The Bizarre Instrument Practice Room
In the full-length mirror at the front of the strangely shaped instrument practice room, my reflection was unmistakably that of a nine-year-old kid.
But the orchestra rock sound leaking through my headphones was intensely dramatic—completely at odds with that childish shell.
I rerecorded the guide vocal several times, syncing it to the track I'd just finished arranging.
It's definitely improved.
Even compared to my previous life's database, Seo Siyeon's vocals now stood out far more than they had in the early competition rounds.
Thanks to the efficient vocal mechanism I'd drilled into my body to overcome a child's narrow vocal cords and limited lung capacity.
A clear, transparent timbre that ended with a solid finish. It was a beautiful sound even seasoned adult vocalists would struggle to produce.
"...But it's still kinda bland."
I frowned as I monitored the recording again.
The track's sound was like a storm raging at the edge of a cliff, but my voice was just a frail flower blooming in that gale.
In other words, pretty, sure—but struggling desperately not to get swallowed by the overwhelming orchestra and sharp electric guitar. That had its own charm, but it wasn't the direction I was going for.
Honestly, it felt more suited to a vocalist like Yoo Seolha than to me. I grimaced at the thought.
"What's missing?"
No matter how long I pondered, I couldn't fully objectify my own performance.
Besides, as a vocalist, I was still amateur-level.
In the end, I decided to seek help from an expert who could solve this.
Korea's top vocal trainer was my mentor, after all. Might as well make use of him.
"Oh, Siyeon? You're here."
"Hello!"
Kayseop greeted me as I entered the annex studio. Luckily, he wasn't shirtless today, but his slicked-back golden blond hair was still intimidating.
"I've achieved some initial results, so... wanna hear it?"
I hooked up my laptop and played the arranged version I'd finalized over yesterday and this morning.
As the majestic orchestra sound blasted from the speakers, Kayseop's body, lounging back in his chair, slowly leaned forward.
His eyes shifted in an instant from variety show host to razor-sharp producer.
He didn't say a word until the track ended. Only after the final string's reverb faded did he let out a deep sigh and speak.
"...Siyeon, did you really do all this yourself? From that manga theme song? It's a total different vibe from the original."
"Yeah. I scrapped everything except the top line."
"I can't wrap my head around you being nine, no matter how many times I see it."
"Hehe... but Mentor, I have a question."
"Mm. Shoot."
I asked earnestly, facing the now-serious Kayseop.
"Everything's great, but my vocal feels a bit buried in the sound. The track is so full, but my voice just floats on top. I don't know what's lacking."
Kayseop stared blankly at me for a moment, then chuckled.
"Whoa. A nine-year-old worrying about that?"
"I figure it's time to pay attention to vocals too."
He swiveled his chair to face me directly. His eyes held something closer to fear than pride.
"Spot on. Siyeon, your singing right now is like the perfect straight-A student. Pitch-perfect, solid technique. But this genre is rock. Rock sometimes needs that raw, imperfect energy more than perfection."
"Imperfect energy?"
"Yeah. You're focusing too much on making it pretty—keeping your vocal cords super clean for that clear tone. But to cut through this massive sound, you need edge in your voice. A rougher, sharper texture."
Kayseop stood and pointed to the mic in the recording booth.
"Wanna try?"
I stepped in as instructed and belted out my arranged version of Myth Mystery.
"Say goodbye to Miss Mystery
Waiting for me is Ms. Mystery"
Kayseop listened intently, then cut the track at the highlight's high-note chorus.
"...Yes."
"Here's my take—watch."
Of course, Kayseop could sing. That's why he was still active.
He nailed the high note cleanly but slipped in a subtle scratchy rasp at the end.
"Like that. Think you can do it?"
"Mm... not sure."
"I'll coach you right here. Let's practice."
With the pro's focused training, I started getting the feel.
Kayseop seemed to sense it too, wiping sweat from his gleaming forehead with a relieved sigh.
"Phew... Must be 'cause you're young? You pick it up fast. This is good for now—practice the feel on your own."
"Got it. Thanks for your help!"
"Yeah, sure!"
That's when I remembered why I'd come to him in the first place.
"Oh right! Mentor."
"Hm?"
"Can you check this out?"
I pointed out how the pre-chorus felt too plain, and Kayseop nodded like he got it.
"Hmm... Honestly, I'd recommend some intense effects."
He suggested sub-drops and explosions—stuff I'd already tried and rejected.
"Sorry it didn't help. I'll think more and we can talk tomorrow?"
"Yes! Thank you."
Heading back from the annex to the main building, I found the Blooming members still giggling like they were on a school trip, hogging the living room.
"Aaah! Our little cutie is here!"
"Ooh."
Yoo Seolha scooped me up mid-stride and plopped me on her lap.
"Hooow..."
Leaning my head against her soft, jiggling chest brought a wave of calm to my mind.
How does this squishy mass control human emotions so completely?
I poked at Yoo Seolha's breast. My fingers sank deep into the yielding flesh.
"Kyahaha! That tickles!"
"Does Siyeon want huge ones like these too?"
Kim Seoli, the drummer with her typical delinquent high-schooler look and narrow squinting eyes, asked with a wink.
"Mm. Even so, those seem a bit too big."
"Right? Hers are ridiculously huge."
Jo Naeun perked up, eyes sparkling. As the one closest to "whale" size among the five, she loved hearing that.
I glanced over Jo Naeun's body.
But hers are way too small anyway.
Barely there—maybe even smaller than mine now?
"Hey! Whale girl. Bigger is always better."
"Shut it, flatty."
As I watched them bicker blankly, Park Heesu announced break time over and dragged a wobbly Jo Naeun—who'd taken verbal abuse from Heesu all session—to her feet.
"Ah. Wanna watch, Siyeon?"
"I'd be honored if invited."
I was genuinely curious what stage they'd put on.
Because from the situation so far, Blooming seemed the group I'd tangle with most even after Singer Star ended.
With glassy sky, their combo's power was set. Unlike others heading to major agencies, Blooming would have more freedom, making collabs easy.
And with no composers in Blooming, they'd be essential for my future activities.
Win-win to keep good relations.
"Oh. I know this song."
"Ah, yeah. It's famous."
Blooming's pick for this round was a famous band song by Black Humpback Whale.
Known for its wistful chorus and slow tempo unusual for band rock—basically a rock ballad.
"Great choice. Should suit you all perfectly."
"Right? Jina sunbae picked it!"
She sure had an eye for songs.
No wonder an ex-idol built her company into one of the Big 3.
That's when my eyes caught a weirdly shaped instrument in the corner of the practice room.
A guitar with a fan attached to the front—what the hell was that for? Was it even an instrument?
"What's that?"
"Oh... that? Fan effector, apparently? Naeun made it."
"It has a unique sound. Wanna hear?"
While setting it up, Jo Naeun explained the principle briefly.
"So the spinning fan distorts the sound waves?"
"Yep! Makes for some crazy weird sounds."
Jo Naeun, thrilled I was interested, kept explaining.
Guitar tone warps like it's underwater, creating a tremolo effect...
Whatever—I just wanted to hear it. No real goal, just pure curiosity about the sound from something so bizarre.
And the moment Jo Naeun strummed and played...
I felt it.
"Can I try that for a sec?"
This would be the final piece of my arrangement.