I just….
‘Did I hear wrong?’
The boy’s firm rejection was hard for Shin Yu-ra to understand.
After all, it was Flow Entertainment.
Currently, one of the top three entertainment agencies in Korea.
Though it’s practically a four-major-agency system now, it still means they are unrivaled.
And for students, Flow Entertainment was the stuff of dreams.
Anyone from Seolhwa High School who was randomly stopped and asked would undoubtedly say yes.
This formal offer to a student was also a first.
Hence, Shin Yu-ra felt compelled to double-check.
“Are you serious? As an exclusive composer for Flow Entertainment, you’ll work with a variety of artists and receive support.”
“Yes.”
“Did my proposal come too suddenly?”
“Though it was sudden, that’s not the reason. And even if you had given me time, my answer wouldn’t have changed.”
Shin Yu-ra stared into the boy’s eyes, finding no trace of dishonesty or hesitation.
He truly meant what he was saying; he was genuinely rejecting her generous offer.
Now the only question swirling in Shin Yu-ra’s mind was ‘why?’
Since he was so firm in his rejection, there had to be a reason.
The boy himself realized that revealing the reason would be the only way to end this situation, but ironically, he couldn’t.
The boy’s identity was Ha-on, and even Ha-on had rather unique reasons for composing.
Very few people in this world understood what could truly move him.
“Thank you for the great offer. But I don’t plan to join any agency right now. I want to compose freely.”
The boy felt slightly guilty but felt compelled to lie.
He wasn’t going to join Flow Entertainment anytime soon, so he hoped she’d let it go quickly.
This lie was laced with that implicit meaning.
But the problem was, he didn’t know much about the woman in front of him.
Shin Yu-ra wasn’t someone who often faced rejection.
Even at her current age, though she had occasionally stumbled, she’d enjoyed nothing but success since her debut, always being the one pursued instead of her pursuing others.
This was why Shin Yu-ra now understood what it felt like to be in the pursuer’s position.
And strangely…
‘It’s exhilarating.’
This was the true meaning of competitiveness surging deep within.
Why did explorers or pirates in the past wander the world searching for treasures that couldn’t be seen? Why do people climb precarious cliffs just to pluck flowers they could’ve simply admired from afar?
Because even if something is unattainable, obtaining it would bestow an immense burst of dopamine and gratification.
There’s no reason not to try.
Even Shin Yu-ra felt this.
As the saying goes, “There’s no tree that won’t fall if struck ten times.”
Even if she got rejected today, maybe he’d change his mind if she continued to show sincerity.
And in that moment of change, the boy would introduce Shin Yu-ra to new emotions.
Thus…
“Alright. I’ll give it more effort, I suppose.”
“???”
Shin Yu-ra smiled faintly and responded. After all, she had all the time in the world.
“What… you finally did it, sis.”
“Were you close with Ms. Shin Yu-ra?”
“Given our overlapping activity periods, it was natural we got close. Last year during winter, she even went so far as to personally visit our headquarter and outright declared not to meddle with you.”
“Eh?”
This was news to me.
So Shin Yu-ra wasn’t attending the specialized class for my benefit, but had already planned to “kidnap” me after the entrance exam period.
No wonder she asked me to attend her class.
As the puzzle pieces fell into place, a new question arose. Why didn’t Kang Beom-jun tell me this earlier?
Considering Flow Entertainment might’ve taken me, this was potentially a life-or-death situation for Kang Beom-jun, as head of RT Entertainment. It was a sensitive issue for him, so I decided to ask why he kept it to himself.
But for some reason, he yawned and replied as if it were nothing.
“You would’ve rejected her anyway.”
“But there’s always a chance, isn’t there?”
“Hm? Exactly what do you want me to say?”
“Uh?”
“What are you saying? There’s no way you’d leave RT Entertainment. Frankly speaking, not knowing the details, but given Ye-rin is here…”
I suddenly couldn’t think of a comeback.
Because he wasn’t wrong.
Let me simplify it.
Where Ye-rin is, that’s where I belong.
If you really want me, convince Ye-rin first.
