Sitting awkwardly inside a cafe?, Ha-eun was sipping a strawberry smoothie in small sips, her face showing mild discomfort.

Beside her, Jung Maria, leaning on Ha-eun, was spaced out.

And in front of them, for some reason, Ji Hye-min was snapping her fingers, seemingly lost in thought.@@@@

‘What’s going on?’

To Lee Ye-na, who had just entered the cafe?, this scene was rather perplexing.

After all, the talk about the squirrel''s real-life appearance between Ha-eun and Yuna had been completely forgotten by Ye-na, as it had been a few days ago.

However, Ji Hye-min, who had been relentlessly hounded by the Acorn Squad, who were fans of the squirrel, had never forgotten that conversation about the squirrel’s real-life appearance, particularly the revealing talk between Diah and Yuna.

- Snap.

“Ye-na, come here.”

As soon as Ji Hye-min noticed Ye-na, who was hesitating in the middle of the cafe?, she immediately ordered her to sit next to her.

And so, Ye-na reluctantly sat down next to Ji Hye-min.

Ji Hye-min’s last act of mercy toward Ye-na came right after that.

“If you confess now, I’ll let it slide.”

However, Ye-na’s response was...

“A confession? About what?”

Sadly, that kind of answer was exactly the kind that made Ji Hye-min’s temples throb.

- Aaahhh!!

“If only you had backed me up, huh? If you hadn’t said anything about ‘heavenly proportions’!!”

“...!...!!”

As a result, Ye-na had to endure the same rough treatment as Ha-eun and Jung Maria had earlier.

It wasn’t until she remembered the past conversation about the squirrel’s real-life appearance that she quickly apologized, but by then, it was already too late.

Meanwhile, the last members of the group, Mile and Ria, who had just arrived at the cafe?, saw this dreadful scene.

“...Let’s go in a bit later.”

“...Yeah.”

This scene was enough to make them turn around and walk in the opposite direction.

Both Mile and Ria had also made mentions of the squirrel''s real-life appearance a few times, after all.

Around ten minutes later, the entire Illusionary Realm group had gathered at the cafe?.

Then, Ji Hye-min began explaining the overall plan for the day. Everyone’s attention turned toward her.

“First, we’ll go to the hotel and check in, then we’ll eat afterward.”

The conversation continued for quite a while.

However, unlike Ha-eun’s previous school trip, this time the Illusionary Realm members would be filming vlogs for their YouTube channels during the group trip.

“So, as much as possible, let’s use our nicknames instead of real names. The editors will be checking everything, but just in case.”

“I’m going for skiing. Mile-unnie is—”

“Hmm, I think Mile-unnie is into snowboarding.”

“How did you know that?”

Ha-eun pretended to read their minds for a moment, startling the other members.

As expected, no member managed to stump her.

After spending some time chatting, they finally got into taxis to head to their hotel.

The group split into two taxis and headed to their pre-booked hotel to settle in.

Once at the hotel, Ria’s vlog resumed, though Mile’s vlog, just starting, was a bit behind.

“Here’s Ria filming Mile filming Ria~.”

“Hey! I was going to say that line!”

When they arrived at a nearby restaurant, a playful “tagging” style filming session began, with Ria and Mile taking turns filming each other’s vlogs.

The other members, including Ha-eun, watched with interest.

Eventually, their late lunch, or early dinner, was served: a plate of beef tongue. Ji Hye-min reminded them to savor the expensive meat.

Just as Ha-eun was about to pick up a piece of the crispy beef tongue,

“Diah.”

“?”

“Do you know what beef tongue is?”

Ria, who was filming Ha-eun’s chopsticks, asked the question.

Ha-eun, thinking it was just regular beef, replied.

“Beef tongue is the tongue of a cow.”

“Wait, really?”

“Yeah. So if you eat it, it’s like kissing a cow!”

With a hint of mischief in her voice, Ria made the comment, causing Ha-eun’s chopsticks to momentarily freeze.

After all, the kiss scene from The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds had made Ha-eun extra sensitive to the word “kiss.”

As Ha-eun pondered whether to eat it or not with a serious expression, Mile couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter, patting Ha-eun’s shoulder.

“Just because you’re eating pork belly doesn’t mean you’re kissing a pig’s belly. It’s fine, eat it.”

“Ah.”

At last, Ha-eun was able to savor the deep flavor of the beef tongue.

And as Ha-eun let out a sigh of relief without realizing it, Ria and Mile, who sensed the highlight of the Japan trip vlog was about to unfold, exchanged knowing glances.

When the vlogs were uploaded to YouTube, it would no doubt be a hit.

The fact that Diah’s role as the pure 1-year-old spirit would shine through during the Japan trip was sure to have a positive impact.

And perhaps that’s why, after finishing their meal and arriving at their first tourist destination, Asakusa’s Senso-ji Temple...

“Hey, what do you think?”

“You look amazing.”

“Anyone who didn’t know would think you’re a kimono model.”

When Ha-eun quickly changed into a kimono at a rental shop on the street and emerged, everyone praised how well it suited her.

But when Ji Hye-min insisted on taking a photo and asked Ha-eun to pose, the cheerful atmosphere vanished.

Ha-eun suddenly took on the same serious expression as during her photoshoot weeks ago.

- Click.

“Wow.”

“The vibe is insane, Diah!”

Seeing Ha-eun’s photo, the Illusionary Realm members marveled at her talent, knowing that she was a true actress.

Her aura was completely different from Diah’s usual high-pitched voice, leaving everyone in awe.