#89

“The parts are already divided, but just in case there are sections that don’t quite fit, we’re planning to have all the members sing the entire song today.”

Said Manager Ahn Siwon, handing me a few sheets of paper after rummaging through the desk in the studio. I took the papers and read through them. They contained the pre-assigned parts for the upcoming title track.

“You’re planning to adjust if there’s any mismatch?”

“Yes. What you imagine in your head and what actually happens can be very different.”

That made sense. I nodded in agreement with Manager Ahn Siwon’s words. Then, I set the papers down on the table beside me and turned my attention to Jung Hosu’s singing.

Normally, Jung Hosu’s voice was on the lower, deeper side, and when he sang, that unique quality came through very clearly.

“What do you think?”

“He’s good.”

I replied with admiration in my voice as I leaned back against the chair. Crossing my legs, I rested my clasped hands on top. Just as I was settling in to properly enjoy the performance, Jung Hosu’s closed eyelids slowly opened.

From between the parted lids, his pitch-black eyes looked straight at me. When we first met, those eyes had seemed to sink into endless darkness, but now, they held a gentle warmth. That change made me genuinely happy—and a little sad at the same time.

All that boy had needed was a bit of attention, respect, and a little help. Just that. And yet not a single person in this world had managed to give him even that much, instead pushing him into a corner.

I swallowed the bitter feeling rising in my throat and gave a soft smile to Jung Hosu, who was still looking at me. When I smiled, an even warmer light lit up in his eyes. At the same time, the song echoing through the studio came to an end.

From what I heard, it sounded flawless, but apparently, it didn’t fully meet Team Leader Lee Heonseung’s standards. He picked up the mic and relayed a few revision notes to Jung Hosu. Jung Hosu nodded calmly, as if he understood right away what was being said. Watching that, I scratched my cheek with a conflicted expression.

“I’m hearing all the correction points being given right next to me, but I have no idea what they’re talking about or which parts are being pointed out.”

“Well, it’s not your field of expertise, so it can’t be helped. You’re in charge of overall management, after all.”

“Still, as the president, I should at least have some basic level of understanding……”

With a troubled tone, I said that and wrinkled my nose.

Even though it was an absurd situation—being forcibly thrust into the president’s seat due to some bizarre case of game transmigration—I still wanted to do my part properly while I was here. Honestly, I’ve never liked people who can’t even handle their own responsibilities.

But what could I really learn in less than two months about a field I’d never been involved in or even interested in before? The knowledge I had right now barely scraped the surface of beginner-level. Especially when it came to areas requiring musical expertise—I wasn’t even a beginner yet; it was embarrassing to even claim that much.

“Don’t be too hard on yourself. If you take it slow, eventually you’ll gain the kind of knowledge that even you can be satisfied with.”

Perhaps sensing my inner turmoil, Manager Ahn Siwon spoke in a soothing tone. I nodded with a faint smile. He was right. With any task, if you keep at it steadily, one day you’ll reach a level of knowledge or skill that you can be proud of. The important thing is whether or not you have the perseverance to keep going until then.

With my eyes lowered to the floor, I was lost in that thought when something suddenly weighed down on my left shoulder. Curious, I turned to see Lee Daon, who had been perched on the armrest of the sofa, leaning over and resting his head on my shoulder.

There was a slight gap between my chair and the sofa, so Lee Daon’s position looked extremely unstable. If I moved even a little to the side, he looked like he’d fall straight off. Carefully, I nudged my chair closer to the sofa with my foot. At that, Lee Daon let out a soft chuckle.

“Is this uncomfortable for you?”

“It’s fine. Not uncomfortable at all.”

Lee Daon said he was fine, but I couldn’t quite believe him. The armrest of the sofa was higher than my chair, so for Lee Daon to rest his head on my shoulder, he had to bend at a pretty steep angle. There’s no way that wasn’t uncomfortable.

I rolled my eyes upward to check on his awkwardly bent posture, then gently reached out and lifted his head from my shoulder. I carefully moved it to rest on top of my own head.

