Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 803



Only Noblemtl

Episode 803

After finishing breakfast with Sungpil and Yubin, the Samurai Girls gathered in Erika’s room and started working on the arrangement of ‘Lotus’.

The reason they gathered in Erica’s room was simple: it was one level higher than Rika and Noah’s room, so it was more spacious.

“Even if I change to an electric guitar… … .”

Erica took her fingers off the guitar strings.

“The atmosphere has changed, but I don’t feel like it’s gotten any better.”

“What’s important is that the atmosphere changes!”

Rika immediately refuted Erica’s assertion, thinking that she was questioning Seongpil’s judgment.

“There’s something about live performances that makes you happy!”

“I agree with that point. The reason Director Park asked to change the guitar was because he was worried that the atmosphere would overlap with Tomoe’s. It’s just that there would be no synergy effect.”

Erica plucked the guitar strings a few more times and then spoke softly.

“Should I change it to nylon?”

“nylon?”

Erica pulled one out of the mountain of guitar cases. What she pulled out was an electric nylon guitar.

It is a guitar with nylon strings instead of steel strings, and can even produce electronic sounds when connected to an amplifier.

Rika stroked the guitar with curiosity.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before! Play it!”

“Let’s try Polypia.”

Erica played ‘Playing God’ by Polypia. After that, she played some of her own compositions, which stood out for their easygoing chords and free-spirited melodies.

Rika and Erika talked about various things about composing, but Noah, who was not familiar with composing, just sat there watching them.

“Oh, by the way.”

Erica picked up her phone as if a thought had just occurred to her.

“I decided to listen to Tomoe’s songs. Noah, do you know any?”

“Oh, yeah?”

Noah looked embarrassed, like a puppy that was abused by its owner and then got meat. He answered hesitantly, as if it was not his place to intervene.

“Well, I just listened to ‘Alice’ which was at number one on the charts… … .”

“Let’s hear it. It’s number one on the charts, so we’ll definitely sing it on air.”

The three listened carefully to Tomoe’s ‘Alice’. Erika’s initial light-hearted attitude disappeared and she nodded occasionally with a serious expression on her face.

Rika let out an exclamation like ‘Hehe, hmm’ in a lighter tone than Erica.

Noah felt pressured to do something between the two. It was just a song that was pleasant to listen to, but he nodded and exclaimed as if he felt something.

After ‘Alice’ ended, Erica sighed.

“Did you all feel it?”

“I felt it.”

“how is it?”

“ah?”

Noah’s eyes were darting around faster than the salt striders in the puddle. Fortunately, Erica expressed her feelings first instead of waiting for Noah’s answer.

“It’s amazing. As someone who makes a living from music, I can really feel the class.”

Noah quickly agreed.

“Yes. I am in awe.”

“Oh, is that it?”

“uh?”

Rika tilted her head.

“It’s a combination of electronic and rock. The only noticeable part is the various effects used to give it an art-pop feel. It’s great that they adjusted it so that it doesn’t sound unfamiliar, but… … .”

Are you even in awe? Rika was asking.

This was a difference of opinion that arose from their musical tastes.

Erika’s field is pop, after all. She highly praised Tomoe for pursuing artistry without abandoning pop elements.

In comparison, Rika’s field is electronic. To her, Tomoe’s songs sound like a mediocre hodgepodge.

“It doesn’t change the fact that it’s a good song, but Noah-chan!”

“Oh, yeah.”

“You don’t have to be too scared after hearing Eri-chan! I like Noah-chan’s lotus better!”

Noah’s expression fell into a bashful state as he watched Erica’s face.

“Oh, really? Thank you… … .”

Erica didn’t add much.

Even if I try to explain my feelings, Noah will only get anxious, just like Rika said.

Anyway, the emotions that Erica feels are only those of a musician. Noah’s typical ballad type song might be better for the public to listen to.

The arrangement work for ‘Lotus’ was progressing smoothly.

As it was a song that Yoon Sang-yeol had a hand in, the song itself was complete, and all Erica had to do was adjust it to fit the new instrument.

“I think Elek is better.”

After the rough arrangement was finalized, the three chatted over snacks.

