Chapter 48

# Episode 048

On either side of Hong Gyuheon sat Seong Pil and Han Goo-in. Their attitudes were incomparably serious compared to before.

It was as if they were different people.

"Okay, let's start..."

Just as Baek Seolha was about to respond, Jang Hae-yang, who was standing beside her, held her hand.

Jang Hae-yang's hand was cold.

That chill eased Baek Seolha's tension.

"Let's begin."

Her voice no longer trembled.

* * *

Jeonju.

The voice of "oh my own" echoed in rhythm with the steady kick drum.

Around the 12-second mark, as the main melody began, Rika stepped to the front.

[Rika: Why don't you listen to me

My voice just keeps getting higher]

This was the complete opposite of the usual playful Rika.

She interpreted this song as "obsession."

Her expression was faintly angry, and her body trembled.

[Jo Ara: You don't listen to me

Somewhere along the way, you've drifted away]

Following her, Jo Ara appeared with a wistful gaze and movement, expressing regret.

The first time Seong Pil saw Jo Ara dance, he felt a sense of power from her.

She poured all her energy into each movement, focusing solely on the moment, and eventually learned to read the narrative in the song and express emotions.

[Baek Seolha: Over there, over there

Even when you look at me

You, you

Aren't you nervous?]

Pre-chorus.

The part before the highlight of the song.

Baek Seolha crouched down and tilted her head.

She broke the structure of the dance and introduced acting, narrowing her eyes with a hint of seduction.

[Jang Hae-yang: I'll be with you live]

Following Baek Seolha's confession, Jang Hae-yang extended her hand in a gesture of courtship.

The long "live" echoed through the audience with a reverb effect.

[oh my own

Always

oh my own

Anywhere]

They sang in unison.

Always, anywhere.

When Jo Ara and Jang Hae-yang briefly said this, Rika and Baek Seolha's "oh my own" lingered behind.

Their voices harmonized beautifully.

And.

[oh my own—]

A 3-octave E note.

A range that a male voice would have to strain or possess a natural talent to reach.

The overwhelming note flowed softly from Baek Seolha's lips.

A shiver ran down Seong Pil's spine, who was listening right in front.

[oh my own—]

The 3-octave range continued for over 10 seconds.

The other members kept their distance from Baek Seolha, allowing her to be the center of attention.

The second verse began.

The same pattern repeated, and another shiver ran through the audience during the highlight.

Jang Hae-yang, who had been on the periphery, moved to the center.

[Jang Hae-yang: Teacher, is this love?

No matter when or where I see you

You make me feel all warm and fuzzy]

Her low-voiced singing rap hit the exact beat.

[No matter how hard I try, I can't let go

Even lying in bed, you come to mind

I shouldn't keep thinking about you]

[Baek Seolha: Forever—]

oh my own.

The lyrics repeated as the sound gradually faded. The piano lightly continued the main melody, and the four took their ending pose.

* * *

The members disappeared from the stage.

Seong Pil and Han Goo-in looked at Hong Gyuheon.

"First."

Hong Gyuheon was about to give his evaluation without delay.

"This stage is weird. It's dark and gloomy. It looks strange to perform here. It's not even a night show."

"I'm sorry..."

Han Goo-in had chosen this venue.

"Except for that, did you see this?"

Hong Gyuheon rolled up his sleeve to show his forearm, which was covered in goosebumps.

"I haven't felt like this in years. Even when I watched kids' performances in the past, I didn't feel this way. It really felt like I was at a concert."

Seong Pil's expression visibly brightened.

He had been worried about a harsh evaluation.

"But. Maybe it's because they're my kids. Park Director said the stage should be packed, right? Well, the audience did focus on the kids. But... I know my analogy isn't perfect. I've been to many idol concerts in my student days, you know?"

Hong Gyuheon compared them to a top-tier male idol group from the past.

"Of course, they were at that level. But this is just my pure intuition."

"They're a seven-member group, and they have a certain aura. They've been active for a long time."

Comparing these kids to top-tier idols is unfair.

