“Wow, our youngest is so brave. What if No-eul really becomes part of Fantasyland Season 2?”
“If I get accepted to Fantasyland because of my application, wouldn’t that be something impressive?”
Diah’s voice was filled with confidence, showing no trace of anxiety. If No-eul, who had passed the intense competition of the Fantasyland audition, could provide Diah with a free pass, then it was a fair deal, and her confident tone followed.
Of course, this statement was made without any regard for the consequences.
Nevertheless, Diah’s courageous remark went unchallenged. From Geum Hye-min and her company, LUX’s perspective, it was actually a beneficial statement.
‘A legal coup… Sounds fun?’
From Geum Hye-min’s point of view, Diah’s promise of a free pass was a form of motivation for the Fantasyland Season 2 audition. At the same time, it was an opportunity for the new faces of Fantasyland to receive help from Diah.
The item of Diah’s free pass would greatly contribute to the stable establishment of the new broadcasting crew in Fantasyland Season 2. The power dynamics that allowed the newcomers of Fantasyland Season 2 to take advantage of their senior, Diah, would certainly generate buzz in various ways.
Being the member of Fantasyland with the best broadcasting sense, I had no doubt that Diah would show great chemistry with the newcomers. I believed that in the future, a broadcast labeled ‘with Diah’ could significantly help in attracting new viewers to Fantasyland Season 2.
Not long after that, the revised <Fantasyland Season 2 Recruitment Announcement> appeared in front of Ha Eun in real-time.
– Tap tap tap.
────────────
Title > Fantasyland Season 2 Recruitment Notice
Fantasyland (M) | 16:30
Hello, this is Fantasyland.
An audition to find new members to walk with Fantasyland is set to take place from mid-February.
Please check the recruitment forms for detailed notes.
(Application link)
We appreciate your interest and participation!
Free pass for those from Spirit World available (new!)
────────────────
“Now it’s no turning back, Diah. Prepare yourself well~.”
With Diah’s free pass promise being immortalized in the official announcement of Fantasyland, the speed of the broadcast chat room jumped several levels.
Feeling the anxiety only when faced with the enthusiastic chats burning with eagerness to teach Diah a lesson.
– I’m signing up for a vocal academy starting tomorrow.
– Baby, you might get scolded, lol.
– Expecting multiple cringe-worthy moments from Diah.
– Just passing the audition means getting Diah attached, this is a total bargain.
– 24-hour public game, let’s go, let’s go, let’s go.
– We absolutely have to do maid café streams, everyone’s so clueless.
‘…Hmm.’
What initially felt like light-hearted teasing seemed like it had grown too serious. There was also a sense of helplessness if the Fantasyland Season 2 members insisted they were fans of Diah.
Well, nevertheless. I remembered most of the new recruits in Fantasyland were mild-mannered. Even Na-eul, who was rather playful, wouldn’t go overboard.
Thus, I confidently pretended everything was fine until the end with a line saying, “If you’re confident, go try applying~.” After all, Diah’s free pass was merely limited to broadcast content.
I thought if Diah’s free pass allowed me to grow closer to Fantasyland Season 2, that wouldn’t be a bad deal either. Of course, I would have to keep the members of Fantasyland Season 2 in check.
After that, discussions unrelated to Fantasyland Season 2 began.
“I’m working on a somewhat big project, but should I say this or not~.”
With Geum Hye-min’s voice hinting at having something secretive, the chat room buzzed briefly.
What was revealed moments later was the Fantasyland 1st-anniversary 3D avatar project.
“We’ll debut our kids in 3D just in time for their one-year anniversary.”
– What?
– 3D?
– Are you serious???
– If this is a lie, I’ll lose my arms, Ram Ji.
– So, the Demon King, the Grand Mage, and the Slime King will all move in 3D?
“Your idea of 3D is correct. But if it ends simply with a 3D avatar reveal, that wouldn’t be satisfying.”
– What else is it??
– Great, Ram Ji.
– Is it a big deal? A big deal? A big deal? A big deal? A big deal? A big deal?
– Just how much money are you spending, damn.
Then another secret project was unveiled. While the exact title hadn’t been established yet, it was announced that the first group song of Fantasyland’s first generation would be released in the future.
“Of course, we’ll perform on stage with the 3D avatars! Everyone, make sure to look forward to it!”
– That’s insane.
– I’m already full just thinking about it.
– What is going on with Fantasyland?
– Great Ram Ji, now it’s perfect if we just get married (deleted message).
Soon, Ha Eun and the other members shared their anticipatory remarks over the broadcast mic.
Strictly speaking, it was only a few days since I became aware of the existence of such projects, but it didn’t sound like anything bad either way.
Especially, I felt fortunate that Ha Eun would finally be able to utilize the dance skills she had been honing for so long. The long-imagined full-tracking broadcast would also become possible soon.
“There’s really no other company that takes care of us like this.”
Right after, Geum Hye-min recounted the approximate costs taken for the project. A joke followed stating that if this 3D avatar project fails, we might end up homeless altogether.
“We are now a community of fate, guys. So, we really have to practice dancing hard?”
“Yes~.”
“Boss, you’re the best! You’re amazing, Da Ram Ji!”
Thus, after a round of compliments and thanks to Geum Hye-min from the members of Fantasyland, they finally started the last segment of the Fantasyland annual meeting broadcast: the ‘Rolling Paper.’
