Maverick (Blank)
Chapter 28: NGNL Collaboration Event (2)
Tonight, in a hotel, all the relevant members are seated together in the main room. The atmosphere is silent and incredibly tense.
The first to speak is Lauren. She presents a PowerPoint on a giant screen and explains the event's overview.
[Schedule from January 1st to 7th]
Blank watches attentively.
"Today, we will take the photo shoot first from 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM."
Lauren continues her presentation.
"Tomorrow is Friday. We will go to a large amusement park in this city to start video recording. The schedule for Saturday will follow tomorrow."
Everyone listens carefully, and suddenly, Robert raises his hand. "Miss Lauren, how are we getting there?"
Lauren glances at Robert. "Tomorrow morning, a tour guide will help us."
"Alright, I understand."
Blank, who was watching Robert when he asked the question, is looked back at by Robert. But something is off. Robert is grinning.
"Alright, that's more or less the schedule for us in Chean A city. For the village part, we will discuss it again after finishing here."
"Yes, Miss!" exclaim the three cameramen enthusiastically. Blank is startled. He's the only one who didn't say anything together like that. Is this a mistake Blank made?
"Ugh..."
Blank looks at Viera. Her face looks like she's holding something back, and her hands are folded over her stomach.
"Viera, are you okay?"
This statement from Blank actually draws significant attention because he personally asked about Viera's condition, while he is only known as an assistant cameraman.
However, Viera answers after Blank's question, somewhat stammering. "S-sorry, can I step out to the back for a moment?"
Erna, who then answers. "Viera? Are you not feeling well? I'll accompany you."
Erna looks at Lauren. "I'll be right back." Lauren gestures with her hand, "It's fine. I'll handle the rest."
Erna takes Viera to the back while the meeting continues. "It's alright. Viera is a talented girl. She'll understand later after being guided. Let's continue discussing the division of work."
"Isn't that kid trying too hard to be friendly?" Lirie whispers to Navas. "Is he trying to gain favor?"
Although the voice is low, Blank can hear and feel that his teammates' gazes are glancing sharply at him. "Just leave him. He doesn't know his place."
Blank bites the inside of his mouth. (Did I make a mistake?)
Lauren continues, "Alright. For tonight and tomorrow, Navas and Lirie will handle taking photos and videos, and Robert will manage the lighting."
Blank furrows his brow. (My name... where is it?)
Lirie, Navas, and Robert seem to hold back their laughter with fake coughs and cover their mouths. Lirie is seen giggling slightly, her body trembling a little. Blank raises his hand.
"Miss Lauren, what about my part in the work?"
Lauren, who was initially focused on her PowerPoint, glances at Blank. "Ah, because the positions are already filled, Kaelan, you'll be in charge of carrying the equipment, okay?"
Blank freezes instantly. After carrying a lot of equipment earlier, his job now is to carry items. There's no professional body movement, even though his heart feels something is off.
Then Robert says, "Right, Miss Lauren. Kaelan is the most athletic guy here. He'll be a great help carrying the equipment." Robert smiles at Blank.
Blank looks at him. (Is that a compliment?) Blank looks around and then ponders for a moment with chaotic thoughts. (Ah... right. Besides because of Viera, in this place, I'm essentially nobody.)
Blank finally tries to smile to show respect to Lauren, even if it's forced. "Alright. I'll work hard."
"Good. Thank you for your help, Kaelan."
After some time discussing the details of tonight's work, they all prepare for dinner and are allowed to freshen up first using the clothes they want to wear.
Blank enters his room and cleans himself. After finishing, he just wears an oversized white shirt with cream pants and white house slippers.
Blank sprays a little perfume, tidies his hair a bit, and then leaves his room. His eyes look around. (So quiet. Have they all gone downstairs already? There are still 18 minutes left.)
Blank walks toward the elevator, but before he enters, Viera approaches. "Hey, Kaelan."
"Oh, hi, Viera. You haven't gone down yet. Want to go together?"
"Yep. Wait a moment. My manager is still preparing something in her room."
"Alright."
The two of them wait for Miss Erna together in front of the elevator while chatting. "Kaelan, thank you. Earlier, I intended to stay until the end."
Blank shakes his head. "It's okay. 80% of the discussion is only for the media team." Viera rubs her neck. "Yeah, I just didn't feel well about everything."
Blank looks at Viera, who is still lightly patting her stomach. "Apple juice is good for you, sis Viera." In his heart, he says, (Brother Kaeri said it's good for constipation.)
Viera's eyes widen, and her cheeks blush. Then both her hands cover her face. "No, it's not like that."
