DPI-06

6. Ga Du-in (2)

What does that even mean?

As I stood there blankly, failing to understand, Jeremy laughed as if he realized he had used a confusing phrase.

<Ah, what I mean is… I heard this friend hasn’t debuted yet. If he has any music he’s worked on, I’d love to hear it.>

<I see. You’re right, he does compose.>

<The questions he asked me earlier were very impressive. Very intriguing.>

<It sounds like you have high expectations.>

<Indeed. I’d like to listen to the music he’s made and have a chat about it.>

Did he feel impatient because our conversation was getting long? Du-in peeked in and asked.

“What did he say?”

“He says he wants to hear the songs you’ve worked on.”

Du-in’s eyes widened. Jeremy wanted to hear his songs!

“Now? Really? Should we go back to the office then?”

“What? We just came from there to the hotel.”

“I don’t care. If Jeremy is okay with it.”

<Jeremy, he says the songs are in the studio at the office—where we just came from. Would you be okay with going back?>

<Oh, absolutely. I want to hear them right now.>

I had no choice but to head back to the company. What an inefficient route… these people are truly serious about music.

However, the expressions on the two men as they walked back were incredibly joyful.

But wait.

‘I can translate casual conversation, but….’

Isn’t music a professional field? I wasn’t sure if I could translate it well.

“Hey, Du-in Hyung.”

“Yeah? What?”

Standing in front of the building before entering, I relayed my concern to him first.

“My English is a bit limited; I can only do simple daily conversation.”

“Why? You’re doing so well right now.”

“That’s just regular talk…. But you’re going to talk music with Jeremy now, right? I don’t know professional music terminology. Will that be okay?”

“Ah… I see. That’s true….”

A shadow suddenly fell over Du-in’s face, which had been bright until now. He started muttering to himself, saying things like, “Right… I didn’t think of that…” “Music terms could be hard….” His worry level began to rise slowly again. 23… 25… 27…

I had barely managed to lower it, and now this mess.

But just then.

A person holding an Americano walked out of the cafe on the first floor. That was….

“Oh! Song Yeon-oh! Want a cup of coffee?”

“It’s Su-woo Hyung.”

Kang Su-woo waved his hand enthusiastically while holding his coffee. Then, he suddenly saw Du-in and Jeremy standing next to me, snapped to attention, and bowed his head.

“Hello, Senior Ga Du-in. And Teacher Jeremy.”

“Hahaha… what’s with ‘Teacher’ Jeremy?”

“Trainer Yun-rim said he might give us a vocal lecture later. I have to be polite.”

Since when was Kang Su-woo such a polite human being? After greeting Jeremy, Su-woo nonchalantly held up the coffee in his hand.

“Mister Jeremy Todd. Coffee okay?”

…

Kang Su-woo was speaking incredibly bold and “honest” English. Does this… actually work?

“’Coffee’? Does it mean coffee?”

“Yes! This cafe! Coffee! Delicious!”

He pointed at the cafe and mimicked the action of drinking coffee.

“What are you doing, Hyung?”

“Oh, I’m trying to buy Teacher Jeremy a cup of coffee.”

<I’d love that! Since you say it’s delicious, I’m looking forward to it.>

“……!”

Su-woo’s English… was actually getting through.

Jeremy smiled just as cheerfully as Su-woo and gave an “OK” sign. Su-woo made the same sign with his fingers and looked back at me.

“Yeon-oh, I’ll buy you one too! Du-in Hyung, why don’t you join us?”

“…I wouldn’t worry about you even if you were dropped in the middle of a foreign country….”

Du-in shook his head as if he couldn’t believe it.

Su-woo was already leading Jeremy toward the cafe. Even though they couldn’t speak the same language, they were busy conversing using hands and feet.

<I’d like a Flat White. Can I order a Flat White?>

“White? Don’t worry, don’t worry! Coffee delicious!”

<And I’d like the milk not to be too hot.>

“Milk? (Mi-yeok?) No no, we don’t have seaweed. Only coffee!”

I thought about stepping in, but Du-in, standing behind me, caught me. We watched Su-woo and Jeremy talking excitedly.

“They’re… actually communicating?”

“If you can call that communication….”

Still, watching that comedy act, Du-in’s worried expression seemed to soften bit by bit.

Now was the time. It was the perfect moment to use the ‘My Baby is the Best!’ skill. When activated, the target’s confidence rises by 150%!

After activating the skill, I smiled and encouraged Du-in.

“At that rate, you could do it too, Hyung. For really hard words, you can just use a translator.”

I showed him the translator app on my phone. Du-in nodded casually.

“Hmm… well, if it’s only that much….”

Good. I could see Du-in’s worry level going down. The number that had approached 30 was now under 20. And it was slowly dropping further.

Whether it was thanks to the ‘My Baby is the Best!’ skill or the effect of the carefree Kang Su-woo—regardless, Du-in’s face seemed to find peace again. Seeing Su-woo, whose English wasn’t even at a middle school level, communicating so boldly with Jeremy must have been more empowering than anything else.

