Became an Observer in Love Company

As one can gather from the performance club, it’s not just about dance.

It includes not only things like ballet but also martial arts.

When we say martial arts, it doesn’t mean engaging in duels with others. It’s about standing alone on the stage, performing movements with restraint, and casting magic as part of the performance.

After all, dueling is classified as a separate sports category.

What they showcase is an overwhelming magical performance on stage. That’s all.

There is no set form, no adherence to format.

What they should pursue is nothing but beauty.

Below the stage, where the interviews were being conducted, three seniors were seated.

In the center sat Park Nayul.

She was observing Yoon Jihoo with a rather sharp gaze, her lips closed.

She exuded a definite commanding presence. Even while sitting still, she had an aura that made it hard for others to approach.

“Next, Kim Dohyun, Yoon Jihoo, Lee Jian.”

The interviews were not conducted individually but in groups.

Each group consisted of two or three people.

That said, it didn’t mean all group members would necessarily pass. They judge by combining various aspects and select who will pass.

A situation where the two of them pass and I alone fail is entirely plausible.

Because of this, the senior in charge of filming and the senior in charge of stage direction were also seated at the judging panel.

A man with a protruding belly and a loose shirt took a sip of coffee.

This was Kwon Hyuktae, the filming supervisor. Glancing at the documents, he muttered:

“Hmm, let’s see… Filming supervisor is Kim Dohyun, eh? No prior experience?”

Lifting his head, Kwon Hyuktae glanced around with a perplexed look on his face.

“Kim Dohyun? He doesn’t seem to be here. Hey, where’s your group member?”

Yoon Jihoo responded with an awkward smile.

“He’s right here.”

Lee Jian, on the other hand, had turned around earlier and was trying to suppress her laughter. Though she tried to hide it, her shaking shoulders gave her away.

“Oh! Nice. Plus one point. Filming is better when it’s subtle. Present but not too intrusive.”

Without doing anything, my likability increased.

Well, considering the limited number of people who applied for the filming department, they might just be happy to have someone.

“What’s the matter?”

The senior with light blue hair beside him spoke. This was Seo Yeonhee, the stage direction supervisor.

The woman had short hair and an elegant demeanor. She held a tablet in her hands and was recording something.

“Lee Jian, right? You’re in charge of direction?”

“Yes, sir!”

With a very stiff posture, Lee Jian replied. The signs of her tension were obvious.

It was hard to believe it was the same person who had been trying to suppress her laughter moments ago.

‘How does someone change like that so quickly?’

“What do you think the role of direction is?”

“To make the performers shine more.”

“Clarify that. Is it about the performance or the performer? Which is more important?”

“It depends on the situation and the person, I think!”

Her voice cracked at the end due to tension, and her face flushed red.

Seo Yeonhee glanced at her quietly and muttered:

“Good. You understand well.”

Hearing that, Lee Jian quickly grinned with relief, her facial muscles entirely relaxed. Honestly, it was the first time I’d seen someone smile like that.

Clap! Park Nayul drew everyone’s attention with a clap.

With a sly smile, she said:

“Yoon Jihoo? I’m not going to ask you much. Performance is an art expressed through the body, not words.”

“I understand.”

With that, Yoon Jihoo focused his determination.

“Alright, let’s begin!”

The gym was filled with a gentle stillness.

With a tense expression, Yoon Jihoo took a deep breath and began his performance.

First step.

His foot lightly brushed against the floor.

The movement was clumsy.

The flow was not smooth, and there was a subtle disconnect between his motions.

His movement felt unstable whether he was extending his arms or spinning.

Seo Yeonhee crossed her arms and murmured:

“Hmm… technically lacking.”

Kwon Hyuktae also frowned while saying:

“Not enough impact. The dance doesn’t make my heart race.”

But then—

BOOM!

Yoon Jihoo stepped powerfully.

He swung his arm and twisted his upper body.

In that moment, the air shifted.

Several shadows appeared behind him and began to dance in sync with him.

Seo Yeonhee gave a quiet smile:

“Good sense. Minimize mistakes and emphasize highlights.”

Her gaze, however, wasn’t on Yoon Jihoo but on the figure behind him.

There, Lee Jian was enthusiastically adjusting the stage.

As Yoon Jihoo’s performance continued,

I observed the scene calmly.

I carefully followed Yoon Jihoo’s movements with my camera, ensuring the shots were captured accurately.

The footage I recorded was transmitted live onto the giant screen above the stage.

Finding the right angles and shifting perspectives were key parts of the filming role.

Dancers create performances, using their charm to draw audience attention.

