Click.
An old television turns on.
A black screen is witnessed by my entire field of vision and within my mind.
I cannot turn my eyes away.
I must watch.
Stay tuned!
For you
An advertisement
Is being
Screened
Now.
A cheerful, classic orchestral background music flows.
And then, a black-and-white video appears.
Cast: Kim Soleum
The exhausted appearance of a young man in his mid-to-late twenties, a new recruit, wearing a black suit.
Sometimes writing documents in an office with a bare face, sometimes wearing a bizarre mask with horns, narrowly escaping death while being chased by dangers within a ghost story….
Me.
Feeling depressed?
Are you exhausted?
Are you suffering from endless work, verbal abuse, and company politics?
Are you anxious about a daily life where you can trust no one and never know when you might die?
In times like those, you should sit in front of the TV and watch something new and fun!
The version of me that returned to the company housing sits in front of the TV and blankly watches the screen.
Children’s cartoons watched to soothe fear.
But, as expected of something for children, the videos were short and ended quickly.
I sat there blankly for a moment with hollow eyes before going into the room.
And I try to fall into a sleep that does not come.
Were you afraid of the show you were watching coming to an end?
Were you scared of tomorrow coming?
Did you hate the thought of returning to a workplace that is painful, ill-suited for you, and where every day is filled with anxiety and suffering?
Is it difficult and frightening whenever your thoughts deepen, yet you have no other options?
Are you enduring the horror, simply believing that this path must be the right answer?
…….
I, I….
For someone like you!
Wait, don’t be surprised, and take a deep breath.
A perfect alternative,
A new path has arrived!
Ta-da.
On the screen, a spotlight shines brightly on my bedroom door, and someone opens it, making a grand entrance.
A stylish silhouette wearing a brown suit, with an old TV for a head.
…It’s the Host.
The answer for you!
I jump up from the bed in surprise and shake hands with the Host with a welcoming face. Then, with a lighthearted laugh, I throw my mask and briefcase out the window.
As the Host snaps his fingers, the company housing magically turns to ash, and a brilliantly lit studio is revealed.
I stand on the stage with the Host, wearing a broad smile.
It was clearly something that had never happened, yet it mixed with scenes from the past, piercing my head in a clever and dizzying way.
As if it were real.
The Host of this new talk show is full of wit, tact, and humor; he listens to all your concerns and empathizes!
Everything will be fine if you accept the perfect proposal from this person you invited yourself.
An attractive workplace that no one would want to refuse.
Prepare for your new life!
No.
No, I,
I mean, I have to go home….
Oh my!
Are you suffering from a dreadful case of homesickness?
The screen turns.
And once again it shows me, but this time it isn't my past self.
Now.
…It looks at me, who is staring into the TV screen.
Head-on.
Staring face-to-face.
Cast: You
It is reflected like a mirror.
However, the 'me' inside the TV has a strangely distorted expression, looking like he’s about to cry.
No, that’s not me. I’m not making any expression right… or am I? Am I making a crying face right now? Stop! It’s dizzying. In the midst of confusion and doubt, I pressed down on my face with both hands.
My vision vanished.
Even so, I can see the TV.
Captions appear below my face.
Why do you always miss home?
Do you want the happiness of escaping from an uncomfortable and burdensome environment? Do you cry every night with the desire to fall asleep without anxiety and nightmares?
Do not worry.
A great talk show awaits you!
No.
Special information visible only to you who are watching this advertisement right now:
The crew of the great talk show have no faces.
A fantasy workplace where there is no discomfort or burden of having to face unfamiliar faces.
Enter now!
This is insane.
Faceless colleagues? Who would want such a thing? Absolutely not….
In this workplace, no one struggles with anxiety to hide themselves.
You, who are watching this advertisement, do not worry either.
Reveal yourself comfortably!
The only workplace,
That will allow you to unfold your overflowing talent and ideas to your heart’s content.
It is said that this legendary Host has returned countless applications and kept this spot open just for you!
…….
An attractive workplace that no one would want to refuse.
It is now your new home!
No, that’s not it!
He’s deliberately using the word 'home.' He knows that I want to go home. That’s it.
But what I want isn't a new home. I never wanted such a thing.
What I want is….
To return to the world I originally lived in… the familiar world.
A place where, at the very least, I don't have to worry about being eaten by a monster while walking down the street. A place where ghost stories are just fun tales. My friends and family are all there.
And let’s not forget!
I have the silver ring on my hand right now.
I can resist all of this. Resist, I can resist.
That figure on the TV isn't me.
I am not smiling.
You will be happy.
In your new home.
I won't be confused.
I am going back to my original home. That is not home. I am working to return home, and this objective will never be reversed.