The topic was ‘Girls’ League X Bugbug Invasion!’. Erika was the first to speak, and Noah also enjoyed watching the show, so they were able to talk.

“I bet Seol-ha had a hard time.”

“Really! It’s the first time since we were trainees that I’ve seen the teacher sigh so much!”

“Your heart must have been burning. You had to stand on a stage in front of over 10,000 people with kids who didn’t even know the basics. Oh, that was good. Cider? That’s what I said.”

“Yeah, yeah, what kind?”

“After Ara and Seol-ha solved their homework, the Bugbugs gained confidence. Was it Miyoko? She seemed especially confident.”

“Ah, I know what it is!”

“I wanted to turn off the broadcast. But then you were in the next scene… … .”

As the story continued, Noah felt uneasy.

Something was strange.

‘Are you sure you watched the same show as me…?’

Yeah, that’s weird.

“excuse me.”

Noah pointed out the oddity.

“Isn’t that the content? So, it’s the story of Bugbug’s success… … right?”

The main character of ‘Girls’ League X Bugbug Invasion!’ is Bugbug. The main plot is the Girls’ League teaching Bugbug, and Bugbug learning those teachings and overcoming difficulties.

Naturally, viewers would focus on Bugbug’s tears, growth, and victory. In other words, they would empathize with Bugbug.

But what Erica says is… … .

“Did Erii join the Girls’ League?”

Erica just blinked as if asking what was going on. Noah felt goosebumps running down his back at her attitude.

Noah watched ‘Girls’ League X Bugbug Invasion!’ with sweaty palms every time.

‘You can’t lose, bug bug! You can do it!’

When Bugbug liked something, we liked it together.

When Bugbug was sad, I was sad with him.

When Bugbug finally stood on the Tokyo Fashion Collection stage, she was so proud.

When one fell, my heart sank.

One of them got up again and started crying.

I was so impressed when I saw Miyoko perform on equal terms with Baek Seol-ha.

And in the final episode, with Bugbug talking about the broadcast, Noah was comforted that he could do it too.

“ah.”

Erica said with a smile.

“I guess you could look at it that way.”

Noah felt it.

The most alien thing in this place is yourself.

Rika, Erica and herself are humans a million light years apart.

‘I’m a bug bug.’

Girls’ League and Bugbug stand on stage together.

Standing at the same height, but never on the same level.

Noah is the same.

Although Rika and Erica share the same stage, they are by no means on the same level.

As an idol, and as a human being.

* * *

Globe member Yang So-min likes the Girls’ League. At least that’s what Noah thinks.

Yang So-min was watching the Girls’ League stage on her phone screen every time Noah looked at it.

I just thought, ‘Oh, I see,’ and let it go, but one day Noah approached me and asked me a question.

‘Are you watching Girls’ League?’

Yang So-min answered.

‘I’m looking at Areumi.’

It was the moment when one of Noah’s curiosities was resolved.

‘Because Somin relied on Areum. I’m like that too, but Somin relied on her even more.’

Although Shin A-reum was strict, she cherished and cared for Yang So-min.

It wouldn’t be strange if Yang So-min became a fan of Shin A-reum, who debuted as a member of Girls’ League.

Even though Shin A-reum left Success Entertainment, the hearts of those who like and support her have not disappeared.

‘Somin likes Areumi.’

It was only later that the truth was revealed.

Jiyu’s rebellion breaks out, Noah forms a secret alliance with Yoon Sang-yeol, the second Jiyu rebellion breaks out, and Yoon Sang-yeol asks Globe to let him produce.

After that, Noah created the ‘lotus’ with the help of Yoon Sang-yeol.

Looking back, Noah was quite excited at that time. Although joining Samurai Girls was to confirm the meaning of her existence, Noah’s stock was set to rise after Samurai Girls debuted.

Even if Noah only serves one person, it helps the globe.

‘The day will come when I can earn my keep.’

There was some calculation to that extent.

So, Noah was excited.

He approached Yang So-min, who was looking for Shin A-reum’s video as usual, and revealed his blueprint.

