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Heeun and I arrived at the Vocal Academy, and there wasn’t much that had changed compared to before.

Well, it hasn’t been that long since I last came, so it’s more odd if things were different.

“Looks like Soo-hyun and Yeeun came together?”

As we entered the lobby, the receptionist, who was always there, asked in surprise.

…Is it a bit of a shock for the receptionist to see us together?

“Oh, we’ve become friends recently…”

“Oh… That’s unexpected? Oh, by the way.”

Not wanting to spill too much about the broadcast, I answered casually, but the receptionist suddenly bent down under the counter as if recalling something, then pulled out some paper and a pen.

“I really enjoyed your song, Soo-hyun! Could I get your autograph, please?”

“Oh.”

This was the second autograph request for the day.

Well, it’s not strange for the receptionist to know me since I’ve been coming to the academy, but thinking about the guy who recognized me at the café earlier makes me feel a bit strange.

“Sure… I’ll do it.”

Since I didn’t have a designated signature, as I wrote my name, I felt a gaze on me from the side.

“…What is it?”

“Nothing, you just seem impressive.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, you look different from the person I saw while playing a game last time.”

“….”

I am different.

The virtual YouTuber Miro and the singer Miro are not the same, after all.

After giving the receptionist my autograph, I headed towards the lesson room I always used to go to.

Now that I think about it, is this the first time I’m coming this year?

I have been indebted to the lesson teacher, but it feels like I haven’t checked in on them in a while.

“How long has it been since you last came, junior?”

“I also stopped coming after the debut of the second generation, so it’s been a while.”

Isn’t it true that this is the first time since the second generation’s debut?

No, thinking back, quite some time has passed since the second generation debuted.

Time really does fly.

It feels like just yesterday I was watching the debut broadcast at Maho’s House.

As I passed through the familiar hallway, I entered the lesson room.

Is the vocal teacher not here yet?

Once I sat down, Heeun followed and sat next to me.

“Why do you suddenly want to practice singing?”

“Because there’s no end to learning.”

According to Hyeon-su, the concert is still confidential, so I should keep quiet.

Heeun doesn’t seem like someone who would go gossiping about it, but still, it’s unnecessary to mention it.

“Hmm, is that so? Well, that’s true.”

Luckily, Heeun took it lightly.

As we chatted about various things while waiting, the vocal teacher opened the door and walked in.

“You both came early?”

Since I had already informed the vocal teacher we would be coming, she wasn’t surprised to see us like the receptionist was.

“Teacher, it’s been a while.”

“Yes, it has….”

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the vocal teacher, we got right to the point.

“So, you want to practice today?”

“Yes, as I mentioned beforehand….”

While I did come here to see her after a while, I also officially paid for a short course today.

Heeun came along to catch up as well.

“Then, shall we go with the pieces I mentioned before?”

“Yes.”

The songs I’ll practice today include ‘Turning Point’ and ‘Calm Lake’.

Well, since the vocal teacher has known I’m a virtual YouTuber Miro for a while, there’s nothing to be awkward about.

Along with those two songs, there are also the two featuring parts from Hyeon-su’s concert, so I don’t actually have all that much time.

“But is it okay for me to be learning this from you?”

“Excuse me?”

The vocal teacher looked a bit incredulous as she glanced at the songs I’d brought.

“Well, they are your songs, after all, right?”

“Um….”

Now that I think about it, that does sound accurate.

From the vocal teacher’s perspective, it’s as if a singer brought her own song saying, “Please coach me on this.”

And it’s even one that’s already been released.

“Uh… Just review the basics like vocalization, please. I actually haven’t practiced much, so I’m here to oil my rusty skills.”

“Alright, understood.”

Thus began a proper rehearsal after a long time.

It’s been ages since I took a lesson like this.

Usually, I’ve learned through direct performance feedback.

“Okay, breathe a little slower.”

“Like this?”

“Yes, but exhale more….”

“Got it….”

“…This time you inhaled too much.”

“Ah.”

Well… it’s the same regardless.

I focused entirely on practice until a break came.

“Shall we take a break? I’ll go get some coffee.”

“Alright.”

The vocal teacher stepped out to refill her iced Americano, leaving only Heeun and me in the lesson room.

By the way, is Heeun okay with this?

She did say she would follow, but still, watching someone else take a class could get boring, right?

“Junior.”

“Yes?”

“Aren’t you bored?”

“Ah… no, I’m not.”

Hmmm… is that really true?

Maybe she’s just being polite as a senior, so I decided to ask again.

“If you’re bored, you can go ahead and leave.”

“No, it’s really interesting. It’s kind of fascinating.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! Oh! I think it’s really helpful….”

Since she said so much, I guess it’s fine…

I didn’t mind whether Heeun was there or not, so I nodded casually, sipping my drink when Heeun brought up something.

“By the way, you’re really working hard.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you seem more passionate than when I saw you last time.”

