Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: The Million Won Bet
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♪♬
My love is… waiting for… you
In this short… darkness…
Hold me…
♪♬
Seol-ah sang with great difficulty while doing kettlebell swings.
For a female beginner with no experience, an 8kg kettlebell swing was an incredibly difficult exercise.
It was only possible because Seol-ah was on the stronger side. Someone like Yi-na would have collapsed after less than ten reps.
“You need to feel the power in your thighs, pelvis, and abs to find your points of resonance and articulation.”
I made up some plausible-sounding reason to justify it. But as I said it, I started to think it might actually be possible.
♪♬
The clock goes… tick-tock… tick-tock
Run towards… the end—*hic!*
♪♬
*Thud!*
Seol-ah’s practice count: 3/70
Your practice count: 0/7
Time limit: 23:40:53
“Hah… Hah.”
It was only her third rep, but Seol-ah was already gasping for breath.
“Will this… really… work?”
“A voice needs makeup too. You have to be able to create different feelings depending on the situation.”
“……”
“Someone who only sings ballads well, someone who only sings R&B well, someone who only sings for dance tracks. You don't want to be labeled like that, right? It happens a lot, actually.”
“…If it helps…”
Seol-ah was still doubtful, and in times like these, I needed to be shameless.
“I’m not the type to waste your time with half-baked knowledge.”
“I’ll trust you.”
“And finally, we need to fix the bad habit you picked up because of CEO Park Jae-yong.”
For a moment, I felt a shift in the air and the white noise from outside.
Turning around, I saw CEO Park Jae-yong entering with a bitter smile.
He had clearly been eavesdropping at the door.
Of all the times to show up.
“I didn’t expect you to say that, Min-jun.”
“Welcome, sir.”
“So, what's this bad habit Seol-ah has?”
Even Seol-ah looked guilty.
Her last vocal coach had been CEO Park Jae-yong, and his preferences had inevitably influenced her.
“The way she takes a huge breath before bending a note.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“It might be better for emotional expression in ballads, but it can become grating if you hear it constantly.”
“……”
CEO Park Jae-yong looked like he didn’t understand.
“Let's take the artists from Saeim Entertainment as an example. When a new artist from there debuts, consumers know right away. They might be good singers, but they all sound similar, so there's not an ounce of freshness.”
For a second, the CEO’s pride seemed deeply wounded, but this was a problem that had to be addressed eventually.
“…Fine, fine. I’m a cool guy. I’ll admit it. But are you saying you can change her style with this method?”
He still looked unconvinced, but CEO Park Jae-yong pretended to be cool about it.
“I can.”
“How long will it take?”
“One day.”
“Ha… haha. Want to bet a million won? Ah, ah. Min-jun, you only have to put up a hundred thousand. If she really changes, I'll give you a million won. Deal?”
CEO Park Jae-yong said with a mocking expression.
So he admits I'm good at making songs, but he's not ready to concede on the training front, is that it?
“This is for the good of our company. I just hope you'll judge fairly.”
“Hahaha! Hey! Min-jun!”
CEO Park Jae-yong wagged his index finger from side to side.
“When you talk about fairness, you’re talking about me. See you tomorrow.”
A strong sense of pique emanated from him as he left, pretending to be cool.
It was better to get this over with now for the sake of the future.
“…Haa.”
Seol-ah let out a sigh she had been holding.
It seemed she’d been holding her breath during the conversation with CEO Park Jae-yong. For someone who acts so confident, she’s surprisingly soft-hearted.
“Now that the explanation is over, let’s do it together.”
“I can do it alone. You don’t have to.”
Seol-ah twirled her long hair behind her back before tying it up in a bun with a hair tie from her wrist.
Fascinating.
I picked up a heavy 16kg kettlebell.
How could I make her do this absurd training alone?
[Trait ‘Soldier’s Spirit (B)’ activated.]
[Strength and Agility are greatly increased.]
The heavy kettlebell suddenly felt no heavier than a pineapple.
