Chapter 179. When You Realize It’s Too Late? (2)

Translator: Chamber

Editor: Illidan

“Can I really become a si….”

She was about to accept KangYoon’s proposal but stopped.

The dream of becoming a singer was in front of her, but to grab that opportunity again, her current self was too different.

‘Will I really be fine becoming a singer again? I can live a comfortable, albeit boring life right now.’

She was 27 years old.

She was getting a little too old to chase her dreams without minding about anything else.

Although her current job made her sigh every day, it was not easy to give up a stable job like a teacher.

KangYoon seemed to have noticed what she was thinking and spoke awkwardly.

“Looks like I spoke too much about my side. You are a teacher right now, aren’t you?”

“Ah, yes.”

“I believe that it won’t be easy to give up such a stable job as a teacher and come to a decision right now. I wasn’t taking into account your perspective, I’m sorry.”

In MoonHee wondered why KangYoon was so considerate of her even though this situation was more than enough to annoy him. From what she knew, many people related to the entertainment industry were very selfish. It was very difficult to meet considerate people like him. Moreover, it wasn’t like she was a trainee with high potential. She was more like an ordinary person with a lot of age up her sleeves.

“No, not at all. I’m sorry instead. Thank you for giving me such good memories.”

“No, I hope you think about this deeply. I’m proposing this to you because I believe that you can become a splendid singer, Miss MoonHee.”

After the audition ended, In MoonHee stood up.

KangYoon saw her out until the entrance.

Leaving World Entertainment, In MoonHee politely bowed towards KangYoon.

“Thank you very much for today. It was like a nice dream.”

“I’m glad that you had a good time.”

In MoonHee couldn’t walk away easily.

The excitement from singing did not leave her mind. She still could not forget how people she saw in TVs judged her singing.

However, it was now time to wake up from that dream.

‘…Yes. That’s enough. It’s too late to go back to singing again, right? This is the right choice.’

In MoonHee consoled her heart.

She forcefully took steps away from the company. However, her eyes trembled. She felt like she would cry once she left.

At that time.

“Miss MoonHee. Please wait for a moment.”

“What?”

KangYoon held her back just as she was about to leave.

“I am well aware that you are in a position where you have to consider your age and your job. However, I want you to understand that I’m not proposing you join us without thorough judgment. I believe that you can stand on stage again. I will also think of a good way. I hope to see you soon.”

In MoonHee received the business card that KangYoon gave her and left World Entertainment.

Going past many other people, she fell into contemplation.

‘He didn’t do this without thorough judgment? I can stand on stage again? Haa…’

Perhaps, she can become a singer after all?

Her mind became more complex as she headed home.

***

After sending In MoonHee away, KangYoon was taking care of the remaining work when he got a call from HeeYoon. HeeYoon was excited after having a look at the video on Birth of the Masterpiece, where Kim JiMin appeared.

– I saw JiMin’s singing today. Wow, she’s so…

KangYoon calmly told her that he had the same opinion as his sister.

“She prepared a lot this time. SoYoung did a lot of work too.”

KangYoon was the one to mediate between Kim JiMin and Park SoYoung, liaise Gye HyoMin and the orchestra, and create the stage.

However, he gave credit to the other people involved.

– But you worked the most, though, oppa. I’m sure there was a lot of discord in making that stage…

As she had lectures on not just music theory, but also on general music production, she knew what KangYoon had gone through.

KangYoon smiled in response to his sister’s words.

“My HeeYoon. You’ve grown up. You speak praiseworthy words.”

-…I grew up ages ago. Sheesh, you always treat me like a kid.

“Hahaha.”

The siblings talked warmly with each other and HeeYoon carefully talked about why she had called.

– Did you get the file I sent you?

“JaeHoon’s new song, right? I was just about to see it.”

– Haa…

KangYoon was confused since this wasn’t her usual reaction.

“What is it?”

-Oppa, the thing is… No, let’s talk about it after you listen to it.

KangYoon opened the music file.

He was listening with a rational mindset but his eyes widened when he heard the middle part and his jaws were agape when he heard the chorus.

“Wait, what’s this? Why is it so high?”

It was hovering around A4 and B4 before the chorus, and it went as high as F5 in the chorus. This had a similar range to Kim JaeHoon’s old songs.

“Shouldn’t you lower the key a little? I think he’ll damage his voice if he does this.”

– I told him the same. But he won’t listen to me and he said that it doesn’t feel right otherwise. Haa… It’s not like singing high makes a song better. Please talk to JaeHoon-oppa about it, oppa.

Her thick sigh was conveyed over the phone.

KangYoon spoke with a firm tone.

“Okay. I’ll have to stop him no matter what. His vocal cords will be damaged if he uses this song.”

– I knew it…

“I’ll talk to JaeHoon about it. I don’t need a timebomb on my hands.”

-Okay. I’ll leave that to you then.

“I’ll persuade him. Oh, you know that JiMin and SoYoung are going over, right?”

-Yeah, I heard from SoYoung.

