#88

“Yes. Come in.”

At my permission, muttered while glancing at the nearly finished stack of documents, the door opened. And Manager Ahn Siwon walked in with his characteristically cheerful steps.

“What brings you here?”

“Daon said the president would be coming to watch the Tartarus recording today. So I came to escort you.”

Manager Ahn Siwon said with a bright smile. I belatedly checked the time.

“Oh, it’s already 11 o’clock.”

I’d been so buried in paperwork that I hadn’t even noticed the time flying by. Feeling a bit sheepish, I wrapped up the document I was reviewing.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine. A lot better now.”

“That’s a relief. Everyone was really worried because you were sick. Of course, that includes me too.”

“Sorry for making you all worry. I was only outside for a little while—I didn’t expect to catch such a bad cold.”

I’ve gone through life with hardly a sick day, never really needing to deal with minor illnesses, and now I catch a cold just from being out in the winter air a bit. I muttered while setting down the fountain pen I was holding.

“People always say once the first digit of your age changes, your health takes a sudden hit…… I didn’t think I’d be realizing it like this……”

At my joking remark, Manager Ahn Siwon widened his eyes.

“Wow~ Sir, you’re only just 30!”

“There’s quite a big difference between 29 and 30.”

Feigning a tone of sorrow, I spoke, and Manager Ahn Siwon burst out laughing with delight. I looked at him warmly as he clutched his stomach and giggled, then rose from my seat. Picking up the jacket that had been draped over the chair—

“Shall we get going then?”

Manager Ahn Siwon only managed to stop laughing after I put on my jacket and straightened out my clothes. I showed him the time on my wristwatch—it had already passed 11. Ahn Siwon nodded while catching his breath from laughing.

Once I confirmed that he was ready to follow, I started walking. My steps were lighter and more excited than usual. Noticing the change, Ahn Siwon looked at me with curiosity and asked.

“You’ve got a really excited expression on your face.”

“Tartarus is recording in our company for the first time, remember?”

“You actually find stuff like that meaningful?”

“Of course. Every ‘first’ in the world carries a special meaning.”

I meant it. And especially when it was the ‘first’ for the kids I cared about, it meant even more. Ahn Siwon let out a soft chuckle.

“No wonder the kids were all super tense today. I guess it’s because they know how much you’re looking forward to this.”

……The kids were super tense?

At those words from Ahn Siwon, I stopped walking mid-step, my mood shifting. I turned to look at him with a concerned expression.

“They were tense?”

“Huh? Yes.”

“Very?”

“Uh…… if I had to say, yes, pretty tense……?”

He answered cautiously, his eyes darting around in response to my serious tone. I gently rubbed my chin with my fingers, slipping into thought.

If they were that tense, it’s probably because of me, right? I mean, if I were in their shoes, I’d be nervous too if the company president came to watch while I worked. Sung Yoojun told me I was free to go wherever I wanted in the company, but if I believed that too literally, wouldn’t that just mean I’m a clueless boss who lacks awareness?

“Um, uh…… President?”

“Yes?”

“Why the sudden change?”

“I’m just wondering if me dropping by might be a little too much pressure for the kids. It’s their first album since switching agencies, so I’m sure they’re already feeling the heat. Maybe it’d be better if I didn’t go?”

I was genuinely concerned and asked, hoping for some advice, but for some reason, Ahn Siwon’s face fell like the sky had just collapsed.

“No. No, no, no! Please don’t say that. If the kids find out you’re not coming, they’ll be so disappointed—and if they realize it’s because of something I said, they might resent me for it. So please, I really hope you’ll go to the recording studio.”

With both hands clasped together in front of his chest, Ahn Siwon looked at me with desperate eyes. The earnest glimmer in his big, round eyes made it impossible for me to say I’d turn back and return to my office.

“……Alright. In that case, of course I’ll go.”

After a brief pause, I finally let out that one word, and Ahn Siwon’s face lit up. His reaction was like a puppy who waited patiently and finally got a treat. I had to bite the inside of my lip hard to stop myself from smiling.

