Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: My Little Brother Kim Jin-seong
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Kim Jin-seong. He's three years younger than me, and we're incredibly close.
We met as kids playing around the neighborhood, and that connection has lasted all the way to now.
They say bonds get better with age, and our friendship is so tight that if anyone asks who my closest friend is, I'd say Jin-seong without hesitation.
And he feels the same.
Anyway, that Jin-seong has come back to Korea.
I heard he's been scamming guys over in Southeast Asia or something, but I don't know the details—and who cares?
What matters is he's back now.
'I wonder if Jin-seong's finally grown up a bit...'
If I had to describe Jin-seong in one phrase, it'd be something like a cocky rookie punk.
He's always been quick and fun-loving since we were young, with zero civic sense, but once you get to know him, he's a pretty good guy.
At least to me, anyway. So I think of him that way.
As I got lost in memories, I vividly recalled how insanely good Jin-seong was at picking locks.
He could pop open lockers or the keys to rundown apartments like it was nothing—a guy whose thieving talents were in full bloom.
Not that there's much use for that in today's world.
I settled into a seat at an expensive barbecue joint, waiting for Jin-seong.
He'd asked me to buy him dinner, and it looked like he was craving meat.
Luckily, I didn't have to wait long before I spotted him.
"Jin-seong! Over here!"
I called out to him as he scanned the restaurant, looking for me.
His skin was nicely tanned, his frame lean but solidly built.
You could tell at a glance he had some serious lean muscle.
His sporty haircut matched his skin and build perfectly.
He was exactly the same guy I remembered.
"Hyung!"
"Long time no see."
We didn't go in for a full-on hug.
That'd be too much, and between guys, it's kinda weird.
Still, we went through the motions.
Once we were seated, we started catching up.
"What'd you live off out there?"
"Ripped people off and cashed it in."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"Hmm... like a private investigator back in Korea? But deeper than that."
"Sounds about right for you."
Of course he was knee-deep in shady stuff.
But somehow, it felt fitting for Jin-seong.
If he wasn't doing crap like this, he'd seem like a stranger compared to the guy I knew.
So I just casually tossed some meat on the grill without much reaction.
"If you ever need dirt on someone, let me know. Special 30% discount for you, hyung."
"No freebies?"
"20%."
"Sorry, stick to 30. But when would I ever need to dig up dirt on someone?"
"Trouble between people is way more likely to be dogshit than good stuff. Humans rack up more grudges than favors. I know from experience—that's how I made bank and came home."
"Does that really pay that well? Isn't it just tailing people, snapping pics of affairs, and selling them?"
"That's basic service these days. The real money's in breaking into houses or offices, grabbing what the client wants, and flipping it. The trick is haggling with the target and selling to the highest bidder. Like this one time in the Philippines..."
From there, Jin-seong launched into his epic tales like some hero saga.
He'd broken into a guy's place suspected of embezzlement and sold the evidence, or snapped pics of a celeb doing drugs and auctioned them to reporters. Stuff like catching high-ranking officials cheating? Child's play, he said.
It felt like watching a crime thriller movie, so I just sat back and enjoyed it.
Part of me thought, what a crazy bastard, but I was also impressed he'd survived and made it back. Stories like these aren't exactly common in Korea.
And damn, Jin-seong knew how to spin a yarn—perfect for bullshitting too.
We used his stories as anju and knocked back drinks until time flew from evening into night.
"Ahh~ hyuuung~ Let's hit round two! Second rooound!"
"Goddamn, you're wasted again."
"A hot, sexy bitch..."
Jin-seong was totally sloshed and kept insisting on a room salon.
He was yelling about groping pretty girls' tits right there in the restaurant, so I hustled him out quick.
"What room? Go home. Wait, didn't you just get back today? Got a place to crash?"
"Urp, yeah. Got a motel and unpacked there. Gonna... urp, fucking hiccups... stay there a whiiile~"
His breath reeked of booze, and his words slurred, but he was still coherent enough to get home alone.
His walk was steady too, so he'd be fine.
"Jin-seong, it was great seeing you after so long. Cut the room salon crap and head home."
"Aww... tch, I'm beat too... But next time, we go hard? Urp."
"Sure. If you're jobless, I got something for you."
"Wiping asses for TV station drones? Fuck that."
"Same old psycho. Haha, take care."
