the request had been a surprise—more in that azure gave him the go ahead to accept than anything else, but the fact he'd gotten it at all was strange. he didn't think he'd be working with jade lee ever again.
during hyunjae's time mentoring on counterpoint, jade had stuck out to him as something special. it was overshadowed, though, by the sister-against-sister plot line the writers infatuated themselves with. yoojung had ended up being the one to prevail in the narrative, but hyunjae had held out some hope for jade.
(not that he'd ever admit to it. playing favorites wasn't a good look.)
and now here she was, the ace of the hottest new girl group, debuting solo, and requesting him to feature on one of her songs—a power move, he had no doubts.
they haven't talked since counterpoint. it's an awkward reunion, but he tries not to let it show as he greets her at the recording studio. "thank you for inviting me to collaborate on your debut album. i hope we work well together."