Chapter 61

Reckless Genius Composer Returns - Chapter 61 (61/482)

Manager Kim had arrived at the café early, before the appointed time. He had already decided what to say; he just needed to speak his mind. Yes, no more, no less, just the right words.

"Uhyeon, you came early?"

At the sound of a voice from the side, he looked up to see Kim Uhyeon smiling at him.

"Ah, you're here?"

After finishing the formal greeting for being late, Kim Uhyeon took out his wallet, offering to buy the coffee.

"No, no. This time, I'll pay."

"Um, if you insist, then a warm Americano, please."

Manager Kim stopped him and headed to the counter. It being late winter, he ordered two warm Americanos and returned to the table.

"I thought it would take longer, but I was surprised to get a call so quickly. So, have you made up your mind?"

"Yes, that's why I called."

"Right, right. No matter how I think about it, LS Entertainment isn't a place to stay long-term."

Kim Uhyeon shrugged, saying, "Of course not," as if to confirm his own thoughts. Manager Kim was confident that Kim Uhyeon would accept his proposal. It was an offer with no reason to refuse, and the contract terms were so perfect that they could be called a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

If, by any chance, he refused, Manager Kim planned to persuade him by calling him a fool.

"First, I want to thank you for looking at me favorably and making this proposal."

"No need for thanks! It just shows what a good and capable person Manager Kim is."

At that moment,

Buzz!

The vibration alarm on the table interrupted their conversation. Manager Kim said, "Excuse me for a moment," and headed to the counter.

"Hmm."

Kim Uhyeon, watching Manager Kim's back, tilted his head.

He was certain that Kim Uhyeon wouldn't refuse...

But his reaction was unexpectedly cold. The business-like expression, the flat tone, and the overly formal posture kept sending a message of rejection. Could it be?

No, he just thought his intuition was wrong.

Even when Manager Kim returned with the mugs and sat down, he still thought it was a misunderstanding.

However,

"I won't take up too much of your time."

The moment their eyes met,

"Though I'm grateful, I have to decline your offer."

An answer he never expected.

"Ah, no... Just a moment."

He had only vaguely imagined the possibility of rejection; he never thought it would actually happen. He was so confident that Manager Kim would never refuse.

He should have said, "Right, good thinking. We're in this together now. I look forward to working with you." But now, what should he say?

Did his thought process just freeze? No, this wasn't the time to think about that. Kim Uhyeon loosened his tie and continued.

"Uhyeon, there's no need to decide so quickly. Why don't you take more time to think about it?"

"Even if I think about it again, my answer will be the same. I don't want to take up any more of your time."

Although his pride was hurt, Kim Uhyeon was a valuable talent worth holding onto. When they first met, his eyes were always filled with determination. As proof of his keen eye, Kim Uhyeon had steadily climbed the ranks, eventually becoming a manager. In the industry, the artists he produced were often praised as stars, and his talent and ability were envied by all.

He had calculated the future benefits and achievements that Kim Uhyeon could bring when proposing the contract.

But...

The effort and influence he had put into this contract were now reduced to mere pieces of paper.

"Is it because you don't want to turn your back on Manager Choi?"

Given the situation, he had to try to change Kim Uhyeon's mind. Kim Uhyeon was likely caught up in his emotions. But if he thought about it rationally, he would realize that he shouldn't refuse the offer. After all, LS Entertainment would never offer such terms.

"I know you have a strong sense of responsibility and loyalty, but in this industry, you can't survive long with just those qualities."

"Yes, I know very well that this is a harsh place where even a soft heart can't secure a meal."

"Right, don't make a decision you'll regret soon. You need to think about your age too. You're not young anymore."

Kim Uhyeon took out the contract again and placed it in front of him, adding,

"I'm thinking about your future."

Manager Kim looked down at the contract in front of him. He knew it well. The contract offered 1.5 times his current salary, high performance bonuses, and a position as a department head from the start, with no toxic clauses...

A flawless, top-tier contract.

But...

He wasn't selfish or cruel enough to leave someone who had offered him a place to eat in a cold, concrete jungle. Even if he was called inadequate or a fool, it was fine.

"Manager Kim Uhyeon, I made this decision to avoid looking back and regretting my future."

"Then you should accept my offer even more. You know there's no more hope there."

The contract, which had left Manager Kim's hands, slid back to Kim Uhyeon.

"No, there is hope here too."

With that, Manager Kim stood up and bowed slightly.

"I'm sorry to have caused you trouble. I have a busy schedule, so I'll be going now."

He left the café with a light step. From behind, he heard, "Hey, Uhyeon!" but it was no longer a necessary call to him.

After a while,

Manager Kim took out his phone and pressed the shortcut key 1. The screen displayed 'Goldie.'

"Hey, Hyunsung. The cafeteria menu today is great. Want to go together?"

* * *

Japanese famous game streamer Hiyorin was enjoying her own time before starting her broadcast.

"Ah, this is so good..."

