Reset Life with Infinite Talents - Chapter 168

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Infinite Talent Reset Life Episode 168

 

‘So this is what it looks like.’

 

The scene when going up to receive an award.

 

The descending stairs.

 

One by one, amazing singers turn their bodies and applaud.

 

They send congratulations with their eyes and hands.

 

When embracing Aerosmith and Black Eyed Peas while receiving congratulations, my mind that was still dazed gradually becomes clearer.

 

My lips are pulled up by the thrill that seems to burn my entire body.

 

And finally reaching the solid stage.

 

“Congratulations, Mr. Johann Jefferson.”

 

“Thank you, Ms. Swift. Ms. Blige.”

 

Taylor Swift and co-presenter, singer-songwriter and actress Mary J. Blige.

 

The trophy they hand over touches my wrist heavily.

 

For a moment, my chest feels tight.

 

“You didn’t forget the promise you made earlier, did you?”

 

At Taylor’s comment as she winks and steps back, the audience and cameras stir.

 

Johann stands before the microphone, quietly caressing the golden trophy shaped like a gramophone.

 

A trophy that’s both cold and hot.

 

‘Honestly, I thought I wouldn’t feel much about it.’

 

Since I’d received many awards from school and city government before, I thought this would be the same.

 

But it wasn’t. Something is being fulfilled to the point of trying to break out of my chest.

 

Murmur murmur.

 

Johann raises his head to the audience where noise is gradually rising.

 

‘So this is the kind of scene you can see from here.’

 

People frowning, people smiling warmly saying rookies can be like that, people yawning, people sending gazes full of desire.

 

Eyes filled with all kinds of emotions are looking only at me.

 

It’s quite a sight to see.

 

“Well… it’s been about 6 years since my debut, and I’m finally getting this recognition.”

 

Hahahahahaha!

 

Perhaps because of the people responding to my calm joke, my tangled thoughts become organized.

 

Johann looks at Aerosmith.

 

“Thank you to Steven, Joe, Brad, Tom, and Joy who encouraged young me to take on new challenges and trusted and followed my producing.”

 

Being able to receive this award is thanks to you, Aerosmith.

 

If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have even thought of the harmony between hymns and rock. Thank you for letting me have a new experience, and it was an honor to work together.

 

“And Joe Walsh and Jimmy Page who taught me rock, Bruno Mars who taught me music…”

 

Johann, who was expressing gratitude to each person one by one, raises his head to see Larry with wide eyes.

 

People who turned their heads following Johann’s gaze hold their breath.

 

‘Larry. My Larry.’

 

“Larry, who discovered me when I was just a lone wolf, raised me as a human, continued to believe in me, and cared for me with love.”

 

And Ada.

 

“Sob!”

 

Larry’s tears, which he had been forcibly holding back, burst out.

 

Tears also flow down Johann’s eyes.

 

If it weren’t for Larry, I would have left the forest only after a long time had passed.

 

“Even if I could turn back time, I would probably follow you out.”

 

Still vivid, Larry’s gaze as he reached out his hand toward me back then.

 

Wolf Mother must have trusted him because she felt the sincerity contained in those eyes.

 

“Thank you for raising me with warmth like a real child. So now…”

 

Everyone focuses on Johann’s mouth.

 

“Let’s date.”

 

“…Hey-!

 

Puhahahahahaha!

 

Euhahahahaaha!

 

Johann grins and looks at the camera.

 

“If I were to pick people I’m grateful to, after Larry and Ada, it would have to be you. Emily.”

 

My girlfriend who watched over me for a long time and helped me in every way.

 

“If it weren’t for you, I probably wouldn’t have been able to adapt to school life.”

 

Because it was a completely different world.

 

“Thank you. I love you. I’ll continue to love you, so please don’t hate me.”

 

Whistle! Whistle!

 

So cool-!

 

“And Flash and Mason…”

 

Johann, who was giving thanks to his friends, Rick Bottom, Andrew Pearson, and various other people one by one, chuckles at someone gesturing to wrap it up from the darkness.

 

“I have so many people I want to thank, but I’ve been allocated very little time.”

 

Hahahaha!

 

“Thank you for giving me this award, Grammy. I love you, Wolfie!”

 

Waaaaaah!

 

As Johann raises the trophy and shouts loudly, his eyes catch sight of one woman with a disgusted expression.

 

He stops his departing steps and leans his body back.

 

“Oh, lastly, Ms. Azalea who taught me today that Asians should always be humble. I’m grateful to you too. Thanks to trying to be humble, I received this award!”

 

Ohh…

 

The shocked and surprised people and cameras hurriedly looked at Iggy Azalea, and her face turned pale.

 

* * *

 

-The Monster!

 

Waaah!

 

Grind! Grind!

