“Hehe. Hehe...”

Halo was annoyed by that creepy laugh. But he didn’t want to see Jinsoo’s happy face no matter how much he complained, so he looked away.

If he had known this would happen, he wouldn’t have helped him at all from the beginning.

“Jinsoo.”

“Yes, hyung...hehehe.”

“When is the filming?”

“Next week?”

Jang Jinsoo immediately answered Han Jinyeong's question.

Judging by how quickly he responded, it seemed he was waiting for that question.

“It’s later than I thought.”

“Ah, they said the announcements are coming out sequentially now. There are still people who haven't finished reviews.”

“Ah, I guess the announcements themselves came early this time.”

“That's right. The broadcast is earlier than before too.”

Last year, Soyou 2 (Show Your Show Season 2) aired after Christmas, but Soyou 3 feels early.

To complete reviews that would normally take a month in just a week – somehow – and film around the 23rd-24th of next week. And the first broadcast is a week later.

Considering they also had to make teasers and trailers in between, it was like the production team was marching hard.

“Uh, is ENS short on money?”

“More like the show is urgent. Because of the drunk driving thing.”

Jang Jinsoo made a cutting motion with both hands.

Only then did Han Jinyeong seemed to understand and nodded.

There must have been some adult circumstances where the preceding show got ruined so they had to air the popular show quickly.

“It must be hard.”

“I’m happy though? I get to be on TV faster.”

He had clearly forgotten any possibility of failing the second round. Jang Jinsoo's shoulders were higher than the sky, beyond just being confident.

“Haeil, wish for him to stop being cocky.”

“Huh?”

Bae Gonghak couldn't stand it anymore and spoke up.

At this rate, he seemed like he would chatter on all day.

“What wish?”

“You guys bet, didn't you?”

“What bet? No, that's not over yet?!”

Last weekend, they bet on whether Halo's video would surpass 100K views. Clearly, it was far from 100K views as of yesterday when they last checked.

Jang Jinsoo tilted his head at the sudden remark.

“If you bet on Haeil's video views, isn't that already over?”

“What the... That makes no sense—”

“I saw Haeil’s busking video with 1M views.”

“!”

"Right."

As Kim Deoksoo agreed, Jang Jinsoo’s nostrils flared.

“That can't be! That's unfair!”

What he bet on was No Haeil's album.

Whether it was a busking video or whatever, that was invalid.

“No way! Hey, No Haeil, say something. We bet on your video, right?”

“Isn’t any video with Haeil in it Haeil’s video?”

It was practically just wordplay, but objectively not wrong. They didn't specify which exact video when making the bet.

“But- Haeil, right?”

When making the bet, they didn't expect the busking video on NuTube to reach 1M views. They completely forgot about it afterward.

He was so frustrated, but none of his hyungs would take his side. This is all his karma.

“The bet's not over yet.”

Halo felt a sense of satisfaction now that the grin was gone from Jinsoo's face. But he didn't intend to cling to this and defeat the kid. There was still plenty of time left, and while the view count was still low compared to the busking video, he was satisfied with the reactions that refreshed every time he checked in.

"Yeah, yeah. As expected of No Haeil! You're a man!"

He waited for the day he could flatten Jang Jinsoo's nose, who still seemed to think he could win against [Struggle]. For no reason at all, he still didn't feel like he would lose.

"What's the view count now?"

"3 thousand."

"Hmm."

The hyungs let out subtle groans.

It was good considering it was a channel without even channel art, but it was hard to say if it could win the bet in the remaining time.

“Go to the busking video right now and say that's Haeil's account, it'll easily hit 100K views.”

“It’ll easily hit 1M, not just 100K!”

“Whoa. Unfair.”

“Jinsoo, life is real.”

Jang Jinsoo didn't understand why his hyungs were cheering for Haeil instead of him. Wasn't he closer to them?

“Hey, No Haeil. Let's have a fair man-to-man fight.”

Seeing Jang Jinsoo make such a serious appeal while the others jeered, Halo clicked his tongue.

What a kid.

Even now, the alarm on NuTube that he turned off kept ringing. Jammed chaotically with emoticons and abbreviations, and long comments. It was messy but the gist was that they liked the song and wanted to keep listening. Asking if they could upload it to their playlists too.

When he was a rookie, his popularity was like this too. Chaotic, frenzied. He could say he was already used to it.

And so Halo breezed past comments with an abnormal number of replies without much thought.

[Hello, this is ‘Special Gemstone Radio’. I'm enjoying listening to your album Struggle. May I recommend your music on today's playlist? (Cancel translation)]

#

The destructive guitar playing choked his breath.

The man with a protruding stomach pretended to play the guitar flamboyantly then gasped for rough breaths.

In the dark room.

The man couldn't have imagined that the 6-minute 30-second video he happened to see last night would drive him crazy.

As always, last night he was wandering in search of music.

'Special Gemstone Radio', or SGR for short, belonged to the owner Stone Chamber who loved rock. While everyone said it was outdated music, he had been making playlists and running the radio show for 3 years.

To show people that rock wasn't dead yet.

And to let more people hear rock.

