Sungjae’s first impression of Hyunsik was that he must be the strong silent type. Observing Hyunsik’s behavior during the walk here and now in the room, Sungjae noticed that he had a very quiet demeanor. He was kind of awkward and shy unless he was with familiar friends. He recognized that Hyunsik considered Eunkwang and Changsub close friends by how comfortable, opened and relaxed he appeared to be, even though there was a complete stranger with them he barely knew.

Hyunsik chose the song that he wanted to sing and pressed in the numbers himself. He walked towards the center of the room and quietly looked at the screen. The song started to play and Sungjae noticed Hyunsik perceptibly cleared his throat before beginning. It was a ballad and with the first note sung Sungjae deciphered that Hyunsik’s voice was also a baritone. He smiled with pleasure knowing he wasn’t the only baritone here. The song started to progress and as it did, so did Hyunsik’s voice. Sungjae could hardly believe his ears. Hyunsik had a powerful explosive voice that reverberated against the walls into his soul. It showed an inner depth to his being that could only be glimpsed when he was singing.

Sungjae became aware that his mouth was hanging open and made an effort to close it cautiously, embarrassed that someone would see. He was in total disbelief because he was once again being blessed but by a different person. His voice was unlike Changsub’s but it was just as moving and incredible. His powerful voice had the ability to shake your body literally. In two days, he had had the chance to meet two extraordinary individuals with amazing voices. One that could touch you emotionally and the other physically. If Eunkwang was anything like these two, Sungjae didn’t know what he was going to do. The song ended and Sungjae couldn’t help but to give Hyunsik a standing ovation.

“Bravo! Amazing!” Sungjae yelled excitedly. Eunkwang and Changsub clapped for their friend happily. Sungjae couldn’t believe that they weren’t more thrilled than him but then again this probably wasn’t their first time time hearing their friend sing so it was understandable.

“Thank you, Sungjae,” Hyunsik said. He smiled shyly, his eyes disappearing behind his eyelids, and sat down. He looked between his friends and asked, “Who’s next?”

“I am,” Changsub said, grinning.

“Do you know what you are going to sing?” Eunkwang asked curiously. Sungjae ears perked with interest at the question asked towards Changsub, keen on preparing his reactions to his singing since he now knew what his voice was capable of on him based off the night before.

“Yes I do,” Changsub said in a teasing manner, “but it’s a surprise. You will see when I start.” He said smugly.

Sungjae was seeing all sides of Changsub tonight. During training sessions, he only saw the Changsub that was serious, focused and hardworking but right now he was seeing a different side. He was a friendly and fun person to be around with. It was like he had two different personas. Sungjae liked this side of him better. The one where he didn’t avoid him at all cost and slept everywhere like a cat.

Changsub found the song he was looking for in the binder ensuring no one could see and entered it into the machine. He flashed a smile once more and then as if he had placed an invisible mask over his face it immediately transformed into a look so intimidating that Sungjae had to look away. His whole entire demeanor shifted in an instant. He grabbed the mic from the table and took his place before the screen with his back facing towards them. Sungjae didn’t know what he was in for but Changsub’s extreme change in expression from a smiling happy person to a serious, almost cold-like person had him uneasy in what was to come.

The audio of the music came on and from the sounds of the music Sungjae knew he was in for a roller coaster of emotions. Tapping his right foot and hand along with the music, Changsub raised his left hand holding the mic just enough to catch his singing. His voice came out low but soft, almost like he was whispering to a secret lover, with a touch of emotions that conveyed the meaning behind the song.

