Chapter 94

Reckless Genius Composer Returns - Chapter 94 (94/482)

Yoon Jai put on her guitar case and left home to practice for the final round of the next live broadcast, which was just around the corner.

Thud, thud—

After walking down a long alley, she turned her head and saw her shabby home at the end of the hill.

Now, the day was approaching when she would have to part with this house and this neighborhood.

Not long ago.

She had not only signed a contract with the dream company LS Entertainment but also received a huge signing bonus.

Seeing the amount, which she had never even thought about in her life, she ironically thought of a house first.

'A house with a sink in the bathroom…'

Ah, right.

'Even a shower stall…'

For some, these might be the minimum requirements for a home, but for her, they were dreams she could only dream of.

At least, for her, who had to survive alone in the land of the Republic of Korea, a capitalist country, without parents or guardians.

She had never even looked at a lease listing.

She had always had to move from one monthly rental to another, and the only options were a semi-basement room or the top floor of a slum.

A house where she had to take a bath by filling a basin with water and squatting.

That's why Yoon Jai was obsessed with sinks.

In any case, the fact that she could even imagine living in a house with a sink was all thanks to HS giving her the opportunity.

Now, she felt that even if she spent all her time practicing, it would not be enough to repay him.

The only way to repay him now was to prove through her performance that his judgment was correct…

'Let's focus on the Top 5 final for now.'

She planned to look for a house properly after the program ended.

Thud, thud—

She headed towards the city with a determined look, ready to spend the night at the practice room.

"Hmm—"

Yoon Jai, humming a tune, checked her phone and smiled.

1. "I'll Lend You My Shoulder" - Yoon Jai (K-SingerStar)

The song by the Top 11, which was exclusively released on Apple Music, topped the real-time chart in just one day.

Of course.

Thanks to the program's influence, it might drop again when the next update time comes, but...

She was incredibly happy, as it was proof that the public was listening to her song.

"Wow..."

Yoon Jai pressed a button on her phone to capture the chart screen and smiled proudly.

Before she knew it.

She had reached the center of the city.

"Where was I supposed to go again...?"

However.

Having never wandered around the city before, she was struggling to find the reserved practice room.

"DJ Studio, DJ Studio..."

Just as she was muttering while looking at the map, someone called out.

"Hey, isn't that Yoon Jai, Yoon Jai?"

"Seems like it?"

"Isn't she the one who appeared on K-SingerStar?"

The passersby around her started to murmur.

"I have paper and a pen in my bag. Should I ask for an autograph?"

"Better yet, a photo too—!"

"Right, she could become a huge star later."

Gradually, the passersby closed in on Yoon Jai.

"Hey—!"

Finally, they stopped Yoon Jai, who was looking at her phone.

"Is it you—?"

"Yes, are you Yoon Jai? From K-SingerStar!"

Yoon Jai nodded at the woman who was looking at her with great anticipation.

"Ah, yes, that's me…."

"Wow, it really is you! I'm a real fan. I watched every episode of K-SingerStar because of you!"

"Thank you."

"You completely nailed the live performance stage! I must have watched the video clip at least 30 times without exaggeration."

After a while, the group of women handed her an A4 paper and a pen.

"Could you sign it if it's okay?"

"My signature? I don't have a signature…."

"Ah, then could you write your name?"

"Ah, yes! I'll write it."

Yoon Jai held the pen with a bewildered look. She had never imagined that she would be asked for a signature or that she would give one to someone.

She had often seen herself on TV and read articles and community posts about her, but it was surreal to be recognized by people in real life.

"Since we're at it, could we take a photo together…?"

"Ah… Yes, yes!"

"I'll take it! One, two—!"

Yoon Jai smiled brightly and took a photo with the people who were fans. She hadn't smiled so brightly in a long time.

"Hey, isn't that Yoon Jai over there!"

"Wow, amazing!"

"Your voice is really great!"

Before she knew it, more passersby had gathered around Yoon Jai.

Click, click.

Hands reached out to shake hers and take photos.

"Isn't she the participant that HS saved with a Super Pass?"

"It is Yoon Jai!"

"HS definitely has a good ear."

Now, whenever Yoon Jai was mentioned, HS's name inevitably followed as a qualifier.

Indeed.

This made her feel even more determined to do her best. If she made a mistake or stumbled, it would tarnish the name 'HS' and disappoint the person who had shown her trust.

