The Double Life of a Genius Musician

Chapter 92: No Takebacks

Careers were built on top of someone else’s pride……

……that was the thought that crossed my mind for a moment.

It was difficult.

I had never thought deeply about this kind of pride before.

So this time.

It was no different from tearing down the commercial fortress that Busan Goblin had built and stacking up another fortress with my own song on top of it.

It wasn’t arrogance.

I had simply done what I could do.

Writing a song that fit Signum, producing in a way that Signum could shine.

But in the end, that had touched Dogibong’s “pride.”

And now, he was asking me to protect that pride.

He said only the one who took away pride could protect it.

“Just think about the music……”

In this age of endless competition, going to a rival and making such a request could easily be mistaken for an elder’s threat or stubborn coercion.

But the Dogibong I saw was absolutely not like that.

He seemed to…… trust me.

I plugged in my earbuds.

The mastered <Avalanche> flowed into my ears.

I leaned against the rattling bus and stared out the window.

The day of the recording. The faint peach scent that had lingered in the studio suddenly came to mind.

“It was so nice.”

If someone asked me, “So, don’t you want the title track?” of course I would say yes.

I had wanted to do well, and I had done well.

Even more than I had expected.

That was why these results had come.

And then another thought crossed my mind.

Maybe Busan Goblin had misunderstood something?

“……though that’s unlikely.”

I closed my eyes and recalled Busan Goblin’s final words.

That line, telling me to think only about the music.

I decided to think simply.

Protecting Dogibong’s pride.

Yes, it didn’t seem that difficult.

To accept the results without trembling with false humility or hesitation.

To accept them with confidence.

That must have been what Dogibong was trying to say.

Right? It had to be.

And if not, well, what could I do now?

He should’ve spoken clearly from the beginning.

With that thought, I opened the meeting room door.

Jung Jaewook was a headstrong man.

Not because he was reckless or thoughtless.

Once he believed something was right, he pushed forward without hesitation.

That kind of personality often wore out his employees, but when it came to making critical decisions, his boldness was tremendously reassuring.

But today, something seemed off.

Chairman Jung Jaewook asked the A&R Team Leader,

“Why do you look so nervous?”

The A&R Team Leader thought,

‘I do appreciate that he cut straight to the decision…… but why has he been so proactive lately?’

That was what it meant to be chairman.

Even if he smiled warmly and told you to speak comfortably, that he wasn’t that kind of person.

He was still the one with ultimate responsibility for the company.

And now here you were, sitting face to face with him.

Who could possibly feel at ease in such a spot?

The A&R Team Leader met Jung Jaewook’s eyes.

The corners of his lips twitched awkwardly.

The chairman trying to strike up overly friendly small talk—there was nothing natural about it.

It was the employee’s role to take the conclusions the chairman gave and tidy them up, finalize them.

The selection of Signum’s second album title track.

Of course it was important.

‘But is this really something the chairman himself should step into?’

Ah, office life was tough……

Still, wasn’t it a basic virtue of a company man to turn even this kind of situation into an opportunity to catch the chairman’s eye?

As the A&R Team Leader hesitated, Jung Jaewook asked again.

“Team Leader Yoon Kyunggu, are you perhaps uncomfortable with this?”

“Gasp! No, not at all. Not at all.”

He answered overly quickly, but Jung Jaewook remained serious throughout.

That was right. Truthfully, he was worried.

And Team Leader Yoon put that worry into words.

“Are you perhaps concerned that Composer Stay might feel burdened?”

He had nailed it.

That was something that often happened in such a small industry.

There was nothing good about offending a senior.

Jung Jaewook himself had gone through such things countless times as a rookie composer.

And moreover, the senior in question was Busan Goblin.

“Hmmm. What do you think?”

The meeting room grew quiet for a moment.

Then Go Minseo, who had been sitting silently, answered.

“I don’t think that’s something you need to worry about.”

