Chapter 36: An Unexpected Counseling Session
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 36: An Unexpected Counseling Session
"I drove here, though?"
"You can just call a designated driver."
Rize’s answer was nonchalant.
I was a bit taken aback when she suddenly suggested we grab a drink together at the dorm. I mean, I wasn't complaining, but... so suddenly? It was quite a talent to ask someone to drink with such a serene expression.
Of course, Rize wasn't the type to bring something like this up for no reason, so there had to be a motive behind it.
While I was debating, Rize leisurely ran her fingers through her hair.
"I won't keep you for too long."
Her voice was calm and pleasant to the ear. With her putting it like that, I couldn't exactly say no.
"Alright. Let me just tidy up the room first."
"Okay. I'll help."
Thirty minutes later.
After Rize and I finished cleaning up A-young’s messy room, we headed out to the kitchen.
"Just stay right there, Oppa. I'll handle it."
With those words, Rize pulled side dishes out of the refrigerator and began setting the dinner table, portioning them out onto plates. She even scooped the rice herself and handed it to me.
The whole process was so natural that I found myself bowing politely and accepting the bowl with both hands before I even realized it.
"Uh... thanks. But I could have gotten it myself."
"Ah."
Rize seemed to realize what she’d done and looked a bit flustered.
"Oh, sorry. It’s just a habit..."
"Do you usually take care of the other members' meals too?"
"Yes. They often skip meals because they find eating to be a chore, so I have to do this just to get them to come out and eat."
Was this what they called a leader’s sense of responsibility?
Following her dancing and singing skills, I couldn't help but be genuinely impressed by Rize’s "max-level" domestic and housekeeping abilities. No wonder the members followed her so well.
In truth, Rize was the type of leader people naturally followed because she always seemed so composed and level-headed, even when she was just staying quiet.
I almost accidentally called her Noona.
"I'll enjoy the meal. Thanks."
"Enjoy your dinner, Oppa."
To think I’d be getting a home-cooked meal at an idol dorm...
I picked up my spoon, feeling a strange mix of emotions. Most of the side dishes seemed to have been made by the members' parents and brought to the dorm, so it really felt like eating a home-cooked meal.
The problem was that sitting across from a breathtakingly beautiful girl at the same table made it hard to tell if the food was going down my throat or my nose. Not that I was complaining, of course.
"So, why did you suddenly ask me to stay for dinner? You’ve never done this before."
"It’s a bribe."
"A bribe?"
"Yes. I have a favor to ask you, so please think of this as a bribe for that."
When she said that with such a serious expression, I felt a lump in my throat. Just what kind of favor was she planning to ask that she’d use the word "bribe"?
Seeing my burdened expression, Rize gave a faint smile.
"Don't worry too much. It’s nothing strange."
"Really? Then I'll just relax and eat."
To be honest, I was starving. I’d been running through schedules since the morning, had sex with Sera, and then came to the dorm for a massage...
A lot had happened today. It would have been weirder if I wasn't hungry.
"Were you very hungry?"
"Yeah, today was an insanely busy day."
"Ah, come to think of it, today was the day of Sera’s commercial shoot, right? How was it?"
"It was good. The atmosphere on set was great too."
I answered while observing Rize. She had changed into a comfortable T-shirt and pajama pants, and she was holding a can of beer in her hand.
"Aren't you eating?"
"We usually all eat together around 8:00 PM."
"I see. Is your ankle okay?"
Rize lifted her leg slightly and gave her cast-wrapped foot a little wiggle.
"I have no trouble walking. I think it’ll heal quickly as long as I don't do any strenuous exercise."
"It’ll be a disaster if you hurt it again."
"Oh, come on. What are the odds of that?"
We finished the meal while sharing light small talk. Once I finished tidying up the dishes and doing the laundry, Rize poked my shoulder with a bottle of alcohol in her hand, signaling for me to follow her.
I followed Rize into her room.
"..."
"..."
I had seen it in passing before, but this was the first time I had actually stepped inside Rize’s room.
My first impression was that it was generally clean, but a bit stark for a girl’s room. Instead of decorating with character cushions or dolls like A-young, the room was filled with music-related items.
