Chapter 326: The More I Look Up, the Higher You Seem
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 326: The More I Look Up, the Higher You Seem
In the kitchen, Park Ju-woo was standing by, wearing an apron.
Wait, wasn't today a school day for these kids? Once the cameras were off, I was going to sit them both down in the living room and hold a full-blown hearing.
As I stood there in confusion, Jeong Seong-bin even pulled out a chair for me at the dining table. Feeling overwhelmed by this undeservedly royal treatment, I sat down, fidgeting restlessly.
While Park Ju-woo brought over the food he had worked so hard to prepare, Jeong Seong-bin added a kind explanation.
“Today’s menu consists of a main dish made by steaming original grains, a bone marrow soup, a broth dish made with fermented beans and vegetables, and cooked meat. It will taste even better if you dip the meat in the puree made of chili peppers and beans.”
It’s just white rice, bone broth, and soybean paste stew. And he’s telling me to dip pork belly in ssamjang.
Besides, isn't the "Young Master’s" meal a bit too traditional? Where exactly is this Young Master supposed to be from?
“What about you guys? Aren't you eating?”
“We servants do not dine at the same table as the Master.”
Seong-bin said something absolutely terrifying. In a society where all men are equal, how could he say something so horrific?
“Don't be like that. Can't we just eat together?”
I pleaded desperately. Aristocrats steeped in class consciousness never come to a good end. My personal color is 100% pure proletariat. I’m not even a "friend of the worker"—I’m just a worker. I feel so wronged.
When I appealed to him with all my heart, Seong-bin replied with a smile.
“We anticipated you would say that, so we ate in advance.”
“Why are you doing this, seriously…?”
I had nothing left to say. All alone, caught between Park Ju-woo, Jeong Seong-bin, and the camera, I had to sip the lightly seasoned bone broth.
“What about Choi Je-ho? Did he eat breakfast too?”
“Sebastian has gone to the training grounds to build his strength so he can protect the Young Master.”
“You mean he went to the gym, right?”
Now that I was fully awake, I could more or less translate Seong-bin’s words. Seong-bin nodded.
Once the uncomfortable breakfast was over, Park Ju-woo busily cleared the empty dishes. When I tried to at least pre-rinse them, Ju-woo blocked me firmly. He wouldn't even let me near the rubber gloves.
“The Young Master should just sit and eat some fruit…”
“Ju-woo, I think you’re struggling to stay in character.”
The world-building education was a failure. Park Ju-woo, whose role I couldn't even figure out, presented some quite well-peeled oriental melon with an innocent face.
“Seong-bin, what did you make Ju-woo do?”
“…The role of a supporting chef whose charm lies in his sharp way of speaking.”
“The R&R setup is a bit lacking. That’s too difficult a role for a beginner.”
“I agree it was a miscalculation.”
Seong-bin pointedly looked away from his friend. Even so, his arm remained fixed in that formal 'L' shape. I had a strong premonition that this was going to be a very long day.
The journey to the practice room was anything but ordinary. Seong-bin’s acting showed no signs of stopping.
“I have prepared a cashmere shawl so that your journey may be comfortable.”
Draped in a microfiber cashmere-patterned shawl blanket while listening to 'Meditative Words to Aid Mental Stability,' I felt like I was losing my mind. Even though we were in a 21st-century carriage, it was the first time the commute felt this long.
“Before you practice your martial arts, I shall give you a massage for your safety.”
“If the setting is that my body is that weak, shouldn't the Young Master be resting instead of learning martial arts?”
“You are correct. Would you like to rest instead?”
“No.”
Seong-bin was unfazed by my sharp retort. As Park Ju-woo quickly spread a blanket in the practice room, Seong-bin simply pointed to the floor politely with both hands.
Suddenly, I found myself lying face down in front of the camera, getting a leg massage from the younger members. I felt like I was going to faint from embarrassment. I begged them to let me get up, but it was no use.
Why on earth are they doing this all of a sudden? There’s no reason for this unless they’re trying to screw with me. Like the scariest type of boss who grills you while smiling…
‘Wait.’
I had a bad feeling. Sensing my body stiffen, Seong-bin and Park Ju-woo, who were kneading my calves, stopped their hands.
“Seong-bin.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“…By any chance, did I fill up all three of my ‘Patience’ marks?”
Seong-bin replied with a smile instead of words. If I had known the price of upsetting the leader would be this harsh, I would have lived a more virtuous life.
I, Kim I-wol, had become a Young Master named February.K.Spark as punishment for upsetting Jeong Seong-bin.
The Young Master’s duties were simple. Under the care of Butler Seong-bin, I just had to wake up later than usual, eat the meals provided, get massages, and rest well.
“Did you not consider the fact that this makes me feel incredibly uncomfortable as a factor in my ‘rest’?”
“I believe that if you get enough sleep, your mind will become comfortable as well.”
Seong-bin didn't back down for a second. He was like a reed that would bend but never break. Every time I said something, he would deftly dodge my protests and maintain his concept.
I have to praise the wisdom of using this for self-produced content. Thanks to that, I couldn't even talk back and had to follow Seong-bin’s lead.
