Different Dream

Hundreds of thousands of videos were uploaded to NuTube every day. It was said that it would take 82 years to watch all the videos uploaded in a single day.

Of course, it was impossible for people to watch all these videos. Even if it was a really interesting video, it could easily get buried under the huge pile of countless videos.

However, eventually interesting stories, special content, and high-quality videos would emerge. No one could explain the principle precisely, but if there was one reason, people usually said "algorithm."

NuTube had something called an algorithm.

An AI that had been learning for a long time recommends videos to viewers. No one knew the exact basis of the algorithm, but from what had been discovered so far, it was based on view count and watch time. It used this to judge specific videos.

"So your video will blow up someday too."

Jang Jinsoo's consolation somehow irritated him.

"Don't be too disappointed from the start. I told you that NuTube has chronic waiting times. Just keep uploading consistently."

He wondered if this was the same Jang Jinsoo who didn't say anything after listening to his recording.

"So are you really going to upload it? Hey, wait a sec!"

As he moved the cursor to upload, Jang Jinsoo suddenly kicked up a fuss. Halo really didn't understand the psychology of a middle schooler. Jang Jinsoo was trembling next to him, so it was not just a small thing.

"Why are you shaking so much?"

Unable to endure it anymore, Halo said something.

"It's because you're freakishly calm! Isn't this your first upload, shouldn't you be nervous?"

"No."

"...What! There's stuff like people leaving mean comments, what if that happens? Of course, your song is unexpectedly cool unlike you, but not everyone will think so. Or what if no one pays attention at all? The algorithm is really like a lottery, so you might never blow up in your lifetime."

"No way."

There would be differences in timing, but soon everyone would listen.

Human ears were similar regardless of the era.

So Halo wasn't worried like Jang Jinsoo.

He was just curious.

How long it would take this time for the name 'HALO' to become famous? It was so different from the era he lived in, so he couldn't really get a feel for it.

"No, how can you be so sure of that?"

He heard 'no' three times in a row.

At this point, Halo became suspicious of Jang Jinsoo. It seemed more like he was cursing him to fail rather than encouraging him.

"How can you be so overflowing with confidence?"

Jang Jinsoo said, as if he couldn't understand.

On the contrary, it was Jang Jinsoo I couldn't understand.

How could he say that after listening to his song?

"Want to bet on it?"

At Halo’s words, Jang Jinsoo stopped shaking his leg.

"A bet? Like how long until it gets 100,000 views?"

"Yeah."

"Whoa, do you even have money to bet?"

"Don't need it. I'll win anyway."

"You're crazy."

At Halo’s words, Jang Jinsoo clicked his tongue.

He didn't know about anything else, but he wanted to learn that kind of confidence. If he had talent like him, could he also be so confident and overflowing?

"Fine, let's do it. What view count do you want? A million... No, that's too hard. How about 100,000 views!"

A million views was easy for an established NuTuber, but Halo was still just a rookie NuTuber. An album with a total of four songs and zero subscribers.

Jang Jinsoo thought it would take a long time to even reach 100,000 views.

"You decide the time limit."

Halo recalled how long it took for [Struggle] to reach #1 on the NME chart. Less than 2 weeks after release.

Halo decided to compete with his past self once.

"2 weeks."

"...What? Did I hear wrong? 2 months?"

"..."

"Really 2 weeks? How are you gonna get 100,000 views in just 2 weeks?"

As Halo just smiled without answering, Jang Jinsoo's mouth fell open.

"Really 2 weeks? I won't lose anything, but are you serious?"

"Yeah."

"A man shouldn't go back on his word, right? If your video exceeds 100,000 views within 2 weeks, you win. If not, I win. Whoever wins gets to make the loser do anything. No matter what."

They didn't discuss a bet reward before.

Before there could be an objection, Jang Jinsoo covered his ears and refused to talk. He didn't particularly want to object anyway.

It didn't matter what the reward was.

'100,000.'

The number 100,000 felt kind of ambiguous.

It was not a small number, but it didn't feel hugely big either. Maybe because he’d already seen the view counts of famous songs. Or maybe it seemed small compared to the amounts he had in his bank account and albums sold in the past.

