Ch.45 Dream Stage
“Let’s go home together and take a test.”
If a passerby heard this, it would sound like a sinister remark.
Ayul also tensed up at the word ‘test’ and had a question mark on her face.
To be precise, it seemed like she was more nervous about the suggestion to go home together than the word ‘test’ itself.
To ease Ayul’s wariness, I spun a little yarn.
“The song I heard you singing on the street was so impressive that I wanted to scout you. I just want to make sure what I heard was real and listen to it again. I’d prefer to hear it properly at home.”
“……But do we really have to go all the way to your house…?”
“You don’t have an agency, so even if you appear on My Producer, there’s no way to notify you about precautions or future schedules, right? So, we need to discuss those things too. If we do it in a place like this café and it ends up online, it could be troublesome.”
“Ah, I see. Hmm…”
Ayul hesitated a lot because she was going to a stranger’s house.
Well, that’s only natural. But we absolutely have to do this at home.
I need to confirm if she has what it takes to seize this valuable opportunity.
“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything weird here. And when we’re done, I’ll take you home. By the way, I’m only three years older than you, so feel at ease.”
Thankfully, Secretary Shin chimed in.
It would be a bit awkward for her to go somewhere alone with a man.
But if Secretary Shin, who’s a woman, comes along, it might ease Ayul’s anxiety, and I think it was a good idea to bring her.
And as expected, Ayul’s expression softened a bit.
“Ah… Then it won’t take long, right…?”
“Wouldn’t it be bad if it ended quickly? If I listen to your song and decide it’s not for me, then it’ll end right away, right?”
“Yes, I guess you’re right. Hmm…”
“This is really a great opportunity for you. I know you’re anxious, but you know we’re people who work at the broadcasting station, right?”
“…..Actually, it’s hard to believe…”
Ayul acted frustratingly cautious. To put it nicely, she was being careful.
It seems like it might be difficult to take her home in one go…
Even if it takes a detour, it seems necessary to stimulate Ayul’s dream.
Maybe doing it this way will open her up to me more. Of course, I mean emotionally.
“Hmm, is that so? Then should I show you around the broadcasting station first before we go home? There’s no better proof than that. If you’re an aspiring singer, you’d be curious about the inside of a broadcasting station, right?”
“Huh? R-really? Can I really go in?”
“If you’re with us, you can. Honestly, even I would be suspicious if all I had was the employee ID and business card I showed you last time. Let’s go right away.”
I immediately got up from my seat. Once I’ve heard what I wanted to hear, it’s best to leave quickly.
As I stood up, Secretary Shin naturally followed, and Ayul, slightly flustered, trailed behind us.
When we arrived at the car, we got in, but Ayul stood outside, staring blankly, seemingly caught in a dilemma.
“What? Are you afraid we’ll kidnap you? Hehe.”
Secretary Shin tried to ease the tension, but Ayul remained stiff as a rock.
It seems like getting into a car with strangers for the first time reminded her of a scene from a crime movie.
Tsk, I understand her feelings, but it’s starting to feel frustrating.
“Ayul, if you’re scared, we can meet in front of the broadcasting station. We can go in together from there.”
“Hmm…”
“Should we go ahead first?”
“Ah, no, I’ll get in..!”
She came around innocently, as if there was nothing to lose.
After all, the part Ayul was worried about was just her own anxiety.
While Secretary Shin drove, I talked to Ayul, who was sitting in the back seat.
By the way, I was sitting in the passenger seat.
“Ayul, your song has the power to enchant people. That’s why I emptied my wallet and put all my money in the tip jar that time.”
“Ah, thank you for that… You gave me so much that time…”
“I gave it because I wanted to, so don’t worry about it. But I’m curious, why don’t you have an agency? Haven’t you thought about joining one?”
I already knew the general situation, but I asked to build a gradual understanding with Ayul.
Having these conversations might make both of us more comfortable.
We’ll be seeing each other a lot from now on.
“Joining an agency is a bit…”
“Why? Is there a reason?”
“If I join an agency, my income will be cut off during the trainee period. That’s a bit difficult for me… Also, at 20, I’m not exactly young for a trainee…”
It seems she’s been working since she was a student.
“So, do you have a job right now?”
“I’ve been doing part-time jobs, but I’ve stopped for now. I’ll have to look for another one…”
“Hmm… I see. If you debut through MapDue you’ll skip all those trainee processes and go straight to the big leagues. Then your money problems will be solved too. Right?”