‘PD Yoon arranged it for us. Great. If this song becomes a hit in Japan, it’ll be good news for Globe. Does Somin speak Japanese? I asked PD Yoon to give us Japanese lessons, but Globe will be five years away soon, so it’s probably too late now. Don’t worry! I’ll do all the interpreting… ‘

Yang So-min turned her eyes from her phone to Noah. Her pupils were empty.

‘What’s so exciting?’

‘… … Uh, yeah?’

‘You’re so excited because the PD changed and started treating you a little better?’

‘Uh, huh? Oh, no. I, just, just… … .’

Yang So-min’s mouth held more words. But she pushed them all down her throat and looked at the Girls’ League in her phone again.

That day, Noah realized he was mistaken.

Yang So-min didn’t watch the video of the Girls’ League of Juya Jangcheon because she liked Shin A-reum.

She is a delusional and longing person. She has been longing for herself to stand in Shin A-reum’s place for years.

This must have been the word Yang So-min never uttered.

‘If Director Park hadn’t left, the Girls’ League would have been ours. Has Globe become famous in Japan? That’s already all… . . . ‘

The Girls’ League has it.

If Director Park and Team Leader Park Seong-pil hadn’t left, it would have all been ours.

however.

‘The one who threw away the future that was ours.’

Noah, what makes you so bright and happy?

“It’s not that I don’t know.”

It’s not like I’m stupid and always laughing. It’s not like I’m just absentmindedly watching the Girls’ League.

“I envy you.”

And at the same time, I feel sorry for the Globe members.

If he hadn’t ordered delivery food back then, wouldn’t Seongpil have left?

Wouldn’t that one moment of patience have made Sungpil stay at Success Entertainment?

So, wouldn’t the future of the Girls’ League belong to Globe?

“I’ve had that delusion countless times.”

Only after torturing himself countless times was Noah able to find common ground between reality and delusion.

Noah decided to move forward.

“Nothing will get better if you just stay sad.”

The reason I joined Samurai Girls was to prove myself. To find proof that I could shine even if I was between the stars called Rika and Erika.

No, not exactly.

“I wanted to make the globe shine.”

Noah doesn’t have any regressive powers.

No matter how much you regret it, it’s no use.

In that case, we have no choice but to continue making efforts to get closer to the best future.

He must reclaim even a little of the best future he has taken from everyone in the Globe.

That’s what the samurai girls are for.

I hesitated. I was afraid. I didn’t want to do it. But I had to go.

“Hell is beneath the sword, heaven is one step ahead.”

Just like Musashi, who took a step forward even when the blade was coming down as if it would split his crown, Noah also decided to move forward.

Noah wanted to be like Rika.

The jewel discovered by Seongpil.

“Oh, but.”

I know because you’re here with me.

The beginning might have been similar.

But after walking different paths for so long, the differences between the two have become too great to catch up.

“If I had stayed by Director Park’s side, would I have changed?”

Could I have the self-awareness and power to shine like Rika? Could I shine like her?

“I know now that you’re here. What I’ve been doing was nothing more than a delusion.”

There’s a common excuse people make when they ruin their lives.

An excuse that my life would have been different if I had had a better opportunity.

Or the excuse that if you hadn’t made that mistake then you would have lived a better life.

Noah was like that too. And like those people, when the opportunity to actually try came, he only keenly felt the difference between himself and those who had succeeded.

“For me, who wasn’t fierce at every moment, there’s no way I could become like Rika, and I don’t have the strength to make the Globe shine… … .”

He cannot fix the future he stole from Globe.

It’s a swamp. A huge stain on the trajectory of life that can never be filled.

“I’m not a member of the Girls’ League, and I can’t even be a bug bug… … .”

He has neither the same will nor the same courage as Miyoko.

Unlike them, I don’t have the tenacity to overcome obstacles in the end.

“That’s why, I can’t shine on my own, I can’t repay the debt I owe to everyone… … .”

Noah clung to Seongpil.

“Make me shine… … .”

I can’t even trust myself anymore.

The confidence I had as a trainee that I had the potential to become an idol has all but disappeared.

Now he is a child who cannot take a single step without someone’s permission.

“I don’t care what happens to my artistry… … .”

Me, without oxygen, without ignition, without fuel.

“Please let me shine as an idol, please… … .”