Chapter 9.7 - Act 9: Whimsically 7 (2/2)

“…”

She probably lost her confidence after making mistakes on the song she was confident in. After clicking my tongue, I explained it for her.

“You sang this a lot right?”

“…Yeah.”

“With an accompanist yes?”

“…Most of the time, I guess?”

“That’s why.”

“?”

She made a frown as I nodded my head.

That was how classical music was. Since it was a song made by people working together, the beat was naturally all over the place.

Even if it’s written on the music sheet, it was still the same.

Andante – slowly. Let’s say that was written on the sheet. So, how slow did they want it? It would be awesome if they wrote down the bpm but that doesn’t exist in classical music.

We just had to sing according to what our instincts told us.

Because of that, every performer had their own playing speed and each section had different speed depending on the person.

And yet now, she had to sing it according to an accompaniment made by a machine so it was rather natural for her to be struggling. Plus, since she was singing it with me, even a small mistake in the beat would be made obvious.

After another click of my tongue, I stared at her and opened my mouth.

“Just don’t listen to the accompaniment and follow my voice. That might be easier.”

“…What difference would there be?”

“Just do as I say.”

Perhaps due to her pride being attacked, she wore a deep frown before eventually heaving out a sigh and nodding.

Since I had prior experience, I should lead her, a newbie along the way.

Soon, the accompaniment started flowing into my ears while Lee Suh-ah had hers taken off. Within that rather odd scene, the familiar sound of Caro mio ben started being played.

In line with the mechanical accompaniment which only I could hear, I calmly opened my mouth.

“Caro mio ben–”

I broke away all the rhythm and beat I had personally built up and by fitting it completely into the music sheet, I laid them down perfectly, without a single error.

These were all things I had plenty of experience in from the ensemble and from previous recording experiences so it was easy, because after all I just had to sing as is, according to the sheet drawn by the composer.

Suddenly, the relaxed expression of Yu Minji-sunbae flashed past my head.

“Credimi almen–”

But if I ended it with that, it was just a repeat of showing Lee Suh-ah a mechanical song and it would be no different from a mechanical accompaniment flowing through the headphones.

Thus, I added a little bit of humanness into it. A tad bit; just a little so that it didn’t create disharmony with the accompaniment, I tweaked the beat. I made it easier to sing, into a form familiar to Lee Suh-ah and brought it into a place which was comfortable for us opera singers.

I weaved the song together.

“Tanto rigor…”

This was easier said than done.

It wasn’t just my song and I had to take care of Lee Suh-ah as well. Although the database I held was immense due to listening to the future Lee Suh-ah’s songs, the process of weaving hers to mine was difficult.

However, there was no other choice but to do it.

Thinking back on the song she had been singing and the practices I had with her, I changed the song. With my eyes, I could see Lee Suh-ah forming an odd expression.

“Tanto rigor…”

When the song ended, Lee Suh-ah quickly wore the headphones back on.

“Give the accompaniment again please. Quick!”

“Huh…? Uh, right.”

When the music director rapidly resupplied the accompaniment, our song started to fill up the recording room.

Lee Suh-ah and my voice.

Listening to the song flowing out without a single error, I made a smile.

It was as expected of Lee Suh-ah. I had a lot of trouble back in the days with this and yet she immediately got it in one go.

Turning my gaze over, I could see Lee Suh-ah with closed eyes, wearing a passionate expression as she sang.

Her lips uttered lyrics in drops as her inner eyelids trembled due to the overwhelming emotions within her words. Naturally, her straight throat repeated the process of retraction and contraction.

Plus, there was her elegant voice.

In a daze, I watched the scene before me and just matched her for the rest of the song.

…As expected, Lee Suh-ah was a genius.

Even if I brought her abruptly and told her to sing; even while singing at a completely foreign environment, and even within the terrible condition of having an unfamiliar beat,

She was a genius that could sing a beautiful song.

‘Did I have the qualification to take her position?’

Biting my lips, I closed my eyes.

*

After the recording ended, the music director handed us an envelope.

“Iya, couldn’t have expected more from the talents Director Han Seungjoo recommended. Thank you for the songs and this is your payment for today.”

“Thank you.”

With a blank expression, Lee Suh-ah received the envelope and stared deeply at the white envelope in her hands.

Perhaps that was the first money she ever earned with her own hands.

Getting your hands on the first ever payment gave an unforgettable feeling after all. There was also the fact that today’s recording was harder than we thought.

“Then, be careful on your way back! Please watch our ‘The Genius Author’ which is about to air soon as well!’

“Yes! Thank you for having us!”

After throwing a glance at the back of the music director who was on his way back to the studio, I looked at Lee Suh-ah blankly ripping apart the sim of the envelope.

Taking the money out, she murmured.

“Fifty dollars…”

“That’s not a bad amount.”

She glared at the old lady printed on the note and let out a smile.

“You’re right. It’s only been a few hours.”

Yeah, that’s why music college students did these casual jobs. Future Central Concour which Lee Suh-ah entered before was an extremely large one but only had a prize pool of around 500 dollars. Plus, there was the entry fee.

With my chin raised up, I said.

“Hey do you finally know how thankful you should be? Towards me who scavenged such a dream job?”

The odd expression she faced me with slowly started to change. From her usual cold expression, her eyelids slowly bent down and her glossy lips had its corners raised as liveliness entered her eyes.

Then, she smiled.

“Thanks.”

Seeing that, I stopped before changing the topic in embarrassment.

“That’s good then… by the way, why does this damn school only give a scholarship to one student? Does this make sense? Didn’t you get other awards like prac high-achievers award or something?”

With a flinch, Lee Suh-ah avoided my eyes.

“N… nn. I guess?”

“And yet they’re not even giving you a scholarship? Haa… it makes zero sense. Hey at the very least, I’ll help you earn as much as that scholarship over the holidays.”

“Uh? That, actually…”

“Let’s go. We still have a lot of contests to apply for.”

“Wai…”

Lee Suh-ah tried to say something but I pulled her by her arm and walked forward in large strides.