Prologue

“BEEEEP!” – On a rainy summer day, the grass’re as green as the showers and sun could make it. There’re just pitter-patter of the rain and the sudden blare of a car horn.

The girl turned around and saw a giant truck approaching. The truck rushed towards her at full speed!

The Crowd: “Too late! She’s get hit”

The girl crouched down, and closed her eyes. But the crash she expected didn’t happen, and the world went all quiet suddenly. It was a warm embrace. She opened her eyes. Raindrops hang still in the air. A boy’s holding her in his arms, as if it’s a dream.

Clover: “Who… are you?”

***

I’ve been dreaming about this accident that happened when I was 5 years old. After 17 years, the memory is still so vivid, like it happened only yesterday. Who’s the boy that saved me. Who could it be?

“Ring ring ring”… the sound of the phone ringing drags me back to reality.

Clover: “Hello? Anna… Calm down, speak slowly— What? LFG is withdrawing the investment?!”

I hurriedly packed my stuff up and rushed off to LFG. I’m the 22-year-old owner of a media studio, and the producer of its flagship program. The studio is just barely scraping by on the back of that old show. Not long ago, the studio’s sole investor was acquired by the giant Loveland Financial Group (LFG). Once LFG withdraws funding, the studio is sure to face bankruptcy.

***

Outside the office of LFG’s CEO.

The President Assistant: “I’ve told you: NO! The CEO is very busy. Please, run along back to where you came from!”

Clover: “This funding is too important for us. I have to talk to the CEO! The rating for our show Miracle Finder have always been steady…”

The President Assistant: “Yes, steady at the bottom. It’s the age of science! Who would believe in that superpower nonsense? Instead of innovating, you stick with such an old-fashioned show. No wonder you’re losing funding.”

The president’s assistant picked up the phone.

The President Assistant: “Hello, reception? In the future, could you please not let random people into the CEO’s office!?”

Clover: “But!”

The President Assistant: “But what? The reason your old sponsor got bought out by us is precisely because they kept investing in a studio like yours. Since you’re here, you can sign the investment withdrawal agreement. Save some time for both of us. Sign the agreement and we can still fund the last episode of Miracle Finder. Here, sign…”

Clover: “Oh, okay…”

The President Assistant: “Yes, yes, right here. Write your name and the studio’s name. Make it quick. I’m quite busy.”

***

Volume 1: Miracle Finder

Chap.1 – Final Program

Have you ever heard the term Evolver?

Anna: “Clover? Why did you just hang up on me this morning without letting me finish?”

I stood at the gate of LFG and answered the call in frustration.

Anna: “You… you’re at LFG, aren’t you?”

Clover: “Yes… But to no avail. I signed the investment withdrawal agreement.”

I seemed to be able to see Anna on the other end of the line, petrified.

Anna: “Did you meet the CEO of LFG, Victor?”

Clover: “No… I couldn’t even get past his assistant. All we have now is one last episode of Miracle Finder.”

Anna: “Oh… Still, they probably spared you some heartache. I’ve heard the CEO is a real terror. If you’d met him today, I doubt we’d even have a final episode to make.”

Hearing those words, somehow a gangster boss image popped in my mind, like in The Godfather.

Clover: “…Really?”

Anna: “Of course! You’re still so green. You have a lot to learn. This Victor is a legend in finance. Loveland Financial Group was founded 8 years ago, and it’s the industry leader today. Really incredible…”

Clover: “… How did they manage that…”

Anna: “Nobody knows… Some invisible tycoon is probably pulling the strings behind the scenes.”

Clover: “No matter who’s pulling the strings, they’re pulling our funding.

Anna: “We can’t complain really. The show doesn’t have much of an audience anyway… When your dad was sill around, it was really popular. Maybe the culture’s just moved on…

Clover: Anna, you practically ran everything for 2 years after dad passed… We owe you a lot…

Anna: Just doing my job, and I didn’t do it well… Just trying to keep the lights on until you graduated and could take it over.

I still remember the promise with Dad when I was a kid: we will  make the best show in the world…

Clover: Anna, though it sounds unrealistic, I don’t want to give up.

