Chapter 435
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 435
Is this for real?
While the other contestants' songs were playing, most of them seemed to be struggling just to adapt to genres they were trying for the first time. I hadn't expected much from Baek Ji-jun, assuming he would be in the same boat.
【—I’m losing my resistance】
But that assumption crumbled like a sandcastle before a tide the moment I heard his song, "Moonlight."
Over a bouncy, textbook shuffle rhythm, an arpeggio guitar melody laid the foundation. On top of that, a cheerful synthesizer added a layer of dreaminess, creating a melody that soared through the air.
【Moonlight sparkling even within the sun
A candle burning even without a wick】
As if in harmony with the music, the lyrical words spread through the air in an enchanting blur.
【Tell me, Am I meant for you?】
Kang Yi-chae’s judgment had been correct.
Baek Ji-jun was a genius.
This is going to be tough.
Unlike the first competition, we couldn't rely on the luck of the surrounding scenery for the second one. They had thoroughly hidden any information that could influence the results, ensuring the outcome was decided solely by the music. The rankings would be determined by judge scores and online voting, both of which were to be conducted as a blind test.
【Come in, let’s dance, amidst the moonlight (Moonlight—)
Like all the lovers captured on canvas
Let’s hold hands forever】
As the melody surged toward its climax, I shifted my gaze toward my members—and I had to blink in disbelief.
【The more I touch you, the more I thirst
The further I go, the deeper my senses become】
His face was certainly expressionless, but...
【I’m losing my resistance】
For some reason, Kang Yi-chae looked like he was falling apart.
* * *
"Great job, everyone!"
After unhooking their mics and returning them to the staff, the members finally began to talk more freely.
"So, we got the feedback from the interim evaluation... what do you think we should do?"
"Um, wouldn't Yi-chae hyung's opinion be the most important? We're running out of time, too."
The Dawn’s song for the second competition had received fairly good reviews, described as being rich in harmony—extravagant yet imbued with a sense of longing.
"Honestly, is there anything left to fix?"
It was good. It was so good that I would have agreed even if they said they wanted to put it as the title track for The Dawn's next album.
It was just that Baek Ji-jun was overwhelming. Kang Yi-chae had more than pulled his weight in Chamber Pop, a genre he had never composed in before.
However, while we were exchanging views, Kang Yi-chae himself pulled his hat down low as if to hide his face. He stood with his arms crossed, staring only at the floor. His fingers were tapping rhythmically against his forearm, as if he were measuring something.
"Yi-chae."
While I was quietly observing his state, Seong Ji-won, who noticed his behavior a moment later, called out to him with a slight frown.
"...Yi-chae?"
"Huh? Oh."
Yi-chae’s chin lifted half a beat late.
Realizing everyone’s eyes were on him, he forced a smile onto his lips.
"Ah... what, you want to tear the song apart and fix it?"
...No, we didn't say that.
I kept my eyes forward but nudged Kim Seong-hyeon next to me with my arm. As if by reflex, words tumbled out of Seong-hyeon’s mouth.
"First! ...Let's eat before we think about it."
(Translation: Didn't that seem a bit weird just now?)
"Exactly. Look at the time already."
(Translation: Totally.)
While Seong-hyeon and I exchanged opinions through subtext, Kang Yi-chae maintained a facade of composure and began stroking the maknae’s head.
"...Hey, I'm going to go grab a drink for a second."
"......Yeah, go ahead."
Leaving behind Kim Seong-hyeon, who had been scanning Yi-chae’s face with a startled expression, I stepped outside. I figured PD Jeong Jun-hwan, who was as much of a heavy smoker as I used to be, might be out having a cigarette around this time.
Kang Yi-chae couldn't keep his poker face when he heard Baek Ji-jun’s song earlier.
This was his third survival program; he shouldn't be feeling pressured by the prospect of malicious editing at this point.
The fact that he failed to manage his emotions despite that meant...
Is he feeling burdened by facing Baek Ji-jun?
