This Isn't It...
That evening, Im Haeun was alone in the living room, listening to a song on her phone while scribbling furiously in her notebook.
"Not asleep~?"
Spotting her, Shin Soye sidled up behind her with curiosity.
"What're you working so hard on?"
It was rare to see her little sister studying like this, jotting notes down.
"New song prep."
"Oh, that second character song?"
"Yeah."
"And you have prep for that?"
"I do. Proper feedback."
"?"
Shin Soye blinked, not getting it. But Im Haeun was dead serious, scribbling her impressions with focus. It felt wrong to keep bugging someone so concentrated, so Soye held back.
"Don't overdo it—get some rest. Shake off that travel fatigue... I'm heading to bed first."
"Okay, night, unnie."
With that, Soye retreated to her room, leaving Im Haeun to memorize lyrics and organize her detailed thoughts. All with the resolve to one-up Cheon Bom.
"Here."
The next morning, in Cheon Bom's recording studio. Im Haeun marched right up and handed over the paper with a smug look—the very notes she'd slaved over last night.
"Hm..."
But Cheon Bom just skimmed it and tossed it carelessly onto the desk.
"Hey, read it properly!"
"I did."
"Like hell you did!"
"Let's get to adjustments anyway."
"You said my feedback matters! You have to check it..."
"It's fine. I got the gist from hearing it yesterday. Plus, those impressions are obsolete now anyway."
"What?"
With that, Cheon Bom started playing the keyboard. Humming the melody lightly, out came a song markedly different from yesterday's.
"What do you think? Totally different from yesterday, right?"
"Wh-what the... Then why'd we go through all that yesterday...?"
"Yesterday's grind is what made this possible, isn't it? Thanks to that, we got an even better version."
Im Haeun opened her mouth to retort, but nothing came out. She wanted to argue, but Cheon Bom was right—this new demo was way better than yesterday's. If the ordeal was to birth something superior today, what could she even say?
Of course, that didn't erase her frustration.
"If that's the case... why make me prep feedback..."
Cheon Bom coolly clapped as Im Haeun finally spat it out, trembling.
"Come on, focus. We've got adjustments to nail today too. If you'd done better yesterday, we'd have hit a great demo faster—but time's ticking."
And now it's my fault again?
"Im Haeun-ssi, got a problem?"
"Well...!"
"You don't, right? Everything we're doing is to perfect this song. No way you'd complain."
Cheon Bom had a point. This new track was for Im Haeun's ad gig—if it fit her perfectly, she'd benefit most.
"You're the one who should be working hardest. Right?"
"Y... yeah."
"Wasting time on demos hurts you most too. Agreed?"
"Yeah."
"Bottom line: you nail it, we all win. Sound good?"
"...Yeah."
Damn, it really does all come back to me.
"Alright, let's work. Fix that face."
"Uh, sorry..."
Cheon Bom flashed a slight smile at the apology and resumed playing. The smirk irked her a bit, but Im Haeun—already convinced(?), stayed quiet and listened to the demo. Just like yesterday, the session kicked off.
"Session go well?"
"...Fuck."
That was Im Haeun's cheery reply as she climbed into the car. What the hell happened in those four hours to make her curse first thing?
Fight? Probably.
"What went down?"
"No, listen. Cheon Bom bitched about the demo again today."
I started the car with a rumble and heard her vent. Lots of swears and whining stretched it out, but the gist was simple.
"...So, demo tweaks took forever again. Intro and melody adjustments galore, obsessing over your input the whole time."
"......"
She crossed her arms, silent—like my summary missed the mark.
"Not bullying, just... working hard?"
"Even so, it's too much."
"Don't get so pissed—think positive."
I patted her consolingly.
"Nail this track, it's all upside for you. Call it prepaying the gains."
"Argh, she said that too! 'It's your big break, so the detail's all for you—it's your responsibility'..."
She even mimicked Cheon Bom's voice, that tormented.
"Honestly, maybe she's all talk?"
"Demo's improving with revisions, right?"
"...Yeah. Definitely... getting better."
"Then she's doing her job right."
"Grrrrr..."
She growled like a dog, frustrated.
"If she's really gunning for you, handle her ass later."
"True..."
"Whatever she pulls, you're above her. Song's for you, she begged to collab, and personally... yeah."
"Hmmm..."
