By Zephyria 
(End)
The Dawn of a New Day
Even a flight of just over three hours left him feeling exhausted. He hadn’t been able to sleep well for days due to excitement and nervousness, and he had a lot on his mind trying to meet the numerous physical examination and document requirements requested by the airline in preparation for the Zombie outbreak. He was beginning to regret talking Eden out of using his private helicopter.
Ha-jin picked up the car he had reserved in advance near LAX Airport and got into the back seat. Naturally, Eden, Mi-so, Jeffrey, and Byeol accompanied him. Byeol’s parents and Hugo were scheduled to come to LA with Pie tomorrow to see Ha-jin’s Magic show.
Jeffrey, who volunteered to drive, chuckled softly as he entered the hotel address into the navigation system.
[It’s been a while since we’ve all been together like this, hasn’t it? It reminds me of Korea, which is nice.]
“Nice because it reminds you of Korea? I mean, even so, I don’t think you should be longing for the days when five of us shared a single can of tuna.”
Mi-so shuddered as she pulled on her seatbelt in the passenger seat. At that moment, Byeol, who had been lying across the back seat, jumped up and shouted.
“Why?! I still had fun!”
As if waiting for this, Eden started an argument.
“Really? Should we go back to Korea then?”
“Is Tae-geon Hyung stupid? When did I say I wanted to go back to Korea?”
“Why, you said you had fun.”
Byeol, who had grown considerably in the past year, let out a big sigh at his uncle, who always found fault with everything. Ha-jin, despite being tired, was happy with the familiar commotion and burst out laughing.
Jeffrey, skillfully turning the steering wheel, met Ha-jin’s gaze in the rearview mirror.
[Ha-jin, the poster turned out great. I heard all the seats are sold out? Mi-so called and bragged to me about it.]
[The theater did a good job promoting it. Mi-so also worked hard promoting it on YouTube. It seems like quite a few people are coming because of that.]
[That’s really great. It’s your first Magic show in a year, isn’t it?]
At those words, Ha-jin felt strange and wrinkled his nose. It felt like just yesterday he was preparing for the Magic show with the theater staff, but when he came to his senses, a year had already passed.
Ha-jin recalled his pitiful self from around this time last year, praying every night to overcome his stage fright. Compared to then, his current mental state was surprisingly peaceful and stable. The nightmare of being pointed at by fellow magicians backstage was long gone.
Since realizing that everything becomes trivial in the face of death, he had been spending his days feeling overly grateful.
Of course, it was somewhat burdensome to perform in a large theater since the Zombie outbreak was not completely over, but Ha-jin instinctively knew that he shouldn’t miss this opportunity.
He turned his head and looked at Eden, who was caressing his hand. He felt overwhelmed with emotion, thinking that he would never have been able to seize this opportunity if it weren’t for Eden. He gently shook their clasped hands, and Eden responded by squeezing Ha-jin’s hand tightly.
Under the clear sky, the Carnival carrying the five of them sped along without hesitation. Ha-jin turned his gaze to the vibrant streets of California. He noticed street vendors selling food in the middle of the multi-lane road, large markets lined up, and construction sites occupying one side of the sidewalk.
Watching a couple arguing in front of a store, he even felt like he was in a completely different world. Ha-jin’s eyes sparkled as he looked at the city where the shadow of death had receded. He gripped the card deck, calmly controlling the rising tension and excitement.
❖ ❖ ❖
Ha-jin scanned his name hanging in the dressing room backstage before opening the door. Not long after he sat down in front of the mirror, someone appeared with a makeup box. She introduced herself as Lily and placed large hair clips in Ha-jin’s bangs.
A base was applied to his pale face, and a thin layer of foundation was applied over it. She skillfully patted Ha-jin’s face with a cushion and asked.
[Will you have time to come back to the dressing room during the intermission? I’ll touch up your makeup then.]
[I’ll be back to change clothes anyway.]
[Heung, that’s good. By the way, is this your first time at this theater?]
When Ha-jin nodded, Lily continued in a clear voice.
[I’ve been working here as a makeup staff for quite a while, but I don’t think I’ve seen you before.]
[I came from Korea.]
[Really? Are you very famous? When I came in, I saw people from the theater and other magicians waiting in the next dressing room to greet you.]
[Pardon?]
She chuckled, removing the hair clips from Ha-jin’s bangs.
[Didn’t you know? Nate, who performed here a week ago, and someone who performed last month also came to see you. Oh, and I think there was a woman too….]
Before she could finish speaking, there was a knock on the dressing room door.
Ha-jin’s face hardened with embarrassment. It was common practice for fellow magicians who weren’t close to visit the dressing room, but since the unfortunate accident, he had avoided meeting people as much as possible, so everything felt sudden.
