Chapter 42
Chapter 42
As I shook Kim Gi-bok's hand and told him to take good care of things, Choi Ho-cheol didn't look offended right away; he looked surprised.
He had that "I thought I was obviously going to be picked? You're not picking me?" look on his face.
It wasn't just him who thought that way.
It seemed even Cheon Tae-o had expected that I would work with Nampodong Nuclear Fist.
"Composer STB is quite well-regarded in his own right. I hope you two work well together. Then, naturally, Composer Nampodong Nuclear Fist will be working with Oasis."
Choi Ho-cheol nodded.
"Well. Nothing to be particularly disappointed about. The Oasis kids are charming enough. Though, Team Leader-nim, was it? I do wonder if you'll regret this. I showed a bit of arrogance today, so I wonder if that's why."
So he knew he was an asshole.
"At this point, a composer should show his worth through songs, not words. Team Leader Park, and everyone in Oasis, just trust me. I'll make a killer song and bring it to you."
"Th-thank you!"
At Choi Ho-cheol's words, the Oasis members jumped up again, bent at the waist at a 90-degree angle, and bowed.
Regardless of what kind of human Choi Ho-cheol was.
Putting that aside, Nampodong Nuclear Fist's fame and skill were real.
In a way, perhaps everyone had expected that outcome.
Regardless of personality or intuition.
In the end, the entertainment industry was a cruel place where only those with skill survived.
"In a way, it feels like everyone has found their place. This is right."
"Hmm."
As if he didn't even remember Choi Ho-cheol's behavior.
Park Ju-yong also nodded with a satisfied expression.
That guy really only cares if the result is good.
"It seems to have resulted in an outcome that satisfies everyone. I like it, too."
Cheon Tae-o nodded.
Then, he turned his back.
I thought he was just leaving, but he called me late.
"Ah. Team Leader-nim. Could you follow me for a moment?"
"Yes?"
"I have a gift in the car. I wanted to give it to you."
"Ah. Yes. Understood."
Tense, I followed Cheon Tae-o down to the parking lot.
I was momentarily dazed by his fancy foreign car.
"Want me to get you one? I can get you one of the popular models these days if you want."
"Yes? Ah. No. The Carnival I'm driving now is the best."
Even if I drove an expensive car alone now, I didn't think I'd be particularly happy.
Whether going to the dermatology clinic.
Or going shopping, the Carnival, filled with the kids, listening to music, and being noisy, was truly the best.
"You really have no greed. That's why I'm more worried. People without greed..."
"......."
"Are not easy to handle, you see."
My body stiffened instantly.
It felt like an unexpected remark had struck and pierced my brain.
"......."
"......."
A brief silence followed.
If the air became this uncomfortable, I would usually be tempted to say something like, "Actually, I was joking," and spout some lip service.
Cheon Tae-o didn't do that at all.
I could feel his intent and deliberation in that.
He said it on purpose for me to hear.
Furthermore, Cheon Tae-o had no intention of denying it.
"I... have plenty of greed."
As I said that to Cheon Tae-o, who was getting into the car.
Cheon Tae-o, sitting in the driver's seat, rolled down the window and showed his face as he spoke.
"That is a very fortunate thing to hear. I like people with greed."
Because they're easy to handle?
I almost blurted out that question.
But not yet.
'I still have a long way to go.'
It wasn't just the power of Novel that got me this far.
My own effort and growth were definitely a part of it.
But that portion was only as big as an eye booger.
There was still a huge gap between me and a man who had built a company from the ground up as a representative.
"I felt a variety of emotions for the first time in a long while today."
"......."
"Despite having some expectations from Team Leader-nim's confidence. A feeling of being moved, surpassing even that, came over me. For a moment, I saw hope right there. I almost said as much in front of everyone."
"......."
"I also almost felt disappointed. Wondering if you made that decision simply to be considerate of the Oasis kids, or because you didn't like the person."
Isn't it truly funny?
He doesn't openly harass or belittle me like Park Ju-yong does.
Yet, I feel like I'm shrinking.
What's scariest is that this man's eye for detail is incomparably sharper than Park Ju-yong's.
"But thinking about it. I think I felt the same way when I first brought those children in."
"......!"
"I gave you the position of Team Leader. I wondered who you would keep bringing in. As the trainers said, they were children who were less than chicks at first. But those chicks are already hens. No, they are becoming dignified peacocks, ready to fly."
"......."
"Thinking about that. It seems you are looking at something different from us, Team Leader-nim. At this point, it even feels like God has bestowed something upon you, Team Leader-nim. As if just because He wants to see something interesting. Hahaha. I'm just saying this because I thought that's what I would do if I were God, so don't take it too seriously."
[.......]
Cheon Tae-o soon turned his head forward and said.
"I don't know about others. But I can trust you, Team Leader-nim. Yes. I will trust you."
Seeing him about to step on the accelerator, I opened my mouth.
I wonder why I know this information.
I think I saw it when I went to the zoo as a child.
"Representative-nim. Peacocks don't really like to fly. Instead, they only take flight when they encounter a natural predator or need to run away."
I said this hoping he wouldn't pressure me any further.
"I see. I will remember that."
Why is it?
I feel like Cheon Tae-o was thinking that if that were the case, he would just break their wings.
"Ah. Right. Here is some ginseng. Eat this and work even harder."
"Yes?"
He handed me the luxurious box sitting in the passenger seat, and before I could even give a proper thank you, Representative Cheon Tae-o drove off with a vroom and disappeared into the distance.
"Ginseng? Fuck. Does he want me to fuck harder after eating this or what?"
[This looks like a top-tier product.]
[It's ginseng worth about 20 million won.]
"Eek!"
At the mention that the box in my hand was worth that much, I almost dropped it without realizing.
