179 - I Unknowingly Rejected My Favorite

EP.179 #179. Who Are You? "Alright~ Let's get started." "...Aren't you too excited?" Unable to hold back, I chimed in from the side. "Hey! You're the weird one, you know that? I mean, Lea is singing right in front of me! Come on!" Sure, but shouldn't there be a clear line between work and fangirling? The uncle’s smile that just wouldn’t drop seemed ridiculously amusing to me. "Ah. Ah. Can you hear me?" "Yes, yes! I can hear you perfectly! You're amazing!" Couldn't he treat Doa like that too? Feeling a twinge of regret, I glanced sideways. “So… shall we begin?” On the other side of the recording studio. As the instrumental began to play, Lea started singing with a calm demeanor. “I’ll show you that dream~ Reflected beyond the horizon~” Honestly, I've often wondered why people pay so much for concerts. But this time, I had to admit it. -Clap Clap Clap The teacher applauded from his seat. It was a strikingly different reaction. And simultaneously a very rightful response. Because I, who was watching as well, instinctively clapped along. Once the music stopped, she turned to us, asking the same question as Humring or Ruka would. “How was it?” The teacher raised his thumb with the microphone off. "Outstanding! Just outstanding! That's how you sing, Taemin!" I’m not a singer, though. Despite knowing nothing would come from shaking me, the teacher grabbed my shirt and shook me wildly. “Lea, you were amazing! We’ll listen through once more and let you know if there’s anything to adjust?” “Sure, sure.” The three of us listened to the recorded version side by side. To my ears, it sounded like it couldn’t be any better. But the teacher was, of course, a pro. After pondering for a moment, he marked a few spots on the lyrics sheet. “Here and here. We'll redo these parts. I’d like the endings here to have a bit of a twist.” “Okay.” “And can you push this pitch higher?” The highest pitch part only Lea could tackle in this group. Raising it even more...? “Well... I haven’t tried, but should I give it a go?” “You seem quite comfortable with the current version? This is optional. If you can do it, great; if not, this version is perfectly fine.” “Ah. Then I’ll try it.” As she put on the headset again, I asked the teacher something I was curious about. “Why raise it even more?” “I just feel it would convey a more intense longing. The lyrics are like that, aren’t they? ‘I wished. Earnestly~’ It needs a bit more of that earnestness.” “So, you improvise changes like this.” “I generally don’t recommend changing things on the fly. But I think Lea can handle it, which is why I asked comfortably.” Another recording session began. Once again, Lea handled the high-pitch part with her overwhelmingly powerful vocals. “Wow! This is why I can’t stop being a fan.” I was relieved the teacher didn’t have a wife. If I were if this was with Doa when we were married? I’d probably have been obliterated on the spot. After finishing the recording, Lea returned to us, still looking a bit anxious and seeking confirmation. “How... how was it?” “Lea.” The teacher looked at her with a somewhat serious expression. “Yes...?” “We’re done.” “...Pardon?” “Today’s recording is finished.” Looking bewildered, Lea tilted her head slightly. “So, can I leave now?” “Ah. Have you had dinner?” No way... Is he really...? Is this man really trying to plan a casual meal with a VTuber? What should I do with this man intent on having a dinner date? “No? Not yet.” “We’re off work now, and I was planning to have dinner with Taemin.” A dinner plan I wasn’t aware of. As I looked at him wondering what he was up to, he looked up at me with eyes like a wrongly accused puppy. For a moment, he bore an uncanny resemblance to Yoonje. “Since you finished so easily, I thought I’d treat you; is that okay?” “Ah... yes, that’s fine with me.” “Then please wait for me outside. I’ll clean up quickly and be right down. Taemin, you too, head down.” “...Okay.” As my phone vibrated, I reached into my pocket. The message was from the man next to me. [Since I got you Ruka's autograph earlier, help me out this once. Please.] [(Adorable emoji)] ...Was this your plan all along? It was unbelievable, but hey, it’s just dinner... He did buy us lunch earlier too. ...I wonder what Doa