K-pop Idol Imagines - Chapter 31: Chapter 31

"Here's your Fudge Brownie Hot Chocolate, Y/N, "her manager passed her her drink.
Y/N looked up from her iPad and smiled at him, saying, "Thank you, Oppa. Let's go we're gonna get late to the recording."
Her manager nodded as he drove ahead and towards the sleek building of SM Entertainment. Y/N took ahold of her handbag and stepped out of the car as they reached the building. She scanned her ID and walked into the building.
"Hello, Ms. Y/N, "the idols that were passing by bowed to her in respect as Y/N replied with a humble smile and sweet response.
She walked into the elevator with her manager as she got engaged with her iPad again, checking her schedule all over.
"I have just the recording?" Y/N asked and her manager replied with a coherent hum.
"Well, that's news."
The elevator door opened and they both walked into the long hallway with furnished marble beneath. Heels clicked loudly as they passed by many junior idols who respected and praised Y/N.
Y/N L/N, a big name in SM Entertainment. She worked as a solo artist for her whole life and was still working but nowadays, she was more into producing songs for her junior artists. Wanting to help them achieve what they want.
A smile graced her lips as she saw the recording studio. A place where singers made their first song ever after long and hardworking years of training.
Her manager opened the door for her as Y/N entered the big studio and saw her favorite people sitting on the couch.
"Hey, girls."
"Y/N Unnie!" the girls stood up and tackled her into a big hug as Y/N smiled, returning the hug.
"Unnie, you look so cool!" one of them exclaimed to which Y/N replied, "Thank you, Yeri."
As they pulled apart, Y/N's eyes traveled to the one whom she found her home in. A familiar feeling of heart-fluttering felt inside and she said, "Joohyun."
Irene, her girlfriend for 3 years now, stepped ahead and slid her arms around her waist, hugging Y/N.
"Hey, love, "Joohyun said as Y/N's arm circled her, giving her small frame a tight squeeze.
They both pulled apart as they looked around to see the rest of them focused on the lyrics in their hands. Today was the day of recording one of their b-side tracks on the ReveFestival: Finale Album.
And it was an honor for Y/N to help them along with their vocal teacher. Y/N let Irene go and let her do her practice as she made her way to talk with the vocal teacher.
"It's an honor working with you, Ms. Y/N, "the vocal teacher said and Y/N smiled, replying, "And I you, Sir. Let's get working."
They started summarizing the music and the lyrics as it was time for the girls to step inside the booth and record the song.
"Okay, girls. Whoever is confident can step in first, "the vocal teacher said.
Y/N grimly looked at each of them as Joy raised her hand, saying, "I'll go in first."
"Great."
Joy went outside and then came into the booth, wearing the headphones as she practiced her lines over and over again. Y/N looked through the glassed wall and saw her giving a thumbs up.
"Okay, here we go..." the vocal teacher pressed some buttons and rotated some dials as the song started playing.
Y/N examined as her eyes danced between the lyrics in her hand and Joy inside the booth. She nodded along with the rhythm as her experienced brain reacted when she made a slight change in tone.
Pressing the red button, the music stopped and Y/N spoke, "Joy. I loved what you did there, but can you raise the note at the end of your line a pitch higher?"
"I'll give it a try, "Joy replied as she sipped from her water bottle.
The song again played and Y/N was satisfied with the outcome. After two to three runs, Joy's recording for the 1st verse was finished. She came in with a happy face and sat beside Seulgi who was busy vocalizing her lines.
Next up was Yeri, she stepped inside the booth and the song played. Her part was to rap and Y/N alongside the vocal teacher was highly impressed.
"That was perfect, Yeri! You did a great job, "Y/N exclaimed.
"Thank you, Unnie!" Yeri replied in her cutesy tone at which all of them shared a chuckle.
Yeri stepped in and sprawled on the couch as she let out a heavy sigh, saying, "I'm so hungry..."
Y/N chuckled as she turned around in her chair and looked at Irene, saying, "Joohyun? Will you be able to record first? I want to check your rap first."
Irene nodded and stood up, quietly stepping out of the room and appearing in the booth. She put her headphones on and rested her hands on her waist, going over her lyrics again. Truth to be told, being the main rapper Irene had a reputation to maintain.
And that came with speedy raps and difficult pronunciations. She huffed out a breath to calm her nerves down as she heard Y/N's voice in her headphones.
"Ready when you are, Joohyun."
