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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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The atmosphere on set abruptly shifted.
An unexpected commercial break.
Of course, since it was a live broadcast, it wasn’t entirely unprecedented, but neither was it common.
Rex Nova, the show’s main host and anchor, was drenched in a cold sweat.
Seeing this, the program’s director hurried onto the stage.
“What’s going on?”
Even for the director in charge of a prominent NCB24 program, ‘Rex Nova’ was no pushover.
CCO of Resurrection Corporation.
Famous MC of the program.
An influencer with considerable reach.
The director couldn’t fathom what could cause him such distress.
Even when questioned, Rex Nova showed no sign of answering. He simply stared blankly at the guest sitting opposite him.
‘…Is there something about this person?’
The director glanced at the Asian young man. Aside from his handsome features, there wasn’t anything particularly remarkable about him.
“We can only fill so much time with commercials. Let’s continue the show.”
Hearing the director’s words, Shiun, addressing the pale-faced Rex Nova, added,
“I really am just an ordinary person. I happened to go to the party, and you really don’t have to worry about it.”
“…….”
Despite Shiun’s reassurance, Rex Nova’s face remained drained of color.
The director was utterly baffled.
What was the problem? He wanted to ask Rex Nova, but there wasn’t enough time.
“15 seconds until the commercial break ends!”
Hearing the voice of the off-stage staff, the director snapped back to reality and yelled,
“Anyway! This is live! Whatever the issue, please cooperate so we can resolve it after the broadcast!”
Of course, removing the problematic ‘Asian young man’ was also an option.
Another thought also crossed his mind.
Controversy sells.
‘…I’ll just write a few apology letters later if there’s trouble.’
The broadcast resumed shortly.
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“…We had a brief, unscheduled commercial break! Now, let’s continue with ‘Show Live’!”
Perhaps a professional is a professional after all.
Rex Nova, his face still pale, valiantly continued the broadcast.
Fortunately, the stage lights were bright enough that his condition wasn’t too noticeable.
After briefly watching Rex Nova stutter through the program, I objectively assessed the situation.
Rex Nova knew the following about me:
Appearance at a party accessible only to high-ranking corporate officials.
Moreover, attendance with the famous, yet ever-absent, ‘Chairman of Monolith.’
Two individuals present at a party where only one representative per company was allowed – an exceptional occurrence.
…….
It was understandable that he might mistake me for an employee.
In the cyberpunk world, the power and influence of megacorporations often surpassed that of some nations.
He probably felt like a bomb had dropped.
Though it hadn’t, and though I’d tried to explain it wasn’t true…
It was doubtful he’d believe me. Even I wouldn’t.
Hmm.
I quickly ended my contemplation.
Well, things would work out somehow. I decided not to worry about it.
I hadn’t lied, and I didn’t think he’d believe me even if I tried to explain further.
“It’s perfectly fine that you’re in relationships with several beautiful women! Haha…, it’s true.”
However, his constant nervous glances at me were a bit much.
Thick veins bulged on the face of the director overseeing the broadcast from off-stage. He was clutching his forehead and muttering to himself, and it didn’t sound like anything pleasant.
A staff member held up a holographic panel.
『Next Guest』
Rex Nova’s expression noticeably brightened as he checked the panel.
“Ah, well then, though it’s a bit early, let’s invite our next guest! Please come on out!”
A name appeared from the hologram emitter.
『Vince Barbo』
A celebrity? The name seemed familiar.
I didn’t typically memorize the names of every celebrity on variety shows, so I was pondering who he was when…
“The man of the hour who recently returned after being arrested for tax evasion!”
A man emerged from off-stage, walking with a confident stride.
Golden skin extended below his chin, and it seemed his entire body was covered in it; even the skin visible beyond his suit was gold.
“The leader of the now-disbanded group, Rain Earth! Mr. Vince Barbo!”
Ah.
“Hello, I’m Vince Barbo!”
I remembered.
He was the man who had been clinging to us in the waiting room at Andrea’s concert.
[…Hmm.]
I heard Eve’s nasal voice, laced with subtle displeasure.
It must have been difficult to return after being arrested for tax evasion, yet here he was.
Perhaps this was fate?
Andrea, also seemingly aware of his appearance, had a look on her face unfit for broadcast.
Before Vince Barbo sat on the sofa, he approached Andrea.
“It’s been a while, my thorny rose.”
“You son of a─.”
Andrea, unable to contain her momentary rage, nearly caused a major broadcasting accident, but Rex Nova suddenly appeared, separating them.
“Please take your seats.”
With a mechanical laugh, he stopped Vince Barbo.
While his actions were directed at Vince Barbo, his eyes were on me, constantly gauging my reaction.