“It’s easier said than done…”
Ayul shrunk back, seemingly lacking confidence or positive thinking.
She often trailed off mid-sentence.
After that, I tried to instill hope in Ayul by painting a rosy picture…
“Even if you don’t make it to the final debut, agencies might want to debut you right away after seeing you on MapDue”
“That’s unlikely… They have their own trainees…”
“You’re pretty and good at singing. If you get a good response, you could succeed as a NewTuber or internet broadcaster, right?”
“I don’t have the wit or charm for that…”
“You’re an aspiring singer, right? Shouldn’t you think positively for your dream?”
“It’s just a dream…”
“…..”
“…..”
Ayul was so negative it was almost pitiful.
But on the other hand, showing this kind of concept on MapDue might create an interesting contrast among the bright and lively girls, which made me smile strangely.
Well, it’s not a concept but her true self…
“We’re here.”
“Let’s get out.”
“Wow…”
We arrived at the broadcasting station’s ground parking lot and got out.
Ayul started to feel the reality of it as the entrance barrier lifted, and now she was gaping in awe.
“Now you can believe me, right? Let’s go in.”
“Yes.”
Honestly, there wasn’t much to see at the broadcasting station, but I wanted to show her the filming sets and studios to plant the seed of her dream.
This seed will surely help me later.
“Oh, Shin Jae-hyun…!”
While showing her around the radio recording site, Ayul suddenly spoke.
Where Ayul was looking, Shin Jae-hyun was diligently recording his radio show today.
Given Shin Jae-hyun’s fame, she recognized him immediately.
“Oh, that’s right.”
“It’s amazing…”
Ayul smiled for the first time.
So, she can smile.
“Why? Are you a fan of Shin Jae-hyun? Should I call him over?”
“Ah, no! You don’t have to go that far. He seems busy right now… And I’m not exactly a fan, I just like his songs. But seeing him in person, wow…”
Seeing the singer she admires up close is going smoothly.
Moreover, when I arrived at the recording site, the PDs and staff greeted me, so Ayul started to fully trust me.
“So you really are the director… I thought maybe someone who looked like you was scamming…”
“There’s no one else who looks like our director. Hehe.”
“I guess so.”
The three of us then went to the music show studio.
It was empty since it wasn’t in use, but Ayul, seeing the vast set for the first time, wandered around like a curious puppy, her curiosity blooming.
Secretary Shin and I let her enjoy the moment.
“She’s usually gloomy, but she’s cute in moments like this.”
“Right. She’s just a girl with a dream.”
“But Director, the way you look at Ayul seems a bit unusual.”
“You’ll understand once you hear her sing. And that kind of image is rare among idols, right? Everyone tries to look lively and bright, but a dark queen like her is uncommon. Viewers will find it really entertaining if she appears on MapDue”
“Hmm… That’s not what I meant.”
“What? Then?”
Secretary Shin glanced around to make sure no one was listening, then whispered in my ear.
“Are you really just planning to put her on MapDue after hearing her sing? Is that the only reason you wanted to take her home?”
“……”
Secretary Shin had heard from me about how I had arranged for Sua, Si-hyun, Harang’s music shows and variety appearances, and even lm Da-hyun’s commercials, so she thought this was in the same vein.
“Am I wrong? Did I misjudge you, Director? As your secretary, I need to manage the list, so I had to ask. I’m sorry.”
I quietly opened my mouth.
“…..Let’s head home soon.”
“Wow, okay, I understand.”
Secretary Shin was slightly shocked by my vague answer but called Ayul over.
“Ayul~ We need to go now. Outsiders can’t stay too long.”
Of course, that was a lie. Secretary Shin was fitting for her role.
“Ah, yes.”
After leaving the music show studio, I asked Ayul.
“How was it? Seeing the stage you’ve been dreaming of in person?”
“I want to go up there, sing in front of the cameras under the lights.”
“That’s good. I hope your dream comes true.”
“Yes, thank you for showing me around.”
I nodded at Ayul, who bowed politely.
“Now let’s really go. To my house…”
Ayul’s guard was completely down, and I had proven that I was the director.
The idea that if she impressed me, she could directly join MapDue was firmly planted.
I had filled her heart with dreams and hope.
Now, I was curious if Ayul could give me what I wanted.
