Chapter 1: Final Program/1-9

## Stage 1-9

In his office, MC apologizes for her rude behavior. "I never imagine you'd be so young..." she said, her face flushed. Mentally, she kicked herself for judging him by his appearance. "It's alright," he replied, smiling cryptically. "I didn't introduce myself." MC thanks him,and proceeds to tell him about her plan for the final episode of Miracle Finder. The theme of the last episode is "Lies that Cannot Be Seen Through." Lucien immediately interrupts her and tells her that isn't feasible. "What?" she cried out in protest, "I haven't even begun yet."

"I read the files you gave me," he explained. But as far as MC could tell, he'd only just glanced at them. Lucien laughed out loud, and walked over to his blackboard. He was standing so close that she felt a bit nervous. "So, what's your view of superpowers?" [There are two choices here. Either you believe in them, or you don't believe in them.] "I think they may exist in this world," she answered honestly. Lucien was staring into her eyes. "Why do you think so?" he asked, his lips turned slightly upward. "Miracle Finder is all about superpowers, so I've seen many phenomena," she replied, "and sometimes they couldn't be explained scientifically."

Lucien asked, "Have you heard of the Red Queen Hypothesis?" MC shook her head. "No, what is that?" Lucien, almost as if talking to himself, explains that humans have existed outside of natural selection for too long. As such, they haven't had to evolve. "But it's dangerous to forget fear. Do you know how to avoid danger?" MC responded, confused, "Is there a way?" and suddenly, Lucien stepped forward, leaning in towards her and she stepped back involuntarily, pinning her back against the blackboard. Placing one hand on the board, Lucien drew so close that he was blocking the afternoon sunlight. Her heart thumped furiously in her chest.

"When you're in danger," he leaned in so close that there was almost no space between them, and he whispered into her ear, "trust your instincts." While she contemplating the meaning of his words, he backed away from her and smiled. He apologized, and explained he didn't want anyone else to hear overhear them. MC, still blushing deeply, pointed out that they were the only ones in the room, but Lucien reminded her that just because she couldn't see it didn't mean it wasn't there, "like a crisis lurking in the dark." Then, suddenly changing the subject, Lucien change the topic back to Miracle Finder. "You should have your own views on the matter," he began, "but your view on superpowers is still framed by your father's views, correct?" MC explains that her father built the once successful and popular television show from scratch, and Lucien replies that every show reflects the "color" of its creator, but he couldn't find "her" anywhere in the show. She was still following the same script that her father had used, and nothing had changed even when MC took over as producer.

"Your color is very special. It's unlike any other..." he said, his gaze was piercing. "At least to my eyes." MC smiled, "I'm starting to understand. Thank you, Professor Lucien!" He raised his eyebrows in slight annoyance. "Are you leaving?" he asked. MC nodded in reply, "Yes! I have to get back and prepare the show."

"Should I have lectured you a bit longer?" he murmured, almost imperceptibly. "Huh?" MC replied. Lucien smiled, "It's fine. You can go now."

"Professor Lucien..." MC began, stumbling a bit over her words, "Will you attend our last show? Ah! I mean, after I finish our new plan, I'll come back and..." Lucien interrupted her, "Alright, I'm in." MC was taken aback by his immediately reply, but he simply smiled and patted her head. "I'm in. I hope I won't be disappointed." MC thanked Professor Lucien for his help. "You can just call me Lucien." MC nods shyly as she leaves his office.