Rockstar Again - Chapter 113



Only Noblemtl

Episode 113. Who We Are (3)

“Aren’t you going home?”

At my words, the balding dwarf white grandfather gives a gruff smile.

“Don’t go.”

“What? How can you say something like that with such confidence? You’re living in someone else’s practice room.”

“The facilities here are surprisingly good. No. It’s pretty good.”

“Who asked you to evaluate something like that?”

Negotiations about songs and profit sharing are handled by professionals.

That part was omitted because it progressed on its own.

Is it true that bargaining over the price of a song like buying bean sprouts is a common practice in all countries?

– Give us three songs. We’ll choose among them and use them.

When Lars Roemer said that, I raised my middle finger.

―… … You son of a bitch. How is your mother?

-Your mother passed away a long time ago, didn’t she?

―… … What the f*ck… … I’m sorry.

-are you okay.

I heard that 21st century moving mother, that is, Nureongi’s ex-wife, is doing well in America. 20th century moving mother… I don’t know. According to my late father, she died a long time ago, but according to the neighborhood ladies at the time, she ran away and abandoned me when I was young…

I don’t know.

Dead or alive.

Anyway, since people are one of two, it will work out somehow.

-Then two songs.

– Go away. It’s not for sale. It’s closed here, so come back later, sir.

-……shit.

Well, that was the flow.

With Lars Roemer.

I just thought of someone.

Because the way he came to me and asked me to pull him out of the water was quite similar to Jo In-chang.

“No food?”

“Are you a beggar? Or am I a chef? Why are you looking for food here?”

While lying on the sofa, he scratched his protruding belly… … Man… … I think he really got caught up in this.

Kirk Schmidt returned to the United States, but Lars Roemer remained in Korea.

In Korea, exactly in our practice room.

“I’m hungry. Shouldn’t you give me food?”

“I picked up a beggar.”

“If you had given me three songs, this wouldn’t have happened.”

It’s not like I’m begging for a song like this.

Because he was being so annoying, I asked if he would leave if I gave him a few more songs, and he said he didn’t want that either.

I know that not all creators are the same, but I think I know what they’re thinking.

“It’s not just asking for food. It’s clinging around asking if there’s anything to eat… … That’s the real beggar, a beggar.”

At my words, Lars Roemer turned around and lay back on the sofa, pretending not to notice.

Shameless.

He doesn’t seem like that kind of person at all, he’s so shameless.

They are working on their album, which they were unable to do alone, and are working on the songs here. It’s giving them new inspiration.

As I gain fresh perspectives from people, that’s what creation is all about. If you keep producing on your own, there will always be an end. Your own color will become a self-replication. When you finally reach the end, there will come a time when you want to do something new but can’t.

That’s when something new is needed.

For Lars Roemer, I became something new… … .

A few days ago, he brought in his work computer from the US and set it up in a corner of the recording studio.

Clank-.

The recording studio door opens, Suchan comes in, and his body flinches.

“… … No matter how much I look at it, I can’t get used to it… … .”

“Brother, are you here?”

“Huh? Hmm… … But Dong-ha… … . That person over there… … How long will he be here?”

As Suchan said that, he glanced at the balding dwarf grandfather.

What the heck?

His hand suddenly sticks out from behind his back, then he puts it inside his pants and scratches his butt.

When you see him like that, you think he’s a white beggar, but who would think he’s a heavy metal legend? A charismatic leader and a revered drummer, no less.

After looking at the sight with pity, Suchan said to his brother.

“What about the other brothers?”

“I’ll come straight to the TVK Media Center. It seems like it would be difficult to leave in one car because of the press gathering. Tae-joo hyung will be picked up separately by Director Kwak. Dong-chan went to Young-pil hyung. The company temporarily provided a road and a car for Dong-sik hyung, and that team went to pick him up.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

At my words, Suchan-hyung licks his lips again and points to the dwarf lying down.

What does that person do, that’s what it means.

“Guard the practice room well. If someone tries to steal something, bark. If barking doesn’t work, bite. Got it?”

“go away.”

“I’ll be back soon. I ordered food, so eat when you get back. If you’re done eating, just put it aside and I’ll clean it up for you when I get back. Don’t make a mess by cleaning it up for no reason. Okay?”

“… … What’s on the menu?”

“It’s what I always eat.”

“……exorcism.”

Then, still with his back turned, he raises one hand and gives a thumbs up.

Like a scene from the now classic movie, Terminator.

“What’s the big deal? You really have to do something good. Why do all these crazy people keep sticking around… … .”

