sorry, I won¡¯t leave leftovers anymore, I¡¯ll finish all my homework!We love you, Diah!Take a good rest, we¡¯ll be here!For the first time since she started streaming as Diah, Ha-eun found herself faced with an overwhelmingly warm and affectionate chat. Compared to the usual teasing and mischievous remarks, this was a complete transformation. The shocking (and false) news that the always-smiling Diah was actually struggling in silence had been enough to discipline the Noeuls. A stark contrast effect. [ Senpai, mute your mic for a second and check your messages. ] "Ah, okay." The news that Diah had collapsed during her trip stood in direct contrast to her usual bright and cheerful demeanor, creating a wave of sympathy among the Noeuls. It was exactly the kind of reaction Nael had seen in countless¡ªmainly romance¡ªnovels before. So, at this moment, she decided to ask Ha-eun to play along. It was also the perfect opportunity to turn the increasingly unruly Noeuls into more well-behaved and gentle fans. [ Lee Ji-hye (Nael) ] - Here¡¯s what¡¯s happening right now. [ Lee Ji-hye (Nael) ] - Ah, there¡¯s already a clip. [ Lee Ji-hye (Nael) ] - (Link to a clip of Nael talking about Diah¡¯s health) [ Lee Ha-eun (Diah) ] - Isn¡¯t this about a drama, not me?? [ Lee Ji-hye (Nael) ] - Collapsed during a trip? ? Coughing in front of me? ? Looked seriously unwell? ? [ Lee Ji-hye (Nael) ] - I didn¡¯t lie! [ Lee Ha-eun (Diah) ] - (shocked otter emoji) After quickly explaining what had happened while Ha-eun was away, Nael went on to elaborate on the scenario she had in mind. [ Lee Ji-hye (Nael) ] - (Screenshot of an article about the press screening for God and the Goblin) [ Lee Ji-hye (Nael) ] - (Zoomed-in part of the article with the phrase ¡®evokes sympathy¡¯) [ Lee Ji-hye (Nael) ] - We should subtly play up the ¡®frail beauty¡¯ angle from time to time! [ Lee Ji-hye (Nael) ] - Even Noeuls won¡¯t joke about health matters. [ Lee Ha-eun (Diah) ] - But I¡¯m really healthy... [ Lee Ji-hye (Nael) ] - You don¡¯t have to fake being sick. [ Lee Ji-hye (Nael) ] - Just be vague when Noeuls ask about your health. [ Lee Ji-hye (Nael) ] - (Link to TreeWiki article explaining the ¡®frail beauty¡¯ trope) [ Lee Ji-hye (Nael) ] - This kind of thing works well. [ Lee Ji-hye (Nael) ] - It¡¯s an absolute win. [ Lee Ji-hye (Nael) ] - Trust me. ¡®...Hmm....¡¯ A brief moment of hesitation. Adding a ¡®frail health¡¯ trait to Diah¡¯s RP was an idea she¡¯d never considered before, so she wasn¡¯t sure if it was the right move. However, looking at the chat now, most of the messages were overwhelmingly kind. She¡¯d never been able to get this kind of warmth from them, no matter how much effort she put in before. And so, in the end... [ Lee Ji-hye (Nael) ] - The key is to stay vague. [ Lee Ji-hye (Nael) ] - Not a Yes or No, just something like [ Lee Ji-hye (Nael) ] - ¡®I¡¯ll take care of my health¡¯ as a promise. "Ah, I¡¯ll do my best to stay healthy. So, let¡¯s stop talking about it now~." She followed Nael¡¯s advice on how to steer the conversation. And almost immediately, the response was¡ª Yes??Everyone, quietNo more health talkListen to DiahGoodNo need to push yourselfLet¡¯s keep streaming for a long time!(Noeul waving glow sticks emoji) x6The chat had transformed into an oddly wholesome atmosphere. It was both baffling and ridiculous how easily the vibe had changed. Why couldn¡¯t they just be this nice all the time? ¡®I don¡¯t like being fussed over, but... hmm....¡¯ This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. Ha-eun had never been comfortable with people worrying about her, whether in the past or now. But no matter how she looked at it, the Noeuls had softened up because they were worried about Diah. Well, in any case. Right now, she needed to finish judging the acrostic poem contest. "Alright, let¡¯s take a look at the next one." She went back to reading through the event submissions in Fantasia¡¯s official cafe. Though, by this point, almost all the Noeuls had become obedient yes-men. Oddly enough, she didn¡¯t really mind it. About thirty minutes later, the five winners who would receive Diah¡¯s plush dolls had been decided. "...And that¡¯s the five! Congrats~! Clap, clap, clap~." ??????Ah, damn it!These are rare Diah plushies she picked herself!I¡¯m so jealous!After noting down the final winners¡¯ usernames in a memo, Diah asked them to leave their addresses in a private comment. With that, the second part of the stream¡ªBattle Island¡ªbegan. Somehow, Nael ended up playing too, but that didn¡¯t really matter. Games were always more fun with more people. "Ah, jump, Nael! You need to jump now!" [ "Y-yeah! Okay!" ] After landing right in the middle of Battle Island''s vast map with Nael, everything went as usual. Until they finished looting supplies like first-aid kits ?N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t? and rifles, there was nothing out of the ordinary. Even when enemy players appeared in the distance, clearly lining up a sniper shot at Diah and Nael¡ª Even when the distant sound of a vehicle approaching made them prepare for an ambush¡ª Everything seemed just like any other Battle Island stream. Step, step.Thud.Thud.[ Donation incoming! Please take these, both of you! ] ¡°...Huh?¡± [ Diah, fighting! Nael, fighting! Fantasia, fighting~~!! ] Instead of attacking them, the enemy players donated all their items. Then, without firing a single shot, they disappeared off into the distance. "W-what...?" [ "I think they¡¯re our fans, senpai." ] "No way. If they were our fans, they would¡¯ve shot at us the moment they saw us." [ "Gasp." ] Excuse me, what did you just say?What do you think we are??We''re fans, fans, fans, fans, fans, fans!!!Not all Noeulis are evil, okay?Diah, that hurts...That wasn¡¯t a stream sniper, that was a golden goblin!Today was full of first-time experiences. Not thrilling enough to make her jump with excitement, but not unpleasant enough to make her scream in frustration either. Just somewhere in between. *** After Diah¡¯s return stream¡ª which had somehow turned into a collab with Nael¡ª ended, Nael heard Ha-eun¡¯s voice through the Discord call. "Good job today." Immediately, Nael responded in a high-pitched voice, "You too, Ha-eun!" For Nael, there was absolutely no reason to refuse a collab with Ha-eun.f?eewe?n?ve?.com That was also why she had stayed in the call even after the acrostic poem contest was over. However, about a week later¡ª The day before Ha-eun and Lenny¡¯s joint concert¡ª [ Jeong Hwa-yoon ] - Hey. [ Jeong Hwa-yoon ] - Are you really not going? [ Nael ] - I have my reasons...! [ Nael ] - It¡¯s not like I don¡¯t want to go!! [ Jeong Hwa-yoon ] - Ugh. [ Jeong Hwa-yoon ] - You sound like some tragic heroine. The thought of missing the concert only made her more miserable. She took out her frustration on an innocent pillow. Thud, thud, thud, thud!!"Ughhh!!" Technically, she had already messaged Ha-eun, telling her she wouldn¡¯t be able to make it. But no matter how much she thought about it, the idea of missing Ha-eun¡¯s concert felt like too much of a waste. Sure, a full recording of the concert would be released later, but nothing could replace the feeling of actually being there. Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud!!"Why... why only meee?!" It wasn¡¯t that she didn¡¯t understand Ji-haemin¡¯s request to avoid attending events related to Ha-eun. Nael didn¡¯t want weird rumors spreading about her and Ha-eun either. Even just being spotted in the same space as Ha-eun could start gossip. Though, to be honest, the chances of that happening didn¡¯t seem that high... Still, she couldn¡¯t deny that there was a possibility. Screeeech¡ª!"If you¡¯re going to lose your mind, at least do it quietly! Don¡¯t ruin an expensive pillow for no reason!" "You don¡¯t understand my feelings, Mom!!" "Oh, please." Unable to suppress her frustration, Nael agonized over it for a while. And in the end, she couldn¡¯t let it go. She started searching for any canceled tickets to the joint concert. Click, click.Click, click."...It¡¯s obviously going to be sold out, but... just in case...." Realistically, even Nael didn¡¯t expect to find any cancellations. After all, Lee Ha-eun and Lenny were not minor names. But then, as if fate was playing a joke on her¡ª "Wh-what?!" Somehow, she found a canceled ticket. And, as if possessed, she immediately booked it. The only problem was¡ª "...What do I tell the director?" Not too long ago, she had gotten scolded by Ji-haemin for attending the press screening of God and the Goblin. Well, maybe not scolded exactly... But she had gotten an earful for going up on stage and hugging Kang Sun-woo, Ha-eun, and Ha Yun-seong in succession. "...Ugh, whatever. Let¡¯s deal with that later." In the end, she decided to talk it over with Ji-haemin. She couldn¡¯t just sneak off to Ha-eun¡¯s concert without saying anything. And so¡ª ????[ ...Hello? Ji-hae? ] "Ah, um... Do you have a moment to talk?" Nael finally made the call to Ji-haemin. [ Hmm... You don¡¯t sound like someone who just wants to talk on the phone. ] She got caught before she could even say anything. [ If you don¡¯t mind, meet me in person. My dinner plans just got canceled. ] "...Alright." She had planned to just talk over the phone, but somehow, she ended up meeting Ji-haemin in person instead. "Ah, Ji-hae, over here!" Of course, she was nervous. No matter how much they joked around or streamed together, Ji-haemin was still the company¡¯s director. That title didn¡¯t change. But at this moment, her devotion as a Ha-eun fan outweighed everything else. "Director, do you... want some soju?" "Hmm... Something¡¯s definitely up. Sure, order it." Nael was determined to persuade Ji-haemin. Even if she had to rely on alcohol to do it. Completely unaware of just how much of a heavyweight Ji-haemin was. Chapter 240 "Everyone who watches my streams already knows I¡¯m a huge Ha-eun fan! What¡¯s the point in me avoiding her on purpose, huh...?" "As long as I don¡¯t meet Ha-eun alone in private, it should be fine...! Of course, meeting up one-on-one at a cafe? or something would look suspicious, but...! This is a concert, a concert...!" Nael¡¯s face was flushed red from the alcohol. Her words were interrupted by occasional sniffles. "I barely managed to get a canceled ticket this time... Director, you know how impossible it is to get concert tickets...." "I¡¯ll just sit quietly and clap! I won¡¯t say Ha-eun¡¯s name¡ªno, I just won¡¯t open my mouth at all...! So, hic. Just let me go this once, pleeease...." Her words all boiled down to one thing: I want to go to the concert. Originally, she had planned to persuade Ji-haemin more calmly. But after downing shot after shot of soju for courage, her tongue had started twisting. She could barely keep her head up, slumped over the table instead. With her small frame and naturally cute features, Nael¡¯s current state was downright adorable. ¡®...I really want to take a picture and send it to the group chat.¡¯ For Ji-haemin, who wasn¡¯t even close to being drunk yet, the sight in front of her was amusing in many ways. She knew full well that describing an adult as adorable wasn¡¯t the most appropriate thing, but still¡ªNael looked undeniably cute. "Is that all you wanted to say?" "A-are you mad...? Director, are you mad...? Uwaaah, I¡¯m sorry...!!" "No, I¡¯m not mad. I was just about to answer you." Seeing Nael panic, Ji-haemin let out a small chuckle and leaned back slightly. Then, she reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of Nael¡¯s hair behind her ear. "You can go to the concert. How could I tell someone who wants to go this badly not to?" The unexpectedly easy answer left Nael momentarily doubting her ears. She never thought she¡¯d get permission this quickly. "R-really...? I can really go?" "I mean, it¡¯s not like you¡¯re going there to commit a crime. It¡¯s fine. And you even got a canceled ticket." Right after that, Ji-haemin made it clear what Nael could and couldn¡¯t do. After all, Nael couldn¡¯t come asking for permission every single time. "As long as you don¡¯t interact with Ha-eun in public or do anything that makes it obvious you have a personal connection with her, it¡¯s fine." "Then, at the God and the Goblin press screening... why did you scold meee...?" "You hugged Ha-eun on stage and took pictures with her. Did anyone complain about you just attending the screening?" "Well, technically... I got in through a raffle, so I didn¡¯t really have a choi¡ª" "Hmm?" "...I¡¯m sorry... I was careless...." Worried that Ji-haemin might change her mind at the last second, Nael quickly bowed her head. Thinking back, it really had been a bit reckless. Well, anyway¡ª Now that her main goal was achieved¡ª "Director, I have a question." She decided to just chat about whatever came to mind. After all, drinking sessions were a place to open up about thoughts and feelings. "Sometime, somedayyy... Ha-eun¡¯s identity will be exposed. What will you do then?" "Of course! Ideally, it would never be exposed, buuut... Realistically, that¡¯s impossible." Nael, now completely drunk, asked in a mix of curiosity and skepticism. When the day came that Diah¡¯s red pill was revealed, what would Ji-haemin do? Would she let Ha-eun keep streaming? Or would she take some kind of action? "There¡¯ll be news articles and everything... She might even end up on the 9 o¡¯clock news...." "Honestly, it would be more surprising if there weren¡¯t articles. It¡¯s not like Ha-eun is just moderately famous." To be fair, Ji-haemin had already thought about the consequences of Diah¡¯s identity being revealed. When she first brought Ha-eun into Fantasia, the very first thing she had considered was what would happen if Diah¡¯s identity were exposed? ¡®Of course, no one would hate her. Who could possibly dislike Ha-eun?¡¯ Even if the truth came out, it wouldn¡¯t be a bad thing for Diah¡¯s channel. If anything, it would probably draw more attention rather than less. After all, the words Diah and red pill didn¡¯t even belong in the same sentence. Among all VTubers out there, there was no bluer pill than "Lee Ha-eun." However, outside of streaming¡ª In terms of Ha-eun¡¯s public image¡ªthere would definitely be some backlash. "I¡¯ll just let Ha-eun decide. If she wants to quit streaming, then... there¡¯s nothing I can do about it." Ji-haemin had no intention of forcing Ha-eun to continue streaming if she didn¡¯t want to. After all, Ha-eun would be the one most affected by the reveal. "Director, what if you just... called all the journalists...! And made them take down all the articles...?" "I¡¯m not some giant conglomerate CEO. I can¡¯t do that." Ji-haemin took another sip of soju before continuing. No matter what happened, all she wanted was for Ha-eun to be happy. She didn¡¯t want Ha-eun to regret any of the time she spent streaming as Diah. "It¡¯s funny, isn¡¯t it? Streaming isn¡¯t a crime, but we¡¯re all so anxious about the red pill... Just thinking about the ridiculous articles that¡¯ll come out already gives me a headache." "Then just sue them alllll! People only realize they messed up when they have to stand in front of a judge...." "Haha. Should I? Just sue them all?" "Yeeees!" Hearing Nael¡¯s sincere (if intoxicated) voice, Ji-haemin let out a light laugh and tipped back her glass. The entire conversation had been nothing but nonsense, but she didn¡¯t mind. And so, they went back and forth, exchanging thoughts about an uncertain future. By the time Ji-haemin¡¯s vision started to blur slightly, she finally stood up and left the restaurant. Afterward, she hailed a taxi for Nael, who was already completely wasted. "Enjoy the concert." "Yees, Directoooor... Thank youuuu...." She stood there for a moment, silently watching the taxi disappear into the distance. After all the things she had discussed with Nael, she found herself lost in thought. "...I wonder what Ha-eun is doing right now." *** "You''re saying you''ll cover Double Lee''s part yourself, Hyunmin?" [ "Yes. Rather than just playing the MR, wouldn''t it be better if I made a surprise appearance? It¡¯d get a better reaction, don¡¯t you think?" ] At a hotel near Seoul World Cup Stadium. Having just entered her hotel room, Ha-eun paused for a moment to consider Song Hyunmin''s sudden suggestion. Either way, Ha-eun was set to perform her solo songs at this joint concert. Of course, given that it was a joint concert, this was only natural. But since Double Lee, who had featured in Ha-eun¡¯s album, wouldn¡¯t be attending this time, their parts were supposed to be replaced with MR. However¡ª [ "I''ll back you up properly. Consider it my way of returning the favor for featuring in your album." ] "Have you... practiced it before? Personally?" [ "I''ve already memorized all the lyrics, so don¡¯t worry." ] "Ah, in that case... I''ll leave it to you." This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. And so, somehow, Song Hyunmin ended up replacing the MR with a live performance. Like Lee Joon and Lee Geon-yeol from Double Lee, Song Hyunmin was also a well-known and talented male singer. Time continued to pass¡ª And soon, morning arrived in the vast hotel. "Let''s go, Ha-eun. Lenny said she¡¯ll be leaving soon too." "Ah, okay." As always, Ha-eun had woken up early. She left her hotel room with Ju Jung-yoon and headed to today''s venue: Seoul World Cup Stadium. ¡®This place is huge....¡¯ The preparations for Ha-eun and Lenny''s joint concert were in full swing, and the stadium felt overwhelmingly massive. The number of seats alone was three times that of Gocheok Sky Dome. As the fifth-largest stadium in Asia and the largest stadium in Korea, Seoul World Cup Stadium was simply enormous. The thought that, in just a few hours, this entire space would be filled with people who had come to see her and Lenny was mind-boggling. "Oh, there you are, Ha-eun." "Ah, unnie. You¡¯re here." Ha-eun, who had been gazing around at the endless rows of seats, joined up with Lenny and moved toward the rehearsal area. What followed was a discussion about Ha-eun and Lenny''s stage entrances and movement routes. "Have you ever been on a lift before?" "I did once at a university festival. But I¡¯ve never been on one suspended in midair like this." "It¡¯s fun. When it gets dark at night, it really feels like you¡¯re flying." After that, Ha-eun and Lenny spent quite a while rehearsing on stage. Given the scale of the concert, the performance time was naturally quite long as well. More than anything, Park Yeon-woo, a special guest, was set to attend this concert. He had fought and won against a grueling battle with illness. For his sake as well, Ha-eun was determined to make this concert the best it could be. ¡®Will he recognize my voice?¡¯ Lost in such thoughts, she continued rehearsing. It wasn''t until long lines started forming outside the stadium that she finally moved to the makeup area. Before long, she was dressed in a black-toned gown. It looked like something straight {N?o?v?e?l?i?g?h?t} out of the medieval nobility¡ªflowy and extravagant beyond her expectations. "Ugh, it keeps dragging on the floor...." The dress trailing along the ground bothered her every time she moved. Ju Jung-yoon was holding up the hem to help, but until she changed into her next outfit, she figured she should move as little as possible. Not even ten minutes later¡ª "...Congrats on your first dome concert." -Tap.- A familiar voice spoke from behind her. At the same time, she felt something soft touch her back. "Huh...? Huh??" "If someone saw you, they¡¯d think you just saw a ghost. Why are you so startled?" Turning around, she found Da-yeon, handing her a bouquet of flowers. Before Ha-eun could even respond, another familiar voice chimed in¡ªalong with another bouquet. "Damn, I thought I¡¯d be the first one here. Guess I¡¯m late this time." ¡®...Didn¡¯t this exact thing happen last year too?¡¯ Just like at the Infinite Challenge Song Festival the previous year, Ha-eun, Da-yeon, and Yoo Seong-jae had all gathered in one place. And, as expected, the moment their gazes met, sparks began to fly between Da-yeon and Seong-jae. "And why are you here again?" "I missed my wife. Thought I¡¯d drop by." "That ¡®wife¡¯ thing is so old. Weren¡¯t you the one she strangled to death not long ago?" "I didn¡¯t die, okay? I survived and even managed to arrest Ha-eun in the end~." "Ah, sure~." Bluntly put, it was childish beyond belief. Why did they have to bicker every single time they met? The entertainment industry felt both incredibly vast and strangely small. Since Da-yeon and Seong-jae could technically be considered acquaintances, Ha-eun had hoped they¡¯d get along better by now. "...What if you two end up getting close from all this fighting?" "Never." / "Not happening." "...Unbelievable." If there was ever a definition of sworn enemies, this was it. Ha-eun was convinced she wouldn¡¯t live to see the day these two became friends. Well, in any case¡ª Both Da-yeon and Seong-jae were here to congratulate her on the concert. "Are you both staying to watch the concert?" "I am. Not sure about him." "Of course, I¡¯m staying. Do you know how hard it was to get this ticket?" As they chatted to ease Ha-eun¡¯s nerves before the performance, the two of them somehow turned everything into a competition. "I have a cameo in God and the Goblin. Bet you didn¡¯t know that, Da-yeon." "As a random passerby, huh?" "Not just a passerby¡ªBaeksulhwa¡¯s first love. The church oppa. Ever heard of him?" "First loves never work out anyway. Oh, by the way, I¡¯m starring in a full-length film with Ha-eun. Not just a cameo, but as a lead." "Ah, I¡¯ve already played a lead with Ha-eun, so I¡¯m not really jealous or anything." Ha-eun had no idea why these two were acting like this. At this point, she was too used to it to be surprised. The only good thing was that time flew by as she talked with them. The bad thing? Even as she left to get ready, they were still arguing. Oh well, they could sort it out themselves. Finally, she started walking toward the stage. "I¡¯m off." "Good luck, Ha-eun~." "...See you later." Walking down the long, long hallway¡ª She finally reached the lift she was supposed to board. Then, Lenny''s voice came through her in-ear monitor. [ Mr. Pinocchio, how do you feel right now? ] "...Honestly, I¡¯m a little nervous." [ That¡¯s normal. Even I get the most nervous right before starting. ] Lenny took a deep breath before speaking again. She told her to enjoy it. That it was a cliche?, but it was true. [ If you get too nervous, just think about what you¡¯ll eat after the concert. ] "...I want red velvet cake." [ Good choice. Red velvet cake is delicious. ] Before long, the countdown began, and the entire venue fell silent. Then, the moment all the numbers hit zero¡ª -Vrrrmmmm©¤©¤.- Ha-eun and Lenny¡¯s lifts began moving, taking them to opposite ends of the stage. A bright, soaring high note rang out¡ªmarking the start of the concert. "Finally, we meet©¤©¤?" As the spotlight slowly illuminated Lenny, the audience erupted into cheers. The stage lifts glided through the air like they were floating. Then, after Lenny finished the first verse¡ª "I already told you, finally©¤©¤" With a pointing gesture from Lenny, Ha-eun''s lift started moving. The stage lights shifted toward her. -Waaaaaaah!!!!- The audience exploded with cheers once again, welcoming the concert¡¯s second star¡ªHa-eun. And then¡ªher voice rang out. "Blinding lights bloom and rise©¤©¤?" A powerful, soaring note filled the entire venue. It was the beginning of a performance that no one in that stadium would forget for a long, long time. *** "Wow... No, seriously, wow...." As the first song of the joint concert ended amid roaring cheers, Nael could finally get a proper look at Ha-eun¡¯s dress¡ª And she was utterly mesmerized. A pitch-black gown. A lone figure draped in darkness, standing amid a sea of colorful lights that painted the entire venue. Silent, still¡ª Yet the presence of that faint smile was overwhelming. Was the person standing up there really the same Ha-eun she had streamed with just a few days ago? "...She¡¯s so beautiful...." Nael was completely spellbound by Ha-eun¡¯s breathtaking appearance. Then¡ª -Srrrrrk...- The stage lights dimmed, casting the entire area into momentary darkness. A clear sign that the next song was about to begin. As Nael, along with countless others, eagerly awaited the second performance¡ª ¡¸?©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤¡¹ "...Huh?" A melody echoed throughout the stadium. One that sounded oddly familiar. A faint stinging sensation crept into Nael¡¯s nose. At first, she wasn¡¯t sure why she felt this way. All she focused on was figuring out what song was playing. But, unfortunately for her¡ª The moment she realized what it was, Ha-eun¡¯s voice rang out, filled with deep sorrow. ¡¸Don''t leave me alone©¤©¤? I think I finally understand the meaning of the gaze you always gave me©¤©¤?¡¹ "Ah... No... I-I forgot about this...!" The moment the first OST from God and the Goblin, Snow Blossom, began¡ª Nael¡¯s eyes grew misty. Memories of Baeksulhwa¡¯s tragic fate flooded her mind, Clenching at her throat and making it hard to breathe. Chapter 241 Snow Blossom was a legendary song in Ha-eun¡¯s past life, having amassed hundreds of millions of views. Its melancholic and poetic atmosphere alone was enough to earn it the title of a masterpiece. Most importantly, the full version of Snow Blossom had never been released to the public before. ¡¸Endlessly, endlessly©¤©¤? Blooming high above the sky©¤©¤?¡¹ The audience at the concert found themselves even more entranced by the sorrowful melody, Completely immersed in its unique emotional pull, Unaware of the lyrics or where the song would lead. Finally, Ha-eun¡¯s voice carried the last lines of Snow Blossom into the mic. As the handheld mic slowly lowered, signaling the song¡¯s end, The audience¡ªonly now realizing the performance had concluded¡ªerupted into thunderous applause. Then came Lenny¡¯s opening talk. "Hello~! I¡¯m Lenny~!" Just stepping off the lift, Lenny strolled toward the center of the stage, Speaking into the mic with practiced ease. It followed a familiar rhythm¡ªjust like her past concerts. But, this time, the stage was not hers alone. So, after greeting the packed stadium, She turned to Ha-eun. "Today, we have a special guest. Let¡¯s hear what she has to say!" "Yes, hello. I¡¯m Ha-eun. Honestly, way more people came than I expected¡ª" Her following words were ones of gratitude. A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who had come to the joint concert. And a request for them to enjoy the event to the fullest. "Lenny unnie and I worked really hard to prepare this. I hope you all have a great time without any regrets. Thank you." "Wow~~! Round of applause~~!" Encouraged by Lenny¡¯s expert crowd engagement, the stadium roared with cheers once again. Then, moments later¡ª The performance of Lenny¡¯s signature song, Fly High, began. The stage lights shifted colors, Setting an entirely different mood than before. And, at that exact moment, a familiar melody played. ¡¸©¤©¤?©¤©¤?©¤???!¡¹ For the concertgoers, the tune was instantly recognizable, Leading to a massive eruption of cheers. However, unlike the original, Fly High had been reworked into a duet for this joint concert. ¡¸Unfurl the wings submerged in water©¤©¤? Through the clouds©¤©¤?¡¹ The duet version of Fly High, never heard anywhere before, Now filled the venue completely. Ha-eun and Lenny¡¯s harmonized voices blended beautifully, Creating an intricate yet seamless melody. Across the vast sea of audience members, Lightsticks swayed in perfect rhythm, glowing brightly. As Ha-eun walked in the opposite direction from Lenny, She found herself staring at a sight akin to a galaxy scattered across the night sky. Twinkle, twinkle.Twinkle, twinkle.¡®Somewhere in that crowd... he must be there.¡¯ Among the countless lightsticks in the distance, Park Yeon-woo had to be there somewhere. Since he was the very reason this joint concert had come to be, Ha-eun put even more strength into her voice. ¡¸Flying among the stars in the night sky©¤©¤?¡¹ Unlike the delicate voice of Diah, Ha-eun¡¯s natural, powerful vocals soared effortlessly, Bringing out the full potential of her range. -WAAAAAHHH!!! -CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP!! A standing ovation filled the venue, As Fly High reached its climactic end. With five solo performances lined up next for Lenny, Ha-eun made her way backstage for a break. This had been pre-announced in the pamphlets, And the official concert posters online had detailed the setlist in advance. But one person, Completely captivated by Ha-eun¡¯s performance, Had forgotten all about that. "Uh, huh?? Where did she go?" Nael was bewildered. One moment, Ha-eun was on stage¡ª The next, she had vanished into thin air. Then, as Lenny started her solo stage, Nael panicked even more. She had completely forgotten the concert¡¯s schedule. Not surprising, considering how heavily drunk she had been just the night before. Luckily, a message came through at that moment¡ª From her friend who had promised to record the concert. [ Jeong Hwa-yoon ] - The seat next to me is empty. [ Jeong Hwa-yoon ] - No one''s sitting here. [ Jeong Hwa-yoon ] - (Attached: seating map image) [ Jeong Hwa-yoon ] - Wanna come? [ Nael ] - Wouldn¡¯t I get kicked out if I get caught? [ Jeong Hwa-yoon ] - You¡¯ll be fine. No one¡¯s checking. [ Jeong Hwa-yoon ] - (Attached: Clear image of Ha-eun on stage) [ Jeong Hwa-yoon ] - Look how good the view is. [ Jeong Hwa-yoon ] - If you¡¯re not coming, whatever~ [ Nael ] - I¡¯m running. [ Jeong Hwa-yoon ] - LMAO And with that¡ª Nael immediately started making her way over to her friend¡¯s seat. It wasn¡¯t even a tough decision. Hwa-yoon¡¯s spot had a way better view than hers. -Tadadak!- "Huff, huff... Nael has arrived...." "Holy crap. You actually ran here." It was only then that Nael was properly reminded of the performance schedule. Hwa-yoon casually pointed toward Lenny, who had just started her fourth solo song, And mentioned that Ha-eun would be back after just one more. "Hey, it¡¯s A Day in Spring up next. Isn¡¯t that your ¡ã? N o v e l i g h t ?¡ã favorite song, Nael?" "Huh? Really?" "Have you lived your whole life getting scammed? Here, look at this." She handed Nael a pamphlet listing Ha-eun¡¯s album songs in the setlist. Only then did Nael sigh in relief, confirming that Ha-eun wasn¡¯t gone for good. After that, she sat back and enjoyed Lenny¡¯s solo performances, All while eagerly waiting for Ha-eun¡¯s return. Nael wasn¡¯t exactly a hardcore fan of Lenny, But her songs were undeniably famous. There weren¡¯t really any divisive tracks in her discography, So Nael had no trouble enjoying them. Time passed quickly. And finally¡ª As Lenny wrapped up her last solo performance to roaring applause¡ª -Srrrrrk...- As the stage lights slowly dimmed, Nael''s heart began to race. After all, once the lights turned back on, Ha-eun would be appearing on stage. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m nervous...!¡± ¡°Why are you the one getting nervous? Shouldn¡¯t it be Ha-eun?¡± ¡°I feel like my heart¡¯s about to explode.¡± ¡°You¡¯re seriously hopeless at this point.¡± Jeong Hwa-yoon shook her head in exasperation. Meanwhile, Nael was completely absorbed in waiting for Ha-eun¡¯s appearance, paying no attention to anything else. And finally¡ª ¡¸...?©¤©¤©¤?¡¹ -Waaaaaaaah!!! -Kyaa©¤©¤!!! As the opening notes of One Spring Day began playing amidst the deafening cheers of the audience, Nael swung her lightstick wildly, welcoming Ha-eun as she appeared in the distance. And then, the performance of One Spring Day began. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. ¡¸One day, a spring breeze came along? Swirling around you and me©¤?¡¹ Ha-eun, who had already started singing One Spring Day before even stepping fully onto the stage, finally ascended completely. Her outfit had also changed from the flowing black dress into an elegant, white-toned one-piece. That was precisely why Nael¡¯s phone camera was suddenly working overtime. Every single concert outfit of Ha-eun¡¯s was something that had to be preserved in photos, no exceptions. ¡°Wow!! She looks amazing©¤!!¡± If the saying that ¡®fashion is completed by the face¡¯ was true, then this was the proof. Even this simple one-piece dress looked absolutely stunning on Ha-eun. Nael had no idea who her stylist was, but they deserved praise for this masterpiece. Even Jeong Hwa-yoon, standing beside her, couldn¡¯t deny it. However, feeling the urge to tease Nael, who looked like she was about to ascend to heaven, she casually muttered, ¡°Hmmm. Is it really that impressive...?¡± And at that very moment¡ª -A chill ran down her spine. ¡°...What did you just say?