Shuu's eye twitched so hard he thought it might fall out. The bright cameras made any hopes of him successfully running away as zero.
'Tsk, what did I do to deserve this?'
He didn't get long to complain.
Two figures stormed toward the stage-the producer and the director-both wearing looks that screamed jackpot. And they were heading toward him.
Shuu took one glance at them and immediately spun around, preparing to sprint offstage and out of the building entirely. No wait-! He was outside already, so he just needed to make a run for it…
He made it three steps before-
"YOUNG MASTER!"
Shuu froze like someone had shot him.
'Fuck my life.'
The two drivers bulldozed through the staff like large, ugly rhinos. Their expensive suits made them stand out even more among the average crowd and their loud yelling made Shuu seem like more important than he already was.
The crowd reacted instantly.
"YOUNG MASTER?!"
"He's a chaebol?"
"No wonder he acts like a punk-rebellious rich boy type!"
"A perfect bad-boy idol archetype! That act of his is too…refreshing"
Shuu's mouth dropped open.
"What young master?! I'm not a damned-!"
[System buff: Idol charm level D is active. Your actions will appear as endearing to the audience.]
The buff was applied and the damage was already done. Even the staff's eyes sparkled with delusion.
The producer's grin widened until Shuu wanted to punch it off his face.
"Oh-ho… so he's a rebel-type young master? No wonder he has such presence! This combination cannot be any better."
He turned toward the drivers.
"Are you two with him? His… caretakers?"
Caretakers. Shuu nearly fainted from rage.
'Do I look like I need caretakers?'
The first driver bowed slightly, still holding Shuu like a misbehaving toddler.
"Yes. Young master likes to act independent and wild, but we're here to watch over him."
"THE HELL I DO-!"
The second driver cut him off smoothly.
"Our apologies. He's at THAT age."
The crowd melted on the spot.
"Awwww…"
"He's pretending to be tough…"
"That's adorable…"
"He's so tsundere!!! He could be a murder for all I care…with that face of his."
Shuu visibly died inside. He could feel his soul leaving his body.
'My reputation…it's all over. I can no longer show my face in the underworld.'
The producer clapped his hands together.
"Perfect. Absolutely perfect. Director-this kid is GOLD."
The director, an older man with sharp eyes, nodded slowly.
"With a face like that, it would be a crime not to debut him. His mouth might be foul, but no one will care. Editing is a magic that will be his ally until he learn self-control."
Shuu choked.
"Oi. What the hell-"
The director ignored him completely and turned to the drivers, serious.
"Please contact his guardian. We need to negotiate properly. This level of talent deserves top-tier treatment."
Shuu growled.
"I'm not underage! I'm of age! I don't need a guardian!"
The driver patted his head.
"Oh? Did our young master forget his birthday again? It's okay. We'll handle everything. As for his mouth, we really are sorry. We will work on it…"
Shuu slapped the hand away so fast it stung.
"STOP LYING! STOP SAYING YOUNG MASTER! STOP-"
The second driver sighed dramatically.
"Young master gets shy when people talk about his family status. He was really excited about this interview of his and did not want his status to impact his audition."
The director clasped his hands.
"How touching. Such a humble attitude. He will surely make it far."
"I WILL NOT-!"
Shuu was vibrating with murder when the producer leaned close and said:
"Don't worry. We'll make you shine brighter than anyone. You're going to be a star no one can forget."
Shuu opened his mouth to scream again-but stopped when he noticed someone staring.
Henry…
Standing near the corner of the set, arms crossed, gaze sharp-he looked like he was trying to read Shuu's entire soul.
Shuu felt something unpleasant crawl up his spine.
'Why the hell was that guy looking at me like that? Don't tell me…he recognizes me? Does he know who I am…'
Their eyes met.
Henry's expression didn't change, but something tightened-recognition, disbelief, something else Shuu didn't want to deal with.
Shuu looked away immediately. The past was better to be left as the past. And right now, he needs to prevent his future from being impacted.
"Tch."
Before he could even think of bolting again, the drivers yanked him backward.
"We'll be taking our young master home now."
"Please do. And also, we'll contact you soon!
The producer said eagerly.
The director nodded.
"And tell the guardian we want a meeting within the week. I will call as soon as I can."
Shuu thrashed.
"Let go! I'm not going home! I'm not joining anything! I'm not-"
The drivers lifted him off the ground.
"Sure, kid."
"You scream that every time Nee-san makes you do something."
"I MEAN IT THIS TIME!"
They ignored him entirely and stuffed him back into the car like a kidnapped cat.
By the time they reached home, Shuu was exhausted-not from the struggle, but from how his pride had been violently strangled in public.
The door opened before they even knocked.
Nee-san stood there, graceful, terrifying, and smiling like an angel who moonlighted as a devil.
"Welcome back, Shuu~"
Shuu pointed at her, fury boiling.
"You! YOU SET ME UP!"
She tilted her head, amused.
"I saw the recording."
He froze.
She tapped her tablet, showing a clip-him being carried, dragged, cursing, flipping off the camera. The comments were exploding.
[REBELLIOUS PRINCE TYPE OMG]
[He looks like he hates all humans. I love him.]
[PUT HIM IN THE LINEUP RIGHT NOW.]
[HE IS SO HOT I'M GOING TO PASS OUT.]
Nee-san's smile sharpened.
"You started your mission better than I ever hoped."
"It's NOT a mission! I'm NOT going into that garbage industry! I refuse!"
Shuu snapped.
Nee-san waved a hand.
"You'll go."
"I won't!"
"You will."
"I will not-!"
She patted his cheek gently.
"You say that, but I have a feeling… you'll choose to go yourself in the end."
Shuu glared.
"If I ever enter the entertainment industry willingly, I'll eat Henry's shoes."
"Good. I'll keep those words."
Shuu stormed to his room, slamming the door so hard a picture frame rattled.
He threw himself onto the bed.
"Tsk, how can she be so sure. Fuck, knowing her, there is no way she will let me out of this mess. So, I might as well give in and ruin my carrier from the inside…"
He closed his eyes, finally ready to sleep-
[-Bzzzz… SYSTEM UPDATE.]
[-Main System function expanding.]
[-New Mission generated.]
Shuu's eyes snapped open.
"NO. Not now. Not YOU."
[-Main Mission: Discover the truth behind your death.]
[-Objective: Prevent your second death by following system guidance.]
[-Refusal penalty: Increased risk of fatal events.]
Shuu bolted upright.
"Ugh, a death threat now? Can I not even sleep in peace?"
[-Host received a second life, but it was not given for free.]
[-You want answers. Complete the missions.]
"Isn't this a fraud? I did not even ask for a second life…"
Shuu whispered but he was not sure about this. After all, he did not remember his last moments too clearly.
Had he…actually signed a fraudulent contract?
[-Cooperate is necessary for the host not to die again.]
Shuu froze.
"Alright, I get it. So both you and Nee-san will do anything to force me in this industry? Fin
e, I'll do this shitty job. I will enter it…and as soon as I am done, I'm gonna dip out. There won't be any second chances here."