Inside the soundstage, the lighting is steady, the actors are rehearsing, and the sound crew is making final checks.

  Everything runs as usual.

  Until a voice is heard.

  “Have some snacks—let’s eat while we meet—”

  Holding two boxes of donuts, the boss walks along, swaying them as he goes and calling out all the way.

  The art lead instinctively hunches her shoulders, as if that might help her escape the snacks’ grasp.

  “… I don’t like sweets that much…”

  The screenwriter sets down the laptop and lets out a long sigh.

  “Alright. What is it this time?”

  “Hey, don’t be like that!”

  He sets down the boxes, still grinning, yet the familiar rhythm carries a chill.

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  “This time I’m really just sharing some information!”

  “And?”

  The boss’s eyes light up, like a pirate who has just found treasure.

  “Vocus added new categories—early on there definitely won’t be many works. Shouldn’t we take the chance to get some exposure?”

  He speaks with gestures, as if already seeing the comments piling up.

  But the art lead looks unconvinced.

  “The two projects we’re shooting right now simply won’t take off.

  Beyond All Things is too cerebral, and Moon & Dawn is too complicated.”

  The screenwriter nods.

  “Setting aside that was only just set up, Vocus’s traffic isn’t that high to begin with.”

  “Based on current traffic, Penana is stronger.”

  As usual, the manager explains, flipping through the statistics sheet.

  “And it has its own Contests section.

  The entry threshold is low, so it’s easier to experiment with exposure.”

  The boss claps the moment he hears it. “Then let’s take part!”

  Everyone turns to look at him.

  He does not waver, with a smile bright as the rising sun.

  “Switch the theme, switch the mood—we can have fun filming again.

  Not bad, right?”

  …

  No one speaks.

  In the end, it’s still the director who steps up.

  “Then… let’s meet in ten minutes to evaluate the contest.”

  After saying that, he leaves, and the others follow in turn.

  The meeting room empties, leaving the boss alone.

  “I’ll go check the contest for you first. Don’t take too long!”