 

Ignoring the grinding sound of Iggy Azalea’s teeth as she maintains a smiling face, I watch Eminem’s stage.

 

Having forgotten to remove it, ‘2PAC, Tupac Amaru Shakur’ makes emotions surge even more.

 

I almost shed tears watching Eminem leisurely dominate the audience and stage while leading and supporting Rihanna.

 

Johann suppresses that and falls into thought.

 

‘Two awards…’

 

Aerosmith won Best Rock Song. Thanks to that, Johann, as composer and producer, could also share in that glory.

 

‘This should be the end, right?’

 

Even though we pioneered a new genre of rock, received recognition from the Pope, and caused a sensation, it would be unreasonable to be greedier than this.

 

Because Sam Smith has only received Best Pop Vocal Album so far, and Iggy Azalea hasn’t received any awards.

 

‘Now only the General Field remains.’

 

The General Field, which collectively refers to four categories: Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist.

 

It’s the flower and finale of the Grammy Awards.

 

Since Best New Artist has already been awarded, only three categories remain.

 

Sam Smith is nominated in all three of those categories, and Iggy Azalea is nominated for Record of the Year.

 

The other nominated candidates are also formidable.

 

Sia and Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran and Beck, Taylor Swift and Meghan Trainor, Pharrell Williams.

 

They’re all people for whom it wouldn’t be strange at all if any of them won an award.

 

-Whew. Now the finale is approaching. I feel like I’m the only one who didn’t enjoy this year either.

 

Hahahaha!

 

People who laughed at presenter Enrique Iglesias’s cheekiness soon focus.

 

-Then let’s meet the candidates for the glorious General Field’s Song of the Year category!

 

Song of the Year, an award given not to the artist who performed the song, but to the composer and lyricist who created it.

 

However, all the artists nominated this time were singer-songwriters who directly participated in composing or writing lyrics.

 

‘As expected.’

 

All the candidates shown on screen are smiling calmly while staring intently at the presenter’s mouth.

 

‘Swift and Sia have given up.’

 

Aerosmith too.

 

Having reached the top multiple times, he knows. That they lost to Sam Smith.

 

All the numbers are telling the story, so they’re also subtly preparing to congratulate the winner.

 

Johann also prepares to give enthusiastic applause to Sam Smith, who had offered a handshake when he won Best New Artist.

 

-Oh! They’re saying there’s no time so hurry up with the announcement! Those people really don’t seem to know what this day means.

 

Wahahahahahaha!

 

-Then I’ll announce it! The Song of the Year award goes to…! Aerosmith and Johann Jefferson-! Congratulations, our legends!

 

‘What?’

 

Johann and Aerosmith, who had been staring intently at the screen, look at each other.

 

What kind of upset is this again.

 

Waaaaaaaaaaah!

 

Cheers that wake up his mind that was about to go blank.

 

Johann, who got up again in a daze, firmly grasps the hand of Sam Smith who is once again offering a handshake.

 

“Congratulations.”

 

“Thank you, Smith. And congratulations in advance.”

 

Sam Smith dominated countless charts worldwide and enjoyed tremendous popularity.

 

The fact that he wouldn’t receive any award is something neither the public nor artists worldwide could accept. At least one of Record of the Year or Album of the Year would surely be his.

 

“Oh, oh. No way. That can’t be!”

 

Johann grins at his gesture of waving his hands saying not to flatter him, exchanges greetings with those around him, and follows Aerosmith heading to the stage.

 

Back on stage again.

 

Steven Tyler, who received the trophy, stands in front of the microphone. His eyes tremble as they fill with moisture.

 

“Honestly… even when we were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, I thought it was all over.”

 

Like an old man sitting in a terrace chair, he thought he could only watch young people running down roads that stretched who knows how far.

 

Because the Hall of Fame is that kind of place.

 

It’s the highest praise a singer can receive and the place you want to reach in the end, but in other words, it’s a sentence that you’re finished now.

 

Because it’s a place that only calls old people too weak to walk, people who are already dead.

 

“But I couldn’t accept that.”

 

He gritted his teeth and made songs, performed.

 

Like a runaway train without brakes, like a bicycle that falls if it stops. Even while taking comfortable rest, he always wanted to return to the public.

 

“The more I did that, the more self-loathing I felt.”

 

Songs that weren’t fresh.

 

The public’s interest growing distant.

 

Skills gradually declining.

 

Feeling that the moment to end his career as a singer was approaching was more terrifying than his troublemaker days.

 

“In the midst of that, I met this gentleman here.”

 

A young genius recognized by rock legends.

 

So he made an unreasonable request. Because the chances of success seemed higher than for themselves, whose brains and souls had hardened with age.

 

“And he pulled it off magnificently.”

 

When they went after being called in just a few days, they were thrilled.

 

They secretly shed tears.

 

Because with this song, they could run again.