But then Viera looks at Blank and holds her chin. "Honestly, your outfit is the simplest."
Blank tilts his head slightly. "Aren't we just going to eat?"
"Yes, but it will also continue to the photo session later. The other media team members are wearing many accessories."
Blank holds his neck. "Haha, maybe they enjoy wearing them." In his mind, (So they really did go down already. I was left behind.)
"Eh, but wait."
"Why?"
Viera leans in slightly and sniffs Blank from about five fists' distance. "Nice perfume. The others are too strong."
Blank scratches his temple and gives a slightly fake laugh. "Haha, you're a bit too much."
As they are talking, suddenly a woman's voice comes from behind Viera. "Sorry, Viera. I just finished sending files to the company."
Viera waves. "It's okay, Miss Erna. There's still time. Let's get in the elevator."
"Come on, Kaelan."
"Ah, yes."
The three of them enter the elevator, and Viera's manager presses the button for floor 10. The elevator starts moving. Blank feels a bit awkward because he is currently surrounded by the NGNL Brand Ambassador and her manager simultaneously.
Elsewhere, at the same time, a young man in neat but messy clothes is looking at a black watch on a hotel balcony. "They've started eating, huh."
The wind blows against his hair. The situation is so silent and calm. The ticking of the watch is heard slowly. His eyes look at the city. "The effect should have kicked in by now."
The young man ruffles his hair and pulls it back. His eyes stare sharply at a hotel named 'Casandra Hotel,' then he goes back into his room.
On the 10th floor of the hotel where Blank is, the elevator doors open. The reserved table is already occupied by everyone except the three of them.
Viera and her manager sit side by side with Emma and Lauren, while Blank...
(Oh dear, I'm sitting between Boyka and Leon.)
After Blank sits down, several waiters soon arrive, bringing their food one by one. Blank watches. (Wow, they carry many plates in one hand.)
The food is served: beef with broccoli and rice in a small bowl.
The dinner proceeds. Blank eats heartily, and unexpectedly, Boyka asks him, "Hey, I forgot your name. What was it again?"
"Just call me Kaelan. That's what's most common, sir."
"Ooh, okay. I'm Boyka."
Blank takes a drink from the table and sips it.
"Hey, Kaelan, what's your type of woman?"
"Cough..."
Blank chokes on his drink. It's surprising when Boyka starts the conversation with the topic of women. "Why are you asking that, sir?"
"I already told you mine. Now it's your turn."
Blank actually hasn't thought of a single one to state because Blank doesn't even know what his ideal woman type is like.
"Ah... about that, maybe Sir Leon first."
His thoughts stop, and instead, he points at Leon to give an answer, even though they aren't close yet. Leon, who was drinking water, puts his glass back down. "You're a boy with no manners, huh."
His face pales. (Oh dear, I messed up this time. Sorry, it was a reflex.)
"Hmm... seems like a nurse with a curvy body."
Blank's mouth hangs open slightly. (Eh? Sir Leon answered?)
Suddenly, a huge hand passes in front of Blank's face. Boyka extends his hand to make a fist bump. "Isn't it that real men should fist bump?" Leon chuckles softly. "I understand."
Bump.
The two of them fist bump with Blank in the middle, but that also unexpectedly resolves the current awkward situation.
"Now your turn, Kaelan."
Blank is startled. (Damn, it's not over yet.)
Blank panics again. He tries to think hard, bowing his head slightly, but his mouth suddenly speaks on its own reflexively. "Ah, maybe a woman with long brown hair, a slim body, and friendly."
Blank, who was slightly bowing, then raises his head a bit, but exactly at that moment, Viera looks at his face. The two of them suddenly bow simultaneously.
(Idiot!) Blank says in his heart. (That's basically describing Viera. Oh dear, what have I done now?)
Blank half-closes his eyes and hopes this is a dream, not real. He seems resigned to what happened. "I understand. You really have a young soul."
Leon nudges Blank's shoulder. "Good luck. You can do it." His face turns red. (That's not it!)
(...)
The situation becomes quiet. He falls silent again, and then, like a person without sin, Blank simply continues eating.
Likewise, Boyka and Leon feel their conversation is over again and return to eating. Although the two of them talk about somewhat strange topics, honestly, the reserved table is very large, maybe about 2x8, and coincidentally, the three of them are at one end.
(Maybe this could fit over 20 people.)
Dinner continues for 15 minutes, and then they return upstairs. Blank picks up some of his equipment and walks together to do the first shoot with Team Emma.
Blank carries some equipment that isn't really necessary because they're still in the same building, just different floors, so it's easy to carry.
Emma wears futuristic clothing to promote the game with a future theme, named CyberFank.
