Chapter 60
Chapter 60
It was true that contract matters weren't my place to step in.
After all, I was just a trainee... No, weren't contracts something the company was supposed to handle on its own?
"I waited because I wanted to discuss it with you."
So when I heard those words from the President, I felt deeply conflicted.
The problem wasn't that he wanted to discuss it with me. It was just that, well... it was just.
'This place really has no system at all.'
I felt sorry for his son, but still—the team manager had come all the way to the training center for me, and the President had come just because he had nothing else to do. I hadn't been able to show it then, but I was truly grateful.
And the decent dorm, too. That genuinely caught me off guard, and I was still surprised by it. Though living with a ghost was part of that unexpected element.
In other words, lately I had been growing attached to this company.
And in the midst of that, I suppose I was freshly reminded once again of the company's humble and bleak reality.
But I changed my thinking.
There were elements to be positive about. Let's fully pursue my ideal vision here—something I couldn't have even dreamed of at a place like Mary, where employee influence was strong.
And most of all, there was nothing I could do about it even if I didn't like it, so instead of grumbling, I might as well hypnotize myself into acceptance.
"Mm, okay."
I nodded for now.
Then I asked the most crucial question first—the person's own willingness to sign.
"Sowol, what do you think?"
"I want to."
I decided not to ask any more about Mary. Recommending once was a suggestion; twice would be coercion.
The next question was the second most important one for a minor.
"Have you talked it over with your parents?"
"Yes."
The words cut off again.
Even though it had only been one day since I started working with Jeong Sowol, I had already figured out two of her defining traits.
The fact that Jeong Sowol was now shutting her mouth like that meant...
"...I'll call them now."
"Hurry up."
...her conscientious self and her shameless self were duking it out inside her head.
Jeong Sowol went outside, saying she would call her parents.
And she came back before long.
"They said to do whatever I want~!"
"Really?"
Whether that was the truth or not, the President could handle it himself.
Now, this time...
I propped my chin on my hand and thought it over.
'Is dancing really that important?'
Someone at Jeong Sowol's level would be Tier 1 even if she danced only as well as Kim Sanho. No, she could dance far worse than him and still be fine.
That was just how skilled vocalists were treated in the idol world. Even if their dancing fell short, even if their looks were lacking, people gave them a pass. If you sang well, that was enough. What more could you ask for?
'Her looks, though...'
Since she was set to become a member, let's be blunt and discuss it openly.
If you had to pick the most defining feature of Jeong Sowol's face, the first word to come out would be 'pale.'
She always wore black or white T-shirts with dizzying prints... because of that, even if you dialed her saturation to zero, there probably wouldn't be much visible change.
Ah, that stark white hair that had burned itself so intensely into my brain when I first saw her—now it had a slightly yellow tint, probably from the dye fading.
When I asked if she bleached it often, she said this was her first time.
She also added an anecdote: she had been helping out at her father's restaurant when a troublesome customer picked a fight with her, and out of sheer temper, she threw bleach onto her hair.
...That wasn't important right now, so let's move on.
As you know, white hair that has been bleached multiple times easily turns into what people commonly call 'fried mop hair' if not properly managed.
But Jeong Sowol's hair maintained a state as if she had just stepped out of a salon at every single moment. Having a strong scalp was a talent for idols, and I'd dare say hers was in the top 1%.
And another point I couldn't leave out.
Her eyes were incredibly large. Amidst all the features that made her look cold, those big eyes at least added a touch of cuteness.
To sum it all up...
'She's incredibly solid.'
Mary occasionally brought in kids like Lee Jaeyoung, but his problem had been his character. That Shingae Team always prioritized face first anyway.
While I was lost in these useless thoughts and briefly stayed silent, Jeong Sowol abruptly shot up to her feet. It seemed she thought I was seriously agonizing over whether or not to accept her.
Jeong Sowol spoke with solemn determination.
"I'll dance."
"You're an idol, so of course you should dance."
"No, I mean right now."
"...Do you have something prepared?"
Without answering, Jeong Sowol walked over to an empty space and stood there.
The President, me, Kim Sanho—three pairs of eyes locked onto her at once, but Jeong Sowol didn't care in the slightest.
'Right. Not being self-conscious is a talent too.'
Though as the one watching, I might feel a little embarrassed on her behalf...
Thankfully, what Jeong Sowol prepared were basic foundational moves that were often included in standard routines. Even if she wasn't good, they were plain, unembellished moves that weren't too mortifying to watch.
She added that she had learned them by watching NeoTube over the past week.
'Admirable.'
Though admirable and skilled were two different things.
"You can worry about dancing once you get more training, so don't stress too much."
"I wasn't stressed."
"Stress a little."
Jeong Sowol's dancing could be summed up in one phrase.
'She dances with a 'whatever' attitude.'
I didn't mean she actually danced carelessly; I meant that's how it looked. It was probably due to her lack of fundamentals.
If we set a tight schedule for debut... would it take about half a year?
Her current level was something she could sufficiently improve on within that time. A much better case than Kim Sanho, who lacked stamina.
Now that I had seen even her talent show, there really wasn't anything more to deliberate.
"Alright, well... let's do well together."
The moment I spoke those words signaling her acceptance, an indescribable surge of emotion came rushing in like a tide.
What on earth was this feeling.
Wait, judging by the burning sensation at the back of my neck, I knew what it was.
'Embarrassment, huh.'
Who knew saying 'let's work together' could be this excruciating. I should absolutely never become a company president...
"Still, read the contract before you sign. You see all those articles these days about entertainment agencies playing word games."
"Yep."
"...Mm, I'll make sure you don't regret your choice. Let's succeed together."
Anyway, the fact that she chose Sorasum and not Mary was an incredibly bold move in this game.
