Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: 35. Rosanne the Unemployed (6)
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Dahye is way braver and more spirited than I am. She always manages to surpass my expectations.
But this? I really didn't see it coming.
Yesterday, she was on the phone saying how scared she was. Must hate being alone that much.
Not content with just coming all the way to Busan, she even tracked down our booth right in the heart of Gpex.
How on earth did she get here?
Did her social anxiety magically get better overnight?
No way. Not a chance.
From the back of her head, I could see the brim of her hat all crumpled up.
She was probably terrified the whole ride on the KTX, too frozen to even take the hat off.
I can't even begin to imagine how much effort it took, or what kind of resolve she mustered to come here.
I'm a coward, after all.
And after all that hardship...
What could Dahye possibly be thinking right now, just sitting there quietly after hearing that utterly ridiculous proposal?
"Please... If we can't find a model, we're really done for..."
Manager Kwak's proposal wasn't sane.
Asking a complete stranger to cosplay? Cosplay isn't some kids' game.
Revealing outfits, embarrassing character acting, oversized props.
That's something only someone totally immersed in subculture or who thrives on attention could dream of doing.
No amount of money would change that.
It's a matter of talent, plain and simple.
And for someone like Dahye who fears people, the bar is sky-high.
This is something the usual Manager Kwak would never suggest. He must be half out of his mind worrying about the disciplinary report.
Anyway, looks like everyone else sees Dahye as Rosanne too.
I thought it was just me.
After Dahye went silent for a long stretch, the manager shot me a meaningful glance.
"You know her, right, Assistant Manager Kwon?"
"Yes. She's a friend of mine."
"Then could you put in a good word? We're desperate, but triple the pay is a solid deal..."
"It's not about the money. She just really hates crowds."
That's definitely true.
But even as she met my eyes, Dahye didn't refuse.
She didn't even nod along with what I said.
She's always been razor-sharp at separating what she likes from what she hates, scaredy-cat or not. What was she hesitating about?
"Dahye, wanna step aside and talk just us for a sec?"
"Huh? Uh..."
"Manager. Mind if we chat privately for a bit?"
"Of course! Talk her into it, Assistant Manager!"
I led the stiff, frozen Dahye over to a nearby bench and sat her down.
Her hands were ice-cold from all the tension.
And then I told her.
Our company's in a bad spot, sure, but that's not for her to worry about.
If they're pinning the company's survival on some twenty-year-old, it's a company that deserves to fail.
"Dahye, no need to push yourself. Just turn it down."
"Seonghyeon... If I cosplay as Rosanne... would that actually help?"
"It'd help the company. But it has nothing to do with you. So don't force it."
"..."
"If it's hard to say no, I can tell them for you?"
"But Seonghyeon..."
"Yeah. Speak freely, Dahye."
"I wanna do it. No... I have to. I absolutely have to!"
Beyond my expectations. Beyond my expectations of expectations.
Park Dahye, the girl with zero tolerance for things she dislikes.
The reason she didn't shut down Manager Kwak's crazy idea... Was it because she actually wants to cosplay?
But cosplay isn't just about willpower.
Dahye had been fidgeting with her hat nonstop since earlier.
The event hall was already scary enough now, and tomorrow at peak hours, there'd be three times the crowd. What was she planning to do?
"You sure you can handle it? It'll be packed with people. And photos too."
But when Dahye's eyes, fixed on the ground, finally turned to me, I could sense the future.
Dahye would definitely accept this insane proposal.
And throw herself back into the labyrinth once more.
Right now, that look in her eyes...
It's the gaze of a warrior charging headlong into a cherry blossom park with no plan.
"Seonghyeon. I'm doing it."
And I have no idea how to stop Dahye in full warrior mode.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Manager. She's in."
I handed Manager Kwak Dahye's contract.
It was originally an illustrator freelance contract, just tweaked a few words and the advance.
She'd have to redo it properly back in Seoul, but if higher-ups got involved later, the pay would get slashed.
Better to lock it in now.
"For real!? Wow, what a relief... You're a lifesaver, Assistant Manager Kwon. How's your acquaintance such a perfect fit? She might even get a better reaction than Dalnyangnyang!"
"The vibe's spot-on, right?"
"Totally! Similar hair color, and that strangely resilient yet wounded look in her eyes... It's got that exact elusive Rosanne feel!"
