episode_0137

The next day, morning.

Mystic Entertainment CEO’s office.

Kim Iseo’s space, adorned with two large hairpins, resembled a professor’s study. This often made Kim Iseo look like a daughter peeking into her parents’ space.

However, anyone who faced Kim Iseo’s expression now would never utter such a thing. She was extremely serious at the moment.

“Drink up. It’s expensive tea.” “Thanks.”

Seo Yeonju and Kim Iseo sat facing each other.

While the elegant aroma of tea filled the air, neither of them actually brought their cups to their lips. Kim Iseo spoke first.

“Yeonju is finally returning to the movie theater screen.” “I know. I’ve been focusing on dramas lately.” “I’m always grateful to Yeonju for always being so diligent. I cheer her on because I’m so proud of her. But that’s why…”

Kim Iseo tapped the documents with her fingertips.

“…I’m just saying this out of concern. I’ve already gathered the information. Do you really want to leave it as it is?”

Seo Yeonju glanced at it.

[Seo Yeonju is a real rags-to-riches story] [Seo Yeonju was just an outcast…] [I’m not making this up to insult the actress, but there were rumors about her parents back then]

Kim Iseo said with her arms crossed.

“Of course, most people like Yeonju, and these stories are just a tiny fraction. But as the CEO, it bothers me. I’m worried about rumors spreading later on.” “The CEO is such a good person.” “Harassment, insults, spreading false information… We can definitely sue. Tell me if there’s anything Yeonju wants us to do.” “It’s okay.”

Seo Yeonju quietly sipped her tea.

“Just leave it as it is. I don’t care.”

Her face looked somewhat bitter.

◈◈◈◈◈

8 PM.

At a time when most office workers had gone home, Mystic released all the information they had gathered in advance. They deliberately targeted this time slot, because people would be checking their phones when they were free.

[Lee Sua Retirement? …’Unfounded’]

[Lee Sua, who became known as ‘Kim Yuhan’, is immediately entering the film industry. Another collaboration with Seo Yeonju.]

[Lee Sua on Netflix too? OTT’s landing in Korea, countered with Park Yumi’s work. Role is undisclosed.]

The content was, of course, about ‘Lies, Lies, Lies’ and ‘High Society’. The reactions were naturally explosive.

─ Wow, she went straight to the big leagues ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

─ Special Task Force 808’s last episode hasn’t even aired yet and there’s already such good news ㅠㅠㅠㅠ I’m so excited

─ I’m so glad she’s not retiring!

─ Depression this, that… it was just gossip after all… That’s why those trash reporters should have their keyboards taken away.

─ But what role is she taking?

─ Please tell me what role she’s going to play! Please!

She was just announcing her next schedule, but she was already hearing things like ‘Thank you for not retiring’.

Sua realized it. That’s why first impressions and timing are important. With the halo of Special Task Force 808 behind her, she was being treated as something much more impressive than she had imagined.

Mystic was happy that their intentions worked, the fans were happy that Sua didn’t retire, and Sua was happy because she was grateful…

…So everyone’s happy, right? Anyway, it was good!

Also, one thing was now certain.

[(Exclusive) Summary of Lee Sua’s career. A path that could be called the ‘Midas Touch’? Will Lee Sua’s success story continue?]

Sua was no longer seen as just a rookie, and many were curious about her next success.

◈◈◈◈◈

10 PM.

Sua arrived at Mystic headquarters and was now touching her face. Especially her cheeks.

Huh? Why is she suddenly doing that?

‘Wow, it’s so bouncy! It feels so good!’

She just got a facial!

Sua thought. This is a whole new world!

Being in a warm place, having various things applied and getting a massage, made her feel good and melted away her worries and fatigue. Was this what she’d been earning money for?

Especially scraping off the dead skin cells was so refreshing.

Sua continued to touch her cheeks and thought.

‘It feels like my life is improving like crazy. I wonder if it can get even better in the future? Maybe even walk the red carpet?’

She also imagined her rosy future.

‘Come to think of it, I need to get my driver’s license, but I have three cars and haven’t even driven once. But I always travel by van, so I don’t really feel like getting it…’

─ Isn’t it just that you’re not confident you’ll pass?

─ Just don’t get one in the future. If Sua *sunbae* goes out on the road with her intelligence, it’ll be a disaster. Many will get hurt.

─ That’s right too. For the sake of peace, don’t get one.

‘…’

Sua couldn’t refute it inwardly when.

