The second lead of Evening Blossoms was a rising actress named Rin Seo.
Short. Sharp-eyed. A laugh like wind chimes mixed with sarcasm. She'd already done three dramas, had a cult following online, and absolutely did not believe in pulling punches.
She showed up in Lina's life like an uninvited storm.
"You the newbie?"
Lina blinked. "Yes. Lina Vale."
Rin looked her up and down. "You don't look scared."
"I am," Lina said honestly.
Rin grinned. "Good. Means you're not stupid."
---
They ended up eating lunch together on the studio's rooftop.
Rin kicked her feet up on a plastic table and cracked open a Coke. "You cried during the read-through, didn't you?"
Lina glanced over, startled. "How did you—"
"I did too, my first role," Rin said. "Wanted to disappear. Instead, I learned how to weaponize shame."
Lina smiled faintly. "How?"
Rin tapped her throat. "Voice. Everyone underestimates it. Learn to fill a space with your voice—and no one will forget you."
---
[System Notification: New Key Individual Detected – Rin Seo]
[Potential Ally – Tier B]
[Talent: Voice Resonance (Rare)]
[System Recommendation: Build Relationship – Unlock Vocal Techniques]
[AI Companion: She's got bite. I like her.]
---
Later that afternoon, Rin pulled Lina aside.
"You've got something in your eyes. Something broken."
Lina stiffened.
"Don't hide it," Rin said, softer. "Use it. Every crack is a place light can get in."
And then she winked. "Besides, broken girls make the best leading ladies."
---
System Update: Emotional Support Acquired – Peer Level
[Trait Unlock Pending: Vocal Projection +0.5]
[System Comment: She's your first real ally. Keep her.]
---
But not everyone on set was thrilled by the new friendship.
In the shadows of a hallway, a woman watched Rin and Lina laughing together.
A slow, cruel smirk spread on her face.
"So you think you've found someone to protect you, orphan girl?"
She turned away, fingers tightening on her phone.
"I hope you're ready to watch her burn too."
---
That night, Lina trained with the System.
In her small apartment, headset on, mirror before her—she practiced voice control, breathing, pitch shifts.
Each time she hesitated, the AI whispered reminders.
> "Jiwoo is vulnerable but not weak. Feel the line before you speak it."
> "Again. This time, try not apologizing for existing."
> "Good. Now do it like you mean it."
Hours passed. Her voice turned from soft silk to sharp glass.
When she finally lay in bed, exhausted, her phone buzzed.
> Kael:
Can't sleep.
> Lina:
Same.
A pause.
Then:
> Kael:
Want to meet?
Her fingers hovered. Her heart raced.
But then:
[System Notification: Emotional Task Triggered]
[Task: Say Yes to Something You're Afraid Of]
[Reward: Emotional Growth +1 | Kael Affection +0.5 | Confidence +1]
[Punishment for Failure: Confidence -1 | Affection Stagnant]
> Lina:
…Yes. Where?
---
System Log: Lina Vale
Key Ally: Rin Seo (Tier B – Vocal Specialist)
Emotional Task: Accepted
Kael Affection: 6.9
Vocal Skill: In Training
Threat Activity: Escalating
Passive Influence: Rising
---
End of Chapter 23
---