 

Because it seemed like people of all ages would be enthusiastic about it.

 

“Sir…”

 

Aerosmith glances at the audience shedding tears with emotion and looks at Johann with sincerity.

 

“Thank you. For giving these old men a chance to run again.”

 

Songs in which they had done almost nothing.

 

This glory belonged solely to Johann.

 

So now the microphone is passed to Johann.

 

Because there’s nothing more to say.

 

Because all sincerity has been conveyed.

 

As Aerosmith steps back, Johann stands in front of the microphone. He caresses the trophy again.

 

Hearing this story for the first time, the trophy feels heavier, colder, and hotter than during Best New Artist.

 

Johann, who made eye contact with each member of Aerosmith, looks at the people whose eyes have reddened.

 

“The Grammy Awards… were a romantic place after all.”

 

Pfft! Haha!

 

The reason he received this award even though he thought he wouldn’t is simple. People nowadays gave more consideration to the new challenges of old legends they don’t know well.

 

‘Even if there’s a spoonful of sympathy mixed in, even if that changed the result, it doesn’t matter.’

 

Thanks to that, Aerosmith could burn bright again.

 

They could receive this greater recognition.

 

Recognition that no one could refute.

 

“Steven, Joe, Brad, Tom, Joey, and Sophia. Because it was you who sang my song perfectly and found points for improvement. Because it was you, it could be sung, and because it was you, it could be completed. So this glory is also yours. That’s all.”

 

“Sir… Huh. No, it belongs to all of us, sir!”

 

Waaaaaaaah!

 

Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!

 

People sincerely blessed and congratulated them as they embraced each other tightly, this beautiful sight.

 

* * *

 

4-time winner, Sam Smith!

 

Record of the Year, Album of the Year Sam Smith wins!

 

Last year was Sam Smith’s year? Then what about this year?

 

3-time winner Johann Jefferson, what promise with Taylor Swift?

 

Asians should be humble. Iggy Azalea, what was the intention behind those words.

 

Iggy Azalea, ultimately no awards! Time for her to be more humble!

 

Kim Kardashian, Iggy who? Don’t pretend to be close.

 

Vrooom!

 

Past midnight, inside a moving car.

 

Larry, holding a trophy in one hand and Johann’s hand in the other, speaks up.

 

“Aren’t you disappointed?”

 

The after-party that started once all Grammy awards ended. The artists’ Grammy Awards should be considered as just beginning from now.

 

“It’s fine.”

 

He exchanged contacts with singers of various voices and composers with different perspectives, and also promoted the hotel and museum that would open soon.

 

This should be considered as having enjoyed the Grammys sufficiently.

 

“Right now… being with Larry is more important.”

 

He wants to see Ada quickly.

 

He wants to boast.

 

That the Wolf Boy he and Larry raised together received this much recognition.

 

“Really?”

 

Larry smiled warmly, and a silence full of love’s warmth settles inside the car.

 

Roads gradually becoming less populated.

 

They arrive at the neighborhood where night’s quiet has settled, Bel Air.

 

“We’ve arrived.”

 

“Thank you as always, Rick.”

 

Though he expressed gratitude in his acceptance speech, he says it once more.

 

Rick Bottom, who has silently watched over and supported him from behind since he was 11 years old.

 

Without his protection, who cared for him with affection in place of Larry, he might have slipped out of Larry’s sight countless times.

 

“If that had happened, my relationship with Larry wouldn’t be what it is now.”

 

“That’s right. I’m always grateful too, Rick.”

 

“…Don’t mention it. Please rest comfortably.”

 

“See you on Saturday.”

 

On Saturday when the Grammy Award celebration party will be held.

 

Tomorrow starts the weekdays, but they decided to give them 5 days of vacation as a token of appreciation for their hard work.

 

As Rick Bottom leaves with a gentle smile, Johann and Larry cross through the main gate.

 

“Johann! Larry!”

 

Ada runs toward them from where she was standing at the entrance.

 

Her eyes are swollen from crying.

 

Johann strides forward and pulls her into a tight embrace.

 

Larry also embraces the two of them.

 

“Good job. I knew you could do it, Johann.”

 

“Yeah…”

 

Gratitude transmitted from heart to heart.

 

Just when he thinks he wants to sleep like this.

 

Push!

 

Suddenly Larry and Ada push Johann away.

 

“Larry? Ada?”

 

“Go ahead.”

 

“…Yeah!”

 

At the warm smiles of the two who push his back as if they all understand, and the two trophies extended toward him, Johann turns around and runs out.

 

Larry and Ada put their arms around each other’s shoulders and smile quietly.

 

“Should we have a drink first?”

 

“Should we?”

 

There are so many stories they want to share. Stories they couldn’t tell each other from when they met Johann until now.

 

The two turned around, still with their arms around each other’s shoulders.

