The Grammy Awards completed preparations befitting its reputation as a “global show” and announced its opening.
Crowds of reporters and journalists swarmed the venue, while the artists participating in the awards ceremony made their presence known on the red carpet.
“Kyaaaa—!”
As if responding to them, the crowd let out deafening cheers.
Even in the cold wind, the heat radiating from the people was enough to make one sweat.
And just like that, the Grammy Awards began.
Among them, Liam alone wore a dark expression. Against the continuously flashing lights, he looked even more somber.
“Hmm.”
Liam let out a low groan as he looked down the long red carpet.
The artists who looked gratified simply by stepping onto the Grammy red carpet and the massive crowds and reporters gathered to capture those artists.
Do they really not know the dark side of the Grammys?
The question suddenly popped into his head.
Just then, a luxurious sedan pulled in.
“Who is it?”
People began to murmur. Most of the notable artists had already made their entrances.
Yet they remained in place and waited.
In a word…
It meant the true protagonist had not appeared yet, and with a sedan arriving in the middle of all that, it was only natural for expectations to rise.
Perhaps the protagonist they were waiting for…
“Hey, take the picture! Shoot!”
…was the man stepping out of the back seat of the sedan right now.
Despite wearing a flamboyant suit and a blunt expression, that man drew everyone’s eyes with his face alone…
The CEO of Unice Music Group, and a composer who had appeared out of nowhere and come to be called a rising powerhouse on the Billboard scene.
Min Hyunseung.
Camera flashes rained down more intensely than they had for any artist who had appeared so far, while the crowd’s cheers grew loud enough to seemingly spread across the entire United States.
To think the person who was always seen wearing his signature helmet had come without it…
‘He came prepared.’
His stride was unwavering, like a man who knew he was the protagonist here and that he would be receiving an award.
Without waving a hand or giving the people so much as a smile, he walked silently forward, looking only ahead.
That didn’t mean he looked nervous or hurried, either.
Rather, he looked dignified and overflowing with confidence.
The people seemed to like that side of him as well, and their excitement grew even greater.
Suddenly, the words Mateo had said came to mind.
—Everyone in the world acknowledges their album as the best, yet they say they cannot give them the award.
The man who had personally produced an album called the absolute best…
The man who had made those words come out of Mateo’s mouth…
Since he was such a man…
That must be why he was receiving such adoration from the people.
And since he was such a person, it was only right that he should receive the award as well.
Slide.
Liam pulled his phone out of his pocket and called someone.
“The awards today. Can you make sure they go to the original winners? If so, I’ll keep my promise to step down from the front line.”
Then, his eyes flickering with firm resolve despite the bitterness within them, he added.
“If an undeserving person ends up holding the trophy, I’ll hold a press conference as soon as the ceremony ends, so please make sure such a disaster doesn’t happen.”
Ending the call with those words, Liam’s expression became much lighter.
He didn’t know whether his wish would come true…
He simply hoped it would be a Grammy ceremony everyone could enjoy.
The interior of the hall boasted such a luxurious lineup that it was difficult to describe it simply as an “awards ceremony.”
Pretending not to, people swept their eyes over those seated around them.
Starting with Vincent Mah, called the Emperor of Billboard.
The Queen of Pop, Rise, the most-awarded artist at the Grammys.
And.
Sarah Stewart, who had never once failed to chart on Billboard.
Besides them…
Famous pop stars like Can Play, Bruce, and George were seated throughout the hall.
Of course.
There was one person who captured even their attention all at once.
A man sitting there whose looks seemed capable of overwhelming even the light of the massive chandeliers hanging throughout the hall.
Yes.
It was Min Hyunseung.
“Hey.”
Vincent, who was sitting next to Hyunseung, called out to him with a disgruntled expression.
“Why did you suddenly not wear that helmet you always use?”
“If I’d worn it, you would’ve nagged me about why I’d wear a helmet to a place like this.”
“I’m asking why you didn’t wear it when you could’ve pushed it as a solid concept, since it’s already established as your signature.”