Directors assist the dancers, minimizing their mistakes and emphasizing their highlights.

The cameraman provides a perspective the audience can’t see, offering a new experience. They also perform editing duties in real-time.

For example:

[Observer viewpoint ongoing. Searching for the optimal angle.]

I adjusted the camera’s perspective based on my viewpoint.

A low-angle shot from below to capture the strength of Yoon Jihoo’s steps. Adding a hint of slow motion for added impact.

With the system’s help, it was much easier.

I pressured the system to assist because if I don’t make it into the club, I won’t be able to observe the main episodes.

Looking at it this way, it seems the system does have some sense of emotion.

The performance ended.

An eerie silence descended upon the gymnasium.

The three seniors gathered to have a serious discussion.

“Lee Jian seems good enough to pass. She’s got excellent direction sense.”

“Using shadow backup dancers requires a decent understanding of dance. With her skills, she could have applied to the dance department; it’s a bit unfortunate.”

“Don’t aim too high.”

“Are you already trying to control her? So, passing her?”

Park Nayul grinned mischievously.

“Right, she’s in.”

Seo Yeonhee nodded.

“Kim Dohyun is fine too. His use of angles and framing was excellent, especially during the highlight parts, his choice of angle really stimulated the…”

Kwon Hyuktae drifted off into his own world.

The other two naturally disregarded him and continued the conversation.

“The only one left is Yoon Jihoo.”

[Observer viewpoint ending.]

“He’s good enough to pass.”

After observing the seniors’ discussion, the result became obvious. It was originally just a matter of me passing.

If the protagonist fails, it would be strange.

A moment later, the seniors started to explain their decision to each candidate.

“Lee Jian, it’s clear that you have a high understanding of dance. Using the lighting to mask mistakes was especially impressive, and making the subtle parts stand out is often the most difficult.”

Hearing Seo Yeonhee’s praise, Lee Jian started to wobble back and forth.

“Kim Dohyun, your ability to capture the right angles was impressive. Especially that upward angle you chose.”

Kwon Hyuktae suddenly perked up with sparkling eyes.

“In an old anime, in the legendary 90s battle scenes—”

“Yes, I referenced that. ‘Procutie.’”

“Wow, look at this kid? This is gold!”

Lee Jian glanced at me as if I were an alien.

The title may sound weird, but it was a pretty decent show that helped me through tough times.

Finally, Seo Yeonhee looked at Yoon Jihoo.

“I was going to say you failed.”

“Me too.”

Kwon Hyuktae briefly agreed.

Yoon Jihoo’s face momentarily darkened.

[Key episode detected. Initiating observer viewpoint.]

A system window popped up, and my view was forcibly fixed.

They were discussing what Yoon Jihoo needed to improve.

He clenched his lips tightly and lowered his head, clearly frustrated.

Seeing this, Park Nayul spoke:

“I was in favor. I saw potential in you.”

She continued steadily:

“Sure, you’re weak right now. But when you danced, there was a moment when you weren’t just thinking about movement—you were using your instincts to guide your body.”

Their eyes met.

The trembling indigo gaze locked with the confident, radiant red gaze.

Two pairs of eyes crossed in the middle.

“There’s power in your movements themselves. Your expansive actions capture attention on stage. Remember how the air flow changed when you stepped earlier?”

Yoon Jihoo quietly nodded.

“You need to explore martial arts performances, not just dance.”

“Martial arts?”

His voice trembled. Clearly, he thought he was about to be rejected.

“What’s with the expression? You’re in. Explore performances that suit you, allowing you to grow even more.”

With a cheerful smile, Park Nayul spoke.

“Isn’t that great? You have the potential to improve.”

Yoon Jihoo’s face momentarily froze.

‘She’s falling for him.’

I was certain.

It was satisfying to see the scene from the original material unfold right before my eyes.

But that wasn’t the end.

Cruelly, my gaze was directed toward Lee Jian.

Even though I didn’t want to look, my eyes were forced to move.

Under the bright stage lights, Yoon Jihoo’s eyes gleamed as he looked at Park Nayul.

Park Nayul smiled confidently while looking at Yoon Jihoo.

The sight of Lee Jian observing this scene.

Because of the lack of lighting, her face was barely visible.

What expression was she making right then?

I was satisfied to witness this scene from the original.

However, amidst that satisfaction, for just a moment,

I felt a pang of sadness when looking at Lee Jian.

I already knew how her emotions were going to unfold.

Even so, the subtle expression she showed in that fleeting moment left an impression on my heart.

But I was only an observer.

I knew what she would encounter, what she would face,

And that the emotions she would feel wouldn’t always be sweet.

I knew.

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