episode_0196

“…”

Sua blinked for a moment.

What? What did I just hear?

After a while, she asked again.

“So you’re saying, this person is Yang Ha-rin?”

“Yep.”

“…Is that even possible?”

A bewildered look crossed Sua’s face.

Unbelievable. Even more so when she thought back to the past.

Sua and Yang Ha-rin didn’t have a good relationship. They competed for the role of Wi Ji-hye, and it didn’t end well.

…So Yang Ha-rin joins Sua’s fan cafe, enters the raffle, and even comes to the fan meeting? Does that make sense?

But Won-soonging calmly nodded.

“Her ID starts with ‘yhr,’ which is her name initials.”

[ yhr030_112 ]

As Won-soonging said, yhr, Yang Ha-rin’s initials, were included. Sua was surprised but had something to say.

“What if it’s just the same consonants? Like a Yang Ha-rin fan?”

“…How long do you think I’ve been a manager in the community? If I only suspected the ID, I wouldn’t even have brought this up.”

Won-soonging continued to send photos.

“This person, they are a bit different in nuance compared to actual fans, to the point that they handle detailed information.”

[ Wi Ji-hye was originally Yang Ha-rin’s role, Lee Sua suddenly jumped in and took it away; know something before you talk ]

[ Mystic and CT Entertainment have never gotten along well ]

[ Lee Sua is good, though. But Yang Ha-rin also…. ]

After checking the photos, Sua’s expression turned serious.

Won-soonging is right. yhr030 knew too much information in detail to be just a regular fan.

Sua narrowed her brows.

“If this is really Yang Ha-rin, why is she doing this?”

That was the problem. If this is truly Yang Ha-rin herself, why does she want to come to Sua’s fan meeting?

“All I can tell you is that this is Yang Ha-rin. I don’t know anything else. She never wrote down any future goals or plans other than suicide.”

“Could she be trying to do something harmful?”

“Well, not exactly. Her recent posts are friendly.”

The call ended like that, and Sua became lost in thought.

‘What is it? What could it be?’

Since there was nothing to guess, she was just confused, but Sua soon took a deep breath and calmed herself down. Let’s just keep it in mind for now. There’s nothing she can know right away, even if she struggles.

.

.

.

.

.

─♩♪♬

After finishing the call with Won-soonging, her phone rang again. This time it was Mystic’s CEO, Kim Yi-seo.

“Hello. CEO?”

“Sua, those scripts you asked me to find. I think they’ll all be secured by the end of today.”

“That’s fast.”

Sua muttered, inwardly very surprised.

She had requested almost ten scripts, and they’re going to get them all by the end of today. She couldn’t help but feel how reliable her CEO was.

“Thank you so much.”

“Don’t thank me.”

Kim Yi-seo’s soft chuckle could be heard.

“I’m just showing my faith in Sua. As a CEO, I sincerely believe in Sua.”

“…”

A wave of emotion. Sua had to think about what to say. It was quite awkward as it was the first time she had heard such words.

Then Kim Yi-seo continued.

“Actually, I was worried because they were all projects that had nothing to do with Mystic, but Sua’s name value played a big role. As soon as I mentioned Sua’s name, they immediately accepted.”

“That’s a relief.”

The phrase “projects with no connection” put Sua’s mind at ease.

‘I’m glad that Joo Hyun and Kang Hak-man aren’t involved in the work of acquaintances. It’s terrifying to think that such trash is involved with precious people around me….’

Aside from Sua’s personal feelings, things would have become very complicated. Fortunately, they are only involved in projects at a distance, so things are clean.

“Let’s wait for the script thing for a while.”

Kim Yi-seo continued.

“Sua, come down to the underground parking lot first. There are many things to take care of before the scripts arrive.”

◈◈◈◈◈

Later. A CF filming studio.

『 Summer skin, can you just let it pass? 』

Sua, with a dewy face, smiles softly at the camera. What’s currently in progress is a cosmetics advertisement.