The reason Vincent was so displeased was that, because they happened to be seated side by side at the same table, he was certain he would be compared to Hyunseung if the cameras caught the two of them in the same shot.
‘Selfish bastard.’
Vincent had clearly put far more effort than usual into looking sharp, but he wasn’t even close to Hyunseung’s level.
The subtly ash-toned blue-black suit further emphasized the mysterious yet cold atmosphere Hyunseung possessed.
His solid physique showing through the suit contrasted with his sharp yet delicate face, leaving hardly a flaw to be found.
Indeed.
Even from another man’s perspective, he was magnificent enough to inspire involuntary admiration.
It was only natural that the women seated nearby kept stealing glances at Hyunseung. If even Vincent, another man, kept finding his eyes drawn toward him, perhaps it would have been stranger not to look.
Of course.
The man in question, Hyunseung, was staring only at the stage as if he knew nothing.
No.
As if he had no interest whatsoever.
Meanwhile, at the very moment everyone was looking at Hyunseung’s face…
‘He… he wore it.’
Sarah took in the suit Hyunseung was wearing.
She was surprised once because Hyunseung had actually worn the suit she bought for him.
And because it suited him far better than she had imagined, she was surprised all over again and couldn’t take her eyes off him.
Because of that, she was admiring Hyunseung without even realizing who had taken the seat beside her.
“He’s such a wonderful man. Don’t you think?”
When the very words she had been thinking came from beside her, Sarah turned her head in surprise, as if someone had caught her innermost thoughts.
“Ah, I’m sorry for startling you.”
Then she saw Rise, smiling brightly.
Rise?
“No, it’s fine.”
There was no way Sarah would welcome Rise, so she cut the conversation short and turned her head away again.
“I didn’t expect him to show his face like that, but after seeing him in person, I think the rumors were actually an understatement.”
However, Rise didn’t care and continued talking, scooting even closer to Sarah.
“Everyone said Min Hyunseung was a handsome pretty boy. But looking at him now, he’s a magnificent man.”
“And?”
“I’m sure he looks that way to you too, Sarah?”
Sarah didn’t know why Rise was talking to her, but she wanted to wipe that smiling expression right off her face.
“I wonder.”
However, with so many eyes watching, she couldn’t do that.
If she gave half-hearted answers, Rise would eventually lose interest and leave.
Just endure it.
“That rumor must have been fake too.”
“What rumor?”
“The rumor that you two are dating.”
No.
I can’t endure this.
“Wh-What? It’s nothing like that.”
Sarah denied it as if she’d been pricked by a needle.
“If not, could you help me so I can make a move on that magnificent man, Sarah?”
“Excuse me?”
“I was wondering if you could arrange a meeting so we could get acquainted while working together.”
Rise made the blatant request, whether she knew Sarah’s insides were churning or not.
“Do that yourself. I saw you two follow each other.”
Sarah was having a hard time suppressing the urge to shove Rise’s face away right then and there.
“I guess you two are close enough that you even check each other’s followers?”
“Well, we’re close enough to know each other’s families.”
She said it hoping Rise would feel frustrated, but Rise instead became even more interested and clung to her all the more.
“Then arranging a meeting won’t be difficult at all!”
Sarah broke into a cold sweat at the formidable opponent she hadn’t encountered in a very long time.
She wanted to kick this leech-like woman out of the hall immediately, but not only was Rise far more senior than her, there were countless people and cameras watching them.
She had no choice but to change tactics.
“If I were to tell you one thing for your own sake, his face may be fine, but his personality is a total me—”
“What does it matter if his personality is bad? If he’s that magnificent, I can just adjust to his personality.”
She hadn’t expected that tactic to fail too.
“I guess you only look at a person’s face.”
“There are plenty of handsome men in the world. But there aren’t many men who look that magnificent in a suit.”
Sarah finally couldn’t hold back and slammed the table in front of her.
Thud!
