Chapter 153
It was the first time I'd seen her sing... "...Only I can duet with Baek Sion...!" The voice was so similar that I almost mistook it for Yoo Seol-ah's, but it wasn't coming from her direction.
The owner of that voice jumped up in horror the moment she heard the theatrical tone. "...Don't actually do that...!"
Yoo Seol-ah rushed over to cover Lee Seo-yeon's mouth, but unfortunately, the aspiring voice actress was stronger than her. There was a clear difference in build to begin with—Lee Seo-yeon was just holding back usually. Having her wrists grabbed and pinned in reverse, Yoo Seol-ah deflated a bit as she grumbled.
"No, singing's just singing... I don't really care?"
Anyone could tell she cared a lot from that tone. No one here was oblivious to her jealousy, but stubbornly denying it—was it pride?
"Then why'd you stop her earlier?"
It was the obvious question, but it hit Yoo Seol-ah hard after she'd tried to make excuses. An awkward silence followed before she mumbled softly.
"...No, the lyrics are just kinda risqué..."
"You like risqué stuff."
"Gah! W-what are you even saying...!"
Yoo Seol-ah's face turned beet red at Lee Seo-yeon's deadpan counter, but was it really necessary? The other three didn't bat an eye. It was true anyway, and she didn't even try to hide it. Her Yukinyang SNS was full of posts gushing over erotic game illustrations or how some doujin artist's facial expressions were top-notch. Sure, most were art-related since that's her job, but Yukinyang was a whole different beast.
In the end, Yoo Seol-ah retreated to the top corner of the tiered seats without scoring any points, blanket from the counter draped over her, peeking out only with her eyes.
Lee Seo-yeon smirked and picked a love-song-free track. "How about this?"
One of the legendary hits from a top Korean boy idol group: Fantastic Baby. Perfect for kicking off a karaoke session and hyping the room. Yoo Seol-ah would join in once she got into it anyway, so I nodded and grabbed the mic.
"Sounds good."
I'd hit karaoke plenty back in middle and high school as a PC bang follow-up, even dragging my more introverted friends along, so I was somewhat used to pumping up the vibe.
The electronic buildup filled the room with energy, and Yoo Seol-ah, who'd been watching cautiously, finally slipped back down beside me. I smiled at her, and she muttered quietly.
"...No, it's just... first time seeing you sing..."
So she wanted a close-up view, huh. The intro was so powerful it drowned her out, but reading her lips made it clear. I adjusted the mic as Lee Seo-yeon started first. Even a few bars in, her stable, pitch-perfect vocals shone—no common amateur slips.
I prepped my turn with quiet admiration, deciding to follow each member's voice to keep it easy for Yoo Seol-ah. Everyone knew the parts from the mega-famous group and song. Even she, who rarely sang Korean tracks, knew it—and sure enough, she burst out laughing at my verse, smacking my thigh. She hadn't expected it at all.
By the second verse, a relaxed Yoo Seol-ah jumped in, and we belted it out together. "...Ah, I seriously never imagined..."
The tense girl from earlier was gone, now leaning lightly on my shoulder. After laughing that hard, she should've been wiped, but nah.
Singing amps you up, and I rarely sang properly sober anyway. Back in school, my popular moments were sports and karaoke—both with the guys, of course.
As Park Harin and Lee Seo-yeon eyed the screen, Yoo Seol-ah whispered against me. "...Tension's gone. Thanks."
"Good to hear."
Her pride-free moments were always the thank-yous. She could've brushed it off with a smile, but reading my mind like that was kinda magical.
"My turn next?"
"Sure. Then Seol-ah after."
"......"
With even Park Harin stepping up, Yoo Seol-ah's slot was set. Harin's pick: an upbeat solo girl track, a bit mismatched with her image but flawlessly catchy.
"...Haa..."
Next up: the eagerly awaited Yoo Seol-ah. She could've done J-pop, no issue, but surprisingly, it was a safe, old-school girl idol song. Karaoke's queue system gave her no time to hesitate—the intro kicked in.
