JD 123

Although he stumbled over some of the unfamiliar terms, the contract process went smoothly.

A large part of that was thanks to Beom Urim. He patiently explained everything from Hakyung’s perspective, step by step, and gave him enough time to think things over.

Because of that, Hakyung was able to consult with Muheon, do some research online, and ultimately make his own informed decision before signing.

Since he had no desire to make an official debut or appear on broadcasts, the contract was drawn up as a short-term one.

Given how fast trends come and go these days, committing to a long-term entertainment schedule didn’t seem realistic.

Hakyung agreed with the team leader’s assessment. Right now, people were interested because he was new and different, but he didn’t expect that interest to last.

Just knowing there would be professionals handling the overwhelming flood of incoming offers was more than enough for him.

After signing his name next to the printed one, Hakyung shook hands with the team leader.

“So, you said you’re a river dolphin beastman, right? Is it alright if we make that public?”

“Sure, yeah! I’m fine with that!”

Among beastmen in entertainment, not all openly revealed their identities.

Unless someone had visible ears or a tail, there usually wasn’t much to distinguish them from humans anyway. Since it was such a personal matter, no one pressed them to disclose.

Beom Urim, sitting next to him, was one such case, his identity as an orca beastman was only known within the company.

That’s why fans had assumed he must be a large-breed dog beastman and nicknamed him “Beommongi.”

But Hakyung had distinctive pink hair, and it was likely to come up naturally in interviews.

Plus, he liked the idea of letting people know that river dolphins were known for their singing, just like sea dolphins.

“Understood. Then we’ll put together a schedule and send it over to you as soon as possible. We’re looking forward to working with you.”

“Likewise! Thank you!”

Hakyung bowed his head politely. He still wasn’t sure if signing a contract this quickly was the right move, but with both Uncle Urim and Muheon around, he didn’t feel too worried.

While he was at the office, he greeted some of the staff as well. Many of them were surprised but greeted him warmly.

Even people who saw celebrities every day still found it exciting to meet someone they’d only seen on YouTube in person.

In the elevator on their way down, Urim turned to Muheon.

“Lord Muheon, could I speak with you for a moment?”

Muheon nodded, then tapped Hakyung gently on the crown of his head.

“Go to the café with Sang-oh and have some ice cream. I’ll be right there.”

“Okay!”

Hakyung figured this had to do with that “thing they were looking for” from the other day.

He was dying to know what it was, but figured it might be West Sea business, so he nodded without asking further.

After giving Hakyung a quick kiss on the forehead, Muheon turned and walked toward the back of the building.

Urim looked like he wanted to do something too, but when he saw Sang-oh blinking innocently at him, he just shrugged and walked off. It wasn’t the right time yet.

Once the two handsome men were out of sight, Hakyung grabbed Sang-oh’s sleeve.

“Let’s go to the café too!”

“Sure. What does our married little dolphin want to eat?”

“Chocolate ice cream!”

Re-energized by Muheon’s kiss, Hakyung bounced ahead.

Sang-oh, walking behind, glanced back in the direction of the building Muheon and Urim had disappeared into, then turned his attention forward again.

The café next to the company was crowded despite the awkward time of day.

Most of the patrons looked to be around Hakyung’s age or younger. Judging by their glances, they seemed to be fans hoping to catch a glimpse of someone from Urim’s agency.

So when the hottest personality of the moment—Mu-il Mu-i channel owner Kang Hakyung—walked in, chaos was inevitable.

At first, people weren’t sure, but the pink hair peeking out from under his hat confirmed their suspicions.

A few young girls squealed.

Startled by the sudden noise, Hakyung quickly hid behind Sang-oh.

The way he tucked himself behind the larger man, like a squirrel hiding from danger, only made the fans scream louder.

Sang-oh, too, was taken aback. He’d known Hakyung’s videos were popular, but this popular?

The sweet little youngest employee of the company, and Muheon’s beloved spouse, had become a bona fide star.

