Chapter 183: I Got Help from Jia Unnie, Then Got Betrayed by Jia Unnie!

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The day after receiving advice from Jia Unnie, I headed to the VN’s studio as usual.

“Hello! Please take good care of me again today!”

“Welcome. By the way, Da-jeong, you seem especially energetic today?”

“Hehe, do I?”

As soon as I opened the door, I bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle to greet them. VN, who had been staring at me with a slightly surprised expression, spoke up.

Even to others, I must have seemed unusually confident today.

Well, of course.

After all, the advice Jia Unnie gave me yesterday helped so much. Even after going home, I practiced singing it over and over before bed, and it was definitely on a whole different level compared to before.

“Sh-should we go straight into the recording booth?”

“No, sit down and catch your breath first. Rushing won’t make it sound better. Want some cocoa?”

“Ah, thank youuu…”

Brimming with enthusiasm, I pointed at the recording booth door, but the composer waved their hand in their usual relaxed manner and offered me cocoa.

I’ve always noticed—there’s a huge gap between how meticulous they are when working and how laid-back they are normally.

Huuu—

Soon after, the composer handed me a steaming mug. As I took a sip of the cocoa inside, they rested their chin on their hand, stared at me intently, and finally spoke.

“Judging by your expression, it seems like you made some progress?”

“Hehe, yes. A little.”

Honestly, I wanted to say, “A LOT!”

But if I did and the final result ended up being bad, I’d feel terrible. So I just nodded awkwardly and fiddled with the rim of the mug.

“Oh-ho, did you get advice from someone?”

“Yes, I got advice from one of our members—someone named Erin Unnie.”

It probably wasn’t a big deal to mention in front of the composer, but still, using real names didn’t seem wise. So I used her stage name instead.

The composer let out an impressed sound and nodded.

“Ah, Erin? I know her. I’ve been watching some of the other members’ videos lately, not just yours.”

“Really? Wow…!”

I couldn’t help but cheer when they said they knew Jia Unnie too.

From what I’d heard before, the composer didn’t watch many of our members’ videos—mostly just mine.

But now, it seemed like they were really becoming a Star Piece.

Hehe, good thing I kept mentioning the members whenever I had the chance during work.

Last time I gave the composer some of my merch, I included the others’ too.

Does this count as a successful conversion?

“I’ve listened to her singing too—Erin’s vocals are really good.”

“Right, right?! Erin Unnie is the undisputed best vocalist in our group!”

Hearing praise from the composer—someone who’s worked with so many outstanding professional singers—made me so excited that I started listing off Jia Unnie’s strengths.

But then, the composer, who had been quietly observing me, suddenly…

“Pfft. Da-jeong, you look even happier than when you get praised.”

“Huh? R-really?”

“Yeah, if you had a tail, you’d be wagging it.”

They burst out laughing as they said that.

Embarrassed, I turned away and took another sip of cocoa.

It wasn’t that I was ashamed of being happy for my member’s praise—it was just the way the composer phrased it.

“If you had a tail, you’d be wagging it.”

Come to think of it, Yuna said something similar when she visited my place recently.

She saw me with Tofu and said, “You two look alike.”

Ugh… What if I’m really turning into another Tofu?

“Alright, then. Let’s see how well you’ve learned.”

“Y-yes! Please take care of me.”

After a short break, the composer took off their cardigan and spoke.

Finally sensing that the moment had come, I reflexively stood up and entered the recording booth.

“Huu, ha. Huu, ha.”

I’d been fairly confident before coming, but now, standing in front of the mic, I felt a little nervous again.

Still, I clenched my fists tightly, trying to shake off the anxiety.

It’ll be fine. The way Jia Unnie taught me yesterday felt amazing.

I even added my own interpretation while practicing at home.

At the very least, it’s way better than when I got criticized yesterday, so I should go in with confidence.

“Alright, Da-jeong? Let’s try a one-take first?”

“Okay!”

Like always when recording, the first attempt was a one-take—singing the whole song straight through without stopping.

I think that’s just the composer’s unique way of working.

Taking a slight breath, I focused on the sheet in front of me.

It had my personal notes scribbled next to every lyric—my most treasured possession lately.

♪~

“The words you once said for my sake—”

“Now I realize, and I run to you.”

“The story I wanted to tell for you—”

“It’s a little late, but will you listen?”

Matching the bright, hopeful intro, I poured strength into my voice for the first verse.

As the sound traveled through the mic and back into my ears through the headphones, I felt an inexplicable swell of emotion in my chest.

Even though I’d sung this part countless times just yesterday, the emotions I felt now were on a completely different level.

It must be because I’ve come to understand—more clearly—the message and emotions I wanted to convey through this song.

After smoothly getting through the intro, that part finally arrived.

The part I couldn’t get past even after twenty tries yesterday.

But strangely, I didn’t feel nervous.