¡± A voice filled with pure, unwavering menace. Nael might have been a whole head shorter than Jeong Hwa-yoon, but for a brief moment, Jeong actually felt intimidated. Was the term ¡®crazy fan¡¯ meant to be taken this literally? ¡°I think I just heard something really weird.¡± ¡°Uh, no, it was just your imagination.¡± ¡°Hmmm....¡± ¡°Yeah, just your imagination.¡± After barely managing to redirect Nael¡¯s focus back to Ha-eun, Jeong Hwa-yoon decided it was best to keep her mouth shut about Ha-eun for the rest of the concert. And then, the chorus of One Spring Day began. ¡¸You and I©¤? Will we ever be able to say it''s alright?©¤?¡¹ Having heard One Spring Day before, Jeong Hwa-yoon already knew that this part was usually sung by Doubly, the featured artist. Since Doubly wasn¡¯t attending the concert, their part would most likely be played via backing track. The same thing had happened just minutes ago during Reni¡¯s solo performance. After all, realistically speaking, it was impossible to bring every single featured artist to the concert. Usually, when the featured artist¡¯s part played, the singer would walk around the stage and interact with the audience. And since there was no way Ha-eun could rap like Doubly, it was only natural to expect that she would do the same. However, before Jeong Hwa-yoon could even finish that thought¡ª -Step. -Step. Someone stepped out from the massive stage backdrop. ¡¸Foolishly, we compromise, we''re stupid. Time keeps slipping away like grains of sand, falling through our fingers?¡¹ A live performance of One Spring Day¡¯s featured rap section had begun. And almost instantly, the concert hall erupted with overwhelming cheers. -Wow!!!! -Song Hyunmin? Is that really Song Hyunmin?? -This is crazy...!! The unexpected appearance of Song Hyunmin sent waves of murmurs and excitement through the audience. After all, his participation in the concert had never been announced. And to make things even more intense, Song Hyunmin was walking around Ha-eun, locking eyes with her. Not only that¡ªhe even clapped his hand against hers in perfect sync with the rhythm. ¡¸Can you find me?? I''m trapped in a moment in time, unable to return©¤©¤?¡¹ ¡°Holy shit, this is insane....¡± Jeong Hwa-yoon, unconsciously gaping at the scene, was completely blown away. It wasn¡¯t just the surprise factor¡ªit was the way Ha-eun¡¯s and Song Hyunmin¡¯s voices blended so well together. Surely Nael must have been just as shocked by their unexpected duet. So Jeong turned to her, ready to hype up the moment¡ª ¡°Hey, hey. Isn¡¯t Song Hyunmin¡¯s rapping so good?¡± Only to see Nael, lips trembling with an unreadable expression. ¡°...Who said he could hold her hand....¡± ¡°...Huh?¡± For some reason, Nael was acting strange. Rather than looking thrilled about Song Hyunmin¡¯s surprise appearance, she looked... annoyed? No¡ªjealous? ¡°How dare he. How dare he. How dare he. How dare he.¡± ¡®...What the hell is wrong with her?¡¯ Hearing the sound of teeth grinding from beside her, Jeong Hwa-yoon instinctively took a step back. Yeah. Now was definitely not the time to mess with Nael. Chapter 242 Ha-eun¡¯s surprise collaboration with Song Hyunmin on stage¡ª It was something that could happen. Nael already knew that the two had grown close while filming Start Again. She also couldn¡¯t deny that having Song Hyunmin cover Doubly¡¯s featured verse made the performance even better. Even to Nael, who considered One Spring Day her absolute favorite song, Ha-eun and Song Hyunmin¡¯s voices blended together beautifully. However¡ª that choreography with physical contact was a different matter entirely¡ª! ¡°A high-five isn¡¯t even real physical contact.¡± ¡°But they touched!¡± ¡°I mean, can¡¯t their palms at least touch?¡± ¡°No, they can¡¯t!¡± ¡°...How do you even watch dramas...?¡± If you¡¯re here to sing, just sing! That was the only thought running through Nael¡¯s mind. It didn¡¯t matter that Song Hyunmin was a world-famous Hallyu star. It didn¡¯t matter that he was more than ten years older than Ha-eun. None of that was relevant. The fact that he had the audacity to touch Ha-eun¡¯s hand¡ªeven if it was just part of the performance¡ªwas absolutely unacceptable. Nael¡¯s eyes burned with fury. Meanwhile, Jeong Hwa-yoon, watching her from a little distance away, was utterly speechless. Ha-eun and Song Hyunmin didn¡¯t seem to think anything of it, so why was she the one making a big deal? ¡°Okay, Hwa-yoon, imagine this¡ªyour daughter goes to kindergarten, and one of the boys in her class is holding her hand, interlocking fingers. Would you be okay with that?¡± ¡°Nael, you¡¯re only four years younger than Ha-eun.¡± ¡°She¡¯s still in high school! She¡¯s just a baby, a baby!¡± ¡°You¡¯re shorter than her, though.¡± As expected, Nael¡¯s insane level of devotion to Ha-eun was something Jeong Hwa-yoon would never fully understand. How could someone who got this worked up over a brief moment of skinship handle watching romance dramas? So, actors were okay, but idols weren¡¯t? How did that make any sense? ¡°This is completely different from a drama!¡± ¡°Oh yeah? How?¡± ¡°Just¡ªit¡¯s just different, okay?!¡± ¡°...Good grief.¡± Giving up on understanding Nael yet again, Jeong Hwa-yoon simply decided to focus on the performance instead. Either way, even Nael couldn¡¯t deny that their voices were perfectly in sync. I¡¯ve never seen a more intense obsessive fan in my life. And so, as Jeong turned her attention back to the massive stage¡ª Ha-eun, having just wrapped up One Spring Day, began introducing Song Hyunmin. ¡°Song Hyunmin took the time to come support me today. Could you say a few words?¡± ¡°Hello, everyone. I¡¯m Song Hyunmin. Like Ha-eun just mentioned, I¡¯m here to support her. Please take care of me!¡± As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause filled the audience. And shortly after¡ª ¡¸?©¤©¤??!¡¹ The opening melody of T. R. E. N. D., Pinocchio¡¯s debut song, echoed throughout the concert hall. Then, as Song Hyunmin adjusted his microphone, he shouted¡ª ¡°Is everyone ready to have some fun©¤©¤!!¡± ¡¸Now I go higher©¤?¡¹ The same pure, crystalline voice that had once filled the Gocheok Sky Dome a year ago now roared through the stadium¡¯s speakers. Ha-eun¡¯s sharp gaze locked onto the front-stage camera, sending her confident expression onto the massive screens for the entire audience to see. Even her light, effortless steps radiated confidence. ¡¸©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡¹ The way her voice effortlessly shifted between head voice and chest voice only amplified the audience¡¯s excitement. Her presence alone was enough to command the entire stage. Her graceful, fluid dance moves spread across the vast stage, leaving an overwhelming impact. That clear, powerful voice¡ª It hadn¡¯t changed at all since her last performance at Gocheok Sky Dome. Or maybe... She had grown even more comfortable on stage. Perhaps that was why. Or perhaps it was because of the de?ja? vu creeping in from the person seated next to her. ¡°She seemed a bit nervous earlier, but she really was made for the stage, huh?¡± ¡°...Mmm.¡± Hearing Yoo Seong-jae casually remark beside her, Dayeon fell into thought. No matter how much time passed, Ha-eun always felt different when she was on stage. Dayeon¡¯s gaze locked onto Ha-eun, standing tall ? N§àv§Öl?g?t ? (Official version) amid the sea of deafening cheers. Roughly fifty thousand people were here, screaming for her. How did she feel right now? Last year, she had said her heart was racing¡ªwas it still the same now? ...I have no idea. Dayeon had never held a concert herself, so she couldn¡¯t begin to imagine how Ha-eun felt. The only thing she could say for sure was that Ha-eun looked thrilled. The darkened audience seating was a sea of glowing lightsticks, all swaying just for her. With a view so vast, so breathtaking¡ª Could anyone really remain unaffected? ¡¸Dear my world. Don¡¯t hesitate anymore©¤?¡¹ This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. Another powerful high note burst through the speakers, carrying just the faintest trace of excitement. And, once again, the stadium erupted with cheers. When T. R. E. N. D. finally came to an end, Ha-eun¡¯s expression held a subtle glow of excitement. ¡°...Thank you.¡± Her voice through the microphone was as composed as ever. But to someone like Dayeon, who knew her well¡ª It was obvious. Ha-eun was having fun. Stage presence... Maybe it really is in her blood. With not a trace of nervousness to be found, Dayeon could no longer deny what Yoo Seong-jae had said. Of course, she wasn¡¯t about to say that out loud. And then¡ª Song Hyunmin started talking about last year¡¯s Infinite Challenge Song Festival. ¡°I already knew Ha-eun was an incredible singer since last year¡¯s Gocheok Dome performance. But honestly? I think she¡¯s gotten even better since then.¡± Having participated in Infinite Challenge Song Festival himself, Song Hyunmin had personally witnessed Ha-eun and Yoon Si-hyuk¡¯s T. R. E. N. D. performance. That was why he decided to share his personal thoughts about it on the mic. However, what followed¡ª Was completely unexpected. It was something that had never been announced. Something that had never been leaked to any media outlet. ¡°In fact, I actually want to release a song with Ha-eun, just like Si-hyuk did. What do you all think?¡± As soon as Song Hyunmin casually hinted at a new collaboration song with Ha-eun, chaos erupted. Because to the audience¡ª This was huge. -Waaaaaaaah!!! -We love it!!! -Kyaa©¤©¤!! ¡°Looks like everyone¡¯s loving it. What do you think, Lee Ha-eun?¡± ¡°Hmm... Could you give me an example?¡± ¡°Well, for instance, we could give them a little teaser right here, right now. Just for the fans.¡± -Kyaaaaaa!!¡ª ¡°If we just move on now... we¡¯d end up looking like the bad guys, wouldn¡¯t we? Both you and me, Song Hyunmin.¡± ¡°Oh, we definitely can¡¯t have that. We¡¯re such good people, aren¡¯t we, everyone?¡± -Yeeeeees!!¡ª And just like that, the anticipation in the stadium soared even higher. Then, just seconds later, a brand-new melody began flowing from the speakers. ¡¸Num zero feat pinocchio. Let''s go.¡¹ With his mic raised once more, Song Hyunmin kicked off the never-before-heard performance of Num0. At the same time, the stage lights shifted dramatically. Song Hyunmin¡¯s steps moved effortlessly in sync with the pulsing beat of the track¡ª The commanding presence of a man known as Asia¡¯s most successful idol. ¡°Damn... you can really tell he¡¯s on another level....¡± Watching Song Hyunmin take control of the stage in an instant, Jeong Hwa-yoon found herself speaking without thinking. Even though she wasn¡¯t a fan, she couldn¡¯t tear her eyes away from him. However, she suddenly remembered¡ª The person standing right next to her had just been glaring daggers at Song Hyunmin. Oh no, she¡¯s gonna start again, isn¡¯t she? Clamping her mouth shut, she cautiously glanced at Nael. Fortunately, it seemed Nael hadn¡¯t caught what she said. But just in case¡ª That¡¯s when she noticed¡ª Nael¡¯s phone camera was zoomed in to its absolute limit on Ha-eun. And the muttered words that followed¡ªhalf sigh, half admiration¡ª ¡°She¡¯s so damn good at dancing.... She¡¯s literally good at everything....¡± It was obvious. Right now, Nael had zero interest in Song Hyunmin¡¯s new song. The only thing she cared about¡ª Was Ha-eun¡¯s feature and her mesmerizing dance moves. Letting out a quiet figures, Jeong Hwa-yoon simply turned back to the stage. After all, the new song, featuring Ha-eun, was insanely catchy. This is gonna hit #1 on the charts, no doubt. She could already see it¡ªwhen Num0 officially dropped, it was going to blow up. Not only was the song itself addictive, but the combined star power of Ha-eun and Song Hyunmin was insane. Ha-eun was already the talk of the town again because of God and the Goblin. Song Hyunmin¡¯s new song would definitely ride the wave of her soaring popularity. And so, after the electrifying performance of Num0 wrapped up with thunderous cheers¡ª And after all of Ha-eun¡¯s remaining solo performances smoothly came to a close¡ª Step.Step. ¡°Alright, everyone! Are you all still having fun?¡± Lenny, who had stepped off stage for a while, returned to take the lead again. She smoothly transitioned into the final segment of the concert. ¡°The night sky is so beautiful tonight. Not a single cloud in sight.¡± Tilting her head up to glance at the sky, Lenny subtly hinted at the next song. Ha-eun, catching on, responded with a knowing smile¡ªdropping the title of another one of Lenny¡¯s hits. ¡°We might even see the Milky Way if we¡¯re lucky.¡± ¡°Oh, so you were thinking the same thing, Ha-eun.¡± This was for a very special guest in the audience. The person who had been the reason this entire concert was planned in the first place¡ªPark Yeon-woo. That¡¯s why they had intentionally saved this song for last. And so, after a brief pause¡ª As the first lines of Between the Milky Way resonated softly across the stadium¡ª ¡°...Huh?¡± Park Yeon-woo, who had been quietly watching every performance, suddenly felt his ears tingle. Something about this duet felt oddly familiar. His hands instinctively reached for his tablet. Slipping a wired earphone into one ear, he pulled up a specific video and pressed play. ¡¸You said you suddenly remembered¡ªso I turned around?¡¹ Holding onto the hands of memory, through the blurred rain¡ª? The moment the song played¡ª He froze. The same voice came through both his left ear (from the tablet) and his right (from the stage). At first, he thought he was just imagining it. But the longer he listened¡ª The more the resemblance became undeniable. ¡°This... No way....¡± His gaze shot up toward the stage, his vision trembling slightly. And then¡ª His eyes met hers. The graceful figure standing there¡ª The entertainer of all trades¡ª Was now singing his favorite song. And with a voice that sounded so eerily familiar to the one in his earphone¡ª Too similar. That day. That memory. The reason why he had never been able to forget. Because, for a fleeting moment back then¡ª The delicate pair of eyes that had met his¡ª Had smiled. Just like the youthful face on the screen. ¡°...Ha-ha.¡± A dry chuckle slipped from his lips. For a moment, he could see them overlap. Two different images. Two different figures. Yet... For the first time ever¡ª His thoughts refused to organize themselves. Chapter 243 The performance of Between the Milky Way. And after three encore songs, followed by an additional five extra encore songs¡ª ¡°Thank you... for coming.¡± ¡°This has been Lenny & Pinocchio! Have a great night!¡± With Ha-eun and Lenny¡¯s closing remarks, the joint concert officially came to an end. The last thing the audience saw was Ha-eun and Lenny retreating backstage. After that, the lights inside the Seoul World Cup Stadium brightened all at once. Under the guidance of the security staff, the audience began to exit like the receding tide. That was when Nael sent Ha-eun a few of the best pictures she had taken during the concert. [Lee Ji-hye (Nael)] - (Ha-eun in her dress) [Lee Ji-hye (Nael)] - (Another shot of Ha-eun in her dress) [Lee Ji-hye (Nael)] - (Ha-eun in her white one-piece dress) [Lee Ji-hye (Nael)] - (Another shot of Ha-eun in her one-piece) [Lee Ji-hye (Nael)] - (Ha-eun in her casual outfit) [Lee Ji-hye (Nael)] - You were so gorgeous today!! To Ha-eun, these messages from Nael were unexpected. She had been under the impression that Nael wasn¡¯t attending the concert. Didn¡¯t she say only her friend was coming? Puzzled, Ha-eun tilted her head slightly. But for now, she decided to just send back a response thanking Nael for coming. [Lee Ha-eun (Diah)] - (Otter waving emoji) [Lee Ha-eun (Diah)] - These pictures came out great. [Lee Ha-eun (Diah)] - Thanks. [Lee Ji-hye (Nael)] - (Picture of the concert light stick) [Lee Ji-hye (Nael)] - Even the light stick is so pretty T_T [Lee Ji-hye (Nael)] - I¡¯m keeping this as a family heirloom. ...A family heirloom? The person who had insisted she couldn¡¯t come¡ª Had clearly enjoyed the concert more than anyone else. It was obvious that Nael was still completely immersed in the lingering emotions of the concert. Of course, Ha-eun had no reason to be upset about that. After all, Nael was a fan. I wonder if she¡¯ll do a concert review stream. As long as Nael had a great time, that was all that mattered. Though... Ha-eun couldn¡¯t deny she was a little curious about Nael¡¯s enthusiastic take on the event. While she was imagining what that might be like¡ª ¡°Ha-eun, let¡¯s go eat meat! Meat!¡± Lenny¡¯s voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Now that she thought about it¡ª The day¡¯s events weren¡¯t completely over yet. ¡°I made a reservation at a really good place.¡± ¡°Oh? Really?¡± ¡°Yeah. Everything¡¯s already set up, so we just have to show up.¡± No large event like this would be complete without an afterparty. After performing for hours, it was time to replenish their energy with some delicious food. Lenny¡¯s company had pre-booked a premium beef restaurant for them. And they had even given the green light for Ha-eun to bring along Da-yeon and Yoo Seong-jae. However¡ª ¡°Why is he coming along?¡± ¡°Because free beef is the most delicious kind.¡± ¡°A fully grown adult, shamelessly mooching off a high schooler?¡± ¡°We¡¯re both mooching, so what¡¯s the problem?¡± Da-yeon and Yoo Seong-jae had already started bickering again in the hallway outside the waiting room. Ha-eun was seriously questioning whether she really wanted to bring them along. ¡°...Are you two dating or something? Are you acting like this in front of me just to hide it?¡± ¡°What the fuck.¡± / ¡°How could you even suggest that....¡± ...Why do they both look so horrified? This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. Had they been archenemies in their past lives or something? Not just any enemies¡ªsworn enemies, locked in eternal combat. Even when she thought back to her past life, she still couldn¡¯t figure it out. She and these two had barely interacted back then. Guess I¡¯ll have to ask them later. Ultimately, she decided to push the Da-yeon vs. Yoo Seong-jae issue to the back of her mind. For now, the only thing that mattered¡ª Was stuffing herself with premium beef. *** ¡°Here, eat. I know you like wraps, Ha-eun.¡± ¡°...Do I have to do a 24-hour collab again?¡± ¡°N-No, nothing like that. Just eat.¡± While Ha-eun and the others were enjoying their pre-arranged table of high-quality Korean beef, social media and online communities started buzzing with discussions about Ha-eun and Lenny¡¯s concert. Review of Lenny & Ha-eun¡¯s Joint ConcertCompilation of Concert Photos(Long Post Alert) Concert ReviewWriting Down My Thoughts Before I Forget ¨C Lenny & Ha-eun¡¯s ConcertGiven the scale of the concert, posts about it kept multiplying. The fact that this was Lenny¡¯s first joint concert instead of a solo one also contributed to the flood ? N§àv§Öl?g?§ä ? (Continue reading) of reactions.Lenny & Ha-eun duet version sounds amazingHa-eun¡¯s live vocals are really goodLenny high notes VS Ha-eun high notes.MP4 ? My heart is swelling... ? It¡¯s Lenny, so no surprise, but Ha-eun <<< Is this vocal power really from a high schooler? As expected, Korea¡¯s hip-hop queen lmao ? ¡°Oh, noona¡¯s debut performance was Sit on the Money~¡± ? Ha-eun? She¡¯s the real deal when it comes to hip-hop ? (Photo of Double Lee with their arms around Ha-eun) ? Oh, it¡¯s the hyungs~ They¡¯ve been personally mentoring her for over 10 years~ Is there a high-quality audio version?? ? Not yet ? Then go find one Ha-eun¡¯s dress was legendary, seriously T_T ? For real ? She looks like she walked straight out of a fairy tale;;The highlight of the concert was undoubtedly the duet performances between Ha-eun and Lenny. Songs that were originally Lenny¡¯s solo tracks had been reborn as duets with Ha-eun, and the majority opinion was that they sounded even better this way. Many fans began requesting an official studio recording of the duet versions. Whether it would actually happen remained uncertain, but the demand for it was overwhelming. The second most talked-about topic was the surprise announcement of a new song featuring Ha-eun and Song Hyun-min. Song Hyun-min & Ha-eun collab <<< Is this real? ? Yup ? They performed it live at the concert Num0 really showed why it¡¯s the title trackBut why is it being released in January? ? The music video hasn¡¯t been filmed yet ? Just release it already!!! Does Ha-eun actually have real musical talent? ? You¡¯re just realizing this now? ? Honestly, everyone thought of her as just an actress ? Do you even know how many artists have given her shout-outs? LOL ? She crushed it live on Sit on the Money ? Go check the sales numbers for Ha-eun¡¯s Pinocchio album before talkingThe fact that Song Hyun-min was releasing a new track was already big news. But the fact that it featured Ha-eun¡ªand that they had performed it together live¡ªonly amplified the hype. The full concert video uploaded on Lenny¡¯s official channel quickly spread overseas. Given Song Hyun-min¡¯s global popularity, edited clips of the Num0 performance were soon uploaded to international fan channels. Ha-eun¡¯s Instagram follower count began skyrocketing as a result. Foreign fans who had discovered her through the Num0 performance flocked to her page, leaving comments in various languages. ¡°Her voice is really beautiful ????????¡±¡°I was so surprised to find out she¡¯s 19. She¡¯s amazing!!¡±¡°Unnie, the concert was incredible ????¡±¡°You probably won¡¯t understand this anyway~¡±¡°An overwhelming performance! You look so young, but it¡¯s incredible????¡±While Ha-eun was getting attention from unexpected audiences, another group was also starting to react¡ªthe one Ha-eun had expected but hadn¡¯t thought would be this deeply invested. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Title > A true singer really is on another level;; CottonCandyLover | 01:21 (Video of Ha-eun & Lenny performing Through the Milky Way*) Ha-eun and Lenny performed Through the Milky Way at their joint concert, and damn, it really is different. (Clip of Diah¡¯s cover of Through the Milky Way*) Not that Diah did a bad job¡ªDiah has her own charm. But Ha-eun is just on another level. (Picture of a Japanese official signing the surrender documents on an American battleship) Let¡¯s just accept reality. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ ? Why are you attacking Diah when she did nothing wrong? T_T ? Stop baiting for reactions ? People keep bringing up Ha-eun in comparison, like they¡¯re on the same level ? Do you think a VTuber is equal to a real singer? ? Honestly, Diah is the best singer in Fantasy Land ? Nope, Cream is the best~ ? Ugh, Cream fans still haven¡¯t learned their lesson ? (Screenshot of Diah¡¯s YouTube subscriber count) ? Cream barely hit 400K... Our baby¡¯s about to reach 600K ? Wait, why is the gap so huge? ? Diah is just on another level, period. A few months ago, Diah had also sung Through the Milky Way. Because of that, people had started comparing the version Ha-eun performed at the joint concert to Diah¡¯s. However, the version Diah had sung on stream was after only a day of practice. There were parts where she had been cautious, just in case, so the gap between Ha-eun¡¯s live performance and Diah¡¯s felt significant. Their vocal tones and ranges were different. The only similarity was that neither Ha-eun nor Diah had their breath falter. So, does Ha-eun play with Noeulies? Give them plushies? Tell them she loves them? She does none of that. ? Diah wins lmao ? For real, this one goes to Diah ? Why would Ha-eun even interact with Noeulies? ? Shut up What did Diah even do to deserve this sudden attack? T_T ? Trolls incoming ? This is just the backlash for people constantly comparing a celebrity to her While unrelated communities were getting noisy about the joint concert, drama-focused forums were also beginning to stir. Snowflake << Is this really an official God and the Goblin OST?We¡¯ve reached the era where the female lead sings the drama OST herself ? This only happened because it¡¯s Ha-eun ? Yeah, only because it¡¯s Ha-eun Why does Snowflake¡¯s atmosphere hit so hard? It¡¯s totally my style T_T ? People at the premiere cried when Snowflake played ? What?? News had spread that Snowflake, which Ha-eun had performed in the middle of that massive stage, was actually a drama OST. Furthermore, Lenny¡¯s unreleased song Miss You was also an OST. As a result, drama-related communities became flooded with discussions about God and the Goblin. The drama¡¯s production quality had already been highly praised since its premiere screening. On top of that, it was already receiving significant attention as Kang Sun-woo¡¯s comeback project, making many people eagerly anticipate the broadcast date. And so, time passed. Finally, the day God and the Goblin aired. ¡°...20.7 percent?¡± Even Ha-eun, who knew the original ratings of God and the Goblin, was shocked. This was a number that cable dramas could never even dream of. Even for public broadcast dramas, exceeding 20 percent from the first episode was extremely rare. In other words, God and the Goblin had made an extraordinary start. Perhaps because of this¡ª Or maybe because some of the foreign users flooding into Ha-eun¡¯s Instagram were also Japanese¡ª ¡¸I might be home a little late today. Don''t wait up and go to sleep first.¡¹ ¡¸When you return... could you bring me even a single wildflower?¡¹ ¡¸A wildflower?¡¹ ¡¸I¡¯ve never had one before. Even the smallest one will do....¡¹ ?...She was an actress?? Japanese communities had begun sharing God and the Goblin¡¯s first episode. It wasn¡¯t an officially exported version¡ªit was one with crude, hastily made subtitles. ?But back then... she told us it was a competition.? However, it was enough to shock someone who had already encountered Ha-eun before. This was why Japan¡¯s top VTuber, Lucid, had begun keeping an eye on Ha-eun. ?...What the hell is her real identity?? Chapter 244 From its very first broadcast, God and the Goblin achieved an impressive feat, surpassing a 20% viewership rating in an instant. The first episode depicted the original relationship between Baek Jin and Baeksulhwa. In other words, a prologue. It was a preparatory stage for the long saga that would unfold between the two protagonists. ["...General, you are truly diligent."] ["And yet, you say that while coming out here despite being told to rest."] The story began on a warm afternoon. Baeksulhwa was sitting on the wooden porch of a small thatched house, while Baek Jin was chopping firewood in front of her. ["Do you truly not know how to rest?"] ["Despite how I look, I actually lie down longer than you do, General. Hearing you say that makes me a little sad."] The slight hint of playfulness in her voice conveyed a familiarity between them. A peaceful scene, devoid of any foreboding signs of crisis or misfortune. The naturally serene atmosphere added a poetic sentiment to their conversation. However, since the teaser had already hinted that even this peace would eventually come to an end¡ª ["It would be nice if you could take a break from time to time, General."] ["Is that a request or a wish?"] ["It is a hope. Merely a desire... a dream."] Even in the midst of casual conversation, there was an underlying ominous feeling. Sometimes, a peaceful life in itself can make one fear the moment it is taken away. Around this time, various comments began appearing from viewers watching God and the Goblin. How many death flags are they setting up?"I wish the General would rest" = He¡¯s about to die and finally get some restWhy does this remind me of The Sunshine...? Is it just because Lee Ha-eun is wearing hanbok? ? The corpse lover is back again lol ? Where do you even live, dude?At some point, the two protagonists would inevitably face an unwanted separation. The teaser had practically confirmed the tragic ending of the past storyline, turning the initial tranquility into a source of unease rather than boredom. - Step. - Step. Baek Jin did not ignore the words he had just heard. His footsteps carried him toward Baeksulhwa, who watched in surprise as he plopped down beside her. ["Are you really... going to rest?"] ["Did you not call it a dream? If that is your wish, then I must grant it."] ["...Haha."] Somehow, she found herself laughing. A formidable general of Goryeo. A man feared and called a demon¡ªyielding so easily to her words and sitting down to rest. That was why she quietly set aside the medicinal herbs she had been preparing. Since he had granted her request, her wish, her hope... she should offer something in return, no matter how insignificant. ["Then, please give me your hand."] ["Why?"] ["Your hands are worn from hardship. At least for a moment, I should let them rest."] A small hand reached out toward him. Baek Jin hesitated, staring at the slender fingers of the young girl, but in the end, he slowly placed his hand in hers. And just like that¡ª A soft, sliding touch. His scarred and rough hands were gently enveloped by a much smaller, much softer pair. At the same time, a quiet voice reached his ears. ["You must have always held a sword with these hands."] Baeksulhwa¡¯s expression darkened slightly as she murmured, carefully caressing his hand. Her delicate thumb slowly traced over the scars on his knuckles. Her touch carried a faint tremor, as well as an unmistakable concern. Baek Jin simply watched her in silence. He was a man whom no one had ever considered a subject of worry. Yet, the person before him, this precious presence, was worrying about him. ["Still... sometimes, just like now, you should set your sword down and rest."] ["How can you say such a thing?"] ["Because one day, these hands should be holding wildflowers instead of a sword."] For hands that had taken countless lives, those words seemed utterly foreign. The unfamiliar word¡ªwildflowers¡ªleft Baek Jin momentarily speechless as he gazed at Baeksulhwa. Just as he was about to say something¡ª A soft wind blew in from afar. [".........."] The flowers in the front yard of the thatched house swayed gently. Baeksulhwa, too, gazed at them in silence. As if she wished for this moment to last forever, she did not let go of Baek Jin¡¯s hand. She simply remained still, calm and composed¡ª Yet, deep in her heart, she held an earnest wish. ["If the day comes when you can set down your sword and truly rest... that alone will be enough for me."] She looked up toward the warm sunlight, smiling gently. She had nothing more to ask for. A serene smile, eyes gazing upward, wrapped in the golden hues of sunset. A scene like a painting. So after all this, they¡¯re just gonna brutally kill her? ? The writer has no heart. This is giving me The Sunshine PTSD.Baeksulhwa is too pitiful ?????It¡¯s only the first episode, and you¡¯re already doing this to us?By the way, she looks insanely beautiful. ? Seriously.The poignantly tender moment sent waves across online communities, their posts flooding in ever faster. Just as in the past, Lee Ha-eun in hanbok had an undeniable pull on viewers. As time passed, Baeksulhwa¡¯s health gradually deteriorated. Her coughs grew more frequent, and soon, even standing on her own became difficult. And then¡ªmere minutes later¡ª - Creak¡ª! ["...It¡¯s you."] - Swish¡ª! - Thud! ["......Ah...."] - Collapse. The moment the Jurchens raided the village, she crossed a river of no return. Most viewers couldn¡¯t tear their eyes away from Ha-eun. Ah.??????She¡¯s dead again.Every time she wears hanbok, she dies. ? Yeong-wol <<< Who even is this? ? That one disguised as a man;; First-ever female lead to die in episode one, lol.Because she had once looked up at Baek Jin and smiled, it felt all the more tragic when she grew cold in his arms. A fragile existence, slowly fading toward a sad ending. Her last words, faint and heartbreaking¡ª ["You... kept your promise...."] At the end of her life, she clutched a frozen snow flower. Baeksulhwa, who once called snow flowers "wildflowers" to ease Baek Jin¡¯s guilt, did not even finish her sentence before she breathed her last. Then came another tragic ending. Having lost Baeksulhwa, Baek Jin abandoned everything and fought in endless battles, only to eventually collapse alone in a vast field. Yet, instead of death, he was cursed with eternal life. So he waited. Waited alone through the long years¡ªuntil Baeksulhwa was reincarnated. ?Will they meet again...?? Even Lucid, watching from across the sea, found herself waiting. At first, she had only watched the drama out of curiosity for Ha-eun. But now, she was deeply immersed in the story itself. Since she hadn¡¯t seen the teaser beforehand, she had no idea when¡ªor even if¡ªBaek Jin and Baeksulhwa would reunite. Fortunately, before long, the scene of their reunion aired. Unfortunately¡ª ["...Excuse me. Do I know you?"] ["I once did. I once held you in my arms. And in the end... I could never forget, so I came here."] Baeksulhwa did not recognize Baek Jin. And so, viewers across Korea found themselves watching the drama through Baek Jin¡¯s eyes. But this was merely the beginning¡ªa prelude. ?Someday, she will regain her memories.? This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. The moment Baeksulhwa recalls her past, the strange old man she once saw¡ªBaek Jin¡ªwill become an entirely different existence. For the viewers, this speculation alone was enough reason to continue watching the next episode of God and the Goblin. ["Am I seeing things...?"] Baeksulhwa walked through a dimly lit alley, unaware that Baek Jin was silently watching her from a distance. The moment the vast space between the two protagonists¡ªone that could hardly be called close¡ªfinally narrowed again, was the scene the audience was waiting for. In other words, God and the Goblin had already succeeded in hooking its viewers. The tragic ending of the past storyline drew them in, while the incomplete reunion in the present created the drive to keep watching. This drama is going to be a massive hit.God and the Goblin Episode 2 Preview.MP4Kang Sun-woo and Lee Ha-eun¡¯s chemistry is unbeatable...Someone called him ¡°the next-door uncle with a bad ending,¡± and I still can¡¯t move on. ? If you think about The Sunshine, this might end in a bad ending too. ? He already died once. ? Which means he could die again. ? They killed her off so tragically, and now they¡¯re going to kill her again? The writer is a psychopath. ? Who knows, man, lol. The OST at the end was incredible.The response on SNS and community forums was overwhelmingly positive. There weren¡¯t any posts criticizing God and the Goblin in sight. Was it because of the drama¡¯s undeniable quality? Or perhaps it was because UBS¡¯s new drama, airing in the same time slot, failed to gain much attention? Drama ¡®God and the Goblin¡¯ Surpasses 20% Viewership¡ªAn Unstoppable Start!Kang Sun-woo and Lee Ha-eun Reunite After 10 Years¡ªTheir Chemistry from ¡®The Next-Door Uncle¡¯ Returns!