Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: The Plan and the Performance
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“I’m going to raise the missing 3 billion won and consult with an expert.”
“Do you have anyone in mind?”
“For starters, Sung-hoon hyung’s asset management team leader. He's been managing his finances for a long time, so I think he's trustworthy.”
We talked for a long while after that, and the Isa-nim's expression became more troubled than pleased.
“I'd like you to be the only one who knows, Isa-nim.”
“Uh, yes.”
I noticed a slight change in the Isa-nim's tone.
Perhaps she was thinking of me, now a potential owner of a massive stake in JD Enter, and contemplating the practical implications.
“All I need is to get my revenge on CEO Gyeon Sang-jin.”
The Isa-nim quickly wiped the startled look from her face.
“…Do you hate him enough to bet your life on it?”
“He’s my sworn enemy, for reasons too numerous to explain one by one.”
“……”
It was only natural that the Isa-nim didn't understand. To achieve my goal, I would need her help, however small, so it seemed best to tell her at least one thing.
A heavy aura emanated from me, enveloping the Isa-nim.
“When I was in high school, both of my parents passed away at the same time. I had no relatives and knew nothing. CEO Gyeon Sang-jin stepped in and handled everything for me, except for the house.”
“……”
“I was just a kid, so I was simply grateful. I felt so hopeless I wanted to die. But later, I found out my parents' restaurant had been taken over by Gyeon Sang-jin.”
“What?”
The Isa-nim looked utterly dumbfounded.
“I thought my parents didn't leave much money behind because they helped so many people in need, but that wasn't it. He snatched up the restaurant for a ridiculously low price.”
“How could he do that?”
“The real estate agent said it would be worth 3 billion won at today's market price.”
“Isn't that fraud? There must be a law that voids contracts made with a minor!”
“He's not that careless. He didn't leave a single piece of evidence.”
“Hah! He's insane, really!”
The Isa-nim was genuinely angry on my behalf, and seeing that was a great comfort to me.
“And it's not just a personal grudge. I saw a lot of things I shouldn't have at SJ Enter. Because of Gyeon Sang-jin, someone committed suicide…”
I cut myself off, and the Isa-nim's face turned pale.
“To see good rewarded and evil punished, as much as I can. That's the world I dream of.”
“…Now I understand. I was only thinking about what you went through as a trainee…. Hah, seriously. I didn't think he was that kind of person…”
The Isa-nim said with a serious expression.
I'd felt it when we ran into each other in the control room at the broadcasting station before, but it was clear the Isa-nim and Gyeon Sang-jin were connected by some past incident.
“Please keep the investment association matter to yourself, Isa-nim. It might be necessary for the sake of many people.”
“Min-jun… you’re an incredible person. I feel like you can achieve anything you want.”
I felt that the way the Isa-nim was looking at me now was similar to how I had looked at her on our first day.
It was starting to feel awkward, so I decided to change the subject.
“Should we turn it on now?”
“Oh…? Right. We have to monitor, don't we?”
As I, remote in hand, asked the question, the Isa-nim opened her planner, her expression visibly lighter.
“Should we skip right to Answer?”
“Do you know the lineup?”
We focused on work again, as if we had forgotten the conversation we'd just had.
Because we're professionals.
“I’ll ask Yoo-jun.”
I requested the cue sheet from Choi Yoo-jun, and we played parts of a few rookie songs and new releases that the Isa-nim pointed out.
“Do you think this trend of repetitive melodies without a hook will continue?”
“For now, but there’s a lot of talk among students. They say there are no new songs to sing at coin karaoke, so they choose ballads from around 2010.”
“Ah… they’re singing old ballads at karaoke?”
“Yes. Even at our auditions last year, many of them sang ballads from the 2000s for their free-choice songs.”
“You’re right.”
The Isa-nim nodded.
After the new songs, it was Answer’s turn.
Two rookie idols, a man and a woman from the nation's largest agency, were the MCs.
-Welcome! Please answer my question!
-What… question?
-Ask us question!
-Ahh! It’s Answer’s stage!
The idol MCs introduced Answer with a short skit.
-So hot, so hot! So hip, so hip! We’ve been waiting! They’ve finally made their comeback!
-Ask us question! Answer’s special stage! Now!
-Here we go!
-Here we go!
“Waaaah!”
With the cheers of the audience, Answer's comeback and their mashup project with Lee Yoo-ah began, live on air.
Of the two auxiliary stages set up on either side of the main stage, the lights on one turned on.
A triangular, attic-shaped set.
“The stage director put in some effort.”
“Yes. The attic design is pretty.”
Contrary to the audience's expectation that Answer would appear, the first to be revealed was Lee Yoo-ah, playing her guitar.
“They must’ve thought it was a broadcasting accident with Yoo-ah coming out instead of Answer.”
“I know. We should have seen it in person. Isn’t Yoo-ah’s outfit pretty?”
“Yes. She’s a rookie, but she managed to get a good sponsorship.”
“…Right. You were at SJ with Yoo-ah, weren't you?”
“Yes. Yoo-ah went through a lot, too.”
The Isa-nim nodded with a calm expression.
Lee Yoo-ah's pre-chorus played as she slowly moved to the center stage, and just when the rap part was supposed to start, Ro-si suddenly appeared and performed the rap from Yoo-ah's song instead.
♪♬
Mom, I'm sorry
I was going crazy
Because I miss my mom
This is the only way to feel my mom
Aren't you proud of me?
I grew up well, right?
You're relieved now, right?
♪♬
As the rap in Lee Yoo-ah's song ended, the music transitioned, seamlessly connecting her song with Answer's as if they were originally one.
