JYP studio: Hours Later
Y/Ns POV
I’ve been in this studio before. Hell I’ve probably slept in here before.
Same hum from the equipment.
Same old chair and lived in couch.
So why does it feel… off?
I think Chan can feel it too.
The chorus feels wrong. Well–technically not wrong.
“Ryu, can you do it one more time? I want a 3rd layer on the track.”
She got up without a word. Professionals make this easy.
“Hyung, you’re really not happy with what we have? I think it sounds great.”
I sat there quietly. I can feel Emi looking at me.
“Say it or stop staring at me.” I said without looking over at her.
She didn’t move, or say anything.
“She kinda scares me Hyung,” Chan said in a low voice.
“I heard that.” Emi finally chimed in stifling a smile.
“She scares me too Chan, she knows too much.”
That warranted a soft kick to my chair.
I heard the door click and spun around.
Nayeon walked in smiling brighter than the sun, Mina was next scanning the room quietly.
I stood up, “Nice to see you two… what are you doing here?”
“I heard you wanted teams to be more collaborative, we just wanted to support our junior.” She said without hesitation.
“Just here to listen in and help if needed.” Mina said simply.
Emi’s eyes narrowed a bit but didn’t say anything and didn't move.
“Ready when you are Y/N.” Ryujin said in the booth.
I looked back at the monitor and hit play.
She hit the chorus, perfectly layering her vocal with the other 2 takes.
“Great, come out, let's review.”
Nayeon’s POV
He played the song for the group.
It was 90s R&B styled leaning into Ryujin's lower register. Smooth and laid back.
“Oppa, do you always take your job this seriously.” I said, stepping up beside him leaning on his shoulder.
Ryujin looked at me eyes wide in shock. Chan glanced at him then at Ryujin as if to confirm what he’s seeing is real.
“This song has to be perfect, It’s Ryu’s solo debut and the title track.” He said not even registering that I practically threw myself on him.
Am I losing my touch or is he really this dense?
He played it again.
A low voice came out from behind everyone.
“I think you should pull back the layering.” Mina said.
“It’ll sound less processed, more raw.” She continued.
“…you always liked that more.”
We all looked at her, expression neutral but eyes sharp looking right at him.
I turned my gaze to Y/N. Something like recognition hit his eyes. He stiffened with recognition and slowly nodded before his hands moved.
The room shifted, we all felt it. She brought clarity, she knew this about him. His preference, from their history.
He made some tweaks and adjustments, not saying anything but decisive.
He hit play again. The chorus jumped to life.
He stayed quiet.
I’m falling behind.
“Oppa, it sounds great, but you can’t let her voice just fade into the beat. Here let me try.” I said leaning over his lap to the keyboard.
I made a couple changes to the sound and hit play.
I pulled back, leveling my gaze with his as we listened. He smiled softly at me.
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