“Sua, is this your first time filming a cosmetics ad?”

“…What is this? It didn’t look like this when I put it on? Won’t there be a false advertising report later?”

The filming crew was amazed, but Sua was busy calming her pounding heart. She was nervous.

Sua nervous!

‘Honestly, cosmetics were a world away from me…. Now I’m filming an ad for it?’

It was just amazing. Sua amazed?

Even without a script, filming wasn’t too difficult with ‘Foxy Play.’ There was no time to be happy that she successfully finished the cosmetics advertisement. There was a mountain of work piled up.

‘Busy busy! Hard hard!’

But as hard as it was for Sua, Sua’s name value was rising in the entertainment industry. She suddenly wondered. If it’s like this in the summer, what will it be like around winter?

Vroom─!

When she got back in the van.

“Sua.”

Kim Yi-seo said, looking at the tablet on her lap.

“It seems almost certain now.”

“What is?”

“What else could it be? Sua’s Best Newcomer Award, of course.”

The tablet Kim Yi-seo held out was filled with articles.

[ The effect of the powerful ‘Special Mobile Unit 808’…. The atmosphere is solidifying for Lee Sua to win the Best Newcomer Award this year. ]

“Ah.”

Sua remembered something she had forgotten for a while. Right, right. They were discussing this before Spec8 aired.

But why, it feels subtly different than before.

‘Best Newcomer Award? Can I really get it?’

It’s only natural. Before Spec8 aired, the Best Newcomer Award only felt distant, but now hasn’t it become a little closer? Therefore, Sua’s heart fluttered anew.

Meanwhile, the stylists who were in the van together chattered. They were the friends who did today’s advertising makeup.

“If our Sua doesn’t get it, who will? They have to give it even as a formality. Look at how much she suffered with the cross-dressing.”

“That’s right. To be honest, one award isn’t enough. Give a Kim Yoo-han Award and a Lee Sua Award each!”

“Who cares about the Best Newcomer Award. She’ll get other awards too.”

Sua’s nervousness grows even more thanks to their fuss.

A rosy fantasy unfolded in her head.

‘Wearing a very bold and sparkling dress, getting out of a black car, greeting people while walking the red carpet?’

Thump thump thump!

It’s amazing just thinking about it. Sua thump thump!

She’s been busy running diligently so far, but when you think about it, the entertainment industry gives awards to those who have worked hard at the end of the year. How great would it be if that were her?

Kim Yi-seo calmed down the chaos around her.

“Stop it. The person in question isn’t even surprised. I guess she’ll only smile when she achieves about 10 awards later.”

“10 awards? Ah, even sweeping up the variety shows?”

Sua thought to herself. What are these people saying. I can be so moved that I can cry even if I receive just one!

Because.

‘My only trophy is broken!’

The trophy she received at the Busan International Short Film Festival was proudly broken in half. I want a whole one too!

Kim Yi-seo slyly said to Sua.

“Right, Sua? I was talking about something you’re not interested in, right?”

“No, I should attend.”

Then Kim Yi-seo is slightly surprised.

“…So you weren’t even thinking of attending?”

“Sua, you have to attend! Attend for our sake! We’ll make you look the prettiest!”

“…”

What are they saying. Sua flustered.

Anyway, the inside of the van was unusually noisy today. It was because she wasn’t riding alone with Kim Yi-seo.

After chatting for a while, Kim Yi-seo changed the subject.

“Oh right. Sua.”

“Yes, CEO.”

“You’ve already talked roughly with the fan cafe president, right?”

If she’s the fan cafe president…. Ah, right, Won-soonging. Sua was still awkward that he had a position. He was like the king of bums.

Sua nodded.

“I heard about the fan meeting.”

“Good. Now I have a detailed grasp of it.”

Kim Yi-seo calmly began to explain.

“The venue will be a rented art hall. Reporters and sponsors will be coming. The time will be about 5 hours?”

The stylists listening widened their eyes.

