Vocal Academy
The more I thought about it, the more I realized—female Kim Soo-hyun really was gorgeous.
Around 170cm tall, which is on the taller side for a woman. A face as small as a celebrity's, with sharp, defined features. To the point that, on my way to submit my withdrawal papers at school and then heading toward the vocal academy, I hadn't seen a single person prettier than me.
The only downside? The stares.
As a guy, I'd never noticed it. But as a woman… oh, you feel them. Every glance.
So this was what the girls I used to check out were feeling. Guess this was karma catching up to me.
Take that guy over there, for example—keeps sneaking looks at me while pretending to check his phone. Tall, handsome, stylish clothes, perfectly done hair. And now he's clearing his throat, fixing his reflection in his phone screen… oh no. He's heading this way.
"Excuse me. Could I maybe get your number…?"
Yep. Bad feeling confirmed.
"Ah, I lost my phone."
"Then maybe your Instagram…"
"I don't use Instagram."
"KakaoTalk, then…?"
"I exchange handwritten letters."
"…Then maybe your address—"
"Excuse me?"
What the hell is this guy?
Most would've backed off by now, but he was relentless.
"Haha… I know this is sudden, but really, it was love at first sight…"
I looked him dead in the eyes. Confidence radiated off him. He'd probably never once been rejected after asking for a number.
Time to give him that experience. Someone had to.
"You're not my type."
His face froze instantly.
Sure, he was objectively handsome. But that was all he was. Not a single flutter in my chest.
"Haha… This is the first time I've been turned down."
"Yeah, I can tell. Anyway, goodbye."
Stunned, he didn't even try to stop me as I walked past.
"Sigh…"
That made five today.
And it wasn't even like I'd dressed up. Sure, I'd done my makeup the way female Soo-hyun's memories taught me, but clothes-wise? Same as before. Just black pants, an oversized black sweatshirt with some pattern on it, and a cap pulled low. Basic all-black streetwear—something you see on any street corner.
Yet still, men kept approaching. Just what kind of life had female Soo-hyun been living?
Maybe that was part of why she avoided going out so much? …No. She'd been a homebody since elementary school, just someone who loved being indoors.
"…Is this the place?"
The vocal academy stood proudly in the middle of downtown, just a short walk from the station. It was now 3 PM.
Plan: consultation here, meet Hye-jung for some café time, then head to the BBQ joint for the reunion.
"Welcome!"
A cheerful receptionist greeted me at the front desk on the second floor.
"Hello."
I walked up. She looked me over once before glancing at the monitor.
"Name, please?"
"Kim Soo-hyun."
"Ah! Got it~ Wow, you're so pretty I thought you were with an agency or something."
"Haha…"
Hearing it said so bluntly—it felt weird.
"Well then, shall we head inside? The director's waiting."
"Sure."
Following her down the hall, I noticed the walls were lined with photos and autographs. Some were of singers and idols I actually recognized.
The reviews had been good, but I hadn't expected this level.
We arrived at the director's office.
"Right in here."
She opened the door. The office was typical—awards and framed photos on the walls, a table with sofas on either side in the center.
And the director himself… younger than I'd imagined. Late thirties, maybe early forties. The kind of man who aged well, like a middle-aged actor.
"You must be Soo-hyun? A pleasure."
He rose to shake my hand, then gestured for me to sit opposite him.
"Now then, there are two general tracks for lessons here."
He got straight to the point, handing me a pamphlet.
"One is the advanced course, for those seriously pursuing this path. The other is the hobby course, for casual learners. Which would you prefer?"
"Uh… well…"
What do I say?
Just a hobby? But if I pass the audition, I'll be a pro.
Maybe start with hobby and switch later? No, pointless. This whole consultation is under the assumption I'll make it through the auditions—why settle for hobby?
"I'd like the advanced course."
"I see. And what genre or style are you aiming to learn?"
Style?? Uh… right, I'm aiming to be a Vtuber idol, so…
"Um…"
"Yes?"
"Japanese songs… I'd like to sing some of those."
"…Ah, J-pop, you mean."
The air went a little cold for a moment, but being professional, the director nodded and pointed at the pamphlet.
"As you can see, we do offer J-pop training. Some of our hobby students also request it."
"I see…"
"Alright then, why don't we head to the recording studio and hear you sing? We'll need to assess your current level before tailoring the lessons."
"Ah, yes. Understood."
"Follow me."
I followed him out of the office into the recording studio next door. It looked exactly like the booths you see singers using on variety shows—soundproofed, microphones, the works.
"Step inside the booth, please. Did you prepare a song?"
