Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Proposal
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[Due to your mistake, Lee Yoo-ah's favorability has decreased by -5.]
“What the hell?”
The absurd situation made me mutter to myself.
Talk about a bolt from the blue.
Was there something wrong with the guitar?
There's nothing worse than a good deed leading to a bad outcome. I chugged my iced americano like it was cold water.
About ten minutes passed.
[Lee Yoo-ah has recalled her own audacity. Your favorability has increased by +10.]
“…What the. It drops on its own, and it rises on its own.”
I can't know what's going on if I can't see anything.
“System. Do you have something like X-ray vision?”
-…
The unanswered mumble made me feel unnecessarily embarrassed.
A few minutes later.
I saw Lee Yoo-ah taking a deep breath as she came out of JD Enter. I called her over to the cafe. A faint light, one that hadn't been there just an hour ago, was now emanating from her.
The intuition that Lee Yoo-ah would become a huge success gave me goosebumps.
“Thank you so much. I finished safely thanks to you, Seonbae-nim.”
Lee Yoo-ah, who was usually friendly to others, spoke to me with a subtle stiffness.
A defense mechanism people develop after being backstabbed, especially towards those who show them kindness. It was a common symptom among older trainees.
“You're talented and diligent, Yoo-ah. You'll definitely succeed.”
“…Thank you.”
Even after handing back the guitar, Lee Yoo-ah lingered, her lips twitching.
It was understandable that she’d be suspicious.
After all, I keep showing up at crucial moments.
“…I understand the doubts you're having right now, Yoo-ah. When coincidences pile up, you start thinking it's either fate or manipulation, right?”
“…”
I spoke without offering the standing Lee Yoo-ah a seat.
“I didn't intentionally listen in on your situation; I just happened to overhear it, so please understand. How could I not hear a conversation they were having right in the office?”
“…”
But that alone couldn't explain my actions. And since I couldn't tell her about things I'd experienced in the future, it seemed better to make up a lie.
“I had a younger sister the same age as you. She was a trainee too.”
“Ah…”
Guessing the bad ending, Lee Yoo-ah's face filled with regret.
“She was a really kind and beautiful girl, but she's not in this world anymore.”
“…I'm sorry.”
I shook my head and smiled.
“To be clear, I'm not approaching you because I see you as a romantic interest or have any other ulterior motives. I genuinely just want a kind person like you, who reminds me of my sister, to do well. I mean it.”
My eyes grew moist as I looked at Lee Yoo-ah. Seeing my tears, she covered her mouth, looking extremely guilty.
“I didn't know, really. I'm sorry.”
[Lee Yoo-ah's favorability has increased by +10.]
[Favorability has surpassed 70. She is beginning to trust you.]
I told a white lie, but there was no separate reward this time. Was it not impactful enough? Or was it an achievement I'd already completed?
“It's okay. You should get going now. Your parents must be waiting.”
“Yes…”
“Ah. And if we both become JD trainees, let's not act like we know each other. It could cause unnecessary misunderstandings. It won't be good for either of us.”
“!”
[Lee Yoo-ah's favorability has decreased by -20.]
[Lee Yoo-ah's favorability has increased by +30.]
[Lee Yoo-ah's favorability has decreased by -10.]
Ripples spread through Lee Yoo-ah's pupils, and her favorability fluctuated wildly.
[Lee Yoo-ah is confused by the conflict between her dropping affection and her rising trust.]
I felt unsettled. Having someone's detailed feelings conveyed to me like this was quite a burden.
[Would you like to minimize system notifications?]
[Yes]
The system seemed to know everything on my mind.
I turned off the detailed notification feature.
In the end, a teary-eyed Lee Yoo-ah bowed deeply and left the cafe. Was my suggestion to pretend we were strangers that shocking?
Anyway, I sincerely hope that Lee Yoo-ah, who has worked hard and will continue to work hard, finds success.
For now, this was all I could do for her.
It wasn't that she had nothing to do with me, but right now, I needed to focus on my own success.
