Chapter 138: ■■■■ is so good at acting.

“….”

Sua first looked around.

The Mystic party was each lost in their own agony.

Now would be a good time to use her phone.

Sua frantically typed on her phone, which she had lowered below the desk.

[ Sua Task Force ]

[ Sua: What? What are you doing? ]

[ Saseum: What do you mean, what? ]

[ Saseum: I helped improve your image at work. Instead, dress up as Kim Yuhan later and do an impression. ]

[ Saseum: I mean, let’s help each other. I’ve already talked to Saengji and Wonsunging. Those two are new to you, I’m your friend. ]

[ Wonsunging: Right, honestly, I felt betrayed at first. To think Kim Yuhan’s identity was you, Sua. Felt like I got shot in the head. ]

[ Wonsunging: But on second thought, it’s not bad. ]

[ Wonsunging: It’s nice to see you, my friend, succeeding, and I can get introduced to celebrity guys later. ]

What is this?

Only the last part sounds sincere.

[ Sua: No, I get it. I understand. ]

[ Sua: But why does this improve my image? ]

Sua couldn’t understand it with her head.

Didn’t they just turn Sua into an emotionless machine?

What does this have to do with improving her image?

[ Saseum: Hey, then should we honestly say you have Savant syndrome? Isn’t this a hundred, a thousand times better than saying that? ]

“….”

That’s right.

These guys seriously believed Sua had Savant syndrome.

The thought of that made her head throb.

Though she had a mountain of things she wanted to talk about, unfortunately, Sua didn’t have much time to use her phone.

“Excuse me.”

Kim Sun-il had opened his mouth.

“Yes.”

Is it because he’s handsome?

Sun-il had only uttered two syllables, but Go Eun-bi’s eyes sparkled with an expression Sua had never seen before.

Sua thought.

Wow, I really want to punch her.

Kim Sun-il continued.

“How has Sua been living for it to be like that?”

“If I were to tell you, it would be endless.”

Saseum took a sip of water.

“How should I put it, she really didn’t seem human. Whatever she did, it wasn’t at a human level? To the point where it was heartbreaking.”

Kim Sun-il quietly stroked his chin.

“…Simply put, this problem existed before, and it has improved a lot now. Still, you have good friends. It seems they worry about you a lot.”

Sua wanted to retort.

That’s not it.

It means I was frustrated because whatever I did, I did it poorly like an animal!

Ah, of course, Go Eun-bi deliberately said this cleverly so Kim Sun-il would misunderstand!

Sua realized that talking to Eun-bi about this wouldn’t solve anything.

Calling Kim Yi-seo would be the answer.

“CEO-nim. What is this meeting for?”

“You know that Mystic has a lot more work because Sua has grown so much, right?”

“Yes.”

“We’re in urgent need of talented people in various fields, and we plan to utilize these talents.”

“Talents?”

“Yes. Connections with reporters, community public opinion and fan cafe management, and even streaming support fire. Aren’t they all reliable?”

At the same time, Seo Yeon-ju whispered to her.

“They are people who provide meaningful help to you, so it would be troublesome if they were to turn away someday, wouldn’t it? That’s why we’re treating them well in advance. To firmly draw them to our side.”

“Ah.”

“Usually, those types work out of fandom. Just us showing our faces probably boosted their motivation 엄청나게? Of course, besides this, we give them a lot of other gifts, but compared to the benefits we gain, it’s a cheap price to pay.”

Are they really fans?

Sua was confused, but she understood the intention of this meeting itself.

So Mystic had actually called them.

Then Kim Yi-seo opened her mouth.

“Shall we just have a light greeting today? Mystic is too busy. Thank you all for your time.”

At that, the three friends stood up simultaneously.

Kim Yi-seo smiled at them.

“We’ll continue to take care of the three of you frequently. If you need anything, feel free to tell us, and instead, from now on…”

Before the CEO could finish her words, the friends replied.

“We’ll deliver news from reporters right away.”

“I’m an expert at fan cafe management. Don’t worry.”

“I’ll occasionally promote Mystic while streaming.”

Afterward, when they were leaving the meeting room.

Sua also hurriedly stood up.

“CEO-nim.”

“Yes. Sua.”

“Since they are people who help me, I’ll see them off.”

