I Became a Raid Boss-Chapter 239: A glass of comma (4)

The PD glanced down at his wrist.

"You're a little late."

And he wasn’t the only one checking the time.

The person holding a note filled with densely written text, and those holding cameras or microphones, too.

While the frequency varied, they all occasionally checked the time and glanced down the road.

The promised time had nearly passed, but the vehicle they were waiting for had yet to appear.

For the crew, who were in charge of making the program and filming, it wasn’t a particularly pleasant situation.

But surprisingly, instead of irritation, there was concern on their faces as they gathered together.

Hearing his casual mumbling, the writer next to him responded.

"Yeah, right? He’s never been late before. Could something have happened?"

"If that were the case, he’d have contacted us already. Maybe there's traffic or something."

"Do you think so...? I just hope nothing serious has happened."

If they’d known that Da-eun was often late or frequently missed appointments, they might have thought, "Oh, she’s late again." But the Da-eun they knew wasn’t that kind of person.

No matter how late, she always arrived at least 30 minutes early, greeting everyone with a bright face and offering coffee to the whole crew, saying they had worked hard. Who could possibly dislike someone like that?

Even if the crew wasn’t that large.

The PD, who had developed a favorable impression of Da-eun because of her consistent professionalism, shrugged and said,

"Well, being a little late is no big deal, right? If worse comes to worst, we can film the opening in the car."

"Is that okay? Should we stop filming for a bit then?"

"Hey, that’s not the same. We still need to film the commuting scene."

"Sigh... Why suddenly filming the commuting scene?"

The writer muttered in complaint.

Though it was a mutter, it was clearly meant for everyone to hear, and the PD frowned at the remark.

"Are you messing with me?"

"Am I~?"

It was just mockery in return, but if an outsider had witnessed the conversation, they might have been taken aback, given the lack of formality. But for those gathered here, this kind of conversation was a normal daily exchange. No one interrupted as they listened to the PD and writer banter back and forth.

"Having no hit shows and acting all high and mighty."

"Now I have one, actually. And who was it that cried and begged the director not to fire them at the company dinner?"

"..."

"..."

The two, who had been bickering without using formal language, finally stopped talking and exchanged a glance.

‘...Should we stop?’

‘...Let’s stop.’

Knowing that there was no joy in winning an argument when both sides were already exhausted, they tacitly agreed to call a truce and simultaneously looked away from each other.

However.

Even if they hadn’t called a truce, their argument would’ve ended soon enough.

Vroom—

The vehicle they had been waiting for finally appeared.

As it smoothly slid into /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ the parking lot, smiles spread across the faces of those watching.

"They’re here!"

Someone’s shout seemed to signal the energy in the crew, making it feel as if the whole atmosphere had come alive.

No, perhaps it was more accurate to say that it wasn’t just energy, but more like heat, considering the expressions of expectation that were almost dripping off their faces. It wasn’t just a simple joy of the awaited arrival.

"Hmm."

The PD, who had been looking around at the crew, let out a short sound.

He understood why they were reacting the way they were.

"..."

Although he tried not to show it, he too felt the same anticipation.

Even when he first met a well-known celebrity, he didn’t feel this way.

Despite the weather not being particularly cold, his hands were trembling slightly.

When he shoved his hands into his pockets, a familiar face hastily appeared from the car that had finished parking.

"Sorry...! I’m really late, aren’t I?"

"Oh, it’s fine."

The PD waved his hand toward Da-eun, who was bowing toward the crew.

At first glance, it might have sounded like an attempt to save face, but he was being sincere.

"There’s still 10 minutes left, what are you talking about?"

"Still, for preparations and such..."

"As I mentioned, today’s shoot starts with your commute, so there’s no time to prepare."

"...Ah. I see now."

It was only then that Da-eun noticed the camera pointed at her.

At the same moment, she realized that the PD’s words weren’t just formalities.

Da-eun’s face finally returned to its usual brightness.

"Phew... I almost got caught being late from the very first day, and it would have been on the evidence video too. Well, I’m always perfect, so showing a human side like this isn’t the worst thing."

"Should I edit it to make it look like you were late?"

"Hey, are you seriously saying you’ll do the devil’s editing? Boldly saying that out loud?"

"You said you wanted to show a human side."

"Ugh...!"

Da-eun squinted her eyes at the PD.

