The Demon in Her Song Exposed
The demon of song tried to make an appearance, but Lara shut it down. Probably because of the feedback from that day. Lara had taken the emotional wound straight to the heart, slamming shut the doors to her mind—and to communication with a classmate who talked like total shit.
Seonggwang finally pieced together what was going on and tried calling her, but every single messaging app was already blocked. First time he'd ever been SNS-blocked after some drama blew up. With messaging out as an option, he had to choose: go grovel in person to Lara, or just say fuck it and go solo.
"…Should I apologize?"
He muttered to himself while staring at the post.
Apologizing wasn't impossible. But just bowing his head felt iffy. No, honestly, he really hadn't meant it that badly. She was a vocalist, even if not majoring in it, so he figured she'd handle it fine. He didn't think he'd done anything that wrong. Seonggwang was innocent.
"Tch, who gives a shit about a group. I can just do it solo."
Who was he? A legend in the classical world and a supernova in composing. Seong to the Kwang. Didn't dramas always have that trope? Some regular employee fired from a big corp drops into a normal company and shows off insane big-corp skills... Yeah, like that. He saw himself the same way. Pure skill-wise, he was still rubbing shoulders with top pros. Music school kids sniffing around couldn't compete. No need for tone-deaf singer handicaps—he could crush high school level just by getting a little serious.
As long as Teacher Seo Hyun-gyu okays a solo group, no problem at all.
He scrolled to the top three and closed it. Time to ask Teacher Seo Hyun-gyu. It'd probably be fine anyway, but just in case.
As he walked with those thoughts, a familiar face passed by.
"Oh, Teacher Seo Hyun-gyu."
Seo Hyun-gyu, mug in one hand and toothbrush in the other, stopped in his tracks.
"Seonggwang, perfect timing. I was just looking for you."
"I had a question too. About the solo group…"
"That's actually what I wanted to talk about. I asked around, and it's a no-go."
"…."
"Checked with a few people, and they all said no. I'm not super clued in on school or teacher stuff, but something about educational evaluations… that's the snag, I guess."
Seo Hyun-gyu smiled brightly all by himself and patted Seonggwang's shoulder.
"But hey, no worries. You grouped with Lara, right? Make it work with her. She's a fun one."
"……."
"Gotta run? I'll fill you in on eval criteria next class."
He flashed a refreshed look, like everything was solved, and walked off. Seonggwang was left behind—and left to think.
"…What was my top ranking again?"
Music genius Seonggwang! Confirmed underdog tears!
"Sorry. Forgive me."
"…."
With nowhere else to turn, Seonggwang ended up at Class A. Luckily, Shin Lara was there shaking out her side ponytail with friends, and her face scrunched up obviously when she spotted him. She was pissed more than expected. Of course, he hadn't banked on easy forgiveness. Maybe 70% odds.
"What's that in your hand?"
Perfect question. He bowed politely and offered her the paper bag.
"An offering… Famous fruit glutinous rice cake set from that place all the girls love these days…."
"I don't like that stuff."
"Huh."
Total fail. Of course she wouldn't like overpriced desserts like that. Shouldn't have trusted SNS. Next time, hit up high school girl galleries or crossdressing ones for advice. At least those guys obsessed with high school girls or wanting to be one would know the psyche.
"Lara, if you won't take it~ I'll have it!"
One of her friends, who'd been staring blankly, lit up at the offering and spoke up. Seonggwang glanced at Lara and handed her the bag.
"Here."
"Score~"
The girl snatched it excitedly, unwrapped the pale glutinous rice cakes, and received them like holy relics. Seonggwang still couldn't fathom the price tag. Nothing special taste-wise. But the girls went nuts, snapping pics and beaming with worldly happiness as they popped them in their mouths.
The one who'd naturally snagged Lara's share wiped crumbs from her mouth and asked him.
"Seonggwang… right? Wanna group with me if you haven't found one yet? I'm vocals major."
"…For real?"
Easier than expected to snag a new member. He asked back in surprise, and Lara yelled in a fluster.
"Hey!"
"What? You said you weren't doing it with him. So I'll take him. Seonggwang's hot. And our teacher said his music is fucking amazing."
