Chapter 122

Da-yeon’s support probably does not have any real malice.

To her, Diah must be like a cute younger cousin.

“Fortunately, she hasn’t caught on yet.”

The request to hear a sample of the voice pack was directed towards Diah, not me.

She simply spent a large sum of 100,000 won because she wanted to hear the cute voice of someone she adored.

However, it does feel a bit too much to push for what I want from Diah with money each time.

Nevertheless, from Da-yeon’s perspective, it’s a perfectly normal situation.

Hearing the news of Diah’s first merchandise release, her curiosity and intent to purchase surged.

So, she came to the merchandise introduction broadcast and made a request related to it.

There really isn’t any hidden intention behind these two matters.

Everything Da-yeon did happened naturally because she liked Diah.

Thus, how Diah appeared to Da-yeon also had to feel natural.

I had to respect Da-yeon’s support and do my best to fulfill her request.

To Da-yeon, Diah and I are simply separate individuals.

Her relationship with me should also remain distinct.

This means that Da-yeon’s support for Diah should only receive Diah’s responses in return.

It also meant that my answer, Lee Ha-eun’s response, shouldn’t be captured by the broadcasting microphone.

Therefore, even when I played a sample of Diah’s voice pack.

When I had to turn off the broadcasting microphone for a moment due to the embarrassing rush of warmth afterward, I had to turn it back on completely.

“I’ve recorded a lot more lines, so please show a lot of interest in the voice pack~.”

I couldn’t let her find out that my lips were trembling.

Making it obvious that I was flustered would only increase Da-yeon’s chance of uncovering Diah’s true identity.

“Compared to the day she figures it out, right now is nothing…”

I had to delay the day when Da-yeon would discover Diah’s red pill as much as possible.

– Is this a blessing? (genuinely don’t know)

– I feel like I need to listen to it once more hahaha

– Is it true that it includes alarm sounds and ringtones?

– So when does the sale start?

– I’m getting dizzy; please give me the voice pack quickly.

Fortunately, I couldn’t find anything particularly strange in the chat room.

From there, I began to introduce Diah’s character file according to the original plan.

“When you look at it like this, it just looks like someone lying down, but when you overlap the back, tada, you’ve completed the night sky~!”

– Oh

– So this is how character files come out these days.

– That’s amazing.

– Can you release a body pillow in this version, Diah?

– Is the outer layer translucent?

I continued to take out each item from the box and show it on the cam.

Perhaps due to the long duration of the merchandise introduction, the aftereffects of the voice pack preview seemed to have somewhat dissipated.

Finally, after showcasing the tiny keychains, I switched the screen back to the original broadcast view.

I displayed a more detailed product image than what was shown in the merchandise preview post right in the middle of the monitor.

“Once we receive the orders, they will be shipped all at once later. If you have any more questions, feel free to leave a question post on the fan cafe~.”

By announcing the information regarding merchandise delivery, I had informed everything that Da-yeon requested to be notified about.

However, since the commotion in the chat room still seemed to need some time to settle down.

“Then, from now on….”

– Click.

– Click click.

– Tap tap—

“I’ll preview the other sisters’ merchandise! Let’s see how much they have!”

I took some time to visit the merchandise preview posts of the other members and talked about which items I wanted.

Of course, the members were supposed to introduce the details directly.

For now, it was simply personal chat about the merchandise of the other members.

I already knew what the other members’ merchandise looked like, but it would spoil the fun to reveal it.

“I personally want Ria sister’s keyring the most. It would be fun if she was dangling from my bag☆”

– What?

– Huh?

– Diah, are you saying you want to hang Ria up?

– Ria beeeeeeeeg!!!

– My wish is to carry Ria like some kind of treasure (somewhat of an exaggerated interpretation).

After feeling that the chat room’s atmosphere had calmed down to some extent, I began to prepare to end the broadcast.

Regardless, the purpose of broadcasting for a slightly longer time than usual was fulfilled.

In other words, it felt like I achieved the goal of expanding the interest towards Diah to cover songs and merchandise.

“Then, next time I will tell you a little more about how I made Yuna into a person. See you at Yuna’s cover song announcement~!”

– Diva

– Is there no third episode of the broadcast?

– Is it true that they locked her up until Yuna could sing well?

– Just how badly could she have sung for them to say they made a person out of a spirit? Hahaha

– From the teaser, it doesn’t seem bad at all.

– This cover song soaked in blood, sweat, and tears is valuable.

– Ding.

[The broadcast has ended.]

“…Hah…”

It was right after I slowly rose from the broadcast chair.

I wasn’t in such a state that I might collapse at any moment like before, but how should I put it…

The embarrassment and awkwardness, which I had briefly set aside to showcase other merchandise besides the voice pack, began to creep back in.

“…………….”

With weary footsteps, I opened the soundproof booth door and almost collapsed on the bed in front of me.

Then, the events from the voice pack preview that started playing on repeat in my memory.

More accurately,

[Diah] – Hahahaha

Daya’s loud laughter in the chat after hearing Diah’s cute lines.

– Puck!

– Puck puck!!

I turned the white pillow, which was the only sin in front of me, into a punching bag.

Even while I pounded the soft pillow with both fists, I felt a shiver all over and could hardly stand it.

***

– Whoosh! Thud!

– Flap flap!

‘What’s going on this time?’

The dull thud coming from beyond Ha-eun’s door made Na-yeon immediately think this.

It was understandable since this wasn’t the first time Ha-eun had taken her anger out on innocent pillows or mattresses.

However, every time she asked about it, Ha-eun would turn red and mumble that it was nothing.

As a mother, she couldn’t help but imagine all sorts of possibilities—mainly regarding Ha-eun’s flirtatious romances—but decided to let it go for the time being.

Not long after, she knocked a couple of times as if deliberately ignoring any noise she had heard.

“Ha-eun, I have a request. Can I come in?”

Soon, what sounded like Ha-eun clearing her throat came from the small gap in the door, and she opened the door herself.

There stood the slightly flushed face of Ha-eun and the chaotic mess of her bed beyond.

‘You’d think it was bombed if someone saw it.’

It was undeniable that I wanted to scold her for the literally pitiful state of the bed.

Nonetheless, I decided to let it go this time and informed Ha-eun of the favor I had received a few days ago.

“An old friend of mine met some of my friends from high school, and she said she’s a huge fan of Baek Tae-hoon. Can you ask for an autograph?”

“Ah, okay. I’ll ask.”

What followed were several personal questions from Na-yeon regarding Baek Tae-hoon’s appearance on set.

Regardless, Baek Tae-hoon was a widely known actor among Na-yeon and her generation, so there were countless curiosities.

Nevertheless, from Ha-eun’s perspective, Na-yeon’s questions were somewhat disconnected from Baek Tae-hoon’s real persona.

Among them, especially.

“I’ve heard he’s really strict about NGs. Has he ever scolded you?”

“Ah… No? He hasn’t really said anything…”

Questions about Baek Tae-hoon’s personality were the most surprising to her.

Perhaps it was because Ha-eun had rarely made mistakes, she had never been scolded regarding NGs.

Setting aside the fact that Baek Tae-hoon was Ha-eun’s vastly more senior colleague, she didn’t particularly pay much attention to Baek Tae-hoon himself.

She just concentrated on portraying Kim Jeong-hyun to complement Baek Tae-hoon’s Park Ju-ho.

“He’s a pretty normal person.”

“His face isn’t normal, though.”

“…That’s true.”

There was no need to think of him as someone from another planet.

The thoughts I couldn’t express to Na-yeon came out, slightly softened, the next day at the filming set of [The Sunshine].

“What do you think of sunbae Baek?”

“I suppose it’s the difference between meeting on TV and meeting on set.”

What Baek Tae-hoon said next was that people’s perspectives on celebrities are originally like that.

Since they only encounter a polished image on TV, a sort of illusion is created.

Shortly after, Baek Tae-hoon’s autograph Ha-eun had requested was passed on.

“Tell her not to resell my autograph later.”

“Ah, okay. I’ll be sure to mention it.”

The autograph passed from Ju Jung-yun to Ha-eun eventually found its way into Ha-eun’s bag.

The preparation for today’s first shooting began a little later.

After adjusting for about 10 minutes, Ha-eun’s lying posture was fixed for a good camera shot.

Then, appearing before Baek Tae-hoon was Kim Jeong-hyun, who was lying in bed due to a gunshot wound on his left shoulder.

In the scene to be filmed shortly, Kim Jeong-hyun was expected to receive scolding and care simultaneously from Park Ju-ho.

Moreover, to avoid attracting suspicion from others, he had to disguise that he was receiving a lesson in the alphabet instead of care for his gunshot wound from Park Ju-ho.

Before long, what lay before Ha-eun was an alphabet textbook written vertically, not horizontally.

‘So this is what textbooks from the Joseon era looked like. This is fascinating.’

While Ha-eun was curiously looking at the textbook prop.

Finally, the set of [The Sunshine] was filled with Director Kwon Jae-hyuk’s countdown sounds, signaling that all preparations for filming were complete.

And just a few seconds later, action.

After lingering outside Kim Jeong-hyun’s door for quite some time, Park Ju-ho finally flung it open.

“…You’re still alive.”

“I owe my life to the kind one. The payment will fulfill my debts.”

“No, it’s fine. I can accept money from other households, but not from here.”

What followed was silence.

However, both Park Ju-ho and Kim Jeong-hyun presumed that there were many eyes and ears near Kim Jeong-hyun’s room.

“Hah, to think I’d also have to play the role of a teacher.”

Despite having a displeased expression about the situation, Park Ju-ho began teaching Kim Jeong-hyun the alphabet.

What was unexpected was Kim Jeong-hyun’s confidence-filled demeanor.

“You don’t have to start from the very beginning. I’ve already learned most of your standard stuff.”

The camera captured Kim Jeong-hyun as he proceeded to say one representative word for each letter in order.

Soon, having successfully said representative words up to J, Kim Jeong-hyun asserted himself as an excellent student.

Park Ju-ho, who had been slightly stern-faced, then asked about the meanings of the words Kim Jeong-hyun had just mentioned.

“Anyone can say it. What’s important is the meaning.”

“Uh, um. Key is a key. Love is….”

For quite a long time, Kim Jeong-hyun pondered deeply.

However, from distant memories.

“If I could entrust my life to this person, that’s what Love is, milady.”

Recalling the saying of missionary Hans Arnold about love, Kim Jeong-hyun finally blurted out.

“Oh, I understand. What you and I are doing right now is Love.”

With an expression completely free of shame, he gave an unusual answer that was uncertain if it was right or wrong.

Yet, Park Ju-ho maintained a calm expression as he replied.

“Love means love. Well, there are types of love where people can’t wait to kill each other.”

We wouldn’t be in a relationship anywhere near that.

His usual deep voice directed a solid gaze, without the slightest tremor, at Kim Jeong-hyun.

Thanks to that, Kim Jeong-hyun’s startled expression upon facing him.

“Ah, no, that… Oh, it’s a misunderstanding! What I mean is, I didn’t think of you in that way…!”

His stammering voice.

Possibly due to meeting Park Ju-ho’s sharp gaze, his face paled.

Soon the corners of his mouth began to tremble.

His head lowered.

His earlobes turned bright red.

Finally, the slight tears welling up in his beautiful eyes.

Kim Jeong-hyun’s painful embarrassment was fully on display.

“…Just forget it…”

In a voice so small it could be unheard if one wasn’t concentrating, Kim Jeong-hyun made a desperate plea.

With the soft request that slipped out, there was a fleeting smile on Park Ju-ho’s lips.

Thus, the first filming ended with Park Ju-ho smiling for the first time at Kim Jeong-hyun.

Almost simultaneously, a question or exclamation from Baek Tae-hoon reached Ha-eun.

“Did you practice this scene separately? You did even better than I expected.”

Ha-eun couldn’t say anything to this query from Baek Tae-hoon.

After all, the shy performance she just exhibited as Kim Jeong-hyun was born from a memory of the day prior.

“How can I say I acted cute in front of 10,000 people….”

Regardless, acting was something that Ha-eun had to do by any means necessary.

Even having to dredge up memories she would rather forget while portraying Kim Jeong-hyun.

“Well, I just practiced a few imaging exercises.”

She couldn’t reveal the truth.

There was simply no need to share her dark past; just recalling it was already leaving her trembling.

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