Arriving at the so-called "kitchen," Salazar knocked three times. A voice from inside called, "Come in!"
The trio stiffened. Nerves, excitement, dread — the full cocktail. First impressions mattered, and this was their future boss.
But when they walked in?
Not what they expected.
No stern middle-aged executives.
No intimidating old men in suits.
Instead, three people around their age sat at a long table, dressed immaculately — polished yet comfortable, like cool college professors who actually know what they're doing.
The trio immediately lined up and bowed—
Only to freeze mid-bow when the person seated in the center raised a hand.
Without introduction, without warning, the center guy said something in English. Salazar blinked, then quickly translated:
"(사이널 송 후렴 좀 해보래.)
He wants you to perform the chorus of the signal song."
…Not in their bingo cards.
But hey — if the boss wants it, you do it.
They shifted into a triangle formation, August taking center. Silas whispered a soft count-down.
They sang.
They danced.
They fell right into old muscle memory, like they were back on the Genesis Project stage yesterday.
The three evaluators watched with sharp, surgical focus — eyes like microscopes.
When the chorus ended, the center man lifted his hand again. He pointed at Silas, then spoke.
Salazar translated,
"(실라스, 피치 맞춰보래.)
He wants you to match his pitch."
Silas blinked — then steadied himself.
"Ready?" the young man asked.
Silas nodded.
The man opened his mouth and sang the melody one step lower than the original. Silas matched him flawlessly — his range sat comfortably there.
The man made an OK sign, nodding.
Then he turned to Ahn Jae and gestured.
"Ready?"
Ahn Jae nodded.
This time the man sang one step higher than the original melody, bright and clean. Ahn Jae matched instantly, his tone settling in like it belonged there.
Another satisfied OK sign.
Then came another string of instructions.
Salazar relayed:
"(이번엔 다시 사이널 송 불러달래. 실라스는 아까 낮은 피치, 재는 아까 높은 피치로. 어거스트는 원래 멜로디.)
He wants you to sing the signal song again — Silas on the lower pitch, Ahn Jae on the higher one. August keeps the main melody."
The trio nodded. Deep breath.
Silas counted softly again.
This time the harmony bloomed — full, colorful, richer than any version they'd ever done. Even they looked surprised by how damn good they sounded.
When they finished, silence filled the room.
Very slowly, the man in glasses and the ebony-skinned woman turned their heads… toward the guy with dirty blonde hair.
He visibly shrank.
"Guys… hear me out…" he said, terrified.
Tuesday, the woman, instantly exploded.
"Aw HELL nah! You ain't weaselin' your way outta this! Pay UP!"
The trio jumped, instinctively taking a step back in fear for their lives.
"C-c'mon—" dirty-blonde tried.
"Nope! NU-UH! I ain't hearing no BS today! Pay. UP. Sucker!" Tuesday snapped, palm out like she was demanding tribute.
The man in glasses sighed, amused.
"Pay up, Luca. You said they wouldn't be able to do it."
"Bu—"
"No 'but.' Foca was the witness. Deal's a deal," Tuesday said smugly.
Luca groaned like a dying animal, pulled out a $100 bill, and slapped it on the table.
"Fine. But remember this, Miss Tuesday… your day will come."
Tuesday snatched the bill.
"Keep tellin' yourself that, boo boo. If it helps you sleep at night."
Meanwhile, the Vampire Squad was translating everything in real time —trying so hard not to laugh so hard, their voices shook.
The trio?
They just stood there.
Absolutely frozen.
Absolutely stunned.
Absolutely convinced they had walked into the weirdest company on earth.
After the whole betting fiasco finally died down, Foca straightened up in his chair, cleared his throat, and shifted into Professional CEO Mode™ — or at least, his version of it.
"Anyway, now that that's out of the way," he said warmly, "I'd like to officially welcome all three of you to Bread Music."
Salazar translated smoothly.
"My name is Focaccia — or just Foca. I'm the founder and owner of Bread Music. I don't publicly reveal my real name for personal reasons." His tone softened as he spoke, but the authority in it was unmistakable.
He gestured to his right.
"The man next to me is one of the co-founders and the head of the creatives department, Luca Giovanni."
Then to his left.
"And this is Tuesday Summers, also a co-founder, and the head of the business and corporate department."
Proud. Confident. Completely unbothered by the fact that all three of them looked young enough to still get carded at bars.
The trio's jaws almost dropped before they scrambled into a deep bow.
Then, in Korean, they introduced themselves one by one:
"(안녕하세요, 안재입니다. 잘 부탁드립니다!)"
Hello, I'm Ahn Jae. I'll be in your care!
"(안녕하세요, 한건우… 실라스입니다. 잘 부탁드립니다.)"
Hello, my name is Han Gunwoo, but I go by Silas. I'll be in your care.
"(안녕하세요, 김해준… 어거스트입니다! 잘 부탁드립니다!)"
Hello, my name is Kim Haejun, but I go by August. Please look after me!
Before they could straighten fully, a loud, piercing screech blasted through the room.
"I can't believe it's really you three!" Tuesday practically squealed. "Y'all look so much better in the flesh — and barefaced? Ugh, I'm deceased."
The trio froze like baby deer.
Foca chuckled.
"You'll have to forgive her," he said. "She's been waiting to meet you."
Salazar translated, and the boys answered with a very polite, very confused,
"T-thank you…"
But Tuesday wasn't done.
"You know what? I'm STILL salty as fuck about what happened to y'all!" she snapped, the temperature of the room spiking ten degrees. "Is Korea blind or something? Because—"
She looked one tantrum away from locating every judge from The Genesis Project and snatching their wigs straight off.
Luca sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Apologies. She gets… passionate about survival shows."
Then he shrugged. "Still — she's not wrong. All three of us watched The Genesis Project. I mean, I only watched the finale, but even from that? Y'all were dealt the worst hand. Easily."
Salazar translated again — and the trio just stood there, stunned.
Their bosses watched them?
Their bosses knew?
Their bosses cared?
The shock on their faces must've been obvious, because Luca grinned — that little smirk that said oh, that's cute… they have no idea.
Then he leaned forward, elbows on the table.
"Would you guys like to hear a very interesting story?"