Joanna's Muse (7)
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How the hell was I supposed to explain this? On top of that, since I had to talk to May Lin in a foreign language, it was even trickier. In the end, I had no choice but to ask the interpreter to relay my words.
After hearing the translation, May Lin treated me like I was insane.
"So you're saying your skills are improving in real time, right now?"
"Yes."
"Did you think I'd buy that just because you're friends with Joanna? You're talking nonsense."
"You saw it yourself."
"……."
"If you saw it with your own eyes and still say no, there's nothing more I can say."
I spoke the truth, so I stood tall. No reason to flinch. Seeing my confident attitude, May Lin's expression crumpled.
"Fine, whatever. Since you're insisting, I'll have to believe you. But don't think this is over—you'll take responsibility for what you said."
"Of course."
May Lin's glare sharpened, but the shoot resumed. I started with clumsy poses again, then smoothly shifted to skilled, alluring ones once I adapted. The shutter sounds began syncing slower to match my movements.
Of course, I wasn't completely immune to criticism. While changing outfits and crouching on a small chair with glasses on for a shot, she called it stale and snatched the chair away. She even told me flat-out to check the mirror because my expressions sucked. But I got the most shutter clicks among the members, shot the longest, and ended up with the most A-grade cuts.
Coins really are a cheat.
Was there a way to earn more coins? I wanted to stockpile them, boost my abilities further. Not just abilities—maybe even snag some of those tantalizing items from the shop.
I should pressure Poni to find me a way to rake in a ton of coins.
This wasn't enough—far from it. Humans never know satisfaction, and greed sneaks up on you. I still wanted to catch up to the members' idol skills, nail these varied activities like today. Knowing a path existed made the current pace frustratingly slow.
"Writer, we still have the group shot."
"Ah!"
By the end of individual shoots, my abilities had fully settled—no notes, smooth sailing. May Lin's assistant interrupted mid-shoot, snapping me back to reality. I vaguely remembered moving very model-like, but details escaped me. May Lin seemed similarly dazed, barely hiding her fluster as her assistant called the wrap.
If not for the group shot, we might've debated what that intense focus was. But group shooting started right away, and the moment fizzled out.
"Good work, everyone."
"Good work!"
Clap clap clap clap!
The late shoot dragged on, but thanks to the Stamina Pouch keeping the members' energy up, we all revived and finished strong. Group shots were way more fun than solos anyway—being together felt reassuring. Sun had set, but wrapping by 8 p.m. was a win.
"Hyung, you were seriously cool."
"If you're that good, share some tips with us."
"Show-off."
After goodbyes to staff and May Lin, we piled into the van, and the members swarmed me in the middle, grumbling like they'd been waiting. My standout performance sparked jealousy. Playful jabs, so I laughed it off, praising them to soothe the sting.
"Haesol hyung improved super fast learning dance and vocals too. He's always been like this, so I'm used to it."
"Hyung's really a genius?"
Nam Eungyu couldn't hide his curiosity.
"Genius or not, what's it to you?"
"It's amazing! First genius I've met."
"Nonsense. Don't you know everyone's a genius here? That's why you beat out all those Honey Enter trainees for debut."
"Well, yeah, but... isn't that a bit skimpy for calling someone a genius?"
"Not skimpy at all. And there are tons here who sing better than me, dance better too. Calling me a genius? You slyly shading me?"
I threw my arm around Eungyu's neck and leaned in hard. Six guys crammed in one van—chaos erupted.
"Aaaah!"
"So cramped!!"
"My hand's crushed! Ow!"
"Aigoo, what a mess. You'll cause an accident, you idiots! Calm down and sit properly!"
"Noona, big shoot's done—no afterparty?"
"Afterparty! Afterparty! Afterparty!"
"Meat! Meat! Meat!"
"Right! No more diet, yeah? Meat! Meat! Meat!"
"Can't just yell meat. Hanwoo! Hanwoo! Hanwoo!"
"Flower sirloin! Flower sirloin!"
In seconds, the van filled with shouts of personal cravings. I joined in, yelling for flower sirloin with the guys.
Click—click—click—click—
May Lin's eyes stopped while scanning today's shots—on Jin Haesol's photo.
As staff left for late dinner, she stayed behind, claiming no hunger, to review her work.
Quality skyrocketed from this moment.
She was hypersensitive during shoots—hated chatter or loud noises. Staff knew and never disturbed her. But even with that caution, she'd never zoned in like today.
What the hell was that?
Her state was extraordinary—just from the output.
"This is my photo...."
No edits needed—perfection. Eastern beauty captured in one frame.
"This'll convince them."
How shallow their 'beauty' standards were. A photo meant for realism captured the impossible.
Seductive. Mesmerizing. No woman could resist fluttering over this. What did I even shoot?
Unbelievable even staring at it—beyond her skill. She doubted recreating it.
Lucky it ended before she fully surrendered to the model. Without her assistant's interruption, Haesol's talent would've devoured her, leading to despair. Or maybe she was despairing now.
If this is my masterpiece, how do I pick up the camera again?
After seeing the peak, countless future shots felt futile.
"Muse...."
Time to talk to Joanna. May Lin grabbed her phone and stood.
She couldn't fathom Joanna excitedly calling this dangerous man her muse. Probably dining with staff, so she messaged: Hotel room, quick meetup.
Back at the hotel, half out of it, I showered, set out convenience store beer and snacks. Joanna arrived.
"What kept you so late?"
"They were all hyped—hard to slip away. They clung to me. You could've joined for once."
"Not my thing."
Hanging with crowds was Joanna's vibe. If she'd been there, everyone would've frozen up anyway. Her aura overwhelmed regular staff—I knew that well.
"Didn't expect you to call. Thought you'd be jerking off."
"...You crazy? Drunk?"
"Hohoho! Know how sexy you were during the shoot?"
"Cut the crap. Not in the mood."
"Dead serious. Staff said it too—you were sexy."
"Sexy how?"
Women calling you sexy just creeps you out.
"Shooting with Jin."
"……."
"You felt it too, right?"
"How do you casually call him muse?"
"Knew you'd get it! Never disappoint, my friend! Kyahaha!"
"Not scared?"
May Lin had felt fear viewing her own work. Pathetic, trembling at your creation.
"I get it. Me too, at first. Despair hit when my mind emptied post-muse—brutal. Knowing the sweetness of being consumed by him made it worse."
"Got a photo I haven't shown anyone."
"From today's shoot?"
"Yeah."
"Can I see?"
"That's why I called. Figured you'd be in the same boat."
May Lin showed the specially saved photo from the studio. Phone screen lacked the full impact of a monitor, but it conveyed her shock.
"...Insane."
"Right?"
"Ecstatic. Captivating. Beautiful."
Any word fit this masterpiece.
"My muse inspired this in you."
"Not jealous?"
"He's not mine alone? No grounds for jealousy. I want him famous—show the world how incredible he is."
Through clothes or photos—whatever it took.
"I get 'can't stop staring.' Edited?"
"Nope."
"Ha, gimme this photo."
"Dream on."
"You planning to hog it? This screams main model for Jin."
"Debating."
"Obviously use it! Nothing tops this!"
"I know."
That's why May Lin hesitated to release it. It'd boost her fame, but she lacked confidence in surpassing it.
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