Siblings Work in Business (8)
Just tell me it’s a lie
We’re still the same, aren’t we?
CEO Park looked at Ji Ye-chan as Eun-ho’s passionate singing continued in the background.
Ji Ye-chan’s twisted smile hinted at amusement.
“Earlier, the siblings from ‘Lee-eung’? Can the other one write songs too?”
“Actually, I focused more on her.”
“Huh…”
Ji Ye-chan looked at CEO Park with a playful smile.
“Such skill, all of a sudden.”
“Well.”
“Team Leader, should I send you a box of persimmons as a gift?”
“Why persimmons?”
“So you can regain your senses.”
CEO Park turned his head irritably and looked at Eun-ho, who was passionately singing beyond the window.
Time can’t be a cure right now
If it’s not you, it can’t be a cure
As it was the climax of the song, Eun-ho was showing off his skills, leaving a deep lingering feeling before the final hook.
The ground collapses
The world shakes
Then, Ji Ye-chan subtly raised his hand towards the talkback button, as if to stop the song.
‘If he drags it out just a little bit more here…’
It could have easily become excessive, but…
Just as Ji Ye-chan thought it would be good if Eun-ho stopped there, Eun-ho masterfully cut off the vibrato.
Thanks to that, he didn’t have to press the talkback button until the end of the bridge.
‘Okay!’
It was a perfect result, as if there could be no better interpretation of the song.
“Team Leader Park.”
“What.”
“When is he debuting?”
Ji Ye-chan looked at CEO Park with a deep dimple.
“Soon, why?”
“Why? Of course, I’m going to be his number one fan.”
“Don’t overreact.”
“Wipe that smile off your face before you say that.”
CEO Park clicked his tongue, his lips already stretched into a wide grin.
Ji Ye-chan shook his head at the sight and continued.
“I think I said the same thing a few years ago, but it’s okay to overreact about things like this. Don’t you know ‘Praise makes even a whale dance’?”
“No. He’ll develop bad habits.”
“What’s wrong with having some bad habits if he has that kind of skill? The problem is that you and Director Lee always whisper your praises behind his back.”
“As long as he does his job well, that’s all that matters.”
“That’s the problem.”
Ji Ye-chan pointed his chin towards Eun-ho, who was checking the recorded bridge, and spoke.
“Eun-ho, he probably doesn’t even know how good he is.”
“He’ll know.”
“Know what? If he knew, would I have said, ‘Ah, I was good,’ only after Team Leader Park left the company?”
“Forget it. He’s still a kid.”
“Kid? Get married before you talk about kids.”
CEO Park opened his mouth to retort, but Ji Ye-chan, as if showing off, smiled and pressed the talkback button, cutting him off.
My recording part was over, but did I have to do more?
I awkwardly looked out the window, and it seemed like Senior Ji Ye-chan and the CEO were having a conversation.
“Eun-ho, come out.”
“Is it over?”
“Well, if you don’t like it, should we record it one more time?”
“Ah, yes!”
I wanted to re-record the Verse 1-A part I sang at the beginning while singing the bridge, so it was a welcome suggestion.
“Okay.”
As if pleased with my answer, the senior laughed heartily and seemed to be talking to the engineer for a moment.
I could only hear their voices when Senior Ji Ye-chan pressed the talkback button.
I just sang, unaware of the conversation outside.
After a brief discussion, Senior Ji Ye-chan pressed the talkback button and continued.
“Eun-ho.”
“Yes!”
“This time, let’s do the whole track in one go. Tell me if it’s too much.”
“Yes!”
“Do you know how to layer chorus vocals?”
“I’ll try.”
“Okay. This time, just let it all out, as you feel it. Eun-ho, you’re the best singer I’ve seen among my juniors. I trust you.”
“T-Thank you.”
There must have been many talented people among Senior Ji Ye-chan’s juniors…
It was the first time I received such praise, so I awkwardly bowed my head, feeling both embarrassed and happy.
“Just trust your feelings and sing, Eun-ho.”
“Yes…”
Feelings.
Before the intro started playing…
With the senior’s last words, I really sang the whole track as I felt it.
As if I wouldn’t leave any regrets behind when leaving this recording studio…
I poured out all my emotions.
The past me didn’t know that recklessly pouring out technique and emotion wouldn’t necessarily lead to a good song, but the present me, after the regression, knew.
So now, I poured out all my emotions, but I didn’t forget the control I had gained through experience.
My feelings warn me
Even before you arrive
A single flower on the table
Looks especially red today
This song, ‘Sign,’ was Senior Ji Ye-chan’s.
It also meant that no one listening to this song would expect anything from my singing.
But I didn’t want to just make Senior Ji Ye-chan stand out.
It might be greedy.
It might be disrespectful as a trainee, but I wasn’t going to let this opportunity pass, this important chance to leave my voice in the ears of the audience.
Remember my voice clearly.
During this one track, I sang with the determination to devour the song.
With the lingering sound of the outro…
When the song ended, I realized I had exerted so much energy that my back was drenched in sweat.
“Whew…”
Letting out a long sigh of relief, I finally turned my head towards the window.
CEO Park, Senior Ji Ye-chan, the engineer, and even the intimidating guy who guided me…
All four of them beyond the window were staring at me with wide eyes.
