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Gavin, Isaac, Felix.

The reaction of those who learned that the three were close was similar.

"What a strange combination. How did you guys become close?"

Gavin, nicknamed 'Explosion', is a typical Hollywood blockbuster director, whereas Isaac has built a wall around himself from Hollywood to the extent that he's called the pride of New York.

Felix operated a film company that mainly dealt with the distribution and investment of foreign films.

It's puzzling how these three with few commonalities became close, but then Gavin recalled his wife's words.

"You don't know how you became friends? It's just weird people getting along."

He didn't realize then that these words, which he couldn't deny, would be felt so deeply now.

Gavin clicked his tongue at his friend who came rambling nonsense.

"You fool. You've been tricked."

"Tricked?"

You flew from New York to LA?

Felix wore a blank expression.

"Yeah. I bet you talked like our shooting schedules overlapped? If it's a project aiming for Cannes, the filming time is obvious. It starts around May, right?"

Registration for the Cannes Film Festival held in May closes in March.

It's easy to predict the timing if the intention isn't to film prematurely and hold onto the film.

"That's right. Filming starts from May."

"So, I was tricked. Isaac already knew I would start filming in February."

"…What?"

Gavin chuckled at Felix's perplexed expression and patted his shoulder.

"You should've called first. Then you wouldn't have gone through all this trouble for nothing."

"You know, when asking for favors, I prefer to visit in person rather than call."

"Isaac knows that too. Tsk tsk, he looks decent on the outside but he's full of pranks inside. You knew that and yet you got tricked again."

"Ugh."

Felix groaned.

Isaac, being the prankster among them, had shown a zombie drama to Gavin, who is a scaredy-cat, just because they were friends.

It wasn't the first time he had been tricked.

With this thought, Felix heavily sat down on the sofa.

"Damn it. To play such pranks?"

"It's not just a simple prank. You procrastinate even when you need to be decisive. It's frustrating to watch, so it must have been a way to spur you into action."

"Try being the one who pays. Does it really not work that way?"

"I can't sympathize since my role is to burn through the shooting budget."

Gavin chuckled softly, recalling what Ian had shouted during an explosion scene.

"Did he say the shooting budget was blowing up? It really seems like strange people do become friends."

He imagined Ian would have vehemently denied this thought.

"Cannes, huh. Even if the film doesn't win an award, it will be a good experience for that kid."

"It might even win an award."

"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, you want to cast that kid?"

It's a good opportunity for Ian.

Gavin, pondering how he could help, asked,

"Could you ask that director if he could come to New York when he has time? If you're going to see his acting, it's best to see it directly on set."

"I don't know what got into you, but you seem to think highly of that kid, so I'll ask."

"There's a charm about him that the director sees."

"Ha, so talented. Maybe I should make a movie too."

Gavin held his belly laughing at Felix's remark.

"Hahaha, you, who can't even take a proper photo, making a movie? Please do make one!"

"…Shut up."

Ian was unaware that a new opportunity was swiftly approaching.

***

The new year of 2013 dawned.

'Time really does fly when you're shooting.'

Ian faced a self-reproaching woman.

"Why did I do this? It's ridiculous that I only gave Rue this much screen time."

She was the author of "Moonlight."

She had come personally because it was Ian's last shoot.

'Maybe it was about four episodes' worth.'

The screen time wasn't little, but considering Rue wouldn't appear in later seasons, it definitely seemed less significant.

"Maybe it would be better to deviate from the original now?"

It seemed strange for an original creator to say that.

"Hey, the reason Rue is so beloved is because of the lingering regret. And even if you wanted to increase the screen time, we don't have the time to shoot. I have a movie to shoot soon."

"There's nothing I can do then. I guess I have to hit it big with a spin-off."

"Cheer up!"

The writer, fueled by a surge of creativity, was dumbfounded by Ian's bright smile.

It felt like inspiration was bursting in her head.

'I wish it would grow up quickly. When will it fully mature?'

She thought about how she wouldn't mind growing old if she could see Ian as an adult. While she was contemplating this, a staff member approached.

"We need to start shooting."

"Okay!"

Ian, standing in front of the camera, took a steady breath.

