The Way to Save the Crazy Returnees – Chapter 34 – Showcase (3)

Author: CleiZz

“Hello, I’m Kwak Yoon-hoo, CEO of WF Entertainment.”

Everyone visibly flinched in surprise.

I suppose they hadn’t expected me to attend the showcase.

After all, I hadn’t appeared even after Victory’s performance had ended and the press conference was already underway. It was only natural for them to assume I wouldn’t come.

Still, I was relieved.

Thanks to a taxi driver who sped a little, I barely made it in time. I may have missed Victory’s comeback stage, but—

‘Judging from their reactions, it must have gone well.’

As for the fans, there was no doubt about it.

‘The problem is the journalists.’

My eyes fell on the journalist who had brought up Kang Ye-seong’s family background. I gave him a cold smile as I spoke.

“May I answer the question you asked Muse earlier?”

“You mean… you’ll answer it yourself, CEO?” the journalist asked cautiously.

“Yes. I happen to know Mr. Kim Sang-cheol, CEO of King—Victory’s former agency—quite well.”

The journalist who had asked was Park Ki-cheon, from It’s Patch—a name I hadn’t heard before.

I had never seen a journalist bring up Kang Ye-seong’s family before. Normally, questions focused on why WF had acquired Victory.

Which made the situation unusual—and suspicious.

Both Kim Sang-cheol and this new journalist… Why were these elements showing up now, when they hadn’t before

‘Well, I’ll look into that later.’

For now, I decided to address the question.

“First of all, the claim that Muse had any sort of debt arrangement with CEO Kim Sang-cheol is false. In reality, CEO Kim exploited Muse and the other members of Victory.”

The room stirred with murmurs.

Park looked flustered, stepping forward as he pressed on.

“How do you know that, CEO? And didn’t you just say you were close with Mr. Kim Sang-cheol…?”

“I said I know him well, not that I’m close with him,” I cut in.

Park faltered, and I seized the chance to continue.

“You’ll see how CEO Kim exploited Victory in their upcoming post-release activities. The members endured countless hardships at King, and they’ve expressed those frustrations through their music.”

It would be up to the public to decide how to take it.

“So, does that answer your question?”

Park looked like he wanted to press further but reluctantly nodded.

From that point, the questions went more smoothly—focusing on Victory’s future activities and the meaning behind U Know, keeping the spotlight where it belonged.

But, of course, someone had to ruin the atmosphere.

“I have another question.

It was Park Ki-cheon again.

“WF Entertainment is widely known to have been founded on AMA. CEO Kwak, what is your relationship with AMA?”

He smirked as he added, “I’m also curious whether you have any special connection with Chairman Kwak Jin-tae of AMA. After all, you share the same surname.”

I couldn’t tell if he was asking knowingly or just fishing. What was clear, though, was that Park Ki-cheon was deliberately trying to provoke me.

“Journalist Park Ki-cheon.”

“Yes, CEO?”

“Looking at the list of journalists here, I count at least five others who share your surname.”

His face flushed red.

He understood the point. I gave a wide smile and drove it home.

“Sharing a surname doesn’t make you family.”

Of course, I was family with my grandfather.

‘But this isn’t the time or place to reveal that.’

The focus needed to remain on Victory, not me. At least for now.

“And as for your question about AMA…”

I deliberately drew out the words, smiling.

“We are, of course, cooperative partners—working together to grow and improve.”

“That’s something most people already know.”

“Exactly.” I smiled at the odd exchange. “Which is why I wonder, Journalist Park, why you would ask something everyone already knows.”

Park Ki-cheon bit his lip. His frustration was obvious, and I let a faint smile linger before saying:

“Alright then, next question.”

The attention shifted back to Victory, and the press conference concluded without further trouble.

***

As the journalists exited the venue, I greeted them one by one.

“Journalist Park.”

I called him deliberately, to send a warning. Walking up to him, I smiled.

“If you want to write about Muse, go ahead.”

“…Excuse me?”

“If you want to write about me, go ahead too.”

But I added a condition.

“Just remember this—if you recklessly reveal someone else’s secrets, yours will be revealed in the same way.”

“I… I don’t understand what you mean…”

“Don’t play dumb.”

I had already ordered someone to dig into him the moment the press conference ended. And here was what I learned.

“You wouldn’t want your wife to know about your affair, would you?”

Park Ki-cheon froze, his face draining of color. I gave his shoulder a light pat and smiled.

“Please take good care of Victory.”

He stiffly excused himself and hurried out of the venue.

I remained until the showcase officially ended, then headed to Victory’s waiting room.

“CEO hyung!”

Cheong-ryang spotted me and jumped to his feet.

“You all worked hard today.”

Every member of Victory’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Everyone except Kang Ye-seong. I ignored his piercing gaze and continued.

