Just before the live talk show begins, the backstage is bustling with activity.
The silent staff move in perfect coordination, checking and handling situations in real-time.
“Phew.”
I took a deep breath.
By now, I could understand their expressions more clearly—
The whispers of the faceless staff.
– Additional lighting for spot #5.
– Mr. Host’s shoes need replacement.
– Verify cushion placement for the guest.
And since the host never failed to personally acknowledge each of them for their efforts, the atmosphere always remained lively.
It was honestly a great workplace.
At first, the fact that my colleagues had no faces had been unsettling, but now—I think I’ve completely adjusted!
‘Humans really are creatures of their environment, huh?’
I could never get used to entering ghost stories no matter how many times I did it, so… maybe, just maybe, Braun was right—it might really have been a matter of matching aptitude.
‘It’s fine.’
I habitually checked the silver ring on my finger before finally stepping onto the stage.
“…Huu.”
Today was the day.
The day I would appear in a segment of ‘Braun’s Late-Night Talk Show’ for the first time.
[Mr. Soleum!]
The host, already prepped and ready, approached me.
[Your outfit suits you perfectly. Yes, very well… oh my! Makeup, let’s cover this tattoo a little more thoroughly.]
The host meticulously checked even the tattoo peeking out from beneath my suit sleeve.
In the blink of an eye, the tattoo vanished without a trace.
And before long, I safely reached my designated seat—just in time for the live broadcast.
[Excellent. Very good… Now, Mr. Soleum, the cameras will go live any moment now.]
“Yes.”
[And soon, the audience will be seated before you—so just focus on entertaining them. Now then, we’re starting…]
The countdown appeared on the retro prompter in front of me.
3.
2.
1.
0.
[Good evening! The joy of the night, the fresh new face you meet every day, and… your friendly host!]
Braun’s Late-Night Talk Show
As the studio lights flashed and the band played—
The live broadcast began.
“Huh?”
“Eh?”
“What… what the hell?”
The audience seats filled up in an instant.
One by one, people materialized in their chairs—each with an expression of confusion or shock as they found themselves in the dazzling studio.
“Why am I wearing this?”
All of them were dressed in various office outfits—as expected for our special ‘Corporate Workers’ episode.
[Welcome, hardworking professionals! Tonight, we have an exhilarating, eye-catching, spine-chillingly entertaining talk show just for you—guaranteed to wash away the fatigue of your day!] řÁΝÖᛒÊS
Clap, clap, clap…
Braun clapped alone, then flashed a sheepish and sad emoticon on his TV screen.
[…No applause? Not even one?]
Clap! Clapclapclapclapclap!!
The bewildered audience hurriedly clapped along.
“What the hell is this…?”
“Eh, well… he’s good-looking, so let’s just go with it.”
Beside me, two office workers—who seemed to know each other—murmured before clapping again.
The host engaged with the audience one by one, gradually warming up the room.
There was something a little eerie about the atmosphere, but ultimately, the jokes were funny, the topics were intriguing, and the news was a mix of horrifying yet fascinating updates.
“Ah.”
As the tension eased, the audience began to naturally accept the surreal environment.
Like watching a magician’s act or an elaborate sci-fi film, their familiarity with fictional content blurred the boundaries between reality and the show.
And then—it happened.
[Tonight’s guest is… Oh, here they come now!]
The glittering star-shaped bulbs lit up as the ornate guest entrance swung open.
The guest I had chosen…
…Toddled in.
A ragged teddy bear.
Its button eyes were mismatched, its stitching uneven—but it was rather cute.
[Isn’t it just adorable? Allow me to introduce tonight’s guest… ‘Happy Ending Teddy’!]
As the small bear settled onto the sofa, murmurs rippled through the audience.
“What the hell is that?”
“Wait, it’s actually cute.”
“It’s moving… where are we? Is this a dream? What kind of talk show is this… oh, right, I signed up for an audience ticket!”
The murmur of confused whispers soon died down, all converging into a single reaction—
Fascination and immersion in this surreal talk show.
[This segment is sponsored by Delusion Home Shopping! Ah, yes, this is an industry-defining collector’s item—this is a limited edition item from 1999 that is no longer available for sale.]
[For those who treasure it until death, it grants the ‘Ending of Life’—a peaceful slumber. But for those who discard it? It will visit them at midnight and transform them into a doll just like itself!]
Braun stepped forward, holding a microphone to the teddy bear.
[How are you feeling? ……Oh, I see. You’re so overwhelmed that you want to visit your first owner’s grave and weep your heart out.]
“Hahahaha!”
The response was great.
I felt relieved.
Cute and friendly, yet undeniably eerie—the unsettling concept of an inanimate object gaining sentience and seeking revenge had always been a hit.
That was also why, with the Good Friend, I was also… No. Never mind.
‘Anyway, if the audience reaction is good, the viewers will likely enjoy it too.’
That was reassuring.
Since not all viewers were human, the structure of the talk show was designed to let them enjoy the audience’s reactions—as if they were watching a reaction video.
Fascinating.
A story is always best enjoyed from a safe distance.
[Now then, let’s hear our guest’s story and recent updates!]
The show progressed smoothly.
The ‘Happy Ending Teddy’ shared, through the host, a bittersweet farewell with its kind owner—followed by a chilling tale of cruelty and satisfying revenge.
The presentation was enriched with props, photographs, and illustrations to heighten the immersion and atmosphere.
And finally—the climax.
[Ah, so the one who burned you with a cigarette and beat the child who played with you… is actually sitting right there, in the audience!]
[That person is… YOU!]
BAM!
A spotlight illuminated a single audience member.
[Come on up… Haha! Let’s welcome our second guest with a round of applause.]
It was the previous owner—the one who had discarded the teddy bear.
They had been planted among the audience.
Now, they were brought onto the stage…
…where the ‘Happy Ending Teddy’ would personally transform them into a new teddy bear.
Screams and blood splattered across the stage, but the audience—deeply immersed—felt a mix of horror and catharsis.
Some at the front row, having been handed raincoats by the staff, even applauded.
Just like reading a thrilling horror story.