The Genius Composer Starts Again - Chapter 70

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A suffocating atmosphere filled the air.

Bella swept her red-dyed hair behind her ear. Large ring earrings swayed precariously.

“Technically, it’s good. I have ears too, so I can tell this is an excellent song. Not just the overall sound, but the details and song progression are all excellent. But it’s not the song I want.”

Ian glanced at me cautiously. His eyes held a strange mix of guilt.

“I can see you tried to capture a refreshing feeling with the metallic sound. But it seems a bit different from what we initially discussed.”

I had nothing to say.

The company had requested fresh music, not cool music. And I was the one who had violated that condition.

“Song quality is important, of course, but the overall picture of the album matters too. An album isn’t just a collection of good songs. It’s the group’s identity and the message we deliver to fans.”

I felt breathless.

“YULE, you’re a composer. Not an artist. The biggest difference between the two is that composers create ‘songs that sell.'”

“…”

“Is this song the best choice you prepared to sell to me?”

It felt like a dagger piercing through me.

I had been too complacent. Even though the direction was slightly different, I had rationalized it thinking ‘this should be good enough.’

“There are many composers who can make good songs. But those who can accurately create the requested song are few and far between. I thought YULE was someone who could do that.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize. We still have plenty of time left. Today is just a mid-point check.”

There was still plenty of time to revise the song. But that also meant it was no different from a demand to completely overhaul the current song.

Ian cautiously interjected.

“It’s, it’s my fault. I said I didn’t like the fresh concept.”

“Ian.”

Bella’s voice lowered.

“This isn’t your place to interfere.”

“…”

“Go outside and grab a cup of coffee or something.”

Bella pulled out a card from her pocket and handed it to Ian. Ian fidgeted restlessly, then hurried outside when Bella made a ‘shh’ sound.

Left alone together, Bella tapped her fingers on the table.

Her rhythm was perfect even then.

“I hope you’re not offended. As you know, Ian is quite young. I’m sure he made unreasonable demands of you.”

“No. I should have coordinated better, but I failed to do so.”

“This is your first time collaborating with an artist, right?”

“Yes.”

Bella chuckled softly.

“I heard you’ve only worked with Min Producer. Is that right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Working only with producers, then suddenly having to cater to some kid’s whims must be twice as difficult, right?”

Bella let out a small laugh as if she understood without me having to say it.

“I was the same way at first. The artist says they don’t like it, the producer says to make it work somehow. I didn’t know which tune to dance to and fumbled around. You have no idea how much of a mess I was.”

Her voice became distant as if recalling her younger days.

“Back then I couldn’t even produce good songs, so compared to me, YULE is doing much better.”

I belatedly realized these were words meant to comfort me.

When I looked at her with wide eyes, Bella smiled refreshingly.

“Don’t misunderstand. I really do like the song. Not empty words, but truly. If it weren’t for the album concept, I would have coveted it. There’s a reason Min Producer actively recommended you.”

“…”

“But in the end, the client is the company. Please pay more attention to A&S’s requests. The artist’s opinion is important, but the company is the one paying, right?”

She spoke cheerfully while winking one eye.

The heavy atmosphere had somehow become much softer.

When she smiled brightly, fine wrinkles formed on the bridge of her nose, making her look pleasant. Despite her large build, she showed a childlike innocence that didn’t match.

The small freckles scattered across her face seemed to enhance that charm even more.

“I’ll look forward to it. Hoping we can meet with an even better song next time.”

Bella slowly rose from her seat. Even then, she seemed very busy as her phone kept buzzing continuously.

“Oh, right.”

She grabbed the door handle and turned back slightly.

“I was debating whether to tell you this or not. Actually, the company has a candidate song they’re keeping as a backup. If the final result isn’t satisfactory, they plan to include that candidate song on the album.”

“…!”

It meant that if my song didn’t meet expectations next time either, they would cut it entirely.

The kind attitude she had shown just moments ago disappeared, and she calmly presented me with a yellow card.

Separate from the goodwill she showed me, it seemed she thoroughly separated personal and professional matters.

“Keep that in mind.”

Bella grinned and threw open the door.

“Huh!”

“Hmm?”

Ian, who had been standing right in front of the door, jumped in surprise and stepped back. He was holding a canned coffee in his hand.

“Don’t give the composer too hard a time either.”

Bella patted Ian’s shoulder and left. Ian stood there dumbfounded, then hurried inside.

“Are, are you okay?!”

“Huh?”

“The producer! She’s famous for being strict when working. I’ve seen quite a few people cry while working with her!”

“Really?”

She hadn’t been that strict.

She just needed to speak firmly as the person in charge. She even gave me advice that I needed to work harder.

‘Before my regression, when I got song feedback from Mun Ah-rin, I heard things like “even an elementary student could write better than this” or “unfortunately, this would be embarrassing to show anywhere.”‘

Compared to that, I thought this was much kinder advice.

‘Did other people get their pride hurt?’

But she was right.

As I tilted my head in confusion, Ian let out a ‘huh’ as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Just listening from the side was hard for me. Are you really okay?”

“Well. More urgently, I need to figure out how to revise the song.”

I didn’t even have time to sniffle and feel depressed. If I was going to completely overhaul the song, it meant starting from square one again.

“Th, that’s true.”

“Do you still dislike the fresh concept?”

“Ugh.”

Ian subtly avoided my gaze.

“I don’t like it, but… there’s no choice. The company is ordering it.”

“Unfortunately, this time I’ll have to write a fresh song as the company wants.”

“Yes. I know that too.”

Ian looked dejected, but given the situation, he seemed to accept it unlike before.

Then, the system window flashed.

[ SYSTEM – V1.0 ]

> This is the mid-point check result for ‘Build good relationships with A&S’ !

> Achievement condition check

1. Client1 (Ian) satisfaction: 98%

2. Client2 (Bella) satisfaction: 16%

> Achievement conditions not met !

‘16%, huh.’

Bella’s satisfaction was lower than I thought. No, considering the concept was completely different, maybe this level should be considered high.

‘Getting both sides to 80% satisfaction won’t be easy.’

I sighed inwardly, newly realizing the difficulty of the Quest.

“So, about that. How about this song?”

I said, sliding my laptop forward.

I needed to hurry if I wanted to get a good evaluation at the next interim check.

***

-♩♬♬♪….

Clap clap clap!

As soon as the song ended, Bella clapped her hands.

“Great! This is it, YULE. This is exactly the feeling I wanted!”

Her voice was full of satisfaction. It was a completely different style from the previous song. Light and refreshing guitar and synth sounds took the place of the heavy tones.

“The rhythm is good too, and the chorus is just perfect. It gives me that refreshing feeling right away. The foundation of the song seems the same, but just this slight twist completely changes the impression.”

I removed the metallic sound and made it much more refreshing. Bella seemed extremely excited.

“Ian, it really sounds great to you too, right? It’s a shame this is just a B-side track. Don’t you think?”

“…Yes. I suppose so.”

Ian smiled briefly. His eyes weren’t smiling though.

‘System Window.’

[ SYSTEM – V1.0 ]

> This is the interim check result for ‘Build good relationships with A&S’ !

> Achievement condition check

1. Client1 (Ian)’s satisfaction level: 36%

2. Client2 (Bella)’s satisfaction level: 86%

> Achievement conditions have not been met !

As Bella’s satisfaction went up, Ian’s satisfaction dropped drastically.

‘What am I supposed to do about this!’

If I could, I would have grabbed the System Window by the collar.

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