NOVEL NEXT Chapter 173
– So who the heck is Man-Lap Rabbit??
[Masked Singer] is a variety show with a steady fanbase.
Of course, the excitement has cooled off recently, but that doesn’t mean all the fans have vanished.
There was still light discussion about the contestants of [Masked Singer].
If we’re talking about the most buzzworthy figures lately, there are mainly two.
The Ashen Crow and the Man-Lap Rabbit.
– I think the Ashen Crow is definitely Yeo-hee.
– No, who is the Man-Lap Rabbit, not the Ashen Crow?
– I don’t even know.
– Seriously, I really don’t know.
Musicians are easier to figure out because you get used to their voices and singing styles.
Yeo-hee was one of them.
No matter how much she tried to disguise her singing style, a true fan could definitely recognize her.
But no one knew the Man-Lap Rabbit.
Unless it’s in one specific case.
– Did they pick up some weird person again?
– Who’s the female celebrity that got into trouble recently?
[Masked Singer] is often the show that celebrities use to make a comeback after controversies.
Right at that moment, the majority leaned toward the opinion that it might be that case again.
– Isn’t it Joo Seo-yeon?
Suddenly, that remark popped up.
Having watched [Dream Future], someone suggested it sounded like Joo Seo-yeon’s voice.
– LOL, there’s no way it’s Joo Seo-yeon.
– I watched [Dream Future] too, and Joo Seo-yeon can’t sing like that at all.
– The voice does sound similar, but the skills are on a different level.
– But still, Harara shorts are pretty cute lately, haha.
Even those who don’t watch dramas know about Joo Seo-yeon now.
The reason for that is the shorts featuring Harara that went viral online.
The view count for that video has already surpassed 5 million.
The problem is it keeps climbing even after that.
– I think I know who it is.
– Who is it?
– Isn’t it the person who sang the [Sky Garden] OST?
– Aaaaah!
Only after some time did a credible candidate finally emerge.
It was indeed the person who sang the insert song from the hit [Sky Garden].
There was heated debate about who it could be because the song’s vibe was similar, making it a strong contender.
The problem was.
– So, who exactly is that?
– I don’t know either.
– Well, that’s the same thing!
Since nobody knew the identity of the person who sang the [Sky Garden] insert song, they couldn’t figure out the Man-Lap Rabbit either.
– Anyway, we’ll find out by the end of this week, right? Haha.
– That’s true.
– The Ashen Crow is basically the overwhelming favorite.
– If it’s Yeo-hee, she’s practically the queen candidate.
Although the Man-Lap Rabbit performed decently until the semifinals, many believed the winner of the king match would ultimately be the Ashen Crow.
After all, Yeo-hee was one of the most renowned female vocalists in South Korea.
In fact, she was more than just a singer; she was an artist in her own right.
Simultaneously, she was someone who had even sung Japanese anime OSTs, showcasing her wide range of activities.
That’s why her recognition in the community was so high.
So everyone thought that when the finals arrived, they’d finally learn the identity of the Man-Lap Rabbit.
*
“This is it, right? No, I definitely know it!”
“Unnie, just calm down.”
“No, how can I calm down in this situation?!”
After wrapping up the pre-finals filming, Yeo-hee was behind the filming set, talking with her manager, Song Ah-ram, while still taking off the Ashen Crow mask.
“And why are you being so distant? You should actually be welcoming.”
“Well, that might be true, but…”
Maybe it would be better to take a cool approach.
After all, that was an event from over 20 years ago!
Seo-yeon hadn’t even been born during that time.
So, it could be seen as a past event, providing a chance for casual conversation.
Even if it felt a bit uncomfortable for someone as thorough as Young-bin, 20 years should be fine, right?
She had that thought in mind, but…
“While listening to this, what if Tae-jin mentioned my news?”
“Tae-jin, you mean the director from GH Group, Kang Tae-jin?”
“That’s right! I kept asking… What if he told Young-bin? That would be dangerous!”
“Wow… 20 years? That’s a bit creepy…”
“No, I just asked!! It wasn’t anything weird!!”
Come on! I can ask that!
I could be curious!!
Yeo-hee stood her ground.
If it had lasted for 20 long years, it’s understandable to feel a bit eerie about it.
“Sis, you seem to have too much attachment…”
“Ugh.”
Yeo-hee clutched her chest and staggered.
What can you do about a personality like this?
She didn’t know she would be the type to hold onto feelings so deeply.
“If you lose something you almost had, it only gets worse…”
“Honestly, I’m not too curious about that.”
“Aren’t you being a bit harsh on your sister lately?”
After grumbling like that, Yeo-hee wiped her face with her palm.