The PD pretended to be intimidated and took a step back.

Of course, all of this was being filmed.

Later, the edited version would cut out his face, but the playful interaction with the cast would remain as it was.

"By the way."

The PD, who had made sure Da-eun knew she was being filmed, casually brought up the next point.

"Isn’t there someone else joining us for today’s shoot?"

It was an unexpected addition to the lineup.

Normally, the PD wouldn’t have welcomed such a sudden change, but this time he was happy about it because the person joining wasn’t just anyone.

If the addition of the guest was revealed, the ratings would surely skyrocket.

Of course, if the guest posed a threat to the program’s identity, he would have rejected them immediately. But he was certain that Da-eun wouldn’t bring someone like that.

"Someone else?"

Da-eun made a confused expression, as if hearing this for the first time.

But a smile that she couldn’t hide lingered at the corners of her lips.

"If you don’t introduce them soon, I’ll really count this as you being late. Do you remember the fine for being late?"

"Oh no, that’s not happening."

As soon as the mention of money came up, Da-eun quickly fled.

Soon, Da-eun reached the car she arrived in, opened the passenger seat, and started arguing with someone.

‘...That’s right. I was supposed to put the mic on.’

As soon as they arrived, Da-eun was stopping the apology from the PD, but—

In the midst of his regret, Da-eun was still arguing.

After a bit of time, and possibly after reaching a conclusion, Da-eun closed the passenger door.

As she walked back toward the crew, she was holding a pink doll in her arms.

‘Wait.’

The PD shook his head.

Due to the unrealistic appearance, he had mistaken it, but Da-eun wasn’t holding a doll.

"...Hah."

The pink-haired girl let out a sigh as she hung limply in Da-eun’s arms.

The young-looking girl, who seemed out of place with her deep sigh, slowly lifted her head.

"...!"

Those who met her bright pink eyes swallowed hard.

"...Do I really have to make this kind of dramatic entrance?"

Da-eun grinned at my question.

"I told you, it’s for dramatic effect."

"I still don’t get how me being in Da-eun’s arms is related to dramatic effect."

But every time I said something like this, Da-eun would dismiss it, saying, "Kana’s the expert at swordsmanship, but I know better about broadcasts!"

An unbeatable logic.

"Ah, you don’t get it...?"

Da-eun lowered her voice, pretending to act serious.

In other words, she was talking nonsense.

"Of course, it’s to highlight Kana’s cuteness!"

She said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I expected it, but it was still a ridiculous reason.

"I’m not surprised anymore."

Sighing and struggling, Da-eun carefully set me down.

For a moment, I was glad to feel the ground beneath my feet.

"Mm..."

I scratched my cheek as I noticed several pairs of eyes following me.

...A lot of attention.

I had a feeling this might happen, so I had told Da-eun that we should meet before the shoot.

But Da-eun insisted there was no need, mentioning something about "dramatic effect."

And that it would feel more natural this way.

‘Natural, huh.’

It felt awkward as hell.

Meeting the eyes of those who silently stared at me was quite uncomfortable.

If the emotions hidden behind those eyes had been hostility, it would have been fine.

I turned my head to avoid their gaze and saw Da-eun smiling with an inscrutable expression.

"It’s all because Kana is cute."

"Stop saying unnecessary things—"

"No, it’s true..."

I gave Da-eun a skeptical look as she muttered, feeling wronged.

"Is that really the reason?"

"It’s not just any reason."

Da-eun lowered her voice and whispered.

"In modern society, appearance is as valuable as gold. There’s a reason cosmetic surgery exists, you know?"

"...Is that so?"

"Of course. And you know, when you see something cute, it makes you feel good. So it’s only natural that I like looking at Kana because he’s cute like an angel."

"I don’t think the last part was necessary."

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I know my appearance isn’t ordinary, but that doesn’t mean I’m okay with corny compliments.

Anyway—

Since we weren’t here to play around, I decided to stop whispering with Da-eun and turned to face the camera filming us.

Though it hadn’t been a short conversation, the crew was waiting for us with warm smiles.

‘...I really don’t know.’

Could it be because of my looks, like Da-eun said?

I pushed the small doubt aside.

I opened my mouth.

"Hello."

Since I’d done this once before in Da-eun’s broadcast, saying the first line wasn’t as hard as I thought.