So I felt a sense of responsibility, and at the same time, I was steeling my ambition. Whatever happened, we had to do better than Mary.
What shattered my combative attitude was Jeong Sowol.
"I don't mind if we don't succeed."
Jeong Sowol let out a short, amused laugh.
"As long as I look cool, that's all I need."
Ah, I see...
Seemed fitting for a 17-year-old's outlook on life.
I debated whether to clap for her or not, but I stopped. Because I spotted the President, who had been silently sitting there like part of the background all this time.
The things we'd just been saying probably weren't the most appropriate to say in front of the President.
Fortunately, the President didn't seem bothered. When our conversation ended, he smoothly rose from his chair and spoke.
"We'll need parental consent, so we'll draw up the contract gradually."
Then he took out a card from his pocket.
"For today, just go get some food. I'll give you the card."
"Aren't you coming too, President..."
"Go eat by yourselves."
How did someone this introverted ever end up starting a company?
There was no need to refuse, so I stretched out my hand and took the card. Now empty-handed, the President clomped away with robotic steps and swiftly exited the office.
A brief silence fell, and then Jeong Sowol spoke.
"So am I in now?"
"Once you sign the contract?"
"Wow."
Jeong Sowol let out a short, impressed breath.
"So it really happened."
I was thinking she didn't look particularly happy about it when.
Jeong Sowol shot up to her feet.
"What should we do?"
"Do about what?"
"Practice. Does this mean I can use the practice room whenever I want now? Can I use the keyboard? And the amp?"
"Uh, yeah... Use whatever you want."
Even before my answer was finished, Jeong Sowol flung the door open and went outside.
Immediately, a clattering noise followed, as if she was bolting down the stairs.
"......."
I looked to the side. Kim Sanho was standing there, his face looking even more exhausted now.
"What can you do now. Try to get close to her."
"Okaaay...."
Should I let him relax for now and just have dinner in the evening?
Back during the production presentation, Kim Sanho had wanted to eat that one dish... what was it again. Anyway, the restaurant had happened to be closed that exact day, so we couldn't eat it.
I remembered how deeply disappointed Kim Sanho had been back then, so I took this chance and suggested the three of us go there together today.
Then an unexpected answer came out of Kim Sanho's mouth.
"I can't go."
"Why?"
"I have plans."
The fact that he had plans was more surprising than the fact that he couldn't go.
"With who?"
"That, um... with this person."
Kim Sanho pressed his finger firmly just beneath his lower lip.
It took me three seconds of staring at that finger before it clicked.
"Ah, that trainee... candidate?"
"Yes."
"What, you met him again?"
"He dropped his wallet when he left that day."
So there really was a reason he'd been so sure the guy would come back.
'What is he, Cinderella?'
Don't tell me he pickpocketed the wallet.
Well, if Kim Sanho succeeded in recruiting one more person at lightning speed, that would finally make a 5-member group (including Han Neuti).
You could say that was the perfect size for a boy group.
'Hm...'
"Should I come too?"
This question carried the implication that I wanted to see for myself what kind of person this guy was.
But Kim Sanho immediately rejected the offer.
"I'll go by myself. That hyung... mm, uhm... he told me to come alone."
"Alright, suit yourself."
Guess the guy was shy around strangers.
I accepted this and went down to the practice room with Kim Sanho.
Inside the practice room, Jeong Sowol was banging on the keyboard... but it looked like she was just hitting the keys out of curiosity and had no idea how to actually play. She hadn't even plugged it in, so all you could hear was the physical click-clack noise.
Kim Sanho knew keyboards better than I did, so I was just about to tell him this was his chance to get friendly with her—when Jeong Sowol tossed the keyboard aside and walked over.
"Shall we practice now?"
She gave me such an expectant look that I gave in. Practice.
Kim Sanho said he had to do a lesson, hit the gym, and wrap up his evening appointment too, so he quickly left the room. I couldn't tell if that was an excuse or the truth.
So that evening, I had no choice but to eat alone with Jeong Sowol.
We didn't go out; we just ordered delivery. Because Jeong Sowol didn't want to leave the practice room.
To give you an idea of the level of her obsession with the practice room, it was this intense.
"I want to sleep here tonight."
I held back from saying 'Kim Sanho and I had to live like that even though we hated it'—it felt like it might come off as pulling rank.
Instead, I brought out the ultimate trump card to break her stubbornness.
"There's a ghost here at night."
Jeong Sowol froze in her tracks.
"Who told you?"
"Huh?"
"Who told you I'm scared of ghosts?"
She interrogated me with even her pupils trembling, and I was caught off guard for a moment.
'Was I not supposed to mention it?'
I didn't just completely drive a wedge between them, did I?
While I evaded the situation by keeping my mouth shut, Jeong Sowol clutched her bangs with both hands and bowed her head.
A moment later, she whipped her head back up.
"Ah, that's so embarrassing. I'll just go sleep in that room, then."
"No, you don't have to...."
And when Jeong Sowol returned to the dorm, she truly did change rooms.
That was how my roommate left me after just one day. So futilely.
* * *
A few days passed, and the day came for Episode 8 of <MAKE100%> to broadcast.
But something even more important occurred.
<Even a Blank Sheet...> Achievement Complete!
―You have gained your first colleague. Shall we find out what two people can do together?
[A new Save Point slot has been added as an achievement completion reward.]
[Objective progress updated.]
[Objective: Recruit colleagues and achieve your debut. (2/N)]
"Move that out of the way."
I swept away the System window blocking my view and went back to endlessly reading the article headline on my phone screen.
<'MAKE100%' Hwang Jeongjin to Withdraw from Show—What's the Reason?>
"......What?"