Chapter 773: The Great Legacy (18)

Hashimoto Kenta.

A promising Japanese pianist currently achieving strong results in major international competitions.

He was twenty years old, the same age as Jiho.

That was about all the information I knew about him.

Aside from that, the only noteworthy detail was that my first impression of him hadn’t been very good.

“Let’s meet! Let’s meet!”

“We’re rivals! Rivals!”

“Won’t you meet me?”

Those were the memories I had of Hashimoto Kenji’s side trying desperately to arrange a meeting whenever I visited Japan.

Because of that, I had imagined someone like a villain scheming to use others.

But meeting him in person was somewhat different from what I expected.

First of all.

“Hic!”

Before thinking about that, I needed to deal with the hiccups.

“Hic! Cough! Hic!”

“Hyung, are you okay?”

“I I’m fine.......”

The moment I looked at the faces of my minions asking if I was okay, laughter burst out.

They were barely holding back their laughter too, almost crying.

“Ugh, ugh.......”

Just then a handkerchief was offered to me.

“Goodness, are you alright?”

Hashimoto Kenta, slipping his hand dramatically into his coat like a French aristocrat, offered the handkerchief.

“Here.”

“It’s fine. Something just went down the wrong way.”

“...That happens.”

His expression looked slightly downcast.

Perhaps because what he thought was a once in a lifetime fateful encounter had been ruined by coughing and hiccups.

“In that case, once more.”

Hashimoto Kenta extended his hand.

“Let’s have a fair and earnest competition.”

“Ah......”

I took his hand and asked with a smile,

“But what exactly are we competing in?”

“Huh?”

It seemed to be a completely unexpected question.

An earthquake shook inside Hashimoto Kenta’s pupils.

“Well......”

“Well?”

“We’re the sons of rivals, after all?”

Even he seemed unsure as he tilted his head.

I asked,

“But classical music and pop music are different fields, aren’t they?”

“Huh?”

He tilted his head again.

“That’s true.”

What.

Why did he accept that so easily?

Watching him nod in agreement, the younger members and I exchanged glances while holding back laughter.

‘What kind of character is this?’ ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

I looked at the handsome man standing across from me.

Objectively speaking, he was good looking.

Under curly hair was a somewhat melancholic face that looked like it belonged to a fashion model.

“If only he didn’t talk.”

That thought crossed my mind.

If he just kept his mouth closed, that was the kind of feeling he gave.

Now I understood why people told me to stop talking and just sing.

Before he could say something else, I changed the subject.

“What are you filming right now?”

“Ah! I completely forgot to ask for your permission. My mistake!”

Why was he slapping his own forehead...?

“My father told me to start a MyTube channel. He said it was necessary preparation to advance into the world. But my primary goal is to introduce classical music to Japanese people in a friendly way and popularize classical music.”

“Popularizing classical music. That’s a good thing.”

“Yes. It’s a difficult goal, but if I keep working toward my dream, someday a path will appear. Haha.”

The laugh was so theatrical that I almost burst out laughing myself.

I called over Min Gi hyung nearby.

“There’s the issue of portrait rights as well, so it would be better if the staff discuss it first. We don’t want our faces appearing like this.”

We couldn’t let our faces be broadcast freely.

“Ah. I’ve been rude again......”

Another theatrical laugh as he slapped his forehead.

While the filming paused briefly, I wondered whether everything he had done so far was actually some kind of concept.

“The camera is off.”

“Ah! Now we can finally escape the fateful conversation and have a comfortable and pleasant discussion.”

“....”

His way of speaking kept making us laugh.

While the younger members lowered their heads to hold back laughter, I cleared my throat and asked,

“Your father is doing well?”

“Hmm... I wouldn’t say that.”

His expression turned serious.

“Is he sick somewhere?”

“Yes.”

“Where...?”

“He has a severe cold.”

“....”

Hashimoto Kenta sighed.

“He wished to be invited to the fundraising party in the United States, but after not receiving an invitation he developed what might be called an illness of the heart, and now he has a terrible cold... But he will overcome it. My father is a strong man who does not lose to something like a cold.”

He nodded to himself.

By the way, was it really okay to tell us such behind the scenes details?

If someone else had said that, it might have sounded like a subtle complaint about not being invited.

But with him it felt like he simply said things without any filter.

It wasn’t my place to judge, but this guy... lived in a bit of a flower field.

At that moment our youngest raised his hand with a reasonable suspicion.

“Do you like comics?”

“No.”

He answered with a serious expression.

“Rather than comics read in text form, I prefer animation. I like things with more vitality.”

“Ah......”

As if every mystery had been solved, the youngest nodded.

Then he offered a MyChew candy with a friendly face.

“Want a MyChew?”

“Oh!”

Hashimoto Kenta smiled.

“Then are we friends now?”

“....”

Jiho offered the MyChew with a face full of regret.

While we were talking, one of our staff pointed at his watch.

“Ah.”

I said to him,

“I’d like to talk more, but we have rehearsal scheduled. Let’s meet again next time if we get the chance.”

“Ah, yes! Fighting! All of Asia is waiting for your music.”