Although there was a short holiday with the thanksgiving season in Korea, America wasn’t the same.

As HeeYoon wasn’t able to visit Korea due to her being in the graduating class, Park SoYoung and Kim JiMin were visiting her instead.

“Don’t go off to weird places just because some friends are visiting.”

– Fine. I don’t like clubs because it’s noisy there.

“Hahaha. You should create songs together.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

– No way. You’re making them work when they are coming over for a visit? You’re such an evil president.

KangYoon laughed hearing his sister’s playful words.

After that, they ended the call after exchanging some news.

“Did JaeHoon get addicted to singing high after HyunAh’s song? Why did he…”

KangYoon headed home with a lot of questions in his mind.

When he arrived, the lights were off in the living room and there were lights in Kim JaeHoon’s room.

Knock knock.

KangYoon knocked on Kim JaeHoon’s room and entered.

“Hyung. You’re back.”

“Yeah. Can we talk for a sec?”

KangYoon sat on Kim JaeHoon’s bed. When Kim JaeHoon dragged the chair to face him, KangYoon calmly spoke.

“I got your song from HeeYoon today.”

“Ah….”

Kim JaeHoon immediately understood what this was about. KangYoon was one of the people who cared the most about his voice.

Kim JaeHoon became defiant.

“Hyung, It’s been years since my voice completely recovered. I think it’s fine now.”

KangYoon shook his head at his words.

“Completely recovered, you say? There’s no such thing as a ‘complete recovery’ after an injury to the vocal cords. There’s only some change. HyunAh’s song with a C5 last time was plenty high. Wasn’t it too hard to sing higher?”

“That’s…”

Kim JaeHoon flinched at that moment.

Seeing his reaction, KangYoon continued.

“JaeHoon. I get how you feel, but it’s not like your next album will be your last album. Are you going to quit after a single song?”

“…..”

“We’re not in the early 2000s where being able to sing high notes is a measure of technique. In my opinion, I think you should refine your voice right now.”

Kim JaeHoon became silent.

KangYoon’s words were persuasive, but it was hard for him to give this up.

‘Sheesh, he’s so obstinate.’

Reading obstinacy from Kim JaeHoon’s eyes, KangYoon shook his head. Kim JaeHoon was very stubborn alright.

However, there was no room for negotiation here.

“JaeHoon. At this rate, we’ll be talking in parallel. If you keep doing this, I can only throw this song away.”

“Hyung, that’s…”

Kim JaeHoon of course knew that KangYoon was the type of man to stick to his words.

He was very flustered when KangYoon came strong.

Kim JaeHoon knew that his activities brought a lot of profit to the company. He was the second most profitable artist in World Entertainment after Eddios. And here, KangYoon was saying he would throw away his song regardless.

When Kim JaeHoon flinched, KangYoon continued to speak.

“It’s obvious that there will be a problem, so who would want to jump into a burning haystack? It’s better to just not do it at all. Come to me again once you change your mind.”

KangYoon then stood up.

Seeing that, Kim JaeHoon grabbed him.

“W, wait, Hyung.”

Seeing that Kim JaeHoon had relented somewhat, KangYoon turned around to him.

“What?”

“Uhm…”

“Tell me once you change your mind. Oh, and I hope that you won’t try and practice that song. As long as you belong to World, you will not release an album with that song. Unless you go to another company, that is.”

Kim JaeHoon gulped seeing that KangYoon was coming on strong. He didn’t sound like he was joking.

Just as KangYoon was about to leave, he shouted.

“Wait! Fine, I won’t do it.”

“What?”

“…This song, I won’t do it. I just have to not do it, right?”

Kim JaeHoon completely relented.

Hearing that, KangYoon turned around and sat down again.

“Can you promise me that?”

“…Yes.”

Closing his eyes shut, Kim JaeHoon replied heavily. He didn’t want to give this song up, but his boss was like this so he couldn’t help it. Moreover, this was in consideration for him as well…

KangYoon spoke calmly.

“Okay. I’ll make a promise too.”

“A promise?”

KangYoon spoke in a strong tone.

“I’ll give you a good enough song that you can be satisfied with while not putting in high notes. I won’t disappoint you so please wait a little more.”

“Okay.”

Kim JaeHoon nodded his head.

‘How should I rearrange the song…’

KangYoon started squeezing his brain to think up good imagery.

***

“Miss In.”

“……”

“Miss In.”

Lunchtime ended and it was class time. However, In MoonHee was contemplating while dazing out.

‘Is it not too late? He didn’t contact me even once…’

However, dazing out while working was something bad.

“Miss In!”

“Y, yes!”

The vice-principal, who had narrowed his eyes behind In MoonHee, suddenly shouted out loud.

Only then did In MoonHee turn around, startled.

Seeing In Moonhee shaking her head, the vice-principal clicked his tongue.

“It’s been five minutes.”

“What? Ah, eh!?”

“What eh, aren’t you going to class?”

