* * *

A pure expression of amazement escaped me.

“He really looks exhausted.”

Hmm. Is he in good health?

“He’s the head of state, so he should be taking care of himself, but he looks too much like a panda!”

I alternated my gaze between the president and the director, who seemed to be screaming silently.

“Things are chaotic over there.”

Well, that was to be expected.

“If it were just an ordinary actor, someone would say something, but….”

He’s the president.

“But will this national promotion CF turn out alright?”

Why is it going so poorly? It’s like the president’s dark circles, casting a shadow over everything.

The director didn’t know what to do.

He couldn’t keep his hands still, eventually lowering his head with a sigh.

“Oh, how unfortunate.”

Whether the president was aware of the director’s despair or not, he approached me.

“Hmm, this is a bit overwhelming.”

It wouldn’t be a problem if it was just the president, but he was accompanied by five or six people.

“So that’s what it’s like to be a head of state.”

Fascinating. But, please don’t come any closer!
Yet, the president was definitely heading toward me.

“Is it because I’m cute?”

When you see a rarely adorable child, it’s hard to just walk by.

Besides, I was wearing an adorable hanbok at the moment.

“Of course, if he didn’t like children, he wouldn’t show any interest, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.”

If they show goodwill, I should respond.

I slipped out from behind Kim Deok-soo and looked at the president.

The tired-looking old man smiled and beckoned me to come closer.

I sensed everyone around us flinch.

“Wow….”

Honestly, it was a very heartwarming scene. But I also understood why they were so tense.

“To be honest, most kids would cry.”

If a dark-circled old man asked a child to come closer, 99 out of 100 would either cry or run away.

Mr. President, honestly, you look like the Grim Reaper.

But I’m not like most kids.

I’m used to situations like this.

Kim Deok-soo gently held my shoulder, but I walked toward the president, not forgetting to laugh cheerfully.
The president picked me up.

“Up we go. You’re heavier than I expected.”

I greeted him brightly.

“Hello! I’m Kongja!”

“Oh, you greet well, too.”

Realizing I wasn’t scared, the aides sighed in relief.

“He seems to like the president.”

I don’t like him. This is my first time seeing the president.

How can I like him from the start? He’s not someone you’d fall for at first sight, honestly.

“Kids usually avoid me. Even Yijun avoided me.”

Who’s Lee Jun?

“It’s been too long since we last met.”

Ah.

His grandson, I suppose.

I stared intently at the president’s face.

I can understand why he’d avoid him.

Grandson, I sympathize with you.

“So, do you know what kind of person grandpa is?”

I nodded.

“No!”

“You don’t?”

I answered cheerfully with a smile.

“Nope!”

“Hahaha!”

The president and his aides laughed, easing the tension in the atmosphere.

Looks like I’m putting on a show.

Well, if it lightens the mood.

I reached out and patted the president’s dark circles.

“Grandpa, does this hurt?”

“Oh, no. It’s because I’m tired.”

“Tired? Grandpa, don’t you nap?”

An aide replied.

“Oh my, how did he know?”

Hmm, as expected, he must not be getting enough sleep.

That’s usually the main cause of dark circles.

“Grandpa! Napping is important!”

Well, it seems it’s because of his work.

Finding my words cute, the president laughed again.

“Hahaha! You’re right, Kongja!”

Ah.

I don’t know much about politics, but…

Judging by the current mood, this grandpa seemed like a good person.

“Being kind to children doesn’t mean he’s a good person, but….”

Well, even Hitler liked children.

The president adjusted my headpiece. I smiled widely.

“Still, if it’s to this extent, I should try my best.”

I turned my head toward the camera. The CF director still looked distressed.

“Alright, let’s do something good.”

For the nation and its people, I’ll spend some coins.

“Let me know the cost and number of coins needed to alleviate the president’s dark circles!”

[To know the cost, 900 coins will be used.]

[To alleviate President Ji Yoongi’s dark circles, 5,400,567 coins are needed.]

[In return, you’ll get a photo with the president.]

In that moment, I clenched my fists.

Hey, subtitle guy.

Why is it so expensive!

“Even treating Yoon Jeonghyeon’s insomnia didn’t cost this much!”

It’s not even about making the president healthy, so why is the cost so outrageous!

I let out a long sigh.

Is it because he’s such an influential person?

Still, this is ridiculously expensive.

Well, getting a photo in return is one thing.

I looked at the president’s face.

His panda-like dark circles still cast a deep shadow over his face.

No matter how much you edit it, there’s a limit. Even with multiple lights, it won’t work.

At this rate, the Korean promotion CF will become infamous for other reasons.

A country where the Grim Reaper invites you….

I suddenly felt sweat on my back.

As a citizen, I can’t let that happen.

I was surprised by my strong patriotism, but it was true.

Even though the president’s usual dark circles are not my concern, they can’t appear on a promotional CF camera.

While the president put me down and went elsewhere for a moment, I heard the director’s desperate cry.

“Adjust the lights more.”

“If we adjust them more, his features won’t show.”

“Ah, I’m going crazy. At this level, even editing will be tough.”

They’re really trying hard.

Wait. Hold on a second.

As long as it looks good on camera, that’s all that matters.

Why didn’t I think of this sooner?

Tell me the cost and the number of coins needed to make the president’s dark circles appear less noticeable on camera.

[It will cost 400 coins to get the information.]

To make President Ji Yoongi’s dark circles less noticeable on camera, you need 200,567 coins.]

[As a reward, you will be invited to the Blue House on Children’s Day.]

This seemed much more doable.

Getting invited on Children’s Day sounds a bit bothersome.

Why invite me? Don’t call me. I’m busy.

I took a deep breath.

Yeah, when else would I get to serve my country?

I murmured humbly.

‘Execute!’

[It will execute in 3 seconds.]

I exhaled deeply. I hadn’t done much, but I felt like a patriot.

It was then that the director watching the camera muttered.

“Huh?”

“What’s this?”

“Did you adjust something?”

“I did, but wait… Is the lighting better?”

“How could that be? It looks so much better!”

“Right?”

Thank goodness.

“I don’t know what it is, but this is a miracle.”

“Seems there’s always hope.”

The director looked like he might cry. I listened to their conversation with satisfaction.

“I was really worried.”

“At this rate, makeup alone might do the trick.”

“Well, it seems like he’s already had makeup done?”

“Then let’s do some more adjustments. Should we add another light panel?”

I smiled broadly.

“A weight off my shoulders.”

I felt very proud of my good deed.

At that moment, I heard a familiar voice.

“Kongja!”

I turned around and ran immediately.

“Mom!”

“Oh my, our Kongja. You’re wearing hanbok?”

Mom picked me up right away. I smiled brightly and looked at her.

‘As expected, she fits the warrior woman concept from ‘City of the Dead’.’

Her formal pants suited her so well.

“Mom, you look amazing!”

“Oh my, a compliment from my Kongja?”

Mom adjusted my hat as she spoke.

“Your clothes look uncomfortable, though.”

“It’s okay!”

“Oh, my sweet boy. Let’s endure a bit longer and go home soon, okay?”

Can it go as planned, Mom?

Mom patted my back and looked up. Her gaze landed on the president.

‘But Mom arrived later than the president.’

That’s strange. She isn’t usually late.

Mom took a deep breath and spoke.

“The filming was tough. It wasn’t supposed to take this long…”

Huh? Why?

* * *