 

Meanwhile, Johann, who left the mansion, crosses the street in one breath.

 

And standing in front of a mansion, he takes out his mobile phone.

 

“Yeah. It’s me.”

 

-I’ll come down.

 

“Huh?”

 

-Wait.

 

“Yeah…”

 

What could it be. As he wonders, Emily comes out of the entrance.

 

‘She was in the living room with her parents… Huh?’

 

A white evening dress reflecting in the mansion’s lighting.

 

Her, more beautiful than usual, embraced by moonlight.

 

The wind blowing from behind her makes the dress flutter like wings, delivering a dizzying fragrance to Johann’s nose.

 

Click-clack!

 

“…Where are you going?”

 

“Not going anywhere.”

 

“Then why…”

 

“Because you must have seen many stars dressed beautifully today.”

 

That’s why she dressed up. To show him this appearance and tell him to forget them.

 

Because she thought Johann would come looking for her like this.

 

Thump!

 

He doesn’t ask what she would have done if he hadn’t come. Because Emily would have hidden the fact that she dressed up so prettily and just shown a little irritation tomorrow.

 

“Want to go on a date?”

 

“You have no sense.”

 

Asking a woman wearing enamel shoes to walk around – even as her boyfriend, he really has no sense.

 

“Here.”

 

Johann takes off his own shoes and offers them.

 

“I’d like to carry you if I could…”

 

But that wouldn’t be respectful to Emily who dressed up so elaborately.

 

“You, what about you?”

 

“If we walk together, there won’t be time to feel pain.”

 

Because he’ll be looking at Emily’s face.

 

Johann extends his hand, and Emily smiles brightly as she takes his arm.

 

And Sandra Sherman, who was watching this scene, smiles warmly.

 

“Isn’t he worthy of recognition now?”

 

Today should be a day to savor the afterglow with family. Yet he rushed here to see daughter Emily as soon as the awards ceremony ended.

 

If he loves her this much, shouldn’t they be able to feel at ease now?

 

“We’ll see about that when he comes in today…”

 

“Wow? You?”

 

“Ahem.”

 

Edward, his face reddened, turns and heads to his room, and Sandra Sherman, looking toward the direction where her now-invisible daughter and Johann disappeared, also chuckles and heads to her room.

 

‘You’d better come in soon, daughter.’

 

That way Edward’s hostility toward Johann will decrease.

 

“Ho ho ho.”

 

She laughed heartily for the first time in a long while.

 

* * *

 

Two weeks later at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.

 

“Kyaah!”

 

“Waah!”

 

“Julian-!”

 

“Eddie Redmayne!”

 

Flash-flash-flash!

 

Johann, Matthew Payton, and Nelson, the Action Director, all dressed to the nines, cross the red carpet filled with people’s cheers and excitement, and blindingly bright flashes.

 

That’s right.

 

Today is the day of the Academy Awards ceremony, commonly known as the Oscars.

 

“Whew. I, I didn’t make any mistakes, right?”

 

“No. Don’t worry.”

 

“…As expected of someone with experience.”

 

Matthew Payton feels envious of Johann’s relaxed demeanor.

 

“Mark-!”

 

Turning his head, he sees Mark Wahlberg leisurely waving as he walks the red carpet.

 

And walking behind him with some distance, Nicola Holtz and other main actors who played Mark Wahlberg’s daughter’s role in Transformers: Age of Extinction.

 

Mackenzie Foy will come in later with the Interstellar team.

 

Snap-snap!

 

At the finger snapping right in front of them, Johann and Matthew look at Nelson, the Action Director.

 

“We need to go in!”

 

If they stay here, the people behind them can’t enter. The focus gets scattered.

 

“Ah! Then, then we should go in! Let’s go in!”

 

“Yes!”

 

Poke! Johann suddenly looks at Nelson, the Action Director, who jabs him in the ribs.

 

“Huh? Why?”

 

“Hehe. You’d better brace yourself.”

 

Inside there will be a battleground of arrogant beasts.

 

“…Oh, really?”

 

Johann chuckles, remembering hearing similar words two weeks ago.

 

‘More importantly… will I be able to win an award?’

 

Unlike the Grammy Awards, this time he really has no confidence. He was invited to the Golden Globe Awards held in January, but didn’t win any awards.

 

‘Let alone the Academy Awards, which is even more prestigious – one of America’s four major award ceremonies…’

 

The Academy Awards don’t give out awards based solely on box office performance. There are only amazing works that make it an honor just to be nominated together.

 

‘If there was at least a newcomer award, I could have some hope… tsk!’

 

The Academy Awards, the Oscars, don’t even have a newcomer award category.

 

Johann abandoned his lingering hopes and entered the Kodak Theater, the dedicated venue for the Academy Awards ceremony.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————