Chapter 84
Gaeul and I locked eyes.
With just that gaze, we understood what each other desired.
I quickly moved my fingers, raising the tempo of the song.
Gaeul also strummed the acoustic guitar riff more aggressively, picking up the pace.
In the heightened atmosphere of the song, she opened her mouth.
Gaeul’s voice resonated throughout the square, etched into the air.
Even the old lady handing out flyers, the middle school student trying to cross the street, the office worker hailing a taxi, and the taxi driver preparing to take a customer momentarily stopped in their tracks.
The crowded and noisy square fell silent, as if in awe of Gaeul’s voice.
Authoritative, grand, and yet emotional.
The voice of a single person changed the colors of the world.
“Wow, Gaeul, you’ve improved! Compared to when we first busked together.”
What was even more astonishing was that this was still a developing talent.
Looking at the status window, her current ability was still at A-.
I couldn’t imagine how far she could go.
It was truly insane talent.
Eventually, the song ended, and people began to cheer and applaud.
“Thank you! This was Yoo Gaeul from TwoBear Entertainment.”
Gaeul gave a bright smile to the audience and finished promoting, looking as excited as a playful child just getting off a roller coaster.
“Brother Taeyang! Your accompaniment was amazing!”
“Haha, thank you, but honestly, I feel like this was a step down from our last street performance.”
“Well… wasn’t it just that you were incredible back then? I thought I was making the world’s best pianist my backing musician! I also wondered why someone like you hasn’t debuted and is just a manager.”
That was all compensation bait, Gaeul.
“Anyway, you were still really cool! I just love your sound, Brother Taeyang!”
Facing Gaeul’s enthusiastic response, I wiped my brow in relief.
Apparently, my accompaniment hadn’t been too bad after all.
It was my first time busking without the ‘finger jukebox,’ and I was quite nervous.
Naturally, without any compensation, I couldn’t present myself as the perfect backing musician like back then.
I had practiced the piano whenever I had free time recently for this moment, but it must have been lacking compared to the moments bolstered by compensation.
Still, ever since I played the memories of leaves and the sea that day, something had opened up for me, or maybe I gained some enlightenment? Anyway, playing the piano became smoother, so I didn’t end up looking too pathetic.
Still, ever since that day when I played the memories of the autumn leaves and the sea, I have to say something got unblocked, or maybe I gained some enlightenment. Either way, playing the piano became easier, so I didn’t end up looking like a complete fool.
“Should we get a professional accompanist next time?”
“That’s absolutely not happening. My accompanist has to be Brother Taeyang, at least on the piano.”
“No, I can’t just leave it to you and me; we both have things to do.”
“…Is that really not possible?”
Gaeul looked up at me with a face full of disappointment, like a deflated puppy after a failed walk.
Ah, my heart is softening.
“…I can’t promise, but I’ll try my best. I also enjoy performing together.”
“Hehe, thank you so much! Brother Taeyang!”
Alright, as long as you’re smiling, I’ll manage. I’ll practice a bit more.
Honestly, I’m embarrassed to accompany you, Gaeul. The gap in our skills is just too big, isn’t it?
I want to at least be someone not feeling ashamed.
Gaeul then looked at me as if she had just remembered something and said casually.
“Oh, you can’t accompany other vocalists either.”
“Huh? Why not?”
Then Gaeul’s eyes glinted with a yellowish light as she said,
“…I think I’d get jealous.”
Seeing her like that sent an inexplicable chill down my spine.
I felt like I had to meet her demands. Otherwise, something big might happen.
“…Alright, I’ll avoid it.”
“Thank you! Brother Taeyang!”
… I was thinking of joining a band club to practice more, but it looks like I’ll just have to practice alone.
“Um, Brother Taeyang, can I ask one more favor?”
“Sure, what is it? You showed such a cool side of you today, so I’ll consider almost anything.”
Gaeul blushed, glancing at me before hesitating to speak.
“I heard a rumor about a famous… uh, restaurant! I was wondering if you could have lunch there with me.”
“That’s not a difficult request at all! In fact, with the menu set, it’s become easier. The President gave me the company card to get something delicious.”
“Wow! Then…”
At that moment, someone butted in to talk to us.
