* * *
A thrilling sensation rose from my toes.
I was so excited I did a little shoulder dance before realizing,
‘What baby-like behavior!’
I felt it anew, but maybe because I was young, I sometimes couldn’t control my emotions.
On TV, I waddled and then plopped down on my bottom.
The narration said,
-Oh my, the baby!
But on screen, I wiggled my butt and got back up.
Then I smiled bashfully and went back to mom.
Wow.
‘Even falling is cute.’
The narration sighed with admiration, as if everyone felt the same way I did.
-Aww, so cute.
Yes, yes. Admire the cuteness more.
‘Watching this should increase the coins.’
But the editing was ruthless.
-The delightful premiere has come to an end.
The screen transitioned back to the cast.
The lead actor, Kim Sang-hyun, bowed his head.
“Soon, ‘City of the Dead’ will be coming to you.”
All the cast members bowed their heads, and the screen panned out.
‘No, they should have shown mom crying too!’
That scene was supposed to bring out all the feels!
‘What a shame.’
The reporter spoke brightly.
“The baby was so cute.”
“Yes, when he brought the flowers, my heart almost melted.”
“His face is so adorable. If I had a son like that, I’d carry him around all the time.”
I nodded.
“I can’t wait to see how the baby grows up.”
Then, another reporter next to them said indifferently,
“Faces change as they grow, you know.”
This guy.
I squinted and glared at the reporter.
‘Ah, that person.’
He was a comedian who would mess up in the future and end his broadcasting career.
‘Wasn’t his name Lee Hak-woo? He was banned from broadcasting due to power harassment and assault, right?’
He showed signs of trouble even back then.
But the reporter at the premiere was different.
“Hey, a good-looking baby grows into a good-looking boy and then into a handsome young man.”
The female MC chimed in.
“That’s right. Oh, I’m excited too. What’s the next news?”
The segment moved on. I smiled brightly while watching the screen.
‘Lee Hak-woo, I’ll remember that name.’
How dare you say something bad about this face? And to a baby who just started walking.
‘There’s always someone like that everywhere.’
I hit the floor with my short arms.
‘Just wait and see.’
It was when I hit the floor about three times.
Suddenly, subtitles started pouring in crazily.
[A viewer folding laundry for 20 minutes is delighted by your cute appearance]
[Love and Peace Coin increases by 1]
[A viewer commuting on the subway while watching IPTV is delighted by your cute appearance]
[Love and Peace Coin increases by 1]
The coins were rising beautifully. I smiled broadly and said to myself,
‘Hide the subtitles!’
In an instant, the screen was clear.
‘I just need to check the total coins.’
I hit the floor once more.
Thud-
‘Alright, Kongja. Let’s think this through again.’
Once the immediate concern of my mother’s health was resolved, the first thing that came to mind was how to use the coins effectively.
‘This is miraculous, but it’s not a cure-all.’
Collecting them was quite tricky too.
‘People watching me only earns me 1 coin.’
Unless my film becomes globally famous, becoming rich with coins seemed difficult.
‘In short, I have to use them efficiently.’
I looked down at my hands. My head lowered automatically.
‘They’re small.’
Who knew when they would grow?
‘But you know…’
I could still make the most of my efficiency even as a baby.
‘Good looks are in demand at any age.’
I glanced back at the TV.
“If I were famous, people would see my mom crying too.”
Once again, I hit rock bottom.
Thunk—
The solution was simple.
‘I need to become more famous.’
I didn’t know how things would change, but I needed to stay flexible.
‘An opportunity will surely come.’
And I would seize it tightly.
‘Even though my teeth aren’t fully grown yet!’
What’s important for that?
‘Well, generally, health is the most important.’
But that was already secured by a wish.
‘Seeing that me, as a baby, has no minor illnesses, I must be healthy.’
So, what’s next?
I wriggled my feet and rolled over. The cushion was soft, so it didn’t hurt.
‘Stamina.’
Sleeping was a talent of mine, but I had to build connections, so falling asleep like this would be a problem.
‘’Stamina is needed everywhere.’
I checked the coins immediately.
‘Total coins!’
[Total coins: 5,372]
It was a number I didn’t expect.
‘Even on a major network, shouldn’t I have more?’
Were there so few people moved by my cuteness?
‘Or is there another condition for coins to accumulate?’
I shook my head to clear the thoughts.
‘Anyway, it’s important to increase something!’
I placed an order right away.
‘Use coins!’
[How would you like to use the Love and Peace coin?]
‘Increase stamina!’
[To increase the stamina of Kongja, 5,000 coins are needed. Would you like to proceed?]
It wasn’t a bad deal.
‘It seems rather cheap, actually.’
Now that I think about it, what’s the standard for the number of coins?
‘This is somewhat intriguing.’
I remembered Noah, who was physically strong but not as sharp mentally.
‘I tried to increase intelligence, but it required a lot of coins, right?’
I think I understood a bit.
‘There’s some kind of connection here.’
It’s cheaper to get stronger if you’re already healthy.
But it costs more to fix something bad.
‘So, requiring 5,000 coins means it’s relatively cheap because I’m healthy.’
Well, good is good!
“Proceed!”
[Execution completed]
[Everything has a price]
[As a result of using coins, you will dance whenever music plays for two years]
Thunk—
I let go of the foot I was holding.
‘Excuse me, subtitles?’
Why such a price!
‘Making Mom healthy was just making me tone-deaf!’
But now it’s dancing?
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
‘For two years, whenever music plays?’
Oh, no.
I blinked at the ceiling.
‘I need to be careful.’
How would I dance? Like a reflex?
Then, it happened. The entertainment news ended, and a commercial with music started on TV.
“Oh, no.”
My shoulders started shaking instantly.
Even lying on the floor, I flailed. My short legs caught the rhythm.
‘This is compulsory.’
Scary.
‘I shouldn’t take the price lightly.’
Luckily, the commercial ended quickly. I hurriedly got up and changed the channel with the remote.
‘Is it okay now? No! Wait!’
The lyrics spread gently.
– I want to tempt you!
Why music broadcasting, of all things!
And those lyrics!
* * *
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