Suddenly.

She remembered what HS had said.

"Even in despair, opportunities can suddenly appear."

When she had said that her life had changed too quickly and felt like a dream, he had said this.

"I've seen it happen in my life."

Indeed, opportunities that seemed to come out of nowhere had suddenly appeared in her life.

This one ray of hope that had suddenly appeared was entirely up to her to make it her own.

Suddenly, Yoon Jai, filled with excitement, adjusted her guitar case and shouted loudly to the crowd.

"Thank you all for your support."

She hadn't shouted so loudly in a long time, but now a powerful voice seemed to pour out from her core.

"But, I have to go now because I don't have time. I'm really sorry!"

Then.

She repeatedly said, "I'm sorry," and hurried towards the practice room.

* * *

The day of the Top 8 live broadcast had finally arrived.

"Hyun Seung, let's go now."

"Just a little more, and I'll be done."

Manager Kim, watching Hyun Seung working hard with a headset on, muttered, "Can't do anything about it."

Since there was still some time, Manager Kim decided to wait patiently and sat back down on the sofa.

He didn't know what Hyun Seung was working on, but he could see that tracks were being created non-stop, indicating that he was working on something massive.

'What kind of masterpiece is he trying to create this time…'

Manager Kim had started referring to Hyun Seung's songs as 'masterpieces' from some point. He knew better than anyone that the effort and time invested in them were worthy of the term 'masterpiece,' regardless of their success.

Of course, with his talent, success was a given.

Knock, knock, knock!

At that moment, someone knocked on Hyun Seung's studio door.

"Who is it?"

Manager Kim quickly walked over and opened the door to find Park Executive Director standing there.

"Oh, what brings you here, Park Executive Director…?"

"Good, Manager Kim is here."

"Yes, I was just about to take Hyun Seung to the filming location."

Park Executive Director muttered, "Good," and pushed Kang Hae Jun, who was standing behind him, into the studio.

"Could you take our kid with you? I have an important meeting."

Kang Hae Jun, suddenly pushed into Manager Kim's arms, smiled awkwardly and said, "Hello…."

"Ah, yes. I'll take him with me…."

"Manager Kim, I feel more at ease knowing you're taking care of him."

Park Executive Director patted Manager Kim and Kang Hae Jun on the shoulder and added,

"Please take good care of our kid. I have to go now."

Then he calmly left.

Bang!

The sound of the door closing made Hyun Seung turn his head and notice Kang Hae Jun.

"What? Why is he here?"

"Hello…."

"Park Executive Director asked me to take him with me."

Hyun Seung nodded slightly and said, "Ah."

"Park Executive Director is almost like Hae Jun's parent these days?"

"Manager, you're like my parent too."

"Me? Why am I your parent?"

"Then, grandparent?"

Manager Kim, knowing that any further response would only hurt him, shook his head and urged them.

"Since Hae Jun is here, let's get going."

"Wait a moment."

"We need to leave quickly to avoid traffic."

"I'm almost done."

Kang Hae Jun, listening to their conversation, subtly turned his head to glance at the section on the monitor.

'What song is it…?'

At that moment, Manager Kim, as if reading Kang Hae Jun's mind, asked,

"What are you working on?"

Hyun Seung, instead of answering, moved his hands even faster.

Tap, tap, tap.

The sound of the master keyboard being played continued for a moment.

Tap!

Hyun Seung, after pressing the save button, turned his head.

"The song for the final stage."

Kang Hae Jun, surprised by his words, moved his gaze to the monitor.

'That song is…'

Yes, that's right. He remembered the story that the participant who reached the Top 2 would perform a song created by Jay B and HS in the final round.

It might seem like a reward for reaching the Top 2, but in reality, the production team would benefit the most.

'Right.'

Every Korean internet user would know about the audio bet between Jay B and HS a few months ago.

Ultimately, the song to be performed in the final round of K-SingerStar would be an extension of that bet.

A single news article would surely become a hot topic, and netizens would be eagerly waiting.

In the midst of this, if the two songs were first revealed in the final round?

Yes.

The ratings for K-SingerStar would skyrocket.

'Ah.'

Another important fact.

The participant who placed first in the semi-finals would have the right to choose which song to perform, either Jay B's or HS's. This was the most crucial point for Kang Hae Jun.

"Then, I have to sing…! Ah…."

Suddenly, Kang Hae Jun, without realizing it, bl