LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 9
Chapter 9. I’m the Crazy One in This Area (4)
Ji Suho was practically staking out at the convenience store in front of my house.
“But Hajin, you don’t go outside as much as I thought.”
Well, it’s because it’s vacation. With only the graduation ceremony left, there’s no reason to wander around.
However, there was no need to explain that, so I just nodded. I only added one comment.
“You could have just called me.”
“…”
For some reason, he had a brief expression as if that thought hadn’t occurred to him, but I must have seen it wrong.
“Anyway, as you might have guessed, the reason I came here today…”
Ji Suho began in a calm tone.
“I’m here because I really want you to debut with Miro. It would be such a waste to give up now.”
Nice.
But just because he took the bait didn’t mean I could reel in the fishing rod right away. I put on a careful and worried expression as much as I could and asked again.
“Are you serious?”
Ji Suho nodded vigorously.
“Seo Taeil also agrees. The other staff who watched the audition video think the same. Hajin, you really have potential. You’ll definitely like our company’s style too.”
It’s fine about Manager Kim, but there was a strangely conspicuous omission of the Director. As I suspected, was the Director the one who opposed me?
As I thought about how I needed to quickly grasp Miro’s internal politics, I neatly folded the milk carton I had just finished.
“We truly hope you trust us—or rather, trust me—and come with us.”
“Ah… yes.”
‘Trust you?’
There was a time when I used to fall for such words.
“Just trust me, follow me, I’ll promise you a rosy future,” they’d say. But it was because I didn’t know that, in the end, they were all just salaried employees and workers in capitalism driven by marketability.
‘Anyway, the moment someone better than me shows up, I’ll be out.’
I swallowed the words rising to the tip of my tongue with a measured smile. There was no need to start trouble here. As I said, they could find someone like me anywhere in the country, and if I played too hard to get, the door to Miro might actually close.
‘But I can’t just let this slide.’
It’s not like I spent the past three days doing nothing. I looked at the man in front of me who was throwing out various persuasive words, thinking I was hesitating. The information I had gathered quickly flashed through my mind.
Name: Ji Suho. Mid-thirties. And…
He successfully launched Miro’s next big hit, *Enderway* (I saw the article), has a long-standing friendship with the notoriously difficult Seo Taeil (I saw it on One-stagram), and in recent years, has risen as the new breeze of Miro Entertainment, the so-called ‘Guardian of Miro’ (according to Manager Kim).
It’s an industry full of geniuses. This guy might just be a manager who’s good at riding the times…
‘But I need to confirm it.’
I don’t know if this guy was able to build such a good resume in such a short time due to his ability or because he knows the future.
So, I had to confirm his true identity. If this guy is a Chosen Regressor, I need to grab him by the collar immediately, and if not, I have to make him my ally no matter what.
It might even be necessary to take over an entire entertainment company, so it’s hard to find a better first collaborator than this.
But how? While I was pondering, as if it knew exactly what I was thinking, the system window blinked and sent a new message.
[Sudden Quest Special Reward]
Content: You can use a one-time characteristic viewing ticket for a designated person (except yourself).
[Would you like to view the characteristic of ‘Ji Suho’? (Y/N)]
It was a reward I got after my tearful presentation last time. Right, I had this. No point in saving it now—it’s like an unscratched lottery ticket. I chose YES without hesitation.
Who are you? A blue light scanned Ji Suho as if exploring him. Soon, a pop-up appeared next to him.
[Ji Suho (Awakened One)]
Title: ‘With Burning Passion,’ ‘The Deepest Shadow’
Characteristic: Star Maker☆
– He can ‘destinedly’ recognize those who will become stars. (Accuracy: 77%)
– Depending on the star’s potential, different colored auras appear.
Special: Due to contact with the Chosen Regressor, he is affected by a ‘past timeline’ (Déjà vu).
“What?”
“Pardon?”
“…Ah, I apologize. The conditions you mentioned were just so extraordinary.”
I was so shocked that I nearly became a crazy guy who spoke informally to someone over ten years older. Though I quickly recovered the situation, I couldn’t take my eyes off the characteristic window in front of me.
“Hajin, I’m sure you can do really well. I guarantee it.”
Now that I’ve seen his characteristic, every word he says sounds suspicious.
Anyway, since I confirmed that he has even been in contact with a Chosen Regressor, I absolutely must make this guy my ally. What should I do? I thought, while watching Ji Suho, who was passionately talking to me again.