I just can’t give up this dream Dad built for me. Just then, a scream drew my attention.

Passerby Maiden A: Ahhhh! Look, that’s him! My lifelong idol, my one and only – KIRO!

Passerby Maiden B: Where, where? Let me see. Just one look and you fall in love? Seriously?...

Following the eyes of the girls, I saw the ad on the giant screen of Trade Tower. Superstar Kiro – in concert, he exudes a glowing aura, attracting every girl that passes by.

Passerby Maiden B: My gosh… How handsome he is… He’s glowing! – Ahhhhhh! He’s looking at me! No, I’m gonna cry!

Passerby Maiden A: Ahhh! He’s looking at me, not you! You aren’t a fan of his. Drop the act!

Passerby Maiden B: I’m dizzy! Kiro must have the superpower to make everyone fall in love with him!

Passerby Maiden A: So now you admit it? I thought you said before that was all nonsense?

Passerby Maiden B: I’m a believer now! If superpowers really exist, then Kiro’s gotta have one!

Passerby Maiden A: Okay, okay, dry your eyes. Come on! The line for the album is getting longer by the minute.

Clover: !!

An idea pops into my mind. The perfect plan.

Clover: Anna, I got a plan! You said before there are countless ways to get a show popular. How about… for the last show, we put everything we have into getting one, giant superstar to come on.

I looked at that radiant star on the screen.

Clover: Let’s invite Kiro!

***

B.S. Entertainment

Agent: Look, miss, um… I’m sorry. If you want to book our client Kiro, just having money isn’t enough. Almost every show wants us. We can only pick those with the highest audience ratings.

Clover: But Miracle Finder was rated number one, 2 years ago…

Agent: I was a fan of Miracle Finder too. What a pity that the previous producer passed away. I’m sorry, but business is business.

I had to leave Kiro’s agency. After this second swing and miss, I only felt more dejected.

Clover: The company’s going under… I better just take the subway back instead of a cab. And on the way I can buy some snacks and fruit to comfort the crew.

A supermarket nearby B.S. Entertainment. As I purchased my crew’s favorite snacks, I rehearsed in my mind how to break the news to them. While lost in thought, a slender hand appeared in front of me --  we’ve grabbed the same bag of chips. I turned my head, and the person beside me turned to look at me as well. A smile was hidden in his deep eyes. I could not help but be attracted.

Clover: Kiiii….mmmph!

Kiro suddenly covered my mouth with his hand and glanced around. His smiling eyes told me he’s not angry at all about my impulsiveness.

Kiro: Shhh…. I don’t wanna get noticed.

I nodded. Our little scene seemed to have drawn attention, so we squatted down in hiding. We crouched together next to that shelf, waiting until he could get away unnoticed. Looking at the bag of chips in my hand, I suddenly had to suppress a laugh.

Clover: Bbbbwa-ha!

Kiro: Uh?

Clover: Sorry, I just saw you on huge screens, and now, we’re squatting here like little kids. I can’t help it…

Kiro: If I were still a little kid, I definitely wouldn’t let you have the last bag of chips.

I turned around and found Kiro looking at the chips in my hand, seemingly not willing to give up. I now felt like I was in on some big secret, and my heart somehow beat faster.

Clover: You… really like this flavor of chips?

Kiro: Actually… I can’t really recall. Since my career took off, I don’t get to eat chips. I just, um, want to see the prize card inside. Everyone is collecting then, right?

I held up the chips and saw the notice on the packaging about promotional Batman AR cards. I thought for a moment, opened the pack, and took out the card.

Clover: Take it.

Kiro: Thanks. If we were kids, we would already be best friends.

Clover: Oh no!

Kiro: What?

Clover: …I haven’t paid for it yet.

Kiro: Oh! Yeah…

Clover: Let’s just pay up later…

Clover: So sorry, ma’am. I’ll buy 10 bags later! Sorry!

Kiro: Sorry!

We looked at each other and burst out laughing. Remembering what he just said, I handed him a chip.