Hashimoto Kenta clenched his fist and smiled brightly.

After giving him a polite nod, we hurried away.

“Ugh.”

Only then did Biju cover his face with both hands.

“I held my laughter because I thought it would embarrass him if we were too obvious. But it was so hard. Ah, my eyes are tearing up.”

“Same here......”

My minions laughed as if they were sobbing.

We couldn’t really say anything in a place with so many ears around us, but he was easily the most unique character I had met recently.

Well, still.

“He’s unique.”

He didn’t seem like a bad person.

To be precise, it didn’t seem like he had the kind of mind capable of scheming malice.

It might sound harsh, but no better description came to mind.

While we were waiting for the rehearsal of the earlier stage to finish—

“Wooju!”

Hearing Japanese called out faintly, I quickly pretended not to hear and turned my gaze away.

But someone walked straight toward me.

The handsome face was filled with a smile, as if he had realized something.

“Wooju!”

“Yes...?”

“What you said earlier. When you asked whether the sons of rivals really had to compete.”

“...Yes?”

“If we’re not enemies.”

Hashimoto Kenta extended his hand.

“Then we can become friends, correct?”

“....”

I smiled.

“Mr. Hashimoto.”

“Yes!”

“You don’t become friends just by deciding to.”

“Ah...!”

His expression brightened with realization.

“Then I must work harder from now on!”

“...What?”

“I understand! Hahaha!”

Hashimoto Kenta ran off cheerfully like a mischievous child.

One of the stylists spat out the water she had been drinking.

And then we were left alone again.

“....”

“....”

I could feel the gazes of my minions staring at me with faces full of words they wanted to say while holding back laughter.

I warned the youngest whose mouth was itching to speak.

“Don’t.”

“Ugh.”

“I know what you want to say, but don’t. Seriously.”

“Ugh......”

Seeing me rubbing my temples, the minions finally burst into laughter.

The day after rehearsal.

We arrived at Saitama Super Arena, where the KMA awards would be held.

“Ha! Haru! Haru!”

“Eek! Hello. W why are you greeting me like that, senior?”

“I was just saying hello....”

Biju ran toward Haru from APLB, a teammate from a past dance competition.

Junhyun greeted rappers from other groups.

Ri Hyuk greeted a singer he had once sung an OST duet with.

Jiho happily greeted actors he seemed to know from dramas.

And I...

“Sergeant!”

“Eunseong! I didn’t miss you at all!”

“Same here!”

A warm hug.

Then the question.

“Eunseong!”

“Yes!”

“Why didn’t you come to Mango?”

“....”

The fox like face trembled.

Like a fox receiving a long bottle offered by a crane, Eunseong shot me a glare.

“You have to invite me first. How many times have I said that, Sergeant?”

“Oh? You’re looking down on your senior now? What kind of look is that?”

“Hey! I’m not looking down.”

Eunseong lowered his height and looked up at me.

“That’s why I’m looking up.”

“Hahaha!”

I had felt it even during the military.

Eunseong’s humor hit my taste perfectly.

Eunseong shook his head as if social life was exhausting.

“Still, you changed your story a lot. In the army you said we’d be friends once we returned to society.”

“That’s true.”

“Right?”

“If we hadn’t met in this situation.”

“....”

I asked warmly if my pouting junior had been doing well.

After hearing the good news that he had become busier with variety shows lately, I waved goodbye.

The waiting room hallway was crowded.

Teen Spirit.

Street Boys.

Serenity.

We waved to singers leaving for the red carpet before heading toward a friend’s waiting room.

“Taehyun. I’m here.”

“Yeah.”

Taehyun, who was finishing his makeup, greeted me with a raised hand.

Because we were from the same agency, the seven member idol group Trickster sitting nearby suddenly stood up.

“Please sit, senior.”

“It’s fine. I’m leaving soon.”

I waved them off with a smile and approached Taehyun.

The solo singer with sharp makeup checked both cheeks and asked,

“How is it?”

“Looks good.”

When I gave him a thumbs up, Taehyun smirked.

Then he extended his hand for a high five.

“Congrats on the Grammy nomination, hyung. I wanted to call you, but the timing seemed off.”

“It’s fine. You’re busy. The message was enough.”

“I knew you’d make it. Seriously.”

We clapped hands with a cheerful laugh.

If someone else had said that I might have brushed it off.

But when Taehyun said it, it meant something.

He had told me I would succeed ever since we were trainees.

“So composer hyung, if you have another song like Survivor, give it to me.”

“Hey, I have to make a good one first.”

“I want a hit song too so I can go to Mango.”

The younger guy tried acting cute.

I gave him a cold stare.

He sulked.

The Trickster members flinched as if witnessing something strange.

He must be a scary senior to them normally.

“That last song was good though.”

“My songs are always good. My fans say so. But I want something more public friendly.”

Taehyun had successfully debuted as a soloist last year and continued doing well this year.

Even the initial sales of his solo album rivaled the popular survival show group Wonder Child.

Recently he had been appearing on many variety shows and currently had the most successful career among the TNT members.

“Ah.”

While smiling proudly at the well grown junior, I remembered something important.

