Chapter 205

“A… partner?”

– Carrie Cloudia is doing an American Tour from May to July . A notice recruiting a female dancer for the title song ‘Coming’, had just appeared .

“Wait, a dancer? And from May to July?”

JooAh’s voice became louder .

“Oppa, I have my own activities to do at that time . And also, a backup dancer? You know who I am, and you still say those words?”

– Well, you’re completely new to the American market . You can’t just kick it away because this is dancer recruitment . Also, don’t you think that kicking away this opportunity is not good just because of immediate profits?

“That’s…”

He was completely right .

Being pointed out by KangYoon, JooAh became silent .

– JooAh . Even if you’re the best in Asia, here, you’re just…

“I know, I know, alright? You don’t have to tell me that . ”

JooAh grumbled at the phone since her pride had snapped .

The people in the lobby looked at her like looking at a strange person, but nothing entered her eyes .

“You can’t do this to me . ”

– I can’t? Hahaha . Sheesh, you’re one tough woman .

“Oppa!”

JooAh snapped, but KangYoon spoke calmly without minding that .

– Yeon JooAh, go back to your roots .

“Ugh…”

She had nothing to say .

She had constantly reminded herself that she was starting from the bottom, but it seemed that going back to her roots wasn’t that easy .

JooAh looked down powerlessly .

– Come home once you set your mind . okay?

“…Fine . ”

After the call, JooAh put her phone inside her pocket .

‘Tch . This is frustrating . He always pokes where it hurts . ’

Grumbling at KangYoon, who wasn’t even here, JooAh left the lobby with a frown .

***

The concert business was hot from December to February .

This was the period when most concerts took place .

As such, Elin Illumination, one of the best concert lighting companies in Korea, was having a very busy time .

“That day is Fallin’s concert, and the day after that is…”

At the President’s office .

The President, Kang InSoo, had a satisfied smile on his face while looking at the plans that were filled until March .

“Hahaha . It would be nice if this actually happened . ”

Since the business was going well, he was feeling good . It would be wonderful if every day was like this, but that was simply impossible .

Just as he was about to sign some documents, the telephone started ringing .

– President, there’s a guest .

Being guided by a secretary, the short-statured middle-aged man extended his hand to President Kang InSoo .

“Long time no see, President Kang . ”

“Welcome, Director Yoo . It’s been a long time . ”

The middle-aged man, Director Yoo GyungTae of MG Entertainment, received a cup of coffee from the secretary and crossed his short, thick legs .

“I should have visited more frequently, but lately, I had some things to do . Forgive me on that one . ”

“Not at all . I should have visited as well… . ”

“Nah . Rather than that, Secretary Yoon is as pretty as ever . Hahaha . ”

After complimenting the secretary’s looks, Director Yoo GyungTae started talking about his reason for visiting .

“We decided to hold an encore concert with ECTM this time at the central hall . President Kang, you are going to join us, aren’t you?”

“Hahaha . Is that so? I’ll definitely be joining since you’re inviting me . When is it/”

Although Director Yoo GyungTae’s words had a slightly imperative tone, President Kang InSoo’s eyes shone .

ECTM was currently the most well-off male idol group that MG had right now . Moreover, ‘central hall’ referred to the biggest concert venue in all of Korea, the multipurpose hall of the World Cup Stadium .

There was no reason for him to back out on this .

“It’s at the end of February . As for the date…”

But then, when Director Yoo GyungTae told him about the date, President Kang InSoo’s eyes turned strange .

“It just has to be on that day… . ”

“What is it? You can’t join me?”

“The thing is…”

Friday, Saturday, Sunday in the last week of February .

Kim JaeHoon’s concert just had to be on that day .

Director Yoo GyungTae, seemingly unaware of it, urged him to speak .

“You have plans already? Oh well, I can’t help it then . You can’t just break a contract . ”

“*Ehem*… it’s, not like that…”

Kim JaeHoon vs ECTM

World Entertainment vs MG Entertainment .

Comparing the size of the stage as well as the size of the audience, the more profitable one was clear in his eyes .

“Hey, this is unlike you . ”

“Ah, not at all . We, we can do it . Hahaha . ”

“Right? I knew it, President Kang! Actually, You would have put me in a difficult position if you rejected me . Hahahaha!”

Director Yoo GyungTae pat President Kang InSoo’s shoulders joyfully .

He promised him to treat him to dinner before leaving .

“I’ll send you the papers by today . ”

“Yes, Director . ”

After Director Yoo GyungTae left, President Kang InSoo sighed in his office .

“…Yeah . MG is better in many ways, I’m sure . ”

He was worried that a strange rumor would appear within the industry, and he also felt apologetic, but profit was more important .

He picked up his phone after resolving himself .