"...Hup."
"...Ugh, don't laugh..."
I'd sworn not to before she started, but my willpower crumbled. Not that she sang bad—it was brutally honest. The rigid pitch and rhythm shifts from childhood nursery rhymes, spot-on but stiff. She glared seeing me grin but powered through to the end. She always finished what she started.
To avoid hurting her feelings, I tambourine-clapped wildly the second it ended. "You sing great."
"You're dead meat...?"
She shot me a death glare worthy of the Lee family. Knowing her own style, she waited till the other two picked before muttering.
"...I wanna sing well too... But trying to sound cool like pros makes my voice shake and everything falls apart..."
"Singing's tough like that."
Common gripe for anyone who wants to improve. Cute as-is, but forcing "good" ruins it. Still, between skill and natural timbre, timbre wins for me. You learn technique; tone's innate. Hers was killer from everyday talk.
Time left was generous—perfect to teach her a bit.
Baek Sion singing in different voices to loosen me up was sweet, but sadly, relaxation didn't conjure skill out of thin air. I'd fantasized about nailing songs in front of him, but that's all it was—fantasy. Singing's been my weak spot since kid days.
Conversely, even mimicking just now, his talent screamed through.
"Hold up. Stay still."
I vented a little, and he leaned in at "stay still." ...What the—? Heart racing from the surprise, it pounded harder as he got closer, hand nearing my neck. His serious gaze—not his usual—amped it up.
He wouldn't do this with others around...? "...W-what're you doing?"
Louder than intended from shock. The two picking songs glanced over. Lee Seo-yeon smirked at our closeness. "Karaoke's no impure acts zone..."
As I floundered for a reply, Baek Sion said calmly. "Teaching Seol-ah to sing. Her voice is killer—little tweak and she'll nail it."
Heat flooded my head at his words, dizzying. Voice is killer? ...Sion, you praise too bluntly sometimes... Dim lights or not, my blush would show, so I dredged up basic magic theory I'd memorized ages ago to force calm.
Lee Seo-yeon eyed us like hopeless, muttering "solo life's the way..." as she linked arms with Park Harin and refocused.
"Breathing's 90% of it—changes fast." Simple demo, then real vocal coaching began. No jargon, just my level. What couldn't he do? Years together and I wondered, following along as my throat eased up. Used to hurt after 10 minutes.
One "flaw": his hands on my neck or abs for demos—or guiding mine—sent my heart hammering. Astasia knowledge or basics, he explained muscles passionately, innocently boosting my skills. His face said pure intent.
...Annoying. Him so earnest, me fluttering despite knowing better.
"Yeah, like that—high notes without strain."
He taught too well. Concepts clicked; he'd make a great teacher. After their song, he asked.
"I'll teach bits ongoing. Wanna hear anything?"
"...Sing it for me?"
"Sure."
Heat kept rising; I gave up cooling off. Stop unconsciously seducing me...! He gets shy showing intent, obvious then—but not now. This was messing me up... Praise, light touches, passion in his field, now song requests? Overload.
Sion shone too bright; needed dimming. I requested a ballad infamous for sky-high notes. Botch that, heart might settle.
...Sorry, Sion. But this calm wouldn't return otherwise.
He queued it without hesitation. "Whoa, that's insanely high."
"It is. But you asked."
As it started, I realized how casual he'd been earlier. ...No joke.
"...Seriously, why no idol career?"
"Music's hobby-only, decided long ago."
"Sion, tone it down. Hearts in Seol-ah's eyes."
Lee Seo-yeon teased stunned Park Harin and me. Normally I'd deny it, but nah—heart beams were real.
Suddenly recalled Sia chat: her bro outshone practical music kids. Doubted then; now realized she undersold as sis. High school level? Pfft.
...My future husband too good for me? Kinda grateful for Astasia kidnapping. Snagged him before anyone else.