Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Interference
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“This feels like a song where you’d have to suit up and steal something.”
“Yeah. That’s what I was going for.”
Amid the fast beat, unidentified mechanical sounds pounded down hard. An intensely striking sound kept stabbing at my ears.
“This one seems really memorable.”
“Yeah? I threw it together trying to do something fun…”
That was when it happened. The door suddenly burst open. I jumped in surprise and looked up, and Kang Minje quickly stood.
“You’re here?”
Who’s this?
“Oh, you’re debuting, right?”
There was an edge to his voice. I stared at him blankly before finally recognizing him.
“Vita’s Ji-ki?”
Friends Entertainment’s Vita. They were decently upper-mid-tier idols, but not top-class.
“They say you bombed it.”
I stood and bowed my head politely.
“Hello.”
“Oh, I know you.”
Ji-ki smirked awkwardly.
“You’re the one who filled in for me, right?”
Ah, so this is the guy who got busted for drunk driving and lost the franchise bakery CF.
“That CF was total trash.”
One line, and I knew exactly what kind of guy he was. I smiled brightly.
“I could never do it as well as you, sunbae.”
“You know your place, huh?”
Ji-ki pointed at Kang Minje.
“Unlike this asshole.”
Aha. No need to wait and see.
“What an idiot.”
Did Friends Entertainment have a habit of collecting a certain percentage of morons? Suddenly, I recalled the guy who’d shoved me from behind earlier, then dismissed it.
“But he hates Kang Minje?”
Oops, me too.
I glanced at Kang Minje. His neat face was expressionless.
“That’s how he looks when he’s pissed.”
I smiled again.
“In times like this, you don’t defend or argue back.”
I knew from tons of service jobs.
“I’m way lacking compared to you, sunbae.”
Ji-ki’s gaze landed on me.
I knew the right answer.
“Butter him up.”
It was ridiculous, but that’s what worked in the world.
“Even so, I ended up filling in somehow. It’s like you gave me the chance, sunbae. Thank you.”
“You really know your place, kid.”
“I’d always wanted to greet you properly if we met, so I’m glad for the opportunity. Sunbae, what brings you here?”
I smiled brightly.
“I’m happy to see you, of course.”
“Oh, the reason…”
Ji-ki glanced back at Kang Minje.
“Hey, asshole. If you use our song—the one you stole—for your debut, you’re dead.”
That was the reason.
“I already cut it out.”
“You fucking prick. If even one bar from that song shows up in yours, your other arm’s getting broken, got it?”
Whoa. Gangster mode activated.
“And the arm?”
Wow. That was fresh.
Ji-ki glared daggers before leaving. Once the door closed, Kang Minje sat back down.
I took off my headset completely.
“You okay, hyung?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah, of course.”
He didn’t look okay at all.
“Change the front door passcode right now.”
“I did, but then he pissed in the hallway.”
Dirty, sleazy bastard.
“I can kinda see why he’s like that.”
No need to look further.
“Jealousy.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. Wow, celebrities got that much free time? Jealous of a trainee?
“No CCTV?”
“He’s on it.”
Kang Minje ran a hand through his hair.
“I’m keeping the footage.”
“Clean it up nice and clear.”
“You can edit that?”
“Of course. Want me to recommend a place? My aunt knows a good one. They guarantee privacy.”
Kang Minje smirked.
“There are all sorts of ways, but…”
He sighed.
“Once we blow up, it’ll all sort itself out.”
“Dunno. You think he’ll just laugh it off and admit fault once you’re famous?”
I shook my head.
“He’ll probably act up even more as your ‘sunbae.’”
“Whatever the process, the company’ll have to choose.”
Kang Minje gave a bitter smile.
“Me or him.”
Damn.
“Deep down, I’d side with the winner, but…”
The problem was we were in the same boat.
“And that guy’s useless.”
I poked at the sponge on my headset.
“We gotta blow up. Faster and bigger than trash like Vita.”
Kang Minje rubbed his dry face.
“Yeah. So please help me.”
He looked damn desperate.
“So that’s the backstory.”
I stared at him.
“Before regression, their first album flopped…”
So what was the deal with piss-boy Vita and Ji-ki’s relationship?
“Whatever, not my business.”
Kang Minje looked up.
“Why stare like that?”
“It’s just surprising.”
“That I’m serious?”
I nodded. Kang Minje finally relaxed a bit and smiled faintly.
“You’re too much, Dowon. How do you see me?”
“A capable hyung.”
And someone like an enemy.
“Fucking bastard.”
Old memories surfaced, and I clenched my fist.
“But still, I’m glad.”
Kang Minje whispered softly.
“With you here, I feel solid.”
Damn. What’s this now?
“We’re in the same boat. I gotta blow up quick to eat too.”
“Yeah, true?”
“I need money.”
“How much?”
“The more, the better. Gotta support noona’s med school.”
No clue what kind of doctor she’d be, but everyone knew med school cost a fortune.
“And auntie’s gonna lose the election anyway.”
Having a rich nephew would help.
I quietly put my headset back on.
“Play the next track.”
“Oh, yeah.”
Soon, upbeat music filled the air. I focused silently.
***
‘What does it take for a group to blow up?’
A surprisingly basic question. If everyone knew, every idol group would make it.
“Blowing up feels like less than 1% of all members…”
Of course, I had no plans to be in that 99%.
