Seoul, Gangnam District, G.O.D Entertainment.
ᅳScreeeech
An old cabinet rattled loudly as it was opened.
Moon Ari sighed softly as she set down a large duffle bag.
Inside the cabinet lay traces of the past five years, untouched.
A worn acoustic guitar purchased out of her own pocket, a photo taken when she signed with G.O.D Entertainment, notebooks filled with songs she had personally written and composed, and a few fan letters from street busking.
Then, her eyes landed on a neatly placed case tucked in a corner of the cabinet.
A small, compact white case.
Inside was an adorable cat brooch.
It was a birthday gift from her classmate on her 15th birthday in middle school.
The cat brooch bore no faded marks or even the slightest scratch.
There was no need to say how dearly she had cherished it all this time.
Whenever her heart felt tight and gloomy over an uncertain future she couldn’t quite grasp, Moon Ari would quietly take out the cat brooch and look at it.
Five years as a singer had been tough, harsh even.
Yet, every time, it comforted her and gave her strength to move forward—a precious charm.
But today, she was finally going to put everything down and head home.
Tears began to well up in Moon Ari’s eyes as she stared at the cat brooch.
“Song Song, how are you doing now…”
Still, Moon Ari took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling.
Biting her lower lip firmly, she whispered to herself.
‘…I promised myself only to shed tears when happy. Crying so easily is a bad habit.’
Staring at the faded fluorescent light, she swallowed the tears that threatened to spill.
Then, she started packing her personal belongings from inside the cabinet into the large duffle bag.
Five years.
She had been happy just to sing, constantly studying and working hard, always reaching for new challenges and growing herself.
To some, it might have been a short time, but for Moon Ari, every day was a moment more precious than jewels.
Yet the belongings in the cabinet barely filled half of the large duffle bag.
“This is my five years… somehow… it feels so fleeting…”
From childhood, she had dreamed of becoming a singer and, from middle school onward, chased after various auditions.
As a result, she was able to nurture her dream at G.O.D Entertainment.
Though it was a small agency with no recognition, and the trainee life went on with no clear end in sight,
she didn’t mind.
She believed that if she shined brightly wherever she was, people would eventually notice.
They say opportunity comes to those who are prepared.
True to that, an opportunity did come.
Two years ago.
On the year she turned eighteen, Moon Ari had her debut stage on the popular music show Music Banking.
‘…Finally, the chance has come for me!’
Seeing it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Moon Ari poured everything she had honed onto that stage.
Pitch, rhythm, song choice, outfit, expression, performance—
By her own measure, it was a perfect stage.
But Moon Ari’s part was completely cut.
Not even a second appeared.
That day, the CEO of G.O.D Entertainment was heavily drunk and bowed his head deeply before her.
“I’m… so sorry…”
“Ari… it’s all because our agency lacks power… I don’t have connections… I’m sorry.”
Since then, Moon Ari never had a chance to appear on an official stage again.
She had only continued busking on college streets every weekend.
“…Maybe this path wasn’t meant for me from the start.”
After finishing packing, Moon Ari closed the cabinet with a sad smile.
Slipping a guitar case over one shoulder and the duffle bag over the other, every step felt like a ton of weight.
As she trudged down the hallway, she began planning how to navigate the uncertain future ahead.
“What am I going to do now? Hmm… First, I guess I should study for the GED to get my high school diploma. And then…”
Just then.
“Ari-ya! Moon Ariiii!”
Suddenly, someone called out loudly from behind.
Soon, a man came running in a hurry.
“…The CEO?”
Thank goodness. He hasn’t left yet. W-wait… right now, there’s a, an incredible thing… huff… everything…
“Huff… ahem…”
The CEO of G.O.D Entertainment was gasping for breath as if he might pass out.
Moon Ari carefully took a bottle of water from her bag and handed it to him.
“Are you okay? Please drink some water and take a deep breath.”
“T-thank you…”
He gulped down the water and finally calmed before speaking.
“Ari! We got it!”
“Got what? What are you talking about?”
Moon Ari tilted her head in confusion, but the CEO grinned widely and shouted.
“Little World! That song, Moon Ari, we’re giving it to you!”
“To me… Little World…?!”
Moon Ari’s guitar case slid off her shoulder as her eyes went wide.
A cafe in downtown Seoul.
Me, Team Leader Eo Jin Lee, and Moon Ari.
The three of us sat around a cafe table for a face-to-face meeting.
Naturally, the topic was the contract regarding Little World.
Meanwhile, Moon Ari had been nervously glancing at me ever since.