That allowed Lee Daon’s bent posture to straighten out. Sure, it looked a bit strange—us with our heads resting together like that—but whatever. It was better for him not to strain his back. With that in mind, I adjusted my posture so he could lean a little more comfortably.

Just then, a happy chuckle rang out, followed by the feeling of an arm wrapping warmly around my shoulder.

The arms wrapped around my shoulder, of course, belonged to Lee Daon. He was hugging my shoulders tightly with both arms, resting his cheek on my head and laughing happily.

He was laughing so hard that I could feel the trembling of his body through the point of contact. I lifted my hand and gently stroked Lee Daon’s head. In response, the arms wrapped around me tightened just a bit more.

“Um, Daon…… Aren’t you sticking a little too close to the president? He might be getting annoyed.”

Lee Gaon, who couldn’t seem to bear watching Lee Daon clinging to me like that, cautiously spoke up. As he did, he kept glancing at me, clearly trying to gauge my reaction. He was probably worried that I might be annoyed by Lee Daon’s behavior.

At his brother’s words, Lee Daon lifted his cheek from my head. Then, he leaned forward and peered closely at my face.

“Sir. Am I annoying?”

His eyes were full of pleading, silently begging me not to say yes. With a look like that, how could anyone say he was being annoying? I let out a soft chuckle and shook my head.

“No. You’re not.”

With that gentle but firm answer, Lee Daon’s lips curved into a wide grin. He lifted his head and turned to look triumphantly at Lee Gaon, speaking with confidence.

“The president says I’m not annoying.”

Lee Gaon was left speechless at Lee Daon’s bold attitude. Not that Lee Daon seemed to care much—he just snuggled back into me like nothing had happened. At that, Lee Gaon’s eyebrow twitched upward.

“Daon, you……”

“Gaon. You’re up next.”

Just as I thought the brothers might be heading toward a little scuffle, Manager Ahn Siwon thankfully stepped in at just the right moment. He gestured toward Jung Hosu, who was getting ready to leave the sound booth.

“Go ahead.”

“Ah, yes!”

At Manager Ahn Siwon’s words, Lee Gaon quickly jumped up from his seat. I quietly let out a breath of relief, thankful that the fight between the brothers didn’t seem like it would actually happen. Just then, Ahn Siwon glanced at me and winked. No wonder the timing had felt perfect—it looked like he’d stepped in on purpose.

Lee Gaon hurried over to Team Leader Lee Heonseung, exchanged a few words with him, and then entered the sound booth just as Jung Hosu was coming out.

Inside the booth, Lee Gaon put on the headphones and stood in front of the mic, while outside, Jung Hosu engaged in a serious conversation with Team Leader Lee Heonseung.

“You did well. Just keep singing the way you did at the end.”

“Thank you.”

With a satisfied look, Team Leader Lee Heonseung praised Jung Hosu and gave him a pat on the shoulder. Jung Hosu bowed politely in response and walked over in my direction.

“……”

Stopping right in front of where I was seated, Jung Hosu silently stared at Lee Daon, who was still clinging to me. I couldn’t see Lee Daon’s face because of our position, but it seemed like he was staring right back at Jung Hosu.

Something about the atmosphere between them felt a little tense…… Was there going to be another fight now that Lee Gaon had left, this time between Lee Daon and Jung Hosu?

They were free to fight if they wanted, but I’d rather not be stuck in the middle of it. Preparing to step in if needed, I subtly tensed up, ready to intervene. But contrary to my worries, Jung Hosu soon broke his gaze from Lee Daon without incident.

“President. How are you feeling?”

Instead, Jung Hosu turned his attention to me, his eyes filled with concern. He studied me carefully as he asked about my condition. I responded gently.

“I’m okay. I’m not sick anymore.”

Even with my reassurance, the worry didn’t leave his expression. Very cautiously, he reached out and placed his hand on my forehead, as if checking for a fever. I let out a light laugh at the gesture.

“My fever’s gone too.”

“Seems like it. That’s a relief.”

Seeing the genuine relief in his voice and expression made me feel warm inside. Having someone care about you sincerely—it really is something that never fails to make you feel good.