Chapter 164
Chapter 164
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 164
Chapter Title: My Name is Kang Luru! (Main Job Pista, Side Job Blue LUV)
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Chae-yoon unnie's birthday.
The first phone change of my life.
Even Ra-hee unnie's move.
After some pretty major events had passed, my daily routine had shifted just a little when it returned.
"No, it's about putting strength into your lower abdomen and resonating your voice a bit louder. Try following me. Ahhhh!"
"Ahhhh!"
"See? That's exactly the feeling."
For starters, this was the first time in my life I'd received proper vocal training.
Well, calling it the 'first time' felt a little off.
Back in the very early days, there was a vocal trainer the President had hired at the company, and I'd gotten a brief session then.
But with streaming, work, and everything else piling up, I got busy in all sorts of ways.
And with no immediate schedules for cover songs or originals,
while the other members kept up their lessons, I naturally fell a bit behind.
Now, with original song recording dates set, I'd finally joined the group.
To be precise, I was the only one getting vocal training right now.
The President had told me to get one-on-one customized lessons from the trainer for the time being.
"Huaaah, I'm so tired..."
"Here, drink some water and take a break. That's it for today."
"Th-thank you for your hard work."
Vocal training isn't just standing there singing—
it's surprisingly exhausting afterward.
It's mentally draining to focus so much on breathing and all those little details.
I slumped into the chair, and the trainer came over, handing me a water bottle.
I chugged it down like I'd found an oasis in the desert.
A smile spread across the trainer's face as she watched me.
By the way, this trainer is Lia.
She used to work at a major agency but now freelances, hopping between gigs. She's a super famous vocal coach.
I'd initially thought 'Lia' meant she lived abroad,
but it's actually her real Korean name: Julia.
She says adding the family name sounds too folksy, so she just goes by Lia.
Anyway, she's a total tiger of a teacher during lessons,
but super kind and gentle otherwise.
She explains everything in meticulous detail, even stuff I don't get.
"Your vocalization has definitely improved. Luru, you pick things up so fast?"
"Really? Hehe... Thank you."
Aside from the President and manager So-eun unnie at the company,
everyone calls us by our stage names.
No particular reason—it just became the norm somehow.
Still, getting called 'Luru' in real life felt kinda embarrassing.
I scratched my cheek awkwardly, smiling at the praise.
The trainer nodded back, looking satisfied.
"Honestly, considering you've never had proper training, your basics are amazing. I was blown away when I heard your Singing the Moon, especially?"
"Huh? Y-you heard that too, teacher?"
"Of course! I listen to all the members' songs, covers or originals—no exceptions."
"Whoa..."
Singing the Moon.
My first cover song, the one I sang for the Blue LUV audition.
The President said she decided to pass my application after hearing it.
I wasn't sure if I'd sung it that well,
but the response was great when I uploaded it to my Mityube channel. I was surprised.
I had no idea the trainer had listened to it too.
"What struck me then was that your basics were a bit lacking, but your emotion and technique were incredibly innate?"
"M-me...?"
My technique and emotion were innate?
Stunned by the ear-tingling compliment I'd never heard before, I pointed at myself.
The trainer laughed, nodding, and added a detailed explanation.
"Yep. Take the sabi in Singing the Moon—that part in the chorus transition where it's heartbreakingly emotional but you force it down calmly?
"Y-yes."
"That's full voice straight through, then a subtle flip to half voice. Super tricky. But you handled it so naturally?"
D-did I?
There is that part in Singing the Moon, sure...
But I thought I'd just sung it normally.
"If it didn't feel hard, that's what innate talent means. From what I heard, there wasn't much post-processing on that recording, right?"
"Y-yeah."
The President always said during recording
that if it's a little lacking, it's better to leave it raw.
Blue LUV songs don't get heavy post-processing as a rule.
"So when I heard your song then, I thought, 'Oh, this'll be fun to teach.' Nothing beats polishing a rough gem."
"Wha, a rough gem...?"
I scratched my head awkwardly amid the barrage of compliments.
I've gotten plenty of excessive praise from staff and fans before,
but this was pretty much the first time for my singing specifically.
Of course, all praise makes me happy.
But my job is as a Virtual YouTuber and idol.
Getting complimented on my main gig felt extra heartwarming.
"Anyway, brace yourself—tomorrow's gonna be intense."
"Y-yes! See you tomorrow, trainer."
"Just call me Teacher Lia. See ya."
With that, the trainer—no, Teacher Lia—who'd showered me with carrots, turned coolly and left the vocal room.
Hehe, still, I got tons of praise today.
Gotta brag to the Cherries and members.
They'll be shocked for sure.
Today, right after starting the stream, I exchanged quick greetings with the Cherries.
