Chapter 180
Chapter 180
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 180
Chapter Title: When Things Get Tough, Ask for Help!
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A week had passed since my collab stream with Yuna.
In that time, I'd finished the lyrics and polished the song a bit with the composer.
Now I was diving headfirst into recording.
At first, things seemed to be going pretty smoothly.
I got tons of praise from the composer that felt way above my level.
And above all, my vocal training hadn't been for nothing—sections with high notes that used to trip me up during test runs were finally manageable somehow.
But today, I hit a wall with the first part that really stumped me.
"I've cast aside all my weak feelings. Now I won't hesitate..."
"No, no! It's still got way too much force."
This was already around the twentieth take.
His sharp feedback came flying again, and though I shrank back a little, I took the notes and slipped the headset back on.
"S-sorry. Could I have just one more try?"
"Okay, let's go."
The MR started playing again.
"I've cast aside all my weak feelings. Now..."
Click.
I tried singing again, but this time the MR cut off even earlier than before.
I pulled off the headset and peeked cautiously through the glass. There was the composer, frowning slightly.
"Da-jeong, come on out for a sec?"
"Y-yes..."
Things had gotten comfortable enough that we'd switched to casual speech, and he called me over.
I yanked off the headset and hurried out of the booth with quick steps.
Is this what it feels like for students getting called to the principal's office?
"You're putting too much power into it overall right now. I get that you want to do well, but enthusiasm alone doesn't always make it better."
"S-sorry."
"Nah, no need to apologize—even pro singers do this sometimes... Hmm, this might be tricky to fix."
He had that 'How do I even advise on this?' look on his face.
He tapped his pen on the desk rhythmically, deep in thought.
Well, yeah. I'd heard the same advice twenty times already, and I was still spinning my wheels in the exact same spot.
It'd be weirder if he wasn't frustrated.
If anything, his patience in watching me that long was impressive.
"Let's call it for today. The recording isn't the issue right now—you need to come back with a deeper understanding of what you think of this song."
"What I think of the song...?"
"Yeah. From what I see, you wrote the lyrics, but you don't fully grasp the emotions in them yet. Maybe your heart isn't ready."
"Ah..."
I let out a small sigh and bit my lip.
I kinda got what he meant.
But part of me didn't understand at all.
I thought I'd prepared my heart and knew exactly what mindset I'd written the lyrics in.
So what was still missing?
That was my homework for today.
"We've made good progress so far, so don't rush. Take your time thinking it over. If it's really tough, ask people around you for help."
"Got it...! Th-thank you for dealing with me today."
"No trouble."
Pat, pat.
His hand ruffled my hair comfortingly one last time.
I couldn't help but grin sheepishly with a little "Hehe..." as I left the studio.
It was an off-day stream-wise anyway.
Time to clear my head—maybe take a walk and sort out my thoughts.
I'm not much of an outdoorsy person.
So even on off-days, I don't really have much to do.
Maybe clip some old member streams or edit videos at home.
Even when I psych myself up to go out...
There aren't many places I actually want to head to.
People like Yuna or Chae-yoon unnie, who go out a lot, have their secret spots—like favorite cafes or whatever.
They visit those often, I've heard.
Sadly, I don't have any like that.
"Maybe grab something tasty...?"
Still, I needed a change of pace, so anywhere would do.
I decided to hit up one of the eateries the members recommended.
Truth be told, I'd already eaten lunch with the composer, so no real appetite for a full meal.
But I was dying for something sweet—dessert vibes.
A usual frappuccino felt too routine, though...
"Perfect, this one...!"
Scrolling through the group chat for a decent dessert spot, I lit up at one Ra-hee unnie posted.
It was a crepe shop.
Crepes!
The ultimate dessert from Japanese anime!
Right up there with parfaits—total VIP status!
Come to think of it, I'd had parfaits a bunch since that one with Ra-hee unnie.
But crepes? Never tried 'em. Instant interest piqued.
