Chapter 129

Chapter 129

Raise Three Idols Well And They’ll Launch a Confession Attack.

Episode 129: Seon Taeyang’s Fans.

Sitting in front of the piano, I was lost in thought as Oh James, Oh Jinwoo, and Isabella were looking at me.

It was problematic that Oh James was openly shining with excitement, but Oh Jinwoo and even Isabella seemed to be looking at me with some sort of expectation.

Honestly, it felt like I had to show something, even if I had nothing.

Having overcome that pressure, I let out a small sigh and voiced my true feelings.

“Uh… Composer Oh James, do you really have to use this melody line?”

“Of course! If we don’t use this, what else would we use? I’m even thinking of using it as the title!”

…Has this guy lost his mind?

With a troubled heart, I looked up at the ceiling and spoke in the most serious tone I could muster.

“Composer Oh James, I appreciate the high expectations and evaluations, but I want to remind you that I am just an amateur.”

The only reason I could receive such high praise from both Cheon Aram and Oh James was purely thanks to rewards. And right now, I had no rewards related to music.

“No, Team Leader Seon is not someone you can just dismiss as an amateur.”

“The arrangement of ‘Dress Up,’ which you praised so impressively, was more of a lucky break.”

“Even if that was a stroke of luck, my opinion hasn’t changed. Team Leader Seon has talent.”

“Even if, as Oh James says, I do have talent, there’s still a problem.”

“…What?”

It was a big “if.” If, by some chance, I truly had a bit of talent, as Cheon Aram or Oh James had claimed, even without rewards, then so be it. But even then, I was nothing more than a promising talent at best.

“Even if we assume I have talent, the fact remains that I’m an amateur who has never professionally composed music. Maybe I can come up with a decent song—maybe in 10 years. Or if I’m really lucky, it could be now. But the probability is much higher that it won’t happen.”

Despite all the excessive evaluations, my essence was that of a beginner who had never truly proven anything.

“Why should we take such a risk? We don’t need to. No, not only that, but as the leader of the team ‘Girl Revolution,’ I can’t allow it.”

And such impurities shouldn’t interfere with the songs that Gyeoul, Gaeul, and Yeoreum would create.

“Experimental challenges are fine, I suppose. But they should only happen once ‘Girl Revolution’ has a stable foundation. Not on the first album. As Composer Oh James knows well, the importance of the first album cannot be emphasized enough. This album must be perfect. Every song has to be the best. And I am sure I am not the answer to that.”

I’d already seen the answer sheet from my past life. So I was sure of it. The answer wasn’t me.

“…”

I thought he’d been convinced enough and looked at him.

But the look on Oh James’s face as he looked at me seemed strange.

“…Why do you put yourself down like that?”

He usually maintained a calm, objective demeanor with a slight air of arrogance. But right now, his attitude seemed unusually emotional.

“Don’t you know the law of excessive proportion? Overly humble behavior isn’t polite either.”

Perhaps sensing the shift in his demeanor, Isabella, who had been observing from the side, stopped him.

“James, calm down a bit…”

“I’ve already told you I’m a fan of Team Leader Seon, right? Do you think I throw that word around lightly? Not at all. Even as an undergrad, I was a self-absorbed, cocky brat! I never used the word ‘fan’ for anyone—be it current colleagues, seniors, or professors!”

“Calm down, you crazy bastard!”

“How am I supposed to calm down?!”

“Do deep breathing or something!”

He took a few deep breaths at her suggestion.

“I don’t particularly like using authority in conversations. It’s cheap and petty. But I’ll try to be a bit petty now.”

Whether her words had an effect or not, he successfully lowered his voice slightly and spoke again.

“I’ve won first place on music shows so many times. My songs are in the top rankings at karaoke places. The royalties in my account alone ensure I never have to worry about living. Yes, I dare say I’m at the top of the K-pop industry. And so, this Oh James evaluates Team Leader Seon as talented, and this melody line has the potential to be the title track for the important first album. Do I need to prove anything more? Don’t you trust me, Team Leader Seon?”

Now I could finally understand the emotion that Oh James was expressing.

It wasn’t anger. It wasn’t a sense of humiliation from a wounded ego.

It was disappointment.