"Comparing them, that's the point. It's impressive that they prepared this stage in just a month. You know, like those trainee survival programs. This was much better than the stages they prepare together."

"They had to prepare every week due to the broadcast schedule..."

Seong Pil signaled Han Goo-in to be quiet.

Hong Gyuheon chuckled.

"Mr. Han, what did you think?"

"I... I..."

Han Goo-in laughed.

He hadn't expected to say this.

"At Georo Entertainment, we also produced boy groups. I saw potential in them."

"Why bring that up now?"

It was a dark part of Hong Gyuheon's past.

It wasn't that the members were lacking, but that Hong Gyuheon's production had failed.

For the first time, Han Goo-in continued speaking despite Hong Gyuheon's attempt to stop him.

"But I felt something I never felt from them."

"What was it?"

"Rika, Seolha, Ara, Hae-yang. I can't imagine any of them missing or anyone else joining."

High praise.

It meant they were perfect as they were.

Next, as always, it was Seong Pil's turn.

"So, Director Park? You know them best. How was it? Did you get that feeling?"

Seong Pil thought for a moment before answering.

"To increase the chances of success, we should add more members."

"More trainees mean higher costs."

Seong Pil shook his head.

He pondered his words, waiting silently.

One second, two seconds, three seconds.

Seong Pil's lips curved slightly.

'How could I see the future?'

The ability to see a regrettable future.

A truly limited power.

Seong Pil doesn't often regret things.

He has a habit of blaming himself for any bad outcomes and then forgetting them.

'Even if we fail with these kids, I won't regret it.'

Being able to be with them was a blessing in itself.

Seong Pil spoke with subtle confidence.

"Even without considering the costs, this is worth a try. I think it will work."

No, it will work.

Comparing this lineup to any existing or future quartet, it stands out.

"It's decided. Let's do it this way."

The moment the member lineup was decided, the schedule at Georo Entertainment changed.

While they had been receiving similar training, they would now be specialized individually.

They would register at a gym to maintain their physical condition.

Their faces, bodies, and skin would also be managed.

Dance, vocal, and acting training would be tailored to each person's characteristics.

Each of them would choose an instrument to learn.

Most importantly, they would learn songwriting, the creative flower.

"Please continue to do your best."

Hong Gyuheon stood up and extended both hands to them. Han Goo-in took his right hand, and Seong Pil took his left.

"Let's succeed."

* * *

"Hey, if it's a dinner, shouldn't we go to a restaurant?"

"You're trainees. Do you know what happens if an idol is photographed at a bar?"

"Why is going to a bar the default! And we're not idols, we're trainees!"

"Ishikawa Rika. You've really grown up, haven't you? You're even raising your voice to me."

"......Watasu ga (I)? It's a misunderstanding, hehe."

Rika bowed her head.

While it was disappointing, Hong Gyuheon had a point.

If photos of two minors at a bar were to spread, they would face criticism later.

Rika, who had come alone when she first joined, had been taken to bars, but now, with so many members, it was different.

"Order whatever you want. If you want to eat at a restaurant, I'll bring takeout. Mr. Han and Director Park will go and buy it."

"Us?"

"Us?"

"What?"

"Actually, I wanted to go for a drive. Thank you for the opportunity, boss."

"Unbelievable social skills."

Jo Ara rolled her eyes.

In such situations, it would be wise to suggest delivery food, but...

"Hey! Hey! I want to eat from that katsu place! Director Park, you know it, right?"

Rika was true to her desires.

"Last time? When did you go out without me?"

"......Watasu ga (I)? Did I say that? A misunderstanding..."

"Rika. Lying is?"

"Bad. I'm sorry, boss. Please forgive me."

"Director Park. What's going on?"

"Rika threatened me."

"Coward! Liar! It wasn't a threat, it was a legitimate request!"

Hong Gyuheon punished Rika and Seong Pil by flicking their foreheads.

That day, they ordered everything the members wanted to eat.

Seong Pil and Han Goo-in went out to buy what wasn't available for delivery.

The break room was filled with a feast of food.

"Is this heaven?"

Alcohol was also provided to the adults.

