The musician’s duty is to sing.
Then what is the composer’s duty?
Naturally, it’s composing.
“So, you don’t want to do any public activities at all and just focus on composing?”
“Yes. And if possible, I’d like to use a stage name instead of my real name.”
When I said that, Kang Beom-jun opened his mouth with a look of incomprehension.
“What’s the reason? Surely it’s not because you’re worried about your face being revealed?”
“That may be a factor, but there’s a more fundamental reason.”
I imagine Kang Beom-jun’s business plan was something like this:
1. An unknown rookie singer and composer appear under Kang Beom-jun’s name.
2. Heirlessly promote this duo, creating both anticipation and controversy among people.
3. Ultimately, the song would be revealed in that state, normalizing people’s reactions with the overwhelmingly high quality of the song.
4. Then the fact that this duo was made up of middle schoolers would naturally come out, causing a real big ripple effect.
Given that both Baek Ye-rin and I exist, it was a simple plan even a kid could think of. It was also a plan that anyone could be confident would succeed.
Thus, a question arises:
Is it necessary that the fact that I’m a middle schooler is what makes my music good?
“Surely you praised my songs, Mr. Kang.”
“Yeah, I did. Definitely.”
“Then what about this? What if you take out the fact that I’m a middle schooler? Is the song good because it was made by a middle schooler, or does it genuinely stand on its own?”
Upon hearing my question, Kang Beom-jun looked a little surprised, his eyes widening.
Then, after a moment of silence, he began to ponder seriously in an effort to answer my question.
After some thought, he replied:
“The songs you’ve made are purely really great songs. However, because you’re a middle schooler, they are even more special – that’s undeniable.”
It’s such an obviously true statement that it made me wear a slightly bitter smile.
Of course, the world wants a young genius.
Even without knowing them personally, the great attention they give is often focused on the extraordinary steps of these geniuses, and people feel a kind of vicarious satisfaction from their miraculous achievements.
Sometimes, just their existence can bring enormous joy.
So perhaps someone who hasn’t even listened to my song could like me, and someone who does would certainly like me even more.
Ironically, that was something I was a little afraid of.
If my songs weren’t good but were rated highly because of the image of genius, wouldn’t that be contradictory?
Therefore, that simply couldn’t happen.
In order to walk alongside Baek Ye-rin and to continuously create songs worthy of her, I just have to keep moving forward.
What I need right now, for that, is not the contradictory evaluations of a genius, but the harsh evaluations of the world.
Of course, from Kang Beom-jun’s perspective, it wouldn’t be easy to understand my thoughts.
Just as I was seriously pondering how to persuade him, suddenly he asked:
“Wait. Is this also because of Ye-rin?”
“?”
Suddenly, Kang Beom-jun had asked me a question of unclear meaning.
That my reason for not wanting to appear in public was because of Baek Ye-rin?
A possible explanation came to my mind from Kang Beom-jun’s point of view.
1. The appearance of two genius middle schoolers would capture scattered attention.
2. Thus, only Baek Ye-rin would be exposed to the public, focusing all the attention on her.
3. An incredible amount of attention and expectation, and the one-of-a-kind genius middle schooler appears.
Oh…
If this were to happen, I’d be inevitably overshadowed by the wave caused by Baek Ye-rin’s existence.
Her popularity would increase even more because of that.
But from someone else’s point of view, it might look like I’m willingly sacrificing myself for Baek Ye-rin.
From the perspective of Kang Beom-jun, who is aware to some extent that I think about Baek Ye-rin in a special way, would this cause a misunderstanding?
Well… When I think about it, it’s not a bad situation.
Shrugging my shoulders, I replied as boldly as possible.
“That’s right. There can’t be two suns in the sky, can there? I’d like the sun to be Baek Ye-rin.”
“For that, you’re willing to give up the fame and rights you could enjoy. Truly?”
“If I wasn’t sincere, I wouldn’t have even started composing.”
In response to my resolute declaration, Kang Beom-jun exhaled with an exhausted sigh.
“Phew, I kind of knew you were crazy, but I didn’t expect it to this degree. Is this what pure love is?”
“Seems about right, doesn’t it?”
“What’s ‘about right’ about it…?”
Kang Beom-jun’s mutterings of incomprehension made a wry smile arise naturally on my face.
The fact that I like Baek Ye-rin is, after all, a fact.
But it is absolutely not ‘love.’
If I accurately define it, it’s probably closer to ‘admiration,’ isn’t it?
Hence, for her sake, perhaps I could willingly choose sacrifice.
Only this time, it’s just pretending for my own selfish reasons.
“Hmph… Anyway, I understand what your meaning is.”
“Are you agreeing?”
“How can I stop your stubbornness? You caused all this to begin with.”
“…Thank you.”
“If you’re thankful, repay me with music. That will be our way from now on.”
That’s pretty…
Simple.
I’ve always liked this unchanging, straightforward way of doing things.
As Ryu Won shared his wish to avoid exposure with Kang Beom-jun, there was one point that puzzled him.
“By the way, why have you been checking your watch the whole time?”
It was due to Kang Beom-jun’s suspicious actions.
Since earlier, he had been repeatedly looking at the clock on the wall and himself.
