183 - I Unknowingly Rejected My Favorite

EP.183 #183. Let’s Pretend It Never Happened. "Um... why?" Just now, Doah had asked the same question, but here she was, asking once more with a hint of persistence to Leah. "Ah... I just have a few personal things I want to ask." Excuse me...? Leah...? However, Leah remained an enigma, revealing no intention of disclosing her business to Luca. It was understandable. Sure, one could seek individual consultation with a producer on occasion while singing. But this scenario was the worst for me, currently Doah’s boyfriend. I had just expressed relief that things had ended earlier than planned, but now I couldn't find a valid excuse to claim I was busy and needed to leave. Also, I was genuinely curious. What could she want to discuss so secretively... “Heuuu~ Reallyyy?” Doah squinted her eyes at me before tossing a sly glance my way. "Alright. Go on, have your chat. I'll be downstairs." "Okay, I'll be quick." Still, Luca didn't make any sudden moves or reveal that I was her boyfriend. She quietly turned and left the studio, leaving me alone with Leah. Just the two of us. "So, um... Leah, what was it you wanted to say to me...?" "Ah, well... it's nothing special, really." If it wasn’t anything special, she could've just said it in front of Doah... Already, I dreaded the interrogation I’d get from Luca. "Um, if you're not satisfied with today's recording, don't hesitate to come back for another session." "What? But it seems like today's recording is good enough." I was planning on fixing it as the final version. "You might find parts you're not thrilled with upon re-listening." A wave of unease from her excellent after-service washed over me. A chill ran down my spine. I was quite familiar with this feeling. No, not knowing it would’ve been stranger. Women going out of their way to create trivial excuses to talk, especially towards me meant... "...I understand." With my eyes closed, I calmly sorted out my thoughts. If I knew the outcome, my actions were already predetermined. However, using a rude method would not be appropriate now. She was a collaborator, part of Doah's team, and a member of Closer. "In that case, I'll contact the company if necessary." "Oh... no, it’s okay. I’ll give you my contact." Instead of handing her my phone, I gave her a note and pen laid on the table. “Kindly leave it here for reference.” “Oh, sure!” The notes filled with cute, rounded handwriting typical of girls. A tiny heart resting atop her name, Leah. I let out a short breath unseen by her and grinned. "Then, take care getting home, and I’ll make sure to work hard on preparing the music." “Thank you. Really… contact me if you need to…?” For some reason. As Leah extended her final farewell, she bore a striking resemblance to Doah the day she first confessed to me. “Of course.” Though I doubt that day will come. Once the studio door shut behind Leah’s departure, I crafted a small paper airplane from the note with her number. “Let’s just consider it as if nothing happened.” It was something that could simply be forgotten. * * * "Bzzz bzzz bzzz bzzz bzzz bzzz.” Why on earth isn’t Leah out yet? It's been at least five minutes since she went in! And if she intended to converse, why not say it right there? What’s the need for it to be ‘personal’ and all? Feeling rather irked, I took my frustration out by gently kicking a nearby streetlight, grumbling. “Luca!” A husky voice called from behind. Turning around, I saw Leah grinning at me. “What’s up~ you came out pretty quick?” “Ah~ I told you it was nothing much.” “If it wasn’t, I could’ve just stayed there with you.” “It’s just... I was a bit embarrassed talking about my singing.” Hmmm... I wondered if what she said was true. Prepare yourself, Han Tae-min. I’ll be doing a thorough verification later. If I find Leah’s number on my brother’s phone... I will... I will… “…Luca, what’re you doing?” While I was leaning on a lamp post shaking my head furiously, Leah grabbed my shoulders. “I was just envisioning Closer debuting as a heavy metal band.” “Luca, I’m surprised. Didn’t think you were into that?” ...No, I actually know nothing about it. Since it felt too early to part ways after meeting like this, we decided to stop by a nearby café for coffee. “So, besides Jennifer, you’ve met everyone, Luca?” “Right? Jennifer is too distant as a person.” “Why didn’t Clover get in touch with me when she