Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: How Much Did You Have in Mind?
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The destination was surprisingly close. No, extremely close.
“Order whatever you want with this.”
He handed me Vita’s Ji-ki’s card. I smiled innocently and stood up from my seat.
‘Fucking psycho.’
The place we arrived at in the sports car was a café just ten minutes away.
‘Why take the car when you could’ve walked?’
Ah. Maybe the point was to show off.
“Is it okay if I order something expensive?”
“Of course. I’ll have an espresso.”
I snickered. He must think there’s a limit to how expensive things get at a chain café. What does he take me for?
I got up and went to the counter.
“How can I help you with your order?”
“One espresso, please. What’s the most expensive drink here?”
The barista’s pupils trembled for a moment.
“Fr, from the frappuccinos, how about adding all the extras?”
“Yes, that sounds good. Throw in everything you can.”
I handed over the card Vita’s Ji-ki had given me. The barista hesitated before processing the payment. I flashed a bright smile and fiddled with the pen in my shirt pocket.
This was the recorder my aunt had given me.
‘I never imagined I’d actually have to use this thing.’
I quietly turned the dial. Soon they called my name, and I picked up the coffee and returned to the table.
“What the hell did you order?”
“Something delicious. It’s trending these days. Hang on a sec.”
I snapped a photo with my smartphone.
“They told me to start SNS, so I was wondering what to post. Thanks, sunbae. Fan service is no joke.”
Ji-ki swallowed hard as he stared at the massive pile of whipped cream I’d ordered.
“It looks more like ice cream than a drink.”
“That does look tasty.”
Huh.
‘Is this his thing?’
So why’d this guy order something bitter?
Sure enough, Ji-ki grimaced as he sipped his espresso.
‘Such a poser.’
He looked utterly ridiculous.
“You, listen up.”
“Yes, sunbae?”
Ji-ki put on a solemn expression.
“Be my hands and feet.”
What the hell does that mean?
I asked as politely as possible.
“Sunbae? Could you explain?”
“Be my hands and feet. Mess with that guy Kang Min-je a bit.”
Huh.
But hold on? Dear highly respected sunbae? Do you really need someone to be your hands and feet just to bully a person?
“Consider it an honor.”
Ah, damn it.
‘He’s not kidding. He means it.’
It was pathetic. I quietly rubbed my dry face. This fucker was insane.
‘He’s not just childish—he’s deranged.’
Why does trash like this even exist?
“Um, sunbae. I’m on the same team as Kang Min-je.”
“I know. Torment him until he coughs up a flop.”
“Then I’d flop too? You want my debut track to tank? That’s a death sentence.”
Do I look like an idiot?
“Of course there’ll be benefits. If you’re my hands and feet, I’ll take you to the clubs.”
Fucking psycho.
“I’m in middle school year three now.”
Shouldn’t I be hitting up chain burger joints more than clubs at my age?
“It’s fine. Just follow me in.”
This guy’s hopeless. What do I do?
“Don’t you wanna fool around with some sexy girls? They’ve got plenty of booze there too.”
I’m a minor, asshole.
“Entertainment’s not bad, I guess.”
Though it was extremely bad.
“But I prefer something more solid.”
His eyes trembled. I snickered.
‘He doesn’t get it.’
Guys without tact don’t last long. This one wouldn’t survive three minutes in service work.
“How much are you offering?”
His eyes trembled again.
‘Doesn’t have much cash, huh?’
Must cost a fortune to maintain that foreign car.
“Uh, how much do you want?”
“Well, I need money. You’re Vita’s Ji-ki, right? The great Ji-ki from hotshot Vita wouldn’t be short on cash. Vita’s Ji-ki has tons of money, doesn’t he?”
I quietly launched my attack on Vita’s Ji-ki. His eyes shook mercilessly.
“If it’s a no, forget it. We’re all just chasing money here, but the risks are too high, don’t you think?”
Damn it. Just let me go, you moron.
“I’ll get going now. You don’t have to drive me back. It’s close enough to walk.”
I stood up, leaving the expensive drink untouched. That’s when it happened. The esteemed Vita’s Ji-ki grabbed my sleeve.
“I’ll, I’ll give you money!”
Huh.
‘For real?’
Is this guy nuts?
“How much?”
“F-Five hun—”
Come on, sunbae, you joking?
“I’m heading out.”
“Hey! Sit down. If you leave like this, I’m the one who gets in trouble.”
Whoa.
‘What’s this now?’
So he’s not acting on his own?
‘Middleman, huh?’
I barely suppressed a laugh. Who the hell pulls this pointless crap?
‘This changes everything.’
I meekly sat back down.
“Sunbae.”
“Y-Yeah?”
“How much did you have in mind?”
Yongsan’s electronics market popped into my head, but I kept talking.
“Fifty million.”
“Hey!”
“Anything less, and it’s a no. Sunbae.”
I smiled brightly.
“My debut track could tank over this. It’s gotta be worth at least that, right?”
A normal guy would haggle here. But somehow, I doubted this one would.
“F-Fine. I’ll ask.”
As expected. You’re going with asking around. No haggling power, huh, Vita’s Ji-ki?
“Who’re you asking?”
“Can’t say.”
I couldn’t hold back the laugh this time. I finally stood up for real. The difference? I took the whipped cream monstrosity with me.
He didn’t grab me on the way out this time. I skipped away whistling.
‘Must be my good karma—free money falling from the sky.’
Once I was away from him, I laughed freely. Being an entertainer’s intro was thrilling as hell.
***
I handed over the USB with the recording. In the studio, Kang Min-je blinked dumbly.
“What’s this?”
