Chapter 102
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Live Cafe
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A man interrupted their conversation.
PD Kim Seungjun flashed a contrived smile and casually continued.
"In that sense, Yujin. How about appearing on a show while working as a waitress? You know, as a side gig or part-time thing."
"...Partner, I messed up. On second thought, a waitress just needs to serve well."
"Better late than never."
Rimon clicked his tongue at Yujin, who seemed genuinely remorseful.
Meanwhile, Kim Seungjun looked like he was on the verge of death.
His expression shifted so dramatically that it was hard to believe he was the same man who'd been smiling, even if fakely, just moments ago.
"Come on, just think it over one more time."
"Producer, don't persistent guys lack appeal?"
"I don't care! With the show on the line, who gives a damn if I'm a lifelong bachelor?"
"...If you're gonna declare it that boldly, at least wipe those tears. It's breaking my heart just watching."
[Tell me about it...]
Rimon and Yuna Kyung shook their heads in exasperation at PD Kim Seungjun, who swallowed back tears but refused to give up his pitch.
Back when they'd first rejected his casting offer at the restaurant.
They thought that was the end of it.
But that was a misjudgment born of their ignorance about the man named Kim Seungjun.
At the minor cable broadcaster KTB, he'd endured until every other PD had fled, maxing out his persistence and grit like a true tenacious survivor.
"Hey, PD Kim, I've got something I'm really curious about."
"The Music Challenge assignment? That's top secret. But if you'll just appear on the show, I could give you a hint..."
"Not that. If you wanted to cast us so badly, why'd you hook her up with a waitress job?"
To recruit Yujin as a singer, it'd be far better if she were an unemployed bum with no job. So why shoot himself in the foot like that?
Rimon tilted his head slightly.
To him, Kim Seungjun replied with a manufactured smile.
"Hahaha, that was just to show my sincerity, of course. People help each other out in this world, right? If I extend some goodwill like this, maybe Yujin will change her mind?"
"Ho, you know how the world works."
Rimon nodded once.
Then, wiping the admiration from his face, he rested his chin on his interlaced hands and asked point-blank.
"So, what's the real deal?"
"If you won't do it, I'll use random casting as an excuse and film here anyway!"
It was downright audacious.
Yuna Kyung's jaw dropped at Kim Seungjun, who clenched his fist and boldly confessed his scheme. Rimon was left speechless for a moment.
"...You're something else, seriously."
"When you claw your way to PD at a station where average ratings are at the national anthem level, anyone turns out like this!"
"Just occurred to me, but why stick with a soul-crushing company like that?"
"KTB isn't all bad. It has its perks!"
"Like what?"
"Lots of quits mean fast promotions. That's how a rookie like me got handed a key project."
"...Yeah, that's a perk, alright."
Rimon gave Kim Seungjun a pitying look as he spouted battlefield commander jokes—pure earnest in peacetime.
But he was unfazed.
He just kept earnestly pitching.
"Mr. Rimon, in that vein, how about thinking it over once more?"
"Same answer even after thinking."
"Please just mull it a bit longer! The fate of a cable network hangs on your decision!"
"Honestly, I think that KTV-or-whatever soul-crusher is better off gone."
"Somehow make it work!"
Kim Seungjun clung to Rimon like he might grab his pant leg.
That was when Yujin frowned at the sight.
A tray swung in.
Clang!
"Hey, you punk. What the hell are you doing to our valued customer? Keep interfering with business like this, and get lost."
"Hyung! Between us, 'get lost'? Who do you think introduced a killer part-timer like Yujin here?"
"Be grateful I haven't cracked your skull for that favor, you little shit."
The rugged-faced middle-aged man who'd snuck up and smacked Kim Seungjun's head looked embarrassed.
"Sorry about this. Seungjun here's always been the type to charge ahead recklessly when he latches onto something."
This shop's manager.
Kim Seungjun's college senior.
And Yujin's employer who paid her wage.
Rimon and Yujin shrugged at Manager Jeong's words.
"Having an enthusiastic junior isn't a crime."
"Producer sins are producer sins. No need to apologize, boss."
"Hahaha, alright. Thanks for letting it slide. Would be even nicer if you used honorifics, though."
Despite getting casual speech from two kids who looked like his nephews.
Manager Jeong just laughed it off.
Not because he was some saint.
If he were, he wouldn't twitch a smile while begging for basic respect.
Still, he didn't flush red in the end.
Just a light cough.
