Chapter 139: Conclusion

The next day.

Mystic Headquarters rooftop.

The weather these days was exceptionally good.

Warm sunlight.

A breeze that tickled the skin.

Saaa─

Seo Yeon-ju felt it all as she recited her lines.

“Believe it or not.”

“I always speak only the truth.”

And then, a brief silence.

“Hoo…”

Seo Yeon-ju let out a sigh and then took out her phone.

Her concentration had waned.

It was time for a break.

She quickly decided what to do.

There was a simple photoshoot recently; she intended to check people’s reactions.

• [Seo Yeon-ju photoshoot, innocent smile that makes you want to play tennis with her + slender legs. How can you not look at this?]
• [– Yeonju unni ㅠ Pretty as always, no matter when I see her]
• [– Wow, she gets prettier even when she’s sweating]
• [– Feels like this is how youth should be spent]
• [– Memory manipulated into thinking she was my first love]
• [– The headband suits you so well!]

Fortunately, the reactions were mostly positive.

Seo Yeon-ju’s fingers, which had been moving at a steady pace, suddenly snagged as if they had hit an obstacle.

• [– It seems Seo Yeon-ju’s representative work in her filmography will be ‘Outstar’. Honestly, what does she have besides her innocent image?]
• [– Her photoshoots and product ads are more famous. She’s fated to be replaced anytime someone with a purer face appears.]
• [– Why does she sometimes post concept photos on SNS that don’t match her image? Did she do drugs or something?]
• [– Have you guys seen Seo Yeon-ju’s past photos? Hahaha]

Seo Yeon-ju moved her fingers without realizing it.

[What do you guys know?]

But in the end, she couldn’t post the reply.

Instead, she put her phone away and stood hugging the railing.

The view below the building was dizzyingly clear.

Cars moving in an orderly fashion, people striding confidently.

That place looks so peaceful.

‘Wouldn’t it be soft if I reached it?’

“…”

But Seo Yeon-ju soon shook her head.

“…No.”

She stepped back a couple of paces from the railing and clutched her script.

She had been cast as the lead in ‘Lie, Lie, Lie’.

“Let’s do this much.”

“Just this much.”

The role of Park Siyeon.

There wouldn’t be a role that suited her as well as this one, nor one she could act so easily.

It would be perfect to adorn her finale.

---

Japan.

In a vast conference room, a meeting for the ‘Noir Scenario Contest’ was underway, and many people had gathered.

“Director, are you serious?”

“You’re going to select this as the winner?”

Someone exclaimed.

Thus, the current internal atmosphere was not smooth.

The master Director Yusaku, seated at the head of the table, had presented a scenario, and the expressions of those filling the remaining seats were grim.

“Yes.”

“I’ve decided on this as the winning entry.”

Come to think of it, this meeting itself was strange.

Mother, writer Minami Akiko.

Daughter, writer Minami Sawako.

Director Yusaku had picked the daughter’s script as the winner in Korea and quickly returned to Japan.

That’s why it was strange.

Why hadn’t the contest, which should have already ended, concluded yet?

The reason was simple.

“Director, couldn’t you please change your mind?”

“Yes.”

“We really can’t see it with our eyes…”

“Director Yusaku, please reconsider.”

It was because the opposition was too severe.

One person stepped forward and spoke.

“There isn’t a single person here who looks down on you, Director.”

“But still, why is the opposition so strong?”

“The difference in level between the mother and daughter is extreme.”

“This really isn’t it.”

Indeed, the voices of those opposing were polite.

Yes, they were just greatly shocked.

If their opponent wasn’t Yusaku, they would have already grabbed him by the collar.

The head of the contest production team spoke up.

“Director, must you really use this middle schooler’s script?”

“Yes.”

“How many times have I said it?”

“I have no intention of disparaging someone because of their age.”

“But looking at skill alone, the difference is huge.”

“The level of polish, the detailed content, the mother’s script is far superior, isn’t it?”

The team leader continued speaking calmly.

“Moreover, the daughter broke the rules, didn’t she?”

“Didn’t she revise a scenario that had already been submitted?”

“That’s grounds for disqualification.”

“Hmm.”

That was true.

Originally, both mother and daughter had written about ‘a spy planted in a yakuza group who contemplates their identity,’ but the daughter suddenly revised the entire content.

And to something completely different.

Eventually, Yusaku nodded his head.

“I acknowledge that.”

