The Dream from the Night's Past

Popularity Murder

Dreams from 9 June 2021

I have created numerous worlds where I act as a silent founder of various firms and companies. Apart from Unnie and the company president, no one is aware of my existence. According to the contract, if I ever need a job, I am guaranteed a position without a salary. In one particular world, there was an issue within the entertainment industry involving an idol group whose success depended on the popularity of its members. The competition among the members was intense as they fought to be at the top. Unfortunately, one day, a member of the group was confirmed by the police to have committed suicide.

Numerous spam emails began circulating, claiming that the suicide was not what it seemed and suggesting it was a murder. These allegations led to multiple court hearings questioning whether the incident was indeed a suicide or a homicide. A supposed witness even came forward, prompting an internal investigation to address the negative impact of these rumors.

During a meeting held by the management and board members to discuss possible solutions, Unnie proposed an unconventional idea. She suggested adding me as a consultant to the group, citing my age as an advantage that would allow me to go undercover and investigate any peculiarities within the group. Although the management initially disagreed, pointing out my lack of experience and skills, Unnie managed to convince them otherwise. Consequently, I was added to the group as a replacement for one of the girls. While not everyone was pleased with this decision, I managed to assimilate well enough.

Living in the dorm with the other members, I gradually noticed their quietness around me and their tendency to engage in lively conversations when I was not present. Additionally, they held onto old possessions, including damaged bags, due to sentimental reasons. To gather more information, I listened in on their conversations and discreetly placed listening bugs, recording their every word.

Furthermore, I conducted undercover investigations among the fans, uncovering intriguing facts. One particular fan had a recording device similar to a dashcam. By tracing his whereabouts, I discovered that he had been near the scene of the incident. Posing as a police officer, I visited his house, where he allowed me to view the footage. However, he mentioned that it was several days old, as it had been recorded continuously even at home.

After obtaining the desired footage, I showed the fan what he had captured and inquired about how he had left his camera at the scene and why he had trespassed. He explained that he had gone there to charge his camera and had stumbled upon an unlocked room where he left it to charge. Unbeknownst to him, it was recorded for three consecutive days, but whenever he tried to retrieve it, he was stopped by the security guard due to the area's restricted access.

Once I gathered all the necessary information, I purchased the footage from the fan and asked him not to disclose it until the investigation was complete. I emphasized the importance of not sharing it online, as it could compromise the investigation. In return, I assured him that I would not press charges for his trespassing, as it was captured on camera. He inquired whether the footage would be destroyed, and I explained that my purpose was to collect evidence, assuring him that the truth would be revealed, although it might take several months to locate the witness.

Next, I adopted a male disguise and visited a restaurant that I happened to own. It was there that I encountered the witness, who was still determined to reveal the truth. I engaged in conversation with him, extracting vital information. Returning to the management, I presented them with the evidence I had gathered. They were astonished, and a discussion ensued, with some advocating for the information to be kept hidden and others supporting its release.

I proposed a plan that would enable us to handle the situation internally, giving the individuals involved an opportunity to turn themselves into the authorities. I assured them that I could personally contact the police and ensure that everything would proceed according to plan. After making the necessary preparations, the anniversary event approached.

During the event, a segment called the "New Dan Selection" took place, where fans voted for their favorite idols to determine the most popular member. I also proposed something to the management regarding this event. Using my ownership of the restaurant as a disguise, I approached the announcer and handed him a new script that I claimed was sent by the president. I instructed him to confirm my identity and then change the script accordingly.

As the performances unfolded, the time came for the announcer to reveal the new Dan. He followed the script, making an unexpected announcement to the audience: "Now, introducing the Dan of 2021. But before I proceed, I have an important announcement to make. Due to unforeseen circumstances, there will only be one Dan trophy this year, called the Platinum Trophy."

The announcer went on to explain that there would be two lineups announced: the original voting results and the actual Dan results. He mentioned that further details would be shared with the press in the coming days, apologizing for any inconvenience caused and expressing trust in the agency to take appropriate actions to compensate the fans.

Meanwhile, he encouraged everyone to sit back, relax, and enjoy the event. The original final results were announced as follows:

1st place: Felicia (the main suspect)

2nd place: June (not involved - set to be the next Dan)

3rd place: Alicia (the accomplice)

As expected, I was revealed to be the last in the rankings. The announcement confirmed that June would be the new Dan.

Following the anniversary event, Felicia and Alicia underwent internal investigations and were given the chance to turn themselves in. At this point, I stepped into the picture, and they were furious about what had transpired. All the collected evidence was handed over to the police, and a news release was issued. The fans reacted with a mix of anger and understanding towards the agency. The victim's family expressed gratitude for the thorough investigation conducted.