Roar─!
Inside the van speeding towards Mystic Headquarters.
“Haaaaa.”
Sua let out a deep sigh. So frustrating.
‘You’re telling me to go out there for a talent show? Are you insane?’
‘”Everyone’s Playground” is a gathering of 100 streamers. So how many viewers would that be? I don’t know the exact number, but it’s definitely going to be massive.
She suddenly let her imagination run wild.
‘What kind of talent do I even have….’
──Ladies and gentlemen! Allow me to showcase my Japanese language skills right here! Please vote for me as number one!
…There’s absolutely no way I’d come in first. Are you out of your mind? Are you crazy?
‘Still, it’s a relief. I refused them outright.’
Sua wasn’t reckless enough to volunteer for such a dangerous situation herself. Though it was thanks to the Suah Association that she was talked down…
…Anyway, I refused! I did good, right?
[Sender: Go Eun-bi]
▷ Sua-ya. Talent show performances weren’t part of your contract. And I wouldn’t force you either. Please. It’s a favor.
▷ Can’t you do it just once? Just this one time!
The nearby Yuhan Sua shrugged.
──Your friend seems very urgent. You can tell just by reading the message. The five stages are about to begin.
‘What five stages?’
──You’ll see shortly.
Sua thought. Another one of those cryptic statements meant to confuse her. She typed out a response with her hands.
▶ No. Managing an actor’s image is crucial, and this is far too risky. Besides, I don’t have any real talent that would win me first place in a talent show anyway.
Just then, Yuhan Sua added another comment.
──Stage one: Denial.
▷ No way. Sua would surely do it if asked.
▷ I love you, Sua♡♡♡
▷ Please help meeee.
▶ No still means no.
──Stage two: Anger.
▷ Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!
▷ What did you just say to me? You’re good at singing, right? You always get 100 points at karaoke machines!
▷ You, you… Is that really you, Iseu Sua?
‘…’
Actually, Sua had to admit there was a point that pricked her conscience.
Back in the day, she had boasted about her singing skills, hadn’t she? And it wasn’t completely false. It just wasn’t something she had stated seriously!
Why, don’t people bicker over trivial matters sometimes? The kind where you argue that you’re better than the other person─just like saying, if you’re a noble, then I’m the king; if you’re the king, then I’m the emperor.
Hey, anyway, I’m just better than you!
That was all it was! Just something said in the heat of a childish argument!
‘What are you suggesting if I take it seriously?’
──Stage three: Fear.
▷ Sua, I promised them I could persuade you, but what do I do if you don’t do it? I’d already bragged that we were the kind of friends who’d do anything for each other…
‘…I see.’
Only now did Sua understand.
Eunbi must have already boasted to the NeoLive staff that she had already persuaded Sua.
──It’s glaringly obvious.
Wi Jihye Sua interjected.
──You’re the trending rookie everyone’s talking about, right? There must’ve been some mentions internally at the company. Eunbi or whoever probably wanted to show off her connections.
──Anyway, Stage four is negotiation.
▷ Sua-ya, please. I’ll do anything for you.
▷ I’m your dog!
▷ I’ll lick your feet, bark like a dog. Please, please, please…
‘Ugh, this is making things complicated.’
For Sua, it was indeed an awkward situation.
Thinking back, even Deer had helped her out a few times. Whether it was assisting with her in games or ordering tons of delivery food, Deer had done quite a bit.
──It’s about time to accept. It’s resignation, right?
▷ hahaha
▷ What am I doing right now? hahaha
▷ Alright hahaha
▷ Every time I turn on the stream, I’m bombarded with questions about why casting failed, my company account gets stalked for supporting Kim Sun-il and Kim Yuhan, rumors spread about being obsessed with men, and people are monitoring if I have a boyfriend… but h, my standing at work will suffer, but it’s fine hahaha. I made unreasonable demands. hahaha
‘Ugh, really!’
In the end, Sua pressed the buttons.
▶ I’ll think about it positively. But don’t get your hopes up too much.
After putting down her phone, Sua contemplated.
‘Singing, singing… Should I look for a script related to that…’
It was possible that things might turn out unexpectedly easier this way.
Sua’s current skillset was “Musician” after all.
◈◈◈
The van passed by Mystic Headquarters to pick up Kim I-seo, and its final destination was the pet care center.
Sua was there to see Sumi. Sumi love!
Eh? Why is Kim I-seo coming along to see Sumi?
Because ‘Studio Snack’ PD Kang Hyun-seong’s pet special episode was about to be released.
Kim I-seo smiled faintly.
“Sua has unexpectedly pure sides. I never imagined you’d want to monitor with pets.”
“It’s because Sumi is also playing a part.”
“That Arctic Fox must be thrilled.”
Kim I-seo patted Sua lightly on the back.