In your home.
The crazy talk show is not my home.
The crazy talk show is not my home.
The crazy talk show is not my home!!
…….
…….
[Hmm.]
We are
Briefly
Adjusting the screen….
The TV screen fell away.
"Pant."
I slumped to the floor, exhaling sharply.
The moment my hands touched the cold tile floor of the cramped train bathroom, my sense of reality returned.
No, it should have….
I understand perfectly, Soleum.
The next moment.
I was standing in a comfortable studio.
No, this place was originally a studio.
However, there was no audience yet in this small, cozy space, only two comfortable single-seater chairs placed facing each other.
And the TV-headed Host with a serious attitude, extending his hand to me.
[My, you were quite nervous…. Shall we sit for a moment? Let's fix your clothes and wipe off the blood. And let's have a more comfortable conversation….]
[It seems your mind was startled because the advertisement was excessively stimulating for my Friend.]
…….
Soft piano music flows.
[Since Soleum doesn't have media experience yet, I was a bit excessive. Let's take some time….]
As the Host gestures, a steaming cup appears on the table between the seats before I know it.
…It’s hot chocolate.
[Ah, did you remember? It’s the drink I used to suggest whenever Mr. Roe Deer was exhausted. Chocolate! Something pleasant and warm must go into a fatigued body….]
A smiling emoticon appears on the TV face, and the antenna rises slightly.
As if he is a bit excited.
And he busily puts marshmallows into the cup and stirs it.
[Still, this is the first time I'm serving it directly. With a Plush Body, I could only ever be a nuisance in these matters.]
“…….”
[There were so many things I couldn't do for you in that state. Now, now, let's rest for a bit….]
Following the kind guidance, I naturally came to sit in the chair.
…Because there was no other option besides that.
But surprisingly, the Host waited quietly without any other sudden actions while I refused all other 'help' and treated the wound on my arm by myself to stop the bleeding.
He didn't even urge me to drink the beverage.
He just waited, like a considerate interviewer.
…In that process, my head cools down a bit, and I become calm.
[Have you calmed down a bit, Mr. Roe Deer? Take a deep breath, right…. Let's talk.]
The Host sat in the opposite chair and interlaced his fingers.
And he speaks politely.
[Mr. Roe Deer says he absolutely does not want to quit his current job. Is that correct?]
“…….”
Breaking into a cold sweat, I slowly nodded my head.
The antenna on the TV head tilts to the side as if puzzled.
[That is quite strange, very strange…. Mr. Roe Deer should have hated that job!]
“…!”
[We shared many stories, didn't we? I heard quite often how much Mr. Roe Deer himself hates this job, and the grumbling about not wanting to do it ever again once the goal was achieved.]
But that also meant I absolutely had to stay until the goal was achieved.
In order to get the Wish Ticket and return home….
[Wait a moment.]
[Yes, Mr. Roe Deer. That is exactly the part I wanted to focus on!]
[My Friend, you are saying you desperately want to go home. And….]
The Host whispers.
[Actually, I know why Mr. Roe Deer says he wants to go home, the reason for it.]
What reason could there be for a person saying they want to go home?
Wondering what kind of sophistry he was about to spout, I started to tense my shoulders.
I have to let it go in one ear and out the other.
[Oh, it might be shocking, but please pull yourself together!]
However, the Host’s voice becomes lower, smaller, turning into a whisper.
With a speech technique that makes one focus on the following words involuntarily.
[It is because….]
I find myself leaning in.
[Actually, you don't want to go.]
…….
What?
[Actually, you know it, don't you?]
[That you’ve come to misunderstand the situation, jump to conclusions, and have prejudices because of two intense emotions.]
[Fear and desire.]
What are you saying right now….
[Oh, Mr. Roe Deer…. You don't miss home, nor do you like it. You just find your current job scary and detestable.]
“……!”
[Now, Mr. Roe Deer. Was the story you enjoyed becoming a reality truly nothing but hateful?]
[Were you not even a little bit thrilled or excited to witness how the things you imagined were implemented into reality? Is it really the truth that it was only hateful?]
Hate….
Rather than saying I hated it, it was just too dangerous.
[Danger! Ah, a traditionally plausible justification. But let's think about it, Mr. Roe Deer.]
The old television that serves as the Host’s head flickers with static.
[Is the 'home' you would return to truly safe?]
Images flash across the TV head.
Cruel news in black and white.
[War, poverty, climate crisis, terrorism, infectious diseases… and all other minor and horrific tragedies. Hell can come for anyone, and you are no exception.]
[In any reality, we cannot choose what tragedy we will encounter. Unless it’s a show, that is!]
