Chapter 422
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 422
Perhaps he had nodded without realizing it, for a long, pale finger pressed a button on the vending machine. As the can fell with a heavy thud, Seong Ji-won retrieved it and held it out.
"Why are you so restless? You spoke so confidently earlier."
"…Is it that obvious? That I’m anxious?"
"A little?"
If it was obvious to Ji-won, then it must have been even more apparent to PD Jeong Jun-hwan, which meant the man likely trusted them even less now.
As Kim Seong-hyeon let out a string of sighs, Seong Ji-won nonchalantly inserted a few more bills and added, "Is it because of what the PD said? Are you worried we won't be able to appear on Song Camp?"
Kim Seong-hyeon hesitated for a moment before calling out to Seong Ji-won, who was busy sipping on a hot honey citron tea.
"Seong Ji-won."
"Yeah?"
"Aren't you… nervous?"
"Nope."
The answer came clearly and without a moment's hesitation. Kim Seong-hyeon pressed his lips together, unable to find a response.
"Actually, I’m looking forward to it. We practiced so hard while preparing for the album, so I want to show our fans as soon as possible. They’ve been waiting for us."
"……."
"We’re doing fine, Seong-hyeon."
Faced with Seong Ji-won’s composure, Kim Seong-hyeon rubbed the back of his neck. Perhaps because of his long years as a trainee, Seong Ji-won occasionally displayed a level of calm that far surpassed his own.
Just as he was finding comfort in their brief conversation and taking a sip of his electrolyte drink, an unfamiliar voice suddenly drifted from behind them.
"Wow, look who we have here."
A man who looked vaguely familiar yet strange smiled at them. Seong Ji-won seemed to recognize him immediately and bowed politely.
"But why are there only two of you?"
Kim Seong-hyeon, however, couldn't quite place the face and simply blinked. Then, a memory suddenly flashed through his mind.
"…Ah."
It was Two Pause.
The composer who had stirred up a plagiarism scandal involving a song Kang Yi-chae had written.
"Where are the other members—"
"Hyungs! Seong-hyeon-hyung, Ji-won-hyuuung~!!"
At that moment, Jeong Da-jun returned with a chocolate bar in his mouth, shouting that he couldn't find the manager. He spotted Two Pause and his eyes widened.
"Oh!!"
As Two Pause looked down and scanned him from head to toe, Jeong Da-jun gave a deep, respectful bow.
"Hello!"
Then, with a bright smile, he asked a question.
"Um, excuse me, but do you happen to have a thousand won?"
"Yes, a thou… what?"
"No, see, I really want to get a drink from the vending machine, but I don't have any cash. I have a meeting in a bit, so I’ll find you and pay you back as soon as it’s over! Which floor do you work on?"
…The maknae’s antics were often a perfect carbon copy of Seo Ho-yun’s.
The damage was already done, but Kim Seong-hyeon tried to manage the situation by grabbing Jeong Da-jun by the scruff of his neck and whispering so only he could hear.
"He’s not a staff member. He’s a composer."
"Huh? Who?"
Two Pause’s eyes sharpened, seemingly annoyed by their whispering.
"Ha, haha… Are you so desperate you need to borrow a thousand won? Sorry, but I only carry checks."
Kim Seong-hyeon quickly covered Jeong Da-jun’s mouth with his palm before the boy could mutter something about what anyone would do with a check at a vending machine. He offered an awkward smile instead.
"Hello. What brings you here…?"
"I’m here for a pre-meeting for Song Camp."
"Wh-what??"
"Wow, I didn't expect to run into The Dawn here. I heard things weren't going so well for you guys, so I thought it’d be hard to see you around from now on."
Despite the man’s sneering, Kim Seong-hyeon’s heart didn't race with anger.
—Seo Ho-yun always said this: If people are picking fights with a celebrity over trivial things, it’s proof that they have some level of awareness. Instead of getting upset, just accept the situation for what it is and enjoy it.
He had detested hearing that every time, but why did it feel like a profound piece of wisdom hitting home now?
"Well, don't be too discouraged. Truly good music isn't forgotten, even with the passage of time."
"…Right."
"Artists are supposed to compete with their ears and musicality, not their looks, you know."
"Riiight."
With Seo Ho-yun back in his thoughts, Kim Seong-hyeon didn't care what the man in front of him was blathering about. Seong Ji-won seemed more focused on his citron tea, and Jeong Da-jun was busy agonizing over which drink to pick with the coins Ji-won had given him, his eyes sparkling.
Two Pause scowled as if dissatisfied with their reaction, then suddenly pulled the corners of his mouth into a wide smirk.
"—By the way, why hasn't Kang Yi-chae returned to the country?"
Everyone’s gaze shifted to Two Pause.
"No, I’m just worried something might have happened. To think the star-studded Kang Yi-chae isn't here. Is he feeling pressured about composing in real-time on a variety show… or has that 'amazing' sense of his finally dulled?"
"……."
"As a senior, I’m a bit concerned."
Kim Seong-hyeon decided there was no point in listening further. He was about to wrap up the conversation and head back to the meeting room when a voice cut in.
"Yi-chae does have incredible star power, doesn't he?"
It was Seong Ji-won.
"To think someone who hasn't been involved with him for ages is still looking up his latest news."
Adding, "Though I personally think his diligence is an even greater strength," Seong Ji-won spoke softly, his eyes curving into an angelic smile.
"You must already know better than I do that our Yi-chae is a remarkable talent and more than qualified to appear on Song Camp."