I left the recording studio and stood in front of the elevator. The way Suchan hyung looked at me was strange.

“Why are your eyes open like that?”

“… … I have a question… … Can I ask it?”

“If you keep pushing like that, you know it’ll be more problematic if you don’t say anything, right?”

“haha…….”

“Speak. Between us.”

When I gave him that much, Suchan mustered up his courage and opened his mouth.

“Ugh… … Dong-ha, you too… … Do other people seem strange to you?”

“What does that mean? The nuance is quite unpleasant? Am I mistaken?”

“Oh, no. Let’s go. Go. The elevator is here.”

Ding-.

The short elevator in the three-story building squeaks and squeaks.

* * *

Taeseong Lee, a delivery man for Taeseonggak, a Chinese restaurant in Jongro, used to think that his meeting with Taeseonggak was fate.

The name is the same, the name.

Could there be another such amazing relationship?

People used to ignore him, thinking he was just a Chinese restaurant deliveryman, but Taeseong Lee had a dream.

Although he started out as a deliveryman, he learned cooking from the owner and dreamed of one day opening a Chinese restaurant named after himself.

So instead of being a professional deliveryman, I ended up working as a deliveryman for a Chinese restaurant. I might make less money, but my dream is closer.

‘If we say ‘Taeseonggak 2nd branch’, we might have to pay for the signboard fee. Let’s call it Taeseongguk.’

So they even decided on a name for it.

Why a Chinese restaurant of all places?

Well… … It’s rare in the 21st century for the food he enjoyed the most as a child to be Jajangmyeon.

The welfare of the so-called orphanages, which people commonly remember as orphanages, has improved considerably, but it was only to the extent of improvement, and children with parents were not able to do and eat everything that they could.

“Hey, student.”

Although he is not a student, it is certain that he called Itaesung.

If you look around, there is no one who can be called a student.

“Aren’t you a student?”

“Hey, what, you’re a student or a deliveryman? I wanted to ask you something. Did you just go upstairs? That building?”

At the man’s words, Lee Tae-seong looked back at the building he had just entered and exited.

“But?”

“Is Lars Roemer still inside?”

“… … .”

“Oh, why isn’t there an answer? Is there one or isn’t there one?”

“What is Lars Roemer?”

The man sighed in disbelief at Lee Tae-seong’s words.

“No. Don’t you usually watch the news or anything? Don’t you use communities? Why don’t you know? In a situation like this?”

“What is the situation like now?”

“… … Oh my… … Okay. Anyway, you’re talking about a short white guy. Were you inside? What are you doing? Were you with Lee Dong-ha? You come here a lot. Do you know anything? Or can you take a picture of me secretly? With your phone? I’ll pay for the picture.”

In front of Itaesung’s eyes, not only the man speaking, but also people sitting and lying here and there on the street can be seen.

Ten people?

No, maybe twenty?

But these days, it has decreased a lot.

At first, it seemed like there were literally hundreds of people lined up.

I also know what these people do.

On the camera, on the phone.

They must be reporters.

“I don’t know.”

Sea party―.

The shallow starting sound of a scooter slightly less than 125cc spreads.

Lee Tae-seong pulled the throttle of the scooter.

“Ah… … That shameless little brat. She hasn’t answered me even once.”

I can hear the reporter talking behind my back.

‘There’s no way you can be more rude, you rascal. You keep talking to me informally because I’m young.’

It’s not that the other person simply doesn’t have the guts to answer.

And I know who Lars Roemer is.

It’s hard not to know that the entire Republic of Korea has been flooded with articles about Blue Porcelain, Metal Road, and Yoon Tae-joo for over two weeks. This is not the era where you can buy a paper newspaper from a newsstand for a few hundred won like in the past.

Just pick up your phone and tap a few times to get the article in no time.

The cold winter wind still blows across the face.

If I experience the temperature changes of the passing wind a few more times, I will become the president of Taesungru someday. As he thinks this, Taesung’s lips slightly turn up towards his ear.

People there are huge fans of Taeseonggak.

How come people eat Jajangmyeon, Tangsuyuk, Fried Rice, and one day Jjamppong every other day?

The menu changes a lot, but it’s still a regular among regulars.

When I first came for delivery, I wondered what this place was, but then I saw it in the article and people started pouring in.

‘Lee Dong-ha is ecstatic, Jae-min Group Chairman Yoon Tae-joo trembles, and Metal Lord is shocked!’

This is the guidance text that will later be attached to the wall of Taesungru.