There was a framed photo of the members on her desk, and in the corner of the room sat a mechanical keyboard of the type used for composing. Since she loved music, there was also an electric guitar... and was that a computer for composing?
Rize dragged over a large desk on wheels and lined up the bottles on top of it. Liquor, soju, beer... there was a huge variety.
"Why is there so much?"
"I didn't know what kind of alcohol you liked, Oppa."
I watched Rize seriously arranging the bottles like she was presenting offerings and asked, "So, what’s the favor?"
"It’s nothing too grand... We have to start working on the next album soon. The A&R Team sent over some tracks made by famous composers. Would you like to give them a listen?"
The A&R Team—the ones who discuss what concept would suit the artists and then source the songs. They must have gathered songs that fit Estella and handed them to Rize for the next album.
"I wanted to hear your opinion, Oppa."
"Is it okay to leave the evaluation to me? Didn't the A&R Team already ask composers for songs that suit you guys best?"
"I’m not looking for a professional critique. I’m just curious how the songs sound from the perspective of an ordinary listener."
I unconsciously licked my lips. Unlike the A&R Team, I wasn't an expert. It seemed Rize didn't want a picky evaluation from a music critic, but rather a normal person's honest take.
"The A&R Team sent three different tracks. First, give them a listen."
Rize’s expression was serious. Because she was so dedicated to the group’s activities, her request for me to evaluate the upcoming album tracks didn't feel light at all. I felt a bit intimidated, as if I’d been given a heavy responsibility, but since it was Rize’s request, I decided to do my best.
I massaged my ears slightly and said, "Alright. I'll give them a listen."
Rize handed me a headset. Once I put it on, she moved the mouse connected to her laptop and played the first track.
-♪♪
I closed my eyes and focused on the music. I’d probably listened to over a hundred girl group songs since my time in the military. I was confident I didn't have "tin ears."
"..."
The music started with a cheerful beat. It immediately struck me as a sophisticated track that fit current trends. Once the intro ended, Rize’s smooth singing voice flowed out.
"What? You already recorded it?"
"I just layered my voice over it using AI. It sounds just like me, right?"
"Yeah, that’s amazing..."
I listened to the song, marveling at the advancement of technology. It was the classic K-pop style. It was an upbeat track that immediately brought an idol's performance to mind; I could practically see the members dancing to it. It would probably make a great music video.
As expected of a song carefully selected by the A&R Team, it felt like it reflected the latest trends. As I listened to the addictive and powerful melody, two minutes flew by.
"..."
When the song ended and I opened my eyes, I met Rize’s gaze as she watched me with her usual calm eyes. Her lips parted composedly.
"How was it?"
"Uh, it’s really good."
"This one was made by the composer Yoo Tae-shin."
"Oh, really?"
Yoo Tae-shin was already a star composer in the idol industry, a top-tier producer in Korea with over ten hit songs. Well, considering Estella’s popularity, working with a well-known composer certainly increased the chances of success.
"It was a song other girl groups were eyeing, but the A&R Team worked hard to get it for us."
Perhaps because it was made by a famous composer, it was very catchy. I found myself humming the melody without even realizing it.
"Good. Now, the next one."
Rize took a large gulp of beer and immediately played the next track. This time, a softer melody resonated. If the first song was cheerful and powerful enough to make your shoulders bounce, this one made me want to sink back into my chair.
The common thread was that both were very good. When the second song ended, I had a slightly dazed expression.
"What do you think?"
"This one was... also good."
I wished I had more words to describe it, but this was the limit of my vocabulary. Nothing but "it sounds good" came to mind. When I used gestures to show that I wasn't just being polite, Rize smiled softly and nodded.
"This is the last one. The third track."
Click.
A new melody played. Unlike the previous two, it didn't grab me instantly, but I found myself focusing all my attention on it. It felt like... the Milky Way flowing through the night sky. There was a strange, inexplicable thrill.
It didn't have that mainstream "hook" like the first two, but I wanted to keep listening. I couldn't put it into words, but it felt like it pulled at my heart in a way the previous songs hadn't.
While I was lost in that strange sensation, the song ended.
"...Can you play them for me one more time? Starting from the first one."
"Yes."
