The Reincarnated Idol Hard Carries an Indie Band - Chapter 56

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Reincarnated Idol Carries the Indie Band
Chapter 56
We had received a casting offer in advance through Producer Lee Jong Myung, but there were no exceptions when it came to submitting our application.
The required documents included the standard items—an application form, band introduction, and performance video—and since we were all minors, we needed parental consent forms for broadcast appearance.
“You all brought the consent forms?”
“Oh, right.”
“Hey, Heo Jun Sung…. You really are something else.”
“But there’s still two weeks until the application deadline.”
“Even so, you should handle these things early.”
Kang Min and Kim Ji Hu had already brought their consent forms days ago, but Heo Jun Sung had forgotten again today.
‘You’re our team’s biggest idiot.’
“Lee Do Young, how about you?”
“Ah, I….”
The meticulous one hadn’t managed to prepare the documents for days.
Surely he hadn’t forgotten.
Something must be going on.
“I’ll definitely bring it tomorrow.”
“Yeah, okay.”
I decided not to ask for details.
Since he was such a thorough person, he’d handle it fine on his own.
If a problem came up, he’d talk it through with us.
And given Lee Do Young’s situation….
“Heo Jun Sung, you really do bring it tomorrow.”
“Hey, Seo Ha. You’re treating Lee Do Young and me pretty differently, aren’t you?”
“Not just different—you’re outright discriminating.”
“What’s this now?”
* * *
It was a relief that clumsy Jun Sung existed.
Seo Ha hadn’t nagged me, but I really did need to bring the consent form now.
The program producer had reached out to our band directly.
And it was I who’d suggested we participate in this program.
Everyone was practicing like their fingers might break for the audition program.
Today I absolutely had to tell my parents.
When I tried to leave school and head home, my homeroom teacher stopped me.
“Do Young.”
“Yes?”
“Are you preparing well for the mock exam this time?”
“Yes, I’m working hard on it.”
“Your grades dropped significantly in March. The school is quite concerned.”
“Ah, yes, but there’s no need to worry.”
“What have you decided about your future path?”
“I’ll let you know soon.”
“Yes, think it through carefully before you decide. I’m saying this because I’d hate to see you waste your potential.”
“I understand.”
Not just my homeroom teacher, but the entire school knew what I was up to.
Since I’d appeared on TV a few times, starting with the school festival.
Teachers worry and friends cheer.
And at home, of course, there’s strong opposition….
What on earth should I do?
I want to make music.
If I could just keep making music, I could give up studying.
But it’s hard to go against my parents’ wishes.
Because when they see me making music, they must think of my brother who’s gone to heaven.
The thought that pursuing my own happiness causes them pain never leaves me.
What on earth should I do?
“Hey, Lee Do Young.”
“Oh, Seo Ha. Aren’t you going home?”
“How could I go home when you’ve had that long face all day?”
“Huh? Me?”
“Yeah, you.”
His hand on my shoulder felt strangely reassuring.
“Want to grab something good to eat?”
“Yeah, sounds good.”
“What are you in the mood for?”
“Anything but hamburger.”
“An excellent choice.”
We settled on the Bunsik Restaurant in front of the school.
“It’s hard to tell them, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it’s really not easy.”
Lee Do Young’s face was clouded with worry as he picked at his tteokbokki.
“If I say I’m quitting school, they’ll definitely worry.”
“That’s what I think too.”
I felt increasingly anxious.
Going on the broadcast was Rooftop’s choice, but considering Lee Do Young’s family situation, they wouldn’t easily give permission.
It wasn’t just his position I was worried about—I was concerned that things might strain between him and his parents.
“But Do Young, this is an opportunity.”
“An opportunity?”
“Yeah. What we gain from that program isn’t just a chance for you to confront that producer. We’re going there to prove your brother wasn’t wrong.”
“Yeah, you’re right. When you think about it, that reason means more.”
Smart as he was, Lee Do Young immediately understood and nodded.
“Tell your parents confidently. Your brother was never wrong, and you’re going to prove it.”
“Yeah.”
But courage still hadn’t quite kindled in his eyes.
I was searching for what else to say when Lee Do Young spoke first.
“If I were alone, I never would have tried in the first place.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. But Seo Ha, you keep showing us amazing things. I haven’t been in the music scene for long, but I can see that we’re producing unrealistic results right now.”
Emotion was gradually seeping into Lee Do Young’s voice.
“That’s why I’m going to get their permission no matter what. Because with you and the others, we can do even more impossible things.”
Courage was overflowing from him now.
Lee Do Young was intelligent, and surprisingly, he had a resolute side to him.
“Yeah, I don’t think I need to say anything more.”
“Yeah, I’ll handle this one on my own.”
“I believe in you.”
“Thanks.”
* * *
After eating with Seo Ha, I headed straight home.
The empty living room welcomed me when I arrived.
