I Became an Artist in a Romantic Comedy-Chapter 106

We came to the concert without adults. They were probably off somewhere enjoying a drink or two.

Looking around, I found some spacious seats. Judging by the not-so-crowded venue, it didn’t seem like the performer was all that famous.

But you know how it goes—some people might not be famous, but their fans hold them as their absolute favorites.

Choi Ye-Seo was one of those fans.

“I’ll take, hmm, popcorn?”

“Grilled buttered potatoes for me.”

“I’ll pick something myself!”

The others stayed in their seats while Choi Ye-Seo came over to my side.

“Why don’t you just sit too? We’ll have to go outside to get it.”

It’s freezing out there. I was about to say something but paused when she smiled brightly at me.

“You expect me to carry all that by myself? Let’s just go together~.”

“Well, I guess.”

Come to think of it, there’s no way I could carry all of it alone. Every time moments like this happened, I felt like I lost points as a man.

Clicking my tongue, I tapped her shoulder with a reluctant expression.

“Alright, let’s go. The sooner we get this done, the better.”

“Let’s!”

She seemed more energetic than usual. Must be because of her favorite idol’s concert.

‘Hmm. I wonder why she doesn’t hold her own solo concerts?’

As I walked alongside her, my thoughts wandered. I’d thought about this before, but her popularity extended overseas.

The foundation was strong, and it seemed like she was willing to do it, but still, there was no news of it.

“Hmm! What should we eat?”

The concert had attracted a line of food trucks. There were plenty of tourists and travelers who had no interest in the concert itself.

To the point where there seemed to be more of them than the actual concertgoers.

Then again, they might just be here for the concert, grabbing snacks like us beforehand.

Choi Ye-Seo stopped in front of one particular food truck.

“…I’ve always wondered, but why do people even eat mint chocolate?”

“You don’t get the refreshing, sweet feeling of it.”

She handed over her card and received the ice cream. For me, that stuff was no different than toothpaste.

“That’s toothpaste.”

“Hey. Don’t slander my ice cream.”

Laughing quietly, I ruffled her hair and kept walking.

After buying everything we were asked to get, both my hands were weighed down with food.

But why wasn’t she helping? Didn’t she say she’d carry some of it too?

When I turned around in confusion, I found Choi Ye-Seo staring blankly at me with a flushed face.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you coming?”

“Oh, oh… let’s go!”

Shaking her head quickly, she smiled brightly again, which was nice to see.

I wasn’t sure if her face was red because of the cold or because of me.

“I’ll carry this and this.”

“Thanks so much for helping, now that we’re almost there.”

At my sarcastic jab, she laughed awkwardly.

“Sorry! Want some of this instead?”

She held the mint chocolate ice cream up to my face. Grimacing, I leaned back.

“Ugh. Just try one bite. You’ll fall in love with it, Eun. I swear!”

“Toothpaste isn’t meant to be eaten.”

Her face turned into a pout, looking so cute that I gave in and took a bite.

“…Hmm.”

“How is it? Delicious, right?”

She ate from the same spot where I bit, but her expression remained the same.

After spending so much time together, this kind of thing didn’t make me flustered anymore.

“Truth or lie.”

“You’re joining the mint chocolate side. Admit it.”

“Why do you eat toothpaste?”

“…I’ll carry this too.”

“We’re at the door.”

Snickering, I gave her head a light tap and opened the door.

The others approached us as soon as they spotted us, taking the food from my hands.

All four of them were immediately engrossed in the snacks. Seriously. Who was going to appreciate my hard work?

“Good job. Must’ve been tough dealing with Ye-Seo.”

“What did I do?!”

As always, Hong Ye-Hwa and Choi Ye-Seo bickered, while Ha Soo-Yul sat quietly eating popcorn.

It felt like watching a sitcom, but only for a moment.

The bright lights in the room dimmed, and a single spotlight illuminated the stage.

“Looks like it’s starting!”

At Yoon’s excited shout, we all fell silent and sat down.

Even though this was Choi Ye-Seo’s favorite, I didn’t know who the performer was.

So, to me, the performance felt just okay.

What left a deeper impression was the concert I’d seen of Choi Ye-Seo herself.

And, of course, the warmth that surrounded me back then.

***

As the concert ended and everyone returned to their rooms to sleep, I suddenly remembered that today was Choi Ye-Seo’s debut anniversary.

I shot up from my bed and checked my phone.

[11:27]

There was still time left before the day ended. Relieved that I wasn’t too late, I stepped out onto the balcony attached to my room.

