Chapter 39

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 39

Chapter Title: #bridge Second Loading

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I was still half-asleep, my mind foggy.

Rubbing my eyes, I read it again, but my vision was fine.

This wasn't like the usual evaluations I'd seen so far.

"What the...?"

I rolled the pen between my fingers, pondering why this message had appeared.

"...Is it because there are two stories in one piece...?"

Judging by the title, that seemed plausible.

"...?"

The goal had been gender sensitivity, so after a brief hesitation, I selected [Gender Sensitivity].

Scratch, scratch.

I watched in fascination as the text erased itself in real-time and new words appeared.

Fine Work! The moment I saw those words, goosebumps prickled my skin.

"Whoa! What the hell...!"

Honestly, I'd expected another Average at best, but Fine Work popped up instead.

Realizing I'd gained two points for a total of three, I couldn't help but smirk.

"No dramatic effects or anything..."

Still, there was that lingering Immersion.

It sucked that it'd drop a lot over the next week.

"Gotta rest for at least a week anyway."

My lower body was sore; I really needed the break.

After squeezing out semen nonstop for days, erections now came with a sharp tug.

Toying with my balls, I closed the Scenario Book.

I had to prepare the next scenario and the props for it.

"Sex is great and all... but should I aim for another Fine Work?"

It wasn't just about sex anymore. The Scenario Book I'd acquired was injecting new vitality into my otherwise mundane daily life, completely free of charge.

It felt like getting a new game—with bonus sex thrown in.

I harbored no ill will toward Kim Woohyun or U Dayoung.

I'd just experimented on a whim, been amazed when it worked, and borrowed Dayoung's firm body for a bit.

"Couple-friend content is running dry, though. Tsk."

I'd save the good stuff for later; for now, I wanted to try a different concept.

Grrrowl.

My stomach growled; I'd only eaten a bowl of ramen last night before crashing.

I pulled eggs and bacon from the fridge, tossed them into a frying pan, and microwaved some rice.

Grabbing some kimchi, I set a simple table, then shook awake U Dayoung, who was still sleeping naked.

"Ugh, the smell..."

I'd thrown yesterday's stinky stuff in the wash, but the lingering scent hadn't fully faded.

"Hey, hey~ Get up already~."

I yanked the blanket off her side-lying form and smacked her ass.

Smack.

"Mmngh."

"Time to head to work~."

She'd had a tough day too; exhaustion clung to her.

Finally sitting up in a daze, I propped her into a seat.

"Eat first, then work."

"...I could skip food..."

"Hurry ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠up."

Handing her a spoon, she brought food to her mouth even half-asleep.

But she set it down quick, clearly no appetite.

"Agh... this rice ain't cheap..."

I scarfed the leftovers, then hauled the dozing Dayoung up and shoved her toward the bathroom.

"...Go wash up, got it?"

"Mmh."

"...?"

Seeing her just plop on the toilet and mumble, I facepalmed.

"This won't do. Let's shower together."

"Aww~, nooo..."

The scenario was over, so no effect, but she didn't find her nudity weird.

'Must be from that Influence boost.'

It had jumped big-time; I wondered what reactions it'd trigger now.

Standing beside her on the toilet, I started brushing my teeth.

"Ptoo."

Whoosh.

Hot water rinsed me off, steam and sound finally waking her wide-eyed gaze up at me.

"What're you staring at."

"Mm... How'd the shoot go?"

"Shot it great. You remember?"

"Mmh... We passed, so we shot it..."

Even post-scenario, memories lingered—I grinned brightly.

The higher Influence climbs, the blurrier the line between reality and scenario!

Acting casual as I washed, I said,

"Yeah, editing today and sending it off. Come on. Shower time."

"I'll do it aloneee."

"You've been glued to that seat."

Grabbing her, she ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠stood with feigned reluctance.

I went to put a hand on her waist, but she smacked it away.

"Hey, what? Why no touch...?"

Nudity's fine, but skinship's off-limits? Bizarre.

"R-Right."

Disappointing, but higher Influence should yield better reactions soon.

A brilliantly clear sky.

Vrooom~!

Speeedo! Speeedo!

"Ugh, ears hurt."

To be safe, I'd arrived early, catching a bus ahead of U Dayoung's schedule.

"Nice weather, though."

The morning breeze wasn't too humid.

It felt refreshingly cool on my skin.

"Am I first again?"

The office was close, so maybe not surprising.

Punching in the code, I entered—the fresh remodel scent lingered.

"Mm~, that new-construction smell."