For a moment, I felt like a coward.
Didn't I promise myself I'd be sincere with the Answer members and not use any tricks?
I have to be true to myself.
[Trait ‘Soldier’s Spirit (B)’ deactivated.]
The kettlebell returned to its original weight, and I braced myself for the ordeal.
“Let’s start.”
“Really, I’m fine.”
We began the ridiculous kettlebell swings while singing.
♪♬
The night begins… again
But… time is short
My shoes will… soon break
My heart… will break
♪♬
It might have looked ridiculous, but beads of sweat soon began to form.
[Seol-ah begins to rely on you.]
[The training effect is increased due to strong synchronization.]
***
In the practice room, Seul-bi, Ro-si, and Yi-na were choreographing a dance that blended various genres.
Choi Yoo-jun, seeming to like the members’ choreography, moved his body along with them.
Once they finished the choreography for the second verse, Choi Yoo-jun stopped the recording on his phone, which was propped up on a tripod.
“How is it?”
“It’s great! Totally great!”
Choi Yoo-jun gave a thumbs-up in response to Seul-bi’s question.
“Don’t just say that.”
“No, it’s really good. The disco form was great for a retro song, and the way you smoothly incorporated voguing and girlish elements was fantastic.”
“Ooh! As expected from someone who knows their stuff! You caught everything.”
Choi Yoo-jun’s shoulders puffed out at Seul-bi’s backhanded compliment.
“Hahaha! Just you wait until I become an official A&R.”
“Ooh, the confidence!”
Even though it was the middle of winter and the heater was off, the Answer members were fanning themselves after their intense practice.
“It’s winter, but I’m craving an iced Americano.”
“I’ll go get them! The break room coffee just doesn’t cut it, right?”
“That sounds delicious!”
Ro-si, who had been craving a cold coffee, was delighted.
Choi Yoo-jun headed to the first-floor studio where Min-jun and Seol-ah were practicing.
Although he had been very disappointed at first to be told to start as a manager, as time went on, he felt like this job was his true calling.
Humming a tune, Choi Yoo-jun arrived at the studio and paused.
A thin layer of condensation had formed on the small window.
Nervous, Choi Yoo-jun hesitated for a moment before lowering himself so his head was below the window and pressing his ear to the door.
But there was no way any sound could penetrate the heavy soundproof door.
*Whoosh.*
The door suddenly opened, and a startled Choi Yoo-jun fell to the floor.
“…What are you doing?”
Min-jun, who had opened the door, had a face and hair damp with sweat.
“Ah, well… ah, would you like some ice cream?”
“…Ice cream?”
Min-jun repeated, dumbfounded.
“Ah! Not ice cream, Iced Americano. The ice creams… I mean, the artists said they wanted some, so I was going to get it.”
“…What’s wrong with you? Why are you so flustered?”
Min-jun, who seemed out of breath, glanced back into the studio.
“Want an iced Americano?”
“Haa… Yes.”
Hearing Seol-ah’s heated voice from inside, Choi Yoo-jun's eyes widened, and he swallowed hard.
“Two iced Americanos, please.”
“Yes…”
“Is there something you want to say?”
“No! No!”
“Ah. And make them large.”
“Yes… Yes.”
Min-jun closed the door, still catching his breath.
“…What was that?”
Choi Yoo-jun told himself he was making an absurd misunderstanding as he imagined the situation inside.
But no matter how many scenarios he considered, the conclusion always arrived at the same impure destination.
‘Hyung and Seol-ah-noona aren’t that shameless. What on earth is going on!’
Choi Yoo-jun slowly moved away, striking the pose of Rodin’s ‘The Thinker’.
‘Should I just buy the coffee and burst in without knocking? I have a perfectly good reason, right?’
Entertaining such thoughts, Choi Yoo-jun swallowed hard again when the faint scent of perfume reached his nose.
He slowly raised his head, and his eyes fell upon a pair of sleek legs in pumps and a black H-line skirt.
