Chapter 60. The Thread Left by the College Pop Festival

Translator: Synopsis

Lee HyunAh relaxed and went up to the stage. However, after opening her eyes after grabbing the microphone, she could see the audience seats filled with people. She shrunk back after receiving the attention of so many.

‘It’s completely different from the rehearsal.’

People cheering with glowing sticks, people shouting along with their children. The young people looked like they wanted to jump around already. Everything was happening around her. Everyone was looking at her, Lee HyunAh. She subconsciously gulped.

When she stiffened up in nervousness, the drum beats sounded from behind her. Along with that, the instruments began playing with a slide from the bass.

‘It’s too early.’

KangYoon felt a sense of haste from the leader Min ChanMin. In his view, Lee HyunAh still wasn’t ready yet, but it seemed like Min ChanMin didn’t see Lee HyunAh properly. As he had feared, Lee HyunAh waved her hand towards the back and halted the music.

“Sorry.”

Lee HyunAh apologized to the audience and the judges. Although it was alright to stop since she didn’t even start singing yet, the audience and the judges didn’t seem to like it. At the front, people were saying that the fun had left while people at the back were urging her to start. With similar gazes from everywhere, she felt like she was going crazy. Everyone was pressuring her.

But at that time, she saw KangYoon, who was sitting in the front seats. He was holding up a sketchbook from god-knows-where he got it. There were two words written on it.

[It’s fine]

But somehow, KangYoon’s words magically made her calm. It was the comfort of feeling that there was someone on her side within this crowd that pressured her. Lee HyunAh matched eyes with KangYoon and spoke comfortably.

“Ahh…. Sorry about that. Let’s start.”

It was a short amount of time but was long to the audience that was waiting for it. Unlike the beginning, the atmosphere was already cooling down. However, she did not care about it. Her gaze was fixed on KangYoon alone.

When Lee HyunAh’s ready signal came, the drums started off with four beats and the bass slid. The clear sound of the guitar and the synthesizer hopped onto the heavy bass rhythm.

– I am by your side – like this – putting the sails of hope—

Lee HyunAh’s powerful voice was the icing on the cake. The disappointed crowd started raising their gears again. When the cheers got louder, her singing also became more powerful.

– The rough winds – make my tears flow—but stopped when I met you –

The distortion from the electric guitar and the low tone from the bass harmonized and decorated her singing even more magnificently. The sound of the guitar that lightly crumpled to bring out the mood was making her singing even more vivid. The drums that beat on the on-beat was fixing the beats on the spot.

‘The atmosphere is good. Too bad the lighting isn’t up to par.’

Judged KangYoon as he watched the strong white light made from the musical notes. He knew that Lee HyunAh’s gaze was fixed on him so he was still holding up the sketchbook. Some people glanced at him, but he didn’t take it down for fear of affecting the stage.

– Like this—engrave in your heart – I love – you – and hope to my heart –

The song started nearing its climax. The guitar also turned to high pitch to excite the audience even further. The college students were already jumping around at the front, and the back-seat audience were also clapping. KangYoon was sure of the stage’s success after seeing the white light getting stronger.

– With hope – together –

Min ChanMin made a flashy drum improvisation, while the electric guitar went to the highest possible range of pitch and the people’s cheers neared the peak as well. Lee HyunAh’s voice ruled the stage. Seeing Recovery’s light seeping into the entire venue, KangYoon quietly clapped.

“Thank you!”

“Whaaaaaaaaaaaaa—!”

The beautiful music died down, and when Lee HyunAh’s goodbyes were over, the cheers from the audience saw them out. The cooled atmosphere from the beginning had completely disappeared without a trace.

***

The College Pop Festival ended.

The band with the most cheers was without a doubt, Recovery, but the initial preparation time became a problem and the Grand Prize was given to some other participants. There were some members of the audience that were confused, but the judges said that all evaluations were fair.

Recovery received bronze. However, the camera flashes were most concentrated on them. KangYoon thought about greeting and congratulating them, but turned around after seeing so many reporters gathered around them. He didn’t wish to be caught up with reporters in something other than work.

He was slowly walking out of the venue when someone grabbed him from the back. When he turned around in surprise, it was Lee HyunAh.

“HyunAh, you… What about the interview?”

“That’s not my type thing. So I ran away.”

“…….”

KangYoon was flabbergasted. The College Pop Festival was a big competition, perhaps enough to change her life. She had just received the bronze prize but ran away from the interviews…. It seemed like this girl was not an ordinary one.

“Go back quickly. What are you doing….”

“Thank you.”

Before KangYoon could say anything, she deeply bowed.

“Without you, I would not have participated in such a competition, not to mention receiving a prize. I’ll give the trophy to you, oppa.”

