Crushed Under Self-Inflicted Disaster
Shin Lara, a first-year Class A student at Seoul Practical Music High School, found herself crushed under the weight of a disaster she'd brought upon herself. Yesterday, after wrapping up her hectic schedule, she'd been rolling around at home to shake off the piled-up fatigue and stress. Recalling something someone had said, she'd grabbed a classic novel her dad was reading, but she hadn't even made it past three pages before firing up her phone to scroll through cute puppy reels.
Ring ring ring ring...
"...A call? From who?"
A sudden incoming call from someone she'd been hanging out with more lately— one of her groupmates. Wondering what the hell it could be about, she picked up, only to hear him summoning her to some karaoke joint. It was a totally out-of-the-blue invite. They weren't close or anything, not quite at the "friend" level. She'd just recently upgraded her internal rating of him from "not that bad" after some recent interactions. And now this ambiguous connection was calling her to karaoke.
"What the...?"
For a moment, she questioned his intentions, a faint ominous feeling creeping in. Was he harboring some dark crush on her? The guy had such a reputation for chasing women that even adultery rumors had swirled around him. Was his sleaze reaching out to her now? But then she'd picture the boy's face, and it didn't feel that repulsive...
"...Ugh, what am I even thinking."
She shook her head sharply, banishing the lewd thoughts. Sure, his face was intimidating enough to make her shiver. The address he texted was a karaoke spot—not too far from her house. After a brief hesitation, she headed out. They had to keep working together going forward, after all. Maybe opening up a bit to this guy, who seemed to care about her in his own way, wouldn't be so bad.
"......"
She'd had thoughts like that once.
"I just called you 'cause I didn't have anyone else to ask. Was relieved when you said you'd come. Thanks, Lara!"
"......"
Shin Lara realized she'd misjudged him, muttering to herself that people couldn't be fixed.
Shin Lara, who'd answered my summons, wore a deeply displeased expression at the situation before letting out a long sigh.
"Haaa..."
Lara glanced at me, lips pursed like she had a lot to say, then flicked her eyes toward Juhee and Junwoo beside me before squeezing hers shut. If those two weren't here, who knows what would've gone down—I sidled closer to Moon Juhee just in case. The teachers watched her, and Lara instinctively bowed to them.
"...Hello, Principal."
"Uh, y-yeah... You're...?"
"Shin Lara, first-year Class A."
"Oh, r-right? Are you... friends with Gwang—no, Seonggwang?"
"No."
".........I see."
Moon Juhee floundered, while Lee Junwoo quietly looked away. Probably because he taught Lara's class or something, so they knew each other a bit. Her words stung a little, though. We weren't exactly friends, sure, but couldn't she at least hesitate? The instant denial felt like she was drawing a hard line between us. I'd thought we were getting closer.
"That hurts, Lara... We're not even worth that much to you?"
With Juhee and Junwoo right there, she couldn't make a scene, so I pushed a bit. Lara stared at me blankly, then beckoned me over. As I approached, she leaned in close and whispered just for me.
"See you after this ends."
"......"
With that short line, she pulled back, face still icy as she grabbed the karaoke remote. I quietly returned to Juhee's side and hooked my arm through hers; she recoiled in disgust.
"What the hell's with this punk now?"
"Sis, I don't wanna go home tonight."
"...Get off."
Juhee coldly shook off my arm. Tears welling, I glanced at Junwoo beside us.
"...Bro."
"Scram."
"Hing..."
"Fucking gross... Gwang, can I just bash your head with a bat once? It's my dying wish."
"You'd kill me with a bat."
"Exactly why I'm using a bat."
I refused, and Junwoo clicked his tongue with genuine pity. In the end, everyone abandoned me. Only option left: accept death quietly. Well, if I'm dying anyway, might as well enjoy the time left. Juhee was handling payment with Lara's help right then, so I steeled myself to make the most of it.
"Okay, for additional payment, just hit this button and tap your card. Or use the kiosk over there."
"Uh, yeah... Thanks... Lara, right? You heading out now?"
"What can I do? He wants me gone. Can't squeeze in with you three anyway."
