A few days later.
Hyunseung received a call from Lee Eunwoo.
—I wondered why the contact name you gave me was saved as “Total Nuisance,” but after meeting him, I realized why.
Lee Eunwoo grumbled incessantly, his voice thick with dissatisfaction.
—He kept badgering me, clinging on tenaciously just to squeeze out even one different scoop…
“He is a bit of a tiring style.”
—I didn’t think you were the type to get along with someone like that, Director.
Hyunseung laughed silently at those words.
The Total Nuisance and the Madman.
He found himself thinking it was a close call as to which one was the bigger bulldog; it was a neck-and-neck race.
Of course.
He remained completely unaware of the fact that the Total Nuisance and Lee Eunwoo, in turn, considered Hyunseung to be the real lunatic.
“He doesn’t quite mesh with me, but there aren’t many reporters who will write as recklessly and fearlessly as he does.”
—Ah, seeing the look in his eyes, he definitely seems like the type to charge in without looking back. Those weren’t ordinary eyes.
Lee Eunwoo agreed so strongly it felt like he might burst through the speaker.
“You, too…”
—Yes?
“Never mind.”
Hyunseung swallowed the words he was about to add to Lee Eunwoo.
—Anyway, regarding that matter, a lawsuit will be filed through my colleague, a lawyer in the U.S.
“You have friends in the U.S.?”
—Believe it or not, I’m someone who has also obtained a U.S. bar license.
“That’s unexpected.”
—Since Mr. Total Nuisance has agreed to handle the article, we’ll proceed as soon as you give the order, Director.
Suddenly, Hyunseung felt that the combination of these two was more reliable than he had expected.
Indeed.
The scariest things in the world were a mutt and a madman.
Eventually.
“Proceed immediately.”
Hyunseung gave the instruction succinctly.
—Understood. Then, I’ll start the hunt right away.
A voice that sounded absolutely delighted could be heard from the other end of the line.
Kim Woohyun strolled through the lobby of the company building, cradling a rustling paper bag in his arms.
He was careful, extremely careful, lest the shape of the French toast inside be crushed, yet he held it deep against his chest to prevent the warmth from escaping.
This was a snack for Hyunseung, who was likely working himself to the bone.
“That golden boy, he’ll probably devour it in one go and ask if there’s more.”
According to Michelle, he hadn’t even gone home for the past few days, locking himself in the studio.
What kind of song could he be…
No.
What kind of massive trouble was he planning to stir up this time?
Thump, thump.
Kim Woohyun headed toward the studio with eyes shining in anticipation.
Knock, knock, knock.
Arriving before Hyunseung’s door, Kim Woohyun knocked with his knuckles and immediately opened the door.
—♬ ♬ ♬
As soon as he opened the soundproof door, an intense beat pierced his ears, causing Kim Woohyun to frown.
“Ugh.”
Had he ever worked with the volume turned up this high?
In fact, had he ever used such an intense beat before?
Glance.
Kim Woohyun looked up to find Hyunseung, but the chair where he usually sat was empty.
“Where did he go…?”
Just as he was looking around the studio.
“H-Hyunseung?”
He spotted Hyunseung standing in the corner.
But what on earth was that?
Why was there a DJ booth, something he had only seen in clubs when he was younger…
“Oh, you’re here.”
Hyunseung noticed Kim Woohyun and manipulated the equipment.
Only then did the sound that had been relentlessly pounding against his heart stop.
“What on earth is this?”
Kim Woohyun slowly walked toward Hyunseung.
Then, he could see clearly.
This was…
The DJ booth he had seen over a decade ago at the first club he visited before enlisting in the military.
The DJ standing there…
Just like Hyunseung now, had a headset around his neck and was DJing under flashy lights.
“Why are you suddenly playing DJ…?”
Kim Woohyun looked at Hyunseung.
“I’m not playing.”
The look in Hyunseung’s eyes as they met was incredibly serious.
“I was practicing.”
“Practicing what?”
“What else? DJing practice.”
Then, with a mischievous smile, he placed his hands on the equipment.
