Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Vocal Academy Enrollment
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Now that I think about it, female Kim Suhyun really is pretty.
Among women around 170cm tall, she had a fairly tall stature, a small face like a celebrity's, and features so sharp and defined... To the point that, while heading from school—where I'd submitted my withdrawal paperwork—to the vocal academy nearby, I hadn't seen anyone prettier than me.
The only uncomfortable part was the stares from people around.
I hadn't noticed it as a guy, but now that I'm a woman, I get it.
I could feel all those sidelong glances.
The women I used to check out back in my guy days must have felt this way too. Am I getting payback now?
Even that guy up ahead was peeking at me while looking at his phone.
Tall build, handsome face anyone could see, stylish outfit that screamed "I care about fashion," and perfectly styled hair. It felt weird that a guy like that was staring so intently.
On top of that, he cleared his throat a bit and checked his hair in his phone screen... Huh? Why's he coming this way?
"Excuse me. Could I maybe get your number...?"
Sure enough, my bad premonition hit the mark.
"Oh, I lost my phone."
"Then how about Insta..."
"I don't do Insta."
"What about KakaoTalk then..."
"We exchange letters."
"How about your address..."
"Excuse me?"
What the hell is with this guy?
At this point, most people would back off, but he's persistent.
"Haha... I know it's a bit much. But really, love at first sight..."
I stared straight into the guy's eyes.
Look at that confident gaze.
He's probably never been shot down after asking for a number in his life.
Guess it's time he experiences it once.
That's the role of a seasoned adult.
"You're not my type."
My words froze his expression.
Sure, he's a handsome guy no one would hate, but that's about it.
No heart-pounding thrill or anything.
"Haha... First time getting rejected like this."
"Yeah, I can tell. Anyway, bye."
He looked shocked and didn't try to stop me.
"Ha..."
I sighed as I left the station, leaving the guy behind.
Fifth time today.
I wasn't even dressed up—makeup was just like female Kim Suhyun's memories, and my outfit was similar to my guy days.
Just black pants, a patterned black oversized sweatshirt, and a cap. You know, that all-black street style you see once or twice on the road.
And guys are still hitting on me... What kind of life did female Kim Suhyun live?
Maybe that's not why she avoided going out...
Female Kim Suhyun had just been a homebody since elementary school.
"Is this it?"
The vocal academy was boldly located downtown, a short walk from the station. It was 3 PM now.
I'd get a consultation, meet up with Hyejeong, kill time at a cafe, then head to the promised barbecue spot.
"Welcome!"
As I went up to the second floor where the academy was, a young receptionist at the counter greeted me.
"Hello."
I approached the counter and greeted her back. She glanced at me, then checked her monitor intently.
"May I have your name?"
"I'm Kim Suhyun."
"Ah! Got it~ Wow, you're so pretty, I thought you were from some agency~"
"Haha..."
Getting praised so directly felt kinda weird again.
"Shall we head inside? The director's waiting."
"Yes."
On the way to the director's office, guided by the receptionist, there were various photos and autographs on the walls. I was pretty surprised to see pictures of singers and idols I recognized.
The reviews were good, but I didn't realize it was to this extent.
Following her inside led to the director's office.
"Right in here."
The director's office through the door she opened looked like any typical academy director's room.
Trophies and photos lined the walls, with a consultation table in the center flanked by sofas on either side.
And the director... was younger than I expected.
He looked like a well-aged actor in his late 30s or early 40s, sitting on one sofa.
"You're Suhyun, right? Nice to meet you."
I shook his hand as he stood and offered it, then sat across from him as guided.
"Hmm... There are two types of singing lessons, basically."
The director got straight to the point and handed me a pamphlet.
"We have advanced classes for those serious about a singing career, and hobby classes for casual learners. Which one are you, Suhyun?"
"Uh... um..."
'What do I say?'
Just say hobby? But if I pass the audition, I'll be pro...
Start with hobby and switch to advanced if I pass? Nah, that defeats the purpose.
This is an academy I'm enrolling in assuming I'll pass the audition—does hobby class even make sense?
"I'll go with the advanced class, please."
"I see... What style of singing are you aiming for?"
Style??
Uh... VTuber, so...
"Um..."
"Um...?"
"Japanese... songs a bit..."
"...Ah? You mean J-pop."
A chill swept the room for a moment, but the director nodded professionally and pointed to the pamphlet.
"See here? We teach J-pop well too. Some hobby students request it occasionally."
"I see..."
"Yes. Let's head to the recording studio and have you sing something. We need to hear your style for tailored lessons."