Of course… … there’s still a long way to go until that happens.

Advance preparations are progressing steadily.

Gunmandu and Jjamppong soup.

It would be nice if they realized that they were being over-served even if they only ordered a few bowls.

‘… … I know. He’s a bit… … peculiar.’

Itaesung’s scooter stopped in front of Taeseonggak.

-Hyung, thank you. I’ll enjoy it.

When was it?

I think it was about three or four times I went out for delivery.

―… … Yes? Me?

– Aren’t you my brother? Are you younger than me? I’m twenty, and I’ll be twenty-one in a few months.

―Ah… … I am older… … two years older… … .

– Then you’re right, hyung. I’ll eat well. Thank you always. Oh, and drive safely. Don’t be noisy. If you get hurt, it’ll only be you. Okay?

-Ah… … Yes… … .

At that moment, I wondered if this was a worry due to a sense of entitlement… … or a sense of superiority looking down on me… …

I knew that the kid there was a successful celebrity.

-I’m moving. What’s your name?

-yes?

-What’s your name? Oh, I see you almost every day, so you should know my name, right? If it were a man and a woman, it would be enough time to make eye contact.

He even said things like an old man.

-Wow! Taesung hyung is here! Angel! God! The representative of God who sends food from heaven!

He was making a fuss too.

-You don’t like rock?

-Ah… … Just what… … .

-Just catch it once. I told you, you wouldn’t notice if one of you died while eating it with two people.

Then he played a rather plain song and sang it.

Thanks to that, I got scolded by the boss for making the next delivery late, but it was… … so warm that it hurt.

―You don’t know. I have a dream too. It doesn’t matter. Because I know that I have a dream. I will boil the noodles in 100-degree water and give them to you. It has a taste that has never been tasted before. Because it is the taste of my dream. Someday, my 125cc scooter will boil my dreams in 125-degree boiling water.

Those strange lyrics… … were so direct that it made my heart ache.

-Uh… How did you know?

-How do you know, I just know. And why don’t you speak informally to me, hyung? Are you keeping your distance? Corona is over? Or isn’t it?

―Uh… … No… … But why… … A song like this… …?

-Because I was bored. And thank you. I feel bad for taking the risk of coming here on a motorcycle just to give me something delicious.

-ah…….

―I don’t really have many friends around my age. That’s why. If my brother doesn’t like me, I’ll be polite to him again.

-No. No… … Thank you… … Me.

Only then did I realize.

Oh, he’s lonely too.

Even celebrities get bored.

It’s not a sense of superiority, but treating people with real respect… … and I thought.

A man’s voice was transmitted to Lee Tae-seong, who was lost in memories.

“Didn’t I tell you that you had to leave work early today?”

This is the president of Taeseonggak.

“Me?”

That’s nonsense.

“I can do the delivery, so just get off work.”

The Taeseonggak CEO snatched the delivery box he was holding and spoke roughly.

“?”

“What kind of weird guy came to you and said, ‘You’re leaving work early because you have to go see a show today?’ Isn’t he your friend?”

friend?

Are you a friend who went to daycare together?

Or a school friend?

Because I don’t understand the idea of ​​going to see a show anyway.

Itaesung sent me a look that said he still didn’t know.

Taesunggak CEO handed an envelope to Lee Taeseong.

“Hey, hurry up and go. Where is that? They said if you go to the TVK Media Center in Sangam-dong by 7 o’clock and call this number, they’ll let you in secretly. You don’t have to wait in line.”

“Media… … center?”

So, I’m starting to get the feel of it.

So I quickly added:

“My friend. Is he really handsome? He’s about a hand’s length taller than me?”

“Oh. Right. Your friend.”

“ah…….”

Taeseonggak CEO, who turned his back on Lee Tae-seong, continued to grumble.

“I put in the taxi fare. With the money left over from the taxi ride, I can buy something to wear. Shouldn’t I dress up nicely for a concert or something? Since it’s performance-based pay, I can use it comfortably. At successful Chinese restaurants, even the delivery workers get performance-based pay.”

“ah……?”

“Go quickly. I’m busy. You’re blocking the road and causing trouble. That shameless bastard said he’d pay for your lost wages and daily expenses, so I’m going crazy… … He’s my friend, so why would he pay for that?”

“Uh… … Uh… … I’ll be back… … .”

“Okay, go away. I’m busy.”

Lee Tae-seong hurriedly left Taeseonggak.

I want to see that weird guy… … no, that weird little brother perform on stage soon.