— Ding!

[Why do I even need to speak perfect English? As long as the meaning gets across. I learned something from Kang Su-woo.]

In the meantime, Du-in’s inner thoughts were reflected in the popup window above his head through [Voice of the Heart]. Fortunately, he seemed to have regained his confidence.

Hehe, to think Kang Su-woo’s easygoing personality would cause such a butterfly effect.

“Okay! Flat White! I know, I know! One Flat White for this person, please.”

After a long conversation, Su-woo caught the coffee menu Jeremy wanted and ordered triumphantly.

“And make the milk not too hot. Please warm it up.”

I added to the order at the end and gave Su-woo a thumbs up.

“Hyung, you’re amazing. We won’t even need a translator.”

“Well, isn’t the global village one big family? The Earth is round! Yeon-oh, what do you want?”

“I’ll have an Iced Vanilla Latte. Du-in Hyung is….”

“Iced Americano. With an extra shot. Su-woo, I’ll pay for the coffee.”

“No, Senior! I’ll pay.”

“No.”

Just then, Du-in placed a hand on Su-woo’s shoulder and pulled out his wallet from his pocket.

“I learned something today.”

“Huh? You learned something? From me?”

“Yeah, you punk.”

Instead of the confused Su-woo, Du-in ordered three drinks. Then, Du-in spoke lightly to Jeremy.

“Let’s go. With coffee.”

<Ah, coffee. Great. Let’s go.>

Before, Du-in had only hesitated to speak. But seeing him now, speaking without fear of “Konglish,” it seemed his English-phobia was temporarily cured.

First with my help, and then through his own realization.

He should be able to talk well with Jeremy even without my help now, right? It was time for two music-loving singer-songwriters to share their music in depth.

As the drinks came out and I sucked on my sweet iced tea, I tried to slip away. But I was caught by the scruff of my neck.

“Ouch!”

The person who grabbed my jacket was none other than Ga Du-in.

“Where are you going? You’re coming with me.”

“Huh? No, I thought you were fine talking with Jeremy now….”

“We’re going to the studio, then eating, then Gyeongbokgung. You have to guide us from there.”

“…….”

As Du-in gave a grin, his inner thoughts slowly appeared over his head.

‘Kid, you must have gone through a lot lately. I feel bad for receiving help when I couldn’t even look out for you when you were having a hard time. I’m sorry, and thank you.’

— Ding!

[Friend List: Interaction with Ga Du-in has unlocked his Likability!]

Along with Du-in’s inner thoughts, his Likability was unlocked.

This guy, who could never say embarrassing things out loud, would probably never speak these feelings… but….

‘I’ve built a proper relationship with Ga Du-in too.’

In the past, when I alone was dropped from the debut lineup, Du-in was someone who didn’t even say a word to me. I thought he was a person who had no interest in others, but he was thinking this inside. I felt a lump in my throat.

Returning to the past and finding out what people around me actually thought was an unexpectedly heartwarming experience.

[Quest: Tell Me Your Worries!! (2)]

▶ Lower the worry level of a member with a high worry level: ★ACHIEVED★]

[Reward is being issued]

[Shield of the Heart (lv. 1)]

When activated during a conversation, it reduces the mental impact received by the target by more than 50%.

The reward from the quest was a bonus. A “Shield of the Heart” that reduces impact. It’ll be useful for mental management.

I followed behind the two men, scanning my status window. I felt like I had collected a decent amount of skills now, seeing as the once empty window now felt full.

***

Du-in’s songwriting was already recognized by the company, so he was already freely using a studio for composers. Entering the studio, Du-in pulled out the songs he had made one by one and played them.

Among them were songs that went into the album of Seren, the group Willow Ent debuted first. And surprisingly, there was a song that would later become Hexad Carmit’s debut song. It seemed only the framework was set for now, but to me—who had sung that song and practiced the choreography all day—it was a very familiar melody.

‘Hexad Carmit’s debut is more than half a year away.’

To think he was already writing the song. It could be that a song he wrote in advance was chosen as the debut song, but….

Regardless, since the debut song is the group’s first start, it had to be good while leaving a strong impression. Willow Ent was a new agency but was praised for its solid financial backing. They probably received many good songs from various recruited composers when choosing the debut song.

Yet, among the songs of legendary established composers, Du-in’s song was chosen. I saw this person, who was seriously tinkering with the equipment, in a new light.

‘This Hyung really is a genius.’

Was Jeremy thinking the same thing? Du-in and Jeremy continued their conversation for quite a while, expressing admiration for each other at every turn.

<It’s just as Ga-eum said. You really have talent. You’re a genius!>

“Um, I know.”

<Du-in, you must visit the UK later. Your music is truly perfect!>

“It would be my honor. I will definitely go to the UK. After I debut.”

Then Du-in turned to me.

“…Tell him that.”

“…Ye-ees….”