“Sua has such a warm heart, it’s like she’s the perfect pet owner. I’ve heard raising pets helps with emotional expression disorder, so this request is actually quite reassuring.”
…No wonder she seemed so eager to join.
As they entered the center, the two kept chatting.
Kim I-seo was the first to break the silence.
“It’s about time to get used to this, but it still feels new and tense. Sua and Yeon-joo both need to have good reactions, right?”
“It would be nice if Sumi also reacts well.”
Sua loved Sumi day and night. SuaSumi!
“Of course she will. She’s so cute.”
.
.
.
.
.
Snooze─Snooze─
Sumi was taking a nap.
And then, some moment.
“…”
Sumi perked up her ears at some sound.
Not long after, she opened her eyes wide and stood up. If her hunch was right, something incredible was about to happen.
“Sumi!”
The attendant’s excitement made Sumi sure.
Sua has arrived.
Though Sumi understood no human language, she could easily distinguish tones. The attendant always called out to Sumi with that tone whenever Sua visited.
“…!”
Sumi wagged her tail wildly.
“Awoof…. Awoof! Awoof!”
(Mother has arrived!)
“The Ms. Sua’s here! Excited, Sumi?”
“Huffhuff…. Awooooo!”
(I want to see Mother!)
It was a curious scene. Even though they didn’t share a common language, it looked as if they were having a conversation.
“Alright. Let’s go, Sumi.”
However,
the moment the attendant tried to pick her up,
Swish─
Sumi cleverly dodged the human’s hands. She needed to prepare something important before meeting Sua.
“Huffhuff….”
Sumi surveyed her nest quickly.
There was a gift she had saved up for Mother Sua, and this was the perfect time to present it.
However.
“…?”
Sumi searched her nest carefully, her face confused. But it was gone. No matter how much she looked, she couldn’t find it.
“…!”
At the moment Sumi felt both confusion and despair,
“Sumi, are you looking for a ball of fur?”
Sumi gazed up at the attendant. Though she had no idea what she was saying, it might lead to a clue.
Sumi pressed a part within her nest with her paw. It was the spot where her gift had been.
She had neatly gathered her white fur into a ball for Sua, who loved her soft fur so much. She had carefully prepared it, but…
“Our Sumi has been losing a lot of fur. I cleaned it all up while you were sleeping. It was quite the effort.”
The attendant mimicked the actions of a dustpan and a broom with her hands, and upon realizing this, Sumi fell into despair.
“…!”
Could it be that it was cleaned away? You barbaric human!
Sumi collapsed in despair and howled.
“…Awooooooo!”
(In my lofty plans, I entrusted my efforts, but the success of the matter is up to the heavens. There’s nothing I can do! To serve my mother like this is so difficult…)
.
.
.
.
.
.
Anyway.
Sumi soon forgot her worries and enjoyed a happy time. Because Sua was overjoyed upon seeing Sumi. She was currently petting her while holding Sumi on her thigh.
“Wowao.”
(Sumi, have you been good?)
“Wowoo.”
(Yes, I’ve been good. Mother.)
“Arar?”
(Is there anything you need recently?)
Sumi thought for a brief moment.
“I desire a sibling. It would be nice to have a peer who shares the same purpose. It would benefit Mother too, and you wouldn’t feel lonely in old age.”
“…S, siblings?”
Sua couldn’t help but be shocked.
Last time, Sumi asked for milk, and now she’s asking for something even more perplexing. But upon reconsideration, it wasn’t entirely unreasonable. Sumi had every right to hope for it…
Which made it all the more difficult.
“Mother is so excellent that she could easily give birth to ten, couldn’t she? The thought of leading my younger siblings makes me so happy. Oh, by the way, where is my father…?”
“…”
Just as Sua was breaking into a cold sweat,
“Sua, take a look at this.”
Kim I-seo said.
It was Sua’s lucky break. A chance to avoid responding to Sumi’s comments. SuaDodge.
The phone screen caught her eye.
[It’s impossible to tell who’s the owner! Superb pets coming out en masse ㅣ Studio Snack ㅣ ENG ㅣ Featuring Iseu Sua & Seo Yeon-joo]
[Remaining until first release 00:00:10]
Sua nodded.
“I know. There’s a new reservation function.”
“Pfft, that’s not the thing to be amazed about.”
Kim I-seo slightly moved her finger, which had been covering part of the screen. The revealed truth:
[130,000 people waiting]
[Real-time Chat]
– Please start 10 minutes earlier ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
– Iseu! Iseu! Iseu! Iseu!
– Watching MyTube entertainment for the first time because of Sua…
– Hate reservation features, but I’ll bear it because of Sua.
– So what exactly is that scarf???
While Sua inwardly marveled at the unimaginable numbers and overwhelming power, Kim I-seo chuckled.
“Whether it’s the number of people waiting or the title and chats, it’s all about Mystic everywhere. We’re eating up the whole thing.”
