The Genius Composer Starts Again - Chapter 77

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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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“…Is this really true?”

Shin Ha-yeon stared blankly at the document with a dumbfounded expression. When I suggested we meet at a cafe to discuss the details, Shin Ha-yeon came out right away.

When I showed her the contract signed with A&S, Shin Ha-yeon looked stunned as if she couldn’t believe it at all.

“I’m telling you it is.”

“…The thing you said would be released as an album last time, this was it?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh my god.”

Shin Ha-yeon covered her mouth. She seemed to be pondering where and how to start asking questions, then carefully opened her mouth.

“Then, the money that came in this time is really my share too?”

“Congratulations.”

I grinned at her.

“It’s all yours, unnie. According to the contract.”

Shin Ha-yeon’s jaw dropped.

It was probably an amount that would be hard for a student to see. Even from a working adult’s perspective, it wasn’t a small sum, but for a student, it would feel even more astronomical.

In a few months, she’ll receive proper royalty settlements too. She’ll be even more surprised then.

“I, I debuted as a lyricist…? People are listening to my lyrics…?”

Shin Ha-yeon still seemed unable to grasp the reality and muttered blankly.

“Yeah.”

I nodded and answered warmly.

“People really liked the lyrics you wrote, unnie.”

“…!”

As soon as those words fell, tears welled up in Shin Ha-yeon’s eyes. Shin Ha-yeon hurriedly rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.

“Ugh, why am I being like this.”

“Right. Why are you crying? It’s a good thing.”

“I just. I can’t believe it…”

Shin Ha-yeon rubbed her eyes roughly with her sleeves, but her skin only turned red while the tears showed no signs of stopping. Finally, after her cheeks were thoroughly wet, she buried her face in both hands.

“That I, that the lyrics I wrote, people could like them… That’s, so strange. Scary, and happy too. I don’t even know why I’m being like this…!”

I silently patted Shin Ha-yeon’s shoulder.

She must have endlessly doubted her talent and been frustrated many times.

When she finally realized that her writing was loved by people around the world, I understood the emotion and overwhelming feeling Shin Ha-yeon must have felt.

When people like my songs, I feel similar emotions too.

“I was actually surprised. I thought it was about time unnie would contact me~ I thought you’d hear it at least once and contact me first since cafes have been playing it frequently lately.”

“I, I haven’t been going to cafes much lately.”

“Why? You used to work at cafes frequently.”

Shin Ha-yeon tried to say something but then bit her lips tightly.

“I wanted to work in a quiet place.”

That happens sometimes. I brushed it off casually.

Thanks to that, I suppose. Seeing that she finally contacted me only on settlement day, I thought even that was so like Shin Ha-yeon.

“Sorry. I should have explained in more detail.”

When I scratched the back of my head sheepishly, Shin Ha-yeon shook her head.

“No. You told me you’d release it and even had me sign a contract. It was me who didn’t listen properly.”

Shin Ha-yeon let out a small hearty laugh.

“I never dreamed it would be such a big deal. But I was the one who said to just do whatever you want with it since you were giving it to me.”

Shin Ha-yeon smiled faintly.

“And the settlement is one thing, but more than that… I still can’t believe that the words I wrote, the lines of lyrics I agonized over all night, reached someone. That’s so amazing and makes me so happy.”

Her voice was dreamy as if walking through a dream. As if there could be no greater happiness.

“Thank you, Seol. For giving me this opportunity as a gift. It’s the most wonderful experience of my life.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at that sight. Because her sincere feelings were conveyed completely.

“It’s a bit early to call it the most wonderful experience of your life.”

“Huh?”

“There will be countless more experiences like this in the future.”

Shin Ha-yeon’s eyes widened at my words.

“This time I’m talking officially.”

I extended my hand to Shin Ha-yeon.

“Would you like to become the official partner of composer YULE?”

“…!”

“I’d like you to write lyrics for the songs I compose.”

Of course, once Shin Ha-yeon becomes famous and other composers start seeking her out, she’ll become very busy.

