Chapter 709 - 709: IMPROMPTU AUTOGRAPH SESSION
AS soon as the crowd realized it was really him, the room burst into motion. Fans rushed forward, some stumbling in their excitement, others calling out his name. A few reached toward the stage, eyes wide with disbelief, as if they couldn’t believe he was actually there.
Just as the first wave of people got too close, the security staff stepped in. They moved quickly, positioning themselves between Astrid and the crowd, keeping everyone at a safe distance without being too forceful. The fans still called out to him, but now they stayed back, held in check by the security staff’s presence.
Astrid raised his hands with an easy smile. “I didn’t know I was this popular!” The crowd laughed, some shaking their heads at his humble joke. As the noise settled, he glanced at the eager faces around him. “But seriously, seeing you all enjoy the movie means everything. And since you came all this way…” He paused, nodding to Ellis, who quickly talked to some staff of Polaris who came together with the security staff. “How about we do a proper autograph session? That way, everyone gets a chance to say hello.”
For a heartbeat, the room went utterly still—like everyone had misheard him. Then, as the words fully sank in, the theater erupted with cheers.
***
Autograph sessions worked differently in this era. No paper, no pens—just a stylus to sign directly on fans’ Terminals. For actors, singers, or any public figure, that was all they needed.
This would be Astrid’s first time giving autographs in this era. Even though it was just a spontaneous event, he still felt excited. Truth be told, he’d already practiced his signature plenty of times, just in case this moment ever came.
The autograph session went smoothly, with Astrid keeping his warm smile the entire time. Even though each fan only got two minutes, he made sure to really listen whenever someone spoke—asking quick questions, laughing at jokes, and nodding along like they were old friends catching up. His stylus moved fast across their Terminals, but his attention never wavered.
When fans asked for photos, he happily obliged, switching up poses each time. A peace sign here, a playful salute there, even different variations of heart signs—fingers, hands, arms—whatever made the fan light up the most. The excited whispers in line grew louder as people saw how much effort he put into making each interaction feel special.
Three hours later, the impromptu autograph session finally ended. Every fan walked away with the same bright, dazed smile—like they’d just lived through something unforgettable.
And Astrid hoped that really was the case.
***
Ellis got into her car, ready to leave for lunch. The Polaris staff, including the security team, would head back to the company first before meeting up with them again later at the next viewing party location—still hours away in the afternoon.
“You’re really good at fan service,” she said as she started the car.
She had been genuinely surprised watching Astrid with his fans. They’d discussed the possibility of an autograph session beforehand, but today’s event was still largely unplanned. Yet Astrid handled it perfectly—no, better than perfectly. The way he talked to each fan, posed for photos, made everyone feel special… it was like watching a seasoned pro, not someone who’d only been acting for seven months.
Astrid just smiled. “I think if you truly care about your fans, it would just come out naturally.”
That was true in a way, but the bigger reason was that he’d done fan signings in his past life. He already knew the right ‘etiquette’. Still, if he was being honest, he was acting a lot more carefree and playful today compared to back then.
Back in his past life, he only started doing fan events when he was already in his late twenties. By then, he couldn’t just act cute even if he wanted to—he had to keep up a mature and calm image.
Ellis nodded, but in her mind, Astrid had still done exceptionally well. Maybe she should start preparing now for a proper fan signing event—something bigger, once he hit his one-year anniversary.
As the car sped forward, Astrid’s thoughts drifted to Wulfric. Today was the official premiere of [Serendipitous Summer], and he couldn’t help but wonder—had Wulfric already seen it?
Well, there was only one way to find out. He opened his Terminal and pulled up Wulfric’s [Cyberspace] page.
And he immediately saw the most recent post.
White Wolf @astridsnumber1fan: [Just saw <Serendipitous Summer> and let me say this plainly: Aster didn’t just play Jace—he BECAME him.
Every subtle glance, every quiet moment—he didn’t even need words to make you feel everything Jace was feeling. That scene where he was running in the storm? I swear, I forgot how to breathe for a full minute. And don’t even get me started on the way he delivered his lines—like each one was carved out of something real.
Now, to anyone who thinks otherwise? Two options:
1. You haven’t actually watched the movie.
2. You’re a hater running on half a brain cell and a bad attitude.
#SerendipitousSummer #AsterIsJace #AsterIsMyNumberOne]
A laugh slipped out before he could stop it.
“What’s wrong?” Ellis asked.
“Nothing,” he said. “Just reading something my number one fan posted.”
***
Wulfric narrowed his eyes at Samuel.
He had gone straight to the base after watching the movie. He was in the middle of drills when his Terminal buzzed with that special alert he set for whenever Aster’s name trended. It told him right away if people were praising Aster or saying something bad.
But when he checked, he wasn’t sure how to react.
Most of the posts were from Aster’s fans, who attended one of the private viewing parties happening all over the Empire. Apparently Aster had made a surprise appearance at one of them and even did an autograph session.
Wulfric looked at the pictures of Aster with his fans. He was smiling, posing cutely for the cameras. Why was he making all those heart signs? Even so, Wulfric saved every photo.
After reading all the posts from fans talking about their experience, one question stuck in his mind. Why didn’t he know about any of this?
So he went home and called Samuel to talk.
Now Samuel stood in front of him, looking very nervous.