Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Impromptu Jam Session
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"What? Why'd you come without even texting?"
Ayoung looked pretty shocked that I'd shown up.
Was it because I never usually come and then suddenly appeared?
"I did text right before I got here."
Technically, I just asked if she had anything going on today.
"Oh? Huh? For real?"
Ayoung checked her phone late and saw the text, then looked back at me.
"But that was ten minutes ago?"
"Ahaha... Does that really matter? Anyway, what's in the bag I brought?"
My topic-changing skills had reached a level no ordinary person could touch.
"Oh, this? Just some simple snacks. A few cans of beer too."
Ayoung fell right for the tactic that fooled thousands of Mirodan every day, with no resistance.
"Ooh... You're drinking beer with Hyunsu here?"
"Hyunsu can just have a soda."
Ayoung said that as she pulled a cola can from the bag and lightly tossed it to Hyunsu.
"Whoa, what if you throw it like that? It'll explode."
"It's fine. Let it sit for a bit and the fizz settles."
Hyunsu caught the arcing cola can, sighed, and set it on the table.
"Want something to drink?"
"Hmm... I'm good for now."
I'd chugged about 2-3 liters of water during recording just a few hours ago, so nothing appealed.
"Okay, I'll stick it in the fridge, so grab some whenever."
Ayoung said that, dropped the bag in the kitchen where the other band members were already organizing the fridge, and came back.
"You said you'd put it away?"
"They'll handle it. I bought it with my card."
"Ah."
If she paid, then yeah... she had every right to slack off.
"Anyway, what were you up to?"
"Oh, I was in the area, so..."
"Hyunsu didn't call you?"
"Huh?"
"Couldn't resist the PD's nagging and came for the ratings?"
Ayoung teased, and Hyunsu next to her looked horrified.
"What?? What are you talking about?"
"Hyunsu, you got duped by that PD who promised to promote your song properly, and now you're even on a variety show."
"Well... yeah, that's true."
I was pretty surprised by the conversation.
Even someone like Hyunsu doesn't pass up variety appearances to promote his songs.
Come to think of it, singers with tons of hits still go on shows everywhere to promote new tracks...
"This guy's changed. See the makeup on his face? The dude who couldn't even apply sunscreen properly..."
"No wonder... Hyunsu really insisted I come today."
"What?? Sis? You said you were here to learn guitar."
"Huh?? Learning guitar?"
Only then did Ayoung's attention turn to the guitar I was holding, thanks to the mention of guitar lessons.
"Hyeok's guitar, huh?"
"Yeah, with permission last time."
"Oh right, yeah. But why the hat pulled so low? Hiding that face is a crime."
"Actually..."
I gave Ayoung a rough explanation.
I'd come not knowing about the shoot, so I was covering my face for now.
"Oh? The PD's gonna be bummed."
I'd wanted to ask why she kept calling the PD "that guy," but every word went straight to the PD's ears through the mics on Ayoung and Hyunsu.
Knowing that, I couldn't pry.
"What's to be bummed about? She's pretty even covered up."
"Can I hit you?"
"If possible, avoid the face..."
Smack!
"Ow!"
Ayoung smacked my back anyway. Drummer hands pack a punch—spicy.
"You earned it. Take it sweet."
"Ow..."
"So, what part are you here to learn? That song you were practicing?"
"Yeah, exactly. I can mostly play it, but I hit a wall at one point."
"Oh, I know exactly. Happens all the time."
Ayoung nodded in sympathy and shifted to sit properly.
"Then play it once. I'll watch."
"Sounds good to me."
I was planning to play it for Hyunsu anyway.
As I picked up the guitar to play, the camera swung my way.
The other band members sorting stuff also turned their eyes here.
"What the...? That's my guitar..."
I ignored Kang Hyeok's mutter in the midst of it and started playing.
My clumsy performance began soon after, and Hyunsu nodded along.
"I know this song."
"You do?"
"Yeah, from a band I like."
As expected, not too surprising.
Good thing, too—playing guitar clumsily alone in the silence was embarrassing as hell.
"So you know how to sing it too?"
"Huh? Well, yeah?"
"Then sing along with the guitar."
Wouldn't it be a crime not to hear it now?
"Huh? Right now?"
"Music's meant to be impromptu."
He stopped playing, readjusted the guitar—a signal to start over from the top.
"Whoa! Then I'll do drums!"
