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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Reset
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Director Ryan Will came to Korea. Less than 24 hours had passed since Seojun sent the video. He'd come in such a hurry that his only luggage consisted of a few scripts and his wallet.
And so, the conversation between Seojun and Ryan Will began.
After their greetings, Ryan Will said nothing more, simply studying Seojun.
With a serious expression, the director's eyes meticulously scanned Seojun from head to toe, just as they had the first time they met.
Seojun suppressed a smile at the solemn look, lifting his head with a triumphant expression.
He wanted to show off. He wanted to boast. The video he had sent was worth it.
After staring intently for a long moment, Director Ryan Will finally spoke.
"You've become ordinary."
"What?"
That was an assessment he hadn't imagined. Was it a bad thing? Seojun tilted his head.
"Before, you exuded a kind aura just by smiling."
Ryan Will cocked his head. Seojun's head followed Ryan Will's movement.
"Now I don't feel anything. You're ordinary."
"Is that a good thing?"
"For now."
At Seojun's question, Ryan Will nodded.
"The canvas needs to be blank before you can paint it white or black. This is good."
Silence fell between them again. Ryan Will rubbed his dry face with his hands.
"How did you do it?"
Lowering his hands from his face, Ryan Will was the first to break the silence.
"Up until the last video, and I'm sorry to say this, but it was the worst."
"If you're sorry, why say it?"
Seojun pouted. He wasn't truly hurt. After all, Director Ryan Will's eyes and his very demeanor as he walked through the door had told him everything.
"Because that was in the past. Now…"
Ryan Will answered with a very, very satisfied expression.
"It's the best."
At the sudden praise, Seojun's eyes darted around. He had expected some praise, but he didn't think the director would call it the best outright. Still, delighted by the compliment, Seojun couldn't help but giggle.
"Right? I did great, didn't I?"
"You did. That's why I burned all the revised scripts before I came."
"Revised scripts?"
The image of Jonathan rushing out, startled by the late-night script-burning ceremony, flashed through his mind, but Ryan Will quickly pushed it aside and nodded.
"If you hadn't figured it out before filming, I was planning to cut your screen time as much as possible."
This was the first he'd heard of it. He felt a pang of disappointment, wondering if the director had lost that much faith in him, but he soon understood Ryan Will's reasoning and nodded. If he had been the director and watched seven, no, eight months of those practice videos, he would have done the same.
They were truly…
the worst.
A child exuding a kind aura while delivering villainous lines was just awkward and strange. It felt like a poor imitation.
It was enough to make one wonder if someone was forcing him to say those things.
Seojun shuddered and said.
"If I had performed according to the original script, people would have only felt the awkwardness in my acting."
Ryan Will nodded, a smile still lingering on his face. As soon as he saw the video, he had taken out the first script.
Comparing the cold child in the video to William, his anticipation soared. He couldn't bear it, so he flew to Korea.
"But now, there's no need for that."
"Hee hee hee."
The two of them beamed, dispelling the serious atmosphere. Ryan Will's eyes sparkled.
"Well then, I'd like to see it in person. Is that all right?"
"Yes!"
Seojun hopped off the chair. He clenched his right fist.
[(Evil) The Melancholy Scent of a Lone Flower - Lowest Grade - is activated.]
[(Evil) The Melancholy Scent of a Lone Flower - Lowest Grade]
Within a 10-meter radius, this is the only flower that blooms.
It resembles a weed, so no one knows it is a flower.
Those who smell the flower's scent are overcome with melancholy.
And there,
before Director Ryan Will's eyes, was a child who resented the world for the abuse he had suffered.
Director Ryan Will was satisfied with Seojun's performance. And then, he prepared to leave for America again.
It hadn't even been ten hours since he arrived in Korea, but Ryan Will was already getting ready to leave. The couple, who had been about to suggest he rest a bit before returning, shut their mouths when they saw the fierce glint in his eyes.
Seeing Seojun's acting in person had a different feel than the video. Eager to return and overhaul the script again, Ryan Will didn't rest for even an hour before boarding the earliest flight back to the United States.
After Ryan Will left, Seojun boasted to his mom and dad for a long time. The couple, who had seen his acting, also praised him, wondering how he could be so good. Seojun fell asleep, feeling very satisfied.
He was excited at the thought of going to the Library of Evil and diligently reading the two books from the opened doors.
Whether it was due to a lack of demonic energy or time, only two doors had opened. But it seemed that the same number of doors as in the Library of Good would open soon.
"I hope they open soon! I wonder what kind of books there will be!"
Unlike the gloomy past eight months, the couple watched their son fall asleep giggling and went to bed happy as well.
And then, the day broke.
It was the weekend, so Seo Eunhye went out to meet a friend, leaving Lee Minjun to spend the day with Seojun. After eating a delicious lunch prepared by his dad, Seojun was brushing his teeth when he happened to look in the mirror.
Huh?
Something that should have been above his head was gone. The thing that always sparkled and shone above him,
"The numbas are gone!?"
Seojun spat out a mouthful of toothpaste foam. He quickly rinsed his mouth with water and looked in the mirror again. No matter how he looked, the numbers were gone.
"Dad! Call my hyungs! A video call!"
"What?"
"Call my hyungs!"
With a bewildered expression, Lee Minjun made a video call. The hyungs Seojun was talking about could only be Brown Black.
Brown Black was likely busy with practice or their schedule, so he called Seo Eunchan, who had become the CEO of Cocoa Entertainment and seemed to have more free time.
As it happened, Seo Eunchan was with Brown Black. He answered the call and passed the phone to them.
"Gasp! They're gone!"
-What? What's gone?