“Wow, even the popular Sun-il oppa and Yeon-joo unnie only did a fan meeting around their 3rd year.”

“That’s right. A fan meeting as soon as summer starts? That’s awesome.”

A fan meeting.

Sua recalled the past. When she slept at Yeon-joo unnie’s house, there were people who recognized her, and she gave them autographs. So she’s going to do that again?

“You know that Sua’s fan cafe has over 300,000 members, right?”

“Yes.”

“It was really hard to pick only 300 people from there. People who are active usually, check their attendance diligently…. People who are lucky among those people are coming. So Sua, put in some effort.”

Kim Yi-seo rubbed Sua’s shoulder as if asking for a favor. It’s always a small hand.

“It might be difficult for Sua to treat people warmly given Sua’s personality, but if Sua treats them warmly, they will definitely repay you double later. Think of it as an investment.”

Sua’s personality? She must be talking about emotional expression disability. Did she say it indirectly in front of the stylists?

…Well, that’s not it.

Anyway, something was popping up wildly in Sua’s heart. Those emotions were excitement, nervousness, and questions.

‘A lot of people who like me gather.’

Before, only people who recognized Sua gathered, but this time, not only people who simply recognize her but people who have affection will gather.

Sua’s heart cannot help but warm. Sua moved? She decided to respond as well as possible.

And one more thing.

‘…Yang Ha-rin is among those people?’

Why on earth?

◈◈◈◈◈

3 hours later. Mystic Headquarters.

While Sua was moving breathlessly to carry out her next schedules, the headquarters was also busy. It was even more so now because of the overflowing parcels sent from various places.

“Are these all parcels? So many came?”

“Why are the boxes so big?”

The employees’ reactions soon turned to admiration.

“It’s for Sua again.”

“I heard they sent these to get in Sua’s good graces. These things are coming all day, is this right?”

“I like it. I haven’t had to buy anything to eat these days thanks to these things. Oh! Sandwiches came this time!”

There are many kinds of gifts, but the most common is sending food for Sua’s staff to eat. This is why Mystic employees have bright faces these days.

“We’re living well thanks to Sua.”

“I know right. I’m glad I joined this company.”

As such, Sua’s position continues to rise even among the newly added employees at Mystic.

Meanwhile, CEO Kim Yi-seo was busy on the phone.

─♩♪♬

It was like that even looking at the call coming in right now.

“Hello. This is Mystic CEO Kim Yi-seo.”

The person on the call was the PD in charge of ‘It Turned Out That Way.’ It was the work that Sua requested a script because of Joo Hyun’s participation.

“Yes, yes. PD-nim.”

Kim Yi-seo engaged in the call with a polite attitude.

“I would be most grateful if you sent it by quick service. I’m busy these days…. Ah, you want to see my face briefly since the filming set is nearby? Of course, it would be nice to see you in person, but….”

Kim Yi-seo narrowed her brows.

‘She’s scheming a lot.’

These are people who didn’t have any contact with Mystic usually, so it was impossible to receive the script by appealing to their feelings. In other words, the situation naturally took the form of a transaction.

That’s why everyone was like this. It’s not that they won’t give it, but they want Kim Yi-seo to come and get it in person.

‘If I actually meet them, they won’t just give me the script. They’ll make a lot of requests about Sua.’

Kim Yi-seo knew that. She boasted that she had developed a quick sense to survive in this industry.

Yes, but still.

“Yes. I understand. I’ll go right now.”

She still agreed easily.

Sua was a precious existence to Kim Yi-seo, and she could handle this much hardship to grant her requests. The psychological warfare may be tiring, but I’ll overcome it all.

She decided not to think of it as particularly difficult. Compared to what Sua does for her, this is really nothing.

◈◈◈◈◈

The next morning. A radio studio.

[ ON AIR ]

[ FM Sweet City, this is Kim Yoo-shin ]

Sua was now even managing radio schedules. The host was singer Kim Yoo-shin, whom even Sua knew.

