The Talent to Enchant People (4)
A text came in from Ji Soeun first thing in the morning.
The image attached to the text showed this.
3. Blue Lemon Sky - Kim Seryeon (feat. Kang Saero) (▲1)
4. One Step Behind - Ji Soeun (▼1)
So, Blue Lemon Sky had finally climbed to #3.
Insane.
It was no exaggeration to call it the strongest in the human realm. #1 was the comeback track from a world-class boy group leading K-Culture. #2 was the new song from Black Kid, a hip-hop concept girl group being aggressively pushed by a major agency. Both were flagship groups from powerhouse labels with overwhelming fandoms.
And right below them was Ji Soeun's competition song, One Step Behind, at #4. Under that, tracks from the hottest audition show Star's Birth were lined up.
How absurd was this chart performance? A gasp slipped out involuntarily.
Does this even make sense?
The initial goal had just been to chart, but here we were. Unless you were the protagonist of the universe, this shouldn't happen.
The aftermath of the broadcast, the summer vibe. The perfect viral push and organic word-of-mouth. Ji Soeun's fandom, who'd been flooded with rumors of her dating Kim Seryeon, using this as an outlet. And the summer special promo I'd insisted on when signing with the distributor.
All these factors had meshed into a miracle.
Today was the day that miracle turned into cash.
Rumble!
On the bus to school, I got a notification.
It's here.
Hanyang Bank 08:30 Deposit
Depositor: Green Dream Music Co., Ltd.
Amount: 34,520,000 KRW
"......Hah."
My breath caught. The money was huge.
Buying a building with pure skill, no help from King Vydia's Hwang Sajang. It might actually be possible.
More than the amount I'd roughly estimated back then when I got a chance to calculate.
Really? This was just for one month? And karaoke royalties or copyright association payouts hadn't even come in yet.
Pure streaming revenue from the distributor for the first month settlement: this much.
A salaryman's annual pay hitting in one go. Sure, it was a seasonal track, so it wouldn't keep pouring in like this.
But with the chart position, maybe it could long-run?
Thoughts raced, heart pounding wildly.
In my past life, 200k views barely covered release costs.
I recalled my past life's memories. Specifically, thoughts from my room.
If I make a ton of money later, will I be happy?
Even if I miraculously succeed and get rich, I'll just feel emptier and more miserable waaah.
I don't need money! I'm not interested in it!
Dead wrong. Financial therapy was real. At least right now, it felt that way.
Like crowning rotten, aching memories with a gold tooth.
Watch out for people who say they're not interested in money—they're obsessed.
But I couldn't keep this money to myself. There were prior agreements.
Morning. Hanseong Arts High School main building, 1st year Class 2 classroom.
I got to school early and looked for Kang Saero right away, but she wasn't there. Instead, I heard from classmates.
"Oh? It's Kim Seryeon."
"Looking for Kang Saero, huh."
"She went to Building 1 for practical training."
How'd they know I was looking for her? When I turned with that expression, they read it instantly.
"Ahh. Girlfriend, right?"
"Knew it was her."
"Fighting!"
......Not girlfriend.
I left the main building and headed to Hanseong Arts High School's Building 1 practical hall. Used for instrumental practice, vibrations hummed everywhere.
Mid-June now. Major practical exams early July—less than two weeks left. Everyone was practicing like their lives depended on it.
On the second floor: individual practice rooms for vocals. Gray soundproof doors and small windows lined the hall. Inside: cramped 1.5-pyeong spaces.
I stopped at one door and waved.
"Hey."
But Kang Saero didn't notice. Heat from the tiny room? Her hair was messily tied back, flapping her loose gym shirt's neckline to cool off. White nape and collarbone fully exposed.
All visible through the glass. I couldn't just wait, so I called her.
"Saero-ya, I'm at the door."
"Ah!?"
Her flapping stopped dead.
"How're you here already?"
Not a surprise visit—I'd texted to meet. But she'd been deep in song, so super focused on exams.
"Didn't even know you were coming...."
"Main building to Building 1 isn't far."
By the way, phones weren't banned at arts high—too useful.
"Gonna keep practicing?"
"Nah. Class soon, gotta cool off outside."
We sat in Building 1's lobby after. Naturally, talked Bless settlement.
Pre-agreed 50/50 split, so show the amount and split. But her response was firm and curt.
"50/50 is bullshit."
"Huh? Suddenly?"
"Can't take it."
Half was bullshit, apparently.
"We agreed 50/50 before release. Shouldn't we stick to it?"
"No. That was before we knew it'd blow up."
