Chapter 97

Reckless Genius Composer's Regression - Chapter 97 (97/482)

The concert hall, which was about to host the top five and the semi-finals, was in a frenzy.

"Shim Da-in, why isn't that kid showing up? We need to start the rehearsal right away to match the live broadcast time!"

"She's just arrived!"

"Ah, that's why I said we should have stayed in a dorm until the finals!"

The staff members ran around the venue, barking orders into their walkie-talkies with urgent faces.

It was just a one-hour live broadcast, but...

A lot of time and preparation were required before the broadcast.

It wasn't just the production team.

The participants also simulated their performances in their minds dozens of times before stepping onto the rehearsal stage.

To avoid losing their composure, they kept mumbling the lyrics and checking their stage movements.

Moreover,

Today, the judges were also standing stiffly, conducting final checks with their assigned participants.

"Ha-joon, how's your voice today?"

"Good."

"Alright, then let's try singing the last highlight part one more time?"

"Sure-."

Yeon-ah's face was surprisingly calm. She was not at all relaxed, but she had a silent confidence.

She was confident that Kang Ha-joon would make it to the top two.

His solid fan base meant he would score high in the pre-voting and text voting, and most importantly,

Her confidence came from watching his practice process and coaching him.

When did this kid ever rest?

He sent audio files of his practice sessions, day and night, without any distinction.

Kang Ha-joon's improving vocals in each round were likely due to this amount of practice.

─ If only this had never happened. If only I hadn't known you.

Indeed.

Just by hearing the song he was singing now, which was better than the audio file he sent yesterday, she could tell he had grown even more in just one day.

'This kid won't fall.'

However, she couldn't be certain if he would take first place.

There was Yoon Jae, the only participant she recognized as a true musician, someone she would invite as a guest singer to her concert, with impeccable skills.

Moreover, Yoon Jae's semi-final mentor was HS.

HS, who recognized Yoon Jae's potential and gave her hints to bring it out, was now coaching her as a mentor...

Given that HS was a composer by profession, the arrangement was undoubtedly fantastic.

'Is this almost cheating?'

Still,

If he could just take second place, he would advance to the finals. If Kang Ha-joon performed as he had practiced, it would be enough.

Hopefully,

Kang Ha-joon also seemed to be concerned about Yoon Jae.

"Hmm?"

He kept glancing at where Yoon Jae and HS were standing. Noticing this, Yeon-ah stared at Kang Ha-joon intently.

'She must be keeping a close eye on him.'

Kang Ha-joon always maintained a bright demeanor, to the point where it felt almost eerie, like a robot performing a set amount of practice every day.

However,

The look in his eyes when he gazed at Yoon Jae was a mix of caution and competitiveness, swirling dangerously.

A moderate level of tension from caution and competitiveness was good.

However,

If it went too far, it could backfire.

"Ha-joon."

"..."

"Kang Ha-joon!"

"...Yes?"

Yeon-ah called out to Kang Ha-joon, who seemed lost in thought.

"This is an important moment. Where's your mind at?"

"Ah, I'm sorry."

"Ha-joon, winning today's competition is important, but..."

Then she added firmly,

"More importantly, it's about performing a stage that you can be satisfied with."

Meeting her gaze, Kang Ha-joon hesitated and bowed his head deeply.

"I understand the program's nature, where you absolutely don't want to lose. However, if you keep going on stage with the mindset of always trying to beat someone, you'll only make yourself miserable."

At that moment, Yeon-ah was not just a judge but a senior in the same industry.

"There will come a time when you forget why you first picked up a microphone."

Reflecting on the emotions she had experienced over the past decade, choosing and regretting this path, she continued.

"A singer shouldn't do that. A singer who forgets why they picked up a microphone has lost their vitality."

She had been through this herself.

More than anyone,

She had deeply regretted it.

"You shouldn't do that."

She sincerely hoped that the juniors who followed in her footsteps wouldn't do that. Especially Kang Ha-joon, who was putting in the right effort, she hoped he would continue on the right path.

"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."

"Go out there and perform your own stage. That's all you need to do."

Kang Ha-joon nodded vigorously, as if deeply absorbing her words.

Hopefully,

Even if he doesn't come in first, she hoped he would come down from the stage without any regrets.

* * *

The semi-final live broadcast began.

The once-empty seats in the concert hall were now filled with thousands of audience members, and the MC, holding the microphone, was heating up the atmosphere before the competition officially started.

