LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 117
This rest thing is quite ironic.
At first, it feels nice to take a break, but if it lasts too long, my body starts to feel restless—should I say that?
Especially for someone like me, who is a workaholic doing broadcasts almost every day? It’s even harder to accept a break.
I thought taking a day off would be like wasting time, but the next day, I felt that familiar itch in my body.
So here I am, forcibly on vacation for the second day.
I picked up my guitar for the first time in ages and headed to Hyeon-su’s Workshop.
When was the last time I played?
Honestly, I don’t even remember well.
But I do keep in touch with Ah-young and Hyeon-su from time to time, at least.
Not that we have deep conversations, though.
Feeling like a band member, I slung my guitar bag over my shoulder and stepped into Hyeon-su’s Workshop.
“Wow, long time no see!”
“Soo-hyun! It’s been a while!”
As I entered the workshop, I noticed that everyone who usually worked here was gathered in the lobby for some reason.
“Hey, you made it?”
And there was Hyeon-su in the center, waving lightly.
He seems taller now, and did he put on some weight? He was good-looking even when he was thinner, but with a little extra meat, he looks even more refined.
Lucky dude.
If I had a face like that when I was a guy, I’d be a charmer, I thought, stepping further in.
“What’s the occasion for this gathering?”
As I casually asked the question, I set my guitar bag down and hung up my coat, and Ah-young promptly answered.
“We’re working on our new album!”
“Oh, it’s about time, huh?”
Recently, the band here officially became Hyeon-su’s band members.
Slim Gold is no longer just a solo artist; it’s officially a band now.
“Right! We’re gonna make it better than the last one!”
“Well… I truly wish you all the best.”
I’m one of those who genuinely hopes Hyeon-su does well.
After all, we have history, and if Hyeon-su does great, it only elevates my career as the one who painted the album cover.
“Sis, why do you sound like you’re talking about someone else?”
At that moment, Hyeon-su, who had been lounging on the sofa with cocoa, looked at me and said that.
What does that even mean? More importantly, since he got his own band, he’s acting a bit more smug.
It feels just like yesterday when he splattered a drink on my clothes.
“Are you not loosening up?”
“Yep.”
After casually asserting myself, I headed to the sofa where everyone was sitting.
“So, what exactly were you talking about?”
“We were picking songs.”
“Songs?”
Didn’t they just say they were working on a new album? Then they should be making songs… oh.
“Did you already make some songs?”
“Just a few. I thought of some while resting, and they turned out quite good.”
I was taken aback by Hyeon-su’s response.
This genius is insane…
“Well, I guess the album will come out soon then.”
“Yeah, I’m thinking around Q1 of next year.”
Q1 of next year? Wow, that’s pretty fast!
Isn’t it usually a year’s worth of work? Or maybe half a year?
Well, it depends on how many songs you have, I guess.
“You’re already thinking about it; isn’t it too quick for a release?”
“No, I’m a bit exceptional, you know?”
“…?”
Ha… Where did that naive kid go, and who turned him into a cocky artist?
“Wow, if you look at me like that, I’ll get hurt.”
“What kind of look?”
“The look I had when I was looking at you, Soo-hyun.”
“….”
Well, he’s at a loss for words now. Sigh.
“So, did you come here just to kill time?”
“Oh right.”
The reason I came here… I picked up the guitar bag I set down and said.
“I was bored.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m on a little break; staying at home is just too boring.”
I seriously came because I was bored. What else can I do?
Actually, to be precise, I have things to do, but I didn’t want to do them on this rare vacation.
“Do you perhaps… not have any friends?”
At that moment, Kang-hyeok, who had been quietly listening, suddenly pierced my heart with his words.
“… That’s not it.”
I have plenty of friends.
Starting from Hyejeong to the Celestial Realm members, even a friend living far away in Japan.
Admittedly, it’s not even ten fingers’ worth, though.
“I think that might be true… But have you practiced the guitar at all?”
“Oh, the guitar?”
Guitar practice… I pulled out the guitar and struck a pose.
“Wanna see me play?”
It seems they forgot; I’m an aspiring Guitar Hero.
Seriously, discussing my guitar skills, come on.
In front of everyone’s focused eyes, I started playing.
And then….
“… Surprisingly, you haven’t improved at all, have you?”
“Do you see the dust piling up on the guitar?”
“That’s an insult to the guitar!”
I received all kinds of harsh comments.
…Was it really that bad?
It’s not like I haven’t practiced at all.
Of course, it’s true I haven’t touched it much lately since Tenshi came by and I was preparing for advertisements.
“Why on earth did you bring your guitar?”
Kang-hyeok, the soul of a guitarist, looked at me with disbelief.
