No matter how the storm may rage from all sides, the eye of the typhoon remains calm.
Currently, this was true for Sua.
Amidst the frantic whirlwind surrounding her now, Sua alone remained composed. Of course, this did not mean she had grown lazy.
Simply put…
-Sua, take a rest.
-Sua, it’s hectic dealing with all the PR-related things about you. I’ll let you know once it’s done.
-By the way, try communicating with the fox as much as you can. Co-hosting reality shows with pets is trending these days. Given Sua’s current growth, it wouldn’t be surprising if an offer came anytime soon.
Starting from Kim I-seo…
-Sua, please take a breather.
-We’ll do some PR involving you and Su-an. You don’t have to do any previews either. We’ll cut Kim Yu-han deliberately.
Even the production team of the Special Mobile Unit 808.
“Well, I am an actor. My job is to act.”
Sua’s work ends with filming.
Now it was everyone else’s turn to do their jobs. Although it seemed like public opinion battles were being waged from all sides, there was no reason for Sua to get involved.
There was also no need to feel guilty about not being able to help.
Thus, Sua was currently resting.
“But it’s not like before!”
She wasn’t blowing off steam by playing games, clutching dolls for pretend play, or wasting time lying around like a corpse. In fact, she was busier than ever.
Because she was currently filled with immense passion.
“Kiiiit…!”
(That’s enough!)
Surprisingly, the sound hadn’t come from the fox, but from Sua herself.
She had just experienced a script related to animals.
“Auuung. Au.”
(Can you hear me?)
Then the baby fox whipped its head around and stared at her intently. It was the moment Sua realized she had succeeded.
“Great! It really works!”
The script she had just experienced was titled ‘Paradise of Animals.’
It was an animated story from a virtual world where a fox and a rabbit developed a friendship. Naturally, Sua had experienced the role of the fox.
There was no need to wait for Kim I-seo to bring it to her.
The work was so famous and targeted at a young audience, allowing her to download the script immediately upon joining the fan club.
And the results were…
“Auuull.”
(Hello, finally we’re communicating.)
“Deeng…?”
(Mother…?)
The baby fox, Sumi, sparkled her eyes.
‘It works!’
Sua shivered.
It was a pleasant surprise for Sumi, and also a relief for Sua. Once the show airs, things would get very busy; but now, she could interact well with Sumi before sending her off to the center.
And there was one more thing-
“Aaaah, my heart hurts…”
Without realizing it, Sua grabbed her left chest.
Because the tiny, adorable life form had called her ‘mother.’
Soon, Sua’s eyes became moist as she asked,
“Yes, my daughter. Is there anything uncomfortable or anything you need?”
“I’m satisfied with my current life, Mother. But if I must say, it would be knowledge. I have many fears and curiosities.”
Sua was slightly taken aback.
‘Huh?’
Sumi was smarter than expected.
Or, was using the word ‘smart’ appropriate here?
Like surpassing something unfathomable…?
Sua tried to hide her astonishment and said,
“Well, what were you scared of?”
She had expected this somewhat.
Sumi was merely a three-week-old fox.
Everything was new to her at this age, and she had suddenly gone through an environmental change. Naturally, the surroundings might seem strange and scary.
It was then Sumi looked directly into Sua’s eyes.
“Time.”
“Hmm?”
Sua reacted without realizing it.
Because it was not the answer she had expected.
“No matter how hard I try to hold on, I can never grasp time. It sometimes makes me feel like I’ve done nothing when I look back. That’s why I worry.”
“Eh, er…?”
“Therefore, I’m curious. How should I spend my time to grow into a proud beast like you? I want to be your pride, not a stain.”
“…”
A cold sweat trickled down Sua’s spine.
What was this?
Were foxes originally this smart?
No, it was certainly commendable.
Since Sumi was ruminating over her own development, the real issue was that Sua was already at a loss for words.
‘…How should I answer that?’
It felt like someone who only knows arithmetic being asked to tutor geometry and vectors? I don’t know anything either?
Sua cleared her throat.
“Um, what do you mean by ‘beast’?”
“Aren’t we beasts?”
“Huh?”
“In the days we were caged, I saw so many of my peers, but they all seemed so weak. But you, mother, are different.”
“No, things like being pretty or cute…”
“Maybe. I’ve always thought those things are entirely useless. Since the perfect mother like you doesn’t have any of those traits.”
Sua felt a heavy boulder drop into her heart. This feeling, she realized, was despair.
Sua’s despair. Sua’s doom. Sua’s destruction…
“…”
So, she now had to accept it. In the pure eyes of a baby fox, she was simply a beast of prey.