And so Sua hastily chased after her friends, and after only the Mystic people remained in the meeting room.

“Crazy.”

That was Kim Sun-il’s first word.

“To have performed method acting to the point where her personality wore down, just how much effort did she put in all this time?”

“It would be indescribable. Besides, somehow.”

Kim Yi-seo nodded.

“Sua always requested an enormous amount of scripts. I wondered if she really looked through all of them, but now I know the answer. Sua must have read everything with complete immersion.”

“…Immersion should be done in moderation. To the point of ruining oneself?”

Just as Kim Sun-il narrowed his brow.

“On the other hand, it’s touching.”

Seo Yeon-ju interjected.

“She herself is empty, yet she kept acting out various emotions because she wanted to get along well with us.”

Eventually, Kim Yi-seo let out a sigh.

“Haaaah….”

Her face was filled with immense worry.

“In exchange for gaining unbelievable acting skills, she lost herself? I wonder if there’s another story as unfortunate as this in the world….”

Yet Sua had never lost anything.

---

Same time.

Sua was about to grab her friends in the hallway but carefully went into the restroom instead.

Afterward, she opened all the stall doors to confirm no one was inside.

─Hasn’t this fellow’s intelligence suddenly increased?
─It seems to be because she was pushed into an extreme situation.

‘Be quiet. I’m serious.’

Sua immediately interrogated her friends.

“What are you guys? Why are you here?”

“Why are we here? We came because we received an invitation. An invitation received while helping none other than you?”

Saseum showed the text message she received from Kim Yi-seo.

“No, um, I mean, if you were coming, you should have told me beforehand.”

“You hid Kim Yuhan’s identity too.”

“….”

She couldn’t argue with that.

Her friends had only received an invitation while helping Sua, and they could be upset because she hid Kim Yuhan’s identity despite being close friends.

Then Saseum extended her hand first.

“In conclusion, it turned out well, didn’t it? Looking at you, it seemed like you decided on a strategy at the company to just stay quiet and say as little as possible, so we solidified your image as a machine, didn’t we?”

“…What, you guys can see that, huh.”

Sua said, genuinely impressed.

Are friends called friends for no reason?

To see through Sua’s image management.

And so the two shook hands.

“Of course. First of all, you absolutely must not let them find out about the Savant syndrome. They’ll try to lowball you every time you sign a contract, right? Because you’re a moron.”

“No, um, right. I know you did it for me. But I’m not particularly…”

“You’re not particularly? What?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Sua couldn’t finish her sentence.

It was because she couldn’t deny ‘moron’ and ‘Savant syndrome’.

Sua couldn’t deny ‘moron’ out of conscience, and the latter….

Anyway, aren’t her friends actively helping because they think Sua has Savant syndrome?

That’s why.

…It’s surprisingly astonishing. How did things turn out like this.

“Why do you start talking and then stop? Right. We didn’t tell your embarrassing past either. Just for that, we’re grateful unnis. Yup.”

“That’s right. I’m sincerely grateful for that.”

Sua shook the clasped hands.

“For free?”

“What?”

Simultaneously, her friends’ eyes sparkled.

“Sua, please do a Kim Yuhan impression.”

“Ah, seriously. Please. Do it.”

“Honestly, I don’t believe it. Are you really Kim Yuhan? Huh?”

Sua looked disgusted.

“Ah, what are you talking about. I don’t do that kind of thing.”

Then her friends gripped Sua’s hand tightly.

“Did we ask for money, did we threaten you? We worked hard in our respective fields for you to succeed. You can do this much, can’t you? We’re just asking for one impression…”

“….”

Come to think of it, that’s true.

“Ah, really, just once…”

Sua cleared her throat a few times, then.

“『Shhh, it’s a secret.』”

“Kyaaaaaaaaaak!”

“Gyaak! Gyaaaaak!”

“Euheuheuheuheut!”

They started pinching each other and going wild.

Jumping up and down, then leaning against the wall and sliding down.

Just how much of a fuss did they make when it aired?

Sua was afraid someone might hear.

“Hey hey hey hey hey, shhh shhh shhh shhh.”

Sua covered her friends’ mouths.

“The impression is done with this, right?”

