"You did amazing, Ha-eun. Let's keep this momentum for the live broadcast."
As Lee Geon-yeol patted Ha-eun's shoulder a couple of times, her usual composed expression remained unchanged as she gave a small nod. She didn’t think she had made any mistakes during the rehearsal either.
However, since it was crucial to keep Ha-eun’s participation in the SIT ON THE MONEY finals a secret from everyone except Hwang Ji-hyuk, after completing her stage makeup and donning her performance outfit:
"We’ll come get you when it’s your turn, so stay put and don’t wander around~."
She had to quietly wait in a different waiting room, away from the one used by Double Lee and Hwang Ji-hyuk.
Of course, her manager, Ju Jung-yoon, stayed by her side. With the TV in the waiting room airing a preview of the SIT ON THE MONEY finals, there wasn’t much time for boredom.
They passed the time with idle chatter, both occasionally voicing their thoughts about the finals as they watched the screen.
"Your parents should’ve come too. It’s a shame."
"I’d just get more nervous if they were here. It’s better they don’t know anything about the finals."
"But you’ll tell them later, right? That you’ve debuted as a singer too?"
"Mm… wouldn’t they find out on their own, even if I don’t say anything?"
"Still, I think it’s better if they hear it from you directly. If they learn about their daughter’s new side from an article, they might feel hurt."
In the end, Ha-eun nodded. She promised to personally tell her parents, Sung-yoon and Na-yeon, after the SIT ON THE MONEY finals that she and Pinocchio were the same person.
But before she could dwell on it further, her phone, sitting idly on the table, vibrated.
Interrupting her conversation with Jung-yoon, Ha-eun picked up her phone and unlocked it.
A notification had appeared, alerting her to a new post on Yoo Sung-jae's social media. Immediately, a memory resurfaced in her mind:
"Since I can’t see what’s in Ha-eun’s heart, I’ll stick her photo on a giant teddy bear and put it on a chair."
"…You’re joking, right?"
"Nope, I’m serious. I’ll even post it on social media."
The last conversation she’d had with Yoo Sung-jae.
Ha-eun quickly opened Sung-jae’s profile and tapped on the newest post. In less than a second, her screen was filled with an image of a massive teddy bear.
The teddy bear itself wasn’t the issue. The problem was the photo attached to its fluffy face.
"Wait, isn’t that your photo stuck on the bear?"
"…Yeah. It looks like it is."
It seemed Sung-jae had followed through on his outrageous words. Without delay, Ha-eun called Da-yeon, who was watching the first episode of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds.
"Hey, Da-yeon. I need a favor—"
After explaining what Sung-jae had done, she asked Da-yeon to retrieve the bear for her.
"If he refuses to hand it over, tell him, ‘Next time, I might really cut you.’"
[‘Really cut you?’ What does that mean?]
"He’ll know what it means. Please, Da-yeon, I’m counting on you."
[Alright… I’ll take care of it. Talk later.]
About ten minutes later, Ha-eun received a photo of Da-yeon holding the bear. For some reason, her photo was still attached to its face, but at least the bear was now in Da-yeon’s possession.
[Min Da-yeon] - (Selfie with the bear)
[Min Da-yeon] - Who else but me?
[Lee Ha-eun] - Thanks.
[Lee Ha-eun] - (Otter emoji saying “Thank you”)
Ha-eun sent Da-yeon a grateful message. Watching this unfold from beside her, Jung-yoon couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
"Oh, nothing. It’s just… cute."
"Sure, let’s say that’s what I meant~."
Her teasing tone, warm expression, and playful gaze carried a hint of mischief.
But Ha-eun didn’t press further, as the knock on the door came moments later. It was Lee Jun, signaling that it was time for Hwang Ji-hyuk’s performance.
"Let’s go, Pinocchio. Time to make a splash."
It was time for Pinocchio to take the stage.
"Unnie, I’m heading out now."
With a faint metallic click, Ha-eun left the waiting room with Lee Jun, heading toward the finals stage.
Left alone, Jung-yoon let out a gentle laugh.
Ha-eun really has changed.
Having spent 12 long years with Ha-eun, Jung-yoon knew better than anyone how much she’d grown.
The old Ha-eun wouldn’t have reacted to something like Sung-jae’s teddy bear prank. Even if it did affect her, she wouldn’t have shown it.
"She was too mature for her age back then."
The Ha-eun of the past had been a child who only displayed emotions in front of the camera. Her emotional range outside acting had been incredibly narrow.
It was both a strength and a flaw—making her seem mature but also leaving her detached.
But everything changed after that secretive audition, where her singing and dancing skills were tested.
"Ha-eun, tell me honestly—did you get a boyfriend?"
"No! Why do you keep asking me that?"
"Because you’re avoiding my eyes, and your ears are bright red."
"It’s cold, that’s all."
"The AC is too cold, okay?"
Gradually, Ha-eun began to show emotions outside her roles. She became someone who could be understood—not just through her characters but as herself.
The audition’s details were still a mystery, as Luna Entertainment’s legal team had handled all post-acceptance contracts. But Jung-yoon knew one thing for sure: that audition had marked the beginning of Ha-eun’s transformation.
"Let’s huddle up and do a cheer before we start."
An unfamiliar situation.
But there was no turning back now. Ha-eun extended her hand and joined Lee Geon-yeol’s cheer.
Moments later, the stage dimmed, and Hwang Ji-hyuk’s footsteps echoed as he took his place.
It was about to begin. Pinocchio’s debut stage.
"Keep your promise. Win."
Even as Ji-hyuk stepped forward to begin his rap, Ha-eun focused only on her part.
Just sing. That was all she needed to do.
After Ji-hyuk’s smooth start, Lee Jun and Geon-yeol moved to their respective positions, leaving Ha-eun alone behind the stage.
"Stage doors opening in five seconds. Five, four, three—"
Lifting her microphone, she watched the enormous doors slide open.
"Ladies and gentlemen… Pinocchio."
As Ji-hyuk introduced her, Ha-eun opened her mouth and began to sing.
"The stars in the night sky are still there, but my gaze fell downward─♪"
The sound of her voice filled the microphone.
"What I was staring at was the same black… but it wasn’t the sky anymore─♪"
The crowd’s murmurs started to grow, but due to the blinding stage lights and her white baseball cap covering most of her face, her identity remained hidden.
All they could see was a silhouette—young, unfamiliar, yet undeniably captivating.
But the familiarity of her voice and name left the audience entranced.
The moment came during the second feature.
Her slow footsteps toward the stage's center, coupled with the removal of her cap, revealed her face.
A stunned silence swept through the audience.
Moments later, the realization struck: Pinocchio and actress Lee Ha-eun were the same person.
"They said it’s all because of me, all because of me───♪"
As her voice soared in powerful high notes, the audience erupted in cheers.
In the midst of the thunderous applause, the faint sound of Heo Joo-eun’s typing on her laptop hinted at the day’s biggest story.