“But I saw something.”

“If we combine the potential of this script and the potential of a Korean actor…”

“Director, please.”

A desperate voice came from across the table.

“There are rumors going around about contests these days.”

“You know, right?”

“I know.”

“Yes.”

“That the film production promised as a winning pledge is only for publicity, so the quality is trash.”

“It’s better not to watch it.”

“Words like these are generally circulating.”

The team leader continued, as if complaining.

“But what is the goal of this noir contest?”

“It means let’s make something truly proper.”

“I know.”

“The ambition to overturn Japan is likely the same for you guys and me.”

“Why would someone with such ambition make such a choice?”

“The script was written by an inexperienced middle schooler, the theme is yakuza, yet you’re casting a Korean actress as the lead…”

“I don’t know where to begin refuting.”

“Please understand our feelings too.”

Suddenly, Director Yusaku asked.

“What kind of movie do you guys want?”

“Naturally, a noir film faithful to the basics.”

“So you mean you’ll just do what you’ve always done.”

“Do you plan to retire after making only that your whole life?”

“Just film yakuza fighting all day long?”

“We also tried to make changes.”

The production team leader said in a bitter voice.

“But every attempt failed, and afterwards, we realized.”

“Yakuza films are successful when they stick closest to the basics.”

“I want to take a risk.”

“Rather than yakuza who just fight recklessly, I want to shed light on how those who wish to retire from that society strive to return to a normal life.”

“A risk with a scenario hastily revised by a middle schooler?”

“If it were your personal project, Director, perhaps, but this is a contest.”

It was then.

Bang─!

The conference room door opened, and two women appeared.

One was a middle-aged woman draped in luxury brands with a cold impression, while the other looked like a withered flower that would break at the slightest touch.

This was especially so as she sat in a wheelchair, her face pale.

“…!”

Those in the meeting hurriedly lowered their voices.

Mother and daughter.

It was because both were writers.

To be precise, they watched the mother’s reaction.

Akiko was very influential, after all.

The relationship between mother and daughter didn’t seem very good.

The daughter, rather, seemed strongly intimidated by her mother.

The production team leader greeted them awkwardly.

“Ahem, you’ve arrived, Writer Akiko.”

“Has the winning entry been decided?”

“Well…”

“Well?”

“Not yet, the Director is still deciding…”

The production team looked at Yusaku, appearing troubled.

The mother’s expression soured.

She was displeased.

She too was aware that only Yusaku was opposing.

“Is this something to deliberate so much over─”

But it was then.

“Congratulations.”

Director Yusaku stood up, cutting her off.

“As you hoped, and as everyone expected, Ms. Akiko’s work has been selected as the winner.”

“Sincere congratulations.”

Everyone was initially flustered, but soon their expressions brightened.

It was understandable.

Yusaku had finally relented and declared the mother’s victory.

The daughter hung her head low.

It seemed she had high hopes inwardly.

“However.”

But Yusaku wasn’t finished speaking.

He looked at the production team again and said.

“I will not participate in this production.”

“…?”

“…!”

Immediately after, everyone’s expression turned blank.

“Director?”

“What do you mean by that?”

Yusaku continued calmly.

“I was only in charge of judging in the first place, right?”

“It means I won’t be signing an additional contract for the production.”

“So, why…”

“In the first place, Ms. Akiko’s script doesn’t even need me.”

“It’s so elaborate and, as the production team said, faithful to the basics.”

“The result would be similar no matter who films it.”

Yusaku approached the daughter.

“So, I’m thinking of producing a movie with the daughter, Ms. Sawako’s, script.”

“Didn’t someone actually say earlier?”

“If you want to take a risk, try it as a personal project.”

“…”

“Ms. Sawako, who broke the rules, is disqualified.”

“There should be no problem with fairness then.”

Everyone was too shocked to speak easily.

There was nothing wrong with Yusaku’s words themselves, but it was because they had assumed he would unconditionally participate in the production as well.

“Well, I don’t care.”

The one who broke the silence was the mother─Akiko.

She gestured with her chin towards her daughter in the wheelchair.

“But you should hear Sawako’s opinion.”

“Of course.”

“If your daughter refuses, I won’t do it.”

After everyone’s gaze fell on the daughter─Sawako.

She, unexpectedly timidly, nodded her head.

“…!”

The faces of everyone except the mother─Akiko─and Yusaku were colored with astonishment.

