Behind The Scenes | yoonmin

ix - the scenes

THE SCENES
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In a dark room, only lit up by the bright screen of a laptop, a man types in a quick pace. After a few seconds, he stops, the screen going black as he leans back. Then, suddenly, a colorful screen appears, music in low volume playing at the same time.

The man, detective Seowon, bites his lower lip, hovering his hands on the keys for the control. He hasn't played video-games in a long time, but he had to for this case. The game could hold something important, considering the texts between Jinseon and Juseon.

For Ennie is the game's name? That's odd, Seowon notices, pressing new game.

Judging by the cutscene that's currently playing, this isn't a game with actual animation, but rather like those rpg-maker games, actual game-play and action very pixelated, but with intricate character design when the characters' dialogue shows up.

Seowon lets out a slow breath, there doesn't really seem to be anything out of place. So far, the game showed the exposition, the behind story of the main character, who was an part-time worker at an antique-shop, living a very ordinary life with ordinary friends - three of them, an older boy with the name Baekhyeon, a girl with the name Niyen, and another boy, a little younger, with the name Jinsoon.

Everything seemed to be going fine when Seowon gets the power to control the main character, who seems to go by the name Hanyak. These are all strange names, except Baekhyeon, Seowon thinks. Then, an idea strikes him, making him pause the gameplay and reach out for a small notepad and pencil. Maybe...?

He quickly scribbles down the names, starting with the most normal one. He mumbles to himself as he writes, "Juseon is a character, so probably Baekhyeon*.... But, what about the others? They're so odd..."

"Niyen? What does that mean?" He asks himself. "Maybe in another language?" He thinks back to his conversations with Juseon and the files. "No... he wasn't multilingual."

"Niyen, niyen, niyen, niyen... " he trails off, realizing something. "Ennie. It's Ennie."

He doesn't know who Ennie is, but it's who the game is for, so he's getting somewhere. Maybe it's Ennie, the culprit? He can't say for sure, so he continues, letting out a shaky breath.

In the game, Niyen visits Hanyak at the shop, the two sharing some playful banter.

Seowon's expression turns calculative at the scene, but continues to play, the background happy music making him hum along. In the middle of the converstaion between Hanyak and Niyen, Jinsoon barges in, --Noona! There you are, I've been looking all over for you! Why didn't you tell me you were here?--

"Noona?" Seowon mutters, pursing his lips in thought. Then, continues to play. The scene soon ends with a comedic dialogue between Hanyak and Jinsoon, making Seowon crack a smile as well. That kid had talent alright, even if barely anything has happened, the way the background music sneaks up with the low foreshadowing keeps it interesting.

In another cutscene, a little different to his expectation, Niyen commits suicide, making Seowon widen his eyes a little, taken aback at the turn of events. He thought something a little different would happen. But, doesn't seem to pay it attention, quickly absorbing the information and moving on. The reaction Hanyak gives, complete misery and collapsing of his life, seems reasonable to Seowon.

Baekhyeon doesn't know anything about it, having not met Jinsoon or Niyen, but helps comfort Hanyak with his brotherly tendencies.

And, as he watches the things happen, playing along with finding the items of Niyen's importance and essence, he has a sudden epiphany, making him pause.