Chapter 57

Rebellious Genius Composer's Return - Chapter 57 (57/482)

Hyuna went out to the city with her friends. They were making memories before their upcoming graduation ceremony.

"This will be hard once we graduate, gathering like this."

"Come on, we can see each other often on weekends and during vacations!"

"Right! Since it's still early, let's go to a café first?"

"Sure, sure! There's a popular café around here."

"I'm an adult now, so I'll have an Americano."

"Wow? Yunjeong, you're going to waste money on pretense."

The hearts of the high school girls, about to graduate, were as excited as snowflakes scattered by the wind.

"Huh?"

It was the moment they stepped into a large café in the center of town, bustling with people.

"Isn't this song that one?"

"Ah, I know, what was it again?"

"It's 'Dear my Beethoven'!"

The song 'Dear my Beethoven,' the title track from Hyuna's older brother and composer 'HS's solo album, was playing inside the café. While the other friends were discussing the song before even choosing their menu, Hyuna was taken aback.

"This song never gets old, no matter how many times I listen to it."

"Right, among Moon Bumjae's songs, this is my favorite."

"This is just a song Moon Bumjae featured on."

"Huh? Then whose song is it?"

"It's the title track of a composer's solo album! Don't you know 'HS'?"

Hyuna, who had been listening to their conversation from a step behind, flinched. She had pushed ordering coffee to the back burner because of the name that came up in the conversation.

HS.

That's my older brother's pen name. He said he made it by taking the initials from his name, Hyunseung, which is quite simple. Hyunseeng, who is three years older than her, was a caring and affectionate older brother when they were young.

However, as they entered their teenage years, their relationship gradually became distant, and their conversations became more and more sparse. Perhaps because of his prickly and gruff personality, he seemed to have almost no friends and rarely went out of the house.

As a younger sister, she often worried about how long her brother would waste his time at home like a hikikomori. Or perhaps, she might have even thought he was pathetic.

They say people don't change easily, right?

But her brother changed 180 degrees without any major incident or accident. When he suddenly said he was going to work as a composer, she was worried about whether he could make money, but now he takes care of the family's living expenses and looks after his family meticulously.

Maybe people really do have innate talents. A person who had built a wall with studies started composing and quickly made a name for himself by setting records that the public would call 'hit songs,' including songs for Seo Jin, Jeong Arin, Gong Hyoju, and his own solo album.

Thanks to this, they moved into a spacious and nice apartment, went on their first family trip abroad, could buy textbooks without worrying about money, and had the means to pay for college tuition without student loans.

Yes.

All of this was accomplished by her older brother, Hyunseung, in just one year.

"Hey, kids, isn't HS really handsome?"

"What? Handsome? Show me a picture! I want to see too!"

"His face hasn't been fully revealed yet, but there's a picture showing just his eyes."

The friends continued to talk about 'HS,' her older brother, even after ordering coffee and sitting down.

"Someone posted a composite image of HS on a community site. Look at this. Doesn't it just exude a perfect vibe?"

"Wow? Doremic. His real face is unreal. Hey, just looking at him, he has the face of my future boyfriend, right?"

"What do you mean, you? He's already my boyfriend. I even joined his fan club recently."

Hyuna felt her face heat up. She had already known that her older brother had a fan club and that composite images were circulating, as she often looked for news about him.

But as a younger sister, HS...

She had seen her older brother's face every day, so she never thought he was handsome. However, hearing such comments from her friends made her feel embarrassed and ashamed.

"I really want to see his face just once."

"That's what I'm saying!"

"Why don't you just reveal your face once and for all?"

Her older brother seemed to avoid exposure, so she couldn't brag about him to others, but now he had become so famous that even if she wanted to brag, she couldn't.

Yes, he's my older brother, but it feels awkward, unfamiliar, and strange.

Is that why?

Due to his busy schedule, even as family, it had become as difficult to see his face as picking stars from the sky, and she occasionally felt disappointed.

Just as Hyuna was trying to calm herself with a cold lemonade, unable to join in the conversation with her friends:

"Hyuna!"

Startled by her friend's call, she blinked her eyes.

"Why aren't you saying anything?"

"What? What do you mean?"

"Maybe you don't know the composer HS?"

How could she not know, he's her older brother who lives under the same roof.

"Well, I don't really care, so I don't know much about him..."