“Sua!”

Kim Iseo ran over and grabbed Sua’s hand.

“Sua! No!” “…?” “You were thinking of touching your face now, weren’t you?” “Huh?”

What? The CEO continued with a serious face.

“It’s a common phenomenon. You get used to your face in the mirror, and you don’t like your face in the camera, so you get plastic surgery. But Sua doesn’t need to do that.” “Um?” “Sua is perfect as she is now. Got it?” “…Okay.”

Sua was praised without realizing it. *Sua-gamsa* (Sua thanks)?

Iseo reassured Sua several times before finally looking relieved. She seemed to have misunderstood that Sua was considering plastic surgery. “Let’s go up now. There’s an important meeting.” “Yes, ma’am.”

Sua quietly followed behind the CEO.

.

.

.

.

.

Slam—!

When the conference room door opened, the interior view came into sight at a glance. Two familiar faces. Seo Yeonju and Kim Seonil.

Yeonju raised one hand first and greeted her.

“Oh, Sua’s here?” “Yeah.”

After that, Sua turned her gaze to Seonil.

“Did your sister’s issue get resolved?” “Thanks to you, very much.”

Seo Yeonju, wearing a headband, was beautiful as always, and Kim Seonil, still only choosing to wear black clothes, looked brighter than before. His face also didn’t look as haggard as before.

Sua sat down and then became curious.

‘What kind of meeting is it that everyone’s gathered like this?’

And then.

Clink—

The sound of a teacup hitting the saucer was heard, and the source was far away on the opposite side. It was then that Sua realized that there were external guests besides the Mystic family.

“…?”

And she made a ‘gasp’ sound inside.

She almost blurted it out. She was very surprised.

‘What, what is it? What’s going on?’

Something was familiar.

There were many people Sua was familiar with now, but this was a face she couldn’t fail to recognize. The other party was…. “…!”

Sua’s eyes widened as she identified them.

That’s when the guests greeted her.

“Hello.” “Good evening.” “Hi.”

In order, Rat, Deer, Monkey.

Sua almost jumped up from her seat. Sua’s Task Force had gathered in one place. Lightning struck her head.

‘What’s going on? What’s happening?’

What was it like, finding a fish frolicking in the mountains?

The guys who definitely shouldn’t be here were brazenly present. How could she accept this? No, she couldn’t accept it, so her brain stopped.

Yeonju opened her mouth with a smile.

“Sua, say hello. They’re not our guests, they’re your guests.” “Guests…?”

Seo Yeonju chuckled at Sua’s reaction.

“You have an expression that says, ‘Why are we sitting together?’ Of course we should be here. Those who help you are also grateful to us. You’re precious to us.”

“….”

Sua wanted to shake her head. If you value me so much, please get out of here right now. Please.

These guys are dangerous!

Seo Yeonju pointed to them in order.

“First, here is the Starcatch team leader.”

Well, Rat could be like that. She was a journalist in the entertainment industry before Sua started acting.

But.

“This person is the cafe president. They say they’re a monitoring expert.”

Monitoring expert? They’re just a recluse, right?

No, more than that, you were the fan cafe president? What are you going to do with my expectations? What are you going to do with my emotions?

“And here, the person wearing the mask is the best VTuber in the industry. They say they promoted Special Task Force 808 a lot this time.”

Isn’t that the fiercest woman in the industry?

“….”

Sua was still flustered.

No, to be honest, she was anxious.

‘Ah, what to do? It feels like I’m hanging off a cliff!’

The guys knew all of Sua’s true nature.

They even had the misunderstanding of her having Savant syndrome. She might die of shame if they brought up that story.

Kim Seonil opened his mouth.

“Sua, why don’t you say hello? They’re your guests.” “….”

It was difficult to even say hello.

It’s because she couldn’t know how far the guys had already told.

Had they already told Sua’s embarrassing past? That her usual personality was like this? Or that damn Savant syndrome….

But then.

Rather, the other party greeted her first.

“Sua-ssi, hello. I’m journalist Kim Seonah.” “Sua-nim. Hi. I’m the fan cafe president.”

Thanks to that, Sua was flustered once again.

‘Why are these guys like this? Acting like it’s the first time meeting.’

Of course, this was better in the situation. Acting like it was the first time meeting was more advantageous in maintaining the image she had built up.

But more than that, she was curious. Why are you guys like this?

“…!”

Sua soon realized.