He erased elements that wouldn't appear on camera and filled those empty spaces with imagination.

With the sound of the slate signaling the start, Ian transformed into the nine-tailed fox for the last time.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

Blood dripped from Rue's arm, which had torn through the boundaries.

"It's done. Be more careful next time."

The shining light that Emma was holding turned into smoke and nestled in her embrace.

It was one of the keys that could release her beloved.

"Just stay still for a moment. Just a brief moment."

Rue stepped forward and gently embraced Emma.

The nine tails cozily wrapped around her, and the swaying tips of the tails wiped away flowing tears.

"That's enough. You can go now."

"But!"

The girl hesitated to move, but Rue smiled gently at her.

"Will you be able to sleep alone at night now?"

"…Yes."

"Then that's settled. There's nothing to worry about."

Pushed by the force of the tail, she turned and ran away, and Rue looked up at the moon.

The full moon had risen.

"It hurts the second time too, sister."

With a bitter smile, Rue turned his head.

He saw those who, having seen the torn boundary, glared fiercely.

"What is this? A nine-tailed fox."

"My kind of resignation letter. Do you like it?"

The vampire elder and the alpha of the werewolf pack, both sneered at Rue's clever response.

He felt the movement of others gathering towards this place.

They were once allies, but now enemies. Towards them, Rue took a step forward.

"Hurry up. The night is short."

With a loud noise, blood splattered.

It was the last scene of Rue in Moonlight.

With the call to end the shooting, Ian smiled brightly.

"Thank you for your hard work."

After exchanging pleasantries and greetings with those he had grown close to, Ian approached the writer.

"After this incident, Rue was trapped. A nine-tailed fox tied in chains. This could work."

He then turned away.

He wasn't particularly interested in hearing more details.

***

The shooting of Moonlight had ended.

Although it was regrettable to leave the role of the nine-tailed fox that he had portrayed so enticingly, the upcoming shooting in New York was comforting.

'New York, huh.'

The scheduled shooting period was two and a half months.

It was not feasible to keep flying between LA and New York, so he would have to stay away from home for a while.

"Are you sure you'll be okay? Staying away from home is not easy."

His parents were concerned since he had never been away from home for such a long period.

He might have reassured them by recalling his experiences of roaming the streets, but this time Ian was also worried.

"…I'm worried too. I'd rather stay alone in a hotel, but I have to stay with others."

"With whom?"

"Ben, Damian, and Director Gavin."

That's a crazy combination.

It might be better to sleep on the streets or use a camping trailer.

Unaware of Ian's concerns, his parents were delighted.

"Oh, that's great."

"There are three adults, so there's no need to worry about a guardian. I see why you said there was no need to come."

All three were fond enough of Ian to be trusted.

Ben and Gavin went without saying, and even Damian had brought him a bunch of gifts at Christmas.

Although it was a set of peacock merchandise, which Ian didn't like.

"…It'll work out somehow."

If only he were old enough to enter a hotel alone, being young was his only fault.

As he slowly packed for his trip to New York, Gavin brought some good news.

"A Korean director?"

"Yeah, that director is coming to see your shoot. The casting is already being discussed with the agent."

Considering the preparation for a Cannes submission, it must be a fairly renowned director.

As Ian was narrowing down a list of names, Gavin said,

"Make sure to thank Isaac. He really looked out for you on this one."

"Really? Of course, I should."

After expressing his gratitude on the call, Ian was about to contact Isaac but then paused.

'It might be better to contact Nathan first.'

Isaac adores his grandson, so he would probably prefer that Ian contacts Nathan first.

Ian also planned to make time to meet him while in New York.

As soon as he pressed the call button, a bright voice came through.

"Ian! It's been a while!"

"Have you been well? I'm calling because I'll be in New York soon for a shoot."

"Wow! Really?! When can we meet?"

"I'm not sure yet, I need to check my shooting schedule. I might be able to visit your school during a weekday."

Honestly, he was also curious about what other schools were like.

It could be useful as a reference if he ever shot something with a school setting.

"Really? That's awesome! I'll introduce you to my friends. A lot of them don't believe we're friends."

"Anytime. So, what's the name of your school?"