“Your performance was truly amazing!”
It was Seok Hyun-woo, who I had asked to film our AllTube video.
“Honestly, it’s the first time I’ve felt such deep emotion after seeing something since Jin Yeoreum’s rhythmic gymnastics performance. Both of you are truly amazing.”
He said with a face that seemed to be flushed with strong emotion.
It felt like there was no exaggeration or flattery in his expression, which made me feel good as well.
That guy is really sincere, and I like that.
“Thank you for seeing it that way. I’m really relieved to show a side that’s not embarrassing in front of Manager Seok.”
“Oh, please don’t call me Manager Seok. I’m no longer a manager since I’ve left Jinkang. Just call me Seok, Team Leader Seon.”
“That makes me a little uncomfortable… so I’ll just call you Hyun-woo.”
Growing up in a Confucian culture, it wasn’t easy for me to refer to someone older, more qualified, and with more experience as my subordinate. Seok Hyun-woo seemed to understand that and changed the subject.
“We finished filming without any issues. Since it was a fixed camera, I didn’t have much to do.”
“Just watching over that was already enough work. We all worked hard, so let’s go grab some food.”
“Food?”
“Yeah, I heard Gaeul knows a great place she wants to go to. Let’s head there.”
“Sounds good. I’m not picky about food at all…”
Seok Hyun-woo, who was speaking with a pleasant smile, suddenly stopped and began to sweat profusely.
I wondered what was making him so flustered and followed his gaze, which was fixed on Gaeul.
Why is he acting like that when Gaeul is just smiling cutely?
Seok Hyun-woo, slightly shivering, suddenly said,
“…Haha, come to think of it, I have some paperwork to take care of when I get back to the office, right? I need to start discussions for video editing too. So, I should head back to the company first.”
What paperwork during lunch?
The person who needs to discuss things is probably taking a lunch break now too.
Our company isn’t crazy enough to make people work without letting them eat.
Things might change after the debut, though…
“Come on, it’s fine! None of us, including the President, Soo-yeon, or myself, want to process work without eating. Let’s enjoy a delicious lunch instead. Let’s splurge a little on the corporate card.”
“No, really, it’s fine! I’ll just head back to the office!”
Saying that, Seok Hyun-woo hurriedly packed the filming equipment like someone was chasing him and left the plaza.
“We’re the only two left.”
“Right. We’ll have to hit that restaurant just the two of us.”
“Such a shame.”
Indeed, it is a shame. The best places are meant to be enjoyed together.
I also wanted to get Gaeul and Seok Hyun-woo to get closer.
Bouncing like a rabbit, I was about to set off with Gaeul, who was sharing my disappointment, to the restaurant she mentioned.
Then someone else spoke up between Gaeul and me.
“I was impressed by your performance.”
“Ah, James Oh the composer!”
He was none other than James Oh, a judge from Girl 100 and the best producer in the game.
What a peculiar coincidence to see a busy man like him here, one of the top ten in Korea.
“Gaeul, let me introduce you. This is James Oh, the genius composer whose reputation precedes him.”
“Ah, hello! I’m Yoo Gaeul, a trainee from TwoBear Entertainment!”
“Great vocals. Don’t get cocky, and keep working hard. You’ve got potential.”
I watched with delight as Gaeul kept bowing in gratitude for his high praise.
As expected from the top composer, he recognized Gaeul’s talent.
I was quite pleased, thinking he might even give her a song later on.
“By the way, what brings you here?”
James Oh said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“It’s a hobby.”
“Oh, I see.”
Is he here to watch amateurs busking?
Considering he’s also working as a producer, that’s actually a pretty wholesome hobby.
It wouldn’t be wise to interrupt him while he squeezes time for his hobby.
This is probably a precious downtime for him. But instead of just saying I’m off to eat, I asked out of courtesy.
Being such a busy guy, he’d surely decline, but I had to ask.
“We’re heading to a nearby restaurant for lunch, would you like to join us, James Oh?”
After glancing at Gaeul, James Oh replied.
“I never skip on these things. Let’s go. Restaurant.”
…Is this guy actually free?
“…Ahh.”
Gaeul sighed quietly.
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