Siblings Work in Business (142)
Painting the Future
“Ah, that was fun.”
“It was.”
“Welcome back. You were awesome.”
Seul-gi greeted Eun-ho and Eun-ji as they got into the car.
“Phew, I was so nervous, but I’m glad it went well.”
“Eun-ji-nim? Nervous? Since when?”
Seul-gi had watched them from backstage. They had dominated the stage, their energy infectious. She was surprised to hear that Eun-ji had been nervous.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been on stage, so I was nervous. And I was also nervous about inviting an audience member on stage. Haha. I was worried they might refuse.”
“Ah.”
The two of them singing hand-in-hand with a fan was a picturesque scene, like a proposal in a movie. Seul-gi was a little envious of Shin-il and Eun-jeong.
“Hehe. Should I sing a song holding your hand, unnie?”
“Nah, I’m good. Haha.”
Seul-gi laughed and waved her hand dismissively at Eun-ji’s playful tease. She stared out the window, lost in thought.
“I… I’m a fan of E-UNG!”
It was during Seul-gi’s one-on-one interview with CEO Park, before she joined NRY Entertainment.
CEO Park had added a line in the job posting, saying that being a fan of E-UNG would be considered a plus for the stylist position.
So, Seul-gi confidently mentioned her fandom during the interview.
But his reaction wasn’t what she expected.
“…Being a fan of the artists can be both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on the company and the department, Seul-gi-ssi.”
“Yes!”
“I’m not looking for someone who’s simply a fan of my artists.”
“I’m sorry?”
At first, Seul-gi was more confused than anything, thinking ‘But you said being a fan was a plus!’
Then…
“I’m looking for someone who can properly channel their ‘fandom’ into their ‘work.’”
She finally understood what he meant.
CEO Park then told her that if she was applying simply because she was a ‘fan,’ he recommended she leave.
Seul-gi, after a moment of thought, said,
“I’m a fan of E-UNG.”
Although her words were the same as before, her tone was different, more serious.
She added that she wanted to channel her passion into her work, to create the ‘best work’ with love and care.
“That’s why I applied to NRY Entertainment.”
“…I see. Well, we’ll contact you later about the results.”
Unlike with Hyun-woo, CEO Park didn’t give her an immediate answer.
He interviewed many other candidates.
But none of them surpassed Seul-gi’s portfolio, her ‘best work created with love and care.’
CEO Park initially hired Seul-gi as a gamble.
Hiring a ‘fan’ as a staff member in the entertainment industry…
Especially someone working closely with the artists, it was a risky move.
“I heard the manager is also a fan.”
He was asked why he immediately hired the manager, who was also a fan.
‘Hyun-woo…’
He had a good feeling about him.
It was a decision he could only make as the CEO.
But he wasn’t as confident about Seul-gi.
She seemed competent, but…
‘Would it have been better if she wasn’t a fan?’
He had that thought.
To address his concerns, he had her sign an additional contract, stating that although she was hired as a fan, it was to channel her passion into her work, not to let her personal feelings interfere.
‘Hehe.’
Seul-gi smiled, remembering the contract. Reading it, she realized how much CEO Park cared about the E-UNG siblings. The 20 clauses were all about protecting the siblings’ well-being, not about the company’s interests.
So, both Seul-gi and Hyun-woo signed the contract without hesitation.
While Seul-gi was reminiscing…
Eun-ji nudged the dozing Eun-ho and said,
“Hey, Lee Eun-ho!”
“Yes, it’s Lee Eun-ho. Ow.”
“What was that lame joke? At least put some effort into it.”
“Mind your own business. And stop dropping the honorifics.”
“Seriously, old man.”
“You’re the same age as me now.”
“Anyway! That thing! Earlier!”
“What thing?”
“Did you know how to do that?”
“Whoa, that?”
“Yeah! That!”
Eun-ji seemed excited that he understood, and she exclaimed,
“No way, did you know how to do that? What are you even talking about?”