1. Lay everything out and ask for cooperation (threaten him).
2. Observe him a bit more and see if he’s someone I can trust.
The first option is high risk, high return, and the second is low risk, low return. And as for me, I’m the type who can’t settle until I go all in, so I haven’t even started things like stocks, gambling, drinking, or smoking.
“I’m really certain…”
“Team Leader Ji Suho.”
“Ah, yes.”
“What color am I?”
“Excuse me?”
Ji Suho blinked his large eyes even larger, his mouth gaping at my straightforward question.
“Excuse me? Wh-what did you just…”
While he stammered, trying to find the right words, I threw a direct pitch without hesitation.
“What color was Seo Taeil? If he’s that high-level, he must’ve had quite a high rank.”
“H-how did you….”
Now he was trembling as if he had seen a ghost, so I pulled out a chocolate bar from my pocket and handed it to him, signaling him not to be alarmed.
“I can see status windows. You must think I’m crazy.”
“No, that’s not…”
“So, I’m asking you.”
I crossed my legs and stared straight at Ji Suho. He stared at the empty space I pointed to, his pupils trembling as he couldn’t even close his mouth. Watching him, I laced my fingers together and propped up my chin in the kindest manner possible.
“Do I have the potential to become an idol?”
“Excuse me?”
“I have a feeling that I’m fated to become an idol in this life.”
Come on. Tell me my fate, you Guardian of Miro.
* * *
Ji Suho fumbled with the chocolate bar I gave him until it melted before he finally spoke.
“I can’t remember exactly when it started. It just began to show up at some point.”
He said it all came very unexpectedly.
At a bookstore he suddenly wanted to visit, at a restaurant where he happened to take shelter from the rain, and at a travel destination he went to while on vacation, Ji Suho said he met people who were destined to become stars as if by fate.
“How did you know they were people who could become stars?”
“I just knew. The redder the color, the greater the potential. I became certain when I saw a minor actor with a red aura hit it big as a supporting actor in a weekend drama a few months later. That’s when I realized I had this incredible ability.”
He said he mostly used this ability to become Miro’s Guardian. He added that when a controversy or crisis is about to arise, the aura turns black or disappears.
For a management team leader, that’s almost a cheat-level skill, isn’t it?
“That’s why I could recognize you right away on the subway, Hajin.”
Huh? What did he just say?
“The subway?”
“Yes. Don’t you remember? It was the first time I was treated like some sort of hermit, so I was so taken aback that I couldn’t follow you.”
At the mention of being treated like a hermit, a scene quickly flashed through my mind.
“Excuse me, hello.”
“Yes. I believe in the Way.”
“Pardon?”
“I mean, since we are fellow followers, please go ahead.”
…The day I went to audition for Renes. Embarrassed by the belated memory, I clamped my mouth shut. I was sure it was some kind of cult back then. Was it really him?
“I was so disappointed after losing sight of you that day when Manager Jang contacted me. I even screamed, ‘This must be fate!’”
So, the reason why Miro welcomed me with open arms was because of this guy? I nodded in agreement as the timeline started to make sense.
But I still had a question.
“So, I’m curious about the color of the aura you saw around me.”
“Ah, well…”
Ji Suho clasped his hands together and hesitated slightly before tilting his head.
“White. A very bright white.”
“You said it’s either red or blue. So does that mean I’m a dud?”
“I was a bit taken aback since it was the first time I saw that color…. But anyway, I had a strong feeling. I knew I had to bring you in.”
“What
if it turns out to be nothing?”
“If there’s no potential to become an entertainer, there’s no aura at all. The fact that there was light means there’s something.”
Red should just be red, and blue should just be blue, but this vague white light felt like a tangled mess. Now, there was no reason for Ji Suho to lie to me. Regardless of the color, it was now clear that this guy could be of help to me in various ways.
Now, the important thing was, how much of my hand should I reveal?
‘Can Ji Suho be trusted?’
Instinctively, I didn’t feel like he was a dangerous person, but how could I know everything after just one look? Making this person my ally and revealing all my information were two different things.
After a brief moment of contemplation, I decided to reveal just enough information to ensure that Ji Suho wouldn’t feel cheated.
There’s no better way to make someone believe we’re on the same boat than exchanging secrets.
“…As I mentioned, I can see status windows, and I’m currently on a quest. That’s why I’m trying to become a trainee at Miro.”
Maybe because he was already hit with a bombshell once, but even this ridiculous otaku-sounding statement didn’t seem to faze Ji Suho much.
After staring off into space, seemingly trying to process something, he looked like he decided it was his turn to ask questions, and soon, a flurry of them poured out.
“May I ask what exactly this quest is?”
