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“This is just too coincidental.”

Maho chuckled awkwardly and said that.

Well, running into someone while they’re filming a variety show must be a stroke of bad luck, even for me.

“So, what brings you here?”

“I just came out for a walk…”

It seems Maho was also strolling along the path.

The weather was nice today, but was it good enough to lure a homebody like Maho out?

“The weather is nice, isn’t it?”

“It really has been great since this morning. By the way, can I stick around for a bit…?”

After chatting for a moment, Maho glanced at the cameraman nervously and spoke to me.

Since it was a variety show filming, it seemed she wanted to leave quickly.

Being a sensitive VTuber in real life, even a bit of editing might make her nervous.

“Shall we meet again later?”

“Yeah, I’ll contact you later.”

I understood her intentions, so I didn’t try to hold her back.

Considering the filming time, it was better to let her go.

With that, Maho sneakily looked over at the camera and then left, and I continued my walk.

“Hey, Bok-sil, over here!”

…While grabbing the leash of Bok-sil, who was about to dash towards Maho.

What’s up with this little guy? Why does he like other people so much?

I heard dogs were supposed to guard the house, but Bok-sil would probably bring a graphic card from the soundproof booth if a thief broke in.

After taking Bok-sil for a stroll, I headed towards the mountain as I had planned earlier.

“Phew… ah…”

And I fully realized the terror of slopes.

It’s just a small mountain, right? Why is this so hard?

Bok-sil happily hopped up the hill, while I felt like I was dying.

The cameraman seemed to be okay, but this was just ridiculous.

I thought I’d gotten more fit, but maybe I’m still hopeless.

By the time we reached the halfway point with exercise equipment, I was almost out of breath.

“Ha… ha…”

I sat down on a bench and gulped down some water I had bought before the hike.

Can I even manage to work out at the equipment and then head back?

I wasn’t sure about my stamina.

I cautiously looked at the equipment near the bench.

There were the usual fitness machines you’d find in a park, and uniquely, there was a bench press machine.

Hmm…

It seemed intriguing.

I quietly got up from the bench and sat at the machine.

Do I just lie down and lift it?

The bar had weight plates attached, each weighing 10 kg.

…So combined, that makes 20 kg?

I laid down and gripped the bar tightly.

“Is this position right?”

Then I asked the cameraman if my posture was correct, and he shook his head.

“I’ve never done it before.”

“Oh, really?”

Well, it’s understandable that a female staff cameraman wouldn’t know.

I hadn’t tried it either.

But knowing how to climb mountains with a heavy camera, I thought it would be worth checking.

“Make sure to film well. I’ll lift it like a pro.”

I might not be strong, but 20 kg should be manageable, right?

“Ugh!”

With all my strength, I tried to lift it….

“Ugh…!”

…It didn’t budge at all.

“…Huh?”

Is this really 20 kg?

Seriously, this is absurd.

No matter how I think about it, this can’t be right.

Hmm… The weight of the bar must be extra.

Come to think of it, they say the bar’s weight is like a donation from ancestors for fitness enthusiasts.

Sitting up from the lying position, I pulled out my phone to check the weight of the bar.

I thought it would be about 10 kg, but….

“20 kg?”

What the heck, so this bench weighs 40 kg altogether?

Gosh, why would they put a 40 kg bench in a park for the elderly?

I wasn’t sure which public worker placed that here, but I thought it was a problem, so I promptly gave up and returned to my previous spot.

In the meantime, Bok-sil, who I had tied to a nearby pole, looked at me with a discontented expression.

“What’s wrong now?”

I mean… I took him for a walk, so is he upset that I left him for a bit to exercise?

I squatted down in front of Bok-sil and grabbed his fluffy cheeks.

“Just because you sulk doesn’t mean I’ll give in.”

What am I supposed to do with him?

This is all Mrs. Jang’s fault for spoiling him.

Should I consider going on a pet-related variety show later on?

You know, one of those shows that offers solutions to pet owners.

…But somehow, I feel like I’d end up getting scolded instead.

Well, usually the owner is the one at fault in pet solution shows.

“I’m the one taking care of you.”

With that, I released Bok-sil and untied the leash I had tied to the pole.

But thinking about it, I’m not technically Bok-sil’s owner.

If we get pedantic, Mrs. Jang is the owner.

I’m just a good daughter who plays with my mom’s pet.

I thought this kind of filial duty didn’t get any better as I led Bok-sil on another lap around the area.

While walking, I gave the exercise equipment a quick try, fed Bok-sil some treats I had brought, and picked up the poop he left behind.

Having spent the time productively, I was getting ready to head back.

“Oh my, that was tough.”

“What are you whining about?”

“Guess we’re getting old, huh?”

Three grandmothers dressed in hiking clothes and with white hair entered near the entrance.

Seeing their attire, which screamed ‘regular park attendees,’ I discreetly prepared to slip away.

Hmm, now that I’m done here, it’s time to head home.

