Approach (12)
"Is this what they mean by a triumphant return?"
"Hehe."
"How did you grow up so well? I was really worried when you said you were quitting the company, but now I can breathe easy."
"Heehee!"
I felt great.
"To think we were going to waste someone with this kind of talent on desk work. What a criminal misuse of human resources."
"But you're really buying both songs?"
"Yeah, yeah. You have a real knack for this."
"Who's going to sing them?"
"You'll fall over in shock if I tell you."
"I'm dying to know!"
"Red Witch."
"!!!"
Ahyun's eyes went wide as saucers.
Red Witch. Honey Enter's flagship girl group. The longest-running idol group loved worldwide. Of course, they'd been on a three-year hiatus from group activities, focusing on solo schedules instead. Each member had such massive individual fanbases that their personal schedules were packed solid. The company had no reason to force a comeback—they were raking in huge money from solos alone.
"The sunbaes are coming back?!"
"It's still top secret publicly. So keep your lips sealed, got it? I told you because I trust you, Ahyun."
"Of course!! Absolutely!"
"Airplane's about to start overseas activities, so we'll have gaps in our domestic staff. I asked around the artists who wanted to comeback, and Red Witch bit."
"Whoa!! But if it's the Red Witch sunbaes, won't they do overseas promos too?"
Of course there'd be reactions overseas to a Red Witch new release.
"They don't want to. Too old for long flights, they said. So this comeback's gonna be short and domestic-only."
Short but intense, focused on Korea, with just a few TV appearances planned.
"That makes sense."
"Yeah. Anyway, I was hunting for songs, and bam—proper tracks after ages, and fate just connected the dots. Feels like it's all falling into place."
"Red Witch singing my songs!! It's such an honor."
Of the two songs, one was Haesol's, the other Ahyun's. So she could purely revel in the moment. Haesol had only dipped a toe in his, but the other was fully hers.
"Oh, time flew. We chatted too much. Ready to sign the contract?"
"Yes."
The staff brought the contract and explained it clause by clause, kindly.
"Anything unclear?"
"No, I get it all."
"Ever thought about being an in-house composer for the company?"
"Pardon?"
"Maybe 'cause you're an ex-trainee here, but your songs fit our vibe perfectly. If you go exclusive, we could pay more than this song fee. This is already the best terms I could swing with my authority. But it's a shame—your lack of track record caps it. Still, I thought your work was really good."
"Uh-huh."
7 million won for the two songs. Way more than expected. Ahyun couldn't hide her joy at not having to haggle.
Noticing her satisfaction, the staff smiled warmly.
"Exclusive? I could do 5 million per song."
Eek? Ahyun's eyes rounded. 5 million each made 10 million total.
Her heart pounded. Earning that much felt unreal.
"It'd boost your resume big time too."
"Honestly, I'd sign an exclusive contract right now."
But Ahyun shook her head.
"My skills aren't there yet."
"Come on, you're not lacking at all. If you're 'lacking,' what does that make me for falling head over heels and calling you?"
"No, no. I really am not ready. So much to learn. Jumping in without solid basics will bite me later. I need more study first."
"Your standards are sky-high. Making songs like this and still calling yourself lacking."
She couldn't tell the staff, but these weren't solo creations. One was hers, sure, but inspired heavily by Haesol's. Without his, this one wouldn't exist. She'd go pro only when she could craft satisfying tracks purely on her own.
"Honey Enter exclusive composer is too much for me now. Next time, when I'm truly ready, I'll happily accept your offer."
"Can't argue with that resolve."
The staff respected her choice, though clearly regretful.
"Let's make it 8 million then."
"Huh? Why the sudden bump...?"
"Consider it goodwill. I see real composer potential in you."
Producing this quality without being satisfied yet. She was thrilled but burning with ambition to grow more. To the staff, Ahyun looked like an untapped genius.
'Shell out an extra million to a genius and build goodwill? Total win.'
Ahyun was deeply touched by the Honey Enter staff's care.
"Send us your next good ones too?"
"Definitely!! Thank you so much."
"We're thankful for the great songs. Hehe!"
Ahyun finished signing, buzzing with excitement, and called Haesol.
"I sold the songs!! Got a whopping 4 million won."
"Congrats."
"Kyaa!"
A sudden presence behind her! She whipped around, startled, to see the face she'd missed so much.
"Haesol!!"
"Whoa there!"
"H-how are you here?!"
"How could I not come when you were heading to the company? Good job. I'm so proud. You've grown up."
"Ehehe~!"
Ahyun beamed like a kid at his praise. It made her so happy.
She seemed thrilled about selling the songs.
Ahyun clung to me more aggressively than ever. She'd held back in the company, but outside? Straight to fierce kissing.
Mwah, smack, mwah!
"Haa, this is bliss."
"You look happy."
"Yeah, I am. Heehee. They even asked if I'd be their exclusive composer."
"Whoa, real recognition, huh?"
"Totally!! They don't offer that to just anyone."
"So you said yes?"
"Nope~!"
"Why?"
Honey Enter exclusive composer? Huge resume boost. No reason to turn it down, yet she did. Baffling.
"These songs aren't my true skill."
"What? Of course they are."
I knew the inspiration track evolved into something greater through her touch. If I claim 50% as writer, she deserves 50% for elevating it.
"This one was heavily influenced by yours. Not solo work—luck from you. If they asked for another like it? I couldn't."
Too much left to learn. Didn't want to fake true skill with a fluke.
"Still a shame."
"I told them to offer again when I can make songs like that for real. They agreed firm."
"How about buying gear with the fee?"
"Gear?"
"Let's make our own studio. Though 8 million might fall short?"
Music equipment ain't cheap. 8 million felt tight.
"I'll cover the shortfall. Got a nice settlement last time. You'll keep composing—can't rent forever."
First fee at 4 million. Likely boosted by her future potential. Without composer cred, Honey Enter might've lowballed at 1-2 million.
I believed in her future too. Closest witness to her talent, how could I not invest when even the company did?
"Don't. I have enough."
"Sharing's a hassle."
Bookings, time limits, weak security. Forget a USB? Precious tracks gone in a flash.
"Security too."
"Mmm..."
She'd heard horror stories from composers—couldn't deny it.
"Studio costs a ton."
"Not all at once. Essentials first, add as money comes."
Basics, then upgrades. Simple.
"Still burdensome..."
One sale didn't make her pro. She doubted sustaining a studio.
"I'll support for two years. Enough to fake pro status, right?"
"Can't accept—feels bad."
"Your talent's amazing. Don't call it delusion. Honey Enter offered exclusive 'cause they see it too. Why drag it out when I can speed your bloom? If it's a burden, pay me back as a pro."
"......"
"Ahyun. We strangers?"
"Ah...!"
She bit her lip, unwilling to say yes.
"Not strangers. Family helps family, right? You wouldn't help me if I needed it?"
"Of course I would."
"Same here. Want to help you. Makes me proud I can. Feels like reward for my hustle."
"Haesol..."
Tears welled in her moved eyes. I hugged her tight, patting her back.
"Let's help each other. Family does that."
"Yeah!"
With her okay, I suggested asking Boksun noona for advice.
"She's scouting for her academy. Both need soundproofing. Might help."
"Oh, right. Didn't think of that."
"Sneaking around off-books."
Company finding out about quitting for an academy? Bad news. Boksun had shaped Honey Enter's singer style for years. Her absence would hurt.