Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Yuin's Identity Revealed
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Yeonwoo's performance continued for a moment before the MR track began to flow alongside it, blending seamlessly together.
Annosuke and Yuri exchanged glances, then started singing the second verse right on cue.
"Boy-Girl Love" was a song without piano, but with the piano accompaniment, it became an even richer track.
Yet no one could focus on the singing.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Yeonwoo at the piano behind Annosuke and Yuri.
The boy gracefully striking the keys.
It was so masterful, proving beyond doubt that this was the song's creator, and the flourishes woven in felt perfectly natural.
And just like that, the magical stage crafted by the three came to an end in a flash.
*-Our time like this...*
The song wrapped up with the duo's harmonious fade-out, leaving a lingering afterglow, but Yeonwoo's piano didn't stop.
A free improvisation based on "Boy-Girl Love" began.
The city pop-style continuation shifted into jazz before swinging into full swing, and in that entranced moment, it transitioned into Himari's track "Spring Stream" from her ninth album.
As if appealing, *I'm Yuin.*
Yeonwoo wrapped up the impromptu arrangement of "Spring Stream" and paused his hands over the keys, taking a short, deep breath.
He recalled the moment Nanase had told him about preparing to reveal Yuin's identity, and the instant just behind the stage where he'd confirmed it to the world.
At first, he'd been excited. Right before stepping out, nervous.
And now, after it was over.
Waaaaaaaaah!
The sudden silence shattered into explosive cheers, swelling his chest with emotion.
*Ah, so this is why Uncle Yoo Jaehyuk missed the stage so much.*
Why Kim Beomsin was desperate to make a comeback with a new song.
Why Teacher Chae Hayeon so earnestly wished to become a singer.
As Yeonwoo thought of the singers he knew, he finally understood their feelings.
He wasn't sure when he'd next stand on a stage like this, but for anyone who made music, this was a precious experience.
With that thought, Yeonwoo stood, bowing deeply to the audience with genuine sincerity.
And so, Yuri & Annosuke's debut showcase ended not just with their debut, but with the world learning that Yuin was Yeonwoo.
* * *
[The Mysterious Yuin Finally Appears!]
[Yuin's True Identity: A First-Grader from Korea.]
[Yuin Performs at Yuri & Annosuke Debut Showcase (Photos)]
[Demon King Tatemura and the World's Himari Acclaim a Once-in-a-Century Genius: A 7-Year-Old Korean Boy!]
It was a bit unfortunate for Annosuke and Yuri, but Yuin's identity rocked the Japanese archipelago far more than their debut.
Japan was a country that truly loved geniuses.
Sometimes to excess, churning out "manufactured" ones left and right and calling anyone remotely gifted a genius—which was a flaw—but that same fervor meant they went wild for a *real* one.
And they were now.
The world-acclaimed Himari-endorsed, JOP-treasured genius Yuin—no, Yeonwoo—had their full attention.
Entertainment shows covered him nonstop, and online articles exploded.
They even dispatched reporters to Korea to stalk his elementary school, even tracking down his old kindergarten.
Naturally, reporters swarmed SSHIN artists too.
With interpreters at the ready, they hounded Chae Hayeon and Yoo Jaehyuk for interviews.
"Uh? Oh, y-yeah, Yeonwoo—no, Yuin? He... he went to my kindergarten..."
["What?! Discovered at the kindergarten Yuin attended?!"]
["Special scoop!"]
[Chae Hayeon Was Yuin's Kindergarten Teacher!]
[Yuin's Talent Spotted by His Kindergarten Teacher.]
[Where Does a Teacher Get the Eye to Spot a 6-Year-Old Prodigy?]
Japan made a huge fuss over Chae Hayeon's coincidental interview.
And Yoo Jaehyuk?
["I said no interviews. Get lost."]
...No one dared approach him.
But that was fine.
There were plenty of others to interview besides Yoo Jaehyuk.
* * *
Kim Beomsin gazed out the window at the reporters milling about outside, muttering to himself.
"No... so, Yuin's a kid, huh?"
He thought for a moment, then pulled out his smartphone and dialed someone.
No answer. So he opened KakaoTalk.
[ Jiyeong-ah,,,,,, is it true,, Yuin,, was that,, kid from back then?;;; Right?;;; Your nephew,, right? ]
A reply came soon after.
[Sunbae, I was recording so I couldn't pick up ^^;; Sorry. Yeah, Yuin is my nephew. ]
[OMG;;;@_@;;;; Shocking,,,, ]
Kim Beomsin ran a hand through his hair.
Yeah, so it was true.
"What a bombshell."
If he'd known, he would've given that kid more pocket money back then. Maybe scored another song?
"Ah, not the time."
He called Ellis.
-Yes, CEO.
"Hee-yeon, you hear? Yuin's that Jiyeong girl's nephew!"
-Sorry, CEO... I knew.
"...What?"
-I was probably the first to know outside Yeonwoo's family?
"Oh, right..."
Yeah, that made sense.
