The Sacred Manager Life - Chapter 47

‘Doesn’t seem like the near future, though?’

[You’ve gotten used to the gift of insight, so now you can see even the distant future.]

‘How far into the future are we talking about?’

[Even I don’t know that. But futures like this can change depending on how much you interfere with reality. So just focus on finding clues to solve the problem.]

It would’ve been nice if I at least knew the name. 

All I have is an older-looking face and Red Blossom’s comeback song.

Not knowing who’s exploiting them is another issue.

[Looks like you’ve already forgotten the Signpost’s gift.]

Ah.

It’s the gift that works like a navigation system, guiding me to the place I need to go.

After I was attacked by thugs, I used it to find the establishment run by the viper.

[It won’t appear immediately, so just wait. The god always prepares the perfect timing for you.]

Maybe the timing hasn’t come yet—there was no navigation marker in the morning.

*

I went down to check the basement practice room floor because someone said it was slippery, and there it was—the same navigation marker I saw before, glowing in the lobby.

‘It appeared.’

“1.5 km remaining”.

The remaining distance was even kindly displayed.

At just 1.5 km, there was no need to drive.

I followed the marker on foot and eventually reached a five-story building.

It looked like a studio, but the name was unfamiliar.

I pulled up a map app to search what kind of place it was.

It turned out to be a studio run by composer Choi Hoseok.

Even I knew who Choi Hoseok was—he’s a famous composer.

He’s worked a lot with idols under SN Entertainment, and especially with the girl group Prominence, he’s practically been in charge of them since their debut.

He’s often called a “Midas touch” in the industry, someone who can take any concept and turn it into a success.

That basically means he’s someone you can trust to deliver results.

‘He must’ve made a ton of money.’

Owning and using the entire fifth floor as a studio? 

That’s on par with a solid record label.

‘All that sweet talk, and he turned out to be a scumbag who exploits the composers who trust him.’

He often appeared on TV as a judge for survival audition shows.

Strict, but he played a great mentor role for the contestants—or so it seemed.

To think it was all an act.

I went up to his office to find Choi Hoseok.

“How can I help you?”

“I’m from Pine Entertainment. I came to request a song from the composer.”

The employee kept sneaking glances at my face while going to get Choi Hoseok.

He probably recognized me from the news after the Jinsaenggyo incident.

I waited in the conference room, and soon Choi Hoseok entered.

“From Pine Entertainment—oh?”

He recognized me, too.

“You’re… that cult…”

“Yes. I’m Shin Juwon, manager of five teams at Pine Entertainment. I’m the one who was in the news.”

I greeted him and handed over my business card.

“I remember watching the news and thinking, ‘Wow, managers like that exist?’ Now that I see you in person… yeah, I can see why you barged in there.”

“I didn’t really barge in. I snuck in quietly, but they started fighting among themselves. I got lucky, basically.”

We weren’t close, so I started lightly with a shared point of interest.

He was the type to speak politely overall, but slip into casual speech here and there to assert his authority.

“You came to request a song?”

“Yes.”

“If it’s Pine Entertainment, shouldn’t Hakyung be handling that? Why’s a manager coming to get a song? I don’t get it.”

Judging by his tone, he probably doesn’t get along with Team Leader Baek Hakyung.

“We’re preparing for Red Blossom’s comeback, but coordination with the A&R team isn’t going so well.

So we’re looking for songs externally. 

You’re such a well-known composer, I thought you’d give us something great.”

“Hm, well, that’s fair enough… But Red Blossom?”

“Yes, they’re making a comeback soon.”

“They haven’t disbanded yet? Didn’t they have that contract dispute?”

“Yes. Two members left back then, but we’ve filled the spots.”

“I see. But will that even work? Those girls tanked two albums in a row.”

It made my blood boil, but I held it in.

I wasn’t here to pick a fight—I was here to save someone who was being exploited.

Knock knock~.

A knock sounded, and the conference room door opened.

He had shaggy hair, horn-rimmed glasses, and hollow cheeks.

“Hey, I told you we’re in a meeting.”

“S-sorry. You said you’d check the demo we sent to TvM… It has to go out now…”

He wasn’t even speaking loudly, but he was stammering like he was scared out of his mind.

It was obvious how Choi Hoseok usually treated him.

‘Found him this easily, huh?’

He looked younger now, but he was definitely the same man I saw in the vision of prophecy.

He’s the composer we absolutely need for Red Blossom’s comeback.

“Tell the PD you’ll send it in an hour.”

“O-okay…”

He glanced at me a few times on his way out.

When I stared back at him, it must’ve made him uneasy.

“What are you doing? Not leaving?”

“…Sorry.”

Once the door closed, I asked Choi Hoseok,“What’s that employee’s name?”

“Why do you ask?”

“He looked like an old friend. Just thought I’d check.”

“His name’s Haram. Shin Haram.”

Got it.

“Wait, was my friend’s name Haram too…? Which department is he in? I wanna say hi before I leave.”