But to avoid making a slip of the tongue while pretending to know and praising him, she decided to act as if she didn't know.

"I see. If you don't care, that makes sense!"

"But didn't you say you moved to this area recently?"

"Right, right! Has it been a while? Why didn't you invite us over for a housewarming party?"

They say too many cooks spoil the broth. The friends quickly changed the topic from HS, but the problem was that the new topic was about her.

"How about a pajama party before graduation? It would be fun!"

"Sorry, that might be a bit difficult. My older brother doesn't like having friends over."

"Wow? Hyuna, you have an older brother? Why didn't you tell us? I thought you were an only child."

Hyuna gave an awkward smile. She hoped the conversation wouldn't turn to her older brother. Please, please... she wished for a different topic as she averted her gaze.

Beep!

As if summoned by her thoughts, it was a text message from her older brother.

What? 500,000 won? Seriously, does he think money can solve everything?

After a moment,

Hyuna quickly typed out a reply.

.

.

.

"Wow."

Hyuna looked up at the towering LS Entertainment building in amazement.

"Amazing..."

Most people would be intimidated just by the size of the building, but thinking that her older brother worked there as a composer made Hyuna feel overwhelmed.

Of course,

She knew that LS Entertainment was one of the top three entertainment companies in the country and that her older brother was affiliated with them, but seeing it in person was a different experience.

It's pretty cool, isn't it?

Just as she was about to step into the entrance with a shopping bag full of clothes, she heard the voices of high school girls gathered near the entrance.

"Will my older brother not come out today? I should have been here that day."

"Still, let's wait a bit more, just in case."

"If he comes out, this time I'll ask him to take off his helmet."

Turning her head, she saw that they were holding a banner with 'HS' written on it and were hugging gifts to give. They looked like they were filled with hope, despite the cold weather, as if they might catch a glimpse of her older brother.

When her friends praised him, she felt a bit embarrassed, but now she felt proud. Yes, objectively, her older brother does have a handsome face.

"Older brother, I'm here. Where should I go?"

- There's a café in the lobby. I'll come down.

"Um, can I visit your studio?"

- Sure. I'll let the security guard know. Tell them you're here to see HS and go through the guest entrance. Take the elevator to the B area, 2nd floor.

Click.

The call ended abruptly, but it was okay. She knew this was her older brother's way of expressing himself.

Given the strict security at LS Entertainment, even approved guests had to have their identities clearly verified before entering through the gate.

'B area, 2nd floor...'

She pressed the button for the 2nd floor in the elevator, and just as the doors were about to close:

"Wait! I'm coming with you!"

A woman wearing sunglasses rushed into the closing elevator and thanked her. Hyuna immediately recognized her.

This woman is Jeong Arin.

Even with sunglasses, her clear and beautiful facial features were unmistakably Jeong Arin.

"Huh?"

Jeong Arin, who had pressed the elevator button, suddenly lifted her sunglasses slightly and narrowed her eyes, staring at her intently.

"Why, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Maybe... HS? No, it's not you."

Jeong Arin shook her head, adjusted her sunglasses, and turned her gaze forward.

Ding!

The elevator doors opened on the 2nd floor, and there stood...

"Older brother?"

"Composer?"

Her older brother, Min Hyunseung, was standing there.

"Hey, Jeong Arin."

"Hi... hi..."

Jeong Arin, looking bewildered, pointed at herself and her older brother alternately with one finger.

"Um... Could you be the composer's younger sister?"

"Right, my younger sister."

"Oh, oh! I thought you looked familiar!"

"Is that so? Well, we are siblings."

Then, with her characteristic bright smile, she clapped her hands.

"Hyuna, right? I've heard a lot about you. The composer speaks very highly of his younger sister."

At this, Hyuna and Hyunseung exclaimed in unison.

"Really, older brother?"

"When did I?"

Jeong Arin laughed, saying, "You two really are siblings!"

"No, the composer subtly mentioned that he's worried his younger sister might become an entertainer, even though she hasn't properly attended any academies but is incredibly smart and got into a good university on her first try, which he finds very impressive."

"That's all true, though..."

Hyunseung scratched the back of his head and trailed off.

"Even a robot-like person like the composer can be shy sometimes!"

"Stop talking nonsense and get to work."