Sungjae heart was ensnared instantaneously at the first intonation from his mouth that he couldn’t help himself but to lean forward in his seat, enthralled at Changsub’s honey-like vocals. He was grateful that Changsub had his back towards them because then he couldn’t see the power he held over him. He tried to control his bodily reactions toward his singing knowing that he wasn’t the only person in the room. He glanced over carefully at Hyunsik and Eunkwang. Eunkwang was smiling and singing along with the music. Hyunsik on the other hand seemed deep in thought, maybe an effect from the music that was playing . He turned back around to find that during that time Changsub had switched directions and was now facing them. Sungjae felt his face flush red and his heart rapidly beating faster but his eyes and ears were transfixed on Changsub as he was hitting the high notes at ease. Changsub raised his head and closed his eyes as he hit another long high note filled with deep anguish and longing that made Sungjae want to cry. He shook his head trying to regain his composure. The song was almost over and Sungjae didn’t want to be evident in his emotions. He closed his eyes in an effort to silent his heart. The song was over and he heard Eunkwang and Hyunsik clapping for their friend. Sungjae opened his eyes to see that Changsub was staring at him. Surely, he must be waiting for his response so Sungjae clapped along with the others.

“You were great. I really love your voice,” Sungjae quickly said, trying to still his beating heart but failing. He hoped that he didn’t appear weird or rude.

“Thank you, Sungjae-ya. I hear that quite a bit,” Changsub said while smiling, gracing him with his half moon shape eye smile. He made his way to his seat beside Sungjae and looked to Eunkwang. “It’s finally your turn, Eunkwang.” Sungjae was grateful his attention was now on Eunkwang.

“YES! Yes it is,” Eunkwang said in a hilarious tone while raising his arm in the air as if he had just won an award and was thrilled by it, causing Sungjae to burst out in laughter. They all in turn laughed along while Eunkwang enter some numbers into the machine for the song that he wanted.

“Are you guys ready!?” Eunkwang yelled. Changsub and Hyunsik smiled and giggled hard at their friend’s antics. Sungjae couldn’t help himself but to smile too.

He was enjoying the night thus far and he had them to thank for this. These three together had a way to make the atmosphere comfortable, friendly and enjoyable. It was halfway through their purchased hour and Eunkwang was the last to sing before they would sing as four together. He had no idea how Eunkwang’s singing voice sounded like but his intuition was telling him that he must be really good especially with friends whose vocals exceeded Sungjae’s expectations.

Eunkwang entered the numbers himself and danced a funny weird dance to the center of the room that Sungjae had never seen before. He cracked up and laughed along with the others as Eunkwang continued to create more weird dance moves. The music audio started to play and the three seated silenced themselves as Eunkwang suddenly stopped dancing and stood still for the song.

Eunkwang was facing them, smiling and glancing at all three before raising his mic to sing. The song at first sounded easy going but then Sungjae realised it wasn’t so easy going as he first thought. Eunkwang was so immersed into his singing, drawing out all the emotions and power of the song into the room, compelling Sungjae to feel the song too. Rather than hearing, Sungjae felt the high notes that Eunkwang sung. His ability to immerse his listeners into the story of the song was captivating that Sungjae perceived his body to be quite relaxed with the easy going audio but emotionally exhausted with all the emotive vocal notes floating around the room that the song’s lyrics projected. Eunkwang’s performance was literally moving to say the least. Sungjae was swimming in his emotions and was unaware that he had exposed himself to the other two sitting next to him.

Nothing could have prepared Sungjae for all of these vocal blessings tonight. His mind was blasted away by the skills that Eunkwang was exhibiting before him. Eunkwang’s voice was comparative to other voices he had heard before but the techniques and skills that he portrayed set him apart from the others. Such a voice would one day grace an idol group and it would be unheard of. He had no doubt that Eunkwang would have a successful career as a musician and hopefully he may become apart of it.

The song was now reaching it’s end with Eunkwang singing one final high note. Regaining his composure, Sungjae stood up and clapped animatedly with a large smile and glistening eyes. He heard Changsub and Hyunsik clapping loudly beside him for their friend too.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone!,” Eunkwang said while bowing to each of them.

“Now, we’ve reached the time that everyone has been waiting for. The grand finale where 4 separate unique voices unite as one to create a masterpiece never seen before in our lifetime. Are you guys ready!?” Eunkwang announced in a manner that an MC would do on national television. Everyone laughed and shook their head fervently in agreement, eager to sing as four. This would be a new experience for Sungjae and he was eager to see how his voice combined and fit with theirs.  

“But what song should we sing,” Hyunsik asked. He looked to both his friends and Sungjae, seeking any suggestions that they may have.

