Chapter 14
Unconsciously, I loosened my tightly clenched fists and looked at Choi Ilseon with the calmest expression I could manage.
Fortunately, Director Choi didn’t notice my nervousness at all. Keeping his eyes fixed on the table, he continued speaking.
“Maybe about a month after Hyuk-i hyung left like that, she eventually said it was too hard for her to stay in Korea and went abroad.”
Ah… Siyeon went overseas.
“Do you know where?”
“She first went to Japan. Then a few years later she moved to the United States. We kept in touch from time to time, but strangely, one day all contact was completely cut off. So…”
What? The contact was cut off?
At that point, Choi Ilseon suddenly shook his head slightly as if telling himself to come to his senses.
“Goodness, I’m talking about all sorts of unnecessary things. Even about someone who has nothing to do with you. This is what happens when you get old—you start rambling.”
Ilseon! What do you mean unnecessary?
This is an extremely important matter.
Ah…
But I had no reason to keep pressing him with questions.
Why would Yoon Junghu be asking about something like that?
Right now, to Choi Ilseon, I was merely road manager Yoon Junghu—someone who had absolutely no connection with Jung Siyeon.
My insides burned with frustration.
“So…,” he said. What happened after that?
Did their contact really just end like that? And how exactly had he found her again?
Ah… I guess this is as far as it goes today….
If their contact had really been cut off, I might have to find another way to look for her myself.
“Many people must have suffered because of it.”
Even though I was the person at the center of that incident, that was all I could say.
Director Choi opened his eyes wide, as if trying to shake off the painful memory, and steadied his expression with a sigh.
“They did. Han Jihyuk… he really could have become a great singer.”
Looking at Ilseon’s face, I could clearly feel how sincere he had been toward me.
And perhaps the task given to me now was a way to repay that sincerity.
“Alright, enough gloomy talk. What I wanted to say to you today is just this. My life hasn’t exactly been a huge success, but I did start out as a road manager myself. So don’t limit the path ahead of you.”
“Yes, thank you for the advice.”
There were so many things I wanted to say, but once they passed through the filter of reality, the only thing that came out was a simple expression of thanks.
“I need to meet the head of the management division now and talk about what happened today. If there’s anything you need to know, I’ll contact you. And about your singing problem—tell me as soon as you organize your thoughts.”
“Yes, Director.”
After leaving Choi Ilseon’s office, my emotions churned chaotically—grief over my mother, anxiety about Siyeon, and rage toward Oh Junseong.
Mother…
She was gone now, beyond any possibility of return.
What kind of life had she lived after believing her son had committed suicide?
Even without imagining it, her sorrow appeared vividly in my mind.
If I got the chance, I needed to find out where she was resting and go see her as soon as possible.
For now it would feel awkward to ask, but someday I would learn naturally.
And Siyeon—
If even Choi Ilseon had lost contact with her, then I might have to find a way to search for her myself.
Of course, even if I did find her, there was no clear method in this current body and identity…
Still…
Until I reached the elevator and rode down the hallway, I couldn’t calm my heart.
Seeing my drooping shoulders filled me with pity for myself.
Then anger surged up at this uncharacteristic self-pity.
Don’t be pathetic like this.
Yes, I had experienced something devastating.
But I had also been given a miraculous new life.
An opportunity that no one else could ever have.
I had already decided on the first day—emotional behavior would never help.
I had to become a singer again.
I had to find Siyeon.
For now, I had to work with Luminous.
And someday, I would make the murderer pay.
For now, stay cold.
Even if that artificial restraint left my unresolved grief stirring deep inside and made my heart more chaotic…
Mother, for now I will put my emotions aside. I will hold all my sorrow and longing until everything is finished.
I—
Yoon Junghu.
Twenty-seven-year-old road manager and the new TF team leader for Luminous’s album.
Focus on one thing.
The All New Luminous Project.
The first mission of my new life.
And the path toward becoming a singer again.
Training resumed at 3 PM.
I was already waiting in front of the Luminous dorm at 2:30.
Not long after, the girls appeared.
And once again, it was time for that ridiculous kindergarten-style “boarding ceremony.”
I got out, opened the door, and stood beside it.
But today, unlike usual, Miren hurried over with a flustered expression.
“Oppa, you don’t have to do this anymore. This was originally Mujin unni’s—”
“…Hey! What are you trying to say?!”
Startled, Mujin quickly cut her off.
Yeah, I already get the situation without hearing it.
