Mental Preparation (3)
[This letter first started in #$ and went around once in %@ year, bringing luck to everyone who received it. Now it has come to you, and it must leave your side within one day. You might dismiss it as superstition, but it's true. In @&, a person named XX in @#[email protected] year...]
Sender: Kkwuk-ttuk-kwang...
"Haha..."
How long had it been since I'd last seen one of these chain letters? And not even from England—most of the important parts were smudged and illegible. Still, encountering a childhood memory like this didn't feel half bad. I wondered if whoever sent it had gotten nostalgic too.
I tossed my phone aside and stretched lazily. Today was Baek Ga-eun's first day on the job.
CG Entertainment's beginnings were humble. Founded under the slogan "Talent is our asset," it gathered promising talents from all walks of life. But those talents preferred big corporations over mid-sized firms like ours. CEO Choi Kang kept things afloat without any major hits until he met the talent who would change everything: Lee Ji-yeon.
Convinced by my argument that she should debut as a singer, he dug out a song he'd been saving: Old Love. It was a gift from a composer who'd secretly loved him long before he started the company. Impressed by Lee Ji-yeon's vocals, he offered to debut her as a singer if she performed it.
I knew her skills and insisted no ordinary song would do, leading to a back-and-forth with the CEO. In the end, we couldn't find anything better. The composer herself claimed she hadn't thought much of it.
Old Love ended up a massive hit. Lee Ji-yeon, who could look quite cold when not smiling, was softened by her short bob that didn't quite reach her shoulders and the beauty mark near her eye. The heartfelt lyrics from the composer's true feelings, paired with her poignant tone, created a huge stir.
After a few more hits, she suddenly switched to acting—a move that defied expectations. But with her outstanding talent, she steadily built her career, becoming the pillar of CG Entertainment.
She even visited me during my military service, earning me favor with my superiors. I probably saw her on TV more than any idol throughout my enlistment.
...Yeah, way more.
Thanks to her success, the company now focuses on nurturing our artists' talents. Hyeon Ha-yeon went through various tests too, and surprisingly, she had a knack for singing. She waved it off, saying she rarely even went to noraebang, but the trainer said she had real potential and could be trained as a singer.
Acting, though? Mediocre at best—probably because she's too honest and bad at lying. Lately, the CEO's been saying her sharp, cat-like impression reminds him of Lee Ji-yeon and has been scouting composers to make her the "second Lee Ji-yeon."
Today, with Baek Ga-eun starting, would be a meaningful day for company intros and figuring out how to bloom her talents.
How much time passed? Word came that Baek Ga-eun had arrived in the lobby—thirty minutes early. I hurriedly prepared and headed down.
"You've arrived? Quite early."
"Yes, first day on the job—better not be late."
"Good. Shall we go?"
"...Yes."
I registered her access and showed her around the company. She usually tied her hair up and wore a hat, but today she'd loosely gathered her long locks.
"...You look better without the hat."
"It's fine, right? First day."
A slightly bold lipstick shade complemented her pale skin, brightening her impression. She said first impressions matter, so even though she prefers casual wear, she'd dressed neatly on purpose.
"...As expected from an arts major."
"Nah... just basics."
She smiled brightly, seeming inwardly pleased.
"Now, this is..."
'Rice~ rice rice rice, let's eat rice!'
A cute jingle poured from the ceiling speakers. By the time I'd introduced her to staff and facilities, lunch hour had snuck up.
"...What's this?"
Baek Ga-eun chuckled at the song from the speakers.
"Our company's lunch alert."
"An alarm?"
"CEO's rule: Eat before you work."
"Wow..."
"Shall we head to the cafeteria?"
"...Yes."
I led her to the top-floor restaurant, a renovated regular diner turned employee cafeteria. Back when I started, it was kimbap from street vendors every day... things had improved.
"Looks pretty good?"
"Much better now."
To match her eating pace, I let her order first. She picked a light salad with chicken steak. I went for a similar sandwich set.
"...That alone okay?"
"Yes, I'm on a diet lately."
"..."
She eyed my choice curiously, but how could I explain it was to sync with her? I grabbed seats by the window to show off the cafeteria's best feature: the view.
"Enjoy your meal."
"...Yes, you too."
As we chatted over lunch, a familiar voice rang out.
"Oh! Manager, you're here!"
"Yeah, right here."
Baek Ga-eun, sitting across from me, looked startled upon recognizing the voice. I turned first and greeted them.
"...Hello."
Hyeon Ha-yeon and Lee Ji-yeon stood there with trays.
"Hi~"
"Hello. Manager!"
Why were these two eating together? I hadn't realized they were that close. With Lee Ji-yeon here, talk about Baek Ga-eun was inevitable. Obvious. I had to introduce her first to head off any complaints.
"...This is Baek Ga-eun, starting today."
"Hello. Baek Ga-eun. Nice to meet you."
Lee Ji-yeon shot me a quick glare before smiling sweetly.
"So you're the rookie Cho-in mentioned~ Nice to meet you. I'm Lee Ji-yeon."
"Ah, a rookie... I'm Hyeon Ha-yeon!"
They exchanged greetings and naturally joined us.
"Ha-yeon, let's sit here. Ga-eun, okay?"
"Yes, fine."
"Thanks! No seats anywhere~"
Lee Ji-yeon slid into the seat next to me. Hyeon Ha-yeon hesitated briefly before taking the one beside Baek Ga-eun. It was a spacious four-top, but somehow it felt cramped.