I walked past the back gate of the QBS station and headed straight down the back alley until the familiar smoking area came into view. I craned my neck to check, but PD Jeong Jun-hwan was nowhere to be seen. Just as I was about to turn back without a second thought, I heard a presence, and someone poked their head out.
"Whoa, Professor~!"
Holding a cigarette in his left hand, Baek Ji-jun greeted me with a bright, innocent smile.
I tried to give a quick nod and bolt before things got annoying, but sensing my intent, Baek Ji-jun took a quick drag, tossed the butt into the trash can, and scurried over to block my path.
"Ah~, sorry. I probably smell like smoke, right?"
"It's fine. Did you have something to say?"
Baek Ji-jun waved his hands to clear the smoke, hesitated for a moment, and then, with a bashful smile, unzipped the sports bag slung over his shoulder and pulled out an Aeronautics album.
"Um, if you're not too busy, I was wondering if I could get an autograph."
"Ah, of course. Who should I make it out to?"
"Ji-junnie!"
I popped the pen cap off with my teeth and started scribbling, but I froze in confusion and looked up.
"Personally, I think the B-side 'Wave' is the best! But I also found the title track 'Flight' really impressive! Not just the lyrics, but the catchy beat and rhythmic hook really stood out! And the emotional back-and-forth between the vocals and the rap is seriously no joke~~!"
Baek Ji-jun clasped his hands together and poured out words endlessly, as if he couldn't even feel my gaze on him.
"—And in 'Wave,' the part that goes 'If we meet again, I could fall in love in an instant' is the absolute best!"
"That's my part."
"Haha, yep... I really, reaaaally love that part... I'd love to work with you someday, Seo Ho-yun-ssi."
I stared blankly at Baek Ji-jun, who continued his pure, unadulterated praise with eyes that sparkled far too much. Only then did he stop talking, scratching his cheek sheepishly with an awkward laugh.
"Ah... was I being too much?"
We hadn't talked much, but I could tell instantly that Baek Ji-jun had a bright, resilient personality. Just seeing how he treated the other contestants showed he was quick-witted and sociable.
On top of that, his musical knowledge and ability were exceptional. His spectrum was broad, too.
Even in that ridiculous initiation mission, the person who had created his own melody in that short time and taken first place was the man standing right in front of me.
I had assumed Baek Ji-jun chose a trot-style ballad purely as a calculated move for the rankings, but...
"Seo Ho-yun-ssi?"
After hearing his song earlier, that assumption had completely evaporated.
This guy... he was just confident.
Confident that he could make anything brilliant, no matter the theme or the genre.
"...No," I replied slowly, handing the signed album back to Baek Ji-jun. "I'm just grateful. I'm sure there are many people who want to work with you, so I'm honored you keep making such offers to me."
"Ahaha. It's a bit embarrassing since you've caught on, but I'm a huge fan of your vocal tone, Seo Ho-yun-ssi."
"My voice is pretty common, though."
"How can you say something so blasphemous?! A voice like yours is rare even if you searched the whole world!"
Baek Ji-jun, who had been nothing but gentle, looked horrified.
He exaggerates too much. I brushed it off, but Baek Ji-jun frowned, paused for a moment, and then threw a question at me.
"Hmm, Seo Ho-yun-ssi, when you meet someone, where do you think their life story shows through the most?"
"Their bank statements."
"...Wow, that's a very practical answer to a philosophical question......."
Flustered by the answer that came out without a second of hesitation, Baek Ji-jun rubbed his head and continued.
"Ahem, I listen to sounds. Every note a person makes. If I do that, I can tell what kind of experiences they've had and what they value. Your voice, Seo Ho-yun-ssi... it sounds young, but I can sense a maturity of time within it."
What kind of bullshit is this?
Perhaps my immediate thought showed on my face, because Baek Ji-jun chuckled and let the corners of his eyebrows droop.
"You have a look on your face that says I'm talking nonsense. It's hard to explain... ah, right, it's like several years of time have been compressed into you. As if you have at least ten more years of experience than your actual age."