“Huh?”
Seeing Director Lee Sun staring at him, Choi Yoo-jun jumped as if he’d been caught doing something wrong.
“What are you thinking about so intently?”
“By any chance!”
“…By any chance?”
“Are you heading to the studio?”
“Yes.”
Flustered, Choi Yoo-jun blocked Director Lee Sun’s path and took out his phone to call Min-jun.
“What are you doing?”
Director Lee Sun pushed past him.
“Aack!”
Choi Yoo-jun suddenly screamed.
Startled, Director Lee Sun gave him a bewildered look.
“What is it!”
“I was wondering where the Team Leader went, and he must have gone to buy iced Americanos!”
Seeing Choi Yoo-jun’s reddened face, Director Lee Sun opened her mouth, looking utterly baffled.
“What kind of nonsense is this all of a sudden?”
“Why don’t you and I go get some coffee!”
“……”
“I think the Team Leader will be there.”
“What are you talking about… He’ll come back if he’s in the studio. Why should I go?”
“Because you, Director, deserve to drink only the freshest, highest-quality coffee!”
As he continued to spout nonsense, Director Lee Sun’s expression grew suspicious.
“…Is something going on in the studio?”
“Nothing of the sort!”
“Move!”
“I can’t!”
“Are you crazy?”
“Please!”
“Do you want to get fired?”
As Director Lee Sun pushed him aside and reached the soundproof door, a look of heroic determination flashed in Choi Yoo-jun’s eyes.
“Uwaaah!”
Choi Yoo-jun let out a bizarre scream and slammed his forehead to the ground in a grand bow.
*Thud!*
“Aah! Choi Yoo-jun!”
*Splat.*
Having slammed his head on the floor, Choi Yoo-jun didn't move an inch.
***
Seol-ah’s practice count: 35/70
Your practice count: 28/7
Time limit: 20:39:29
Seol-ah and I were sitting on the sofa, breathing heavily.
My muscles were screaming, and I could taste blood in my lungs.
“Let’s rest for a bit… and continue after the iced Americanos arrive.”
“…Okay.”
Seeing Seol-ah sitting on the sofa, her skin glistening as she caught her breath, I suddenly remembered Choi Yoo-jun’s face from a moment ago, and my own face grew hot.
“…That… stupid idiot…”
“……”
Seol-ah looked at me as if to ask if I was talking to myself again.
It was the second time today.
What on earth did that guy imagine?
*Thump.*
A strange vibration traveled through the floor.
“Kyaa!”
Despite the thick soundproof door, Director Lee Sun’s scream came through loud and clear.
“What was that sound?”
I quickly opened the soundproof door.
“……”
Choi Yoo-jun, who had been lying face down in an attention-like pose, raised his head to look at me, then shot up as if nothing had happened. His forehead was red, but he wore a heroic yet bitter smile, as if he had accomplished his mission.
His expression seemed to say, ‘I did my best.’
My eyes met the Director’s twitching ones.
“What’s going on? Oh, Director?”
As Seol-ah, drenched in sweat, poked her head out, a ripple went through the Director’s eyes.
“…Oh, hey… Practicing hard, I see?”
And as a bonus, the sound of her swallowing dryly could be heard between each phrase.
It was clear that now, following Choi Yoo-jun, the Director was also having a major misunderstanding.
“Yoo-jun, Yoo-jun-ah. Let’s go get some iced Americanos.”
“Ah! Yes, yes, Director! A wise choice indeed.”
“Practice must be tough. You’re both… sweating.”
I hadn’t said a word, but the Director spoke to herself unnaturally and started to turn back the way she came.
“Director.”
“Yes?”
When I tried to come up with an excuse, nothing came to mind. Who would believe me if I said, ‘We were doing vocal training while doing kettlebell swings’?
“Please, come in.”
“M-me? In there?”
“Wh-where are you telling her to go?”
Swallowing again, the Director’s face was etched with the agony of a commander sending her own troops to their deaths. Choi Yoo-jun looked the same.