I guess the sunglasses, mask, and low-set hat I was wearing gave off quite an intimidating aura.
At that moment, Team Leader Lee smiled warmly and spoke.
“Ari, there’s no need to be so nervous. You mentioned wanting to build an equal collaborative relationship. Isn’t that right, Creator?”
I quietly nodded.
Perhaps feeling a bit relieved, Moon Ari smiled brightly and bowed her head.
“Yes, thank you very much!”
Her energetic greeting lifted the mood around the table.
Having been chosen out of many strong candidates, and having someone literally reach out to them, Moon Ari clearly understood the significance and bowed once again.
“Thank you so much for the opportunity. I’ll work hard!”
I silently nodded back, gazing at her steadily.
Then, we listened carefully as Team Leader Lee explained the details and began filling out the contracts step by step.
“…Alright, that concludes the contract details. Thank you both for your hard work! Ah…! I’m getting a call, so I’ll just step outside to take it.”
Team Leader Lee handed us each a copy of the contract, then stepped outside with his smartphone.
While he was gone, I started reviewing the contract carefully again.
Then—
“Um… may I ask just one thing?”
Moon Ari, staring down at the mug cupped between her hands, hesitated before speaking.
Instead of answering, I gave a slight nod.
Moon Ari, nervous, then asked,
“Could you tell me why you chose to give this song to me?”
Before answering, I looked steadily into her eyes.
She immediately looked visibly flustered and waved her hands.
“N-no! It’s not that I have any complaints or anything! It’s just… there must have been many musicians far more famous than me who auditioned… I’m just… curious about the reason you chose me…”
The reason I chose you.
I took a light breath and slowly reached toward my sunglasses and mask—
But then stopped.
Five years ago.
I had run away to my room, leaving behind my one precious friend.
Without any explanation or action.
Even when she came to my door, I never opened it once.
‘…Back then, facing anyone was too much, even facing my own problems.’
That’s why I didn’t want to reveal my identity to Moon Ari in such an ambiguous state now.
‘At least until I can face myself with pride…
Only then will I meet Moon Ari with confidence.
Until then, the Creator who hands over the song and the singer Ari who receives it—
This distance is just right for now.’
After organizing my thoughts, I looked up to see Moon Ari tilting her head in curiosity.
I spoke softly,
“You often busked around Hongdae, right? I’ve been watching you closely. I thought you were the perfect person to sing Little World.”
“W-wow! I’m honored. I thought no one cared about my busking performances… heh…”
Moon Ari seemed genuinely happy, her cheeks blushing as she smiled.
I too smiled faintly beneath my mask and extended my hand to her.
“Looking forward to working with you, Ari.”
“Likewise! Uh, so… Creator…? Is it okay if I call you that?”
I nodded quietly and shook her hand.
At that moment, Team Leader Lee came running back, beaming from ear to ear.
“All set! It’s official! Ari’s ‘Little World’ will be performed on Music Banking!”
Moon Ari stared blankly for a moment, then her eyes sparkled as she looked at me.
Soon, with a radiant smile, she waved our joined hands excitedly and started hopping in place.
“Creator! It’s Music Banking! Music Banking! I will really, really do my best!”
Moon Ari’s debut stage was set for about two months later.
A popular music program in South Korea, airing in prime time.
In the meantime, there was a mountain of preparations: from MR recording to fine-tuning arrangements, deciding on the direction of the song’s genre, and more.
“Let’s prepare everything thoroughly! But first, shall we decide on a project name? There’s always something official to name these things to help us get fully immersed!”
At Team Leader Lee’s suggestion, Ari and I rested our chins on our hands, thinking.
Then Ari raised her hand and smiled brightly.
“I think it’s best if the Creator decides!”
“I agree with Ari. You’re the leader, Creator.”
Their gazes turned toward me.
After a moment’s thought, I spoke.
“The project name will be Begin Again. Let’s call it the Begin Again Project.”
“Begin Again… it means starting over, right?”
“Yeah! That’s perfect. Begin Again, I’m all for it!”
Then the three main members of the Begin Again Project stacked their hands on the table…
Just then.
Buuu!
Apung, who had been sitting on my shoulder, fluttered down onto the table and placed a paw on top of our hands, as if to say it would be disappointed if left out, flicking its horns gently.
Anyway, so the three main figures of the Begin Again Project—and one little creature—put their hands (paws) together.
“Project Begin Again! Our goal… Music Banking number one!”
“I’ll do my best to support both of you! Fighting!”
“Fighting! I will definitely get number one! Definitely…!”
The Begin Again Project starts now!
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