I raised my eyes at the strange story.
“About my dad?”
“Yeah.”
“They didn’t say exactly what it’s about?”
“They said they can only explain it in person.”
I stared quietly at the table, lost in thought.
A U.S. law firm had contacted us, and it was supposedly related to my father.
I had no idea what it could be.
It had been almost twenty years since he passed away—what legal matter could possibly still remain?
“Ah.”
Seokhwan hyung added an explanation.
“To be precise, it’s not the law firm that wants to et you. They’re acting as guarantors. They’re vouching that the people who want to et you aren’t suspicious.”
“...Really?”
One thing I realized during my brief activities in the United States was how sensitive that country is about credibility.
What they an by vouching is practically the sa as saying they’ll take responsibility if any damage occurs.
So at least their identities must be verified.
“What do you think, hyung?”
“Well. If it were , I’d probably et them at least once...”
Honestly, the answer had been decided from the start.
“I’ll et them.”
I stood up.
“But set the eting place at the company.”
Poooooong!
“Happy birthday, hyung!”
“Congratulations~ congratulations~ happy birthday to you~!”
Pop! Pop!
Confetti burst into the air, colorful paper scattering everywhere.
“Hahaha!”
I smiled contentedly as I looked around the practice room decorated lavishly with flowers.
“A flower field. It’s a flower field.”
“Do you like it?”
Biju’s eyes sparkled.
“We picked flowers you like on purpose.”
“It slls so nice.”
“They’re fake.”
“Mmm~ they’re nicely scented fake flowers.”
Pretending to inhale the fragrance, I hid my embarrassed expression.
It was exactly midnight.
The mont it beca November 9—my birthday—the underlings had prepared a surprise party. Flowers filled every corner, making it feel like a wedding hall.
“Hyung.”
The maknae, wearing a ribbon on his head, spoke.
“Congratulations. I’m your birthday present.”
“.......”
“A cutie makn—”
“Return.”
Ri Hyuk, who was also wearing a ribbon beside him, quickly untied his and pretended nothing had happened.
I laughed and asked,
“You didn’t prepare any birthday presents, did you?”
“You think we wouldn’t?”
Ri Hyuk bristled and held out a bundle of gifts.
“We prepared all these!”
“Thank you.”
“Uh... well, yeah.”
When he said there was a letter included inside, I smiled.
Starting with that, I accepted the gifts the underlings handed one by one.
My phone kept flashing nonstop.
Congratulations poured in from near and far, and I felt a small happiness.
“Hyung! The cake!”
“Let’s cut it.”
Ri Hyuk cut the cake neatly into five pieces at what he claid was a scientifically calculated angle.
While the warm midnight birthday party continued—
Ri Hyuk, noticing picking at my cake quietly, asked,
“What’s wrong?”
“Hm?”
“Usually on your birthday you bounce around like a kid. You seem quiet today.”
At his words, everyone set down their forks and looked at .
“Well...”
I explained the conversation I’d had with Seokhwan hyung.
I had only told Grandma so far, but I would have to tell them anyway.
“So I’ve been thinking about it all day. It could be sothing important, or it could be nothing at all... but I have no sense of which it is.”
“Hmm...”
Biju smiled.
“You an you don’t know if it’s good news or bad news?”
“Yeah.”
“I think it’s probably good news.”
“...?”
Tilting my head, I listened as Biju continued.
“They’re approaching carefully enough to have a law firm vouch for them. And they know it’s your birthday. If it were , I’d avoid delivering bad news on soone’s birthday.”
“Ah. That makes sense.”
As I fell back into thought—
Junhyun asked,
“Hyung.”
“Yeah?”
“If you’re okay with it tomorrow, should I stay with you during the eting?”
“That’d be great.”
It’s reassuring to have soone on your side.
As the others also said they’d stay, Ri Hyuk added,
“There could be legal matters involved. How about asking experienced adults to sit in as well?”
“Yeah.”
At the suggestion of getting outside help, I smiled.
“The more support, the better.”
Company, third-floor conference room.
“.......”
“.......”
Crowded.
Packed.
“.......”
I stared blankly at the bustling room.
Director Jo Gyuhwan, CEO Park Gyuho of Lemon Entertainnt, and the division head sat like three generals.
Seokhwan hyung and our TF team staff.
And—
“Um, CEO.”
“Hm?”
I whispered, pointing at the stern-looking n in suits.
“Who are they?”
“They’re the law firm contracted with our company. They advise us whenever legal issues arise.”
“I-I see...”
Apparently, even when suing malicious comnters, it goes through that firm.
The scale of this had grown far beyond what I imagined.
I nudged Ri Hyuk and whispered,
“How many people did you call...?”
“I only told the CEO and the director. How was I supposed to know they’d bring this many?”
“Isn’t this a bit excessive?”
“Not at all.”
Our main vocalist chuckled.
