Chapter 55
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Sugar Girls
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That day, at lunch.
Sangcheol, whom I met at a nearby pork belly restaurant, stopped eating mid-bite and repeated my words, his eyes wide with shock.
You bought a capsule? The one Im thinking of?
Sangcheol blinked, as if he'd misheard.
It was understandable. A new capsule was an expensive piece of equipment, costing upwards of 30 million won.
Yeah, a capsule machine.
Whoa
It had only been a week since he'd last seen Yuhyeon.
Since the day they ate beef and Yuhyeon received the motion controllers as a gift.
In that one week, in such a short time, he'd earned a massive sum of 30 million won?
Don't tell me you pulled out your security deposit? Or took out a loan?
Neither. I earned the money and bought it.
That's what I'm asking. How did you earn that much in a week?
For Sangcheol, who lived a relatively ordinary life, it was a moment he couldn't quite comprehend.
Could he have found a legendary-grade item worth 30 million won?
Otherwise, it was impossible to believe.
You know that sheet music that was on the auction house a few days ago? The one that was a hot topic on all the forums.
Wasn't it called 'Work Song'? The one related to farming
Recalling the events of a few days ago, Sangcheol's eyes widened like saucers.
N-No way, was that the sheet music you wrote? The one whose final bid went up to 15 million won?!
Sangcheol exclaimed, dropping the piece of meat he'd just picked up with his chopsticks.
He shouted so loudly that people at the surrounding tables turned to look.
That's insane. To think you wrote that Wait, weren't there four sheets in total?
As he spoke, the gears in his head turned rapidly.
Four sheets, each worth fifteen million won.
That meant the total sum was a whopping
S-S-Sixty?!
Shh. People will stare.
Yuhyeon brought a finger to his lips and smiled faintly.
The amount you're thinking of is right. I used that money to buy the capsule.
Well, I also set up some other things for composing. Spent a lot of money, thanks to that.
Why are you looking at me like that?
Sangcheol had frozen like a broken doll, staring blankly at Yuhyeon.
Well, uh, um, what can I say? I'm so stunned I'm speechless.
In truth, he had been about to brag about the first epic-grade item he'd ever gotten in Wonderland.
That wasn't a small feat by any means, but after hearing Yuhyeon's story, it felt utterly insignificant.
Putting aside the fact that you earned such a huge amount of money, what made you decide to buy a capsule?
A capsule was certainly expensive, but it was something you could buy one way or another, whether through a loan or installments.
At the same time, it was just a gaming machine.
For Yuhyeon, who struggled so much he often ate cup ramen for meals, to buy a capsule meant there had to be a significant reason.
With that kind of money, you could have done so many other things. Like moving to a new place
Then, Sangcheol noticed the expression on Yuhyeon's face.
Yuhyeon wore an endlessly serious and calm expression.
Yuhyeon, you
You're really that serious about Wonderland.
Yeah.
I knew it.
Only then did Sangcheol begin to understand Yuhyeon's actions.
At the same time, a forgotten image of the Yuhyeon from the past overlapped with the present.
You were always the type to dive headfirst into something you were passionate about, never looking back.
From a young age, once Yuhyeon got into something, he never backed down until he saw it through to the end.
It was the same when he practiced on the abandoned piano at the incinerator, and when he first received a violin as a gift.
A seven-year-old boy, plucking the strings for over ten hours without a break.
It feels like the Han Yuhyeon I know is finally back.
He was also the person Sangcheol admired and respected the most.
Someone who never gave up, no matter the circumstances, and ultimately achieved his dreams.
Though young in age, Yuhyeon was stronger and more resilient on the inside than anyone.
And here I was, about to brag about getting an epic item
Sangcheol let out a small smile.
He'd wanted to show off for the first time in a while, but the timing felt completely off.
How could getting a mere epic-grade item compare to someone buying a capsule machine?
Anything else happen besides buying the capsule? You wrote a song for a contract last time, right? What happened with that?
This was the guy who'd earned enough to buy a capsule machine in just a few days.
Thinking that something else must have happened, he asked casually.