Hiyorin, like a love-struck girl, held her cheeks and tapped her feet. The reason for her excitement was the song 'Dear my Beethoven' playing through her headphones, which she found incredibly moving.

At first, she thought it was a new song by the Japanese singer 'Shinnosuke.' But after seeing Sejin's cover of 'Dear my Beethoven,' she learned it was a title track from a Korean composer's album.

Fascinated by the song, she listened to other tracks from the album, wrote daily recommendations on her personal sweater, and mentioned it in her broadcasts, showing her deep attachment.

Isn't the original always the best?

If someone asked which version was better between the localized Japanese version and the original Korean version, she would answer without hesitation that the Korean version was better. In the face of a good song, what's the point of distinguishing between countries?

"His voice is amazing."

Yes, this is it. The calm and heavy atmosphere of the song, and the voice of Moon Bumjae, which elevates it to its maximum, were incredibly moving. Listening to the song made her lose track of time.

"Huh?"

At that moment, something caught Hiyorin's eye.

A post on a game community she frequently visited. Right, the island of animals had recently been updated. The island was known for its excellent soundtracks, and she herself had once been so engrossed that she neglected meals and sleep.

Now, for some reason, she was streaming a different game...

"What, how good is it?"

Upon closer inspection, there were not just one or two posts about the island's OST.

Hiyorin checked the time. She still had about 15 minutes before her broadcast started.

This should be enough time, right?

Unable to contain her curiosity, Hiyorin immediately searched for the island's OST on Newtube. The video, with its cute and calming graphics, played a melody of petals floating in the spring breeze through the speakers.

"Ah..."

She understood why everyone praised it so much. The modulation of the song as it transitioned from spring to summer, summer to autumn, and autumn to winter captured the essence of the island of animals.

Eventually,

As the song neared its end and the melodies that had gathered so beautifully faded into the distance, a sense of emptiness washed over her.

Before starting her game broadcast,

Hiyorin, who had struggled with interpersonal relationships, had hidden on this island. The island of animals had become a hit, perhaps because many people sought refuge from the weight of adulthood.

Listening to the continuous melodies, she heard the message the song was trying to convey. The island is always here. You can come anytime. But your world is outside the island. Don't forget what you need to do. It was a cruel comfort.

Yes, the play will eventually end.

The curtain will fall, the lights will go out, and you'll have to return to reality, carrying the weight of adulthood on your back. And then, a sense of futility will wash over you. You'll have to return to your life, your world, but it won't be easy to take that step.

"Ah..."

In the past, when she played the island of animals, she sometimes felt a strange, uncomfortable mix of cold and hollow emotions, like a tidal wave.

The cute graphics, the trivial daily life, the village and garden she had cultivated and decorated, all made her push away and ignore her daily life. These were the emotions she often felt.

Yes.

After listening to this song, she finally had a name for the indescribable emotion she had felt in the past.

Futility (虛無)

Living in reality while placing her value and heart in a virtual space made her feel meaningless and valueless. These feelings of futility would suddenly rise, but she had tried to ignore them, like putting off homework.

Avoiding, running away, putting off, and pretending not to see.

But.

In the end, she returned, endured, and lived in reality. Then, she suddenly thought of the island of animals. On difficult days, when interpersonal relationships were complicated, and her heart was heavy, she wanted to return.

To her warm, hot, and cozy island.

"Ah..."

Happiness and futility, two words that don't mix, but the feeling of futility naturally accompanies extreme happiness.

Meanwhile,

Hiyorin's broadcast was heating up.

: Hiyorin, did you forget the broadcast is on?

: It seems so. She's been sitting there dazed for a while. Did something happen?

: Hiyorin, are you crying? ;_;

: If you're sad, tell us. We can empathize.

: Could she be crying because of the song she's listening to?

: This song is the main OST of the island of animals, released with the recent update.

: Come on, she's not a kid to cry over a song. That's ridiculous.

: I kind of understand. It makes me feel strangely choked up.

: The reserved camera started automatically, so the broadcast is live.

: Hiyorin is so engrossed in the song that she forgot about the broadcast.

: But really, this time, every song in the island of animals OST is good. Good!

: I heard Man Records collaborated with a famous composer to create it!

: Where is the composer of the island of animals OST? Let's give him some love.

: Hiyorin, I came to pay my respects when I heard you were crying. wwwww

: Upper-upper commenter! It seems you should bow to Korea. www

: Why Korea all of a sudden? Could the composer be Korean?

: Yes, it's HS, a Korean composer! He also produced Sejin's previous album. He's quite famous in Korea!

: Wow, I searched and found out HS also composed the original 'Dear my Beethoven.' This person might sweep the Oricon charts soon. .? WWW

The comment section, which started with Hiyorin's tears, suddenly heated up with the name 'HS.' Viewers, unable to contain their curiosity, opened their web browsers and started searching for 'composer HS.'

Not only the viewers of Hiyorin's broadcast, but simultaneous searches across Japan pushed 'HS' into the top 10 search terms.

Yes, unexpectedly...

The name 'HS' was gradually spreading in Japan.