Well, back then, I was just there to learn a bit about K-pop.

It’s different now as I’m practicing intensively for the concert.

“I can be like that sometimes.”

“I thought you were a genius and it all just came naturally to you.”

“Who’s like that?”

Actually, I guess some people are.

There are still people crossing my mind right now.

But still, I can say I’m not one of them, right?

Sure, I admit that aspects like vocal tone may be innate.

But in terms of skill, it’s debatable.

The hardware is top-tier, but there are just too many geniuses in the world to label me as one.

“So, that’s why I’m trying to work harder—I’m getting inspired.”

Inspiration, huh…

Now that I think about it, the vocal teacher mentioned that Heeun has a somewhat indecisive personality.

But she doesn’t seem that way at all.

“As I said earlier, there’s no end to learning. Keep at it.”

“Understood. So, can I become like you, senior?”

“Like me?”

“Yes.”

Me…hmm.

“Set a different goal other than me.”

“Why not?”

“I’m a bit of a special case.”

In reality, I’m still a rookie with just one year of experience.

Miro isn’t a piece of pottery shaped by years of hard work.

It’s more of a strange concoction born out of luck, talent, and various special circumstances.

Not exactly someone you want to emulate as a goal.

Anyway, after a few more hours with the vocal teacher who returned, the lesson came to an end.

After the lesson ended.

While Heeun stepped out to use the restroom, the vocal teacher approached me.

“Are you doing both featuring parts?”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m asking if that’s right, or will you be doing your own songs, too?”

“…Did you figure it out?”

“Well, it was pretty obvious.”

I hadn’t said anything about the concert, but she definitely is perceptive.

Well, considering the vocal teacher is quite knowledgeable about this industry, it would actually be strange if she didn’t notice.

“So, you’re doing both featuring parts?”

“…Yes.”

Since my cover was blown, I acknowledged it without putting up a fight.

Surely the vocal teacher wouldn’t go telling others, right?

“Um… Good luck. You’ll do well.”

“…Thank you.”

“I feel like you won’t, but don’t be too nervous.”

I wouldn’t say I’m not nervous, of course, I’m okay right now, but I’d probably be extremely anxious on the actual day.

That’s why I’ve come out to the Vocal Academy to practice.

Preparation and practice are good ways to alleviate nervousness on the day.

“Even if not often, do come by sometimes.”

“Yes, I will do that.”

“And can I brag a little? About having you as my student.”

“Brag? Well, I guess you can, but there should be a better output among your students.”

“Soo-hyun learned too briefly, so it’s embarrassing to brag about him.”

“Well, if that’s the case… understood.”

“Don’t act like you don’t know me later, okay?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Come on….”

So, after chatting casually with the vocal teacher, I left the academy with Heeun.

“Now that I think about it, we finished pretty late.”

I was actually planning to hang out with Heeun for a bit, but the lecture ran so long that it was already getting late.

Is it just enough time to have dinner?

“Then, would you like to come to my house for a meal?”

“At your house?”

“Yes, we could also do a collaboration stream, right?”

A collaboration stream?

I hadn’t announced anything at all.

Looking at Heeun, she had a slightly expectant expression on her face.

…Could it be that this was her aim?

Dragging her innocent senior to her place for a collab?

“…Alright, let’s go.”

I might be a bit tired, but if it’s for my junior who stayed beside me during class, it’s fine.

After all, I need to eat dinner anyway.

So, that day, I went to Heeun’s house, had dinner, and did a collab.

I only escaped from Heeun’s relentless grip late at night.

“Would you like to sleep over? It’s getting late.”

After the stream, Heeun asked with a hint of temptation.

Should I really sleep over…? After all, Heeun lives alone, so it wouldn’t be a big burden…

“…No, I’ll go home. I have things to do tomorrow.”

If it were any other day, I might have stayed over, but thinking again, I have plans tomorrow, so I reluctantly shook my head and declined.

…Better take a taxi to get home.

“Oh, by the way, tomorrow is that day, isn’t it?”

“Oh, you can’t forget as a junior.”

“Ahaha… I won’t be going out, though….”

…It’s a bit too honest for how close we’ve gotten today.

Well, I suppose it is a day a bit removed from being close with a second generation like Heeun.

“Still, it’s not completely unrelated, right? You have to watch the live broadcast.”

“I’ll definitely catch it.”

That reminds me, tomorrow is already the day.

“Well then, I’ll be going now.”

“Yes, do your best tomorrow!”

So, I caught a taxi from Heeun’s house and returned home, collapsing onto my bed.

“Huuh.”

I’m surely exhausted, but sleep just wouldn’t come.

Tomorrow I’ll be doing the special broadcast for the Celectial Realm’s first anniversary.

The manager is definitely expecting great things, but I can’t shake off the anxiety….

I hope it goes smoothly as I drifted off to sleep.

 

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