“He came here with us and went back to the dance studio. Sunho asked to be called when it was his turn to record.”
“He went to choreograph.”
The two of them bowed their heads as they replied in regards to Ryu Sunho’s absence.
“Hahh, who can stop you guys? Go in and get ready, Yoon. Jitae, you can sit on the couch and observe for now.”
“Yes, I’ll go in right now. I’ll be in your care.”
“Yes.”
Both of them had a determined look on their faces. Were they nervous?
“So, did you get some practice done?”
“Yes. I really liked the lyrics, so I was able to practise better.”
Putting the headphones on, Seo Yoon-hyung stared at me as he replied to Producer-hyung.
I couldn’t understand why he liked the lyrics at all. There was nothing he would have been able to relate to in the lyrics.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes, I’m ready.”
“Let’s trying singing your lines a little coldly, Yoon. Could you do that?”
“Yes, I’ll try.”
「A sharp blade
A droplet of blood on my fingertip
A sound that wakes me up
Time has stopped
The world is soaked in red
This is paradise
Remember
The witness is up in the red sky, Merope
The contract is complete, what’s the price?」
His usual singing style emanated warmth; this was the first time that I had ever heard his icy voice. I never knew that he could produce this kind of sound, especially since his strength was in his gentle tone.
All I could do was to blankly stare at him in shock.
“Lee Suan.”
“Yeah?”
“You’re gonna pierce through Yoon-hyung’s face.”
I turned to look at Park Jitaeーwho sat next to me and spoke in his signature cynical manner of speechーwhen he added,
“Hey, I can do better. You better concentrate on me when I sing.”
What doggy-language is he barking in now?
I was at a loss for words. As I continued to stare at Park Jitae, he finished what he had to say, only to stare down at his phone.
Was it because it was hot, or because he was nervous? After leaving those mysterious words behind, the back of Park Jitae’s neck was flushed red.
“Yoon, that voice just now was good. Let’s keep it for now and try again.”
Producer-hyung’s expression hardened as the recording progressed. He seemed quite exhausted. Even so, he didn’t lose his concentration, as if he wanted to finish the recording as quickly as possible.
“Alright, I’ll do that.”
Gazing back at Producer-hyung, Seo Yoon-hyung gave a serious reply.
“Use the same voice, but with a little more edge.”
“Yes, I’ll try.”
.
.
“Okay, next: Rion, go back in! Suan, you’re after Rion, so warm up your voice while you wait.”
Producer-hyung gestured towards Oh Rion and instructed him to step into the recording booth before turning in his chair to speak to me.
“Yes.”
Oh Rion left a succinct reply and stood up to enter the recording booth.
“Yes.”
Seo Yoon-hyung came out of the recording booth, and Oh Rion went in.
“Rion, let’s try singing it lazily like before.”
He said in a serious tone as he ordered nothing in addition to the original request.
“Okay.”
「What takes over you
Is but an illusional
Demonische
With a piercing, cold gaze,
Wings will bloom
And our contract shall be fulfilled」
Are all of them high on something? They have the same richness in their voices that their 7-years-later selves had.
Perhaps I had just never realised their skills in the past. Perhaps I hadn’t paid enough attention to them. The members had exceptional skill, and it couldn’t be compared to other idols of similar age.
“Suan, the lyrics were really well written. Good work.”
Seo Yoon-hyung extended his hand to pet my head, treating me like a child. A faint smile hung on his lips.
“Yes, your recording was amazing. I was really surprised at your voice.”
I was really surprised. I’m happy because our debut song sounds like it would be more popular this time.
Since my name, Lee Suan, would be put as the lyricist, I should get some royalty paid as long as the song is successful.
Keeping my thoughts to myself, I answered as I swallowed the unspoken words.
“Rion, you’re doing even better than before! You can come out now. Suan, get ready to go in.”
It seemed like Rion’s portion was finally finished. Producer-hyung leaned into his chair and directed me. He gestured me over and pointed at the recording booth.
“Yes.”
“Suan, don’t be too nervous! I’ll cheer you on from here.”
“Good luck.”
I nodded in response to Seo Yoon-hyung’s and Jitae’s encouragement. I entered the recording booth and put on the headphones.
“Let’s get right into it, Suan.”