Then, hearing the loud noise, the magnificent man approached.
Yes.
The man Rise had been praising as magnificent this entire time.
“Miss Sarah.”
Min Hyunseung approached and spoke with a worried expression (from Sarah’s extremely subjective perspective).
“God-Hyun…”
Rise stood up to greet Hyunseung as if seizing her opportunity, but…
“Oh Hyunseung, you wore the suit I bought you?”
Sarah was faster.
“It’s magnificent and cool. I’ll be looking forward to your special stage today too.”
Of course, Hyunseung couldn’t understand Sarah’s behavior and suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of anxiety.
‘Did I do something wrong?’
The Grammy Awards ceremony was nearing the end of Part 1.
The thing that drew the most attention at the Grammys, aside from the special stages, was the General Field awards…
The General Field awards presented in Part 1 were Best New Artist and Song of the Year.
Those two…
Were also the categories in which Jamal had been nominated.
Naturally…
Best New Artist had already gone to someone else.
Because Jamal was Black and a rapper.
‘This must be what Mateo meant.’
Because life had gone too much according to plan, there was something Hyunseung had overlooked.
Yes.
The world was, originally…
—Tell that friend of yours not to expect too much.
Always full of unfairness.
—The world isn’t such a warm place.
Full of prejudice and discrimination.
—It’s not a place where everything goes as you wish.
It wasn’t a place where things always went according to plan.
So.
There was a high probability that Song of the Year would also go to someone else.
Even if it was unfair.
Even if it was prejudice.
Even if it was discrimination.
No matter how desperate one’s intentions were.
It couldn’t be helped.
Whether Jamal knew that or not…
Not a trace of disappointment showed on his face.
Could it be…
Was he confident that he would win Song of the Year?
Was that why he kept glancing at a note densely packed with writing?
“Hmm…”
Having given up on his expectations, Hyunseung simply hoped Part 1 would end quickly.
His special stage was scheduled for Part 2.
“We will now announce the winner of Song of the Year.”
Leading up to the announcement of the Song of the Year winner, the final event of Part 1, the venue filled with sound effects designed to heighten the tension.
Spotlights began illuminating the nominees one by one.
Soon.
The presenter adjusted the microphone and opened their mouth.
“It’s ‘GHS’ by JS. Congratulations.”
A spotlight poured down onto Jamal’s head.
Everyone looked at Jamal in surprise.
Thud, thud.
Leaving those gazes behind, Jamal strode onto the stage.
Only after Jamal was holding the trophy and bouquet in his arms did applause and cheers erupt.
‘That punk.’
Hyunseung sent Jamal a smirk instead of applauding.
He’d made a promise like that, and somehow he had actually pulled it off.
Just as one corner of Hyunseung’s heart began to tickle with an unfamiliar sense of pride…
“Shh.”
Jamal, standing before the standing microphone to give his acceptance speech, suddenly placed his index finger against his lips.
Then, a quiet silence descended over the awards hall.
“For my acceptance speech, I would like to talk about the Ten Commandments that I have pledged to serve for the rest of my life.”
The moment that should never have come had arrived.
No way.
It can’t be.
He’s not really going to do that, is he?
“First, do not expect anything from Hyung-nim.”
No, that’s not it.
“Second, do not feel hurt by Hyung-nim.”
That’s not it, you brat.
“Third, do not want anything from Hyung-nim.”
Hyunseung clenched his fists while staring at Jamal, but all he could do right now was watch as Jamal shamelessly recited his Ten Commandments.
Before long.
After finishing all the way through the ninth, Jamal pulled the microphone from its stand, walked to the front of the stage, and turned toward where Hyunseung was sitting.
“Tenth, I will live with the resolve to die for Hyung-nim. Hyung-nim, thank you, and thank you again.”
Then, he finished his speech by bowing his head a full ninety degrees.
Yes.
Since he says he’s prepared…
I should kill him and shut that mouth of his.
T/N: OMG HE DID IT AHAHAHA
Leave a Reply