“Thank you for your hard work.”
With those words, Ryu Won picked up his guitar and left the examination room.
As soon as Ryu Won exited, the teachers—excluding Shin Yu-ra—began to speak.
“<The Dream of Goldfish>… It was by far the most innovative and best piece I’ve heard recently. Should I say the song itself sounds youthful?”
“But he’s not your average student. Personally, if that piece were properly arranged, it could easily be released as a digital single.”
“Exactly. His fundamentals seem solid, and his guitar playing was excellent too, right?”
“Yes. To be honest, there’s nothing deserving of a deduction. If anything, I’d like to give him bonus points.”
The teachers’ reactions were overwhelmingly positive.
In other words, the song Ryu Won had just performed had earned full marks.
However, they were unaware that the piece, which received such high praise, was created in just 15 minutes.
“I almost asked him to play more, but I managed to hold back.”
Amidst this atmosphere, Shin Yu-ra, seated among the teachers, smiled faintly and spoke.
Seeing her expression, the teachers were slightly taken aback.
This was because, through their time working together, this kind of expression from Shin Yu-ra was a first.
In fact, just moments ago, she had even asked a student about a talent agency-related question.
“Are you planning to connect Ryu Won with Flow Entertainment?”
“Yes, I intend to offer it to him as soon as he enrolls. I feel like giving this child the wings he needs.”
“Hehe. Isn’t that a bit too rushed? It would be better to observe his progress a little longer.”
“…”
Would she be responsible if he were snatched up by another agency?
Shin Yu-ra saw potential in Ryu Won.
Simply put, she didn’t want to miss that potential as a producer.
And so…
“Wow, Sister, how long has it been?”
That day, Shin Yu-ra visited a certain famous talent agency to have a conversation with someone.
Despite her sudden appearance, the agency’s CEO welcomed her warmly.
Kang Beom-jun.
Interestingly, because their active periods overlapped, they had met many times and were quite close.
For reference, Kang Beom-jun was 36 years old and Shin Yu-ra was 37, making her one year older.
“It’s been almost three years, hasn’t it? And lately, you seem to be doing quite well. The building alone smells of money.”
“Haha. Compared to the third-largest agency, Flow Entertainment, we still have ways to go.”
“Yet the CEO of an agency that might soon turn the ‘Big Three’ into the ‘Big Four’ is being humble.”
“Well… I look forward to that day too. And also, I heard some news. That you’ve taken on a temporary teaching position at Seolhwa High School…”
“Yeah. I’ve been in a slump recently.”
Shin Yu-ra’s nonchalant statement made Kang Beom-jun widen his eyes.
It’s not easy for someone to admit they’re in a slump.
It’s essentially acknowledging one’s own inadequacies.
Especially for a well-known person like Shin Yu-ra who has achieved commercial success.
“Other than encouraging you, there’s nothing much I can say.”
“That encouragement will do. Instead, I have one favor to ask.”
“A favor?”
“Not a favor, more like a warning.”
“Uh?”
“Do you know this kid named Ryu Won? Ryu Se-ah’s younger brother.”
In response to Shin Yu-ra’s question, Kang Beom-jun looked puzzled.
How could Kang Beom-jun not know that name?
The very person who made RT Entertainment what it is today.
But why mention that name now?
And with Shin Yu-ra’s following declaration…
“That kid is mine, so don’t even think about interfering.”
“Cough! Cough!”
Kang Beom-jun couldn’t help but spit out his coffee.
Watching this, Shin Yu-ra furrowed her brow and continued.
“Jeez, don’t be so wasteful. Are you throwing away coffee now?”
“Ah, no! But why are you suddenly interested in this kid?”
“That’s none of your business. Regardless, I’ve warned you.”
Shin Yu-ra had only come to one conclusion.
She simply wanted to watch the growth of a certain genius from close by.
Isn’t it more fulfilling and fun than overcoming her own slump?
And thus, RT Entertainment was a place that Shin Yu-ra couldn’t help but keep a close eye on.
“Kang Beom-jun, you’re known as a ‘student killer,’ aren’t you?”
“?”
A place where young talents gather.
That’s how Kang Beom-jun introduced RT Entertainment.
Due to the fact that all his artists are students, there really wasn’t much Kang Beom-jun could say.
“Moreover, with Ha-on under your wing, there’s no real need to covet more, right?”
“Hmm… I understand what you mean. However, please respect the student’s wishes.”
“Don’t worry. Who wouldn’t be tempted by Flow Entertainment?”
With that, the brief meeting between Shin Yu-ra and Kang Beom-jun concluded.
Alone in the CEO’s office…
“Interesting, creating a song just for fun caught Shin Yu-ra’s attention?”
Kang Beom-jun looked up at the ceiling, sighed deeply, and muttered to himself.
The situation became clear.
Shin Yu-ra had overseen the practical examination for composition majors and happened to listen to his piece today.
The moment Shin Yu-ra heard his original composition, she was hooked.
“Although it was crafted to fit a high school level, there’s no way to criticize it…”
Kang Beom-jun scratched his head.
Despite Shin Yu-ra’s recent slump, there’s no way her ears would be off.