* * *
Suddenly curious about the standards for vocal and dance levels, I paid close attention to the other contestants' skills and stats.
Level 60s were local karaoke.
Level 70s were regional singing contests.
Level 80s were top-tier in the country.
Level 90s were world-class.
Excluding me, with my Vocal Lv 91, the best contestant barely surpassed 80.
“Min-jun, come in.”
“Yes.”
At the judges' table, besides the familiar faces, there were two men in their forties who looked like ordinary people to anyone.
One man in particular, with a stern expression, looked more like a corner store owner than an audition judge.
“Hello! I'm Min-jun!”
“He looks better in person, doesn't he?”
“That's a stretch.”
When Director Lee Sun said this to CEO Park Jae-yong, he tilted his head.
“…So, Min-jun, you're number one based on the audio submission?”
CEO Park Jae-yong's expression was stiff as he spoke. It was a different atmosphere from the one I was used to with him.
“Thank you!”
“How are you so good at everything?”
A suspicious tone.
Why were they acting like this from the start?
“You do understand the difference between a hobby and a special skill, right?”
“Yes.”
“No hobbies, and your special skills are vocals, dance, songwriting, acting… and even cooking?”
“Yes.”
Something felt off, but it was nothing I couldn't prove with my skills.
“If songwriting is a special skill, why didn't you send in a song you wrote?”
“…It's still just in my head for now.”
“Pfft… hahaha!”
The judges burst out laughing.
I wasn't trying to be funny.
I considered saying I didn't have the equipment yet, but an excuse would surely only invite more laughter.
“You don't think songwriting is just drawing notes on a staff, do you?”
Next to Director Lee Sun, who had asked the question, CEO Park Jae-yong was shaking his head as he looked at my profile.
“It's done with programs like Logic or Cubase.”
At my answer, CEO Park Jae-yong puffed out his cheeks.
His expression seemed to say, ‘You even know about that?’
The atmosphere was clearly one of mockery.
Because my profile seemed too perfect to be true? They clearly saw me as an arrogant fool.
“Let's just hear him. Huh? We'll know once we listen, right?”
The corner store owner-lookalike chimed in with a smirk.
“Then, the mission song I prepared…”
“No, no. Do a free choice song.”
“Should I perform an original song then?”
“No originals. You brought your guitar, so just play the song you're most confident in.”
Just one song? They didn't want to waste any more time?
My mind filled with all the things I wanted to say to these people after I succeeded. I steeled myself and opened my guitar case.
“Is busking profitable?”
“Excuse me?”
“Nothing, go ahead.”
It was only when I saw the cardboard underneath the guitar that I could faintly guess why Lee Yoo-ah's favorability had fluctuated on its own. She must have been embarrassed.
I closed my eyes and held the guitar.
My senses sharpened, and the world seen by my 'third eye' became clearer.
A faint, positive blue aura flickered from Director Lee Sun, but a negative red light emanated from the other judges.
Strum, strum, strum.
The clear, resonant sound of the acoustic guitar spread, and as always, I fell into a dreamlike third world.
♪♬
The spring breeze brushes your cheek— The scent from your cheek brushes my nose— Our sweetness brushes those flower petals—
♪♬
I started off gently.
It was a calm song, suitable for busking, and not particularly difficult.
“He's handsome and has a nice vocal tone.”
“Still, this isn't a busking performance…”
I could clearly hear the whispers between Director Lee Sun and CEO Park Jae-yong.
This is where it begins.
Strum, strum, strum-strum-strum.
I began to switch chords passionately, adding power to my once-sweet vocals. I had prepared a powerful arrangement with a hook that required an outstanding interpretation of the song.
♪♬
I want to be buried in your scent.
I want to be left in your heart.
♪♬
My powerful vocals enveloped the judges. The red aura they had been emitting wavered violently for a moment.
Soon, the red light vanished completely, and a positive blue aura, like Director Lee Sun's, began to bloom.
Using the guitar's strings and resonance, I created a breakbeat and scratching effect, mixing in some idol-style rap and hitting short, staccato high notes.
