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Park Jinseong and Rise were wandering around New York.

Before moving to another region, they decided to ‘lightly’ visit various tourist spots throughout New York.

But is America a bit too vast of a country?

Even just New York was overflowing with sights and things to enjoy, so despite their earnest exploration, there were countless things left unappreciated. Days went by—one day, two days, three days….

Before they knew it, Rise was beginning to get used to the strange and slightly frightening America, and the sense of alienation towards a different culture, along with the fear that came with it, was gradually replaced with a tingle of excitement.

It could be the kind of feeling one experiences when traveling with someone of interest, or perhaps something more prickly than just a simple thrill.

‘Like a drama.’

Furthermore, Rise was different from other shamans of her age.

Though she was born in a shrine, unlike other shrine-born shamans who only focused on training or faith and neglected cultural experiences, she wasn’t a secluded “virgin confined within the inner chambers” who only received education to marry into a good family.

She loved playing with kids her age and was the type to enjoy following trends.

And one thing absolutely essential to “trends” was drama.

Rise really liked dramas, and among the dramas she found entertaining, many were Korean. And the current situation was enough to evoke a scene from one of the dramas she had watched.

This feeling became even more specific after seeing a sleek and stylish bar sign.

‘What was that drama about? The male lead asking the female lead to go somewhere, and as they walked through the city, they arrived at some place… At that moment, the male lead, waiting at the promised location, suspected that a certain bar was suspicious and entered with the female lead pretending to be a couple, eavesdropping on the conversations of suspicious figures… But the male lead, who actually couldn’t handle alcohol, ended up passed out after just one drink. Then, the suspicious figures started showing interest in the male and female leads, and that’s when the crisis occurred…’

While glancing at the sign, a scene from the drama she enjoyed flickered through Rise’s mind.

Thanks to the enhanced intellect from the divine power and Jinseong’s gift, it was vividly and perfectly recreated in her mind.

And in the climax of that recreated drama scene, there was a moment where the drunken male lead embraced the female lead and laid her down on the bed—

‘…!!!’

As that scene flashed in her mind, Rise’s eyes widened in surprise.

She was flustered, worried that her thoughts might have leaked out, or that Jinseong, walking beside her, might have caught on to her imagination. But as she saw Jinseong’s calm face, she felt embarrassed for panicking all alone, suddenly finding herself lost in such thoughts while walking down the street.

Rise’s face slightly flushed, and her ears turned red.

Moreover, she felt a warm flutter in her neck, as though the heat radiating from her body couldn’t find an escape and was wandering around.

Was it from that kind of heat?

Or perhaps the overwhelming embarrassment had slightly numbed a part of her brain?

Impulsively, and perhaps instinctively, Rise spoke.

“Deity, do you perhaps like alcohol?”

Rise lightly grabbed the sleeve of Jinseong’s clothing, looking up at his face as she asked.

Due to the height difference, her gaze naturally tilted upwards, and her reddened face seemed to give her an added vitality. Additionally, because she had just abruptly interrupted her daydream, her eyes were slightly misty.

Seeing Rise like this, Jinseong could guess where her interest lay.

“Are you interested in cocktails?”

Rise slowly nodded her head in response to Jinseong’s question.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Jinseong turned and headed towards the bar.

However, Rise, still holding onto his sleeve, had no intention of letting go.

Was it because the fluster was still there, making her unconsciously hold on? Or was it simply a decision to keep holding on?

Only her blushing face and the even redder ears could provide the answer.

Thus Jinseong and Rise stepped into a bar with a good atmosphere.

Upon entering, they were greeted by wooden decor.

It was reminiscent of a place frequented by the rich in the 18th century.

With dim lighting, neatly dressed bartenders, and people in suits sipping on drinks.

It was a place that screamed “Jackpot!” at first glance.

“Wow….”

Rise was in awe, feeling as if she had just stepped out of an American drama.

Her admiration deepened when she noticed the pictures and autographs on one of the walls.

“Deity, this is a filming location for a drama!”

It was not just a place that looked like it came straight out of a drama.

It truly was a location used for filming!

Photos of actors during their shoots were affixed to the wall, alongside their autographs. Plus, there was the name of a well-known American drama she recognized, with brief descriptions of the filming dates and episodes.

A filming location for a drama!

A place that had caught her interest just while walking, turned out to be a filming site!

Rise felt a sense of pride in her choice.

And indeed, she felt like she had stepped into a drama.

Drama.

Yes, drama….

Rise unconsciously recalled a scene from a Korean drama she had thought of earlier.

Yes, the scene right after that scene.

‘So the male and female leads collapsed side by side on the bed, and then? The cafe? With the advertisement logo and a preview….’

…Of course, there wasn’t much to the following scene.

How much more could the ratings of Korean dramas be pushed?

And that part was just perfect to stir curiosity, smoothly cutting off right there and pushing viewers onto the next episode….

‘Ah, so that’s why this scene stuck in my mind.’

Rise came to understand why she had vividly remembered that scene.

She grasped it.

In that moment, just before her heart started racing, as anticipation swelled to its peak, how could she not remember it when it was cut just like that right before the next episode teaser!

No matter how much drama was like this, that scene was too much.

It was excessive, too excessive.

Yes, it was bound to stick in her memory.

With resentment embedded in her mind at that moment…

As she recalled the anger she felt back then, Rise felt a new wave of heat coursing through her body.

Though this heat had a slightly different nature than what she had felt before.

But just because it was different didn’t mean it was bad.

At the very least, it made her proactive and swept away her hesitation.

“Ahem, Deity. Let’s go inside.”

With sparkling eyes, Rise moved to lead Jinseong to an open seat.

But then, a man in a suit blocked their path and spoke.

“Wait. Could you please show proof of your identity?”

“Y-Yes?”

Rise was taken aback by the sudden appearance of what seemed like a bodyguard blocking her path.

But Jinseong, seemingly accustomed to such occurrences, took out his passport from within his coat.

“I’ve verified it. Is it just the two of you?”

“Yes. Is there a place for two to sit?”

“Please wait a moment. A server will come to guide you to an available seat.”

The man made a gesture as if asking them to wait.

Then, he pressed a button on a device that looked like a remote control, and upon doing so, a woman who appeared to be a server approached Jinseong and Rise.

“Follow me this way.”

The server, appearing to be of East Asian descent, guided them to an empty seat.

Strangely enough, it was the very seat Rise had noticed earlier.

It was slightly tucked away, and taking photos there would give the impression of a poster in the background, showcasing the scenery of the bar beautifully—a perfect spot for taking pictures.

As they took their seats, Rise’s eyes widened slightly.

And upon seeing Rise’s expression, the server…

With a wink, she smiled as if wishing them to have a good time and then disappeared.

Rise fell into momentary surprise from the server’s wink, but soon realized why she had received it.

Hand.

It was her hand.

She had been clinging to Jinseong’s sleeve nonstop.

Before entering the bar, after entering, even as they were guided to this table.

Continuously.

‘Ah.’

So it made sense that the server had moved them to such a favorable spot.

Perhaps she felt a desire to cheer on the youthful atmosphere she had observed.

Or maybe, it was just a gesture to help them build a good memory while traveling.

With a glance, Rise peered at Jinseong.

And then, she nodded her head.

A subtle nod, barely noticeable and hardly clear if it was directed to someone.

 

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