“Was it… too much?”
Worried about their stunned reaction, I asked cautiously, and Senior Ji Ye-chan stood up and clapped.
“Good job! It’s so good! Eun-ho!”
It seemed like he was shouting something, but since he didn’t press the talkback button, I couldn’t hear anything after my name.
Judging by his reaction, I could only vaguely sense that he was praising me.
After running through the entire track with all my might…
I watched Senior Ji Ye-chan’s recording session for a while and added some chorus vocals here and there, enriching the song.
“Are you hungry, Eun-ho?”
“I’m fine!”
In cartoons, there’s always a ‘growl’ sound in situations like this, and it seems it’s not entirely fiction.
Growl.
An embarrassing sound filled the studio at the perfect time.
“My junior must have helped with the recording with all his might. I’ll treat you today. Let’s go. Yeong-hee, you too.”
“Yes!”
Yeong-hee.
A sturdy and deep voice followed that name, which sounded like it belonged in an old textbook.
‘Did I hear that right?’
I was so surprised that I momentarily forgot my fatigue.
I turned around, and as if to confirm that the name was his…
A bright smile bloomed on the face of the previously intimidating figure.
Quite some time had passed since we all settled down at the galbi (Korean short ribs) restaurant that Senior Ji Ye-chan frequented.
“Haha, even though our Yeong-hee seems a bit rough, he’s a guy with unexpected charms.”
“As hyung said, I’m quite a delicate guy. I’m even learning flower arrangement.”
Hahahahaha.
The unexpected flower arrangement story brought a burst of laughter to the galbi restaurant.
“I’m quite good among the ajummas (middle-aged women) in my class.”
“Hahaha. You’re good.”
“Look, Eun-ho. Isn’t it pretty?”
The manager, who had initially seemed scary, laughed along and showed off pictures of his flower arrangements.
As clear glasses of alcohol went around, my mind, along with the textbook characters ‘Cheol-soo and Yeong-hee,’ gradually blurred.
“Eun-ho.”
“Yes?”
“We’re here. Go to the dorm and sleep.”
Perhaps because of the lighthearted atmosphere and the alcohol…
I opened my eyes to find myself in the CEO’s car.
‘Wait, if I’m in the car, could it be drunk driving…’
Was it PTSD from Eun-ji’s accident?
I looked towards the driver’s seat with a start, and thankfully, a stranger who looked like a designated driver was sitting there.
‘Phew.’
I got out of the car and shivered in the cold wind.
It was the middle of the night, with no one around.
“Go straight in, and you did a great job today.”
“I’m grateful for this opportunity. Then I’ll go in first!”
“Okay. Don’t fight with Eun-ji.”
“Haha. I’ll try.”
“Sleep well, and see you after the weekend.”
“Yes!”
After a brief exchange with the CEO, who was sitting in the passenger seat, I bowed my head to the departing car.
Since I was dropped off a bit far away, it seemed like I’d have to walk for about 10 minutes to get to the dorm.
“Oh? Lee Eun-ho?”
As I was walking slowly, trying to sober up…
A familiar voice called from behind.
“Lee Eun-ji?”
I turned my heavy head, and there was Eun-ji, a few steps away, seemingly just arriving.
“Why are you out so late?”
“You too… What, did you drink?”
Eun-ji came closer, pinching her nose with her thumb and forefinger, frowning.
“Senior Ji Ye-chan bought us galbi.”
“Wow, you ate it all by yourself?”
“Of course, I ate it all by myself.”
“Huh, fine.”
Normally, this would have led to more bickering, but perhaps because of my tired body and the late hour…
I didn’t have the energy to continue.
Eun-ji seemed to feel the same, as she let out a chuckle of disbelief and closed her mouth.
After about a minute of silence…
“Lee Eun-ho.”
“…”
“Hey, Lee Eun-ho.”
“What.”
Eun-ji, as if she wasn’t sulking anymore, continued speaking shamelessly, seemingly disliking the silence.
“How was Senior Ji Ye-chan?”
“What about him?”
“Was he handsome?”
“Yeah.”
“Give me a longer description!”
“So annoying…”
I said that, but I was thinking about how to describe him.
“He’s kind of…”
“Kind of?”
“Like a well-bred young master?”
“Oh…”
As if liking my description, Eun-ji’s eyes widened as she smiled brightly.
“Ah, I want to see celebrities too!”
“You’ll see them plenty when you debut.”
“Hehe. I hope so.”
Having personally experienced the constant stream of new visitors to the waiting room I visited as a courtesy, I kept my mouth shut.
Not just idols, but even senior singers who were personally fans of Eun-ji.
Before the regression, Lee Eun-ji’s waiting room was constantly filled with visitors.
“Did the recording go well?”
“Of course it did. What were you doing?”
Lee Eun-ji lifted her chin proudly.
“I was working on our song!”
“Oh…”
“Look forward to it.”
Look forward to it…
“Since it’s your song, of course, I’m always looking forward to it.”
Was it because of the alcohol?
Words I wouldn’t normally say started to slip out.
“Ugh! What nonsense!”
Eun-ji shuddered, but she seemed to like the compliment, smiling with twitching lips.
Heck yeah!! Go Eunho!