¡®God and the Goblin¡¯ Begins with a Bang¡ªOTV Sets New Record!Online articles focused heavily on the drama¡¯s impressive success. Some even covered reactions from overseas audiences in China and Japan. God and the Goblin possessed the hallmark traits of a Hallyu (Korean Wave) production. As a result, OTV had already begun discussions about exporting the series internationally. ¡°There¡¯s a significant amount of discussion about God and the Goblin on Japanese forums.¡± ¡°If it¡¯s already at this level after just one episode... we should push forward more aggressively.¡± ¡°We need to strike while the iron is hot. Let¡¯s make contact before it¡¯s too late.¡± *** God and the Goblin aired on Fridays and Saturdays. The second episode, airing the very next day, made just as much of an impact as the first. This time, the focus was on Baeksulhwa¡¯s life in the modern era. Scenes of her childhood, struggling in poverty, played out on-screen. ["Hey, Baeksulhwa."] - Whoosh! - Thud¡ª! ["This is food paid for by our taxes. Why don¡¯t you say thank you?"] Even at school, poverty made her an easy target for bullying. For no reason other than being poor, she was ostracized, unable to even eat her meals in peace. The broadcast then moved to scenes of her working part-time jobs, which only painted a more pitiful picture. The screen showed her, utterly exhausted, scrubbing a grill over and over until, in the end, she collapsed from exhaustion. Why is this so depressing?I¡¯ve never seen Lee Ha-eun like this before.With that face, why not just become a model??Why does the nosebleed look so real?SNS and community forums were flooded with sympathy for Baeksulhwa. Following her frail existence in the past, her struggles in the present resonated deeply with viewers. And then, she was rushed to the emergency room. After receiving a disapproving glare from her boss, she was ultimately told to take time off. ["...Why. Why is it always... me...?"] ["...If this is how it was going to be, then why was I even born...?"] Holding nothing but a small bag of medicine, she walked through the streets alone. A sight so far removed from happiness that even viewers began wondering what Baek Jin was doing at that moment. Eventually, she slumped down onto a bench. The silence that followed was suffocating. ["Hic... ugh... ah..."] Overwhelmed by the void of being utterly alone in the world, she hunched over, sobbing. Her question¡ªwhy she even had to be born¡ªwas directed at the unseen gods. She clutched at her own chest, shaking as she wept¡ª - Step. ["Why do you torment yourself?"] A voice, one she was slowly getting used to, reached her ears. Only then did she lift her head. Her tear-filled eyes met his. ["...Mister. Do you... want me to keep living...?"] Her voice trembled, and for a moment, the viewers held their breath. Lucid, watching from across the sea, felt the same. ?A genius actress... Maybe that wasn¡¯t just an exaggeration.? That morning, Lucid had looked into an actress named Lee Ha-eun. So now, as she watched, she saw Ha-eun in an entirely new light. By the time Baeksulhwa began pouring out her sorrow to Baek Jin, Lucid was completely absorbed. And so, Episode 2 left a deep impression on Lucid and many other viewers. When it ended with a preview for Episode 3, the buzz around God and the Goblin only intensified. It¡¯s Lee Ha-eun....Wasn¡¯t that Lee Ha-eun in God and the Goblin?I heard she¡¯s really close with Kang Sun-woo.¡°...Hmm.¡± Returning to Naerae Arts High School after a long time, Ha-eun was struck by an intense sense of de?ja? vu. These gazes... They were eerily similar to the ones she received at the beginning of the year when The Sunshine aired. ¡°I thought things would stay quiet for a bit longer....¡± Ever since Veterans premiered, she had been able to attend school without much fuss. Frankly, she was a little disappointed. Not that it mattered much¡ªwinter break was only a few days away. At the very least, she had the benefit of being a high school senior who had already taken the college entrance exam. In other words, the only thing she had to do at school was rest all day. ¡°Lee Ha-eun. There¡¯s a group of first-years huddled by the back door. Go check it out.¡± ¡°...Why do you assume they¡¯re here to see me?¡± ¡°Who else would they be here for?¡± ¡°You, obviously. The great actress Min Da-yeon.¡± ¡°G-Great [N O V E L I G H T] actress? What are you saying?!¡± ¡°Look at you getting all shy.¡± She didn¡¯t have to worry about studying anymore. So she had no problem entertaining underclassmen or other students from different classes who came to see her. Besides, sitting idly in class without any lessons was just plain boring. ¡°Teacher~. Can we watch a movie~?¡± ¡°We could watch a drama too!¡± ¡°...Do whatever you want.¡± The idea of watching something surfaced among her classmates. Suggestions included The Sunshine, which had ended a few months ago, or The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds, which aired last year. ¡°Hey, guys? Anything else?¡± ¡°Like what?¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing else worth watching besides the ones Ha-eun was in.¡± ¡°I never watched The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds. Let¡¯s watch that.¡± In the end, Ha-eun¡¯s opinion was completely ignored. There weren¡¯t any other dramas that had done as well as hers. It didn¡¯t matter what Ha-eun wanted. The only thing that mattered was entertainment value. ["Be my husband."] ["Gladly."] ¡°Oh my gosh.¡± ¡°Kyaaa!!!¡± ¡°This is insane...!¡± And so, The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds played. Her classmates even skipped to the most embarrassing highlights, leaving Ha-eun with no choice but to slump over her desk in defeat. She had no other options. But then¡ª Min Da-yeon, watching Ha-eun with an amused glint in her eye, leaned in and whispered something rather explicit. ¡°Look at that. They¡¯re practically devouring each other.¡± ¡°We... we didn¡¯t do that...!¡± Flustered, Ha-eun shot up, stammering out weak denials. Even though this was all from a year ago¡ª ¡°We didn¡¯t kiss. We didn¡¯t!¡± ¡°You think the Noeulis will care about that?¡± ¡°Hey, hey...!¡± ¡°You told me not to cheat, but it turns out you¡¯re the one two-timing.¡± ¡°...I shouldn¡¯t have come to school today.¡± ¡°Well, well. The sun must be rising in the west tomorrow. I just heard Lee Ha-eun say she shouldn¡¯t have come to school.¡± Chapter 245 The unexpected screening of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds finally ended by the fourth period. If Naerae Arts High School hadn¡¯t shortened classes for senior students, the screening would have likely continued into the afternoon. Of course, the fact that a screening happened at all was enough to make Ha-eun want to disappear. She was bewildered at herself¡ªhow had she even filmed those scenes? ¡°If your first kiss scene was that good, you were born for this.¡± ¡°No one is born for kiss scenes....¡± ¡°Well, right here, right now, in front of me, stands Lee Ha-eun, the exception.¡± ¡°..........¡± The only saving grace was that Ha-eun had her scheduled college admissions consultation in the middle of the screening. Summoned by her homeroom teacher, she was able to escape before having to endure more of Yeong-wol and Crown Prince Lee Hyun¡¯s scandalous romance. ¡°I¡¯m here.¡± ¡°Oh, Ha-eun. Have a seat.¡± Her college entrance exam scores appeared on the monitor. The results were more than enough to secure admission to Yeoryeo University, her goal. Her homeroom teacher let out a small murmur of admiration. ¡°You barely had time to study with all your filming. When did you manage to pull this off? Even regular students struggle to get scores like this.¡± ¡°I just... studied whenever I could.¡± ¡°And that got you into Y University? Impressive.¡± To put it simply, Ha-eun¡¯s consultation didn¡¯t take long. Her target university and major were clear, and her scores placed her well within ?N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t? the safety range. The only additional discussion involved recommending other prestigious universities she could apply to. That was the extent of the conversation. However, she didn¡¯t return to her classroom immediately. The reason¡ª ¡°Ha-eun, did you hear? Da-yeon got accepted into Yeoryeo University.¡± The conversation shifted to Da-yeon, who had secured a spot through the practical skills test. Her homeroom teacher chuckled warmly, remarking how unexpected it was that the two of them would end up going to college together. ¡°You two will be sticking together next year, too.¡± ¡°I... I haven¡¯t been accepted yet.¡± ¡°With scores like yours, it would be more shocking if you didn¡¯t get in.¡± Then, the conversation turned to Parasite Family, their next project. Since the teacher already knew both Ha-eun and Da-yeon had leading roles, they casually expressed their anticipation. ¡°You two play best friends in the movie, right? Da-yeon mentioned it.¡± ¡°Oh, um... best friends....¡± ¡°What, they¡¯re not best friends?¡± ¡°...It¡¯s complicated. In many ways.¡± Ha-eun forced an awkward smile. She quickly shifted the conversation to thanking her teacher for the past year¡ªtalking too much about Parasite Family could lead to spoilers. ¡°I¡¯ll visit on Teacher¡¯s Day next year... with Da-yeon.¡± ¡°Sounds good. I¡¯ll keep my schedule clear.¡± After bowing politely to her teacher, Ha-eun headed back to the classroom. Perhaps because her time as a high school student was truly coming to an end, the school hallways and windows seemed different. She had walked these halls for years, but soon, they would no longer be part of her daily life. ¡®What was it like when I graduated middle school...?¡¯ Lost in thought about her impending graduation, she walked slowly, eventually reaching her classroom door. For some reason, she hesitated before pushing it open. Inside were the same friends she had spent an entire year with. Familiar faces, soon to scatter in different directions. She nearly got sentimental. That was until¡ª ["I will be yours, Your Highness. So please... take me."] ["If your true identity is revealed, everyone will scorn you."] ["There is nothing more important to me than you, Your Highness."] The sight of Yeong-wol and Lee Hyun on the classroom monitor. Bathed in moonlight, wrapped in each other¡¯s arms. Any sentimentality was instantly obliterated. Unfortunately for Ha-eun, the scene being played was the most-watched highlight clip from The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds. ["I love you, Your Highness."] For a moment, their silhouettes overlapped perfectly. Gasps and cheers erupted from all corners of the classroom. Everyone was completely immersed, staring at the monitor with rapt attention. None of them even noticed that Ha-eun had returned. She seriously considered skipping school for the remaining days before winter break. *** ¡°Our drama is still really popular. Some people are even planning to binge-watch it overnight....¡± ¡°Well, it was a great drama.¡± The day after the The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds screening¡ª Or, to be more specific, while waiting for filming to begin alongside Yoo Sung-jae, who was making a cameo in God and the Goblin. Recalling yesterday¡¯s ordeal, Ha-eun muttered under her breath. Did they really have to watch that? Didn¡¯t anyone care how humiliating it was for her to watch her own intimate scenes? ¡°I feel like friendship is overrated. Sure, I appreciate that they enjoy my acting, but....¡± She grumbled about her mischievous classmates to Yoo Sung-jae. He simply chuckled. ¡°They only did that because they¡¯re close to you. If they weren¡¯t, they wouldn¡¯t have dared suggest it.¡± ¡°...You really think so?¡± ¡°Of course. It¡¯s not like they did it to bully you.¡± This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. Then, flipping through his script, Yoo Sung-jae suddenly pointed something out. ¡°There¡¯s a line here where my character tells Baeksulhwa she looks familiar. This is hilarious.¡± It was an inside joke¡ªa reference to The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds, where they had played the lead couple. While it technically fit the plot, since his character had actually seen Baeksulhwa before, the line was more of a deliberate Easter egg. ¡°You think fans will be reminded of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds? Like your classmates were?¡± ¡°Yeah, well... probably.¡± ¡°Now that I think about it, I do miss it. We had a blast filming last year.¡± The conversation drifted toward reminiscing about their time filming The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds. Yoo Sung-jae admitted that when he first met Ha-eun, he had his doubts. ¡°To be honest, when I first saw you, all sorts of thoughts crossed my mind. I kept wondering if I could really pull off a romance with you.¡± ¡°For someone who was worried, you did pretty well.¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s only because you made it easy for me. Thanks to you, I even got to play your first love.¡± Life really was unpredictable. Smiling faintly, Yoo Sung-jae rose to his feet. A moment later, he was striding toward the set. ¡°I¡¯ll see you in a bit.¡± ¡°Oh, right... See you soon.¡± Time passed quickly. And now, just three minutes remained before filming began. ¡®First love, huh....¡¯ Going over her lines, Ha-eun found herself lost in thought. After all, the concept of ¡°first love¡± was a complicated one for her. She had played characters who fell in love before, but this time, it was different. The role required her to portray something unlike her past performances. ¡®Baeksulhwa had a crush on an older guy from her church when she was younger. And she still feels the same now....¡¯ Unlike The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds, where her character loved her superior, or The Sunshine, where guilt overshadowed the romance¡ª This time, it was just a normal 19-year-old girl experiencing a normal first love. A feeling that everyone supposedly experiences at least once¡ªexcept Ha-eun never had. For days, she had been agonizing over how to portray it. Ironically, because it was such an ordinary emotion, it was even harder to express. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s begin. Three, two, one...¡± Even by the time filming began, Ha-eun still didn¡¯t fully understand what ¡°first love¡± was supposed to feel like. She had never experienced it firsthand. Yet, she was an actress. She had created emotions from a script countless times before. What mattered wasn¡¯t whether she understood first love, but whether the audience could feel it through Baeksulhwa. She had to make Yoo Sung-jae seem like her first love¡ªthrough her voice, expressions, and gestures. ["Uh... haven¡¯t we met before? You look really familiar."] ["Oh... oh... Do-yoon oppa?"] Deceiving people through acting was second nature to her. And so, as the scene played out, her eyes began to tremble. ["I-It¡¯s me. Baeksulhwa."] ["Huh? Seolhwa? Wow, it¡¯s been so long."] To Seo Do-yoon¡ªYoo Sung-jae¡¯s character¡ªBaeksulhwa was just a childhood friend he hadn¡¯t seen in years. He had no idea that Baeksulhwa had feelings for him. But for Baeksulhwa, suddenly coming face to face with her first love again made her heart race. ["H-have you... been doing well?"] She could barely look him in the eye. Her gaze hovered slightly downward, not quite able to meet his directly. A blend of excitement, nervousness, and nostalgia flickered in her expression. At some point, her cheeks had turned slightly pink. ["Me? Yeah, I¡¯ve been fine. What about you?"] ["Oh, I... I¡¯ve been fine too."] Her voice carried a nervous tremor, laced with anticipation. Even her breathing had subtly quickened, signaling how different Baeksulhwa felt in this moment. The most evident emotion was shyness. She clearly wanted to say more¡ªbut just couldn¡¯t bring herself to. ["When... when did you come back?"] ["About a month ago. I was in the military."] ["Oh...."] She gave a small nod, stealing quick glances at him. And after hesitating, hesitating, hesitating¡ª ["I-I changed my phone, so... um... could you give me your number again?"] With a trembling voice, she asked for his contact information. At the same time, she cautiously extended her phone toward him. Seo Do-yoon, with no ulterior motives, easily agreed. And just as he took her phone¡ª More precisely, when their hands barely brushed against each other¡ª ["...!"] Her eyes widened, and she inhaled sharply. For a brief moment, their gazes met¡ªhis slightly surprised, hers filled with unspoken emotion. And then, just as quickly¡ª That fleeting, bashful smile appeared. The ever-so-slight parting of her lips. The delicate tremble in her eyes. A gaze filled with longing, from someone familiar, yet unfamiliar in this moment. ["Here you go."] ["Oh... thank you, oppa."] ["It¡¯s nothing."] Yoo Sung-jae, being an actor himself, didn¡¯t react visibly. But he felt it. The subtle tremor of her fingertips. The deepening of her gaze. The faint breath, as if swallowing back a surge of emotion. Everything slowed down. Even though it was all acting, it felt strangely real. ¡°Cut! That was great, both of you.¡± Even after filming ended, the feeling lingered. It was the first time in a year, since The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds, that he had felt this way. Maybe that was why. Or maybe it was because of a promise he had made with Da-yeon long ago. Or maybe... it was something he had already begun to realize. ¡°...This is dangerous.¡± Muttering to himself, Yoo Sung-jae glanced toward Ha-eun, who was deep in conversation with her manager. For once, his usual relaxed demeanor was gone. Right then, another lead actor of God and the Goblin approached him. ¡°You¡¯re staring too hard. If you keep that up, you might burn a hole through her.¡± The senior actor, Kang Sun-woo, clapped a hand on Yoo Sung-jae¡¯s shoulder. Then, with a calm but meaningful voice, he added¡ª ¡°Her friend told me to keep an eye on you. Said you looked suspicious.¡± With a gentle smile, Kang Sun-woo patted him twice on the shoulder. The weight behind his words was impossible to miss. ¡°...Women¡¯s intuition is scary, isn¡¯t it?¡± That deep, knowing voice. Yoo Sung-jae scratched his head awkwardly, unable to muster a response. It was still just a possibility. But Ha-eun was surrounded by people who wouldn¡¯t even allow that possibility to exist. ¡°...I don¡¯t know. Not yet.¡± ¡°Ha-eun¡¯s got sharp instincts. You¡¯d better be careful.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think she¡¯s even considered it.¡± ¡°She will. It¡¯s just a matter of time.¡± That was the last thing Kang Sun-woo said before walking away. Soon, Yoo Sung-jae had to return to filming as Seo Do-yoon. And when they filmed the next scene¡ª When Seo Do-yoon and Baek Jin finally stood face to face¡ª ["...I¡¯m watching you. No matter where you are."] A warning. Directed at Seo Do-yoon. But somehow, it felt like it wasn¡¯t just for him. Even though Yoo Sung-jae had done nothing wrong, something in his chest tightened. *** ¡°You know, if you really think about it... Ha-eun seems to only date terrifying people.¡± ¡°I get along with everyone. You¡¯re not supposed to be picky about friends.¡± ¡°Says who?¡± ¡°My mom. She always said, ¡®The more friends, the better.¡¯¡± ¡°...I can¡¯t argue with your mom.¡± Chapter 246 At the end of the day, Yoo Sung-jae¡¯s cameo filming lasted the entire day. That was because every single one of his scenes as Seo Do-yoon was scheduled to be shot in one go. ¡°Ugh... at this rate, isn¡¯t this more of a supporting role than a cameo? Shouldn¡¯t I be getting paid more?¡± ¡°Hmm, I don¡¯t know about your paycheck, Sung-jae, but I can offer you a coffee.¡± When Ha-eun handed him a coffee, Yoo Sung-jae accepted it without complaint. He took a sip, intending to chat lightly about the day¡¯s filming¡ª ¡ªwhen suddenly. -? -? -? -? ¡°Oh, hold on.¡± Just as he was about to speak, Ha-eun¡¯s phone rang. She reached into her pocket and pulled it out. Yoo Sung-jae didn¡¯t think much of it. Whatever the call was, it wasn¡¯t important enough to stop her from answering. Besides, from the corner of his eye, he could see Kang Sun-woo watching them from a distance. So, he decided to act as usual. Just a friendly acquaintance. Nothing more, nothing less. Even if his own emotions were uncertain, he had no intention of making Ha-eun uncomfortable. Scandals would be troublesome for both of them. But then¡ª ¡°Oh, Da-yeon? What¡¯s up?¡± The moment the name left her lips, he tensed slightly. A familiar name. And for some reason, he already had a feeling why Da-yeon was calling. *#@%!#%$@%@$#@* ¡°You¡¯re asking if I¡¯m with Sung-jae? Of course I am, we were filming together.¡± *@#%#@%@#$@#%!* ¡°...What do you mean, ¡®stay at least ten meters away from him¡¯? Did he catch a cold or something?¡± The muffled voice on the other end made him chuckle dryly. Women¡¯s intuition was terrifying. Not long after, he casually told Ha-eun that he was heading out. It wasn¡¯t just that he wanted to avoid giving Da-yeon anything to complain about¡ª He also felt that staying near Ha-eun any longer might make things even more complicated for himself. ¡°My manager¡¯s calling for me. I should get going.¡± ¡°Oh, okay. Get home safe. ...Oh, and thanks for today, Sung-jae.¡± ¡°...Yeah.¡± And with that, Yoo Sung-jae disappeared into the distance. Afterward, Ha-eun lifted her phone again and asked Da-yeon¡ª ¡°Is there some secret I don¡¯t know about? Or are you planning a surprise party for me?¡± [It¡¯s... it¡¯s nothing like that.] ¡°Then why are you acting weird?¡± [Oh, the show¡¯s about to start. Gotta go.] -Click. ¡°...Hmm.¡± If Da-yeon wasn¡¯t being suspicious, then the sky wasn¡¯t blue. So, naturally, the very next day at Narae Arts High, Ha-eun confronted her about Yoo Sung-jae. ¡°He keeps trying to steal you from me. You¡¯re mine.¡± ¡°...Am I an object?¡± ¡°Anyway.¡± The response was nothing short of childish. Apparently, Da-yeon simply did not like Ha-eun getting too close to Yoo Sung-jae. Even though Ha-eun spent way more time with her. ¡°You know, this is kind of rude to Sung-jae too.¡± ¡°Why are you taking his side?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about sides¡ª¡± ¡°Pick. Me or Yoo Sung-jae.¡± ¡°...Are you serious right now?¡± In the end, Ha-eun could only shake her head in exasperation. Being friends with Yoo Sung-jae didn¡¯t mean she was losing Da-yeon, so what was the big deal? ...Unless? ¡°Wait. Da-yeon... do you like Sung-jae?¡± ¡°What¡ª what?¡± ¡°If that¡¯s the case, you don¡¯t have to worry. I don¡¯t have any feelings for him. Seriously.¡± ¡°Oh, thank g¡ª NO! I don¡¯t like him! Why would I ever like him?!¡± The sheer horror on Da-yeon¡¯s face was so genuine that Ha-eun tilted her head in confusion. If she wasn¡¯t interested in Yoo Sung-jae, then what was this about? ¡°There¡¯s nothing. Nothing! You dense idiot!¡± ¡°Why are you yelling at me?¡± ¡°Agh, this is frustrating.¡± Watching Da-yeon bang her fists against her own chest, Ha-eun decided to let it go. Da-yeon probably had her own reasons. But not even a week later, Ha-eun ended up spending a lot of time with Da-yeon again. The reason? ¡°Hello. I¡¯m Lee Ha-eun, playing Yoo Ye-rim.¡± Filming for Parasite Family had officially begun. Since she was cast as one of the leads¡ªjust like Da-yeon¡ªshe had to attend the script reading. And so, in front of a gathering of actors and staff, she calmly introduced herself. All eyes turned to her. ¡®There¡¯s never been a case like this before.¡¯ ¡®Does she just have an eye for good projects? Or is she the one making them successful?¡¯ Thanks to God and the Goblin blowing up, Ha-eun was once again the center of attention. Not just from the production staff, but from her fellow actors. It had only been two years since the child prodigy of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds made her comeback. And in that short time¡ª She had single-handedly revived KBC¡¯s drama department, set new records for cable dramas, and¡ª After a decade-long absence from the film industry¡ª She had immediately become a million-ticket-selling actress through Veterans. Most of all, she was personally cast by Parasite Family¡¯s director, Sung Chan-wook. ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to it. Please take care of me, Ha-eun.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Even after the director¡¯s brief comment, murmurs about her didn¡¯t subside. The fact that Yoo Ye-rim¡ªthe role Ha-eun was playing¡ªwas almost a villain had something to do with it. ¡®She was terrifying in Veterans.¡¯ ¡®I didn¡¯t think she could pull off villains too.¡¯ Yoo Ye-rim was the protagonist of Parasite Family¡ª But she wasn¡¯t a hero. She was what you¡¯d call an antagonistic protagonist. ¡®I wonder how she¡¯ll play this.¡¯ ¡®I¡¯m curious to see her approach.¡¯ ¡®Wasn¡¯t the God and the Goblin heroine kind of similar?¡¯ Yoo Ye-rim was the poor girl of the story. Struggling to escape poverty¡ªby any means necessary. And that included acts that crossed moral and ethical lines. She was the driving force behind the film¡¯s tension and weight. The mastermind behind every conflict. And just then, another lead actor stood up to introduce herself. ¡°I¡¯m Min Da-yeon, playing Kim Ji-min.¡± Another million-ticket actress. The definition of a successful former child star. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. With a face and name known to everyone, she instantly drew all eyes. It only made sense¡ª Since Da-yeon¡¯s Kim Ji-min was the foil to Ha-eun¡¯s Yoo Ye-rim. A battle between two top actresses. Two childhood best friends, going head-to-head in Parasite Family. ¡®Their personalities are supposed to be the opposite in real life.¡¯ ¡®I wonder how it¡¯ll feel, watching them act together.¡¯ And since their acting styles were completely different, even the industry was eager to see how this clash would unfold. After all¡ª The entire story revolved around Yoo Ye-rim parasitizing Kim Ji-min¡¯s family in every way possible. So maybe that was why. "You want to start from Scene 21?" Director Sung Chan-wook¡¯s voice echoed through the room, announcing the scene number. It was a dialogue scene between Yoo Ye-rim and Kim Ji-min. He wanted to see how Ha-eun and Da-yeon would clash in their performances. A beat passed before their gazes met. In Da-yeon¡¯s eyes¡ª A mixture of anticipation and nervous excitement. Instead of answering, Ha-eun simply rose from her seat. ¡®Well... I did promise.¡¯ This was Da-yeon¡¯s moment to shine. She had made a promise that day at the ryokan¡¯s hot springs, and she intended to keep it now. Da-yeon remembered that promise too. And opportunities to directly act against each other like this were rare. -Creak. -Step. -Step. Da-yeon stood as well and walked toward the empty space where Ha-eun stood. A few steps away from the table¡ª They finally faced each other. A short silence. Then¡ª ¡°I¡¯m starting.¡± Ha-eun''s voice signaled the beginning of Scene 21. And almost instantly, Da-yeon responded. ¡°...Okay.¡± Determination tinged her voice. Ha-eun met her gaze. Short bobbed hair. Sharp, aristocratic eyes¡ªlike a villainous noblewoman from a novel. Features completely different from Ha-eun¡¯s own. Because they were different people. And naturally, their acting styles were different too. Ha-eun adapted to her roles. Da-yeon molded her roles to fit herself. Neither approach was right or wrong¡ª But that was precisely why Da-yeon had never been able to imitate Ha-eun¡¯s acting. Because no matter what she played, Da-yeon always bled through. Her acting was calculated. Every expression, every breath, every movement was carefully measured. Unlike Ha-eun, who immersed herself in her characters and acted from within. Da-yeon¡¯s performance was controlled. "Ji-min, did you finish your art assignment?" Ironically, Da-yeon¡¯s precise acting style suited Ha-eun¡¯s Yoo Ye-rim. Because Yoo Ye-rim had to hide her poverty. "Not yet. I''ll probably do it this weekend." "I got some help from my dad¡¯s gallery. Want to look at the reference materials together?" The school Yoo Ye-rim attended, Cheongrim Arts High, was a place for the elite. Only rich kids. Except for Yoo Ye-rim, who had scraped her way in with a scholarship. "Oh? Your dad owns a gallery?" "Yeah. In Insa-dong." At Cheongrim, poverty meant weakness. And the weak were devoured. So to survive, Yoo Ye-rim performed an elaborate lie. And in front of Da-yeon¡¯s real rich girl, Kim Ji-min, she had to be even more convincing. "Then, Ye-rim, do you have time this weekend? Let¡¯s do the {N?o?v?e?l?i?g?h?t} assignment at my place." "Sure. Let¡¯s do that." Ha-eun didn''t rely on bitter memories from her past life. Instead, she calculated every word, every movement¡ªbecoming nothing but a machine assembling a fac?ade. This was the most precise version of Da-yeon¡¯s acting Ha-eun could mimic. She wanted Da-yeon to see herself. "Oh, but Ye-rim, my parents will be home on the weekend. You might feel uncomfortable..." "That¡¯s fine. They¡¯re your parents, after all." The performance felt wrong. Something about it was off. Even her smile¡ªtoo perfect, too practiced. Like a mask. No, not a mask¡ª A puppet, being controlled. "I¡¯ll text you my address. See you this weekend, Ye-rim." "Yeah." A lighthearted laugh. But beneath it¡ªcold indifference. The kind of look that didn¡¯t see friends, only tools. A smile so contrived it was unsettling. But the moment Da-yeon exited the scene¡ª That mask vanished. As if it had never been there. As if every trace of warmth had been fabricated. ¡°.........¡± A sharp, emotionless gaze lingered where Da-yeon had stood. Like she was calculating something. Something cold. Da-yeon was shocked. ¡®...That¡¯s supposed to be me?¡¯ She had been watching Ha-eun intently the entire time. She knew¡ª Knew that Ha-eun was playing the role differently than usual. But that only made it worse. Because Ha-eun had clearly been imitating her. Did that mean... this was how Ha-eun saw her? ¡°Director, was that okay?¡± ¡°Yes. That was great.¡± After wrapping up the scene, Ha-eun and Da-yeon returned to their seats. More accurately, it was during their break in the script reading session. -Step. -Step. Da-yeon approached cautiously. Then, hesitantly, she grabbed Ha-eun¡¯s hand. Her voice trembled slightly as she asked¡ª ¡°...Were you scared of me?¡± ¡°Huh? Wh-what?¡± ¡°Be honest. It¡¯s okay.¡± Ha-eun frowned in confusion. ¡°Why would I be scared of you...?¡± Then what the hell was that scene earlier? A tangle of emotions churned inside Da-yeon. The way Ha-eun had portrayed Yoo Ye-rim¡ª It had felt so unnervingly familiar. Like a reflection of herself. And not in a good way. For a moment, Da-yeon was silent. Then¡ªinstinctively¡ªshe tightened her grip on Ha-eun¡¯s hand. ¡°...Don¡¯t keep secrets from me. Just tell me. Anything. I promise I can handle it.