They are on a spacious balcony on the 15th floor. Several skyscrapers tower high with some yellow and white lights.
After they finish setting up the location and equipment, of course, Blank is currently... idle...
Even so, Blank still carries one camera that he's actually not using. (I don't know why I brought the camera. I'm not working.) Blank sighs. (Oh well, what can I do.)
Blank watches everyone, but suddenly, Robert comes and says openly in front of him, "Kaelan, why don't you take a walk for now? We'll let you know when we're done."
Blank falls silent. As much as possible, his body doesn't give any gesture, but what else can he do since he has no work? Blank can only accept and smile.
"Alright."
Blank leaves with annoyance. He chooses to go to a balcony on the other side of the building to be alone.
Once on his own balcony, although smaller, because he's alone, he feels calm. A gentle breeze accompanies him, and silence is his friend this time. The buildings here aren't as tall as the previous side, but what Blank doesn't know is that in 10 minutes, all the lights in front of him will turn on.
Blank takes a deep breath and exhales heavily. (Bastards, so disrespectful...) He ruffles his hair.
On the other side, Emma is seen being photographed by the main media team, but what happens is...
"Don't wanna!!"
Emma shouts, confusing the media team with her behavior. Then her manager approaches. "This is from your father's company, asking Miss Emma to pose like this. So, let's start, okay, Miss Emma?"
"Don't want! The pose is so ugly!" Emma yells.
Robert approaches and tries to cheer up Emma. "Miss Emma, you'll only take one shot to make Miss Emma satisfied."
Lirie and Navas support. "That's right, Miss Emma. We'll give you the best photo."
Lauren puts her hands together as if pleading. "Miss Emma, just once, okay?"
Emma finally gives in, with her pupils looking upward and her nose scrunched. "Only once, okay!"
After that, the team feels relieved and tries to photograph Emma with the pose prepared by the company collaborating with NGNL Company.
After the photo shoot ends...
"AHH, THIS IS SO UGLY!!"
Emma is still shouting. She doesn't like the cute pose she was told and forced to do. It's not natural and makes Emma uncomfortable.
"I'm leaving. I'll come back later when I'm not in a bad mood." Emma leaves them all.
"Miss Emma, wait." Lauren tries to reach for Emma. "Miss Lauren, if you move, you're fired."
Miss Lauren is shocked. Her body falls, with her knees bent on the floor. Emma disappears, leaving Miss Lauren silent. "Oh dear, Emma..."
On the other balcony, a teenager is looking at the road below.
(Just jump, huh? Father was a spy agent, brother too. Leonardo is targeted. More and more kids... I think 15 floors could make you fly to heaven.) Blank nods his head forcefully, stressed. (Ah, but then when brother looks for me, I'll already be gone.)
Blank is seen desperate while thinking about jumping from the building, but at that moment, Emma enters Blank's location with a sulky face and muttering to herself. "Huh, so annoying."
Blank turns weakly. (Oh dear, another kid.) After looking, it turns out to be Emma. "Miss Emma, here? How was the photo shoot?"
"Not fun. I didn't like it."
Emma's ego is clearly huge. Blank, who is somewhat frustrated, doesn't recognize his current condition and instead starts a conversation with Emma.
"Emma, how does it feel to be an artist?"
"Don't like it. It's troublesome. I want to be a model, but if I'm told to pose in a way I don't want, then I won't."
"Haha, that's normal."
(I think I'm going crazy right now.)
But suddenly, the building next door lights up. It's neon lights that suddenly turn on, and Emma's attention is also diverted there.
Futuristic blue and purple lights. Some sides even display large screens with moving whales. Blank looks at Emma and then at his camera. An idea pops into his head.
"Emma."
Emma is startled, looking at Blank, who suddenly crouches and positions his camera exactly as Emma stands in the middle of the glowing neon lights.
"Do any pose you want."
Emma looks left and right. Reflexively, she follows what Blank says. She strikes a cool pose, putting one hand in her pocket.
Click.
On the other side, on the spacious balcony, many people are seen holding their foreheads while looking at the sky and the night city.
Robert walks away. "I'll go look for Miss Emma."
But at that moment, Emma arrives with a wide smile etched on her face. She waves at Lauren.
"Miss Lauren, let's continue the photos."
Lauren finally feels relieved again after Emma is in a good mood. "Let's go, Emma. I've been waiting."
"But the one holding the camera will be this big brother."
Everyone tilts their heads. "Who?"
Suddenly, a teenager with a tall posture and a smiling face, holding a camera with one hand while the other is in his pocket. All eyes look in one direction. Spontaneously, they say:
[Kaelan?]