บท 55: The Heirs
"You sound great, sunbae. Take five. I'll do some re-runs on Jinyoung-hyung's parts." I was recording the last song for the Christmas album which involves all artists from JYP Nation. Apparently that's what we're calling ourselves now. It's already been a month since we started filming "The Heirs", and it's been pretty much hectic for me. I've been appearing on TV shows, pre-recording demo songs for Alpha and other artists, producing songs for JYP's Christmas album, filming a drama, and performing with Alpha all around South Korea.
It's been pretty draining for me going back and forth between schedules. There was a week where I went home at 1AM in the morning from work everyday, and I had to wake up at 4AM because of the filming. Not only that, I even tried staying awake for 3 days while catching some short naps in between. My manager knows how quiet I've been in the car when he brought me from one schedule to another. I would instantly fall asleep the moment I get inside the car.
Today is the final day for the recording before I finalize the mix for most of the songs, so I'm doubling the time to do so. It was hard to get all the artists here because of the overlapping schedules. I was not a full-time producer after all. I'm also the leader for Alpha. I just finished recording and finalizing Ji-Eun-sunbae's parts. She was awkward at first which caused problems. Especially when it was just us in the studio. I maintained my professionalism all throughout the time. Thankfully, Got7 arrived to spare us from our awkwardness.
Technically, I wasn't recording EVERY member of all idol groups in JYP. We just handpicked one member from each group, but I made sure that everyone artist under JYP would have a part to sing in this album. That was the goal. Thankfully. We were able to pull it through. I had to make sure to finish everything within 2 days because we would start promotions by next week. Most of the other groups were already done with their photoshoot for the album jacket and free photos.
Christmas albums weren't really promoted much in the previous world. Especially if it was a company album. Surprisingly, it was different in this world. Since there were only 5 companies in this world, people were looking forward to company promotions and albums. That is why companies would put in so much effort for it. Plus, it only happens once every two years. I only understood it when I was producing the songs. I've never seen PD-nim so hands on with the artists before. It was a sight to see.
"Great! Thanks. I'll come out now." Ji-Eun-sunbae said.
I gave her a nod and turn to talk to Got7, "Jinyoung-hyung. I need you to run your parts again. I think it wasn't the best output from you since you've been so drained from filming "He is Psychometric". I heard from PD-nim that you had two days off so I was hoping we could do it again."
"Right? I've been meaning to ask you about it, but I saw how busy you were and I didn't want to bother you." He replied.
I waved it off. "Nonsense. You could have just told me."
Jackson-hyung rolled his eyes. "We saw you pass out in the cafeteria one time. Jinyoung-ah wanted to talk to you about it during that time. He felt sorry for you so he decided against it."
The rest of the members said the same thing. They told me that they've seen me either passed out or just staring off from at a distance. They were really concerned about me.
"Hyung, you should rest some time." Bambam said.
I shook my head as I chuckled. "Thanks for the concern. Don't worry. I'm going to rest up after this one. My filming was re-scheduled tomorrow anyway because Woobin had an emergency check-up for some reasons."
As soon as they heard that, they agreed and patted my back. Jinyoung-hyung immediately stood up. "Alright. I'll make this quick for you so you can take your rest JayB-ya."
It made me chuckle. "Fine. You better not mess up."
The other members laughed at my comment. Just as he was about to respond to my joke, someone tapped my shoulder. When they saw who it was, they immediately clamored up. I turn around to see Ji-Eun-sunbae smiling at me.
"Can I have a minute with you outside?" She said in a shy voice.
I turn to look at the members of Got7 as if telling them to help me, but they literally just tossed me out and told me that it was fine. So I went out the studio with her and we stood there in silence for a few seconds.
"So…" She said deciding to break of the silence. "Have you thought about it?"
"About what?" I replied pretending to be ambiguous about it.
"You know what I mean…" She paused for a while before she continued. "I told you that I'd wait for your answer. I didn't know it would take this long though."
I sighed. "Sunbae…"
"Please don't act familiar with me…" She said with a tinge of hurt in her voice.
"Noona, I seriously can't anymore. It would be difficult right now." I replied honestly. It was. It would only create chaos again. Not just for our fans but for our careers as well. After that one, I realized that there are still more threats out there. It would only complicate things. If she dies again this time, she'll probably die for good.
She scrunched up her brows. "Then do these people know that you're using songs from the previously world. What if they suddenly find out?"
I knew where this was heading and I could not believe that she would be the one to say these things. "Noona… you wouldn't…"
"Try me." She stepped forward only inches away from my face. She was being serious.
I moved a step backwards. "Then I'd quit the industry. Anyway, I didn't deserve this in the first place, right? That's what you're saying, right? This is just basically plagiarism… right?"
She was taken aback from what I said. "JayB-ya… that's not what I'm saying. I just wanted to get back with you."
"And then what? Would you be happy by then?" I asked.
She then suddenly hugs me. "Yes! I would! It would definitely make me happy! Why can't you see that?"