“The basics of war are numbers. Overwhelm them with manpower—that’s the foundation of strategy.”
When did this turn into a war?
Looking at the human wall surrounding , I wasn’t sure whether to feel grateful or pressured.
No, I was grateful... but still.
Just as I wondered if this was a bit overprotective—
“We’ve received word from the first floor!”
A TF team staff mber said.
“They’re coming up.”
“Then let’s prepare.”
Starting with the CEO, everyone put on solemn expressions.
“They’re here.”
Junhyun exhaled slowly.
Finally, the door clicked open and they entered.
There were three people.
“Hmm?”
At the very front was an elderly man with a relaxed expression.
An African Arican man leaning on a cane, with striking white curly hair and a white beard.
“I didn’t expect such a warm welco.”
The old man chuckled as he looked around the crowded conference room.
Beside him stood a friendly-looking man and an intellectual-looking woman.
“This is my secretary and a lawyer from the firm.”
They introduced themselves as Andrew and Claudia.
Then the elderly man extended his hand toward .
“My na is Arthur Anderson, Mr. Wooju.”
“Nice to et you, Mr. Anderson.”
After I greeted him, the CEO nearby introduced himself as my agent and shook hands.
Once introductions were complete—
“Well now. Quite a crowd.”
Arthur Anderson stroked his beard.
“Considering that people of unknown identity requested to et this country’s top singer, this number is only natural...”
Director Jo Gyuhwan spoke for our side.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“Of course.”
The old man smiled.
“But my understanding and Ms. Sun Myeongju’s request are separate matters. The request I received was to deliver this ‘personally.’ Not in front of such a large audience.”
He looked at calmly.
“So may we speak privately, Mr. Wooju?”
All eyes turned to .
I nodded.
“Okay.”
After everyone filed out—
I waved at the mbers peeking through the door to signal I was fine, then looked at the old man across from .
“Hmm.”
Arthur Anderson cleared his throat.
“Before we begin, allow to introduce myself properly.”
“Yes.”
“I provide a very special service. If I were to compare it to sothing, I am like a vault keeper.”
He folded his hands.
“Of course, not an ordinary vault. A special vault for special clients.”
His explanation was this:
When a client entrusts him with sothing, he keeps it safe and intact—no matter what happens.
Under any circumstances.
There was sothing peculiar about him.
At tis he seed like a villain out of a film; at other tis, profoundly wise.
“Your father was also our client. About twenty years ago, in 1997, he visited and entrusted us with certain items.”
“What did my father leave?”
“That, I do not know.”
Anderson replied.
“That is the rule. We do not ask what the items are. We simply honor the contract terms. For example, ventilating them once a week, or storing them in secure containers.”
“I see.”
“It is a natural rule. One cannot keep a secret if one knows it.”
The old gentleman smiled.
“Your father left a rather unique condition. If he did not retrieve the items for over twenty years, we were to verify his identity and deliver them to his direct family.”
“Verify his identity?”
“Yes. Due to the contract, even we cannot identify the client. We only recently learned the items belonged to Ms. Sun Myeongju.”
It sounded like an incredibly secretive company.
Listening to this while living my ordinary life felt like stepping into a different world.
“You seem bewildered.”
“It’s unfamiliar territory for soone like .”
“There is no need to view it as so complex. Think of it like a Swiss bank. Our services are not so different.”
He winked.
“Shall we proceed with the transfer?”
“Yes.”
At his nod, the secretary opened a specially locked case and handed the boxes.
There were two boxes’ worth of items.
As I tried to examine them, the old man quickly gestured.
“Please open them after we leave.”
“Yes.”
“And kindly sign here.”
After signing the confirmation of receipt, Arthur Anderson smiled and extended his hand.
“That concludes our business. Though brief, it was a pleasure. My granddaughter is a fan of NewBlack.”
He handed his business card.
“If you ever wish to entrust sothing or have other requests, contact us. Your father’s mbership privileges remain valid.”
“Thank you.”
They left coolly, as if that was all.
After asking the people murmuring outside for so ti alone, I remained in the conference room.
Gulp.
“.......”
I swallowed and took a deep breath.
I didn’t know why, but my heart was pounding.
Listening to it thud, I opened the boxes.
“Huh?”
The first box was filled with rectangular items.
Sothing rarely seen in 2017.
“Video tapes?”
The entire box was packed tightly with well-preserved video tapes.
And—
The second box contained what I had half-expected.
“Oh my...”
Stacks of papers, barely discolored.
My father’s hurried handwriting.
Musical notes.
Scores that had never been released to the world.
“.......”
I stared blankly.
The door cracked open and Seokhwan hyung asked,
“Is sothing wrong?”
“Hyung.”
“What is it? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Swallowing, I asked,
“Hyung, can we get a video player?”
First, I needed to know what this was about.
Fortunately, we found a video player quickly.
Click.
