W.L.K. Epilogue (1): Scarlett's Hollywood Redemption
"Hoyoung, how about sushi for dinner tonight?"
"Nah~ We had our fill of Japanese food last time, so pass."
"Oh... last time?"
It had been a birthday party so extravagant it felt like the first real one of my life. Honestly, I didn't even remember celebrating properly as a kid. At best, we'd grab a cake from the local bakery and split it. No gifts, ever. Born a total loner, I'd never had a friend party either, obviously.
But this time? Two straight weeks of nonstop celebration. Day one was a cozy fuck session with Himeko, and I figured that was it—party over once the birthday ended, right? That was my common sense.
But Himeko had no intention of letting me go from the start. She kept it going the next day too. Rare Japanese delicacies caught my eye (Yubari melon was a standout treat—I even asked her to ship some back to Korea). She held me captive for a full two weeks.
The 5P with the W.L.K. team was a blast, and sipping sake while hearing Himeko brag about her year's battles was more fun than expected. The buzz hit just right when she boasted there wasn't a corner of the world my hypnosis hadn't touched. Paraded through the streets on a palanquin (locals lined up to gawk), my birthday became a national holiday around Tokyo, turning it into a full-blown festival. We partied like mad, and the two weeks flew by.
By the end, it felt less like master-slave and more like hanging with friends. I'm not always about tormenting and dominating—sometimes this chill vibe hits the spot.
"Pretty sure I tried every 'rare' dish Japan had to offer back then. Japanese food's off-limits for a while."
I later learned I was the one who'd ordered Himeko to form the team in the first place. Amnesia had wiped it from my mind, so I legit thought I was getting assassinated at first and freaked out. But it ended like a thrilling haunted house ride—pure fun, no regrets.
"Still, after that long trip, I want something light for a bit."
"What happened to those team friends of yours?"
"Oh... them?"
Sprawled on the sofa, soaking in a lazy weekday afternoon, my apron-clad mom asked while washing dishes. By coincidence, the TV was playing entertainment news.
"Haha. Guess it's time to catch up on them one by one."
~Scarlett Watson's Case~
Scarlett jetted back to the US right after Kim Hoyoung's birthday bash ended. No reason to stick around for team duties anymore.
Sumire, who'd idolized her, teared up. "Sis, do you have to go? Won't you stay in Japan with me?"
"Gotta quit. I don't even speak Japanese... I love Hoyoung-nim, but I've got dreams. He'd hate me tagging along forever anyway."
True enough. Kim Hoyoung planned to head home to Korea and live with family post-party.
"Let her go, Sumire. The idiot thinks she can be the next Audrey Hepburn. Though that dumb side might be her charm."
"Park Jisoo."
"Hmph! No more obstacles to your dreams now. Fail again, and it's on you."
"Tch. You better nail it too. Watch me become a superstar and read about my concert."
Bickering as always, but their friendship meant the world. Free of mental baggage, Scarlett hit the US running—splurging Himeko's farewell cash on designer dresses and glam makeup. Her natural beauty turned heads instantly. Guys whistled on the street; a loaded one even proposed seriously. But her heart? Nowhere.
Truth was, no man but Kim Hoyoung sparked anything anymore. Romance seemed off the table forever. Whatever.
Even Hoyoung, knowing her dream, cheered: "Movie tickets are stupid expensive these days—I skip theaters usually—but I'll buy and watch every one you're in." That pride fueled unknown actress Scarlett.
"If Hoyoung-nim cheers me on, nothing's impossible."
Hollywood's a jungle. Ambitious hopefuls swarm, but few conquer. Yet Scarlett snagged a golden shot.
Auditioning, she spotted a script that hooked her: The Awakening of Hypnosis. The title alone tugged her soul. She devoured it feverishly.
Synopsis: A messiah saves the world via hypnosis, clashing with a rebel who rejects it. The young, naive heroine's the rebel—scorning the hypnotized, rallying resistance to kill the hypnotist. But her fight erodes her mind; a final desperate assassination backfires into hypnosis.
Then? Miracles. Worries vanish, the world blooms beautiful, her heart purifies. She reconciles, repents past sins, becomes the messiah's devoted lamb. True happiness lies in hypnosis—the obvious truth any modern human knows, but that obviousness shines.
One pattern's the golden one, right? Plus, it mirrored her W.L.K. days perfectly. She knew she could nail it.
And she did. Post-audition, the director leaped up, tears streaming, applauding.
"Perfect! Perfect! You're the lead, no question! You... what's your name?"
"Uh... S-Scarlett Watson."
"I'm Sherry!" The blonde director grabbed her hand.
First time for such praise—Scarlett shook, stunned.
"Others auditioned, but no one captured the emotions like you! Like the heroine walked off the page! How's a newbie this good?!"
"Well..."
Should she spill? Her dark past was embarrassing. But the director's eyes gleamed...
Screw it. "Truth is, I tried killing Hoyoung-nim, failed, and got personally re-educated by him. Felt like the script was my story—less acting, more reliving. Method acting on autopilot."
"Oh... you too?"
"Huh?"
"I rejected Hoyoung-nim's rule once. Embarrassing history—faced it hot. Formed a resistance, fancied myself America's leader. Cringe now. But I poured that autobiography into this script. Americans love redemption arcs, right?"
"So... you walked a similar path, Director."
"Yep! Newbie director and actress, united by shared scars—let's make magic!"
The Awakening of Hypnosis, shot on Sherry's dime (investors balked at a rookie) for a modest $20 million, grossed $1 billion worldwide. Sherry and Scarlett became Hollywood icons. Korean fan cafes for Scarlett popped up everywhere.
Netizens exploded.
Critics raved too.
The Awakening of Hypnosis swept Director, Picture, Screenplay, and Best Actress—etched into film history. Scarlett achieved her stardom dream.
She's swamped with offers now, squealing, "Never dreamed so many great scripts existed!"
(I crashed the premiere party—hilarious seeing Hollywood stars mob me for autographs on their clothes.)
"Whoa! You met Hollywood actors too? O-Of course that's normal for you, Hoyoung... but Mom's so jealous! Did you meet Tommy Karus? My fave!"
"Yeah, met him. Says he acts thinking of me—draws inspiration or whatever."
"Whoa! So you! D-Did you get his autograph?"
"Nah. What's a guy's sig good for?"
"........."
"Rather spill on the actresses, Mom."
Mom wanted more on her crush, but I was itching to dish about fucking the starlets.