Irene nodded and showed a thumbs-up through the glassed window as the song started playing. She took in a deep breath as she rapped out the words in an instant but messed up in between. The song stopped playing as she heard Y/N's voice again.
"Relax, Joohyun. Do you want to try again?" Y/N asked, keeping her voice as soft as possible.
Irene nodded and said, "Yeah."
The song played again but again she messed up with the pronunciation. A defeated sigh escaped her lips as she said, "The pronunciation is difficult with the beat. It... doesn't fit."
"You can do it. Just don't focus on the beat for a second and practice the pronunciation for a bit. We will start again in a few minutes, "Y/N said at which Irene hummed and started to practice the lyrics.
After a few more tries, Irene was still stuck on to that same word. She raked her fingers through her hair in frustration. Not being able to do her job irritated the hell out of Irene as she paced around the booth.
Y/N noticed it from the other side of the glassed wall as she heard the vocal teacher, saying, "If she couldn't do it again, then we might have to change the lyrics."
"No, wait, let me check in with her, "Y/N said and stood up from her chair, going into the booth.
Irene turned around when she saw Y/N standing at the door and asked, "What happened?"
Y/N stepped in and closed the door behind her as she walked forward and took the lyrics sheet in her hand. She skimmed over them and asked, "What are you uncomfortable with?"
Irene pointed out the lyrics as she replied, "This. This word seems to be off-beat and it messes all the rap up."
Y/N thoughtfully scratched her chin as she took headphones off Irene's head and put it on herself. She pointed at the vocal teacher to start the music as Y/N vibed with it and then the rap came on.
And dare I say, she rocked it.
Irene watched her girlfriend, executing professionalism while rapping, even though Y/N was known for her vocals. She was surprised but not unknown to Y/N's talents. She reminisced the day when she first entered SM Rookies.
Y/N was already an established artist at that time and it was no surprise that she was humbled by her personality too. Irene had a crush on her back then and it was a miracle when she found that Y/N was equally interested in her too.
"Unnie--"
"Call me, Y/N, Joohyun."
Irene could feel a smile creeping on her lips at the memory as she shook her head and saw Y/N finishing up the rap with swagger.
"I understand why you stuttered on the word, but here-- see, if you just tone it down a little and blunt the pronunciation, it'll be easier for you to say it, "Y/N directed her as Irene listened carefully.
Y/N saw Irene's furrowed eyebrows and put the lyrics sheet away. She cupped her cheeks and pulled her closer with a placid smile. Irene rested her hand on her waist as she smiled bitterly.
"Hey, you can do it, Joohyun. Don't tense it up. I'm here, "Y/N comforted her as she leaned forward to press a kiss against her forehead.
"You know that I love you, right?" she whispered against the tip of her nose and kissed it.
Irene hummed at her soft touches and replied, "I know, love. I love you too."
Y/N's lips hovered above hers as she said, "Then I know you can do it."
Pressing a chaste kiss on her lips, she pulled apart and tucked her hair behind her ear, saying, "Let me challenge you."
"Challenge?" a familiar spark up in her eyes as Y/N chuckled lowly and nodded.
"If you rap your part perfectly, I will treat you and the girls, "Y/N said, "And I have a little surprise for you too."
Irene's eyes twinkled with curiosity as she smiled and asked, "Surprise?"
"Yeah. Now, do you want it?" Y/N asked.
"Watch me win, love, "Irene replied and Y/N hugged her with a hearty laugh.
Pulling away, Y/N stepped out of the booth and stepped into the room. She announced about the challenge and the girls stood up immediately, watching their leader all determined to win. Y/N sipped her drink as the song started.
And guess what? Irene succeeded in a single turn!
"Hell yeah! Now we will eat delicious food!" Yeri said as she high-fived with Joy.
Wendy and Seulgi were happy too as they shared happy glances. Y/N saw Irene smirking at her from the booth and she shook her head while biting her lower lip.
"This woman..."
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
The recording was successfully complete and now the girls were pretty excited for their treat. It had been days since they went to a nice restaurant to have a great meal. Y/N decided to drive herself and the girls to the reserved restaurant.
The whole ride was a full-on car karaoke. The girls were singing on top of their lungs with excitement as Y/N shook her head with the rhythm of the songs. She had a smile on her face the whole time, her heart exploding with happiness and love for them.
The dinner was great. They all ate so much that it was difficult for each of them to move for a few moments. Y/N paid for the bill and they all stepped out of the restaurant with smiley faces and satisfied appetites.
