Chapter 884: You’ve waited a long time, haven’t you? (13)

As we left after the tea time, Jiho spoke.

“Ah... but I’m kind of conflicted.”

“Hm?”

“I said yes the moment I heard ten times the pay, but... I’m not sure if doing this role again is the right choice.”

“What are you talking about?”

We all jumped in at once.

“Jiho. It’s ten times.”

“You’ll never get paid like that anywhere else. If money falls from the sky, you grab it first.”

And it wasn’t even restrictive money.

The production company would handle everything freely, while we simply received funding without interference—a generous sponsor position.

“Ah... I guess that’s true.”

Jiho scratched the back of his head.

“It’s like when you eat bossam, you want a bite of jokbal too, right? After doing one role, I want to try something else. But ‘Shini Han’ is a character I’ve played for almost two years since the web drama.”

“Hmm.”

“I’m really happy the drama did well, but... I’m worried I might get stuck in this kind of image.”

Seeing the youngest deep in thought, I gave him some advice as the eldest.

“Acting is important, but the size of the fee isn’t something you should ignore either. If you take a paycheck like this... it’ll give you the freedom to choose your roles for the next ten years. Financial stability.”

“That’s true.”

Then Jiho blinked.

“But even if I starve, you guys would feed me, right? Then I don’t really have to do this, do I?”

“...Where did you go wrong?”

At my muttering, Biju burst into laughter.

Junghyun asked,

“But can there even be a season 2?”

“It’s possible. There are a lot of plot threads left open.”

Jiho shrugged.

“The writer said she’s starting on the script, so I’m going to wait.”

Writer Bae Yejin—the biggest contributor to Shini’s success.

We’d heard she’d been celebrating nonstop since the drama blew up.

And recently, Director Jo had told us—

– The platform wants a season 2.

– Hmm. I think it’s better to end it at season 1...

– They’re offering ten times the writing fee and incentives.

– Season 2 has always been my dream!

You could practically picture her typing furiously with bloodshot eyes.

Jiho stretched.

“I mean... it’s a shame I can’t try other roles, but I’m still happy to do Shini again. It feels like when promotions get extended for a week because the song suddenly becomes popular.”

We laughed.

Ri Hyuk asked,

“But filming Shini doesn’t mean you can’t do other roles, right? Even if it starts soon, filming won’t begin until the second half of the year.”

“True.”

“So just film other projects when you’re not shooting Shini.”

“Oh?”

Jiho blinked.

“Wait... wouldn’t my schedule become insanely packed?”

“Yes.”

“But... that means I can act in more roles. I just have to suffer through a hell schedule...”

Jiho grinned.

“That’s actually great. Wow, Ri Hyuk hyung, that’s a rare good idea.”

“I’ll take that as thanks.”

As they bickered, Jiho turned to me.

“Hyung, can you look over some scripts with me later?”

“Sure.”

Just as we were talking—

Ding.

A message popped up.

Na Sangyoon: “Wooju, can you come to the office? I want to discuss something.”

...What is it?

Bzzzz—

The high-end coffee machine hummed as it poured fresh coffee.

“Smells great.”

“Ri Hyuk picked the beans.”

While everyone sipped coffee, I opened a can of zero cola.

Na Sangyoon called over a team member.

“Hyungseop, didn’t you have something for Wooju?”

“Yes.”

He handed me a box.

Ginseng.

“My parents wanted me to give you this.”

“...Why?”

“They said thank you for letting their son perform at the Olympics.”

“Ah.”

I smiled.

“Please tell them I’m grateful.”

After dramatically thanking him like a fan service master—

I got to the point.

“So... what did you want to discuss?”

“I need your approval.”

“Mine?”

“You oversee the entire composing department now.”

...That was true.

Na Sangyoon continued,

“Billboard Hot 100—looks like you’ll hit #1.”

“Yeah, pretty much.”

“Congrats in advance.”

Then he said,

“We’ve been thinking. After working with American producers... we’re not that far behind them.”

The composers chimed in,

“We thought you were just flattering us.”

“....”

“We’d like to go to the US. Training.”

“To learn trends, gain experience.”

I nodded.

“That sounds like a great idea.”

And—

“It’s actually perfect timing.”

“Hm?”

“We need to work on the Sound of Sun OST, and the composers are going back to the US anyway.”

“That works out well.”

“...You’ll visit us?”

“Of course.”

“....”

“...You’re not running away from me, are you?”

“....”

Their awkward smiles made me pause.

...Wait.

What was that reaction?

The overseas training was approved immediately.

Though—

“We’ll miss you so much.”

“Not sure if the signal in the US will be good~”

Watching them wave like escaping prisoners—

‘I’ll visit every time I go.’

Anyway—

The news I had been waiting for finally arrived.

[Billboard Hot 100]

#1 Answer – Cold Brown & Wooju

#2 Lips – Kelly Nelson

Number one.

Cold Brown grinned.

“If this wins a Grammy, I’ll buy you a Bugatti.”

“I’ve always loved cars.”

Celebrations followed.

But—

“Why are there two cakes?”

“....”

No one answered.

Suspicious.

Anyway—

With Shini and Answer dominating globally, we stayed busy.

Filming.

Recording.

Preparing for comeback.

And finally—

“Our NewBlack members have officially obtained their driving licenses!”

Cheers erupted.

Ri Hyuk added,

“We’re actually very careful drivers.”

“Right. They called us driving gods. Evil gods, but still gods.”

We all passed the road test in one try—

Except one lunatic who wanted a retest for a perfect score.

Then came the variety show planning.

“First concept: driving lessons with friends.”

“...That’s a problem.”

We had too many friends.

Picking a few would hurt others.

Then—

“Heh.”

Ri Hyuk smirked.

“I have an idea.”

And when he explained—

Everyone’s eyes widened.

It was brilliant.

Meanwhile—

Hanjo from Street Boys received a message.

– Would you like to appear on Newniverse?

His heart raced.

‘I’m in.’

But then—

– We’ll select guests through a special content.

A friend-selection system.

Still—

‘I’ll definitely get picked.’

Then the video call started.

A quiz appeared.

【Friendship Test – How close are you to Wooju?】

15 seconds per question.

Hanjo smiled.

‘Easy.’

Then question one appeared:

[Q1] What nickname does Wooju use for Junghyun? (Multiple answers allowed)

① Potato Secretary

② Potato Boy

③ Sweet Potato Secretary

④ Mr. Junghyun

Hanjo clenched his phone.

‘Wooju...!’