"Then let's do it right. If Dalnyangnyang herself tweets recommending her as a cosplayer, the fans will eat it up. We can ride that wave again."
"Huh? Yeah...! Might even be better than posting an apology."
"Of course, the cosplay quality has to deliver."
"Don't sweat it. The cos team's already heading back. We'll tweak everything by morning! Prettier than Dalnyangnyang—more Rosanne than Rosanne!"
"Just... take good care of her, Manager. She doesn't have much real-world experience. Don't treat her like an office worker."
"You got it! Without her, we're sunk anyway. She's VIP, not hired help!"
I bowed to the manager.
"Please take good care of her."
When I first brought Dahye to live with me, I wanted to be a safe haven until she could grow on her own.
Work already? Honestly, I was hoping she'd say no.
Feels like shoving a butterfly off a cliff before its wings dry.
But as I looked up, the manager tapped my shoulder with his elbow and asked,
"So, what's the deal with her? Just friends? She looks super young."
"Real friends."
"Hmm... You're different around friends, huh."
"Different how?"
"Y'know, usually you're so... rational. All business, no small talk."
"That bad?"
"Haha, guess it was my bias. You're a lot warmer with friends."
"How so?"
"Dunno... Seemed like a good friend. The reliable type you'd want in your corner? It's a compliment. Looked really caring."
Do I come off different around Dahye?
Probably all the worrying.
Now that she's accepted, nothing left for me to do.
Quitting time dragged on forever.
The cosplay team returned to the event hall and gawked at Dahye, mouths agape.
"Whoa, where'd you find this model? Body's perfect. She could straight-up wear Dalnyangnyang's outfit."
"Hair color's a match too—just pin some bangs with a wig."
They started inspecting her from every angle, throwing out estimates.
They must've been through hell today too.
But the thought of filling Dalnyangnyang's spot wiped away their fatigue.
"Manager! We'll pull an all-nighter if we have to—get the outfit and makeup dialed in!"
And with that, they whisked Dahye off to their hotel.
Lots to do before morning.
Guess I'll head out too.
Fighting, Park Dahye.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In the end, I didn't sleep a wink before leaving the hotel.
Dahye's an adult, and the manager would be glued to her side.
Still, couldn't shake the worry. No sleep.
Yesterday, no nap thanks to the Dalnyangnyang fiasco.
Two straight days without a single hour.
Morning sun split into two in my vision.
Our team's Manager Park was already at the event hall.
Said he'd drop by yesterday, but showed up when we needed him least—today.
"Morning, Manager. You're early."
"Hey, Kwon. Heard one cosplayer bailed yesterday?"
"Yeah. Got a replacement, but... no clue if it'll work."
"Sigh... Felt like a gamble from the user vote. And boom, it blows up."
"You see Manager Kwak?"
"Said he went to check the cos team's outfits ages ago. Should be here soon?"
"How's HQ?"
"Director's furious. Whole place iced over. Kwak's in for a roasting."
Yeah, if the event tanks.
But I see it differently.
The cosplay team's approaching from behind the manager...
I can't speak for the others, but Dahye's right in the middle.
Brown leather pants slit up the thigh, white shirt boldly open at the chest.
Hair braided up like an elf's, fierce red eyeliner.
Over the shirt, a fairy-like green mini dress fluttered ethereally.
For the event to flop, she'd have to be worse than Dalnyangnyang at minimum.
The Dahye walking toward me right now? No different from Rosanne herself.
How could we possibly fail with a model like that?
"Holy shit, she's the sub? Quality's insane. I'd buy it if you said Rosanne was modeled after her."
Even Manager Park's impressed.
Event hasn't started, but thinking of Dahye pulling an all-nighter for that look, I'm so proud tears prick my eyes.
So I waved wildly at Dahye.
But...
Her reaction wasn't what I expected.
Thought she'd spot me and bounce around like a puppy, waving back.
Instead, she brushed past me and said,
"Save your greetings until you've knelt, frail human."
Hmm.
I knew she was good at impressions.
Dahye...
I told you to cosplay, not become Rosanne for real.
It's hilarious, the sync rate is mind-blowing, and I just stared blankly as Dahye walked away.
Then Manager Park slung an arm around my shoulder and nodded vigorously.
I knew exactly what he was thinking.
This Gpex is our victory.
Because we've got the real Rosanne.
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