¡± If Ha-eun had ever resented her, she wanted to know. If she had ever feared her, she needed to know. If their childhood friendship had ever been fake¡ª Da-yeon didn¡¯t think she could handle that. ¡®...If she knew my secret, she¡¯d pass out.¡¯ Chapter 247 Ha-eun''s performance in S#21 had been a slightly different style of acting for her. Rather than immersing herself fully into the role of Yoo Ye-rim, her focus had been on delivering the script¡¯s lines and actions with precision. It did feel a little stiff, though. That stiffness, however, was intentional¡ªmeant to convey that Yoo Ye-rim was acting out a fabricated persona. At the same time, Ha-eun had attempted to mimic Da-yeon¡¯s distinctive acting style in her own way. That¡¯s why she was curious. How had Da-yeon perceived her performance in S#21? Had Ha-eun¡¯s portrayal of actress Min Da-yeon¡¯s acting resonated with Da-yeon herself? ¡°How was it?¡± Before the script reading resumed, Ha-eun took a moment to ask for Da-yeon¡¯s thoughts. But¡ª ¡°...Can I be honest?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°I felt like I was looking at a yokai. A monster mimicking a human.¡± ¡°A-A yokai is a bit...¡± Da-yeon¡¯s response was far from what Ha-eun had expected. Reflecting on her performance from a few minutes ago, Ha-eun wondered if she had overdone it. I mean, it was a scene where she was faking a smile, so it couldn¡¯t be helped. Whenever Yoo Ye-rim was with someone, she was almost always acting out her fake persona. Her true self didn¡¯t emerge until the later parts of the story, when her secrets started unraveling. That sense of unease and artificiality surrounding Yoo Ye-rim was deliberate¡ªa device meant to make it clear to the audience that she was acting. It made sense, then, that Da-yeon had found it unnerving. ¡°Still, think about it. You performed it your way earlier.¡± ¡°...Got it.¡± And with that, the script reading resumed. The actors and staff who had stepped away returned to their seats. Just as Director Sung Chan-wook was about to speak, a voice interrupted him¡ª Slightly ahead of his timing, a middle-aged actor spoke up. ¡°Director, if it¡¯s alright, I¡¯d like to do a scene with Ha-eun this time.¡± Jin Yoo-seok. The actor playing Kim Seok-yoon, Kim Ji-min¡¯s father. A veteran actor who had ascended to the highest ranks in the industry, his gaze gleamed with curiosity as he looked at Ha-eun. A curiosity born from an actor¡¯s instinct. ¡°If it¡¯s a scene between Yoo-seok and Ha-eun....¡± ¡°I was thinking of S#73.¡± Having already heard of Ha-eun¡¯s impressive acting skills, he had been looking forward to performing alongside her. In a way, it was similar to the case with Seo Jin-tae from Veterans. ¡°What do you think, Ha-eun? Is there a different scene you¡¯d prefer?¡± ¡°A-Ah, no. I think S#73 would be good.¡± Like Seo Jin-tae, Jin Yoo-seok was far more senior to Ha-eun. Refusing his request wasn¡¯t an option. She was caught off guard¡ª She hadn¡¯t expected Jin Yoo-seok to take such an interest in her. We haven¡¯t even introduced ourselves yet. Still, with no time for formal greetings, she rose from her seat alongside him. Moving toward the empty space where she had previously performed with Da-yeon. After all, S#73 took place in a study and included a physical confrontation. I think he¡¯s about six years older than my dad... but he looks surprisingly young. Actors were actors for a reason¡ªstanding face to face, Jin Yoo-seok looked much younger than his actual age. His refined presence suited the role of Kim Seok-yoon, a university professor. However, for Yoo Ye-rim, Jin Yoo-seok¡¯s Kim Seok-yoon was nothing short of an enemy. In S#73, they both knew each other¡¯s secrets. ¡ªSwish. "Hello, father. Or should I call you Professor Kim instead?" In an instant, Ha-eun¡¯s gaze sharpened with hostility. Despite the gentle smile on her face, the atmosphere shifted. In response, the seasoned professor¡¯s voice remained calm. ¡°Call me whatever you like.¡± ¡°Yes, Professor Kim.¡± The setting¡ªthe study belonging to Kim Seok-yoon¡ªreinforced his sense of dominance. To the distinguished university professor, Yoo Ye-rim was just a high school girl. A mere student, insignificant in the grand scheme of things. His social status, his wealth¡ªthere was no comparison between them. That was exactly why¡ª ¡°You¡¯ve been up to some interesting things. Fraud, theft... I had no idea such a rotten girl was hanging around my Ji-min.¡± He had every reason to pressure Yoo Ye-rim into submission. He had already figured out what she was plotting by staying close to his daughter, Kim Ji-min. Looking down at her with the same composed expression, he continued. Telling her to stay away from Ji-min. Warning her that if she didn¡¯t, she would be expelled from Cheongrim Arts High School. ¡°You should know your place. This house¡ªthis world¡ªis not somewhere you belong.¡± ¡°Do yourself a favor and leave quietly. Otherwise, things will only get worse for you.¡± Up to that point, Kim Seok-yoon hadn¡¯t considered Yoo Ye-rim a threat. What could someone like you possibly do? No matter what you try, you¡¯ll never reach my level. He expected her to kneel and beg. Or to lash out emotionally. Not that it would matter¡ªhe had no intention of acknowledging her, regardless of her response. But to his surprise¡ª ¡°So what exactly is your point?¡± There was no fear in Yoo Ye-rim¡¯s expression. The same smile remained on her face. Her voice, too, was relaxed¡ªso much so that Kim Seok-yoon frowned. This wasn¡¯t the reaction he had anticipated. ¡°...Who do you think you¡¯re speaking to so rudely?¡± ¡°Hmm, Professor Kim?¡± ¡°Did you not understand me? Or are you just choosing to act out?¡± ¡°Sorry, but it¡¯s neither.¡± ¡°...Hah.¡± Annoyed by her unexpected defiance, Kim Seok-yoon took a step forward. His steps were deliberate. Intimidating. But even as he closed the distance¡ª ¡°Is it really so hard to understand when someone tells you to know your place?¡± ¡°I told you, I understand. Why do you keep repeating yourself...?¡± Instead of shrinking away, Yoo Ye-rim calmly met his gaze. Finally, he demanded to know what made her so bold. And at last¡ª ¡°Kim Se-young, was it? I heard she¡¯s a student in your class.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°A married professor in his fifties, having an affair with one of his own students... Not exactly the best look for someone from a prestigious university, is it?¡± Yoo Ye-rim¡¯s smirk deepened as she revealed his darkest secret. She raised her phone, displaying several incriminating photos. ¡°Classy choice in motels, Professor.¡± And with that, she made it clear¡ª She had the evidence. The same moment, her voice took on a teasing lilt. ¡°Your wife¡¯s going to be so disappointed.¡± Yoo Ye-rim, still smiling. Kim Seok-yoon, his patience finally snapping. ¡ªWhoosh! ¡°Oh my.¡± In an instant, Kim Seok-yoon snatched the phone and hurled it across the room. The device shattered upon impact. Yoo Ye-rim flinched slightly in surprise. The next moment, Kim Seok-yoon¡¯s cold, hardened expression remained as he wrapped his hands around her throat. Then, forcefully, he shoved her all the way against the wall. ¡ªThud. ¡°You little brat... You think you can climb over your station without knowing your place...?¡± Gritting his teeth, Kim Seok-yoon tightened his grip. Yoo Ye-rim choked, gasping for air, yet instead of fear, she began threatening him in return. ¡°R-Reservations... Emails... do you know... about them? If something... were to happen to me... Ghhk...¡± Even as her hands trembled while clutching at his, her expression was one of mockery. Despite being strangled, she did not lose her composure until the very end. It didn¡¯t take long before Kim Seok-yoon¡¯s fingers loosened. ¡ªThud. ¡°Keuk...! Hah, hah....¡± This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. Collapsing onto the floor of the study, Yoo Ye-rim gasped for air. Once her breathing had somewhat stabilized, she slowly lifted her head. ¡°You went from laying hands on a college student to now attacking your daughter¡¯s friend... I wonder how Ji-min would react if she found out.¡± ¡°Who the hell laid hands on who?! Don¡¯t spout nonsense!¡± ¡°Hmm. Looking at me right now, don¡¯t you think this is exactly the kind of situation that could be misunderstood? Maybe I should just scream.¡± Casually, Yoo Ye-rim gestured to herself with a smirk. Her disheveled blouse, the red marks around her throat, the wrinkled school uniform¡ª And even the buttons that had been completely torn off when Kim Seok-yoon grabbed her neck. ¡°If you¡¯re confident you can handle the consequences, go ahead. Do it. Keep going, you insane bastard.¡± A quiet chuckle escaped her lips as she staggered to her feet. And then, almost immediately, came the final blow. ¡°Ji-min would love to know this. Not only did her dad cheat with a college student, but he even tried to rape her friend. A model professor, indeed.¡± Those final words carried layers of meaning. With that, Yoo Ye-rim exited the study. Kim Seok-yoon was left alone. His expression twisted in a mix of horror and rage. ¡ªCut. ¡°...That was absolutely phenomenal from both of you.¡± Director Sung Chan-wook¡¯s satisfied voice rang out, and the tense, cluttered study dissolved back into the spacious meeting room. A brief round of applause followed. I thought she¡¯d get swallowed up by Jin Yoo-seok¡¯s presence. But she stood her ground¡ªno, in some moments, she even dominated him... She really is a genius. Despite Yoo Ye-rim being in a position of weakness in S#73, the scene had given off the opposite impression¡ªshe had turned the pressure back on her opponent. No other words could describe it. It was Yoo Ye-rim. ¡°Aigoo, Ha-eun, did I hurt your throat? I tried to be as gentle as possible, but if it hurt, I¡¯m really sorry.¡± ¡°N-No, sunbae. It didn¡¯t hurt at all, really.¡± Seeing Ha-eun stand toe-to-toe with Jin Yoo-seok left many of the actors and staff deep in thought. Jin Yoo-seok, despite his easygoing personality, had long been recognized as a formidable actor. And yet, not once did Ha-eun¡¯s presence get overshadowed by his performance. In every moment of S#73, her presence had been vivid and undeniable. ...I need to step up my game. Even more than before. That was the conclusion Da-yeon came to as she silently observed Ha-eun. When it came to acting, Ha-eun was someone to be feared. If you couldn¡¯t hold your ground, you¡¯d be swallowed whole. Every actor who had watched the S#73 study scene had imprinted that lesson deep in their hearts. The script reading for Parasite Family continued late into the evening. Perhaps inspired by the fiery battle between Ha-eun and Jin Yoo-seok, most of the actors threw themselves into the reading with renewed passion. ¡°All right, that¡¯s a wrap for today.¡± The person who finally called it to an end was Director Sung Chan-wook. He rose from his seat with a pleased expression, thanking everyone for their efforts. A few moments later, after cautiously glancing around, Da-yeon approached Ha-eun. ¡°Are you hungry?¡± ¡°Huh? Why?¡± ¡°No reason... Just thought we could grab dinner nearby. I have some things I want to ask you.¡± ¡°Oh, uh, sure. That¡¯s fine.¡± About twenty minutes later, they arrived at a shabu-shabu restaurant. As Ha-eun handed Da-yeon an apron provided by the staff, Da-yeon hesitated before speaking up. ¡°...Hey, Lee Ha-eun.¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°My acting... What did you think? Be honest.¡± ¡°Hmm....¡± Ha-eun mulled over the right words, recalling Da-yeon¡¯s performance during the script reading. It wasn¡¯t that Da-yeon had made any mistakes, but she wasn¡¯t the type to settle for ¡®good enough.¡¯ ¡°I think it might be better if you were a little less sharp.¡± ¡°Less sharp?¡± ¡°Yeah. Kim Ji-min doesn¡¯t realize that Yoo Ye-rim is deceiving her. If it feels like she can already see through everything, wouldn¡¯t that be a bit unnatural?¡± ¡°Hm....¡± Even as the broth started to bubble¡ª Even as fresh vegetables and thinly sliced beef cooked in the steaming pot¡ª The feedback session didn¡¯t end. Because every time one topic was addressed, Da-yeon¡¯s next question would immediately follow. Unlike in the past, when her pride kept her from asking for advice, she now actively sought Ha-eun¡¯s input. And because of that, Ha-eun answered with equal sincerity. The long feedback session only concluded when their managers arrived to pick them up. ¡°See you tomorrow.¡± ¡°Yeah, see you tomorrow.¡± With that, Ha-eun and Da-yeon each got into their respective vans¡ªone driven by Ju Jung-yoon, the other by Kim Jin-soo. To be honest, even for Ha-eun, today had been a new experience. I¡¯m glad I accepted the casting offer. Regardless of anything else, going head-to-head with Da-yeon in acting was exhilarating. Though, technically speaking, wasn¡¯t it kind of unfair for Da-yeon to get acting advice from her competition? Still, as long as Da-yeon was satisfied with her own performance, Ha-eun had no objections. That being said¡ª There was one area completely unrelated to acting. Or rather¡ª [Teams are 1st-gen vs. 2nd-gen! No holding back just because they''re seniors or juniors!] When it came to the Illusionary Realm collaboration stream and its in-game competition, Da-yeon was on her own. Because¡ª [The losing team must do a punishment chosen by the winning team!] [Oh, then... if Diah-senpai loses, can we make her eat pineapple pizza?] ¡°...What?¡± [You''re gonna... make Diah eat pineapple pizza?] [Hmm, I don¡¯t see why not.] [That sounds hilarious!!] For Diah, this was nothing short of a death sentence. And the one who sealed her fate? None other than Da-yeon¡¯s VTuber persona, Hida. ¡ªBiiiiiiip! ¡ª¡°I must win.¡± ¡ªHida¡¯s Noeulis are merciless LMAO ¡ªDiah... eating pineapple pizza...? ¡ª2nd-gen, let¡¯s go! 2nd-gen, let¡¯s go! 2nd-gen, let¡¯s go! ¡ªWitch-sama, farewell ???????? The chat exploded with cheers for Hida. A stark contrast to a few days ago, when the Noeulis had been worried about Diah¡¯s health. Seeing them turn on her like this, Ha-eun made a vow¡ª She [N O V E L I G H T] had to win. ¡ªDing. [User Kawatori has donated ?10,000!] : Are you going to lose? ¡°...I won¡¯t.¡± ¡ªHow¡¯s a Rogue supposed to win LMAO ¡ªIsn''t Battle of Legends premiering today? ¡ªBest content, Rogue Rogue! ¡ªTheir team has Ocean (Diamond), Neon (Platinum), and Yoon (Platinum), while Diah¡¯s the only Platinum on hers... ¡ªFarewell, peasant who existed only before Ocean¡¯s debut... ¡ªHawaiian mukbang, let¡¯s goooooo! Chapter 248 Actually, the idea of making Diah eat pineapple pizza as a punishment had come from Hida¡¯s viewers, the Henzels. After all, many Henzels were originally from Noeulis¡ªand even Hida herself had once been a Noeuli. ¡ªDing. [User ?? has donated ?10,000!] : How about making Diah eat pineapple pizza as a punishment? ¡°...Pineapple pizza... for Diah-senpai?¡± The donation message arrived just about ten minutes before the Illusionary Realm team battle was set to begin. And almost immediately, the chat began to stir. ¡ª Gasp ¡ª LMAO ¡ª What the hell ¡ª Pure evil ¡ª You¡¯re a genius ¡ª This is why dark Noeulis are terrifying... ¡ª Hida, this is it. The Henzels flooded the chat with excitement. Da-yeon hesitated for a moment. There wasn¡¯t a single dissenting opinion in sight. And honestly, when it came to punishments, nothing seemed more fitting for Diah than pineapple pizza. Come to think of it, I¡¯ve never actually seen Lee Ha-eun eat pineapple pizza before. Just as Da-yeon¡¯s resolve was starting to waver¡ª ¡ªDing. [User eternalyg has donated ?10,000!] : No harm in trying, just go for it. ¡°...Should I?¡± ¡ª YES ¡ª Better to ask for forgiveness than permission, you know? ¡ª Just go for it, we¡¯ll figure it out later LOL ¡ª This will be hilarious ¡ª Wait, but can Diah actually lose? ¡ª Battle of Legends is a 5v5, so you never know... With the flood of encouragement from donations and chat, Da-yeon¡¯s decision was made. To be honest, she really wanted to see Diah scream while eating pineapple pizza. That was how, when Battle of Legends finally began, Da-yeon suggested the punishment during the stream. After all, it wasn¡¯t like pineapple pizza would kill her. [The losing team must take a punishment chosen by the winning team!] ¡°Oh, then... if Diah-senpai loses, can we make her do a pineapple pizza mukbang?¡± [ W-What? ] ¡ª LOOOOOOOL ¡ª Look at Diah panicking! ¡ª It¡¯s happeninggggg~ ¡ª Please, for the love of god, win, Diah. ¡ª This just proves that Diah¡¯s natural counter is Hida. At the time, Da-yeon didn¡¯t think much of it. A punishment was only relevant if Diah actually lost. If she did, it would make for amazing YouTube content. And if she won? Well, Da-yeon would be just slightly disappointed. Nothing was set in stone. So, why not make it more interesting? The one thing Da-yeon hadn¡¯t accounted for¡ª [ I-If Hida loses, she has to call all the Henzels ¡®oppa¡¯ for an entire day¡ª!! ] ¡ª OH. ¡ª Holy sh¡ª ¡ª LMAOOOOO ¡ª GO DIAH GO DIAH GO DIAH GO DIAH GO DIAH GO DIAH GO DIAH ¡ª Baby voice Hida LET¡¯S GOOOOO! Hida wasn¡¯t the only one who could dish out punishments. What goes around comes around. ¡°W-Wait, hold on!¡± [ I¡¯ll turn you into the ultimate aegyo machine!! ] [ Ahaha, look at Diah clenching her teeth~! ] [ Well, if you want to make Diah eat pineapple pizza, you need to be ready to pay the price. ] And thus, the ultimate guillotine match was born. One of them had to suffer. That was why, when Da-yeon joined the Illusionary Realm 2nd-gen team voice chat, her voice was brimming with determination. ¡°We have to win. No matter what, we absolutely must win.¡± [ Ahaha~. ] [ Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go! ] [ A battle between the youngest members? Can¡¯t miss this. ] [ I¡¯ve never seen Hida this fired up before. ] *** Battle of Legends. Commonly known as Baole. Set in a medieval fantasy world, this 5v5 AOS game was slowly gaining popularity as it reached its first anniversary. This was also why all the members of Illusionary Realm had gathered for an internal scrimmage. Being a streamer meant keeping up with trends, and it was only natural to be drawn to a newly trending game. Ha-eun, too, had been casually playing Baole since finishing her college entrance exams and had already climbed to the Platinum tier. I was planning to hit Diamond like Ocean before streaming it. Although her rank was lower than Ocean¡¯s, who was particularly skilled among the second-generation members, Ha-eun had a certain level of confidence. After all, no one could deny that Diah was a "gamer VTuber." No way I¡¯m giving up that title. If only Ha-eun¡¯s schedule had been a little more relaxed, she was sure she could have reached Diamond like Ocean. No, she could have gone beyond Diamond to Master or even Grandmaster. That¡¯s how much fun Baole was. The reason she had never streamed Baole before was simple. She wasn¡¯t yet at a level where she could maintain top-tier gameplay while also entertaining an audience. Trying to stream both Baole and her usual Diah content at the same time would inevitably split her focus. So, Ha-eun had set a rule for herself¡ªshe would only stream Baole once she had reached a high enough level, like with Battle Island. But now... ¡°Um, unnie. Can I play Rogue?¡± [ Sure! ] [ Okay, so Diah is playing Rogue. Now we just have to pick the rest of our team... What should we go with? ] [ Oh yeah, was Ocean also playing Rogue? ] There was no escaping it now. Illusionary Realm¡¯s Baole scrimmage was happening. And to make matters worse, the penalty for losing was a pineapple pizza mukbang. ¡°If we lose... the next collab will be a funeral stream for me. We cannot lose.¡± [ Gasp. ] [ No way! Protect our maknae! ] [ Okay, okay! Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go! ] To Diah, pineapple pizza was pure poison. Not in the literal sense¡ªeating it wouldn¡¯t actually kill her. But in terms of preference, she absolutely despised it. For the sake of maintaining Diah¡¯s RP, the pineapple pizza mukbang had to be avoided at all costs. If it came to that, Diah would surely pass out mid-stream. That was how committed Ha-eun was to this anti-pineapple pizza RP. And so, after a brief moment of preparation... As soon as all players had entered the battlefield of Baole¡ª ¡°Just stay alive! I will come back for youuuuu¡ª!¡± [ W-Wait, take us with you, Diah! ] Among the many classes in Baole, Diah had chosen Rogue, while Cream had picked Archer. Together, they dove into the portal leading to "The Ruins." It was a strategic move. ¡°If we take out Ocean first, we can definitely win. Focus Ocean!¡± [ O-Okay! ] Baole¡¯s battlefield was divided into two main areas. One was the Siege Lane, where the game¡¯s ultimate victory or defeat was determined. The other was The Ruins, where players could earn special buffs and large amounts of gold. The Ruins were the most unpredictable area in the game. Controlling The Ruins meant significantly increasing the chances of winning. ¡°Oh, this time it¡¯s a Golem and a Werewolf.¡± [ Is that a good thing? ] ¡°If we take them down, we get a buff that boosts attack power and HP. It¡¯s especially good for Warriors.¡± [ Ohhh. ] If the teammates who went to The Ruins returned to Siege Lane with powerful buffs and items, they could completely turn the tide of battle. Meanwhile, the three remaining teammates in Siege Lane just had to hold out. The goal was to finish up in The Ruins as fast as possible and regroup in Siege Lane. [ T-There! Ocean! Over here!! ] [ Cream-sunbae, just stay right there~!! ] [ AAAH! DIAH, SAVE ME!! ] ¡°U-Unnie, where are you?!¡± Unfortunately, Cream got ambushed first. Since this was Cream¡¯s first time playing Baole, she didn¡¯t last long and was quickly captured. And almost immediately¡ª She was eliminated. [ AHHH! ] < Creamimi has been slain by Ocean0. > The worst part? Just as Diah arrived to help, Cream had already been killed. So, the first thing Diah saw when she got there¡ª Was Cream¡¯s lifeless body. Standing beside her fallen form were Ocean and Neon. [ Looks like you¡¯re all alone now, Diah-sunbae. ] [ Surrender yourself! ] Cream¡¯s respawn timer had ten seconds left. Adding in the time it would take her to return to The Ruins, that left a thirty-second gap. In other words¡ª Diah had to survive alone for twenty seconds against Ocean and Neon. That was flat-out impossible. A Rogue isn¡¯t a Tank. So, Ha-eun made her decision. She was going to run. ¡ªDash! [ H-Hey! Get back here! ] [ How dare you run away?! ] If Diah died too, The Ruins would be completely taken over by the enemy team. Letting the second-generation members farm uncontested in The Ruins would make winning the game impossible. That meant she had to stop them. If Ocean and Neon got too far ahead in levels, there would be no coming back. And so¡ª Diah sprinted across The Ruins, trying to lure the second-gens away. ¡ªWhirr! [ Got you! ] Neon had used Teleport, the Mage¡¯s special skill, to block Diah¡¯s escape. At the same time, she drew her dagger. But instead of running, Diah charged straight at Neon. [ W-Wait, Fireball! Fireball! ] ¡ªFwoosh. A burning fireball shot from Neon¡¯s staff. But it never touched Diah. ¡ªTwitch. ¡ªSwerve! At the last moment, Diah stopped her charge. Then, she instantly shifted her momentum. A hair¡¯s-breadth dodge. The blazing heat barely grazed the ends of Diah¡¯s short hair. And as soon as she closed the distance¡ª Her dagger lashed out at Neon. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. Neon, disregarding her own HP, desperately cast another Fireball. But then¡ª ¡ªPause. [ Huh? ] Diah¡¯s dagger, aimed at Neon¡¯s chest, suddenly froze mid-air. ¡ªFlash! A brilliant light. In the blink of an eye, Diah¡¯s Rogue vanished. For a moment, Neon¡¯s eyes filled with confusion. [ W-What? Where did she¡ª ] The moment Neon turned her head¡ª ¡ªShk! ¡°This is for Cream.¡± [ GAAAH! ] The dagger appeared from Diah¡¯s blind spot behind Neon, piercing her shoulder. A flurry of rapid strikes followed. Momentarily stunned by Diah¡¯s ambush, Neon was unable to react, taking continuous damage until she was ultimately eliminated. < Ne5on has been slain by DiahCarry. > Right after that, Ocean arrived, having been chasing after Neon, who had teleported ahead. [ Ah, seriously. I told you not to go alone. ] "Now it¡¯s just the two of us, Ocean." [ ...Come at me...! ] Neither of them hesitated. Their daggers flashed toward each other at the same time¡ª Yet, neither of their blades landed a hit. Diah¡¯s strike stopped just before registering a hit, her short-haired Rogue abruptly lowering her posture and slipping under Ocean¡¯s attack. Ocean¡¯s bald-headed Rogue instinctively flinched, stepping backward. ¡ªWhoosh! A dagger slashed through the air exactly where Ocean¡¯s neck had been moments ago. Realizing Ocean had retreated, Diah immediately closed the distance. Ocean¡¯s blade lashed forward, cutting through the air toward her. The angle of his blade suggested he had predicted her dodge¡ª But then¡ª [ What?! ] Diah stopped just before reaching Ocean¡¯s dagger, twisting her body mid-motion. Then, she launched a high kick. The arc of her foot struck Ocean¡¯s right hand, knocking his weapon off-balance. At that exact moment, a blade flashed toward his neck. The attack was so fast that Ocean couldn¡¯t even register it. ¡ªShudder. His screen suddenly turned red. There was no time to react¡ªDiah¡¯s blades never stopped. It was a speed that couldn¡¯t be calculated¡ªas if she wasn¡¯t even human. Ocean desperately tried to counterattack, but¡ª Every attack missed by a hair¡¯s breadth, while Diah continued delivering flawless trades. Each time Ocean¡¯s arm twitched to attack, Diah would take a half-step back, only to immediately step forward again with another strike. It was an unbelievable cycle. [ N-No, this doesn¡¯t even make sense! ] "It does!" She was reading his attacks, dodging them before they even connected. It was like she was playing in first-person. She was right there¡ªbut just out of reach. ¡ªWow. ¡ªShe¡¯s kiting with daggers. ¡ªWtf is Diah??? ¡ªIs this really a streamer battle? In the end, Ocean¡¯s bald-headed Rogue lost all of his HP and collapsed. His shiny scalp glowed in the grass of The Ruins. The chat exploded. "Diah Carry." ¡ªD I A H ¡ªThis is insane. ¡ªWe worship... we worship... we worship... ¡ªDominance established. ¡ªShe just wiped two of them solo lmao. *** After the First Set of the Illusionary Realm Scrimmage The intense 1v1 between Diah and Ocean became a huge topic in Baole¡¯s online communities. A battle worthy of the ¡°Heavenly Tier.¡± Clips of their duel were quickly edited and spread across forums, drawing the attention of Baole players everywhere. ¡ª"Korean VTuber skills.gif" ¡ª"I was sweating watching this, fr." ¡ª"Diah <<< Any amateur is getting stomped by her." ? "She''s only Platinum, but people are acting like she¡¯s a pro?" ? "Her reaction speed and mechanics aren¡¯t Platinum level at all." ¡ª"Isn¡¯t Rogue a trash champ? Why does she look so OP?" Because this was an Illusionary Realm full-member collab, the overall viewer count was climbing. And since Baole was already a trending game, the match was drawing in new viewers. More importantly¡ª Baole¡¯s popularity wasn¡¯t just a Korean phenomenon. Soon, clips of Diah vs. Ocean began spreading overseas. Even across the sea¡ªto Japan. "Wow, wow!! Diah is insane!!" "Maknae is the best!!" A Japanese user posted the clip on Twitter. It started getting shared. And shared. And shared again. Until¡ª ?Hm...?? It popped up on Lucid¡¯s feed. Lucid had been scrolling Twitter as usual. The reason a Korean clip got recommended to her? It was because she had been looking up information about the actress Ha-eun and her drama God and the Goblin. Since she was already searching for Korean news, the algorithm fed her the clip. And that¡¯s when¡ª That name. A fragment of a long-lost memory resurfaced. ¡®This is a showdown! Prism Live! Diah-senpai is coming!!¡¯ ?...Diah.? A name that had felt so faint until now¡ª Became clear the moment she watched the clip. Lucid froze. ?Why is an actress... a VTuber? Is the Korean VTuber market that big?? A slight crease formed on Lucid¡¯s otherwise emotionless face. She thought. And thought. But no answer came to her. And so¡ª ¡ªStep. ¡ªStep. ¡ªCreeeak¡ª ?I¡¯m here.? ?Ah, welcome, Goto-san.? Even the next day, when she arrived at the streaming studio, Lucid was still thinking about Ha-eun and Diah. Maybe that¡¯s why¡ª ?I saw a Korean VTuber on Twitter. ¡®Diah.¡¯ She¡¯s cute. Good at games, too.? ?Oh, yeah, you¡¯re talking about Battle of Legends. I play that too.? During her stream, Lucid casually dropped Diah¡¯s name into the conversation. Then¡ªshe voiced an idea. ?I kind of want to meet her. I think it¡¯d be fun.? ?Huh? Is this a love call? Well, yeah. Maybe I should send a video message. I don¡¯t know if she¡¯ll see it, though.? And so¡ª She recorded ? N§àv§ÖIight ? (Original source) a short video letter, inviting Diah to collab. A message from a VTuber with over 2 million subscribers. And just like that¡ª The clip exploded across the internet. *** "For now, I¡¯m open to it. I need to check with the others, but I think they¡¯ll be fine with it." ¡°...Is this AI? How is this even real?¡± Chapter 249 The Illusionary Realm Baole Scrimmage was a best-of-three match. In the first set, thanks to Diah¡¯s brilliant performance, the first-gen team secured the victory. However¡ª [ Break it down! ] [ Diah-senpai, let¡¯s gooo¡ª pineapple pizza mukbang!! ] ¡°St-STOP! No¡ª!!¡± In the second and third sets, the second-gen team won by focusing all their efforts on marking Diah. Finally, with a loud boom, the first-gen team¡¯s tower shattered. ¡°AAAAAH!!¡± ¡ªThey just needed to defend... ???????????????? ¡ªCarried the team like a log and still lost. ¡ªIf she played Knight instead of Rogue, they would¡¯ve won, fr. ¡ªWell... time to order Hawaiian pizza, right? ¡ªLET¡¯S GOOOOOOOOOOOOO Among the first-gen members, only Diah and Ria had any real Baole experience. The rest were total newbies who could barely manage their character controls. On the other hand, the second-gen team had three experienced Baole players. Ultimately, the skill gap decided the match, and the second-gen team emerged victorious. Which meant¡ª It was time for the punishment. ¡°It''s been nice knowing you all... Bye-bye... See you at my funeral....¡± Diah¡¯s mournful voice filled the Discord call, as she imagined the horrors of a pineapple pizza mukbang. Followed immediately by the wailing of her teammates. [ Nooo, Diah, we¡¯re so sorry!! ] [ If only we were younger... ] [ Ah, Diah, I like spicy beef soup. ] [ Yuna! ] [ Wow, look at Yuna¡¯s true colors. ] [ What? It is what it is. Some people are just destined to go. ] [ You¡¯re so T, aren¡¯t you? ] Except for Yuna, the rest of the first-gen team played along with Diah¡¯s dramatic lament. After all, they did feel guilty. Diah had practically carried them the entire match. "Good game, everyone...." Ha-eun, logging out of Discord with a tired sigh, held no grudges. Everyone had done their best, after all. Besides, her favorite player, Cream, had performed the worst today¡ªso she couldn¡¯t really complain. It was just a for-fun scrimmage, no need to take it seriously. But then¡ª ¡ª? ¡ª? ¡ª? ¡ª? [ "Damn Witch (Hida)" ] A Discord call. Or more accurately¡ªDa-yeon¡¯s call. ¡°Uh... hello?¡± [ Senpai~. You¡¯re just gonna leave like that~? ] She¡¯s way too happy about this. The root of all evil. Okay, maybe that was a bit dramatic. But still. The one who chose pineapple pizza as Diah¡¯s punishment was Da-yeon. It stung. A lot. You always tell me to speak up if something bothers me, and then you pull this? Just a few days ago, Ha-eun and Da-yeon had been giving each other acting advice for Parasite Family. Da-yeon had even thanked Ha-eun for her feedback. And now? Betrayal. A knife straight to the back. Still¡ª [ No need to delay it. Why don¡¯t you do the punishment now? ] ¡°R-Right now?¡± [ Yes, now. ] Da-yeon spoke as if she were talking to a stranger. Technically, she was. ¡°I... do I have to eat it now...?¡± [ Whether you eat it now or later, it¡¯s the same. Just get it over with today. ] ¡°...Ugh.¡± [ If you insist, I¡¯ll even pay for the pizza. Ugh, I¡¯m too kind for my own good. ] ¡°Where are you kind?! You evil witch!¡± [ Well, who told you to lose~? ] And so¡ª Ha-eun had no choice but to prepare for her mukbang stream. She quickly announced to her Noeulis that she would be temporarily stopping the stream. ¡°I¡¯ll be back after setting up my camera.... Everyone, prepare yourselves....¡± ¡ª???????????????????????????????? ¡ªFacecam let''s go! ¡ªDiah, I fell for you the moment I first saw you. I wanted to confess before summer break, but I was too much of a coward. Now, in front of everyone, I want to say that I only love y¡ª (This user has been banned.) ¡ªAre you sure you''re eating pineapple pizza and not poison? ¡ªDamn, she really hates it lol. ¡ªYou''re not gonna run away, right?? ¡ªDo spirits die if they eat pineapple? ¡°...Bye-bye.