"Bye, hyung."
We waved and parted ways.
I hadn't brought my car on purpose—planned to drink, and it was close enough that I wanted to walk in the night air.
The cool breeze stirred up some feels.
Before I knew it, I'd wandered into a busking district and stopped at one spot, mesmerized.
"The hazy moonlight fades away, along with your breath..."
Maybe it was the booze, but I was hooked, standing quietly in front of this woman, listening to her sing.
Working at a music-focused station must've rubbed off—guess I'm a music guy at heart.
Her voice was so sweet, I found myself frozen, soaking in every note.
Not missing a single word of the lyrics.
"Forgetting my heart as well~~"
Her tone was pure and gentle.
No resistance from my ears at all.
But the moment it hit, the resonance drilled straight into my heart, shaking me up.
'A vocalist with this level of skill...'
Reduced to busking?
I've seen countless stages in our station's studios, and songs this tender and heartfelt? I could count them on one hand.
Sure, technically the pros I hear edge her out, but this had a different flavor—one that tugged at the soul.
If she honed that captivating timbre even more...
I scanned her face, eager to see the voice behind the magic.
Long black hair like midnight, blunt bangs giving off a dark, intense vibe.
Sharp eyes that matched the raven locks perfectly, a perky nose, thin lips—smooth and sleek.
Her style screamed it too: short black skirt, black hoodie. A peek into her personality.
Baby fat still clinging, making her look young and innocent. Her face was so cold and aloof, you wondered if she'd ever smiled. A stunning beauty.
And here she was, pouring her heart into this aching melody—it elevated her looks to something downright bewitching.
Yeah, like a rose.
So lofty and gorgeous, you'd prick yourself on thorns if you reached out carelessly.
Bottom line: young, sings like a pro, visuals on par with top idol material.
'Why the hell is she out here?'
No agency? What are these companies doing letting talent like this busk?
If I worked in entertainment, I'd sign her on the spot.
She had a donation box open, basically charging for the performance.
Means she's got the drive to make money with her voice.
Should I ask if she's signed? If not, recommend her somewhere? I could probably pull strings for a decent agency.
Nah, might be too nosy.
For now, what I should do...
I pulled out my wallet, dumped every bill I had into her box as a tip for the song.
Buzzed as I was, I didn't check the amount, but it was a fat stack.
The black-haired singer's eyes widened for a split second, but she quickly schooled her face into poker mode—shy about showing emotion?—and gave a slight bow in thanks.
No tells on her face, which was a shame, but maybe that's her gimmick, her charm.
That song must've been her finale; she stubbornly skipped verbal thanks, just bowed to the crowd and vanished.
Lucky me, catching the encore.
Gotta come back. She might be here again.
On the walk home, I caught myself humming the melody.
The next morning, I was in my director's office, still lost in the song's afterglow, flailing around inside.
"Tch... the world's full of talent. Wanna hear it again..."
"Hear what?"
"Oh, Secretary Shin. You got home okay yesterday? Thanks for doing my laundry."
"No biggie. You took off without notice, so I figured laundry was the least I could do."
"Mm... but you didn't forget our deal, right?"
"...Yes."
"Good. Business as usual, then."
"Got it. Coffee coming up."
Secretary Shin whipped up a delicious hazelnut latte in no time.
"Ahh, that's the stuff. Missed you, Secretary."
"Heehee."
She blushed at the compliment, a cute smile slipping out.
Adorable.
Then a question popped into my head.
"By the way, you got in late yesterday? Weird for you to clock in after me."
"Oh, not really. There was some commotion on the way up, so I peeked and got delayed."
"Commotion? What kind?"
"Shin Jae-hyun. He was yelling at the staff. Sounds like it's not the first time. It's all sorted now, so nothing for you to worry about, Director."
Birds of a feather, huh? Guess that applies to couples too.
Harang was a total bitch to staff as well. Sigh.
Fine, whatever with Harang—but Shin Jae-hyun? I wanna screw that guy over...
Hmm... how...? Wait! That's it!
"This is perfect!"
"?!"
"Nah, Secretary, get back to work."
"Y-yes, sir."
No yelling "Eureka!" for me.
I shooed her out and dialed immediately.
"Ugh, what... hyung, what call this early..."
"Jin-seong, let's do a job together."
"?"
Things are about to get fun.