Chapter 30

Galit na sinalubong ni Chini ang bagong gising na si Jin-hyeong, though he has nothing to do with the leakage, hindi alam kung saan ibubunton ni Chini 'yong inis niya. While on our way, tanong siya nang tanong sa akin kung paano mag-li-leak 'yong single ni Jin-hyeong.

"Do you have any idea who could it be?" tanong ni Jin-hyeong. Halatang nasira ang umaga niya dahil ito ang bumungad sa kanyang issue.

Napasinghal si Chini at umiling. "I don't know. I don't have an idea. And it wouldn't be those people from the coffee shop yesterday. I never gave anything so it would be possible that anyone from them to do that. They seemed to be lovely people."

Saglit lang din ay may tumawag na kay Chini. She has her eyes widened. Tinitigan niya pa ng ilang segundo ang screen ng phone niya just to keep herself calm about this trouble.

"Excuse me, I'm gonna talk to the music head," Chini said and left us in the living room.

"So, what's gonna happen now?" PSG asked.

BJH shrugged off. "I don't know... let Chini handle it. I know she can do it."

"I see... but what about your guest performance on the live TV? Will it still be happening?"

He slowly nodded his head. "Yeah, I'm still sure of that. The music was the only thing that just leaked and not my performance so I think they would still have to watch me—I hope there's one."

"I believe there will be more than one." Ngisi pa ni PSG. "Right, Jelay?"

Mabilis akong tumango at sumang-ayon sa tanong ni PSG sa akin. "I one-hundred-percent agree to Seung-gi. If you just knew how many of them signed up for the cup-sleeve event, you won't believe it. But truly, there were almost five hundred people who signed up for the form. I think five minutes lang in-open ang link kaya isinara na agad. If that registration lasts a day or even a week, it could reach five to ten thousand. I'm not even sure to my estimation, but yeah, there are people who wanted to see you and watch you perform. You've been working hard for this and I'm a witness to all those hard works."

"See? Even Jelay could speak a lot more than just agreeing with me." Natawa si PSG pati na rin kaming dalawa ni BJH.

Masyado akong nadala ng emosyon ko. But all those words came out straight from my heart and I know that he's just saying this because he has been away for almost two years and I know he's afraid of the reception he will get from the public. That's why when we saw him so happy last night, Chini and I are so proud of ourselves that Jin-hyeong is started to believe in himself. That he can do it again.

I've been here for nearly two months and within those times, I've seen different sides of him and I won't invalidate how he feels those times because he has the right to feel it that way and just because of my perception, would I judge him because of that? I don't think so because Jin-hyeong is a very humble person so he doesn't deserve all the hate and judgments.

Chini jumped in and startled us about what she would say to us.

"I have a word from the music head," she announced. Mukhang kalma na rin siya kahit papaano. We're all listening intently to her. "Of course, the leak blew up on the internet and they just got a word from it an hour ago. They will be coordinating with legal staff so they can trace who posted the music on YouTube. Whoever did that just ruined their whole life." Iiling-iling si Chini. Pumaywang pa ito at bakas ang mukha sa kanyang mukha.

Dahan-dahan kong itinaas ang kamay ko. Their attention is quickly thrown at me.

"I'm not sure about what I'm feeling, but I feel like I know who might do this," panimula ko.

Chini rose her brow. "So, who?"

Humugot ako nang malalim na hininga. Pampalakas lamang ng loob. "Yesterday, when I was waiting for Jin-hyeong inside the dance studio. I was alone there and played the music from the laptop. I was bopping together with the song until Dong-yoon and Mi-sun showed up there."

Chini grunted. Binagsak niya ang kamay niya from this annoyance. "Of course, who could it be, 'di ba? Sila lang naman."

"I was there," Jin-hyeong chimed in. "They are harassing Raijine. She just pulled me out there before anything happen."

"I see. So, you didn't say that they were the ones who did it?"

Umiling ako. "No, we never saw them, but I feel like they could be the prime suspect to this trouble since they were the ones who have heard his song and has an access to the laptop they've used so... probably, they were the one we should talk to."

Chini shook her head, rolling her head. "As if they would talk. Panira talaga ng buhay 'yong mga 'yon. Gustong agawin lahat ng atensyon. Ni hindi nga masyadong nagra-rate 'yong TV show nila ngayon so they were doing something to manipulate the situation and they did it."

"Is it really bad?" tanong ni Jin-hyeong. Sumalubong ang kilay ni Chini. Umayos naman sa pagkauupo si BJH. "It's going to be released anyway, so what's the problem? Did the public don't like it? Should we stop? Should I stop?"

"No, no. That's not where we are going," PSG said, waving his hands as he doesn't agree with BJH's statement. "We're going to continue what you've started. This not common to the music industry. It usually happened and sometimes this cannot be stopped. But the feedback of the public usually matters. Uh... Jelay, would you like to check the comments from the leaked music? And check the tweets. Probably a lot of people might be talking about this now."