Like that, he steadily recommended music focused on rock, sometimes Britpop, and his channel blew up algorithmically one day and now had over 1 million subscribers, becoming a popular channel.

Last night too, he was steadily making a playlist.

The next video would be about 'hippie', not hip hop, so he looked for fitting songs.

He searched SoundCloud for music focused on ‘hippie’, ‘rock’, and ‘Bohemian’, and went on NuTube for a short break.

‘Struggle’ wasn’t something he found while working.

He was just monitoring recent comments on videos, taking a break.

-A fucking song you must listen to

"Oh ho."

A fan had recommended a video.

It was something that happened often. His channel subscribers had similar tastes as him, and would sometimes recommend music to him.

Among them were really good songs, and just alright songs. Stone, who would listen for at least 20 seconds even if it seemed like self-promotion or advertising, remembered this fan was an old fan.

He tended to recommend quite decent songs.

It was the first time Stone saw him swearing, but he clicked the hyperlink as if it was only natural.

He wondered how much of an internet ghost this person was to watch an obscure video with only 3 thousand views.

Before listening to the music, he first checked the song information.

The composition, lyrics, and vocals were all by one person (or group) named HALO. Judging by the lack of an official distribution mark, they were clearly an indie band or amateur.

The account was also just created, and there were 4 songs uploaded that seemed to be from one album. He liked the titles, but just because the titles were good didn't mean the songs would be good enough to make his playlists.

'The reactions are pretty good though.'

The likes and comments were a lot compared to the view count.

This meant either the song was really good, or absolutely minor.

"Let me give it a listen."

He brought his headphones and listened.

He had an audio system bigger than a television, but of course, he had no thoughts of using that. Thinking back now, that was one of his biggest regrets. He should have listened to this first, loudly through the audio.

It started with a gentle piano

"Jazz?"

He didn't think it was bad.

And the atmosphere was gradually reversing

"Oh, not bad..."

And Stone Chamber didn't say another word after that.

The intense electric guitar and rough vocals that followed. His breath was taken away by the savage music. His whole body felt paralyzed.

Or was he shaking?

Stone Chamber bolted up from his seat.

"What is this...!"

His head told him to immediately play the next song, his body told him to run out and fight this instant.

There's no way an amateur made a song like this.

"This is by an amateur?"

There's no way an amateur made this song.

It's an established singer.

The voice was young but the musical style was like that.

It reminded him of the music that ruled 20th-century Britain.

The commenters didn't seem to think that far, but Stone Chamber who had listened to rock and Britpop his whole life was certain.

Various names flashed through his mind.

Just who was it?

Not just anyone could make music like this.

It was as if some sinister musician was testing if he could discover their song, no, challenging the world to recognize him. As if asking if they could identify him.

Like the show 'Masked Singer UK' he had watched before,

It was like asking him to figure out what his identity was.

"I can't be the only one thinking this, right?"

Stone Chamber solemnly accepted this gauntlet.

Calming his excited mind, Stone Chamber wrote a comment.

[I've been enjoying your album struggle. Please—] No. [For the love of] Too desperate. [On today's playlist, teacher—] No. Why is this happening. [Your killer] [Teasing]...

More vulgar words kept coming out.

Deleting as he pressed the button, Stone Chamber finished his sentence.

[May I recommend your music?]

#

Clearly, trying to have a conversation with No Haeil's mother was a good decision.

However, her changed attitude occasionally left him flustered.

As soon as he got home, his mother seemed to have waited for him as she welcomed him.

"Haeil, come here for a bit? Mom has something to tell you."

"What is it?"

She was unusually proactive and passionate.

"Mom looked up what you need to do to become a singer."

"Yes."

"They say you usually sign with a label. And train as a trainee before debuting."

It was reasonable.

Halo nodded.

"That's usually how it goes."

"..."

At that, his mother tilted her head.

"Why? Do you not have much interest?"

His attitude seemed a bit indifferent.

"Or could it be you're worried you can't get into a label?"

"That's not it."

As if he couldn't get in.

Hadn't he already gotten scout business cards?

He threw them all away, but he could probably get in.

If he wanted to join a label.

"I just don't need one."

But he didn't need a label.

Labels gather students and have them train professionally. Halo wasn't at a student level, so he didn't feel the need to join one and learn, or be tied down by a contract.

"I want to do my music. Without anyone interfering."

If it was a kid other than Halo sitting here, it would have sounded like arbitrary stubbornness. If Park Seungah hadn't seen anything from him, she probably would have taken it that way.

But Halo had shown her at least something. He played the acoustic guitar smoothly without any lessons, and composed songs, singing in a way that moved people.

"You want to do your music."

Park Seungah was at a loss for words.

Not because it was preposterous, but because she really didn't know what to say.

In fact, after properly talking with Haeil, she found it difficult to deal with him.

This might sound strange, but she felt uneasy about dealing with her son.

She was looking into it a bit, but she was still ignorant about music and the industry.

She felt like carelessly interfering could have a negative impact.

"Then, how can Mom help you?"

Park Seungah decided to take a step back.

Put researching information on hold, and try talking to Haeil.

"Hmm..."

An unexpected question.

Not expecting to hear an offer to help, Halo glanced at his mother and contemplated.