Tears were about to flow.
Because this little adorable life form regarded her, the mother, as nothing but a proud beast, no matter what.
In this situation where the adorable dreamed of sharpness, and the sharp dreamed of cuteness, Sua felt that even if compared to the four great tragedies of literature, it was not lacking.
Read Shakespeare? Haven’t read it!
Mistaken identity!
Ah! What kind of heavenly prank is this!
“Mother.”
At that moment, Sumi rubbed her face against the top of Sua’s hand.
Boop boop. Warm and soft.
“I want to be just like you, mother.”
“No, you shouldn’t be like me. You should have your own path.”
That was Sua’s last bit of conscience.
Because she didn’t want to fail at raising her children.
“Then why not, mother? I am your offspring.”
“You are you. You should have your own way.”
“Then, mother, can you tell me about your life? I’ll take that as my guide. I don’t want to wander.”
“That’s… Well…”
Sua thought about her life.
A life of elimination after not standing out in any aspect until unlocking a good attribute by chance, turning things around?
That is to say, a life that truly began only after gaining special abilities?
There wasn’t much she could share.
Sua quietly stroked Sumi’s back and then,
Trying to show a kind smile.
Her ultimate, Sua’s smile. Sua the kind.
“…When the time comes, you’ll naturally understand.”
Inwardly, she thought. Oh no, this is a disaster.
In fact, Sumi’s eyes sparkled even more.
.
.
.
.
.
Hooowwwooong–!
“I will definitely visit at least twice a week.”
Watching the vehicle heading to the management center drive away, Sua waved goodbye with a complex heart.
There were no tearful farewells. After all, Sumi didn’t seem particularly sad at all.
Instead, she had urged Sua with a resolute expression. “Mother, I will definitely achieve something before I come back.”
…What will she achieve? It’s kind of scary.
Sua also thought. Isn’t this… right?
“…I need to work harder. I should get smarter faster.”
She didn’t want to be dumber than her children.
Of course, it was a proud moment for her children to grow smarter, but being surpassed by a three-week-old fox was a bit…
…Well, what if we appear on a reality show together later? I don’t want to appear dumber than a pet. Truly.
So, after a while of mustering determination,
Sua pulled out her phone and made a few calls. Not many. Just Kim I-seo and PD Choi Hee-won.
Still, the answers were more or less the same.
“Sua, just wait a little. I’ll call you soon.”
“Anyway, with the airing so close, it’s probably enough for you to rest your body. Hmm, shall I recommend some exercises? After all, an actor’s physical strength is also a skill, right? But I don’t think you have to worry, Sua.”
Seems like everyone was extremely busy in preparation for the airing of Special Mobile Unit 808.
There wasn’t much for Sua to do here. So it would be a good idea to use this time to develop herself.
Therefore…
“Long time no see, let’s have some training.”
Sua picked up the script for ‘Beginning Tomorrow, Crescendo.’
Since she had signed the contract, she planned to familiarize herself ahead of time. More utilization of the special feature did feel like making her smarter.
Paaaaash–!
And immediately entered the special hotel.
The changed appearance of the door was quite satisfactory.
[ Beginning Tomorrow, Crescendo ]
◎ Sufficient Construct Elements
◎ Rated 1.4
The rating had increased to 1.4.
Thanks to Ham Ah-yoon taking Park Min-seo’s role, probably.
“Since the rating has gone up and Ham Ah-yoon is now involved, there might be some changes. I’ll experience it more carefully this time.”
Sua entered the phone booth and picked up the handset.
The number to dial was 001. The lead, Kim So-hee.
The piano prodigy suffering from servant syndrome.
But what was wrong? The call didn’t go through.
Sua tapped on the receiver.
[ ‘Brilliant Blessing’ questions the necessity of this experience. ]
[ Claims there is not much difference between you and Kim So-hee. ]
“What are you saying, what’s with that tone?”
Lately, the special feature had been learning various tones from the community and had even dabbled in web novels.
The currently installed tone apparently came from ‘Seunga.’
He seemed to think he was stylish. Insane.
“I’ve developed a lot. I’m not randomly responding people now. I’m trying to answer reasonably.”
Sua frowned.
“My level has improved. That’s why I need the experience of Kim So-hee.”
[ ‘Brilliant Blessing’ reluctantly understands after some deliberation. ]
[ Encourages you to keep working hard. ]
“Huh? What’s this ‘Brilliant Blessing’? Who calls themselves their own title…?”
Whooshhaaaaak–!
Sua’s voice didn’t get to finish.
Her vision flipped. The experience had begun.