“You’ve never seen a DJ booth in person, have you? Just by looking at you, I bet you’ve never even been to a club.”
“I have been to a club, you know?”
“You shouldn’t just say things because you think I can’t verify them.”
Woohyun huffed and denied it immediately, but Hyunseung looked at him with narrowed, skeptical eyes.
“Hah, what about you? Have you ever been?”
Kim Woohyun snorted and shot the question back, but then immediately felt it was a pointless question.
Right, with that face, there’s no way he hadn’t been to a club.
“I haven’t.”
He hadn’t?
“No, why?”
Kim Woohyun grabbed Hyunseung as if he couldn’t believe it.
“Because I didn’t have friends to go with. And I dislike loud, crowded places.”
Right, this kid has no friends.
“Well, that can happen. Let me tell you about clubs then. Clubs, you see, are dark and brilliant places. Because of the thick smog being pumped out, the faces of the people standing…”
“Stop lying.”
Hyunseung cut him off instantly and pointed to the bag Kim Woohyun was holding.
“More than that, I’m curious about what’s inside that bag you’re cradling.”
“I heard you were pulling all-nighters, so I bought this to cheer you up, thinking you were working on a new song…”
Kim Woohyun grumbled as he handed over the bag he had brought so carefully.
“If I knew you were just enjoying a hobby like this, I wouldn’t have bought it.”
“Why do you think this is a hobby? This is my new project.”
Hyunseung immediately took a large bite of the French toast from the bag with a clean face and began chewing.
Judging by his expression, it didn’t seem like he was just saying it.
Wait.
That’s a new project? Now, when Jamal’s success on the Billboard charts has raised the reputation of Godchis.
At a time when VINCIS is approaching its IPO!
When it wouldn’t be enough to solidify his position once more with a new song…
“DJing is a new project?”
“I’m going to try being a DJ.”
“What are you talking about? You’re a composer.”
Kim Woohyun asked, sounding frustrated.
It was understandable, as Hyunseung was trying to challenge something new instead of sticking to what he was good at and knew well.
Composing and DJing were strictly different things.
“Is there a law saying a composer can’t be a DJ? Aren’t they similar anyway?”
“How are they the same? A composer who creates new songs and a DJ who simply plays songs!”
“If that’s the case, then can’t I just create new songs, mix them myself, and DJ them?”
Of course, Hyunseung wasn’t one to lose to him.
Hyunseung shrugged as if to ask what the problem was.
“Can’t I just go to Billboard with Electronic music?”
Right.
“That’s easier said than done.”
This kid was always like this. He was always full of confidence.
And it wasn’t just bragging.
Because he always kept the words he spat out, did them, and achieved them.
Perhaps it would be the same this time. Even if it wasn’t easy, he might just pull it off.
Yes.
If it’s Hyunseung, wouldn’t he succeed once again as a DJ?
For some reason, he felt that vague certainty.
However, one small concern was…
“A DJ has to stand in front of people. Can you do that?”
Kim Woohyun asked, looking at Hyunseung worriedly.
Rustle, rustle.
Hyunseung searched for something under the DJ booth for a moment.
“I have this, don’t I?”
He pulled out a helmet with a flame mark on it and added.
“From now on, my stage name is ‘Fire Man.’”
“Fire Man…?”
“Yeah, isn’t it kind of cool?”
“U-Uh, yeah…”
No one could criticize Hyunseung’s talent, but…
Certainly.
Woohyun felt that he had absolutely no sense when it came to naming.
Meanwhile.
Baddy’s fingertips were pressed hard as he swiped up on his screen.
Swipe. Swipe.
His fingers scrolled down fiercely, enough to feel his bone-crushing grip.
What he was checking…
Were the reviews for the recent Electric Music Festival.
Among the numerous reviews praising the spectacular lineup, from famous DJs to guest performers, the one that stood out the most was the post about ‘JS.’
[JS only truly shines when he is on stage. As someone who has heard him in person and enjoyed the performance, I felt that a digital track can never truly capture him.]
Swipe.