¡± [ Diah¡¯s stream has ended. ] If she could, she¡¯d delay the pineapple pizza mukbang forever. But in the end, she started setting up her camera. ¡ªDing. [ Min Da-yeon ] - You have no idea how embarrassing your drunken rambling was in Japan. [ Min Da-yeon ] - This isn¡¯t even a punishment. [ Min Da-yeon ] - You brought this on yourself. [ Lee Ha-eun ] - (crying otter emoji) [ Min Da-yeon ] - Crying won¡¯t help. [ Lee Ha-eun ] - (pouting otter emoji) She brought up the Japan drinking incident. Fine. She¡¯d consider this payback and wipe Da-yeon¡¯s ¡°free pass¡± off the board. [ Lee Ha-eun ] - Alright, no more ¡°free passes¡± for you. [ Min Da-yeon ] - ? [ Lee Ha-eun ] - Either that, or I cancel the stream. [ Min Da-yeon ] - (thinking cat emoji) [ Min Da-yeon ] - (OK cat emoji) [ Min Da-yeon ] - Pizza will arrive in 30 minutes. [ Lee Ha-eun ] - ...You already ordered it?! [ Min Da-yeon ] - Yup. [ Lee Ha-eun ] - (shocked otter emoji) With the mindset of a prisoner marching to the gallows, she finished setting up her broadcasting camera. She even ran several private test streams to check the setup. Finally, 40 minutes later, a warm pineapple pizza sat on her table. ¡°...If only those yellow things were bell peppers, I¡¯d actually enjoy this.¡± The cheese smelled delicious. The bacon looked crispy. But then¡ªthere it was. Those warm pineapple chunks. Just looking at it terrified her. What would it taste like? Some people claimed it made them throw up immediately. Was it really that bad? ¡°...Haaah.¡± She stared at the round pizza on her table. ¡ªDing. [ Min Da-yeon ] - The delivery guy just texted me. [ Min Da-yeon ] - You¡¯re not stalling, right? [ Min Da-yeon ] - It¡¯ll taste worse if it gets cold~ [ Min Da-yeon ] - (laughing cat emoji) [ Lee Ha-eun ] - Diah will remember this. With a heavy heart, she restarted her stream. ¡ªDing. [ "The Last Supper (Not Actually a Supper)" ] On screen¡ª Diah¡¯s gloved hands. And in the center of the table¡ª A steaming, fresh pineapple pizza. ¡ªDIAH. ¡ªOH GOD, THE CAMERA. ¡ªAAAH, MY EYES. ¡ªLooking delicious. ¡ªPLEASE, NO. ¡ªDIAH, THIS IS TORTURE. ¡ªMmm, tasty. Noeulis faced the horror together. But the greatest victim was still Diah. She sighed deeply. ¡°...Haaah....¡± ¡ªLOLOLOLOL. ¡ªThat was a real sigh. ¡ªShe REALLY hates it. ¡ªJust eat it already!! She clenched and unclenched her gloved fists. She was too scared to even touch the pizza. And then¡ª ¡ª? ¡ª? ¡ª? ¡ª? [ "Damn Witch (Hida)" ] Da-yeon called on Discord again. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. Ha-eun answered with an exaggeratedly weak voice. ¡°...Hello....¡± [ Ah! You scared me! I thought I was talking to a ghost. ] ¡°...This is all your fault, Hida!¡± [ Tsk. The defeated have no words, don¡¯t you know? ] ¡ªHida¡¯s teabagging is on another level. ¡ªNoeulis-born, through and through, lol. ¡ªDiah, look at the monster you created. ¡ª¡®If you didn¡¯t want to lose, you should¡¯ve won.¡¯ (Bad manners detected). From the other end of the Discord call, Da-yeon alternated between pressuring and encouraging Ha-eun. She told her to just shut her eyes and swallow it quickly, and it would be over before she knew it. As a special favor, she¡¯d even reduce the punishment to just two slices. [ Making you eat the whole thing would be too much, so just two slices. ] ¡°...Can I just take one bite?¡± [ I already reduced it a lot, you know~. ] Da-yeon kept up her twisted form of ¡°encouragement.¡± And just as Ha-eun, with trembling hands, lifted the first slice ? N§àv§Öl?g?§ä ? (Continue reading) of pineapple pizza¡ª [ Wait! Before you eat, you have to say the chant! ] [ The chant is: ¡®Noeulis, I love you!¡¯ ] ¡°...Do I have to?¡± [ Well, technically, you¡¯re eating this for the Noeulis, right? To make them happy? ] ¡°...If I say no, that makes me the bad guy.¡± [ Ah, caught me. ] ¡ªThis is pure gaslighting. ¡ªI never knew Diah loved us this much. ???????????? ¡ªI¡¯m so touched, mommy. Ha-eun stared at the slice of pizza, gulping. Her heart pounded, whether from fear or tension, she couldn¡¯t tell. Then, she took a deep breath¡ª ¡°No-Noeulis, I love you!!¡± She shouted the chant and then¡ª Bit into the pizza. ¡°Mmff¡ªmmhh!!¡± The moment the foreign taste hit her tongue, her muffled panic was broadcasted through the mic. The chat exploded. ¡ªAAAHHHH. ¡ªI CAN¡¯T WATCH THIS. ¡ªWhy am I getting nervous over this? ¡ªLMAO. ¡ªIs it just me, or is her reaction kinda cute? ¡ªThe expressions are on point, lol. ¡ªLook at her enjoying that delicious pizza all by herself. Maybe it was because of the hype from the earlier scrimmage. Or maybe it was because Diah¡¯s facecam was on for the first time in a while. But¡ª [ "The Last Supper (Not Actually a Supper)" ] [ ???? 20,492 viewers ] Diah¡¯s viewer count had broken past 20k, setting a new record. Not that Ha-eun was aware¡ª Because she was too busy trying to swallow the pizza. For what felt like an eternity, she endured. And when she finally finished both slices¡ª ¡°Gh¡ªgh...!!¡± She clenched her fists and shook them in the air victoriously. At the same time, her high-pitched scream filled the stream. ¡ªDIAH WINS! DIAH WINS! DIAH WINS! ¡ªShe really worked hard for this one, lol. ¡ªI¡¯ve never seen someone struggle so much to eat pizza. ¡ªBe honest, it was actually delicious. ¡ªNow Diah understands the greatness of pineapple. ¡ªYou finished it, might as well celebrate with a drink! Most Noeulis cheered her on. Some mocked how much she overreacted. Those messages were swiftly dealt with by the mods. But whether the chat was lively or not... Whether the viewer count had skyrocketed or not... ¡°Ah... ah... I feel... drained...¡± ¡ª?? ¡ªWait. ¡ªWhy does she sound like she¡¯s actually dying? ¡ªUh... ¡ªDid... did she not survive? Diah¡¯s RP of pineapple pizza being her mortal enemy remained unchanged. And then¡ª The stream started fading into grayscale. ¡°...Kyaaaaaah....¡± Diah groaned weakly as the screen transitioned to a funeral setting. A memorial frame appeared around her VTuber avatar. ¡ª? ¡ªWhat is this?? ¡ªNOOO, DON¡¯T GO! ???????????? ¡ªWHO WILL STREAM NOW?! ¡ªLMAO, WHY DOES SHE HAVE AN ECHO ON HER VOICE. A sudden funeral broadcast. Confused messages filled the chat. And then¡ª ¡°To revive Diah... You must keep chanting... ¡®Diah, I love you...¡¯ If not... Diah will be gone forever....¡± A wave of frantic chat messages flooded in. ¡ªDIAH, I LOVE YOU! DIAH, I LOVE YOU! DIAH, I LOVE YOU! ¡ªAvada Kedavra. ¡ªLMAO. ¡ªDid we really kill her? ¡ªRest in peace. ¡ªChat is completely unhinged. ¡ªDiah, I DON¡¯T love you. ¡ªJust die already. ¡ª(Noeuli clapping emoji) x6 ¡ªDiah, I love you. ¡ªJust go to sleep. She peeked at the chat. The messages lagged the screen from sheer volume. Then¡ª ¡ªSlide. She dragged her VTuber avatar back onto the screen. Restored the color. And¡ª "Edo Tensei¡ª!" Quoting a famous resurrection spell from a Japanese anime, Diah revived. Accompanied by sacred-sounding BGM, she continued her RP. ¡°Thanks to Noeulis¡¯ love, Diah has returned to life...! I will now live as a new spirit...!¡± ¡ªGHOST! GHOST! ¡ªShe¡¯s back! ¡ªLMAO, the background music is killing me. ¡ªDIAH RESURRECTED. ¡ªSomeone exorcise this child already. ¡ªDing. [ Jjurin donated ?10,000! ] ???? ¡°#1 thing you shouldn¡¯t do at a funeral: Revive.¡± [ ?? donated ?10,000! ] ???? ¡°Can I get a refund on my condolence money?¡± ¡°Oh, oh no... Maybe because I just revived... I feel so sleepy...¡± ¡ª? ¡ª??? ¡ªIs she setting up a logout build-up?! ¡ªWait, no. ¡ªDON¡¯T LEAVE US. "Newborns need lots of sleep, right? Alright, then~. Bye-bye~." Diah¡¯s VTuber avatar closed her eyes¡ª And poof. Stream ended. Ha-eun immediately left her soundproof booth and rushed to the bathroom. She needed to wash out the lingering taste of warm pineapple. It was too much. That¡¯s why she ended the stream earlier than usual. But¡ª The six remaining slices of pineapple pizza were still a problem. ¡ªSlide. ¡ªStep. ¡ªStep. She carried the pizza box to the dining table. Then, she hesitated before speaking. ¡°Uh... Dad? Do you want some pizza?¡± ¡°Hm? Pizza?¡± ¡°Da-yeon ordered it, but there¡¯s too much for me alone.¡± Her dad, Seong-yoon, stepped out of his room. He paused when he saw the pineapple pizza¡ª Then, without hesitation, took a big bite. And started eating slice after slice. ¡°...Dad, how did you know I was hungry?¡± Watching him eat without issue, Ha-eun¡¯s eyes widened. She never knew her dad liked pineapple pizza. ¡°This was from Da-yeon, right? Aren¡¯t you having any?¡± ¡°I-I already ate two slices... You can have the rest, Dad.¡± She awkwardly smiled, backing away. And as soon as she returned to her room¡ª She felt deep gratitude and respect for her father. How could he enjoy something so bizarre? ...Maybe I got my mom¡¯s taste buds. At least the pizza wouldn¡¯t go to waste. But just as she relaxed¡ª ¡°Oh, Seol-ah. Do you want some too?¡± ¡°!!!¡± A horrific sound came from the living room. Ha-eun sprinted out, scooping up her dog, Baek-seol. "THAT¡¯S DOG ABUSE!" "W-What? Pineapple is safe for dogs to eat." "No! Absolutely not!" "...Huh?" There was no way she was letting Baek-seol taste something so horrible. Come to think of it, it was a bit strange that she was fine with Seong-yoon eating it, but not Baek-seol... But some things just weren''t allowed. Chapter 250 Three days after the Illusionary Realm Baole Scrimmage, On Saturday, the 4th episode of God and the Goblin was scheduled to air. [ Hye-min unnie ] ¨C Ha-eun, do you have time this weekend? [ Hye-min unnie ] ¨C I need to discuss something with you. [ Lee Ha-eun ] ¨C (curious otter emoji) [ Hye-min unnie ] ¨C It¡¯s something a bit important. [ Hye-min unnie ] ¨C We¡¯ll need to talk at the office. [ Lee Ha-eun ] ¨C (OK otter emoji) [ Lee Ha-eun ] ¨C I¡¯m free this weekend. After receiving a request from Ji Hye-min to meet, Ha-eun headed to the LUX building after a long time. She arrived around lunchtime. ¡°Hello.¡± ¡°Oh, wow. Ha-eun!¡± The LUX staff member who recognized Ha-eun gave a surprised expression and immediately handed her an access badge. Then, the staff member mentioned how much they were enjoying God and the Goblin. ¡°The drama is really good. It¡¯s my favorite drama!¡± ¡°Haha, thank you!¡± With the badge around her neck, Ha-eun made her way to ? N§àv§Ölight ? (Exclusive on N§àv§Ölight) Ji Hye-min¡¯s office, located on the top floor of the building. Specifically, she was heading to the meeting room next to the office. What surprised her was the familiar faces of people she knew, who were already in the meeting room. ¡ªScreech. ¡°Hye-min unnie, I¡¯m here....¡± ¡ªMurmurs. ¡ªMurmurs. ¡°...Huh.¡± In the meeting room were Sori, the general manager of Illusionary Realm, and Lee Dong-jin, who had previously conducted Ha-eun¡¯s interview. There were also other staff members working on Illusionary Realm-related matters. ¡°Are you in the middle of a meeting...?¡± ¡°No, no. Come on in.¡± Honestly, Ha-eun was a bit nervous. After all, there were about 10 people from Illusionary Realm gathered in the room. It was clearly a big deal. She had been told this was ¡°a little important,¡± but now she wondered if the word ¡°little¡± was just a softener. ¡°Should I prepare myself for something...?¡± ¡°Prepare yourself? Well... maybe just a little.¡± ¡®Did I do something wrong?¡¯ Ha-eun recalled whether she had done anything wrong during her Diah streams. But, as she thought, the projector in the meeting room suddenly displayed a video completely unrelated to her thoughts. ¡°Hmm? A love call, you ask? Well, yeah. Should I just send a video letter? I¡¯m not sure if she¡¯ll watch it, but...¡± ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m positive. I¡¯ll need to discuss with others, but I think everyone will be okay with it.¡± ¡ªBeep. ¡°...Wow, AI technology has really improved.¡± ¡°Ah, you sound just like the CEO.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not synthesized, is it, Ha-eun?¡± It turned out that Prism Live had already sent emails and faxes confirming their interest. This was a first-time experience, so the LUX staff had invited Ha-eun in to discuss it. ¡°We don¡¯t know why Prism Live is showing this much interest, but sending emails means it¡¯s not just a joke.¡± ¡°Honestly... I think it¡¯s a good opportunity, for Diah and for Illusionary Realm. Ha-eun, what do you think?¡± Now, all eyes were on Ha-eun. Everyone in the room, faces she recognized, waited for her answer. Ha-eun knew the name "Lucid." She had even bought Lucid-branded items from a Japanese convenience store. ¡°I think... there¡¯s nothing wrong with it. They¡¯re a pretty famous VTuber.¡± Ha-eun was also positive about the collaboration. After all, a 200k-subscriber VTuber from Japan reaching out first¡ªwhy should she reject it? However, there were two things that concerned her. Her busy schedule as an actress and her lack of fluency in Japanese. Should I start learning it in advance? It would be okay to understand the basics, but fluently conversing like a local was another story. She wondered if she could properly communicate during the collaboration in Japan. ¡°It¡¯s not impossible. We can bring an interpreter or prepare a script.¡± ¡°Prism Live said they have solutions for that, so don¡¯t worry too much.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a relief.¡± And so, Ha-eun¡¯s concerns about her Japanese skills were addressed. Now, they moved on to discuss her schedule. ¡°Ha-eun, you need to let them know your availability. We need to discuss confidentiality and all that.¡± ¡°God and the Goblin is really popular in Japan right now. If Prism Live finds out that you¡¯re Diah, they¡¯ll probably be surprised.¡± ¡°Hm....¡± The meeting continued into the late afternoon. They talked about when Ha-eun could find time, how to handle the reveal of Diah¡¯s identity, and more about the collaboration with Lucid. ¡°We also need to decide on the type of content for the collaboration...¡± ¡°Lucid, like Diah, is a Battle of Legends player...¡± ¡°¡ö¡ö topics are sensitive in Japan, so we should avoid those¡ª¡± By the time the meeting about the Lucid x Diah collaboration concluded, The discussions about schedule and content were wrapped up. ¡°Ha-eun, let¡¯s hug once.¡± ¡°Huh? Oh, okay...¡± Ji Hye-min, who had been sitting across from Ha-eun, walked over and hugged her tightly. Ha-eun¡¯s face was buried in Ji Hye-min¡¯s chest. ¡°How did such a blessing come into my life~.¡± I¡ªcan¡¯t breathe. Ha-eun didn¡¯t dislike Ji Hye-min¡¯s affection, but she couldn¡¯t help but feel like she was suffocating. Her face turned slightly red for that very reason. As Ji Hye-min patted her back, she said, ¡°I feel like I¡¯ve been getting all the good things from you, Ha-eun.¡± ¡°Hahaha...¡± *** After meeting with Ji Hye-min, Ha-eun had to stay with her until dinner. This was because Ji Hye-min had insisted they eat together. So, when Ha-eun finally arrived home, it was around the time the 4th episode of God and the Goblin was airing. Instead of heading to her room, Ha-eun made her way to the living room sofa. ¡ªTap-tap. ¡ªLick-lick. ¡ªLick-lick. ¡°Okay, okay, I¡¯ll put you up, Seol-ah.¡± As Ha-eun lifted Baek-seol from under the sofa and placed her on her lap, she noticed that, even in a house far away from hers, God and the Goblin had started airing. The difference between watching the drama with Na-yeon and watching it alone was that Ha-eun was broadcasting at the same time. ¡°Did everyone tune in?¡± ¡ªYep. ¡ªWatching live. ¡ªIn the preview, Baek-seol dies again. ¡ªYup. ¡ªI can¡¯t turn on the TV, can you give a live update? ¡ªWatching it on air, yup. Na-yeon¡¯s stream was one of those ¡°watch-together¡± type of broadcasts. While God and the Goblin wasn¡¯t shown on screen, she had set it up so people could watch it while commenting on the episode. It was all about sharing the fun. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. Na-yeon had been a big fan of Ha-eun since the start of her broadcast. Her viewers had gradually become Ha-eun¡¯s fans, whether they liked it or not. ¡°Alright, then... I¡¯ll be off, Mr.!¡± ¡°Okay. Good luck!¡± ¡°...Yes.¡± At the start of episode 4, comments flooded in live. It was just like the drama community¡¯s threads for God and the Goblin. ¡ªKyaaaah. ¡ªStarting the English listening test now. For the exam takers... (more). ¡ªIsn¡¯t Ha-eun also in 12th grade? ¡ªIs this a documentary? ¡ªI heard Ha-eun aced the college entrance exam. Lol. The fourth episode, which started with Baeksulhwa taking the college entrance exam, made the broadcast chat start filling up with mentions related to the exam. The fact that Ha-eun, who played Baeksulhwa, had taken the exam herself a few months ago also contributed to the conversation. Then, the scene aired showing Baeksulhwa, in the exam room, nervously filling out the OMR answer sheet. However, Baek Jin, who had been using his invisible abilities, was standing right next to Baeksulhwa. ¡°Question 3... No, was it 4?¡± ¡°Question 3 is correct.¡± ¡°...Sigh. Maybe I should have just asked the old man for the answers. Why did I even try to play fair...?¡± ¡°Hmm... I''m sure you''ll regret it someday.¡± The strange scene unfolded with Baek Jin''s invisible voice giving live advice during the exam. Of course, Baeksulhwa couldn''t hear him, but the viewers were hearing it. "I think Baek Jin¡¯s voice is actually audible, and Baeksulhwa¡¯s just pretending she can''t hear it.""Uncle, please tell me the lottery numbers.""This is going to cause some controversy.""When did Baek Jin take the exam again?"Baeksulhwa¡¯s exam scene ended about a minute later. She exited the exam hall and joined the crowd of other students pouring out of the main entrance. However, unlike the other students chatting with their parents as they walked out... ¡°...Now, after all this.¡± Baeksulhwa, whose parents had passed away long ago, directed a gaze full of envy, longing, and loneliness at the students around her who were chatting with their waiting parents. A faint sigh escaped her. Soon after,Baeksulhwa walked out of the exam hall and onto the street alone. "????""Where¡¯s Baek Jin?""After the exam, if no one is waiting for you, it must feel really sad.""Where did the uncle go?"It wasn''t that Baeksulhwa was now overwhelmed with longing for her parents. She had just been momentarily shaken by seeing other students with their parents. Maybe that was why. Or maybe it was because she hadn¡¯t expected anything, but... ¡ªTap. ¡°Good job.¡± Baeksulhwa''s eyes widened slightly when she saw Baek Jin appear behind her with a bouquet of flowers. She took the flowers from him immediately. ¡°Ah... Thank you.¡± Baeksulhwa blushed slightly at the unexpected appearance of Baek Jin. She also lowered her head slightly in response. "Oh.""Gooood.""From the old days, the Uncle & Girl dynamic was a classic. It¡¯s even written in the Goguryeo records... (more)""Who¡¯s the female lead, she¡¯s gorgeous.""Shut up, don¡¯t ask who she is. Just go to your room. (Banned user)""Hehe.""Is asking about Ha-eun¡¯s identity trolling or what?"¡°Ugh, that¡¯s so annoying. So, when are you confessing, huh~!¡± The subtle tension between Baek Jin and Baeksulhwa made the viewers, as well as Nael, deeply immerse in the drama. Nael¡¯s offhand comment, not meant to be heard, was picked up by the broadcast mic. However, when Baeksulhwa stopped by a nearby cafe? after the exam, More precisely, when Baek Jin stepped away from the table and headed to the counter... ¡ªScreech. ¡ªBang. ¡ªBang. A giant truck was heading towards the cafe? from across the intersection. It started charging straight for the table Baeksulhwa was sitting at by the window, swerving wildly. "Huh?""What?""Is she going to die? Is she going to die? Is she going to die?""Let¡¯s go to another world! Let¡¯s go to another world!""Crazy.""????""Stop!"The blaring horn of the truck. The screams of pedestrians. Yet the truck didn¡¯t stop. ¡°...Huh?¡± Just as Baeksulhwa finally turned around, she came face to face with the truck speeding toward her. ¡ªWhoosh! Something suddenly appeared, grabbed Baeksulhwa, and took the hit from the truck for her. ¡ªBang! The massive sound of impact echoed through the area. The cafe?¡¯s glass windows shattered. The truck¡¯s turn signal was blinking. For a brief moment, thick smoke filled the area, making it hard to understand what had just happened. Nael¡¯s face froze as she witnessed this. ¡°What... What¡¯s going on?¡± Her voice, different from usual, clearly showed signs of shock. Luckily for Nael, once the smoke cleared, the scene revealed both Baek Jin and Baeksulhwa were unharmed. ¡°...Are you okay?¡± ¡°Ah... Uncle... You just... took the truck hit for me...¡± While Baeksulhwa, still in Baek Jin''s arms, looked up at him, both were caught off guard. Step.Step. Step.Suddenly, time seemed to stop as someone¡¯s footsteps echoed from afar. A familiar face appeared in front of Baek Jin. ¡°I¡¯m sure I said this.¡± ¡ªStep. ¡°Only after Seolhwa¡¯s story is completely over... will she be fully at peace.¡± Park Chasa, the other lead of the drama, was dressed in black and was staring directly at Baeksulhwa. At that moment, only Baek Jin could see Park Chasa, since time had stopped, but that didn¡¯t matter. ¡°...Leave.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve come to collect someone else today.¡± With a subtle smile, Park Chasa passed by Baek Jin and walked toward the truck driver. Then came the stern voice. ¡°...Answer the call of the dead.¡± As usual, Park Chasa began his duties as the reaper, taking the dead truck driver somewhere. Only after his footsteps faded away did time start flowing again. ¡°Ah, Uncle, are you okay? Shouldn¡¯t we go to the hospital?¡± Baeksulhwa, who had just seen Baek Jin take the truck¡¯s full force, was deeply concerned for him. And Baek Jin, who was looking down at Baeksulhwa with a more serious expression. Nael¡¯s voice once again reflected a sense of unease at the sight of these two. For some reason, like in The Sunshine, this episode of God and the Goblin felt like it was headed toward a sad ending. ¡°...If anyone dies this time, I¡¯m really going to cry. I won¡¯t accept it if it¡¯s not a happy ending.¡± "Who do you think you are? LOL.""Poor Baeksulhwa, T-T""Maybe we should just cry now?""Yeah~~ One of them is definitely going to die~~""Can¡¯t someone who¡¯s already died die again?""Rest in peace to the soon-to-be-dead."¡°Ugh... No! Just let them be happy, please! If it¡¯s a happy ending, maybe I¡¯ll catch the death disease!!¡±"HAHAHAHA.""Too immersed, stop.""Watch out for Nael.""Nael got tricked again.""It¡¯s only episode 4, but don¡¯t say anything too bad yet."*** [ Ha-eun, just tell me one thing... ] "Yeah? What is it?" [ God and the Goblin, is it a happy ending or not? I''m really struggling here... ] ¡°Ugh, um... No comment.¡± [ Ahhh! They¡¯re dying again! Why?! ] Chapter 251 Trying to kill her right after the CSAT is a bit much;;Does Baek Jin have to make Baeksulhwa die again to be freed?? ? Dunno ? But isn''t that the most likely possibility?Episode 4''s biggest victim: the cafe? owner whose cafe? got wreckedI can¡¯t sleep because of Baek Jin¡¯s final monologue ? Episode 4 of God and the Goblin ended with a hint that multiple crises would befall Baeksulhwa in the future. Because it was the Grim Reaper who foretold Baeksulhwa¡¯s impending danger, the viewers¡¯ tension and immersion started ramping up again. Why is this so heartbreaking ????So basically Baeksulhwa keeps almost dying because of Baek Jin, right?? ? Isn¡¯t it not because of Baek Jin but because Baeksulhwa was destined to die anyway? ? Then did Baek Jin change her fate and make it more dangerous? I can¡¯t tell.I was watching with a smile, then turned into a weepy mess the second Park Chasa appeared Since reuniting with Baek Jin in episode 1, Baeksulhwa had gradually been escaping her misfortunes. As time went on, the tone of the drama was slowly shifting toward peace. But the sudden reappearance of Park Chasa brought a new crisis crashing down, once again making viewers nervous. And the kicker was, just moments before, there had been a romantic atmosphere brewing thanks to the bouquet Baek Jin gave her. ¡°Baeksulhwa doesn¡¯t know the flower shop owner is actually a Grim Reaper, right?¡± ¡°I spent the entire weekend rewatching the scene where Kang Sun-woo hugs Ha-eun.¡± ¡°The truck crash was CGI, right?¡± Online and in real life, questions about what would happen next came flooding in. Which is why, not long after Ha-eun arrived early as usual at Naerae Arts High, her surroundings grew noisy. ¡®I figured this would happen.¡¯ Ha-eun already knew the impact of episode 4 of God and the Goblin would reach her classmates. She¡¯d gone through the same thing when The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds aired last year and again when The Sunshine aired earlier this year. Still, she couldn¡¯t give any spoilers. Knowing the plot ahead of time only dulls the fun of a drama. It¡¯s even more exciting precisely because no one knows what¡¯ll happen next. What caught her off guard, though, were the students who weren¡¯t in her class. Especially the first-years who had no prior connection with her. ¡°Se-Senpai, could you take a picture with me, just once...?¡± ¡°M-Me too!¡± ¡°...Can I just get your autograph...?¡± Technically, it wasn¡¯t the first time underclassmen had asked for pictures or autographs. It wasn¡¯t a particularly difficult request either. But the way they looked at her was different now. Whereas before they¡¯d whisper among themselves and quietly marvel at her, Now they acted like they¡¯d stumbled upon some legendary Poke?mon. ¡®They seem a lot more... enthusiastic.¡¯ Above all else, Ha-eun could sense their burning desire. That intense determination to get a picture with her no matter what. Maybe it was because they wouldn¡¯t get a chance next year. ¡°It¡¯s because they¡¯re watching God and the Goblin. Ratings are good too.¡± ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t like this last year with Moonlight.¡± ¡°Well, last year and now aren¡¯t the same.¡± With an unbothered expression, Da-yeon poked Ha-eun¡¯s forehead as she said that. Then she pulled out her phone from her uniform pocket. ¡°Look. God and the Goblin¡ªset to be exported to Japan. Peak rating broke 28 percent. A massive hit... You think there¡¯s just one or two articles about you?¡± She showed Ha-eun online articles about God and the Goblin, proving how her popularity had climbed to even greater heights. Ha-eun simply blinked in silence for a moment. Seeing this, Da-yeon shook her head. How could someone so smart not know anything about herself? Then again, Ha-eun had always been oddly clueless in unexpected ways. Just as Da-yeon was about to put her phone back in her pocket¡ªtap. Ha-eun gently grabbed Da-yeon¡¯s wrist, having noticed something on her phone screen. ¡°Hold still for a second.¡± ¡°?¡± Ha-eun¡¯s index finger started tapping on Da-yeon¡¯s phone. And once she found what she was looking for, her usual blank expression shifted into one with a playful glint. Then came a stream of familiar search terms from Ha-eun¡¯s mouth. ¡°God and the Goblin ratings. God and the Goblin highlights. God and the Goblin female lead.¡± ¡°...!¡± ¡°God and the Goblin Japan reaction. Lee Ha-eun fan cafe?. God and the Goblin Lee Ha-eun. Someone was really curious, weren¡¯t they¡ªour Da-yeon.¡± Ha-eun gave a small grin, followed by a soft giggle¡ªwas it just Da-yeon¡¯s imagination? Her ears flushed bright red, and she hastily turned off her phone screen. ¡°...I was hacked.¡± ¡°Oh, so someone hacked your phone and secretly searched me up. What a weird hacker.¡± ¡°.........¡± She had no words. The best excuse she could come up with was hacking¡ªlike a child. As the shame built up by the second, Da-yeon eventually slammed her head onto her desk. Even when Ha-eun poked her from the side, all she could mutter was ¡°Go away.¡± Her face burned with a deep, unspeakable embarrassment. ¡®Stupid girl. Why¡¯d you forget to delete your search history....¡¯ Like it or not, Da-yeon still had to face Ha-eun. As an actress, for the filming of Parasite Family. And as a second-generation VTuber from Illusionary Realm, for the upcoming Christmas special group stream. Filming Parasite Family wasn¡¯t a huge issue. Work was work, /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ and on set, they met as Yoo Ye-rim and Kim Ji-min. But when it came to preparing for Illusionary Realm¡¯s Christmas broadcast¡ª [Turns out Da-yeon¡¯s no different from Ji Hye-min. Her search history was filled with articles about me.] ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m not!!¡± [It¡¯s okay, Da-yeon. There¡¯s nothing embarrassing about being my fan. Be proud.] [Oh! Da-yeon, want to do an ideal type world cup with me and Ha-eun later?] ¡°...Ugh...¡± Ha-eun spread Da-yeon¡¯s secret far and wide, having found perfect teasing material. Nael, gleaming with interest, eagerly tried to recruit Da-yeon as a ¡°comrade.¡± Maybe it was payback for that time Da-yeon made Ha-eun eat pineapple pizza. Ha-eun¡¯s voice¡ªmore Diah than actress Lee Ha-eun¡ªwas brimming with mischief. Finally, the conversation started heading toward more productive territory. [Last year, we gathered at HQ for the end-of-year party. But this year, there are too many people¡ª] [Let¡¯s do a group talk segment for part one, and then a mafia game for part two¡ª] Only once they started discussing actual ¡°meeting-worthy¡± content did Da-yeon feel relief. No more talk of search histories, it seemed. After they finalized the Christmas stream content, And confirmed with all Illusionary Realm members that the plans were doable¡ª [It¡¯s lucky Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year.] [Yeah. If it were Saturday, it would¡¯ve clashed with God and the Goblin.] [Nael probably would¡¯ve skipped the stream to watch the broadcast, huh?] Talk began shifting to next week¡¯s episode of God and the Goblin. Before long, that became the sole topic of conversation. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. Recognizing familiar voices chattering away about Baek Jin and Baeksulhwa, Da-yeon said she had to go and left the Discord call. She had a bad feeling that her search history was about to be brought up again. ¡°...I shouldn¡¯t have looked it up.¡± So this was what they meant by ¡°curiosity killed the cat.¡± She couldn¡¯t help resenting her past self, who had given in to curiosity about Ha-eun¡¯s new drama. Of course, that didn¡¯t mean she stopped watching God and the Goblin. It was a huge hit these days, and honestly, Da-yeon found it fun too. ¡®What¡¯s with that hanbok in the trailer? Wasn¡¯t the past storyline all wrapped up in episode 1...?