Lara said that, eyes burning with hatred toward me but also a hint of disappointment as she turned to leave. Yeah, my prank had gone too far. From her perspective, she'd made time to come when I called, and sending her right back felt harsh. Even if she said it like that, she'd come because she didn't mind me that much. Letting her go like this felt wrong.
"......Hm."
Of course, that was just a thought. I mean, after calling her out, telling her to stay would be awkward. She clearly felt uncomfortable around Juhee and Junwoo—her tagging along would look weird. She wanted to go home anyway, so I'd apologize later. Skip the trendy crap this time, ask her favorite food, send a gift card or something.
As I watched her retreating back with those thoughts...
"Wait, hold up!"
Someone stopped her reluctant departure. Lara turned, and there was Moon Juhee, hand awkwardly outstretched. Why the hell was she stopping Lara? Was age making her wanna hand out candy or something? Juhee gave an awkward smile.
"Um... Lara, wanna sing a few songs before you go?"
"......Pardon?"
Juhee's sudden offer froze the whole room. Had age made her sentimental, stirring some misplaced empathy? Or was she stepping up as the principal to fix her student's mess? Junwoo and I exchanged baffled looks; Lara's eyes went wide, clearly not expecting the invite.
"I just felt bad sending you off like that... Um..."
"Ah, aha... Yeah."
Lara's expression was a murky mix of smile and grimace at Juhee's lame follow-up. Why'd this auntie say that when she couldn't even own it confidently? From here on, everyone gets hurt. A bizarre scene where no one wanted to be around each other, despite all being off-duty for fun. One step from total disaster. Our only hope: Lara mustering the guts to decline.
"...Um, I..."
Thankfully, Lara read the room and started forcing out a refusal—
She'd make an excuse and bail; Juhee would channel the rejection sting into a song. The three losers could yell and have fun. That was the plan.
"Ah, if you're uncomfortable hanging with us, feel free to go..."
"Ah."
Juhee's "considerate" words. Junwoo smacked his forehead; Lara's mouth fell open in a dying gasp. Now, if Lara refused, it'd look like she really hated it here. What a devious trap. If Juhee planned this, I'd have to reevaluate her sneakiness.
"Ah... That is... Um..."
Trapped with no escape. Lara glared tensely at Juhee, then shot me a pleading look. I met her pitiful eyes but looked away—nothing I could do. Honestly, no skin off my back. Better to resolve it cleanly here than get chewed out later. Plus, I got along fine with both; it was them who didn't. Betrayed, her eyes trembled; she looked back at Juhee. From her view, screw karaoke—she wanted home. Just grow a spine, reject it, stab the offered kindness. If only she had the guts. But the Lara I knew wasn't that bold. If she were, she'd have spilled her hidden vocal ambitions ages ago.
"W-well, then... I'll sing a few..."
In the end, Lara swallowed tears and accepted. Junwoo clenched his jaw, covering his eyes; Juhee, lost, turned to me. Why seek me out after volunteering? Tough it out—that's your choice. With that, I cleared a seat for her.
"Here, Lara, sit."
"......"
Lara plopped down away from me. A twinge of hurt, I refilled my spot. Now this hopeless trio plus Lara: full Suicide Squad. No turning back.
"Aah, mic test."
I grabbed the mic, tweaking volume and echo.
"Alright, who’s first?"
"...".
No one stepped up, all eyeing each other. Time for a fair method. My mic decided the first singer.
It pointed at Moon Juhee, staring daggers.
"You first."
"Why me?"
"Respect your elders—in this land of Eastern etiquette, the oldest goes first."
Lady first too. As the industry senior, she should lead. She started this mess anyway.
"This whole thing's a sing-off with me. Don't act aggrieved—sing."
"......"
Unable to retort, Juhee took the mic, searching her phone for a number.
"Uh... 45182, play that?"
Lara inputted it; upbeat tunes started. Screen title: HAJIMEYO! MIRCLE!
"...What song's this?"
Never heard it. Foreign track? Would know once it kicked in. Junwoo paled. As intro played, Juhee grooved, warming up her voice. Lyrics appeared.
"...Hold up."
In Japanese.
"No way she's..."
My bad feeling hit as countdown reached 5. Juhee gripped the mic expertly and sang.
