A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 36

After changing the song, I increased my practice time, but something still felt missing.

That’s why I decided to draw a Tarot card.

I brought the Tarot cards to the practice room—it was past 10 PM, so all the cameras were off. The fact that I know how to read Tarot cards was still only known to Hyoseop. I shuffled the cards and spread them out.

One card immediately caught my eye.

It was as if the deck knew I would only pick one card today.

I flipped it over.

[The Magician]

[The Magician], the card that signals the true beginning after the number 0 card, [The Fool].

This card signifies someone who knows how to handle the four elements that make up the world and, based on medieval standards, also represents a versatile entertainer. In addition, the infinity symbol is drawn above the head, indicating limitless skill.

“……I’ll be able to show off a different charm in this competition. This is the card I drew while thinking about my appearance in this competition.”

I put the card back in the deck.

Unlike when I read Hyoseop’s cards, I didn’t feel like reading anyone else’s right now. Not even Hyoseop’s, or my 41st older sister [In Korean culture, calling someone ‘older sister’ can be a sign of closeness or respect, even if they aren’t related] who went through *Sisters* as a mentor with me.

“Today, for some reason, I feel a bit drained. Is it because I practiced too much?”

Tomorrow is the day of the live competition.

I overheard the staff talking; they said that the parents of each participant were invited. I was happy to think that my parents would come, but also a little embarrassed to show them, who opposed my life as a singer, my attempt at a fourth debut.

Of course, no matter what kind of son I am, my parents are always extending their hands in support.

Knock, knock—

“Yes, come in.”

“Ah, hyung! Are you still practicing?”

The person who appeared was none other than Hyoseop.

Seeing him appear in my practice room this late, he must have really practiced with blood, sweat, and tears.

“You’ve been practicing until now? Your voice is hoarse again.”

“Hoo…… Hyung, I shouldn’t have fallen for Coast *sunbae’s* [senior colleague or mentor] words…….”

“Still, you were the main vocalist in the group.”

“I’m a vocalist with a different style from Coast *sunbae*……. It’s difficult even when I sing with arrangements tailored to me. Just thinking about the owner of the song sitting there and evaluating me is…… How is your song by Seon Hwa-seung *sunbae* going?”

Instead of answering, I showed him my fingers, where the calluses had broken and were bleeding.

“Wow, how much have you been practicing? The live competition is tomorrow; will you be able to do well?”

“I have to. I can endure this much pain. I have a feeling that this song could be a turning point in my singing career.”

“Still, you’re overdoing it too much.”

“Did you hear that story?”

At my question, Hyoseop tilted his head as if he had no idea.

“Tomorrow is the day my parents are coming. Not Buddha, *parents*.”

“……! The staff didn’t tell you about that important matter?”

“Yeah. I overheard it while passing by the staff talking. Thinking about my parents coming, I thought I should prepare even better.”

Hyoseop grumbled at those words.

“The staff sometimes don’t tell us important things. If you look down while performing and see your parents, you might be surprised and ruin the stage. I wonder if they’re trying to test our courage…….”

“Considering the different path this audition program has taken so far, it seems possible. So, well, don’t tell anyone else and just keep it to yourself. And show some sense by naturally smiling when you see your parents.”

Hyoseop thanked me for my words.

“Thank you, *hyung*. I’m getting so much help from you while doing this program. I’ll treat you to 1++ Korean beef [highest grade of Korean beef] after the program ends.”

“Hey, I should be the one treating you to that.”

“No, *hyung*. But I’m about to go to the dorm now; are you coming with me?”

“No, sorry. I need to practice guitar more, so I’m going to go to the dorm around midnight.”

Hyoseop said to me in a hoarse voice.

“My voice is hoarse, so I can’t sing, so I’m going to go to sleep quickly. *Hyung*, you must come and sleep at midnight! Don’t overdo it!”

After Hyoseop said goodbye and left, I started practicing arpeggios again.

Singing the song with emotion is important, but my judgment was that the guitar performance could double the song’s sadness and longing.

Even though the calluses fell off, bled, and then calluses formed again after healing, the reason I couldn’t give up practicing was right there.

The four elements that make up the Magician card. Versatile entertainer. The dream of becoming a true singer. A life of fame, not anonymity. Establishing myself as the singer Na Do-hyun.

To establish all of this, I had to achieve first place in the program.

When I occasionally ask the staff about the viewership ratings, they tell me that it is currently ranked second among KBC’s weekend programs. The viewership rating is said to exceed 15%. This is quite a popular program.

Since I’m appearing on such a program, the Magician card was even more welcome. I will complete my own four elements and wear the laurel wreath in this program.

* * *

Saturday live competition rehearsal.

Each person was going on stage to conduct the final rehearsal.

The order was random.

If you just raised your hand saying you wanted to go first, you went on stage in the prepared order.