“If I don’t clear the quest in time, I get penalized. And that penalty is pretty nasty.”
“So all you need to do is become a trainee?”
“I have to find someone, but… I do need to debut. Didn’t I tell you? I feel like I’m fated to be an idol in this life.”
Ji Suho pondered my answer, and after a moment of hesitation, he glanced at me cautiously. Even though I’ve lived through four regressions, to this guy, I’m still just a nineteen-year-old kid. Isn’t he being too formal? Just when I thought that, Ji Suho carefully opened his mouth.
“Then.”
“?”
“Are you trying to become an idol just because of that quest?”
Whoa. That’s an unexpected question.
“…Is that important?”
“It’s very important to me.”
‘Why does it feel like this guy is more serious about my idol career than I am?’
[System Alarm: (Awakened One) ‘Ji Suho’ has activated ‘Star Maker☆’ mode.]
While I was contemplating how to respond, the system window flashed. Ah, so it’s his instinct as a manager, huh?
“To bet on a white aura I’ve never seen before, I need to know exactly what cards I’m holding.”
“…Are you saying you’ll help me?”
“I also have my reasons for wanting you to debut. Well, it’s complicated adult stuff.”
Ji Suho spoke bitterly, trying to change the subject, but I had already caught on. I had already suspected that he was at odds with the Director over me. If he came this far to find me, he must have had some sort of confrontation.
“That’s why it’s important to me.”
“……”
“If you complete the quest and disappear, it’ll be troublesome for me too.”
[System Alarm: ‘Ji Suho’ is reacting to you. The possibility of recruiting Ji Suho as an ally will be determined by your future interactions.]
[Ally Recruitment Status ?/??]
A new system window popped up over Ji Suho’s head. I wasn’t sure what it meant, but that ally probably referred to the allies mentioned in the quest.
I made eye contact with Ji Suho. The description said he had ‘Burning Passion,’ but his eyes were already filled with energy and cautious determination, to the point that it was somewhat overwhelming. At some point, I started to dislike such pure passion. It made it impossible for me to hide my hollow insides behind fancy words.
Do I want to become an idol? It was still hard to answer that question. But,
‘This person won’t abandon me.’
At least this person doesn’t need someone to replace me. The white aura he saw was unique to me, and I’m the only crazy person who sees system windows.
After some thought, I decided to reveal just enough of my true feelings for Ji Suho to accept.
“It is the ultimate reason, yes.”
“Then…”
“But I have no intention of half-heartedly challenging it.”
Deciding to debut as an idol just to stop regressing—being an idol is a job that comes with more responsibilities than that. And I know that better than anyone.
Suddenly, I remembered the gift that Manager Jang had given me. I would probably never be able to weigh the true value of that gift for the rest of my life. So, I could say this with genuine sincerity.
“No matter what, I won’t disappoint anyone.”
[System Alarm: ‘Ji Suho’ is reacting to you. (Reaction Rate 73%)]
[You can now recruit ‘Ji Suho’ as an ally.]
[Would you like to recruit him? (Y/N)]
“Please take good care of me, Team Leader Ji Suho.”
And so, I became a trainee at Miro, betting on my fifth regression.
* * *
[Single Quest 01.]
‘Finding a Lost Dream.’
Content: The fastest way to untangle a twisted thread is to find the starting point. Become an idol trainee within the time limit.
Time Remaining: 39 days. (Initial 60 days)
The quest has been completed.
Reward: A clue to track the regression.
* * *
After signing the trainee contract and organizing various matters around me, a few days passed. During that time, the year changed, I turned twenty, and my father received a job offer from a new company.
“They said I’ll have to work as a temporary employee for about a year first…”
“Go for it, Dad.”
“Really? …Are you sure you’ll be okay? Won’t you be ashamed of having a temporary worker for a father?”
“Are you ashamed of having a son who’s a repeater and half-unemployed?”
“Who would be ashamed of my brilliant son?”
“Same here.”
I gently took my father’s worried hand. He silently held my hand in return.
“You start next week, right? With that… the singer thing.”
“Yeah. It won’t be a big deal. I’ve done it before.”
“Alright. If it gets too tough, just let me know.”
I shrugged with a smile.
“Eh, what’s the big deal?”
And on the first day of reporting to Miro Entertainment.
I sensed something was wrong.
“…So, Renes and Miro fought over casting me, and Miro won, but I had a big fight with Senior Seo Taeil and left, and then Team Leader Ji had to get on his knees and beg to bring me back?”
“Isn’t that right?”
I’m seriously going crazy.