Chapter 62

**Location Information: Tokyo Shibuya, Izakaya 'Tempura'**

“I wouldn’t have brought Hyoju if I knew this would happen.”

The izakaya I finally found thanks to the location information Reimi sent.

If it were in Korea, I would have found it easily, but it’s not so simple in a foreign country.

“Phew, I finally found it.”

Through the window, I could see three women.

They all wore baseball caps, but once I recognized them, they were clearly the Purple Girls.

The izakaya was unusually quiet, perhaps because there were no other customers.

Fortunately, I had the Purple Girls’ manager’s number saved.

Knock, knock—

I immediately moved my hand.

[Manager! The members are here, here!]

[(Location Information)]

I copied the map Reimi sent and sent it to the manager.

Ding, ding—

As I opened the door and walked in, a calm silence filled the cozy space.

Soon after,

“Reimiii—!”

Reimi opened her arms to welcome me.

I easily dodged with a pivot step.

“Have you had a lot to drink?”

“Not really. I don’t think I’ve had that much.”

“...Is that so.”

“Come on! Everyone, gather around. We’re taking a picture!”

Reimi started taking pictures without asking anyone.

Except for me, the three members sparkled like fairies.

“I’ll post it on Instagram. Hehe.”

You’re going to publicly execute me like this?

“Did you get the manager’s permission before posting...?”

“Ah, that’s right. Then?”

“No. Just don’t post it. I’m against it.”

“Why not?”

I turned to check on the others.

Fortunately, the other members weren’t that drunk.

Hmm, no.

Why is this person so red?

I approached Jaeun, the main dancer and the first member to challenge acting.

“Are you okay?”

I asked her, whose face was as red as a persimmon.

“Yes, I’m fine!”

She became a star instantly after appearing in a work by Minju Im, but I heard they don’t talk anymore.

‘It’s not necessarily because of me...’

But she, on the contrary, expressed her gratitude.

“Thank you, writer.”

“Huh?”

“Both of your works did well... I think that’s why the group is doing well. Especially ‘Pure Macho.’”

“No, the Purple Girls did a great job.”

I have a small share in it, but...

“Are you not going to act anymore?”

“Not yet. I still enjoy group activities. I like dancing too.”

There’s a reason why the Purple Girls are doing so well.

Everyone has their own personality, and no one causes trouble.

I haven’t seen anyone jealous of the popular members.

Ting, ting—♬

Then, Yuna strummed an acoustic guitar from one side.

‘Why is there a guitar in this izakaya?’

For some, it was a thrilling moment to hear the main vocalist of the Purple Girls sing.

The young owner smiled contentedly and started recording a video with his smartphone.

‘...This is a total mess.’

Reimi approached the owner to check if the video was being recorded properly.

“Hmm, ah. This song was composed by Reimi... ‘Daily Routine.’”

Soon, Yuna’s beautiful voice gently enveloped the small space.

The sweet ballad that flowed from the small mouth of the petite woman.

“Did you have a tough day today? I was thinking of you...”

Despite only the voice and the guitar, it was completely satisfying.

Her beautiful voice penetrated deep into the cochlea.

“Is it good?”

“Yes.”

I enjoyed the song with Reimi, who had sat next to me.

“This song was composed while thinking about your work.”

“Huh?”

“I heard you’re writing a sentimental office drama.”

I looked at Reimi with wide eyes.

At that moment, the system activated.

Ding—

【A song that matches the atmosphere of your work by 94% has been found.】

【Do you want to add this song to your work? (Y/N)】

“Can this be used as an OST?”

“Sure, if you let me post a photo on SNS.”

Clap—!

Without hesitation, Reimi and I clapped our hands at the same time.

Like a high-five between Eom Baek-ho and Seo Dae-woong.

Clap, clap, clap, clap—

Soon, the song ended, and the few audience members applauded Yuna.

Especially, the young owner clapped seal-like, shouting ‘Sugoi.’

‘Patriotic pride is strong here.’

Reimi approached the owner to receive the video.

Then, Yuna ran over to me with a shy face.

“Hmm, I’m hungry after singing.”

“...After just one song?”

“Are you not hungry, writer?”

“No, I have to leave soon...”

“Do you want a bowl of jjamppong?”

“Suddenly?”

“This place’s jjamppong is amazing. Owner, one bowl of Nagasaki jjamppong!”

Yuna pointed at the menu on the wall and shouted.

She could have just said she wanted to eat it.

But then, I felt the presence of a few people outside.

The silhouettes of sturdy men passing by the window.

“Yuna, you probably won’t be able to eat the jjamppong.”

“Huh...? Why?”

Because,

Ding, ding—

I called their manager.

Seeing three of them come, I realized how much the Purple Girls have grown.

“How...?”

“Hmm...”

Yuna looked at me in disbelief.

I avoided her gaze and looked away.

“Traitor...!”

“I’m not a traitor.”

We were never on the same side to begin with.

“Take care.”

Soon, the members were led away by their managers.

One manager approached me and thanked me.

“Thank you, writer.”

“No, you did a great job.”

I bowed and watched the managers leave.

I met the owner’s gaze.

“Give me the Nagasaki jjamppong.”

“???”

“Nagasaki kudaisai!”

“Ah, hai!”

Actually, I wanted to eat it too.

* * *

Saerom lifted her wrist to check her watch.

“7:30 PM... It took longer than I thought.”

“Director, the investment acquisition was more successful than expected.”

“Yes, that’s fortunate.”

Team Leader Byun looked at Saerom with admiration.

“...It’s a bit overwhelming...”

“Oh, yes!”

After finishing the schedule that extended into the evening, they entered the hotel.

Saerom checked the text message from Jin-woo on her smartphone.

[Hyoju will probably be late, but I’ll be coming in soon.]

“Hmm... Is Hyoju coming in late today?”

“Huh?”

“No, never mind.”

“...”

“Let’s rest in the hotel lounge for a bit. Writer Kim will be here soon.”

“Yes, Director.”

A little while later, Team Leader Byun cautiously spoke up.

“Um... Director.”

“Yes?”

“Hyoju is coming in late?”

“Don’t we almost always talk every day?”

“But... there’s no reply today.”

Like Pavlov’s dog, the lack of contact made him anxious.

‘He’s really attached to her.’

I thought about having a light beer with the people who came on the trip together.

“I’ll ask the writer where Hyoju is.”

“No, no! There’s no need...”

“Hmm...”

“Haha, it’s like she’s my little sister. I’m not particularly interested.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“...”

Team Leader Byun received Saerom’s text message.

He hesitated for a moment, then left the hotel lobby and hailed a taxi.

“Good for him.”

“Yes.”

Startled—

A voice from the side.

“Writer? When did you arrive?”

“Just now.”

“You scared me.”

It was only 8 PM.

Just as I was thinking it would be a bit disappointing to go straight to the room.

“Director, let’s go out too.”

“Huh?”

“It’s not too late.”

“What for...?”

Jin-woo urged Saerom, repeating “quickly—”.

* * *

I can’t just write and leave Japan.

I didn’t get to enjoy a proper trip in Vietnam either.

‘Hyoju probably went to see the fireworks...’

She went with the part-time worker and Team Leader Byun.

They’re probably having a lot of fun.

“I have to save the lonely and pitiful Director Jeong.”

“...Say that to yourself.”

“Oh, you heard? Oops.”

A little while later, we arrived near the Sumida River.

Fortunately, the fireworks show hadn’t ended yet.

I glanced to the side.

‘Where did the person who said it was troublesome go?’

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