Musing, I sat at my desk.

Twenty minutes later, U Dayoung arrived second.

"Hiii~."

Spotting me, she waved cheerily.

"We saw each other at home; why greet?"

"Ah~. Right."

"Anyway, last shoot—good work, Dayoungie."

Testing, I tossed it out; she asked back,

"Ah, yeah. You too, Siwoo. For real."

"Sure, sure. We'll talk cash when it comes in."

I was right.

"Gotta write something better than Fine Work now, huh?"

Straying from scenario or skimping details dropped Immersion; defying actor logic or plausibility spiked Discomfort.

Short ones maxed at Average.

Ding.

Won Yuchan arrived next.

As 9 approached, Kim Woohyun strolled in.

"Heeey."

I waved hellos to each.

"Early again?"

"Bus is quick. Tough for Seoul commuters."

Shrugging at the trio from the capital.

"Heave-ho, cig before meeting~! Yuchan, pretty please."

"Yessir."

Yuchan, who'd brought a morning burger and finished the last bite, followed me down.

Tss.

In the alley's cool shade, I lit up.

Standing side-by-side in the narrow lane, I said,

"We need a bin here soon; our trash looks nasty."

No can meant floor tosses piling up unsightly.

"Bro, there's a tin up top."

"Huh? What's that doing there."

"Remodel leftovers?"

"Yeah."

Flicking ash, Yuchan continued,

"Leftover paint cans."

"Oh, cool?"

"Wash one and plop it here?"

I nodded faintly, flicking my butt to the ground.

"Stop dumping till then; grab one later."

"Gotcha, bro."

Back up top, windows flung wide for ventilation.

"Air it out during the meeting."

"~Right," I replied to Woohyun, grabbing meeting stuff.

"Dahee-noona's coming afternoon for round two."

Dayoung noted, notebook in hand.

I frowned more at shooting with her—stranger, unknown personality, headache.

Scenario Book on long cooldown, but filming next week.

"Anyway, my pitch."

Scratching my head, I started.

"Bit of city pop vibe, sunset mood too. Saw samples on the site."

Showing community designer templates,

"Like this—cool?"

"Yeah, they like the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠trendy feel."

"...Since when's city pop trendy."

Brushing off the lame remark, meeting wrapped quick.

Scrape.

Post-meeting, routine kicked in.

Scenario Book was handy, but too vague for hypnosis or brainwashing.

Long cooldown—no world-shaking power.

Just a fun trinket spicing daily life.

"...Wonder how others'd use it."

Curious, but no sharing.

3 PM.

AC blasting, editing away, when U Dayoung headed out.

"Grabbing noona."

No reply as she left.

"...Kids, answer when spoken to?"

I chuckled exasperatedly; they laughed awkwardly.

"All zoned into work."

Dayoung returned after an hour, coffees from her roller bag signaling a cafe detour.

"Coffee, everyone."

She dove back in with her iced Americano.

Meanwhile, Woohyun, Dayoung, and noona chatted.

'U Dahee...'

Familiar name glimpsed once. Knew Dayoung had a sister, first sighting.

She rarely mentioned her.

Glancing: long brown hair swaying softly.

'Fresh perm?'

Slightly different vibe from before.

Ivory blouse, tight blue skinny jeans, slim white belt at waist.

Slanker waist than Dayoung beside her.

Bigger, rounder hips, though.

"Ooh."

Face like Dayoung's, but mature poise.

"That's the friend shooting with you."

Woohyun gestured my way; I stood, smiling innocently.

"Please take care of me."

"Oh, sure. Nice to meet you."

Model height? Heels? Looked 170cm.

"Ah, yes. I'll do my best."

Bowing again, she flashed an enigmatic smile.

Glancing back, Dayoung grinned too—cafe gossip, probably.

Not sex talk, maybe my personality or such.

"Starting Monday? Name's...?"

"Ah... Here's my card. Nam Siu."

She took it smiling.

"Yes, no card on me; I'll contact you."

"Got it."

Her businesslike tone had Dayoung smirking, like "What's her deal?"

"Woohyunie~, early out for dinner? Been ages."

Dahee slyly grabbed Woohyun's arm; he and Dayoung shut it down routinely.

"Work pile-up. Noona, and it's nowhere near 6."

Woohyun said; Dahee pouted.

"Snubbing the married lady?"

"Aww, sis. He's the boss; can't leave first~."

"Hmph, too bad."

Seemed some sibling vibe.

Acting life gave her a different aura.

Strikingly distinct feel from blood-related Dayoung.