Ayoung, watching, thought it'd be fun and dashed to the drums—tatadak.
With Ayoung ready, Hyunsu looked troubled, but as I started playing once she sat, he composed himself quick.
Of course—a singer, after all.
This is what they call broadcast chemistry.
Come to think of it, I'd never seen Hyunsu sing live.
Perfect chance for a front-row seat.
My shaky guitar mixed with Ayoung's booming drums, and the performance kicked off.
"Ah—"
Then, the voice of the 19-year-old chart-topping genius musician, Slim Gold, rang out under the gaze of countless cameras.
"Whoa..."
How does his voice change like that?
Midway through marveling at Hyunsu's rock-solid pitch from the start,
I spotted the PD in the corner, grinning ear to ear.
That happy?
I pondered the PD's glee briefly, then refocused.
My clumsy guitar was in danger of getting buried under Ayoung's drums and Hyunsu's voice.
I concentrated harder than in any practice, fingers flying, ears tuned to Hyunsu's song.
Unusually, he sang Korean lyrics adapted from the Japanese original, and his unique timbre turned it into something like his own original track.
Singing someone else's song like it was his—that's talent.
Watching this new side of Slim Gold, I glanced at Ayoung on drums.
I'd only seen her crybaby side, but drumming? Total pro vibe.
Despite my amateur guitar, these two pros covered my flaws perfectly, turning our little improv into their show.
Hearing pro music live, not through speakers or earphones—whole new feel.
A league above an amateur like me.
Every moment, every part delighted the ears.
Was this song always like this?
It was woman Kim Suhyun's frequent listen; now I get why.
But the song built to climax, reaching my limit.
What now? The second highlight where I always brick is coming.
I didn't want to end it here...
Push to the limit; if it fails, laugh and apologize.
Steel myself and kept going.
Then, mid-song, Hyunsu approached me.
"—Ah—!"
One syllable out, he passed the mic my way and grabbed my guitar.
"Since you pushed me like that, sis can sing too, right?"
He shoved the mic into my arms, took the guitar I'd been playing, and started strumming in my place.
"Ha."
His boldness drew a dry laugh.
This song? Never sung it.
But woman Kim Suhyun had heard it dozens of times at least.
And Hyunsu just sang it right in front of me?
He shone so bright; time to return the favor.
Ahem, ahem.
Tiny throat clear.
Second highlight incoming.
Ayoung pounding drums, Hyunsu on guitar way smoother than me.
Other band members and a dozen staff watching me, stunned.
Ordinary person would choke.
But who am I?
Guy who chats solo to thousands daily?
Light smile, posture straight, mouth open.
No match for Hyunsu's skill or technique...
But woman Kim Suhyun's—no.
'My timbre' would captivate them all.
"Ah—!"
That's what makes me Miro.
*
"Whoa, that was awesome!"
Song over, Ayoung wiped sweat and yelled.
It really was.
How long since fun like this?
Streaming, manga, anime—fun, but this was different.
Like feeling life itself.
"Yeah. That was seriously fun for me too."
True to form, Hyunsu's energy was sky-high.
"Man, we're all itching to play now, huh?"
The band members who'd watched dazed now approached, instruments in hand.
"Sigh... Makes me wanna busk."
"Go tonight?"
"Nah, more importantly—my guitar."
"Ahaha... Used it well."
I took the guitar from Hyunsu and handed it to Kang Hyeok—the only member without an instrument.
"Yeah... You played great."
"But Hyunsu was even better than me?"
Honestly shocked. Heard he had basics, but this was pro-level.
Genius standards different? Kinda unfair.
"And I'm better than that Hyunsu."
Bit ambiguous?
I eyed Kang Hyeok like "what?", and he exchanged looks with the others before continuing.
"Been a while since I got fired up. Up for one more gig?"
"Gig?"
"Stage right here, audience... over there."
Kang Hyeok pointed—staff huddled. Or rather, cameras set up.
"What do you say?"
"Uh..."
But now I had no instrument?
I eyed him, but Hyunsu piped up first.
"Hmm... Wanna do a duet?"
"Shall we?"
Man, am I over-servicing today?
I side-eyed the filming staff.
Locked eyes with the beaming PD—he flashed double thumbs-up.
Made sense, but kinda ridiculous.
"...Figures."
Producers are all ratings-crazed, confirmed.