Chapter 167: Meeting the Composer for the First Time!

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Today, I left the house with a pounding heart.

As I requested to the CEO the day before, today was the day I would meet and talk with Composer VN for the first time.

Originally, we were supposed to meet yesterday, but since VN is such a famous composer, their schedule was tight. So, the meeting was pushed to today instead.

[VN] – (Address)

[VN] – You can come here.

[Me] – Thank you!

The address I received in advance seemed to be the composer’s studio.

Moreover, the CEO mentioned that the land value there was astronomically high.

To build a studio in such a place—it really made me feel once again how different the class of a famous composer is.

“Welcome! Can I take your order?”

“Uh, one Americano and one Caramel Frappuccino, please.”

Since it was my first time meeting the composer, I decided to buy coffee as a small gesture of courtesy.

I hadn’t had many private conversations with Composer VN, so I wasn’t sure about their preferences so I went with the safe choice, an Americano.

…But what if the composer, like me, can’t drink an Americano? Maybe I should’ve gotten something sweet instead.

A small wave of regret hit me belatedly, but they might dislike that too. Trying to rationalize, I headed toward the studio with the coffee in hand.

“Ugh…!”

After climbing a slightly sloped hill, a quiet residential area came into view.

Just moments ago, there were so many people around, but from here on, it seemed like a space reserved only for the truly wealthy.

Lost in silly thoughts, I arrived at the given address and looked around. A small iron gate covered in tree branches caught my eye.

Huh, is that it?

It looked like the back door of an ordinary restaurant you might pass by on the street. The rugged exterior was a bit more unrefined than I’d imagined, leaving me slightly flustered.

Carefully, I approached and pressed what looked like a doorbell next to the gate.

Beep. A thin sound echoed, and not long after…

Clank.

The door opened with a heavy sound, and on the other side stood a woman who seemed incredibly lively.

…Huh? A woman?

“Lulu! Come on in!”

“Eh? Ah, hello. Are you… VN, by any chance?”

“That’s right! Oh, surprised I’m a woman? Everyone says that.”

“Y-yeah… A little.”

Truthfully, I hadn’t even heard VN’s age or gender properly.

I could only guess based on our chat conversations, and the impression I got was that of a young elementary school boy.

How should I put it? Very blunt and bright? Their tone was unfiltered, so I assumed they were a young man…

This is really unexpected.

“Anyway, come in, come in! Ah, I can’t believe the day I finally get to meet Lulu in person has come. Success, success!”

“Ah, no, the honor is mine.”

At any rate, the composer was even more lively than I’d sensed through chat.

Their voice and tone were incredibly high-pitched and energetic.

I’ve never met someone so effortlessly friendly to a first-time acquaintance—like, a capital E for Extrovert.

This is my first time meeting someone with such overwhelming social energy.

Not even Yuna or Chae-yoon unnie are on this level.

If VN wanted, they could probably befriend every person on Earth.

No, maybe even transcend species to make friends.

“The studio’s a bit messy, right? Sorry. I’m old, so my tastes are a bit peculiar.”

“R-really? I think it looks amazing…”

The moment we stepped into the studio, they said that, but to me, it was a very impressive place.

It definitely wasn’t the clean, modern vibe I’d imagined.

More like… cozy and nostalgic?

It had the feel of vintage interior design I’d sometimes seen online, but the warmth made the atmosphere really nice.

Hmm, it’s totally the style Jia unnie would love.

Jia unnie always posts photos from cafés with this kind of vibe whenever she gets the chance.

After briefly looking around the outer part of the studio, we headed further inside.

There, I saw a recording booth and an array of dazzling equipment laid out.

There were far more machines here than in our company’s studio, and they looked way more expensive.

Wow…

As expected, a famous composer’s studio is on another level.

“Um, VN, here’s your coffee…”

While gaping at the surroundings, I suddenly remembered I was still holding the coffee carrier in both hands.

I handed the cup with the Americano to the composer.

“Oh? How did you know I was craving an Americano? Da-jeong, you’ve got great sense!”

“Ehehe… I’m glad.”

Watching the composer’s delighted expression, I let out a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness they’re an Americano person.