I can do this.

Somewhere in my mind, I could hear Jia Unnie’s voice.

“I’ve thrown away all my weak hesitations—now I won’t waver…”

Just like Jia Unnie said— without forcing strength, without roughness, I let the lyrics flow out with a light heart.

The composer didn’t say anything.

Maybe they were just silently observing since it was a one-take.

Or maybe they really liked it and were listening intently.

I didn’t try to guess.

The only thing that mattered now was focusing on the song and finishing it properly.

“Thank you…”

Pouring my emotions into every single word, not missing a single one—

To the Members, To the Cherries.

With a heart full of gratitude for everyone who loves me—the members, the Cherries, and all those who support me—I finished singing.

As the song ended, my eyes met the composer’s through the glass.

When working, the composer usually maintains a neutral expression, so it’s hard to tell from their face alone whether things went well.

So, with bated breath, I waited for their feedback, wondering how it turned out…

“Huh? You’re done, Da-jeong. You can come out now.”

“Huh…?!”

The composer’s flat voice came through the studio speakers, startling me.

Unless the session was truly over, the composer and I always stayed in our positions—me in the booth, them outside.

So if they were telling me to come out… did that mean there was no point continuing?

Was it really that bad?

Was I just overconfident?

My thoughts spiraled.

“N-no! I can sing more! It’s fine, composer…!”

If I left the booth now, I might never get another chance. Desperate, I clung to the edge of my resolve and shouted.

But the composer’s confused reply caught me off guard.

“Huh? Why? Was there a part you didn’t like?”

“W-what…?”

Now I was the one bewildered.

Wait…

Weren’t they telling me to leave because I messed up so badly it wasn’t worth continuing?

“I wanna use that take. It was really good.”

“Ah…!”

As the composer’s words sank in, a soft gasp of relief escaped me.

That’s right.

I’d just aced a one-take recording—and earned the approval of none other than VN, the composer.

***************

On my way home after the session, I felt like I was floating on clouds.

I couldn’t tell if this was a dream or reality.

Even after leaving the studio, I asked the composer over and over—”Was it really okay?”

I worried they might’ve just given me a pity “OK,” but they set my doubts to rest.

“In all my years producing, only three singers have ever nailed a one-take on the first try. You’re one of them now. Be proud.”

Finally, it hit me—I’d moved the composer with my voice.

I was so happy I could’ve stayed on the studio couch forever.

But more than anything, I wanted to share this news with Jia Unnie.

『So yesterday, I went on a date with Lulu, and we had so much fun! Seriously, how does she fit all that food in her tiny body?』

“Hehe…”

When I got home and opened my computer, I saw Jia Unnie was live-streaming.

From the chat, it seemed she was talking about our date yesterday.

I wanted to immediately message her about my recording success, but since it’s company-related, I decided to DM her privately on Discord or Talk.

Just as I was about to type—

『Oh, guys! Guess what? I discovered the cutest habit of Lulu’s yesterday—something even the Cherries probably didn’t know! Wanna hear?』

“…Huh?”

Since I hadn’t typed in chat yet, she didn’t know I was watching.

What habit? Did I do something weird yesterday?

And cute, of all things?

Since when do I have a cute habit?

『So, Lulu tried a new food yesterday, and suddenly she started typing furiously on her phone. I asked, “Lulu, what’re you doing?” And she said that whenever she eats something delicious or has a fun experience for the first time, she writes it down to share with the Cherries later.

ISN’T THAT THE CUTEST THING?!』

• LMAOOOOO
• She’s too precious lololol
• How is she this adorable IRL too?! LMAO
• I can’t—
• LOL
• CHERRIES ARE BLESSED

“……”

…Oh.

So I do have a habit.

A habit I never wanted the Cherries to find out about.

[Lulu] – UNNIEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
[Lulu] – HOW COULD YOUUUUUU!!!!!!!
[Lulu] – SO THAT’S WHY YOU WERE SMIRKING YESTERDAY!!!!!!!

Betrayal. Pure betrayal.

Now I knew why she’d been staring at me with that knowing smile while I typed.

『Huh? L-Lulu?! You’re watching? Ehehe… Sorry~ But you were just too cute! Forgive me? Pleaaase?』

• Our goddess is acting all cute!?!
• The “Cute” = “Forgiven” rule has activated
• There’s no way Lulu can resist this lol
• She’s definitely doomed lolol

Even after realizing I’d heard everything, Jia Unnie had the audacity to pout and whine cutely for forgiveness.

And I—

[Lulu] – Hmph!
[Lulu] – Just this once!
[Lulu] – Don’t expect it again!

…Fell for it hook, line, and sinker.

BUT HOW COULD I NOT?!

MY FAVORITE WAS POUTING AT ME!!!

I KNOW IT’S CHEAP BUT SHE’S TOO CUTE TO STAY MAD AT!!!