To drill it into your heads!
Every time I emphasized a part and delivered a powerful lyric, the aura they emitted jumped like an equalizer.
“…”
The performance ended.
Using the ability I inherited from my enemy in this way seemed to multiply my joy several times over.
…Clap, clap, clap.
Starting with Director Lee Sun, the judges began to clap with surprised expressions.
Considering the usually stoic demeanor of judges in an audition room, it was an exceptional response.
“That was amazing. Forget autotune, your live performance is even better.”
At Director Lee Sun's words, CEO Park Jae-yong gave an awkward smile and said.
“That was a great performance, Min-jun. Don't feel bad about earlier. We were just testing your mental fortitude.”
A lie.
I had clearly seen the negative aura emanating from his body. Still, praise is always welcome.
“Let's see the mission song, too.”
The mission song was by a boy group from Gyeon Sang-jin's SJ Enter.
A song with difficult choreography and vocals, designed to clearly separate the skill levels of the contestants. Moreover, thanks to the choreography teacher at SJ Enter, I understood this song perfectly.
For over a decade, I had practiced singing and dancing every single day without fail.
♪♬
I don't regret it, it's my choice, I'm okay, We goin' higher—
Running over the vast ocean, We goin' higher—
♪♬
From the first step to the smallest hand gesture, I showed a perfect interpretation.
The judges began to express their admiration. There was no comparison between a mechanical movement that simply copies and my movements, which understood the narrative.
The small details, a glance of the eyes, a flick of the hand, breathed life into the dance.
CEO Park Jae-yong's mouth fell open as he started to subtly groove along. Director Lee Sun glanced at him and let out a small laugh.
Clap, clap, clap!
“That was really good.”
As my dance finished, CEO Park Jae-yong gave me a standing ovation.
“Why are you only auditioning now at your age?”
CEO Park Jae-yong, who had been filled with suspicion. Now, his expression went beyond friendly to one of pity.
Now was the time to reveal the truth.
“Actually, this isn't my first audition.”
Looks of bewilderment appeared on the judges' faces.
“I was originally part of the final debut lineup at SJ Enter.”
A mix of emotions seemed to cross CEO Park Jae-yong's face.
“…I won't interrupt, so please continue.”
“Thank you. I was in the debut lineup, but an investor's son took my position. I've terminated my contract under the condition that I won't debut with another company for the remaining three years of the contract period.”
The judges looked deflated.
“I know. In three years, I'll be twenty-four, and preparing for a debut will be practically impossible.”
Director Lee Sun let out a deep sigh, her shoulders slumping, and opened her mouth.
“…Then why did you audition?”
“I want to dedicate myself to JD Enter, but I had no way of joining the company. I want to start as a road manager and learn from the ground up to become someone who can contribute to JD Enter.”
“A manager?”
The judges looked as if I'd said something completely out of left field.
“All I've done since I was young is train. I may be in my twenties, but I'm like an orphan with no parents or family to give me advice. And I believe JD Enter needs someone like me, who understands the entertainment ecosystem, more than a rookie manager.”
I spoke confidently but with desperation. The judges' negative atmosphere turned positive.
[Lee Sun feels pity for your words. The system synchronizes with her.]
Pity?
It was fine if they saw me as pitiful.
No, it would be even better if they pitied me.
That would make it easier to achieve my goals and my revenge.
“Military service?”
“I was exempted because I'm an orphan.”
“…He's got a good mindset. Don't you think so, CEO Park?”
The man who looked like a corner store owner said to CEO Park Jae-yong.
“Yes, President Gu.”
CEO Park looked troubled as he briefly spoke with him.
“Min-jun, you can leave for now. We'll contact you separately.”
“Yes. If you hire me, you won't regret it. After all, I hate CEO Gyeon Sang-jin even more than you do, CEO Park Jae-yong.”
For a moment, CEO Park Jae-yong's eyes widened.
His face seemed to ask, ‘How do you know I hate Gyeon Sang-jin?’