"So relax. She can't beat you no matter what."
"...Haaa, you're right."
She exhaled like she was purging emotions. Good—recognize you're on top, and that irritation fades.
Screech, thud. Parked and hopped out; I patted her back this time.
"Next session, I'll sit in—make sure she's on task."
"Okay..."
Her voice steadied; calming down.
"Aww, good girl, my Haeun. There there."
"Quit babying me outta nowhere!"
"Heh heh heh, fine fine. Practice room for lunch with Soye, prep to head out. Leaving in ten."
"Got it... Wait, Soye-unnie has a PM schedule today?"
"Yep. Same as yours."
"Huh? Same?"
"She's doing a supporting role in your web drama."
"That last heroine in the back half! Director was iffy on adding her..."
"Yeah. Convinced him while you slaved away. You two together? Killer visuals."
Japan pics and buzz sold it instantly.
"Ooh, nice one—seriously crushed it!"
Her genuine joy and praise warmed me up. Seeing her this happy for them felt great.
"Plus, drama offer incoming for Soye too. With you."
"For real?"
"Yeah. Global shoot—they're pushing hard. Fits your image, easy Japan export. Lead sisters roles... Gave her the synopsis; she'll fill you in."
"Wait, not web drama then..."
"Streaming. Amazon Prime Video backed."
"...Whoa."
Streaming-backed dramas dwarf web series markets. Global from the jump, budgets and hype dozens of times bigger—pure gold.
"That's... huge, right?"
Stunned by the scale. I get it—same vibe checking offers last night.
"Pfft, massive. Tons more drama gigs coming your way too. Web drama proved your acting chops."
"Hard to feel it hearing it... Wait, just me and Soye-unnie? Minji?"
Worried eyes. No need.
"Minji's got work too. Just no drama offers yet."
"So what's Minji got?"
"Not 'got'—doing."
"Huh?"
Tilting head, I grinned.
"You'll see."
That evening, heading back to the dorm with the girls.
"Minji-ya, you said room cleanup... but I remodeled."
"Huh?"
She tilted her head at my bombshell.
"Told you we'd stream games starting today? Tailored the room for that. Perfect 'idol gamer' vibe."
"Gamer... vibe...?"
"Yep."
I nodded; her eyes sparkled.
"Whoaaa..."
"Everyone's gonna flip seeing your room."
"Interior in one day?"
"Not full reno—just styled it. Wallpaper's same, swapped lights and wall decor for the feel... Man, pros these days are wild. Half a day flat. Don't worry—only your room, I supervised."
"If so... okay then."
"Wonder how they did it~"
Pulled up to the dorm; Minji bolted first. Loved the streaming idea, hyped for the gamer setup now too. Imagining her joy made me smile.
"Hey, slow down—gotta build the reveal."
I stepped in front of her and Soye.
Unlocked, entered, stopped at her door. Minji's eyes shone brighter, anticipation building visibly.
"Alright then..."
"Dududududu."
"What, interior reveal show?"
"Gotta hype it~"
"Revealing~ jjan jjan~"
Door swings open.
"Whoa~"
"What... this Minji's room...?"
Soye's awe, Haeun's shock. No wonder—clothes everywhere reeking of her scent, dark like a shadow spawn, now sparkling chic.
"So pink~"
"Right?"
Pink trim on white walls. Matching pink desk, chair, monitor. Bedding pink, new wardrobe pink. Peak 'idol gaming room.'
"Room's adorable!"
Soye clapped delightedly; Haeun grinned awkwardly, poking around amused.
"......."
But Minji's face was something else.
"Minji-ya, not to your taste?"
"Th-this... th-this..."
Stuttering, then lost-puppy despair.
"This isn't ittt... not a gamer roommm...!"
"Huh?"
"Who games in thisss... all pink...!"
"Why not? Looks good?"
Soye's question got a teary headshake.
"Nooo... anyone sees thisss... fake gamer posers' amateur setup... Gamers' rooms are darker... LED-only decor... pro-style...!"
Poking around protesting, she finally clung to me. Not grabbing my collar, but clutching my shirt, trembling.
"You said gamer room...!"
"Yeah, gamer room."
"This isn't...!"
"'Idol-fitting gamer room.' Right?"
"Nuuuuhhh..."
My nail-on-head words broke her; she wailed pitifully and plopped right there.