Worry
I put the proposal on hold for now.
I mean, isn't it something I should think about a little instead of deciding on the spot?
Of course, Moon Chang-sik said I had to give him an answer within a week if I wanted to take part in the filming, so I don't actually have much time…
Still, I should seriously consider it first.
More than that—if I end up on TV, Manager Kim will be over the moon.
Then he'll finally have something to brag about to the relatives. He won't be able to deny it.
With those thoughts in mind, I ate lunch in my studio and then stepped outside.
Should I just head home?
No… since I'm troubled anyway, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to get some advice from an acquaintance who entered this field earlier than me.
So I headed straight to Hyunsoo's studio.
It wasn't that far, so I got there quickly, but a small worry popped into my head.
Lunch break had just ended—would anyone even be there?
Maybe I should've sent a quick text before coming?
Well, since it didn't take long to get here, if the studio door's locked, I can just turn back home.
Or maybe get advice from someone else.
Even though it was right at noon, the weather wasn't too hot, and a cool breeze blew as I walked along the main street toward the building where Hyunsoo's studio was located.
I went inside, down to the basement, and pulled at the studio door. Thankfully, it opened smoothly.
Good. At least someone's here.
I walked in and spotted blonde hair sitting on the sofa.
"Hey."
"Hm? Ah, it's been a while since you came by."
It was Slimgold.
Hyunsoo was sitting alone on the sofa, jotting things down in a notebook.
"What about the others?"
"They're not here today. Everyone said they had things to do."
"Oh… so you guys are getting a lot of work, huh?"
"You're kidding? They're all famous, you know."
Well… since I know they're talented, it makes sense people would be calling them from everywhere.
I took off my coat and sat on the sofa opposite Hyunsoo.
"So you're alone today? Come to think of it, what about school?"
It hit me—today's a weekday.
A senior in high school hanging out in the studio in broad daylight? Doesn't he study?
"I only attend morning classes, then leave. The school allows it."
"Oh…"
"Besides, studying isn't really my thing, is it?"
Well, that's true. If Hyunsoo went off to college through studying, the middle-aged band guys backing him so hard right now would probably riot.
"Still, you should make memories at school. School days never come back."
Looking back, those carefree school days, when I could spend every day without a thought, were really precious.
But here's this kid throwing it away… tch. He'll regret it later.
"Even if I try to, the other kids act awkward around me. They just come to ask for autographs."
"Oh…"
So that's the problem.
That's not something I can fix, even if I tried.
Then what else can I do but just let it go?
"When's your next song coming out?"
"My next song? I'm putting together a plan now, so I think I'll start working on it properly soon."
As expected from someone on a one-way street with music—he already has his next move lined up.
"Got a concept in mind this time?"
Last time, there was a clear concept. Maybe he's got one again?
"Yeah, well… I've felt a lot of things, so I'll put them together as best I can."
"Wow, you really sound like a pro."
With that professional vibe, it'd be nice if he'd do a Mirro original song… no, wait. This isn't the time for me to add extra burdens.
"So, why'd you come today? Doesn't seem like you came to practice guitar."
"Hey, do I need a reason to come by?"
"Usually, yeah?"
Sharp kid. Must be from entering showbiz so early. He doesn't act like a high schooler at all.
Hard to believe he's only two years younger than my cousin, Kim Nam-seok (17).
"Well, truth is, I've got something on my mind."
"You? Worried? You actually worry about things?"
Hyunsoo's eyes went wide in surprise when I admitted I had a concern.
This brat. Should I smack him?
"What's with that face?"
"I just thought you lived without a single worry in the world."
"Who's like that?"
"I thought you were. At least, until just now."
Wow, kid's got a mouth on him.
Feels like just yesterday when he nearly spat out his drink at our first meeting, and now he's talking back.
"Anyway, here's what happened earlier."
Since I did come here because of my concern, I explained what happened at the studio earlier.
That naturally led to talking about a new song, and when he heard that, Hyunsoo looked at me in surprise.
"You're really doing a new song?"
"Yeah, it was just too good to pass up."
"Didn't you swear you'd never do it again?"
"Life's unpredictable."
"So, will you let me feature on it sometime?"
Featuring? Would I even be needed anymore?
Last time, it was only because he couldn't find anyone else. Now, even major singers would probably agree if he asked.
"Can't you ask someone better than me now?"
I figured he could easily get someone, but Hyunsoo gave me a look like I was speaking nonsense.
