Genius Idol’s Strategy to Conquer the Entertainment Industry

Chapter 225

What should I do?

Should I just ignore it and walk away?

“……”

No, it’s too late to pretend I didn’t hear it.

Maybe it’s because it’s been a long time since someone called me by my old name.

My face was more difficult to control than when I heard that my song had been selected as the title track.

I swept my stiff cheek with one hand, barely managing to control my expression, and then turned around.

“What did you say?”

Ban Yo-han, who had a faint smile on his face, looked somewhat strange at my question.

“Oh, I meant the title track composer’s name. It seems like it’s Hae-jae rather than Haze.”

However, being as smart as he was, his calm demeanor remained unchanged, which helped me regain a bit of composure.

“……”

Seriously, this is funny.

He spoke as if he was calling a person’s name in a friendly manner, so what’s this talk about Haze?

“Don’t you think so?”

The fact that Ban Yo-han’s smooth face, which told my expression more accurately than looking in a mirror, conveyed was clear.

Ah, damn. He caught on.

* * *

“The title has been confirmed as ‘Again’, and we will start discussing the detailed concept and the included tracks.”

“First, let’s listen to it again.”

“……”

“It’s still good even after listening again. How should I put it, it feels both familiar and fresh.”

Honestly, among the members, I thought that if anyone figured out that I was the composer of ‘Again’, it would likely be Ban Yo-han, the sharpest one.

But to almost be sure that I was Haze, no, Hae-jae, in such a short time and then ask me about it in a secluded place as soon as break time started, how fast does his brain work?

He must have noticed my subtle reactions while reviewing the song or when the title track was announced, and guessed that I might be ‘HAZE’ to some extent.

Even though I belatedly asked what he meant by suddenly saying such a thing, taking advantage of the fact that I’m American, it seemed useless when recalling his perfectly composed, smiling face.

“The chorus is especially exciting. It feels like you need to get up and run somewhere immediately.”

I had to admit it.

Ban Yo-han figured out that I’m ‘HAZE’.

It would be fine if that was all he figured out.

‘Other things can’t be exposed.’

When thinking logically.

Even with his excellent intelligence, Ban Yo-han isn’t an omnipotent god.

Unless I tell him everything, there’s no way he would know about On Hae-jae.

So, there’s no reason to be this anxious…….

But the strange expression he had for a moment when I turned around bothered me.

“Considering the vocal range, it’s clear how we should sing it. Personally, it feels like the composer has listened to a lot of our songs.”

Is he still interested in the empty space between the stars, where nothing is usually seen?

What did I reveal and what did I hide?

The exclusive feelings that I had been ignoring seemed to be creeping back up.

“Ji-woo, just a moment.”

“Oh, yes.”

“Raon.”

“……”

“Raon. Raon. ……On Raon!”

Director Ban Ga-eul’s voice calling me finally reached my ears.

“Yes, yes!”

“You haven’t been able to concentrate since you came back from your break. Are you feeling unwell?”

Several worried glances were directed at me.

It seemed they had been discussing my song, but I couldn’t focus on it.

It was my fault for not concentrating during such an important meeting where everyone was earnestly participating.

Moreover, it was my song that had been selected as the title track.

“No, I’m fine. I’m sorry.”

I apologized, gripping the pen that I had been holding loosely.

“No, no. There’s nothing to be sorry about. I know you’re tired, but let’s focus a bit more until the end.”

“Yes.”

* * *

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“I’ll be heading home first.”

“Seung-geon, you worked hard staying late.”

The meeting was roughly wrapped up late at night.

We had a short dinner break in between, but after focusing so intensely that I forgot about the complicated thoughts regarding Haze and Hae-jae, I realized I was hungry.

It seemed I wasn’t the only one, as Kang Ji-woo, the leader, took the initiative to speak up.

“Should we order a chicken and eat it with rice?”

However, a single chicken wouldn’t be enough to satisfy the stomachs of still-growing boys.

“One chicken isn’t enough. Let’s order two.”

Of course, two chickens wouldn’t be enough to fill us up either.

But if we asked for more, Director Ju Yeo-reum, who kept a hawk’s eye on us, might ban snacks altogether, so we decided to settle for two chickens and order some side dishes like fries and cheese balls.

“Then let’s decide who’ll go get it with rock-paper-scissors.”

“No way! I always lose at rock-paper-scissors!”

“Alright, then let’s flip hands.”

To accommodate Kang Ji-woo, who always lost at rock-paper-scissors, we decided to do the hand-flipping game, where the one with fewer palms up would go to the chicken shop.

“Dedenchi!”

“……”

Despite flipping hands, Kang Ji-woo and Gyeon Seong-ha were chosen to go to the chicken shop.