Jang Hae-yang said it was her first time drinking.

Surprisingly, she drank beer well.

"It tastes a bit like bad cola, ahaha."

Ten minutes later.

"Snore."

"Is she tired and sleeping, or is she just a light drinker?"

"Probably tired. Hae-yang practiced late into the night every day."

Hong Gyuheon gently stroked Jang Hae-yang's hair. She liked people who worked hard.

Jang Hae-yang was the embodiment of effort.

[To be honest, I fell in love with Seolha.]

[What?!]

"Ahahaha!"

Jo Ara laughed, holding her stomach, as she played Seong Pil's confession video.

"Ah, ah! I'm dying, really!"

"You won't let it go if I don't delete it."

"How can I delete something so funny!"

In the end, the video wasn't deleted that day.

Jo Ara ran away quickly.

Regardless, they ate a lot and laughed a lot that day.

Everyone was as happy as if they had debuted.

Han Goo-in captured the moment of everyone laughing together with his camera.

"Phew."

Seong Pil, feeling the effects of the alcohol, stepped outside the company.

Hong Gyuheon said he would call a taxi, so Seong Pil drank to his heart's content for the first time in a while.

'It's not been a while. I drank with Hye-bin not long ago.'

A cold wind blew.

It was similar to the weather when he first met Rika.

A lot of time had passed since then.

The search for trainees, which he had started with confidence, had taken several months.

He thought everything would go smoothly since he had regressed, but it didn't.

He had been anxious about not finding trainees, but that worry ended today.

He had found four gems.

"Should I sober you up?"

One of the gems' voices was heard.

Baek Seolha approached Seong Pil, wrapped in a blanket. It was the palm tree friends blanket Jo Ara had boasted about, a gift from Seong Pil.

"Yes. Are you okay, Seolha?"

"I just had a sip."

"You don't drink well, do you?"

"I didn't want to lose my senses."

"Why?"

"If I got drunk, I might forget today."

"Oh, romantic."

"Hehe."

They silently looked at the road.

The sound of distant cars could be heard.

"Can you tell me?"

"Tell you what?"

"Why you only use formal language with me."

"Oh, that. It's nothing. You already know, don't you?"

"Are you trying to make me respected by the others?"

"Huh?"

Seong Pil asked, confused.

Baek Seolha was taken aback.

She had thought it was for that reason, but was there another reason?

What?

"You can think that."

"Then, what is it?"

"Just keeping my distance from you."

"......What?"

It was a shocking answer.

"Why, why, why? Why only me?"

"......"

"Why, why, why me......?"

"Just kidding. You were right."

Baek Seolha was speechless. Seong Pil laughed at her reaction.

A small laugh grew into a loud one that echoed through the area.

"Sorry. I just wanted to joke around when I'm drunk."

"Really... What a joke..."

"I'll drop the formality after you debut."

"That's so unfair. You just tease people..."

"Seolha."

The wind stopped.

"Thank you. I'll continue to do my best."

Seong Pil went back inside the building.

As the wind blew again, the blanket around Baek Seolha fluttered.

* * *

'By now, she must have arrived at the airport.'

Seong Pil called Son Hye-bin.

What a heartless person.

Not even a call on the day she was leaving for Russia.

'I haven't even thanked her yet.'

Fortunately, she hadn't left yet and answered the call.

"Hey, sis. At the airport?"

[Yeah.]

"Leaving your hometown must be sad. I can hear the change in your voice over the phone."

[...]

"What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

Seong Pil held the phone as if she were right in front of him.

Son Hye-bin didn't answer for a while.

Only a sigh without a target could be heard.

"Why. Is there a problem? Did you forget something? I can bring it to you."

[No. It's not that... you...]

Son Hye-bin didn't speak again.

The sound of her clearing her throat, sighing, and the hustle and bustle of the airport alternated.

Seong Pil waited patiently.

Finally, Son Hye-bin mumbled dejectedly.

[I can't go to Russia.]

"......Suddenly?"

[The invitation was addressed to North Korea, not South Korea... Those crazy Russians...]