The studio felt different that morning, as though the walls themselves were waiting for her to sing. Mio sat on the piano bench, smoothing her skirt absentmindedly, while Len adjusted the sheet music on the stand. The early sunlight streamed through the tall windows, softening the edges of the room.
"Alright," Len said, his voice professional now, though there was still that teasing gleam in his eyes. "Before you try anything ambitious, we'll begin with breathing. Hands here." He tapped his own diaphragm to demonstrate.
Mio mirrored the gesture, closing her eyes as she inhaled deeply. She tried to focus on the expansion of her lower ribs, on letting the breath fill her without strain.
"Good. Now exhale slowly, steady. Imagine your voice floating on the air you release. Control it."
