A small community where all its members are cherished.
It was, of course, Sua’s group chat.
Currently, as expected, the conversation there was lively.
[Black Bear: Sua, you got the award? What is it?]
[Black Bear: And what’s this about Japanese proficiency?]
[Black Bear: Oh, damn, I need to hand in my phone.]
[Monkeying: Yang Ha-rin won too.]
[Monkeying: I used to be a fan of hers, so I’m quite shocked.]
[Deer: I feel strange every time the internet goes down.]
[Deer: Sua’s face keeps popping up.]
The group chat was ablaze with activity.
However, Saeng-ji, Deer, and Monkeying weren’t actually online. They were currently gathered together, having delivered a bowl of hangover soup.
Deer asked,
“Are we going to eat this and then part ways?”
“Nope. Sun-a unni said there’s going to be a meeting.”
Suddenly, some meeting. Though Deer quietly muttered under her breath, her body was already diligently preparing for it.
Mostly, this involved buying some snacks or tea and setting up a tempting, cozy scene around the table.
Why? When you decide to study, there are times you suddenly want to clean up your surroundings first, right? It’s kind of like that.
Before long, the snack table was arranged.
Saeng-ji was still not there, so two of them sat down first.
“So, what’s this meeting about?”
“I don’t know. Sun-a unni probably knows.”
“But there’s no way to ask Sun-a unni. She’s been getting a ton of phone calls ever since earlier.”
At that moment,
Deer had scooped up a handful of snacks and eaten them.
The eyebrows of Monkeying, positioned under an orange hairstyle, twitched slightly. After all, everyone had chipped in to buy the snacks.
“What are you doing? The meeting hasn’t even started yet.”
“Well, exactly, so I’m eating. For our benefit.”
“What nonsense is that?”
“You know, once you start eating something delicious, the meeting tends to take a back seat. So, I’m getting rid of it early so we can focus on the meeting.”
“You just want to eat the snacks, don’t you?”
“That’s correct. That’s why I’m eating without hesitation. It’s a win-win—eating delicious snacks with good intentions.”
Even after that, Deer continued to grab handfuls of snacks, while Monkeying watched her intently with narrowed eyes.
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
“These snacks are expensive. We pooled our money to buy them.”
“So, you should try some too. They’re delicious.”
“…”
Monkeying pondered for a moment and then made her decision.
Sun-a unni wasn’t here yet anyway. Starting to eat now would likely recoup the costs. Plus, Deer was enjoying the snacks so much, it seemed irresistible.
Finally, Monkeying also reached out.
“Now that I think about it, I also want the meeting to go smoothly. I’ll prove my appreciation for our friendship.”
“That’s impressive. Sun-a unni would definitely be proud.”
“That’s right. Let’s eat the snacks and drinks now, and as soon as Sun-a unni arrives, we’ll start the meeting.”
A little later.
When Saeng-ji-Kim Sun-a completed her call and arrived, the two women were lying down, patting their lower stomachs.
…
…
…
…
…
Finally, the meeting resumed after they took a nap.
“Did everyone send congratulatory messages to Sua?”
At Saeng-ji’s question, the two nodded.
It wasn’t surprising. Sua’s chat group was the kind that would take care of each other during occasions like this.
Still, the manner in which they treated Sua had become slightly more cautious.
In the past, they would exchange insults like ‘why were you born’ while preparing gifts, but now they tended to say things like ‘always take care of yourself.’ It was that kind of change.
Deer asked,
“Anyway, how big is an achievement like getting an award for a short film?”
“It’s like getting a certification sticker.”
Monkeying said this with her mouth still full of crackers. Kim Sun-a, only now realizing something, was startled. “Where are my crackers?”
Deer asked again,
“Certification sticker?”
“Yeah. It’s like getting a certificate that says it’s okay to use Sua as an actress. The significance of this award is profound, but the crucial point is the immense help it will provide for future endeavors. Like a starter pack in a game.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. It’s like stepping onto the first rung of success.”
“It’s not even a step, more like an elevator.”
Deer scratched her head.
“Well, it’s true that Sua is an incredible actress. When I turn on the TV, viewers often bring up stories about Sua. Everyone only has praise for her. She must have left quite an impression.”
“That’s correct. By the way, weren’t you Shikarin?”
Monkeying giggled and shook her head.
“Having a friend who’s the top Virtual YouTuber is so shocking it could knock you over, but with Sua, it seems mundane. Hilarious.”
