Exactly Three Days to Reach My Level
It took exactly three days for him to reach my level.
Today marked the fourth week since enrollment, and it was the day of the March mock exam. As always, I passed through the school gate early in the morning. Waking up early had been a bit tough at the start of the semester, but now this routine was ingrained, and my eyes just popped open at dawn. Ever since starting high school, my mornings had been identical every day. But two weeks ago, the routine shifted slightly. Not that I was sleeping in—no, I'd arrived at the same time today and yesterday as always. The change was simple: one more student was already seated when I got there.
"Hey."
I greeted Kwon Dain back as she waved lightly at me. This had been the pattern for the past two weeks. When I reached the classroom, Yoon Seola was asleep, and Kwon Dain welcomed me. Then came the small talk. It never lasted long—about ten minutes on average, though the time varied daily. Same today.
"You prep for the mock exam?"
Asking a first-year who hadn't even taken midterms yet if they'd prepared felt a bit off, but paradoxically, plenty of kids wanted to do well on their first mock and actually studied for it.
"...Nah."
Kwon Dain tilted her head, her expression screaming, Why bother prepping for that?
"Just asked 'cause some people are doing it."
I set my bag down naturally and pulled out my phone. Normally, I'd jot down a melody that popped into my head on the way or check Insta... but.
No more Insta for me.
There was no reason to keep it up. I'd started Insta to debut as a composer, but now I had an offer from HS. Plus, today was two weeks since the meeting. The day Dad and I were supposed to head to HS to sign the contract.
Chatting with Dad took top priority on my phone. Once we'd confirmed the plan, as I rested my chin and mindlessly scrolled shorts, a question came my way.
"The contract?"
"Thinking today."
"...I see."
Honestly, I hadn't planned to mention the contract at school. No need to pull aggro with "Jeong Jisul signed with HS." Especially since I'd be using a stage name and hiding my identity per the contract—I had to be extra careful not to get pinpointed. But Kwon Dain was the exception. Not favoritism. She'd already heard about it from somewhere, so hiding it was pointless. That's why we could talk like this.
Actually, it makes sense... Her mom's Seong Haein, after all.
"If you sign today, you'll be my sunbae at the company."
I tossed a light joke her way. I'd forgotten for a bit, but Kwon Dain was already with HS. Made sense with her mom being Seong Haein.
Having Seong Haein as a parent is straight-up a cheat key.
I smirked at the thought, and Kwon Dain let out a shallow laugh too.
"Sunbae, huh... Never really felt like one before. My first hoobae would be you."
"Why me as first hoobae? You must've had juniors in elementary or middle school."
"There were some on paper, but you're the first I've actually talked to like this."
"Haven't signed yet."
"Don't wanna be my hoobae, so skipping the contract?"
"...Not that."
Another smirk. We clicked more than I expected. She was prim on the surface but called out everything point-blank—it was kinda funny.
"But why no Insta lately?"
Kwon Dain asked, eyebrow arched.
"No need."
"Why'd you do it before?"
"To debut. Figured getting famous first might snag a chance, even a sketchy one."
"Ah...."
"What, bummed?"
"...Huh?"
"That I stopped uploading?"
I teased, lips twitching playfully. My mouth curved up on its own.
"...What? Just noticed you weren't posting at your usual time. Our presentation's in two weeks. Worried we might not connect."
"Oh, the project."
Group was set, but with presentation mid-April, nothing had started yet. Anyway.
"No worries on contact, though."
No need to stress that. Unless no one called, I'd be glued to work. Stuck to the computer all day—I'd hear my phone fine. She nodded at my assurance. Small talk over. That was our mornings for the past two weeks.
......
The contract went off without a hitch. The terms were insanely good for a newbie—no changes needed on my end. As I packed to head home after stamping the seal,
"Hold on a sec."
Bae Sol stopped me.
"Still got something to tell you... Before we get into the real talk, mind if I drop the formalities?"
Super polite. I knew her character was top-tier from industry stories, but I hadn't expected this much deference to a total rookie like me.
"Of course, go ahead."
"Alright, Jisul. You can work at the company from now on. Actually, better if you do for a while. Lets me give instant feedback."
"Got it."
"And... bit early for someone who just signed, but there's a project you might join. Just one track."
"......"
I stared blankly at Bae Sol. Me, composing for an HS artist? This soon?
Already giving me a shot?
I'd figured first gig would take at least three months. Absorbing her 20 years of know-how, dealing with industry cliques—all that combined meant three months earliest, I'd thought.
Gotta nail this.
Time to grind my teeth.
Whose track? Any HS singers prepping comeback?
Rookie idols wouldn't use my stuff. Active idols were mid-promo. Balladeers had short hiatuses. Artists long absent from the public...
...Seong Haein?
Did that even make sense? My track on the nation's top artist's comeback album? The thought sent my heart racing uncontrollably. No fear of flopping—just I gotta show 'em filling my head.
"Never imagined assigning track 4 to Jisul."
"He's got skills. And... I think he can deliver sounds no one else his age can."
As Jeong Jisul predicted, his project was Seong Haein's comeback mini-album. A hugely important one for her.
"Track 4's the prime-of-life story, right?"
"Yep."
The album chronicled her life story.
"And it'll be the title track."
Bae Sol tapped her finger.
"Honestly, I almost opposed it at first."
From her view, a newbie handling Seong Haein's title track was insane. His talent was raw, not fully bloomed. Or so she'd thought... but in three days, he'd soaked up her experience like an unlimited sponge. The result left her chuckling in disbelief.
"Took him exactly three days to match my level. He already knew everything I'd learned through experience. Couldn't explain it, but his instincts were on par."
Bae Sol prided her own brilliance. Thought no one could replicate it easily. But true genius was Jeong Jisul's.
"I'll total produce this album anyway... but give him more experience, and he could take my role...."
"So, Jisul's track is locked?"
Seong Haein's lips quirked up. Proud of discovering him.
"Locked. Pure talent-wise at our company, few surpass him."
Bae Sol texted Jeong Jisul.
"Track 4's set. Wanna give him the follow-up too if possible...."
"Start him off. Guy writes fast."
"True. If it's meh, we scrap it, no hard feelings."
The message attached the Seong Haein comeback project doc and track details for him.
......
"...Ha."
Bae Sol smirked, then burst into laughter.
"Look at this? Silent sampling here?"
Jisul's files reinterpreted Seong Haein's prime from every angle.
"...Can't even pick."
They were all stellar. Too bland to say "good," so: if past Bae Sol had current knowledge, this is what she'd make. Thinking that, she called someone. Familiar voice answered. Lips refusing to droop, she spoke.
"Haein, our album this time."
Not mini—full album. Simple reason: more slots meant more Jisul tracks. Maybe the star wouldn't be just Seong Haein.