“Young Master, excessive practice is poison. Please take a moment to rest.”
“Drink some water, Young Master…”
But is it really okay for you guys to appear in our content looking like this? Is it really okay?
Choi Je-ho watched the situation from a distance. When he arrived earlier and saw Seong-bin’s suit, all he said was, “Are you really doing this?” It seemed Je-ho was also in on this wicked plan.
“Young Master, are you alright?”
Seong-bin waved a hand in front of my eyes.
“I’m not alright. I’m displeased.”
“I thought you might be, so I have summoned the musicians.”
If you thought I would be, shouldn't you have stopped? And who else are you calling?
My bewilderment was short-lived as my gaze turned toward the practice room door, which swung wide open. Choi Je-ho and Park Ju-woo were walking in, carrying a bunch of equipment.
“You guys really went all out, didn't you?”
My words scattered into the air, as no one was listening. The items the two of them brought in after another trip were… a standing microphone and electronic drum parts.
“For the Young Master who enjoys appreciating music, I have gone to great lengths to assemble the Court Musicians.”
“Is someone from the Imperial Palace allowed to work a second job like this?”
“For the Young Master’s healing, I’d even tackle a third job…”
The Court Musician replied shyly. Musician, please make sure to check your employment contract when you go home. See if there’s a non-compete clause.
The song Park Ju-woo chose was RoseD’s "46610," the one I had played at my birthday party.
Choi Je-ho, a rookie drummer who started learning earlier this year, provided the accompaniment on the electronic drums. Perhaps because he had a naturally great sense of rhythm, he was playing quite faithfully to the basics despite not having held the sticks for long.
『What am I, this being called "me"? Walking the same path as others, yet never fitting in.
I am so small and insignificant, I probably won't even be seen among the giant stars…』
Park Ju-woo’s singing went without saying. His claim that it was a song by a band he liked must have been true, as his pronunciation and pitch were flawless. His tightly closed eyes drew the viewer even deeper into the performance.
『If you find me, please give me a name.
So that people can remember me.』
His healthy throat belted out high notes that sounded like metal strings scraping, much like an electric guitar. Veins bulged on the hand gripping the microphone.
『I want to remain, anywhere.
Please make a place for me to stay.』
The final verse and Choi Je-ho’s drum solo marked the end of the song. It was a performance that demanded applause.
“…How was it?”
Park Ju-woo asked, wiping a bead of sweat from his chin. No matter how much he lacked stamina, singing a single song wouldn't usually make him sweat. It meant he had poured that much power into the song.
“You’re not a Court Musician for nothing. Your skill is amazing.”
“It is an honor…”
Ju-woo bowed at the waist. I pointed at Choi Je-ho, who was sitting crookedly with a drumstick against his shoulder.
“Is that man also a Court Musician? His attitude is quite poor.”
“He is a street musician, Young Master.”
“I do exactly what you ask, and you still have something to say.”
Je-ho grumbled at the conversation between Seong-bin and me.
“No, I was moved. I’m so glad we could capture this for our content.”
“Yeah.”
“I didn't know you were at the level where you could play the whole song.”
“Do you have any idea how much Park Ju-woo stares at me whenever it’s time to go to the academy?”
Translated, that meant he had worked hard to meet Ju-woo’s expectations.
“Je-ho Hyung, you’re really amazing…”
Park Ju-woo looked like the happiest person in the world. He was probably the largest and most joyful chinchilla on the planet.
The "Making Kim I-wol a Young Master" content became even noisier when the student group arrived.
“Young Master Cheong-hyeon, who was studying abroad, is here!”
Lee Cheong-hyeon actually showed up dressed for the part. I began to wonder exactly when Jeong Seong-bin had started preparing this content.
“If I’m a Young Master and you’re a Young Master, doesn't that make us brothers?”
“I’ll give you a choice. One, we’re sons of neighboring noble families who are close. Two, I’ll take you in as my younger brother.”
“Given that there are nobles living in the neighborhood, the fief must not be very large.”
So, in the end, Lee Cheong-hyeon became my younger brother. When the number of Young Masters for Seong-bin to serve increased, Kang Gi-yeon volunteered to be a servant.
The two Young Masters, the butler, the guardian knight, the servant, and the chef had to devote a long time to dance practice. No matter how noble the family, there was no business like a comeback period.
Of course, the butler’s intensive care intervened every now and then.
“Young Master, please have a sip of water before you continue.”
“Would you like to rest for a moment?”
“Young Master, your posture is magnificent!”
Thanks to that, the Young Master’s mental state was in tatters. I had promised to go to bed before 2 AM tonight, but it wasn't working.
But is this my fault? What can I do if practice ends late because the student group comes in the afternoon?
After practice, I have to write my reflection journal and plan for tomorrow. I have to do my skincare and think about the future. Even if I sleep as early as possible, it’s still 2 AM!
“This is unfair. I’m going to report this.”
“Report what? Are you going to sue Seong-bin Hyung for taking care of you with food and blankets because he’s worried about you?”
“Sigh…”
The corners of Kang Gi-yeon’s mouth twitched. That guy—he thinks my situation is hilarious. It was clear that every single one of them was finding joy in putting me in a bind.