Chapter 308
Chapter 308
The second day of the composition camp.
The arranging process was carried out amidst fits of laughter.
“Bwahahaha!”
“This is so stupid!”
The act of mashing up children’s songs with idol tracks was even more ridiculous than expected, resulting in several monstrous creations.
To make matters worse, the songs had been chosen by drawing lots.
I can never let this go public.
The moment it was revealed that we made these, it would spark a controversy over whether we were mocking our juniors.
I played back my own creation—a mashup of "Dreaming Teddy Bear" and "Hacker"—before turning it off without a hint of regret.
[Teddy bear~ Te-te-te-teddy bear!]
It was an indescribable piece of bizarre trash.
However, Kim Rae-bin managed to pull off a fairly interesting result even here.
“Oh~ Rae-bin, is this beat from a Golden Age song?”
“That is correct! I borrowed the beat from the verse and completed it with a more flamboyant feel!”
“...And that’s why ‘Little Butterfly’ sounds like this?”
Kim Rae-bin’s mashup was unique and impressive enough to make Bae Se-jin’s questioning look understandable.
To think "Little Butterfly" could sound so trendy.
I intended for everyone to fail together to ease the pressure...
Instead, it seemed to have only fired Kim Rae-bin up more. Well, I suppose that was a good thing.
I scanned the composition camp, which had turned into a comedy workshop, and stood up from my seat.
“Moon-dae, Moon-dae, where are you going~?”
“To check on the chicken.”
I intended to check on the baeksuk cooking in the pressure cooker for lunch.
However, an unexpected guest tagged along.
“I’m coming too!”
It was Cha Yu-jin.
I didn’t think he liked baeksuk as much as fried chicken.
He must be excited because we’re on a trip. I shrugged and headed toward the gas stove with him in tow.
Just then, the ginseng wine displayed inconspicuously on the side veranda caught my eye, reminding me of our early morning drinks.
So that’s how you use the spray.
Since I’d changed my clothes, brushed my teeth, and even used mouthwash, no one would know. It wasn't like I'd get drunk off that tiny bottle anyway.
...Wait.
That was true for me, but what about the other guy?
“The more I listen, the more I think Se-jin Hyung’s choice to use only the most addictive melodies from the children’s songs was truly excellent!”
“Hahaha! Really? Does Rae-bin want to keep listening~?”
“Yes, it is extremely intriguing!”
“...”
Could Kim Rae-bin’s sudden talkativeness be partly due to the alcohol?
Well... it’s good that he’s relaxing.
In any case, no one knew. I walked past the ginseng wine visible through the glass door.
But then, Cha Yu-jin whispered.
“Hyung, did you drink that?”
“...!!”
How did this punk know...? No, first, denial.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Liar! I don’t believe you.”
Cha Yu-jin grinned and pointed toward the refrigerator.
[I saw an empty bottle in the fridge this morning. It was that weird liquor from over there, right?]
“...”
[I found it while looking for Coke.]
So that was the reason.
It was a discovery method perfectly suited for the greediest eater in the group.
I looked at him, wondering if he was going to ask for an extra chicken leg, but Cha Yu-jin unexpectedly just shrugged.
Then he glanced over at Kim Rae-bin.
[You drank it while talking to him, didn't you?]
“Yeah.”
[I knew it! He looks much more comfortable today. They say alcohol opens people's hearts sometimes.]
“Who said that?”
[Um, my maternal grandmother?]
I think I understand why he and Kim Rae-bin have gotten along so well since their previous agency. I briefly thought of Kim Rae-bin’s grandmother, who had supposedly praised the ginseng wine, before pushing the thought aside.
Cha Yu-jin lowered his voice and spoke.
“I like that Rae-bin looks so much more relaxed.”
It was a surprisingly thoughtful sentiment.
“You must have been worried. Why didn't you just tell him yourself?”
Cha Yu-jin shrugged.
[We’re in the same grade. It’s a matter of pride.]
I wondered if the guy who came looking for Kim Rae-bin in tears during Idol Inc. was in any position to say that.
Is that a different category for him?
Regardless, I just nodded and checked the pressure cooker containing the chicken.
Cha Yu-jin followed me again, this time giving a thumbs up.
“Hyung, you’re amazing.”
The baeksuk?
[You’ve been supporting Rae-bin a lot so he could compose, even before this.]
“He’s just good at it himself.”
Honestly, with his ability to turn children’s songs into pop music, that guy would have made a good living anywhere.
However, Cha Yu-jin crossed his arms.
[No. Our old company wasn't very smart! Rae-bin definitely has talent, but they didn't let him compose often.]
“Hmm.”
[But Rae-bin often said he was grateful because you believed in him from the start.]
I thought they just yelled at each other all the time, but they actually had conversations like that?
It was a heartwarming story—so much so that it felt a bit embarrassing that I’d only helped because I saw the 'Maestro' trait in his status window.
But Cha Yu-jin wasn't finished.
[Athletes and artists all go through slumps eventually. So, it’s not like Rae-bin fell into a slump because you put extra pressure on him.]
“...”
[I’m sure he wanted to say this, so I’m saying it for him. As his BFF!]
...I didn't expect to be the one receiving encouragement.
I wasn't sure what that had to do with my back, but he gave me a firm pat.
[And look at that. Even Hyung’s magical liquor did its job. Honestly, I respect you.]
Good grief.
I looked at the grinning kid, checked on Kim Rae-bin one more time, and gave a short reply.
“Thanks.”
“Heehee.”
[But don't tell anyone else about the alcohol.]
“Got it! [I’ll keep the secret for my friends.]”
Cha Yu-jin’s eyes sparkled as he spoke.
