Chapter 37: My Singer (2)
Late Night on the Day of Lilac’s Album Release
Even at this late hour, the artist management team was still busy monitoring.
“Today’s number one is guaranteed.”
The tension that had been eating away at everyone for days instantly evaporated with that single, breeze-like sentence.
But Lilac’s achievements with this album extended beyond simply taking first place on Ronmel.
Their official fan café and various online communities were flooded with positive reactions, and even the entertainment news section of major portal sites was dominated by Lilac.
While the articles followed the guidelines set by the PR team, none of that buzz would have been possible without genuine public interest.
Of course, not every response was glowing.
There were still many fans who clung to nostalgia, longing for Yoo Ah-ra, Lee Yeon-ji, and Kim Yoo-jung from their audition program days.
Even so, compared to their previous album, this one was undeniably a success—at least, that’s what the staff believed.
“What do you think, Team Leader? Looks like your decision was the right one.”
Assistant Manager Yoon Chae-ha asked with a smile.
Lee Ha-yeon, however, remained as composed as ever.
“We need to wait and see. We have to win the next battle too before we can call it a real success.”
In just two days, Pluto’s album was set to release.
It was originally scheduled for the 16th, but for some reason, it had been delayed by a day.
One thing was certain, though—Pluto was preparing for an all-out battle.
Only after overcoming that would Lee Ha-yeon consider this a true victory.
“…But Jellay. Do you think we can beat his track?”
One of the employees voiced their concern.
Jellay was a star producer, well-known to the public.
No matter how good Heli’s song was, it was impossible to ignore the sheer brand power of Jellay—the kind of name people trusted without question.
At this moment, his name alone had enough weight to secure a number-one ranking.
And to make things worse, Pluto’s song had originally been offered to Lilac.
If Lilac lost to Pluto, the responsibility would fall squarely on the artist team for rejecting Jellay.
This wasn’t just about losing.
The relationship between Pluto’s agency, Planet, and Letter was that of sworn enemies.
Even if CEO Ji Hyeon-wook took the loss in stride, the same could not be said for Headquarters Director Hyeon Jin-seok.
He was a man who valued the pride of his company above all else.
“We have to win.”
Lee Ha-yeon suddenly recalled the reprimand she had received just last week.
Director Hyeon had somehow caught wind of their decision and had flown into a rage.
Not because they had chosen Heli—but because they had rejected Jellay.
Among the storm of insults, she had even heard the words,
“This is why women shouldn’t hold executive positions.”
And yet, she had endured it all.
“We’ll make sure we win.”
A gentleman’s revenge is never too late, even after ten years.
As she quietly steadied her breath, Lee Ha-yeon envisioned herself one day sitting in the very chair from which he would be removed.
Calls of congratulations poured in—so many that it was almost overwhelming.
Not just from distant relatives, but even from industry professionals and a few celebrities who somehow managed to get their hands on my number.
The sheer volume forced me to let the people I actually wanted to hear from resort to sending messages instead.
[Congrats on hitting #1. Not that it’ll last long, lol.]
[Hyung-nim, congrats.]
[Heli Producer-nim! It’s Cindy! I don’t know if you still remember me, but congrats on reaching #1! I’m borrowing my manager oppa’s phone to send this!]
In order: Yoon Seong-woo, Yoon Hyeok-pil, and Cindy.
Cindy, huh?
She really was a sweet kid.
Given how poorly her latest album had performed, she probably wasn’t in the mood to celebrate anyone else’s success… and yet, here she was, sending her congratulations.
Replying to their messages, I made my way home alone.
At some point, the date had changed.
February 16th.
A silent, empty home.
Lying on my bed, I stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.
Finally, everything I had set in motion has come to an end.
Over the past four months, so much has happened.
But in the end, Lilac had achieved a number-one ranking, and I had found my way back onto this path.
So how do I feel right now?
Happy…?
That word doesn’t quite fit.
It feels like something inside me has been pulled out.
A strange mix of relief, emptiness, and lingering regret.
I stretch my hand toward the ceiling, closing it around nothing.
My fingers grasp at the air, but the sensation of holding onto something never comes.
A sudden thought drifts through me like the wind.
Do I even deserve to embrace this happiness?
Can I allow myself to be proud, when this success came from talent that was more luck than effort?
I close my eyes.
Then open them again.
The deep silence of my room remains untouched.
No color blooms in this stillness.
I shift my gaze toward my desk.
The same synthesizer I bought four years ago still sits there.
Now that I think about it, I haven’t touched it in a while.
I’ve been working in the company studio so much that I haven’t played a single note on this one.
Dragging my weary body up from the bed, I walk over.
I wipe my hand across the dusty keys.
A chill runs through my fingertips, the rough texture of dust clinging to my skin.
And then, I sat down in front of it.
What is this feeling that wraps around me?
Loneliness?
Solitude?
Or just the exhaustion that naturally follows a great wave of happiness?
I can’t find an answer.
