Chapter 60: To You (2)
60. To You (2)
Hajin stormed out of the room and headed straight to the practice studio. Taehyun spent nearly all his time there except when eating or filming.
BAM! The door swung open with force, revealing Taehyun inside as expected. He was practicing high-note ad-libs with full sincerity to the MR track of "To You" when Hajin's sudden entrance made him crack on a note.
"H-Hyung? What's—"
"After careful consideration, sticking to the original arrangement is absolute madness."
"...I know. We already talked about this."
Taehyun gave a bitter smile at Hajin's resolute words. No matter how much that smile resembled the melancholic expression of a "tragically ill male lead" straight out of a romance comic, nonsense was still nonsense.
"But let's do it."
"...What?"
Yet Hajin couldn't ignore Taehyun's ambition. Especially since it was about proving himself. For some reason, an oppressive sense of responsibility kept weighing on him—this performance had to satisfy everyone.
'Damn these kids and their apologetic nonsense!'
Even though the mistake was clearly his own, their apologies for burdening him only made him want to deliver a result that would fulfill all their hopes.
"On one condition—we're changing the center. It's not you."
"Ah... Ugh! Fine by me!"
"You can't perform this like your usual stages. We need to completely suppress your presence, and none of your usual strong parts will be yours."
"Anything's fine. I just want them to hear my song."
"Tch, seriously... Call the others. Time to practice."
Hajin rubbed his face vigorously before plopping onto the studio floor. At his words, Taehyun immediately brightened up and dashed out to gather the team.
[System Alert: Comrade "Seo Taehyun's" current status is... "Extremely Excited."]
What's he getting so worked up for already?
Hajin clicked his tongue and crossed his arms. Finally, the red warning light on the comrade status window disappeared as it updated. He swore to himself that someday he'd change that damn system UI to monochrome before exhaling sharply.
He'd done it. This insane gamble!
"Now to clean up the mess..."
Am I really cut out for this? With a face more sorrowful than someone forced to eat mustard while crying, Hajin summoned the system window.
[System Alert: Current Cash Balance ∥ 10,320 Cash]
"Whoa, not bad."
A full 10,000 cash? Seems the first mission earned him favor with quite a few people.
'Not too shabby.'
Though surprised by the unexpectedly generous budget, Hajin couldn't smile. Because every digit was about to vanish before his eyes.
'I worked so hard to save this!'
But once his mind was set, there was no turning back for Hajin.
[System Alert: Skill <What's Like Me?> (LV.1) ▶ (LV.2) Level Up!]
[System Alert: Skill <What's Like Me?> (LV.2) ▶ (LV.3) Level Up!]
[System Alert: Skill <What's Like Me?> (LV.3) ▶ (LV.4) Level Up!]
[System Alert: Skill <What's Like Me?> boosts user's "Vocal" ability by 24%.]
[System Alert: Skill <As You Say> (LV.6) ▶▶▶ (LV.10) Level Up!]
[System Alert: Skill <As You Say> (LV.10) passive effect deepens user's "Emotional Appeal."]
[(Next Passive Skillㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ"Charm" (LV.20))]
[System Alert: Current Cash Balance ∥ 1,320 Cash]
"Ugh, my lifeblood..."
[System Alert: Expression error detected. Cash is unrelated to your blood!]
Even now, the system's blunt response irritated him. God, this thing...
Just as he vowed to someday give it a good knuckle sandwich, the studio door swung open again. Taehyun returned, flushed with excitement, leading the other members inside.
"We're here."
"Good. Sit down quick."
The bewildered-looking team members approached. Meanwhile, Hajin had already set up his phone's front camera on the speaker to capture the entire studio. When he hit record, Dan Ha-ru scurried over to whisper:
"Hyung, what are you doing?"
"Securing screen time."
Every second of practice from now on would be cleanly recorded in full shot and handed to the producers. Might only get 2-3 seconds as an insert, but better than nothing.
After adjusting the frame to include everyone, they sat in a circle.
"You're all prepared to pull an all-nighter, right?"
"Well, we're mentally ready... But we still don't have arrangement ideas."
"I've got that covered. That's why I called you."
"......"
"So if you're all okay with it... I'd appreciate your trust just one more time."
At Hajin's usual confident smile, the members exchanged glances. He then explained his new concept and performance structure for this stage. Though hesitant at first, they gradually nodded along.
"—Therefore, this time,"
Thud. Hajin placed a hand on the studio floor, eyes gleaming.
"We're making at least one bastard cry."
The solemn intensity in his voice had everyone nodding as if entranced.
Two days later. Recording day for Miro Maze's second mission.
Unlike usual, today's recording wasn't at Miro Entertainment's building but at NTV's set near the capital. Though no live audience was recruited since the first broadcast hadn't aired yet, special guests filled the expanded venue.
"My, Sareen-ssi. Long time no see."
"Ah, PD-nim, hello."
