Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Dream Stage
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Come home with me for a bit and do a test.
If a passerby overheard that, it would sound utterly sleazy.
Ayul tensed up at the word "test," her face full of question marks.
More precisely, it seemed her tension stemmed from "come home with me" rather than "test" itself.
To ease her wariness a little, I rattled off an excuse.
"I was so moved by your singing on the street that I'm kind of scouting you like this, but I want to hear it again to make sure it was as good as I remember. Might as well do it properly at home."
"......But why all the way to your house...?"
"You don't have an agency, so even if you make it onto My Producer, there's no way to notify you about precautions or future schedules, right? That's why we need to talk about that stuff too. If we do it in a place like this cafe and it leaks online, that'd be a problem."
"Ah, that makes sense. Hmm..."
Ayul hesitated a lot, understandably wary about going to a stranger's house.
Of course that was natural. But it had to be at home.
I needed to check if she had what it takes to enjoy this golden opportunity.
"We won't be there long, so don't worry. And when we're done, I'll give you a ride home. By the way, I'm only three years older than you, so feel free to relax."
Thankfully, Secretary Shin chimed in from the side.
It probably felt awkward going somewhere alone with a guy.
But with a woman like Secretary Shin along, Ayul's anxiety should ease up—and I was glad I'd brought her.
Sure enough, Ayul's expression softened a bit.
"Ah... so it'll be quick, right...?"
"Would it be good if it ended quickly? It'd only be quick if I hear you sing and decide it's not for me, then send you right out."
"Yeah, you're right. Hmm..."
"This is a real stroke of luck for you. I get that you're nervous, but you know we're legit from the broadcasting station, right?"
"......It's just hard to believe..."
Ayul was being frustratingly cautious—or cautiously frustrating, depending on how you looked at it.
It seemed tough to get her straight home on the first try...
I might need to go the long way around and stimulate her dreams a bit.
This could even open her heart wide for me. Emotionally speaking, of course.
"Hmm, alright then. How about we swing by the station first for a tour, then head home? Nothing proves it like that. As an aspiring singer, you must be curious about the inside too."
"Huh? R-Really? I can go in?"
"If you're with us. The ID and business card I showed you last time aren't foolproof—even I'd be suspicious if I were you. Let's go right now."
I stood up immediately. Once I'd heard enough of what I wanted, it was best to move fast.
As I got up, Secretary Shin naturally followed suit, and Ayul, a little flustered, trailed after us.
We reached the car, got in—but Ayul stood outside staring blankly, lost in dilemma again.
"What? Afraid we'll kidnap you? Heh."
Secretary Shin tried to lighten the mood, but Ayul remained stiff as a rock.
Getting into strangers' car alone must have conjured up crime movie scenes in her head.
Tsk, I got it, but it was starting to feel frustrating.
"Ayul, if you're scared, meet us at the station entrance. We can go in together from there."
"Uuung..."
"We'll head on first?"
"Ah, no, I'll get in...!"
Acting like it was no big deal worked on her innocence.
Her worries were unfounded anyway.
While Secretary Shin drove, I chatted with Ayul in the back seat.
I was up front in the passenger seat, for reference.
"Ayul, your singing has this hypnotic charm. That's why I emptied my wallet into your basket."
"Ah, thank you for that... You gave so much..."
"I gave it because I wanted to, so don't worry about it. But that makes me curious—why no agency? Never thought about auditioning?"
I already knew her situation, but I asked anyway to build that getting-to-know-you process with her.
Chatting like this might make us both comfortable eventually.
We'd be seeing each other a lot from now on.
"Joining an agency is kinda..."
"Why? Some reason?"
"Agencies cut off your income during trainee period. That's tough for me... Plus, at twenty, I'm not exactly young for a trainee..."
She'd been working since her student days, it seemed.
"So you're working something on the side right now?"
"I've been doing part-time gigs, but took a break. Gotta look for more..."
"Hmm... yeah. If you debut through My Producer, you skip all that trainee stuff and go straight to the big leagues. Money problems solved. Right?"