Currently, the progress was slowly coming to an end.

Kim Yoo-shin said.

“I was worried that Sua would be too taciturn, but that’s not exactly the case. I really enjoyed the conversation we had in the studio today. Thank you.”

“Me too.”

It was a lie.

Huh? Why do you ask?

‘I’m never doing radio again! Never!’

Enjoyable my ass! Since she couldn’t use her special traits, every moment was painful. Conversing with others on live radio was still too high of a difficulty for Sua.

…Still, she was able to avoid all remarks that could be controversial thanks to Yoo-hanSua. Anyway, it’s hard.

“Ah, lastly.”

Then Kim Yoo-shin opened his mouth.

“Sua’s articulation is better than I thought, and her pronunciation is also very clear. It’s like she has the feeling of a singer or a professional voice actor? Do you perhaps have hobbies in that area?”

“I like to sing.”

“Oh? Really? Sua, is that true?”

“…?”

Sua was inwardly greatly flustered. Sua paused!

It was the first time she had voluntarily said something in the studio today, but the reaction was unusual. Did she perhaps make a mistake?

Fortunately, that didn’t seem to be the case.

“I really can’t imagine Sua singing. I definitely want to hear it someday. Listeners, did you all hear that? Sua has a hobby of singing. She will definitely let us hear it someday.”

Kim Yoo-shin chuckled here.

“Everyone is really looking forward to it, right? Right?”

Then the chat window was instantly covered with yeses.

The radio shoot ended like that. So busy I could die….

. . .

Sua wasn’t done just by finishing her work now.

Huh? What does that mean?

‘Uheuheuaeueoheueo….’

That’s what Sua’s situation was like these days. She wasn’t done just by finishing official work. Every time something ends, a lot of related people flock around Sua.

“Sua, is it possible to get an autograph?”

“Me too!”

“Is it really a drawing for the autograph?”

Sua did them silently.

“It, it’s real? A drawing!”

“How did you draw this in one stroke?”

“Sua, the chatting firepower was no joke today. The reaction to radio isn’t usually this hot.”

Sua replied with eyes that had a slight dark circle.

“Yeaaah….”

When she returned to the parking lot, the van had changed.

It was subtly different from the van that had brought Sua here. Isn’t this the vehicle used when riding with Kim Yi-seo? Sure enough, the CEO was inside.

‘…What is it? CEO looks very tired too?’

Sua was surprised even amidst being happy. What should she say, if seaweed that has absorbed water transformed into a cute form, wouldn’t it be like this?

Kim Yi-seo gestured.

“Sua, hurry up and get in since you must be tired. Let’s go back.”

“You look more tired, CEO. There was no need to come pick me up….”

Sua spat it out like that, then suddenly realized. Kim Yi-seo isn’t someone who does actions without a reason.

Right, there’s a reason why Kim Yi-seo came all the way here.

“Ah, perhaps the scripts? Already?”

Kim Yi-seo nodded.

“Correct.”

Kim Yi-seo pointed to the stack of scripts piled up on one of the seats, then closed her eyes. Gathering both hands over her chest and closing her eyes, it was as if she was about to die.

…She must be very tired.

“Check it right away. I’ll catch some shut-eye for a while. Those cocky people are making absurd demands while only giving one script….”

“You didn’t listen to all of that, right?”

“I’m Kim Yi-seo. Of course, I drew a firm line and only received the script. Ah, I’m too sleepy for a while….”

“Rest. I’ll look into it quickly.”

Sua immediately began to explore the scripts.

‘Ugh, I’m so nervous when I actually try to check it!’

She strongly thought it would be good if Kang Hak-man was the culprit. He’s the trashy bastard who touched Sua’s body as he pleased, right? She hoped that something would happen and he would receive social punishment.

Before long, she was able to confirm the results.