Her voice was bold.

Team Leader Yoon sucked in a breath.

Jung Jaewook found the remark from such a junior employee interesting.

After all, wasn’t she the one who had flipped the company upside down during the final interview with a subject no one else dared bring up?

“Why is that?”

At his question, Go Minseo answered as though it were obvious.

“Because he’s Stay, isn’t he?”

“Pfft.”

Jung Jaewook couldn’t help but laugh.

Strangely enough, it was convincing.

Yes, it was Stay.

That alone settled everything.

But it was too soon to jump to conclusions.

Team Leader Yoon carefully added his opinion.

“Of course, in the end, it will be selected as the title track. But I believe at least some sign of hesitation will show. We’ll also need to make a gesture of persuasion on our end.”

For a newcomer to have their song chosen as the title over a senior’s work.

It was not an offer any creator could refuse.

But you couldn’t just grin and immediately say yes.

You had to at least pretend to struggle, to act conflicted.

That was the kind of performance required.

At the very least, you had to look like you were hesitating and then respond as though reluctantly giving in:

“I admit I can’t measure up to my senior, but you all insisted, right? The song was so highly praised that I couldn’t help it.”

That was the expected reaction.

It couldn’t be helped.

Otherwise, you would be accused of looking down on your senior, of getting too big-headed, of being arrogant as expected……

Once such groundless speculation attached itself, life became troublesome.

“Composer Stay. Since he’s a rookie, he might be more cautious. He might even pretend to push and pull while negotiating. We’ve decided to proceed with this meeting while keeping all possibilities open.”

Chairman Jung Jaewook listened silently to Team Leader Yoon’s reasoning.

He hadn’t been in business for just a day or two. It all made sense.

After a long discussion of generalities.

The conclusion was reached.

It might take some time, but in the end, he would accept!

That was the typical course of action for a rookie who had seized the title track over a senior.

At last, ten minutes before the appointed time, Taeyoon arrived.

And Team Leader Yoon quickly conveyed the company’s stance.

“……So for those reasons, the decision has been made to change the title track. Composer Stay, we’d like to hear your thoughts.”

He stole a glance at Taeyoon.

I was thinking deeply about something.

As expected, of course.

Am I nothing more than a rookie writer after all?

But, contrary to my worries.

Taeyoon answered calmly.

“Yes. Thank you. You won’t regret it.”

It was the swiftest and most concise decision.

Manny Entertainment rooftop smoking area.

As always, chatter was in full bloom. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs NoveI★Fire.net

I couldn’t miss out on this juicy story.

“Isn’t Busan Goblin going to freak out even more?”

“Probably, right?”

“Wow, no way we’re getting a song from him anytime soon.”

Now the real hurdle remained.

Delivering the news to Busan Goblin.

<Spell!>. The song itself was flawless.

It just wasn’t suitable as the title for ‘Signum’.

But if I walked into any company right now and played it?

There wouldn’t be a single rejection.

No, they’d welcome it with open arms.

Even if Busan Goblin pulled the song, we’d have nothing to say.

What’s more.

“Did Writer Stay really say that?”

“I’m telling you, yes. Man, you should’ve seen his eyes.”

“He didn’t hesitate?”

“Far from hesitating, he immediately agreed and said to tell him if there’s anything else he needs to prepare. How should I put it…… like someone who already knew?”

“Gasp, no way.”

Stay overturned everyone’s expectations.

It was only natural.

There was nothing to criticize about the song.

It was confidence with a reason.

But normally, senior courtesy was the rule.

At least pretend to think it over for a few days—basic manners.

Guess he was still too young to think that far.

“Wow, I’m jealous though.”

“Seriously. He’s sitting on a pile of money now.”

“Stay’s always been making good money. Do you really think money’s the issue here?”

“I think so too. More than the money, the moment your song gets picked as an idol title track, your value shoots up a level.”

Chatter, chatter.