…That look makes me feel awkward.
“Honestly, I just brought it for show.”
But yeah, I brought it for aesthetics.
Hah—this is all the composer’s fault.
Whenever he gives me a tough piece for homework, I end up dropping it.
The pieces I practiced before, I could at least refer to some videos on YouTube.
But when he just hands me sheets of music, what am I supposed to do?
“Apologize.”
“Pardon?”
“You need to apologize to my guitar that you played.”
Kang-hyeok said that while pointing at his own well-taken-care-of guitar nearby.
It still looks flashy, and it definitely gives off the impression of being well-maintained.
Unlike my acoustic guitar which has a bit of dust on it.
“Wow, that guitar looks amazing. Can I play it one more time?”
“Ahh!”
Well, regardless of the flashy look, that guitar definitely has a vibe to it.
If I handed that to Loa, it feels like an indie guitarist would emerge right away.
“Okay, enough about guitars. Soo-hyun, would you like to check this out?”
“Hmm?”
While Kang-hyeok was rubbing his neck, Ah-young, who had been listening to our conversation with a smile, suddenly chimed in and handed me a sheet of paper.
“What’s this?”
“A list of people who said they’d do featuring for us. Quite impressive!”
“Is this it?”
Just looking at the names written on the paper makes it seem like a lot, right? Does Hyeon-su get this many contacts?
“Hyeon-su has been getting a lot of love from the seniors since he appeared on variety shows! He’s become a super popular guy.”
“He perfectly fits the mom-friendly style.”
He’s young, polite… well, he definitely would be at the company, and he shows clear signs of good upbringing.
I can’t imagine senior singers not liking someone like him, right?
Being young, good-looking, polite, and a genius, the only feelings from the industry would be jealousy and envy, more or less.
Those who are not like that at least would have some favor towards him.
As I examined the names on the featuring list with Hyeon-su in mind, I couldn’t help but notice how impressive they were.
I might not know much about entertainers, but while preparing for the live by checking out various singers, I at least am aware of a bit, right?
And in this list, there are national singers I know, along with various renowned names and even people I’d seen during company dinners… anyhow, it’s quite glamorous.
“Wow, this is no joke!”
I couldn’t help but let out a genuine exclamation.
“Right? I just want to pick them all!”
“You can’t. Only one per song.”
I nodded in agreement with Ah-young’s words, but Hyeon-su firmly stated only one.
Seeing that resolute tone… that’s definitely not his usual self; it’s Hyeon-su in work mode.
There’s no way anyone can change his mind now.
“How many songs are you planning to do?”
More like, how many songs are you thinking of? Since he mentioned releasing it early next year, is it going to be an EP?
“About eight songs. Maybe a dozen at most? For now, we’re picking songs and planning to write a few that fit the concept.”
“Wow.”
Seriously, in this age where singles or EPs run rampant, putting out a proper album is straight-up old-school, right?
There’s a reason the seniors like him so much.
In our Celestial Realm, we’re all about doing the bare minimum and releasing just one or two songs.
“Still, picking must be tough, huh? If it were me, I don’t think I could pick just eight from this list.”
I feel like I’d easily pick about four, and then struggle to decide on the remaining four.
And there’s also the factor of face, you know?
It’s undeniably better to receive many offers, but when seniors request like this, it would feel awkward to refuse and go for someone else.
While I was looking at the featuring list, sympathizing with Hyeon-su’s position, he suddenly burst out with,
“I’d love it if you could do one of the songs.”
“Me? No way, the lineup here is too impressive!”
That reflexive rejection flew out without me even thinking.
It’s surprising that he’s suggesting something like this to me, but I have absolutely no intention of doing it.
I’m busy, and honestly, why would I?
I wouldn’t even have the time to fit in.
“If you do, I’ll give you one of my songs.”
“What?”
He’s offering me a song?
Really?
“Yes, there’s a song I made which doesn’t suit me, but I think it would fit you perfectly.”
“Uh…”
“You often mention it, right? That song.”
That song… Even if I tried to speak in circles, I’m quite certain he means the original song by Miro.
In a flash, a blissful thought crossed my mind.
Hyeon-su’s original song for Miro? If he announces it before my live show and performs it perfectly during the year-end live?
Or he could just announce it that day.
I don’t doubt that the song will turn out well.
It’s Hyeon-su, after all! There’s no way it wouldn’t be good.
Besides, after the composer, I’m sure Hyeon-su knows my vocals better than anyone.
If he says it fits well, it must fit like a glove.
“…What song do I need to sing then?”
I answered as if I was under a spell, dazed, as if watching a hypnosis app.
It was an offer I simply couldn’t refuse.