chapter FOURTEEN

of EARLY MORNINGS &  DESIRES LEFT UNANSWERED
DECEMBER 1ST, 2016

Sternly looking, on a crisp beginning of December, at the five girls that stood still in front of him, Minwoo cleared his throat, attempting to gather their attention, once their gazes met his he began to speak, “First of all, I would like to apologize for asking you to come to ShinCom with such a short notice,” peeking at the clock that hung on his wall, he sighed upon realizing it was 6’ o clock on the dot, “Ethereal’s most recent activities as a group were months ago, and rumor has it you’re disbanding. Therefore, to prove such rumors wrong, as well as to create hype for your upcoming comeback, after a lengthy meeting, and taking into account all the pros and cons, we’ve come to agreement of the creation of a special Christmas album, as a present for your fans.” 

Owlishly staring at him, Jangmi proceeded to repeat his words, “A special Christmas album for our fans?” scrunching her nose, she exhaled as he nodded, “If it’s not too much of a bore, would you mind explaining how it will pan out? How many songs will there be?” 

Shuffling through the sheet of papers that was once scattered around his desk, Minwoo cracked his fingers, “The Christmas album, which title is still being pondered by Minseo and Byeol, will have a total of seven tracks,” at the new piece of information, the five girls slowly nodded their heads, “Dajung and Meilin, as the group’s leading vocalists, will each, have a solo, whereas, Jangmi, Kyulbin and Saeron, as a trio, will record a song. Alongside, there will a special collaboration, at the request of Yang Hyun Suk, with BLACKPINK for two tracks, and of course, two songs sung by all the members of Ethereal.” 

"A special collaboration with BLACKPINK?” Saeron questioned, “At the request of Yang Hyun Suk seongsaengnim? That doesn’t sound like him, he rarely lets his own artists work with each other, let alone with artists from other companies.” 

A faint smile adorned his face, rubbing his chin, he got up, staring outside the window, “Don’t flatter yourself, I believe this collaboration isn’t happening because he believes Ethereal has potential, but because, first of all, he still considers Dajung a part of YG , second of all, to make their fans minimize their demands for an Extended Play, and lastly, to please the increasing demands of K-nets for a collaboration between the two groups.” 

As a bright smile consumed her serene features, Dajung scratched the back of her neck as embarrassment consumed her, “May we know when the recording process for this album will have its initiation?” 

Quickly, resembling the speed of light, Minwoo smiled back at the red-haired girl, “Today,” he shortly responded, “We will begin with the recordings of your solo, as well as Meilin’s, and then, the planning of the Music Videos, while Jangmi, Kyulbin and Saeron are recording their song. Tomorrow, BLACKPINK will come over to record the songs, and the following day the Music Videos. And so on, for Ethereal’s songs.” 

Tilting her head, Jangmi forced a smile upon hearing the seemingly daring and hectic schedule that laid ahead of them, “I’m extremely for my interruption, however, it seems like a very demanding schedule, it’s as if you’re rushing the process of this album, I don’t think that’s recommendable, especially when it’s supposed to be a gift for our fans.”  

Owlishly looking at the girl in front of him, Minwoo rubbed his temples, “The album’s release date is December 24th, we can’t help but speed the process as much as we can, but still making sure the final product is of quality. Several music videos need to be recorded, one of which will require a trip to overseas, a photoshoot will be held alongside BLACKPINK for the album. A lot of components to be concluded, I’m aware such hectic schedule is undesirable upon just finishing comeback preparations, but there’s nothing I can do to alter it. 

Clicking her tongue as she crossed her legs, Kyulbin’s eyes wandered around the poorly decorated office, “May we know when that trip will occur? Believing the schedule was empty I informed my grandparents that I would be spending a few days with them, I would like to know if I have to inform them that, that is no longer possible.” 

The smile that once was plastered in his lip, rapidly vanished, “As Award Shows approach, and your comeback, the likeliness of there being a ‘small vacation’ in December is very slim, so I, recommend you to inform, you will no longer be able to visit them.” 

Slowly nodding, Kyulbin clutched her phone, sadness dawning on her features, “I will then, inform them, as soon as possible, thanks for the explanation, CEO-nim. However, I must inform you, that according to my doctor as well as our choreographer, I still can’t perform songs with a complex choreography as well as I used to.” 

his chin, Minwoo put his hand atop his table, “I am aware of that; however, the upcoming show is in the 26th of December, I believe till then you’ll feel better as the level of discomfort will continue to decrease.” 

Having remained quiet until now, Meilin shifted in her seat to face Minwoo, “Who will we be working with?” at the unexpected question, Minwoo showed confusion, “Perhaps, I didn’t make myself clear enough. I would like to know, with which producer Ethereal will be working with for the creation of this project’s songs.” 