I inserted the tape labeled “#1” into the old machine and looked around.
—I need so ti alone. It’s nothing serious. I just need to check sothing.
Perhaps noticing my expression, everyone withdrew without protest.
My personal studio.
I connected the video machine to the moving TV that had been rolled in.
Maybe because everything had happened so suddenly, it still didn’t feel real.
Fzzzzzt.
With static noise, the video began.
“Ahem.”
An extraordinarily handso man coughed lightly at the cara.
Through the window behind him, what looked like Eastern Europe was visible. It seed he had recorded it in a practice room.
“Uh... I’m not sure how to start. Son. Hello?”
Hi, Dad.
I pressed my lips together, closed my eyes, then opened them.
“If you’re watching this, that probably ans I don’t exist in the year 2017, right?”
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
“I hope you never have to watch this... but you never know what life will bring. I want to live a long ti, you know.”
He scratched his head, troubled, then smiled brightly.
“Anyway, happy birthday, my son! You’ll probably be twenty-five when you see this? You’re five right now.”
“.......”
“How is it? Got a girlfriend yet? My son wouldn’t lose out anywhere.”
“No. I don’t.”
“But don’t live too recklessly. It’s good to settle down quickly with soone good, like your dad did.”
A small laugh escaped .
Even knowing it was pre-recorded, I answered.
“Are you eating well?”
“Yes.”
“Eat more vegetables. I’ve noticed lately you only eat at and avoid veggies. You need vegetables to stay healthy. Five is fine, but twenty-five isn’t.”
“Okay.”
“Well, I don’t eat them either. Haha! Myeongeun scolds every day.”
Laughing playfully, Dad removed his glasses and adjusted the cara.
“Wait... there.”
Soon, a piano ca into view.
“It’s your birthday, so I should play you a birthday song first.”
His fingers, transford into those of pianist Sun Myeongju, glided smoothly over the keys.
It was music I had never heard before.
A gentle jazz piece, with drums, cello, and clarinet blending like faint echoes.
Unfamiliar yet beautiful colors filled my vision.
“Okay. I’ve ward up.”
He nodded with the rhythm and began playing in earnest.
The soft jazz rhythm resonated through the quiet studio.
It felt like singing of small, humble things like poetry.
As if small, humble things were descending calmly from the sky.
If I were to title it—
“Snowy Day.”
At the sa ti, we both spoke.
I smiled at that musician’s instinctive connection.
“How is it? Do you like it?”
“Yes.”
“1:11 a.m. The day you were born, it was snowing heavily. I felt like I had the whole world. I was too busy that day to think... but one snowy day, the thought struck .”
This must be the Snowy Day the French pianist Paul Laurent once ntioned.
Dad gently brushed the piano keys and looked toward .
In reality, he was looking at the cara.
But it felt as if he were truly looking at across ti.
“You’re probably confused watching this. Why a birthday ssage like this.”
“...Yes.”
“My parents passed away when I was very young. It happened so suddenly I had no chance to say goodbye. I regretted that my whole life.”
“.......”
“Of course, your mom and I will always be by your side, but if sothing unavoidable ever happens...”
He took a breath and smiled.
“So I prepared a proper farewell. A friend I t in the U.S. introduced to a secure vault. If you’re watching this, they must have kept it safe.”
“Yeah. I guess so.”
“I set it at twenty years, just in case. There’s a ninety-nine percent chance I’d still be alive before then... but you never know. I couldn’t miss the chance to speak to my son as one adult to another.”
He added lightly,
“And there are so many thieves. The scores needed to be stored sowhere safe. I can’t use them right now anyway...”
I nodded.
Back in the 90s, newspapers often reported burglars targeting our house.
He continued calmly, then smiled.
“Wooju.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m really sorry. Your mom and I. For not being able to stay with you.”
Tears burst out before I could stop them.
After crying for a while, I resud the tape.
“Don’t cry.”
“I’m not.”
“You cry a lot. You’ve got strong lungs. Maybe you should be a singer.”
Sniffling, I stared at the screen.
“Wooju.”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t believe in the afterlife. I think this life is the most important.”
“.......”
“But I believe in the order of the universe. Nutrients from soil enter a tiny human seed, and that seed returns to soil soday. Did you know Earth is made of matter from stars? In the end, we all co from the universe and return to it.”
He smiled.
“No matter what happens, Dad is always with you on this planet.”
“.......”
“So... I love you. My son.”
He raised his hand toward the cara.
I raised mine.
After closing my eyes for a mont—
I inserted the tape labeled “#2.”
It was filled with ssages from both Mom and Dad.
Advice about life.
Never co-sign loans. Always get insurance. Lessons from their experiences.
I watched quietly, tape after tape.
Then, on the tape labeled “#7,” Dad said,
“And son. I’m sorry, but Dad has one request.”
He scratched his head awkwardly.
“Could you hold a small performance for ?”
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