"Ah, right! I'm on my way to a concept meeting for the next album!"

Soon,

Jeong Arin got back into the elevator, saying she would definitely see them again.

"Be careful...!"

Hyuna was bewildered by the entire situation. It was her first time seeing an entertainer up close, and it was also her first time seeing an entertainer use the respectful term "composer" and interact so casually with her older brother. It was also her first time learning that her older brother had been praising her to others.

However,

The feeling of being moved didn't last long.

"Hyuna, you're showing that you've never seen an entertainer before."

"Of course, it's my first time seeing one up close!"

"I told you, read the fairy tale 'The Country Mouse' once."

"Are you making fun of me again?"

"Wouldn't you like to see a doppelgänger?"

"Min Hyunseung, you're so annoying!"

Hyunseung, despite his playful words, led Hyuna to his studio with a loving touch on her shoulder.

Creak.

As the thick soundproof door opened, a clean and comfortable interior came into view.

"Wow-!"

It was already a cool space, but knowing it was her older brother's studio made it even more impressive.

"Country mouse."

"Hey!"

"Chirp chirp."

After giving her older brother a stern look, she moved her gaze to slowly examine the studio. Really, this is a studio her older brother uses alone?

Just looking at the expensive and complex electronic equipment and the numerous instruments in cases, it was clear that all of his songs were born in this space.

Of course, the equipment didn't make him successful.

As a member of the public, when she listened to the songs of composer HS objectively, they were all good. Therefore, it must have been her older brother's talent that led to his success.

"Our older brother must be doing well!"

Hyuna, with an excited face, sprawled out on the sofa and chattered.

"To think he works in such a place! And today, when I met my friends, they only talked about my older brother. Fans were even waiting in front of the building; he's practically a celebrity now!"

"If he wanted to, he could become a celebrity."

"Wow, really? But it's amazing how his songs are everywhere these days. How does he create them so quickly? He must be naturally talented!"

Then she moved her gaze to her older brother's face.

Hmm?

Hyuna's eyes wavered. Seeing her older brother's face up close for the first time in a while, she noticed that it looked quite worn out. His skin was dry, and there were dark shadows under his eyes.

Looking around, she saw empty coffee cups piled on the console and a trash can filled with crushed high-caffeine drink cans. Finally, her gaze fell on the shopping bag full of clothes she had brought.

'I should have asked if he needed anything first.'

She regretted it. She should have contacted her older brother first, asked how he was doing, and checked if he needed anything, instead of feeling disappointed.

Especially when she had brought clothes at his request, thinking it was a hassle, and only got up when he offered her allowance. It was really thoughtless of her.

Yes, no matter how impressive it looks, this is a workplace.

In this studio, where the comfort of home is nowhere to be found and the air is heavy, her older brother must have stayed up all night, relying on caffeine, working alone.

For a moment, she was mistaken.

Her older brother's songs weren't created so easily. How could anyone succeed with talent alone? Yes, even if someone had only talent, they might succeed for a while, but it wouldn't last.

Talent is the foundation, and on top of that, her older brother's efforts and time accumulated, leading to explosive success. He must have continued to fight and endure to maintain that success...

It wasn't the time to feel disappointed for not seeing him.

If he were in a different family, he could have lived as someone's son, but her older brother was now striving to be the breadwinner for his father and herself.

It must have been heavy, burdensome, and stressful.

As Hyuna's thoughts became subtle and complex, she lowered her head and fell into deep thought. Hyunseung patted her shoulder and asked,

"But don't you have to go back to your friends?"

"Ah, right. I should go now."

"Thanks for bringing the clothes."

Then he handed her an envelope with money.

"Use it wisely. Congratulations on your upcoming graduation."

She waved her hand, unable to accept it with her current feelings.

"No, it's okay. I still have the allowance I got for Christmas."

"But we agreed on it."

"Really, it's fine. It's the money you earn by working hard on your songs."

Hyunseung muttered, "You always have such strange thoughts," and then placed the envelope in her small hand.

"I have fun making money, so you should focus on your studies at university instead of having unnecessary thoughts with that little head of yours."

Looking up at her older brother, she saw the image of her father. Heavy, burdensome, and stressful, but silently enduring and supporting the family as the breadwinner.

"I understand, I'll really work hard."

"Good."

She felt that coming to her older brother's workplace was a good decision.