Because they hadn’t expected an affirmative answer.

“Produce it at the same time?”

“With the same theme too?”

“…So it means they’ll be having a head-to-head confrontation?”

They weren’t surprised by the fact of production itself.

However, the fact that the mother’s side and the daughter’s side would compete was simply monumental.

At the same time, it was very cruel.

One side would inevitably win, and the losing side would have no choice but to be trampled.

The mother approached her daughter.

“Sawako.”

“Yes.”

“I often regret my younger days.”

She fiddled with the luxury brand earring in her ear.

“Those times I tried to salvage trash manuscripts were such a waste.”

“Just rewriting it is the answer.”

“Holding onto it for months, years, even making it into a movie, and if it failed, I felt truly awful.”

Soon, Akiko’s lips curled up.

“You’re about to experience it from now on.”

“…”

“It’s something a writer will experience at least once, so I won’t stop you.”

“It will be very miserable, but it is indeed a helpful experience.”

“Learn by regretting this choice over and over.”

“What?”

“The first principle: discard a failed manuscript without any lingering attachment.”

Her tone was calm, but the content was not at all.

Many of the production team swallowed dryly.

‘Treating her daughter like she’s raising an assistant writer…’

‘Doesn’t it mean her daughter’s work will just waste time and fail miserably?’

‘She should have stopped her instead. It’s too cruel.’

‘They said she was strict with her daughter, but I didn’t expect it to be this severe.’

Afterwards, everyone left, and the conference room was empty.

Only the daughter, Sawako, and Yusaku remained.

“I know my skills are lacking too.”

“But.”

The daughter, Sawako, carefully parted her lips.

“…I didn’t want to give up on my manuscript.”

“According to my mother, this is useless stubbornness.”

“Director, am I really heading towards a predetermined failure?”

“We’ll only know once it’s completed.”

“My mother evaluated my writing as a failed manuscript.”

“That probably means the chances of failure are high.”

“Should I stop?”

“I don’t care if I fail, but Director Yusaku, you have a lot to lose.”

“I know why you revised your writing midway.”

Director Yusaku looked into Sawako’s eyes.

“You wanted to stop imitating your mother’s writing and write your own story, right?”

“That’s why you wanted to salvage it somehow?”

“…”

Sawako blushed slightly and nodded.

“Then, Director, are you helping me because you’re cheering me on?”

“No?”

“I just like this scenario better.”

Director Yusaku smiled brightly.

“So let’s do it.”

“I’ve found an amazing actor.”

The profile he then took out was none other than Sua’s.

Hong Yeji’s one-room apartment.

Tadadadak─!

Hong Yeji was completely focused on the game.

It was a rhythm game where you press the keyboard in time with falling notes, and it was incredibly fun.

Hong Yeji realized anew.

As expected, anything was fun for her as long as it wasn’t writing.

There was a reason for her leisure today.

“Ms. Sua being Kim Yuhan, what a stroke of luck.”

Realizing Kim Yuhan’s identity, Hong Yeji wanted to scream with joy.

Would she, who was on the path to success, really do Hong Yeji’s outrageous script?

She would choose much better things.

Of course, that wasn’t all.

Hong Yeji had handled it carefully.

She added one safety measure.

That was demanding Lee Seojeong’s casting.

Who is Lee Seojeong?

When you think of a self-willed actor, isn’t it Lee Seojeong?

• ─♩♪♬

It was then that the phone rang.

The caller was Writer Lee Geum-sook.

Hong Yeji only lowered the PC volume before answering the call.

• – This is Hong Yeji. I’ve answered the call.
• – Yes. Yeji, what’s that keyboard sound?
• – I’m playing a game.
• – Hahaha, are you already wary of me? Don’t worry. I won’t steal your manuscript. You can honestly say you’re writing.
• – It’s a game. I’ll even tell you the name. DJ….
• – More importantly, Yeji. About Lee Seojeong.
• – Yes.

Hong Yeji pressed the esc button to stop the game.

It was because she was nervous.

Surely Lee Seojeong hadn’t accepted.

• – …Um, first off, she rejected it flat out?
• – Yes. It can’t be helped.

Hong Yeji sprang up from her seat like a spring.

Her body was going wild, but her face barely maintained a poker face.

‘Let’s not get excited.’

She forced herself to calmly part her lips.

• – It’s alright. I’ll come back stronger. I should write a next project that will cast all the actors I want.

