Chapter 58 : I’m a song _ why_why_

Honestly, I’m not sure if this is the right plan.

I used my authority as chairman to pressure CEO Cha.

“CEO Cha.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

I sat down on the chairman’s chair, slouching. Then, with my legs crossed, I stared intently at CEO Cha.

“I’ve never sung before.”

Of course, that was a lie.

As if anyone has never sung before, even once.

“I trust you aren’t claiming you’ve never sung before, even once.”

However, at CEO Cha’s words, which seemed to see right through me, I couldn’t help but be startled.

Does this person have some kind of mind-reading ability?

But in a way, what he said was true. I have sung before. But in another way, I was also right!

“Okay, I’ll admit that was a lie. But I don’t know *how* to sing.”

That’s right. I didn’t tell a single lie.

I don’t know how to sing!

Sing? What’s that? That thing you do at karaoke?

Preposterous. How could an orphan worried about the price of rice afford such a ‘luxurious leisure activity’?

Of course, saying I’d never sung before was a lie, as CEO Cha pointed out. I was forced to sing hymns because of some religious event in the other world.

Honestly, I should have just snapped the necks of those blockhead cardinals who insisted on doing that.

Devil worshippers are rampant everywhere, sacrificing poor, innocent people, and yet they have time for hymns to the main god? What a waste of time. I should have been burning more devil worshippers instead of singing.

Anyway, that memory makes singing a bit awkward.

To be precise, it’s not that I hate singing, but I don’t really want to. It’s like wearing clothes that don’t suit me.

“Then how about trying it this time?”

“This isn’t ‘Infinite Challenge’. Is that really necessary?”

“Hmm… Are you perhaps afraid?”

At that moment, Miley’s eyes widened.

However, by now, CEO Cha had grown enough to withstand Miley’s spirit. He calmly… well, not really calmly, his fingertips trembled slightly, but his face remained calm as he replied.

“Oh dear, housekeeper. This is a very, very important matter. So please don’t look at me with those murderous eyes.”

“But Master has already expressed his refusal. Is there really a need for further discussion? Especially with such a provocation?”

Mylie drew a firm line.

However, CEO Cha, obsessed with performance or viewership or whatever, crossed that line.

And then he delivered a counter-argument I couldn’t have imagined.

“Housekeeper. Imagine Master singing beautifully in front of countless people. Imagine him being recognized by countless viewers!”

“…! ”

At that moment, I realized.

That Miley was wavering.

“M-Miley?”

What are you doing, wavering like that!

But for some reason, Miley seemed to think his words made sense. She nodded her head, slightly agreeing with CEO Cha.

“Hmm, indeed…”

Indeed…?

What do you mean, indeed, my precious Miley?

It seems CEO Cha has learned how to control Miley too. First, David, and now CEO Cha. Miley is too easily manipulated. At this rate, she’ll be controlled by Chris, the head of our security team, as well.

Leaving behind the poor puppet Miley, I crossed my arms and asked CEO Cha,

“Okay, try to convince me. Why singing?”

“First, on average, the category with the most views is music. This is natural. Music is short, doesn’t take long to listen to, and is often played in the background.”

True. Content videos need to be ‘watched’. It means that the viewer has to ‘watch’ the video with concentration.

But music is just something you play. It counts as a view, but people only listen to the sound. There’s a reason ASMR videos have so many views.

“But that means I have to be good at singing, right? If I’m bad, it’s all for nothing, isn’t it?”

“Well, we’ll have to try it out. No one knows if you’re actually good or bad at singing, do they? You said you’ve never sung before.”

It’s not that I’ve *never* sung before…

“What if I’m bad at singing? What are you going to do then?”

CEO Cha grinned.

It was like a bespectacled character making a sly smile. I wonder how he can make that expression when he doesn’t even wear glasses.

“Then that’s also a cute character trait!”

“A cute character trait…! ”

Miley, who was standing behind me, suddenly chimed in. Why are you doing this, Miley?

I decided to cut off this crazy conversation.

“No, you’re saying being bad at singing is a character trait? Are you trying to embarrass me to death?”

“Well, you’re already treated like a communist android, aren’t you? This is nothing.”

“This is crazy.”

I rubbed my face.

As I did so, Miley, who was standing behind me, started to get on my nerves.

“How about trying it at least once, Master? A spirit of challenge gives positive energy. It will be good for your health.”

My PTSD, she’s talking about.

I was recently diagnosed with it, and it’s been bothering me.

“Okay, okay. I’ll do it.”

“Very good, Chairman.”

“But CEO Cha has to sing too.”

“Huh?”

CEO Cha froze at my words.

