episode_0098

“Okay then, thank you for your hard work this week~ See you next week! Haha!”

“… … ?”

After all filming was over, PD Shin had a smile on his face as he called cut and sent the contestants away.

“… what? Are you crazy… ?”

There certainly wasn’t anything good going on for PD Shin this week, but maybe he’s suffering from bipolar disorder… .

At that time, I tilted my head and passed him by.

Smirking.

“… … ?”

I made eye contact with PD Shin for a moment… , Producer Shin looked at me and just smiled.

Oh soso.

Seeing that creepy sight, I turned my head and walked out of the set.

I don’t know why he does that when he sees me, but… , I felt dirty.

When I came out, it was night, as usual.

If there is anything different from usual… .

“It’s warm now… .”

Unlike when the last filming ended… , the day was so warm that it was okay to wear short sleeves.

It seems like summer is coming sooner each year, but isn’t that too fast?

It was Naaah that started in weather that required wearing a coat… , It’s hot now.

There are two contests remaining.

After just two contests, it will be over.

I walked forward, feeling that time was passing really quickly.

It was then.

“Sister-!!”

I turned my head to meet someone when I heard a voice calling me… .

Pook.

Seo Yu-jin, who was ready to return home, fell into my arms.

“Yujin.”

“Hehe, thank you for your hard work this week. Thanks to you, our team came in first place.”

Yes.

Our team ended up taking first place in audience votes in the third team competition and received the benefit of preventing all team members from being eliminated.

“I didn’t do it alone. We all worked hard together.”

“… … .”

Seo Yu-jin buried her face in my chest and answered in a serious tone.

“Thank you so much. … Really.”

“… … .”

I looked down at Seo Yu-jin and fell into thought for a moment.

What would Seo Yu-jin be like in a world without me?

Seo Yu-jin in World Without Me was also witch-hunted and criticized at first, but public opinion would have turned around again due to Lee Yeo-reum’s revelations.

but… .

For some reason, I felt that Seo Yu-jin, who was there without me, would not have been able to rise again no matter how much public opinion had reversed.

At that time, Seo Yu-jin was too mentally broken to stand up alone.

Because she never made her debut, I don’t even remember her face.

My existence… , which changed Seo Yu-jin’s life.

At this, I felt a strange feeling and stroked Seo Yu-jin’s head.

Seo Yu-jin savored my petting like a cat and then asked me in a whisper.

“… Sister, where do you live?”

“I live in Seoul, why… ?”

“If you live in Seoul… , would you like to come with me? I’ll give you a ride in my parents’ car.”

“Oh, sorry… . The company boss came to pick me up.”

When he offered to take me there, I smiled and declined.

I appreciate the favor, but only Kang Hyung would have come to get me today.

When I refused, Seo Yu-jin stuck out her lips for a moment and then hugged me tightly once more and said,

“value… , Then sister… . Could it be that… , Can I go see my sister next week?”

“Me? Are you coming to see me?”

“Let’s play together. … Can’t we?”

“Hmm… .”

Seo Yu-jin, who seemed to have figured out how to persuade me, begged me with her bright eyes shining.

I was shaken for a moment by this, but… .

“I think it’s better not to do that.”

I refused again.

“… yes? Why? In case you don’t like me… .”

“It’s not like that. Now that we’re past the halfway mark, there will be a lot of people who recognize us. If we meet, I’m sure we’ll attract a lot of people’s attention.”

“Ah… .”

“It’s a pity, but we’ll see you next time we film. Huh?”

“Yes… .”

It was at that time that Seo Yu-jin, who had become very obedient by now, nodded as if she would follow my instructions.

“Eujin!!”

When I turned my head when I heard a voice calling for Seo Yu-jin, I saw Seo Yu-jin’s parents approaching this way, calling for her.

Seeing that, Seo Yu-jin said to me as if she was saying goodbye… .

“Sister, I think I should go now. I will contact you frequently, so please make sure to receive it.”

“Contact? ah… , yes.”

“And next week we will be on the same team again.”

“Yes, it would be nice for me to team up with you.”

“Then, sister… , See you next week… !”

… She pressed her face into my arms and ran towards her parents.

I waved at Seo Yu-jin and opened her status window one last time.

[Status abnormality: Mild anxiety disorder, extreme separation anxiety]

[Characteristic: No one under the eye – Currently locked.]

[Characteristic: Left Protection Law – You have received His grace and become His person. You have decided to give Him your all. Your abilities, your body, your emotions… , everything. On the day when the devil’s heaven is established, you will enjoy all the glory at his feet!]

[Characteristic effect: My Sky, My Master: When you are with a Heavenly Demon trait holder, all stats slightly increase! You get additional effects when the Heavenly Demon uses skills! Your obsession with the Heavenly Demon will increase significantly!]

The status abnormality that still maintains a good condition and the characteristic called ‘Left Guard Method’ are noticeable.

‘Left guard method… , I’ve definitely seen it in martial arts circles.’

From what I saw, the closest aide in charge of guarding Cheonma was the guard.

‘I think there was also a friendship law and a great protection law in addition to the left protection law… .’

So, besides Seo Yu-jin, two more people could be my protectors?

‘It’s a bit burdensome… .’

It was nice to have a definitive side on my side, but what caught me was the characteristic effect of the defense.

My obsession with myself is increasing… , Seo Yu-jin alone is really mad at me right now.