Eun-ho slumped back down, as if suddenly losing interest, and asked. Eun-ji, slightly annoyed, sighed and explained,
“The ‘Yeeee!!!’ part. That high note!”
“That high note… you mean…”
Ah, he finally understood. She was talking about the ad-lib he did during the performance at Ihan University.
“I just yelled, what’s the big deal…”
“Just yelled? ‘Just’ yelled?”
Eun-ji suddenly pressed her forehead against his face.
Seriously…
“Hey, that stinks! Get away.”
“Smell my forehead, you idiot! You’re saying the same thing!”
“I said move, Lee Eun-ji.”
I gave her another warning, but she didn’t budge. I flicked her forehead.
“I said it stinks! Move!”
“Ow! Seriously!”
Eun-ji rubbed her forehead and yelled.
“Some people can’t even do that! Don’t act like it’s nothing! It’s annoying!”
“What? And honestly, it was a bit… much, wasn’t it?”
Compared to Eun-ji’s high note, I felt a bit embarrassed about getting carried away.
I scratched the back of my head, feeling awkward.
“Much? If it weren’t for Lee Eun-ho, it would have been awesome.”
Although it was a compliment, Eun-ji was flipping me off as she spoke.
“Put those fingers away before I break them.”
“Ah, I have this… disease where my middle fingers instinctively rise whenever I compliment someone. Please bear with me, old man.”
“Seriously…”
“Here, have this—”
Just as I was about to bend her middle fingers…
Eun-ji quickly hid her hand and put her fist against her cheek.
‘What is she doing?’
I looked at her and asked, a sudden suspicion,
“Are you trying to act cute?”
“No, it’s a ‘yeot(엿)’ (slang for fuck you, screw you).”
“…Seriously… you’re so weird.”
Her shamelessness was amusing, and I chuckled.
After our playful banter, Eun-ji, still seemingly impressed by that moment, said seriously,
“Anyway, it gave me goosebumps, hearing your voice soar like that.”
“I know, you’ve said it enough.”
“Since when could you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Hit those clean high notes.”
I was about to say, “Why do you even care?” but then stopped.
“…”
I couldn’t bring myself to say, “After you died.”
Although I had gotten better, I still couldn’t joke about it.
Eun-ji, seemingly sensing my hesitation, turned her gaze towards the window.
‘She can be so clueless, but sometimes, she’s incredibly perceptive…’
I also looked out the window.
It was my first performance after Eun-ji’s death.
I was happy to see the audience again, grateful for their cheers.
But the hateful comments also came to mind, and I held the microphone, filled with resentment towards my deceased sister.
The music had already reached the first verse, but I still couldn’t bring myself to sing. It seemed so foolish now.
But back then, that small act…
…of opening my mouth to sing, felt like it would shatter my world.
But the audience waited patiently, their silence understanding, and that’s what made me sing.
Whenever I feel like dying
Answer the hundred questions that tell me I should die
Look at the paper filled with curses
Carelessly written, condemning me
I could barely start singing by the second verse, my voice choked with emotion.
And then came the climax.
In our house, where I’m alone after you left, I live each day
Foolishly, I risk my life for a single line you left behind
Fueled by anger, I pushed my voice higher and higher, hoping my heart would burst.
Even if I fill it with a hundred reasons
I risk everything for the single reason you left behind, telling me to live
Foolishly, I risk everything
I bit back my tears, and my voice, despite the lack of vibrato, trembled with sorrow.
That’s how I learned… no, it’s too embarrassing to call it a ‘technique.’
…that’s how I learned to hit those clean high notes.
But this time, it was a high note of pure joy and happiness, a completely different emotion from back then.
The car was quiet for about 10 minutes.
“Lee Eun-ho.”
“What.”
“You sang ‘Wise’ at the end.”
Eun-ji, unable to bear the heavy atmosphere, tried to change the subject.