Approaching Investor (4)
Once they said it would affect the kids too, I had nothing left to say. I couldn't block something good for their futures just to side with me, right?
In the end, I shot Manager Noona a resentful glare.
"It kinda turned into something meaningful for the whole group, but you're not upset about it, are you?"
Aigoo, me? Absolutely not. I just hoped the kids would fill all that time on my behalf.
"No, it's fine. But it does feel like a bolt from the blue. It's a good thing, though, right?"
"Of course! Sorry. I was in such a rush, I didn't think it'd confuse you like this."
"If something like this comes up again, please discuss it with me first. I was really shocked."
"Got it."
If I'd known ahead of time, I would've flat-out refused with a straight face....
Too late now—what's the point of dwelling on it? Just let it go.
Thinking back, I'd shown Manager Noona a ton of my skills. Since I hadn't felt the need to hide them, I'd just done whatever I could.
But just because I could do it without much effort didn't make it any less impressive.
I decided to accept the current situation as something I'd brought on myself.
I should've been more cautious, thinking back to my old self.
I tried forcing a positive mindset.
At least I realized it now. What if I'd shown off something even more ridiculous later?
The old me had no real skills, so I'd exaggerated what little I had, puffing up my shoulders and chest just to survive. But now? I had so many outstanding abilities that I needed to hide some of them appropriately.
What would my image become once all those skills piled up?
I need to avoid unnecessary rumors.
If you have too many talents, people naturally start thinking it's weird.
'No way?'
'Come on, that's bullshit. No one can be good at everything.'
'Prove it!'
Pointless suspicions like that would just create rumors I didn't need for my career.
I had no idea how lucky I was to catch it before it happened.
I guess I'll have to hold back to like 30 percent, like some shonen manga protagonist.
I'd already inflated my age down to twenty-one, and now I let out a deep sigh. Embracing a chuunibyou concept in my thirties made my stomach churn with secondhand embarrassment.
Running a YouTube channel wasn't a decision you could make in a day, so the meeting dragged on.
And now the dedicated team had to officially hire staff to manage the channel.
In the end, Manager Noona was dropping a bomb of work on the employees.
A few days later.
"Welcome."
"I'm delighted by such a warm reception."
Unusually, the Honey Enter CEO was personally greeting someone at the company entrance.
The guest was a beautiful young woman. Every step she took exuded elegance.
After shaking hands, they entered the building, with one employee following behind the CEO.
As soon as they reached the lobby, the employee began explaining while pointing at the massive photos on display.
"These are the idol singers and artists who represent Honey Enter. Every one of them is a hugely popular star. As you may know, we're the agency with the highest renewal rate in the industry. We provide our artists with a wide range of conveniences and..."
The more the employee spoke, the more a pleased smile bloomed on the CEO's face.
This company was her life's work. It was only natural for her to feel gratified when a major investor showed up.
The investor listened attentively to the employee's pitch. Even the CEO herself found the eloquent presentation tempting.
"And now, we can't skip introducing these guys when talking about Honey Enter. It's been a few months, but we debuted the boy group Airplane the year before last. These guys have massive potential ahead of them. As you can see, they boast top-tier visuals, and though they haven't blown up yet, their skills are incredible."
After finishing with the already-famous artists, the introduction shifted to Airplane, the boy group the company was currently pushing hard.
That was when the investor reacted for the first time.
"...Airplane."
"Do you know Airplane by any chance?"
"Of course. That's exactly why I'm investing."
"!!"
The CEO's eyes gleamed with intrigue.
'Airplane is the target?'
Having run an entertainment company for years, she'd dealt with plenty of shady offers. Her ability to stand here openly was thanks to never making exceptions.
"Is Airplane the reason you decided to invest?"
Though she knew she should probably refuse this investment, the CEO couldn't help asking with a hint of regret.
The employee, sensing something off, also tensed up and stared at the investor.
Under their focused gazes, the investor flashed a meaningful smile.
After the company tour, the CEO led the investor to her office.
All the staff knew the investor was coming today, so everyone was on their best behavior.
"Investing such a huge sum can't be an easy decision."