"Sure, I'm on it." I did what he asked me to do.

"But don't you ever think of stopping. We should always look forward."

As I started checking the comments from the video, it was a whole different kind of feedback from everyone. Nakalulula. This was posted eight hours ago and it already gained almost a hundred thousand views. It has dislikes, but the likes overpowered it.

"Here! It's literally everywhere," panimula ko para makuha ang atensyon nila. "There were a lot of good comments rather than the bad ones. A lot are surprised about Jin-hyeong's music and some just don't like the song because of its beat and all. But most of those comments are attacking the user who posted the video and why it was leaked. Amidst of the trouble, I can say that the reception of the public is quite good. It's far from being dislike!"

Napapalakpak si Chini. "See? Even though it's not the way how we wanted it to happen, people still love it—your fans, obviously. We still should be going to the office later. They wanted to meet with and their findings of this leakage."

"Alright," Jin-hyeong uttered, getting up from his seat. "Can I go back to sleep now?"

Chini motioned her hand, letting BJH go. "Go on. Matulog ka na ulit. After lunch, we'll be heading there."

"I also have to go now," PSG said, getting up from the couch. I have a meeting at eleven so I have to be there now. I'm gonna see you later, alright?" They both kissed in front of you. Jin-hyeong scrunched his face.

Chini and PSG are giggling and as if they don't want to lose each other right away. Nagpaalam sa amin si PSG at sinamahan siya ni Chini sa elevator. BJH headed back to his room while I sat down on the couch. I rest my head and then stare right into the ceiling.

I don't wanna blame myself that the leakage that happened, but somehow if I didn't play the music at that time, they wouldn't even know it. I'm just trying to think that the leakage somehow boosts up BJH's comeback because a lot of people now are expecting the full clean music.

One of the comments I saw there was... Geez! I didn't even notice he'll be releasing a single and debuting solo! Good for him! And yes, the music is a bop!

And he's trending on the number one spot in South Korea and number three worldwide. I guess people are starting to make his name more relevant and I'm happy that Jin-hyeong's hard work is turning into a big success.

Napaigtad na lang din ako nang may tumawag sa phone ko. Chrizzle is calling so I instantly answered her video call request.

"Ate!" bungad nito sa akin. Hininaan ko kaagad ang volume ng phone ko dahil sa tinis ng boses niya. "Totoo ba 'yong kay Baek Jin-hyeong?!"

"Hoy, ang ingay mo naman. Ang aga-aga, a!" pagsaway ko sa kanya. Humalakhak naman 'to sa pagtawa at nakuha niya pang magpagulong-gulong. "Ano bang ginagawa mo? Para kang baliw riyan."

"Ano ba, ate! Kagigising ko lang tapos may makikita akong post na may bagong labas daw na music si Jin-hyeong at debuted single niya 'yon! Pinakinggan ko at shocks, ang gwapo ng boses! Super love it!"

Kilig na kilig ang gaga. Pero same feeling kapag naririnig ko in real time si Jin-hyeong na kumakanta. Super timpi lang talaga ako sa paglabas ng feelings.

"I know, love na love ko rin 'yon!"

"So, true nga, ate?!" She couldn't even calm herself down. Go na go rin itong kapatid ko, e.

"Yes, pero 'wag kang maingay, a?" babala ko pa rito. "That's a leakage video na pinost sa youtube and for sure, kahit i-takedown 'yong video na 'yon, people might already have a copy of their own. Kaya don't illegally download it, ha?! Download and stream it legally. That's one way to help him."

She squealed. "Yes, ate! Of course, hindi naman ako madaldal 'no. At busy rin ako sa online shop natin so sino pang pagku-kwentuhan ko, 'di ba?"

"'Yong mga classmate mong adik din sa k-drama." Tawa ko pa. "But anyway, 'wag mong sabihin 'yong sinabi ko, ha?"

"Noted, ate!" she said, nodding her head. "At may ichi-chika pa pala ako kaya ako tumawag talaga."

"Okay, ano 'yon?"

"May kilala ka bang Baek Seo-jun?"

Napakunot ang noo ko nang banggitin niya 'yong pamangkin ni BJH. "Oo, bakit? Anong meron?"

"Ah, okay..."

"Adik 'to. Chrizzle, ano nga 'yon?!"

"Gigil much, ate?" tawa pa nito. "Ito na nga, finallow niya kasi ako then gulat ako kasi Korean 'yong bawat posts niya. He's also following you kaya nagtaka ako nang bongga. May mga picture din siya with Jin-hyeong? Kaano-ano ni Jin-hyeong 'yon, ate?"

I tried not to laugh, but I couldn't help it. "Nireto kasi kita sa pamangkin ni Jin-hyeong! Si Seo-jun 'yon! Hindi ko naman alam na seseryosohin pala no'n."