That was a close call.
'I still have a long way to go.'
Trembling over 20 million won?
How am I supposed to deal with Cheon Tae-o, who I don't even know what he's thinking?
That bastard might really break our lovely chicks' wings.
"Peacocks, my ass. Anyone can see our kids are gamecocks. Let's just give the ginseng to my parents."
As I turned around.
"Ah. You scared me."
I clutched my chest.
Because the Oasis kids, looking like they were about to cry, were staring at me with their three faces gathered together.
They looked like three abandoned kittens in a box.
"Thank you. Team Leader-nim."
"Thank you so much."
"Thank you."
The Oasis kids seemed like they were going crazy with gratitude toward me.
Frankly speaking, if I asked them to sleep with me right now, would they do it right away?
[But you still need to ravish the Oasis girls.]
[It's not for Master's sake, but because those children can only succeed to a certain extent with the Blessing of Sex.]
Ah.
So in the end, they're fated to become my fuck-toys, is that it?
'Well. Then this situation isn't so bad.'
The Oasis kids were under a huge misunderstanding right now.
They had asked me for a favor without shame, and in a situation where anyone would have chosen Nampodong Nuclear Fist, I chose STB.
So, from their perspective, it was understandable that they thought I had been considerate of them.
'I really only chose him because STB's success probability was ridiculously higher.'
It was a selfish decision.
Apart from feeling sorry for the Oasis kids.
I had made the decision putting our kids first.
'No need to clear up the misunderstanding.'
If I'm going to fuck them later, building up favorability is fine.
Because then it'll be easier to fuck them.
However.
I have to choose my words carefully.
"I saw you guys working hard. I thought if you just met a good composer, you'd succeed. And in my opinion, Composer STB's songs are good enough, too."
"Th-that's true."
The Oasis kids couldn't answer right away.
I understand.
Because unlike how STB looks gentle and well-mannered.
Many of his songs are obscene.
[Her Ass]
[bodytouch]
[Looking at songs like this, he's practically a 19+ erotic novel writer, isn't he?]
Suddenly, I'm worried. Fuck.
He wouldn't make our kids wear bikinis and dance, would he?
It's even scarier when a guy who looks gentle stabs you in the back.
'No. You're the one who showed me the information in the first place.'
[But the decision is made by Master.]
[I am an AI, after all. A being that assists Master.]
"Um. Team Leader-nim. If there's anything you want us to do, just tell us. We'll jump out of bed in our dorms and come running."
Don't forget that, you guys.
You might really have to jump out of bed and suck my dick.
"Team Leader-nim, the unnies won't say anything, right?"
Watching the kids who were even secretly worrying about me, I was about to say it's okay.
But there were kids who showed it with actions without needing to say it.
"It's okay."
"Ah!"
Unable to wait, Hee-ju Eun came down to the underground parking lot and clung to me.
The other kids don't cling like this.
At this point, I wonder if there's a magnet on my shoulder.
"We will succeed. No matter what. And as a soloist, too."
"She has no filter in front of the other unnies. And you're an idol, you shouldn't keep clinging to the Team Leader-nim like that."
"......."
Hee-ju stepped away quietly.
She's improved a lot compared to before.
She doesn't ignore her unnies' words completely anymore.
"As for us, we'll just follow Team Leader-nim's opinion."
"That's amazing."
Not just the Oasis kids, but I was also slightly moved.
There was a deep trust between us, as if they would follow me into a pit of fire without hesitation if I asked.
[You've mixed bodies so much, it would be stranger if there wasn't.]
You always ruin the good moments.
"Ah. You were still here?"
Beep beep-.
Maybe it's time for everyone to head back.
Choi Ho-cheol appeared, showing off his fancy foreign car keys.
"I couldn't say it properly earlier, but while you have a good eye for idols, Team Leader-nim, your eye for composers seems a bit shitty?"
[Success probability -3%]
I don't think it's wrong at all.
Isn't 3 percent basically the probability of winning the lottery?
If it's 3 percent even with our kids, what kind of person are you?
"It's not like that."
"Well. Don't regret it. Though it'll be hard not to regret it once the results come out. Oasis kids, just trust me."
With a wink, the Oasis kids' facial muscles twitched at his disgusting wink.
"Ah. Please take care of us."
Vrooooom-!
"Ugh! Loud."
Watching Choi Ho-cheol leave while sending an "Adios" along with the sound of a sports car with crazy exhaust noise, I said to the Oasis kids.
"If that guy doesn't just give you songs, but makes strange demands using that as an excuse..."
"Ah! Then I should say, 'No, I don't like it, help me,' and then hit his head with a chair, right?"
"Uh. Um. Just call me."
Kids these days have a scary side.
Hitting someone's head with a chair is murder.
A moment later, it finally comes into view.
Kim Gi-bok, who has plenty of piercings and tattoos that make him look like he works in the underground, comes down.
"Did you bring your car, Composer-nim?"
"Ah. I came by subway. It's close to the station, and I don't really like driving."
Considering he made 19+ songs like Her Ass and bodytouch, his personality seems quite diligent.
Still, I hope he doesn't debut our kids with songs like that.
Like My Sexy Lips.
He wouldn't make a song like that, would he?
"Um. Team Leader-nim."
"Yes?"
"Today. I feel like I've seen the light for the first time."
It's not even late, and the sun is blazing.
What is this crazy guy talking about?
"I even felt a sense of duty that I must make that light brighter. So I will grind my soul to make the song."
"Uh. Yes. Please do."
Let's really ask him to. Fuck.
[Success probability 97%]
Right?
This isn't going to suddenly crash like Bitcoin with fluctuating probabilities, is it?
As I was trembling with anxiety.
[You have received an email.]
[Sender - STB]
Two days later, a song was completed and sent to us.