Join Rocker Baby
"Alright, I've made up my mind. Time to get serious about prepping."
"Prep? What kind of prep?"
"I put together a concert setlist in advance. It's mostly major hits, but just in case, take a look."
"A setlist? We haven't even done the video judging yet. Isn't this jumping the gun?"
"Heh heh. The sooner the better for stuff like this."
They say strike while the iron is hot. Or that he who deliberates long makes mistakes. Above all, for us impulsive youths living in the moment, can we really afford to waste even a second? Choices should be snap decisions—we just own the consequences. I spout all this nonsense, and Lara eyes me suspiciously.
"...So if you already thought of that, does that mean you were planning to do it no matter what I said?"
"It's just prep so we're ready no matter which option we pick."
Of course, if Lara said let's stick to the usual, I was planning to throw a little tantrum. I've got the whole no-backup dopamine-fueled fun route mapped out already.
"Fine... whatever. So what's on the setlist?"
"It's not finalized, so I'll show you the list for now. We'll sing a few from these and pick the three that fit best."
In response to Lara's question, I show her the setlist. It's all songs she'd know. A bit dated—mostly from the 2010s. Major hits that aren't picky about taste, timeless, appealing across generations. No niche preferences needed, and plenty from Moonlight mixed in. The vibes are all similar too. And Moonlight is a rock band. Which means...
"...Why are they all rock songs?"
"What, you hate rock?"
"No, it's not that... but where are the ballads? Everything you've sung so far, even the songs you wrote, were ballads."
Lara's reaction isn't weird. A ballad-only girl suddenly hit with rock—straight-up classic rock, no less. Of course she's thrown.
"But Lara, there's a reason for it."
Yeah, reasons are always key. Reasons why Lara shouldn't sing ballads. Weighing objective judgment against my subjective greed, reasons why she has to do rock.
"Shin Lara, rock suits you way better than ballads."
"...Out of nowhere?"
"I had a hunch. You gotta do rock, Lara. That's where your talent lies!"
"No, seriously, just like that?"
Lara keeps looking baffled. Like she can't fathom why I'm pushing rock on her. She might not realize it herself, but isn't awakening that potential my job? Who am I? HOSHIKIRA, the classical comet everyone but Lara knew. Seong to the Gwang, the divine newbie who even influenced the composing world. In my genius eyes, Lara needs rock.
"What's the reason?"
"First off, you're rude to your parents."
"...?"
"You don't listen, you're stubborn as hell. Craving recognition. Rebellious..."
"Hold up."
Lara stops me, and I shut my mouth.
"I asked why I should do rock."
"That's what I'm saying."
"All that's come out is your gripes about me."
"What's there to gripe about you not listening to your parents? That's for your dad to worry about."
"So everything else is a gripe?"
"Oops!"
Damn, what a masterfully laid trap. So intricate I didn't see it coming. I clamp my mouth shut, and Lara grabs my collar.
"Oops my ass... Be straight with me. You hate me, don't you?"
"No way! Why would I hate you? Everything I said are core rock elements! Rebel spirit!"
"You're just beating around the bush. 'She's twisted, so rock suits her.'"
It's not wrong, though. Kinda spot-on, even. Rock was always for the misfits. And she's plenty twisted in my eyes. So obviously rock over ballads. She needs to vent that rage through insane distortion and overdrive!
"You're the one piling up my rage right now! Just pick one—praise or trash!"
"Calm down! There are other reasons!"
"...Like what."
"Y-You'll listen?"
"Spit it out first. I'll judge after."
Lara chills out at my words. Shocking. Old her would've nitpicked and grumbled every step. Guess we've built some trust. Like a feral cat finally warming up. Cat-mom Seonggwang. Kinda touching.
"I thought about your singing technique. Why such a pretty voice gets wrecked like that."
"...Yeah."
"Then it hit me~ I'd heard that style before."
No tone-deaf hack ruins their voice that bad naturally. It's harder that way. There's intent behind it. So I tracked where that intent comes from. And I found it. I build suspense slow, Lara swallows hard, hanging on my words.
"The truth comes out in 60 seconds..."
"I'm out. Good luck."
"Hey! I'll tell you! Metal! It's metal!"
"...Metal?"
"Yeah... heavy metal, thrash metal. Your style matches."
Lara looks surprised, and I wipe sweat from my failed prank.
"Metal... I've never even listened to it. Never sang it either..."
"Metal doesn't have some totally unique technique. It's just variations on basic vocal production."
Breath, phonation. Most techniques start there. Something's off somewhere, making it sound like that. Probably aimed for a different style. Lara rests her chin, ponders, glances back at the setlist.
"...But these songs aren't metal. You said my style's metal?"
"Two big reasons. First, metal isn't mainstream."
The genre name might be big, but the songs aren't familiar to the masses. Genre popularity vs. commercial hits are different beasts. Classical and jazz prove it.
"And more importantly, your style isn't metal."
"What? You just said it was."
"It resembles metal. You didn't intend it exactly. Screaming with that unstable phonation will wreck your throat."
"...So rock's the compromise?"
"Yeah. Mainstream, fun, and it plays to your unique vocal quirks better than ballads."
I did toy with turning her into a metal supernova, but hard metal chews up your voice. So rock it is. In my eyes, rock over ballads for her. Plus, I wanna hear her do rock once. Issue is, does she want to?
"Not really feeling rock..."
"Come on, Lara. You can't just live doing whatever you want."
"You said do what you want."
Lara hardens her face, calls me out. No comeback comes, so I stew. Why's she so fixated on ballads? Personally, I'd love rock from her over ballads.