¡¯ Though she pretended otherwise, Da-yeon was a devoted viewer of God and the Goblin. No matter how hard she tried to act indifferent, she always ended up in front of the TV. And so, time passed and passed again. Finally, Friday¡ªwhen episode 5 of God and the Goblin aired. It¡¯s startingDamn, Ha-eun hitting hard from the very beginningSulhwa is gorgeous...Let¡¯s gooo, it¡¯s live! As news of Episode 5¡¯s broadcast began circulating on social media and forums, people¡¯s attention once again locked onto the drama. The opening scene of Episode 5 showed Baeksulhwa, who had just finished her CSATs, lying in bed deep in thought. ?The flower shop¡¯s closed, school¡¯s on break... hmm...? After spending her rare day off in contemplation, Baeksulhwa eventually sat up and stepped outside. What unfolded before her was not the cramped rooftop room¡ªbut Baek Jin¡¯s duplex officetel. ?...No matter how many times I see it, I can¡¯t get used to this.? Technically speaking, she¡¯d moved into Baek Jin¡¯s officetel weeks ago. But it was still hard to believe, given how stunning the interior was. Far too refined and elegant to even be compared to her tiny rooftop room. The price must have been astronomical too. If a real-life ¡°Daddy Long Legs¡± existed, it had to be Baek Jin. ?Hmm... where is he....? Wandering around the officetel, lost in thought, Baeksulhwa searched for Baek Jin. Because the only person she could spend the day with was him. And so, she walked and walked... until finally reaching the door to his room. ?Um... Mister... are you in there...?? Baeksulhwa pressed her lips to the door crack, speaking in a whisper meant for Baek Jin inside. Asking if he wanted to go out for the day. There were plenty of places with student discounts, so why not go together? But all of that was for nothing, because¡ª ?Didn¡¯t know you had a thing for making out with doors.? ?!!!? Baek Jin¡¯s voice came not from inside the door, but from directly behind her. Baeksulhwa spun around in a panic, startled by Baek Jin¡¯s sudden poof appearance. LOLLLLLWhy is her shock so cuteIf you¡¯re gonna kiss something, why not kiss Baek Jin who¡¯s right there?Caught in the act, hahaha Still catching her breath, Baeksulhwa managed to calm her startled heart. Then, when Baek Jin told her to speak if she had something to say, she gathered her courage and asked if he¡¯d go out with her. ?I hate doing nothing on my days off. It just feels like a waste.? ?So?? ?So what do you mean, ¡®so¡¯? Let¡¯s go out. There are a ton of discounts for exam-takers like me.? She peeked up at Baek Jin, stealing glances, reading his mood. Baek Jin, in turn, looked down at her and accepted her proposal. ?Go get ready.? ?...That easily?? ?If you don¡¯t want to, forget it.? ?Wh-Who said I didn¡¯t want to?? With a face that lit up just a little, Baeksulhwa returned to her room, pulled out five or six outfits, and began seriously deliberating. Then came a scene of her holding different outfits in front of the mirror, testing them out. Viewers immediately picked up on how giddy Baeksulhwa was. Many commented that she finally looked like a girl her age. Let Baeksulhwa be happy ????Lee Ha-eun¡¯s acting is crazy goodThat Baek Jin smirk GIF ? Whoa ? Kang Sun-woo hasn¡¯t aged a bit The vibe is so heart-flutteringThe outfit-laying-out moment? SO accurate Next came a scene of the two main characters heading to an amusement park together. Since Baeksulhwa was always in a school uniform or part-time job outfit, her casual clothes caught viewers¡¯ eyes. What followed was a montage of fun at the amusement park. They wandered around the rides like a couple on a date, enjoying their day off. ?The back row¡¯s the best spot on the Viking ride!? ?...Is that necessary?? ?Wow. A guy who stops trucks barehanded is scared of a Viking ride?? ?Scared? Who said I was scared?? He¡¯s flinching, LOLOur man got baited in one sentenceBack row on Viking is law, yupHe¡¯s 3 seconds away from regretting everything And so they rode the Viking, the roller coaster, and later, other rides like the Gyro Drop, spending time together. ?Ah! Mister, they¡¯re doing fireworks! Fireworks!? It wasn¡¯t until late evening, after the sun had set, that they finally found a bench to rest on. Before long, the amusement park¡¯s fireworks show began. BOOM!Ba-ba-BOOM! ?Wow....? Baeksulhwa watched the colorful fireworks lighting up the night sky, awe on her face. Her face, too, was aglow in the light of the dazzling display. Maybe that¡¯s why. Or maybe it was because the thought that had been tugging at her all along wasn¡¯t a happy one. ?...Are you happy?? The voice, spoken not to the fireworks but to Baeksulhwa herself, wasn¡¯t a cheerful one. Still, Baeksulhwa remained enraptured by the glittering sky above. Baek Jin went quiet again. For Baeksulhwa¡¯s life to truly be peaceful, he had to leave. If he didn¡¯t, incidents that endangered her life would keep happening. Even being at the amusement park together like this was part of that. ?If you are at peace... then that is enough.? He had to make Baeksulhwa believe she was happy. Only when she no longer needed Baek Jin could he pass on¡ªand her life no longer be in danger. And so, he simply sat beside her, watching quietly. ¡ªrustle. ?...!? At some point, Baeksulhwa¡¯s hand gently reached over and held Baek Jin¡¯s. His expression stiffened instantly. ?Th-Thank you, Mister. Today¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve ever hung out with someone....? Her softly spoken voice, tinged with a faint blush, made Baek Jin¡¯s gaze waver. The tender feeling from Baeksulhwa¡ªit definitely wasn¡¯t his imagination. And so, her voice, filled with gratitude and something more, continued... ¡ªtap. ¡ªtap, tap. ?H-Huh...? Snow? Mister, it¡¯s snowing!? Snowflakes began to fall gently from the sky. More precisely, a flake landed on the hand Baeksulhwa had used to hold Baek Jin¡¯s. ?................? Her lips slowly closed in silence. Then the mood shifted slightly, noticeably different from before. ?...General?? She murmured a word that made Baek Jin doubt his ears. And in his mind flashed the image of Baeksulhwa from centuries ago. The camera lingered on the two main characters watching each other in silence¡ª and God and the Goblin Episode 5 came to an end. The preview for Episode 6 aired immediately after. Wait, why are they ending it HERE???Did Baeksulhwa regain her past life memories??Just give us 10 more minutes, PLEASEAAAAAAAHHHHas OTV lost their mind????What the hell was that at the end ????I NEED TO KNOWWWW The show ended without answering a single thing, and online communities exploded. On that day, the show hit a record-breaking 31% viewer rating, and the production team was bombarded with a tidal wave of outrage. *** ?What the heck... It¡¯s over? Like, really? Why??? ?Yume, that¡¯s just how Korean dramas are.? ?Ugh, how am I supposed to survive until tomorrow...? Chapter 252 Episode 5 of God and the Goblin was a powerful one, in many ways. Baeksulhwa¡¯s growing feelings for Baek Jin were becoming more apparent. And Baek Jin, who knew he had to leave as soon as possible, was faced with the difficult decision of how to part from her. The contrast between the two protagonists, both harboring feelings for each other but making opposing choices, captured the audience¡¯s attention. SNS and online communities buzzed louder than ever before because of this. Today Baeksulhwa¡¯s expression is perfectIt really seems like Baeksulhwa likes him, right? ? Isn¡¯t it more like she¡¯s just thankful? ? Feels like they¡¯re still in the ¡°almost¡± stage Lee Ha-eun¡¯s high school acting is just flawless. ? Well, she is a high schooler lol ? Completely different from when adult actors wear uniforms awkwardly Ha-eun, how did you remember your past life?Just 10 hours left ??? Every scene in Episode 5 led the viewers to multiple interpretations. What exactly were Baeksulhwa¡¯s feelings for Baek Jin? What was the meaning behind her calling him "General"? The room for interpretation in these scenes led to a significant increase in viewership. The instantaneous ratings exceeded 30%. An unbelievable record for the early stages of a cable drama. ¡°Isn¡¯t there some error in the ratings?¡± ¡°Some Day only had 13%... I¡¯m curious how UBS will report it.¡± The ratings for a network broadcast like UBS could be considered low. But compared to that, the performance of God and the Goblin was phenomenal. To be honest, no one doubted the acting of the two leads, Kang Sun-woo and Ha-eun. Their reunion after over ten years far exceeded any expectations. ¡°There¡¯s no one around me who isn¡¯t watching God and the Goblin.¡± ¡°Ugh, people are already begging for spoilers for the next episode.¡± This wasn¡¯t just impressive for a cable drama. It was an outstanding achievement for all Korean dramas, and it was beginning to affect the atmosphere on set as well. In other words, motivation. A firm commitment to make sure God and the Goblin didn¡¯t fizzle out. It had been nearly ten years since a drama had achieved a 30% rating, so everyone was determined to maintain this momentum. Even the supporting cast felt the pressure. ¡°Everyone knew Sun-woo¡¯s name value, but Ha-eun is seriously killing it.¡± ¡°I saw an article this morning¡ªTrustworthy Ha-eun.¡± Just being a part of God and the Goblin would be a significant milestone in the careers of all the actors involved. It was an opportunity to make their faces known to the public. For the main leads like Kang Sun-woo and Ha-eun, this was a huge break, but for others, it was a rare, golden chance. Naturally, the subject of many conversations on set was Kang Sun-woo and Ha-eun. Though Sun-woo had earned his fame, Ha-eun, still young, was likely caught up in the excitement of the drama''s success. ¡°What¡¯s Ha-eun doing right # N§àv§Ölight # now?¡± ¡°Maybe still sleeping? It¡¯s Saturday morning.¡± ¡°Hm, from her Instagram, it looks like she wakes up early in the mornings.¡± While these discussions about Ha-eun swirled around the set, Ha-eun herself was having a completely unrelated conversation. ¡°Hey, Hye-yeon. When did you learn Japanese?¡± ¡°I lived in Japan for a while when I was in elementary school. That¡¯s when I learned it.¡± Ha-eun¡¯s room, tidier than usual, was where she sat with her friend, Gong Hye-yeon, at a study desk. Since Hye-yeon was the best at Japanese among Ha-eun¡¯s friends, Ha-eun had invited her over to help prepare for her upcoming collaboration with the famous Japanese VTuber, Lucid. ¡°I had said I¡¯d figure out a way to learn... but it¡¯s better than not learning at all.¡± Ha-eon trusted Hye-yeon since she had smoothly communicated with locals during their school trip to Japan last year. While it¡¯s one thing to know a language and quite another to teach it, Ha-eun was still grateful. She hadn¡¯t expected to invite Hye-yeon over to her house, but there was no choice. Meeting at a cafe? would have made her too recognizable, and it would have gotten noisy. ¡°So, first, I need to see how much Japanese you can understand....¡± ¡°Oh, I can understand basic stuff.¡± ¡°Exactly how much?¡± ¡°Hmm... simple everyday conversations?¡± So, Ha-eun ended up spending time with Hye-yeon as her makeshift Japanese tutor, and after a short break eating fruit brought by Na-yeon, the conversation turned to Christmas plans. ¡°Hey, Ha-eun, what are you doing for Christmas?¡± Hye-yeon, who was nibbling on strawberries, asked about Ha-eun¡¯s Christmas schedule. The conversation shifted to a Christmas party with friends. ¡°We¡¯re having a pajama party at my place on Christmas Eve. Want to come?¡± ¡°Umm... Christmas Eve?¡± ¡°Yeah, about seven people will be there.¡± ¡°Will you be free?¡± Hye-yeon asked hopefully. Ha-eun hesitated for a moment. She really wanted to go to the Christmas party with her friends. But she couldn¡¯t skip the Illusionary Realm group stream that was scheduled for Christmas Eve. ¡°Actually, I have a schedule from 4 PM, so if I go, it¡¯ll probably be around 10 PM....¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s fine! Your schedule comes first!¡± Ha-eun, knowing she¡¯d be late if she went to the party, explained her situation. Just then, Hye-yeon asked another question. ¡°By the way, Ha-eun, what¡¯s that room in the middle of your room?¡± Hye-yeon¡¯s gaze turned to the soundproof booth in the center of the room, almost like a secret hideout. Ha-eun¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She couldn¡¯t admit that it was where she streamed as Diah. ¡°Well... it¡¯s a, um... a recording studio.¡± ¡°A recording studio?¡± ¡°Yeah, I set it up to practice singing at home.¡± And so, Ha-eun turned her soundproof booth into a ¡°personal recording studio¡± in Hye-yeon¡¯s eyes. Four hours later, the soundproof booth door opened. Ha-eun, having just sent Hye-yeon off, immediately started her stream, announcing the Christmas group stream. The fans¡ªNoeulis¡ªwere thrilled. OhIs this real?Let¡¯s dress as SantaaaaaaaaaIllusionary Realm <<< GOATSunday at 4 PM... noted... And just as the Christmas event was announced, a donation message popped up. Ding! [User ?? has donated 10,000 won!] : Are you giving gifts too? ¡°Uh? Gifts?¡± A sudden shift in the stream topic, now all about Christmas gifts, flooded the chat. I¡¯ve never cried, why didn¡¯t I get a gift??It¡¯s okay, you can cry¡ªit¡¯s because Santa doesn¡¯t existI want an acrylic stand, please, Diah Santa!Gimme presentsThis gift from my girlfriend is really precious The chat was flooded with Noeulis¡¯ quiet demands. Diah¡¯s avatar hesitated for a moment, then spoke. ¡°Okay. Our Noeulis deserve Christmas presents too.¡± OhHaha ????BIG DiahNoeulis have won the public heartGive us the cam gifts!!! With that, Ha-eun opened her notes app and announced that tonight¡¯s stream would be all about Christmas gifts. She added that she would give out content suggestions from Noeulis as presents. ¡°Our time together is the real gift¡ª¡î¡± AhMeSirRockOh no;; ¡°Well... if you don¡¯t like the gift stream, I guess there¡¯s nothing I can do. I¡¯ll go then. Bye bye.¡± No noWow, it¡¯s a gift stream, hahaI like it, I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it, I like itKaraoke stream, maybe??Please don¡¯t go, please don¡¯t go, please don¡¯t go, please don¡¯t go, please don¡¯t goWhat do you mean, already leaving?!Play a public game, please After that, a list of content ideas started to appear on the note pad on the stream screen. Ha-eun selected a few suitable ones from the suggestions flooding the chat and wrote them down. Other members¡¯ song coversShirooni 21 hour of speaking in formal languageBattle Island event mode participationCafe? hoppingGiving advice on other members¡¯ streamsDiah¡¯s ideal type world cupIllusionary Realm aegyo remix challenge ¡°Alright, we¡¯re done collecting suggestions~. Now it¡¯s time to spin the roulette!¡± ?Wasn¡¯t this supposed to be a vote??What¡¯s with the roulette? Let¡¯s just do a majority vote!!!Is this right?Let¡¯s just vote fairly, okay? ¡°Alright, alright. Spin, roulette¡ª!¡± The roulette started spinning. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. As it spun, the chat was flooded with Noeulis'' hopes and expectations, each one hoping for their preferred content to win. Soon enough, the roulette came to a stop at 1 hour of speaking in formal language. OhWowNo more public games thenIkeuikeuikeuSweet baby voice incoming~Nooo, my song cover!!! The chat was divided between those excited for the formal language stream and those disappointed that their preferred content wasn¡¯t chosen. Ha-eun glanced at the chat, now buzzing again, and then spoke up. She said that from now on, she would become a ¡°new Diah¡± for the next hour. ¡°If I¡¯m going to be polite Diah, I need to hit my head a little harder. Just wait a second~.¡± ?WhatSlams headDoes this mean you can¡¯t speak formally without hitting yourself, Diah?Huh?Oh my godWait a sec At that moment, Ha-eun¡¯s fist slammed down on the desk harder than she expected. The dull thud echoed through the mic. Bang! The sound of Diah¡¯s head slamming onto the desk made the chat explode with confusion and laughter. Shortly after, Diah¡¯s usual high-pitched moan of discomfort came through the mic. ¡°Ah... ugh... my head...¡± LMAOThat was a really hard slamDon¡¯t hurt Diah, please ???She actually hit her head, hahaDiah¡¯s brain cells just lost 40%Is this even right? Haha But then, the next words that came from Diah were... a bit strange. While her tone was polite, it was different from usual. ¡°Who... are you...? I can¡¯t remember...¡± ???Oh noYou hit her too hard...We¡¯re in troubleWhat the heck is happening, Diah? Her voice sounded fragile and unsure, as if she had lost her memory. She spoke like a lost child, confused and disoriented. The chat was filled with more questions, trying to understand what was going on with Diah. But despite what the Noeulis said, Diah claimed she couldn¡¯t remember anything. ¡°Ugh... I miss my mom and dad... I¡¯m scared of the uncles...¡± ?Uncles?What...¡®Uncles¡¯ is crossing the line;;Your mom went to America!!We¡¯re sorryAt least call us ¡®uncle¡¯Calling your boyfriend ¡®uncle¡¯ is too much Diah¡¯s avatar, which had been showing a confused and sad expression, looked as if she might burst into tears at any moment. Her voice became increasingly pitiful. The Noeulis in the chat were just as confused, never expecting this kind of behavior from Diah. It was an unexpected sight for every fan. But, it wasn¡¯t as though Diah had become a completely different person. Ding! [User ?? donated 10,000 won!] : What about a cotton candy, please? One of the Noeulis, likely trying to cheer Diah up, offered her favorite snack: cotton candy. Diah was momentarily surprised, then broke into a big smile. ¡°Wow¡ª! Thank you for the cotton candy~!¡± Not easy...Diah, go go Diah, go go DiahYou weren¡¯t like this beforeDiah, get a hold of yourself!!She really turned into a baby...You shouldn¡¯t accept food from strangers like that, Diah ¡°No! The person who gives cotton candy is a nice person!¡± Already becoming a slave to capitalismHaha, even with memory loss, you can¡¯t resist cotton candySo are those broke people who can''t give cotton candy bad people, huh?You can¡¯t let kids get obsessed with money! Diah¡¯s consistent behavior¡ªthough now more childlike¡ªfinally made the Noeulis realize how they should treat her. The stream gradually turned into a child-like performance, as expected. Ding! [User ?? donated 100,000 won!] : This old man wants to hear our lovely Diah sing... ¡°W-Wow! Thank you, Grandpa! Please wait a moment...!¡± ©¤©¤?©¤©¤?©¤? ¡°Mm, mm-mm. Baby Shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo~?¡± LMAOIs this always what her stream is like?Why is this so cuteBaby Shark is classicGrandpa, I want 100,000 won tooReaction is everything *** ¡°Want me to sing something else? Hmm... Oh! I can sing ¡®Round and Round the Sun¡¯!¡± ?With someone like her.? ¡°Thinking about the uncle makes my chest hurt... Why am I like this? Can you tell me, please, uncle...¡± ?This is the same person, huh. ...The actress is amazing.? ?Huh? What did you say?? ?No, I mean... she¡¯s really good at acting.? ?Well, of course. She¡¯s a popular actress in Korea. Why else would she be famous?? Chapter 253 ¡°Alright then, see you next time~ Bye-bye~¡± - Diva - Can¡¯t you come back after dinner?? - Enjoy your meal - (SD Noeuli waving emoji) ¡Á7 - Good work - Bye, Diah As the chatroom filled with farewells, Diah¡¯s Saturday stream came to a close. At the same time, the broadcast of God and the Goblin Episode 6 was fast approaching. ¡ªCreak. Just then, Ha-eun stepped out of the soundproof booth, stretching with a slightly stiff expression. She headed straight for the living room. ¡°Ah, Ha-eun. Dinner¡¯s ready, come eat.¡± ¡°Coming~¡± Good timing. The dining table was already set with various dishes prepared by Na-yeon. And so began another typical family dinner. Afterward, Ha-eun sat on the sofa and began watching Episode 6 of God and the Goblin. Strictly speaking, she already knew everything that was going to happen¡ªbut the feeling of watching it live was something else. ¡°Hey, Ha-eun, was that fireworks scene CGI?¡± ¡°Nope. We filmed it to match the actual fireworks show.¡± ¡°I figured they did fireworks at Seoul World, but wow, that¡¯s a massive show.¡± Together with Na-yeon and Seong-yoon, Ha-eun watched the freshly airing episode just like any other viewer. The first scene picked up right where Episode 5 had ended: the fireworks. ?...Are you happy?? Baek Jin watched Baeksulhwa, who was still mesmerized by the distant fireworks. His gaze turned more solemn as he slipped into memories of the past. The first time he met Baeksulhwa, long ago. Peaceful days spent with a girl in a snowy-white hanbok, just like her name. And finally, the memory of losing even those peaceful days. ?If you are at peace... that is enough.? Baek Jin believed his only reason for existing was to ensure Baeksulhwa lived a happy life. That was why he had waited hundreds of years for her to reincarnate. What happened to him didn¡¯t matter. After all, he was a ghost who should¡¯ve disappeared long ago. He had wandered for ages, and Baeksulhwa was the only thing anchoring him to this world. All he wanted now was to pass on peacefully¡ªensuring her safety before that. Maybe that¡¯s why... ¡ªRustle. ?Th-Thank you, Mister. Today¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve ever hung out with someone like this....? Baeksulhwa¡¯s hand carefully clasped Baek Jin¡¯s, her cheeks lightly flushed. Baek Jin stiffened. He knew he had to leave eventually, and the more Baeksulhwa became attached to him, the more pain she would feel. He didn¡¯t want to be a weight on her life. To her, he hoped to be nothing more than a passing figure¡ªan ¡°uncle¡± she happened to meet by chance. Anything more than that would only make it harder when he was gone. And yet... ¡ªTap. ¡ªTap, tap. ?................? As snow began to fall from the high night sky, Baeksulhwa went quiet. Then, in a slightly different tone, she finally spoke. ?...General?? She uttered a word that made Baek Jin question his ears. ¡ªWhip! ?...Huh?? In that moment, Baek Jin realized¡ªhe was becoming a lingering attachment to Baeksulhwa. If she remembered her past life, she would surely long for him even after he left, just as he had once longed for her. And so, without thinking, he pulled his hand away. He didn¡¯t want her to suffer in the present because of a love that belonged to the past. Her fragmented memory was severed just like that. The past returning through Baek Jin¡¯s touch was cut off completely. ?...I should go.? ¡°W-Wait! Mister!¡± Still confused by the flood of hazy memories, Baeksulhwa tried to stop him. The man who held her, crying in those fragments of memory, had definitely been Baek Jin. She wanted to know what had happened between them. The ache in her chest¡ªshe knew it wasn¡¯t just her imagination. But Baek Jin vanished with a swoosh. ?...Why...?? Baeksulhwa had no idea what was going through his mind. Why had he disappeared so suddenly, like he was running away from her? What were these strange memories? She didn¡¯t realize those memories came from hundreds of years ago. Nor did she understand why Baek Jin had vanished¡ªbecause if she remembered everything, she would miss him too deeply. Not yet, anyway. ?What... is this. Seriously...? All she wanted now was to understand the blur in her head. She returned to Baek Jin¡¯s officetel and searched again and again, but he was gone. ?...Where did you go.? For some reason, Baek Jin was nowhere to be found. She even searched his room, despite the awkwardness¡ªbut he wasn¡¯t there. - Mister really ran for it - This is why couples need to communicate - He¡¯s totally hiding on purpose ?? - So touching his hand brings her memories back?? ? Yeah, seems like it ? Was that the first time they held hands in Episode 6 then? lol ? When is this couple actually gonna progress - This is so frustrating - Baek Jin¡¯s trying to detach emotionally As Baek Jin completely vanished, online forums and SNS filled with reactions. Some understood his actions, while others hoped Baeksulhwa would fully recover her past-life memories. The split opinions mirrored the drama¡¯s leads themselves. Baek Jin trying to bury the past, and Baeksulhwa desperate to uncover it. ?What... he¡¯s still not back?? Even the next morning, Baek Jin was still missing, leaving Baeksulhwa more confused. She had no idea he was quietly watching her from the rooftop of the building across the street. The next scene showed Baek Jin¡¯s inner monologue. ?Do not try to remember. It¡¯s time that has already passed.? ?Your happiness does not include me. It must not.? ?Only you would suffer. Only you...? It was a situation with no clear right or wrong, and heated debates filled the internet. Everyone agreed on one thing: the future for these two was not going to be easy. Above all, right now, their love seemed impossible. - This is so sad - Why¡¯s he sleeping on a rooftop when he has a perfectly good home - Why did this turn into a sad story all of a sudden - Things were so good at the amusement park ????? - The acting is INSANE - One hand-hold and now it¡¯s over??? Posts on SNS and forums began to appear faster and faster. A sense of de?ja? vu. Because Baek Jin and Baeksulhwa had already said a heartbreaking goodbye once in Episode 1, this second parting hit even harder. The romantic mood built from Episodes 2 through 5 made it all the more painful. The following scene showed Baeksulhwa returning to her everyday life. ?Thank you, sir. Have a nice day~.? She went back to working various part-time jobs, busy as always. Still, Baek Jin didn¡¯t reappear. Time passed... And finally, in a late afternoon scene at the flower shop¡ª ?You could at least say something if you''re upset. How am I supposed to know...? Muttering to herself, Baeksulhwa thought of Baek Jin again. She had no memory of doing anything wrong. Why had he suddenly gone cold and disappeared? ?...He''s so good at making things complicated.? If she had done something wrong, she wished he¡¯d just tell her. Only then could she apologize, clear up the misunderstanding, and make things right. That¡¯s when Park Chasa, disguised as the flower shop owner, approached. ?What¡¯s wrong? Something on your mind?? ¡°Ah, boss.... Well... it¡¯s...¡± Because the flower shop paid well, Baeksulhwa only saw Park Chasa as a kind, respectable employer. She didn¡¯t know he was actually a grim reaper. Nor did she know he was the one Baek Jin feared most. So she spoke vaguely about her situation with Baek Jin. ?There was someone I got close to... but he suddenly disappeared. He won¡¯t even answer my messages.? ¡°Hmm...¡± Of course, she didn¡¯t mention the strange, fragmented memories connected to him. Who would believe a regular florist if she started talking about centuries-old memories? Meanwhile, viewers watching this scene were full of dread. Understandably so¡ªPark Chasa was the one who had foretold Baeksulhwa¡¯s death. - If Baek Jin finds out they met, he''s gonna freak - lol she came to him herself - So now if Park Chasa says her name three times, the show ends? ? omg ? that would be so bad - This is why insanely high-paying part-time jobs are dangerous, I¡¯m telling you Everyone watching knew Park Chasa¡¯s kind smile was just a mask. Everyone... except Baeksulhwa. ?Then why not give him these flowers as a gift? Someday, when you meet again.? ¡°Huh, this is...¡± ¡°Forget-me-nots. The flower means ¡®Don¡¯t forget me.¡¯ I¡¯m sure he¡¯s feeling something too.¡± And so, Baeksulhwa accepted the flower offered by Park Chasa. When he asked her to take care of it so it wouldn''t wilt until she met "that person" again, she simply nodded. ¡°Hmm...¡± To be honest, Baeksulhwa didn¡¯t completely believe Park Chasa¡¯s words. Even if she gave the forget-me-not to Baek Jin, she didn¡¯t think it would change anything. In the end, it was just a flower. And a flower¡¯s meaning¡ª¡°Don¡¯t forget me¡±¡ªfelt no different from a superstition. Still, she took it. If only to cling to something, anything at all. ¡ªClack. ¡ªThunk. ¡°...There.¡± This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. She placed the potted flower from Park Chasa on the windowsill. At the very least, she planned to take care of it until Baek Jin returned. But for some reason... ¡°Ugh... why am I so sleepy all of a sudden...¡± The moment she set the pot down, a wave of drowsiness washed over her. Moments later, she collapsed onto her bed and fell asleep. The problem was¡ªher dream that night was strange. ¡ªCrunch, crunch. ¡°...Where is this?¡± In her dream, Baeksulhwa found herself walking through a vast, snow-covered field she had never seen before. For some reason, her legs wouldn¡¯t stop moving. Her breath came out in puffs¡ªher clothes weren¡¯t warm enough for the cold. Still, she kept walking, her white breath floating in the air... ¡°Stop.¡± ¡ªTap. Someone appeared behind her and grabbed her shoulder, halting her steps. When she slowly turned around¡ª What she saw was... herself. Wearing a snowy white hanbok. ¡°W-Who are you...?¡± Her eyes shook at the surreal sight¡ªshe was holding herself. And then, the other Baeksulhwa spoke words that made no sense. ¡°You have to die... for the General to live.¡± ¡°He¡¯s already suffered enough. Don¡¯t make it harder for him.¡± Every word was cryptic. And yet, even after she woke up in shock, she couldn¡¯t shake that desperate voice. ¡°Haah, haah...¡± Wiping sweat from her forehead, she looked more confused than ever. But it solidified one thing in her heart: She needed to find Baek Jin. Her gaze drifted toward the flower pot on the windowsill. And as the camera panned over the blue forget-me-nots, God and the Goblin Episode 6 came to an end. The OST, ¡°Snow Blossom,¡± began to play. - WHY is it already overrrrrr - Is this drama ending next week or something?? - I literally have no idea what¡¯s going on - I couldn¡¯t even breathe watching this - What are they even planning from Episode 7 onward?? - Please just give me 10 more minutes With the tension peaking, God and the Goblin posts began flooding online communities. The ratings, too, had risen again since Episode 5. ¡°We¡¯re still climbing. Not even a 1% drop.¡± The ratings update reached the OTV drama department¡ªalmost unbelievable for a show that had only aired six episodes. It wasn¡¯t an exaggeration to say this drama had completely taken over the winter season. And it wasn¡¯t just Korea. God and the Goblin was gaining popularity across China, Japan, and beyond. ¡°Shulan, this girl...¡± ¡°Y-Yeah, it¡¯s her. That¡¯s Lee Ha-eun. She¡¯s grown up so beautifully...!¡± Not only those who had been fans of Ha-eun since You Who Came from the Stars, but also viewers discovering her for the first time through God and the Goblin were falling for her performance. ?This drama¡¯s... good.? ?You said it was frustrating before.? ?...I didn¡¯t say it wasn¡¯t good.? In every country the drama was licensed to, it was performing as well as it was in Korea. The numbers stood out even compared to other Korean dramas that had been exported abroad. Perhaps that¡¯s why¡ª ¡°Ha-eun. I heard God and the Goblin is holding a promo event in Japan?¡± ¡°...Where?¡± ¡°Japan. The date is¡ª¡± Ha-eun had just been scheduled for her first ever overseas engagement as an actress. And it was... the day before her planned collab stream with Lucid. Good thing they don¡¯t overlap... Ha-eun had expected the show to do well internationally. What she hadn¡¯t expected was for her promo event and VTuber collab to be so close together. Is this... okay? If God and the Goblin was gaining popularity in Japan, that meant people there were starting to recognize her. And if she were spotted going in or out of a VTuber studio... There must be paparazzi in Japan, too. Considering ~N§àv§Ölight~ Japan¡¯s VTuber industry was even larger than Korea¡¯s, the red pill phenomenon would attract even more attention. You could dig up the red pill of most major Japanese VTubers with a simple search. As Ha-eun continued pondering her Japan schedule¡ª ¡ªTap. ¡ªTap. ¡°Ha-eun, Ha-eun.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got more offers than I can count. Take a look at these first.¡± Ju Jung-yoon showed up, arms full of documents¡ª A fresh batch of proposals, brought on by the success of God and the Goblin. It wasn¡¯t a problem for Ha-eun to receive so many ad offers. There was just one in particular that gave her pause. ¡°You¡¯ve heard of The Forgotten Child, right? Would you be interested in dubbing the Korean version? As the lead.¡± The moment the proposal was mentioned, Ha-eun froze. In her previous life, the Korean dub of The Forgotten Child had been absolutely ripped apart online for its awful celebrity voice acting. And more importantly, it was Cream¡¯s favorite animated film. She remembered clearly how upset Cream had been when the dub was ruined. ¡°...Can I just take a look for a second?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Ha-eun took the proposal from Jung-yoon and read it carefully. Still, something kept gnawing at her. It was... the voice acting part. The lead doesn¡¯t require a cute voice, so maybe... but still, is it okay? Part of her wanted to dub The Forgotten Child for Cream¡¯s sake. The other part was worried it might threaten Diah¡¯s red pill. Sure, the lead character in The Forgotten Child had a completely different personality from Diah. But even a small chance couldn¡¯t be ignored. ¡°Hmm...¡± In the end, she couldn¡¯t decide right away. She set it aside for now and said she¡¯d keep thinking. But to Jung-yoon, Ha-eun¡¯s interest in voice work seemed a little unexpected. ¡°If you¡¯re interested in dubbing, there¡¯s also Super Villain. The role of the villain¡¯s daughter.¡± ¡°...Sorry?¡± ¡°You¡¯re great at kid voices, so I figured this might suit you better¡ª¡± ¡°No. No way. That¡¯s really not happening.¡± It was the kind of role that would basically be Diah¡¯s red pill in voice form. She refused on the spot. ¡°No way, even though Super Villain will probably be more popular?¡± ¡°It¡¯s... just not really my taste.¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s that, then.¡± Chapter 254 What Ju Jung-yoon had said¡ªthat it wasn¡¯t just one or two offers coming Ha-eun¡¯s way¡ªwasn¡¯t just talk. Beyond the usual commercial endorsements, there were several other proposals too. For example, the renewal of contracts from brands that had cast Ha-eun as their exclusive model. ¡°Sears and Rev both want to renew. What do you think?¡± ¡°Hmm... I don¡¯t really have a reason to cancel, so I think it¡¯s fine to renew.¡± Both companies had greatly benefited from Ha-eun¡¯s rising fame and were eager to sign with her again. The proposed model fee in the renewed contracts had gone up significantly as well. Since both companies had treated Ha-eun exceptionally well, she had no reason to terminate the contracts. And even if she had to shoot new commercials, it wasn¡¯t such a big deal. ¡°So, shall we go ahead and seal it?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± And just like that, it was decided¡ªshe¡¯d continue working with the companies she had already partnered with next year as well. After that was settled, they moved on to discussing casting offers that had come in for Ha-eun as an actress. ¡°I pulled together all the scripts for you.