I know best how Shin Ha-yeon’s lyrics breathe life into songs. When that happens, it’ll be difficult for me to monopolize Shin Ha-yeon like now.

But I wanted to build a good relationship at least.

“…Yes!”

Shin Ha-yeon smiled brightly and clasped my hand.

She smiled like sunshine with tear stains still vivid on her face. Her reddened eyes, trembling lips, and even the tension in her fingertips.

Everything was so clear that my heart swelled for no reason.

“I should be the one saying that. Please take care of me from now on!”

It felt like I had finally found a real friend.

We looked at each other silently for a while.

***

“Phew.”

White smoke billowed up in clouds. Min Chan-hyeok leaned against the rooftop railing with a cigarette in one hand, looking up at the sky.

The lights of neon signs were dizzying his vision. Min Chan-hyeok stubbed out the burnt cigarette butt in the nearby ashtray.

Not far from Min Chan-hyeok, Bella was standing.

“How was it?”

Min Chan-hyeok spoke first.

“YULE, I mean. The rookie composer I introduced you to.”

Bella smiled slightly.

“What are you asking? You already know everything.”

“The B-side track did almost as well as the title track, didn’t it?”

“Exactly.”

Considering they went on various music shows for the title track, filmed music videos, challenge videos, and even performance videos. For a B-side track that had no promotional activities to be that successful was absurd.

“Where did you find such a composer?”

“I found them on SAPL. I even left comments begging to meet face to face just once.”

“I guess you have to go that far. Maybe I should dig around SAPL too.”

If Bella was saying this, Seol must have made quite an impression.

Min Chan-hyeok grinned and asked back.

“I told you that kid was talented, didn’t I?”

Min Chan-hyeok spoke as if bragging about his own daughter. There was a strange sense of pride in his tone.

“Right. At first I thought they were just a rookie with good instincts, like young composers usually are. But listening more, there was seasoned skill there. It’s hard to have both.”

Usually when composers are young, their sense and instincts are alive.

That brilliant instinct often becomes their weapon. But as they age, that unique sense inevitably dulls.

From then on, they compete with the experience and expertise they’ve built up over time.

But Seol was different. She had both the instincts characteristic of young composers and the seasoned skill characteristic of older composers.

“Can that be innate too? Geniuses are scary.”

When Bella complained, Min Chan-hyeok gave her an incredulous look.

“Hey. Are you one to talk?”

“What about me?”

“Do you know how frustrated I was watching you when I was young? I had exactly that same thought. Geniuses are scary.”

“Really?”

Bella burst into a small laugh.

“I’m surprised. I thought you couldn’t feel things like that.”

“How could I not know? Like they say, a talented person stands out anywhere. Even in that pathetic crew of amateurs, you alone were…”

Min Chan-hyeok seemed to realize his mistake and closed his mouth again.

“Never mind. What’s the point of talking about the past.”

It was a crew that had disbanded long ago. It was a place where both Min Chan-hyeok and Bella had once belonged, but it fell apart before even lasting three years.

“I’m saying this now, but I was grateful back then.”

“Huh?”

“There were those guys who picked fights with me for petty reasons and ignored me for no reason. But you would come talk to me like it was nothing. You have no idea how grateful my young heart was.”

Bella chuckled as she reminisced about those times.

It was a crew that started with nothing but amateurs gathering together, trying to make something happen.

When Bella showed exceptional talent among them and debuted as a professional composer first, the jealousy and envy from those around her never ceased.

Subtle bullying. Blatant mockery. Being treated like she was invisible.

She witnessed so many disgusting scenes.

“That wasn’t anything special. I don’t remember doing anything worthy of thanks.”

Min Chan-hyeok awkwardly avoided her gaze as he muttered.

“…That’s why I’m worried too. About that YULE.”

“Hm?”

“They stand out too much.”

Outstanding skills, rapid success. This industry is never kind to such geniuses.

“They’ll become a target soon enough.”

Bella muttered quietly.

“I’ve seen too many geniuses get destroyed like that.”

That’s why Bella was worried about Seol. Because being exceptional can sometimes be poison.

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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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