"Uh, not really…"
"Then just pick something you're comfortable with. Ideally J-pop."
"Eh? Japanese song?"
"Yes—we need to hear you sing in the style you're aiming for, so we can evaluate."
"Ah… right."
Japanese songs, huh? The only one I've ever sung properly was that weeb track I used in the audition.
For a moment, I hesitated to even say the title—but then I snapped out of it.
Being a Vtuber was my decision. And Japanese songs are what my Vtuber persona sings.
If I couldn't even admit that, then I had no right to call myself a Vtuber.
"It's… um… called…"
"Yes?"
"Fu… Fuwa Fuwa Love."
"…Ah. Uh… let me pull up the MR."
The way the director's face froze up almost made me want to dunk my head in cold water.
But if I acted embarrassed here, then I'd really look like a weirdo. If I stayed confident, the people around me would follow suit.
So I straightened my back, stood tall, and waited for the backing track.
"Found it. Playing it now."
The instrumental kicked in, and I sang. It was my first time in a proper recording booth, but since I'd already convinced myself to be bold, my voice came out better than usual.
When it was over, the director sat there, replaying the recording with a serious expression.
My ears burned. The lyrics were… well, not exactly dignified. But no—there's no shame in it. To feel embarrassed about the words would be an insult to the lyricist who wrote them.
So I kept my expression calm, waiting quietly.
Finally, the director nodded.
"Wow. Very nice. You've got a naturally good voice… just need to refine your breathing and technique a little."
Relief washed over me. I beamed.
"Right? My singing's not bad, huh?"
"Yes, among regular folks, you're definitely above average."
See? My singing wasn't bad. I wanted to record this whole exchange and shove it in the faces of those idiots online who said otherwise.
"So then, shall we get you registered?"
"Yes, right away."
And with that, I was officially signed up for lessons.
"Oh~ so you're studying here now?"
Stepping outside, I spotted Hye-jung waving as she walked over.
"When'd you get here?"
"Just now. You told me to meet you here. So, you're really joining this academy?"
"Yep. Starting next week."
"Wow… you're serious, huh?"
"Of course. I even filed my withdrawal papers today."
"You're going that far? What if it doesn't work out?"
"Then I'll retake the exam. Get into S University's engineering department."
I said it like a joke, but honestly? Retaking exams sounded like hell. If things fell apart, I'd rather try my hand at modeling—good height, nice proportions, why not?
I mean, I'm only twenty-one. I've got time. And unlike male Kim Soo-hyun, I don't have the military hanging over my head.
That thought alone made me grin ear to ear as we walked.
Hye-jung scowled at me.
"What?"
"You're smiling to yourself after dropping that 'S University' line. Makes me wanna punch you."
"There are things you just don't understand."
"What are you even on about?"
"Forget it. Where's this café?"
"Oh, there's this Instagram-aesthetic place nearby."
"I don't even use Instagram."
"I do, duh."
"Fine, whatever."
"Just hurry up."
The café turned out better than I'd expected. I'd pictured overpriced drinks, cramped tables, and gaudy décor. But here, the prices were fair, the tables comfortable, and the interior styled like a dreamy forest. The effort put into the vibe was obvious—and I had to admit, it was nice.
"Pretty café."
"Right? Told you it was popular."
The place was nearly full, but we managed to snag a table. We ordered drinks and settled into conversation.
"My little brother did this the other day—oh, and Yoon-jae…"
"Yeah? But—"
Mostly, she talked and I reacted. Time slipped by faster than I'd expected.
"Oh, right, did you hear?"
"What?"
"Originally tonight's meetup was ten people, but now it's twenty."
"Why… ah, I see."
For a second I was confused, but then it clicked. If someone like female Kim Soo-hyun showed up at an alumni gathering, I'd be there too.
"Caught on quick. Annoying."
"What? It's not like I'm average-looking."
"Wow. Seriously? You're insane."
I just shrugged, grinning—until she smacked me.
"Anyway, we should head out."
"Where's the place?"
"Right next door."
As we got up to leave, I thought about the reunion.
Female Kim Soo-hyun and male Kim Soo-hyun had both gone to the same schools. Which meant some of the people there would've been my old friends.
For a moment, I wondered how I'd deal with that… then shrugged it off.
There's no such thing as friendship between men and women.
Silently, I offered an apology to my old pals.
Sorry, guys. We're done.
From now on, my friends would be sweet-smelling girls with flower-scented hair, not sweaty, hairy dudes.
Good luck with the army, boys.
With a light heart, I followed Hye-jung outside.