An Agency That Attracts Genius Trainees

“CEO. Are you here today?”

The title that Arin calls me is CEO. They say it’s convenient to call it like this.

At first, I thought it was to keep a distance. After spending a little more time, I found out that it wasn’t.

“okay. Isn’t it uncomfortable just because I come every day?”

“Not at all. On the contrary, having someone who listens gives me strength. In fact, even before the CEO came, it was difficult to sing in front of other people.”

Really. Arin waved his hand as if asking me what he was talking about.

Two weeks ago, when I asked if I could come to listen to a song.

Arin’s expression was like looking at a strange person.

But Arin did not refuse. Rather, you can come only when you can. Only a small answer came back.

From then on, I headed here after finishing my work every day.

The result of hard work every day. could get closer

The psychological distance with Arin. Wouldn’t it be possible to know just by looking at me waiting for me without just starting?

Inside the quiet practice room, the sound of a guitar echoed. Soon, Arin’s voice begins to spread softly.

One song, two songs. And finally, the song I recommended.

After finishing the song, Arin asked me after quenching his thirst for a while.

“how is it?”

“hmm. After all, I thought this song would suit you better.”

“Yes? Do you feel that way even when the CEO hears it? But how did you know this song would suit me?”

“Because I just… listened to it? As soon as I heard this song, your voice came to mind. I mean, if you sing this, it’ll be really amazing.”

“no way.”

Arin waved his hand with a sullen expression.

His expression is like that, but he seems to have liked the song I recommended.

“Thank you for coming today. Thanks to you, this time has been so much fun.”

“what. When Arin listens to your song, it feels like a difficult day is over, so I really like it too.”

“really?”

“okay. I’m coming because I like it. If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t be able to come here.”

Seriously.

While preparing for the first step of an agency, I was so busy that even ten of my bodies were lacking.

However, what he did not miss despite his busy schedule was the meeting with Arin.

It started because I wanted to get closer to Arin. Listening to it, I felt empty if I tried to skip a day.

“I was very happy too. The fact that now I can sing in front of a single audience.” “Really?”

“yes. It wasn’t easy to sing in front of others like this from a certain point on. Now I’m telling you, it was really difficult when the CEO came into the practice room on the first day. Even holding the mic.”

I had no idea. Even when I first entered the practice room, I didn’t express myself at all.

“If it hadn’t been for the CEO’s enthusiastic response after the first song, I might have asked him to leave because he felt uncomfortable.”

Arin’s softly smiling words gave me a feeling.

I have a feeling that I might find a way to open Arin’s closed heart.

“I really… thank you very much.”

“what. Thank you for listening to your song and all I have to say is thank you for letting me hear your song.”

You might get used to it after this week.

I still get goosebumps when I hear Arin’s songs.

So even though it was difficult, I ended the day by visiting this place.

I also found out one more thing.

Arin likes it better when someone listens to his songs.

And that until now, I was reluctant to sing in front of other people to the point that I forgot the pleasure of it.

I could see it when I looked at it now. When does Arin make the happiest expression?

And what Arin wants.

So, I asked Arin, who looked happy.

“Are you free this weekend?”

Called.

“yes?!”

Arin’s confused expression comes into view. Before I misunderstood, I was quick to gossip.

“Would you like to try a busking performance?”

“Ah… Busking?”

If I didn’t do it, the trust and faith that I worked hard for would have collapsed in an instant.

Arin’s face, which had a relieved expression for a moment at the word busking, turned into embarrassment again.

“If it’s busking… it’s singing outdoors in front of a lot of people, right?”

“okay. that busking. It’s because I felt something while listening to your songs every day for two weeks.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a waste to listen alone. It would be nice if many people could listen to your song and be happy.”

And Arin swallowed the words behind you, too…

“ah···”

This is sincere.

I have such perfect skills. Singing only in a small practice room like this every day is such a waste of talent.

But most of all, because of Arin’s expression.

Embarrassment that appeared after realizing the meaning of busking for the first time. And to the strange excitement that follows.

Because of that excited expression, I suggested busking to Arin.

After the song is over in this small practice room. When I clap with a moved expression.

It was Arin who had a happier expression than anyone else.

If only Arin could sing her song to her heart’s content in front of a little more people.

If so, I wonder if that heart that is still closed will be opened a little.

But I guess that was a bit premature.

“That’s… that’s a little…”

“little?”

“I think it will be difficult…”

“…”

A moment of silence passed.

Arin’s expression full of confusion. Instead of answering, I chose to wait.

Arin lowered his head and spoke slowly.

“I… CEO.”

“huh?”

What are you trying to say?

Because he lowered his head, he couldn’t see what kind of expression Arin was making.

“This is a secret nobody knows, never told anyone.”

It’s a secret.