"Easier said than done..."
Ayul shrank back, sorely lacking in confidence or positive thinking.
She trailed off a lot too.
I tried hard to plant some hope in her, spinning happy scenarios...
"Even if you don't win debut, an agency might scout you right after seeing you on My Producer?"
"No way... They'd pick their own trainees first."
"If reactions are good to your looks and voice, couldn't you succeed as a YouTuber or streamer?"
"I don't have the wit or charm for that..."
"You're an aspiring singer, right? Can't you at least think positively for your dream?"
"That's why it's a dream..."
"......"
"......"
Ayul wasn't just negative—she was dried up and withered.
But on the flip side, showing this vibe on My Producer could create hilarious moments amid all the bubbly, energetic girls. It oddly made me smile.
Not that it was a concept for her—it was just her genuine self...
"We're here."
"Let's get out."
"Whoa..."
We arrived at the station's ground parking lot and stepped out.
Ayul started to grasp reality when the entrance barrier lifted easily, and now she gaped shyly in awe.
"Believe it now? Let's head in."
"Yep."
Honestly, a broadcasting station wasn't that special, but I wanted to show her the filming sets and studios to nurture the dream seed inside her.
This sprout would surely help me later.
"Oh, Shin Jae-hyun...!"
While touring a radio recording session, Ayul muttered to herself.
Shin Jae-hyun was diligently recording his radio show as usual where she looked.
His fame must have made her recognize him instantly.
"Yeah, that's him."
"So cool..."
Ayul smiled for the first time.
She does know how to smile.
"What? A fan of Shin Jae-hyun? Want me to call him over?"
"N-No! You don't have to go that far. He looks busy... And it's not like I'm a full fan—I just like his songs. But seeing him in person... wow."
Smooth—now she'd even spotted her idol singer.
Plus, when I showed up at the recording site, PDs and staff greeted me, and Ayul started fully trusting me.
"You really are the Station Director... For real... I thought maybe an impostor who looked like you was scamming..."
"There couldn't be another guy who looks like our Director. Heh."
"True."
The three of us headed to a music show studio next.
It was empty since nothing was filming, but Ayul, seeing the vast set for the first time, scampered around like a puppy, curiosity blooming everywhere.
Secretary Shin and I let her enjoy it for a moment.
"She seemed so gloomy and dim before, but now she's kinda cute."
"Yeah. At the end of the day, she's just a girl with dreams."
"But Director, there's something off about the way you're looking at Ayul."
"You'll get it when you hear her sing later. And that image is rare in idols—they all try to look lively, energetic, and bright. Not many are like dark queens. Viewers will love her on My Producer."
"Hmm... that's not what I meant."
"Huh? Then what?"
Secretary Shin glanced around—nobody nearby—then whispered in my ear.
"You really just gonna listen to her sing and slot her into My Producer? That's the only reason you want her at your house?"
"......"
She'd heard from me how I'd gotten sexual favors from Sua, Sihyun, Harang for their music shows, variety gigs, and even Im Da-hyun's ad spot—so she figured this was the same.
"Not it? Did I misjudge you too harshly? As your secretary, I'm starting to manage your list, so I had to ask. Sorry."
I spoke quietly.
"......Time to head home."
"Whoa, got it."
Secretary Shin looked a bit shocked at my vague reply and called Ayul.
"Ayul~ We gotta go. Outsiders can't stay too long."
Pure lie, of course. She was perfect as my secretary.
"Ah, okay."
Leaving the music studio, I asked Ayul,
"So? How was it, seeing the stage of your dreams up close?"
"I wanna get up there... Sing under the lights, in front of the cameras."
"Yeah, I hope your dream comes true."
"Thanks for the tour."
I looked at Ayul bowing politely and said,
"Now let's really go. To my house..."
Her guard was fully down now, and I'd proven I was the Director.
The idea that playing nice with me meant direct entry to My Producer was etched in.
I'd stuffed her full of dreams and hope too.
Now I was curious if she could give me what I wanted.