double vision

“i’d like to think so, too. i mean…luss are idols. i think they get it,” shinhye pointed out. “they’re giving both sides of us a real good chance, too.”

“they absolutely get it,” jiae answered with a nod. “they saw something in all our groups and extended a hand, and i’m so glad they did. i know people have considered higher the company for rebirth, but we have something special here.”

“if i wasn’t sure i wouldn’t be showing you the early cut,” he insisted, backing up and leaning against the wall, arms crossed. he wanted her to see it and he wanted to see her reaction, but he hated watching himself. “there’s a few edits that need to be done, but that’s basically the complete thing.”

she leaned forward, pressing play on the laptop and watching with baited breath. “this is incredible jisung,” she muttered about halfway through, absolutely enthralled. “how did you manage to make a song so obviously retro and yet so current and trendy in the modern market?”

“we all loved each other a lot, but that wasn’t enough,” shinhye said , pushing her hair out of her face with a sigh. “the music didn’t suit most of us, the management was bad, and the promotions were spotty. we were kinda doomed to fail. i’m just kinda glad we can be together still, even if we’re not really together, you know?”

“yes, i understand. siren did a very great thing when they signed all of you, i think. i’d like to believe that they recognized the love you have for each other, even despite the clashing styles.”

“you’re right. i need to keep reminding myself of that,” kyungmi said with a firm nod. “i need to like… write it on my hand or something. i keep forgetting.”

“maybe find a symbol that reminds you of that and get it tattooed?” jiae offered with a tiny giggle. “people have gotten tattoos of worse for less.”

“oh, perfect. this won’t take that long,” he answered, putting his ipad in her hands. “my new single is done. the music video is shot. i want to show you before it’s released…”

she took the tablet gingerly, smiling at him when he explained what he needed. “are you sure? i’d be honored to see it-- i know how hard you’ve worked on it...”

“Glad you were able to get out of there, then. I can’t imagine how better it must feel at Siren after that nonsense your last company put you all through.”

“it’s been a breath of fresh air in some ways. more pressure in others, though. if we don’t succeed, we hurt the company, and that is a lot to shoulder. we have no safety net.”

“i guess. it’s just hard being at siren now,” kyungmi sighed. “i think i’m still not used to it. we never had the money or the…voice….. to do that before. and so it feels weird asking for things here.”

“i know. it took me some getting used to as well. but we joined this company to do better for ourselves, and that’s not going to happen if we keep falling into the same traps.”

“not saying you are. but i still think you’re one of the best in the game,” shinhye insisted with a tiny smile. “yeah, i didn’t think of that, but you’re right. but honestly, i’m just happy we’re doing well. it feels good after promiss.”

jiae nodded. “promiss made good music, but it was clear that many of you did not fit the group. no matter how much all of you wanted to make it work, it wouldn’t have.”

“i was afraid you’d say that,” kyungmi admitted meekly. “i just…..you’re right. but i don’t want to cause a fuss. i feel like if i keep asking for alterations, i’m going to get a reputation as a diva.”

“being comfortable is hardly something diva-worthy. you should be able to feel comfortable and like nothing will slip out while you’re performing. if you keep asking for alterations, that’s the stylists not doing their jobs properly, not you asking too much.”

“creative freedom is so important for people who actually want to do something beyond what everyone else is doing. i am looking forward to seeing what merci comes up with.”

“well, thank you jisung. i’m looking forward to what you have coming out next too. you have an incredible repertoire since leaving spotlight.”

“Honestly, I think it’s at least five times worse that I decided it on my own, let alone the fact that I legitimately thought I had something,” Ohkyung laughed. “Faux-hawks are rarely ever a good choice, so I’m not sure what your stylists could’ve been thinking.”

“oh, probably something about how i was the rapper and therefore needed to look masculine and edgy and tough. something along those lines. i don’t pretend to know what they were actually thinking, though-- that whole company was full of misogynists.”

“what your old company did to you and your group was tragic. i haven’t seen much from you guys under siren, but i really hope they actually let you do things.”

“well, the financial status is one that worries me, and it’s restricting, but creatively i have a lot of control. they seem to respect how important it is to me and are letting me do what i need to, and i like that.”

“yeah. at this point in my life, at least. after i’m done in the military, and once higher has more high level producers, i bet i could handle a ton more dogs.”