“Exactly. Honestly, I expected you guys to be surprised.”
“Still, right now, Sua’s causing quite the stir in the community.”
Afterward, Monkeying showed them the logs of managing the Lee Su-a gallery. From being prominently featured in real-time trending galleries, to attracting all kinds of attention, and dealing with all sorts of chaos.
At some point, Deer tilted her head.
“Wait, but I’m a Virtual YouTuber.”
“Yeah.”
“Well, knowing Japanese is a huge advantage for Virtual YouTubers, right? So, I’ve actually been learning Japanese too. My agency even enrolled me in a Japanese language school.”
“So?”
“Well, I’ve been learning for almost six months, but I’m only just able to hold a conversation now. But how about Sua…?”
“Were you just lazy in your studies?”
“…Was I? Considering it’s my livelihood?”
Though it was called a meeting, it was more like Deer and Monkeying chatting to themselves. But finally, it was Saeng-ji’s turn to speak.
“I’ll share my story now. Anyway, it’s related to Sua, and it’s part of the conversation we’re expected to have today.”
A more serious expression than usual.
“Star Catch keeps calling me.”
“…Those bastards? What do they say?”
“Please come back. They want me to write articles about Sua or Lee Su-an. If not, even working as a freelancer briefly would be fine.”
Deer and Monkeying’s eyes widened.
“They have no conscience, do they?”
“How shameless to talk to us like that after what they’ve done. Go away.”
Saeng-ji nodded.
“I agree. Even if I return, there’s no way I can maintain a good relationship with them. But I’ve been secretly considering a return.”
“…Unni, is it because of money? If it’s living expenses, I can cover it. Let’s live together for a while. I was bored anyway, just doing broadcasts. Plus, sponsorships lately have been going well.”
“No, it’s not about money.”
Saeng-ji shook her head.
“Don’t we all know by now?”
“What?”
“That Sua is sick. She has Asperger’s syndrome.”
Then there was silence.
The atmosphere became a little somber.
“I checked, and Asperger’s syndrome has a structure that makes it impossible to make friends.”
“Is that… true?”
“Yes. Due to poor social skills, she prefers solitude, leading to a severe decline in communication skills. She exhibits incomprehensible behaviors and sometimes has seizure symptoms…”
The two nodded. That sounds like Sua…
Deer continued,
“In short, she only knows how to distinguish between people who are friendly toward her and those who are hostile, making it difficult to create true friendships. How lonely must she have been all this time?”
“That’s… true…”
“Looking back, the moments when Sua used to make us feel frustrated and angry were probably her desperate attempts to create friendships in her life.”
“…”
Here they were, seriously discussing something that if Sua heard, she might jump around in anger. Their expressions were now serious.
“So, what if we help her in our respective fields to establish her as an actress?”
“Our respective fields?”
“Yes. I’ll return to Star Catch and write favorable articles for Sua. They promised me a great position.”
“Hmm…”
Deer soon nodded.
“Alright. I’ll occasionally mention Sua during my broadcasts. That alone will have a pretty big promotional effect. Considering the sponsors who might include advertisements in exchange for me mentioning her a few times.”
“Well, then I…”
Monkeying, with her arms crossed and eyes closed, thought for a moment.
“I’ll… Hmm… Ah, got it.”
She opened her eyes wide.
“I’ll create a fan cafe. For managing public opinion.”
This was a symbolic moment.
The moment Su-a Mobile Force 808 was formed.
“What can we have Black Bear do?”
“…Leave it. He’s already working hard as a soldier. Don’t trouble him.”
◈◈◈◈◈
Meanwhile, what is Sua doing?
Huh? What is she doing?
Lately, Sua is addicted to her phone.
“Hihhih.”
This is because, wherever she goes on the internet, she can easily find stories related to herself. And it’s not just any stories—they’re all praises. How could anyone not become addicted?
Hihhih. She likes compliments.
Isn’t there a saying that praise makes even an Arctic Fox dance?
That’s how Sua swayed her hips slightly while looking at her phone.
Then she realized something else.
[ThisIsSuaGallery]
[Title: Gallery Owner Seems Quite Smart]
[Title: What’s the Gallery Owner’s 3 Sizes?]
[Title: The Gallery Owner Looks Rather Intimidating]
[Title: Why Doesn’t the Gallery Owner Appear in Noir Films?]
“Oh, so this is how they see me.”