‘Ah, these guys are sulking.’

They seemed to be sulking really hard.

When she thought about it, it was a natural thing. They liked Kim Yuhan so much, but when they peeled off the shell, Sua came out.

The shock must have been tremendous. At the same time, they must have felt wronged towards Sua.

…Scary. What if they do something bad because they’re sulking?

Sua also bowed her head slightly first.

“…Hello.”

She finished greeting Monkey and Rat. All that was left was Deer.

Sua was about to bow her head again when….

Kim Iseo said.

“I’m surprised. I heard you’re friends with Sicarin-nim?” “….”

Sua’s head stopped abruptly.

At the same time, anxiety rose like crazy.

‘Ah, crazy.’

Deer had been the one who had treated Sua the most casually among Sua’s Task Force. At the same time, she was also the most violent one.

“….”

Why had Deer revealed that she was friends with Sua? Was she going to reveal everything at this place? She really thought she might. She was screaming in the clip video.

Silence naturally grew longer.

The Mystic members began to feel strange.

“Sua, why aren’t you saying hello? Aren’t you happy?” “Or were you not friends?”

Sua shook her head at Kim Seonil’s words.

“No. We are friends, but.” “Really? Then why.”

In the end.

Sua couldn’t stand the atmosphere and blurted out.

“Ah, hello…. Nice to meet you….”

The problem was that she blurted it out in a very strange tone. Was it just the tone? The spacing of her words was also strange. Like an idiot.

Sua pinched her thigh immediately after.

You stupid Sua! You idiot Sua!

What are you doing! What is that tone! Are you planning to lose the image you’ve built up at once? No, in the first place, why are those guys here?

“Wow….”

It was then that Deer lowered her black mask.

Cold sweat ran down Sua’s spine. What on earth was she going to say. One second felt like a year.

Afterwards, Deer—Go Eunbi—said.

“Now you greet people like a human being?” “…?”

Sua tilted her head. She couldn’t understand what Deer was saying.

However, question marks had already popped up in the heads of the Mystic members. They thought they understood what Deer was saying.

‘What are you talking about? Now she’s like a human being?’

‘Are you saying Sua isn’t human?’

‘Huh? Is there something wrong with Sua?’

It was a question directed at Sua.

Deer’s remarks sounded like she was greeting a non-human being. Amidst that, Deer said once again.

“It’s much better than before. I’m glad to see you getting along with other people. I was worried because you were like a machine.”

“….”

Sua blinked blankly.

What are you suddenly saying? A machine?

“Ah, could it be?”

It was then. Seo Yeonju opened her mouth.

Her eyes sparkled like a detective.

“…I’ve heard of it. Alexithymia.”

Afterwards, Seo Yeonju turned sharply and grabbed Sua’s shoulder.

“Sua, you’ve been acting out human emotions all along?”

At the same time, light bulbs lit up above the heads of the Mystic members.

‘They say that if you repeat method acting without rest, you lose your humanity, was she empty all along? Lee Sua, so the rumor that she didn’t get her skills without effort is true.’

‘Oh my god, so Sua was thinking of emotions that would suit the situation every time she dealt with us and acting it out? How difficult must it have been every moment? She was making a crazy effort to fit in with us.’

‘Sua, you were going through such pain. I understand now. That’s why she was so blunt and sometimes awkward. It wasn’t that her Korean was awkward.’

While each of their misunderstandings were intertwined in the air, Sua was just confused. She didn’t know what was going on, so this silence was just overwhelming.

Unaware that she was considered an acting machine who couldn’t feel human emotions, she was just curious.

‘A machine? What’s wrong with these people?’

But she knew one thing for sure.

She didn’t know why, but her friends had helped Sua. So that Sua’s image could be maintained in the entertainment industry.

Why on earth? For what?

She would soon know the answer.

It was because Sua’s cell phone rang.

[Sender: Go Eunbi] ▷ We did well, right? ▷ The agency will think you’re an acting machine, right? ▷ It’s thanks to us if your contract fee goes up? ▷ Pay me back later. ▷ Dress up as Kim Yuhan and go on a date with me. ▷ Okay? You’ll do it, right?

What? What?

Sua felt a shock as if she had been hit on the back of the head.

“….”

She had also been greatly mistaken.

Her friends hadn’t sulked at all. Rather, they had become extremely expectant of Sua. Sua touched her forehead. It was a dizzying truth that made her feel dizzy.