¡± ¡°So, this is everything?¡± ¡°These are all the ones that came in for you. You don¡¯t have to read them all¡ªjust look at the ones that catch your interest.¡± Then, Ju Jung-yoon briefly explained the projects that had sent offers to cast Ha-eun. There were historical dramas like The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds. There were also romantic comedies and zombie apocalypse flicks like To Busan, which starred Da-yeon. On top of those, all kinds of genres were reaching out to Ha-eun. Some were even projects she remembered as major hits. ¡°You don¡¯t need to decide right away. You can take your time and read through them at home.¡± Either way, Ha-eun was already filming God and the Goblin and Parasite Family. All the casting offers she¡¯d received so far were just efforts to secure her in advance. Actual filming wouldn¡¯t begin until next year. However, there was one casting offer in particular that stood out. Because of that, Ju Jung-yoon carefully suggested they consider that one first. ¡°The Chairman¡¯s Youngest Grandson. It¡¯s a drama proposed directly by SL Group.¡± Not by the drama¡¯s director or production company¡ªbut by the investment firm backing it. And not just any firm, but SL Group, the major conglomerate that practically runs Korea¡¯s media industry. There was also a meeting request from SL Group, so they had to proceed with extra caution. This wasn¡¯t just any ordinary meeting¡ªit was on an entirely different scale. But for some reason¡ª ¡°...Ha.¡± Ha-eun let out a short, hollow laugh. From the look on her face, there was no trace of surprise or confusion. Not even curiosity. ¡°Ha-eun...?¡± Instead, it was Ju Jung-yoon who found herself flustered. Understandably so¡ªHa-eun¡¯s whole demeanor had shifted. Her gaze had turned noticeably colder. But in contrast, her breathing was slightly uneven. A swirl of muddled emotions in her eyes. ¡°SL Group asked to see me in person?¡± ¡°Y-yeah. They said they¡¯d like to meet with you once...¡± It was a side of Ha-eun that had only surfaced twice before, during her adolescent years. Once, when she secretly visited a large hospital without her parents¡¯ knowledge. And once, when something happened to Da-yeon. Since then, she¡¯d never shown that face again. In other words, something about SL Group had shaken Ha-eun¡¯s calm. But as far as anyone knew, Ha-eun had no ties to SL Group. ¡°Why...? Is it too much pressure? If it¡¯s overwhelming, it¡¯s okay to say no¡ª¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not overwhelming. It¡¯s too late for that now.¡± Why was she this stirred up? Because of what? ¡°Please tell them I¡¯ll take the meeting.¡± ¡°Are you... really okay with it?¡± ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I be? It¡¯s not like I¡¯ve done anything wrong.¡± The guilt lies with the other side. Ha-eun¡¯s quiet murmur made Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s expression darken with concern. ¡®Why is she... like this?¡¯ At the moment, Ha-eun¡¯s face was colder than ever. And it wasn¡¯t even for a scene. Still, Jung-yoon didn¡¯t say anything more¡ªbecause she knew Ha-eun¡¯s mind was made up. No matter what she said, it felt like Ha-eun was set on meeting SL Group. But that didn¡¯t mean she was going to just let it slide. From an objective standpoint, the meeting with SL Group was a golden opportunity. But for Ha-eun personally, it might be a completely different story. ¡°Hello? Ma¡¯am?¡± [ Oh, hello, Jung-yoon. What¡¯s the matter? ] She called Na-yeon while Ha-eun had stepped out for a bit¡ªfor that exact reason. Even if she couldn¡¯t talk it through with her, maybe Ha-eun could speak openly with her parents. Having spent over ten years by Ha-eun¡¯s side, Ju Jung-yoon could sense it. Something was going on between Ha-eun and SL Group. Something that neither Ju Jung-yoon nor Luna Entertainment knew about¡ªsomething only Ha-eun herself carried. ¡°If I bring it up right away, she definitely won¡¯t say anything. So maybe after some time passes...¡± [ Yes, yes. I understand, Jung-yoon. I¡¯ll make sure to talk with her later. Thank you for letting me know. ] *** ¡°...Cut! Great work, everyone!¡± It was right after the very first shoot of Parasite Family had wrapped up. Ha-eun, who had been acting as Yoo Ye-rim until the very last second, finally relaxed her expression once she heard the okay signal. Only after Ha-eun stood up was Da-yeon able to get up as well. ¡°Lee Ha-eun, you were actually trying to kill me, weren¡¯t you.¡± ¡°N-no, I wasn¡¯t.¡± ¡°I seriously thought I was gonna suffocate.¡± ¡°...Sorry.¡± They had just filmed the scene in the second half of the film where Yoo Ye-rim and Kim Ji-min get into a physical fight, so their outfits were a mess. Da-yeon, who¡¯d been pinned beneath Ha-eun getting choked moments earlier, had her hair completely tangled. Still, since it was all acting, they didn¡¯t think too much of it. The only thing Da-yeon cared about was going head-to-head with Ha-eun¡¯s portrayal of Yoo Ye-rim. ¡®Honestly, I kind of want to shoot it again... Should I talk to the director?¡¯ Since the scene they¡¯d just filmed was the highlight of Parasite Family, it lingered in her mind. During the short break that followed, she couldn¡¯t stop debating whether to ask for a retake. But unlike Da-yeon¡ª ¡°Da-yeon, are you free on Christmas Eve? After our collab stream?¡± Sitting beside her as usual, Ha-eun seemed far more interested in something else than the idea of reshooting. The scene they had just filmed got bumped down her list of priorities. ¡°A bunch of us are having a party on Christmas Eve, and I wanted you to come.¡± ¡°A party?¡± ¡°Yeah. We¡¯re doing a pajama party at Hye-yeon¡¯s place.¡± From what Ha-eun had heard, they were going all-out. They¡¯d booked professional catering services, and there¡¯d even be a small gift exchange. True to the name, the pajama party would go on late into the night with movies and dramas, and Ha-eun genuinely hoped Da-yeon would join them. After all, Da-yeon was still her friend. And on top of that, Ha-eun wanted to talk to her privately about the meeting with SL Group. ¡°Come with me. I¡¯ll pick you up from your place after our stream.¡± ¡°...Are you sure it¡¯s okay for me to go?¡± ¡°Of course it is. They¡¯re nice people¡ªyou¡¯ll get along with them in no time.¡± ¡°Hmm...¡± Da-yeon didn¡¯t have any particular schedule that day. It was just that the party guests, including Gong Hye-yeon, had little to no connection with her. Still, if it was with Ha-eun, it wasn¡¯t the kind of party she couldn¡¯t attend. To be honest, she didn¡¯t feel great about letting Ha-eun go alone, either. ¡°No doubt you¡¯re going to end up drinking again. How could I let you go by yourself?¡± ¡°W-why would I drink? It¡¯s just a house party.¡± ¡°Exactly. That¡¯s when people drink. Who¡¯s to say what¡¯s in those glasses¡ªgrape juice or wine?¡± The party was only a week before Ha-eun officially became a legal adult. She didn¡¯t mind if soon-to-be adults were sipping wine at a party. But there was one exception. She absolutely could not let Ha-eun drink alcohol. ¡°If you¡¯re going to drink wine or whatever, only do it when you¡¯re alone. Or with me.¡± ¡°That¡ªThat¡¯s not fair.¡± ¡°Ha. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve already forgotten what happened in Japan?¡± ¡°...I don¡¯t remember.¡± Da-yeon had already experienced Ha-eun¡¯s drunken antics¡ªones that were memorable in many ways. Ha-eun, when drunk, would cling to Da-yeon like a squid and shower her with praise in a lazy, syrupy voice. It was something Da-yeon never wanted to deal with again. ¡°That¡¯s it. I¡¯m calling your mom and telling her you plan to drink at the party¡ª¡± ¡°I was wrong!¡± ¡°Touch even a drop of beer or wine.¡± ¡°Yes ma¡¯am. I¡¯ll drink water only.¡± ¡°You¡¯re all talk, you know that?¡± And just like that, Da-yeon decided to go to the house party¡ªstrictly to keep an eye on Ha-eun. More precisely¡ª ¡°Let¡¯s shoot S#90 again.¡± ¡°Huh? Why?¡± ¡°I think the lines got buried. My voice didn¡¯t come through right.¡± After convincing Ha-eun to agree to a reshoot of S#90¡ªthe mansion scene they had just filmed¡ªDa-yeon stood up from the folding chair on set and headed toward Director Sung Chan-wook. About ten minutes later, the reshoot of S#90 began. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s begin. ...Action!¡± With Director Sung Chan-wook¡¯s cue, Da-yeon stumbled out from the corner of the set. And then came Kim Ji-min¡¯s line. This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. ¡°Why... did you do that. We¡¯re friends... We¡¯re friends, Ye-rim...¡± The vast living room of the mansion. The marble floor, usually pristine, was now littered with debris. A shattered family photo frame lay discarded on the ground. In the middle of the chaos stood Yoo Ye-rim. Motionless, without any visible emotion. That very stillness only made Kim Ji-min¡¯s emotions explode even more. ¡°How could you do this to me? What did I ever do to you...?!¡± Kim Ji-min had truly believed they were friends. She never imagined that the person she trusted would dig up her parents¡¯ darkest secrets and bring ruin to her family. She never imagined her younger brother would be dragged into it and pushed down a path of no return. She really had no idea. ¡ªStep. ¡ªStep. ¡ªCRACK! ¡°Hey, Yoo Ye-rim. Say something. Was I that easy to fool? Were you using me from the start?¡± Her hands clutched Yoo Ye-rim¡¯s collar. But Ye-rim¡¯s face still wore that bitter smirk, and Ji-min¡¯s eyes began to redden. And finally¡ªslap. ¡°Ow.¡± ¡°...You disgusting bitch.¡± Kim Ji-min slapped Yoo Ye-rim across the face and continued in a trembling voice. She asked how long it had all been an act. At what point Ye-rim had decided to drive her family to ruin. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you, everyone would¡¯ve been happy. Mom, Dad, Ji-hoon...¡± ¡°No, Ji-min. That¡¯s not true.¡± A voice barely above a whisper. Eyes still cold as ? ? (Don¡¯t copy, read here) ice. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything wrong. The ones who were wrong were your family.¡± She was just the one who dragged their buried secrets into the open. If anything, Ji-min should be angry at her own family for hiding the truth. ¡°I just... wanted to live happily with your family. But they kept ignoring me. Kept trying to kick me out.¡± Ye-rim revealed she¡¯d only exposed their secrets to protect herself. If Ji-min¡¯s family hadn¡¯t come after her, none of this would¡¯ve happened. She smiled faintly, as if provoking her. ¡°You think I leached off your family? But they were already broken. They were rotten from the start.¡± ¡°If I¡¯d known the state they were in, I¡¯d have picked a cleaner house. Do you think I¡¯m crazy enough to grab onto a sinking rope?¡± That sickening smile of Ye-rim¡¯s pushed Ji-min over the edge, and she raised her hand again. But this time, Ye-rim had no intention of just taking it. ¡ªCRASH! ¡°You and I were never friends to begin with. I was just living my life. You were playing around in your fantasy. You dumb bitch, Kim Ji-min.¡± She knocked Ji-min to the floor and began strangling her. Her voice now thick with emotion. ¡°I¡¯m not the one who owes an apology. That¡¯s you. Maybe you should¡¯ve had better parents.¡± ¡°You... You... You devil!!!¡± ¡°Devil? Me? What a fucking joke...¡± Ragged breathing. Desperate flailing. Choking in pain, Ji-min tried to pry Ye-rim¡¯s hands off her neck. But Ye-rim just stared down with a blank expression¡ªand tightened her grip even more. ¡°Hard to breathe? That¡¯s how I felt every day around your family. Like my head was going to explode from trying to figure out what to do with those bastards.¡± ¡°Let... go...!¡± ¡°Must be nice, Ji-min. You¡¯ve got so much to lose. Me? I¡¯ve got nothing left.¡± Kim Ji-min¡¯s face was a mess of tears, a mix of rage and regret. Meanwhile, Yoo Ye-rim¡¯s face looked... oddly hollow. Just before Kim Ji-min was on the verge of losing consciousness, Yoo Ye-rim loosened her grip and let out a chuckle. On the other hand, Kim Ji-min, who had been strangled by Yoo Ye-rim, looked utterly battered. Cough, hack... Hah, hah... ¡°...Now you¡¯re finally looking a little better.¡± Yoo Ye-rim mocked Kim Ji-min with a bitter smile, almost as if the whole situation were amusing. ¡°Did you ever notice my expression whenever I ate at your house? Did you hear what your parents said about me every time they saw me?¡± Things Kim Ji-min hadn¡¯t known. Or, perhaps, things she had chosen to ignore, brought up now from deep within Yoo Ye-rim¡¯s heart. ¡°I¡¯ve been an outsider in that house from the start. They treated me like a parasite. To your family, I was never even a person.¡± Yoo Ye-rim mocked the reality of their situation, her shoulders shaking slightly as she did. Heh heh. ¡°You¡¯re the one who brought me into your house, Ji-min.¡± ¡°Kill me. Just kill me...¡± ¡°Hah... Should I? Should we just die together?¡± Yoo Ye-rim¡¯s face, hollowed out as if she had given up on everything, met Kim Ji-min¡¯s tear-filled gaze. In Kim Ji-min¡¯s trembling hand, a shard of glass dripped with bright red blood. The bitter sensation spread through her fingers. But more than the pain, it was the anger and betrayal aimed at Yoo Ye-rim that surged through her. Thud. ¡°...Die. Die!!¡± With the sharp glass shard, Kim Ji-min stabbed and stabbed at Yoo Ye-rim¡¯s neck. The complete loss of reason meant that Kim Ji-min no longer knew what she was doing. Then, with a soft snap, Yoo Ye-rim¡¯s head twisted. At nearly the same moment, Yoo Ye-rim¡¯s body collapsed, crashing down on top of Kim Ji-min. Hah... hah... Completely alone now, Kim Ji-min quietly laughed, her sanity slipping away. Yoo Ye-rim, still sprawled on top of Kim Ji-min, didn¡¯t move at all. Cut. ¡°Got it.¡± With the okay signal from across the set, Ha-eun¡¯s eyes snapped open. After getting up from atop Da-yeon, Ha-eun stood and spoke. ¡°I think we did a better job this time. What do you think, Da-yeon?¡± Ha-eun, with her usual calm expression, spoke as she helped Da-yeon to her feet. Da-yeon, too, shared the same opinion. ¡°Well, we¡¯ll have to see the footage, but I think we did alright.¡± In the end, the filming of S#90 was perfectly completed. Da-yeon felt satisfied with the take as well. She couldn¡¯t imagine improving her performance any further. It was her best effort. Acting to a point where she felt no regret. Thanks to that, Da-yeon felt she could bring up something other than the shoot. Like, for example, the home party Ha-eun had planned to attend. ¡°By the way, that Hye-yeon... how big is her house to invite seven people all at once?¡± ¡°She said it¡¯s not an apartment, but a detached house. Three stories.¡± ¡°...A three-story house?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Da-yeon then started asking Ha-eun more detailed questions. What kind of people would be at the party? What kind of food would they have at the home party? ¡°I don¡¯t think they¡¯ll be ordering wine or beer.¡± ¡°Oh, she has a separate wine cellar.¡± ¡°...Ha-eun.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not drinking. I said I won¡¯t.¡± ¡°You¡¯re just going to watch me, right? The whole time.¡± In the end, Da-yeon succeeded in preventing Ha-eun from drinking at the party. Thanks to Da-yeon¡¯s watchful eye, Ha-eun couldn¡¯t drink wine or beer at the home party. If there was a problem, it was¡ª ¡°...Black knight.¡± ¡°Huh? Again?¡± ¡°Da-yeon, you¡¯re a drinker, huh?¡± ¡°Ha-eun won¡¯t let me drink even once.¡± It turned out that whenever Ha-eun needed to drink, Da-yeon would end up drinking it all herself. At some point, Da-yeon¡¯s eyes started to glaze over, and she didn¡¯t even realize why she had developed this strange drinking habit toward Ha-eun. ¡°D-Da-yeon¡¯s probably drunk. I¡¯ll lay her down and be back, guys.¡± ¡°...I¡¯m not drunk, you know?¡± Swish. ¡°How many fingers is this?¡± ¡°...Huh? Ha-eun, why do you have six fingers...?¡± ¡°You¡¯re drunk. Come on, get on my back, Da-yeon.¡± ¡°...I¡¯m not drunk...¡± Chapter 255 ¡°Now that you¡¯re an adult, don¡¯t mess up. Let¡¯s see each other in class, not on the news, guys.¡± ¡°¡°¡°Yes~!¡±¡±¡± ¡°Good answers. Anyway, dismissed.¡± It was just around the time that Narae High¡¯s winter vacation had begun. As usual, Ha-eun walked out the school gates with Da-yeon and headed toward a nearby cafe?. With about 20 minutes until Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s van arrived, Ha-eun figured she¡¯d chat casually with Da-yeon while waiting. For example, talking about the gift Da-yeon was planning to bring to Gong Hye-yeon¡¯s Christmas party. ¡°What are you bringing, Da-yeon?¡± ¡°A scarf. You said it couldn¡¯t be anything expensive.¡± ¡°Then, maybe one around 30,000 won? I¡¯m not sure how much scarves usually cost...¡± ¡°500,000 won.¡± ¡°...Isn¡¯t 500,000 won a bit much for a scarf?¡± Or perhaps discussing the upcoming episode of Goblin airing in just a few hours. ¡°Are you watching Goblin, Da-yeon?¡± ¡°Why would I watch that?¡± ¡°Oh, thank goodness. Actually, in this upcoming episode¡ª¡± ¡°Hey!!¡± ¡°Oh, you are watching it.¡± Or maybe talking about the group collab for Illusionary Realm. While waiting for Ju Jung-yoon, they chatted about various random things. Ha-eun¡¯s mind, however, was more tangled than usual. Thoughts about the upcoming meeting with SL Group kept spiraling, so she needed something light to clear her head for a moment. ¡®I didn¡¯t expect to get contacted so quickly...¡¯ SL Group. One of Korea¡¯s leading media conglomerates, filled with people Ha-eun didn¡¯t particularly care for. Strictly speaking, the company wasn¡¯t entirely unrelated to her current career. After all, SL Group¡¯s affiliates had done product placements in the Goblin series, which Ha-eun was currently starring in. However, being cast in a drama produced under SL Group¡¯s name¡ªor having a meeting scheduled with someone in a major position at SL Group¡ªwas a whole different story. ¡®The director of their media division... could it be... my aunt?¡¯ Having a meeting with SL Group meant that Ha-eun would be face-to-face with people from her own family. Though now, they were strangers with no blood ties, they were still faces she had known from her past. But there was no option to avoid meeting them. After all, they were part of Ha-eun¡¯s goal. ¡®...I thought it was still far off.¡¯ To rise to a position where she could influence the true upper class, to form deeper ties, and then carefully choose who to use and who to cast aside to ¡°save¡± her former self. That was Ha-eun¡¯s ultimate goal. However, coldly speaking, Ha-eun still felt like she hadn¡¯t quite reached the level she had once envisioned for herself. ¡®I¡¯ve achieved fame and success, but...¡¯ Ha-eun had definitely gained recognition and pride as a successful actress, but the person she had aimed to become¡ªthe one whose words carried weight, whose intentions couldn¡¯t be ignored, and the one ¡®her former self¡¯ could rely on¡ªwas still a long way off. To truly have influence over the SL Group family, she needed to rise even higher. And that¡¯s why Ha-eun saw the meeting with SL Group not as a destination, but as a starting point. ¡°Hey, hey. Manager¡¯s here. What are you thinking about?¡± ¡°...Just stuff.¡± ¡°What stuff? Come on, let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll tell you later.¡± Ha-eun gave Da-yeon a faint smile before walking toward Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s van. Da-yeon, confused by the unexpected smile, tilted her head. It wasn¡¯t the same expression Ha-eun wore when she used to play pranks on her. Why did Ha-eun look so different all of a sudden? Left alone in the cafe?, Da-yeon couldn¡¯t help but feel uneasy about the change in Ha-eun. ¡°...Did Ha-eun get herself a boyfriend or something?¡± *** After parting ways with Da-yeon, Ha-eun arrived at a familiar drama set in Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s van. Once she got out, she started greeting the familiar staff members while walking around the set as usual. ¡°Hello.¡± ¡°Oh, Ha-eun! You¡¯re here!¡± ¡°Ha-eun, take a hot pack, hot pack.¡± Since Goblin was nearing its final shooting stages, Ha-eun was determined to stay focused and give it her all until the very end. In just a few weeks, she¡¯d be going on her first overseas schedule as an actress. ¡®I need to give my best until the very end.¡¯ Goblin had been a bigger success than Ha-eun had anticipated. The show¡¯s popularity was holding strong, and she hoped it would continue all the way to the final episode, and even through the making-of broadcasts afterward. For Goblin¡¯s incredible popularity to keep going strong, Ha-eun knew her deeply immersed acting was crucial. She wouldn¡¯t let herself relax until the very last broadcast. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m here, Director.¡± ¡°Oh, Ha-eun, you¡¯re early today.¡± After greeting the many staff members, Ha-eun exchanged pleasantries with Director Kwon Jae-hyeop as well. Not long after, she also greeted Kang Sun-woo, who had just arrived on set. Then she headed to the makeup room. ¡°Oh, by the way, Ha-eun, your ¡®Snowflower¡¯ music video just hit 10 million views.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yeah. We should post a thank-you message on Instagram later.¡± Ha-eun replied with an acknowledgment as Ju Jung-yoon shared the latest news and suggestion. Either way, it was a good thing that Snowflower was receiving positive attention. Songs like Snowflower were part of Goblin¡¯s appeal. The OST had a significant impact on the show¡¯s immersion, so the high view count of Snowflower was certainly a positive indicator. ¡®...I¡¯m glad I learned how to sing.¡¯ Once Ha-eun finished her makeup and changed into Baeksulhwa¡¯s costume, she headed toward the set. Thud. ¡®Today¡¯s scenes start with S#85...¡¯ Thinking about the scenes for the day, Ha-eun made her way to the set. There, she ran into Kang Sun-woo and Ha Yun-seong. As the drama approached its climax, it became more common for the main actors to be filmed together in a single shot. So, Ha-eun did a quick rehearsal with them. ¡°It feels a bit vague without the CGI.¡± This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. ¡°Well, once the CGI is added, it¡¯ll feel completely different. For now, let¡¯s just imagine it.¡± After doing a quick run-through with Kang Sun-woo and Ha Yun-seong, Ha-eun finally made her way to the center of the set. Not long after, the shooting began. ¡°...Baek Jin.¡± The filming of S#85, the snow-covered street. ¡°White Baek, and the road Jin will take...¡± Standing alone in the deserted street, Baeksulhwa whispered the name she had heard long ago, staring into the empty air. Breathing out white mist, she was remembering Baek Jin¡¯s promise. ¡°You said you¡¯d come find me anytime... You told me to call your name out loud, so you could hear it...¡± By this point, Baeksulhwa had regained her memories and was fully aware that Baek Jin was about to leave. She had been desperately searching for him because of this. ¡°I... I won¡¯t let you go. No, I can¡¯t let you go. How can I send someone who makes all the decisions alone and finishes everything by themselves...¡± ¡°If you die, I¡¯ll die too. I can¡¯t live without you! How can you expect me to live without you!!¡± Her tear-filled eyes wept bitterly. Unable to bear the longing for Baek Jin, her legs gave way and she collapsed. Her slumped shoulders trembled weakly. Yet, the only response she got was the cold winter wind. ¡°I love you, Baek Jin... Please... don¡¯t go...¡± She said it like she was clinging to a thread, pouring out the truth she had been holding back for so long. Her appearance was more disheveled than ever. Despite clenching her teeth against the cold, her lips quivered. Was it longing? Regret? Or maybe desperation? Ha-eun, shaken by her surging emotions, struggled to catch her breath, bitterly muttering toward the person who never appeared. The things that had long withered in her painful reality began to sprout once more, taking root deep in Baeksulhwa''s heart. After Baek Jin had appeared, everything had changed. She had never expected to find hope in her life, one that seemed destined to stay hopeless. But with his arrival, things had begun to change. So, what would happen if Baek Jin disappeared again? If, under the guise of caring for Baeksulhwa, he left her side again, wouldn''t her life return to what it was before he appeared? "I... What was I... to you...?" Thicker tears than raindrops streamed down Baeksulhwa¡¯s cheeks. The world around her had already become hazy, and yet she continued to cry, unable to stop until she was utterly exhausted. "...You were everything." Finally, the answer she had longed for came. Even then, lifting her head to look up was the best she could do. Her trembling eyelashes. "Uncle..." She met the gaze of the person she had been yearning for, and once again, a surge of grief rose from deep within her chest. Baeksulhwa slowly sank to the floor, matching the height of Baek Jin, as she gazed into his eyes. "...There is no place for the dead in the world of the living." "I don''t care...!" "Your fate is misaligned." "I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t care about fate or anything...!" With a gentle motion, Baeksulhwa¡¯s arm stretched out, pulling Baek Jin into a tight embrace. Her face buried in his shoulder, her voice shaking like a child¡¯s whimper. "I can''t live without you, Uncle. How am I supposed to live in a world where I have no one precious to me...?" Knowing that if Baek Jin pushed her away, she would have no power to stop him, Baeksulhwa held on tighter. Even as her mind began to fade from exhaustion, she refused to let go until the very last moment. "I''m... really happy right now. So, please... don¡¯t leave again." As she finally drifted into sleep in Baek Jin¡¯s arms, the only wish she had was that the promise Baek Jin had made long ago¡ªto never leave her alone¡ªwould be kept. Maybe it was because of that. Or perhaps, because Baek Jin himself had subconsciously known this would happen, deep down. "...I was happy. Every moment with you." As Baek Jin gazed down at the sleeping Baeksulhwa in his arms, his eyes briefly welled up with tears. Then, his shadow fell briefly over Baeksulhwa¡¯s forehead. Sensing that he could no longer make her suffer, Baek Jin gently placed his hand on her forehead and began to erase her memories. At almost the same moment, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from beyond. "...The dead must answer the call of the living." With that, the scene shifted, and the filming of S#85 came to an end. The only thing that didn¡¯t stop was the snow that continued to fall from the high sky. *** The day after Narae High¡¯s winter vacation began, and the day of the filming of Goblin¡¯s second half, time passed. Tap, tap. [Illusionary Realm Christmas Group Collab¡î] It was finally Christmas Eve. The day of the Illusionary Realm group stream. ¡°Glancing...¡± - Diah - Diah, what are you doing over there? - Santa hat is totally visible, haha - 5pm, baby spotted - What¡¯s with the awkward glances? - Stop hiding and come out! Ha-eun, who had already been sitting in the soundproof booth, subtly moved the mouse up and down. Every time the mouse cursor moved, Diah¡¯s virtual avatar followed suit. Wearing a special Christmas Eve outfit, Diah¡¯s avatar had been hunched in the corner of the broadcast screen for a while. Her red Santa hat kept appearing and disappearing in the corner of the screen. After a bit of time passed, the Illusionary Realm official channel¡¯s broadcast finally began. Swoosh¡ª ¡°Merry Christmas~!¡± Diah, dressed as Santa, was now fully revealed. A bright red Santa hat, a red cape adorned with a red ribbon, and even a snowy white beard. - Oh, so cute! - She¡¯s pretty! - It¡¯s Stalin! (User banned) - Why¡¯s she turning red? - The background changed - Baby Santa¡¯s here! Diah, now in a new costume for Christmas Eve, filled the broadcast screen. Right after that, she logged into the server for the group stream with Illusionary Realm. ¡°Oh, Rudolph! Rudolph!¡± - Look at that map quality! - Diah, let¡¯s open the gift boxes early! - Who built that Santa avatar? Haha - There are juniors over there! The stream¡¯s host, the General Manager, was still not there, so Ha-eun wandered around the map, much like past group collabs. However, when the stream officially started, the starting map was a bit different than expected. [LUX_Diah has been teleported by Sori.] [Everyone, quiet~!!] When the members, including Diah, were teleported to a mock courtroom map instead of a festive Christmas map, Ha-eun looked around, puzzled. It was supposed to be a Christmas Eve stream, so Ha-eun had expected the start map to have a Christmas vibe. [The judge is entering~! Everyone, stand!] ¡°...Hmm?¡± The map, where Diah and the other group members were, was simply a courtroom. Diah¡¯s avatar, wearing a judge¡¯s robe instead of a Santa costume, added to the confusion. - What¡¯s going on here? - Why¡¯s the judge a bird? (User banned) - This 30-year-old single judge should leave! (User banned) - Two users banned in a row, whoa! - This is getting suspicious... Then, Daramji, the host, explained the situation. This stream, inspired by a famous movie that came to mind at Christmas, was a mock trial. [Diah, defendant. Step forward!] ¡°Eh? What?¡± [Hurry up, you thief!] It was a public ? N§àv§Ölight ? (Exclusive on N§àv§Ölight) trial. The concept of the stream was that the members, who had committed ¡°crimes¡± on Christmas, were judged by Daramji, who was dressed as a judge. [Diah, defendant. Do you remember the crimes you committed?] ¡°No! I don¡¯t remember anything!¡± Though this seemed like a ridiculous charge, there was no real problem with it. Despite the change in atmosphere, the flow of the conversation was mostly as planned. However, despite the planned sequence of events: [You really don¡¯t remember?] ¡°Yes! I didn¡¯t do anything wrong!¡± [Don¡¯t lie! Here¡¯s the evidence! Everyone knows you¡¯re a thief who stole the hearts of the viewers!] ¡°...What?¡± The charge Daramji gave was so ridiculous and embarrassing that Ha-eun could feel her face turning hot. [Admit that you stole the hearts of the viewers! There are over 600,000 victims! Over 600,000!] ¡°Stop! Stop with the slander!¡± [Not stopping until you admit it! I won¡¯t stop until you admit it!] ¡°Judge!! Why are you doing this to me!?¡± -This is crazy, hahahaha! - How are they saying this on broadcast? - Daramji is amazing! - Look at Diah¡¯s serious face, hahaha! - Top-tier roasting! - This isn¡¯t easy! - Was this a roast stream today?? Chapter 256 This group collab stream was also doubling as a year-end celebration broadcast. The program followed a structure not too different from last year¡¯s year-end event. Introductions from each collab member and a viewing of clip compilations. Then, final thoughts on the stream and a rolling paper segment. [Diah, defendant, you did steal the viewers'' hearts, didn¡¯t you! Keep denying it and it¡¯ll only hurt your case!] ¡°I want a lawyer! Call my lawyer¡ª!¡± ¨C Come on, Diah, just admit it already ¨C Why is Squirrel trying not to laugh, LOL ¨C The judge is just doing whatever they want ¨C Diah¡¯s a notorious thief;; ¨C Let¡¯s just give her life imprisonment and call it a day? Somehow, the introduction segment had turned into a courtroom roleplay. Still, since they technically did the ¡°introductions,¡± it could be said the stream was proceeding according to plan. If there was one wrinkle, it was that the process of introducing members had turned into a spree of false accusations and slander. [Oh-ho, so that¡¯s how you want to play it? You¡¯re saying you won¡¯t admit to being a thief?] ¡°I¡¯m telling you, I¡¯ve never stolen anything in my life!¡± [We¡¯ve got no choice then. Prosecutor Sori, play the evidence!] [Yay~!] ¡°E-evidence?!¡± It wasn¡¯t enough to falsely accuse Diah of being a thief¡ªthey were also demanding a confession to this embarrassingly absurd charge. Her ears turning bright red, Ha-eun protested her innocence as best she could. [First piece of evidence, Your Honor!] ¨C Ding! [User ?? has donated 10,000 won!] : Here¡¯s ten bucks worth of cotton candy, enjoy~ ¡¸Waaah~! Thank you for the cotton candy~!¡¹ [See? See?! That¡¯s a clean theft of their hearts, if I¡¯ve ever seen one! Still wanna deny it?] ¡°I¡ªI surrender! I surrender!!¡± Once the first piece of evidence that Squirrel and Sori had prepared played, Diah immediately raised the white flag. Because ¡°first¡± piece of evidence obviously implied there were more. Better to admit it now than be dragged through every clip they had. Squirrel and Sori would absolutely keep pushing until Diah confessed. Enduring a moment of embarrassment was the smarter move. [So your surrender means you admit to the charge?] ¡°Yes, yes... I¡¯m guilty... I stole the viewers¡¯ hearts... WAAAH!!