155 - I Unknowingly Rejected My Favorite

EP.155 #155. Her Perspective Yoon-je was a friend whose dedication to music exceeded my expectations. [Hey. Should I put this part in here or should I just cut it short with a single note?] Though I didn’t understand much about chords, I’d just go with the flow and choose what sounded best from a regular listener’s standpoint. [I think the second option sounds better. But maybe make the distortion sound a little stronger?] [Got it. I’ll resend it.] Thanks to his enthusiasm amidst a pile of signatures, integrating the guitar was progressing swiftly. The remaining sessions, such as drums and bass, also needed sound additions. I’d heard that I could easily manage those with the app I was using. In fact, I already had a basic drum version prepared. -Buzzz. I thought it was Yoon-je again, wondering if he needed anything else. But this time, it was our idol, whom we hoped would lend her voice instead of being just a composition assistant. [Hey, oppa.] [Hmm?] [Do you have plans on the 13th?] The 13th… I checked my calendar and replied. [Nope. Why?] Other than working on this song, I had no engagements. When funds ran low, I’d do short-term jobs, and my rent was covered by allowance from home. [Ah. There's talk about going on a double date...] Trailing off like that gave me an uneasy feeling. [...With whom?] This was the most important question, after all. If Fuming wanted to shoot a sequel, I’d politely decline. Or perhaps not, since Doa has done a lot for me, and I might owe her. Contemplating, I felt I should go along, but when the answer came, it was quite unexpected. [Clover unnie wants to see our couple with her boyfriend?] ...Clover? Mostly, I only watched Doa’s streams, but occasionally viewed clips from other members, too. Apart from highlight videos, there were clips showcasing the chemistry with Doa, naturally popping up in algorithms… [All of a sudden?] [Yeah. She seemed quite desperate...] Meeting Doa is understandable, but why is she so eager to include me? [Does she know who I am?] [Nope. Probably not. Fuming knows, but she assured me she didn’t spill the beans.] I almost uttered that one never knows, but managed to hold back. After all, constantly doubting was of no use. [Okay... Umm, sure. I’ll go along.] [Thanks! Thank you!] Quick to secure my agreement and vanish—such was Doa. Disappearing after stating her business, eh? It felt slightly cold, but I was busy too. Nowadays, the work was far more enjoyable than the acting classes I once took. One could visibly see improvements in music as it was polished. Analyzing other music also became fun. Discovering the instruments used and understanding what post-processing was employed added to the intrigue. "Dee-re-re-re-re~ re-re-re~" Indeed, working alone like this suited my temperament. Ah, dragged into environments brimming with people wasn't for me. No matter how much I chewed over it, acting just wasn’t my forte. I sorted melodies to send to Yoon-je, then collapsed onto the bed. [Clover] I hadn’t specifically searched the name before. Randomly selecting videos, I absorbed them one by one. A classic serene older sister character, almost too perfect for real life. Unlike the playful Luka or Fuming, her gentle demeanor practically reached out through the screen. Wonder what kind of guy her boyfriend is? I wasn’t particularly interested, but a hint of curiosity emerged. * * * "Ah! Oppa! What took you so long?" Despite arranging a reservation and warning against tardiness, he, my boyfriend, had managed to oversleep. "Sorry, sorry. I don’t know why my alarm didn’t go off." "Ugh! Hurry!" Like shepherding livestock, I grabbed his wrist and dragged him to the bus stop. Once seated beside him, I began a thorough inspection. “Let me see your face.” “Oh, okay.” ...No matter how much you groom, if the foundation is strong, you can’t beat it. Even without styling products or properly dried hair, his handsome traits were undeniable. After tidying his hair with my hand, we reviewed today’s setting. “Where did we meet?” “At school for a group project.” “What’s Han Tae-min up to these days?” “Looking for an internship.” “If entertainment industry talks come up?” “I left the company since our visions didn’t align.” Seems he remembered the phone briefing. We exited the bus and followed the phone’s directions to the restaurant Clover unnie recommended. As expected, the place matched the luxurious vibe seen in photos. Inside, an employee asked for the reservation name. “Shin Seo-jeong.” A name as fitting as the person herself, I mused. “Please, come this way.” Led inside, the table was set beside a grill for roasting meat. “Wow...” Both my oppa and I seemed overwhelmed by such grandeur for the first time. “So where’s Clover?” Though we hadn’t arrived particularly early, unnie hadn’t left any messages. We presumed she’d be here waiting. “Wait, I’ll call her.” Only endless ringing echoed from the other side. Unnie didn’t answer. “Wow, are we being stood up?” When oppa joked, I poked his side with my index finger. "Surely not, right? This isn't some shady used goods transaction, and we'll keep seeing each other." After about five more minutes, the staff asked if we knew when our other party would arrive, and I truly began to feel anxious. “Try calling again.” Nodding to my boyfriend's suggestion, I pulled out my phone. -Thunk. At that moment, the door swung open. Waiting for us was... “Oh... I'm sorry... I'm really late, aren't I?” “Uh... unnie...!” Clover unnie entered, her eyes red from tears. The boyfriend we expected to accompany her was nowhere in sight. “What’s going on? Is something wrong?” “Ah... I’m sorry... Ah. I didn’t want our first meeting to be like this.” Delicate fingers picked up a tissue to dab at her eyes. “...I just got dumped.” “What?” The unexpected news left Taemin oppa and me staring at each other, dumbfounded. “S... suddenly?” “Well, not entirely out of the blue...” When the staff came to take our order, unnie chose to place it rather than explain further. “Let me introduce myself properly. Hello. I'm Clover, also known as Shin Seo-jeong.” “Hello... I'm Han Taemin, Doa’s boyfriend.” “I'm sorry. I wanted to treat you both to a nice meal with Luca, and now I've made things so awkward.” “Oh, no! It’s completely... really, it’s fine.” It didn’t seem like the right time for a meal. “Unnie, are you sure you want to eat with us? Wouldn't it be better to go home and rest?” “No, no. I gathered myself to come out here. Besides, being alone now...” Her eyes drifted towards the window. “I might end up feeling really gloomy.” Though the details weren’t clear, I thought this so-called boyfriend was incredibly rude. If Taemin oppa treated me like that, I'd be beyond angry, jumping around in frustration. It seemed unnie’s gentle nature was her only problem. “Unnie, should we have some drinks?” Normally, I’d refrain in oppa's presence, but it felt like the occasion called for it. “...Shall we?” “Order whatever you want, unnie!” Starting with beer to pace ourselves, the three of us clinked glasses. I sternly advised oppa to drink just enough so as not to go overboard. “Ah... refreshing…” Unnie wiped the milky foam from the edge of her glass with her fingertip. Switching her gaze between Taemin oppa and me, she offered a tender smile. “How long have you two been together?” “We’re approaching our six-month mark...” “It’s such a great time.” Even though unnie was older, her tone conveyed the warmth of an adult speaking to children. “Unnie, you’ve been with him for five years, right?” “Yeah, we just celebrated our four-year anniversary a few days back. In terms of years, it's been five.” “Wow. I can't believe it.” So soon after such an anniversary, to break up just like that? And to announce it in this way? “I know, it's harsh that he could be so cold.” I couldn’t even begin to imagine what that must feel like. “Doa, Taemin, if it’s not too much trouble, could you listen to my story tonight?” Faced with her grounded words, I couldn’t offer any consolation.