Chapter 154
...Is it wrong to like him that much? But seriously, why is he so good at vocal coaching? I've never been to a vocal academy myself, but most people need months of lessons to see real improvement. And here I am, feeling a tangible change after just a few tips from Baek Sion...
I was so curious that I decided to just ask him directly.
"But why are you so good at teaching?"
"Hmm, maybe because Baek Sia taught me a ton. She's in composition, so no practical vocal training, but she really wanted to sing well."
"Have you two gone to karaoke together?"
"Yeah, to Kono sometimes."
It hit me again just how close the Baek siblings are. Plenty of families would think it's weird for a brother to hit karaoke with his little sister. But considering they're only a year apart, they're basically besties.
Leaning in close so the others wouldn't hear, Baek Sion whispered to me.
"And I picked up all sorts of stuff in Astasia. That probably helps too."
"...Yeah, I kinda figured."
Most advice on singing well boils down to practicing until you find your own feel for it. But Baek Sion just adjusted my breathing with a few touches and made it effortless.
"Plus, you're picking it up super fast. It took Sia forever."
"...Yeah."
I decided to let the praise shower slide off me now. He probably goes overboard with compliments in teacher mode. He mentioned prepping to be a health teacher—bet he'd be popular with the students. The nurse's office is basically a hangout spot anyway.
"Give it a try. Don't overthink it—just sing. You've already got the hang of it."
While Lee Seo-yeon and Park Harin chatted and picked a song, I stood up and headed over.
"So, learned a bit?"
"Yeah. Thought he was a pro vocal trainer for a sec."
"Baek Sion really can do everything."
Park Harin's genuine awe made me smile naturally.
"...You look thrilled just praising Baek Sion."
"......"
...Did I grin too wide? I grabbed the karaoke remote instead of answering.
I usually skipped songs with high notes, but now I felt like I could handle it. Even if I bombed, it'd just be a little embarrassing. The first song's the hardest—after that, the shyness fades.
I queued up a solo track from the national queen of female singers—one I listened to now and then.
"Ooh, Yoo Seol-ah's triple high note..."
"Don't jinx me..."
I covered Lee Seo-yeon's expectant eyes, then slipped back to Baek Sion's side. The karaoke vibe must've kicked in—seeing him gripping the tambourine melted away my last nerves.
"...Ah, ah."
As the intro played and I tested my voice like he said, it hit me: my real singing voice was clearer than I thought.
Confidence boosted, I dove into the first verse without a hitch.
Just changing how she produces sound makes a world of difference for someone with a naturally good timbre. Still no vibrato or fancy techniques, but the clear, refreshing vocals are seriously pleasant. The song's pretty high overall, yet she's singing with a totally relaxed face now.
Her comprehension must be off the charts—she's already locked in her own style way faster than expected. At the highlight triple high note, Park Harin and Lee Seo-yeon let out audible gasps.
After it ended, I gave her a heartfelt tambourine applause. She sang hard—dropped the mic and flopped back against the wall.
"...No way, how? The Yoo Seol-ah I know crushes 'Three Bears' the best..."
Park Harin was so shocked she was talking faster than usual.
Limp as a rag, Yoo Seol-ah replied.
"...'Three Bears' is kinda harsh, right?"
"You sang it last time we went karaoke."
"...Did I really?"
"......"
She dodged my eyes, no answer. Gotta hear that Three Bears for real sometime. With her new technique, it'd probably slap. Not weird to sing kids' songs at karaoke anyway. Back in middle school, when we'd bet on scores to cover tabs, kids' songs were a safe 90+.
Even after a bit, Park Harin—who'd heard her sing forever—was still stunned.
"Seriously, Baek Sion, you're amazing. You totally transformed her."
"Right?"
I was gonna say it was her natural talent, but Yoo Seol-ah beat me, eyes sparkling.
"Why are you happier about it?"
To Park Harin's baffled question, Yoo Seol-ah paused, then blushed.
After mumbling forever, she whispered.
"...Is it wrong to like him that much?"
...Sounded like it had double meaning, and I wasn't the only one who caught it.
Park Harin chuckled dryly and kept going.
"...We get you like Baek Sion a ton. It's cringey, so maybe tone it down?"
"That's not what I meant...! And 'a ton' is exaggerating...!"
Smart as she is, did she not realize? I stayed quiet, watching. Lee Seo-yeon silently searched up that famous couple-curse song and queued it.
"...Damn, we sang hard."
We maxed out the two-hour premium room plus 30-min extension, finally stumbling out a bit tired.
"I'm grabbing a taxi—you guys?"
"Gonna move some stuff ahead of time."
Said 'some,' but probably portaling to finish the move today.
"Then Harin, taxi with me."
"Yeah. You two?"
"Us? Bus should work."
"Cool. See ya tomorrow."
Premium escape room and karaoke—solid playtime. Now, chores.
Not far, so Yoo Seol-ah and I bused to the new place.
"Hold up."
She gathered mana unusually long—planning a big portal.
"---------, -----."
Three magic circles bloomed, forming a portal swallowing half the living room wall.
"Whew, let's go."
Pinpoint coords let you portal long-distance, but mess up and it's disaster. We left it open and headed to her studio.
"I'll link one here."
"Okay."
While she connected portals, I packed. Suitcase from move-in filled quick.
"Be right back."
"Your studio?"
"Yeah."
She thought, then approached.
"Stuff there too, right?"
"Piano or whatever."
"Let's go together. I'll open one there too."
Massive dual portals already mana-draining, yet she casually offers another. Peak Grand Mage vibes. She uses magic so modestly day-to-day, I forget sometimes.
"...Feels like weeks since my room."
"Not back since moving in?"
"Nah. Laptop's here anyway."
We'd skipped it for weeks. Pack now, and we're fully out.
At my door, she punched the code like it was hers.
"...Good memory."
"Don't forget important stuff."
Why's my code important? Whatever, moving on.
Dust on piano and desk screamed vacancy.
"...Two in a row's tough."
The huge one earlier was impressive—she barely blinked. Breathing a tad quick now, but not wrecked. Even Yoo Seol-ah struggling shows spatial magic's brutality.
Sitting on my bed, eyes closed, deep breaths. I absentmindedly patted her head.
She snapped her eyes open.
"...What?"
"...Just, good job."
Unconscious habit—then I remembered surveys saying girls hate head pats. Messes hair, etc. I pulled back slyly.
"......"
But she grabbed my wrist silently, plopping my hand back on her head.
...Keep going, then?
I stroked gently—her breathing eased.
"...Haa..."
Face relaxed too. Wondering how long, then—
"...Ahh, s-stop..."
Lost in soft silver strands, I zoned out. Her breaths quickened... differently. I yanked my hand away.
"...L-let's pack!"
"...Yeah."
Avoiding eyes like a pact, we dove into moving boxes.