¡± [Ahahaha, Diah¡¯s having a full-on reality check~.] [Our turn¡¯s next, Neon! This is no time to be laughing!] [Gasp.] And so, with no choice but to accept the charge, Diah finally stepped down from the defendant¡¯s bench, led by Squirrel¡¯s satisfied voice. Then came another bizarre accusation as Squirrel called up the next defendant. [Yuna, defendant. Do you know what crime you¡¯ve committed?] [U-uh, no? I¡¯m not really sure...!] [Arson. You set fire to the viewers¡¯ hearts with that Araa Araa Challenge¡ª!] [KYAAAAAH!! I¡¯m sorry!!] ¡°Wow...¡± ¨C LOLOLOLOL ¨C Squirrel¡¯s on something today ¨C Look at Yuna hit the dogeza instantly ¨C Trust Yuhwang to read the room perfectly And so, the courtroom chaos continued until every member had been ¡°introduced.¡± The same pattern repeated: make up an embarrassing crime, then force a confession with a pre-selected ¡°evidence clip.¡± Even if someone confessed right away, the evidence video still had to be played. After all, the viewers needed to know exactly what the charge was. [Hida, defendant. You¡¯re guilty of unlawful entry. Entering the viewers¡¯ hearts without permission¡ª] [F-fine. I confess.] [Hmm? I¡¯m not feeling the sincerity. Prosecutor Sori, roll the footage!] [Yay~!] ¡¸You¡¯re saying you think about me all day? Why?¡¹ ¡¸Ah, ¡®cause I¡¯m pretty... I-I know I am.¡¹ ¡¸Huh? When did I smile? I didn¡¯t smile.¡¹ [Not only did you trespass into their hearts, you occupied them! This is serious!] [W-wait! I said I confessed already!] ¡°Ohhh, Hida¡¯s panicking. Totally panicking.¡± ¨C What is this adorable witch energy?? ¨C She¡¯s supposed to be 600 years old?? ¨C Squirrel just wants to torment everyone LOL ¨C Straight up witch trials ¨C Veteran broadcaster Squirrel never disappoints And so, in the end, every member of Illusionary Realm ended up as a criminal in Squirrel¡¯s kangaroo court. The sentences came afterward. [Every last one of you is getting life in prison. No parole. You¡¯ll stream until your hair turns white¡ª!] Framed like a judgment, Squirrel¡¯s decree was really just another way of saying: keep streaming forever as Illusionary Realm. Mouth clicking mimicking a gavel, Squirrel finalized the ruling as playful boos echoed from the others. [Booo~] [Down with tyrant Squirrel!] [Slave contracts still exist in the 21st century?!] [Wait... lifetime job security? That actually doesn¡¯t sound bad...] The audio was soon filled with each member¡¯s varied reactions¡ª [Hey, isn¡¯t Diah¡¯s hair already white?] ¡°...Huh?¡± It was Ocean who suddenly brought that up, peering at Diah¡¯s Minecraft avatar. Her confused voice made the chat explode. ¨C Gasp ¨C Diah -complete- ¨C Did Diah just get fired? ¨C Nooo!!! ¨C Thought it was a party but it¡¯s a funeral?? ¨C Farewell, Diah ¨C She can¡¯t graduate! She¡¯s a baby! Somehow, Diah had been excluded from Squirrel¡¯s ¡°lifetime sentence¡± decree. Squirrel had said ¡°until your hair turns white¡±¡ªbut Diah¡¯s hair was already snow-white. Then came the flood of teasing voices. [So, Diah¡¯s free now?] [Nooo! You can¡¯t leave!] [My dear friend~ whom I¡¯ve known~ for so~ loooong~] [Ahaha, Diah¡¯s flustered!] [Goodbye Diah~ it was fun while it lasted~!] This surprise farewell stream for Diah only ended once Squirrel corrected herself. No need to let a dumb misunderstanding get out of hand. [Diah, you keep streaming until all your hair falls out. Got that?] ¡°Yaaay~!¡± [Wait, Diah-senpai, why do you like that?] [Get a grip, Diah-senpai! This is a slave contract! She¡¯s saying she¡¯ll work you till you¡¯re bald!] [Too late. Look at those eyes¡ªshe¡¯s already brainwashed.] ¡°Stream. Good. Love. Stream. Good. Love.¡± [Kyaaa! It¡¯s a streaming ghost!] This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. And with that, Diah¡¯s farewell stream wrapped up as just a silly little incident. On Squirrel¡¯s signal, Sori teleported all the collab members¡ªincluding Diah¡ªto a movie theater-style map. ¨C Shrrrrp [LUX_Diah has been teleported by Sori] ¡°Ah. Where am I? Who am I?¡± ¨C Is this an isekai??? LOL ¨C Diah, check your inventory¡ªthere¡¯s popcorn ¨C Whoa, theater looks amazing ¨C Since when did Minecraft look this good ¨C Got a feeling this is gonna get emotional... As they chatted away, the members began settling into the theater seats one by one. Once everyone was seated, Sori began playing the Illusionary Realm clip compilation. The first clip? The debut stream of the second-gen members. ¡¸Ahem, ahem. Hello, everyone~! I¡¯m Nael from Illusionary Realm¡¯s second generation~!¡¹ ¡°Oh...¡± ¨C So fresh and new ¨C Who knew back then ¡ô N§àv§Öl?g?t ¡ô (Only on N§àv§Öl?g?t) Nael was secretly Lee Ha-eun the demon ¨C No comparing her to that other debut with casual speech, okay?? ¨C Listen to how clear her voice is The video continued to showcase several special events. The second-gen¡¯s first group song, the first solo music videos from the first-gen members... Highlights from collabs and solo streams, all beautifully edited, played across the screen. Unlike last year¡¯s footage, which only featured first-gen, this compilation was longer and more diverse. Thanks to the second-gen members joining, the content was richer and more plentiful, filling Diah¡¯s screen completely. ¡°This editing is amazing...¡± ¨C LUX! LUX! LUX! LUX! LUX! ¨C I¡¯m crying, puuuu??? ¨C This hits so hard ¨C Diah¡¯s in a public service broadcast LOL As expected, the chat was as rowdy as ever. The video looking back on Illusionary Realm¡¯s year brought about a heartwarming atmosphere. Though, given how deeply the Noeulis had been infected by Diah¡¯s mischievous energy, their reactions were a little... different. ¨C Maybe it¡¯s the second-gens, but everything looks flashier ¨C Saying juniors are more affectionate is a no-no ¨C Ocean¡¯s ASMR is insane ¨C When is our baby gonna do an aegyo remix... ¨C Still, I love our baby (Is that good enough, Diah?) ¡°I¡¯m watching you... be careful, please...¡± ¨C Gasp ¨C This comment has been marked as behind-the-scenes ¨C This is a secret reply ¨C Hidden comment ¨C Hidden comment ¨C The Noeulis'' group coordination is next level LOL ¨C .................... ¨C (Emoji with an X-mask) ¡Á6 And so, somehow Diah¡¯s stream was the only one that ended up completely detached from any emotional sentiment. Only once the video finished did the other members start chiming in again. Next up was the broadcast segment for the Illusionary Realm members to share their reflections and read their rolling papers. From Mile, the eldest of the first-gens, to Hida, the youngest of the second-gens, each took turns reading their thoughts and messages. [...I¡¯ll be counting on you all next year, too.] [Huh? That¡¯s it?] [Witch-senpai~ just a little longer~] ¡°Boo~. That had no heart in it, none at all~!¡± [N-no heart?! That¡¯s not true!] Even the second part of the stream¡ªthe Mafia game¡ªwent smoothly after a short break. Actually, the members even seemed closer than before. [It''s Mile-senpai. She¡¯s definitely the Mafia. It has to be her!] [Ocean! How could you accuse your senpai like that? There¡¯s no one more innocent than me!] [Try wiping the blood off your mouth before you say that! Murderer! I see everything!] ¡°Oh, Ocean¡¯s the observer, huh? Let¡¯s hang Mile-unnie first then?¡± ¨C Diah, are you really throwing Mile under the bus?? ¨C You¡¯re Mafia too, aren¡¯t you Diah, LOL ¨C Every time she opens her mouth, it¡¯s betrayal ¨C What if she¡¯s bluffing, Diah Diah please ¨C Quickest abandonment ever, we love it In the end, the group stream turned out to be a full and satisfying one in every way. They even got plenty of new clips out of it. By the time Ha-eun was about to end the stream, the chat exploded with pleas for her to keep going. The warmth of the Christmas special had the Noeulis clinging to Diah. ¡°Alright, everyone, have a great Christmas. I¡¯ll be off now~.¡± ¨C You have to stay till midnight ¨C You¡¯re abandoning us?? Abandoning us?? Abandoning us?? Abandoning us?? Abandoning us?? ¨C Wait until midnight to give us presents ¨C It¡¯s okay if you end the stream, just come back later please ¨C My chicken hasn¡¯t even arrived yettttt ¨C Diah, freeze!! ¡°...Bye-bye!¡± [Diah''s stream has ended.] ¨C Ah ¨C That¡¯s rough ¨C Noeulis turning to darkness, Noeulis turning to darkness, Noeulis turning to darkness... ¨C Diva ¨C I was the only one who meant it. Again. I was the only one who meant it. Again. I was the only one who meant it... ¨C Package delivery! Please open the door~ Package delivery! Please open the door~ Package delivery! Please open the door~ ¨C bb ¨C Merry Christmas ¨C Where are you goooingggg While the Noeulis filled the chat with furious pounding at the door, Ha-eun stepped out of her house with the gift shopping bag she had prepared earlier. ¡°I¡¯m heading out.¡± ¡°Okay~ Have fun with your friends~¡± Not long after, she climbed into Ju Jung-yoon¡¯s van and headed to Dayeon¡¯s house. After picking up Dayeon, they made their way to Gong Hye-yeon¡¯s mansion. It was now 9:20 PM. ¡°...Feels like we¡¯re running late.¡± ¡°Nope. They said the catering just got set up. We¡¯ll get there right on time.¡± When they finally arrived at Gong Hye-yeon¡¯s house, it was about ten minutes before the scheduled time. Hye-yeon welcomed the last two guests, Ha-eun and Dayeon, with open arms. ¡°Alright, alright. The celebs have arrived~.¡± Gong Hye-yeon, now behind them, gently pushed them forward as she spoke. Within seconds, they were greeted by the others. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s Ha-eun!¡± ¡°You said you¡¯d be here at ten, but you¡¯re early.¡± ¡°Hi, Dayeon~.¡± After placing their gifts under the Christmas tree, Ha-eun and Dayeon followed Hye-yeon upstairs into a room. What greeted them was a collection of massive wardrobes and state-of-the-art stylers. ¡®Right... she¡¯s a model, isn¡¯t she...¡¯ Ha-eun had heard that Gong Hye-yeon worked as a model. Which explained why she used an entire room just to store clothes. Even when Hye-yeon offered them a variety of pajamas to choose from, Ha-eun didn¡¯t think too much of it. It was, after all, a pajama party. A dress code of pajamas made perfect sense. That is... until¡ª ¡°Um, Hye-yeon. Do you have a bigger size?¡± ¡°Huh? Is it too small?¡± While changing next to Dayeon, Ha-eun paused mid-way through putting on her top with a slightly awkward expression. At the same moment, Hye-yeon glanced at Ha-eun¡¯s chest, just a little startled. ¨C Slide. ¡°.............¡± Almost involuntarily, Dayeon¡¯s eyes also shifted toward Ha-eun¡¯s chest. Then, a second later, she looked down at her own. ¡®...When did those get so big?¡¯ Dayeon¡¯s pajamas weren¡¯t exactly snug¡ªin fact, they were a bit roomy. But Ha-eun¡¯s pajamas looked like they could barely be buttoned. Maybe that¡¯s why... She found herself quietly watching as Ha-eun changed into the larger size that Hye-yeon had brought out. And then, almost without thinking, Dayeon¡¯s thoughts slipped out in a whisper. ¡°...I haven¡¯t grown yet.¡± ¡°...Huh?¡± ¡°I said... yet. I haven¡¯t grown yet.¡± ¡°??¡± ¡°..........¡± Ha-eun tilted her head, not understanding what Dayeon meant. And for a brief moment, Dayeon felt something close to miserable¡ªit wasn¡¯t just her imagination. ¡®...How the hell does someone who works out every day not lose any chest fat?¡¯ She stared daggers at Ha-eun¡¯s comparatively generous chest, her eyes narrowing. Then, with a short, scoffing laugh, she turned on her heel and walked out of the room. Either way, her own growth wasn¡¯t over yet. It couldn¡¯t be over yet. ¡°Oh... Dayeon, that pajama set looks really good on you.¡± ¡°Of course it does. Hye-yeon has a great eye for clothes.¡± Back downstairs, those were the kinds of comments Dayeon received. And not long after, Ha-eun got similar remarks upon her return. Maybe that whole ¡°the face completes the outfit¡± saying applied to pajamas too. ¡°Alright, gather up, everyone. Let¡¯s take a picture.¡± Since Gong Hye-yeon and the rest of the group were already in their pajamas, everyone at the home party gathered together for a group photo. A ticklish warmth bloomed in Dayeon¡¯s chest. When the photo was finally sent to Dayeon¡¯s phone, she was at a loss for words. It felt unfamiliar¡ªin many ways. Standing there awkwardly among her friends... it just wasn¡¯t the version of herself she was used to seeing. ¡®Maybe it¡¯s because I¡¯m always just hanging out with Lee Ha-eun...¡¯ She couldn¡¯t say for sure if she was excited or happy. The only thing she could say for certain was¡ªit wasn¡¯t a bad feeling. So when she sat next to Ha-eun, nibbling through the various catered dishes, and when she fumbled her way through answering questions from friends she¡¯d just met that night¡ª ¡°So, you and Ha-eun have known each other since elementary school?¡± ¡°Y-yeah.¡± ¡°Wow, legit childhood friends.¡± ¡°They say birds of a feather flock together¡ªguess it¡¯s true.¡± Just like Ha-eun, who didn¡¯t seem the least bit awkward, Dayeon was gradually getting used to the vibe around her. She hadn¡¯t completely opened up¡ªbut she hadn¡¯t shut herself off either. And then¡ª ¡°Oh, it¡¯s past midnight! Merry Christmas~.¡± By the time she came to, there was already red wine poured in both her and Ha-eun¡¯s glasses. Barely a few seconds after the cautious toast among friends ended, Dayeon snatched Ha-eun¡¯s glass. And just like that, she downed it in one shot on Ha-eun¡¯s behalf. ¡°D-Dayeon...¡± ¡°...I told you I¡¯d keep an eye on you.¡± Dayeon¡¯s watch never ended. Even when the group moved on to whisper more secretive stories, even when Gong Hye-yeon brought out a board game for a light drinking game. ¡°Oh no, it landed on Ha-eun!¡± ¡°...Black Knight.¡± ¡°Huh? Again? Dayeon, are you sure you¡¯re okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Dayeon was steadfast in her mission to block any and all alcohol from reaching Ha-eun. She intercepted every drink, careful not to break the festive mood. The only problem: this was Dayeon¡¯s first time drinking anything alcoholic¡ªlike wine. Which meant she had absolutely no idea what her tolerance was. ¡°...Phew...¡± By the time her head started spinning just a little, she was already completely drunk. The first person to notice Dayeon¡¯s condition was Ha-eun. ¡°Dayeon, are you okay? Want some water?¡± ¡°...I¡¯m fine...¡± ¡°...Huh?¡± The moment Dayeon used formal speech with her, Ha-eun realized she was drunk. After all, Dayeon never spoke to her that politely when sober. ¡®So there are people who get all formal when they¡¯re drunk...¡¯ Honestly, it was kind of fascinating. Her glassy eyes made her look even cuter than usual. It was a side of Dayeon Ha-eun had never seen before¡ªso she couldn¡¯t help but keep watching. But then, Dayeon¡¯s unsteady body tilted and flopped right into Ha-eun¡¯s side. ¡°G-Guys, I think Dayeon¡¯s drunk. I¡¯m gonna go lay her down.¡± ¡°...I¡¯m not drunk...¡± Despite insisting she wasn¡¯t, Dayeon was soon lifted off the ground and carried toward one of the mansion¡¯s bedrooms. Not even sober Dayeon could win a strength contest against Ha-eun, so resisting now was pointless. Even if she wanted to sit upright, the moment Ha-eun picked her up, she was going up. And so, she was eventually tucked into bed with soft blankets and all. ¡°Good night.¡± ¡°...I¡¯m not sleeping... I¡¯m not even tired...¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. Just lying down will make you sleepy.¡± Ha-eun turned to leave and head back to the living room. But then¡ªDayeon¡¯s outstretched hand gently grabbed her wrist. ¡°Lee Ha-eun... stay with me... Don¡¯t go...¡± ¡°...Mmm.¡± In the end, Ha-eun sat down on the edge of the bed, still held in place by Dayeon. And then came Dayeon¡¯s voice¡ªunguarded, unfiltered. ¡°Lee Ha-eun...¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°I... I really like being your friend. Even though we¡¯re rivals as actors...¡± ¡°...Yeah.¡± ¡°I want you to lean on me, too. You¡¯re my friend... and it¡¯s always been me depending on you...¡± A hazy, vulnerable wish. Words she would never have said sober. Even her forehead, resting lightly against Ha-eun¡¯s back, couldn¡¯t stay still¡ªprobably from the alcohol. Her soft little murmurs were barely more than mumbles, so Ha-eun had to concentrate just to make them out. But the only thing that mattered was: these were Dayeon¡¯s true feelings¡ª the ones she¡¯d been hiding from Ha-eun all along. ¡°Stop acting like the only adult in the room... Lean on me sometimes, too... I¡¯m really okay, I promise... I just want Lee Ha-eun to depend on me a little... Huu...¡± Ha-eun couldn¡¯t bring herself to move. She couldn¡¯t ignore the voice behind her. ¡°I¡¯ll do everything I can for you... anything for Lee Ha-eun...¡± ¡°...Thanks. Even just hearing that.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just talk. I mean it...¡± ¡°I know. I do.¡± And so, in the end, Ha-eun laid down beside her. Right now, she just... wanted to stay next to Dayeon. ¡°...Lee Ha-eun...¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m right here.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say weird stuff just ¡®cause I¡¯m drunk... just stay with me...¡± ¡°Okay. That¡¯s the plan.¡± ¡°...Wait. Did I just beg again?¡± ¡°Nope. Not begging. I want to be here.¡± *** Screeeech¡ª ¡°Ha-eun, are you asleep...?¡± ¡°Hey, hey. She¡¯s asleep. Don¡¯t wake her. Come out.¡± ¡°Aww, she must¡¯ve dozed off while putting Dayeon to bed.¡± Chapter 257 How long had it been since Dayeon¡¯s eyes had slowly closed? Rustle, rustle. Rustle, rustle. ¡°...Is it okay?¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s fine... Ah, then maybe now¡¯s a good time to...¡± Dayeon slowly opened her eyes at the faint sound of voices. Her consciousness hadn¡¯t fully returned yet. Still half-asleep, she turned her blurry gaze toward the direction of the sound. And there, she saw Ha-eun and Gong Hye-yeon talking about something. ¡°...What are you doing?¡± With her groggy voice, she asked what they were talking about. Her eyes blinked slowly. Her tone was sleepy. At the question, both Ha-eun and Gong Hye-yeon turned their heads toward her. Their mouths opened as if to answer. But Dayeon¡¯s head was still foggy. ¡°...You can sleep more... it¡¯s still... outside...¡± ¡°...I¡¯ll bring it later... eat... then...¡± She couldn¡¯t make out the words clearly. Before long, her eyelids started to grow heavy again. And once more, Dayeon slipped back into sleep. It wasn¡¯t until two hours later that she opened her eyes again. Her mind gradually cleared. Sitting up sluggishly on the soft bed, she blinked a few times in silence. But then¡ª ¡°...When did I even lie down?¡± She couldn¡¯t remember much of what had happened the night before. She vaguely remembered drinking in place of Ha-eun, but everything after that was a blur. The real problem was that even the few fragments she could recall felt more like a dream than reality. ¡°Lee Ha-eun, stay with me... don¡¯t go...¡± ¡°I really like being your friend, Lee Ha-eun...¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do anything for you... anything you need...¡± ¡°...What kind of dream even is that?¡± From start to finish, everything was just too embarrassing. Dayeon completely ruled out ? N§àv§ÖIight ? (Original source) the possibility that it had been real. There was no way she would say things that mortifying. Saying she was happy to be Ha-eun¡¯s friend. Begging her not to leave. Even just imagining it was enough to make her face burn with shame. ¡®Ugh, my head...¡¯ The hangover kicked in, making it even harder to recall anything clearly. And so, she decided everything she remembered had just been a dream and shoved it deep into the back of her mind. After giving up on piecing together last night¡¯s events, she started walking out of the bedroom to get some water¡ª ¡°...When did she even go out and get this?¡± A hangover drink, sitting on the bedside table. And a note from Ha-eun, stuck to the bottle. Dayeon stopped in her tracks when she saw it. Only after downing the hangover drink did she finally step out of the bedroom. ¡®Where did Lee Ha-eun go?¡¯ She wandered around the house in search of Ha-eun, completely forgetting the hazy half-asleep conversation they¡¯d had two hours ago. She checked the living room, where a few others were still sleeping together. Another bedroom, where faint snoring could be heard. The kitchen, filled with empty wine bottles and beer cans that looked way too expensive. She finally heard Ha-eun¡¯s voice just as she stepped onto the stairs leading up to the second floor. ¡°Looks like new clothes. Can I try it on?¡± ¡°Go ahead, go ahead. I¡¯ve got mine set aside.¡± She followed the sound to the room and gently pushed the door open. And then¡ªshe was met with the sight of various gym machines. Dumbbells, a treadmill, a pull-up bar. A bench press, leg press¡ªstuff you¡¯d expect to find in an actual gym. And in the center of it all, wearing gymwear instead of pajamas: Ha-eun and Gong Hye-yeon. The sharp definition of Ha-eun¡¯s abs under her black tank top made Dayeon freeze for a moment. ¡°...What are you two doing?¡± ¡°Oh, uh. Ha-eun said she wanted to work out.¡± Standing beside Ha-eun, Gong Hye-yeon answered as she tied up Ha-eun¡¯s hair. Then she brought up her modeling work for an online store. ¡°I figured we could work out together, and also have her try on some of our shop¡¯s outfits.¡± She stepped back and looked over Ha-eun¡¯s whole appearance with a touch of admiration. And for good reason¡ªright now, Ha-eun was a fitness model. Not an ounce of excess fat. The way the tank top and leggings fit her body¡ªflawless in every sense. ¡°...Nope. We gotta try on a few more outfits before working out, Ha-eun.¡± If she could, Gong Hye-yeon would¡¯ve taken photos right then and there for her shop¡¯s homepage. Which was exactly why she made Ha-eun try on a few more gymwear sets and snapped photos before letting her actually start. ¡°Dayeon, wanna try some too? We¡¯ve got small sizes.¡± ¡°N-no, I¡¯m good.¡± And so Gong Hye-yeon¡¯s impromptu photo session continued on and on. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to my dad. If you¡¯re ever interested in modeling, let me know, Ha-eun.¡± ¡°Uh, o-okay.¡± Only after modeling every last gym outfit did Ha-eun finally get to start her workout. As she began a light jog on the treadmill, Dayeon quietly sat nearby, watching her. ¡®What, is she possessed by the ghost of a fitness freak?¡¯ Dayeon knew Ha-eun had been into exercise since kindergarten. To her, working out was more of a routine than a hobby. But Dayeon still didn¡¯t know why Ha-eun was so obsessed with it. She watched those defined abs, and cautiously asked¡ª ¡°Is working out that fun?¡± ¡°Hmm... it¡¯s alright, I guess?¡± It seemed like more than simple self-care. Even idol trainees didn¡¯t usually go this hard. She wasn¡¯t even planning on becoming an athlete, so why the obsession? This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight. ¡°Gotta take care of my health.¡± ¡°That¡¯s such a grandma thing to say.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a bad thing to start young.¡± ¡°I mean, true, but still.¡± A few beads of sweat formed on Ha-eun¡¯s forehead. Steady breathing. Her chest bouncing with each stride. And above all, that increasingly content smile¡ª ¡°...You look like a pervert.¡± ¡°Excuse me?!¡± Dayeon shook her head in disbelief. Maybe it was fulfilling for Ha-eun, but to an observer, it was... a lot. Or maybe Dayeon was just clueless about fitness. Sitting on the floor, she kept watching until Ha-eun¡¯s routine finally ended. Then she stood up. ¡®Isn¡¯t that exhausting, doing this every day?¡¯ It was a side of her that felt strange to see. Still, that toned body hadn¡¯t come from nowhere. Later, after heading to the bathroom together, they showered and changed into fresh clothes¡ª courtesy of Gong Hye-yeon. Their other friends, who had still been sleeping until just a little while ago, were now slowly starting to wake up. But then¡ªjust to be sure¡ª ¡°Hey, Lee Ha-eun. About last night...¡± She was sitting behind Dayeon, drying her hair with a hairdryer, when Dayeon asked. She wanted to know what had happened after she blacked out. Whether she¡¯d said anything weird while drunk. ¡°Something weird? Like what?¡± ¡°...How would I know? That¡¯s why I¡¯m asking you.¡± ¡°Hmm... nothing much, really. Other than saying I have six fingers.¡± ¡°S-someone might¡¯ve just seen it wrong for a second, okay?¡± Luckily, it seemed she hadn¡¯t said anything too ridiculous. Ha-eun¡¯s expression was the same as always, and only then did Dayeon finally relax. Because if she had used formal speech with Ha-eun, she¡¯d absolutely be getting teased about it right now. ¡®Still have no clue why I dreamed something like that, though...¡¯ She was just relieved she hadn¡¯t done anything overly embarrassing, like back when they were in Japan. Thanks to that, she was able to keep a straight face during the group breakfast, and even during the post-breakfast Christmas gift exchange. ¡°All right, Dayeon¡¯s gift is... drumroll...!¡± ¡°Oh, a scarf!¡± ¡°Thanks, Dayeon! The weather has been getting colder.¡± Turned out, the scarf Dayeon had prepared was a good choice. The friend who picked her gift genuinely seemed to like it. That said, just as Dayeon was about to mention how much it cost, Ha-eun quickly covered her mouth. ¡°Mmhp! Mmmph mmph!¡± ¡°W-we¡¯re not supposed to say the price of gifts. It could come off as bragging.¡± ¡°...Mmmph? Mmph mmph mmph?¡± ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s the general rule.¡± ¡°How do you two even understand each other?¡± And so, the Christmas home party wrapped up smoothly. Though, as luck would have it, Dayeon ended up drawing the diffuser gift that Ha-eun had prepared. But hey, it was random. Even after the group left the mansion to return to their own homes, nothing out of the ordinary happened. There was just one thing Dayeon hadn¡¯t expected¡ª ¡°Let¡¯s stop by that cafe? for a bit.¡± As they walked side by side like always, Ha-eun led Dayeon toward a nearby cafe?. She said there was something she wanted to talk about in private. Since Dayeon didn¡¯t have any plans, she agreed without much thought. It was Christmas, after all¡ªa holiday. But once they were seated at the table and Ha-eun started talking, Dayeon found herself more than a little caught off guard. ¡°You... scheduled a meeting with SL Group?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°...Are we even supposed to be talking about this in a public cafe??¡± For a moment, Dayeon¡¯s eyes wavered. She¡¯d thought this was just going to be a casual heart-to-heart. But a meeting with SL Group wasn¡¯t casual¡ªit was a big deal. Learning that Ha-eun was meeting with a company leading Korea¡¯s cultural industry was shocking even to her. ¡°They said they want to cast me in a drama.¡± ¡°A drama? What kind?¡± ¡°It¡¯s called The Chairman¡¯s Youngest Grandson. It¡¯s a new production they¡¯re launching...¡± Ha-eun handed her phone over, showing Dayeon the project proposal for The Chairman¡¯s Youngest Grandson. But after scanning through the proposal a few times, Dayeon noticed something strange. ¡°...The protagonist is a guy.¡± ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°...You¡¯re crossdressing again?¡± ¡°No. I¡¯m playing the role of ¡®Yoon Seo-ah.¡¯ She¡¯s the final boss.¡± Dayeon had assumed that if Ha-eun was meeting with SL Group, she¡¯d be cast as the lead. So learning that she was actually playing the antagonist¡ªwith less screen time and importance¡ªwas unexpected. ¡°...Then why is SL Group meeting with you?¡± She wasn¡¯t being skeptical¡ªshe just knew something was off. And she quickly understood what Ha-eun meant when she admitted she was a little nervous about it. ¡°It¡¯s weird to set up a whole meeting just to cast a villain. Especially with SL Group directly involved.¡± ¡°They probably just want to get me involved in the show no matter what. Or maybe there are other offers too.¡± ¡°...Could be both.¡± ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what I think.¡± Whatever the meeting with SL Group entailed, turning them down wasn¡¯t going to be easy. Not that a major conglomerate would make some shady offer to a rising star like Ha-eun¡ªbut still, it was clear the meeting came with a heavy sense of pressure for her. ¡°So are you worried about the meeting itself? Or do you want to cancel it?¡± ¡°The former.¡± ¡°So... you don¡¯t want to cancel.¡± Dayeon, now wearing a more serious expression, asked her to explain exactly what was making her uneasy. And right away, Ha-eun gave her answer. ¡°I have to make a good impression. No matter what.¡± ¡°Well... yeah. It¡¯s never a good idea to get on their bad side.¡± Honestly, it was a little surprising to see Ha-eun trying so hard to please someone. Even more so since it was a corporation. Was this ambition? A hunger to climb the ladder? ¡®I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever seen her this nervous before...¡¯ That focused look in her eyes. The way she tapped her finger lightly on the table. It was all unfamiliar. In truth, Dayeon felt a little proud, too. Her best friend of over ten years had become someone important enough to have a meeting with SL Group. But seeing how weighed down Ha-eun seemed¡ª ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much. When you actually meet them, it might turn out to be nothing.¡± Dayeon did her best to encourage her. No matter how stressful, this was a big opportunity. She hoped this meeting would be a turning point for Ha-eun, a chance to soar even higher. ¡°They¡¯ll probably be nervous meeting you too. Even a corporate director is just a person in the end.¡± ¡°¡®Just a person,¡¯ huh...¡± For a moment, Ha-eun¡¯s face looked bitter. Maybe this meeting meant more to her than Dayeon had realized. And so, finally¡ª ¡°What about going with the lead actor? Technically, the meeting is for the drama, right?¡± Dayeon suggested maybe Ha-eun shouldn¡¯t go alone. Since the whole thing was prompted by The Chairman¡¯s Youngest Grandson, it made sense. If she went with someone else, it might be less intimidating. And if SL Group said no, well¡ªthen so be it. ¡°At least ask. It¡¯s a work meeting, right? Can¡¯t hurt to make the request.¡± ¡°...Yeah. I¡¯ll try.¡± Ha-eun took her phone back and began scrolling through her contacts. And right then¡ªa terrible thought struck Dayeon. ¡°Wait a second.¡± ¡°?¡± ¡°Who¡¯s the male lead in The Chairman¡¯s Youngest Grandson? Who got cast?¡± ¡°Seong-jae.¡± ¡°Stop dialing.¡± Just as Ha-eun was about to press the call button, Dayeon stopped her. Then she let out a long sigh and rubbed her forehead. ¡°...Why him, again.¡± Out of all the actors out there¡ªwhy did it have to be Yoo Seong-jae? She looked at Ha-eun, who was now sheepishly avoiding her gaze. Eventually, Ha-eun spoke quietly. There had originally been other candidates, but once they heard Ha-eun would be playing the antagonist, they all declined the role. Said they didn¡¯t feel confident acting opposite her. ¡°So in the end, Seong-jae was the only one left...¡± ¡°Is... is he okay with it?¡± ¡°Y-yeah. He said it sounds fun.¡± An actor who wouldn¡¯t be overshadowed by Ha-eun. Someone close in age. Someone who had already filmed with her before. Laying it all out, Yoo Seong-jae was the most fitting choice. The problem? Dayeon couldn¡¯t stand him. ¡°Find someone else.¡± ¡°H-he already signed the contract.¡± ¡°Just tear it up. Who cares.¡± Regardless of qualifications, Dayeon couldn¡¯t accept it. She was firmly against the idea of Seong-jae being involved. ¡°I refuse to watch you film a kiss scene with that guy.¡± ¡°Wha¡ªhe¡¯s the antagonist! Why would the villain kiss the main lead?¡± ¡°The genre¡¯s enemies-to-lovers! Do you even know what that means?¡± ¡°...Enemies-to what?¡± ¡°Ugh, I knew it.¡± Dayeon began passionately explaining what ¡°enemies-to-lovers¡± meant. She was convinced the viewers would start shipping Ha-eun and Seong-jae no matter what. But in Ha-eun¡¯s memory, The Chairman¡¯s Youngest Grandson didn¡¯t have any romantic scenes between the main lead and the antagonist. They were constantly butting heads. So why was Dayeon panicking? ¡®We¡¯re adults now... Can¡¯t I just get along with Seong-jae for once?¡¯ Ha-eun figured Dayeon simply hated the idea of her growing close to him again. So she tried to reassure her. It was just a role. Just like when they filmed Parasite Family together. ¡°You acted with me in a movie¡ªwhy can¡¯t I do a drama with Seong-jae?¡± ¡°That¡¯s different.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t get it...¡± ¡°It just is.¡± In the end, Dayeon was only helpful up to a certain point. Beyond that, the conversation turned into a long string of rants and slander aimed at Seong-jae. ¡°All men are wolves! Wolves!¡± ¡°Y-you can¡¯t say that stuff these days, you know.¡± ¡°Ugh, you hopeless dummy!!¡±