“Your schedule is packed. Make sure you take care of your stamina and health so you can finish everything safely.”

“Yes!”

Their loud reply echoed as I turned to leave the room.

“CEO.”

It was Kang Ye-seong, stopping me with a firm expression. I immediately apologized.

“Sorry. I really wanted to see the stage…”

“It’s fine. You’ve already watched us practice every night, haven’t you?”

“…What?”

“I saw you. Sneaking into the practice room late at night, then slipping out quietly.”

So he had noticed.

“That’s… embarrassing.”

I scratched my cheek awkwardly, and Kang Ye-seong went on.

“I could’ve answered that journalist’s question myself.”

“I know. You’re smart, Muse. I’m sure you would’ve handled it well.”

But the other members weren’t like that.

“Even if you had answered Journalist Park’s question well, do you really think he would’ve just said, ‘Oh, I see,’ and let it go?”

Kang Ye-seong fell silent.

“He would’ve kept digging. And not just into you—he would’ve targeted the other members too.”

That’s why I stepped in.

“When it comes to shutting down people like him, it’s better if someone in a higher position does it.”

Strictly speaking, I wasn’t exactly in a superior position over that journalist, but still—

‘The results speak for themselves.’

I gave Kang Ye-seong a smile. He lowered his head, looking troubled, as if burdened by the fact that he hadn’t handled the journalist himself.

Honestly, there was no reason for him to feel that way.

On the very day of Victory’s new beginning, it wasn’t good for their leader to look so down. Especially not Kang Ye-seong, whose mood set the tone for the rest of the group. His feelings would ripple through them all.

‘Looks like I’ll have to cheer him up.’

I pulled out my phone and opened a music chart site.

“What’s this…?”

“I figured you hadn’t checked yet.”

Kang Ye-seong tilted his head, then glanced at the screen. His eyes widened. He rubbed them, pinched his cheek, and asked in disbelief:

“I–Is this real?”

Smiling, I nodded.

“Congratulations.”

Kang Ye-seong’s face lit up. A moment later, he rushed over to the others.

“Guys! Look at this!!”

The waiting room quickly filled with noise.

“Is this real?”

“Yeah! It’s real!”

“M-Muse hyung! This isn’t… manipulated, right?”

“You idiot! What manipulation?!”

Haneul scolded Cheong-ryang before breaking into a cheer.

“Uwaaaaah!”

“Woooooo!”

The other members soon followed, shouting with joy. Even Shin Yoo-soo, usually the quiet one, was smiling brightly and cheering. The sight filled me with pride.

“Oppaaa!”

At that moment, Kang Ye-seong’s younger sister came running into the waiting room.

“Yoon-ju!”

Kang Ye-seong hugged her with a big smile.

“Yoon-ju, look! Our song made it into the Top Ten!”

“The Top Ten?”

“Yeah!!”

“Wow!”

Kang Yoon-ju’s eyes sparkled in awe.

“Boss.”

“Seo Do-hwan.”

I turned to him with a warm smile. He had brought Kang Yoon-ju along.

“Good work today.”

“Good work? Don’t mention it.”

Seo Do-hwan waved a hand dismissively.

“Anyway, where’s his grandma?”

“She said she’d come once she stopped crying.”

She must have been overwhelmed, seeing her grandson on stage.

“What about Lee Yoo-seong? Why are you here alone? Don’t tell me you ditched the kid.”

What does he even take me for? I was about to snap back when, right on cue, Lee Yoo-seong appeared.

“I’m right here.”

“You’re okay?”

“Of course I am!” Lee Yoo-seong replied briskly.

“Ye-seong hyung looks really happy.”

“As he should.”

After all, the moment he once lived as NIKE in the other world, he was now experiencing again as VICTORY here. The feeling had to be overwhelming.

Right now, Kang Ye-seong was surely looking higher than ever—together with Victory, his family in this world.

I took Lee Yoo-seong and Seo Do-hwan with me toward the showcase hall. I wanted to leave Victory some time for themselves.

Of course, I made sure to get my phone back from Kang Ye-seong.

After checking through the mountain of missed messages, we reached the hall. I’d assumed everyone besides staff and crew had already gone—but someone was still there.

A strikingly handsome man with slightly curly hair.

That face was far too familiar.

Before I realized it, my legs were moving.

“Boss?”

“Wait.”

I brushed off Seo Do-hwan’s hand as he tried to stop me and stepped forward.

“Excuse me, let me through.”

The staff were busy clearing the stage, the area cluttered with equipment.

“Excuse me!”

I pushed past them, moving closer.

The man stared at me blankly—then vanished. As if he had never been there at all. My lips trembled as I shouted,

“Ji Geon-hyuk!!”