Let’s think honestly.
“The song’s gotta be good.”
Yeah, that was the issue.
‘Friends Entertainment checks the company box.’
Top-class, so mostly no shitty planning. You’d only know after experiencing, but settlements and stuff would be less hassle.
“Song’s the problem.”
Even good companies could slip and drop weird tracks.
“How to make it work?”
I quietly pulled out my smartphone.
‘If this works…’
The Cheat was tricky.
‘Maybe this.’
I long-pressed C to switch to Cheat Mode.
[cheat mode 0/3]
[Kang Minje’s Song]
[No target found]
Ah, got it.
I quietly renamed the song Kang Minje gave me.
‘Summer flop, boring song, experimental but fun song.’
[Kang Minje’s Summer Flop Emotion]
[15%]
[cheat mode 1/3]
15%. So plain a number, I thought it failed at first.
“No way. Cheat chance wasted.”
I tapped the screen again.
[Kang Minje’s Boring Song Emotion]
[20%]
[cheat mode 2/3]
I groaned involuntarily.
“20%. Is 100% the max?”
How bad was it to score 20%?
[Kang Minje’s Experimental but Fun Song Emotion]
[98%]
[cheat mode 3/3]
I burst out laughing. I carefully wiped the screen.
‘You’re amazing, huh.’
This told you which songs would hit.
“But is 100% perfect, you?”
No answer from Cheat, naturally. I shook my head.
“Test other songs?”
But Cheats were used up.
‘The other two weren’t title material.’
Answer was clear: this song.
‘Wonder if it works for dramas or movies too.’
Couldn’t stop laughing. Right now, take any gig, but with this, I could pick.
‘Sucks limit’s three.’
Infinite would be unbeatable.
I switched my phone back to normal mode. No need to wait. I stood and headed upstairs.
‘Tell Kang Minje.’
Song hits were dice rolls, but Cheat emotion made it way easier.
Couldn’t stop laughing. Now it felt like a real Cheat.
***
Told him about the song, and Kang Minje accepted readily. He looked relieved, saying he’d talk to Executive Director Joo, and seemed genuinely happy.
‘A bit experimental, couldn’t push it, but if you say so, Dowon, I’m at ease.’
Why’s this asshole suddenly all soft? Goosebumps. I nodded like I got it and headed back downstairs.
Debut prep was rolling smoothly. You could see company folks buzzing.
***
“Let me see you for a sec.”
We were learning the new choreography. Kang Minje was off working on tracks, when my dear sunbae appeared.
Yoo Hajin smiled amiably.
“Hello, sunbae.”
The airhead Ki Jaeyoon scurried over to Vita’s Ji-ki.
“Hello! I’m Ki Jaeyoon.”
“Yeah, hi. Hey, you, come out.”
Ji-ki pointed at me. I smiled at his filthy finger.
“Me?”
What’s up?
“Yeah! You!”
Guess I had to. As I started walking, Yoo Hajin subtly blocked me.
“Um, sunbae. It’s practice time.”
“So?”
Oh boy.
I patted Yoo Hajin’s shoulder and stepped forward.
“It’s fine, hyung. Just tell the choreo teacher Vita’s Ji-ki sunbae wanted to see me. It’s Vita’s Ji-ki sunbae. No way Vita’s Ji-ki sunbae would call me for something weird. He’s Vita’s Ji-ki sunbae!”
Sunbae’s pupils trembled slightly.
“No way Vita’s Ji-ki sunbae would…”
“Yeah, got it.”
Yoo Hajin continued worriedly.
“Go and come back. I’ll tell him.”
“Yeah, hyung.”
In front of Vita’s Ji-ki, I smiled with all my heart and soul.
“What’s up, Vita’s Ji-ki sunbae?”
“Oh, uh…”
He looked flustered.
“Let’s talk outside first.”
“Yes, sunbae.”
Vita’s Ji-ki pulled down his sunglasses he’d perched on his head. Come to think, it was spring, but he wore a fur coat.
“Not hot?”
Oil dripped from the fur coat.
‘Do idols dress like that now?’
Tacky as hell.
Inside the coat, a thick gold chain gleamed.
“Hahaha.”
In other words, he’d come flexing.
‘Pathetic attempt, dude.’
What’s this idiot scheming?
I followed Vita’s Ji-ki obediently. The guy suspended for drunk driving led me to the underground parking. He pointed at an expensive foreign car.
“My ride.”
“Yeah.”
Sunglasses hid his eyes, but Ji-ki’s vibe was obvious.
‘Showing off to make me jealous?’
This guy?
‘Where to even start.’
I smiled brightly.
“Sunbae, your car looks amazing. How much? How many in Korea? Wait, how many in the world? Wow, the color!”
After the praise, Vita finally spoke.
“Limited edition. Only one in Korea. Hey, get in.”
Crazy bastard.
Moneybags, huh.
‘Vita made that much?’
Weren’t they just average mid-tier?
‘If he blew it all, maybe.’
Spend planned, spend systematic. Kid.
‘Me? Real estate.’
I pretended thrilled and got in. Nice ride, but where to?
“Feel honored. Think anyone can ride this?”
Does he really think that?
“Thank you, sunbae!”
Vita’s Ji-ki started the engine. As the car moved, I wiped my smile.