The Rap Star [EN]: Chapter 22

After the middle schoolers left, Junhyung, who had been quiet, finally spoke.

“What’s this I hear? You’re making music with a band?”

“No, it’s not like that… we’re not always together. We just happened to do a show together once.”

“I heard you were going to some festival in Jeonju, too?”

“Nah, I turned it down because of Sangmi. I’m sorry, Junhyung. I should have looked at the lyrics more closely.”

In the past, Junhyung had released an album without saying a word to Sanghyun. The meaning that the setlist held for Junhyung might have been much more special than Sanghyun realized.

*Even on the golden road you’re walking, if you hear my music, rest, even just a few steps.*

Those were the lyrics included in the title track. Sanghyun immediately understood that the ‘you’ Junhyung mentioned was himself.

Sanghyun couldn’t help but feel sorry. It was no different from him ignoring lyrics with such deep meaning.

When Sanghyun apologized, Junhyung chuckled and playfully nudged his shoulder.

“Dude, I’m not mad. Why are you so worried? If you were too busy worrying about the crew or anything else while making music with the band, you could have just told me.”

“It’s not that I don’t have time to worry about it…”

“Introduce me to your bandmates next time. I think I’ve heard of L&S band somewhere… Anyway, I’m going to put together the crew anyway, so if you want to join, you can join anytime, right?”

At Sanghyun’s affirmative answer, Junhyung hurried on his way, saying he would be late for his errand. Junhyung didn’t seem truly angry, but Sanghyun still felt strangely apologetic.

“Then do you have any songs you’ve made? With the band?”

“Not yet. I got to know the band by chance when I went to Sejong Music Store to buy a microphone.”

“Ah, I see. So you’re giving up on that festival in Jeonju altogether?”

“I can’t help it because of Sangmi.”

“Sangmi seemed okay when I saw her last time?”

“She’s fine when she’s with me or her friends, but she’s still vulnerable when she’s alone in a crowded place. If we go to Jeonju, Sangmi will have to be alone in the middle of the festival, right? Quite often, too.”

“Should I go with you?”

Sanghyun paused at Junhyung’s suggestion. It was tempting.

“Um, I’ll ask you if I need you.”

“Okay.”

As they walked, Sanghyun and Junhyung arrived at an intersection where their paths diverged.

“I’m going.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Junhyung, who had walked a few steps, hesitated and turned back to Sanghyun.

“Sanghyun, I want to get good at music, too. If there’s anything you can teach me, let me know.”

“What can I teach you? You know better than I do.”

“Okay, see you tomorrow.”

Sanghyun watched Junhyung go for a while and then headed home. The Junhyung he remembered wasn’t so mature; something felt off.

‘Was he pretending to be mature?’

Sangmi was home when he arrived.

The CA [Creative Activities] teacher had something to do at home, so she left early without holding class. Sanghyun asked if the CA registration fee included make-up classes for today’s absence, and Sangmi told him not to be so petty.

“Oh, oppa [older brother – a term of endearment used by younger females], I’m going to my friend’s house in a little while. I’m eating dinner there.”

“Friend? Who?”

“Would you know them if I told you? I have a group assignment to do, so mind your own business.”

“Is it a guy?”

“Look at what you’re thinking.”

Sanghyun thought it was a good sign that Sangmi, who had been down for a while, was snapping at him again. In fact, a normal brother and sister relationship couldn’t be unconditionally good.

Of course, Sanghyun treated Sangmi more like a daughter than a sister.

“I’ll give you some allowance; take a taxi home. Call me, and I’ll pick you up.”

“What do you mean, pick me up? Don’t you have anything to do? You’re doing music, right?”

“I am.”

Sangmi tilted her head.

“Are you doing it now? It looks like you’re lazing around at home all day?”

“No. I’m slowly making plans and thinking about how to approach it in the most optimized way.”

“Is that necessary for music?”

“Of course. Statistical analysis is important in everything in the world. You have to approach it systematically to succeed.”

“But what you’re trying to do is art, right? Not math?”

Sanghyun hesitated at Sangmi’s question.

There’s no way that art doesn’t need systematicity. The first thing I felt when I started my business was ‘Don’t trust your gut feeling.’

‘Are you talking about the past again? It’s a new beginning.’

When Sanghyun hesitated for a moment, Sangmi changed the subject as if she had lost interest.

“Oppa, did you try the watermelon we bought yesterday?”

“No? Is it good?”

“It’s terribly bad. Buy some cider. I’m going to make *hwachae* [Korean fruit punch].”

Sanghyun thought it was a good thing that he wanted to get some fresh air, so he headed to the mart [convenience store or small supermarket].

As he was buying cider and coming out, Mijoo suddenly called.

“Hello?”

“Where are you?”

“I’m at the mart in front of my house.”

“Are you not very busy right now?”

*Why is this woman doing this? Wasn’t she mad at me?*

Mijoo’s voice was a bit brusque, but she didn’t seem particularly angry.

“Now? I’m not very busy.”

“Have you eaten?”

“No.”

“Then stop by the store for a moment.”

“To Sejong Music Store? Now?”

“Yeah. The boss wants to see you? Come and have a meal together.”

“Mr. Hong wants to see me? Why?”

“I don’t know? The boss just asked me to call you. Are you coming? Hurry up.”

“Uh… Okay. I’ll go.”

Sanghyun had heard stories about Mr. Hong of Sejong Music Store while drinking with the L&S members. He was such a good person that he always lost money, but he made up for the loss with the overflowing good fortune around him.

*He’s the godfather of indie musicians in Gwangju, right?*

He didn’t know why he was looking for him, but it didn’t seem like a bad thing to meet him. Sanghyun, who arrived home, was scolded for only buying one bottle of cider and left the house with Sangmi.

Sangmi headed to her friend’s house, and Sanghyun took a taxi.

***

“Hello.”

“Nice to meet you. You’re Sanghyun, right?”

“Yes. I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Lee Sanghyun.”

Mr. Hong’s impression was ordinary. He looked like he was in his late 40s with a soft voice. However, he didn’t look like the incredibly benevolent uncle that he had imagined after hearing the stories of the L&S members.

Mr. Hong closed the store earlier than usual and took Sanghyun and Mijoo to a nearby high-end Chinese restaurant.

“Why is this nuisance following me?”

“Oh, Mr. Boooosss.”

Mr. Hong scolded Mijoo, and Mijoo stubbornly acted cute.

“Don’t be noisy and pick what you want to eat.”

“Yay!”

After ordering, an unidentified tea came out. Sanghyun drank the tea and spoke to Mr. Hong.

“By the way, why did you want to see me?”

“Um, where is your hometown?”

“Pardon?”

Sanghyun tilted his head at the sudden question.

“Did you move to Gwangju? Your accent isn’t from Gwangju?”

“Uh… No. I’m from Gwangju.”

“Really? Where are your parents from?”

“Both of my parents were from Seoul.”

“Where is your school?”

Mr. Hong didn’t answer Sanghyun’s questions and only rattled off seemingly useless questions. But as he talked to Mr. Hong, the conversation naturally flowed. *I wondered if this was experience.*

As the conversation went on, the story of the jam session he participated in at Sejong Music Store came out, and the story of meeting the L&S band came out. Even the story of the group of middle school girls he met on the street came out.

In the meantime, the food started to come out one by one.

“How did you end up participating in the jam? It seems like Kyungmin was being difficult?”

Sanghyun hesitated because if he told the reason he participated in the jam, it would be backbiting Lee Kyungmin. Then Mijoo, who was watching, explained the situation instead.

“Hmm. I thought so.”

Mr. Hong thought about something and then asked a random question.

End