NOVEL NEXT Chapter 440
“So, how are we going to do this?”
“Hmm… I’m still thinking about the stage setup.”
A few days later, after hiring Slim Gold.
We gathered again at Hyeon-su’s Workshop to start a brief meeting.
“How much time do we have for the stage?”
“As I mentioned before, not much, roughly this much…”
“Okay, then the stage will be like this….”
It’s called a meeting, but isn’t there a huge gap between the band and me?
Basically, I’m just answering questions while the band members start to plan everything from the big picture to every detail.
…It feels a bit too comfortable.
Is this why you should work with veterans?
The experience makes a big difference.
“When should I go out?”
At that moment, Hyeon-su, who was lying sideways on the sofa, asked that.
Hyeon-su looked oddly lethargic, probably because he hasn’t enlisted yet.
His cap was pulled down low, too.
Ah, did he wear the cap because he shaved his head?
Anyway, when would be good for Hyeon-su to come out…
The finale would be best, I guess?
“I think it’d be good for you to come out last.”
“Really? Wouldn’t it look better if noona closed it alone?”
“Well, since you’re coming out anyway, you’ll have to take the bus.”
“…That’s bold of you.”
It’s a complete chance for Slim Gold to shine, but if I try to do something, it ends in disaster.
Besides, thinking about performing on stage alone after Hyeon-su leaves is terrifying.
He may look like he’s trying to avoid the army, but he’s still an overwhelmingly charismatic singer at this point.
“So when will we practice?”
“If you have time, I’ll come when it fits.”
“We have plenty of time to spare.”
“Oh.”
Speaking of which, I did say I wasn’t just wasting time, didn’t I?
So then…
“I’ll come three times a week in the evenings.”
“Aren’t you busy? Coming that often?”
“Well, I’m taking on fewer jobs.”
Right now, practice isn’t just for the festival.
It’s a chance to sync up and practice with Slim Gold. It could be a stepping stone for my growth.
In that sense, taking on fewer jobs to practice is a win-win.
…Not that I want to work less, or anything.
“Is that okay?”
I asked Park Kang-seok, who was observing the meeting from one side.
Since he usually coordinates my schedule.
I should ask for his opinion on this.
“Yes, that’s fine.”
Well, typically he grants permission.
It’s a bit of a hands-off style to just let me do as I please.
“By the way, does Soo-hyun have a schedule after today?”
“He just wrapped up, so he doesn’t have anything.”
“Then how about we do a little practice before we leave?”
“Oh, should we?”
It would be nice to practice while we’re here.
Plus, I haven’t seen the second-floor workshop yet, so a little sightseeing wouldn’t hurt.
“Okay, then come with me!”
With expectations in mind, I followed Ah-young up the stairs.
They said the second floor was where the actual workshop begins, so I was excited.
“Wow…”
“How is it? Isn’t it nicely decorated?”
“It really is?”
I had expected it to be spacious after seeing the layout of the first floor, but the second floor was just as expansive.
The workshop, lavishly decorated on the second floor… honestly, it was impressive.
“Who did the interior?”
“We called in a company to do it!”
“Aha.”
No wonder it felt like a professional’s touch.
It seemed they spent some money on the interior, too.
“…It’s nice.”
Park Kang-seok, who was following behind, also seemed to find the workshop quite impressive.
“Isn’t it great?”
Seeing that, Ah-young felt a sense of pride for no reason.
But really, it was Hyeon-su who spent the money.
Well, since Ah-young has a stake in it, I guess it’s understandable that she feels proud?
“Where are the instruments?”
“We play over there.”
There was a soundproof door where Ah-young pointed.
“Follow me.”
With that, she led me to the practice room where the instruments were set up.
“Wow.”
I marveled at the beautifully arranged instruments set up inside.
…I guess I need to clear out the practice room that Park Kang-seok got for me?
“By the way, does our manager know how to play an instrument?”
While admiring the instruments, Ah-young asked Park Kang-seok that.
Instruments… I can’t really imagine him being musical.
He probably has some sport as a hobby…
“I can play the drums a little.”
“…Really?”
I mean, I was surprised to hear that he could actually play something.
“I’m not great at it, I just joined the club in high school.”
“Oh…”
Was it a band club? That’s unexpected.
“Wow, you play the drums?”
I was surprised, but Ah-young was even more excited by the mention of drums.
Well, she is in charge of drums, so it makes sense she’d be interested.
“Want to give it a try?”
“…I’m not that good.”
“Come on, it’s just once.”
Eventually, under pressure from Ah-young, Park Kang-seok found himself sitting in front of the drums.
…Was that drum spot always so cramped?
Since it was set up for Ah-young, it looked tight when Park Kang-seok sat down.
“Go ahead, play.”
“Yes, understood.”