After all, she’s considered one of the founding members of the current third-largest agency, Flow Entertainment. Who would dare question her skills?
In that sense, <The Dream of Goldfish> was sufficiently attractive, even to Kang Beom-jun.
─Soundtrack? This song isn’t that level.
The composer himself doesn’t seem to think much of it.
Still, one remark from Shin Yu-ra lingered in his mind.
The comment about Flow Entertainment surely attracting anyone’s interest.
“Totally missed that mark.”
Kang Beom-jun gave a subtle smile.
That’s because, unknowingly, Shin Yu-ra hasn’t realized that Ha-on and Ryu Won are the same person.
Shin Yu-ra still doesn’t know how extraordinary Ryu Won, the composer, truly is.
“An ignorant man with conviction can be quite terrifying, huh?”
Can something as trivial as an agency’s reputation really matter to Ryu Won?
After all, money? Fame? None of those are within his scope of interest.
The one thing Ryu Won, who has abandoned his brilliant talent, cares about is only one thing.
Baek Ye-rin.
“In that sense, it’ll be fine as long as we somehow keep Ye-rin.”
Because wherever that child is, that’s where Ryu Won belongs.
*
While Ryu Won’s name was making waves in the composition majors, in the vocal majors, the name of a particular female student was frequently discussed.
“Finally, it’s the next student’s turn.”
“I’ve been waiting so anxiously that I didn’t sleep a wink. Kim Tae-hwan yesterday was amazing, but this side is bound to be even better.”
“Well, don’t be overly biased.”
As the head of the department spoke, the other two teachers nodded in agreement.
“Next student, please come in.”
With those words from the head of the department, the examination room door cautiously opened. A young girl in a school uniform carefully entered the room.
Seeing her, a teacher seated beside the department head couldn’t help but sigh unconsciously.
Simply put, the teacher marveled at the female student’s appearance.
After all, the reason this student had become famous wasn’t just due to her looks.
A slender figure accentuated by her tall stature, along with a lovely appearance that balanced cuteness and beauty.
But the teachers who were present as examiners knew something more.
That this girl—no, Baek Ye-rin—who emitted an aura like no other, possessed an overwhelming singing ability that was her true allure.
Facing the examiners, Baek Ye-rin smiled brightly and greeted them warmly.
“Hello!”
“Nice to meet you. As we have a time limit for our conversation, may I ask what song you’ll be singing?”
In the vocal major’s practical exam, students can sing any song regardless of genre.
They just need to sing the song they’re most confident in. This is to evaluate their understanding of the song’s appeal.
However, since they are choosing the song themselves, there is no avoiding strict judgment.
Not only must their skill be evaluated, but also their attitude and posture.
For this reason, Baek Ye-rin was reflecting.
What would be the right song to perform for her practical exam?
As a reference, Baek Ye-rin intended to achieve the highest score in this Seolhwa High School entrance exam.
There was no special reason.
She had simply made this decision at some point.
Always to shine brightest as the person she wishes would want…
Because being at that person’s side has that kind of meaning.
Thus, the song that came to Baek Ye-rin’s mind was none other than one.
“I will sing <Rewind>.”
Rewind.
Currently the song that represents Baek Ye-rin, who boasts the highest recognition as a singer, and the most significant song for the person on her mind.
When <Rewind> was announced, the teachers’ expressions brightened instantly.
There’s a saying in vocal entrance exams:
Avoid songs that were big hits that year.
It’s because it’s compared to the original.
Of course, there are occasionally test takers who confidently challenge such songs despite knowing this…
“Mostly, they tend to receive lower scores.”
So, what would happen if the original singer performed their hit song in the exam?
As the head of the department pondered this, Baek Ye-rin slowly prepared her breathing.
Then, she began singing along with the familiar accompaniment that spread through the examination room.
– If it were just a dream, how good would it have been?
Even now, your face remains vivid.
The head of the department had heard students’ songs for over 10 years.
Of course, he had also encountered students extraordinary enough to surprise him.
Indeed, there are currently a few active Seolhwa High School alumni singers.
…But still.
– I long to meet your smile again.
I want to rewind.
Baek Ye-rin stood apart from the rest.
Could 16-year-old students convey emotions so deep and heavy through their singing?
It was almost overwhelming to listen.
However, <Rewind> is a song that stirs those emotions even more, and at its conclusion, only ‘hope’ remains.
This song is one you can’t stop listening to once you start.
You can only break away from <Rewind> when Baek Ye-rin finishes singing.
‘Oh well…’
Who’s evaluating whom again?
The head of the department chuckled and slipped into listener mode.
Seemed like the score for this song was already determined.
After Baek Ye-rin’s performance ended…
“Why did you apply to Seolhwa?”
The head of the department cautiously inquired.
Baek Ye-rin pondered the question briefly, then smiled and gave this answer:
“Because it feels like I’ll be happy here.”
For Baek Ye-rin now, could there be a time happier than sharing school life with the person she likes?
However, the head of the department couldn’t understand her reasoning.
Because she omitted the subject and additional words.
“So… It’s an honor.”
Because Seolhwa is the top high school and being here would make me happy!
…That’s how the head of the department interpreted it, giving attitude points a full score without hesitation.