↳ I didn’t see him at the festival, but at another venue. Now I understand why people are crazy about JS’s songs these days.
Swipe.
↳ I know his past is dark, but the fact is the songs are good, and there’s no faulting his skill.
Swipe.
↳ I think JS was born to be on stage.
Swipe.
↳ I heard he made the song after being influenced by HS? So now I’m curious about HS.
The more related posts he saw, the more Baddy’s brow furrowed.
“This can’t be happening.”
He shoved the phone out of his sight.
Thud!
The phone, thrown violently, hit the wall and fell.
Still unable to cool his rage, Baddy repeatedly punched the sofa with all his might.
Baddy was someone who was the center of attention wherever he went.
No matter what performance or festival he attended, he always took the finale, and posts flooded in saying that hip-hop could not be discussed without mentioning ‘Baddy.’
Also, with Baddy as the starting point, many people were enthusiastic, saying hip-hop was no longer the exclusive property of Black people.
But…
To some Black guy who looked like a back-alley thug, whose origin was unknown, who suddenly popped out…
“This makes no sense.”
Baddy was swept by a sense of crisis that his popularity and fame might be stolen by such a person.
“Huh?”
Breathing heavily with rage, Baddy suddenly remembered something and picked up his phone again.
However.
The screen was shattered into pieces from the impact.
“Hah.”
Damn it, I need to check…
Yes.
No matter how much I think about it, the man who came wearing a helmet back then was HS.
Not only was he very similar to the face in the photo he had caught a glimpse of.
But that helmet with the strange flame mark was also said to be his signature item.
Most of all.
If he was close enough to visit Jamal’s waiting room, he must be a close associate.
And if he was someone that the rude Black guy treated with respect…
“It can only be HS.”
The memory of being humiliated by HS came back, making him tremble with shame.
Not only was he physically overpowered by a tall Asian man.
But he was even threatened…
For Baddy, it was an unforgettable, disgraceful incident.
“Try cleaning up properly so no dust flies.”
It’s just a bluff. What does he know about me?
In fact, I should be the one suing for having my wrist grabbed…
“Ah.”
As he continued his thoughts, Baddy smirked deviously as if a good idea had struck him.
He then grabbed his coat to leave the house.
He couldn’t use his phone right now.
He would go to his agency and ask them to verify it instead…
Ding-dong!
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
Bang, bang, bang!
Following that, someone urgently pounded on the front door.
“Baddy-nim!”
The voice heard from behind the door belonged to his clumsy manager.
“Why did you come all of a sudden? I don’t have a schedule today.”
“Well, you weren’t answering, and it’s urgent…”
“Good timing. I have a favor to ask, so come in.”
Just as the manager was about to explain why he came, Baddy cut him off curtly and gestured for him to enter.
“You, you have the contact info for the festival organizers from a few days ago, right?”
“I do, but more than that…”
“Then call them right now.”
“I’m sorry, but right now…”
“If I tell you to call, just call. Why are you talking so much?”
Baddy’s expression suddenly hardened menacingly.
Whenever the manager saw that look on Baddy’s face, he would read his mood and quietly shut his mouth.
“There’s something much more important than that right now.”
But as if he couldn’t do that this time, the manager continued to speak while still being wary of Baddy.
“That’s why the CEO told me to bring you in immediately.”
“The CEO? What’s going on?”
“The articles right now are no joke, and even a lawsuit has arrived at the company.”
“What? Who the hell is suing me…!”
Baddy shouted in excitement for a moment.
“Is it HS? Or JS?”
He hurriedly grabbed the manager and asked.
“Try cleaning up properly so no dust flies.”
Even in this moment, HS’s face kept appearing in his mind.
Yes, that face that looked down on him with eyes that seemed to pierce through everything about him.
“Well, uh, I think it’s a Korean person…”
“Korean? Then it’s HS.”
“No, it wasn’t HS.”
The manager took out his phone, checked something, and added.
“The name was Min Hyuna.”
“Min Hyuna?”
“Yes. Do you happen to know them?”
Baddy could do nothing but tilt his head at the name he was hearing for the first time in his life.
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