’Duality? What’s that?’
As Rayen stared at the unfamiliar term, a brief explanation appeared below it, line by line.
[The Duality: "Who’s that? Is that really him? Why’s he so different on stage?"]
’Oh...’
Beside Rayen, Adrian chuckled. "That’s quite accurate. You’re really different on stage. You’re like that kid."
"Who?"
"That Jiji," Adrian said with a grin.
Rayen blinked. "You an I look like a giant on stage?"
Adrian laughed. "No, not like that. Wait, you think Jiji looks like a giant when performing?"
Rayen nodded, recalling Jiji’s commanding stage presence. But when he compared it to himself, it didn’t quite feel the sa.
As Adrian finished reviewing his own episode summary, he turned his attention to Rayen’s. Watching Rayen’s progress was far more interesting than reflecting on his own lackluster summary.
"Because of your first performance, you have earned the viewers’ interest," Mini Plotter announced. "Congratulations! You just gained a significant amount of Life Book Points!"
Behind Mini Plotter, the large interface updated with new text.
[Life Book Points: 1006]
Upon seeing it, Adrian almost died of envy. Compared to Rayen’s book points just now, what he received was just a pinch of salt.
’Yeah, he’s definitely the main character,’ Adrian thought. ’Well, I still haven’t perford. And I have less screen ti this episode.’
"You’ve also earned several nicknas from your fans!" Mini Plotter added.
"Nicknas?"
"Cactus Boy, Crunchy Wow, Comical Dancer, My Cute Red-Haired Doll, Rara—"
"Okay, okay. Stop."
Rayen quickly cut him off, already cringing. The last thing he wanted was for Adrian to hear more embarrassing ones.
But Mini Plotter didn’t seem to hear him.
"Yeon Miwol’s Idol Fan, Yeo Haru’s Stepdad and... Ra-yuck."
’When did I beco Yeo Haru’s stepdad? And what the hell is with Ra-yuck?’
"These nicknas will be registered to the system," Mini Plotter explained. "ntions of these nicknas directly referring to you in people’s Life Books will contribute to your points. Both positive and negative impressions count. Please work hard. The global fan voting begins today, and point tallies will be announced at the end of the voting period. That concludes my summary report."
...
After a grueling series of questioning from the police and taking care of the formalities for Ra-yen’s autopsy and funeral service, Jared finally exited the building. Nearly two days had passed.
Dasu was taken care of by his own family, but Ra-yen had no one left except him. The thought alone caused a lump to rise in his throat.
Outside, Adrift’s manager stood watchfully, scanning for lurking paparazzi. Just then, upon spotting a tall figure in a black mask and hat walking out from the exit, he let out a sigh of relief.
"Is it over?" the manager asked.
Jared nodded. "They’ll prepare the funeral services by the end of the day."
"Alright. Should we head to your place or the funeral ho?"
"My place... I need to get Finley."
Finley was Jared’s dog. His bandmates had always loved playing with the little guy. Now, though...
"Okay."
The manager simply nodded, not pressing further. Silence settled between them as the weight of the situation made conversation difficult.
Rembering sothing, Jared broke the silence. "Any news on those two guys?"
The manager shook his head. Jared was referring to the two individuals whom he t at Ra-yen’s apartnt complex. After they discovered the body, the two vanished without a trace.
Having no energy to talk more, Jared climbed into the back seat of the car while his manager took the wheel. Buckling himself in, Jared imdiately turned to his phone, his expression darkening as he scrolled.
Peeking at him from the front mirror, the manager sighed inwardly. The band’s over...
The incident was still under investigation, but rumors were already running rampant online. Jared’s inbox overflowed with ssages from people in the industry. He ignored them all.
Most of these people hadn’t even bothered to reach out when things were normal. Now they were suddenly flocking around him just to peck at the piece of interesting bread?
Jared just read a news article published just hours earlier, but as he did so, his chest tightened.
[Adrift to disband. Two mbers dead?
Just in: Two mbers of the rising band Adrift were found deceased at one mber’s apartnt. MoonSandival, the band’s label, confird the tragic news this morning via social dia.
"The incident remains under investigation, and we cannot provide further details at this ti," the company stated.
The label did not specify the cause of death and only asked the fans for their understanding as the bereaved’s families and friends wished to hold the funeral of the two mbers privately.]
This article could still be considered tad compared to others. So social dia posts floating around the Internet speculated wildly.
[@MakeIceCream111: Did they kill each other? How co they’re both found in one apartnt?]
– Does soone have any video when they took the bodies?
>> This is too disgustinng. Please respect the dead and stop gossiping.
>> Don’t you have any conscience?
– Who were the dead? They didn’t specify which two of them were dead.
– Please, just say they were fine. Please, just say this is fake news. My fave band...
>> Unfortunately, no. I’ve witnessed the incident. I’m from the sa building as the one mber who died. I saw two bodies, they’re already decomposing.
>> Tell , who was it?
>> I don’t know the other. I only know my neighbor. He’s Ra-yen.
>> So the main vocalist is out? LOL
>> Disgusting people. Can’t you just shut up if you don’t have sothing nice to say?
Unable to take it any longer, Jared closed the post he was reading. He was not soone to cry over small matters, but this one... He couldn’t help it.
’I ssed up...’
...
anwhile, the person Jared was grieving for was peacefully lying down while on his phone, busy searching about himself and his newly-earned nicknas.
Just as he saw a of himself blushing at the sight of Yeon Miwol, his browser just ca to a crash, a red notification appearing at the middle of his screen.
[Internet Curfew: 12:00:00 remaining]
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