Chapter 134
Chapter 134
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: Your Answer to Us
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Vrrrr.
It was a call from the head of the Korean branch, whom I’d met a few times regarding the Rhythm Saber contract.
“Hello, Branch Manager.”
-Goodness. I'm just now getting back to you after my business trip to Japan. Producer, I just played the final version. It's absolutely incredible.
The branch manager seemed itching to talk, launching into his spiel without even a proper greeting.
-I know you've been incredibly busy lately. How did you whip this up so quickly?
There was my overpowered 'Star Maker' trait, of course, but for me, someone who understood Answer’s dances and songs perfectly, creating the Rhythm Saber map wasn't all that difficult.
I recorded myself performing Answer’s choreography from behind, then perfectly synced the gameplay footage with the music for the DLC.
Then, I just had to place the location points for the key movements—the elbows, fingertips, knees, hips, and steps—on the beat or off-beat.
It would have been a task requiring immense time and effort without a deep understanding of the music and choreography, but for me, who had practically created everything for Answer, it was hardly a challenge.
-Even on medium difficulty, it really feels like you're dancing. The steps included in the highest difficulty were great, too...
Without waiting for my reply, the branch manager continued to shower praise on the new modes included in the DLC.
-For the songs that didn't seem to have choreography, you made it feel like powerfully playing the drums or the piano. And for the vocal-heavy tracks, the effects corresponding to the pitch were also fantastic.
“You seem quite pleased with it.”
-Of course. The head office is also very satisfied. Thanks to you and CEO Park Jae-yong lightening the workload, we got approval right away. In fact, that's why I went to Japan—to get the license number. They say the Chinese publishing license will be issued soon too.
The branch manager said, sounding very excited.
“I also received a message saying it would be released without a hitch. It seems things went smoothly thanks to you, Branch Manager.”
-Haha. You’re too modest.
“If this DLC does well, I have a proposal I’d like to discuss with you in person.”
-Sounds great. Even without a proposal, we should have a meal together sometime.
“Then I’ll see you again with the CEO.”
Everything was proceeding smoothly, right on schedule for Answer’s showcase.
The DLC would surely be a success, and it was bound to become a hot topic again with Answer's resurgence on the charts.
* * *
The day of Answer's showcase, which they had prepared so diligently for, had arrived.
After getting ready from 10 AM to 4 PM, the members of Answer and I were on our way in the car.
“As expected! No other group can match the beauty of our artists.”
Despite Choi Yoo-jun's flattery, the members of Answer only managed bitter smiles, unable to hide their nervous expressions, which made Choi Yoo-jun feel awkward.
“Timjang-nim.”
“Yes, Seol-ah?”
“How many of our memberships were sold?”
Seol-ah asked cautiously.
A total of 3,000 memberships and welcome kits, signifying founding fan club members, had been prepared, and Answer had spent a great deal of time signing the items inside.
However, Answer had been shocked to see fans leave after the recent incident with Do Chang-ryeol's malicious articles. Since then, they seemed to have become so afraid that they were even hesitant to visit their own fan cafe.
In truth, the memberships had sold out long ago, but I hadn't mentioned it to the members.
It was calculating, but if Answer were to show even a few tears at the showcase, it would undoubtedly play a huge role in boosting their image. After all, various broadcast industry officials we had invited would be there.
In fact, I was hoping they would burst into tears.
“…A lot were sold.”
At my very understated reply, Choi Yoo-jun’s eyes widened as he shot me a look that said, ‘Why are you lying?’
“Drive.”
“Yes, sir!”
My choice of words made the Answer members sigh softly.
Although the incident had been handled well, it seemed they didn't expect things to recover in just a few days.
“…But we filled the showcase venue, right?”
We had announced that about 700 attendees would be chosen by lottery from the 3,000 memberships. Seol-ah was essentially asking if at least 700 had been sold.
“Hitting number one on the charts is more important than the showcase.”
It wasn't a lie. Hitting number one *was* more important than the showcase.