That teacher must have killer music insight. Get her contact later—maybe score a meal.
"Plus, Lara kinda sucks at singing."
"Whoa~ I was shocked at karaoke. Thought you were joking to make us laugh. Couldn't even laugh."
Munching the offering, her friends roasted Lara left and right. Lara scowled, heating up nicely. She hated getting called out on her singing that much, even if it was that bad.
"So, Seonggwang, wanna group? If yes, tell Hyun-gyu next class."
She asked again, and Lara shot him a side-eye. Honestly, grouping with this girl seemed easier than dragging Lara. Vocals major for starters. Even if bad, better than Lara. Hell, who could sing worse than her?
"Hmm…."
Quick internal debate. He pondered a bit, then turned back to Lara. Decision came fast.
"I'm good… I'll stick with Lara."
"Huh? Really?"
"Yeah, her voice is weirdly addictive…."
"Unique taste…."
Skill-wise, it was all mid anyway—what's the diff? Better keep his word. He hadn't said he'd bail just 'cause she couldn't sing. Just wondered if vocals would be an issue. He looked at Lara again.
"Lara, I'm really sorry. Forgive me just this once? I'll get serious."
No, he'd always been serious. Wasn't teasing—he'd meant she sang that badly. Can't-sing isn't a crime. …Unless you're a pro.
"…."
Lara stared sullenly, then sighed deeply.
"…Fine, but fix that mouth of yours."
"I'll try."
"Not try—fix it."
Somehow, forgiveness secured. A faint smile on her face, she glared at her friend and snatched the rice cake.
"Gimme! He brought it for me—why're you eating it?"
"Aah! You said you didn't want it~"
"If you're giving it away, I'll eat it!"
Lara wrested it from their hands, stuffed both cheeks full, and chewed with her tiny mouth. Bad expression meant she really didn't like it. Next apology, ask and buy something else.
Back in the cleaned-up third-floor empty classroom. Tidied a bit, it looked way better. Swapped amps for low-noise ones, hijacked recording gear from Lee Junwoo.
"Why does this non-vocalist have such pricey recording shit?"
All high-end, easily millions each. Sell used and coast for months.
"So… what're we doing today?"
Lara, watching cute cat videos, asked. Seonggwang fired up the laptop recording program.
"Singing."
"…Again?"
"Don't like singing?"
"No, it's not that…."
Lara, who'd hated singing in front of others, especially resented it after that day. Not good. Recordings could cover with software, but live? Had to belt with guts even if off.
"Don't worry. Not pop songs this time—just voice analysis. Hit various notes, see where it breaks."
"No pop songs then?"
"What? Gotta sing 'em. You're chorus vocals, right?"
Beyond pitch, lyrics delivery mattered. Pronunciation, pacing. Great tone and highs mean zilch if lyrics slur. Lee Junwoo reading drama scripts with cheesy lines wasn't just escaping bachelorhood.
"Warm up first, check basics. Sing the notes on the sheet?"
Lara took the score, cleared her throat lightly.
"Ah— Ah— Ah—— Ah—— Ah——!"
"Good so far… Half-step up here."
"Ah! Ah—! Ah—! Ah—! Ah————"
"That works too… Wind instrument background? No breath issues."
Praised for her music, Lara blushed faintly. Honestly baffling. Girl who nailed this far tanked on songs.
Not tension either….
"Lara, belt your absolute highest note."
"Highest?"
"Yeah, build slow, no strain. Ready? Go."
She breathed deep, scaled up slowly. Voice shook higher up. Face muscles clenched as it got tough.
"Ah————!!"
Long high note for seconds, then he waved to stop. Panting hard, she chugged water.
"D5-ish… Solid for full voice."
Highs climbed clean, chest voice rang strong. Decent sense too.
Why the hell can't she sing?
Yeah, that was the puzzle. Not prodigy-level, but this raw material shouldn't flop. Even humming shouldn't suck this bad. What demon lurked in that pure girl's throat, twisting it to chimp-ass-orgasm noise?
"Hmm…."