What he needs.

In other words, what he lacks.

What he doesn't have right now.

The first thing that comes to mind is of course—

"My physical strength is lacking."

"Huh?"

"Lung capacity, stamina, strength, muscle strength. My overall physical condition is lacking. My legs shake just singing one song."

"Then you'll have to exercise. I'll look into a gym. What else?"

What else?

Bewildered by his suddenly brightened mother, he was briefly at a loss for words.

Why does she seem happy to make demands?

"...I wish I could compose at home."

Another issue was the studio.

Going to the hideout was good, but it took an hour to get there.

Plus it wasn't his. He had always had a need for a studio.

"I'll have to look into that, and?"

"If possible. I want to upgrade my instruments too. They're pretty beginner level."

"That's easy. Let's buy a new one. What else?"

"...That's it."

As his demands grew, his mother seemed happier instead.

She didn't seem to be asking for anything in return.

"When should we go shopping together?"

"Anytime is good."

It was natural for him to pay since he was making the requests, but his mother beamed.

"Then let's go tomorrow. We can look into instruments, and while we're out, buy clothes, bags, and anything you need. And eat something delicious. Let’s use your father’s money."

"Alright."

Luxury was always welcome.

He usually wore his uniform, so he wanted to wear comfortable clothes for a change. Well, even if Halo couldn't.

That aside, the topic of No Haeil's father whom he had never met came up.

Ah right, he still had one more assignment left.

"By the way, when is Father coming home?"

"Your father? He'll be back before Christmas once he finishes his research. Should we buy his Christmas present in advance?"

"Should I prepare a song as a present?"

"Oh my."

It was meant jokingly, but his mother gasped, covering her mouth as if it were a great idea.

"He'll love it for sure. Just like Mom."

Since she liked it so much, he couldn't take it back now.

"And after playing that song for Dad first, let's upload it to NuTube."

"NuTube?"

"People are already looking for your next song there—"

"NuTube?"

Seeing her baffled son's expression, Park Seungah realized her mistake at that moment.

Haeil didn't know she had watched the video.

Seeing as he didn't mention it himself, it seemed he was trying to hide it, so what should she do now that she had seen it?

Park Seungah came clean in the end.

"Yes, NuTube."

"My NuTube?"

"Where you uploaded your song."

'My song?' Halo's memories went back into the past.

In truth, there was only one song he had played for his mother.

'Could it be.' In the past, he had uploaded a [Confession] video on No Haeil's account.

Hoping someone No Haeil loved would see it.

"You saw [Confession]?"

"Yeah."

His mother replied shyly.

'Whoa.'

Halo unconsciously exclaimed in wonder.

No Haeil's account that he thought would be buried among countless channels. He didn't expect that song would truly reach its real owner.

It made him a bit nervous.

"You need to upload more songs to your account. Everyone will love them."

'Everyone'?

"Who's everyone?"

"Oh, don't tell me you didn't know?"

His mother went on NuTube.

She only had two subscribed channels on her account. The channel where Haeil's busking was uploaded, and [wave_r]. That channel.

The number of subscribers on it

"5 thousand?"

Seeing Halo's reaction, his mother was proud, as if her own NuTube account was doing well.

Halo was also surprised and pleased to see a higher number than he expected.

It seems No Haeil and his collaboration was somewhat successful.

'But how many views did my channel have again?'

However, when his thoughts reached his own channel, Halo suddenly sucked in a breath.

He thought it was quickly growing considering no one knew about it yet. He was happy it already had 3 thousand views.

No Haeil's song was hundreds of times more popular than his song. The number of subscribers was even more than the views on his album [Struggle].

This clumsy little kid's song was more loved than his song, even though he had arranged it and sang it himself.

It hurt his pride as a composer.

"I wonder how people found it. Someone must have mentioned it in a busking video. I don't know how they found this. There sure are a lot of sharp people in the world."

From her rambling, he roughly understood.

How No Haeil's account reached her.

How those connections were made.

It could be seen as a butterfly effect.

Still, his lowered self-esteem wouldn't recover.

Halo gritted his teeth.

He didn't expect to feel competitive toward a middle school brat at his age.

He thinks he needs to hurry, run faster.

Incomparable to this kid's work.

Quickly spread the word of his remaining album,

And go further, write new songs.

HALO's past was merely an assignment he had to make known.

What lay ahead of him was the future.

Hello to all new readers! What the heck, I didn't expect to get this many new viewers + comments suddenly lol. And I heard there's a manhwa adaptation of this novel? Thanks to that this is happening lol. Thank you so much for reading and loving the series you guys! And for those who were wondering if I have Patreon or Ko-fi, yes, I do have a Ko-fi page, it's on the Homepage of this website!

Since there's a Manhwa of this novel, I'll be uploading more chapters this week, at least until we're caught up with the manhwa (or even beyond that, who knows). And this week I'll also be preparing for the advanced chapter on my Ko-fi page. Ah, while we're on the topic of advanced chapters, what do you guys like more for me uploading the advanced chapters, Ko-fi or Patreon?

I'll be waiting for your opinion so the advanced chapters probably will be up next week