That's why she'd brought him to the studio. And why she and Jiyeong suddenly hung out more.
"Got it."
Wait, was I the only one out of the loop?
"Oh, but did the Hadass guys know...?"
-They don't. Probably just the SSHIN artists?
Phew, relief.
He'd almost felt slighted.
After hanging up with Ellis, Kim Beomsin sighed in relief—then froze.
Hold on.
"So Yoo Jaehyuk knew?"
Yoo Jaehyuk found out later than him, but got the reveal while he got nothing?
The hurt crept back.
Anyone else in on it? He checked his phone suspiciously.
"Himari and JOP, sure, close ties... But what's this? Drama? High-Teen Rock 'n' Roll? The production and cast all knew Yeonwoo's identity? What? NDAs?"
Hey, I know about those too.
The drama company knew, Yoo Jaehyuk knew, Ellis knew—and he was the last to find out?
Kim Beomsin was starting to feel not just hurt, but outright betrayed by a 7-year-old.
* * *
"The press and all sorts of gawkers will be snooping around for a while, so no going out."
Heo Ok sat her grandson down and put on a stern face.
Yeonwoo nodded at his grandmother's expression.
But his face wasn't bright. Seeing this, Heo Ok stroked his head.
"Even if it's tough, just bear with it a little."
"Grandma, if we can't go out, no more eating out for a while, right?"
*Oh, that's what mattered?*
Heo Ok chuckled.
"What does my grandson want to eat?"
"I want Korean food right now. But if we can't go out, no ramen, sushi, donburi, or skewers."
Heo Ok smiled at her sulky grandson.
"Well, that's not quite true."
"Huh? Why?"
Heo Ok glanced behind Yeonwoo and spoke.
["Right?"]
Behind him stood Nanase and the interpreter. Having heard the situation translated, Nanase bowed low.
["Yes. Tell us what you'd like, Yeonwoo-kun. We can hire a chef for you."]
["Uh... you don't have to go that far."]
Nanase shook her head firmly at Yeonwoo's words.
["JOP will support you to the max so you don't stress over something this small. Not just food—nothing will stress you out."]
Nanase's resolve was ironclad.
She had no choice.
Revealing Yeonwoo's identity had seemingly stolen the spotlight from Yuri & Annosuke's debut showcase, but Yuin's involvement had actually generated equal buzz for the duo.
They were the second artists scouted and produced by Yuin himself—Japan's first singers under that banner.
In just one day, Yuri & Annosuke topped Melboard Japan's buzz charts and hit the top 10 on streaming real-time.
At this rate, they'd land in the Melboard Japan Hot 100 top 10 in their debut week.
Hugely encouraging.
Japan's public had broad tastes; unless you were an idol or national star, explosive interest like this was rare.
Yuin had made it happen.
Beyond the identity reveal, praise poured in for the stellar tracks, Yuri and Annosuke's vocals, and their perfect synergy.
Critics hailed the duo as a rare powerhouse act and paid homage to the boy genius behind unprecedented music.
For Nanase—no, for JOP—they had to treat this prodigy like a sacred idol.
Stay on his good side for more trainees, more songs.
["So, um..."]
Amid this, Yeonwoo shyly spoke up. Nanase focused intently.
["Sushi... I want tuna sushi."]
Nanase clutched her chest at Yeonwoo's beaming smile.
What genius? That smile made her want to give him anything.
Forget music—properly exposed, his face alone could spawn fans and rake in cash without lifting a finger.
*'Please just grow up like this...'*
And if he grew into adulthood still under JOP's wing?
The thought thrilled her.
["Sushi...! Tuna sushi! Got it. We'll have it here soon."]
["Thank you!"]
Yeonwoo bowed deeply.
Nanase's heart fluttered at the cuteness as she sprang into action.
"But Grandma, Nanase-auntie said 'bring it here' not 'bring him here,' right?"
"Yes, that's right. Did she misspeak? Sounds like she meant delivery or takeout but said 'bring him.'"
Confirming he hadn't misheard, Yeonwoo nodded vigorously.
But it wasn't a slip.
Soon after, at peak lunch hour, a man in crisp white arrived at Yeonwoo and Heo Ok's lodging.
["He's the owner of my favorite sushi spot. Michelin Two-Star this year, One-Star for ten straight before that—a true sushi master."]
She'd recruited her regular chef.
The owner politely greeted Heo Ok and Yeonwoo, then headed to the kitchen with his ingredients and knives.
Those ingredients? A massive tuna, fresh off the boat that day.
Heo Ok stared blankly, then turned to Nanase.
["Nanase."]
"Yes, Jade-sama."
["Isn't this overkill?"]
Tuna sushi? And she brings the chef *and* the tuna.
["Ah! It's so you and Yeonwoo-kun can enjoy the absolute best..."]
["No need for that. Just delivery or takeout, please."]
Overkill.
Watching the chef's tuna dissection show, Heo Ok reiterated.
["Too much."]
["...Sorry."]
Nanase's eager face flushed red.