A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 217

Seok-won decided it was best not to interfere after hearing Do-hyun’s sincere words.

Since they were already dating, he could only hope they would have a good relationship.

Knowing Do-hyun’s cautious nature, Seok-won didn’t press the issue.

“Since you chose her, she must be a great person. I trust your judgment. I don’t think it’s right for me to interfere further. I hope you two have a wonderful relationship!”

“Thanks. I’ll introduce you when the time is right. Maybe sooner than you think.”

“Hmm? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s nothing. Just forget I said anything. Anyway… your album concept is finalized, so it looks like we just need to get to work.”

“I think so too. I need to talk with the general producer, but if we flesh out the concept we have now, it’ll be fantastic.”

Seok-won had already mapped out the series’ concept in his head.

Do-hyun was pleased to see Seok-won taking such initiative.

It confirmed his positive assessment of Seok-won.

He was passionate and diligent in his work.

Do-hyun firmly believed in one thing.

If someone consistently worked hard, diligently pursuing their passions, they would undoubtedly seize opportunities when they arose.

He believed Seok-won was ready to seize his opportunity.

“I need to talk to the A&R [Artists and Repertoire, the division of a record label responsible for talent scouting and artistic development] team and the planning team, but I’m on board. Seok-won, let’s keep this momentum going. I’ve been brainstorming stage names… How about X?”

“Huh? X?”

“The original term is *Deus Ex Machina* [literally ‘God from the machine’, a plot device where a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly and unexpectedly resolved by an unlikely occurrence]. It’s too long, so we’ll just call you X. Calling you ‘De-ek-ma’ is a bit clunky. Should we go with ‘Deck-ma’?”

“I know the concept. ‘Deck-ma’… isn’t terrible… If I had to choose between Seok-won and Deck-ma… um. Hyung, I’m sorry, but ‘Deck-ma’ isn’t quite right. ‘X’ might be too difficult to search for online. Let’s go with something easily searchable.”

Do-hyun worried that he sounded too much like an amateur after saying that.

“Then how about Deus?”

“Oh. I think Deus or Machina would be better. If I had to pick, I’d go with Deus. Or how about X Machina? Considering the meaning, it’s often shortened to X Machina, so that could also work.”

Do-hyun pondered Seok-won’s suggestions.

“I can’t decide. Let’s vote on Deus, Machina, and X Machina using tarot cards.”

Do-hyun pulled out his tarot cards from his bag.

He shuffled and spread them out.

He drew one card for each name: Deus, Machina, and X Machina.

For Deus, he drew the [Ten of Wands].

A difficult image of someone struggling to carry ten wands alone.

‘Hmm… that’s probably a no.’

Second, Machina showed the [Five of Pentacles]. This card also signified a lack of something.

He flipped over the last card.

The tarot card’s answer for X Machina was [Death].

“Hyung… it looks like all three are bad cards… Is that right?”

“Not necessarily. Let’s go with X Machina. The Death card outwardly means death, but it also symbolizes the end of something and a new beginning. It seems fitting for you to start anew as X Machina. Tarot cards have multiple interpretations.”

As a result, since the tarot card’s answer was Death, Do-hyun enthusiastically recommended X Machina.

Seok-won agreed to use X Machina as his stage name.

“X Machina. Please take care of me.”

The two shook hands.

“X Machina. The meaning is powerful too. It refers to a device that can turn a story around in a hopeless or chaotic situation, like a god intervening. I hope you become that kind of presence in the music industry, Seok-won.”

* * *

Lee-rae’s three weeks of promotion left a significant mark on the female solo artist scene.

The initial album sales nearly reached 200,000 copies, twice as high as projected.

The inclusion of 100 random polaroid photos proved to be a successful promotional tactic.

Furthermore, ‘Wicked,’ sung by Lee-rae and Do-hyun, consistently topped the daily music charts for three weeks. Despite comebacks from several famous singers, it firmly held its number one position.

Lee-rae was even selected as an ambassador for a luxury brand immediately after concluding her promotional activities.

She shattered the conventional wisdom that it’s difficult for female solo singers to achieve immediate success.

With her short training period and background as a YouTuber, many agencies were now seeking new talent using Lee-rae as a model.

Do-hyun began preparing for Lee-rae’s next single.

He was convinced that Lee-rae was the talent the music industry had been searching for, and he wanted to quickly satisfy the public’s demand.

Do-hyun was holed up in his studio, working.

[Are you working?]

Hana messaged him. It had been about a week since they’d seen each other.

Hana was a team leader, and he was a CEO… their schedules rarely aligned.

Late at night was the only time they could realistically meet, but Hana was cautious about everything.

She worried that her involvement might harm Do-hyun.

Do-hyun told her not to worry because he didn’t have as many stalkers as before, but Hana even handed over her SNS fan account, where she had been posting photos and videos, to reporter Yoon Min-hye and returned to being a quiet fan.

Do-hyun called Hana.

The time was 5:30 PM.