Feeling a bit off, Ryu Won immediately questioned the reason, to which Kang Beom-jun replied:
“Ah, the appointment time is approaching.”
“Hmm? What appointment?”
“Well, actually, Ye-rin was supposed to come today. As you know, not many people know the fact that you two are the main push of our company. It’s something entirely decided by me, the president.”
“Right. I just signed it, finalizing everything.”
“That’s right. So, I’m planning to introduce you both formally at the regular meeting in three days.”
Upon hearing that, Ryu Won somewhat grasped the situation.
“So you want to introduce us in as impactful a way as possible to the company people, right? Let’s discuss the plan among the three of us then?”
“Exactly.”
“Just give me a heads up. If Ye-rin had heard our conversation just now…”
Ryu Won was dizzy just thinking about it.
Because it felt like there were some things that could have been easily misunderstand if heard from Baek Ye-rin’s perspective.
“Haha. To be honest, the soundproofing of this room isn’t perfect, but don’t worry too much. Ye-rin was supposed to arrive at the headquarters in 20 minutes.”
“Phew… It’s good then. I need some time to prepare mentally as well.”
“But why are you so embarrassed? This is your chance to openly reveal your feelings to her…!”
“Arrgh! It’s not like that!”
Ryu Won hurriedly denied it, and Kang Beom-jun’s face was full of amusement.
However…
There was something they overlooked as they loudly talked in the president’s office.
“…”
A young girl had quietly been eavesdropping, standing with the door handle in hand.
She had been invited to the headquarters today by the president.
Just that since it had been a while since she talked with that boy, Ryu Won,
She had moved a bit earlier out of anticipation.
And thus, she overheard everything.
“…”
“…”
Like the part about not wanting to do public activities and focusing only on composing…
And the part about whether it was also because of Ye-rin…
“…There can’t be two suns in the sky, can there? I’d like it if the sun could be Baek Ye-rin…”
…
After mulling over the words she definitely heard, Baek Ye-rin quickly removed her hand from the handle.
Then she took her steps outside the building.
She wasn’t sure why, but she wanted to cool her slightly heated face.
“…Why am I standing here?”
Late November.
The outdoor temperature had dipped into single digits, fairly chilly.
And I was waiting for someone in the cold.
[What time will you arrive?]
[Right at the front!]
To my text message, Baek Ye-rin quickly replied, with alarming speed.
That’s right.
I currently was waiting to meet Baek Ye-rin.
All thanks to Kang Beom-jun.
“Ryu Won, isn’t it about time Ye-rin comes?”
“So?”
“Why don’t you go meet her?”
“…?”
“What’s that look of incredulity for? It’s so that you two can chat a little bit on the way. Surely there’s something you can’t talk about when I’m around.”
With an almost uncle-like chuckle, Kang Beom-jun forcibly pushed me out of the office.
Still, what exactly am I supposed to talk about with her…
As I sighed while contemplating, I felt an odd sensation on one of my shoulders.
It felt like someone had placed a hand on it.
I quickly turned my head, only to find the delicate hand of a girl on my shoulder.
“Why are you sighing like that?”
Baek Ye-rin.
Her inquisitive expression questioned me.
Honestly, this situation still hasn’t fully settled in for me.
After all, having a normal conversation with her so close is something miraculous to my past self.
That’s why I’m so tense.
As a long-time fan, having my eyes meet hers, having a casual conversation without thinking about it too much was incredibly difficult.
But I know.
If I get so flustered, it would be impossible for us to make progress.
That would mean moving farther away from my dream.
So, to avoid repeating my regrets within me…
I responded to Baek Ye-rin’s question with a carefree expression.
“Just some worries.”
“Worries?”
“Yeah. There’s no way someone on this earth doesn’t have any worries, right? But it’s not anything too serious to worry about.”
Upon hearing my answer, Baek Ye-rin paused for a moment in thought.
Not too long after, she slowly spoke.
“You know… the reason we call it trouble is because it’s something we can share with others. Do you know what we call troubles that a person cannot confide in others?”
“…What is it?”
“A secret.”
Baek Ye-rin looked directly into my eyes as she said this.
It felt like she was asking if the problem I carry in my mind right now was ‘trouble’ or ‘secret.’
From that perspective, the issue I currently harbored was, according to Baek Ye-rin’s words, a secret that I could not reveal to anyone, so…
“Hearing you say that, it seems like you’re right. Let’s go inside; it’s cold out here. Mr. Kang is also waiting for us inside.”
I intentionally changed the subject and moved my steps towards the building.
I soon felt a sense of discomfort.
It was because Baek Ye-rin was still standing there, not following me.
“Ye-rin?”
“Are you going to keep addressing me with both surname and name?”
“Um… then Ye-rin?”
As I addressed her without the surname, she stood by my side with a satisfied smile.
And,
“Alright, Won. It’s cold; let’s go in.”
“Even if you add the surname, it’s fine with me. I am, after all, a foreigner.”
“It somehow feels distant. Does it bother you when you hear it? If so, I can’t help it… ”
“It doesn’t particularly bother me.”
“Good. Then let’s address each other casually as just now.”
In an instant, we ended up being able to address each other’s names with familiarity.
