Chapter 2 : Club Sierra Reopens for Business

Chapter 2: Club Sierra Reopens for Business

I quickly put the box down.

It had been so heavy just a moment ago, but why did it feel light now?

The anxiety that had pressed on my chest disappeared.

I had tried to act like I was okay…but I had actually felt really sad.

I reread the message again and again.

Clearly people were the same, the club was the same, and I was the same.

But it definitely felt like a brand‑new start.

No grand modifiers were needed.

It was good. That was enough.

That I could play Lunatic Beat again, that I could still go there every day.

On a day like this, what’s obvious?

‘Of course the answer is chicken.’

My steps going home felt light.

I stopped by the chicken place and got a whole chicken to go. The combo my older brother liked.

“Oh?”

But as soon as I opened the front door, a savory smell rushed out.

Huh? Could it be that hyung also—

“Taeyoon, you came home early today. What’s this? You brought chicken too?”

Hyung shook his hair with a towel and looked at my hands curiously.

“I got the honey combo you like.”

“I got the tenders you like.”

We ended up laughing at the two chicken boxes suddenly in front of us.

There are days like this.

Days when you’re on the same wavelength with your brother.

“Let’s just eat first.”

“Hyung, what’s this about actually buying the chicken?”

“Hey man, you always walk around looking so down that I thought feeding you chicken might help. Seeing your face, it looks like you’re alright. Got dumped recently, maybe?”

“…I’m confiscating the drumstick.”

“True enough. If you had any real knack for that, I’d be worried. Oh, hey, why are you looking at me like that?”

He set the largest piece on my plate and asked.

“Nothing big going on, right?”

“Nope.”

“Taeyoon. But you know.”

When he said my name like that and got serious, I braced myself.

I set down my chopsticks and straightened my posture.

Sweet little brother mode ON.

“Don’t work too late all the time. Do you think you’re going to be young forever? I thought so too. I could stay up three nights in a row and be fine, huh? This skin here, look at it. In my day…”

The sign of a long speech starting. He wasn’t a principal or anything.

Hyung was great, but whenever he opened his mouth, it took at least an hour. Doing it in front of chicken was a crime.

I quickly grabbed a drumstick and stuffed it into his mouth, then asked.

“You handle yourself. Is that rookie doing well? I’ve heard his song a lot.”

“Oh, right. Hey, you’re smart.”

He clapped his hands and continued.

“That song you said you liked back then.”

“Was it ‘Last Page’?”

“Yeah. That’s the one. It’s charting again now. Subtitle track confirmed.”

“That’s awesome. I thought the album had flopped—hence your long face.”

Hyung worked on the A\&R team at a pretty successful entertainment company.

Except for the fact that he worked overtime every day, it seemed like a fun job. He seemed to enjoy it too.

“But how did you know?”

“Huh?”

“At that time you listened to the album and singled that song out. Why was that?”

“Because it sounded good to me?”

“Thanks to our Seo Taeyoon, I got noticed properly by the team leader. I listened again when you said something and liked it. It fit the concept well.”

“That’s great.”

“Give me the secret.”

“What secret could there be.”

Like how Jang-geum called something persimmon because it tasted like persimmon.

It was just that it sounded good to my ears.

Something… honest about the beat, you could say?

The intro synth was clean. The bass was subtle yet heavy. And the hook wasn’t excessive, so I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

I said it casually, but hyung took it seriously.

“It’s amazing. Your ears are really sharp. Last time you said that song by some minor idol would definitely blow up…and it really did. It’s weird. Can you hear that? Sometimes you have better instincts than our team leader.”

I chuckled quietly.

That’s what I did — I dissected and analyzed others’ music on the side.

And this method was something hyung had taught me!

“Are you still practicing that scratch sound?”

“Ah, really, I’ve told you so many times. It’s not ‘bbi-kki‑bbi-kki‑bbik’ it’s called scratch!”

“Scared me. Why’d you yell? I might choke on chicken.”

Hyung didn’t exactly know what kind of work I did.

…If he found out, he’d tease me that I was Mask Man for sure. I could never tell.

We chatted aimlessly while tearing into chicken, comfortably.

