Kim Taeyoung and his almost-accomplice Hakyung were equally flustered.
Somehow, it felt like the boss knew that the voice Taeyoung had stolen was actually Hakyung’s.
Hakyung had written the lyrics, composed the music, and even recorded the song, but
Taeyoung was the one who finished it off.
He used a program to slightly modify Hakyung’s voice.
So even the owner of the song, Hakyung, found that while it sounded similar to his own voice, it wasn’t exactly the same.
Why does the boss keep acting like he knows that the two voices are the same…?
Hakyung’s scalp pores twitched nervously from the tension.
Whether or not Muheon noticed Hakyung’s anxiety, he quietly took care of him.
If Hakyung thought, “That grape looks delicious,” a bunch of grapes would appear before his eyes. If he wondered, “I wonder what this cheese tastes like?” a piece of cheese would appear on his lips.
“Boss, how do you always know exactly what I want to eat?” Hakyung asked, chewing on the sweet grapes with a relaxed expression as the tension gradually melted away.
“Me?”
“Yes! Whenever I just think about wanting something, you bring it to me right away!”
Muheon looked down at Hakyung with a baffled expression and replied,
“It’s not that I know you well, it’s just that you’re very obvious about it.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. You, Kang Hakyung.”
“That’s not true…”
Hakyung tilted his head in confusion, even as a cherry he’d wanted dangled right in front of him.
See?
The boss really is amazing.
Feeling a surge of admiration for the boss’s ability, Hakyung smiled as the fresh, tangy flavor spread in his mouth.
Sitting beside them, Hwangrin watched Muheon and Hakyung with an amused expression, but when he glanced over at Manager Choi and Kim Taeyoung nearby, his expression turned icy cold.
Curious how these three were connected, Hwangrin quickly lost all interest when he realized Kim Taeyoung was a mediocre person.
Kim Taeyoung and Manager Choi, who had completely failed in front of the company’s biggest investor, looked gloomy and dejected like people attending a funeral.
Especially Manager Choi, who had no idea why Taeyoung couldn’t even sing a single verse, was burning up inside.
Suppressing his urge to curse at Taeyoung, he showed a servile smile to Director Hwang.
“D-Director Hwang, Taeyoung’s condition isn’t good right now. I’ll make sure he’s fully prepared and come back within a few days. So please, give us your investment…!”
“Hmm.”
With Hwangrin’s lukewarm response, Manager Choi hurriedly led Taeyoung away.
Staying here any longer would only emphasize his incompetence as a singer who can’t sing.
Taeyoung seemed like he still had a lot to say, but Manager Choi’s will was stronger.
Even as he was dragged away, Taeyoung didn’t stop glaring at Hakyung.
Though it was useless since Hakyung was hidden behind Muheon as they left the lounge.
One by one, the people who had been watching only this side of the room began gathering at the table.
They were all aspiring entertainers trying to make a good impression on the big entertainment investor, Hwangrin, who had lost interest in Taeyoung.
Feeling like all the dazzling people in the world had gathered here, Hakyung’s eyes darted around.
Already feeling discouraged after meeting Taeyoung, the glamorous crowd only made Hakyung feel more intimidated.
Worries bubbled up inside him — what if someone who caught the boss’s eye appeared?
What if someone tried to get close to the boss?
Because of that, Hakyung started to look around like a meerkat.
“Kid, you’ll strain your neck like that.”
Hwangrin chuckled as he watched Hakyung with amusement.
He thought Hakyung was busy talking with others and not paying attention, but he was surprisingly perceptive — just like a true friend of the boss.
Feeling like his feelings had been seen, Hakyung acted as if nothing had happened and took a sip of his peach juice.
“Kid, then how about you sing? I heard Muheon say earlier that he wants to hear your voice.”
“Me…? Uh, my throat hurts right now…!”
At Hwangrin’s suggestion, Hakyung clutched his perfectly fine throat and started coughing.
His obviously fake act made Hwangrin smile softly.
“It’s okay. I’ll take that into account.”
“But…!”
Before Hakyung could say no to singing, Muheon spoke up first.
“No. I’m the only one who can hear Kang Hakyung sing.”
