Chapter 85
We arrived at the cozy restaurant that Gaeul wanted to go to.
However, since it was lunchtime, nearly every table was occupied except for one.
And of course, that one remaining table was a two-seater.
The waiter informed us that since it was a low turnover area, he couldn’t guarantee when any other seats would be available. Hearing this, Gaeul looked troubled.
“What should we do? There are only two seats,” she said.
“We can just pull together a chair. No problem.”
“….”
James Oh, who went to speak with the waiter, slid a chair over. I sat in the middle, with Gaeul on either side. We were all huddled together at the small table. I seized this opportunity for Gaeul’s PR and started giving a long speech about her talents. If she looked good enough, maybe they’d even give her a B-side ballad.
Listening quietly, James Oh suddenly asked, “How did you end up at TwoBear Entertainment, Gaeul?”
“…How do you mean?”
“I want to know why you chose TwoBear among so many agencies. As Team Leader Seon said, your talent could get you debut spots at major agencies. There’s really no reason to take a risk with the unproven TwoBear, right?”
…Well, this guy sure knows how to hit the facts hard.
Honestly, apart from the generous contract and having Gahyeon looking after her, there’s not much appeal to TwoBear.
But this isn’t exactly something you just blurt out…
However, Gaeul had a different thought and, smiling faintly at me, said, “Is it okay if I talk about Brother Taeyang?”
“If you think it’s alright.”
“Then I’ll share how I came to dream at TwoBear.”
Gaeul began telling her long story in a condensed manner.
Her tone was calm, but as I listened to her descriptions, I felt like a prince on a white horse… or maybe a B-grade movie’s clumsy hero.
Whichever it was, it was hard to hold my head up high with her narrative.
“No, Gaeul, it’s really not that big of a deal. If you exaggerate too much, James Oh might misunderstand.”
“I’m just telling the truth without exaggeration!”
It seemed that the series of events leading to her recruitment were remembered by Gaeul like some drama or movie.
In reality, it was more like a documentary series titled “Documentary Four Days” or “Human Stage,” stuck in the reality of humanistic documentaries.
“…That’s how I got to dream at TwoBear Entertainment.”
Gaeul finished her story with a gentle smile.
Hearing that, James Oh, who had been shoveling in shrimp pilaf during the discussion, remarked, “Team Leader Seon sounds like an amazing person.”
“The team leader is quite an amazing person.”
“…I’m not someone who deserves such praise. I’m just a busybody.”
“It’s too impressive to be brought down by the word ‘busybody’. Who goes that far for a complete stranger?”
Well, if you have the eye to see the status window, maybe there are occasionally people like that?
At first, I approached simply because I saw potential in S.
James Oh continued to calmly accept my compliments, seemingly unaware of my embarrassment.
Gaeul watched us, her face shining with pride.
It had the warmth of a mother watching her son being praised by a teacher.
…Why does a high school senior look like she has maternal instincts already?
He kept nodding and said,
“How about working together with me?”
“…What?”
At his words, Gaeul’s face hardened.
“What do you mean by that?”
“It’s not a big deal, but I just thought it would be nice to work with Team Leader Seon again. I initially approached because of your talent, but after hearing Gaeul’s story, I really like you as a person too. You don’t come across people like that often, do you?”
Gaeul mumbled something with trembling eyes.
“…Brother Taeyang is at another company?”
I asked him a question that I hadn’t had the chance to ask during the last scouting.
“James Oh, you’re a freelancer, right? Without a company affiliation, how would you go about working together?”
Is he thinking of joining our company?
Acquiring the best producer alive…
This is insane. I should be willing to part with my salary to make this happen!
“I’m currently running a small studio. Although I’m technically a freelancer, it’s easier on many levels to register a business when you have a lot of money to manage.”
…What a letdown.
“I’m sorry, but I will have to decline again. I have things I want to do at this company.”
“You can still manage or produce alongside me. I have sufficient capital and ability for that. As I mentioned last time, I can match the treatment to your desired level or even exceed it.”
“You can produce?”
“Yes, if I set my mind to it, I could start right now.”
…Wow, the resources and connections that top industry players have allow for statements like that. Someone like him won’t be joining TwoBear anytime soon.
I licked my lips in disappointment and bowed my head slightly towards him.
“I’m sorry, but I’d like to do that with the people here at TwoBear. So, I must respectfully decline your offer.”