I was the only one among the 10 who used an instrument.

So, I slowly raised my hand, calculating the most effective timing to imprint my stage on the audience.

“Yes, yes. Number 23, please come up.”

I came on stage with my guitar and connected it to the amp.

Then, I plucked the strings to see if the guitar sound was accurately tuned.

Um, the guitar is in good condition. It would be perfect to perform on stage in this condition.

After adjusting the height of the standing microphone to an angle that could capture the guitar sound and my voice well, I began to sing in earnest.

Below the stage were the staff, the remaining 9 participants except for me, and 5 judges.

In particular, Number 17 was staring at me with a presumptuous attitude, arms crossed, as if he had a grudge against me and was trying to find fault.

Still young, still young.

That’s what I thought.

I looked in that direction and made eye contact with Seon Hwa-seung mentor.

Unlike when I chose her song, she had a very fierce look in her eyes.

Regardless, I was now properly digesting ‘Under the Trumpet Creeper’.

I had a goal of making the audience shed tears through the emotion of this song.

Ah ah ah ah ah

On windy days

I think my love has come

And rush out barefoot

My longing love

Even if you don’t come back

My beloved love

Why are you doing this

Why did you abandon me

Under the trumpet creeper, I’m just standing there

Under the trumpet creeper, I’m just crying

Next comes the guitar arpeggio performance.

This is the part I put the most effort into. A soft and emotional arpeggio performance came in.

And after 1 minute and 30 seconds of arpeggio performance, I sang in a plaintive voice, feebly.

My love who will not return even after time passes

I only knew after my love left

Even if I wait under the trumpet creeper

Even if I wait after the trumpet creeper falls

My love who will not return even after time passes

After my love left, I learned the seasons

My love who will never return now

My love, my love, please don’t come back now……

The end of the song was the guitar.

The sound of the guitar strings faded, and I took my fingers off.

Clap clap clap clap clap—!

I turned my head at the sudden applause.

Seon Hwa-seung, who had a fierce look in her eyes just a moment ago, was smiling brightly at me.

The other four nodded as if they knew why I had chosen Seon Hwa-seung’s song.

“Thank you for the wonderful performance!”

Seon Hwa-seung came up to me and patted me on the shoulder.

I didn’t know she would be so friendly.

Hyoseop, who had gone through Seon Hwa-seung’s mentorship, was restless as he looked this way.

Perhaps it was even more so because he had practiced with Seon Hwa-seung while tasting the spicy flavor [experiencing harsh criticism].

“It was the best stage.”

Ocean approached and praised me.

Since she is Ocean, who is called the ‘Praise Fairy’ among the judges, it didn’t really hit me as much, but I still felt good.

Coast and Sisters, etc., just watched as if they knew why I had chosen Seon Hwa-seung.

The staff interviewed Seon Hwa-seung as if they couldn’t miss this opportunity.

“Seon Hwa-seung mentor, number 23 is the only contestant among the 10 who is singing Seon Hwa-seung mentor’s song. I know you recommended it first. What was the reason for recommending it?”

“I could tell the moment I heard his voice. The only person who can perfectly digest and sing ‘Under the Trumpet Creeper’ as his own is only number 23.”

“Ah! I see. What are your thoughts on seeing the rehearsal stage?”

Seon Hwa-seung answered the question with a cheerful expression.

“If number 23 doesn’t get first place today, I’ll buy everyone a pizza.”

“Oh…… You’re showing great confidence!”

“No. This much…… The stage that number 23 did can only be described as ‘ripped’ [amazing, outstanding]. I can only say that I am very grateful for showing me a great stage.”

Seon Hwa-seung kept praising me.

As the praise became burdensome, I awkwardly stepped back.

Seon Hwa-seung was exchanging trivial stories related to me with the staff, as if she had found someone she liked after a long time.

I approached Hyoseop and whispered.

“Has she ever shown that side of her before?”

“No. I only got scolded; I didn’t know she had that side of her.”

“Oh, I also made eye contact while singing earlier and thought I was going to get scolded a lot below the stage because she looked so angry, but it’s unexpected.”

“I’m jealous, number 23. If I had received praise during the first competition, it would have been a little better. I feel like I shrink whenever I see Seon Hwa-seung mentor……. I’m not a child, but I guess I was very scared. So, I was worried when I saw *hyung’s* stage earlier.”

At Hyoseop’s words, I patted him, saying there was no need to worry.

“Don’t worry; she must have scolded you to make you grow.”

“No. I even regretted choosing her. I’m so jealous of *hyung* for being praised by that person.”

“No, it’s not something to be jealous of…….”

Then the FD [Floor Director] shouted.

“The rehearsal is over, so please move to the waiting room!”

There are now 3 hours left until the competition.

Dugun, dugun [sound of a heart beating].

I’m nervous.