And that visual—it's killer!
Crispy thin crepe stuffed with layers of fruit, cream, chocolate...!
How do you even resist that!?
Slurp...
Feeling drool pool like Tofu in front of a churu, I headed straight for Ra-hee unnie's recommended spot.
Luckily, it wasn't far from where I was.
"Gasp...!"
About twenty minutes of map-following later...
My eyes sparkled at the crepe shop in sight, but I nearly choked on air.
Th-the line's insane...!
Ra-hee unnie braved this for crepes?!
I thought it was an amusement park queue!
(Not that I've ever been to one...)
Hesitating as the line snaked almost to the opposite shop, I psyched myself up for the joy of crepe victory and trudged to the back.
At least it wasn't brutal summer or winter weather.
This was doable, I told myself, self-soothing...
"...Huh? Da-jeong? Is that Da-jeong?"
"Huh?"
A familiar voice called out suddenly. I turned.
And there was...
"Huh? J-Ji-ah unnie...?! What are you doing here?"
None other than Ji-ah unnie.
I blinked wide-eyed in shock, and she looked just as stunned, opening her mouth in a dazed expression like she should be asking.
"That's what I want to know... Did you come after seeing Ra-hee's post in the group chat too?"
"Gasp...! Y-yeah. No way—you too...?"
"Yep. Craving something sweet outta nowhere, had stuff nearby anyway, so I swung by."
Gotcha.
What an insane coincidence.
Ra-hee unnie posted that a while ago—how'd we overlap today of all days?
"Don't just stand there—come join me in line? I was getting bored waiting alone. Perfect timing."
"Hehe, yeah. I was stressing about how long this line would take..."
Anyway, now I could wait with Ji-ah unnie and pass the time chatting.
Total win for me.
Just the two of us? I'd wait 24 hours easy!
Yep yep, no doubt!
"Didn't know you hit spots like this often? Thought you weren't big on going out."
"Ehehe... Kinda. Just happened to stop by on the way back from recording today."
Somehow admitting out loud that I'm a total homebody felt awkward.
I scratched my cheek sheepishly, and unnie's eyes flickered briefly.
"Recording with the VN composer, right?"
"Yeah. But I sucked so bad today he told me to go home, rest up, and come back."
"...I see. Yeah, days like that happen."
Once she heard the details, she nodded understandingly and patted my head.
I always notice it, but Ji-ah unnie's pats feel extra nice.
Like she's handling something precious, y'know?
Not that others don't, but...
Hers have this special warmth.
"No stream today then?"
"Nope, off-day."
"Nice. I'm off too. Wanna grab crepes and then hit somewhere for a mood boost? Just us girls."
"Sounds good to me... But where?"
I was kinda in the mood to wander more today anyway.
But nothing specific came to mind, so I tilted my head.
Ji-ah unnie let out an uncharacteristically cartoonish "Hmhmhm" chuckle, like it was obvious.
"Days like this scream Han River. Rent bikes, spread a mat, munch on goodies. Sound fun?"
"Whoa...! Love it!"
It was a total appetite-whetter for me.
Truth be told, I'd always wanted to check out the Han River sometime.
Especially in this spring-scented weather.
A gentle breeze, mat laid out, delicious eats...
Pure picnic perfection.
"Plus, I'm your vocal senior in Blue LUV. Might even help with that stuck part?"
"P-please do...!"
And not just anyone.
Ji-ah unnie, undisputed top vocalist in Blue LUV.
Turning that down? Total fool move!
Chatting happily with unnie, the crowd blocking us melted away before I knew it.
"Welcome. Ready to order?"
"Double crepe, extra extra cream and fruit please!"
"Pfft... 'Extra extra.' Too cute."
We had more eats planned later with unnie.
But I had to get this!
I piled on toppings like Ra-hee unnie suggested.
From behind, I heard Ji-ah unnie's soft voice.
Too quiet to catch details—probably debating her menu.