[It Turned Out That Way]

▶ Sufficient implementation elements

▶ Grade 10

[Project W]

▶ Sufficient implementation elements

▶ Grade 10

It was now certain. The works in which Joo Hyun and Kang Hak-man participated all indicated grade 10.

“Hoo-ah…!”

Sua sighed with relief and a bright expression.

That’s a relief. The Sua Association, which had been watching the situation all along, reacted violently.

─Maid Sua has done it!

─A career professional is indeed different.

Wi Ji-hye and Kim Yoo-han stroked the embarrassed Maid Sua wildly. Huh? Why? It seems like Gangster Sua is slightly anxious? Well, that’s not important right now.

‘Wow, the more I think about it, the more he’s a real crazy bastard.’

The goosebumps came three beats later. Sua only felt chills after the thrill of predicting correctly had subsided.

‘He has a wife and daughter, but he’s having an affair with another actress? Not only that, but he’s also groping my body? Did he manage his reputation to do this kind of thing? Is he an intelligent Kim Joon-ki!’

Thump thump thump─!

Sua steadied her surprised heart and organized the words she would say from now on. This wasn’t difficult. It was something that the Sua Association had decided on a long time ago.

After a while, Kim Yi-seo, who had taken a nap, woke up.

“Uhm…. Ah! Without even realizing it!”

Kim Yi-seo, who realized she had fallen asleep, woke up with a start, but was soon surprised by something else. It was because she found Sua with a very serious expression.

“…Sua?”

“CEO. I have something to tell you.”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I fell asleep.”

“That’s not it.”

Sua shook her head and met Kim Yi-seo’s eyes.

“I, I’m not going to do Crescendo from tomorrow.”

“Um…?”

Soon Kim Yi-seo was wide awake.

“Yes? What did you say? Sua, you’ve already signed a contract for Crescendo from tomorrow, right? You promised you wouldn’t change your mind…!”

“To be precise, I won’t do it if Kang Hak-man doesn’t leave. That person touched my thighs and butt. It wasn’t a mistake, it was clear sexual harassment.”

Sua spoke with more strength in her voice than ever before. Did that sincerity get through enough?

“…What did you say?”

Kim Yi-seo’s expression twisted in an instant.

◈◈◈◈◈

Later.

Kim Yi-seo, with a heavily crumpled face, told Sua to wait. She said she would cancel all of today’s schedules. The reason was that she would listen to Sua’s words in great detail.

‘It’s really a grateful thing.’

Having an ally you can trust. Sua was newly aware that it was something very warm. It was a grateful and touching feeling at the same time.

“Hooo….”

At that moment, as she took another deep breath.

‘Huh? Wait a minute.’

She suddenly noticed something that was bothering her.

‘It’s become certain that Kang Hak-man and Lee Joo-hyun are the cause. Let’s say I’m going to drive them out from now on. But the roles need to be filled. Who will fill those spots?’

It would be good if anyone could fill them, but when you think back to the past, that wasn’t always the case. There were quite a few cases where someone’s name was written next to the role.

Why, Sua’s name was clearly written on Wi Ji-hye’s.

The moment she turned on the trait window with a simple question.

“Huh?”

Sua’s eyes widened.

This was because the notifications in the trait window were flooding in as if water was leaking from a burst dam. The amount was enormous.

[Crescendo From Tomorrow]

001 ─ Kim So-hee (Lee Sua)

002 ─ Park Min-seo (Ham Ah-yoon)

And.

003 ─ Kim Yoon-kyung (Lee Joo-hyun→Yang Ha-rin)

“…Huh?”

The trait window continued to appear.

[Yeon Cheon-gyeong Dogam] [1. Kim Seon-il : Yeon Cheon-gyeong ─ Harmony] [2. Seo Yeon-joo : Yeon Cheon-gyeong ─ Love] [3. ■■■ ─ ■■■■] [4. Yang Ha-rin : Cannot be unlocked due to scheduled death]

Sua’s eyes widened and her mouth hung open blankly, not caring and not paying attention at all.