***

“World should be in a tight spot this time . ”

Leaving Elin Illumination, Director Yoo GyungTae smirked .

Actually, there was another lighting company that MG had subcontracted for ECTM’s concert . However, he went to Elin Illumination for the encore concert . There was the fact that Elin Illumination was one of the best in the industry, but there was also another purpose .

“If the contract goes down the drain, they’ll have to pick other companies, and it won’t be easy installing all those equipment . Moreover, Lee KangYoon isn’t the type of guy who would randomly pick his business partners… Lee HyunJi will be in a tight spot too then . Heheh, this seems fun . ”

Thinking that World Entertainment, a thorn in his eyes, will have a hard time this time, Director Yoo GyungTae felt refreshed .

(T/N: Never could he imagine KangYoon pulled JooAh out of her activities for two months, lol . Even more considering that’s the concert period, and there’s practice to do…)

***

The day of HeeYoon’s graduation .

Before they left the house, KangYoon smiled awkwardly while looking at the entrance ticket for the graduation ceremony .

“To think you’d need a ticket to go to a graduation ceremony… It feels kinda weird . ”

HeeYoon smiled as he tied KangYoon’s necktie .

“The graduation ceremony is separate for each department . They also collect the names of the attendants beforehand . I got two because both you and JooAh were coming . There, all done . ”

KangYoon was satisfied with his indigo-colored tie and put his coat on .

JooAh, who was putting make-up on in the living room, suddenly shouted .

“HeeYoooooon! Tint, do you have any tint?”

“Tint? I only have an orange one . ”

“That’s fine . Can I borrow it? I forgot that I ran out of it . ”

JooAh borrowed a tint from HeeYoon and put it on in a hurry .

After everyone was ready, KangYoon drove everyone to the college .

“Then see you later, oppa . ”

HeeYoon headed towards the second floor as they entered the hall .

KangYoon and JooAh entered the hall after handing in the tickets that HeeYoon gave them .

“…Oppa, is that an instrument?”

JooAh was taken aback by the grandeur of the pipe organ that was on the stage .

KangYoon exclaimed at the bright white light that the pipe organ was producing and nodded .

“It’s called a pipe organ, and it’s nicknamed the king of musical instruments . ”

“The king of musical instruments, huh? Well, it’s huge… and it’s cool too . I wanna dance to it . ”

“Pfft, nice idea . ”

The two-headed to some seats in the middle of the crowd where they could see the stage well .

‘Looks like she’s set her mind . ’

The dejected JooAh from a few days ago wasn’t here anymore .

She seemed unwavering as though she had come to a decision .

“What are you looking at? Is there something on my face?”

“No, it’s nothing . ”

“You’re no fun . ”

JooAh seemed mesmerized by the grandeur of the pipe organ as she closed her eyes and listened in .

Some time passed and the graduation ceremony began .

Amidst a serious atmosphere, the conferment ceremony for the master’s degree began .

Everyone passionately applauded when a physically impaired person received an honorary master’s degree .

After the master’s degree, the conferment of the bachelor’s degree began .

[Number XX-9283-585 HEEYOON LEE . ]

After her colleagues received theirs, HeeYoon received the degree from the dean .

Seeing HeeYoon having a light hug with the old dean after a handshake, KangYoon’s eyes reddened .

‘……’

His sister was barely capable of everyday life before and now here she was, receiving a degree after a long period of studying overseas . And with music of all things .

He only wanted her to stay healthy…

“…Here . ”

“Ah… . ”

KangYoon wiped his tears with the tissue that JooAh offered him .

It seemed that he got emotional .

When HeeYoon turned around to greet everyone else, KangYoon couldn’t even look at her straight .

JooAh would usually tease him for such actions, but she only patted his back this time .

‘You’ve worked hard . ’

‘……’

KangYoon smiled gently seeing JooAh act like this .

After the conferment ceremony, HeeYoon, wearing a gown, ran towards where JooAh and KangYoon were .

“Oppa!”

HeeYoon excitedly rushed into his arms .

“Whoa, there . ”

“Hahahaha . ”

HeeYoon seemed excited as though she was liberated .

Seeing a good scene, JooAh, took out her phone and opened the camera app .

“There, photos are for times like this . Stay there . ”

“Oppa, try this on . ”

HeeYoon put the academic cap on KangYoon’s head .

Wearing such a thing for the first time, KangYoon felt a little strange .

“There there, here it goes . ”

JooAh took photos of the two and received the academic cap from KangYoon .

Soon, HeeYoon’s friends came around and greeted KangYoon and JooAh, took photos, and left behind memories of graduation .

On the way to the cafeteria, prepared for the graduates, KangYoon asked HeeYoon as though he had remembered something .

“Isn’t Reina graduating this year as well?”

“She took a year off for her musical . She’ll graduate next year . She told me she couldn’t make it today . ”

After that, the three of them continued to immerse themselves in the joy of graduation .