Pitch analysis wouldn't cut it. Just more confusion. Ultimately, he composed pop, she sang pop. To diagnose, hear her sing pop.
"Lara, warm up. One more song."
To her bored look.
"Song?"
"Yeah, that one you tried last time? Your confident pick. Just once."
She looked reluctant. No choice—fix this to make her vocalist.
"Need to pinpoint the issue. Fix now or internet roasts you?"
Netizens were brutal. Anonymous = no filter. Lara knew, nodding pale-faced.
"Okay, prep."
Amp good, recorder good. All set.
"Final fusion approved!"
Plugged phone into amp, hit play. Intro flowed, Lara tensed rigid. He thumbs-upped her nerves.
"Sing chill. No expectations."
"…."
She flipped him off, closed eyes to focus. Intro near end. Vocal steadied, throat vibrated.
"Morning sunlight spills on the floor~"
She started; he checked waveform. Studio ideal, but booked solid weeks out—even Junwoo couldn't hook it up. Settle for crap setup.
"Singing songs with lyrics I don't know— humming along—"
Song continued. Eyes on program, ears dissecting notes. Whispered so she wouldn't hear.
"What the fuck is this voice…."
Sure enough, singing = instant ruin. Bright, light, pearl-on-marble tone twisted cheap and grotesque, like granny smut audiobook. Not for a high schooler, but scary if she moaned like that in bed.
Ask her boyfriend someday.
One review for her song: "Can't sing." Normies or casual friends would say that. She probably knew.
But he was different. Dissected the summary.
Clashes harmony constantly. Knows basic progressions but lingers on non-chord tones.
Phrasing ignores harmonic shifts. Reacts only to current chord, no anticipation. Worst: unclear root notes.
Break it down—fixable. Not talent or knowledge gap. Music school kid, not normie.
Why sing like that?
Trauma? Vocal damage? Happens sometimes.
"…Hey."
"Where's the problem…."
"Hey?"
Her voice snapped him up. Phone showed song done.
Finished full song, Lara looked down.
"I finished…."
"Oh, uh, sorry."
Stopped recording, sank back into thought.
What the hell's wrong?
Ask medical history? Dropped casually.
"Yeah, you sang well… Good job."
"Right? Felt better this time."
"Yeah… Sure."
…
"Huh? What'd you say?"
Her words jolted him. What did that bitch just say?
"Y-you said it felt better this time… That you sang well."
"Yeah, but…."
Total white lie. How could anyone call that good? Barely choked it out. Assumed she'd see through, but… she said it was good?
"Suck… No way."
Hunch hit. Found the issue. He'd chased external demons. Problem closer, simpler.
"Lara, one more a cappella?"
"Eh… Again?"
"Highlight's fine. Wanna use as lullaby."
"A~ Can't say no then. Once?"
Flattered by empty praise, she cleared throat.
"Streetlights blink like they know me— steps fall perfectly in sync—!"
Hit record as she sang. Awful noise digitized.
"Phone buzzes~ Is it you? Acting casual— but check right away—"
Highlight done, she relaxed chest. He slammed spacebar to stop.
"Ah~ Feeling good today! Could do more."
"…."
Gestured smug-smiling Lara over.
"Lara, listen to this."
She squatted beside. Glanced, hit play.
Her song blared from laptop. That horrific track she thought perfect. Her reaction? Laugh? Brag?
"…What the hell is this?"
Nope—face soured worse than his. From confident to horrified, just like him.
Confirmed. Overthought it. Chasing phantom demons afar.
"Knew it…."
Proof of no demon. Easier to prove absence. Demon never there—problems always close.
"Th-this… what is it? What the fuck?"
Shocked at her own voice, she pointed shakily at laptop.
"Lara."
Cold shot.
"It's your singing."
"Eh…?"
She plopped to the floor in disbelief. Simple really. Music school kid couldn't be hopeless. Not knowledge, not talent. Not intentional. Just tragic.
"All those cool techniques you thought you nailed… sound like this to others…."
"N-no… lie…"
Pure girl's voice sacrificed to that ruinous sense-demon. So pitiful, he bowed head in silent prayer.