As we talked in the studio, time flew by. Jeremy, who was already clapping after hearing just Du-in’s songs, almost lost his breath when Du-in played them with his own self-written rap added.

It was definitely a skill to be envious of. The song itself was great, but Du-in’s sharp, whirlwind-like rapping was truly a masterpiece. His sharp high-tone voice, natural rhythm, and clear diction that stuck in your ears.

‘I remember what Director Ryu Ga-eum said.’

Even “that” director, who was so cold-headed and never gave unearned praise, had evaluated him like this back then:

‘Du-in is usually just a badger, but when he raps, he’s a honey badger.’

Honey badgers eat vipers and even take on lions. It was a convincing metaphor.

Time passed, and it grew dark outside the window. We decided to move the Gyeongbokgung tour to another day and had dinner near the dorm. The Korean beef we ate with the power of the corporate card felt like it was melting in my mouth.

“Ask him what he wants to do from tomorrow.”

Having arrived in front of Jeremy’s hotel, Du-in poked me again.

“I think you could ask that much yourself, Hyung.”

“Oh?”

But even as he said that, Du-in was grinning.

“Tomorrow, where, you want go?”

The grammar and pronunciation were a mess. But the native speaker understood perfectly.

<From tomorrow, I’ll roam around Seoul freely. I’ll call if I need help.>

<Oh, can you do that?>

<Of course. I was really thankful to you guys today.>

Jeremy gave a smile, his blue eyes crinkling.

<Debut quickly and come to the UK for a performance. There are a lot of really awesome bands there.>

Debut. I want to. No, I already did it once—it just ended up as a disaster soon after. If I could one day stand on a stage where shining artists stand, like Jeremy….

While Du-in said his goodbyes to Jeremy, I peeked at my status window again.

Name: Song Yeon-oh

Age: 17

Occupation: Trainee

Vocal (Rap): C+

Dance: B+

Visual: B

Charm: A

Composition: –

Current Points: 3

My composition ability currently didn’t even have a stat. It said points could be used to raise stats, right? Where should I use this…?

…

But I soon closed the status window again. I shouldn’t use it hastily. I still have a long way to go and my skills are lacking. I should distribute points carefully. For now, it was time to save them.

***

It was about a ten-minute walk from Jeremy’s hotel back to the Willow-i dorm. Even though we had spent about four years together after entering as 1st and 2nd-generation Willow-is… I don’t think I’d ever been alone with Ga Du-in like this.

No, maybe not once. Du-in was always a chic and slightly scary senior… and I was always with my fellow 2nd-gen trainees until I was dropped from the Seren debut group. There was no point of contact with him.

“Are you doing okay?”

“Huh? With what?”

“Because of that… you took a week’s leave and came back.”

“Ah, Seren’s debut.”

“Yeah. …It must have been a big shock.”

Du-in, who seemed indifferent. But he knew the whole situation too. In the past, I thought he was being blunt because he didn’t care, but his true feelings I saw earlier were different. As soon as I thought that, Du-in offered comfort as if to tell me that the heart I read earlier was real.

“Well, words like this might not be a comfort. But you never know how life goes.”

“…….”

“Did I think I’d be doing this when I joined? All my peers have switched to being trainers, and I’m the only one left floating.”

“Yeah, the trainers are all your peers from when you joined.”

“Right. At first, I was angry and at a loss too. Plus, the juniors who came in later debuted before me.”

Seren. He was talking about our peers.

Ah…. Thinking back, I thought I was the most miserable because I alone was dropped from the debut group among my peers… but considering Du-in’s feelings as he watched his juniors debut first, I could empathize with him so much.

“This won’t heal your heart, but….”

“It’s not like that….”

“Really? Then that’s a relief… um. I’m not usually good at saying things like this…….”

Du-in’s sharp profile turned slightly toward me.

“In my opinion, I think you’d do well if you debut too. So, let’s do well. Together.”

“…What is that? Are you trying to comfort me?”

I’m in this mess because that debut didn’t happen. As I spoke with a chuckle, Du-in scratched his head.

“Ah… I shouldn’t have said it like that. I told you I’m not good at this…. This is just how I’m built, I’m not good at comforting others. …I’m the worst as a leader.”

“…If we debut, do you think you’ll be the leader?”

“There’s a high probability, right? I’m the oldest, and I’ve been a Willow-i the longest.”

Du-in let out another long sigh. In the cold winter night air, his breath scattered like white mist.

“…I wonder if I should even do it…. Even now, if there’s something to be delivered, they tell me to do it.”

“That’s true. Why don’t you try talking about it later?”

Sharing various stories, we arrived at the dorm before we knew it. After washing up and lying on my bed with the lamp on, I opened my diary and read about the future.

‘Du-in Hyung’s guess is right.’

Even before the regression, Du-in Hyung was the leader of Hexad Carmit. For the reasons he mentioned—age and experience.

But that was also one of the causes of the misfortune. So, that misfortune must not be repeated. Never.

‘This time, I won’t let it turn out like that.’