Let's Hang Out After School, Just the Two of Us
South Korea was buzzing with excitement over national singer Seong Haein's comeback. She wielded influence rivaling that of broadcasters with the "national MC" title. And the fact that, throughout her long career, her wiki page never once had a "Controversies and Incidents" section? That alone proved she deserved the "national" moniker.
Thanks to her, these days, no matter where you went in Korea, you'd hear, "Heard Seong Haein's new songs?" as everyday chatter.
But the music community's gaze was fixed on Fuzz, the composer who contributed the most tracks to this album.
Interest in Fuzz wasn't confined to the music community.
"I know Fuzz, sure. But do you really think I'd tell you who he is, President? You know my position too."
The industry was in an uproar. An unknown name topping the charts from #1 down—how could it not draw attention? The public might focus on singer Seong Haein, but those in the music business knew this album was as much Fuzz's achievement as hers. Which only made the mystery deeper. The industry was tiny. And the people who worked with top-tier artists like Seong Haein were practically set in stone. Yet here was a total newcomer wedged right in.
"...Impressive."
Kwon Dain, eavesdropping on Seong Haein's phone call from afar, checked the music chart rankings for the first time in ages. A sigh of admiration escaped her lips. She knew Fuzz's true identity was Jeong Jisul from her parents' conversation.
"#1 right out the gate..."
Kwon Dain felt a familiar pang in her chest. It happened sometimes when she thought of Jeong Jisul or talked to him—her heart would tighten like this. No signs otherwise. Only around him did her chest act up.
"Annoying..."
The ache brought a sticky, unpleasant emotion. Envy teetering on the edge of inferiority.
"What the hell am I even jealous of...?"
It had been over a month since their morning talks began. From mid-March to mid-April today. A month-plus of observing his life, yet no clear jealousy surfaced. Instead, she'd learned more about him. How he studied, his hobbies beyond composing. He sucked at taking photos and had zero interest in them. He was serious about soccer, catching early-morning matches sometimes. And even his birthday.
Useless facts now occupying space in her head.
"...No clue at all."
A month since realizing her feelings, and Kwon Dain's confusion only deepened.
The day after the album dropped. I woke up, checked rankings across music sites, and saw every #1 dominated by track 4, my composition Prologue. But my reaction stayed calm. Not that I wasn't thrilled—I was on a life-high. Just maintaining composure.
"Maybe 'cause I saw it coming..."
Honestly, I'd predicted it. Prologue would top the album. Confidence in my skills, plus it being the title track. No easy flop from the start. The company knew too—Seong Haein's music show schedule was all Prologue.
"Now for the rest..."
Royalties settlement.
"...In three months."
Maybe that's why the calm. Composers usually wait three months post-release for payout.
"Off to school."
Based on past-life memory,
"At least 5 million a month, easy."
First month royalties definitely over 5 mil. #2 sustained a month nets about 15 mil for the composer. With my 6 tracks in top 10, one in top 30—total 7.
"Times six should match actual payout, roughly?"
...Hold up. 'That's 90 mil?'
Getting dressed post-shower, I thumped my chest hard. Couldn't contain the rush.
"...Can finally do right by Mom and Dad."
Three months, and I could give them the filial piety they'd longed for. I'd always lived diligently under "good behavior is true filial piety," but money was its own thing. Dopamine flooded in, fingertips tingling.
"This is motivation."
Suddenly, I resolved to work harder on music. All for parents, of course.
"Keep at it steadily, no slacking."
With that vow, I headed to school.
Entering class, the usual scene greeted me. Yun Seola asleep, Kwon Dain waving. This routine for nearly a month now. School felt like home.
"Hi."
I waved back at Kwon Dain.
"Performance results not out yet?"
"Today's the day."
"Oh, right."
"Yeah."
Bluntly, our dynamic was ambiguous. Too close for non-friends—we chatted daily. But not quite friends; a wall lingered. Not hating it, just noting the vagueness.
As I set down my bag to sit,
"Jisul."
Kwon Dain closed her reference book, meeting my eyes.
"Yeah?"
She usually led convos, so no surprise.
"Wanna hang after school?"
...Until then.
I'd just thought we weren't that close.
"Just us?"
I feigned calm, but she might've seen through. Aspiring actress with pro-level skills.
"Yeah, just us."
Explicitly just us. I checked my phone pointlessly.
"One sec."
No schedule, but needed think time.
Why wanna hang one-on-one?
Reason for Kwon Dain to want solo time with me? Most normal: 'just wanna get closer.' But...
She's not the type.
She doesn't expand her circle needlessly. As I pondered,
"Free today?"
She asked again.
"No biggie if not. Doesn't have to be today."
Not today only meant eventually, once.
...That eager to hang?
Decision made, I accepted.
"Free today. Let's go. Where to?"
Surprised she asked, not that I disliked going.
"Thought cafe. Wanna talk with you..."
Someone might say 'talk at school,' but no. Could be private stuff.
"After cafe... wherever you wanna go. Anywhere's fine."
Anywhere? Dangerous words.
"Really anywhere?"
"...Not too weird."
"What's weird?"
"...You know."
"Like where?"
My teasing shifted her face. A bit... no, a lot scarier. Her calm black eyes wiped emotions clean, turning flat.
So this is dead eyes.
"Keep it up?"
Actress in character scaring? Perfect timing to feel it.
Kinda like...
Getting chewed out by a really pissed mom.
"No more teasing, relax."
I chuckled, looking at her. Her eyes sparked back to life.
...Acting, obviously.
"Send cafe address. Where to meet after?"
"Can't we go together?"
"Would put you in a spot."
Rumors scarier than imagined. Lately, weird ones about me: always with the lead trio, corrupting them into debauchery. Crude stuff. Class had plenty of popular kids covering for me, so fine now. But avoid rumor-bait actions.
"Send address, I'll go ahead and wait."