The back seat filled with the sound of sighs.
It had been a while since their debut song came out, and since they hadn't been doing the music show commutes, they probably had less of a feel for their own popularity.
“Anyone would think you’re a failed group. The incident was resolved, and your contracts are being restored. Answer is an amazing team, enough to get an official payment this month. You know there are tons of groups who promote for years and never get paid, only accumulating debt.”
Choi Yoo-jun, who was driving, glanced at me with a ‘Why do you keep lying?’ expression, and I returned it with a ‘When did I ever lie?’ look.
Still, the kid had gotten a lot quicker on the uptake and was playing along with me well.
We arrived at the art hall in Sangam-dong. Many of Answer’s fans were scattered around the area.
“Huh? There are a lot of people.”
Seul-bi’s words made me flinch. But I had already decided to create a dramatic atmosphere.
“…Don’t be too disappointed. I heard there was another girl group’s fan club event here this morning.”
The hopeful expressions on the Answer members’ faces fell once again.
Sorry, everyone. Forgive me for having to think strategically.
Seol-ah looked incredibly lonely as she touched the pink, question-mark-shaped light stick, but she soon changed her expression.
“Come on, let’s cheer up! Our Timjang-nim resolved the rumors for us. We’re getting paid this month!”
“Yeah! We’re a group that gets paid!”
“We’re gonna tear it up!”
“That’s right! Though I might not get paid!”
“Pfft.”
Choi Yoo-jun, who already knew about Answer’s popularity and the showcase’s success, couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Answer’s and my own uncomfortable gazes turned to Choi Yoo-jun.
“Ahem! Artist Ro-si, you’ll be paid this time too. In fact, the other members had higher investment costs.”
Choi Yoo-jun said with a straight face, changing the subject.
We arrived at the showcase venue and entered the waiting room.
“You won’t have time for dinner if you go straight in after rehearsal. Do you want to eat beforehand?”
“What if we eat and get an upset stomach?”
Seol-ah shook her head at my question.
“You haven’t been eating properly because of your InBody tests. What if you collapse?”
“Then… how about some coffee and a cookie each?”
“Oh, right! Cookies and coffee would be perfect!”
Yi-na eagerly agreed with Seul-bi.
A single cookie probably has more calories than a chicken salad. And who says you can't get an upset stomach from cookies?
“Understood! I’ll try to get some relatively low-calorie oatmeal cookies, then.”
“Mhm. Be back soon.”
Yi-na waved at Choi Yoo-jun.
I let out a small laugh and went to check on the showcase hall.
* * *
Answer finished their rehearsal, and Lee Yoo-ah, who had arrived late, finished hers as well. The broadcast officials and company staff already seated in the audience gave a small round of applause.
The plan was for Lee Yoo-ah to perform during the costume change for Answer's follow-up song, after they performed together for their mashup project.
“Wow, Yoo-ah. That was so beautiful and cool.”
I approached Lee Yoo-ah, who had just finished her rehearsal, clapping sincerely.
An off-the-shoulder white mini dress, a pale white face contrasted by long, jet-black hair.
The image of her as an SJ trainee just over a year ago overlapped with her current self, making me wonder if this was all a dream.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Really.”
“Come on, you see Ro-si and Seol-ah-unni every day. You’re just lying.”
Her expression clearly said, ‘I want you to say something nice to me.’
Everyone has their own unique charm. How can you compare who’s prettier?
A good personality, singing, playing an instrument, acting, dancing, cooking, sports, studying, and so on. There are endless ways a person can be attractive.
“Yoo-ah, the way you treat your parents is beautiful, and the way you look singing and playing your instrument is beautiful too.”
“…Pfft, what was that! Why so serious with your answer! Hehe!”
Lee Yoo-ah placed her guitar backstage with an expression that was both happy and bittersweet.
“I’ll definitely succeed and repay you.”
“Repay me…?”
I was about to say she didn't need to, but I changed my mind.