Ian turned on his computer to look up the school as Nathan answered.

"It's Caleb School."

His mind went blank.

Words hastily scribbled in a notebook flashed through his mind.

'No, it couldn't be.'

Ian immediately searched the school's name, but there was only one result.

A school near New York City.

"Ian?"

"Just a moment!"

Ian hurriedly pulled out the notebook where he had written down the details.

"April 7, 2013, Caleb Elementary School shooting incident. Director's refusal, coverage terminated."

Caleb was a school that included both elementary and middle school levels.

He had thought a fairly famous director was involved to drop coverage so suddenly, but was it Director Isaac they were talking about?

'No, I can't be sure. Nathan is a middle schooler, there's no reason he'd be involved. Nor was he a victim at the time.'

If Director Isaac's grandson had been a victim of the shooting, the media would have been all over it before Austin could dig into it.

Ian caught the perpetrator's name and age from the details he was reviewing.

Cooper Miller (14)

"Nathan, you're 14 years old, right?"

"Yeah, I'm going to high school next year. Why?"

They were the same age.

Ian looked at the perpetrator's movements.

"Initially intended to target the middle school but switched to the elementary school near the main entrance."

The lack of a clear motive, but considering he first aimed for the middle school, suggests there might have been issues with his school life.

Ian asked just in case.

"You're not bullying anyone or anything, are you?"

"Me? How could you see me like that? I'm busy preparing to enter high school."

"Right. Like Director Isaac, your goal is to get into NYU."

"Yeah! I want to be a director too."

Fortunately, he wasn't a bully or anything of that sort, but Ian couldn't be completely reassured.

'I haven't heard anything about Nathan in the future. Not about him continuing as a child actor, nor achieving his dream of becoming a director.'

Ian, who had admired Director Isaac even before returning to the past, had become completely detached from the entertainment industry if Ian himself was unaware of it. Of course, he might have just lived an ordinary life.

"It's strange that Director Isaac, who only made art films in his life, went to Hollywood to make a movie."

Previously, Ian had passed it off as simply being doting over his grandson, but given the current circumstances, it weighed on his mind. The school setting in Director Isaac's films, known for their themes of anxiety and loneliness, also seemed unusual.

If neither the perpetrator nor a victim, but still deeply shaken by the incident, there was reason for suspicion.

"Nathan, could you tell me the names of all the kids in your class?"

"You're being weird today. Why do you need that?"

"I'm thinking of giving out some gifts on my way there. It would be nice to have them personalized with names."

"If you must, hold on."

After ending the call, Nathan soon sent a text filled with student names, and Ian quickly scanned them.

"There it is."

Cooper Miller.

Nathan's classmate was indeed the perpetrator.

"Of course, this would have been a shock."

A classmate being the gunman? The shock itself was immense, but given his nature, he might have blamed himself, thinking a little attention could have prevented this tragedy.

Ian sighed deeply.

"I wasn't planning on getting involved."

He wasn't a superhero. Nor did he have the busybody inclination to intervene in such a tragic event just because it was tragic. 

But Nathan and Director Isaac were involved.

Having received their help in the past, ignoring this situation would surely lead to a lifetime of regret.

"What should I do?"

Appear on the day of the crime and stop it?

That sounded like fantasy. The crime might not even happen that day, and dealing with someone armed was risking one's life.

"Prevention has to be the priority."

Of course, that didn't mean he could just strike at a kid who hadn't committed any crime yet.

Pounding the table while brainstorming, Ian had a good idea and needed help.

He immediately made a call.

"Honey, what's up? It's even nicer to hear from you after so long."

Ian smiled at Charlotte's welcoming voice.

"Lotti, I have a business proposition for you…"

Click!

To be treated like this by a business partner was disheartening.

Feeling slighted, Ian called again, but she didn't answer. After hesitating, he sent a text.

"Darling, could you please pick up the phone?"

Only after this message did Charlotte answer.

"Ha, what is it this time? I told you, I don't want to work with you."

"Are you really going to be like that? This time it's not tough, it's something good. Just trust me."

"…You sound like a scammer."

Oh, calling him a scammer.

It was just about helping each other.

Ian gave a deep smile.