I didn't answer for a while before I slowly pulled away from her embrace. "What about me, noona? Don't you know how I feel about this? Did you ever ask how I was? Do you know how it felt like to be helpless as I was trying to save…"
Tears were welling up in my eyes. I've tried to hide it for half a year now. Drowning myself with so many schedules. I didn't want to face the fact that even if I was a powerful figure in this world, I was basically powerless when it came to saving the previous IU. This thought haunted me. Even if she is alive, the IU of this world was gone.
"JayB-ya…" Ji-Eun wanted to comfort me, but she took a step back.
"You might not be her, but you have no idea how much I want to say yes right now. But your face reminds me of how weak I was to stop her from dying. Please… Noona… if you really care, let's stop this for now. If I'm ready… you'd know." I told her in between my sobs.
She stood there and her eyes softened. She was just looking at me and didn't even try to comfort me because she knew where all of this was coming from. She finally understood what I was feeling. After I calmed down, she patted my shoulder and apologized before turning away to leave.
After I collected myself, I went back inside the studio. Got7 then scrambled about pretending that they were doing something else. They must have heard us. I hope they didn't hear the entire conversation.
Seeing me down, Mark-hyung was brave enough to approach me and place his hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay?"
I gave him a wide smile and said. "Let's start. Shall we?"
__________
"Hey new money. Come see me." I said as I walked ahead of her. After taking a few more steps I turn around to see if she was following me. Instead, she was walking towards the opposite direction stiffly, and at a very fast pace at that.
"And Cut! Great job you two!" The director yelled.
I went over to Shinhye and asked, "Are you alright?"
We were done with all the scenes inside the campus. This was the last shot. Now we were going to start filming all the outdoor shots before flying to Miami for our scenes in America. This was the weirdest filming style I've ever tried. I didn't know where this was heading. We were just shooting scenes at random. According to the staff who have worked with the director before, he said that he usually works this way to help surprise the entire production staff and the actors about the final output. It's actually working. I'm excited to see the final product for this and I hope it'll turn out well.
Shinhye patted both of my shoulders and looked at me straight in the eye. "Ya… relax. You don't have to apologize to me every time you yank me, or pull my wrist, or anything that looks painful. Even during all our kissing scenes you were also very apologetic about it. Ya! Do you think I'm that fragile? Relax. Will you? It's all part of the acting. Got it?"
"But still…" I said before she stopped me with a hand on my face.
She giggled. "I know you're a gentleman, JayB-ya. That's what I love about you. But you have to stop beating yourself over it. Okay? I'm telling you for the last time. I'M. OKAY. WITH. IT."
I smiled at her response. "Thanks, Shinhye-ya."
She smiled before looking around as if she was looking for someone. She then turned to look at her watch. "He's late. Where is Woobin-ah anyway?"
"Yeah. I've been wondering the same thing. He told me that he had something to announce today. Did't his filming finish already? I heard that the other day was his last day of filming since we shot all of the scenes with him." Kim Jiwoon said as she approached us.
"Oh? That must be him." Shinhye said as he patted me to get my attention while pointing at an incoming car.
"Speaking of the devil. Let's go see him now." I said as I walked towards his car.
As soon as he got out of the car, we greeted him. Something was totally different with him. He became paler and thinner than before.
"You okay, Woobin-ah? You've become thinner." I said worriedly.
He just gave me a forced smile. I could see that his eyes were giving off a sad vibe. "Let's gather everyone. I have something to tell all of you."
We did as he said and we gathered around the set to hear what he has to say. The director was even surprised to see him because he was done with all of his parts. After gathering everyone, we then stayed silent to hear what he had to say.
He sighed heavily, "I'm glad that everyone is here. It's really good to see your faces again."
We applauded and cheered for him as well, before he continued speaking, "I'm glad that I was able to film one more drama with you guys. So…" He choked a little and I could see him wavering for a moment before he composed himself. "Thank you everyone…." He bowed deeply at a 90 degree angle. I could tell that something was wrong.
Everyone else clapped but I didn't wait for them to finish before I blurted out, "What's going on, Woobin-ah? I know that there's more to this. Please tell us."
His smile turned into melancholy. I could see that his eyes were starting to well up some tears. "I was going to wait for the company to announce this but… I wanted to tell all of you myself."
We could feel the air getting colder as the anticipation was building up. He then wiped a tear from his eye and said, "I have cancer. Though it's still early, I have it."
The moment he said that, I went forward and hugged him. The rest of the cast members did the same. We were now engulfed in a group hug. I then whispered to him. "Don't worry. There's a cure for cancer. You know that."
He shook his head. "I can't afford it JayB-ya. It's too expensive. Even if the company does pay for it, they can only pay 2 of those pills."
I chuckled as I pulled away from the hug. "Fortunately, you have a friend who CAN pay for you."
He stared at me for a second in disbelief before he shook his head. "No… you can't. It's too expensive! I can't pay you back for it even if I had to work for the rest of my life!"
I patted his shoulder. "Who says you're going to pay me back? Your life is worth much more than money. Don't forget that. We're friends after all, aren't we? Or is this one-sided?"
He chuckled before he suddenly burst into tears. "I… I don't know what to say."
I shook him using both of my hands as I laughed. "Just say you'll take it. And stop crying. You look really ugly."
"Shut up." He said as he tried to stop himself from crying.