She held out the trophy that had the words ‘Bronze prize of the 30th College Pop Festival’. However, KangYoon shook his head.

“There’s no reason for me to receive this.”

“You made me sing my song, and even relieved my nervousness today. Please receive it.”

“It’s because you were good.”

KangYoon kept refusing. He didn’t like receiving such a precious trophy like this. However, she kept urging, and in the end, resorted to tears. KangYoon had to accept the trophy.

“Don’t you need to give such a thing to your family?”

“I already took photos with them, so it’s fine.”

His final defense line crumbled as well. In the end, KangYoon said something while receiving it.

“Come to me to get it back later.”

“You should just receive it. Now you want me to get it back?”

“Ask me to give it to you when you think you became an upright person. I’ll give it back to you with interest.”

“With interest? Wow.”

She immediately accepted after hearing the word ‘interest’.

KangYoon grumbled while putting the trophy into his bag.

“Then see you later. Congratulations on getting bronze.”

“Thank you!”

Watching KangYoon going off as he waved his hand, she waved her hand until his figure completely disappeared.

***

The biggest event for examinees, the college scholastic ability test, was arriving when the weather became colder. The jumpers worn by the students became thicker and scarves started making their appearance.

However, the girls’ practice room was instead getting hotter. The heat from the girls was more eye-catching due to the cold practice room. Their figures in the mirrors were like half-burnt wood.

“Ah, it’s so hot.”

Grumbled Jung MinAh with her cleavage wide open. She was covered in sweat due to the vicious movements.

“What the hell is up with your clothes?”

“It’s fine because I have the figure. You should wear it too. It’s much cooler.”

“…….”

Jung MinAh replied with a faint disdain to Han JooYeon’s words. When Han JooYeon became dejected, Seo HanYu consoled her, but Jung MinAh gave a glance to her ‘that place’. Han JooYeon’s head lowered even more.

The doors to the practice room suddenly opened when the girls were enjoying their brief rest. It was KangYoon with some papers.

“Kyaaaaak!”

However, his ears were terrorized as soon as he came in. When KangYoon saw, he saw Jung MinAh in a pink tank-top that showed her abdomen.

“What the hell?”

“So suddenly…! Get out!”

The clothes had a healthy beauty but KangYoon turned around to the other girls without paying much attention.

“Sheesh, I thought you were in underwear or something. Hey, hey, attention. Can you girls please sit for a moment?”

Everyone giggled after seeing Jung MinAh being ignored by KangYoon. Han JooYeon especially so. Jung MinAh, who was ignored outright put her clothes on in the corner while shaking and sat down.

“You have practiced a lot, haven’t you?”

“Yes.”

“I came here today for an important announcement. There are two and the first is that your debut date is now official.”

The usually energetic girls all became calmer. The word debut had that much power.

“You’ll debut in ‘Music Count’ in K Cable TV station. There will be two songs. You just need to practice the two you were doing until now. I’ll tell you the detailed schedule through the managers.”

“Yes.”

He could feel nervousness and excitement from the girls. This nervousness was different from the showcase. They were finally seeing the fruits of 1 year of preparation. Everyone’s hearts were thumping.

“And second, we’ll go on a trip.”

“Huh? A trip?”

Jung MinAh asked as their representative to the sudden question.

“The place will be Los Angeles, United States. You can consider this as the last trip as trainees before your debut. There’s nothing you need to prepare especially. The company will take care of all the expenses. You just need to enjoy your time there.”

“Yay!”

A trip to a foreign country? It was amazing that they were becoming singers from trainees, but they were presented trips to America! All the girls cheered out. No one could believe that there was so much support for just trainees.

“The schedule will be….”

KangYoon handed out the papers in his hand. There were detailed schedules along with the mention that they would go 3 weeks before their debut for one week. Of course, this was possible only because all of them had passports.

Seeing the girls full of excitement at the sudden trip to America, KangYoon quietly left.

‘Although there was quite a big budget, this much should be fine.’

Funds for a trip? It was really controversial when it was approved. However, he pushed it through, saying that they had to see many things now to put a foundation for the many areas they might work in in the future. Of course, one part of the reason was that KangYoon had already leaked that he would nitpick the directors’ large business trip budget.

When KangYoon went up to his office and sat in front of his desk, his phone rang. It was a message from Lee HyunAh.

– oppa, you busy? *^.^*

– yep

Replied KangYoon. However, he got a call instead.

– Oppa, it’s me. HyunAh.

“What’s up?”

– I called since I was nearby. Are you very busy?

“I do have a lot of work to do.”

There were mountains of paperwork awaiting his approval on his desk.