"I've only been here a short while myself..."
I noticed Hyeon Ha-yeon chatting with Baek Ga-eun. One a hero, the other the demon king. Memories of their past battles made me tense, but these modern versions were different.
"Wow, you're a senior."
"S-Senior? No way~"
Seeing their friendly vibe eased my mind. No swords or magic here. As long as I played it smart, nothing would—
"...Tasty?"
Lee Ji-yeon whispered from beside me.
...Right, Lee Ji-yeon was next to me.
"...It's decent."
"...You don't usually eat this little. Here, have some."
"It's fine—"
"Take it and work hard."
"..."
She scooped some meat from her plate onto mine. No choice—I ate a bit.
"..."
"..."
Suddenly, Baek Ga-eun and Hyeon Ha-yeon stared blankly, conversation halted. Lee Ji-yeon noticed and awkwardly explained.
"Oh, he used to be my manager~ So I know him a bit."
"...Ah~ So that's the diet..."
"..."
Hyeon Ha-yeon already knew about us; Baek Ga-eun had a vague idea. The awkward silence nearly choked me, but salvation came unexpectedly.
"...Yes... Yes, that's fine. Yes, see you shortly."
The trainer for the afternoon session called to ask if we could move it up. He was usually punctual, but anyway—perfect timing. Breath of fresh air.
"...Ga-eun, the trainer wants to start a bit early. Okay?"
"Yes, I'm done anyway."
She read my desperate eyes and agreed. Staying sandwiched between Hyeon Ha-yeon and Lee Ji-yeon any longer would've been torture, short as it was.
"...Leaving?"
"Yes, something came up..."
"Okay... Go ahead. We'll eat."
"Heading out? Good luck, Manager! Ga-eun too!"
"...Yes, enjoy your meals."
"...Enjoy."
I hurried out with Baek Ga-eun.
"Phew..."
As she cleared her dishes, a deep sigh escaped me unbidden. That brief time had drained my energy completely.
...Exhausting.
The aptitude tests wrapped up, results in.
"Hmm... Dance is solid thanks to your ballet background."
"Singing's average? Not tone-deaf, though."
"Acting! Go for acting! Better than Lee Ji-yeon! I guarantee it!"
The three trainers' reactions varied wildly.
"..."
Baek Ga-eun just smiled through it all, thanking the last one.
...Did she always smile this much?
I handed her a drink and asked her thoughts.
"...What do you think of the results, Ga-eun?"
"They're our trainers, so their skills are legit... I'm satisfied. Got praise in one area, at least."
She had her own standards and seemed genuinely pleased. Now, regardless of her wishes, the company would decide her path. Probably acting. Even I was shocked by her skills—from innocent student to charismatic middle-aged role, nearly flawless. She memorized lines instantly, added apt ad-libs. Not amateur hour.
Her tearful sobbing scene had me instinctively reaching out. A true actress.
"...Good work today. Rest tomorrow; decision the day after."
"You too, Cho-in."
She gave me a bright smile. After seeing her off, I headed home early too—early meeting tomorrow, so I clocked out.
Tonight: research strategies for the demon king and hero.
"Ah... wiped out."
[...I'll rest for a bit.]
Another night digging through records for info, but exhaustion won—I decided to rest. The morning chain letter popped into mind. Supposed to bring luck, but today felt luckless. Received the letter... met early-arriving Baek Ga-eun... lunch with Hyeon Ha-yeon and Lee Ji-yeon... early phone call... Wait.
My mistake. Luck had come. Subtle, but real.
Lee Ji-yeon clearly disliked me managing Hyeon Ha-yeon and Baek Ga-eun. Her actions felt deliberate now. Turns out I was wearing a bomb vest, rolling through a minefield.
"Phew..."
[...What's wrong?]
The goddess, browsing past records for next view, reacted to my sigh.
"Nah, just had good luck today."
[Luck...?]
I explained briefly; her response was odd.
[...The chain letter!?]
"...Huh? You know it?"
[Th-the letters that come out garbled...?]
"...Yeah."
[G-Get up and send it to someone right now!]
"What?"
The panicked goddess jolted me awake with her power.
"Wh-what..."
First time seeing her this flustered. Phone check: 11:58 PM, midnight soon. She said send a text, but who to? Contacts undecided. Screen hit 11:59.
Hit back for contacts—new message: [Ma*i*ge*r, you really don't kno*w...]
Spam ad. Inspiration struck.
"Oh!"
I forwarded the chain letter to the spam number. Long message—took time to send. Finished just as clock struck midnight.
"..."
Nothing happened. Probably fine. Back to bed.
[Did you send it properly?]
"Ugh... Yes, properly. Don't worry."
Third time reassuring the freaking-out goddess that I sent it before midnight. Asked why the panic; she just said forward it and vanished in light.
Consciousness ejected. New past record.
A younger me reading the letter.
[This letter first started in #$ and went around once in %@ year, bringing luck to everyone who received it. Now it has come to you, and it must leave your side within one day...]
"...What is this? Sis's?"
Past me tossed it aside and headed out.
...Next scene explained the goddess's reaction.
"Gack... Cough... S-Sis... mercy..."
"After I raised you... chasing some bitch?!"
"Die... Die!!"
"Kek, gah..."
Past me got beaten to death by his live-in girlfriend.
Next morning, rereading the spam-sent letter, one line jumped out.
[......Ultimately died from a nearby woman's jealousy. Remember: This letter...]