Unlike usual, I fired up a game first to kill time,
then dove into proper chit-chat just before ending.
Normally, I'd front-load daily updates or announcements,
and end cleanly with just the sign-off.
But today, I had something super important to share, so I scheduled it this way.
They say the last things said stick longest, anyway.
Might do streams like this from now on.
"Oh yeah, Cherries! I got praised by my vocal trainer today!"
Hehe, exactly!
Great point, Cherry buddy!
"Yeah! She's super strict when teaching, but today she praised me tons. Said my vocalization improved a lot and it's more solid overall. And get this—she'd even listened to my Singing the Moon upload without me knowing."
She didn't give a numerical score.
Hmm, maybe ask her tomorrow?
Might lose some confidence if it's brutally honest, though...
"No score exactly, but she praised me loads anyway. Said from hearing Singing the Moon, she thought it'd be fun to train me."
"Hehe, yeah. Teacher said the emotional line was killer too."
Everyone picks up on the same things, huh.
I'm not sure I nailed the emotion that well,
but if they're all praising it similarly, it must've sounded good.
"Anyway, another month or two of training, and I might head into recording. Could be sooner if I improve fast."
"Oh, don't worry about that! I've actually been chipping away at lyrics in my spare time lately!"
With the song slated for early summer,
the Cherries were fretting over the tight timeline,
but I wanted to reassure them it was fine.
These days, on the way home from the company,
or during short breaks after confirmations,
I use any downtime to work on lyrics via phone or laptop.
Haven't met the VN composer in person yet,
but we're exchanging via chat or email for approvals.
Progress is faster than expected—the track should be mostly done in two weeks.
Once I'm ready, straight to recording.
Of course, can't be overly optimistic about that part.
Need to prepare thoroughly with that in mind.
"Psh, no worries! I'm eating properly and sleeping well these days?"
One Cherry gave some concerned advice,
and I thumped my chest, boldly reassuring.
With recording prep and everything ramping up,
I was a bit worried at first about overdoing it again.
But luckily, I'm sticking to my routine while hustling on work.
Eating breakfast diligently even if it's a hassle.
Aiming for at least six hours of sleep.
And most importantly...
"I've actually started exercising with Luke unnie lately! Gonna become a totally healthy superior Uparupa soon!"
Yep yep, just like you said.
If you ask who's the most diligent among us, answers vary,
but personally, Ra-hee unnie's the healthiest liver by far.
From what I hear, she does at least two hours of gym or Pilates daily.
Eats at set times without fail.
Even calculates calories and nutrient ratios for meals.
Even Ji-ah unnie, who eats the healthiest among the rest,
saw Ra-hee unnie and went, 'I could never live like that,' sticking out her tongue.
Anyway, living next door to her,
I've naturally picked up a lot of her good habits.
Exercise is the big one.
Honestly, at first I hated it and it was tough.
But after a week of sticking with unnie, I feel accomplished now—it's actually fun.
Not gym yet, just short jogs morning or evening.
"Anyway, I promise I won't give the Cherries anything to worry about! Promise!"
Our Cherries are the best.
Even though I've let them down plenty of times,
they keep believing in me steadily. Always grateful.
W-well, sometimes when they're total trolls, I wanna smack 'em...
"Oh, and super important announcement today! BRB, changing the title real quick?"
Aigoo, concert what concert!
I don't even have one original song yet!
If we did a concert, it'd be the other members first anyway!
Internally tsukkomi-ing the silly chats,
I changed the title and slipped on fabric gloves.
Reason: half-cam time today, special occasion.
I've only done half-cam twice ever.
First after moving here, showing off the desk briefly.
Second for Tofu.
So half-cam from me is a rare event.
"Got something special to show, so half-cam just till sign-off."
Hehe, curious, right? You should be.
It's huge, so get hyped, everyone.
You might all faint from shock!
I opened the acrylic case I'd stashed in the workshop corner,
carefully pulling out the prepped items one by one.
These are precious!
No scratches allowed!
More valuable than my life!
Angled the cam down, cranked the lights,
showed off today's treasure, and ramped up the energy.
"Ta-daaa! It's Blue LUV's first official merch! Everyone, clap!"
That's right.
Blue LUV's first official merch, announced not long ago.
Pistas are probably still in pre-order, no real items yet.
But as a Blue LUV perk, I got to grab some!
Originally the President was gonna reveal it,
but somehow it landed on me. Heavy responsibility!
But I'm thrilled, honestly.
Lets me legally be one of the first to own Blue LUV merch!
Past streams were all as Blue LUV's Luru.
From this moment, as my main gig Pista,
time to promo these goodies.
Hehe, already pumped!
Just gotta chat for a solid two hours!