A small laugh escaped Minwoo’s lips, “What an odd question,” he murmured, “As per usual, you will be working alongside Byeol, as well as Minseo, who had a tremendous input in your debut album. I strongly believe they have a great majority of the songs already organized; you only have to choose which ones you want to include in your album.” 

Slowly clasping her hands, Jangmi raised her head, “Are we excused, CEO-nim?” she asked, “As you said it yourself, we’re on a tight schedule, and if Byeol and Minseo are present and ready to initiate the recording of the songs, it’s for the best that we head towards the recording studio, as soon as possible.” 

Moving back and forth, creating a mild irritation and, even, anxiety on the girls, Minwoo, swiftly nodded, “Yes, you are excused,” he began, “Most definitely, it’s the most senseful action to do. If any problem arises, I demand to be the first one to be informed about it.” 

“Of course, CEO-nim,” Jangmi said as the five girls slowly got up and bowed, “We’ll see you soon to inform you about the process.” 

OF A COMPLEX EXISTENCE & UNIVERSE-LIKE EYES
DECEMBER 1ST, 2016

With heavy footsteps, yet noiseless, mirroring their minds, the five girls of Ethereal, entered the recording studio, which surroundings would, eventually, assimilate those of their dorm, as it shaped itself as their home for the upcoming days. Unhesitatingly, they were met with Byeol’s weary gaze lingering over Meilin’s figure, as well as, Minseo’s ever-loving gaze over them.  

As if to speak, Byeol opened his mouth, but quickly closed it as he turned around, facing the computer in front of him, Minseo, noticing his weird behavior, greeted the girls instead, “Good morning, have you girls been sleeping as well as eating well?” 

“First and foremost, taking into account the appearance of the sky, it’s more correct to claim it’s night, unnie, ” Saeron began responding, to which Minseo couldn’t prevent herself from letting a small laugh escape her lips, “Second of all, eating well is an art I’ve mastered since coming out of the womb, on the other hand, the same can’t be applied to sleeping when we are constantly being forced to wake before the sun is out.” 

With her lips puckered, Minseo nodded, “I believe you’ll be able to rest once the preparations for this special album are over. Therefore, the faster we get to it, the faster time will pass and results will knock at our door.”  

Nervously clasping her hands, Kyulbin quickly sat down next to Dajung, who had her legs crossed, “From what I’ve gathered from our meeting with Minwoo seongsaengnim, all that’s left to do is recording the songs, correct?” to this, Minseo and Byeol merely nodded, confirming Dajung’s assumptions,” Which song will we be initiating our recording session with?” 

Rotating his chair to face the girls once more, Byeol let out an exasperated sigh, “Solos are the quickest to record, therefore, we will initiate this session with those, therefore, Kyulbin, Jangmi and Saeron, you’re dismissed for the upcoming four to five hours.” 

Shyly, Kyulbin cleared , “Can we not watch Meilin and Dajung’s recording their solos?” 

To the unexpected question, Byeol rubbed his temples, “I prefer to have no one else but the people that will be recording now in here, as it could lengthen the process, which is something, I strongly believe, none of you desire.” 

Noticing an awkward and unpleasant atmosphere being created, Minseo sweetly smiled at the three girls that were being abruptly asked to leave, “Don’t mind him too much, he has been grumpy for a while now, but being woken up and forced to head to ShinCom at 6am only worsened his mood. I’ll text you once Meilin and Dajung are done recording their respective solos.” 

Throwing his hands in the air, further irritated, Byeol let out a sarcastic laugh, “Obviously, I am the bad guy. But, either way, I have other events occurring today, therefore the quicker we get this done, the happier everyone else will be, correct?” the girls nodded, “Great, then leave, and come back once Minseo tells you to.” 

Like droplets on rain, the three girls left. Instantly, Minseo slapped Byeol’s leg, whose immediate response was to wince in pain, “I understand how frustrating it is to be called into work in the middle of your sleep, but there’s no need to mistreat them, they are even in a worse situation than the two of us,” shocked at how quickly Minseo’s demeanor changed, Byeol deeply swallowed, “Leave your personal issues outside that door, if you’re incapable of doing so, then leave and stop disrupting the atmosphere. No one enjoys working under stressful conditions.” 

Composing himself, Byeol dusted off his jeans, “As aforementioned, the album will contain two solos, yours and Meilin’s, a song composed with the remaining members, two songs recorded alongside the members of BLACKPINK, as well as three songs recorded solely by the five members of Ethereal.” 

Limiting their response to a simple nod, a small smile dawned at Minseo’s face, “If it’s okay with both of you, we wil then begin with the recording of Dajung’s solo and then we will follow with yours, Meilin-ssi.” 

Looking at Dajung, Meilin, motioned her to enter the recording studio, to which Dajung’s eyes widened “Unnie,” Dajung whined, scratching the back of her neck, “I thought you would want to do this first. You’ve more experience than me, I am extremely nervous.” 

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