"I'll call your manager to pick you guys up, "Y/N announced as the girls looked at her with perplexed expressions.
"Why? Are you not coming with us, Unnie?" Wendy asked.
Y/N looked at them and interlaced her hand with Irene's, telling, "We are tired. So, we will head home. You guys can enjoy a little longer if you want."
"Okay! Have a good night, you two, "Joy said.
"Your manager will be here in ten minutes. I hope that we can leave you here alone, can we?" Y/N asked and the girls nodded with excited faces.
Irene chuckled at their instincts and said, "Call me when you all reach home."
"Yes, Unnie!" Seulgi replied and they both turned around, walking towards the car in the parking lot.
Buckling themselves up in the seats, Y/N revved the engine and drove away from the restaurant. Irene sighed as she relaxed in her seat and looked outside the window in the night sky.
She noticed the roads as her head turned to look at Y/N and asked, "Where are we going?"
"Home?" Y/N replied, more like a question at which Irene clicked her tongue in disapproval.
"You should know that by now that you're a terrible liar. Now tell me where are we going?" she asked again, this time with firmness.
Y/N looked at her for a split of seconds and replied, "That's a surprise. Now, chill and wait."
Y/N knew how impatient Irene could be but she just loved to tease her girlfriend now and then. She couldn't resist the reaction Irene gave every time, she said that she planned a surprise for her.
Irene was just too adorable.
She lifted her hand from the gear shifter and held Irene's, lifting it to press a soft kiss on the back of her hand. Y/N knew how much Irene loved these small kisses and affection without words. And Y/N loved to give it to her.
After a silent fifteen minutes of the ride, they reached their destination. Y/N parked the car outside an unfamiliar park.
Irene noticed that there weren't many people and she saw Y/N rushing towards her side of the door and opening it for her. Y/N put out a hand for her to take as she said, "Let's go."
Walking inside the park, Irene noticed how calm and serene it was. She felt a certain peace in the atmosphere and the presence of Y/N beside her. Y/N pulled her towards a bench and they both sat down, close and hands intertwined in Y/N's lap.
They both wordlessly tilted their heads towards the sky to see the night sky filled with twinkling stars and a bright crescent moon. Y/N knew that Irene loved to see stars and romanticize.
She turned her head to look at Irene and was mesmerized, just like a few years back. Her perfect side profile and gorgeous smile attracted Y/N towards her. Y/N's heart leaped inside her chest at the view of her girlfriend.
"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" Y/N asked and Irene hummed in response.
She looked at Y/N to see her already staring at her, intently. Putting the pieces together, Irene realized who she was referring to the moon as and a heartwarming feeling rumbled inside her. She playfully slapped her shoulder and looked up at the stars with blushing cheeks.
Suddenly, she felt a soft pair of lips pressed against her cheek and the next moment she saw Y/N in front of her, kneeling.
Irene's heart started to thrum against her ribs as she clenched the edge of the bench in nervousness. Y/N sensed her demeanor and rested her hand on her knee, caressing the jeans to calm her down.
"Joohyun... I love you, "Y/N started as she stared deeply into Irene's eyes, "I love you without knowing how, when, or from where. I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride. I love you with no beginning, no end."
Irene's eyes stung with tears as she covered her mouth with one of her hands, feeling overwhelmed with overflowing love for the said girl.
"And I want-- I want nothing in return, except that you allow me to keep you here, in my heart, so that I can always remember every part of you, "Y/N pulled something out of her pocket and held it in between her thumb and index finger.
"I promise to love you until I die and if there's a life after that, I'll love you then too. Will you accept my love?" Y/N held the silver promise ring her hand a little tighter.
Hands shaking in anticipation and anxiety as she looked up at Irene, who was crying quietly, tears flowing freely out of her eyes. Y/N lifted herself a bit and wiped her tears away as she shook her head silently.
"Yes, Y/N! I accept your love, "Irene replied while aggressively nodding and Y/N giggled lowly.
She slid the ring in her right hand, intentionally, and kissed the ring. She looked up at Irene and smiled, saying, "Thank you for accepting me."
Irene wordlessly pulled Y/N into a lip-searing kiss, not having enough words to explain the love for her. She cupped her nape, caressing the skin beneath with her thumb as Y/N sighed in the kiss.
Keeping it short and sweet, Irene pulled apart, breathing heavily, and rested her forehead against Y/N's.
"I love you, "they both mumbled out at the same time and chuckled.
Basking in the warm feeling of love.