I signed a contract for the song, too. With SAM Entertainment.
R-Really? You already signed a contract?
The shocking news that he had already finalized a contract with SAM Entertainment came back.
SAM Entertainment is the top agency in the industry! They have Rocket Boy, who used to be huge, and even though they haven't been active lately, Sugar Girls was incredibly popular too.
Sangcheol replied with a look of astonishment.
So what happens now? Is your song going to be used by an idol group?
That's right.
Which group? Is it one I'd know? Or a new one?
Yuhyeon answered with a slight smile.
It's the group you just mentioned, Sugar Girls. They're preparing for a comeback. My song is slated to be their comeback title track.
R-Really? You're in charge of the comeback song for Sugar Girls?
Do you know them well?
Are you even serious right now?!
Sangcheol sounded even more shocked than when Yuhyeon had told him about buying the capsule machine.
You don't know who Sugar Girls are?! They're so popular their concerts sell out in a minute, and the members are so cute and pretty
Hmm? How do you know so much about them?
Because I'm a Sugar Girls fan, of course! I've been a Shu-bung for 10 years.
Shu-bung what?
Shu-bung-ie! It's the fandom name for Sugar Girls! Female fans are called Shu-creams, but whatever.
Sangcheol was a die-hard Shu-bung-ie who had been a fan of Sugar Girls for the past 10 years.
A true fan who attended every concert and event, and bought all the merchandise and albums without fail.
So, does that mean you'll get to see Sugar Girls in person while you're working?
Probably? They said we'd discuss things together during the concept meeting.
That's crazy, seeing Sugar Girls in the flesh! Ah, I wish I could go.
Want to go in my place?
No, if I actually went, I'd be so nervous I wouldn't even be able to breathe.
Sangcheol said, his face flushed with excitement.
Yuhyeon, I have a real favor to ask. Can you do just one thing for me?
A favor? From you to me?
Yuhyeon's eyes narrowed.
The guy who rarely asked for favors was asking for one now?
What is it? Why are you hesitating?
He was even being uncharacteristically cautious.
Wondering what on earth the favor could be, Yuhyeon prompted him.
When you get the chance, could you get me an autograph from the members?
Sangcheol's shy reply came back.
Of course.
Yuhyeon chuckled.
Was it really necessary to ask for a single autograph so timidly?
I'll get you as many as you want.
R-Really? Thank you so much, Yuhyeon!
It was only today that Yuhyeon realized just how much Sangcheol liked Sugar Girls.
I never knew you were into idols.
To be precise, I'm not into idols. I'm into Sugar Girls.
You like them that much?
Don't even get me started. They're so dazzling in person it takes your breath away. They're that pretty, they dance well, sing well, and even have great fan service. It'd be weird not to like them.
Well now, I might have to tattle to your wife
Is that really what you should be saying right now?
Yuhyeon snickered.
If he likes them this much, I should get him a hundred autographs, not just one.
Autographs, and maybe even some merchandise if he could get his hands on it.
It still wouldn't be enough to repay everything Sangcheol had done for him.
It was then.
Bzzz. Bzzzzz.
Oh, hang on. I got a text.
Yuhyeon's gaze fell to his phone.
Manager Park Jeonghu: I'm contacting you about the meeting we discussed. If you're available, could you come to the office building tomorrow
Hmm? Already?
Yuhyeon's eyes narrowed.
It had only been two days since their first meeting.
But they were already scheduling another meeting? Did that mean they finished the arrangement and mastering in just two days?
Why are they calling me in?
Perhaps they needed the original composer's input on a part of the arrangement.
While it was confusing in many ways, Yuhyeon simply muttered calmly.
Hey, that wish about the autographs? I think I can grant it for you pretty soon.
The next day, Yuhyeon headed to the SAM Entertainment office building, the designated meeting place.
Ah, youre here, Composer-nim! Thirty minutes early again today, I see.
Manager Park Jeonghu said, his glasses glinting.
What is all this, Manager Park?
Yuhyeon murmured, looking around.