Seojun's eyes widened. The numbers that should have been floating above Brown Black's heads, indicating the bond of [Orchestra Conductor's Connection - Low Grade], were gone.
In that moment, the image of the beads clattering and falling flashed through Seojun's mind.
"No way!?"
Did they reset when they fell?! Isn't that too easy of a reset?!
Wait.
How long has it been since the beads fell? Seojun, oblivious to Brown Black calling his name, counted on his fingers, lost in thought.
Opened the library door, woke up and sent the video, Ryan came the next day, and now it's morning again.
It's been three days!
Three days should be fine. He'd heard from Uncle Chan that Brown Black was on a break right now because of the incident with Cocoa Entertainment's former president.
Of course, even on a break, they would have been singing to prepare for their next album, but still, it had only been three days.
Just three days had passed.
Seojun asked urgently.
"Hyungs. How was practice yesterday?"
-Practice? It was the same as usual.
"No, I mean, was anything off? Like your synergy was bad, or your skills had dropped."
Brown Black shook their heads, looking confused.
-Our synergy has been perfect since the Christmas Eve performance.
Seojun buried his face in his hands. This is bad. There's no way the hyungs would know about the skill's effect. What should I do?
His mind raced. Seojun snapped his head up.
"Hyungs, what are you doing today?"
-We have a fan meeting. Things have been a little chaotic this year. Do you want to come, Seojun?
"You perform at the fan meeting, right? Do a lot of fans come?"
-Everyone had a tough time, so we invited as many as we could this time. And of course we'll perform. Our nickname is 'Live-dols,' after all.
At Park Seojin's words, Seojun nodded.
"I'll go too. What time does the fan meeting start?"
-Hmm. It's at one, so you'll be a little late if you come now. There's a 6 o'clock session too, want to come then?
"No! I'll go now! Dad! Let's go!"
Lee Minjun looked at Seojun, startled. He was about to say, 'We'll probably be late even if we leave now, how about the 6 o'clock one…,' but he shut his mouth and quietly grabbed his phone, wallet, and car keys.
The burning look in his son's eyes told him he wouldn't give up.
Seo Eunchan sent the location via text. It was far. It looked like it would take over 30 minutes, but the father decided to power through for his son. He sent a simple text to Seo Eunhye.
"Hurry! Dad! Hurry!"
Seojun stomped his feet impatiently. Despite Seojun's urging, Lee Minjun drove carefully, adhering to the speed limit for his son's safety.
Fortunately, there was no traffic, and they were able to arrive at the fan meeting venue soon.
"Seojun! Brother-in-law!"
Seo Eunchan was waiting outside the fan meeting venue. He, too, was looking at Seojun with a baffled expression.
Seo Eunchan led the two of them inside. Passing staff members and stage production crew greeted the CEO, Seo Eunchan, with light bows.
"What's all this about, so suddenly?"
"Uncle! Has it started already?"
"It's already started. The guys are on stage right now."
Seojun's jaw dropped. No! Just as Seojun was stomping his feet in frustration, Seo Eunchan's voice came like a ray of light.
"You can meet them backstage after the first part is over."
"Aren't they singing in the first part?"
"They already sang at the beginning, and they're scheduled to sing another song at the end after talking with the fans for a bit. There are more performances in the second part."
Seojun let out a huge sigh of relief. It was okay if they messed up a couple of songs; they could make up for it in the second part. The reputation of the 'Live-dols' must not be tarnished! He was so worried that he felt drained.
Seeing Seojun, who had been impatiently stomping his feet, suddenly calm down, Seo Eunchan and Lee Minjun exchanged glances. What's up with him? I don't know. Lee Minjun just shook his head.
After scratching his cheek a few times, Seo Eunchan spoke.
"You can watch the hyungs' fan meeting from over there. Want to go?"
"Yeah!"
"Alright. You have to be quiet, okay?"
"Okay."
Seojun took Seo Eunchan's hand and headed to their seats.
They were seated near the audience, but everyone was so engrossed in Brown Black on stage that they didn't notice Seojun and Seo Eunchan coming in.
Only Choi Siyoon, on stage, noticed and gave them a subtle nod.
Seojun waved back. Lee Minjun, who had explained the situation to Seo Eunhye over the phone, also sat down next to Seojun.
On stage, Brown Black was talking with their fans. The three of them sat and watched the fan meeting.
It was time to read the notes written by fans in advance, and one particular message kept coming up. Hwang Yejun took the microphone and said with a laugh.
"This one's the same, too. 'CEO Seo Eunchan, please take good care of our Brown Black! We'd be grateful if you treat them just like you did when you were their manager.' Eunchan-hyung has already received this many notes."
Hwang Yejun placed the note on the table. The pile of notes was quite high, and their contents were all more or less the same.
"We're also really happy that Eunchan-hyung became the CEO. It's made it easier for us to comfortably say what we want. We hope things stay this way for a long, long time."
At Park Seojin's words, the fans applauded enthusiastically. Among the fans, the tough-looking but kind Seo Eunchan was seen as reliable. Everyone wished for the best as Cocoa Entertainment moved forward.
"Uncle, you're so cool!"
"Heh heh heh."
At his nephew's compliment, Seo Eunchan gave an awkward, shy laugh. It was his first time being a CEO, but with so many people supporting him, he felt he could do a good job.
The first part of the fan meeting flew by, and preparations began for Brown Black's performance that would close it out.
Growing anxious again, Seojun clenched his fists tightly. His hyungs were talented, but he worried whether they could satisfy the fans, who had seen so many of their performances, without the help of his ability.
Dududung!
The music started. Shedding the cheerful and friendly demeanor they had while talking, Brown Black stood on stage with serious expressions, and the fans roared.
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