I smiled inwardly.
“Hehe, it’s true. Unni was the one who suggested this to Manager Kim.”
Miren grinned mischievously.
Serin and Juha also burst into laughter.
Only Mujin looked embarrassed, glancing at me awkwardly like a guilty person.
“Oppa, you really don’t have to do this. I told you before… I only suggested it because we wanted to keep some distance from the manager. But that’s already way past gone—you’ve basically become our teacher now. Doing this just makes us uncomfortable.”
“Seems like you’re the only one who’s uncomfortable.”
Juha fired back bluntly.
Everyone laughed again.
Except Mujin.
“Hey… Juha!”
Seeing the situation clearly, a playful mood suddenly came over me.
“No, it’s fine. I’m just a road manager anyway—different status from artists. It’s more comfortable to act according to my position. I plan to keep doing this forever. No matter if it rains or snows…”
With a mischievous expression, I jokingly complained about that strange ritual I’d never understood.
“Ah seriously, Oppa! You’re the type who holds grudges, aren’t you?!”
Miren grumbled.
Serin laughed brightly.
“Miren unni, it’s obvious Oppa is joking. Why are you taking it so seriously?”
Miren turned to confirm.
“Oppa! You’re joking, right? You won’t keep doing this, right? If you keep this up we’ll stop training!”
“Oh really? I’ll keep doing it then. If you don’t want training, fine. Being just a road manager suits me perfectly anyway.”
“Ah! I’m crazy. I made the deal backwards!”
Mujin scolded her.
“Yeah, you’re crazy. Are you an idiot?”
Everyone burst into laughter.
Including me.
Anyway, with such a cheerful atmosphere, we all got into the car.
We chatted the whole way to the company building when Director Choi called.
“Yes, Director.”
—“I spoke well with the head of management. The problem is the final approval from the CEO… but we should get a decision soon. And…”
The final decision-maker for what I was doing was the murderer himself.
I didn’t like it, but there was no choice right now.
—“…Oh right, I forgot to ask earlier. Now that you’re leading the TF team, can you still keep doing the road manager job? From Reunion’s perspective it’s easy to hire another road manager. We could assign someone else soon…”
I quickly interrupted.
“No, Director. Training isn’t just about teaching singing. Human connection and trust are important too. It’s better if I stay close to them. And if events decrease, the road manager work won’t interfere much.”
—“Ah, if that’s what you think, then alright. Also, since you’ll be coming and going from the company often for meetings, we can provide you with a company car instead of the van.”
“That’s fine, but it’s easier to keep using this car rather than switching around.”
—“Hmm… I see. Alright then. Lastly…”
I already knew what he was about to say.
The slight pause and change in tone—Ilseon had always done that before making a reluctant request.
Some habits never change.
So I spoke first.
“No need to hire one.”
—“What? How do you know what I was going to ask?”
“A new trainer, right?”
—“Ah, hahaha! Yoon Team Leader, you’re quite sharp.”
“I was wondering why you hadn’t asked yet. Right now it’s best if I see this through to the end. Don’t hire one.”
—“Alright! Alright! Thank you, Team Leader Yoon!”
Your reckless spirit deserves praise.
In the end, you made it happen.
And…
This is also my way of repaying you for taking care of my mother.
Besides, if I want to become a singer again, I need to understand the current music industry better.
There’s no better opportunity to grasp the market and public taste than leading the album project of a popular group.
Yes… while I’m at it…
“I’m grateful too.”
Ilseon, I’m glad I could say those words somehow, even if the meaning is different from what you think.
When I hung up, Miren was leaning over the driver’s seat.
“Miren, put on your seatbelt! It’s dangerous!”
“Kyah! Oppa! Forget the seatbelt—what was that call about? Are you really continuing our training?”
“No. I was going to, but since you said you’d stop training if I kept doing the boarding ceremony… I guess I’ll just keep doing the ceremony and stop training.”
I kept joking, perhaps to cover up the painful news I’d heard earlier.
“Boarding ceremony? What’s that?”
Mujin snorted and answered for me.
“What else? The thing where he stands by the door every time we get in and out of the car.”
Miren scrunched her face playfully.
“What? That’s what you thought? Actually… now that you say it, it kind of fits. Boarding ceremony.”
Then came Mujin’s embarrassed annoyance.
“Hey, stop saying that already. Are you trying to make me feel guilty? Oppa, you stop too.”
Cute kids…
“Hahaha, alright, let’s stop.”