In MoonHee hurriedly went to the classroom with her teaching materials.

Seeing that, the vice-principal shook his head.

“She’s no good. She has no passion despite being young.”

It was another bad comment on her evaluation.

Even while spending time with the young students, the thought in her head did not go away. The numbers she wrote on the blackboard looked like musical notes instead, and any voices she heard sounded like music.

‘Haa…’

Putting down the chalk, In MoonHee sighed.

She couldn’t concentrate.

She was like this ever since she took the audition last Saturday. She thought that she would be able to leave behind any regrets about singing and focus on her everyday life, but the reality was the opposite of that.

“Teacher.”

“…….”

“Teacher.”

“Oh, sorry about that. How can I help you?”

“You called me though.”

“D, did I? I’m sorry.”

She even forgot the fact that she had called a girl over due to her mind being filled about music. She sighed a little.

She was exhausted at the end of the day not because of the students, but because she had to wrestle with her thoughts.

“Phew…”

Thankfully, she didn’t have to overtime work today. Schoolwork had decreased somewhat thanks to the approaching of Thanksgiving.

Just as she left the school gates exhausted, a man was waiting for her.

“Wait, president?”

“Hello there.”

It was KangYoon.

He approached her with a faint smile.

“I’m sorry for visiting you all of a sudden. Can I take a bit of your time?”

“Uhm… yes. I’m fine with it.”

She had no particular schedule. No, she rather wanted to meet him instead.

As it was evening, KangYoon headed to a nearby restaurant with her.

‘Ah, How am I supposed to say it?’

She had a lot to say to him, but now that she met him, In MoonHee did not know what to speak first.

However, KangYoon didn’t mention anything about singing at all.

He only asked what it was like to work as an elementary school teacher, and talked about generic stories about the entertainment industry.

KangYoon spoke with a soft tone as he rolled some spaghetti around his fork.

“I heard that the age of students smoking for the first time is decreasing lately.”

“Yes. There were two kids from my class who were caught for the same problem.”

“Wow… looks like being a teacher isn’t easy.”

In MoonHee talked about the kids that got into trouble for smoking. Their parents were summoned, but those parents instead became angry at her and told her that ‘their little angel would never do such a thing’, which made her flabbergasted.

KangYoon sympathized with her.

“So being overprotective is ruining those kids.”

“I think so too. The students with moderately strict parents were kinder and had better attitudes.”

In MoonHee talked for a long time about her school.

She continued until they finished the main course.

Amidst the calm music, In MoonHee felt rather sorry for KangYoon.

‘He would have split up his busy schedule to meet me…’

In the end, In MoonHee couldn’t hold it anymore and spoke about it.

“President. Your offer about me becoming a singer…”

In MoonHee was about to politely refuse. However, the words didn’t easily escape her mouth when she faced KangYoon.

‘I… do want to sing though…’

She didn’t want to miss this opportunity. However, she wasn’t that young anymore. It was hard to give up on stability.

“Please, you can speak whatever you want.”

KangYoon tried to make her calm down after seeing that she kept hesitating, but she couldn’t speak easily.

In this dilemma, she ended up crashing her face onto the table.

“…U. *sob… sob*.”

“Miss MoonHee?”

“*sob sob*…”

In the end, she burst into tears. Her emotions had welled up and burst out.

KangYoon panicked a little, but still waited until she stopped crying.

Eventually, she raised her head with reddened eyes.

“…I’m sorry to show you something so embarrassing.”

“Not at all.”

“This… Ah, that was embarrassing.”

In MoonHee covered her face with her hands before fanning herself. Her face turned red due to embarrassment.

“…I’ve thought about a lot of things ever since I left World Entertainment. Just what does World see in me that they give me this offer? Can I become a singer again? These kinds of things. But… honestly, I don’t really get it. Even though there’s nothing much…”

“Please don’t call it ‘nothing much’. It’s because you put your emotions into your singing better than anyone else, Miss MoonHee.”

“My emotions?”

When she tilted her head, KangYoon calmly continued to explain.

“I believe that your technique in singing is not that different from the other singers out there. Though, there are some differences… As for this, I believe we can train them to be better. However, emotions are different. This is hard to teach and is even more difficult to explain. I value this very highly.”

“Oh…”

“I thought things over. I also believe that it’s not good to quit your job immediately. I wonder if it’s okay with you to receive training at our company while you still go to teach at school. Why don’t we come to a decision after 3 months of training?”

This was a much more realistic offer.

In MoonHee’s expression brightened. She nodded her head without thinking.

“Is that… okay? I think that’s too much of a bother for you…”

“Hahaha. It is a little loss for us. Please promote us well even if you do decide not to join us.”

When KangYoon smiled as he spoke, In MoonHee also returned with a smile.

“Of course! I’ve received such good treatment! I’ll do my best.”

“Okay then. I welcome you to World Entertainment.”

“Please take care of me, president.”

The two shook hands.

KangYoon’s ties to the lady that would sing a trot for all ages, started out like this.

***