Karaoke Rendezvous
Kwon Dain's decision to add Jeong Jisul to her group at karaoke was pretty impulsive. She hadn't considered the ripples it might cause. As the daughter of a famous singer, she'd always lived under the scrutiny of public eyes. But right now, her thoughts were fixated on just one person. Unlike her usual self, she didn't find her impulsiveness strange at all.
'Didn't know he was into music.'
Seong Haein—her mom—was a genius. Even Dain, who knew nothing about music, could see it. The public's reactions and industry praise confirmed it. When it came to her domain of music, Seong Haein was razor-sharp.
Such a Haein was stingy with praise. Not the type to say "Why not 100?" when Dain brought home a 95 on a test. She just rarely praised anything music-related. Because she was a genius. Her bar for musical compliments was sky-high. Even as her daughter, Dain could count on one hand the times she'd heard Haein praise someone's music.
In that context, last night during their chat, Haein had mentioned Jeong Jisul. How could Dain not be intrigued?
'If Mom's praising him... he must be really good, right?'
Perfect timing too—the performance assessment was on music. This was a chance to learn a bit about who Jisul really was.
Dain turned slightly, glancing back at him. Right before she could ask if he'd join her group.
"Jisul, wanna be in our group?"
A girl from another cluster approached Jisul. Like knights donning full armor before battle.
'...Full makeup already, uniform tailored tight... How'd she make that shirt cling like that?'
She was fully prepped, flashing a coy glance as she proposed to him.
'What to do...'
Dain didn't want to lose him to her. The feeling was stronger than she'd expected. But why did she want Jisul in her group so badly? "Because Mom praised him" felt like a flimsy excuse. There had to be something subconscious.
"Jisul's already agreed to our group."
Dain flashed a sweet smile at the girl in her clingy uniform, lying smoothly. To figure out this weird feeling, she needed to be in a group with him.
"Oh... really?"
"Yeah."
"...Guess can't be helped then."
The girl, whose lips seemed stuck in a smirk, sauntered back to her seat.
With the situation settled, Dain subtly turned to Jisul.
"When did I ever agree to your group?"
Jisul mouthed the words at her with a blank face. But he realized his tone was off.
"...Sorry if that came out harsh. Just caught me off guard. Being in a group sounds good, though."
He quickly apologized. An awkward air hung between them.
"What, did he commit a crime or something? Why so serious?"
Unable to stand the vibe, Choi Saeron shot Jisul a puzzled look.
"Just do self-intros or... nah, no need. You know our names already, right? I know yours."
"Yeah."
"Okay, quiz time! What's my name?"
"Saeron."
"...You really do know."
"How could I not? You're right in front of me."
"True. So you know all our names? Guess intros are pointless then."
They'd never even talked before, so not knowing names would be normal. But memorizing them on day three of school... That earned him +1 likeability.
"Alright, let's divvy up roles quick? Music and PE both need PPTs and presentations."
Dain checked the time and pushed the meeting along. First period was starting soon.
"Yoon Seola handles presentation, as usual."
"Shouldn't we at least ask Seola... Nah, it's been like this for three years."
"Group presentations are always Yoon Seola. Make her do anything else, and we're screwed."
"Left with PPT and research... Who's doing PPT?"
"I'll do research. You know I suck at making those."
Saeron grinned sheepishly.
"Saeron on research... Jisul, you?"
"Whatever's left. Both sound fine."
"I'll do PPT then. Jisul, you handle research?"
"Sure."
Jisul nodded with a soft smile.
Roles assigned, now they just waited for first period. Then Saeron spoke up.
"Dain, got a question."
"What?"
"Why'd you pick Jisul? No complaints, just curious."
Dain felt a bit awkward at Saeron's question but found a good excuse quick.
"Seemed like he knows music. Figured it'd help with the music assessment."
"Huh? Knows music?"
"Jisul composes."
"...Composes?"
Saeron's eyes widened in real time. Jisul wondered if human eyes could bulge like that, sighing inwardly.