The first to go was Da Ram Ji, the in-charge of Fantasyland.
“‘Thanks to our boss, I can eat rice and meat soup. I’m so, so thankful…’ Yuna, don’t use a northern dialect that I can’t pull off─”
“Hey, don’t mention nicknames!”
– Gasp.
– I couldn’t eat rice or meat soup in the North, lol.
– Wait, was the Demon King that Demon King?
– Oh no, we can’t turn red in another way.
– That’s why the Demon King concept suited him so well.
After reading messages from the other members, the oldest sister of Fantasyland, Mile’s rolling paper came next. Then came Yuna, Cream, and Ria’s rolling papers in order of their ages.
In other words, Diah, the youngest member of Fantasyland, would read her rolling paper last.
“‘Really awesome~. What can our youngest not do?’ No matter what, I can’t match Ria unnie’s drawing skills.”
“What? How did you know it was me?”
“Just look at it, it’s obvious~.”
Thus, I read and re-read the messages written on Diah’s rolling paper. Just by the handwriting, I could tell who left which message, and it felt even more impactful coming from Diah.
Perhaps that was why.
“‘I’ll call you often from now on! Always LV.U.’ Ah… thank you…”
When I read the last part of the message left by Ha Eun’s favorite Virtual YouTuber, Cream, my breath and voice trembled for a brief moment.
As expected, the chat room grew noisy.
– What’s that sniffle?
– Are you crying?
– Hey, she’s crying, lol.
– Hmm, what’s she touched by?
– I don’t know who it is, but can you call me too?
It was right after that I started reading Diah’s rolling paper from the beginning again. Of course, this time I read only with my eyes, not taking much time.
However, as I read the messages left by members of Fantasyland and Geum Hye-min, I found myself feeling a lot. It became emotional in a way that was different from before.
Following that was Geum Hye-min’s calm voice.
“Well, today we gathered all of Fantasyland to have a year-end meeting. It looks like everyone enjoyed it well.”
– Oh, don’t end the stream yet.
– Boss should stay.
– What about part two? Part two? Part two? Part two? Part two? Part two? Part two?
– The chicken hasn’t arrived yet, wait!!!
– Is it time to say goodbye now?
“Anyway, it’s been a year with a lot of events. However, there’s still a long way ahead.”
– Click.
“I’ll be heading out now! Please take care of me next year~.”
With that, the Fantasyland annual meeting broadcast finally came to an end. It was right after that Geum Hye-min’s gaze shifted to the food remaining on the table.
“No one can leave until we finish all this food. So, let’s eat first, Ha Eun.”
“…Yes.”
Soft castella was handed over to Ha Eun. After that, they sat around the table until there was truly no food left.
The ensuing conversation was simply small talk and nothing more or less.
It was an ordinary mealtime, if it could be called ordinary. Just that one reason, being with those whom I thought I could never share a meal with.
‘…I hope we have a year-end meeting next year too.’
I sensed that this moment would remain in Ha Eun’s memory for a lifetime. The scenery in front of me, the voices I could hear, everything felt special.
After the Fantasyland group year-end meeting broadcast, time flowed and finally, December 31 arrived.
Narae High School’s winter break had already begun, so I didn’t need to go to school early in the morning.
The only scheduled activity for the day was filming <The Sunshine>.
Thus, I should have been able to enjoy a slightly relaxed morning, but.
“Mom, I’ll be going out for a bit.”
“Okay~.”
A call I received early in the morning forced me to go out for a moment.
[ Are you free for a bit today? I want to tell you what I couldn’t last time. ]
– Step.
[ Are you okay until lunch? Then, let’s meet at the cafe in front of the station around 11. ]
– Step, step.
[ Oh, right. Can you come wearing something like a suit? A school uniform is also okay. ]
– Step.
– Creeeeak─.
[ I thought about it, but I think it’s better to wear something with charisma than casual clothes? I’ll explain why when we meet. ]
“…I’m here.”
“Oh, Ha Eun. Welcome.”
Then, I faced Yu Sung-jae’s familiar face. Next to him was a stranger’s face.
‘Who is that…? A manager?’
As I sat opposite Yu Sung-jae with a slightly puzzled expression, the unfamiliar man observing me closely spoke to Yu Sung-jae.
“Wearing a school uniform definitely makes a difference, huh?”
“Director, you can see it too?”
Less than a few seconds later came an unexpected self-introduction. However, perhaps due to the very familiar name mentioned by the unfamiliar voice.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Hong-sung, the director of <The Veterans>.”
Stunned for a moment, I blinked, unable to speak as I received his outstretched hand. Eventually, I reached out my hand in response.
After a brief handshake, Yu Sung-jae got to the point.
“I’d like you to play an antagonist role in this <The Veterans>. Would you be interested?”
I mused that Ha Eun could probably pull off an antagonist role well, and my suspicion was validated as he proceeded to describe the antagonist character in <The Veterans>.
But, it was a movie I was already aware of. Since I already knew the character.
“The character is a third-generation chaebol with somewhat psychopathic tendencies? It’s a character whose perspective and emotional experiences are completely different from an average person.”
Eventually, we continued the conversation while receiving a thin script of <The Veterans>.
For a moment, my gaze was drawn to the character’s ‘third-generation chaebol’ attribute.
‘…Psychopathic, huh.’
That might be a fitting description in some ways. Whispering words that could not be conveyed to others in my mind, I turned the script’s page once again.