'But I don’t think I'll lose.'

Halo looked at the channel that he just uploaded, with 0 views.

His channel was still empty.

The profile picture only had the H logo, and the channel name was the uninspired [HALO Official].

The channel art was a black-and-white photo of an acoustic guitar.

The four songs he uploaded also shared the same cover image.

In a way, it was an even more pitiful environment than before. Back then, the record label handled promotion, marketing, and distribution. They put his picture on the album, which probably greatly affected album sales.

Yet for some reason, he didn't feel like he would fail. On the contrary, he vaguely expected it to go well.

'Fun.'

It had been a while since his heart pounded like this.

He was happy enough to go crazy thinking of the endless future possibilities of what he could or had to do.

This bet was nothing compared to that joy.

'I definitely won 100%. Poor guy, but since he's talented, I should ask him to make me another song.'

'I should have just asked for money. What am I gonna use him for?'

Neither of them imagining the bet would flow in an unexpected direction.

#

"Oh, it's been a while, Haeil's mom."

Seeing familiar faces, Park Seungah nodded slightly in greeting. The PTA moms from Sunyeon Middle School were already seated. This place with chandeliers was the Western restaurant where parent meetings were always held.

As Park Seungah sat in the empty seat, a waiter came by and poured her some wine.

"How is everyone?"

Park Seungah asked with a smile, and the woman seated in the center sipped her wine and responded,

"Same old, same old. Between taking care of my son and older son, time just flies by."

"Hohoho, so true. Before I know it, he's already going to high school."

Similar words circulated.

As always, Park Seungah reacted politely, then took a sip of wine when the conversation lulled for a moment. She didn't particularly like the dry taste of wine, but she didn't make a sour face.

"By the way, how have you and Haeil been?"

"It’s similar."

At that moment, gazes stabbed at her.

Park Seungah calmly answered and set down her wine glass. It was a question she was used to, after all. But today, their eyes didn't leave easily.

"I heard Haeil dropped out of the academy."

And with that casual statement, Park Seungah understood the reason for their gaze.

"Yes, he quit."

Park Seungah didn't know what reaction they wanted, but they clearly wanted something.

"A bit sudden. Haeil was always the most diligent child. So I was surprised Haeil would be the first to quit."

"I know, right? I thought he'd stick it through to the end."

Another woman chimed in.

"Also, Haeil's mom attended the college prep seminar, right? Even the director was shocked."

Especially persistent were the mothers of children attending the same academy as No Haeil. Like lionesses who caught the scent of prey, they prowled around Park Seungah and No Haeil.

"Quite unexpected."

Park Seungah laughed inwardly as she spoke.

The question that attacked her first rolled her eyes.

"What's so unexpected about it?"

"I didn't know Chansoo’s mom was so interested in our child. Well, I understand."

"What do you understand?"

Chansoo’s mom's pupils constricted.

She sensed Park Seungah was about to say something unpleasant.

"Chansoo is a smart kid. Obedient and well-behaved too. If he was somewhere else, he could have been first place."

"!"

"It really is a pity. Fortunately, Chansoo takes after his mother, so he's very kind and positive."

"Hohoho."

Her cheeks trembled.

She couldn't help but get angry at the slight that he was eternally second place. But she couldn't get angry in this situation, so Chansoo’s mom didn't continue.

Knockout.

Park Seungah secretly sneered as she glanced around. Wasn't it time to change the subject?

But the women didn't let go of their prey so easily once they found it.

"Haeil's mom is really enviable. How does Haeil study so well? To be honest, you all know... My child's grades are a bit precarious."

At first, Park Seungah thought they were backing off a bit.

"Won't you share your secret method with Haeil's mom?"

"Secret method?"

"I mean the reason Haeil quit the academy."

"..."

"I do understand a bit. No matter how it's the A class, there are still differences within it, so I'm sure you and Haeil were a bit disappointed."

"I suppose so."

Park Seungah's throat went dry, so she lifted the wine glass again.

Just then, an unexpected voice rang out.