"Jisul, you know Okiid?"
He'd hooked a diehard band fangirl.
"...Yeah."
**
"What do you think?"
In Seong Haein's studio, Jisul's fifth track was playing.
"Good. When'd you rack up this many? Stable enough for charts. Pro level already."
"Hmm... That's all?"
Bae Sol, CEO of HS Entertainment—one of Korea's big three—tilted her head at Haein's question. Craving more praise? Didn't peg her for that.
But friends gonna friend.
"Not overhyping—this is legit surprising. Matches our mainstream artists."
Sol gave Haein the praise. No exaggeration; the track was solid. Chart-topping potential, nailing pop hooks perfectly.
Still, Sol's muted reaction stemmed from her nature—always restrained.
Sensing the odd vibe, she tilted her head again. Then she saw Haein's lips twitching at the praise and got it.
Right, Haein wasn't the praise-hungry type.
"This isn't yours."
"Spot on."
"Who? Got more tracks?"
"Yep, but this is the best. Used free DAW before."
"Explains the quality limit."
Haein pulled up Insta, showing Jisul's followed account.
"This guy's the composer."
"Aspiring? With that face and this skill..."
"Not aspiring."
"...Not even an idol trainee?"
"Nah, asked him—no interest."
"Makes sense. That looks, no agency yet? Must've turned down trainee offers."
Sol nodded casually, then asked Haein.
"Recruiting him, right? I'm in. Star quality, real talent. Just no personality issues... You wouldn't push without vetting."
"No issues there, but one problem."
"...What? If it's tricky, I'll think."
"Mina. Same age as our daughter."
"Dain's age... middle school third year?"
"High school first."
"Debut age. You did it then."
"Still against. If he wants debut, best to mask face, use stage name."
Haein laid out Jisul's debut plan casually. Sol smirked watching her.
"You planned that from the start, huh?"
"...Won't deny."
Sol paused the music, flopping onto the sofa.
"Great, but samples scarce... Kid changes that."
Young artists could be molded with her veteran know-how.
"Biggest issue: Who in our company wants a newbie composer's tracks?"
No singer wants rookie songs, talent or not. Industry pecking order pushed newbies back.
'Want him debuting fast... Pair with someone for duo?'
Growth needed stage time. As Sol pondered.
"I'll use them."
Haein dropped the bomb.
"...What?"
"Mini album coming. These go on it."
"For real?"
"Partly to give him a shot... But musically, perfect fit."
"Hence the stage name talk."
Sol chuckled. Explained Haein's pushiness.
"Oh, that last one."
"Yeah."
"Made in one hour. Here, in one hour."
**
A week since enrollment.
"Not too busy early semester."
Balancing part-time and school was smooth. Composing flowed too.
"One or two tracks a day now."
Daily output was rare, but ideas overflowed—venting them was the issue.
"Post-shift walks really spark inspiration."
Past life, holed up in studio, songs felt self-derivative. Now? Spectrum wide open.
"...Vocals tempting me a bit?"
As skills grew, so did greed. Used to love my instrumental tracks. Now craving vocals.
"Band club for a vocalist then."
Grab an amateur singer there? Not releasing, just for me—fine.
"Or..."
Record myself? Nah.
"...Probably not."
Past life, sending guide vocals mortified me. I was subpar singer.
"Maybe try now? Voice changed."
Body different, cords too. Could be good now.
With faint hope, I headed to coin karaoke.
....
Empty inside—kids at academies.
"Solo room tight; duo it is."
Deeper in, faint singing.
"Someone's here."
Overlapping voices, but one stood out.
'Pro singer level.'
Clean technique hooked me. Drawn like a moth, I followed the sound.
"......"
"......"
Song ended as I arrived. Awkward stare-down with the booth girl.
We locked eyes long. Not fate—just frozen, lest I look weird fleeing.
About ten seconds in, she beckoned me inside.
Familiar face. First to catch my eye daily after school.
"...Hey, Seola."
First proper face-to-face. Yoon Seola always slept face-down.