“It has to at least be a group with four singer’s so that we may each take a part,” Changsub said, thinking out loud.

“I know,” Eunkwang exclaimed excitedly. “How about Butterfly Grave? I’ve always wanted to sing this song as a group but we never had enough people to try it out. This is a great chance since we now have Sungjae with us. I think it will be great.” Eunkwang looked at his friends and Sungjae for approval to his request.

Hyunsik nodded in agreement as did Changsub. Sungjae nodded along with the other’s but was unsure on the lyrics of the song. Luckily, he could use the screen as a guide. Eunkwang went over and grab the remote to enter the numbers for the song request. Changsub found an extra mic hidden under the table for the occasional duet’s that happen in noraebangs.

“It looks like we are going to have to share a mic for this,” Changsub said matter of factly.

Sungjae hesitated with this news but there was nothing he could do at the moment. Changsub held the mic evenly between them while motioning Sungjae to stand closer so that his voice could be caught by the mic. With only a few inches separating them, Sungjae could feel the body heat between them and it made him nervous and yet thrilled. He glanced at Changsub discreetly but he was focused on the screen waiting for the lyrics to appear. Sungjae did the same, trying to focus on the song he would be singing.

The audio started playing with the lyrics immediately on display. They were to start singing as four immediately. Sungjae lowered his head to the mic, closing the gap a few more inches closer to Changsub. Their voices came out together entering the mic and merged, combining as one and Sungjae was overjoyed at this new experience. He glanced over and caught Changsub looking at him and then back at the screen. Sungjae smiled and continued singing. Changsub then took over for the next part, singing with the voice that Sungjae was quickly becoming accustomed to in this short time and imagined probably would never get tired of. Hyunsik then took his part with his powerful yet moving voice and then back to Changsub.

They continued singing as an ensemble and all the while Sungjae was in awe with everything that was happening. Separated their voices were just a color but when they harmonized and sung together, their voices meld into one as if they magically became woven into an intricate melodious art piece, such as a magnificent tapestry with vibrant colors intermingled into delicate but significant patterns unseen to the eye, creating flashes of bright and colorful images in the mind's eye of what could only be heaven blessing the ears of those fortunate to be in the presence of these beings. Sungjae thought he must be singing with angels if they could create an inner peace just by singing and melding their voices together.

The song was nearing the ending and Sungjae wished that they had more time but their purchased hour was almost up and they had a curfew. With the last few verses sung together the song finally ended. They all looked at each other with huge grins. By the looks on their faces they must have felt the same as Sungjae. It was if they had become one in thinking and understood each other in that moment. They all started jumping around in excitement.

“That was amazing!!!” Eunkwang screamed out loud. He looked very happy with the results that he couldn’t stop dancing around in the room. Hyunsik had this pleasant grin on his face of satisfaction and Changsub kept looking at him, smiling and laughing along with his friends. Sungjae laughed and dance with them too enjoying the presence of these three individuals that he had met within the past two days.

Eventually reality sunk in with the appearance of the staff at the door. Sungjae hated to be the bearer of bad news but there time was up and they needed to head back to the dorms before curfew.

“Guys!” Sungjae yelled to get their attention. Eunkwang stopped in mid dance on the couch, looking over to him. Hyunsik and Changsub turned their heads at him and then to the door noticing the staff lady waving her hand.

“Aaaww, time’s up, isn’t it,” Changsub muttered, pouting his lower lip out. “I really wanted to sing another song together. Guess we could always come back again, right?” Changsub asked, looking at the others and then at Sungjae.

“Yes, we can always come back another time,” Sungjae readily agreed. He would do anything to experienced this again with the others.

“Okay, call!!!” Changsub said cheerfully, doing another happy dance around the table.

“Yes!” Eunkwang shouted to the air and danced with Changsub.

“eeuuhhmmuumm” the staff lady cleared loudly, “Your time is up. Now please vacate the vicinity so that I may clean it for the next guest. Thank you!”

They all immediately filed out the door, bowing and saying goodbye to the staff lady. 

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Sorry for the long wait. I made this chapter a little longer than the other's but I think you guys will enjoy that. :)