That’s.
[Oh, yes, you also knew it deep in your heart. This place and the place you call 'home' are actually not that different….]
[Does it matter whether a monster from a story appears in reality, or if a real monster lives in reality? What matters is your pain!]
this Braun spreads his fingers and folds the Disasters one by one.
[Death that strikes without warning? My, in what world does death approach with a warning? It would be equally frightening anywhere.]
[Your peace there is also something fragile and futile that can be shattered by a single press of a button by a mad dictator….]
[In the end, isn't everything just a matter of how you perceive it, Mr. Roe Deer?]
I stared blankly at the TV.
[And perception is not the truth. It is just a very distorted experience that only you feel.]
[Let's look at it without prejudice, Friend.]
That’s, that’s….
…….
…….
Is it… like that?
I felt that something didn't quite add up, but no words for a rebuttal came to mind.
It sounded plausible.
But there’s no way this is really… just a matter of feeling.
[It’s okay. Acceptance always takes time. this Braun can continue to talk with you… just like always!]
[So, for now, shall we develop the conversation a bit further? More fundamentally….]
Braun asks softly.
What is it that Soleum truly wants?]
[Let's think for a moment, excluding going home.]
…….
Want…… no, wait a minute.
…He understood my situation this deeply?
That thing, he’s completely reading my thoughts.
How much does he know? Exactly how deep into my inner thoughts has he reached?
And if he already knows all my thoughts, is there any meaning in arguing, no matter what rebuttal I make? Is there a way to escape?
Wait, is he reading this thought too? How much of my thoughts can the Host read? Surely, about the Dark Exploration Record I’m thinking of….
[Mr./Ms./Mx. Soleum.]
It’s maddening.
I was so scared I felt like I was going crazy. I want to escape this situation….
[That’s it!]
Huh?
[You’ve finally realized it. Soleum. What you truly want deep in your heart!]
The Host snaps his fingers with a sharp clack.
[It’s to escape from fear.]
“…!!”
The TV approaches.
[And here, there is a very fast and certain way….]
How to
Escape fear:
Create a talk show
together with Braun
[You will be comfortable and happy in my studio.]
[The image of a passionate show creator. Your performance, dazzling with creativity and ingenuity, will shine even brighter when there is no fear, so this Braun fully guarantees it.]
[A workplace where you only have to make good shows without complicated thoughts…. It is the studio of this legendary Host, free from all other dangers.]
They are the same words, but they sound different.
The thought that it’s absurd… does not cross my mind.
That is what's terrifying.
[Shh, there’s no need to be afraid. Let's listen to this Braun….]
[Now, Friend. Would you like to look down at your hand? That’s right… what do you see?]
……The silver ring worn on my index finger.
[Correct! What does it mean that you are wearing that?]
…….
'That I am not contaminated.'
It means my judgment has not been eroded by an Anomalous Phenomenon, and that I am in a state equipped with strong mental resistance to judge with sound and human-like reason.
[Correct! Ah, I would have given a prize if it were a quiz show, what a shame….]
[Anyway, therefore, your current choice is not wrong. You can catch your breath now and rest assured.]
[How do you feel?]
I,
[Let me guess. …'Braun's words sound logical, so wouldn't it be okay to try it at least once?']
…….
…….
But…!
[Correct!]
[Now, let's seize our opportunity. Friend.]
Across from me, Braun politely stood up, straightening his suit.
As if showing courtesy to a partner.
[A single handshake is all it takes.]
[Complicated signing procedures are not necessary for us. We shake hands together, and we work together.]
…….
[Don't you want to spend a peaceful day without fear or pain? All that's needed is to try doing more comfortable and enjoyable work with your friend, who has become even more reliable!]
[And if by any chance you aren't enjoying yourself at all… you can return to your original workplace immediately.]
…….
“Really?”
[Really.]
…….
[Seize the opportunity. Friend.]
[It’s only now.]
I raised my trembling hand.
And.
Extended it.
Toward the other party.
[That’s it.]
Grip.
The Host’s massive hand completely covers mine as we shake.
[You won't regret it, Friend.]
The surroundings become incredibly bright.
Lights shine from all directions, and the cramped studio gradually expands, revealing its form within the darkness…….
[Now. Let me introduce you. Soleum's new workplace! New colleagues! New life!]
A neat set, a stage with twinkling light bulbs, and above it, a shining sign of a classic golden billboard…….
[The pleasure of witnessing, the joy of communication, the thrill of unpredictable developments, anticipation. This humble place that desires only… the applause of the audience.]
Braun's Late-Night Talk Show
I,
[Congratulations on becoming a part of it, Soleum.]
Successfully changed jobs.
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