“I’ll collect properly later, so make sure you succeed.”
“Pfft... I’ll head in first.”
“Okay, great work, Yoo-ah.”
A pleased smile spread across my face as I watched Lee Yoo-ah leave the stage. Everything was going well.
“Now that rehearsals are over, should we let the general audience in?”
“Yes. Please do.”
Under the direction of the event staff, the general audience began to enter, and I told the pre-show MC to ask the crowd to remain quiet.
I also remembered to ask them to keep the lighting minimal so the audience wouldn't be visible until Answer came on stage.
And as I scanned the audience...
‘There are a lot of female fans.’
It was unexpected. I thought most of them would be male fans, but surprisingly, half were female.
Perhaps Seul-bi and Ro-si’s mirror dance performance and Seol-ah’s intense CPR scene had captured the hearts of female fans.
“Yoo-jun, you didn’t show them the live monitor, right?”
-Hehehe. Hyung, what's really crazy is that someone else must have had the same idea as you.
“What do you mean?”
-The event manager asked me, ‘Should I show them the recording of the audience?’ I was like, whoa, I got serious goosebumps.
“Perfect.”
It seems there are others out there who plan things to make performers cry in the waiting room. Of course, kids with bad personalities wouldn't shed a tear no matter what you did, but Answer is different.
The stage staff gave the cue to enter. Having seen what looked like a mediocre crowd from some other event, Answer headed to the stage with bitter expressions.
With calm faces, they trudged onto the stage, which was so quiet you couldn't even hear a whisper.
Flash!
From the darkened audience, countless pink, question-mark-shaped lights began to wave.
“Waaaaah!”
“Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!”
The fans in the audience started clapping in rhythm, and the reporters scrambled to take out their cameras, busy snapping photos of the crowd and Answer.
“May! Our question! Reach! You!”
“May! Our question! Reach! You!”
The fans’ cheer erupted from the packed audience.
As if in protest, the fans waved their question-mark-shaped light sticks wildly. Their synchronized movements resembled a pink wave.
“Your answer to us!”
“Waaaaah!”
Though it was a hall of less than a thousand people, the unified cheer echoed as loudly as the shouts of tens of thousands. Even the broadcast officials shook their heads, yet their faces were filled with pleased smiles.
“Man, that fan chant is moving... Admit it, right?”
“…Did you come up with that?”
“Hehe. Yep.”
Choi Yoo-jun was grinning, as if begging for praise.
“It’s a little... cringey, but whatever.”
“Hey, what the heck! Look, the artists are so moved they’re crying. I was the one who filmed videos to help the fans practice and directed them and everything. I even did a rehearsal with them earlier when I went to get coffee and cookies. It’s not easy doing that with so many people watching! It was so embarrassing!”
Choi Yoo-jun said, his face a mixture of laughter and tears.
Ro-si covered her face, Seol-ah covered her mouth, Seul-bi looked up at the ceiling, and Yi-na cried openly without any pretense.
Eventually, Yi-na, wearing a short skirt, was crying so hard she collapsed, and Seol-ah, though crying herself, helped her back up.
I could almost hear Seol-ah’s voice saying, ‘Even if you’re wearing safety shorts, it’s not good to expose them like that.’
“Good job. This is the best thing our Choi Yoo-jun has ever done.”
“Keuh. I’m finally getting acknowledged by you, Hyung. *Sniffle*.”
Choi Yoo-jun seemed incredibly proud of the fan chant he created, even squeezing out a tear of emotion.
Just then, the members of Answer turned to look at us backstage with resentful glares.
“…Why aren’t you looking at the audience?”
“Ah! Uh oh. We should run—ack!”
Starting with Seol-ah, the members of Answer charged toward us backstage.
“All the broadcast officials are here! Greet them first!”
“Agh! Ah, Artists, don’t hit me! The fans can see everything! Ugh!”
The resentful hands of the Answer members flew toward Choi Yoo-jun and me.