would say if she found out. This is a bit tricky. But I wasn’t planning on hiding it. After all, I wasn’t the one who suggested having dinner, nor did Lea. What was there to fear? The sound of Lea’s heels clicked on the stairs, echoing through the high ceiling. Neither of us said a word. I almost wished Lea would just look at her phone, but she stood outside quietly gazing at the streetlamp. “Uh... um...” In the end, unable to stand the silence, I spoke up first. “...Yes?” “If you feel uncomfortable about having dinner, it’s okay to leave. The teacher just likes these kinds of gatherings, really. If you have things to do.” “No... I’m really okay with having dinner together...” I didn't have anything else to say to that response. “Well, you sing really well. Haha.” Teacher, if you’re coming, hurry down, please. I’m having a hard time here. “Not at all. I’m just relieved you see it that way.” Footsteps from the back. He must have really wanted to come quickly, judging by how he sprinted. No kidding, this might be the first time I’ve ever seen the teacher run. “Ah, I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. Do you like pasta?” “Yes, I do.” Lea smiled gently. "Then let's head there. Taemin, the place we ate at last time." "There?" There's only one pasta place around here, and it's quite something. The place that charges 42,000 won for a plate of spaghetti. "Yeah, the ambiance there is nice too. Haha." Suddenly thinking of Doa, I felt a twinge of something. My girlfriend gets jajangmyeon, while Lea gets treated to a meal several times more expensive? Of course, since it's the teacher's money, I couldn't really complain, but it did sting a little. "This way!" The teacher, grinning widely, took the lead. Lea and I merely matched our pace to follow behind him. -Drip drip As the waiter refilled our water glasses, the teacher ordered a slew of dishes whose names I barely recognized. "The food here is excellent. This is the best Italian place in the area." "Ah... but this seems quite expensive. Is it really okay...?" Lea looked concerned, prompting the teacher to wag his finger. Teacher, that's an action you can do with a student you're teaching. Why do you do it with Lea, who isn't a student? "Please enjoy. Honestly, like I mentioned in that award interview, I am a huge fan of yours, Lea." "Thank you." Lea laughed, covering her mouth as if embarrassed. "So, to be frank, I participated in this contest just to make a song for you, Lea." "Wow. Really?" "I barely watch other streams." "I see. But the other members' streams are fun too...! I admit I'm probably the least entertaining one..." "But Lea, you sing extraordinarily well." ...Why am I here? This must be what it feels like to be at a blind date, where the mediator doesn’t leave. The conversation was between the two of them. I merely acted as a reaction bot, laughing and agreeing when necessary, and clearing the utensils whenever food arrived. "Actually, I'm a huge fan of the songs Ashblock composed." While I poked at the greens on my plate with a fork, I mused that they seemed made for each other. I'll have to bring Doa here separately later. "Oh! Really? Which songs?" "Well... they're a bit older, but I bought and listened to that collab album you released a few years ago... and then...” Some of the teacher’s past works I didn’t even know about. They’re each other’s fans. Good for them. If only they were of similar age and the teacher took better care of himself, they might've had a chance at romance. Though that's a reality that doesn't exist in this world. "Wow, Lea, you really know your music! Of course, I'll keep being active, but I'm really looking forward to this young talent of ours, too! Our rising star at Pittam!" The contract hasn't been signed yet, but I'm already a rising star? Wow. "Ah... so, Taemin, you’re also into composing?" "Ah. I don't have any regular projects yet, but recently..." "The thing Taemin did was that, you know, Summer Records. He made it so well that after the contest ended, I snatched him away." Before I could even explain, the teacher eagerly paraded his student's achievements. Since it was something I'd have to discuss when working on future songs anyway, I just smiled and let it go. "Taemin... did?" Lea's deep black eyes met mine directly.