She naturally realized how she was perceived by the public. Apparently, due to her sharp features, she had gained quite an aloof image.
There was no avoiding deeper thoughts. She wanted to change.
Who wouldn’t naturally want to present a good image to people who had high expectations for her?
PAH-!
Thus, Sua immediately entered the special space.
Working hard at acting is already a given these days.
In the future, she had to understand herself and the use of special features much better—for Sua’s brighter future and not to disappoint people who were looking forward to her.
“Special Feature. Special Feature.”
[Received]
“At the awards ceremony, I suddenly felt a bit smarter. Why was that?”
[I am a special feature]
[I merely assist.]
[I cannot interfere against my master’s will.]
“Hmm…”
In other words, it meant that it was impossible for Special Feature to forcibly take over Sua’s body.
“I understand that point now. But I’m still curious why I was particularly smart at that moment. Can you explain that too?”
[Because the master sincerely desired it.]
[I also utilized my full capabilities.]
“Ah?”
[What exists within the master.]
[Sua Association.]
[They are continuously absorbing their positive qualities.]
“Oh!”
It was fantastic news. It meant that it was absorbing only the strengths of the small Suas within her.
‘Thank goodness. Even if a dangerous character later takes root in my heart, there won’t be much of a problem. It’s truly excellent.”
Her curiosity was resolved much faster than expected.
Sua was about to leave the special feature space without much thought.
“Ah, right. Special Feature.”
Suddenly, an idea came.
“…Your speech is too rigid. Can’t you make that less formal?”
[It’s possible.]
At the same time, the special feature window moved.
[…Searching for suitable figures…]
[…Downloading characters…]
After a while,
[Master, is this tone okay…]
“What, what is this?”
[What kind of reaction is that?]
[I’m hurt since I changed it specially for you.]
Sua immediately thought of someone.
“…Yeon-joo unni? Just hold on, it’s good that it’s not rigid, but using someone I know is too awkward. Please avoid using someone from my circle. Use something else.”
[Confirmed.]
[…Searching on internet communities…]
[…Absorbing ThisIsSuaGallery…]
After a while,
[Hi]
“What is this now?”
[If you want to criticize, go ahead. Why so picky?]
[This much request is killing me ㅋㅋ]
[You want me doing this and that? My butt is itching for a spanking show ㅋㅋㅋ]
“Y-ya, stop that. I said not to do that.”
Sua broke into a cold sweat. Seriously.
“Can’t you just follow my tone? That feels fine. It feels like I’m talking to myself.”
It seemed like a pretty reasonable thought.
“I feel like I’m having a conversation with myself, and it’s not a bad thing.”
This was also an opportunity to understand her own tone.
[Not Recommended.]
[Too underdeveloped.]
[Difficulties in communication will arise.]
“…What are you saying? Just do it quickly.”
[Tsk.]
[…Absorbing Lee Su-a…]
But something strange happened.
A long time passed.
A really long time without the feature responding.
Finally, Sua broke the silence.
“Hello? Excuse me.”
[Hmm.]
“…Hmm? What’s with no words?”
[Huh?]
“Hey, what’s happening? Are you ignoring me?”
[Ah.]
Sua already felt like she couldn’t breathe.
Well, how can one describe it—like talking to a wall?
No, if it were a wall, it wouldn’t be this frustrating. No one expects a response from a wall.
So this was a different kind of despair.
“…”
Sua spaced out for a moment and then suddenly snapped back to reality.
“This is weird. How can this be my only response? Hmm, ah, huh. Is this all the sound I can make in response?”
[Agreed.]
“What? But when did I…”
[You’ve been fully understood.]
“…”
At this point, Sua couldn’t help but sigh in exasperation.
It wasn’t just that the conversation wasn’t getting through. She even felt like the feature wasn’t paying attention to what she said, as if it was zoning out.
“Hey!”
Finally, Sua couldn’t hold back and yelled.
“You crazy feature!”
[?]
“What’s the question mark for!? You didn’t focus on a single thing I just said! You’re ignoring your master! What did I just say!?”
[You called me a crazy feature. Why do you insult me…]
“…”
There was no helping it. Sua had to admit it.
That her communication skills were utterly disastrous.
Therefore, she needed to change from here on out. It was clear that immense effort would be required.
In the end, Sua, bowing her head deeply, said,
“Sorry. Just go back to the way you were.”
With the resolution to develop further.
[Mirror therapy has ended.]
“Hey.”