“…I’ll just wash my face for a moment.”
Sighing, she thought about splashing some cold water on her face before heading back to the filming set.
“Ah, wait, I’ll just call Dad real quick.”
An familiar voice rang out.
She had almost forgotten it, but it came rushing back, recently revived thanks to [Golden Duckling].
‘Mom!’
Yeo-hee quickly tried to hide, noticing Young-bin moving in another direction, glancing around while keeping hidden.
‘Why is he still at the filming set? Ah.’
Thinking about it, her daughter was a contestant on [Masked Singer].
If there’s something going on, it’s not uncommon for her to show up a little late.
After all, she wasn’t much of a singer, so she did kind of rush out earlier.
Though the audience had all left, she had let her guard down, never expected to see him pop up like this.
‘I thought it would be okay now.’
Yeo-hee bit her tongue.
In truth, she had nearly forgotten it all.
She thought finding a new person wouldn’t be so bad, but apparently not.
Yeo-hee’s time was still stuck back in her high school days.
That might be due to the magical spell she got caught in long ago.
“The creator must live young.”
That phrase suddenly came to mind.
He had said one must not let their mind age in order to keep creating.
He really said that.
Honestly, there had been a time when she was deeply immersed in work.
That was nearly ten years after graduating high school.
Until [The Moon That Hid the Sun] aired.
‘Joo Seo-yeon.’
For Yeo-hee, she symbolized attachment.
After all, who would have thought she’d recognize her at first glance?
Seeing the child’s face reminded her of the parents.
Of course, she later learned the truth from Kang Tae-jin.
But after [The Moon That Hid the Sun], there hadn’t really been any other projects.
Then another ten-year gap.
After that, a dramatic return of a child actor.
Yeo-hee had witnessed all of that.
Through her own eyes, hearing news from Tae-jin.
Wondering if she might be a bother asking.
“What? You’re not the only one asking.”
He just chuckled and replied that way.
That smile was so chilling, that if she didn’t know him well, she’d feel like he might bite.
Yet, recently he seemed a bit gentler.
He used to be really scary.
“Ah, yes, I received the call.”
When she gathered herself, she realized she was eavesdropping on Young-bin’s call.
What on earth am I doing?
‘Have I finally lost my mind?’
She couldn’t help but think that.
Just as she was about to turn away in a hurry.
“Oh, Director… you mean? Is it true that such a thing came up? You’re not messing with me, right?”
Sounding like they were somewhat close, Young-bin’s voice held a hint of joking.
It had been so long since she heard Young-bin’s voice properly that Yeo-hee accidentally stopped in her tracks.
She slowly turned her feet and peeked out.
There he was, standing in a strangely fidgety posture.
Despite not looking any different from before, his face somehow felt aged, which made her chuckle oddly.
‘Must be feeling uneasy.’
That posture was one he took when he had something on his mind or was feeling strangely anxious.
It was something she learned from the childhood friend that he used to be.
“Ah, well, of course, I’m good with it. I mean, who would say no to a promotion? Definitely, definitely. Ehhh, I’m just thinking about a few things, that’s all. Yeah.”
Director.
She wondered if he meant a game director.
That must be a pretty high position.
In fact, Yeo-hee had participated in a game club in the past but didn’t know the exact roles.
Still, to be offered such a high position felt oddly…
“You seem to have something on your mind…”
“Yeah, kind of gives off that vibe.”
“Right?”
Yeo-hee was about to reply but then stopped speaking.
She turned her gaze.
There was a girl with slightly reddish-brown eyes.
“……!!!”
Yeo-hee nearly had a panic attack.
Wait, why is she here?
And did she see me acting all weird like this?
“If you’re going to the vending machine, could you wait a bit?”
“Ah, ugh, okay.”
Yeo-hee said that timidly.
It seemed Seo-yeon thought Yeo-hee was waiting to go to the vending machine.
Yeo-hee sighed in relief.
Thank goodness for the vending machine. I really survived that.
‘B-but, does she not know me?’
It seemed Seo-yeon thought she was just a stranger.
Does she not even think I’m a celebrity?
Or maybe she thinks it but just doesn’t ask?
It was hard to read her thoughts.
Well, considering she hasn’t been visible for a while, it made sense she wouldn’t know.
Who knew lying low for a while would actually help?
Yeo-hee let out a sigh of relief.
Suddenly, Yeo-hee thought, could she use this situation to her advantage?
“Uh, have you seen the, uh, Golden Duckling? It’s a, uh, great show.”
“Huh? Ah, thank you.”
Seeing Seo-yeon bow her head quietly, Yeo-hee rolled her eyes.
She thought the girl would be a bit more lively on a variety show, but she seemed a bit too quiet.