Just then, Serin suddenly asked seriously.
“So you’ll keep training us, right?”
When Serin asks, it’s hard to joke.
“Yes. But you have to trust me and follow well. It’s okay if you’re not good yet, but you can’t give up or slack off.”
“Yes, Oppa. Of course.”
As Serin answered, Mujin turned back.
“Hey, Miren, Juha. Why aren’t you answering?”
“Huh? Of course I will! Honestly, I’m probably the one who wanted this the most. Oppa, I’ll work the hardest!”
Typical Miren—so talkative.
“So will I. I can’t promise I’ll be good, but I’ll work hard.”
Juha spoke sincerely.
“By the way, what was that about keeping this car? Did the company offer you one? Why?”
That question from Miren…
It wasn’t something I wanted to explain myself.
“Just ask Manager Kim. Things happened that way.”
“Wow, now that you’re a teacher you won’t even answer. So cool, huh?”
Seeing Miren jokingly pout, Mujin stepped in like a leader.
“There must be a reason. We’ll find out soon anyway. Don’t pressure Oppa.”
Sharp Mujin.
That made things easier.
Soon we arrived at the company building.
As we entered the lobby, Manager Kim was already waiting.
He walked over quickly.
“Team Leader Yoon, we’ve officially assigned a training room for you. You can keep using Room 1305 from now on. I heard you use personal practice rooms during training, so we chose that one. Luminous training will have top priority. Just notify us two days in advance.”
The Luminous members looked utterly confused.
The title he used—
Team Leader Yoon.
They exchanged glances but didn’t dare ask.
Manager Kim handed me the key.
“And you don’t need to return this every time. Just keep it.”
“Yes, Manager.”
He smiled and looked at me.
“Anyway, congratulations, Yoon Junghu. I don’t think this is exactly what you wanted, but I know you’ll do well. Your role will be bigger now, but I’ll help however I can.”
Very much like Kim Junho—a man with sincerity and fighting spirit.
“Yes, I’ll be counting on you too.”
He patted my shoulder once and walked away.
Miren immediately rushed over again.
“Oppa, why ‘team leader’? Why did he call you that?”
“It just happened. It’s complicated. Let’s focus on training for now.”
“Ugh… so frustrating. Just tell us.”
Glancing back while heading to the elevator, I could see it clearly on their faces.
Something serious had definitely happened.
Yeah… even I’m confused. How must it feel for them?
Inside the training room, I first addressed everyone.
“Singing doesn’t improve just because you think about it too much. If you get impatient, it’ll only hurt you. Always keep your mind relaxed.”
They nodded.
“And even when you’re not making sound, imagine singing. Think about mouth shape, breathing, the feeling of producing sound, musical emotion. In simple terms—image training.”
“Even without making sound it works?”
Mujin asked.
“Singing technique isn’t just about knowing the method. It’s about habit. Even if your brain knows the technique, it won’t come out when you sing unless it’s a habit.”
“That’s true! Even if I understand something, it’s hard to do it later.”
“Right. Because your body hasn’t learned it yet. Your body has to remember the sensation. That requires repetition—but your voice can’t handle constant use.”
“Oh, so we should let our bodies remember the right method while protecting our voices.”
“Exactly. It’s a traditional training method.”
“Ah… I knew something felt different.”
At Miren’s words, I said:
“Let’s stop saying things like that. Let’s prove it with results. That I’m different from other teachers—and that you’re different too.”
“Yeah! Let’s do it, Oppa!”
Miren said.
“Wow! That was a great line!”
Juha added.
Mujin smiled crookedly but proudly, while Serin nodded politely.
After finishing my instructions, I was just about to start training them one by one.
Then—
Thud! Thud! Thud!
A heavy sound echoed through the soundproof door.
What? Another team? Manager Kim scheduled this carefully…
I walked over and unlocked the double door.
The first face I saw was Manager Kim’s.
“Uh… Team Leader Yoon… well…”
His expression looked tense.
Then someone stepped forward behind him.
It was Director Choi Ilseon.
He spoke in place of the hesitant Manager Kim.
“Team Leader Yoon, today’s training will have to be an open session.”
“…Excuse me?”
“The CEO heard the report about Luminous’s album issue. He said he wants to watch the training himself.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Manager Kim opened the door fully.
In the hallway stood several people.
Among them—
One face completely filled my vision.
Oh Junseong.
The murderer who killed me.
This time…
There seemed to be no way to avoid him.
