Chapter 531: Reason for the Band
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 531: Reason for the Band
“Jame—no... did Bong-geun really say that?”
Choi Jin-ah asked me back with a bewildered expression. She had almost called him James, but seeing as his current vibe suited 'Bong-geun' better, she seemed to have switched the name.
“Yeah. He said he wanted to come, too.”
“...I guess he’s pretty bored, too.”
“Well, he can experience things with us that his chaebol friends could never give him.”
“And what would those be?”
“Hatred. Just pure, maddening hatred.”
“....”
“It’s like a drug. There comes a moment when common sense just collapses, you know? The second that happens, 'you' as a person cease to exist, and you just become a total dumbass.”
“...And that’s a good thing?”
“How many times in life do you actually get the chance to just let yourself go?”
As I nodded, Choi Jin-ah tilted her head and asked, “Isn't that just what happens when you're wasted on alcohol?”
“...Correct, Violinist.”
“What’s with that response?”
If it had been Seo Ye-rin, she would have immediately shouted, 'Take it all!'
“Anyway, no need to order dinner. He said he’d bring something delicious, so we should wait. I guess we’re having a forced sleepover tonight?”
“This is my house, though,” Choi Jin-ah grumbled.
Still, she didn't seem to actually hate the idea.
Well, putting that aside.
“What’s up with him?”
I pointed toward the corner of the living room, where Kang Han-gang was curled up on the floor. Choi Jin-ah answered, looking a bit embarrassed.
“I think I hit him too hard. He says it hurts.”
“F-fuck... someone call the police on that girl...”
I heard Kang Han-gang’s words, which sounded like a dying man's last testament, but they didn't seem particularly important, so I pretended not to hear.
“It’s because he doesn't know how to brace his core. Has he never exercised? Should I call Ju-hee Unni?”
“...Don't do that.”
Kang Han-gang might actually die.
“I’ve been working out hard with Ju-hee Unni, so I even have abs.”
Choi Jin-ah patted her stomach with confidence. When I frowned, thinking she was talking nonsense, she pushed her stomach out toward me.
“Feel it.”
I gave it a poke, and it was a bit firm.
But calling them 'abs' was a bit of a stretch.
“You call these abs?”
“...Maybe it’s because of the pizza I just ate.”
Tilting her head, Choi Jin-ah scurried away as if making an escape. Just then, the doorbell rang.
Jeong Chan-woo, who had been getting scolded over the phone by Yoo Ah-rin, was heading toward the living room, so I went to open the door.
The Bald Man entered with a bright, beaming smile.
“Aigo, it feels so good to be greeted by such a handsome lad!”
“Shit! Who called the old man again?!”
Ah, I guess I forgot to tell Chan-woo I’d called him.
But since he said he’d help us, it was obvious he’d come. This was Jeong Chan-woo’s fault for living life without thinking.
“Kids, I brought some drinks and sweets for you all to eat.”
I wasn't a fan of the fact that most of it was 'cute' stuff like strawberries and whipped cream, but it did taste good.
But strawberry mochi? I really couldn't stomach that.
Strawberry mochi brought by a middle-aged man...
I don't know why, but I just didn't want to eat it.
“Mmm, this is delicious.”
Choi Jin-ah happily finished off the leftovers.
Then, the doorbell rang again.
It was Bong-geun.
“Long time no see.”
As Bong-geun entered the living room, everyone’s reaction was uniformly indifferent.
“Why’d you call him?”
“Seriously, is this Gag Concert? Why do guests keep getting added one by one?”
“Are you trying to tell the whole world we’re starting a band? Are we going on the National Singing Contest or something?”
“You eat the rest of the strawberry mochi.”
The idiots gave him a cold reception, as expected. What good was adding another guy to the mix?
You might ask if a chaebol friend isn't precious.
I’m a chaebol, too.
“Oh my, he’s handsome, isn't he?”
Of course, the Bald Man welcomed him.
“Ahem, you haven't had dinner yet, right?”
Perhaps he wanted to prove his usefulness somehow. Bong-geun made a phone call, and soon after, a group of people who looked like professional chefs swarmed in.