The words I’d uttered, thinking I should just show them, seemed to have made the Director and Choi Yoo-jun even more flustered.
…You crazy system.
Are you enjoying this?
I cursed at someone I couldn't even hear.
The Director turned and walked toward the studio with unnatural steps.
Seeing her seemingly hold her breath before entering, I couldn’t help but sigh.
Her confused eyes scanned every corner of the studio.
“…Kettlebells?”
“Huh.”
The Director and Choi Yoo-jun stared at me with dumbfounded expressions.
Seol-ah, finally realizing how this could be misunderstood, also looked embarrassed.
⋮
“What were you two doing in a room full of sensitive equipment? Don't you know it's susceptible to moisture?”
“I’m sorry.”
The Director was angry. But she also looked incredibly relieved.
“I mean, what kind of vocal training involves kettlebells? You really scared me!”
The Director’s unusually flustered behavior was so funny that I had a mischievous thought.
“Why… were you scared?”
At my question, the Director blinked, looking as if she’d been caught.
“…That the equipment might not work?”
Director. Who makes an excuse in the form of a question?
“Hoo… And Yoo-jun, why did you slam your head on the floor? Why are you overreacting like that!”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Because of you…”
The Director didn’t finish her sentence.
Seol-ah covered her face with her hands, her shoulders shaking, though it was unclear if she was laughing or crying.
The huge but quiet disturbance passed, and the members and I went home.
Even after returning to the dorm, Seol-ah’s kettlebell swing count continued.
53/70
63/70
⋮
70/70
[Stat Distribution Quest Goal Achieved]
Seol-ah and I were in our separate homes, but a thrilling jolt ran through our bodies.
[Due to a high completion rate, a 10% bonus is applied to the Vocal stat.]
[Name: Chae Seol-ah (Age 21)]
Vocal: 91 (83+8)/92
Dance: 72/78
Rap: 33/45
Charm: 45/56
[Your experience as a Producer increases.]
[Producing ability increases by +1.]
[Name: Min-jun (Age 21)]
⁝
[Job Aptitude]
Producer: 95 (75+20)+1/99
⁝
*‘Starlight’: All stats +20
I was worried she wouldn't keep up with the ridiculous and insanely difficult point-distribution training after returning to the dorm, but Seol-ah kept her promise.
She persevered, even though she must have received some very strange looks from the other members.
Though she was the most rebellious toward me, her sense of responsibility when it came to a promise was admirable.
***
The next day.
CEO Park Jae-yong called the Director, Department Head Ji, and the Answer members to the studio.
“Our Team Leader Min here says Seol-ah has a bad habit. Taught wrong by me, is what he means.”
He had probably been stewing over those words all night.
“…I think I know what he means.”
The Director said with a bitter smile.
“Well, anyway, he was confident he could fix that bad habit in a single day and turn her into the best vocalist. We’ve all gathered here to witness that great and dazzling spectacle.”
CEO Park Jae-yong even added words I never said, making me feel a little sorry for him.
After all, Seol-ah’s vocals could now surpass even Lee Yoo-ah, the best in our company and one of the top singers in the entire country.
♪♬
Seol-ah sang along to the MR track.
A bright light seemed to emanate from her body, as if to celebrate her level-up.
A heart-thumping resonance.
An emotional expression that tickled the ears.
Everyone was stunned by Seol-ah’s upgraded vocals.
Her vocalization and resonance were near-perfect. Her precise articulation allowed her to change her vocal color at will.
She had truly become an S-class vocalist with perfect balance.
“…Damn… How did this happen in just one day?”
CEO Park Jae-yong said blankly, a look of disbelief on his face.
“Vocal enlightenment can happen in a day. The moment you realize the problem, isn't that when you achieve it?”
“…Why do I feel like I've been scammed…”
*Tiring.*
-1,000,000 won has been deposited by Park Jae-yong.
Now, all that was left was to dominate ‘Best Idol’.