Chapter 206

Epilogue 1

The warm spring sun poured over the riverside terrace of Ezuhina Café.
A group of young women sat together beneath the blooming wildflowers, the sparkle of the water behind them in sharp contrast to their serious expressions.

“Let’s vote now,” Arina declared.

Everyone nodded solemnly.

“Who wants to go see the Namju Wandering Troupe’s performance in the south?”

Two hands went up immediately. After a moment’s hesitation, the blue-haired young lady raised hers too.

The Namju Wandering Troupe.
After the main female lead’s scenario was revealed, a number of the 100 side scenarios surged into the platform’s bestseller rankings. Unsurprisingly, the AI’s taste and the public’s didn’t always align.
Even though I had ranked first in AI-assigned value, I barely touched the actual rankings before getting buried again.

Meanwhile, The Southern Girl—which originally ranked 87th—skyrocketed and stayed in the top 5 for over a month.

“Of course we have to go see The Southern Girl! Everyone’s reading that story! Why are we even split on this?” Arina protested, slamming her palm on the table.

I hesitated… and raised my hand too.

“Oh! That’s four!”

Honestly, I did want to see it.

The Male Lead Wanderers.
Just as it sounds, the southern-region female lead had filled all ten of her slots with male leads and was now traveling the continent, performing with them like an idol simulator.

“Siena Young-ae, seriously, picture it. A knight male lead and an assassin-mercenary male lead dancing together on stage! Can you imagine their chemistry?”

That did sound amazing.

Reading their story had felt like watching flower petals fall every time the two rivals danced side by side.

But Siena wrinkled her delicate brows.

Odd. She loved opera—she even followed touring companies—and this performance featured ten male leads with every possible appeal. Why was she hesitating?

Then she spoke.

“As soon as I got back, I learned the ticket war was brutal. Even the train seats are sold out. We’d have to travel by carriage. And since the time warp limit is now one day…”

She ticked off concerns on her fingers.

“We’ll be on the road for over ten hours a day for three straight days. And remote areas? That’s a red flag for ‘kidnapping’ event triggers. Do you know how often female leads get ambushed in those regions?”

A heavy silence fell over the group.

Siena sighed and added, “Also… the Summer Country food tour. I still dream about last summer’s cold noodles. I nearly died from withdrawal.”

Her words were convincing.

“I’m changing my vote. Put me down for the Summer Country trip!”

After a week of back-and-forth, we’d finally narrowed our reunion trip down to two destinations. But now the scales had tipped.

“So who votes for the Summer Country food tour?” Arina asked.

All hands went up.

Arina groaned dramatically. Siena patted her on the shoulder.

“Just wait a month. I submitted a sponsorship request to the Namju troupe. They’ll probably do a show in the capital by year’s end. When they do, I’ll make sure we have VIP seats.”

“Seriously?!” Arina’s eyes sparkled.

Clearly, she’d really wanted to see the Ten Namju.

Frankly, so had we.

“What was the point of voting, then? Obviously we’re all going when they come to the capital!”

“Should we make light sticks again?”

“You mean the ones the witch lady designed? Those were amazing!”

“Ahh, I’m already excited!”

With our plans settled, we set off for the Summer Country.

---

“Young-ae, isn’t Bjorn supposed to have no female lead?”
The blue-haired girl was staring at my luggage.
The red-haired one joined in, frowning at the pile of accessories.

“Wait, is all of this… scrolls?”

“Ah, yes.”

“No, seriously, what’s with the handkerchiefs?”

“Aren’t those from that one lady?”

We were gathered in our rented Summer Country inn, which we’d booked out entirely. With everyone staying together, privacy was nonexistent—but no one minded. We were too busy catching up.

We unpacked and browsed through one another’s luggage like curious roommates.

“What is going on with Biern’s wealth? I want to swap him in as my male lead.”

“This isn’t from Biern—it’s from Allen.”

“What?! You have this many from Allen?”

“There are more at home… I think she packed so many accessories so I wouldn’t feel awkward during the trip.”

It was sweet.