"What's 'better' or 'worse' in music? There are only different colors."
Oh… that sounded like something a genius musician would say.
Guess Hyunsoo really is a genius musician. Either way, it's a good line. I should save it for a broadcast later.
"Alright. Well… if you need my color, I'll feature once or twice."
I do owe him a lot.
If he asked, I could do it.
Unlike before, I've grown through composing and recording a new song, too.
"Anyway, forget the new song for now. You said this Moon Chang-sik guy offered you a bit part?"
But even though Hyunsoo mentioned Moon Chang-sik, he looked puzzled. Don't tell me…
"You don't know who Moon Chang-sik is?"
"Huh? No, I don't. Am I supposed to?"
Ha.
See? I'm not the weird one here.
So he doesn't watch TV either?
I felt a bit of kinship with him and immediately pulled out my phone to search up Moon Chang-sik, then showed the results to Hyunsoo.
"Here, this is the guy."
"Oh… I've heard of this movie. He's pretty famous."
Only after seeing the list of films starring Moon Chang-sik did Hyunsoo finally realize he was a big deal and looked impressed.
"Right? But how can you go on so many variety shows and not know Moon Chang-sik?"
"Well, I just go where they tell me, shoot what they tell me, then leave. And looking here, it seems like he hasn't really done variety shows."
That's surprising. Don't actors usually appear on TV variety shows every time they release a new project for promotion? Well… with Moon Chang-sik's personality, I guess he'd rather do another acting role than waste time on variety shows.
"Really? Don't they usually appear on variety shows to promote if they've got lots of projects?"
"Oh, it looks like he does a couple."
Ah, so even someone like Moon Chang-sik has to do variety shows for promotion.
"Anyway, you're debating whether or not to take that minor role, right?"
"Yeah. I feel like maybe I'm just being careless."
"Well, I don't think it's really about being careless or not. It's just your choice."
"Is that so?"
Now that I think about it, maybe I am making too big a deal of this.
It's not like people would even notice me just because I took on a bit part.
Even if it became a talking point online, no one would recognize me out on the street.
"What about you, Hyunsoo? Would you take it?"
"If it promoted my music? Honestly, there's no real reason not to. And if the lead actor personally pushed to include you, I doubt they'd treat you badly."
Promotion… huh.
That made me think of my new song again.
The composer's been so passionate about marketing—shouldn't I also step up and help with promotion?
In a way, it's my own song too, but I've been dumping all the responsibility on the composer.
"Well, just think it over more. In the end, there's no such thing as a choice without regrets, right? No matter what you pick, the other side will always leave you wishing a little. So you're just trying to choose the path with fewer regrets."
…Wait. Is this kid really nineteen?
He's talking like a seasoned adult.
He wasn't always like this, but after doing a few variety shows, his way with words really improved.
"Alright, I get it. I'll think more about it and let you know once I decide."
So in the end, I didn't get any real answer from Hyunsoo's studio either.
Hmm… should I just figure this out on my own?
With the problem still unresolved, I headed back toward my neighborhood. Suddenly, another person came to mind.
Come to think of it, what's Maho up to?
Her place is nearby—should I stop by?
The members of the Celestial Project are all kindhearted, but if I go around airing such privileged worries, someone might take it the wrong way. That's why I haven't brought it up till now. But Maho…
She's always preferred just staying at home.
…To be honest, she doesn't seem ambitious.
She's satisfied with where she is now—kind of like a gentler version of Kim Soo-hyun's personality.
So I turned my steps toward Maho's place.
She did say I could come by anytime, after all….
Maybe it was just empty words, but she did say it.
I went straight to the apartment building where Maho lived and called her from out front.
[Oh, hello? What's up?]
"Unni, I'm at your front door. Could you let me in?"
[Huh??]
She definitely sounded flustered when I suddenly said I was at her door.
Oh, come on—we're both girls. No need to prepare anything. Just open up.
"I came because I've got something on my mind."
[You? Worrying about something? Wait, actually… um, I'm streaming right now.]
What? She's streaming?
Ah, I should've checked first—I forgot.
"Hmm… is it an important broadcast?"
[Not really, just chatting. Browsing cafes and stuff.]
I see… just chatting, huh.
Well, that's Miro's specialty, isn't it?
This works out perfectly.
"Then let's do it together. But you have to give me advice afterward."
I'll make her stream blow up today.
But in return, she's going to have to help me with my worries.
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