Pink Berry's Great Wall of Grievance
Jiyeong, the temporary leader of Pink Berry, strode boldly into the practice room. Her momentum was fierce, like a debt collector barging into a house to collect.
"Suhyeon oppa! How could you do this to us?"
Suhyeon blinked in bewilderment at Jiyeong's outburst, her eyes wide with what seemed like massive indignation.
Did I mess up something with Pink Berry?
Nothing specific came to mind. If anything, he'd only helped them.
Jiyeong marched right up to him, planted both hands on her hips, and glared straight at him accusingly.
"There's a deep bond between us, right, oppa? They say even the Great Wall can be built in a single day—how could you do this to us?"
Suhyeon let out a short, involuntary chuckle. Through his keen observation, he could see the anxiety flickering endlessly in Jiyeong's eyes, despite her bold posture. And though ordinary people might miss it, Suhyeon, trained in martial arts, noticed her center of gravity shifting toward the back far more often than usual.
She's itching to bolt from here, or maybe her friends are waiting behind her for backup. Yeah, I get the picture.
Having assessed the situation, Suhyeon replied in a stern, serious tone.
"Do you even know what 'building the Great Wall in a day' means? You're just an 18-year-old girl spouting nonsense. Want me to give you a real scolding?"
Jiyeong froze at his low, grave voice, then mumbled softly.
"Isn't it about how the bond between people is super important?"
"Ugh. Ever heard of 'If you don't know the tune, don't play the qin'? It's not what you think, so don't go around saying that again. It's not for kids like you. Got it?"
"...Yes, oppa. Dad uses it at home when he begs Mom for spending money, emphasizing 'bond,' so I just copied him..."
"Sigh. Fine, now go tell those girls waiting outside to come in. I have a rough idea why you're doing this—let's hear the details."
At Suhyeon's words, Jiyeong's face lit up like she'd been saved, and she spun around, bolting out of the practice room like lightning. Soon, the sound of the girls chattering outside drifted in.
Meanwhile, among the BBG members who'd been stunned by Jiyeong's intrusion, Gyeongbin spoke up.
"Hyung."
"What? Wondering why Jiyeong's acting like that?"
"Nah, hyung'll handle it perfectly. Not my place to step in."
"Hm? Then why'd you call me?"
"Bu-jigok-jo-bul-tam-geum? What's that mean?"
"Oh. It means don't strum the instrument if you don't know the melody. Basically, don't act like you know when you don't—perfect lesson for you. Yep."
Ignoring Gyeongbin's pout at the teasing remark, Suhyeon watched as the six Pink Berry members filed in through the door and lined up in front of him like soldiers at attention.
"Don't just stand there—sit down."
Tense as they were, all the members sat in a flash, quicker than a gust of wind could hide a crab's eyes.
"Alright, who wants to speak for the group? Jiyeong?"
Startled at being singled out, Jiyeong glanced at Erika and whispered.
"Erika, you do it. Oppa likes you the most."
At Jiyeong's out-of-left-field jab, Suhyeon pressed a hand to his forehead and sighed wearily.
"What do you mean I like Erika the most? I like you all the same. Cut the weird talk before I get dragged into something."
Erika hesitated at the nomination, then spoke softly.
"Suhyeon oppa, we just heard the news."
"What news?"
"That you composed an amazing song this time... and gave it to Senior Haiyu."
"Hoo. Knew it might be that... But how'd you find out? It's been less than an hour."
"Rumors spread fast in this industry. The whole company's probably heard by now."
Suhyeon shook his head at Erika's words.
Man, impressive. Even sects like the Beggar Clan or Haomun, pros at info, would crash and burn if they entered entertainment.
"So?"
"The members felt a bit hurt. Senior Haiyu writes her own songs and gets them from great composers... but we've never gotten even one from a composer."
"So you're bummed I gave it to Haiyu instead of you?"
Erika blushed, bowed her head, twisted her fingers, and murmured almost inaudibly.
"Yes... not a lot... just a little."
"Haa. What to do with these immature kids."
Suhyeon sighed and sat down, gesturing them closer.
"Come here. Oppa'll correct your misconceptions."
The Pink Berry members scooted forward on their butts while seated.
"Listen up. First, the song I gave Haiyu isn't some amazing track. It was my very first composition ever. How good could a beginner's song be? So it's not as great as you think—that's your mistake. Second..."
But Jiyeong cut in sharply, as if rebutting him.
"Oppa, you're a genius composer!"
Caught off guard by the perfectly timed ambush, Suhyeon choked unexpectedly.
"Second... cough. Hack hack."
Voices of agreement echoed from around the room, echoing Jiyeong.
"Right, oppa's a total genius."
"We all watched Problematic Human that night, remember?"
"Solved those ghost-level problems in seconds."
"Everyone said oppa's a genius. Saw it on SNS?"
"Genius composers' first songs are always the best."
Finally calming his cough, Suhyeon exclaimed in exasperation.
"Hey! Think logically! Being good at quizzes doesn't mean you're a composer genius—does that even make sense?"
But Erika fired back in a booming voice unlike her usual self.
"No way! My mom said people with genius brains like oppa excel at everything. So you'll be great at composing too. You are a genius composer!"
Stunned by Erika's forceful tone, Suhyeon stared blankly.
She's got general vibes. People change, but this much? Wait, what kind of logic is 'mom said so'?
Usually eloquent, Suhyeon gaped speechlessly in absurdity.
After some back-and-forth, Suhyeon finally summed up in a resigned tone.
"I get it, so let's drop it. Oppa'll compose a dance track for you as fast as possible, like you want. Forget the one for Haiyu and stop tormenting me. And no more calling me a genius composer anywhere. Got it?"
"Yes! Woo, exciting!"
"We're getting a song from a genius composer too."
"Oppa, thank you so much."
"See? Worth coming. Oppa's softer than he looks."
"Love you, oppa. Our song in a week?"
"He's a genius—probably sooner. Love you, oppa."
After the storm passed, Suhyeon lay sprawled on the practice room floor like a crumpled plastic bag, utterly drained. Marvin approached, patted his back, and consoled him.
"Being too talented must be tough. Poor Suhyeon, you've suffered so much."
"Haa. Those girls don't listen to reason and come at me full force—I thought I'd lose my mind."
"Logically convincing girls that age? Never succeeded since humans appeared on Earth. Mission Impossible. You thought wrong from the start."
Suhyeon slowly sat up at Marvin's words, shaking off the fatigue.
Breaking through a Demonic Cult's Heaven's Net alone would be easier... Sigh, drained dry.
Shaking his head to refocus, he called out.
"Marvin."
"Yeah?"
"You know the meeting with PD Jeong at 1 PM the day after tomorrow for Handle the Refrigerator? Clear your schedule."
"All free that day. Don't worry. But you'll explain our full plan there?"
"Depends on the vibe. Gotta gauge PD Jeong first, then tailor the strategy... I'll handle it, so no sweat."
"Got it. I trust you. And... thanks. A lot."
"Welcome. Not your father... but your friend, at least."
Suhyeon stood.
"Gotta head to Heyri for action practice... wonder if I'll have the energy."
"Yeah. Do great. See you tomorrow."
Soon after, Suhyeon arrived at the action school in Heyri via van and slowly entered the dojo. Among the many practicing, one person drew extra attention from the crowd.
Isn't that him? Looks like it.
To confirm, Suhyeon approached closer.