K-pop For Life ch4: Fun day with Felix

The day was a whirlwind of bright lights, digital soundtracks, and laughter that seemed to echo endlessly. Liu and Felix had decided to spend the afternoon at one of Seoul’s most popular arcades—a place that promised fun, competition, and a chance to unwind from the rigorous schedule that defined their lives as K-pop idols in the group Stray Dogs.

The arcade was a vivid collage of neon lights and the chatter of enthusiastic players. Liu’s eyes widened as he stepped inside, taking in the vibrant atmosphere. The air smelled faintly of popcorn and excitement, charged with the familiar hum of video game machines. Felix walked beside him, his blonde hair catching the glint of multicolored lights, his smile bright with anticipation.

“Ready to get your butt kicked?” Felix teased, a playful spark in his eyes.

Liu shot him a determined look, one eyebrow raised. “You wish. I’m taking the crown today.”

Their banter carried them to a racing game where two sleek, red-and-blue consoles stood side by side. The screen flashed with a countdown: ‘3, 2, 1’ and they were off. The simulated roar of engines filled the space as Liu and Felix leaned into the game, bodies swaying with each sharp turn and near miss. Felix laughed as he narrowly overtook Liu on a tricky corner.

“No way,” Liu said, biting his lip as he tried to regain the lead. His eyes darted between the screen and the mock steering wheel, his fingers gripping it tightly.

The game ended with Felix emerging victorious, arms raised in triumphant glee. “Told you, "He crowed, earning a mock glare from Liu.

“Okay, okay, you win this one,” Liu conceded with a chuckle. “But let’s see how you handle Dance Battle.”

Felix’s face lit up with a challenge accepted. They made their way to the dance platform, where a small crowd had already gathered to watch other players. The game’s neon interface and upbeat music set the stage for a showdown.

The boys chose a high-energy track, the beat pulsing with an addictive rhythm. Liu started with a flawless series of steps, his body moving with practiced ease. Felix followed, equally graceful but adding his signature flair—a spin here, a playful wink there. The audience clapped and cheered, their attention drawn by the duo’s synchronized movements and playful competition.

By the end of the song, both were breathless and laughing, sweat dotting their brows. The scoreboard lit up, showing a close win for Felix.

“You’re on fire today,” Liu said, bumping shoulders with Felix, who just shrugged, still grinning. “Let’s call it your day,” Liu added with a mock sigh, earning a laugh from his friend.

The hours flew by as they moved from game to game, trying their hands at everything from claw machines to rhythm games that tested their timing and coordination. They shared moments of triumph—like when Felix managed to win a giant stuffed animal after three failed attempts, drawing a loud cheer from Liu. The arcade buzzed with life around them, but in those moments, it felt like their own little world—a space where they weren’t global idols or performers, just two friends sharing the simplicity of the moment.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky with strokes of orange and pink, Felix turned to Liu. “You ready to head to the studio?”

Liu nodded, the excitement from the arcade still sparking through him but replaced with a steady anticipation. The recording studio was a different kind of playground, one where their creativity would take center stage.

The studio’s cool, sleek interior greeted them with the familiar scent of polished wood and faint echoes of past melodies. High-tech equipment sat ready; the control panel lit up with a soft glow. Jin and Sujin were already there, going over some notes on a large music stand. Mikey was adjusting the settings on his headphones, a playful smirk on his face when he saw Felix and Liu enter.

“How was the arcade?” Mikey asked, winking.

Felix laughed. “Epic. But I’ll let Liu tell you how many times I won.”

“Don’t get too cocky,” Liu shot back, shaking his head with a grin. “Now, let’s get to work.”

They gathered around the center of the room, instruments and mics set up meticulously. The next project was a collaborative track that would weave their voices together with layered harmonies and powerful solos. Jin took the lead, his deep voice cutting through the room as he outlined the plan.

“We want this to feel real, raw,” he said, eyes serious as he scanned each of them. “The theme is perseverance, but it should have moments of softness too. Liu, I was hoping you could bring that balance.”

A mix of pride and pressure settled over Liu. He nodded, eyes bright with understanding. “I’ve got some ideas.”

They began with warm-ups, each voice contributing a unique color to the mix. When it was Felix’s turn, his voice soared effortlessly, playful yet full of depth. Liu followed, his notes softer but filled with an emotion that made the others pause and listen.