"Excuse me?"
"That's why the atmosphere radiating from that gap, the sensation I get from it, is so fascinating. I don't think anyone else could ever imitate it, no matter how hard they tried."
What is with this guy?
He accurately pinpointed my situation just from something like that?
Goosebumps erupted down my spine.
"Did I offend you just now?"
"...No, it's not that."
"Then that's a relief."
Even while gauging my reaction, Baek Ji-jun kept chattering away.
"Actually, I've been wandering a li~ttle bit lately, but I feel like if I'm with you, I could make a truly killer song. I'll match whatever genre you want! A sexy concept like 'Act Natural' from The Complete Singer would be fine, too...."
"Baek Ji-jun-ssi, aren't you focused on ballads?"
"Hey~, you saw me today."
Baek Ji-jun flashed a confident, toothy grin.
"I'm good at everything. If you just give me the word, I'll give you a song that no one but you, Seo Ho-yun, can sing."
His pale, clear face was imbued with ambition and a certain kind of conviction.
As if he knew that if I were a singer, I wouldn't be able to easily turn down his offer.
"I don't say this to just anyone," Baek Ji-jun continued, almost humming. "Once the song camp is over, you'll have some free time, and I thought maybe I'd get a chance—..."
Suddenly, as if he had spotted something, his eyes went wide and he began to stammer.
"—is what I thought, but...."
At his unusual behavior, I slowly turned my head to follow his gaze. There stood Kang Yi-chae, leaning against the back door of the QBS station with his arms crossed, staring silently in our direction.
"......"
"......"
"...A-As expected, maybe it's a no-go, hahahat, wahaha!"
Shit.
Talk about killer timing.
The usual playful smile that was practically a passive trait on his face had vanished without a trace beneath his black cap. Even to me, who saw him every day, he looked incredibly fierce.
Baek Ji-jun, who had no immunity to Kang Yi-chae, seemed to feel it even more intensely as his eyes darted around nervously.
"...O-Oh my! A sudden phone call!"
Unable to withstand the chilling silence, Baek Ji-jun pulled his phone out of his pocket and waved it, making a pathetic excuse.
"The screen is black."
"It's from my manager!"
"You don't have a manager."
"I got one yesterday! Well then, excuse me!"
Hey.
Quickly turning around, Baek Ji-jun brushed past me and moved toward the back door. He gave a small, stiff bow to Kang Yi-chae.
When Yi-chae’s eyes crinkled into a smile in response, Baek Ji-jun seemed slightly relieved. He returned the smile and slipped past him into the station.
Left alone with Kang Yi-chae, I glanced at him as he stood there at a crooked angle. It seemed he had heard everything, but even if he hadn't, he likely would have pieced it all together from the context.
I decided to strike first before he could open his mouth.
"Hey."
"Yeah?"
"I didn't say I'd do it."
I felt strangely self-conscious even though I hadn't done anything wrong.
"Ah... that just now."
Responding slowly, Kang Yi-chae tilted his head to the side.
"Why not? You should work with Baek Ji-jun. It'd be great for buzz."
"......Huh?"
"It's probably not the case, but if you're refusing because of me, just go ahead and do it."
I expected him to be grumpy, or at least to lace a joke with some bitterness, but Kang Yi-chae was surprisingly nonchalant.
Pushing his hat back and running a hand through his hair, he opened the back door and added in a calm tone.
"Phew~, I'm hungry."
"......You're hungry?"
I followed behind him as he took the first step with a nod, but something felt off.
What is it?
People don't change that easily. Why was he being so detached? He was acting like Seong Ji-won....
I narrowed my eyes, digging through my memories to figure out why he was acting this way, when he suddenly stopped and turned around.
"Oh, but hyung."
"Yeah?"
"About the song camp."
Then, his eyes curved into soft crescents as he whispered in a gentle voice.
"Make sure you take first place, even if you have to die trying."
