Trust Me
Suhyeon finally stepped out of his apartment, steeling himself to confess the love he'd suppressed in his heart for so long. But as the elevator descended to the first floor, a completely unexpected woman was waiting for him.
It was Erika, his coworker from the company office, a year younger than him, standing at the entrance. Spotting her, Suhyeon froze in place, his feet halting without him even realizing it.
Unable to hold back any longer, Suhyeon bellowed.
"Hey, Gyeongbin! Instead of writing the rap lyrics you're supposed to, what the hell is this crap you wrote?"
Gyeongbin, who had been watching Suhyeon from a short distance, scurried over.
"What's up? You don't like the story I wrote?"
"Would you like this if you were me? I stopped reading halfway. What is this random bullshit?"
"Random? Hyung, I always outline a story first before writing rap lyrics, right?"
"...You do? I didn't know. But why the hell are me and Erika in it?"
"You treated Erika's ankle yesterday, remember? Watching that... I thought, a ha, let's use you two as the protagonists for the story and draw some inspiration. That's how it came about."
"Fine, I get it. So keep this story to yourself from now on. Erika's only just turned sixteen—I don't want any misunderstandings with other people. Got it?"
"That's why I wrote that she's a year younger than you in the..."
"Shut up! Got it?!"
"...Yeah, hyung."
"Sigh. Whatever, just slap together the rap for the new song already."
Suhyeon handed back the phone with Gyeongbin's story on it, vowing firmly in his mind.
In my previous life, sixteen was old enough to marry and have kids, so no big deal. But in this life? I'd end up in handcuffs and ruin everything. I can't throw away this miraculous second chance on something so stupid.
Shaking his head as if the mere thought horrified him, Suhyeon scanned the other members gathered in the practice room. He noticed Robin glancing his way, as if he had something to say.
"Robin, want to talk about how the new song's composition is coming along?"
"Sure. I reworked it with cello as the base, like you suggested last time. Wanna listen?"
"Yeah, let's hear it. Where's Marvin, though?"
"He had a photoshoot this morning."
"Marvin gets a ton of pictorial gigs, huh?"
"His jawline's so sharp. Guess it triggers some protective instinct in women... Older fans love him for it. That's why women's magazines keep requesting him."
"Makes sense. Kinda jealous... Ahem. Anyway, let's listen without him. Everyone, gather up."
Robin pulled out his phone and played the new track. Suhyeon's face grew increasingly furrowed as he listened intently. When it ended, all the members turned to him.
"Robin, in my opinion, it's worse than before. Ever heard of overkill? The cello sticks out too much and drowns everything else."
Robin sheepishly ran a hand through his hair.
"Even I think so. I'm not that familiar with cello, so I just sampled it on the computer, but it didn't sit right with me either."
"Hmm. Me neither."
Suhyeon muttered under his breath, too quietly for the others to hear.
"If it were pipa, erhu, or huqin, I'd be confident."
After a moment's thought, he spoke up.
"When it's this tricky... nothing beats borrowing from the parents."
"Parents?"
"They call Bach the father of music, right? His Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1—you know, bum bum buuum, da da daa."
"Oh, yeah, I know that one."
"Cool. Let's chop out a few bars that fit our new song, lower the volume, loop it as the base, and see how the overall vibe feels. Then we can adjust direction. Hey, it's free real estate—Bach's been dead forever, no copyright."
"...True, public domain."
"How long will it take?"
"Slow at home, but in the company studio? Quick."
"Studio? You mean the AR room?"
"Nah, the Singer Team 1 dedicated one."
Hearing that, Suhyeon inwardly scolded himself.
I've been slacking on basic company info like structure and systems, using busyness as an excuse. Gotta sharpen up from now on.
"Sorry, I'm not up to speed. Explain the studios."
"You never showed interest before, so fair. Company's old, so over time, new gear and software kept coming in, and studios multiplied."
"How many now?"
"Four total: trainee one, Singer Team 1 exclusive, Singer Team 2 exclusive, and the top-tier AR room with cutting-edge everything."
"So we use Team 1's?"
"Yep. Called Studio 1. We'll wrap up fast there."
"Alright. No other issues? Let's head over."
Moments later, in Studio 1, Suhyeon marveled at the console desk's array of terminals and monitors.
"...Cool as hell!"
I knew it from the previous owner’s memories, but seeing it in person? Insane. It’s even more complex than the Myriad Phenomena Maze Formation, the most intricate formation in history. But once you grasp the principles, it’s simple… Sigh, there’s so much to learn in this world. Pure bliss.
Suhyeon sat, thinking something others might stone him for.