Cameras set up everywhere, a camera director and sound director preparing to film
Unlike two days ago, the meeting room was crowded with unfamiliar faces.
Cameras were set up in various spots, and a camera director and sound director were checking their equipment at their respective positions.
It was as if they were about to film the location.
Ah, they're here to film for our team. I was about to explain. Please, have a seat wherever you're comfortable.
As if noticing Yuhyeon's gaze, Park Jeonghu smiled warmly.
We plan on filming the concept meeting today. This kind of behind-the-scenes footage is a great help for marketing.
He continued to explain.
I apologize for not mentioning it beforehand. The meeting was scheduled on such short notice. If you feel uncomfortable with being filmed, we can arrange it so that your voice or face isn't recorded.
Uh
We can also blur your face. Would that be alright?
Yuhyeon briefly pondered Manager Park Jeonghu's unexpected question.
Is there anything specific I need to do for the filming? Like, is there a script?
No, no, nothing like that at all. The cameras will just be rolling during the meeting. As the original composer, Mr. Yuhyeon, you can just speak your mind freely if you have any opinions.
Hmm, if that's the case, then it's fine.
Yuhyeon replied calmly, as if to say it was no problem.
The main stars will be Sugar Girls anyway, and as the composer, I won't be in the spotlight.
There was no need to go out of his way to show his face, but there didn't seem to be a reason to hide it either.
Even as the original composer, his role wasn't significant, and the film crew would surely focus on Sugar Girls.
What he was more curious about was the direction of today's meeting.
Does getting a call after just two days mean the song is finished?
Ah, about that.
Park Jeonghu said ambiguously.
To be precise, Id say were somewhere in the middle?
In the middle?
The arranger has prepared the song in three different directions, and today we'll likely pick one to fix the overall direction. That's why we invited you, Mr. Yuhyeon, to hear the original composer's opinion.
Yuhyeon tilted his head.
Three different arrangements? Three of them in just two days?
He's an incredibly talented producer. After hearing the song, he said he loved it so much that he pulled two all-nighters.
Even so
Arranging a song was just as difficult as composing one.
Sometimes, the arrangement played such a crucial role that it was what truly completed the song.
But to have prepared three different versions in just two days.
Is that even physically possible?
Could it be that a master-class music director he didn't know of had been assigned to the arrangement?
At SAM Entertainment, that's probably the more likely story.
In fact, that would make it much easier to accept.
This was SAM Entertainment, one of the nation's leading agencies, so the possibility was high.
Then I'll get to meet the experts today, I take it.
Of course! That's why we invited you, the original composer, here today.
Yuhyeon's eyes filled with anticipation.
I'm looking forward to this.
It was understandable. This would be his first time meeting professionals since starting his path as a composer.
I wonder what kind of people I'll meet.
It was the first moment he would meet people who could become his seniors in the field, so he couldn't help but be excited.
Besides, weren't they talented individuals who were even arranging his song?
Speak of the devil, here they come. The experts participating in today's concept meeting.
Just then, Park Jeonghu spoke in his characteristically playful tone, looking down the hallway.
Naturally, Yuhyeon's gaze followed Park Jeonghu's.
Manager! We're here!
Ah, you're here! My rascals!
Five women walked into the meeting room all at once.
Hehe, have you been well?
Me? Same as always. But Arin, you look like you've gained a little weight.
Hey, I have not! That's so mean, saying that the moment I walk in.
Yuhyeon's eyes widened.
Those are the experts Manager Park was talking about?
Women who looked to be in their mid-to-late twenties.
They were women who shone so brightly it was dazzling.
First, we have a guest, so let's start with greetings. The person sitting over there is Mr. Yuhyeon, the composer who wrote your comeback song, Hymn.
At Manager Park Jeonghu's words, the women's gazes all turned to Yuhyeon in unison.
Ah, the composer!
Then, one of them exchanged glances with the other members and stepped forward as their representative, shouting.
Two, three, So Sweet! We're Sugar Girls!
An encounter with five women as dazzling as light.
I'm the composer, Han Yuhyeon.
That was Yuhyeon's first meeting with Sugar Girls.