“The conversation Vita’s Ji-ki had with me today.”
Kang Min-je’s eyes narrowed.
‘He’s got an idea who it is.’
He played it right away. Our dialogue with Ji-ki blared from the speakers.
‘Ah….’
Kang Min-je rubbed his dry face immediately.
“Trying to sabotage our debut?”
“I almost said no right there, but once I realized Ji-ki was just a mid-boss, I couldn’t pass it up.”
I sat in the chair opposite and set down the whipped cream disaster.
“Plus, if they’re gonna play dirty, I’m the better target than the other members.”
It’s a noble sacrifice, you know.
“And I figured I’d handle the resolution myself.”
“Dowon…”
“Min-je hyung, didn’t realize you had so many enemies.”
“You know who’s behind Ji-ki?”
Whoa, he already knows the identity.
“Vita’s Kiki.”
I couldn’t quite picture him. I tilted my head, and Kang Min-je searched Vita on his phone and showed me.
“This guy. Vita’s leader.”
“Got it. Vita’s got so many big names, I didn’t know. Honestly, they’re not that huge. But this prick.”
I rested my chin on my hand and grinned.
“Why’s he being such a dick?”
“I gave him a song once, but Kiki kinda sucked at it. I reassigned the parts to other members, and that’s when he noticed.”
Producers beefing with idols? Wild career.
“Ah, must be ‘cause you’re too good, hyung.”
“No, not that… or is it?”
What’re you on about?
“Anyway, he’s offering money. Hyung.”
“This is insane. I’ll tell Executive Director Joo right now.”
“No, hyung. From the vibe, if this gets blocked, they’ll try something else.”
Sloppy now, but later it might be tighter.
“Then what do we do?”
Good question. What’s the best way to wrap this up smoothly?
I fiddled with my smartphone in my pocket.
‘How to use this efficiently?’
No ideas came, so I flicked the table lightly. When I looked up, I saw Kang Min-je avoiding my eyes.
What’s up?
‘Didn’t know this guy was so sensitive.’
That’s unexpected.
“Sorry, Dowon.”
“For what?”
“For dragging you into this mess.”
I snickered.
“Not as shameless as I thought, huh, Min-je hyung?”
Figured you’d brush this off.
“It’s not your fault anyway. And dealing with other people would be a headache, so I’m tanking it myself. Don’t worry.”
Kang Min-je’s eyes trembled again.
“How do you think this’ll play out?”
“The company won’t ditch Vita.”
Huh.
“They’re the top earners right now.”
“Surprising. Thought it was Yumi.”
“Female solo and male group are different beasts. If Joo asks who’s most profitable—me or Vita?—he’d pick Vita.”
“Cold.”
“But once we debut and blow up, it changes.”
Kang Min-je let out a small sigh.
“Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. What now?”
“Time passes, we succeed, and it’s over. Guys like this are weak against the strong.”
Conclusion reached.
“Don’t tell Joo. Let’s buy some time so Vita thinks this worked.”
That way, the money rolls in.
‘Side hustle goldmine.’
Kang Min-je stared holes into the whipped cream mess I’d handed him.
“You sure that’s okay?”
“Hyung, 10 million isn’t chump change. And it’s 50 million.”
I couldn’t help laughing.
How do taxes work on this? Gift tax? Ask auntie?
‘Ah, cash avoids it.’
That’s why apple boxes are famous, huh.
‘News to me.’
Seeing me laugh, Kang Min-je sighed.
“What about the song? They’re not seriously pushing a flop, right?”
“Just act like it’s tough, like it’s stuck. Show ‘em some weird tracks.”
“Dowon.”
“Aren’t you curious? Would they really cough up that cash for something like this?”
50 million’s pocket change for the rich, but Ji-ki and Kiki didn’t scream loaded.
Sure, idols rake it in.
‘But their entertainment spending must be brutal.’
Idols blowing cash on nightlife? Smart move.
“Don’t you wanna screw ‘em over?”
“You’re a devil, kid. But until when?”
“Till the track drops. If a banger comes out, they’ll figure it out.”
“They’ll be pissed then.”
“Blame your genius—I tried to sabotage but couldn’t.”
If they buy it, great. If not, whatever.
“This is nuts.”
Kang Min-je rubbed his dry face.
“Hyung, why the good guy act? You wanna stick it to ‘em too.”
That’s the Min-je I know.
“Right?”
He lowered his hands.
“Yeah, I do.”
“Then let’s burn 50 million.”
“Dowon, idols make bank, sure, but Vita’s cash flow is tight right now.”
“Ah, ‘cause of the DUI? Pushed back their comeback?”
“Yeah. Concert’s canned too.”
“Who cares?”
Kang Min-je’s eyes trembled.
“Why should I give a damn about their problems? They started this shit.”
Vita punches, and we gotta hold back?
“You really gonna take the money?”
“If they offer. Free cash. 50 mil can save or end lives depending. Why say no?”
“Ah, seriously!”
Kang Min-je hung his head.
‘Come on, drop the nice guy routine.’
That’s not you, Kang Min-je.
“I didn’t egg him on. Ji-ki tried shoving me into the devil’s pit of nightlife on his own.”
Great move on a minor.
“Evil deserves payback.”
From a punk like Ji-ki?
“But money, though. Like I thought earlier, you scheming is devilish.”
I couldn’t hold back the laugh.
“It’s not even a scheme. Barely anything. They’re just idiots. Devil, huh? Angels are overrated these days anyway.”
Hearing that from Kang Min-je, though.
He stared at me for a long while, then whispered softly.
“I’ll do it. The act.”
Quick on the uptake.
“Good choice, customer.”