Stay had made the first move.

What would Busan Goblin’s reaction be?

It was a topic so interesting, no one would get tired of talking about it for days.

This kind of gossip was what made office life bearable.

While everyone was spinning their own theories.

“Oh.”

“Chairman. What brings you here…….”

“Thank you for your hard work!”

“We’ll head down first.”

Jung Jaewook appeared on the rooftop.

“Writer Do, it’s been a while.”

“Then I’ll leave you two to talk.”

And with him was Busan Goblin, Do Gibong.

The employees disappeared in an instant.

Do Gibong asked with a puzzled look.

“Why’s everyone going down? They should finish their smokes first.”

“Hey, it’s me. Jung Jaewook.”

“What do you mean……?”

“You wouldn’t get it, you’ve never worked in an office.”

The rooftop smoking area grew quiet.

Jung Jaewook and Do Gibong stood side by side.

Two non-smokers leaning against the railing of the smoking area—it looked rather awkward.

Do Gibong picked up a cigarette butt off the ground and tossed it into the ashtray, asking.

“Chairman, are you smoking again? Man, you worked so hard to quit, what a waste.”

“No.”

“Then why’d you bring me here?”

“It’s cooler here.”

Jung Jaewook fumbled through his pocket.

Then he pulled out a herb-flavored candy, popped it in his mouth, and asked bluntly.

“You heard, right?”

“Heard what?”

“Don’t play dumb.”

“You always tell me to play dumb, though.”

“You don’t need to with me.”

“Give me one of those candies too.”

By the time a whole candy had melted away.

The two of us were silently looking down at Seoul.

Jung Jaewook crunched down the little bit left, swallowed it, and asked calmly.

“Are you going to pull the song?”

“Why do you think that?”

“Don’t I know you?”

“Doesn’t seem like it.”

What the hell was this.

Jung Jaewook stared hard at Do Gibong.

Sure, no one could predict people, but still.

He could still vividly remember him once begging on his knees just to get a song listened to, yet now the situation was flipped.

Now he was the one who might end up begging.

Jung Jaewook pulled out another candy and popped it in his mouth.

Today, the herb flavor felt especially sharp.

At that moment, someone’s face flashed before his eyes.

Taeyoon’s, from just earlier.

It helped him regain his composure.

If he threw a fit just because his title track was taken away, that would mean Busan Goblin’s guts were no bigger than a tiny soy sauce dish.

“What did Writer Stay say?”

At Do Gibong’s words, Jung Jaewook showed surprise.

I hardly ever mentioned another writer first.

There was no need to think.

I told him the truth plainly.

“He said okay.”

“Right away? No hesitation?”

“Yeah. Said he was confident. He worked hard, and he was thankful it was recognized.”

“Then that’s how it should be.”

“Huh?”

Jung Jaewook snapped his head around.

He quickly searched Do Gibong’s face.

What the—people say when someone changes, they’re close to death.

But regardless.

Do Gibong smiled with satisfaction and muttered.

“He understood perfectly. Damn, the more I think about it, the more I like him.”

“What……? What are you saying.”

This was bad.

The guy didn’t just lose his pride, he’d lost his mind.

That was all Jung Jaewook could think, not knowing the whole picture.

“Let’s go with Writer Stay’s song as the title track.”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course?”

“You’re not going to change your tune, right? Not go home and suddenly, ‘I’m pulling <Spell!>.’ And then block all our calls, saying you’ll never work with Manny Entertainment again?”

“Wait a second. Whoa, what is this? That’s what my image was? Some kind of madman? Major shock.”

Did he seriously not get it?

“Well, I can’t say you never were.”

“Let’s say I was. Anyway, I’ll yield the title. If Writer Stay’s that confident, let’s see what happens.”

Jung Jaewook hesitated at Do Gibong’s sly smile.

Then, after a short silence, he replied.

“……No takebacks, you know that, right?”