‘If this number increases to three people, won’t they just fight with me in the middle?’

I turned off Seo Yu-jin’s status window while thinking about such a funny thing.

And when I picked up my cell phone to contact Kang Hyeong-man… .

Cook, cook.

Someone called out to me from behind, poking me with a finger.

“Sister.”

“Oh, it’s Hannah.”

It was me Hanna.

As soon as I saw her, I smiled and said,

“I enjoyed the stage. Well done.”

“I thought I did well too… , I don’t think I can beat the born-to-be monsters. It’s a bit disappointing.”

The team that Na Hanna and Lee Hye-jeong belong to ranked third, following the team of Yoo Seol and me.

Then the born-to-be monster is… , are you talking about a rumor with me…? ?

I quickly changed the topic at the burdensome title.

“… Just do better next time. Are you going back now?”

“Yes. I was waiting for a while because my parents said they were almost there.”

“I see.”

Wow.

As soon as I finished speaking, Nahanna’s cell phone rang.

I took a quick look and saw ‘Mom’ written on the screen.

“Even tigers come when I say so… , I guess you have arrived. I’ll go first, sister. Next time, join the same team as me.”

“Okay, okay.”

When Seo Yu-jin and Na Hanna asked me to team up with them, I felt like I had become a popular girl.

I smiled and waved my hand.

In response, Nahanna also waved her hand at me and turned her back.

however… .

“Ah… , but sister.”

Nahanna suddenly stopped walking and looked back at me, probably because she had something to say.

“Why is it happening?”

“That… .”

It was a serious expression that was not typical of me.

“I mean Hyejeong… .”

“Hyejeong unnie? Why?”

Na Hanna appeared to have become quite close with Lee Hye-jeong while teaming with her this time.

But why Hyejeong Lee all of a sudden? Is there any problem?

“That… .”

“Why? Even if you don’t know what’s going on, feel free to say it.”

“… … .”

Na Hanna looked uncharacteristically worried about whether she should speak or not… .

“… No, no.”

… I immediately shook my head.

“Just forget what I just said. Then I’ll go. See you next time!”

Just like that, Nahanna left the set without even finishing what she wanted to say.

Basically, the thing that pisses me off the most in the world is stopping to talk… .

I felt my stomach tighten and guessed what Nahanna was trying to say.

‘What were you trying to say?’

It was clear that this was a story related to Lee Hye-jeong.

So, I looked around to see if Lee Hye-jeong was nearby and asked her in person… , Unfortunately, I couldn’t find her.

instead… .

“Ah… .”

“… … !”

As I turned to look for Lee Hye-jeong, I made eye contact with Yoo Seol, who was leaving the set with a suitcase in tow.

Even though she had just won second place in the competition, she had a more haggard face than anyone else. As soon as she saw me, she was shocked… .

“… … .”

Soon he lowered his head and passed me by, pretending not to see me.

I was thinking about catching that rumor… , I just let her go.

It’s still shocking that she decided to send Seo Yu-jin into the abyss… , I couldn’t question her because she looked more distressed than anyone else.

Moreover, her condition… .

[Status: Depression, anxiety disorder, extreme self-loathing.]

If my presence changed Seo Yu-jin in a positive way, different from her previous life… , My existence in this life was nothing short of a disaster to Yu Seol.

It is said that he should have enjoyed unrivaled popularity originally, but because of me, his popularity is lower than in his previous life.

Originally, Yu Seol was supposed to receive a recruitment offer from Han Si Woo… , I also took that opportunity away.

In many ways, I feel like I took away something that Yu Seol should have enjoyed in her past life… , I couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable with her.

So, I feel sorry, resentment, etc… , I watched Yoo Seol leave with eyes full of complex emotions.

And then… .

Ugh-.

My cell phone rang. It was only Kang Hyung.

[Yerin, where are you? Are you not finished yet?]

As soon as I answered the phone and heard Kang Hyeong-man’s voice, I shook off the unpleasant feeling I had while watching Yoo Seol and shouted courageously.

“No, I’m finished.”

[Okay, then come inside the parking lot.]

“Yes.”

Following his words, I went to the parking lot and saw a black sedan parked in the same spot as always.

I felt comfortable after seeing it and immediately got into the car.

“Boss, Sanggu oppa.”

“You had a hard time.”

“… Hello.”

When I got into the car, Kang Hyeong-man and Sang-gu said hello.

As always, his tone was indifferent but friendly.

“… You look good. Did the chocolate I gave you work?”

“I enjoyed it very much.”

“Yes, I’m glad.”

Kang Hyeong-man chuckled when he heard that he enjoyed the chocolate he gave him.

I smiled at that smile too.

Only Kang Hyeong and I, who usually have cold expressions, smiled, and the atmosphere immediately became warm.

but… .

“Okay, aren’t you tired? I’ll take you to the hotel quickly.”

“… … .”

This warm atmosphere is broken by my next words.

Since I didn’t answer when he asked me to go to a hotel, Kang Hyeong-man was shocked and asked me.

“… Is there somewhere you can stop by? Or do you want to go somewhere else?”

“… … .”

I thought about it for a long time this week.

and… , I came to the conclusion that I should not avoid it anymore.

“Home… .”

“… … What?”

“Please go home, boss.”

“… … !”

As soon as they heard my answer, Kang Hyeong-man and Sang-gu’s eyes opened wide.