Before Two Pause, whose face was turning a mottled red, could respond, Seong Ji-won spoke again.
"Mmm, I understand why you’re so preoccupied. Once you hear one of Yi-chae’s songs, it’s hard to forget. You just end up humming it over and over."
"…Are you sarcastically accusing me of plagiarism right now?"
"Pardon?"
Startled as if he’d received a completely unexpected question, Seong Ji-won fell silent for a moment before offering a troubled smile.
"I didn't particularly have that intention… but I suppose that’s how you felt."
No apology like I’m sorry if you were offended followed. Seong Ji-won might be kind, but he wasn't the type to give empty words.
Kim Seong-hyeon briefly considered if he needed to clean up the mess, but seeing the unbothered maknae, he gave up.
'…Seong Ji-won can handle himself.'
He had enough on his plate worrying about the Song Camp issue.
Just as he was about to dive back into thoughts on how to appeal to PD Jeong Jun-hwan, a small vibration came from his pants pocket.
He reached in and pulled out his phone. Seo Ho-yun’s name was on the screen.
[Seo Ho-yun:
https://Moonnews.co.kr/2chaE_reAd?/4215791]
'What is this?'
He felt a slight sense of unease, but assuming there was a reason for it, he tapped the link with his thumb. His shoulders jolted in shock at the headline that filled his vision.
"—Seong-hyeon-ssi!"
At that moment, PD Jeong Jun-hwan appeared at the end of the hallway, shouting in excitement. The man, who had been so calm and composed, was now sprinting toward them in a state of total agitation.
Two Pause, who spotted the PD at the same time, quickly fixed his expression and bowed deeply.
"Oh, PD-nim! Hello! I’m Two Pause. About this Song Camp—"
"Just a second! Later, let’s talk later!"
Brushing past Two Pause, PD Jeong Jun-hwan skidded to a halt in front of Kim Seong-hyeon. His face was flushed as he caught his breath, and he shoved his phone screen toward Kim Seong-hyeon.
"This…, cough, th-this article! Is it true?!"
It was the same article Seo Ho-yun had just sent.
There was even a large photo of Kang Yi-chae flashing a V-sign in front of an electric piano right under the title.
【 [Exclusive] The Dawn’s Kang Yi-chae Collaborates with Billboard #1 Band ‘NerdyFreak’
…Interest is mounting over the possibility that The Dawn’s Kang Yi-chae has collaborated with the American band NerdyFreak.
The guitarist of NerdyFreak posted a photo of Kang Yi-chae on his personal Starstagram with the comment: ‘Today, I am finally liberated from his damn perfectionism. Part of me wants to scream at him to get the hell back to Korea, while the other part wants to beg him not to leave and make more songs for me.’
NerdyFreak is considered one of the most successful American bands to debut since 20XX. Boasting overwhelming album sales and record-breaking streaming numbers, NerdyFreak has won five Gramophone Awards.
Meanwhile, WH Entertainment has remained tight-lipped regarding Kang Yi-chae’s collaboration, stating, “We are currently confirming the specific dates and details of the collaboration”—… 】
"D-did Kang Yi-chae-ssi participate in N-N-N-NerdyFreak’s song?!"
"Uh, well…"
He couldn't exactly say he didn't know the details himself.
Kim Seong-hyeon hesitated before giving a small nod.
"…He did go to the US."
"Is that true?!"
He had vaguely known that the reason Kang Yi-chae left for the US, rambling about the American Dream, was for a collaboration with a famous artist.
However, since he didn't know exactly who it was and they had been out of touch ever since, Kim Seong-hyeon had assumed things hadn't worked out for him.
'But it was NerdyFreak?'
Weren't they the rock band he’d been listening to since middle school?
As Kim Seong-hyeon stood there, suddenly sharing news of his own member with the rest of the world, PD Jeong Jun-hwan paced back and forth anxiously.
"My god, my god! I absolutely have to interview Kang Yi-chae-ssi… no, no. Let’s finish sorting out the contract first!!"
At this rate, the PD looked ready to force Seong-hyeon to sign on the dotted line on behalf of the absent Kang Yi-chae.
As he was backing away, trying to figure out how to handle this, a familiar mid-to-low voice suddenly rang out.
"PD-nim."
He turned his head to see Seo Ho-yun, with dark circles hanging all the way down to his chin.
Kim Seong-hyeon’s first emotion was relief. Whether he knew how Seong-hyeon felt or not, Seo Ho-yun gave him a brief glance before stepping forward.
"Sorry we’re late. The flight was delayed."
"Flight?"
At PD Jeong Jun-hwan’s question, Seo Ho-yun turned around and gestured with his right hand.
A man wearing a simple white T-shirt and ripped jeans emerged from around the corner.
The maknae’s mouth fell wide open.
"Oh…."
The man, whose hair looked a bit wild and unkempt as if it hadn't been maintained in a while, approached with a swagger, wearing sunglasses.
He rolled a candy around in his mouth and spoke.
"Hiya."
When Seo Ho-yun nudged his side and raised an eyebrow, the man scratched his temple, took his hand out of his pocket, and crunched down on the candy.
"Ka-Kang…"
"So, how’s everyone been? Doing goooood?"
Taking off his sunglasses, Kang Yi-chae scanned the people lined up before him. He smirked when he saw Kim Seong-hyeon, who was too shocked to make a sound.
"I’m a bit late, aren't I?"
Seeing that familiar, mischievous glint in his eyes, Kim Seong-hyeon felt a surge of overwhelming joy.
"Did you miss me?"
The prodigal son had returned.