Producer-hyung’s voice travelled through the headphones and nested in my ears. The skin next to my ears tingled. It was probably because I hadn’t recorded in a while.
“Yes.”
「The time that was paused
Is running once again
Inside this darkness
The contract is fulfilled, what’s the price?」
I smiled playfully as I sang my lines, bringing to life what I had pictured as I wrote the lyrics.
“That was good. Your laugh was recorded, so let’s give that another shot.”
“Yes.”
Ugh, this is annoying. I was struck with the premonition that this may take a while.
.
.
“Never we mind. The way you sang it the first time had the best feel. Let’s go with the first one. Come out, Suan!”
If this was how it was gonna end up, then you didn’t need to make my throat hurt by keep asking me to do it again. Since my part is done, I’ll go to the dance studio and sleep or something.
I puffed out my cheeks and pouted as I left the recording booth, when Park Jitae stepped in before I had realised and tapped me on the shoulder.
“Your voice was nice. Don’t run off to the dance studio just because you’re done recording, and wait until I finish recording.”
All I could do was to stare at Park Jitae as he acted as he pleased, accompanied by a compliment that was unfamiliar to me.
“Why should I?”
“Ah, for God’s sake, just do as I say.”
Yeah, yeah. Who can stop you? He’s as stubborn as I am. He’ll keep nagging me day and night if I secretly leave.
I pursed my lips with a sullen face and refused to reply to Park Jitae. I clung to silence.
“Jitae! Are you ready?”
“Yeahh!”
When I returned to the sofa, Oh Rion and Seo Yoon-hyung were each sitting at the either ends of the sofa. I sat in the middle of the two and leaned back onto the cushion, almost lying down.
I’m exhausted. I want to sleep. I want to lie in my bed and sleep like a log under the blanket with a pillow squeezed in between my arms.
“Good work.”
“You too.”
“Good work, Suan. Is your throat soar?”
“I’m fine. You’ve been working harder, hyung.”
Oh Rion sat close to me as he held my hand, pressing down on the pressure points. Seo Yoon-hyung poured some water into a paper cup and offered it to me.
I’d rather sleep than this, honestly.
My eyelids kept drooping, and the Sandman was about to visit me.
「Deep in the night sky, Orion
A blinding light that wakes me, Merope
It’s a paradise, an illusion,
Time has stopped and your vision’s lost
Demonische of the ugly mind, that’s right, I’m a demon
A blue, blooming bud in the icy air
The petals crumble minute by minute
Darkness is filled only with scars
Now it’s time to wake up from your nightmare」
Park Jitae’s rapping snapped and bit, his voice growling in anger.
Whoa. Did they say that he became a practising candidate after being an underground rapper for 3 years? I guess he can make that kind of voice, too. When he makes this sound with his husky voice, I guess I can sorta, just sorta, understand why his fans used to call him sexy.
“Let’s go with this, Jitae. Come out.”
Producer-hyung pressed the button and spoke to Park Jihyuk, and added as he spun in his chair:
“Next up is Sunho. Who wants to go get him?”
“I’ll go, hyung. The kids all look tired.”
Oh Rion quietly shook his head.
I don’t want to, either. I’m lazy.
Although my thoughts wouldn’t be replayed, I shook my head and subtly avoided his gaze.
“Hahh, you should just make the younger ones do this kind of stuff. Go run and get him, Yoon.”
“Yes. I’ll be right back!”
He told me to rest as he handed me the paper cup full of water before opening the recording studio door to leave.
“Were you watching, Lee Suan? Isn’t this hyung so cool?”
Having exited the recording booth before I had even noticed, Park Jitae pressed onto my head with his big hand and asked. He was smiling like a cheeky child.
“Good work.”
“Ugh, is it that hard to admit that I’m cool?”
Yeah, it is.
Too lazy to answer, I shook my head and pressed my eyes. Then, Park Jitae sat down where Seo Yoon-hyung had been sitting and pulled my head onto his shoulder.
“You look tired. Sleep for a bit.”
He placed his cap on the top of my head and added as he tapped on his phone. Just as sleep began to take over, I was relieved by his actions that I may be able to sleep comfortably.
“I’ll wake you up when we have to record at the end.”
I didn’t see a reason to refuse, since he had volunteered himself to be my pillow. I guess I’m a little thankful for this one.