Sareen, who'd been reviewing judge sheets in her waiting room while wearing a burgundy suit, sprang up. Kwon PD entered with a sly smile, exchanging a light hug.
They'd worked together years ago on a music show Kwon PD directed during his station days.
"How've you been? I rushed over when I heard you arrived during rehearsal."
"Oh, you know. Busy raising my child lately."
"Ah, of course. You have no idea how grateful I am you agreed to this."
"Not at all. I was more surprised you'd use my song on an idol survival show."
After childbirth, Sareen had halted album and concert activities to focus on parenting. The staff was stunned when she not only permitted her song's use but also agreed to appear as a special mentor.
The OST queen, ballad diva's broadcast return through <Miro Maze>!
'The PR team was ecstatic about all the article material.'
Perhaps it was loyalty to Taeil, who'd written many songs for her, combined with this being a one-time appearance. Regardless, Kwon PD—a fan before being a producer—asked with a smile:
"By the way, any news on your next album? I got my hopes up when you agreed to this."
"Ah... Not yet. Just raising my child is overwhelming enough."
Sareen's bright expression momentarily darkened at the album question. With years of PD experience in reading celebrities, Kwon PD swiftly changed topics.
"Anyway, glad we could make your time here worthwhile. Looking forward to it."
"Oh? Should I be excited too?"
"The kids are trainees, but quite skilled. Worth watching. See you later."
Not wanting to overstep, Kwon PD ended the conversation at the right moment. After exchanging farewells, Sareen sat back down as her manager eyed her cautiously.
"...Unnie, some water?"
"No, I'm fine."
Sareen forced a smile and lowered her gaze to the judge sheets.
<To You>
Her signature song—one she might never sing again—echoed in her ears.
Simultaneously.
<Miro Maze> trainee waiting room.
"Hyung, if you pick wrong, you're doing all our laundry today!"
"Ahhh! Please! Let our team get slot 3!"
Chaos reminiscent of a battlefield erupted.
"Now then—"
"......"
"Let's determine the performance order through random drawing!"
"WOOOOOAH!!!!!"
As Seo Taeil announced, trainees roared with historic reactions. Normally, Wings-tier members had priority, but all three team leaders happened to be Wings—hence this situation.
'Hmph, doesn't matter to me.'
While pretending to be nervous, Han Seongwoo scoffed internally. Not only did he know the performance order would be decided by card draw, he'd already been tipped off about which card corresponded to which slot.
'We even prepped by learning the mission song early.'
Just needed to draw his desired slot. Yoon CP promised he'd pick first, so nothing could—
"Mentor-nim. May I humbly make a suggestion?"
—interfere?
"Yes, Trainee Kang Hajin. What is it?"
"Card draws lack tension. How about deciding the order through a small game?"
"A game?"
'That bastard Hajin again!'
Staff murmured at the sudden proposal. Taeil looked intrigued. Hajin grinned cheekily.
"Honorable mentors. Can we truly entrust our fate to some Schrödinger's card? Why not fairly compete for our destiny and screen time through skill?"
"WOAH! Hajin's so cool!"
"Let's battle! Battle!"
'Have they all gone mad?'
As trainees cheered Hajin's silver-tongued proposal, the atmosphere ignited. When producers signaled approval, Taeil nodded too. Seongwoo struggled to maintain his expression amid the bizarre shift.
"Trainee Kang Hajin, any game in mind?"
"By sheer coincidence, all three main vocals are present, no?"
"Ah, true. Indeed."
"How about Cleopatra—short, intense, showcasing pitch accuracy and musical sense?"
The trainees roared louder at Hajin's pre-selected game. Taeil calmed them slightly.
"Now, now. This is Trainee Kang Hajin's suggestion, so let's hear the other two leaders. If both agree, we'll proceed."
Seongwoo immediately looked at Jung Siwoo. Though a main vocal, Siwoo always acted aloof. No way he'd agree to some shouting game like—
"Hyung."
"......"
"Scared?"
"Hah? Call."
"WOOOOAH!!!!!"
When Siwoo readily accepted Hajin's eyebrow-waggling challenge, the room exploded again. Seongwoo quietly bit his lip.
Opposing now would make him look like the coward who backed down!
His gaze turned to Hajin.
Sneer—
'You little—!'
The moment their eyes met, Hajin nodded as if saying "bring it on." Seongwoo swallowed his boiling anger and spoke through gritted teeth.
"...I'll call too."
"Okay!"
"All three teams agree, so we'll determine the order via Cleopatra! Leaders, line up before me."
'Still, that guy's not strong at high notes...'
Seongwoo took position while recalling Hajin's past performances. Didn't he struggle with high-note ad-libs last title track and switch parts with Gong Seok?
'...or so you think.'
Meanwhile, Kang Hajin—age 20—easily read all those thoughts.
'Sorry Seongwoo, but that was the old me.'
Special Note: Currently insane from spending 9,000 cash on vocals—basically a baby vocal prodigy now!