RAP STAR

Chapter 80 [verse 13. Circle, END]

Kim Woon-cheol's laboratory was not far from Ochi Substation. Sanghyun walked slowly, enjoying the pleasant weather as if taking a leisurely stroll. Meanwhile, he was lost in deep thought.

Lately, Sanghyun had developed a habit of organizing his upcoming tasks sequentially.

"When will the design patent be issued?" First, there was an urgent need to sell the 888 X 888 product. Once the design patent was filed, the wholesale distribution of the domestic brand would begin immediately. Inquiries about the product release date flooded Sanghyun's hip-hop alias inbox every day.

Next up was the performance with Gwangju Tigers. When they first collaborated with the Tigers to produce a music video, they never expected things to escalate to this extent. Sanghyun and the members of 888 Crew had high expectations for performing at Gwangju UP at least once in their dreams.

"It's a shame I don't have a solo song." Despite having 888 Crew and even L&S as backing bands on stage, Sanghyun's solo song remained unchanged. Originally, they planned to divide the song into three verses with six members each rapping eight bars. However, due to differences between the music video and live performance, Sanghyun ended up taking on the rap himself at the suggestion of Team Leader Ahn Cheol-seung, despite the inconvenience.

"What else was there? Oh, right, Under Kid." Sanghyun needed to make time as soon as possible to go to Seoul with Hayeon for a feature on Under Kid's album. Sanghyun had accepted Under Kid's featuring offer, and a few days later, Under Kid also proposed a feature to Hayeon, citing her vocals as a better fit than the originally intended female rapper.

"Come to think of it, didn't Junhyung and Inhyuk mention collaborating with Stars Records?" Stars Records producer Woo Yeon-woo had proposed a collaboration to Junhyung and Inhyuk. It was for their upcoming second compilation album, which was originally in the final mixing stages. Stars Records wanted to involve Junhyung and Inhyuk, so they decided to redo the mixed album tracks. Sanghyun and the crew were thrilled to hear the news and celebrated as if it were their own.

Watching the growth of 888 Crew was an incredibly enjoyable task for Sanghyun.

Lost in these various thoughts, someone approached Sanghyun.

"Excuse me."

"Yes? Me?"

Sanghyun turned to see a high school girl in uniform, a face he didn't recognize.

"Did you call me?"

"Uh, are you, um, a musician?"

"Yes? Oh, yeah."

"I'm, I'm a fan. Uh, hello."

The flushed face of the high school girl nodded in greeting twice. Sanghyun awkwardly accepted the girl's greeting, feeling taken aback.

While there had been people who recognized him before—such as the middle school girls who attended the Sejong Music Festival, the audience at Jeonju World D-Fest, and a few fans near Club Homi—strictly speaking, this high school girl was the first to recognize him on her own.

"Um... Hello."

Sanghyun greeted awkwardly, unsure how to respond. The girl nodded her head again. After the greeting, they stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to do next.

"Um, were you going somewhere?"

"Home. Uh, because Ochi Substation is where I live..."

"Oh? I'm also going to a cafe near the substation..."

It was strange to exchange greetings and then go separate ways. Sanghyun and the high school girl walked together to Ochi Substation, feeling a bit awkward at first. But after a few exchanged words, they quickly became engrossed in conversation.