"I want to be a solid backbone for Honey Enter. Personally, I see it as the most promising company among many. And the reason for that calculation? Debuting the next-gen boy group Airplane."
"You have high expectations for Airplane."
"As the CEO, you must know them far better than I do."
The newly debuted male idol group had ended up getting less direct attention from her than planned.
But she trusted her long-time staff to raise them well.
And indeed, Airplane had debuted successfully and was gaining ground.
Was it because she hadn't overseen it personally?
Do they have so much potential that they're attracting investors...?
She found herself at a loss for words about the members' possibilities.
Unaware of this, the investor gushed positively about Airplane's future, heaping on praise.
"I'm betting they'll turn Honey Enter into an even bigger company. You're already raising them well, but with my investment, I’m confident they'll grow faster and become truly amazing."
"You must be very interested in how the funds will be used."
"Yes. I'd like to attach a condition: at least 70% of my investment must go to Airplane. After all, they'll create the most value for it."
Accepting investment money was tough enough, but dictating its use required even more caution.
An investor meddling in spending wasn't ideal.
"We're thrilled you'd invest in our rookies. But it does worry me a bit. It evokes 'high risk, high return.' I have no doubt Airplane will reach greater heights. However, Honey Enter has many stars. Biting into unripe fruit is tragic for both the fruit and the eater."
Her words were polished, but they boiled down to: we'll handle the money ourselves.
The investor wasn't fooled. She understood and smiled sweetly.
"It's money I want to spend on Airplane. Consider that I'm yielding 30% to other things."
"...So if it's not Airplane, you'd withdraw the investment."
"Honey Enter has become a company with deep history over the years. I hate to say this to you, CEO, but good investments require focus. I want my money used where it'll yield the best returns."
"......"
The investor's point cut deep.
Yes, all her artists were stars, but many had peaked and were fading.
Investing in them wouldn't yield as much as in rising stars on the cusp of their prime.
Just look at contract splits.
Famous artists often renewed at 8:2 or even 9:1 splits to stay, because their mere affiliation brought Honey Enter massive benefits.
'Meanwhile, Airplane's at 6:4. The company takes the lion's share.'
Any average investor might want funds on established stars, but this savvy one had clearly researched Honey Enter inside out.
A few hours later.
Honey Enter successfully signed the contract for 3 billion won with the major investor.
"I'd love to meet the kids who'll grow my money in person. Is that okay? I want to treat them to dinner."
"Of course. I'll check their schedules."
"No need to push. Just ask casually. Doesn't have to be all members."
"Sure."
Thinking it natural for someone investing because of Airplane to want to see them, the CEO instructed a staffer to contact them.
And that call quickly reached Airplane's members via their manager.
"Dinner with the investor?"
"Doesn't have to be everyone, but I think the whole group should show up for something like this."
"Our company got investment too?"
An innocently naive question popped up from the members, who knew zilch about company ops.
Aigoo, kids...
There was no purer question.
"She said she invested because of you guys."
"Huh?! Because of us?"
"She thinks you'll turn Honey Enter into an amazing company."
"Whoa~! That's so grateful!"
"So her investment money will probably go to you guys."
"Huh!"
"It's a huge sum, right?"
"That's why the CEO wants as many of you there as possible."
"If she thinks that highly of us, we can't just sit it out. I'm in! You hyungs are going too, right?"
Ki Uyeon jumped in first, so the others couldn't back out.
"Where we eating?"
"A fancy restaurant. Dress sharp."
"Restaurant!!"
"Meat slicing place?"
Somehow, they seemed less focused on the investor and more on the meat...
First dinner with the investor.
The Airplane members rushed to their rooms to change.
"She won't order anything weird, right?"
"With the CEO there? No way."
"That moment made my heart drop—wondering if our company sets up stuff like that."
"Maybe Manager Noona called everyone out of worry? She said only some needed to come."
"Let's stick together, no separating. No bathroom breaks! Hyung especially, be careful."
Was being an entertainer easy? This industry crawled with dirty rumors.
Better to stay cautious and prepared.
"You too. If you get any shady offers, run to hyung. I'll protect you."
At least my response would be better than the minors'.