Soon after, the door opened. Several people from the theater who he had greeted during rehearsal and unfamiliar faces entered the dressing room en masse. Ha-jin, who had just finished his makeup, also stood up.
A theater official with a friendly face shook his hand first.
[The audience seats are already full. Your ticket power is amazing. We look forward to your performance today.]
[I’m the one who should say that.]
Ha-jin gave a polite smile and turned his eyes towards the door. Among them, one man who looked strangely familiar grabbed Ha-jin’s hand as if he had been waiting for it and said.
[Ha-jin, it’s been so long.]
The man, who introduced himself as Daniel, smiled brightly. Ha-jin, staring at his prominent freckles, recalled the skinny boy he had met at the FISM competition held in Blackpool, England, eight years ago.
Ha-jin’s mouth slowly opened as he recognized him without difficulty.
[…Daniel?]
[I happened to hear about you from someone at the theater. I was so happy that I came to greet you in person.]
Ha-jin, who had been speechless for a while, asked in an emotional voice.
[How have you been?]
[I’ve been good. I was worried because I hadn’t seen you at magic competitions for a while, but I’m glad you seem okay.]
While they were busy catching up, the man and woman standing next to Daniel also greeted Ha-jin in a friendly manner.
[Hi, I’m Nate Diaz. I’ve been watching you on YouTube, and I came to see you because I heard you were performing at the Magic Castle.]
[Oh, thank you for coming, Diaz.]
[I’m Olivia Moore, feel free to call me Olivia.]
[Nice to meet you, Olivia.]
After a hectic round of greetings, Ha-jin escorted the magicians who were about to move to the audience seats as the performance time approached.
Daniel, who shared a warm hug with Ha-jin once again outside the dressing room, said.
[Ha-jin, I’m glad you’re back.]
He smiled sadly.
[As you know, everyone is going through a difficult time. We should try to stick together, at least those of us who are left.]
It was a bittersweet and determined pledge. Ha-jin felt a lump in his throat at the fact that he finally had fellow magicians.
[Okay, I’ll contact you. Thanks for coming to see me.]
[Let’s plan a performance together sometime.]
Ha-jin quietly nodded, exchanged numbers with Daniel, Nate, and Olivia, and returned to the dressing room.
The makeup staff was gone, nowhere to be seen. Ha-jin stared blankly at the round lights attached to the mirror, checked the remaining time, and loosened his stiff shoulders. Just then, Mi-so’s clear voice was heard from across the door.
“Do Ha-jin! I’m coming in?”
The door burst open. Ha-jin, turning his head absentmindedly, discovered Eden following her in and stood up again.
“Congratulations.”
Eden, dressed smartly, held out a large bouquet of flowers to Ha-jin. It was a bouquet of fascinating colors, as if it contained all the beautiful flowers in the world. Ha-jin’s face was filled with joy.
“Thank you.”
While he was caressing the soft tulips, Eden, who had come closer, reached out and carefully straightened the crooked brooch. His touch, neatly arranging even the collar of his dress shirt, was very affectionate and delicate.
Eden gave Ha-jin a short kiss on the forehead and left the dressing room. Mi-so, looking around, slyly held out a camcorder to Ha-jin.
“Magician Do Ha-jin.”
“…….”
“Your solo Magic show is now just 20 minutes away. Would you like to say a few words?”
Ha-jin burst out laughing at the somehow familiar line. His face was zoomed in on in the camera angle. His gentle eyes, contrasting with his sharp jawline, were looking this way.
Mi-so asked again, as if urging him on.
“Do Ha-jin, you’re holding a solo Magic show again after a year. Please say a few words, even if it’s short.”
Ha-jin stared at the red light on the camcorder and began in a playful voice.
“Save me.”
❖ ❖ ❖
An announcement signaling the start of the performance echoed throughout the spacious hall. People who had been wandering around the hallway, looking at the biographies of the magicians who had passed through the ‘Magic Castle’ performance hall, began to take their seats one by one.
Large speakers were placed on either side of the stage, which was covered with thick velvet curtains, and soft pop songs flowed from them.
Soon after, the white lights that had been brightly illuminating the theater went out. A spotlight gathered in one place below the stage. While the theater manager came out and explained the viewing etiquette, faint murmurs full of anticipation were heard from various places.
Finally, the curtain on the stage was drawn back, revealing a wide platform. There stood Ha-jin, stylishly dressed in a black jacket.
He raised his closed eyes. A thunderous applause erupted along with enthusiastic cheers. As the cheers subsided, Ha-jin greeted the audience.
[Hello. I am the magician who will be responsible for your childlike innocence and romance today, Do Ha-jin.]
He fixed his gaze on Eden, who was looking at him from below the stage. The two smiled brightly at the same time.
Soon after, a fanfare announcing the start of the Magic show resounded.
『Magic on the Dead』 Side Story End