'She did pretty good at that busking.'
I ponder persuasion tactics, then realize maybe no need. If she hates it, what can I do? Find another list.
"Fine, I'll grab a different setlist..."
Lara panics at my reaction instead.
"Uh, yeah... but why do you look so bummed?"
"I was hyped, y'know? Your raspy throat, those piercing highs—total rock material. You'd crush it."
"...Really?"
"Totally! Ballads make you look good, but rock vocals? Badass. Moon Juhee didn't drag fans around for nothing back then!"
"The principal did that? Hmm..."
"Her fandom was legendary. That charisma, that aura."
I might sound down on Juhee, but her peak popularity and status? Undeniable. She was a legend then. Her later moves tanked it, sure. I envisioned Lara as the second coming—or the dawn of Shin Lara legend. But if she hates it...
"Guess can't be helped... Sigh, I was so excited. Thought you'd kill it~"
"..."
I trail off regretfully on purpose. Lara smirks at the unintended praise, then squints at the awkwardness.
"...You're hyping me up thinking that'll make me listen, right?"
"Nah?"
Damn, Lara's sharper than I thought. Or always was. Figured a few compliments would loosen her up. Busted, I click my tongue. She snaps at me.
"Think a couple nice words make me that easy?"
"Not exactly~ But I hoped you might change your mind."
"I'm not a kid... You think words flip me just like that...?"
Lara crosses her arms, sighs, shakes her head in disbelief. Pouts, turns away sharply, then sneaks a glance back, pondering. Annoyed eyes, but can't hide the doubt. Probes again.
"...You really think I've got talent for it?"
I beam, thumbs up.
"On my level. Or better."
After that, Lara needs time to think, heads to class. I send her off and text her rock vocal teacher ahead. Haven't heard her decision, but prep for any choice, right?
Classes end, and a text pings from Lara.
"Easy."
I grin alone at the positive reply, but worry she's too swayed.
And so Saturday arrives. Day-teacher Lee Jeongyeon gives a break, calling in someone for Lara's crash course in rock vocals. Korea's vocal pinnacle, rock legend, the myth who wrote women's rock history.
"Don't embarrass me."
"Y-Yes, ma'am."
Despite yesterday's time notice, she sleeps in and shows two hours late. The sleeping dragon herself: Moon Juhee. Seonggwang's acquaintance, Lara's principal.
"... ."
"... ."
The two look painfully awkward. Lara hesitates due to Juhee's position; Juhee's been burned trying to buddy up after a fight or two. Neither steps up, just stands there awkwardly. Elder Juhee finally speaks.
"You're Lara, right? Sorry I'm late."
"N-No..."
And that's it. No more awkward chat attempts.
Why apologize only to Lara? I suffered her lateness too. I endured two hours of Lara's yapping while waiting. They both shoot me desperate eye-signals, so I wedge in.
"Lara, this is your rock technique and phonation coach. Say hi."
"H-Hi..."
Lara bows, Juhee returns it awkwardly. Lara tugs my sleeve, whispers.
"Wh-Why's the principal here?"
"I get hating her as a teacher, but my connections suck. Can't swap."
"No, it's... she's super famous and busy. Is this worth dragging her out for...?"
Ah, Lara's worried I'll burn bridges bossing people around. Or sniffing for my leverage secrets.
"Don't sweat it. She owes me from way back."
"Owes? The principal borrowed money from you?"
"Yep~ Cash before. And a debt of honor."
"Debt of honor?"
Lara eyes Juhee intently; she blinks, confused. Lara buys it somewhat, then debtor Juhee asks.
"Gwang. Heard you wanted rock lessons yesterday... What exactly to teach?"
"Technique, phonation. Y'know, singing stuff. Just pass on what you do."
"Thing is, I never studied formally. No clue how to teach it..."
She crosses her legs, rubs her tense neck. Right, I recall: dropout vocalist, no formal music training. Probably same or less schooling than Lara; her vocab struggles might trip her up.
"Hmm... Who taught you to sing? Not self-taught, right?"
"Picked up bits in bands... From... honest oppa, too."
"Then teach what they taught you."
"That? For real?"
"...What'd they teach? Wasn't proper?"
"No, it was... but..."
"Then teach that. You probably don't know other ways anyway."
Juhee fidgets, paces, agonizes, finally nods under pressure. Deep breath, loosens her stiff neck. Why drag feet on singing lessons? Novel for her, I guess.
"Okay, Lara... Gonna teach you about singing."
"Yes, Teacher Juhee."
"Teacher... whatever. Basically, I focus on exhaling when I sing. Power from the gut, scraping the throat? Friction on the cords."
Despite worries, she handles the lesson decently. Uses simple terms Lara gets, since even she doesn't know it all. Lara follows well; guess she has teaching aptitude.
"Call it attack? Steady breath, then gut-punch to cut sharp... Ever done it consciously?"
"...Not really."
"Yeah, but you do it unconsciously in special situations. Focus on that feel..."
"What situations?"
"Well..."
Lesson goes smooth till she can't explain the trigger, sweats bullets. Lara stares bright-eyed; Juhee side-eyes me for rescue. Why stall now? I gesture keep going; she sighs deep.
"L-Lara, no weird intent, just how I learned."
"Yes, teacher."
Juhee forces a shaky smile, says it.
"Ever... y'know, done that?"
"... ."
"Like... tantric stuff? Gone all ikeike?"
Lara freezes; I sweat, did I mishear? Only Juhee, eyes squeezed shut, looks skyward.