But as soon as we cleared the plates, hyung turned serious again.

He handed me a white envelope.

“What’s this?”

“You should go back to school.”

“Why the tacky white envelope?”

“It’s cool, right? Take it. For registration, pocket money, buy some clothes. Aren’t grey sweatshirts boring all the time? Like a school uniform?”

“And you, hyung—you’re wearing the same black hoodie until it wears out.”

“Let's call it even.”

He slid the envelope across with his finger.

“Forget it. I’m already twenty‑three. I’ll handle it myself.”

“Oh? After coming back from the military, you’ve become responsible.”

“Hurry up and save money and get married. How long will you keep waiting for Yeon‑hee nuna?”

“You jerk.”

Hyung didn’t know.

That the money I made as a DJ part‑timer at night probably exceeded his salary by far.

I didn’t bother saying it.

It wasn’t some common thing, and anyway he’d just worry. Ask if I was doing something strange.

Hyung turned back to collect the dishes, smiling, and I hurriedly added one more thing.

I made sure to say this today.

“Hyung, thank you so much.”

Hyung made a disgusted face.

“You crazy? Why are you suddenly like this? Even so, I’m not taking the money back. No way. I’m not trading. Go back.”

A cozy little city café.

A cut‑short buzz‑cut. A sturdy impression.

A man with soft eyes incongruous with his appearance was waiting for his group.

He was Yoon Seong‑han, the general manager of Club Sierra where Taeyoon belonged.

He stared intently at a pad in a serious expression.

Ding—

When the door opened, he set the pad down and smiled.

“Oh, you’re here.”

It was Taeyoon.

It was the first time I’d seen him in bright light since the audition.

Seeing him without a mask was nice. Why he kept forcing himself to wear it… that thought lingered briefly.

Seeing Taeyoon’s face, I nodded unconsciously.

An expression impossible to read.

Only twenty‑three but those eyes were so deep. As if he had some history.

I tucked aside distracting thoughts and cheerfully continued.

“Wow, seeing you in daylight is even nicer. Is that sunlight or are you glowing halo‑style? Ow, my eyes…”

“Hyung…”

“Weren’t you missing me?”

“I missed everyone.”

“What’s this. You should’ve said you missed me the most.”

“It’s only been a few days. And more than hyung… I missed the kitchen ajumma more?”

“You brat.”

Yoon Seong‑han chuckled broadly.

Right. That side of him made Taeyoon more attractive.

He looked grumpy but he had depth.

He spoke bluntly, but warmth seeped through the indifference.

He wasn’t like these other youngsters… I guess he was genuine?

“But hyung, is the place really reopening? I was worried when I heard it got tax‑audited.”

Look at that. The sense to get straight to the point without any fluff.

Yoon Seong‑han reached into the inside pocket of his jacket.

“Why are you surprised?”

“What are you taking out?”

“Think it’s a gun?”

“Ah… hyung, please don’t use that kind of joke anywhere else.”

He let out a quiet laugh and took out a white envelope, placing it on the table.

A thin envelope that looked like it barely held even a single sheet of paper.

I’ve been getting envelopes a lot lately.

Taeyoon swallowed and looked between the envelope and Yoon Seong‑han.

“Here, take it.”

“What is it?”

“Severance pay.”

“But I thought the business was reopening.”

“It is.”

“So the club runs but the DJ’s out? Wow, you called me here just to give this. Is this the so‑called dismissal I’ve heard about? I’m starting to feel kind of hurt.”

“Taeyoon.”

Yoon Seong‑han tried to cut in, but once Taeyoon started talking, he kept going.

“Everything else, fine, I accept. But I have to play Lunatic Beat. You know, right? The crowd waits eagerly for that. Ah, and I don’t need to be paid. I want to do it, so I won’t say anything unnecessary…”

“Hey, hey. Taeyoon. Seo Taeyoon!”

“Ugh, why are you yelling? You could’ve just said it.”

“Would I yell if you actually listened when I spoke? That’s the problem with you sometimes. Just listen for once. Whenever music comes up, you turn into some kind of otaku…”

Only then did Taeyoon calm down and take a sip of coffee.