“Show me cat pictures.”

“Ah. Oolong?”

Taehyun happily held out his phone.

The cat looked similar to Nabi, who lived with Madam Kim Deoksun.

Except the color was like oolong tea.

Its ears were perked up like a baby kitten.

He said he found it in a playground while volunteering with fans.

It was unbelievably cute.

“It kept following me everywhere. If fate exists, maybe it’s something like this.”

“Cute. More more.”

“I finally understand why seniors start living with cats or dogs after moving out.”

He flipped through cat photos quickly.

Then I stopped at a picture of the kitten looking triumphant inside a completely wrecked house.

“Did a burglar break in?”

“That’s what it’s like raising a cat.”

“....”

“Cuteness always has a price, hyung.”

Once again I realized cats were most beautiful when viewed through photos.

After greeting friends attending the KMA.

While other singers entered the red carpet one by one, we entered last.

“Can you believe there is a singer who carries both titles national idol and rising global pop star?”

“NewBlack! Welcome!”

We answered questions from the hosts, including entertainer Yoo Changhyun and an English speaking announcer.

Junhyun glanced at the cameras and whispered,

“There are way more cameras than last year.”

“Yeah. At least thirty more than the Hong Kong awards.”

Most of the additional media were Japanese entertainment outlets.

Recently Japanese capital had begun flowing heavily into the industry as K pop artists gained global success.

That was why many Japanese performers were attending today.

The famous singer NORAH, performing with pianist Hashimoto Kenta.

A famous Japanese rock band.

An idol group.

“Let’s do well today.”

The younger members nodded.

Even Japanese viewers who normally didn’t watch Korean award shows had tuned in.

Our goal was simple.

To sweep the pot at the end of the gambling table.

Our stage would be a good chance to introduce ourselves to Japanese viewers who didn’t know us yet.

“Hello!”

“Nice to meet you!”

We greeted singers from different countries before sitting down.

I was showing off my flower ring to the members of Teen Spirit when—

“Hello everyone. I’m Hashimoto Kenta.”

“...!”

Hashimoto Kenta met my eyes.

He started to approach.

Then suddenly froze.

He simply nodded from afar and retreated.

Like a citizen backing away after seeing a dangerous person in a dark alley.

I wondered why.

Then I looked beside me.

“....”

The Street Boys were surrounding us.

Especially LB, chewing gum aggressively.

I spoke to him.

“Namu.”

“Yes?”

“Well done.”

“...?”

Not understanding anything but pleased to receive praise, LB smiled.

Soon the entire singers’ section was filled.

“Wooooooo!”

When our faces appeared on the giant screen during a brief camera adjustment, tens of thousands of people screamed and waved Dalbong lightsticks.

“What is this, a concert?”

One member of Sbo said in amazement.

The audience seats were filled with Dalbong and Wangbong lightsticks.

Wait. How did they even bring the one meter tall Wangbongs inside?

Security temporarily confiscated them.

Meanwhile the Dalbongs continued waving like waves.

“Wow.”

Teen Spirit whispered.

“The awards are huge this time. I wondered who bought all the tickets. Turns out it was your fans.”

“Seems so.”

“But among the rest, our fans are the most numerous. Like seriously the most. Hahaha....”

I smiled at them blowing air in my ear and crossed my legs elegantly.

Since the broadcast was airing everywhere today, I decided to watch with refined dignity.

“Hehe. Souffle......”

“Hehe.”

Just as I sat there smiling grandly—

Finally, at 7 p.m., the final music awards ceremony of 2017 began.

[FUSION]

A grand BGM played.

A video of Alexander the Great winning a battle appeared.

An English narration followed.

“The fusion of Eastern and Western culture. Hellenism.”

“A melting pot of cultures where diverse civilizations intersect. America.”

“All cultures have flourished through collision and fusion.”

With words like convergence and fusion filling the screen.

The message was clear.

Let Asia’s musicians unite today.

“Wooooooo!”

The opening performance was by Trickster, the seven member boy group from TJ Entertainment that debuted last year.

Then came performances by a Korean actor, a Japanese band, Korean dancers.

Despite the controversies, the stages themselves were well produced.

And then.

We sent out the member who would highlight the first part.

Our third member.

Recently dominating the daily charts with the mixtape title track VIBE.

“Junhyun.”

“Yes.”

“You’re the first among the solo stages.”

“I know. I’ll do well.”

Junhyun nodded seriously and stood up.

He turned and gave us a thumbs up.

“Wait wait!”

The direction he was heading was blocked by a fence.

“Junhyun. That’s the wrong way.”

“Oh right.”

“You should go around th—”

Hop.

Like an athlete clearing a hurdle, our guy simply jumped over the fence and continued on his way.

Unlike the Korean singers who watched calmly—

“Huh?”

The nearby Japanese singers and staff stared at the fence, which was about the height of an adult man.

Then they blinked.

And rubbed their eyes.

“....”

“....”

The Japanese singers stared with their mouths open.

Seeing their culture shock, we nodded quietly and smiled.

‘This is K pop.’

Immediately the surrounding K pop singers began subtly distancing themselves from us.