I Became the CEO of an Idol Company in a Game Chapter 7

<Episode 7> 

 

Han Youngjoo, having arrived at the company, looked around the interior with a slightly dazed expression.

“Is the company smaller than you expected?”

“Huh? No, not at all.”

She waved her hands quickly, denying what I said.

It wasn’t a large company, so it wouldn’t have mattered if she’d answered honestly, but she seemed desperate.

“It’s fine. It is small, after all. But it’ll grow soon.”

“But… there aren’t any employees here?”

She asked while looking at the space.

“It’s the weekend. And we only have one idol group under us. Let’s head to the meeting room first.”

There was no better place to talk than the meeting room, so I led her there.

“Please, have a seat.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“We have coffee, tea, and orange juice. Which would you like?”

“I… water is fine.”

“Alright. Please wait a moment.”

I stepped out of the meeting room and went to the break room.

Since this was still technically a business meeting, I poured water into a mug and brought it back.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you.”

Perhaps she had been thirsty, Han Youngjoo gulped the water down.

“Then, shall we start talking properly?”

“Yes, yes!”

Her shoulders were visibly tense with nerves.

“Don’t be too nervous. We’re just going to listen to the song and talk about it.”

Han Youngjoo nodded vigorously. Then she pulled her phone out of her pocket.

Her fingers moved quickly, and after glancing at me once, she pressed play.

Thump, thump, thump!

An upbeat drum sound kicked off the track.

[Hmmmm]

It seemed to be a demo without lyrics yet.

Even though I already knew the song, I listened with a serious expression.

Han Youngjoo swallowed nervously as she watched my every subtle reaction.

[Na na na na na

Doo doo doom]

Even with placeholder lyrics, the song was excellent.

It carried a refreshing feeling that evoked a summer beach and lush green fields.

‘To think this song was almost discarded. I wonder how much regret will come later.’

[Mm yeah, na na na na na]

Before I knew it, three minutes had passed, and the song ended.

“So… what do you think?”

Han Youngjoo immediately asked for my impression.

“It’s good.”

“Really?”

Her eyes lit up.

Hope filled them, the hope that maybe she wouldn’t have to give up music.

“Yes. Let’s sign a contract right away. And would you need a separate lyricist? There weren’t lyrics yet.”

“No! I’ll write them. They’re not finished yet… but I do have lyrics.”

Han Youngjoo pulled out a small notebook from her bag and handed it to me.

“It’s about a young sprout breaking through hard soil and eventually blooming… a metaphor for our lives.”

I took the notebook and immediately checked the lyrics.

[When I look around, there’s nothing but darkness]

They were the same lyrics I remembered.

“It’s good. I think I can already picture the concept. I’d like to go with this as it is.”

“Really?”

Her eyes sparkled.

“Yes. I’d like to draft the contract right away. And I have one more proposal.”

“A proposal…?”

“Would you consider becoming an exclusive composer for our company?”

An exclusive composer.

That wasn’t something you saw often.

Especially not in a small agency like this.

‘I can’t just use a composer who produces hit after hit once and throw her away.’

“An exclusive composer…?”

Han Youngjoo placed her hand on her chest and repeated the words.

“Yes. It doesn’t have to sound so intimidating. It’s not an exclusive contract in the strict sense… you’ll still be free to give songs to other companies. We only have one idol group anyway. Just prioritize our group’s schedule.”

I found myself talking more and more out of nervousness.

“As I said when we entered the company, I don’t plan to stop here. Once we solidify Spade Joker’s position, we’ll launch a girl group too. Step by step, we’ll grow the company.”

If I could, I would’ve laid all my cards on the table.

The fact that I knew future events through endless regressions…

That alone was a massive advantage.

But there was no way she’d believe it.

‘She’d think I’m crazy, and I might lose the song too. Better stop here.’

An uncertain promise.

That was all I could offer her.

“Take your time to think it over. This is an important decision.”

“So… you’re saying you see potential in my music and want to sign me as an exclusive composer?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Han Youngjoo blinked as if organizing her thoughts.

“I’ll do it.”

Her voice was firm.

I hadn’t even presented the contract yet, so I never expected an immediate answer.

‘What? Am I dreaming?’

Just in case, I pinched the back of my hand.

It hurt.

The pain reminded me that this was reality.

“Are you sure you’re okay with deciding so quickly?”

“Yes.”

She was resolute.

Her mind was already made up.

‘She chose trust… just as I trusted her, she’s choosing to trust me.’

“Honestly, if not here, my songs will never leave the shelf anyway.”

That wasn’t true.

She just didn’t know the future yet.

If her songs had truly never been released, how would I have obtained them for Spade Joker?

After giving up on composing, she had uploaded her songs as a hobby online.

A company discovered them and made her an offer.

They were especially struck by [I], wanting it as a title track… but she refused, saying it was too precious to sell.

Still, her other songs were so good that she debuted as a composer.

‘And the reason that song came to Spade Joker… was because she heard their story.’

Earlier, she had said:

> “It’s about a young sprout breaking through hard soil and blooming… a metaphor for our lives.”

That was her own story.

A song she wrote to comfort herself as she struggled against reality.

That’s why she couldn’t just give it away.

‘It took a lot to persuade her back then.’

Only after telling her everything…

Spade Joker’s story, their struggles, and their determination to try again… she finally agreed.

But this time, since she met me right as she was about to give up, persuasion had been much easier.

Coming to the shop today had truly been the right decision.

‘Come to think of it, when this story was told on a variety show, the music video views skyrocketed…’

The situation was different now, but this story would still attract attention.

A composer about to give up, a failed idol group meeting, and achieving success…

It was practically a drama.

“Then shall we review the contract now?”

I handed her the contract I had prepared in advance through Han Suseok.

“Please read it, and if there’s anything you want to add, let me know. I’ll accommodate as much as possible.”

The contract was favorable to her, so I was confident.

She calmly read through each clause.

It didn’t take long.

“This is… too generous for me.”

She looked at me with wide, surprised eyes.

“Too generous?”

“I didn’t expect to be treated like this.”

Her self-esteem seemed low, she hesitated even at reasonable terms.

‘After being rejected repeatedly, that reaction makes sense.’

“Composer.”

“Yes?”

“I’m investing in your ability. Even if you have idols and a company, without songs, you can’t stand on stage.”

Her pupils trembled slightly.

“I’ve never heard anyone say that before.”

“Then remember it. Don’t undervalue your ability. This is a fair price for your talent.”

Honestly, this was cheap.

In the future, companies would line up offering her much better deals.

“Thank you. I just signed here, right?”

“Yes.”

She picked up the pen and signed the contract.

Now we were bound by agreement.

I suppressed the smile threatening to spread across my face.

“I look forward to working with you.”

“Me too.”

With a handshake, the contract was finalized.