“Is… that so?”

“There’s a new owner.”

“Huh?”

“So this is just a severance payment while the transition happens. The owner said he gave you a generous amount, so go ahead and open it.”

Taeyoon casually picked up the envelope and checked the contents.

“Nice, huh? Our Taeyoon’s lips are flapping like a mudfish.”

“…Is this real? I didn’t even do much.”

A crisp 10 million won check.

Even at a glance, it far exceeded a year’s worth of severance.

“If you like it, you can just say so. Punk. And what do you mean you didn’t do much? Don’t you know sales went up tenfold thanks to you?”

“Not ten times… maybe like eight?”

Only then did Taeyoon smile bashfully.

“The owner said to thank you and to keep working well together.”

“But why say that if they’re changing owners?”

“Um… Taeyoon.”

“It makes me nervous when you call me like that.”

“You don’t know who our owner is?”

“I do. CEO Kim Minsoo.”

“Not that one.”

“I only saw him briefly during the interview. Why would I know more than that? It’d be weirder if I did…”

“Right. Let’s go with that.”

This time, Yoon Seong‑han sipped his coffee and asked,

“Aren’t you curious who the new owner is?”

“Not really?”

“Can’t you be curious just once?”

“Fine. I’m curious.”

Yoon Seong‑han made a V sign with his right hand and gestured.

“Yeah, that’s me.”

“It’s true. Due to various circumstances, the CEO title is temporarily under my name. The process is a bit complicated, so it took a while. Meanwhile, we’re doing some interior renovations… Hey? What are you doing?”

Taeyoon suddenly straightened his back.

Then he uncrossed his legs and fixed his hair, then spoke formally.

“Oh no. I’ve been disrespectful, not recognizing the CEO. CEO Yoon, I’ll be in your care.”

Yoon Seong‑han laughed heartily.

Usually sitting there with a cold expression, when the kid suddenly did something silly like this, it just looked cute.

“Look at you.”

“No, seriously. I always knew hyung would go big someday. You’ve got the face for it.”

Maybe it was the envelope.

Or maybe it was the fact that Club Sierra was staying the same.

Whatever the reason, Taeyoon was acting unusually high-spirited.

“We’re reopening in early next month, so don’t worry. You’ve worked hard. Our DJ, I’ll be counting on you from here on too.”

“No question about it.”

Manager Yoon… no, CEO Yoon raised his fist. Taeyoon’s fist met his with a satisfying bump. A tingling energy climbed up his arm.

Thump, thump.

As soon as I got home, I locked my door.

I took out my wallet and checked if the envelope was still alive. Of course it was.

Ten million won. What should I do with it?

I’d never handled this much money before.

This kind of sum always felt like game money in a bank account.

And it was a check too. It really made me feel like an adult.

Next semester, I could go back to school comfortably, buy music equipment, get my brother a new outfit…

I carefully pulled just the check out to put in my wallet.

“Hmm…?”

Then I noticed the business card I’d received a few days ago.

I looked again at the little bunny illustration.

Han Yujin’s earnest eyes overlapped in my mind.

She said she was a fan — what’s the big deal about letting her know the club’s reopening?

With a light heart, I picked up my phone and sent a message to the number.

As soon as I sent the message and put down the phone—

Bzzz bzzz—

A call came through right away. It was Han Yujin.

I casually answered the call.

* “Kyaaaaaa!”

A vivid scream came through the phone.

I paused, trying to find the right words, as Han Yujin launched into a rapid barrage.

* “When? What month, what day, what time, what minute, what second? It’s real, right? You have to give me an exact date! And who are you, exactly? The person I met that day? Or… are you really the DJ himself?”

Umm… I didn’t want to get dragged into something tiring.

I was planning to say something vague and end the call quickly.

“Hello. I passed along the message, so I’ll be going now…”

* “Wait!”

“Yes?”

* “The person who just called… you’re the DJ, aren’t you? I’m sure of it. Right? You are, right? I’ve got sharp ears, you know. I’m so happy, I’m a real fan!”

…What is with this person. She keeps catching me off guard in so many ways.