The problem was, it seemed only Kang Beom-jun in front of me knew this.
“But you know me too well. It’s scary.”
“Hehe. After spending this much time together, it’s only natural. Though I’m curious how that person will react when she learns just how crazy you are.”
“Rather, it feels like she has no intention of giving up.”
“Of course not. Your talent is undeniable. If I were in her position, I’d be glued to you too.”
Ah…
Thank you for looking out for me.
That aside, I suddenly thought of something.
“RT Entertainment is already the best entertainment agency for me.”
“?”
“Everyone, including the president, listens to me well and is accommodating.”
“???”
“So there’s no reason for me to leave anytime soon.”
“…”
Upon hearing my statement, Kang Beom-jun’s expression turned worried. He opened his mouth as if to ask something.
“That… what do you want this time?”
“Eh? Nothing special.”
“Phew… then it’s a relief. I got worried there for a second with how you started spouting all that praise.”
“…”
Kang Beom-jun sighed in relief, his sincere reaction making me think…
Maybe Shin Yu-ra wasn’t such a bad person either.
Yeah… a little bit.
In Seolhwa High School, the month of March is marked by two events — the entrance ceremony, and the Freshman Welcome Event.
However, this so-called “welcome event” wasn’t much more than a small concert.
The only participants were first-year and second-year students, and while the school festival was open to outsiders, the welcome event was strictly internal.
The event was meant to let the younger students get to know each other and create a fun atmosphere for everyone involved.
Typically, one student from each department was selected to perform, and the teacher picked this student.
This year, the person selected for the first-year practical music department stage performance was…
“M-m-me?”
Yoon Se-hee.
Upon entering the teacher’s office after being summoned, Yoon Se-hee was shocked by the news. How could they select someone like her when someone as prominent as Baek Ye-rin existed?
“Ye-rin has another schedule that day. Do you have something else that day?”
“No. I’m free that day.”
“In that case, that’s good. Honestly, I’ve been debating between you and Tae-hwan. But Tae-hwan has very few stage experiences, so it was decided that an idol with more stage experience would be better to liven up the welcome event.”
Hearing the teacher’s explanation, Yoon Se-hee deliberated.
By the way, this wasn’t a graded test, so students had the right to refuse the offer.
Surely, among the freshmen, many might want to gain more experiences by performing on the stage of the welcome festival.
Refusing would probably mean Kim Tae-hwan would perform instead.
Still…
“By the way, what song should I sing at the event?”
“This is completely up to you. You can choose an existing song, or you can perform your own composition. A couple of years ago, someone adjusted the composition with the help of a music-composing student and then performed.”
The moment she heard this, Yoon Se-hee realized there was no reason for her to turn down the teacher’s offer.
“Teacher, might I make one request?”
“Of course. What is it?”
“I would like to seek the help of a composing student, but could the teacher perhaps assist in persuading this student, since I’ll be asking them?”
“Any normal student would agree if you suggest they work with you, Se-hee, but…”
The teacher looked puzzled.
Why would a popular idol like Yoon Se-hee, the youngest of the female idol group Iris, need help persuading someone in the music composition specialty?
However, for some reason, Yoon Se-hee felt that this male student might reject her proposal outright.
Thus…
“You want this student’s help?”
“Yes, and it would help immensely if you could encourage them to assist Se-hee. Collaborating with a popular idol like her would surely provide an excellent experience for you.”
The teacher’s plea met the gaze of the male student—no, Ryu Won—as he turned to glance at Yoon Se-hee standing beside him.
She, for whatever reason, refused to meet Ryu Won’s eyes.
The moment he noticed, Ryu Won made a snap decision.
“Can I delay my answer for a bit, teacher?”
“Delay?”
“Yes. I’d like to discuss things a bit more with Yoon Se-hee.”
“…!”
Ryu Won’s sudden remark left Yoon Se-hee flustered.
But Ryu Won paid no attention to her reaction. He was merely curious to know why Yoon Se-hee had specifically requested him.
Why had she picked him?
Probably… he’d still refuse, unless there was some compelling reason.
