[Oh dear.]
The Nostalgia Candy in my hand disappeared.
“…!”
[Good heavens! Mr. Roe Deer, have you been surviving on candy alone?]
“Haha…”
[That’s not good at all!]
Like magic, the missing Nostalgia Candy appeared in Braun’s gloved hand, only to vanish once again with a flourish.
…Completely gone.
“……”
Clap, clap, clap…
As I clapped my hands together, Braun bowed theatrically like a magician.
“Um, where did the candy—”
[Mr. Roe Deer, your first meal in a month was going to be an ancient, dusty old candy? Oh, this is an insult to catering itself!]
Snap.
The host snapped his fingers.
[Some say the passion for creation is born from hunger, but… my philosophy is a bit different!]
[First, let’s have a proper meal.]
At Braun’s request, the faceless staff opened the door to my dressing room, greeting me cheerfully.
A white tablecloth was laid over the table in the corner of the room, and in perfect synchronization, dishes were set one after another.
Steam rose from the plates—Western cuisine.
A full-course meal that should have been served dish by dish was instead arranged all at once.
[Since you didn’t submit a request, Mr. Roe Deer, I took the liberty of selecting tonight’s menu.]
[Once you finish eating, you’ll feel revitalized…]
“……”
…That’s when I realized it had been a long time since I’d last seen warm food.
Seated across from me, the host’s TV screen displayed a cheerful emoticon as he waved his utensils from side to side.
Bon appétit!!
…Somehow, the surroundings felt darker.
It was as if the spotlight was focused solely on the meal in front of me…
Glint.
My silver ring reflected the light from the table, momentarily catching the glow before being overpowered by the shine of the fork.
“……”
I hesitated, then picked up the utensils.
But as I debated what to eat first…
[And for your drink… Ah, Mr. Roe Deer. You mentioned you liked grapes, didn’t you?]
“……!”
With a smooth motion, a curved glass bottle filled with ruby-red liquid landed on the table.
A bottle of wine.
[This is an exquisite vintage. A gift I received while hosting the quiz show. But now, it seems fitting to open it in celebration of your successful debut, my friend…] 𝐑𝖔₿ЁṨ
Absentmindedly, I read the label’s production year.
1999.
The same year the ‘Happy Ending Teddy’—tonight’s guest—had been released.
“…Did you match the vintage to the guest’s production year?”
[Ah, I do appreciate an observant audience! That’s correct!]
[It’s a congratulatory gesture. After all, this was your first time on stage!]
[Ah, such details are essential for any great entertainer. Mr. Soleum, I hope this serves as a valuable lesson…]
Braun personally uncorked the wine.
The ruby-red liquid swirled into the crystal glass before being placed in front of me.
[Now… shall we have a toast?]
……Hmm.
Refusing at this point would feel awkward, but for some reason, I wasn’t particularly eager.
[…Oh dear. Does it not suit your taste, Mr. Roe Deer? It seems I’ve failed to understand my friend’s preferences. How shameful for a host…]
“No, that’s not it.”
Feeling pressured, I quickly lifted the glass—
And drank.
……
“It’s good.”
[Isn’t it? Please, enjoy it at your leisure…]
“Alright.”
I picked up my utensils.
“……”
The meal continued.
Strangely, the more I ate and drank, the clearer my mind became.
As if my exhausted body was finally absorbing much-needed nutrients… No, that wasn’t just a metaphor. That was exactly what was happening.
‘I thought I was in good condition.’
Maybe I was more drained than I realized.
……
…Wait, hold on!
‘Of course I’d be feeling like this—I haven’t eaten in a month!’
Logically speaking, there’s no way a human could go a whole month without eating and still be fine.
‘I should be dead.’
Goodness. Am I only realizing this now?
[Hmm? Mr. Roe Deer, is something wrong with the food?]
“No. That’s not it.”
I resumed eating.
With every bite, my thoughts sharpened.
‘Even if I wasn’t fully corrupted by this Darkness, I must have been affected in some way.’
Had my mind been foggy this entire time?
Even after arriving here, all I did was throw myself into work.
Had I been too giddy, thinking I was finally free from fear…?
Regardless—
‘I should confirm this.’
I instinctively reached for another piece of candy from my tattoo inventory but hesitated at the last second.
I’d need the great host’s permission, after all.
“Braun, could you return the candy you took earlier?”
[Hm?]
“I’ve eaten, so I figured I’d have a little dessert.”
[Oh… I see. Very well.]
Braun placed the candy back into my palm.
Nostalgia Candy.
[Here you go, Mr. Soleum!]
Now I remembered for sure.
‘This candy restores my body to its peak condition from the past ten years.’
This was how I survived in Sekwang Technical High.
‘Alright.’
I popped the candy into my mouth.
……
Hm.
‘No change at all?’
It just… felt like I had confirmed something I already knew.
‘This probably means that my current condition is the best it’s ever been.’
They say stress is the root of all illness—so maybe people really do need to find work that suits them.
From now on… I should at least try to eat properly instead of just working non-stop.
Even if working at a supernatural talk show made it feel like skipping meals didn’t affect me, it clearly had an impact.
‘Now that I think about it, working non-stop was a bit strange too.’
Placing my now-empty wine glass on the table, I spoke with a serious tone.
“Braun. No matter how I think about it, I need to bring this up.”
[Hmm?]
“My employment contract. Shouldn’t we discuss things like vacation time and salary?”
[Oh… Mr. Soleum.]
Braun gave me an unenthusiastic look, out of character for him, then pressed a hand to his forehead. His TV screen displayed a sighing emoticon.
[Of course, my show’s crew members are guaranteed ample vacation time and silver. I must say, I’m baffled—what exactly were you told on your first day?]
Oh…
‘Was I too out of it from not eating?’
Come to think of it, my memories of the first few days here were oddly hazy.
I even seemed to have lost all my belongings from Daydream Inc… What a mess.
“Sorry. But I’d still like to negotiate my work conditions properly now.”
[Of course, Mr. Roe Deer!]
With a full stomach and a clear mind, I had a fierce negotiation session with the host.
The final contract included two days off per week, summer and winter vacation leaves, 50 Silver Coins of the Uncanny, and a biannual performance-based bonus…
Not bad.
[Then, let’s finalize the contract by the end of this week!]
“Got it.”
[Now you’ll be officially employed at the talk show. Ah, that’s right—while hosting today’s live broadcast, I had a sudden burst of inspiration!]
[That’s why I originally stopped by your dressing room. But when I saw you breaking your month-long fast with candy, I was so shocked that I lost my train of thought. Good heavens!]
“Haha… um. Sorry. So, what was the idea?”
Braun pointed at my forearm with his gloved hand.
[Your tattoos, Mr. Roe Deer.]
Ah.
I lifted my arm and glanced at the text.
The makeup had started wearing off, leaving my forearm blotchy and uneven.
[It must be a hassle to get makeup done every time you appear on the show. Oh, and knowing you, Mr. Roe Deer—you’d rather work through your break than sit still for that! So, with that in mind…]
[Why not erase them completely?]