“Okay, unpacking’s done. Shall we head to the Hwanwon River to grill some meat?”

“Yes!”

“Dessert: cold noodles!”

“I’m so happy right now.”

Laughter and cheer filled the air.

“Wait, let’s change into hanbok first. We’re in the Summer Kingdom.”

Siena pointed to the wardrobe.

Our hanbok had been ordered in advance and custom-made by palace seamstresses. Rich fabrics, vibrant colors.

“Ohhh, gorgeous.”

“Try yours on! I’ll braid your hair.”

The room buzzed with excitement and laughter.

---

“I can’t eat another bite.”

“Why is Summer Kingdom street food this addictive?”

The red-haired girl patted her stomach miserably.

I handed her a small pouch. “Here, take one.”

“What’s this?”

“Digestive aid.”

A summer essential.

I’d rated this trip a perfect 10 for immersion. Of course I came prepared.

“I’ve heard of this—it’s on the top ten souvenir list from Summer Kingdom!”

“Yup. Just chew it.”

“Thank you…!”

Smiles returned to their faces.

“Feeling better? Should we hit a third spot?”

“I’m a little sad we forgot the dongdongju…”

Giggles erupted again.

I smiled along, then tilted my head back.

The full moon gleamed in the sky.

A breeze swept through, warm and light, brushing against my skin. The sound of laughter wrapped around me like a melody.

It was fun.

That word, simple and honest, etched itself into my memory.

I looked down again—and collided with a passerby.

“Oh, sorry.”

The figure wore a wide-brimmed straw hat, pulled low. He nodded in acknowledgment and moved past.

“What was that?” Arina whispered. “That totally felt like a story beat. You know he’s handsome under that hat.”

I didn’t answer.

I couldn’t look away from the retreating figure.

He turned, sensing my gaze, and lifted his straw hat just slightly.

The face beneath was unmistakable—smooth skin, red lips, eyes like ink.
It was the Asian woman who had given me the keyword: #reincarnation.

“I just remembered something. I’m going back to the inn first!”

“Young-ae?! Where are you going?!”

I barely heard Arina’s shout.

I chased after the woman, dodging people and slipping through crowds. She disappeared into an alleyway.

“No—!”

I followed—and stopped.

Inside the alley stood a five-story wooden building, its windows open, yellow lanterns swaying in the breeze.

Laughter and music drifted from within.

It was that tavern. The one where Summer Country political plots were set into motion.

What was Bug doing here?

I should turn back.

But just then, I saw her face again—passing a window, entering a room.

With her was the man who had once suffocated me and sent me back in time.

A surge of fury welled up.

No. I had to go.

I pulled a scroll from my pocket and tore it open.

The world shifted beneath my feet.

When I opened my eyes, I was inside.

The Bug sat at a table, now without her hat. Across from her sat a delicate woman in jade robes, dressed as a man.

My jaw dropped.

“No…”

The “scholar” wasn’t a man at all—it was Diana.

She froze mid-sip, eyes wide.

“Young-ae?!”

I spun around and glared at Bug.

Then I lunged.

“You bastard! What are you doing to Diana?!”

“Calm down! Young-ae, don’t!”

Diana grabbed my hand.

“I don’t know what you’ve heard, but don’t listen to her! She’s a bug! You know how much trouble she’s caused—!”

But Diana simply smiled and said softly,
“It’s okay. I know her better than anyone.”

“…You know her better?”

I turned to the Bug and tightened my grip.

“What did you do to Diana?! What is your relationship?!”

The Bug just laughed.

She grabbed my wrist gently.

“I’m grateful you’re worried about Diana… but I’m also scared you care this much. What is this feeling?”

“What are you even saying?!”

But her voice was unexpectedly warm. Gentle.

And… formal?

Then she looked at Diana and said with wide, earnest eyes:

“Diana.”

“I’m her mother.”

Silence.

I turned to Diana, shocked.

She nodded slowly.

I dropped my hands.

Good thing I hadn’t been drinking anything—I might have choked.

Right. I’d forgotten.

Bug, for all her AI logic and narrative chaos, did have terrible taste in dramas.