Ro-si, who had been rapping Yoo-ah's part, continued straight into the rap for Answer's song, and the previously dark stage where Answer stood was revealed. Answer’s outfits, reflecting the brilliant lights, were retro but by no means old-fashioned.
♪♬
I came to you as promised.
I'll stand here as promised.
♪♬
The choreography kicked in, matching their original song.
♪♬
Aren't you proud of me?
I grew up well, right?
You know it's time to catch me, right?
♪♬
As if the subject was passing from the past to the present, the last three lines were mashed up with similar lyrics and flow. It created a mystical feeling, as if two songs were merging into one, and one song was splitting into two.
Then came the chaîne turn dance and Seol-ah's powerful high-note hook.
♪♬
My love is waiting for you.
In this short darkness
Hold me.
♪♬
“Waaaah!”
“Ooooh.”
The audience roared in admiration as Seol-ah emerged smoothly from between Ro-si and Seul-bi—who were turning like mirror images—as if gliding on ice.
For a moment, their turns were as elegant as if four professional ballerinas were on stage. Moreover, Seol-ah, who perfectly showcased her high-note vocals while executing the difficult move, was more than just an elegant swan on a lake; she was something more.
“Impressive.”
The Isa-nim said with a pleased look, as if recalling her own glory days.
I was pleased as well. The members’ diligent practice on their choreography and vocals shone even brighter on top of the song I had made.
The pleased smiles on our faces never faded, and before we knew it, Answer and Lee Yoo-ah’s performance came to an end.
♪♬
The clock goes tick-tock
Run towards the end
♪♬
A wave of intense emotion washed over me at the sight of Answer, breathing heavily in their ending pose, their faces etched with loneliness and longing.
“Waaaah!”
“Kyaaaak!”
The audience’s fervent reaction, clearly unprompted, erupted, and the Isa-nim and I shot up to our feet, clapping.
Clap, clap, clap.
A dazzling light poured down on Lee Yoo-ah, sitting on a chair with a vacant gaze next to the panting members of Answer.
That vacant gaze was a concept I had directed, but it overlapped with the funeral portrait of Yoo-ah from my first life, drawing a bitter smile from me.
“The kids did well.”
“They really did. Both were amazing.”
“…Are you going to raise the rest of the money from Fire Emblem?”
It seemed the Isa-nim, who I thought was focused solely on the stage, was still thinking about it.
“They're my last resort.”
I said that, but I had no intention of involving the Fire Emblem guys.
It was true we were close, but realistically, if money came into the picture before I had proven my abilities to them, it could ruin our good relationship.
To take over Gyeon Sang-jin's company, everything had to proceed exactly as I had designed, without a single mistake.
“Isa-nim.”
“Yes?”
“I'm going for a drink with Sung-hoon hyung. Would you like to join us?”
“…Alright.”
After a moment's hesitation, the Isa-nim gathered her things.
* * *
We entered a lounge bar in Cheongdam-dong.
In the main hall, club EDM played at a low volume, and two beautiful women who looked like they had money to spare were dancing with joyful expressions.
People recognized the Isa-nim as a famous celebrity but went about their business with nonchalant faces, probably thinking it would be uncool to make a fuss.
We were guided past the hall and into a private room.
“Oh? Noona, you came too? Sit here.”
Sung-hoon hyung offered the head of the table to the Isa-nim.
“No. I think Producer Min-jun should sit there today.”
“Aish. Just call him Min-jun, what's with the 'Producer'? And you, man, what's with the sudden call? I'm a celebrity, you know.”
“Pfft.”
The Isa-nim laughed as if she found it amusing, and Kim Sung-hoon wore a satisfied smile at the sight.
“But earlier, you said you'd come find me wherever I was.”
“…That was then, this is now, man.”
“I came because I thought you wanted to buy me a drink, hyung. I'm disappointed.”
“Why do you have to put it like that? Noona, what would you like to drink?”
“I'll have any cocktail.”
“Then for the elegant noona, a glass of Bourgeois…”
Sung-hoon hyung said, flipping through the menu.
“No, something with low alcohol content.”
“How about an Amaretto Sour?”
“Okay.”
“Min-jun will have the same thing as me.”
A staff member entered.
“One Amaretto Sour and two platters. Bowmore 18.”
Sung-hoon hyung casually ordered a bottle of liquor that cost 700,000 won.
Would I ever be able to do that, even if I became rich?
The staff member took our order and left.
“I heard Jae-yong hyung has a panic disorder?”
“It's a type of anxiety disorder, but it's not confirmed yet.”
“What, do you need a neurologist to tell you? It's obvious just by looking. Serves him right.”
“Kim Sung-hoon. Isn't that a bit harsh?”
“Aish, Noona, don't be so serious. I've been through it myself, it won't kill you. Jae-yong hyung gave me so much crap for it. Anyway, Answer and Yoo-ah did great, right?”
I clearly remember him gasping for breath, saying he felt like he was dying.
“Yeah. The reaction was great.”
“Anything Min-jun touches turns into a top star. He's a real talent, I tell you.”
The complimentary pretzels and chocolates arrived with the drinks.
“Alright, since Min-jun here made a lot of money, he's treating today. So drink up, everyone.”
“……”
When neither the Isa-nim nor I reacted, Sung-hoon hyung looked embarrassed.
“…It's true, Noona. This kid has a ton of money. Not in buildings like me, but in straight cash…”
“I know.”
“…Eheh… Ehehe. What could you possibly know, Noona.”
Sung-hoon hyung said with a chuckle.
“It's 6 billion won, right? After taxes.”
“Yes.”
“!”
Sung-hoon hyung, who had intended to surprise the Isa-nim, ended up looking more surprised than anyone.