Another week passed since I had that conversation with Casper about livestreaming. Another Friday.
I did consider live broadcasting all the way back then when I was in a desperate need for money. It was a good way to grow exposure, as the streaming industry was growing at a rapid pace. Looking back at the past, I did not expect it to be our only option now.
But Casper's analysis was correct, I had to admit. Lumi's personality was not suited for music, variety, and TV shows, if she was afraid of people. Plus, we were unsure how well she would do in front of the stage, spontaneous questions, and all the cameras.
I whole-heartedly believed she could do anything, but I knew she first had to go through the ropes of being an entertainer first.
Amidst all the reluctance, I still dropped her off at the company building.
Lumi told me she'd done nothing but sing this past week. That sounded great to me, until I learned that she sang song after song without receiving any feedback.
It was Daniella, Clara, Casper, plus another instructor whom I was never introduced to. They all had sat in the recording booth, jotting down notes, mumbling to each other, every day, without a break.
I knew it was some comprehensive analysis of Lumi's potential, but they hadn't let me take part in any of it.
It dismayed me when it first happened, sure, but I eventually let it happen.
Lumi's joy during that first day was infectious, even through the glass of the recording booth.
I hadn't hear any of her singing, but I knew she was happy doing so.
She'd placed her hands atop the headphones that was almost the same size as her head, singing with her eyes shut. She'd nod and turn her head to the rhymtm as her little lips pursed open to sing.
The content, peaceful sight of her told me she'd be alright. Thus, instead of bothering her (and everyone this past week, I interested myself with other things.
Lumi had performed at the tri-college community park last Friday. What did that mean?
It meant that I had yet to use Meteor's wish.
The duration between the last wish between the special honey and the black card was one week long.
So it wasn't about the sincerity or desperation of the wish. A cooldown duration was much more reasonable. I was confident the next one would be the same.
So, this Monday, when I agreed to Lumi starting a live-stream, I immediately prepared to make a wish.
Lumi would be on screen.
Though I was careful and meticulous about her meals, she still was small and frail.
I didn't want the world to see her unhealthy and malnourished. This was different from the MeTube videos, whom the students shot from afar. Except for a select few, they mostly couldn't discern her.
But the livestream audience would get a close-up shot of her all the time. They'd be able to see her sunken eyelids, her thin, weak hair, her pale and dry skin. If they were to point that out and trigger Lumi, I'd never live that down.
I let Lumi stay with Daniella that Monday night whilst I made my preparations.
Ever since Meteor accepted my credit card in return for the black card, I realized something.
He wasn't accepting sacrificial offerings, but more of a reciprocal offer instead. He'd upgrade the items that I presented with respect to the wish.
For this week's wish, I prepared loads and loads of vitamins and supplements. All the multivitamin varieties. Fish oil. Calcium citrate. Colostrum. Iron. Magnesium. Protein powder. Collagen. Anything and everything over the counter at the local drugstore.
"Oh wandering spirit, please hear my please," I told Meteor.
I even made a little ring around the teddy bear with the new cartoon bear blanket and pillows I bought.
"A healthy body is quintessential for a happy life. But nutritional deficiency has wrecked Lumi's body. She is frailer than little kitten and thinner than a stick. She is in her most important growing years. Please, please grant me something that can help her development. I will not neglect my daughter no more. I wish for her to grow tall and beautiful and remain healthy forever. I will pay attention to her every meal and her habits every day. So, oh, wandering spirit, please accept these. My sincerest hope goes with these supplements. May Lumi be with you and may you be with Lumi."
A wave of thankfulness washed over me when Meter's magical pouch had unzipped open.
Stars and fine mist swirling around inside, the sight remained as mesmerizing as ever. I shook my head, snapping myself out of my trance. Gently, I dropped each supplement and vitamin bottle inside.
When done, I passed my arm inside. Again, something cold brushed past my hands. I flinched only for a moment, knowing it was what I wished for.
This time, it was not some supernatural happenings that unfurled my hand open; I was conscious in doing so. With one controlled motion, I pulled out my arm out, along with a purple glass vial in hand.
"A panacea," I murmured, holding the potion-like vial up in the air.
Then I read the blurb on the taped label to find out if I was right.
[A gene optimizing serum from a biologically advanced civilization. It also contains blessings from the Goddess of Healing and Beauty. It shall promote optimal human development to the genetic limit and perfect the consumer's appearance. A healthy lifestyle will manifest results faster.]
It was beyond perfect.
It was the reason why I indulged myself with nothing but exercise this past week. I would drop Lumi off for her singing shenanigans with Little Starlight, then immerse myself completely at the gym without a moment's rest.
Our special telepathy and shared senses meant that my transformation impacted Lumi's.
While she was doing (or singing) her part of our superstar dream, I was doing mine.
Celebrities didn't only have good skills; they were attractive as well.
I wanted Lumi to be a superstar with more than only out-of-this-world singing skills. She'd have universally stunning looks, too.