James Oh looked at me with a satisfied smile and said, “You have quite the romantic spirit.”
“It’s more about conviction, really.”
James Oh let out a refreshing laugh.
“Hehe, truly, it seems like working together would be a lot of fun—what a pity… Still, I’ll be rooting for you. With Gyeoul and Gaeul, and Team Leader Seon as well, I’m already excited to see what kind of group you’ll create here at TwoBear.”
As he said this, James wiped his mouth with a tissue, stood up, and added, “If you ever officially form a group and need a song, please contact me. I’ll ignore the reservations and give it a shot.”
Oh snap! I hit the jackpot!
You can’t just buy a song from a big-name composer with money alone. You need the company’s name value and the group’s quality to even get a song. They won’t hand over a track to a brand-new group that lacks credibility, especially since they’d be putting their name on it.
In that sense, James Oh’s words were like hitting the first prize on a scratch-off lottery ticket bought at a convenience store.
I sprang up from my seat, bowed 90 degrees, and said, “Thank you! I’ll make sure to meet your expectations and bring the best quality!”
“Oh, but there’s a condition.”
“I’ll do anything you ask!”
How much do you want? We’ve got plenty of investment cash!
“You’ll need Team Leader Seon’s help during the work.”
Oh come on, I saw that coming! If we work together, you’ll definitely be disappointed.
…But if he’s giving me a song, I’ll find a way to get some compensation out of this, somehow. Who knows when that will happen?
System, please just throw me one reward related to composing!
Even if it means smacking one more person around, I’ll seriously do it!
“I’ll do my best.”
James nodded slightly, satisfied with my answer, and waved goodbye as he left the place.
As he walked out, reality started to settle in.
“Gaeul, this is amazing! You did so well! Thanks to the way you acted today, we got a song from that James Oh!”
Unlike me, who was all excited, Gaeul wore a gloomy expression.
Doesn’t James Oh know? Why do I feel like I’m the only one happy here?
Gaeul, seemingly oblivious to James Oh, was fidgeting with my clothes and then looked at me with a somewhat desperate expression.
She said with a desperate expression.
“…Brother Taeyang. What if you leave the company?”
“…Huh?”
“Please take me with you. Anywhere.”
…I’m not going.
*
That evening, even after work hours, the family of TwoBear gathered in the meeting room equipped with the latest screens.
Today was the first broadcast of Girl 100 featuring Gyeoul.
As I entered the meeting room a bit late after finishing my work, Cheon Aram was adjusting the screen herself and arranging the chairs in a cozy little setup.
As if that wasn’t enough, she was personally bringing in snacks like popcorn and various drinks to serve.
“Song Johan said he wanted lemonade, right?”
No, President, why are you doing this? It’s so burdensome.
It seemed I wasn’t the only one feeling this way, as Gaeul, Yeoreum, Lee Hyerin, and Song Johan stepped up saying they would do it and tried to stop Cheon Aram.
Still, Cheon Aram didn’t budge and brought in a bucket filled with ice, sliced lemons, and glasses from somewhere.
“There’s no need for you to go this far, President. Just let me or Soo-yeon do it.”
Why is she moving around when there are two voluntary slaves?
Cheon Aram scratched her head awkwardly at my words and replied.
“I’m sorry, this is my first time watching something as a group, so I was excited and got a bit extra.”
Thinking about it, it seemed like she wouldn’t have had this kind of group activity in her life before. I felt a bit sorry for her.
“…If something like this happens again, let’s gather all the employees.”
“Really? …No, wait. We need to maintain work-life balance. Let’s just do this today.”
Cheon Aram said that but couldn’t hide her eager expression.
Where did that overwhelming first impression go? Now she looked like something akin to a lonely person craving companionship.
How can I just leave that alone?
Let’s just pull an all-nighter, team.
“Checking the broadcast of our artists and doing research is an extension of our work duties. It’s something we should naturally do.”
“…Uh, is that so? Then I guess there’s no helping it! But since this is work too, I’ll make sure everyone gets their night shift allowance!”
“…Friend money.”
“Huh? What did you just say, Hyerin?”
“Oh, nothing! I didn’t say anything.”
With the channel set to MNet, we all sat down in our seats.
In the middle, Cheon Aram munched on popcorn as the first broadcast began, showcasing Gyeoul’s outstanding performance in A Class.
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