nabi’s smile brightens at that, as long as the heart works, then maybe she woud be okay after all. she can even think of a long list of different hearts she can make at those producers, but even as she thinks of them now, she doubts it would be helpful. she watches the red light for a moment like it’s daring her, then looks back at hayoung and nods, decisive but still playful. “okay, deal,” she says, pointing lightly at her. “but i’m very serious about the double thumbs up. no taking it back.”
she stands, smoothing down her sleeves out of habit, but she doesn’t move away right away. instead, she lingers, rocking once on her heels. “and thanks!” nabi says suddenly. “i know i joke a lot, but it really helps. i've never really liked being alone. probably because there were so many siblings around me since i was born, and now i have to have someone around” she lets out a small laugh, eyes crinkling. “it's probably not a good habit, but having someone here makes it feel normal. like i’m just singing and not being evaluated by a mysterious council.”
she glances toward the recording room again, then back at hayoung, grin returning in full. “i’ll imagine the mic is nosy but kind. like it’s listening because it cares.” she takes a step, then pauses, turning halfway back. “if i mess up, you’re legally required to still look impressed when i come out. just so you know.”
nabi lifts her hand, forming a quick heart in the air, not even waiting to see if hayoung reacts before laughing at herself. “don’t disappear though,” she adds lightly. “i wanna hear how yours went for real when i’m done. and maybe sit here a minute longer before we get dragged back into schedules.”
she lifted two fingers immediately, very serious. “double thumbs-up are binding,” she said. “verbal contracts witnessed by mysterious councils and nosy microphones alike.” she let the heart nabi tossed hang in the air for a second before catching it with a quiet laugh. “and don’t worry— i’m not going anywhere. disappearing before your take would be bad luck. probably illegal.”
as nabi finally headed toward the booth, hayoung leaned back against the couch, eyes following her until the door closed. the studio felt different with nabi gone ( read strangely quieter ).
when the red light stayed on a little longer than expected, hayoung glanced up, listening through the glass. even muffled, nabi’s voice carried that familiar brightness, steady and alive. hayoung smiled without realizing it, tapping her foot softly against the floor in time. “see?” she murmured under her breath. she straightened as the light finally flicked off, already preparing her best impressed face.
she stood as the door opened again, hands ready, thumbs primed. “okay,” hayoung said, grinning before nabi could even speak. “i don’t care how it went. you sounded like you belonged in there. now come sit. debriefing is mandatory.” she tilted her head toward the couch. “and then i’ll tell you how mine really went. the embarrassing parts included.”