"Robin, you know how to work this stuff?"
"Basics, yeah. Not a pro engineer."
"How do you learn?"
"Ask an engineer for simple stuff. Or study solo."
"Solo how?"
"Music production major in college, or one-on-one with an engineer. Worst case... books?"
Suhyeon's eyes lit up at "books."
"Books? Which ones?"
"Over there on the desk shelf. Equipment and system manuals."
Suhyeon bolted up, drawn like a magnet to the shelf. Three thick tomes like encyclopedias stood side by side.
Operating Manual
System & Program Manual
Mechanical & Electronic Manual
"Can... can I borrow these? Wanna take 'em home and read properly."
His voice trembled. Kevin, who had been quietly listening—too shy to chime in—muttered skeptically.
"Suhyeon, you gonna actually read all that? Even engineers skip 'em after basic training. If gear acts up, they call service. Who reads that headache?"
"Really? I wanna check 'em out in my downtime. No issue borrowing, right?"
"Go for it. Nobody asks for 'em anyway."
Grinning, Suhyeon yanked the books and plopped back down. Then the door burst open—Marvin strode in.
"Marvin, you got my text. Straight here, huh? Photoshoot go well?"
Marvin's face stiffened for a split second, then relaxed into a faint smile.
"Yeah, fine."
But Suhyeon, unconsciously slipping into his old strategist habit of observing countenance, scrutinized Marvin's eyes.
Hmm. Words say fine, but something bugged him. Should I ask?
Right then, Marvin's phone rang—as if waiting for him.
"Yeah, just back at the company."
[...]
"Sure, got time now. Studio 1."
[...]
"Got it. Waiting."
"Who was that? Meeting here?"
"Jenny from Singer Team 2. You wouldn't know her?"
Suhyeon racked his brain—no dice.
"Nope. Who?"
"Debuted about a year ago? Main vocal for the girl group Girlfriend. Lived abroad long, so we chat sometimes... Suddenly says she misses me today."
"Why?"
"Dunno. But... why the third degree? When you were messing with girls, I never grilled you like this. And she's not my girlfriend."
Marvin snapped, irritated by the probing. Suhyeon seethed inwardly.
Idiot. I'm warning you 'cause I see someone's targeting you. Fine, ignore it then... Ugh, can't just let it slide.
Raising a hand apologetically, Suhyeon softened his tone.
"Please. Forgive me, my friend. Let's not dig up old wounds. So she's coming here? This Jenny girl?"
Marvin eased up.
"Yeah. She's in the building—be here soon."
The door flew open again. A woman with dyed blonde hair belted out a soprano shout.
"Hi! Marvin!"
Jenny, presumably, marched in. Suhyeon turned, sizing her up. New face. Before admiring her looks, he instinctively analyzed her expression and eyes. He blinked, flustered.
Did it with Marvin too... Old strategist instincts kicking in naturally. Guess fusion with this new body is complete?
After boisterous greetings with the BBG crew, she chattered at high pitch with Marvin. Suhyeon watched closely, catching her eyeballs flicking unnaturally now and then.
Ho ho. Check this out. That's the eye twitch of a spy.
Soon, she finished her business and left. The others slumped, exhausted like after a storm. Marvin massaged his temples, grimacing.
"Whew. Marvin hyung, why's Jenny so hyper?"
"No idea. She's lively usually, but today was next level."
Suhyeon stared at Marvin chatting with Seongbin, unconsciously tapping his left palm rhythmically with his right index finger.
An old habit from scheming days—uncovering plots or plotting intricate stratagems.
In his past life, he'd tap his ever-present folding fan on his palm when deep in thought. Now it resurfaced unconsciously.
Kevin, beside him, eyed the motion curiously.
"Suhyeon, what's with the finger tapping? Keeping beat for the new song in your head?"
Snapping out of it, Suhyeon realized and nodded faintly.
Fusion's definitely done. Habits flowing naturally.
"Kevin, got a pen or small stick...? Ah! You got drumsticks?"
"Drummer life—always carry practice sticks. Why?"
"Lend me one."
Suhyeon took a stick, gripped it in his right hand, tested tapping his left palm.
"Perfect."
Tapping steadily, he sank back into thought. Moments later, sorted, he eyed Marvin.
I could investigate quietly alone, but Marvin needs to know. Gotta ask directly anyway...
Decision made, Suhyeon called.
"Marvin!"
"Yeah? What?"
"Come here."
As Marvin approached, Suhyeon locked eyes, voice low and deliberate, enunciating each word like hanja strokes.
"Do you trust me?"