Perhaps sensing something amiss, due to the show’s usual unrestrained flow now being interrupted, Vince Barbo sat on the sofa, looking bewildered.
Since he was introduced right after me, naturally, he sat next to me.
“Oh, is this him? The man of the rumor.”
“…Haha, yes. By the way─.”
“Certainly living up to the hype.”
Rex Nova’s attempts to change the subject were in vain.
Seemingly unfazed by his prison stint, Vince Barbo continued,
“But a face alone won’t win the ‘rose,’ will it? What’s your secret? What do you do? To me, you look like some average Joe here for the appearance fee… Just kidding, of course.”
Judging by his words, he didn’t seem to recognize my face.
Well, I had been wearing a mask when we met in the concert waiting room, so it was understandable.
Vince Barbo leaned in towards me.
His golden skin was quite unsettling. And now that I was closer, I noticed his eyes were gold, too.
“Are you an aspiring celebrity, by any chance? Ah, I haven’t heard anything about this from my agency.”
“Haha, he’s not an aspiring celebrity. Let’s change the subject─.”
Rex Nova struggled to catch the comment and steer the conversation.
“If you really are an aspiring celebrity, you shouldn’t be going after your senior’s rose, it’s unethical.”
“I’m telling you he’s not an aspiring celebrity. So please stop─.”
“Oh, why? This show usually allows this level of banter. I’m just being honest like they asked─.”
“Stop!”
Unable to bear it any longer, Rex Nova shouted.
Honestly, it was already a broadcasting accident.
But even amidst the chaos, Rex Nova was acutely aware of me, his face whiter than before.
“…Just shut up if you don’t want serious trouble.”
He muttered very softly, silencing Vince Barbo.
Confused by Rex Nova’s inexplicable behavior, the director started clutching his head again.
If it weren’t for the live broadcast, expletives would have been flying.
Still unaware of the situation, Vince Barbo stared at his senior with a puzzled look in response to the outburst.
His expression seemed to say, ‘Is this guy crazy?’
Only Rex Nova, privy to the supposed truth, looked years older, sweating profusely, unlike before.
“……Let’s continue with the broadcast!”
Perhaps deciding to simply bulldoze through, Rex Nova abruptly cut the awkwardness and calmly began his commentary.
“We were supposed to continue the talk a bit longer, but due to unforeseen circumstances unknown to our viewers, we’ll be moving things along.”
He looked utterly resigned.
Well, a quicker broadcast was beneficial to me, so I wasn’t bothered. I simply waited for him to proceed.
“Next up…, yes!”
The segment title appeared on the hologram emitter.
『Phone Call with Acquaintances』
“That’s right! It’s time for our call segment, where we hear directly from the acquaintances of our controversial guest. As you all know, this segment aims to address your burning questions about what those close to them think of the controversy!”
Just then, Rex Nova’s gaze, sweeping across the room, met mine.
But before I, the ‘I,’ could look away, Rex Nova abruptly jerked his head, avoiding my eyes.
“?”
The movement looked incredibly painful for his neck and spine, yet he resumed scanning the room as if nothing had happened.
…Normally, this segment involved pressuring the ordinary guest into calling someone, reveling in their acquaintances’ candid reactions and anecdotes, and enjoying the guest’s embarrassment…
Even when I looked at him, Rex Nova steadfastly refused to meet my eyes.
Finally, his wandering gaze landed on Vince Barbo, seated beside me.
“Let’s start with Mr. Vince Barbo.”
“Huh? This wasn’t part of the plan.”
“We’ll proceed with the call─, huh?”
Ignoring Vince Barbo’s confused voice, Rex Nova suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
He stood up and turned to look off-stage, seemingly receiving some communication from the staff or the director.
The director was standing there, but the anger that had previously consumed him was gone, replaced by a vacant stare of disbelief, as if rejecting reality.
What was going on?
Before I could resolve my question, Rex Nova finished his lines with exaggerated gestures.
“Viewers, we sincerely apologize! We’ll be right back after these messages!”
…….
I wasn’t a regular viewer of this program, but even by common sense, these consecutive commercial breaks were strange.
As if possessed, Rex Nova walked off-stage.
A short while later, after a brief exchange with the director, he walked back, looking dazed, and approached me.
“Ha, haha.”
A hollow laugh followed. I lowered my voice so the microphone wouldn’t pick it up and asked,
“What’s wrong?”
“…You said you were an ordinary person.”
“?”
I am.
Seeing my puzzled expression, Rex Nova hung his head, his voice defeated.
“…Apparently, the Chairman of Monolith called.”
“Huh?”
“He said he’ll be calling directly….”
…….
Why?
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