“Excuse me, you’re Mu-il Mu-i, right? Your singing is amazing!”

“Could we take a picture with you?”

A few bold fans stepped up to ask for photos.

Hearing their sincere compliments, Hakyung’s guard started to drop. He peeked out from behind Sang-oh and took a step forward.

“Thank you. I’d be happy to take pictures.”

His soft, gentle voice was even warmer in person than in the videos, and the fans nearly burst with excitement.

Seeing how genuinely they liked him made Hakyung’s heart float.

Even though he still found taking pictures a bit awkward, he tried his best to smile nicely.

Before he knew it, the café had turned into a mini fan meeting.

The café owner even asked for his autograph and said he really enjoyed the singing videos. It was another reminder of how far-reaching YouTube’s influence could be.

“This one’s on me! Please eat well and keep singing!”

“N-no, really, you don’t have to…!”

A fan dropped off cake and drinks at Hakyung’s table before running off with a cheerful shout.

One after another, more packaged desserts and gifts piled up in front of him.

He was the one who should be thanking them for listening and showing love, but now he was being showered with gifts, and it was overwhelming.

It was the first time he’d experienced this kind of affection in person rather than through video comments.

“Lucky you, married dolphin,” Sang-oh said with a whistle.

“You won’t even finish all this in a week.”

He looked even more proud than Hakyung. Seeing firsthand just how big Hakyung’s popularity had gotten…

Maybe it was time for Muheon to take on the role of his manager full-time.

Hakyung beamed so brightly his cheeks puffed into perfect circles.

Just that morning, he’d seriously considered quitting everything, and now, here he was, full of joy.

He took pictures of every gift with his phone to remember the moment.

Hajo-yah, your big bro’s at a café and all the customers recognized me and bought me this much stuff. Isn’t it awesome? Hehehe

He even bragged to his younger brother. He planned to call Grandma later to tell her too.

“Guess you’ll eat well then.”

“Yep! I’ll enjoy it!”

Hakyung, high on the fans’ kindness, hummed a happy tune. Even the air around him seemed to dance along.

***

Meanwhile, the atmosphere around Beom Urim and Muheon had frozen over.

Not only did they not get along, they’d barely ever had a proper conversation. The silence between them felt icy.

Eventually, it was the junior, Beom Urim, who broke the silence, smiling out of habit as he showed something on his phone to Muheon.

“These are the movements I tracked over the past few days.”

“You found him?”

“I can’t say with certainty that it’s Kim Taeyoung. He’s completely covered up.”

Urim frowned. The man suspected to be Kim Taeyoung had been concealing himself with a hoodie, mask, and sunglasses, enough that it was impossible to confirm his identity.

Still, his height, build, and gait matched closely.

He had been spotted a few times near the company building, and Urim was convinced it was him.

Seoul was certainly not a great place for hunting.

Every alley had CCTV, and there were far too many people.

Urim had already been formulating a new plan.

It was a stroke of luck that Muheon had come to the company before he even pitched it.

“And why exactly are you reporting all this to me?”

“I’ve got a new plan. But I’ll need your permission.”

Muheon frowned. Urim had always preferred hunting alone.

Other than the rare times he got caught in the act, he operated in complete secrecy.

For him to openly say he needed Muheon’s permission… didn’t feel like a good sign.

“I think it’s time we laid a trap for Kim Taeyoung. Preferably somewhere outside of Seoul. And we’ll need Hakyung to be part of it.”

Of course. Muheon’s instincts hadn’t been wrong.

He frowned deeper.

“Since our company’s managing Hakyung’s schedule now, I was thinking we could leak some bait that might lure Taeyoung in.”

“No. What if Hakyung ends up in danger?”

Muheon’s flat refusal only made Urim’s smile grow darker.

The once-fearless West Sea imugi, now trembling over one little river dolphin, it was pitiful and amusing at the same time.

And to see Muheon’s anxiety this clearly, right up close… it thrilled Urim to his core.