After the meal, JooAh went to the MG Entertainment’s American branch for practice, while HeeYoon headed home to pack her things .

“Oppa, don’t you have to help HeeYoon out?”

Seeing that KangYoon was accompanying her to the company, JooAh asked in surprise and KangYoon shook his hand saying that it was okay .

“Most of it is done . HeeYoon should be fine doing the rest . ”

“But even so, she should…”

“Don’t you need my help right now?”

“……”

JooAh was at a loss for words .

He was harsh at times, but at times like this, he was also…

“…JinSeo has it good . ”

“What?”

“Nah, it’s nothing . Fine, I’ll treat you to dinner tonight . ”

“Ouch, it hurts . ”

JooAh put KangYoon into a headlock .

As soon as they arrived at the branch company of MG Entertainment, JooAh changed her clothes and did some light stretches .

KangYoon played the video of Carrie Cloudia’s ‘Coming’ .

JooAh lightly tapped with her foot along with the cheerful jazz music .

“So I have to dance like the woman next to her?”

JooAh pointed at the white woman who appeared in the chorus and danced next to Carrie Cloudia .

“Yes . ”

“But man, both of them are so tall . They look to be 170 at least?”

“I heard that Carrie was 172cm tall . ”

“…That’s huge . Won’t I end up looking like a cicada on an old tree?”

“Actually, you might complement each other . You can’t change your height, so don’t worry about that . ”

“Okay . ”

JooAh couldn’t take her eyes off the singer in the video, Carrie .

Carrie was very proficient with the dance that required moving elastically while in a horse-riding stance, but meanwhile, the other white woman couldn’t keep up easily . It was a small difference, but JooAh’s eyes were sharp .

“She’s a little awkward on this part, isn’t she? It’s not a big difference though…”

“Can you fill that gap?”

“With enough practice, sure . ”

KangYoon nodded his head seeing that JooAh was confident .

After the video ended, JooAh stood up and stood in front of the mirror .

“Then shall we start?”

JooAh made a wave with her body .

Seeing her so confident, KangYoon thought .

‘Gold, huh . It won’t be easy . ’

It wasn’t a problem with her .

KangYoon watched carefully as JooAh produced music notes with her steps .

‘It’s not about her foundations . The problem is how to create gold light . ’

KangYoon thought about how he could make a white light dance to silver, then to gold .

All dances had a highlight .

The highlight of “Coming’s” choreography came just after the horse-riding stance where the sexy legs were emphasized along with a seductive expression .

JooAh also seemed to have noticed the importance of that part as she repeated the same part and thought about how to make it better .

“It’s hard…”

She repeatedly went back to the horse-riding stance and continued until the wave part, but JooAh didn’t seem to like her moves .

‘White . ’

Even to KangYoon’s eyes, there were no signs of silver .

Forgetting to eat dinner, JooAh kept repeating the same moves, but she ended up collapsing on the floor without being satisfied with her moves .

“Urgh, so tiring…”

“Let’s rest a little then . ”

KangYoon also gave her some advice throughout, but it wasn’t easy creating a silver light .

She tried smiling, emphasizing her legs more, and tried many other things but nothing was satisfactory .

Just as JooAh was lying down on the floor after drinking some water, KangYoon played back the video .

‘How is JooAh different to Carrie?’

KangYoon contemplated on the differences between the two people as he kept watching the long legs that Carrie showed through her skirt . (T/N: lewd . )

‘JooAh is small . The women in the video all have tall heights and pretty legs . However, their legs aren’t extremely pretty according to the standards here . Aren’t we too focused on copying the video?’

After organizing his thoughts, KangYoon called out to JooAh .

“Can you try doing what I say?”

“Do what?”

KangYoon asked for a change in the choreography .

He left out the wave after the problematic horse-riding stance and switched it out to a move that emphasized her waist a little more .

JooAh was worried while changing the choreography .

“Is it okay to change the choreography like this?”

“It’ll be better than just wearing clothes that don’t fit you . ”

“Okay . ”

JooAh changed the choreography like what KangYoon said .

Moreover, KangYoon had her tie the bottom of her shirt to show off her bellybutton a little .

“…Pervert . ”

“I, I’m just trying things out!”

“Hahaha, it was a joke . Then here it goes . ”

When the music flowed out, JooAh did a light twist . When she did, her thin stomach was revealed and it emphasized her thin waistline and hips .

She gave KangYoon a slight wink as she did the dance .

That was the end of the changed choreography .

“Oppa, how was it?”

JooAh asked KangYoon who was standing there absent-mindedly, but he didn’t answer her as though he had come across something strange .

‘Yes, that’s it!’

Silver .

KangYoon clenched his fist while looking at the light created by JooAh .