"Kimi no kokoro..."
Chop.
And it cut there.
"What? Why'd it stop?"
Juhee whirled, finding Junwoo with the remote.
"Anime songs are insane, sis."
"......"
"Saved you from a black mark on your history. Be grateful and act your age."
Junwoo's icy scorn; Juhee slunk back, dejected. So she was gonna sing an anime tune. Knew she was off, but not this quirky. Junwoo's "senile" jabs weren't jokes. Pity crept into my gaze.
"Gotta ask—what's with the anime song?"
"I can sing it... It's a good song..."
Ignoring Juhee's earnest nonsense, Junwoo rolled up sleeves to fill the void. His earlier words worried me, but with karaoke experience, he'd pick decently. He entered a number, gripped the mic tensely...
"Whew... Been ages since I sang."
"Singer vibes—mic suits you."
"Yeah? Singing's my true calling."
True calling, yeah. He didn't quit 'cause he sucked—just didn't fit. If he'd nailed legs or toto predictions, life'd be golden. His pick: —Fading Petals. Didn't know it. Korean ballad by title, better than Juhee's at least. Moody intro screamed vibe-killer, but hey—ex-pro singer. Starts slow, then builds.
'Please let it.'
I clasped hands in prayer, waiting. Fateful countdown.
"Following footsteps that left..."
Chop.
Song cut. Lara held the remote. Junwoo, guilty, just gave a sad look and slunk back without protest.
In the chilled air, only I asked Lara.
"Why nix this one, Lara?"
"It's a ballad... The moody kind only the singer enjoys."
"......"
"Old track no one knows—karaoke classic ban-list."
From vet Lara's view, worse than Juhee's pick. Or Junwoo seemed easier. I eyed him, head bowed in despair—pathetic.
"What's your problem?"
"...".
Got a peek why his albums tanked. Two cocky teachers sank; left: fiery young bloods Lara and Seonggwang. Lara's turn after cutting Junwoo, but...
"......"
"......Hm."
Her face said she needed time.
"Guess it's my turn..."
Shrugging helplessly, I seized the mic. No vocal training as instrumental major, but music is my life. My voice: ultimate instrument; hums: heavenly whispers. Hidden special vocalist Nightingale Seonggwang's debut = death knell for all singers.
"Declaring the end of vocal industry—appearing at this Jongno karaoke."
The three stared pityingly; Juhee piped up.
"Bullshit."
"Hey, auntie—if you'd sung that anime crap, I'd have roasted you. Thank the old man."
Snatched remote from Lara, searched by title. Junwoo squinted judgmentally.
"Staring after picking a ballad? Unlike you fossils, I'm doing upbeat—grab a tambourine and behave."
"......What song?"
"You'll know when you hear. Everyone here should."
Well, maybe not Lara? Famous but old; not overplayed due to backstory. Found it, hit start. Speakers: mellow bass, distorted electric guitar roaring. Hard rock from the jump. Lara's eyes sparkled—finally decent. Junwoo froze, knowing it. Juhee...
"...Hey. This is..."
"What? Everyone knows it, and it's hype."
Juhee shut up; I built tension through intro. Title: FOR MOON—Moonlight's fifth album track, signature song, Juhee dedication. For her, so she sang it.
"Ah~~"
I'd sing it right in front of her.
"......"
Juhee's dull eyes regained color. Fists clenched—moved by my sincerity? Junwoo eyed me in horror, muttering curses.
"...Crazy bastard."
Lara, who'd only heard snippets, asked puzzled.
"Why? Weird song?"
"...You don't know? What this is?"
"Principal's band track... That bad? Seems hype."
Junwoo closed eyes three seconds, glanced at Juhee, whispered to Lara.
"Truth is, that song's..."
"...".
Lara heard the full story, eyes widening, mirroring Junwoo's glare at me.
"Y-you psycho...?"
Her curse just spiced the mood; I awaited the start. FOR MOON—Moonlight's fifth album, signature, Juhee dedication. For her, sung by her.
And one more thing.
Lead guitar, main composer—band's true leader. Late Doer Jin's final work.
"......"
And I picked it with her right there.