The room was mine alone, so I didn’t have to worry about what I did. With a balcony included, I didn’t even have to keep quiet.

Throwing on a cardigan, I leaned against the railing and looked outside.

The ski slopes were empty, and the streets below, illuminated as though for a festival, caught my eyes.

‘Going out right now would be too much, huh?’

My parents were sleeping in the living room outside my room. Even if I managed to sneak out without getting caught, I’d probably return quickly because of the cold.

Still, since it was Choi Ye-Seo’s debut anniversary, I wanted to do something for her.

Checking the time again, I saw five more minutes had passed. I wanted to give her a gift she wouldn’t forget before today ended.

“Come to think of it, doesn’t she like my singing?”

A few years ago, during a retreat. Thanks to Ha Soo-Yul and Choi Ye-Seo, I was practically dragged into singing in front of everyone.

Their reactions were surprisingly good, but I hadn’t gone to karaoke since.

The reason? Well... I simply didn’t want to.

As long as an artist can draw, there’s no need to sing well, too.

But today was a special day.

I stared at my phone for a moment before calling Choi Ye-Seo. Technically, I could just visit her room next door, but…

‘That’s embarrassing.’

I couldn’t exactly show up and say, I’m here to sing for you.

This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

[Huaaam. Why?]

Choi Ye-Seo yawned as she answered the call.

She must’ve been about to fall asleep, judging by the muffled rustle of blankets in the background.

“Hey, are you alone in your room?”

[Huh? Oh... yeah? Why, why? Are you coming over?]

“No, I’m not coming. Just curious what you were doing.”

I was going insane. I couldn’t bring myself to say what I wanted.

[I was about to sleep. What about you, Eun?]

“I was going to sleep, too, but…”

[But…?]

Sighing, I leaned against the railing and smiled faintly.

My breath misted in the cold air, and the freezing wind bit my face, but I didn’t mind.

“Happy debut anniversary.”

[Oh. Right. I was going to tell you this morning, but I forgot. Hehe. Thanks!]

You’re the one who’s supposed to get congratulated. From the sound of it, she’d already heard from her members.

“So, uh…”

[Hmm?]

I couldn’t believe how awkward I was. Yoon would laugh herself sick if she saw me right now.

“…Just close your eyes and listen.”

[Oh… Okay.]

Taking a deep breath, I opened my mouth to sing. There was no accompaniment.

If I’d known this would happen, maybe I should’ve learned guitar. Not that there was a guitar here anyway.

This is the most expensive private concert in the world.

I realized again just how many experiences I’d had here.

When I was younger, everything in the world felt boring.

The singer is me, and the audience is you alone.

Come to think of it, it’s been nine years since I met Ye-Seo. How did time pass so quickly?

A song moving only for you.

It felt strange to realize how long we’d known each other.

From my perspective, she was just a character in the original story. Nothing more, nothing less.

A segment to make you smile.

We first met as kids, and somehow we’d grown this close. No, we’d already crossed that line.

I’ll make your heart race so you can’t sleep.

Now, shout out loud for me.

There was no accompaniment—just a flat, unadorned song.

I figured anyone listening would just think it was mediocre.

Neither as good as a singer nor bad enough to complain about.

It was just an ordinary song.

This is the most expensive private concert in the world.

But if both the singer and the listener think it’s special,

Then that ordinary, mundane song becomes something closer to extraordinary.

“The singer is me, and the audience is you alone…”

[...]

“...”

The anticlimactic final line, spoken almost in a whisper, scattered into the winter wind.

“Good night.”

[…Can’t we talk for a little longer?]

“Then come out to the balcony. You’re right next door.”

[Wait a sec.]

But really, what did it matter? She seemed happy.

I should’ve just done it sooner instead of hesitating like an idiot.

I sighed deeply and hung up the phone. Tilting my head back, I looked up at the night sky, which suddenly seemed even prettier.

“It looks like a painting.”

I stayed there for a while, lost in thought, until I heard the door creak open.

There was Choi Ye-Seo, her eyes slightly puffy.

“Pfft.”

“Don’t laugh…”

At her glare, I quickly shut my mouth and looked at her.

The faint curve of her lips told me she hadn’t been crying out of sadness.

“So, let’s hear the review.”

“Pfft. Just you wait. I’ll give you a brutally honest critique.”

Oh boy. Terrifying.

For the next ten minutes, my ears bled as she picked my performance apart.

***

“My rest… Give me back my rest…”

What the heck. I could’ve sworn it was winter break.

How was school starting again so soon?