Pilot Program (2)

His black hair, glossy enough to evoke obsidian, fell past his shoulders. As the meeting room’s lights reflected off his skin, giving it a radiant sheen, the gaze from his cold eyes made everyone present shrink back slightly. Yet from the lips that looked ready to harshly berate someone at any moment came words entirely unlike what they expected.

“Um… I think I came to the wrong place… I’m sorry.”

“No, aren’t you here for today’s program meeting? Band of Guitarists.”

“Yes.”

“Then this is the right place.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Only one woman had entered a meeting room boasting an absolute 100% male gender ratio, enough to rival a military barracks. Nothing would necessarily happen just because the ratio had shifted slightly, but for some reason, everyone found themselves minding their words and actions. Conversations like “Who is she?” “No idea.” and “Isn’t that person from Group Sound?” “Is she? Doesn’t seem like it.” passed back and forth.

Amid the subtle tension, Ha Suyeon paid it no mind and went over to greet several guitarists she knew.

“Ah, it’s nice to see you here, sir.”

“Oh~ Long time no see. How have you been? No, that sounds a bit strange. Asking how someone’s doing when they’re enjoying the greatest popularity of their career is a little odd. Euhahaha! Ah, Mr. Son. This is a student I know. Her name is Ha Suyeon—the student who made that famous [Hanging Garden].”...