Hana said she was leaving work early after her afternoon schedule.

It was time for her to be off work.

He hadn’t even noticed the time passing because he was so absorbed in his work.

He felt a little guilty.

“…Yeah, noona [term of endearment for an older sister or female friend]. Is the coverage over?”

[Yeah. It finished earlier. It was a 3 PM schedule. I finished the deadline, and I don’t have duty today, so I’m going home early to rest.]

“Then do you want to get together? It’s been a week since we’ve seen each other.”

[You’re busy working.]

“Work is work, and seeing you is seeing you. It’s not right to leave you lonely when I practically begged you to see me. And… more than anything, we’re dating with marriage in mind. I shouldn’t do that.”

[Cough, cough… I don’t know why, but I get goosebumps every time we talk about marriage… Is it just my imagination…?]

Do-hyun chuckled at that sound.

He couldn’t help but laugh every time he saw her nerdy side like this.

Hana’s side was incredibly endearing.

If she’s cute, there’s no arguing.

It seemed like he had fallen hard.

“I’ll come to your place, noona.”

[What? To my house? I haven’t cleaned, so it’s messy… More than that, if my otaku zone is discovered…]

An *otaku* zone refers to a space decorated with goods related to one’s fandom.

Hana wasn’t ashamed of being a fan of Do-hyun, but she was embarrassed to show her room to him directly.

“It’s okay. I know you’re my fan. And I’m your fan too. So, we’re each other’s fans. Don’t worry. I’ll come to your house. I have to see your face today.”

Do-hyun saved his work and went home to change his clothes. He had been wearing a tracksuit for the past few days because he was so focused on working.

Even if Hana appreciated his various sides, he preferred not to meet her in a tracksuit.

After changing into presentable clothes, Do-hyun left for Hana’s house.

But….

Do-hyun glanced at the rearview mirror and sensed something was off.

The car behind him looked familiar.

It was a car he recognized.

And since it continued to follow his route, he couldn’t shake his suspicion.

‘…Could it be a reporter?’

Thinking that, Do-hyun sped up.

The car behind him also accelerated and tailed Do-hyun.

Only then was Do-hyun certain.

He believed they were trying to get a scoop.

These days, reporters readily disclosed dating rumors with ordinary people.

He would be fine if dating rumors surfaced, but he didn’t want to cause trouble for Hana.

Do-hyun put on his Bluetooth earphones at a stop signal and called Hana.

“Oh, noona. I think a reporter is tailing me right now. I’ll probably be a little late.”

[Sigh… I don’t know why they feel the need to write articles about things like dating rumors. Celebrities are people too. I work in this industry, but I really hate that. And drive carefully. It’s okay if you’re late. Okay?]

“Yeah. I’ll be careful. Don’t worry.”

After a brief call, Do-hyun quickly executed a U-turn.

He knew the neighborhood well, so he navigated through the alleys to evade being followed.

He thought the reporters wouldn’t recognize the Korean brand car he owned… but they did.

‘When I have some free time, I need to sell this car and buy a new one. Now that I’ve been spotted, I can’t keep driving this.

Do-hyun kept checking the rearview mirror.

The SUV that had been chasing him had vanished.

It was a relief.

Feeling relieved, Do-hyun waited a while before heading back towards Hana’s house.

There were no further obstacles en route.

The reporters didn’t reappear, and no suspicious taxis followed him.

Do-hyun arrived safely at Hana’s apartment building, parked, and entered the familiar front door password before taking the elevator.

Even then, he glanced down at the building to check for any unwanted individuals.

There was no one. It was peaceful.

“…Phew. That’s a relief. I’m glad… I’m not a monk, I’m allowed to date. Still, they try to unearth everything. It’s so annoying.”

Do-hyun grumbled and arrived at Hana’s floor.

He didn’t ring the doorbell so as not to disturb the other residents.

He knew the password anyway.

After disengaging the door lock and entering the password, he heard a crash from inside.

“You… you’re here?”

One corner of Hana’s studio was draped with fabric.

Do-hyun realized that the area was her otaku zone.

“Noona, didn’t you cover it up a little too obviously? It’s glaring….”

“Can’t you pretend you didn’t see it?”

Hana said in a slightly coquettish tone.

“Still… it’s so obvious that I’m even more curious. I’m curious about what’s underneath. Can’t you show me? I feel like I’m getting an inside look at a fan’s dedication.”

“No… it’s my last shred of otaku pride!”

But Do-hyun reacted quickly.

Do-hyun swiftly pulled the fabric away.

Revealed was….

All of Do-hyun’s albums, from his debut to the present.

Concert DVDs and Blu-rays. From Do-hyun’s concert movie ticket stubs to the product boxes of his endorsements.

“Wow… I’m touched. Noona, I’m truly touched. It feels like I’m being showered with love. I think I’m going to cry.”

Hana told him not to joke around, but Do-hyun’s eyes were already glistening.

“…Hey, are you actually crying?”