Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Do You Have Evidence?
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Ki Jae-yoon's face flushed red again.
“Hey, you cocky bastard. You're definitely gonna come out crying. You think you can do everything Hyung Min-je wants?”
A laugh burst out of me for a moment.
“I think I can.”
Well, it might be a little tough.
“You—!”
“Of course I can do it well. Better than you.”
Ki Jae-yoon grabbed my shoulder.
“You act all high and mighty saying you sing better than me! Trainee skills are all about the same, you know?”
“Yeah. Probably.”
What a ridiculously childish guy.
“But Producer Min-je hyung is tough on everyone! It's not hard to make enemies out of people, you know? He barely gives out any praise.”
I covered my mouth and laughed.
“Hey! Why are you laughing!”
“You can say that in front of the man himself?”
It was like a cartoon. Ki Jae-yoon went pale and clamped his hand over his own mouth.
That was when Hajin hyung stumbled out. Kang Min-je turned and said,
“Next up is Dowon.”
“I'll head in. You okay, Hajin hyung?”
“I feel like I'm gonna die.”
Yoo Hajin collapsed into the spot where I'd been sitting. The big guy looked totally drained.
“You're gonna cry. I guarantee it!”
I quietly shook my head and stepped into the booth. I put on the headset and pulled the mic close, and Kang Min-je's voice came through.
“First time recording, Dowon?”
“Yes, hyung.”
“Brace yourself.”
“I am. You know what your temper's like.”
“I see. Good thing, then. Song's starting. Sing it.”
I sang the melody following the guide track.
“From 'I've been waiting' to 'waiting,' do the second half in falsetto.”
I repeated the part Kang Min-je mentioned. It definitely gave the lyrics more punch that way.
“Promising. Do it again.”
I repeated the phrase once more.
“Nice, but put more power from your gut on the 'then.'”
He was ridiculously precise. I sang it again, pushing harder from my abdomen.
“Now add some emotion.”
Like emotion comes on command.
'But I'm Cha Dowon.'
I could follow instructions to the letter.
I started over just as Kang Min-je wanted.
*-I've been waiting~ for you~ right here.*
I heard Kang Min-je laughing.
“As expected of Dowon.”
I could do it, but damn, it was tough. Maybe that's why sweat was beading up even though it wasn't hot. I glanced toward the booth window, and Ki Jae-yoon was staring at me with a dumbstruck look.
'What's his deal?'
Oh, he thought I'd cry.
'I might get stressed and struggle, but I'm not gonna bawl like a kid. Middle school third year...’
Nah. He is a kid. Makes sense.
'Anyway, Kang Min-je's not the type to let someone off easy just 'cause they're crying.'
I waved lightly at Ki Jae-yoon. He clenched his fists tight.
“Dowon-ah. Next part.”
“Yes, hyung.”
The recording progressed smoothly. Adjusting my voice and layering in emotion as Kang Min-je directed made it surprisingly easy.
“Dowon's done!”
“Good work, hyung.”
I stepped out of the booth. Kang Min-je rested his chin on his hand and grinned.
“How was it? Your thoughts?”
“Great specs, hyung. Like a computer.”
Must be what it feels like when a total newbie logs into a game and a pro gamer carries them hard.
“Huh?”
Kang Min-je blinked, clearly not expecting that response.
“Your skills are killer.”
Experiencing it firsthand, I got it. This guy was a real genius.
“Oh, didn't expect that kind of review……”
“Really? Anything else you need?”
“Grab me some water?”
“Yes, hyung.”
I was just bending down to open the mini-fridge door when Ki Jae-yoon stormed over, panting, and grabbed my clothes.
'What's his problem now?'
I smiled brightly, and he huffed even harder, looking more agitated.
“You!”
“Yeah? Speak quietly. My ears are fine.”
Ki Jae-yoon's face was beet red as he said,
“I'm jealous!”
Huh?
“First time I've seen it. Someone getting praise from Min-je hyung. How many years have you been a trainee? Were you at another company before this one?”
“First time.”
“What academy did you go to? I'm signing up there!”
“Didn't go to any academy.”
Ki Jae-yoon's eyes welled up with tears.
'Ah, seriously, what's with him.'
I quietly pulled two water bottles from the fridge.
“Want some water?”
Ki Jae-yoon snatched it and chugged it down.
Then Yoo Hajin, who'd been watching, spoke up.
“Jae-yoon-ah, Dowon's something else.”
Our dear leader straightened his shoulders and continued.
“You'll just stress yourself out comparing. Didn't you see him rocket up in the debut group? Four months as a trainee and he debuts.”
Kang Min-je picked up from there.
“It's not just skill. His emotional delivery is great. Like someone who's lived, died, and come back—he nails it right away.”
That caught me off guard.
'Kang Min-je's got sharp instincts.'
How'd he know about the dying part?
I handed the remaining bottle to Kang Min-je. The fox took it with a sly grin.
“Let's take a short break.”
Ki Jae-yoon sniffled and bolted down the hall saying he needed the bathroom. I sat quietly on the sofa.
“Don't think too badly of Jae-yoon.”
“What……”
I rested my chin on my hand and muttered.
“Surprisingly cute, actually.”
“Huh? That guy?”
Not cute in a human way, more like watching a monkey at the zoo, but still.
Yoo Hajin blinked, then sighed and shook his head.
“Looks like the maknae's the top dog in Zenith.”
“What's that mean?”
“Maknae's the strongest.”
I chuckled.
“But the leader's you, and the producer's Min-je hyung?”
Doesn't that make me the weakest?
That was when the door burst open. I thought it was Ki Jae-yoon back from the bathroom, but the guy who walked in was unexpected.