– Oh, really? I gave you a call since it was lunchtime…

When KangYoon looked at the clock, it was indeed lunchtime.

“You want to have lunch together?”

– Yes. I’ll treat you.

He didn’t have a reason to refuse a free lunch. KangYoon took his wallet and stood up from his seat.

Lee HyunAh was at a restaurant near MG Entertainment.

“I’m here.”

The gamja-tang started boiling when KangYoon sat down. It was her wits of having ordered beforehand. Since KangYoon was hungry, KangYoon started his meal and ate one portion in a flash.

After the meal, she calmly spoke up.

“Oppa, I left Recovery.”

KangYoon was slightly surprised. They received a bronze and she quit? He was curious about the reason.

“I thought a lot about it. I thought that there would be a lot of things if I stayed… but those oppas and unnis are quite strict. They never listen to me either.”

“Don’t you think you need to at least try convincing them first?”

“Well, I don’t have the ability to.”

She drew the line there. KangYoon judged that he wasn’t someone that should interject here and kept listening to her words.

“I also consulted with the professor, and he told me that it should be fine for me to meet other music and musicians. He told me that I have a good voice and a good sense for composing, and staying in Recovery may instead be detrimental for me.”

“That’s a difficult problem.”

“Well, I did get to find out that my song actually works. So I thought I’d try some other place this time.”

“Where?”

“Hongdae.” (T/N: AKA Hongik university district)

KangYoon was surprised at her words. Hongdae was referred to as the holy place of indie bands, as well as a place where many manias gathered. There were a considerable number of singers that were scouted from there and were now on TV.

“It won’t be easy, you know?”

“I’m fine with it. I’m still young, am I not?”

“That’s true, I guess.”

“I came here to hear you say ‘go for it’ before I do.”

KangYoon understood what she was thinking. Although she sounded like she had decided already, she was still inwardly worried.

‘Can Lee HyunAh succeed in Hongdae?’

KangYoon pondered for a moment. Strictly speaking, the band, Recovery, could not be considered a good band. With that being the case, the good voice and the good music would be the reason for getting 3rd place in the College Pop Festival. Potential? She definitely had it.

Having organized his thoughts, KangYoon spoke calmly.

“You’ll do well.”

“Really?”

She asked again. KangYoon didn’t hesitate and repeated himself.

“Of course.”

“Right?”

Lee HyunAh smiled at KangYoon’s answer.

***

“Wooooooooooow!”

Getting off the van, the girls shouted as soon as they saw the airport. Numerous foreigners and people with huge carrier bags, as well as police with guns – everything was new to them.

“Everyone quiet.”

The leader of the management team, Han TaeHyoung, cautioned them. He currently felt as if he had become a teacher at an all-girls high school. Behind him were managers Kim JiHyun and Kim SeHyui, and the rookie Im TaeGoon, who were following the girls with lots of luggage in their hands.

Although holiday season was past, the airport was filled with people in November. KangYoon had a busy time himself. KangYoon had to take care of the flight procedures for the girls while they were enjoying their time.

Then, everyone entered the duty-free shops.

“It’s a new world….”

Jung MinAh became absent-minded after seeing the numerous lines of shops. The endless chains of conveyor belts, as well as blond foreigners and the electronic violin at the entrance, was all new to her.

“Country girl, hurry up.” (T/N: Spoken in English)

Christie An urged Jung MinAh on who was still absent-minded and was standing still. However, she was still frozen stiff. In the end, Seo HanYu dragged her on.

“It’s a new world…. A completely new world.”

“Unni, get yourself together.”

Seo HanYu was also curious about the new things around her, but she followed the managers. Even while the unnis were looking at bags and clothes, she didn’t get side-tracked.

KangYoon seemed to understand what they were thinking and spoke with a smile.

“There’s still 3 hours until the flight so let’s have some free time for 2 hours. We’ll meet up in front of gate 121.”

“Yes!”

The girls split up into threes and started wandering around. Of course, he didn’t forget to tell the managers to quietly tail them. Since the members were revealed to the internet, he had to prepare for the what-if scenarios.

Everyone left and KangYoon was left alone. He took out a book he had brought. It was a book on harmonics.

‘So that’s how I solve it.’

To create the miracle of turning tadpoles into musical notes, KangYoon did not let go of the book from his hand.

The two hours passed by quite quickly.

The girls gathered and the managers returned as well. The girls seemed to be satisfied with all the eye-shopping they did. Of course, they couldn’t actually buy anything. Branded products were still out of their reach.

– Flight XX to Los Angeles will begin. Customers at gate 121….

The boarding announcement finally came. KangYoon and the others boarded the flight with their tickets.

Like that, everyone headed to America.