"Still, I feel a little upset. We made this gathering for our children's futures, but Haeil is the only one getting private tutoring..."

"Pardon?"

At the sudden words, Park Seungah's eyes widened. She pretended to be clueless, so the woman deliberately widened her eyes too.

"I heard from Soowan. Haeil always comes to school and sleeps there. And doesn't show his notebook to anyone."

"Ahh."

A slight bout of vertigo came over her.

Her hands resting on her lap trembled.

She didn't even dream he was going to school to sleep.

"Haeil is preparing for the entrance exams."

"Huh?"

Park Seungah lightly covered her mouth.

Fortunately, her mouth was tightly shut.

It was good she wasn't the one stupidly repeating her words.

"If it's about the entrance exam, you mean the university entrance exam?"

The one who was bewildered and blurted out was Chansoo's mom, the one who had attacked Park Seungah first. In response to her question, Soowan's mom answered calmly.

"There's nothing strange about it. Haeil has always been ahead of others. Besides, have you forgotten? Haeil's father is a professor at Korea University."

"Oh my."

Chansoo's mom blinked as if she didn't know this fact.

"So, does that mean Haeil is getting special lessons from Korea University graduates?"

"Well, I wouldn't know. Since it's something only his mother knows."

"Oh my, Haeil’s mom, how could you not say anything..."

What was originally intended as an inquiry turned into a scene where everyone looked at Park Seungah with a sense of betrayal.

Finishing the uncomfortable meal, Park Seungah headed to the bathroom.

She checked her messages on her phone, but by now, she didn't bother checking.

Where on earth was he and what was he doing?

Worried that he might catch a cold in the cold weather, she soon felt anger.

What did she do wrong for him to act like this?

She was living solely for Haeil's life, sacrificing what she wanted as a mother.

The more he acted like this, the tougher she had to be.

Let's see his final exam scores.

If they dropped even a little, she wouldn't let it go quietly.

"!"

Suddenly, Park Seungah was surprised when she looked at herself in the mirror.

There was a witch with a terrifying face.

Quickly wiping away her expression, she took out a lipstick from her wallet.

"Oh, Haeil's mom is here."

Beyond the mirror, Chansoo's mother came in.

She caressed her permed hair and, just like Park Seungah, took out a cushion compact to fix her makeup.

"Is there something you want to say?"

The visible gaze through the mirror couldn't be ignored.

Having only fixed her makeup and about to leave, Park Seungah reluctantly opened her mouth as Chansoo's mother kept staring.

"Is it true that Haeil is tutoring?"

It was a consecutive question from earlier.

She brushed it off with a smile, but something was irritating about the incessant questioning. Irritated by the inquisition, she felt annoyed.

"Didn't I just explain that earlier?"

Chansoo's mother hesitated, as if she had something to say.

"If you have nothing more to say, can I leave first?"

Putting her lipstick back, Park Seungah turned around. At that moment, a faint voice could be heard.

"Well, that's, it might not be Hae-il, then?"

"Yes?"

"Oh, it's nothing."

Certainly, the name of her son was heard.

"...If I didn't mishear just now, I think I heard my son's name. I can't just overlook it as a mother. What are you talking about?"

What she couldn't overlook was not an apology; it was the fact that she didn't know where her son was going and what he was doing. Felt angered by Park Seungah's question, Chansoo's mother apologized. What she wanted wasn't an apology.

Park Seung-ah suppressed her anxiety and rolled her tongue.

"Chansoo's mom, does Chansoo also act like this too?"

"Yes? What do you mean?"

"Since Haeil became a middle school student, our conversations have become less frequent. I try to accept it since he's grown up, but it's still sad."

"That's the way it is for everyone. Chansoo has been like that lately too."

"Yes, but as a mother, I'm always curious about my child. How Haeil is doing in school, how he gets along with friends. Have you heard anything about Haeil from Chansoo by any chance?"

"Well, it's not exactly about school talk..."

There seemed to be something bothering her.

With a gentle smile, Chansoo's mother cautiously opened her mouth.

"My son saw Haeil on NuTube."

"Nu...Tube?"