“Don’t forget to appear on a joint broadcast later!”

“Let me see Sun-il-ssi again.”

“And trust us a little. Sua, if there’s a surprise twist later, let us know. We’re friends, after all.”

“Alright. I get it, so…”

Sua let out a deep sigh.

Success must be truly remarkable.

Before, she couldn’t even imagine spending time with her friends like this.

Well, let’s just say she gained some noisy yet reliable allies.

 

---

After sending her friends off, Sua’s mind was complicated.

‘I don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad thing….’

Yes, that’s what she was confused about.

Will the misunderstanding her friends created actually be helpful?

Shouldn’t she clarify it now?

Unfortunately, Sua’s brain couldn’t make a judgment.

Just then.

─It can be seen as unequivocally good.

Kim Yuhan Sua spoke.

‘Yuhan-Sua!’

Sua shouted, delighted.

My light! My intelligence!

─In my opinion, your friends did a very big thing today. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they laid the groundwork for Sua-sunbae to advance to a bigger stage.

‘Huh? By turning me into an emotionless machine?’

─Yes. Sua-sunbae.

Kim Yuhan clicked his tongue.

─First, you are somewhat aware of the fact that Sua-sunbae is succeeding very quickly, right?

‘Yes. I know that.’

With articles pouring out, it was impossible not to know.

─The problem is, your success is too fast compared to the speed at which your intelligence is growing. This is a very big problem.

‘….’

Sua narrowed her eyes and glared at Kim Yuhan.

‘…Keep talking.’

─It is true that Sua-sunbae has become proficient in image management, but you are ultimately human. Can you confidently say you can be perfect in every single moment? Sincerely?

‘Hmm, no, not really.’

─As you continue to advance into bigger waters, isn’t it possible that you might make a mistake at an unexpected moment? This industry is like walking on thin ice. One mistake and you fall into ruin.

‘That’s true, but….’

─But due to today’s events, Sua-sunbae will suffer no damage even if you make mistakes in the future. No, rather, it might be good for you to make mistakes once in a while.

‘What?’

Sua tilted her head.

‘Did I hear that correctly? It’s better if I fail at image management once in a while from now on?’

─Yes. That is correct.

‘Why?’

─Why, you ask? Because they’ll think an emotionless machine, trying insanely hard, slipped up once in a while. Rather, they’ll applaud your efforts as commendable.

It was then.

Snap!

Sua heard something break in her head.

Simultaneously, her mind went blank.

Eventually, she overloaded.

‘….’

Sua briefly mulled over Yuhan-Sua’s words.

‘…I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

─It means that your primitive aspects will be regarded not as flaws, but as heartbreaking elements that need to be embraced.

‘So what does that mean?’

─Haaah….

Yuhan-Sua let out a deep sigh.

─First, please return to the meeting room.

‘Huh?’

─And if you get a chance, try to reveal Sua-sunbae’s embarrassing true self.

‘What?’

Sua jumped.

‘Are you crazy? I’ve been managing my image until now to hide that, haven’t I? And you’re telling me to reveal it now?’

─That is the only way you will understand my words.

Those were Yuhan-Sua’s final words.

---

Surprisingly, the moment to test Yuhan-Sua’s words came quickly.

It was right after she arrived at the meeting room.

Clack─

“….”

When she opened the door, the atmosphere was serious.

“I’m here.”

“Sua, you’re here.”

Sua felt that Kim Yi-seo’s tone had changed slightly.

Before, it felt like she simply found Sua difficult, but now there was a subtle difference.

A feeling mixed with a lot of worry?

“Um, Sua.”

Kim Yi-seo spoke first.

“From now on, you don’t need to force yourself to act out emotions in front of us. I don’t know if it will resonate, but we cherish Sua herself. Please show us your true self.”

“I don’t have alexithymia.”

“Don’t hide it. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

“No, I’m not hiding it…”

Sua was at a loss for words at the serious gazes of the Mystic party, and at the same time, Yuhan-Sua’s words came to mind.

The advice to reveal her embarrassing true self in detail.

‘Aish, fine. Let’s just say it.’

Sua judged that alexithymia was too far from the truth, and she also wanted to understand Yuhan-Sua’s words.

“I have something to say to everyone.”

Sua parted her lips.