What is the secret that Arin will tell you… When he was a trainee at TOP Enter, he asked Lee Sang-woo.

Isn’t it a story about what happened to Arin at that time?

“There was a time when I was a trainee at TOP, a large agency that even the CEO knows.”

That’s over two years. A small word follows.

Arin’s expression is depressing as if he recalls the painful past. As if the face that had been smiling brightly just a moment ago had become a lie.

“Even when I was a trainee, he lifted me up and praised me just like the CEO. The trainee friends I used to work with, the teachers…”

“I see.”

“It was great. to be recognized by others. But suddenly at some point. suddenly···”

Arin bit his lip at the painful memories he had experienced then. As much as I was worried that it would leave a scar.

“As soon as the moment to choose the main vocalist, the only remaining seat, came, everyone changed. From then on, everyone started swearing at me and putting me down…”

A girl group planned by TOP Entertainment.

He said that there were already three seats. Two foreign members to advance overseas. And one of the main dancers, a rising star in TOP Enter.

There was only one seat left.

The seat of the last member to be in charge of the main vocal.

Arin must have shown overwhelming skills among the trainees.

Arin’s competitor was Lia, the daughter of the director of TOP Entertainment.

“There is no emotion in your song. He just sings well like a machine. Would you like to be the main vocalist if you sang it like that? Look here and learn from Leah.”

What kind of guy would do such a stupid thing…

“At first, I didn’t even know what the problem was. I just knew that my singing was really lacking. Was my skill that low? He also looked back at me.”

“But… just my existence itself was a problem. Because Lia had to be the main vocalist. At the company, I was just a hindrance to Lia’s selection.”

I could tell what kind of story would have unfolded without listening to Arin.

“So I came out. I feel like there’s no one on my side…”

I was so afraid of people who had changed. It was swallowed almost inaudible.

What Arin is trying to say is not about what happened in the past.

What Arin wants to say now.

“After that day, I couldn’t sing in front of people. I felt like people would suddenly change and attack me just like that time…”

It was the story of Arin who had to endure alone during those difficult times.

“I’ve said it before, but even when the CEO first came here, he sang very hard. That’s why it’s impossible for me to do busking performances where I have to sing in front of a lot of people.”

Arin’s smile is sad.

I can imagine how hard this little kid must have been.

A situation in which there is no place to lean on in a competitive environment. The sudden change of the people who believed and followed them there would have made it even more difficult to endure.

The result must have made me unable to sing in front of people like I do now.

“Arin.”

“yes?”

I will heal Arin’s broken wings and make them fly again.

“Did I say this?”

the song is over

To see Arin’s happy smile as he saw me react enthusiastically.

“What do you mean?”

To make my singer stand up again.

“I’m the number one fan of a singer named Arin.”

“yes?!”

Arin’s face turned red when he was told that he was the number one fan of singer Arin.

Embarrassment, embarrassment, shame.

A variety of emotions are mixed on Arin’s face.

And one emotion that is clearly visible.

moved.

“I, really? I mean, my fan number 1.”

“for a moment. You should put the word singer Arin in front of it.”

Arin lowered his head as soon as I finished my words.

singer. Fan No. 1.

muttering those two words.

“It would be nice if only I knew my singer. But when the song is over, Arin. I think it’s too much of a waste for only me to know that smile that makes you happier than anyone else in the world.”

“…”

I took a moment to catch my breath.

For Arin to reconsider my words.

“And above all.”

contained sincerity.

Rather than using rhetoric to change Arin’s heart, I wanted to convey my sincere feelings.

“I hope Arin can sing the song that makes you the happiest in the world.”

“…”

No answer.

Arin’s shoulders shake a little as he lowers his head and hides his expression.

“Singing was the most fun in the world. But at some point, I became afraid of singing in front of others.”

waited

Arin’s words to follow.

“Can I sing happily in front of others again?”

I answered Arin’s question.

with a sincere smile.

“of course. This time, you’re not alone, but I, singer Arin’s number one fan, is with you.”

Is the smile contagious?

The shade disappears from Arin’s dark face, and a bright smile appears.

“I’ll try it once… It’s the busking performance the CEO talked about.”

“Is that so? Like Fan No. 1 here?”

At my words, Arin smiled brightly.

“yes! Just like my fan number one.”

Episode 6

next day.

What greeted me when I opened the door to the practice room was a piece of paper with various things written on it.

“CEO. I’ve been thinking about it until late last night. Please see how it is.”

Even if you don’t say it, I know how much trouble you’ve been through.

Song names written crookedly here and there. Even the selections that I rewrote next to it with two lines drawn again, as if my thoughts had changed.

“Are you okay?”

“Right? It’s worth thinking about all night.”

“Looking at the underlines, I can tell you how worried I was without telling you.”