It was also surprising that such a calm daughter came from Young-bin and Suah.
“Ah, you’re my father, right? I saw you on TV. On TV.”
“Yeah, but is your sister… a celebrity?”
“Huh? Ah, well, sort of.”
“What does ‘sort of’ even mean?”
With that puzzled look on her face, Yeo-hee squeezed her eyes shut.
What on earth am I even babbling about?
‘But calling me sister…’
Yeo-hee rubbed her face with her palm and smirked.
Phew, I’m still alive.
Maybe that last facemask really did wonders? Right, it’s not just Suah who looks young.
She looks so young that it’s like she’s living in her youth.
“Uh, um! Is there any, um, problem?”
Yeo-hee tried to speak as naturally as possible, as if they were just making small talk while waiting for the vending machine.
“I saw you on TV… it seems like you work for a game company…”
Of course, it was a rather personal question.
Yeo-hee was truly grateful to the [Golden Duckling] for that.
Thanks to it, she could cover up with just saying she saw it on TV.
However, Seo-yeon was fixated on Young-bin, seemingly not caring much about those details.
“It seems like you have something else you want to do…”
Seo-yeon said that much before stopping her words.
She stopped speaking after getting that much off her chest.
“You seem to have a lot on your mind.”
But it wasn’t something she needed to spill to a stranger.
However, for Yeo-hee, that was enough.
Now, she kind of understood.
“Oh, I think our call just ended. If you go to the vending machine….”
“Huh? No! I just remembered something urgent! Sorry!!”
Young-bin could be seen hanging up the call.
Then, the sound of footsteps approaching this way could be heard.
“I’m losing my mind for real!!”
She didn’t even have time to think.
Yeo-hee immediately turned and ran away.
So fast that Seo-yeon was left wide-eyed, staring at her.
Wasn’t she the one who wanted to go to the vending machine?
“But I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere. Is she… related to Masked Singer?”
I mean, unless she’s not a celebrity, there’s no way someone would be left on a filming set at this hour.
Of course, it could be an audience member who got lost. But that pretty face and the aura of a celebrity were unmistakable.
Not just any ordinary kind, but someone with considerable experience.
Sure, she was trembling like crazy in front of Seo-yeon, though.
“And I definitely remember her from somewhere…”
But she couldn’t quite recall where.
As she crossed her arms, deep in thought,
“Huh? What’s this, were you waiting for our magical dinosaur?”
“…Magical dinosaur?”
The descriptors seemed to be multiplying.
When Seo-yeon shot him a displeased look, Young-bin chuckled.
“I guess your mom’s waiting. Let’s go.”
He simply said that as he walked away.
She wanted to ask what the call was about.
But Seo-yeon didn’t pry.
She kinda already knew.
So she, in her own way… prepared a song for this final.
Just a little, from a place of encouragement.
*
“Seo-yeon, don’t be too nervous! Just take it easy!!”
Manager Park Eun-ha said, giving Seo-yeon—now disguised as Man-Lap Rabbit—a pat on the back.
Eun-ha knew that Seo-yeon had been deep in thought lately.
Looks like things had gotten heavy with her role in the drama.
So much so that even Kim Il-soo, the director of Sky Garden, had casually asked Eun-ha about it.
“Is there something going on with Seo-yeon lately?”
“Huh? No. Is there something?”
“Oh, not really. Just that she seemed oddly tense.”
Tense?
But Seo-yeon didn’t usually give off that vibe.
Could she be hiding it?
Seo-yeon often didn’t express emotions well in situations like this, so it wasn’t surprising if no one knew.
“Summer Girl came to cheer you on today, right? Oh, and your family came too?”
“Yeah, they’ve been coming since the quarter-finals.”
“Good to hear.”
Honestly, she thought it would be tough to beat Ashen Crow.
But still, she hoped it would at least help lift her spirits.
“Then, give it your all!”
With that encouragement ringing in her ears, Seo-yeon left the waiting room.
Letting out a quiet sigh beneath her mask, she shook her head.
“Strangely, I can’t stop thinking about it.”
Was it because of her recent encounter with Yoo-na?
For some reason, she felt restless.
She didn’t even know what she was restless about.
Could it be okay to just be doing variety shows like this?
The feeling grew stronger as she observed Young-bin’s situation.
Just before heading to the stage,
As she stood by the door, she spotted Ashen Crow, who had arrived first.
For some reason, when the crow saw Seo-yeon, it flinched.
But then, it subtly gave her a thumbs up.
“A sign to do well?”
Seo-yeon nodded and returned the thumbs up.
Then, the door leading to the stage opened.
The stage where the Masked Singer king competition was about to unfold.