While I listened to the three songs again, the number of empty beer cans in front of Rize increased. I let out a breath I’d been holding and took off the headset.
"I enjoyed them."
"...Here, have a drink."
Rize handed me a glass filled with alcohol. Using the lingering melody in my ears as a snack, I downed the drink in one go. Now I knew why she’d suggested drinking. Honest evaluations were more likely to come out once the alcohol started flowing.
"First of all, all three songs are incredibly good... but that’s not the issue here, is it?"
"No. The other members all said the songs were great too. So we’re going to include all three in the next album, but we’re debating which one would be most suitable as the title track."
Three songs chosen by the A&R Team. And they were debating the title track? The title track is the face of the album. Usually, the most mainstream, easy-to-listen-to, or potential hit song is chosen.
"What do the other members say?"
"The girls all say the first song is the best. Cheerful, addictive songs are what’s popular these days, after all. And it’s a track by Yoo Tae-shin."
Rize spoke calmly as she drank. Then, with eyes that showed a hint of intoxication, she asked me, "What about you, Oppa? Out of the three, which song did you like best?"
I realized that beneath Rize’s calm voice, there was a slight sense of anticipation. It was already decided that all three songs from the A&R Team would be on the album, right?
Then the first song was definitely the best choice. The melody was cheerful, making it the most memorable, and it seemed like a trendy track that would be a mainstream hit.
"..."
Rize was watching me with calm eyes. She’d probably stay in that exact posture until my answer came.
"To be honest, I think the first song is the most logical choice."
At my answer, Rize’s eyes sank into a strange stillness.
"You think so too, Oppa?"
"Yeah."
Since all the members liked the first song, pushing that as the title track seemed like the safest and best method. The fact that my opinion aligned with the members' meant it was a good song that didn't cater to niche tastes.
But... for some reason, the third song kept flickering in my mind.
"But for me... I think the third one is the best."
I said exactly what I was thinking. And when I looked up, I was startled.
"..."
Rize was blinking rapidly with a blank expression. In my year of working as their manager, I think this was the first time I’d seen her look that flustered. As if she’d heard an answer she never expected, Rize slowly opened her mouth.
"...You like the third song the best?"
"Y-yeah. Why? Is there a problem?"
"...No. It’s just that you’re the first person to say the third song is the best."
Rize fell silent after saying that. She didn't speak for a while, her face wearing a strange expression that was completely different from her usual calm. Looking closely, the corners of her mouth seemed to be twitching slightly.
"Why do you like it?"
"Hmm..."
Why was the third song the best? It was hard to explain the reason, but the biggest factor was...
"Just, it seems to suit you guys."
"Pardon?"
"The melody felt like it was twinkling like stars. And Estella means 'star' to begin with, doesn't it?"
I felt that the atmosphere of the song, twinkling like a star, suited the members of Estella perfectly. Maybe that was why I liked it the most.
"...Is that so?"
Rize returned her expression to its usual calm. However, for some reason, the corners of her mouth kept twitching.
"You really are strange, Oppa."
"Is the first song better after all?"
"No."
Rize shook her head.
"I like the third song the best, too."
"Really? Why?"
"Because I’m the one who composed it."
I was stunned by Rize’s words.
"Huh? I thought you said the A&R Team sent it."
"The other two were from the A&R Team, but the third one is a song I wrote."
"Ah..."
She’d tricked me on purpose. Rize gave me a bright smile as she looked at me.
"Could you say that one more time?"
"Wh-what?"
"What you just said."
I stammered as I spoke.
"That I think the third song is the best?"
"Hehe..."
Rize laughed, her eyes curving into thin crescents. It was a beautiful smile with not a single cloud in sight.
"I don't even need any snacks with this drink."
"...Be honest. You tricked me on purpose because you wanted your song to be recognized."
"Yes. But the other members all said the first song was better, so my pride was honestly a bit hurt. But after hearing your answer, I feel much better."
She must have been worrying about it deeply. Rize looked at me, her voice much more relaxed.
"My worries have disappeared thanks to you, Oppa. Thank you."
"It’s not like I did much..."
"You said my song was the best."
Rize continued in a calm voice filled with gratitude.
"That was the thing I needed to hear most right now."