“Then, please tell me the name of another expert you trust. I have a wide network in this industry. I could call 60% of the names you’re thinking of right now. I’ll call them and have them guarantee how big the potential of this melody line is. Please trust me. Damn it, this is amazing!”

“…”

“…You might think this is just a melody, so why bother gilding it? It won’t be easy to finish. You might even need to purchase some parts of the melody line itself to fit the structure. But I hope Team Leader Seon can complete this song on your own. I believe you have the ability. I’ll help you.”

I asked him with pure curiosity.

“Why do you care so much about me making this song?”

He cleared his throat, then composed himself and spoke with the calm demeanor he usually had.

“I’m currently a colleague of Team Leader Seon as a manager, but before that, I was a fan of Team Leader Seon as a producer.”

“…”

“I’ve told you, right? How deep in a slump I was. That’s been breaking little by little, thanks to Team Leader Seon, Gyeoul, and the others. Honestly, it’s a bit strange for a man to say this, but sometimes, Team Leader Seon feels like a muse to me.”

Isabella glared at me after hearing those words….Isabella, I swear, I have absolutely no interest in that kind of thing. Rest assured.“…That muse you mentioned, it’s not just me, right? Surely, as a collaborator exchanging inspiration, Isabella has been a muse at some point too?““No, that’s never been the case with her.”“…Bastard.““…Huh? Bella, what did you say?“

…Get a clue, you idiot.“Because that’s the kind of person I am, I’ve become greedy. I want to see it. I want to know what kind of inspiration this Seon Taeyang would bring if he created an original composition instead of just doing arrangements.”

“…”

“I know Team Leader Seon has never been formally trained in composition. But let’s give it a try. I’ll fully assist with any overly complex or technical parts. And, of course, unlike that despicable guy, I won’t be putting my name on the song just because I did a little work on it, so you don’t have to worry.”

Honestly, Oh James’s emotional outburst was surprising to me.What he was asking for was an act that would completely derail the meticulously prepared plans I had as a manager.And yet, it didn’t feel entirely unpleasant.After all, outside of my duties as a manager, this was the first time someone had such expectations of me.My thoughts drifted.

From a young age, I had skipped college and lived solely as a manager. No, I had lived only as a manager. My entire life had revolved around that single focus. I had never considered doing anything else.But now, in my second life, do I really have to continue that way?What is it that I truly want to do?“…“

In the rising emotions like a buoy, an answer came to me.

“I’ll do it. I’ll try composing.”

I wanted to live up to those expectations.

“Really? Then the title…”

“However, the title is absolutely out of the question.”

“…Ah.”

What a pitiful reaction. Regardless of how much you argue, the title track will remain the carefully chosen ace we’ve invested so much into.

Even though personal practice time was well underway, Yoo Gaeul escaped from the training room and pressed her ear against the door of the recording studio.

‘Ugh, it’s so sweet.’

Seon Taeyang, whom she adored so much, was playing the piano. It had been a long time since she had heard his music, especially with his hectic schedule recently, which had forced her to do busking alone.

For Yoo Gaeul, who proudly called herself a fan of his piano, this golden opportunity was one she couldn’t miss.

At that moment, while she awkwardly pressed her body against the recording studio door to hear better, someone addressed her.

“I believe you still have personal practice scheduled. Please return to the training room.”

“Eek! Oh, Team Leader Seo.”

Yoo Gaeul, knowing that it was hard to appeal to the strict and rule-abiding Seo Soo-yeon, still spoke with a regretful tone.

“…Just a moment, can I listen for just a little while? If you give me a little time, I’ll stay and practice twice as much afterward.”

“…”

But this time, her usual “No” response was strangely different.

“It seems like Team Leader Seon is playing?”

Sensing hope from her unexpected response, Yoo Gaeul brightened and began to explain.

“That’s right. From what you told me last time, he’s working on a song for us. I think this performance is part of that process. It’s probably not finished yet, but it already sounds so good!”

“It seems like you really like Team Leader Seon’s music, Gaeul.”

“I’m his number one fan!”

Seo Soo-yeon looked at Yoo Gaeul, who proudly declared herself as a fan.

Then, in a rare moment for her, who always maintained a poker face, she smiled widely and spoke.

“Then, I’ll be fan number two.”