“But I want to drink with you too! That’s the condition.”
The ginseng wine?
I didn't think he'd like it, but given the color, he probably mistook it for some kind of dessert wine.
“When?”
“NOW! No, tonight!”
For heaven's sake.
I let out a short laugh and answered.
“Fine. Do whatever you want.”
Cha Yu-jin smiled and held out his fist for a bump.
Just then, a gloomy voice cut in.
“Drink what?”
“...!”
Why are you popping out from there?
It was Bae Se-jin.
He looked at Cha Yu-jin’s fist with suspicion, then his face contorted in horror as if he’d realized something. He shouted,
“You...! You drank the ginseng wine!”
Dammit.
“No, that’s...”
“Kim Rae-bin! Did you drink that with Park Moon-dae??”
“Ah, yes! This morning, together... Ah.”
Kim Rae-bin, seemingly remembering my words about not mentioning it so the other members wouldn't feel left out, replied with an embarrassed face.
“I am sorry. I should have waited until tonight... I will definitely set out a new spread this evening!”
“That...!!”
Bae Se-jin’s face turned red and then pale, but he managed to hold it in.
Oh.
“...Fine.”
“Understood!”
“What is it? What’s going on~?”
“We were discussing the matter of drinking ginseng wine this evening!”
“Gi-ginseng...?”
“Ah, you mean that thing.”
The members had strange expressions, but they didn't press the issue.
It had been a while since I’d touched alcohol, and they probably didn't feel like scolding Kim Rae-bin right now.
Was it going to pass like this?
Well, it seemed Bae Se-jin had guessed there was a reason for it. And it wasn't like I was getting some grand thrill out of drinking anyway, so it was fine.
This way, we can naturally have another round tonight...
Just then, Bae Se-jin grabbed my shoulder and spoke.
“Not you.”
“...”
Hey.
“Look at him, Hyung! He’s fine now. A little wine won't be a problem!”
“That’s not wine, it’s distilled liquor!”
In the end, Cha Yu-jin whispered with a dejected face.
“Hyung, I’m sorry.”
Forget it...
From that moment until we left the mountain cabin, not a single drop of additional alcohol touched my lips.
Still... well, overall, it was a good camp.
Because when we left the cabin, Kim Rae-bin’s laptop was in his own hands, not in my bag.
After returning from the composition camp, where we had been cut off from the outside world for three days and two nights, we poured our entire schedule into concert preparations.
Of course, that didn't mean we had absolutely no spare time.
I occasionally monitored the reactions to the Section 127 arrangements, which Keun Se-jin had gone as far as creating and uploading wallpapers for.
To conclude, the response was better than expected.
Perhaps because the game series had so many global fans, people searching for covers periodically flowed in, and word of mouth began to spread.
I expected as much given the quality. And I made sure to include keywords so it wouldn't get buried and would be easy to find.
And naturally, the theme song arranged by Kim Rae-bin received the best response.
No matter how much Kim Rae-bin had polished our work to the point of recreation, the quality was bound to be higher on the piece he had built entirely himself.
And the reactions... mostly called him a genius.
I intentionally let Kim Rae-bin look through these.
No, we actually looked at them together.
“That’s what they’re saying.”
“Yes, well, it is... a bit embarrassing, but I am grateful for their words...!”
I hoped that by seeing the comments, Kim Rae-bin would solidify his self-conviction that he had escaped his slump.
At a glance, these comments were similar to the high public praise that had caused his slump, but there was one crucial difference.
It’s a new face.
There were no high standards or background knowledge involved.
Since it was pure praise and feedback regarding the arrangement without any other intentions, it could be converted directly into motivation.
And this time, even if he got criticized, I wasn't afraid of the fallout. It was anonymous, after all.
Furthermore, there was an escape route. He had made it with a "beginner."
Whether it fails or succeeds, it ends here.
Additionally, it had the effect of keeping the other members interested in composing.
I occasionally saw Bae Se-jin looking up feedback for his own song.
“...W-What!”
“Nothing.”
Well, I looked up the reactions to my arrangements too, so I wasn't one to talk.
Anyway, it was quite enjoyable to see the low-pressure feedback in between concert rehearsals.
Thanks to that, Kim Rae-bin seemed to be focusing well without any unnecessary thoughts, despite this being the first concert where he wasn't involved in the official arrangements.
And there was someone who took advantage of this point.
“Moon-dae, Moon-dae.”
“...?”
Just as dance practice ended and we were about to head home, Keun Se-jin approached me with a tablet PC.
“Um... since we didn't really touch the audio side ourselves for this concert because of the situation with Rae-bin...”
“Yeah.”
“The arrangements will come out faster that way... so why don't we put more effort into other elements with the extra time?”
Oh.
“In what way?”
“Like this~”
Keun Se-jin turned on the screen and showed me the setlist.
It wasn't the original one, but a draft he had personally modified by drawing lines through it.
“...!”
“Not bad, right?”
He was right.
I answered without hesitation.
“It’s good. Should we bring it up at the meeting tomorrow?”
“Okay~”
Keun Se-jin grinned.
Productive.
I drank some water as he shared the file with me.
But the agenda for the day didn't end there.
“Um... a comment was posted.”
On the way home after practice, Bae Se-jin showed me a screen.
It displayed the comment section of our anonymous arrangement channel, which was starting to become familiar.
The comment, which had risen to the very top due to a high number of likes, was...
A formal invitation.
“...??”
And below that long comment was the email address of the T1 Plays representative.
It looked familiar.
“...Isn't this the person we contacted during our game collaboration?”
“It looks like it.”
Suddenly, a massive accidental baiting had begun.