“W-Well, I don’t do internet broadcasting…”

“I’m making you do it to embarrass you. If you don’t like it, hand in your resignation. Let’s see how good you are.”

“…”

I sealed CEO Cha’s lips with the mention of resignation. Then I glanced at Miley standing behind me.

“And Miley… you too. Let’s sing together.”

Yes, let’s all die together. Taste the ‘taking everyone down with me’ strategy. I’m the one who repelled the outer gods who invaded the other world with that strategy. Don’t try to survive alone…

“…It would be an honor, Master.”

Miley nodded with a flushed face.

After confirming that, I rubbed my face again.

Why don’t you hate it…?

This is driving me crazy.

* * *

Everything must proceed according to the established plan. That’s the law of all things. The moment you break this rule, things start to go wrong, and then you’re doomed.

In other words, my singing plan was the same.

A recording studio in Seoul.

TS Media, which had rented the entire studio, immediately began setting up to check my singing ability.

“If the chairman sings well, we’ll start with covers of famous songs. You can think of it as following the standard route of internet singers.”

At CEO Cha’s report, I tapped my foot against the chair.

“So, after gaining fame, you get a separate song and sing it? Release it as a music track too?”

“That’s right. However, considering the concept of being an internet broadcaster, you will need to have time to sing during live streams as well.”

After saying that, CEO Cha added,

“Of course, I don’t recommend singing for a long time during live streams. It seems that internet broadcast viewers don’t really like singing broadcasts.”

“I think I know why.”

You can just listen to songs on YouTube. There’s no reason to listen to them on a live broadcast.

You can’t even communicate until the song is over. It’s not really content that anyone other than my die-hard fans would like.

“Um, Chairman. But do I really have to sing too?”

“Of course.”

Did he think he could escape while putting the company chairman in front of a microphone? Even if he doesn’t appear on broadcasts or YouTube, CEO Cha has to sing.

‘And the dark history must be preserved.’

I glanced behind me.

The people filling the studio building.

They’re all TS Media employees. We minimized the number of studio staff and filled the place with our own employees. Now, they will all listen to CEO Cha’s song, shed tears of emotion, and applaud.

Leaving CEO Cha with his darkened face, I looked for Miley.

“Miley…”

“Yes, Master.”

“Here, Miley.”

I gently held Miley’s hand.

“It’s okay. You can still say you can’t do it. I’ll understand. How much did it cost to rent this place? That kind of money is nothing. Now, tell me the truth.”

Even though I spoke kindly, Miley was adamant.

“It’s alright. How could I dare waste Master’s money like that? And I’m confident, Master. Actually, I’m happy to be singing with you. I’ll do my best.”

No, please tell me you can’t do it.

So I can use you as an excuse to quit. Please, please! You fool!

However, Miley still didn’t understand what I meant.

At this point, I wondered if she was deliberately ignoring the implications of my words. Miley, who can read my mind just by looking at my eyes, doesn’t understand this hint? No way!

‘Miley… you’re on CEO Cha’s side too…’

There’s no other explanation.

‘Damn it, they say there’s no one to trust in this world.’

With tears in my eyes, I looked at the perfectly prepared recording studio. Well, I’ve come this far. What can I do?

“CEO Cha first.”

“Huh?”

CEO Cha protested, but I didn’t budge.

The first hit usually hurts less.

I care for CEO Cha so much that I pushed him to be the first so he could take the hit first and hurt less.

CEO Cha entered the recording studio with a sullen expression, grabbed the microphone, tapped it, and then…

“Huh? He’s pretty good.”

“I heard he likes karaoke.”

“What’s with his voice…?”

“But why is he singing that old-fashioned song?”

“Think about his age.”

“…Even considering his age, it’s weird.”

He started singing a trot song I don’t even know the year of. Isn’t CEO Cha in his late 30s?

His taste is strange…

…No, why is he good at it?!

CEO Cha came out of the recording studio to the applause of all TS Media employees. I glanced at the judge, the owner of the recording studio.

The hairy-faced owner nodded.

“I can’t say it’s the level of a singer, but as an amateur, it’s impressive. Where did you learn?”

“Hahaha! I’ve been taking vocal training…”

Oh, damn it.

‘He took illegal tutoring.’

CEO Cha glanced at me with a ‘Heh, newbie’ look. I was fooled. CEO Cha… I’ll get my revenge.

“Miley, buy ten glow-in-the-dark dinosaur t-shirts. I need to give them to CEO Cha as a gift.”

“Yes, Master.”

I instructed Miley to purchase the revenge items and took a deep breath.

“Okay, here I go.”

With a heavy heart, I entered the recording studio.

I wish the world would end.