Yeah. Cute. Way too cute. How is a 28-year-old man that adorable? Is that even allowed? With those thoughts in my head, I started walking again. Before long, we arrived at the recording studio.

“Excuse us~.”

Once we were in front of the studio door, Ahn Siwon gave a couple of knocks before opening it.

“Everyone! The president’s here!”

At his cheerful announcement, the chatter inside the recording studio cut off instantly. All eyes turned toward the door—or rather, toward me.

“Welcome, President.”

As soon as I entered, Team Leader Lee Heonseung from the producing team quickly got up from his seat. I gave him a light wave, gesturing for him to sit back down.

“I was curious about the recording process and dropped by. I hope I’m not intruding.”

“Not at all. Please come in and make yourself comfortable.”

Worried that I might be getting in the way, I had spoken cautiously, but Team Leader Lee Heonseung waved off the concern. I let out a quiet sigh of relief and quietly stepped inside the studio.

“You came, sir?”

As I stepped further inside, Lee Daon, who had been sitting on the sofa, got up and trotted over to me. Very cautiously, he took hold of my sleeve. I smiled gently and took his hand, which looked like it might slip away with even the slightest movement.

“Are you waiting for your turn?”

“Yes. The first one up is Jung Hosu… I mean, Hosu hyung.”

Lee Daon, who almost said Jung Hosu’s full name like usual, quickly corrected himself after glancing at me. I patted his head affectionately and looked around.

Just as Lee Daon had said, inside the soundproof booth within the recording studio, Jung Hosu was singing with his eyes closed. I took in the sight of him focused on his work, as well as Team Leader Lee Heonseung, and then turned my gaze elsewhere.

Over by the sofa in the corner of the studio stood Nam Yisol, Yoo Euiseo, and Lee Gaon, all looking in my direction. It seemed like they had stood up because of me. I waved lightly to signal they could sit back down.

Yoo Euiseo and Lee Gaon returned to their seats, but Nam Yisol glanced around like he was searching for something, then dragged a chair over from one side of the room and placed it next to the sofa.

“Sir, you can sit here. Or would you prefer the sofa? Should I ask the kids to move?”

I shook my head in response to Nam Yisol’s question. I didn’t want to take someone else’s seat when they were already sitting comfortably.

“This chair is perfect.”

Saying so, I took the seat Nam Yisol had brought over. Right after, Lee Daon, who had been trailing behind me like a shadow, perched himself on the armrest of the sofa beside me.

His determination to stay by my side no matter what was clear. Yoo Euiseo looked at him like he’d lost his mind. But Lee Daon ignored Yoo Euiseo’s stare with ease.

“You guys are close, huh?”

Ahn Siwon, who had brought a cold bottle of water from the mini-fridge in the studio, made the remark as he looked at Lee Daon practically glued to my side. He started to hand me the bottle but paused mid-motion.

“Oh right, can you drink cold water, sir? Should I heat it up? Or maybe make you some citron tea or something……”

“Water is fine.”

I politely declined Ahn Siwon’s thoughtful offer and took the water bottle from him to wet my throat. While I was drinking, the song came to an end, and Jung Hosu, having finished singing, closed his mouth and slowly opened his eyes. He spotted me through the glass window and blinked in surprise.

Noticing Jung Hosu’s wide-eyed reaction, I waved at him. His eyes, which had gone round in shock, gradually returned to their normal size. With a now perfectly calm expression, Jung Hosu gave me a polite bow.

“Hosu, that was good, but your pitch was off in a couple of spots.”

“……”

“Yeah, right there. You noticed it too, didn’t you? Let’s try it one more time, paying attention to that part.”

Team Leader Lee Heonseung waited until it looked like my exchange with Jung Hosu was finished before speaking into the mic. Jung Hosu seemed to respond to him, though I couldn’t hear anything—only the silent movement of his lips.

Maybe only Team Leader Lee Heonseung’s headset picks it up? While I was pondering that, Jung Hosu began singing again. Perhaps conscious of me sitting in the back, this time, his voice flowed through the speakers—unlike before when it had been silent from my side.