“What? Didn’t you just praise the kid’s singing yourself?”
“Yes, I did.”
It was true that he sang well.
That was why he had been praised.
But letting others hear that song was a different matter.
Watching Muheon, who showed no intention of hiding his possessiveness and exclusivity toward the bottlenose dolphin (Hakyung’s nickname), Hwangrin laughed loudly.
He laughed so hard he doubled over, and somehow the sight looked a little bizarre.
“This is enough entertainment for me. I’ll be heading up now.”
“It’s been a while, don’t be so cold. Stay a little longer!”
“No thanks.”
“Alright, goodbye!”
Muheon got up without hesitation, and Hakyung hurriedly stood up to follow him.
Still, he didn’t forget to greet politely.
The bottlenose dolphin’s respectful bow like a folding fan earned Hwangrin’s warm smile and wave in return.
***
In the end, all they had at the lounge was a single glass of sweet peach juice and a few snacks.
Hakyung had been really disappointed—he had planned to enjoy some wine and try to flirt smoothly.
Of course, it felt really good that the boss had bought him the peach juice just for him.
But unfortunately, he had run into Kim Taeyoung at the lounge, and instead of making a good impression, he had only shown a poor expression.
Also, the whole Kim Taeyoung incident ended abruptly, leaving him with an uneasy feeling like having done something messy and unfinished.
Hakyung, who had come on this business trip with the boss hoping to try various things, found the day so far filled only with frustrating moments.
A deep sigh escaped from between his small lips.
Since the elevator going up to the room had only the two of them, ignoring the sign was impossible.
Muheon gently put his hand on Hakyung’s hat and asked,
“Why the sigh?”
“It’s just… there are things that a clueless boss wouldn’t know…”
This was a completely different reaction than earlier, when Hakyung had been trembling, thinking Muheon might have noticed his voice.
Now that Kim Taeyoung wasn’t in front of him, Hakyung’s shrunken heart stretched out again.
Hakyung mumbled quietly so Muheon wouldn’t hear.
His heart was pounding like a drum because someone was watching him so intently.
How could Muheon not notice, he grumbled endlessly in his mind.
At Hakyung’s cute grumbling, Muheon chuckled.
The man’s laughter made Hakyung realize he couldn’t waste this precious opportunity.
Hakyung swallowed nervously and stepped half a step closer to Muheon.
Now there was less than 10 cm of space between them.
“Boss, do you like alcohol?”
“Alcohol?”
“Yes, I’ll buy you a drink! Only for you.”
Hakyung winked one eye, returning Muheon’s earlier words.
It was a crafty move.
Waiting excitedly for Muheon’s answer, he smiled softly and nodded.
The man’s laugh made Hakyung’s ears flush red.
“What kind of drink will you buy?”
“What would you like? Should we go back to the lounge?”
“Is that necessary? Too much hassle. Just buy some from the convenience store.”
“Then… shall we?”
It was even better if they drank together in the room.
Hakyung pressed the button for the first floor, smiling slyly inside.
The alcohol Hakyung picked at the convenience store was makgeolli (Korean rice wine).
Since he was young, he had helped out village elders and earned a drink here and there, so he was confident he could drink several bottles of makgeolli without getting drunk.
Because of this, he was known in the village as a makgeolli heavy drinker.
He never bragged about drinking since he was a child, but makgeolli was definitely his drink of choice.
These days, makgeolli came in so many flavors it was hard to count with two hands.
But Hakyung’s undisputed favorite was “chestnut makgeolli.”
Chestnut makgeolli, a specialty from the neighboring countryside, was sweet and never got old no matter how many times he drank it.
Luckily, the convenience store here sold it, so he picked up two bottles.
Muheon raised an eyebrow, apparently surprised by Hakyung’s choice.
“You want to drink that?”
“Yes! Why? Boss, are you weak to alcohol?”
Trying to gauge Muheon, Hakyung asked slyly.
Muheon showed a scornful expression.
After all the years he’d lived, there was no way he’d be weaker than a tiny bottlenose dolphin.
Muheon took the two bottles of chestnut makgeolli and added three bottles of fresh makgeolli.
Their real night began.
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