“……This won’t do. Let’s decide who pays as well.”

“Wasn’t it you, hyung?”

“No, it wasn’t! Rock-paper-scissors, loser pays!”

Since everyone quickly showed scissors, Kang Ji-woo, who alone showed paper, had to face an even more devastating loss than before.

“You guys rigged this!”

At Kang Ji-woo’s sorrowful cry, as he glared at the paper he had thrown with disbelief, the employees coming out of the office to head home burst into light laughter.

“What do you mean rigged.”

“Don’t be so pathetic and just accept your incredibly bad luck.”

“Ji-woo hyung, from what I’ve seen, you’ll get caught no matter what you do, so just give up.”

“I’ll pay.”

“Whoa, Gyeol-ah….”

“Do you want to freeload off your junior?”

“Pathetic….”

“Gyeol hyung, don’t indulge his whining!”

In the end, after some bickering, it was decided that Kang Ji-woo would pay for the chicken, as he had once caught Ban Yo-han cheating while boasting about his trustworthiness.

“Anyway, we’ll go get it.”

Right after Gyeon Seong-ha and Kang Ji-woo, wearing hats, went out to fetch the food that would help them endure the late-night practice, Ban Ga-eul called me.

“Raon, can I see you for a moment?”

After finishing a conversation with Team Leader Choi Bora, Ban Ga-eul was the last to leave the conference room and called me.

“Me?”

Had I done something to be called out separately?

Ban Ga-eul, with a smile resembling her niece’s, reassured me, perhaps sensing my vague anxiety.

“I’m not calling you to scold you for daydreaming earlier, so don’t worry. It won’t take long.”

“Oh, okay.”

Hearing my response, Ban Ga-eul headed to the CEO’s office first.

“You can start eating when the chicken arrives.”

Since the favorite chicken place was nearby, the two who went to pick it up after ordering by phone would be back soon.

I guess I’ll have to give up the drumsticks today.

Ban Yo-han shook his head.

“No, if Aunt said it won’t take long, it really won’t take long.”

“We’ll wait for you, so go ahead.”

“Okay.”

Assured of the chicken’s safety by the two, I headed to the CEO’s office with peace of mind.

‘But why did she call me?’

Since it wasn’t to scold me, was it something related to True?

“Director.”

“Ah, sit here.”

After entering the office and closing the door, I sat opposite Ban Ga-eul.

“Want some juice?”

“I’m fine….”

“You said you’re eating chicken. Take it and drink it with the chicken.”

“Thank you.”

Though soda goes best with chicken, I quietly accepted the cold orange juice freshly taken from the fridge.

Honestly, my throat was a bit dry from talking a lot during the meeting, remembering that my song was the title track.

As I took a sip of orange juice, Ban Ga-eul calmly asked.

“Raon, you’re Haze, right?”

“Cough, cough…!”

Completely unprepared for such words to come from Ban Ga-eul’s mouth, the orange juice went down the wrong pipe, causing a fit of rough coughing.

Thankfully, I kept my mouth closed and just choked, or else I would have sprayed orange juice in front of the director or recreated the legendary orange juice scene from a morning drama.

“Oh dear. Are you okay?”

Ban Ga-eul hurriedly grabbed a couple of tissues and handed them to me.

“Yes, I’m fine….”

I wiped my tears and composed my scattered thoughts.

First Ban Yo-han, now even Ban Ga-eul was saying this.

“Was my expression that obvious…?”

Were they all secretly laughing at me pretending not to know?

If that’s the case, I can’t even imagine how ridiculous and embarrassed I must have seemed to everyone else.

“Hmm? It’s not that. You acted well. I almost believed it.”

Thankfully, Ban Ga-eul, smiling kindly, shook her head.

“Does anyone else know you’re the composer of ‘Again’?”

“Yo-han hyung might have some idea.”

“So I wasn’t the first. Well, he is pretty sharp. You guys should try a hidden camera prank on him someday. He won’t fall for it easily.”

“Haha….”

I could clearly see a future where we plan a prank on Ban Yo-han for our self-produced content, only to fail miserably and end up with nothing but frustration.

“But when did you find out it was me?”

“I knew as soon as I heard it the first time.”

“How?”

“There’s a distinctive quality to your music. Remember, I once said it was peculiar?”

“Yes….”

I was somewhat aware that my music had a unique feel.

But I didn’t realize it was strong enough for someone to identify it as mine immediately.

“Is that why you called me? Because I composed ‘Again’?”

“Yes.”

“Is it a problem if I did…?”

“Problem? It’s great news for us.”

“Then why….”

Seeing my slight tension, Ban Ga-eul asked calmly.

“Can you tell me why you’ve been hiding the fact that you composed it?”