I set down my bag and fiddled with the parental consent form on the desk.
“You can do this.”
I went into my brother’s room, which still remained exactly as it had been.
Everything was just the same.
Mom still cleans this room every day.
On my brother’s memorial day, we’d prepare the foods he once loved and pray with our parents.
Lee Do Hyun.
A genius bassist.
My brother, eight years older than me.
My role model.
Three years have nearly passed since he left us.
Brother, I’m in a band too.
Playing the bass that you loved so much.
Are you watching?
My friends and I even released an album.
Jealous?
If I could tell you these things in person right now, what would you have said?
You’d probably have told me to stop clowning around and study.
That’s how you always were.
And I’m going to appear on a program created by that man with my friends.
I don’t know if Mom will give permission, but please cheer me on so I can do well.
In the small photo frame on the desk, my brother smiled brightly.
Bass in hand.
Beep-beep-beep-beep….
That’s when I heard the front door unlock.
It must be Mom.
I took a deep breath and collected myself before finally heading to the living room.
“Mom.”
“Oh, Do Young, you’re home? You’re early.”
“Yes, Mom. There’s something I wanted to tell you.”
“What is it?”
Before I’d even gotten to the main point, I could feel her tensing up.
There had been a lot of situations like this lately.
I handed her the form, one we’d both become accustomed to.
“Another broadcast appearance?”
“Yes.”
“Do Young….”
Mom sat in the living room and looked up at me.
Her expression asked: how long is this going to go on?
“Mom, this is an audition program.”
“…What do you—what do you mean….”
“It’s created by Producer Lee Jong Myung. The same person who made the broadcast your brother appeared on.”
“No. Absolutely not.”
Mom’s voice trembled.
A voice on the verge of tears.
Her trembling made me want to cry too, but I held it back.
“Do Young, why would you go there? Do you know who that person is! If something goes wrong with you too, I really can’t live. What did he do to your brother!”
Mom’s voice sounded almost like a scream.
The tragedy of three years ago.
Mom has never forgotten it for a single moment.
My eyes burned hot, but I didn’t look away.
“I know. That’s why I have to go.”
“Do Young!”
“Brother didn’t fail. That producer was a coward. Brother’s music was never wrong, and I’m going to prove it.”
“You, really….”
“I’m going to show that person directly. How amazing my brother and his music were.”
And then I remembered.
My precious friends who would help me.
“I would have been scared alone. But I have friends. Seo Ha said so. He said this is a chance to show that brother wasn’t wrong.”
Eventually, tears fell from Mom’s eyes.
Her hands gripping my sleeve trembled violently, and my image filled her eyes, which were brimming with fear.
“Does it have to be this way? Can’t you just live like everyone else?”
“Please let me complete the stage that brother couldn’t finish. That’s my happiness.”
A sigh deeper than the abyss came from Mom.
“Mom, please believe in me. If I can’t prove brother’s worth, I can’t live either.”
A long silence followed.
The ticking of the clock sounded unusually loud.
After staring at me for a long time, Mom finally picked up a pen.
Three characters written out with a trembling hand.
It was permission and the most painful encouragement.
“But promise me one thing.”
“Yes, Mom.”
“Never suffer alone. If anything happens, come to Mom right away. Talk it over with me before your friends. That’s all I ask.”
On the paper Mom handed me was a name written with deep, forceful strokes.
“Thank you, Mom. I’ll do well.”
I left the living room where Mom averted her gaze and returned to my brother’s room.
My brother in the photograph still smiled brightly.
“Brother, did you see? I’m just getting started.
From the living room, I could hear Mom’s suppressed crying.
But in my heart, cold determination and burning passion burned simultaneously.
* * *
“Heo Jun Sung, you idiot, you forgot again?”
“Ah, haha! Yesterday the guys and I played basketball after school and I forgot!”
“You really need to leave.”
Heo Jun Sung was hopeless.
I’d have to go find him myself tomorrow or something.
“Here, I brought my consent form.”
Lee Do Young handed me his consent form.
My heart suddenly jolted.
‘This guy….’
Lee Do Young smiled at me brightly.
“Thanks, Seo Ha.”
“No, you worked hard.”
I took the consent form Lee Do Young handed me before the others could notice.
I couldn’t know what conversation he’d had with his parents.
But it probably wasn’t an easy fight.
Given Lee Do Young’s nature, he wouldn’t have been defiant or argumentative.
All I could confirm was this single piece of paper.
But I could sense the weight of the conversation he’d had yesterday.
Our appearance on the broadcast didn’t just depend on Rooftop’s future—a family’s peace hung in the balance.
My shoulders felt heavier, but I couldn’t back out now.
Once we submit the documents, everything will begin.
“Hey, Heo Jun Sung, at least try to be half as responsible as Kim Ji Hu.”
“What? Damn it, I’ll definitely bring it tomorrow!”
So be it.

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