“Actually, there was a time when I firmly believed I was an arctic fox. A cute, soft, and adorable creature.”

“….”

The expressions on the other side immediately became serious.

Sua forced herself to continue.

“And I like rabbit dolls. When I was bored, I used to play house. Holding one in each hand and making up childish lines, or eating with them when I was lonely…”

Sua felt sweat trickling down her body.

Didn’t she just say something too embarrassing while trying to explain away the alexithymia?

Ah, this really feels like a foolish act.

Why on earth did Yuhan-Sua tell her to say this….

But then Mystic looked at each other.

“See, I think we were right, don’t you?”

“Yes. I think you’re right.”

They nodded their heads out of nowhere.

Right about what?

Sua’s gaze became vacant.

What, does this mean they knew Sua was pathetic from before?

Kim Yi-seo approached Sua.

“Sua, about the things you just said.”

“Yes.”

“In the end, they’re stories about roles you experienced in the past, right?”

“Pardon?”

“Sua has alexithymia, and it seems like you deal with situations by overlaying the roles you’ve played so far. Equipping the right character for the moment.”

The one I just equipped wasn’t one of the roles though?

It’s the life I’ve lived?

Excuse me?

“No, no. Not a role, but myself. I was saying that I’m a person who has lived like that.”

“Sua. Don’t do that.”

“Eh?”

“Even if it seems like a pathetic person is familiarly accepted by those around them, it’s not because they like that person, but because they’re a pushover. It means Sua doesn’t need to go to the effort of recalling a lowly and pathetic role just to get along with us.”

“No, my life isn’t that lowly and pathetic…”

Sua finally understood Kim Yuhan’s words.

She understood.

They had accepted Sua as something that had lost its humanity, and when Sua occasionally showed her primitive side, they actually started to feel a sense of humanity.

An immense dizziness washed over her.

“No, this is too twisted. Alexithymia is a bit…”

“You don’t have to lie.”

Sua suddenly tried to raise her voice.

“That’s not it─!”

“See? That’s Wi Ji-hye’s tone.”

“That’s not it!”

“This is Lee Kang-cheol. As expected, you fill yourself based on the roles you’ve played. Sua, you can trust us.”

“…”

Sua got goosebumps.

At this point, she was confused whether the world was mistaken or if she was.

Is that so?

Am I actually alexithymic?

Huh?

Is that right?

Am I alexithymic?

‘….’

She soon shook her head vigorously.

That can’t be!

Has the world gone crazy?

─The world is normal.

Yuhan-Sua said.

─Please retrace the path you’ve walked, sunbae.

‘I came by van, though?’

There was a moment of silence.

─Now, Sua-sunbae is succeeding at an incredible speed. Meanwhile, haven’t you been playing a cold and blunt persona? Rather, even if you reveal the truth now, it wouldn’t be convincing.

‘Ah.’

Sua had reached the truth.

‘So…. I am….’

Misunderstood by her friends as having Savant syndrome, and misunderstood by Mystic as having alexithymia?

Neither is true, right?

Ah, how unfortunate, Sua!

How did things turn out like this!

─How did I succeed this much? That’s how you should think of it. Isn’t it amazing that you’ve come this far while hiding your primitiveness? I guarantee, you’re the top output among primitive beings.

─Yes, rejoice. Isn’t this situation, where everyone thinks well of you, a blessing, rather than being considered a moron because no one misunderstands? You’ve become an excellent actor.

After a long time, the perk also poked its head out.

[ The moron is so good at acting. ]

‘….’

It was then that Kim Yi-seo opened her mouth again.

“I’ve thought about what I can do for Sua.”

“I don’t know what it is, but I hope you don’t do it.”

Sua’s resigned tone was quite defiant.

Sua-defiant.

Sua-dejected.

Sua-given-up….

“Just as Sua ignited our acting inspiration, we will strive to teach Sua emotions.”

“That’s right. Mystic is family, isn’t it?”

Sua shook her head.

“No, this is quite wrong…”

“Alexithymia isn’t wrong. It’s a trace of Sua’s efforts. Let’s gradually regain your humanity.”

“….”

Sua was certain at this point.

No, how should I put it, really.

It seemed there was no way out of this misunderstanding anymore.