What followed was Park Kang-seok’s drum performance…
“…Why is he good?”
“That’s true…”
He played better than both me and Ah-young expected.
Most importantly, he hit the drums with such force, it was impressive.
“You’ve got talent!”
“Right? He’s surprisingly versatile.”
“…What does that mean, Soo-hyun?”
“Ah, nothing.”
Wow, seeing it like this makes it feel quite intimidating.
He should have gone for martial arts instead of drums.
“Hey, this brother has some skill.”
“Seriously! Ah-young, you might have to step aside.”
“That’s not happening!”
With that, Park Kang-seok’s impressive drumming concluded, earning admiration from everyone in the band.
“Ah, Soo-hyun, do you want to try singing?”
“Here?”
Now it was my turn to join in seamlessly.
“Yeah, it would be nice to hear your vocals again after a while.”
“Should I?”
Hmm, I feel a little shy.
But before practicing, I should show them what my vocals are like.
“Everyone, don’t be too surprised by my growth.”
“Don’t worry, what do you think we’ve been doing while you were active in music?”
“Ah.”
…Why was I trying to act all cool around people who’ve seen monsters growing in the industry?
Still, I’m also, uh, a number one singer now.
“I’ll just give it a shot.”
So, with confidence, I started singing a song I had performed countless times before.
Even though I had taken a break due to dieting and other things, I had still been consistently participating in music programs.
Maybe that’s why my voice flowed effortlessly throughout the workshop.
Singing without a microphone, I realized I could project my voice well enough now without any echo.
How long did it take to reach this point? Three years?
For some, that might seem short, but for me, it felt like a long time.
After finishing my song.
“Wow…”
“You’ve really improved a lot!”
The band members showered me with compliments.
“Yeah, I practiced a lot.”
Since they’re all musicians, their praise felt good.
“How did you think Hyeon-su felt?”
Now that I had received compliments from the band, should I consult the main boss too?
My gaze turned to Hyeon-su, who was leaning against one wall with his arms crossed.
“Hearing it live is better than the recorded version.”
“Right? Isn’t it amazing?”
“He truly is Composer Kang Woo-hyeon.”
“What about my praise?”
“I definitely felt it too. Your vocals have gained strength!”
Despite the compliments, there was something oddly indifferent in his tone.
Did he get a little sulky?
“Where do you think I could improve?”
“There’s nothing lacking.”
“Then?”
“I just feel a bit disappointed.”
“Make sure you say that even at the training camp, okay?”
“….”
“Oops, my bad.”
“Just joking… want me to show you something?”
“More here?”
Isn’t the composition already carefully crafted by the composer? How can I do more?
“I’ll show you the limits of your vocals.”
“…Is that even possible?”
Can that really happen?
But hearing it from Hyeon-su somehow instills a sense of belief…
“I usually don’t teach these things, but since you’re leaving for the military soon, I’ll let it slide.”
“Is it something like the last dance or something?”
“…I’ll just keep it to myself.”
“Sorry, sorry.”
Anyway, I unexpectedly found myself receiving vocal lessons.
*
After quite some time had passed.
“Okay, just do this.”
“…I don’t think I can.”
I clearly came here in the evening, but it’s already night by the time the lesson ends.
Wait, why am I so tired?
I, who was praised for having a strong vocal cord, was finding it a bit overwhelming to be pushed this hard.
“Practice like this. Don’t overdo it.”
“Got it for now.”
“Then, are you heading out now?”
“Yeah, I’m off to the gym now.”
“…At this hour?”
“That’s the last thing I need to do to wrap up my day.”
Though it ended up later than I expected, I need to go to the gym.
Missing a day or two could disrupt my routine.
“You’re really dedicated.”
“Once you start, you have to keep going.”
I never knew I could be this passionate, but I found a bit of stubbornness building as I continued.
“Oh, before I go.”
“What else do you need to do?”
I could leave now, but… I still had one more thing to handle since I came this far.
I paused for a moment and took out my phone.
“Shall we take a photo?”
“A photo? To have as a memory?”
“Well, that and…”
Truth be told, I’m not really someone who takes many photos.
But since I came to such a cool workshop, there must be something to capture, right?
“I’m planning to post it on Instagram.”
I should take a commemorative photo to post online.
“…Soo-hyun, are you a full-fledged celebrity now?”
“…Just fan service.”
I couldn’t understand it in the past.
For fans, it’s a must-do.
Oh? My followers are just waiting for the photos to go up, you know?
“Alright, then should we all gather here?”
“Wow, it’s been a while since we took a group photo.”
“Hyeon-su, you stand in the middle!”
“…I’ll just wear my cap a bit lower.”
And so, that day, we took a photo together at the workshop before posting it online.
To please the fans and to leave a memory before Hyeon-su goes to the army.