They even brought all sorts of ingredients; I thought it was a catering service.
Actually, it was a catering service.
While there weren't many menu items, the quality was top-notch, and most of the food was high-end.
“Shit, what is all this?”
Unlike me, who was bewildered, the other guys' reactions changed instantly.
“A true friend! Ah, now this is a friend!”
“His spending habits are just on a different level compared to that bastard Kim Woo-jin. This is a real man.”
“Wow, I’m actually experiencing this kind of luxury because I have a chaebol friend. This is insane.”
“Why are you only getting here now? I’ve been waiting for you.”
Amidst the idiots' immediate cheers, Bong-geun nodded and crossed his arms.
Taking it as a signal to worship him more, the idiots praised him as if they were ready to kiss his ass.
If they asked the Bald Man, he might actually do it.
‘...I think he’s aiming for his butt, though.’
He seemed to be intentionally standing right behind Bong-geun. Maybe it was just my imagination.
Choi Jin-ah, who should have been the most indignant, had already scurried over to the chefs, drooling as she asked about the menu.
“What is this?”
“It’s a young lamb steak with butter and shrimp. We brought a smokeless grill, but if we aren't allowed to grill meat inside, we can do it separately outside—”
“No, no! It’s fine! The ventilation here is great!”
She called out to me with a bright smile.
“Woo-jin, look at this. They say it’s young lamb steak! Do you know how tender it is?”
“....”
“James is so generous. Unlike someone else?”
“You’re a chaebol, too.”
“I ran away from home, remember?”
“....”
“Home? Like a pancake house? Mmm, now I want pancakes.”
I really couldn't hold back and smacked the back of her head.
* * *
After eating the luxurious dinner Bong-geun provided, we were all sitting on the sofa.
The chefs had finished and left.
They had left the remaining food in insulated containers so we could have them as late-night snacks.
“Ahem.”
We were currently staring at Bong-geun.
It was because he had said he wanted to join the band, too.
‘I guess he’s been bored lately.’
This was the guy who used to refuse to join, saying such things were meaningless.
So, we were currently conducting an interview.
We were testing Bong-geun to see if he was better than Pyo Jin-ho.
Naturally, Pyo Jin-ho’s pout was sticking out a mile.
“Ahem, is there an instrument you can play?”
As Choi Jin-ah asked while munching on steak, Bong-geun answered boastfully.
“I can just hire someone who plays an instrument, so why would I play one myself?”
“...If I were just a bit better at fighting, I would have fought you right here.”
Choi Jin-ah clenched and unclenched her fist with regret. As a musician, that was a statement she found hard to overlook.
“Still, wouldn't Jin-ho Hyung be better since he’s been practicing?”
At Jeong Chan-woo’s question, a few people nodded. Unless he was amazing at the drums, there didn't seem to be a reason to switch.
Kang Han-gang, who had already been won over by the buffet, said with a laugh, “Hey, Jin-ho’s skills are pretty mediocre anyway. Anyone could catch up with just a little practice.”
That was hard to deny.
If he didn't like it, he should have practiced harder.
“Ahem, what about singing? Try singing something.”
If he couldn't play an instrument, let’s hear him sing. At Choi Jin-ah’s words, Bong-geun skillfully gripped the TV remote like a microphone and began to sing.
“Oh?”
He was actually quite good.
I was taken aback because he was much better than expected.
After listening, Choi Jin-ah tilted her head and said, “I think we need to replace the vocalist.”
Faced with the sudden threat of being fired, Kang Han-gang shouted urgently, “No! Then there would be two outsiders!”
“We can just drop Jin-ho and have you play the drums, Han-gang.”
“Are you disregarding all the hard work Jin-ho put into practicing?!”
“....”
“....”
“....”
Didn't he just say a moment ago that Pyo Jin-ho’s skills were mediocre and anyone could catch up?
“Sigh, then what do you want to do? It seems clear that someone has to be sacrificed for a better performance.”
Choi Jin-ah asked quite seriously.
Even without anyone saying it, everyone knew.
Having Bong-geun sing would drastically improve the quality of the stage.