‘Actually, I’m never coming back, though.’

Right then.

• – No. There’s no need to give up yet.
• – Hmm?
• – Actually, Ms. Sua contacted us saying she definitely wants to do it. So I’ve been racking my brain a bit.
• – Yes?
• – I’ve scheduled a meeting with Lee Seojeong. Let’s take Ms. Sua and our entire division. We’ll try to persuade her one last time.
• – Writer-nim.

Hong Yeji’s voice became firm.

• – A writer should compete only with their words.
• – Huh?
• – The moment I was rejected, I had already lost. Trying to win them over again through a meeting? That’s disrespectful to both parties and doesn’t help improve writing skills. Please act as if this never happened.
• – That attitude of yours.

Writer Lee Geum-sook’s voice gained strength.

• – Having seen that desperation, I can’t not help you.

‘…It’s true I’m desperate, but not in that direction.’

– Just listen to me this once. There will be a meeting after the final episode of Special Mobile Unit 808 airs, so prepare thoroughly.

“…”

After hanging up the phone, Hong Yeji couldn’t play the game.

It was because she felt an ominous foreboding for some reason.

---

After that, time flowed quickly.

Currently, Sua was being bombarded with all sorts of gifts.

[Seo Yeon-ju has sent a gift.]

[Cheesecake Coupon]

[Eat sweet things too!]

[Kim Yi-seo has sent a gift.]

[Cactus + Pot Coupon]

[Try growing a plant. It will be helpful.]

[Kim Sun-il has sent a gift.]

[Cleaning Tool Set Coupon]

[Cleaning makes you feel good.]

‘Everyone’s sending something that’s so like them, huh?’

‘Can you tell their personalities just by the gifts?’

Kim Sun-il’s cleaning tools were especially like that.

He even sent a ton of links to various cleaning videos; mysophobia is different….

Anyway, since the meeting, Mystic had an atmosphere of taking care of Sua even more like family than before.

How should I put it?

Sua was happy about this situation, but also restless and just complicated.

‘No, wait.’

Sua suddenly looked back on her past.

‘Come to think of it, even if I wasn’t emotionally inept, I think I was clumsy with expressing myself.’

‘Because there were many moments in life when I didn’t know what expression to make with what emotion.’

Sua had been really clumsy with human relationships.

She didn’t know what to be angry about, what to be happy about, and if someone disliked her, she would become extremely timid and suffer alone.

As a result, she was always lonely.

Dealing with people is difficult.

She just played games in her room all the time.

She was always envious of those surrounded by a harmonious atmosphere.

“…”

Thinking like that, the current situation looks a little different now.

‘Right, since it’s come to this.’

‘Let me learn some emotions and mature a bit.’

‘And learn how to communicate with people too.’

She even clenched her fists.

Sua-will!

‘I’m not just going to manage my image; from now on, I’m going to increase the number of people I can genuinely communicate with!’

This was a very grand thought, not just to ‘pretend’ but to change from the very foundation.

Of course, Sua didn’t know such concepts and had only vaguely aimed for it.

• [– Finally aiming to escape being a social misfit.]
• [– How commendable. You’ve matured a little.]

Meanwhile, the internet was in an uproar.

[Special Mobile Unit 808 Gallery]

[Title : A bit worried because it’s Lee Geum-sook]

[Title : Isn’t there a chance for season 2?]

[Title : Just give us a happy ending, please]

[Title : Does Lee Geum-sook have a ‘drift’?]

[Title : Season 2 definitely happening, lots of foreshadowing]

This was, of course, the same in the group chat.

[Sua Mobile Unit]

[Deer: – SuaSuaSua]

[Deer: – Tell me the ending, I’m curious]

[Saengji: – Right, I’m curious too]

[Saengji: – Is season 2 coming out? So I can write the article in advance]

[Monkeying: – Is there a drift?]

‘Why do my ears hurt when I’m only looking at it with my eyes?’

Sua closed her phone and focused her gaze on the TV.

The end is as important as the beginning.

No, it’s even more important because even if the beginning is weak, the end can be great.

Just look at my life.

Didn’t it start off incredibly shabby, but isn’t it now facing a huge turning point?

Therefore, Sua needed to fix her gaze on the TV at this moment.

Because she had to confirm the end of the world she had created.

[Special Mobile Unit 808]

[─Episode 12─]

The final episode.

It was finally time to see the ending.