So instead, I decided to capture my emotions in sound.
Booong—
The computer hums to life with a familiar warmth.
I open my DAW.
A blank track awaits me, a fresh canvas ready to absorb the colors I pour into it.
A melancholic, deep-green piano.
The crisp, refined melody of strings.
The blue-hued notes of a guitar.
And then, the final touch—
A voice, like soft sunlight, breathing life into it all.
Before I even realize it, the composition has begun.
And it continues—through the night, until dawn.
“Oh, for f*’s sake…”
Kim Yo-han cursed under his breath and slammed his laptop shut.
Ronmel #1: IDOL.
The ranking was so clear, so undeniable, that it pissed him off.
Sure, Jellay’s track was dropping tomorrow.
But at this rate, not even Jellay could be guaranteed a win…
Bzzzt—
His stomach was already churning in frustration, and now his phone was vibrating on top of it.
[Hyung. Ah-ra noona isn’t picking up her phone.]
A text from Chan-hyeok.
“Tch. Even at a time like this, this bastard never stops.”
Just reading the message made his breath hitch in annoyance.
A father who was an executive at a construction company, a mother who was a real estate mogul—yet somehow, the guy turned out to be a complete idiot.
Yo-han had entertained him for a bit because he was rich, but lately, his behavior had become downright pathetic.
“F*ing attention-starved little sh…”
Bzzzt—
Oh?
Now he’s calling?
Yo-han let out an irritated sigh before answering.
“Yeah?”
– “Hyung, Ah-ra noona’s not answering. I think she changed her number completely.”
“She’s busy with album promotions. Besides, you’ll see her anyway at the next Travel Log shoot.”
– “No, that’s the last shot because of my Japan debut! And seriously, Hyung, all the advice you gave me backfired. I even tried using Jellay hyung to get to her, but nothing worked. Don’t you think this is a bit much?”
“……”
‘The hell? How is that my fault?’
Yo-han barely managed to swallow down the string of curses rising to his tongue.
“She’s number one right now. You really think she has time to spare for you—”
He stopped mid-sentence.
Because at that moment, a strange glint flickered through his eyes.
At that moment, a rather interesting idea popped into Kim Yo-han’s head.
“…Ah, right~ That’s it. Since she hit number one, you’re not worth her time anymore. You’re beneath her now.”
– “Huh? Hyung, what are you talking about? We’ve been number one before too.”
“Pfft. You guys only got there because of your fanbase. But Lilac? They actually believe they earned it purely on talent. I heard it straight from them.”
– “For real? That…”
“Shut up and listen.”
A sinister smile curled at Kim Yo-han’s lips.
“Just do exactly what I tell you. This time, it might actually work.”
– “…What?”
February 17, 1:00 PM – Pluto’s Album Comet Releases
I watched the charts unfold, my nerves on edge.
As expected, Jellay’s track, Trauma, snatched the real-time number-one spot from Lilac within just two hours.
But Lilac wasn’t backing down without a fight.
The rankings constantly shifted as Pluto and Lilac battled for the top spot.
Throughout the afternoon and evening, the two groups took turns holding first place, only for both to be pushed down by VBlue’s fandom in the early hours of the morning.
And that fierce chart war had continued all the way to today—February 19.
[Who will take the crown for Week 3 of February on Music Bank?!]
At that moment, a music show was airing on TV.
A program with less than 2% viewership.
Winning here didn’t offer any real benefits, yet for many artists, topping a music show was still a dream.
Lilac was no exception.
No, their ambitions reached beyond that.
They wanted a Grand Slam—to win on every major music show.
Still, since this was their debut week, they weren’t expecting much.
The members themselves had predicted that VBlue would take first place this week and that the real battle would begin next week.
Since that was the case, I planned to just sit back and watch.
[And this week’s number one is… VBlue – Waltz of the Starry Sky! Congratulations~]
As expected, VBlue took the win.
On-screen, the cameras showed Lilac congratulating VBlue, their smiles genuine despite the competition.
It was probably a live broadcast.
Then, out of nowhere, a text came through.
[Oppanextweekyouhavetocomewe’reprobablygonnawinthen]
For a second, I was confused.
The lack of spacing—it was unmistakably Yoo Ah-ra’s texting style.
But the number belonged to Kim Yoo-jung.
Oh, right.
She mentioned about a week ago that she got rid of her phone.
I sent a short reply.
[Why would I go there?]
[Why?Whyareyoubeingsocold? Don’tyouwannaseeyoursonghitnumberone?]
A reply as sharp and fast as a blade.
Seeing my own song take first place…
To be honest, yeah, I did want to see that.
But my instincts—the ones that always sensed incoming misfortune—were sending out a warning.
This wasn’t going to be smooth sailing.
Something was going to happen.
Something bad.
[Answermee.Yoo-jungisaskingforthephonebackkk]
Her urgency practically bled through the screen.
I let out a small chuckle and finally replied.
[Alright. I’ll go.]
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