Kang Saero ranted like money was the world's worst evil.
"Think about it. Who wrote the song? You. Arranged it? You. Mixing fees? Your money."
"But you sang it."
"Just sang! Honestly, you did everything—this 50/50 is heartless."
She counted on fingers, point by point.
"You pulled aggro on Star's Birth. Built rapport with Ji Soeun for shoutouts. Recruited Baek Yul sunbae for the MV—that's your skill. You handled viral marketing solo—how can I shamelessly take half?"
Not wrong, but a deal's a deal. Her voice made people cheer.
"Still, promise is promise—take half, clean split."
"Yeah. No."
"You really hate money?"
"Hate it hate it, absolutely hate it—would refund if forced."
"Kid?"
She pouted, turning away.
"Anyway, no."
Seemed real.
"So what then?"
"I'll just take career boost. You keep all the money."
"......10-0?"
"Yeah."
She nodded solemnly. Throw out 10, negotiate down her share.
I stared, then shrugged mischievously.
"Cool! Deal! Thanks, yum!"
Thud thud.
"Hey, hey! Kim Seryeon! Seryeon-ah!!"
She grabbed my hem in panic. Looking back, teary-eyed up at me.
"Really taking it all...?"
"Career's enough, right?"
"Ah, no, but. You pushed so hard for half, so I went extreme too...!"
So she wasn't fully honest either.
"Fine, let's negotiate."
We sat on the bench for serious talks. Both trying to give up share—odd negotiation, but after fierce debate: 60/40. Me 60, her 40.
She swore no more than 70/30, sweated bullets.
"Fine. I'll accept this."
She wiped sweat, nodding.
Who stubbornly refuses money like this?
Post-negotiation, next topic.
"Kim Seryeon, what'll you do with the money?"
"Hunt a studio first. Limits at home."
"Whoa. Studio!"
Her eyes sparkled.
"Totally my dream. A studio."
Then cautiously, head tilted, eyes pleading up.
"Can I... come look too...?"
Saying "Why you?" would be petty. She knew, added appeal.
"I know studio gear, soundproofing. Real estate prices, market rates too."
Pretended reluctance, agreed.
Weekend, Gangnam-gu, Nonhyeondong. Past the hill, alley appeared. Small 3-4 story buildings.
Heehee.
Checked two other spots before, but Kang Saero wasn't tired. Felt like house-hunting with Kim Seryeon as newlyweds—exciting.
Grinning, followed up stairs. Target: 2nd floor. Realtor auntie explaining ahead.
"Here. Previous tenant was drummer, band. Super soundproof."
Auntie keyed in, flung door open.
"He built partition for recording booth—so sofa chill spot. Construction old, no smell, no headaches. Ground floor, good light, nearby shops."
Just saw basements—ground level felt worlds better.
"Girl checks facilities again?"
"Yes! Of course!"
Kang Saero had been scanning sharply awhile.
"Home sound booth, I know this stuff."
"Rich girl, huh."
"Expert eyes needed. Lemme tap walls."
"Careful now."
She tapped.
"Wall thickness? Soundproof ratio?"
"Walls over 20cm, packed mineral wool. Double system doors."
"Sound checks out. Good."
Nodded, clapped in center.
Clap!
Pros check reverb time. Learned from mom—idol before, violinist, sound booth pro.
As echo faded, Kim Seryeon asked softly behind.
"Saero-ya, how is it?"
"Perfect. Real pro space."
Soundproof heaven. Cozy, nice interior.
Perfect isolation—outside oblivious to inside antics.
Her gaze swept thick door. Heavy iron handle. Rubber seal.
Hand trailed it slowly, thoughts spiraled.
Kim Seryeon... working here.
Me vocals, record together...
Alone, mood shifts...
Hand dropped.
Caressed handle sensually. Then:
Thud.
He pins me to wall like this...
Imagination exploded, face burned.
I don't usually fantasize like this. But house-hunting delusions with him—uncontrollable.
"Ahem. Hm."
Coughed, punched solid wall.
"Anyway, not bad. Good light for serotonin, songs flow. No mold. Cozy—best so far."
"Yeah? This one?"
His voice nearby made heart flutter wildly.
Big trouble.
Brain full of butterflies, squeezed rationality.
"Nah. Best yet—shop more."
"Got it."
As he nodded awkwardly, auntie chimed cheerfully.
"Lucky kid. Girlfriend this thorough—no bad deals."
Classic realtor line. "Girlfriend" slipped in naturally.
Right now, of all times.
What would Kim Seryeon say?
"......!"
Felt like she'd confessed first—Kang Saero held her breath.