When I used the school friend excuse, he didn’t get suspicious.

“He’s in the composition team. Don’t keep them too long, they’re busy.”

After wrapping up with Choi Hoseok, I left the meeting room.

Now that I’d found Shin Haram, there was no need to talk about songs anymore.

When I asked a staff member, they told me the composition team was on the floor above.

I went up and looked around the office, but Shin Haram wasn’t there.

Then I saw him coming out of the restroom at the end of the hallway.

I ran toward him with a big smile.

“Hey, Haram! Long time no see! How’ve you been?”

“Uh, wh-who are you?”

A big guy running up to him must’ve scared him.

“You don’t recognize me? Juwon! We were in the same class in third year.”

When I mentioned school, he relaxed a little, but still looked like he was trying to remember.

Sorry, I don’t know who you are either.

“Anyway, I’ve got a meeting now so I need to head back to the office. Here’s my card. Can I get yours too? I’ll definitely call after the meeting.”

“Uh… I don’t… I don’t have a card…”

What? 

He’s been working here for five years and still doesn’t have a business card?

“Then just put your number in. Let’s meet up sometime. It’s seriously so good to see you.”

I handed him my phone. 

He looked at it suspiciously a few times, then entered his number.

When someone’s uncertain, pushing a little often works.

“Okay~ I’ll definitely call you later.”

*****

I called Shin Haram around the time people got off work.

“Haram? It’s Juwon, the guy from earlier. Yeah, that’s right. What time do you get off work? Let me treat you to dinner.”

“Today… I think I’ll be working late…”

“Yeah? I live near your office, so how about a drink instead of dinner? If we don’t meet now while we’re thinking about it, it probably won’t happen later. What time do you finish?”

“…11 o’clock.”

“Okay. I’ll come to your office, so come down when you’re done.”

Around 11 p.m. 

I arrived a little early and waited nearby.

It was about 20 minutes later when Shin Haram finally came out of the building.

He looked exhausted—dark circles under his eyes, messy hair sticking out in all directions.

The bag strap pressing down on his shoulder looked especially burdensome.

He noticed me and walked over hesitantly.

He looked worn out earlier, but now he seemed like he’d collapse if I so much as nudged him.

“Damn, you’re working hard.”

“I switched teams, so it… took some time. Sorry I’m late.”

I didn’t know exactly what he meant, but it sounded like he had a time-consuming task.

“No worries. If we go down that way, there are a bunch of places to eat.”

“Uh… the last bus isn’t far off…”

“You can just take a taxi and expense it. You worked this late, after all.”

“They don’t cover transportation for late shifts…”

Seriously? 

They don’t even cover that?

“Whatever, I’ll pay for the cab. Don’t worry about it.”

Grrr~.

Huh?

He lowered his head, clearly embarrassed.

Come on, it’s this late… they should’ve at least fed him before making him work.

“You haven’t had dinner?”

“I was working…”

“It’s almost midnight. How have you not eaten? Let’s get some food first.”

“I’m fine, really…”

“Well, I’m not fine. How are we supposed to drink on an empty stomach?”

Luckily, there was a 24-hour hangover soup restaurant nearby.

“Do you like hangover soup?”

“Yeah.”

It was noisy, like most places where people go to drink, but the lively atmosphere didn’t feel so bad after all this time.

When the soup came out, he devoured it along with two bowls of rice, then looked satisfied.

Had he not eaten all day?

“But… are we really old classmates? No matter how much I think about it, I just can’t remember who you are.”

Shin Haram asked cautiously.

I figured there was no point continuing this charade, so I got straight to the point.

“I’m sorry. We’re not classmates. I lied because I had something important to tell you.”

His eyes widened in shock, and he instantly became guarded.

“Please don’t be alarmed. I mean you no harm. The business card I gave you earlier is real. I work for Pine Entertainment.”

“W-what do you want from me…?”

“I’m the manager in charge of a girl group called Red Blossom. Have you heard of them?”

“No.”

Ouch. 

That one stung, even if it was the truth.

We released two albums, for crying out loud.

“Ahem, well, knowing about them isn’t important… They’ll be making a comeback soon with a mini album. We’re currently looking for songs to include in it.”

“If it’s Pine Entertainment, don’t you already have an in-house composing team…?”

“There are some circumstances, so this time we’re planning to take songs from outside.”

“If it’s about accepting songs, you should talk to the CEO.”

Even after all that, he’s still looking out for the CEO. 

Damn.

“I don’t want to get a song from CEO Choi Hoseok. I want one from you, Shin Haram.”

“…What?”

His eyes went wide, and he fell silent for a while.

He must’ve been really shocked.

“You’re saying… you want to commission a song from me?”

“Yes.”

“But… Manager-nim, you only met me today. How can you trust me with work? You don’t even know who I am.”

“You’re right, I don’t know much about you. But…”

Shin Haram swallowed nervously when he saw the look in my eyes.

“…I do know that you’re a ghostwriter.”