Just as I tried to leave unnoticeably…

“What’s that? A camera, isn’t it?”

“Filming something?”

It seemed the cameraman with the huge camera made me noticeable, and their eyes turned toward us.

Then…

“Wait, your face seems familiar…”

“Aren’t you a celebrity?”

I could sense their interest as they seemed to recognize me.

The sunglasses I had on were pushed up on my head because I was tired earlier.

“Ahaha… you’re doing well, I see.”

Since ignoring the three grandmothers who were barely recognizing me felt awkward, I approached them and started a conversation.

“Oh my oh my, is that Sera?”

“What?”

“Oh, it is! You’re that actress, aren’t you?”

These sprightly grandmothers must enjoy the arts, as they recognized me the moment I got closer.

“Yes, that’s right. I’m Kim Soo-hyun.”

I introduced myself, and the grandmothers’ eyes widened in surprise.

“Wow, you’re a celebrity!”

“What brings you here?”

“Oh my, are we getting in the way of your filming?”

Hmm…

This was a new experience.

It’s not uncommon for young people to recognize me on the street, but to have grandmothers who could mistake me for Mrs. Jang’s daughter recognize and talk to me was definitely refreshing.

“Yes. Haha… I live around here.”

“Oh? You live in this neighborhood?”

“Why haven’t we seen you until now?”

“I’m a homebody… I’m usually at home.”

“Is that right? Oh, young ones should get out more.”

“Yes, that’s right….”

Still, having three grandmothers around was quite disorienting.

“Is this your puppy?”

“Oh yes, I brought him for a walk.”

“How cute.”

Thankfully, Bok-sil was contributing generously to the conversation.

One grandmother became distracted by Bok-sil and stepped back, leaving me to chat with the other two.

“Have you ever used the exercise machines?”

“Yes, it seems nice here, right? Some of the equipment is unusual.”

“Oh, the bench press? That one’s good.”

“Really?”

“Why do you think we come here so often? The effects are amazing, trust me.”

…Do they actually do that?

These must be the ultimate fit grandmothers.

Anyway, we continued to chat lightly after that.

Walking regularly is good—getting a good pair of hiking shoes makes it easier—your dog is cute, and so on.

Whenever the grandmothers spoke, I nodded along like a reaction robot.

They also complimented me, saying they enjoyed my dramas and were happy to see me on TV more often, asking how I looked so beautiful.

Honestly, I was bewildered by the flood of compliments and just nodded along during the onslaught.

Then…

“By the way, didn’t you have a dating rumor recently?”

“Excuse me?”

“You know, with Moon Chang-sik~ what happened there?”

…As expected.

Even here, the talk about Moon Chang-sik came up.

What am I supposed to answer in this situation?

Hmm… Oh.

“Well…”

As if a good idea struck me.

Thinking about it, the filming we were doing is for a variety show that aims to clarify things, right?

So actually, isn’t this an opportunity?

I can really appeal to them.

“What happened was…”

This is it.

I began to explain the whole situation to the grandmothers in detail.

No, to the camera capturing it as well.

If I handle this well, I might just clarify things even better than I expected.

***

With yesterday’s filming completed, the preliminary filming was officially done.

Once the editing of the videos shot over the past two days is finished, they’ll probably call me to the studio with other guests at the right time.

Essentially, the filming there will be the main event.

Anyway, I did my absolute best.

Now, I just have to await the next filming while doing my other activities.

So today, I set out early in the morning for lessons and didn’t return home until late in the afternoon.

Once home, I washed up, ate my meal, and passed the time like usual.

I prepared to turn on my broadcast at the scheduled time.

Unlike usual, I had a specific content in mind that I was looking forward to sharing, so this was quite an anticipated stream.

[Only those who truly desire can join 0/5]

I typed in the broadcast title I had thought of while eating earlier and switched on the stream.

-???

-What’s this?

-What are we doing today?

It seems the viewers are confused since I hadn’t issued any prior announcements.

Yeah, it’s natural for them to react that way.

I deliberately didn’t post a notice.

I’m searching for those who are desperate.

If I post advance notice and teasers, then people who just want to fish for attention might show up.

Moreover, to call yourself desperate, you should be watching my broadcast regularly.

“Alright everyone, today I have prepared some content for you.”

Since I didn’t want to wait for the viewers to trickle in any longer, I jumped straight to the point.

-?? What’s this?

-Content?

-Oh lol, what are we doing today?

“Do you all remember the concert ticketing?”

-???

-What the hell

-That cursed thing

-Just thinking about the seat count makes me mad lol

As soon as I mentioned ticketing, the chat erupted with excitement.

It’s a sore topic for many.

In the battle where every millisecond counted, there are many fallen troops with various reasons for their defeat in my broadcast.

That’s why today.

“I’m planning to host a special tournament.”

I intend to give them another chance.

In the form of a tournament to pick the most desperate person.

 

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