came to Seoul? Feels a bit disappointing.” “That’s...” The time when I met Clover was a secret, so I just kept repeating we'd definitely all hang out next time. “Aww~ I envy you, Leah! You’re super good at singing.” Taking a sip of coffee, I teased her in my Luca tone, mixing a nasal sound in my voice. “Oh, I thought you were better watching you today. Really.” “Don’t you know comments like those are actually quite embarrassing?” “We make a living off this, so what can we do.” Engaging in playful skits was something instinctual for streamers, a basic skill, and habit. “Still, you weren't able to do anything like this last year. You seem much more comfortable now.” Leah, who once stumbled through interactions with viewers during broadcasts, seemed much more acclimated to the online streaming culture now. “Ah... well, I've been monitoring other members' shows and keeping up with those memes viewers throw at us, so I've adapted over time.” “Oh~ if you start cracking jokes better than me, what will I have left to make a living, huh. Boohoo.” Feigning tears, Leah waved her hand dismissively as if to say she couldn’t be bothered. “Hey, honestly, compared to Muring or you, I still have a long way to go. I lack quick wit and the others always jokingly call me ‘slowpoke’.” “Something that wasn’t there to begin with isn’t dead.” "...Look at this. Stuff like this." Initially, I thought meeting Leah in person might be awkward. However, facing each other and spilling stories, any trace of discomfort vanished entirely. From memories of the audition to the recent album work, time flew by unnoticed, and before I knew it, two hours had passed. "Good luck with your stream later." "Yeah, you too." "Mind if I mention on stream that we recorded together today?" "Hmm... Just check with the manager, but it should be fine, I guess?" "Sure thing. I'll ask in the group chat." Viewers always loved stories about interactions among the members, no matter the channel. Especially the funny anecdotes that quickly became clips and spread widely across the internet. "Well, I need to catch a bus. You’re taking the subway, right?" As Leah prepared to cross the street, I waved her on with a smile. She sprinted toward the bus stop, presumably just as her bus was arriving. I watched until her swaying black bob vanished from sight and tilted my head slightly. "Aaah... Honestly... if only there wasn’t that issue with Tae-min oppa, this would’ve been a perfect day." It was time to uncover the truth now. I wondered if my brother had finished work. Pulling out my phone, I dialed my boyfriend immediately. [Hello?] [Yeah, oppa.] [Oh. Are you home?] [No, I’m still near your office.] [What? You haven't left yet?] [Nope. I was having coffee with Leah until just now.] [Oh, really? I'm about to leave, wanna head home together?] [Yeah. I'll head back your way.] Retracing my steps, I waited in front of his building for him to come out. "Doah!" My brother spotted me and ran over, smiling brightly. Even though I thought he looked quite handsome, I had to hold back those thoughts. I needed to interrogate him today. "Freeze!" "Huh?" I suddenly halted him as if casting a spell. "What did you do with Leah?" "What do you mean, 'what'? We just talked." "Do I need to remind you it was a 'per-so-na-l' talk? What did you discuss, Mr. Lucario?" "She said if I wasn't happy with any part of the song, I could record again." "...That’s it?" That’s odd. She could've said that while I was there. Still suspicious, I pointed my finger at his stomach, threatening. "If you're lying, I'll poke you with this." "If you poke me to death, you won't have music." I couldn’t help but chuckle at his absurdity. "Really, is that all?" "Yeah. She seemed shaky about her singing, although I told her it was fine." Funny girl. To blow out such high notes and still worry. Hadn't even made a peep about rerecording. Now I felt somewhat embarrassed for not speaking up! "I can... I’ll record again if needed." "You're supposed to, anyway." "...Huh?" Oppa pulled my cheek playfully. "Listening again, you should re-do the latter part." "But you said it was fine earlier." With him stretching my cheek like this, I feared they might not last much longer. "On second thought, it wasn’t working." "You should’ve said so then." "You don’t need to come back here for it, though." So, we ended up sitting side by side on the subway, returning home safely together.