“Ah, now that I think about it, since this is our first time meeting face-to-face, should we do a quick introduction? I’m Composer Kim Na-yeon, who goes by the name VN.”

“I-I’m Jeong Da-jeong, who goes by the name Lulu.”

Only after quite some time had passed since we first met did we finally exchange proper introductions.

We’d already done it over chat, but doing it face-to-face felt strangely new.

“By the way, the ‘VN’ comes from taking one letter each from my husband’s name and mine. You probably weren’t curious, but consider it a random TMI drop.”

While casually sharing the behind-the-scenes of their stage name—which I hadn’t even asked about—they made a click sound with their mouth and winked, looking incredibly lively.

Hmm, I feel like VN would do really well as a VTuber too.

“Anyway, I was really surprised when I got the message yesterday. Lulu… or should I call you Da-jeong? Which do you prefer?”

“Wh-whatever you’re comfortable with is fine!”

“Hmm, then I’ll go with Da-jeong. It’d be awkward if I called you Lulu if we ran into each other outside.”

Yeah, that would definitely be awkward.

Honestly, I prefer being called by my real name offline anyway.

For some reason, most people at the company call me by my stage name, though.

“Anyway, I was up late last night working on something when suddenly, I got a message from Da-jeong’s CEO. I was like, ‘What’s going on at this hour?’”

“S-sorry… That was probably because of me.”

At the time, my mind was in such a mess that all I could think was to ask CEO Kang to quickly arrange a schedule with the composer.

So I made the request without thinking, not realizing it was already close to 11 PM.

“It’s fine, it happens often. What surprised me more was hearing that Da-jeong suddenly wanted to change the lyrics’ concept!”

“Yes, yes… that’s right.”

“What made you think of that? Honestly, while tweaking lyrics is common, changing an entire established framework and concept is rare—so I really wanted to ask.”

Ah, so that’s how it was.

No wonder VN had been so inquisitive yesterday.

Was there a reason? Did you have some kind of epiphany?

Since overhauling a song’s entire concept is unusual, she must’ve been curious.

I’d mentally prepared myself for this, but now that it was time to lay my feelings bare, a hint of embarrassment crept in.

Still, this process is necessary to create a proper song.

I took a determined sip of my Frappuccino, letting the cool sweetness steady me before finally speaking up.

“Actually, something happened during my stream yesterday…”

“Oho, what was it?”

Seeing the composer’s eyes light up with interest, I felt oddly reassured.

Before I knew it, I was spilling every little detail—even the unnecessary ones—unwrapping the whole story like a gift.

By the time our drinks were half-finished, my rambling ended, and the composer finally spoke.

With a sparkling expression, as if shouting “This is it!”, they said:

“Wow, this is really good! Honestly, when I first heard Da-jeong’s lyrics, I thought they were nice but missing that extra 2%. Now I get why!”

“Eh? R-really?”

“Yes! The idol concept fit, but it didn’t feel like your story. But now? This’ll make amazing lyrics—uniquely, undeniably yours.”

Ah… maybe they’re right.

When I first wrote the lyrics, I focused on what an “idol song” should sound like—not my own voice.

“Hearing your story today, I’m sure we can create something incredible. Not just anyone’s words, but Da-jeong’s truth.”

“Y-you really think so?”

“Absolutely. Though—ahem—you’ll need to dig deep, okay?”

“Y-yes…! I’ll give it my all.”

Since I’d already delayed the schedule, this time, I’d pour my heart into it.

With a firm nod, I resolved to write lyrics that carried my real feelings—words I truly wanted to share.

The composer seemed pleased by my determination, smiling warmly as she nodded back.

“The most important thing is the core message—the pillar holding the lyrics together.”

“Message…?”

“Yep. If you had to summarize this song in one line for your fans, what would it be?”

One line? That was tough.

The realization I’d had that day wasn’t simple—it was layered, almost contradictory.

But then, it hit me.

A phrase that, while a little silly, was the truest thing I could say to my cherries right now.

“Oh, got it?”

“Yes! What I want to say is… ‘Even if I’m lacking, could you still love me?’!”

I beamed, declaring it proudly.

VN’s grin mirrored mine.

“That’s so Lulu. Perfect.”

“Hehe…”

And just like that, the heart of my first original song was decided.