"Ah... Yes, got it."
"Follow me."
I followed him out of the office to the recording studio next door. While marveling at the pro setup I'd only seen on variety shows, he pointed to the soundproof booth inside.
"Please step in, and do you have a song prepared?"
"Oh, nothing specific..."
"Then sing something you're confident in. Preferably J-pop."
"Huh? A Japanese song?"
"We need to assess how you handle that style."
"Ah..."
Right... But Japanese songs? The only one I've properly sung is that otaku tune from the audition.
I hesitated over what title to pick, but quickly pulled myself together.
VTubing is my choice, and Japanese songs are what VTubers mainly sing.
Hesitating to say it means I'm not cut out for it.
"Th-the title is..."
"The title is...?"
"Fu... Fuwa Fuwa Love..."
"Ah... uh... Let me... find the MR..."
Seeing the director's stiff expression made me want to facepalm.
But getting embarrassed now would make me seem weirder. If I'm confident, others will follow.
I straightened my back even more and waited for the MR.
"Found it. Here we go."
Then I sang along to the MR. First time singing seriously in a recording booth, but with my self-hypnosis for confidence, my voice felt even better than usual.
"Hmm..."
Once finished, the director listened intently to the recording.
Kinda embarrassing... Listening so seriously to those lyrics... No, it's not embarrassing at all.
Shying from the lyrics would disrespect the songwriter.
I stood as casually as possible while time passed. He nodded after listening.
"Wow~ That's good. Great voice to start with... Just need to refine your technique and style?"
Thankfully, he praised me, and my face lit up.
"Right? My singing's decent, huh?"
"Yes, among casual folks, you're quite good."
See? My singing's good, right? I wanted to record his words and shove them at those community commenters.
"So, will you enroll?"
"Yes, right away."
And just like that, I successfully enrolled and stepped out.
"Whoa~ You go here now?"
As I exited the vocal academy, Hyejeong waved and approached.
"When'd you get here?"
"Just now. You told me to come, but you're really attending this place now?"
"Looks like it, starting next week?"
"Wow... You're serious?"
"Dead serious. Dropped out today."
"To that extent?? What if it doesn't work out?"
"Retake exams? Aim for S Uni engineering."
I said it jokingly, but retaking... hell no. With my height and proportions, maybe try fashion modeling?
Hey, I'm only 21. Worst case, I'll find something.
I don't have to go to the army, right?
That's two extra years compared to guy Kim Suhyun.
Thinking about skipping the military made me grin involuntarily. Hyejeong, walking beside me, frowned at me.
"What?"
"Just... You dropping lame S Uni jokes and giggling makes me wanna smack you."
"You wouldn't get it."
"What?"
"Anyway, where's the cafe?"
"Oh, there's an Insta-vibe one nearby."
"I don't do Insta..."
"I do?"
"Yeah... Do what you want."
"Hurry up."
The Insta cafe Hyejeong led me to was surprisingly decent.
My image of them was low tables uncomfortable compared to chairs, overpriced drinks, and weird decor. But here, prices were fair, tables normal. The only difference was the dreamy forest interior—clearly well-crafted. I had to admit it.
"Nice cafe."
"Right? It's famous."
As Hyejeong said, seats were mostly full. We luckily grabbed the last spot, ordered drinks, and chatted.
"That time my little bro... Yunjae..."
"Yeah? But..."
She mostly talked about herself while I reacted, but time flew.
"Oh yeah. You know?"
"What?"
"The drinking thing? Was supposed to be ten people, now it's twenty?"
"Why... Oh..."
I questioned it briefly, then got it. If a girl as pretty as female Kim Suhyun shows up to an alumni drink-up, I'd go too.
"You get it right away? Kinda annoying."
"Well, I'm not average-looking."
"Wow! Seriously! Are you nuts?"
Hyejeong looked exasperated at my words, and I shrugged teasingly—then got smacked.
"Anyway, let's head out."
"Where's the place?"
"Right next door."
I stood up following Hyejeong.
Alumni, huh...
Female and male Kim Suhyun went to the same elementary, middle, and high schools.
So some of the guys coming will be original male Kim Suhyun's friends.
I pondered how to handle them briefly, then let it go.
'No such thing as friends between guys and girls, right?'
I apologized to those friends in my head.
'Sorry, but I'm cutting you off.'
From now on, my friends won't be smelly, hairy-legged dudes—they'll be cute girls smelling of flowers.
'Good luck, have fun in the army.'
I stepped outside feeling refreshed.