"Hello! I'm Kim Sung-gyu, the main MC of K-SingerStar."

He then introduced the judges in a formal and cliché manner, followed by the introduction of the top five participants.

Additionally,

He pointed to the stage screen and explained the rules and performance order of the semi-finals.

1. Shim Da-in X Kim Gwang-jin

2. Kim Seok-hoon X Won Jin-sub

3. Lee Yu-ju X Jay B

4. Kang Ha-joon X Yeon-ah

5. Yoon Jae X HS

"Let's start the real-time viewer text voting now. Just send the name or the number assigned to the participant you support."

Thanks to the MC's smooth hosting skills, the broadcast flowed naturally.

First,

On stage, it looked like this.

"Lee Yu-ju, did you practice a lot?"

"Yes…"

Jay B, waiting backstage, gave her a doubtful look at her lackluster response.

"The arrangement is perfect, so you just need to do your part."

However, he didn't have the luxury to carefully observe her.

"Anyway, you have dancers and a flashy stage production, so you don't need to make big movements. Just don't let your breathing waver during the high notes, and don't lose your composure in your expressions."

He could only give her practical coaching. Winning today's competition was crucial.

It was a matter of his name and pride.

While other judges might think that second place would be enough,

Jay B, with his strong competitive spirit, was different.

'First place, definitely.'

From the moment he was assigned Lee Yu-ju, he immediately started thinking about what kind of stage to present.

Objectively speaking,

Lee Yu-ju's vocal skills were far from enough to compete with other contestants.

Therefore, he focused on a more radical arrangement and a flashy performance.

Especially,

On a stage that Yoon Jae had never shown and would never show.

'I can't lose.'

He then shifted his gaze to Yoon Jae, who was standing far away.

No,

To the man standing behind her with his arms crossed.

'HS…'

Throughout the K-SingerStar program, Jay B had been repeatedly impressed by Yoon Jae's singing, even though he didn't show it outwardly.

Her unique voice and rhythm were so captivating that he wanted to give her songs.

And,

He couldn't help but acknowledge HS's ability to recognize Yoon Jae's potential, even though he didn't want to.

He himself couldn't find it no matter how hard he tried.

However, it wasn't the time to just clap and admire. Today, he had to compete with them, putting his name on the line.

Moreover, they were a very threatening team.

Not just him, but all the other teams were likely wary of Yoon Jae and HS's combination.

Indeed,

Just by the strange atmosphere among the judges, it was clear they were all on edge.

Of course,

HS was an exception, even among the judges.

While the other judges might be like that, shouldn't he be aware? Jay B didn't like how HS seemed so calm and composed.

However, he couldn't just go up to him and ask why he was so relaxed, so he resolved to defeat Yoon Jae and take first place today.

'What are you looking at?'

Lee Yu-ju, reading the intense look in Jay B's sunglasses, followed his gaze and turned her head.

She saw Yoon Jae.

Watching Kim Seok-hoon's performance like an audience member, she was tapping her hand to the music.

'Bad luck…'

Does she think she can win everything and is so relaxed? Is she enjoying the competition so calmly?

Honestly, didn't she get here by luck? If it weren't for HS, she would have been eliminated in the preliminaries.

Just as she narrowed her eyes and glared at Yoon Jae,

"Can't you lose?"

Jay B, still staring, asked.

"Are you going to lose to her?"

Lee Yu-ju, startled by the question as if he had read her mind, looked at him.

Although it was sudden, she knew he was talking about Yoon Jae.

"That…"

Jay B, retracting his gaze, asked again with a determined tone.

"Are you going to lose in today's semi-finals?"

"Um…"

Lee Yu-ju, avoiding his persistent gaze, hesitated for a moment.

"No. I don't want to lose."

Determination and a hint of malice filled her eyes. Jay B, nodding in satisfaction, added,

"Then go out there with the mindset of winning everything."

Just then,

A staff member informed Lee Yu-ju that it was her turn next.

* * *

Meanwhile,

Hyun Seung, waiting below the stage, muttered impatiently.

"Hurry up and start already…"

Of course,

He wasn't looking forward to the performance. He was just curious about how Jay B had arranged it.

Suddenly,

The lights went dark, and the display screen glowed red, as if engulfed in flames.

─ A flame in my heart that won't go out is burning.

At the same time, a chorus recorded by Lee Yu-ju echoed through the venue.

Thud, thud, thud, thud—

Then, a rough electric guitar sound gradually intensified, heightening the atmosphere.

'Oh?'

Hyun