"Ahem! Anyway, Yujin?"
"Yeah, boss?"
"Customers keep asking when the live starts. How about kicking it off early today?"
At Manager Jeong's sly glance, Yujin held up her tray.
"I still have serving time left?"
She tilted her head—what happens when her shift relief hasn't shown?
Manager Jeong jumped on it like he'd been waiting.
"I'll handle serving!"
"You? Serving?"
Caught off-guard.
Yujin blinked in surprise, then tilted her head the other way, adding another question mark.
"With that face?"
"What's wrong with my face!?"
"Honest opinion? It's defamation by truth territory."
"......"
Manager Jeong clutched his chest like a nail had pierced his heart after blurting a retort.
Kim Seungjun stepped up in his senior's defense, fuming.
"Yujin! Our hyung's got a bandit-intimidating mug that'd make mountain thieves weep, but saying it straight like that?"
Was this defense?
Or confirmation kill?
Manager Jeong gripped his fists, howling internally to beat the rude junior dead, but smiled.
"Hahaha, yeah. My face is a bit fierce."
"A bit? Hyung, where'd you sell your conscience—"
Squeeze!
"But as cafe owner, can't I handle serving? Don't worry about that—decide freely."
From gentle smile to voice.
Unlike his fierce face, Manager Jeong exuded true gentleman vibes.
Though his hand throttled the doomed junior's neck till his face paled from asphyxiation.
"Fine, if you say so, I'll wrap up. But you know about the extra pay?"
"Of course, no worries."
Manager Jeong nodded.
Then flashed a hearty grin and declared boldly.
"I'll pay just part-time wage—your performance fee's all volunteer."
"OK! As expected, boss—you get it."
That grim smile plus words would've gotten him reported to labor board as black-hearted boss.
But Yujin beamed, thumbs-up.
[No matter how many times I hear it, sounds like a couple screws loose in the employment terms.]
'Eh, whatever. Parties are happy.'
[Logic that flew in 18-hour shifts sans minimum wage era.]
'Wasn't that PAB days?'
[Nah. We worked 24/7 but got minimum—high-level player scale too.]
'...Must be nice.'
She bragged, puffing her plump belly—don't compare her gold-chained slavery to dirt-bound labor.
As Rimon debated poking that belly.
"Ahem. Our accompaniment setup's glitchy now. You'll have to solo instrumentals and vocals, Yujin."
Manager Jeong coughed.
Eyes darting, he slyly eyed someone and continued.
"If someone covered accompaniment, you could focus on singing..."
That 'someone' he eyed.
Rimon smirked at Manager Jeong.
"Feels like this shop's accompanist breaks every time I show up."
"Hahaha, sorry. Our model's ancient."
"So, since I'm here, your waitress-singer pal who's killer on instrument—mind grabbing guitar?"
"I'd be grateful."
"You ask normal customers to perform?"
"Your juice is free today! Plus bagel and sandwich on the house!"
"Now that's prime employment terms."
He chuckled briefly.
But Rimon stood anyway.
Manager Jeong's cheeky ask aside—he couldn't ignore Yujin's pleading gaze.
"One thing, Manager Jeong."
"Yeah, what's missing?"
"Not vital, but let go soon or he'll croak."
"...Huh?"
Kim Seungjun, 29.
Spared near-strangulation by college senior, crossing to the afterlife—barely saved.
'Jackpot rolled in.'
Manager Jeong beamed at Yujin grabbing the mic onstage, Rimon tuning guitar.
Just them prepping live filled his belly with joy.
"Hyung, too much? That's attempted murder."
"Exaggeration."
"You call this exaggeration?! Huh?!"
Manager Jeong averted eyes from Kim Seungjun pointing at neck bruises.
Rimon timed it right—saved him.
A bit later, and it'd be corpse cleanup.
"Seungjun, how'd you find those two?"
"Don't change subject."
"Seriously curious."
Manager Jeong got earnest.
When Kim Seungjun first boasted a star recruit, he'd thought hype.
Even seeing Yujin volunteer for lives in downtime—just talented hopeful.
But after Rimon, visiting, reluctantly joined her onstage at her ask.
Manager Jeong realized.
This boar-rush junior hadn't fetched decent help—but gold.
"Know how much our cafe sales jump on their live days?"
"Dunno, 300%?"
At Kim Seungjun's joking grin, Manager Jeong deadpanned like a death sentence.
"Add a 1 in front—close enough."