"Talaga ba, ate? Kinukwento mo ako ro'n?"

"Hindi naman totally kinuwento. Nabanggit lang hangga't sa nagtanong-tanong na rin siya. Bakit nagkausap na ba kayo?"

"Ilang taon na 'yon, ate?"

"Teka, sagutin mo muna tanong ko bago ko 'yan sagutin."

"Yes, ate! Nagkausap kaming dalawa. Hi at hello lang naman. Tapos tinanong ko kung saan niya ako nahanap, hindi na niya ako nireplayan pero tinadtad naman ako ng likes sa photos ko, weird. Cute ba siya sa personal, ate?"

"Adik ka, Chrizzle. Oo, cute 'yon si Seo-jun. 17 years old pa lang din 'yon. Behave na bata 'yon."

"Ay, behave rin naman ako, ate, a?"

"Hm? Parang hindi naman?"

She grunted. "Ano nang gagawin ko ro'n, ate?"

"Bakit naman may kailangan kang gawin/ Nililigawan ka ba ni Seo-jun?"

"Hindi pa naman ... nagreready in case na manlingaw nga, 'di ba? Isang tanong lang 'yon baka um-oo agad ako."

"Gagi ka! Focus ka muna sa online selling. Feeling ko ang dami ng queries na hindi mo nasasagot sa page."

"Uy, ate! Sumasagot ako sa mga tanong sa page 'no. This month, almost out of stock na nga tayo kaya tinatawagan na ni mama 'yong supplier para ma-coordinate na kung kailan ang dating ng stocks. Anyway, balik tayo kay Seo-jun. Papayagan mo ba ako, ate?"

Napahimalos ako ng mukha ko. "Sa tingin mo ba papatulan ka no'n?"

"Sa tingin mo rin ba ate papatulan ka ni Jin-hyeong?"

"May sinabi ba ako, Chrizzle?"

"May sinabi rin ba ako ate na papatulan ako ni Seo-jun? In case it happen lang naman!"

"Bahala ka sa buhay mo. Seo-jun-Seo-jun ka riyan. Sabihan ko 'yon na 'wag ka nang replayan, e."

"Ay, ate! 'Wag gano'n. Baka that's the time na para sumunod ako riyan sa 'yo sa Korea! Hindi ka uuwi 'no, ate?"

"Anong uwi agad? Kaka-dalawang buwan ko pa lang dito at tuloy-tuloy rin ang contract ko for three years so I don't think I'll be going back home in between. Kung may chance na bumisita si Jin-hyeong sa Pinas, may chance, but unlikely to happen na makasama ako." Over the call, narinig ko ang boses ni mama at sumisigaw na 'yon. "O, bakit sumisigaw riyan si mama?"

"A, e... pinapabantayan kasi sa akin 'yong sinaing. Sige na, ate. Balitaan mo na lang ako kapag payag ka na sa amin ni Seo-jun."

"Adik! Bye na! Ingat kayo riyan!"

As I dropped the call, Chini walked in and she sat across me. She just lay her body there na para bang pagod na pagod na.

"Ayoko na... sukong-suko na ako. Pagod na ako..."

Napangisi ako. "Ikaw pa ba sumusuko?"

She looked at me with an exhausting stare. "Hindi pa ba pagod 'tong hitsura na 'to?"

"Ang ingay niyo nga ni PSG no'ng isang gabi, 'di ba?"

"Hoy, gaga ka. Wala 'yon," pagtanggi pa nito. "Anyway, I'm still glad na kahit ganito 'yong nangyari ay naging maganda ang reception ng mga tao sa solo debut ni Jin-hyeong. Makahihinga na ako ng maluwag. Deserve na deserve ko ang party this weekend."

"So, his guesting this Saturday, tuloy yon?"

She nodded. "Of course naman. Doon na rin i-aanounce ang concert niya next month. Another exhausting weeks for us pero surely worth it, 'to."

"I'm not doubting it. This will be a huge success for all of us."

"True! Sana lang tumigil na 'yong dalawa sa pananabotahe kay Jin-hyeong. Their career wouldn't bloom if they kept repeating the same strategy. Mi-sun never changed. She still look pathetic, no wonder."

And a few hours later, before we could even go to the meeting, the music head called Chini and we're not wrong when they told us that it traced to Mi-sun's IP address and her legal team already saving her ass. Pa-victim si ate girl and of course, Dong-yoon wouldn't lose the chance to get into the scene and became her knight in shining armor.

Just like what Chini said, they looked pathetic for what they were doing. Kung artista lang ako, baka tinalbugan ko na 'yan and she would crawl her way up kasi natabunan ko na rin siya. Thinking about it, made me having second thoughts about our boss said... do I have the potential to be a popstar? Do I have it in me?

***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Let me know your thoughts! I would appreciate it so much!

#BitterHolidaysInJeju30 #BHIJ30 #WTS6

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