Pyo Jin-ho looked wronged, but what could he do?
Only one outsider could join, and comparing Pyo Jin-ho to Bong-geun, Bong-geun had the overwhelming advantage in almost every aspect.
Even visually, Bong-geun had a foreign vibe that felt unique and fresh.
“It’s a shame, but Jin-ho Hyung, you should just assist us.”
When I spoke up, Ahn Hyun-ho and Jeong Chan-woo added their bits.
“Yeah, Hyung, you just be the bread shuttle.”
“Hyung, can you go to the convenience store and buy some milk for tomorrow morning?”
These bastards were adapting to the change way too fast.
“Hyung, I’ll take chocolate milk. Hershey’s.”
Well, I might as well get my order in, too.
Pyo Jin-ho’s expression of injustice grew even more extreme, but none of us felt sorry for him.
I mean, it’s not like we’re going to make money with this band.
We were all participating half-forcibly anyway, so what did it matter who was in it?
“This happens often. Members change due to musical differences or limitations in skill. It’s part of the process. If you overcome it and move forward, you can stand at the summit.”
I ignored Choi Jin-ah’s voice as she added that last bit as if she were talking about herself.
The Bald Man sat down next to Pyo Jin-ho and took his hand.
“It’s okay. Let’s practice together with me.”
“....”
I felt like they’d be practicing something else entirely.
I decided not to say anything.
“Ahem, then it’s settled, right? James takes vocals, and Han-gang takes the drums. We’re going for something simple anyway, so drum proficiency won't be an issue.”
“...No.”
Just then, Kang Han-gang walked up to Jin-ho.
He looked quite determined.
“We’re going with the original members.”
Look at him being stubborn.
However, Choi Jin-ah was also quite firm when it came to music.
“I’m sorry, but please follow the Captain’s orders. For the sake of the band’s completion, it’s much better for James to take the vocals.”
“....”
“It’s for a good performance, right? Why are we here? We’re gathered here to show a better stage. So, for the greater good—”
“No, I’m sorry, but we aren't here to show a 'good stage.'”
Everyone’s eyes turned to Kang Han-gang.
I tilted my head, wondering what could possibly be more important for a band than a good performance.
Kang Han-gang mentioned the one thing he had been consistent about from the very beginning.
“We’re doing this to get popular with girls. Especially the vocalist—they get all the attention. I’m sorry, but I’m not giving up the vocal spot.”
“....”
“....”
“....”
A moment of collective silence followed.
Choi Jin-ah nodded with a blank expression.
“Fine, do whatever you want.”
* * *
Time passed.
The day of the festival.
The bustling preparation period for the festival was in full swing.
The sun was still high, and the festival was just starting to gear up, but Gahyeon University was already buzzing with an overall sense of excitement.
“Hey, let’s hang out with Chan-woo.”
“...Why?”
Ahn Hyun-ho had called me over.
He had dressed up quite a bit for the festival, and he grinned at my question.
“It creates a vibe. With the three of us, I’m the 'Rough' one, Chan-woo is the 'Smooth' one, and you’re the 'Wallet.'”
“Stop talking shit.”
“We’re even carrying our instruments, so we look pretty legit.”
Ahn Hyun-ho had a guitar on his back, and I had a bass on mine, so we did look somewhat the part.
Doesn't doing music always make you look a bit cooler?
“Don't you feel bad for Gyu-a?”
“If her boyfriend is popular with other girls, she’ll just feel proud, won't she? Don't you feel that way?”
“No, I don't.”
The moment I draw a girl’s attention, I’m getting a kick to the shin.
And then my chin will be grabbed as I’m forced to answer who’s prettier: her or the girl I just looked at.
Well, to be fair, it’s not actual jealousy but more like couple's banter. Still, it could be low-key terrifying sometimes.
While waiting for Jeong Chan-woo to arrive, I called Kang Han-gang.
He said he’d definitely be here to practice.
“He’s not picking up?”
“I don't know, why is he—oh, he picked up. Hello, Han-gang Sunbae.”
Why did this guy take so long to answer?
— He... (cough!) ...llo.
“...What the fuck is wrong with your voice?”