We both laughed before he said, "Thank you, JayB-ya. I don't know if saying this would be enough."
"No worries, Woobin-ah. I'm done for the day. Let's go to the hospital right now. I know a doctor who can help you with that one." I told him as I slung my arm over his shoulders.
"You're forgetting that you have other friends too." Jiwoon was behind us crossing her arms.
"Get a room, you two." Shinhye joked.
In the end the four of us laughed as we decided to go together with Kim Woobin to the hospital.
__________
"Wa… so you guys are THE prodigies… I didn't see that coming." Woobin said as he was being checked by Dominic.
We were inside Dominic's hospital. We were in good terms now and he was willing to help for free this time because he wanted to repay me. I insisted on paying but he was pretty much persistent so I had to agree. Of course, I can't explain why a member of Alpha was treating Woobin, so I had to tell them the truth. Dominic was the only one I trust in times like these.
"I think I just fell even more for you, JayB-ya." Shinhye joked.
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, right. As if."
"Another girl, JayB-ya?" Dominic joked as he pulled out his stethoscope.
"What do you mean 'another girl'?" Jiwoon asked loudly.
Dominic wanted to explain but I cut him off, "AAAAAH! Don't say anything more! You're going to ruin me, Domi-ya!"
Everyone else laughed as soon as I said that.
"I've seen your lab results, Woobin-ssi. There's nothing to worry about it. If you take these 3 times a day for 60 days, it's as if you didn't have them in the first place. But you have to watch out for your diet as well, and you still need to rest for the next two months. So sadly, you have to go on a two-month hiatus." Dominic explained.
Woobin nodded. "Yes… Thank you, Doc. But wouldn't it be expensive?"
Dominic waved him off, "Nonsense. We've got you covered. And please, we're practically the same age. Speak casually to me."
He then begin to tear up and just repeatedly thanked us. It was not easy to get the cure for this in this world. But people in this world were really healthy. It was up to the point where the lifespan was about 150. It might seem exaggerated but because of the advancement in technology and medicine, it was possible.
"Will he be able to come to promotions at least?" Shinhye asked.
Dominic nodded. "Yes. But if ever he feels tired in the slightest, he has to go home."
After that, we promised to watch over Woobin when promotions came. It was going to be hectic for us, but we wanted our friend to be better so we had to take care of him.
My phone suddenly rings and I excused myself as I exited the room.
"Hello? PD-nim?" I answered.
"JayB-ya. I heard about what happened to your colleague in the drama. How is he?" PD-nim asked.
"He's fine. We're in Domi-ya's hospital. He's having his check-up as we speak." I replied.
He sighed. "So your colleagues know about you now. Well, at least he's going to be better now."
I cleared my throat. "So… is there anything else you wanted to talk about, PD-nim?"
"Oh right! I just wanted to thank you for working on the Christmas album." He happily said.
I chuckled. "Is this it? You know I had no choice, right? But I'm happy to be able to get to work with other labelmates."
He laughed. "I know. I know. But don't worry. That's not the only reason why I called. Can you gather up Alpha? I have a surprise for you. Meet me later in my office at 3PM."
Before I could answer him, he hung up the phone. My curiosity was killing me. What's the surprise about? I didn't think much about it and just called the other members and informed them about the meeting.
After the check-up, we had a quick late lunch with Dominic and my colleagues from the drama. After a hearty meal, we made our way to the company and are now inside the conference room of PD-nim's office.
"He's late…" Yo Chul-hyung said as he crossed his arms.
"You know how he is. He's probably meeting someone somewhere and it took some time. He's probably on his way here." Matt-hyung tried to calm Yo Chul-hyung down.
Just then, the door opened wide with PD-nim coming inside the office with two foreign-looking people.
"Sorry I'm late. I was meeting these people before I brought them here." He said with a smile on his face.
We all stood up and greeted them. Afterwards, he introduced us to them in English. "Alpha, I want you to meet, Michael Osborn and Olivia Walt. They've been trying to contact me for weeks now because they wanted to get in touch with you."
We were curious as to why these people desperately wanted to meet us. PD-nim said that they were from America. The name Michael Osborn also sounds familiar to me. I just can't quite put my finger on it. So as the leader of the group, I decided to be the person to ask them about it. "So, Mr. Osborn, Ms. Walt, what do we owe the pleasure?"
"Please call me Michael. We saw your performance at the AMAs and we were gob smacked. It was truly amazing!" Michael exclaimed.
"I'm glad that you liked our performance. But I'm guessing, that's not the only reason you wanted to meet us. Am I right?" I asked.
He smiled. "That's right. We wanted you to perform on one of the biggest stages in America."
Seiji laughed. "Really? There's something that's much bigger than the AMA?"
Michael laughed. "Let me introduce myself again. My name is Michael Osborn. I am the chairman and director for the Grammy's. I came here today to formally invite you to perform in this year's Grammy Music Awards."
There was a deep silence in the room. My jaw fell as I tried to speak. Finally, my voice came out as I turn to look at PD-nim to confirm if this was a joke. "No way…"
PD-nim gave as an excited smile. "Yes way."
__________
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง