The place I arrived at was an outdoor smoking area. It was where I first met Ian.

I came here on a whim, but to my surprise, Ian was actually here.

“…….”

As soon as Ian noticed me, he immediately threw away what he was holding and stamped on it.

There were already several of the same thing lying on the ground. It was clear he had been here for quite some time.

“You’re hurting yourself.”

“I’m not going to die from it, so what.”

I was somewhat envious of his ability to squander his health so freely. It was almost like a paradise.

“Why did you come?”

“Just because.”

I slumped down on the bench nearby and waved away the smoke in front of me.

Seeing this, Ian said,

“Maybe change the spot?”

“You’re busy. It’s okay.”

“Planning on a long conversation?”

“I just came to see your face.”

Unable to voice my question about why he acted the way he did earlier, I just beat around the bush.

As I crossed my legs and aimlessly stared elsewhere, Ian took a seat next to me.

“I’m curious about something.”

“Please ask.”

He paused for a moment before speaking.

“When did you start liking Hans?”

It was a question that was bound to be curious.

I calmly responded to the question I had anticipated.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“Yes.”

I couldn’t pinpoint exactly when it started. It just naturally seeped in.

After all, can the moment one falls in love be precisely defined?

‘I can’t believe I’m having such emotional thoughts, how unusual.’

I was so astonished at myself that I couldn’t help but laugh. Even to me, it didn’t seem like my usual self.

“Well, I guess that’s possible.”

Ian seemed to understand my feelings.

“If you need help with anything, just tell me. I’m confident in things like listening to Hans’s gossip.”

“We haven’t even started dating yet…….”

The angels around us almost took it for granted that Hans and I were in a relationship. It was clear they didn’t consider Hans’s opinion important.

“You two look good together.”

Ian said with a sly smile.

“That’s why you’ll end up dating.”

It was a statement full of conviction.

Ian was a kind person. That much was clear from our few conversations.

So, I felt it was okay to ask outright.

“Were you upset hearing about Hans and me earlier?”

At those words, Ian’s expression stiffened for a moment.

Then, he let out a forced laugh and ran his fingers through his hair.

“Understand me. It’s just, hearing about a broadcaster I liked getting into a relationship, it made me think a lot.”

“Think?”

“Just, my fan heart for now.”

Every fan has their own way of supporting their favorite person. Ian seemed to be the type who was worried.

Surely, many would simply adore someone unconditionally like PleaseShakeACarrot, but there would also be those whose feelings were more complex.

“Wondering if the broadcast will turn on fine, or if Hans will inadvertently upset our underground fans. Well, thoughts like that.”

“…….”

Was it a congratulation that couldn’t quite be celebrated together?

I had never been anyone’s fan, so I couldn’t truly understand his feelings.

But I could definitely empathize. Ian had enjoyed my broadcast that much.

If I were to infer from Hans’s words, my broadcast must have been almost the sole joy for Ian. That’s probably why he was somewhat obsessed with it.

“I haven’t heard Hans’s answer yet, but even if things turn out well… nothing much will change from before.”

Just because I liked someone didn’t mean my broadcast would become a lower priority.

My love for Hans and my care for my viewers were different. They could coexist.

“I love broadcasting.”

It was something I’d said numerous times, but this was the first time saying it directly to a viewer. Especially to Ian, the biggest fan of my broadcast.

“I want to keep doing it as much as I can.”

“Even after reincarnation?”

“Yes, after reincarnation… Huh?”

I looked at Ian, puzzled.

It was supposed to be a secret among the angels about my reincarnation. That’s why neither Hans nor I had ever spoken of it. Why was Ian speaking so casually about it?

As I stared blankly at Ian, he let out a chuckle.

“You thought we didn’t know? Your ultimate goal is just that.”

“How did you….”

“You could guess it with a little thought. What else would a soul drifting in limbo wish for, enduring being a plaything for the angels.”

Indeed, that was the case. What else could a soul, unable to go to either this world or the next, wish for other than reincarnation?

“Then everyone knew… and still gave me points?”

“Yeah.”

I couldn’t understand. They were diligently working to give me points for a broadcast that ultimately wouldn’t last?

“Why?”

In response to my question, Ian simply replied.

“Because you look happy.”

The reason was very simple.

That was all there was to it. No further meaning.

“How can a broadcast be eternal? It’s bound to end someday.”

How could the viewers not know that a broadcast couldn’t last forever?

At best 10 years, maybe 20 years. Or as short as a few months to a year. I fell into the latter category.

They loved me despite knowing it was a fleeting connection.

“The points we shot, ultimately, were all for you to be happy. Even if they end up being useless, it doesn’t matter.”

Ian looked at me and grinned.

“Seeing you smile right now, that’s enough.”

Really, the existence of fans was something I just couldn’t comprehend.

They were neither family nor friends. Complete strangers, yet how could they show such affection?

It was different from admiration or friendship.

“…It’s the heart of a fan.”

“It’s the heart of a fan.”

It was another form of love, known by the name of fandom.

I showed a refreshing smile.

“How could I not like you all.”

It was impossible not to love them. Being a fan and all.

“So, you don’t need to worry about the love directed at you diminishing, big spender.”

“Ha ha.”

Ian burst into laughter. His expression lightened up from before as he stood up from his seat.

“Let’s get back to work then. I need to earn points to send to our underground star.”

“Don’t overdo it.”

I couldn’t help but admire his dedication to work, especially after finishing a big project and immediately thinking about the next task.

“By the way.”

Before moving with Ian, I asked a question that had been on my mind.

“You’re Venecia, so you know quite a lot about that world, don’t you?”

“Hmm— I guess so.”

“Then do you also know the identity of the assassin?”

The first time I met Ian, he had told me he might know the identity of the assassin.

Now, I needed his advice more than ever, as I was planning to start searching for the assassin in earnest.

“Yes, I know.”

“Then….”

“However, I won’t tell you.”

Ian stated firmly.

Gabriela was the same. Why wouldn’t they reveal it?

As I stared at him dumbfounded, Ian said teasingly,

“Because it’s more fun that way.”

* * *

In the end, I returned to the company without much gain. Ian had fled back to his office, leaving me behind after my persistent questioning.

I happened to meet Hans who had just finished capturing PleaseShakeACarrot. PleaseShakeACarrot was dangling from Hans’s arm.

“It’s Nuna.”

“Did you succeed in spreading the rumor?”

“I got caught at the last minute, failure!”

“Try a little harder next time.”

“What kind of conversation is this?”

Hans, seeming baffled, let PleaseShakeACarrot down but made sure to grab the nape of his neck so he couldn’t run away.

“Where have you been?”

“Just had a talk with Ian.”

“No wonder, I could smell Ian on you, Nuna.”

“What does Ian smell like?”

“Mix of cigarettes and perfume.”

“Ah, right.”

Hans nodded in agreement. It seemed that Ian had sprayed something before entering the office, probably perfume.

“I hate that smell. It’s even worse mixed with the perfume.”

“Me too.”

I was the only one who hadn’t thought much of it. I unconsciously sniffed my sleeve. Maybe because I had been in the smoke, I hadn’t noticed the smell much.

Hans came over and started to fan the air around me. It seemed like he was trying to waft the smell away in his own way. PleaseShakeACarrot followed suit and started fanning as well.

Such adorable people. I couldn’t help but smile at their antics.

“What did you talk about with him?”

“About the broadcast and… the assassin too.”

“Ian said he knows who the assassin is?”

“He knows, but he absolutely won’t tell.”

“Well, if it’s him, he probably would know.”

Hans appeared nonchalant. He didn’t seem too surprised.

Ian was Venecia, after all. I didn’t know the extent of his authority, but it seemed he had his ways to find out such information.

“But if Ian knows the perpetrator, does that mean the culprit is someone from that world?”

“Maybe….”

So, it comes down to that. Since Ian had said it himself.

Do I have no choice but to return to the human world to investigate? I sighed deeply.

Seeing this, PleaseShakeACarrot puffed up his cheeks.

“Bad assassin, making Nuna sigh again.”

“It’s okay. It gets better when she receive points.”

Hans clearly knew me very well.

“This time, are we sure it’s the assassin’s doing?”

“You’ve lived as Bates, you know. Would Kabir leave his house maintenance so shabby?”

“True.”

Hans immediately agreed. It wasn’t like Kabir to be negligent. At the very least, he took meticulous care of the safety of his domain, his servants, and his subjects.

“By the way, what did you decide about the confession?”

“How many times do I have to say it? I said I’d answer in three days.”

Hans replied, sounding exasperated, to PleaseShakeACarrot’s question.

“But you’ve already made up your mind, haven’t you? You’re just delaying the answer, right?”

“…….”

Maybe PleaseShakeACarrot hit the nail on the head, as Hans clamped his mouth shut.

I needed three days to think it over, but was the conclusion already reached?

I stared intently at Hans.

“So, what’s your answer?”