'Not a stranger after all. The one I figured would show up did.'
I smiled brightly.
“Hello, Vita's Kiki sunbae.”
Figured he'd come eventually.
“Hey! You!”
I got grabbed by the collar right away. As he shook me around, I said,
“Min-je hyung, now's the time.”
Use desperate measures…… no, call the exec director.
“Oh, right!”
He shook me so hard my vision blurred. I blinked, and Yoo Hajin rushed over, prying Kiki's hand off my collar.
“What the hell are you doing!”
Kiki panted heavily and said,
“Hey, you little shit. You messed with my song, right?”
I said calmly,
“No idea what you're talking about.”
“You took my money!”
“Huh?”
I took a step back.
“Me? Money?”
My acting was Oscar-worthy natural.
“Yeah! You took it! From me!”
I cut him off.
“Sunbae! No way! Why would I sabotage my own debut song? And money?”
I shook my head like I had no clue.
“You took it! You!”
“When? That's too much.”
“Hey!”
As Vita's Kiki lunged again, Yoo Hajin stepped in front of me.
'Huh.'
What was this?
'Member shield? Leader shield?'
Excellent cover.
“Hey! Move!”
“Sunbae, what are you doing to our kid?”
Our kid? Hajin hyung.
Chills ran down my spine. Why phrase it like that?
“That punk took my money!”
I grabbed Yoo Hajin's shoulder and said,
“Sunbae, I've got no idea what you're on about. And money? I……”
I glanced down like I was scared.
“Do you have any evidence? Was it a dream?”
I barely held back a laugh.
'Of course there's no evidence.'
It was in a dark spot with no CCTV. Plus, I had my backpack on.
'And it was cash.'
Who bribes with 50,000-won bills? No trace left.
Our dear sunbae huffed excessively.
“Fine! Play it that way! Hey! Kang Min-je!”
Kang Min-je was sitting with legs crossed, spectating and sipping water.
“This punk sold you out!”
Wow.
Kang Min-je blinked innocently, like he knew nothing.
“Your team's already falling apart. He sold you out to me!”
How much would a fox like him fetch?
'Hmm, at least 50 million won, I'd say.'
Kang Min-je smiled faintly and said,
“Sorry, can't believe you, sunbae.”
The fox glanced at me.
“Dowon wouldn't do that.”
“What?”
“We've known each other since we were kids. I know him well.”
Kang Min-je grinned and continued.
“He never takes a loss.”
Thanks for the review, fox boy.
“He sold you out! He messed with you!”
My turn now.
“Me? Really? Min-je hyung?”
Kang Min-je shook his head.
“We debated a bit. But he helped, never hindered.”
Vita's Kiki's face turned bright red.
I hid behind Yoo Hajin with a scared look.
This was prime shielding. Sturdier than expected.
“These bastards played me together?”
Figured it out now? But you, dude.
'You've been getting played by Vita's Kiki from the start.'
Fuming, Vita's Kiki kicked over the recording setup. Those consoles ain't cheap. As sturdy leader Yoo Hajin stepped up to restrain him, she finally arrived.
“What the hell is this!”
The president and exec director rushed in. Kiki finally stopped kicking.
“Kiki! You!”
“They're the ones in the wrong! President, Director! Listen! They took my money and betrayed me!”
I shook my head, voice trembling slightly.
“No idea what you're talking about.”
Kang Min-je sighed and backed me up.
“He says Dowon sabotaged the song, but I've never heard of it.”
The exec director tilted his head.
“Didn't he say Dowon argued about the song interpretation?”
“You know, Director. We discussed it and it turned out better.”
The director nodded. Yeah, it did.
I said calmly,
“Director, teams get heated in discussions sometimes.”
“Right. Without Dowon's input, we'd have gone with that bright summer song.”
“True, this one's better.”
The director agreed easily, turned to Kiki, and slapped him hard across the face.
*Slap-*
Wow, that stung.
“What do you think you're doing! They're recording!”
“Director!”
“What? Gave money? Got proof?”
Of course not.
“I-I gave it!”
“Keep lying!”
“Search his stuff! I gave him cash! Definitely!”
I smiled brightly.
“Go ahead and search my things. I'm innocent, Director!”
The director told the president,
“Brother-in-law, grab a couple managers and check Dowon's stuff.”
“Got it!”
The president headed out of the recording room. I let out a long sigh.
The director grabbed Kiki's collar.
“Honestly, even suspecting you like this is ridiculous. Total nonsense. If there's no cash in Dowon's stuff, you're done for with me!”
Perfect rhyme. He could do rap.
The dorm was close to the recording studio. And my stuff was minimal anyway.
How much time passed?
Ten minutes later, the director's smartphone rang.
“Yeah, brother-in-law. Yes.”
He hung up and slapped both of Kiki's cheeks.
*Slap-slap-*
The sound was crisp.
“Nothing there, you fuck.”
Two guards had slipped in unnoticed.
“Perfect timing. Take Kiki to the exec office. Zenith, keep doing what you were. Don't follow.”
Just like that, the director and Kiki vanished.
I quietly covered my mouth with my hand.
“Hah……”
A weird groan escaped.
“What is this?”
Yoo Hajin shook his head and sat on the sofa. Kang Min-je crossed his other leg and leaned back against the chair.
“No idea.”
I sat on the sofa too and replied.
“Me neither.”
Of course I did.
I uncovered my mouth and pressed my brow. Then my eyes met Kang Min-je's briefly.
Kang Min-je smiled faintly.
'I moved it ahead of time.'
To Kang Min-je's place.
'Who'd be dumb enough to leave the bribe money in the dorm?'