The hours ticked by, filled with the rhythmic start and stop of recording, whispered conversations about chord changes, and spontaneous moments where someone would break into laughter. Mikey clowned around with a tambourine at one point, prompting Jin to roll his eyes and mutter, “Focus!”

Despite the teasing, their bond was palpable. Each verse, each harmony, felt more like an expression of shared history than just lyrics on paper. Felix recorded his part with ease, his voice lighting up the song with an infectious energy. Liu's turn came, and he took a deep breath before stepping up to the mic.

The room fell quiet as his voice flowed, soft but powerful, carrying an undertone of vulnerability. The lyrics spoke of dreams, of the endless chase and the moments of doubt, but also the quiet assurance that they were not alone in their journey. The resonance was enough to make even Sujin, typically stoic, nod in appreciation.

“Perfect,” Jin said as Liu finished, his tone leaving no room for doubt. The playback filled the room, blending their voices in a symphony that sent chills down their spines.

“Remember the last time we did this? We barely knew each other,” Felix said, leaning over to Liu with a hint of nostalgia.

Liu glanced up, the memory making him smile. “Yeah. And now look at us. It’s like we’ve been doing this forever.”

A shared silence followed, not awkward but filled with unspoken understanding. They were brothers now, bound not just by their music but by the moments like this—the quiet between the chaos, the shared dreams that kept them moving forward.

Finally, as the last notes of the track played back over the speakers, a collective sigh of satisfaction filled the room. The song was complete, each beat resonating with the hours of dedication poured into it.

“This is it,” Sujin said, a rare smile breaking across his usually stoic face. “We did it.”

Mikey threw an arm around Jin and Sujin, pulling Felix and Liu into a tight circle. “You know what this calls for? Celebration.”

They laughed, the tension from hours of work melting away. Jin suggested ordering food, and soon they were gathered around with takeout boxes, recounting the best parts of the day and debating who messed up the least during the recording.

“I’m just saying that high note was all me,” Mikey said with mock seriousness, earning groans and good-natured shoves from the others.

The room brimmed with warmth, the kind that came from shared victories and memories built together. It was during moments like this that Liu felt a deep gratitude for where he was—the path he had chosen, the friends he’d found along the way.

It was late by the time they left the studio, the streets of Seoul quieter now, under the gentle glow of streetlights. The city’s energy had shifted, from the frenetic pace of the day to a softer, almost intimate hum. Liu’s phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out absentmindedly as they walked. His eyes widened as he read the notification.

The rehearsal studio buzzed with energy as Stray Dogs perfected their choreography. Liu, drenched in sweat, was catching his breath near the mirror, wiping his face with a towel. His thoughts were still focused on the routine, replaying every step in his mind, when the door to the studio creaked open.

“Hey, sorry to interrupt,” came a voice, smooth and self-assured.

Liu looked up, and his eyes widened. It was Eclipse, one of the biggest K-pop groups in the industry. Their leader, Kai, stood in the center, his presence commanding yet approachable. The rest of Eclipse lingered behind him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and anticipation.

Sujin was the first to recover from the shock. “Kai?” he blurted out, his usual confidence momentarily replaced with awe. “What are you guys doing here?”

Kai grinned. “We’re here for him,” he said, pointing at Liu.

Liu froze. “Me?”

“Yeah,” another member of Eclipse, Yuna, chimed in, flipping her long hair over her shoulder. “We’ve seen some of your performances. You’ve got this raw energy and stage presence. It’s magnetic.”

Felix stepped forward, his brow furrowed. “Wait, what are you saying?”

Kai crossed his arms, leaning casually against the doorframe. “We want to collaborate with him. There’s this new track we’re working on—something experimental—and Liu’s the perfect fit for it.”

The room went silent. Liu’s heart pounded in his chest, torn between disbelief and nervous excitement.

“Why me?” he asked finally, his voice quieter than he intended.

Kai tilted his head. “Because you’re different. You bring something real, something honest. We want that.”

Mikey, always the emotional anchor, placed a reassuring hand on Liu’s shoulder. “This is huge, Liu. They see what we see in you.”

Jin nodded, his warm smile lighting up the tense atmosphere. “You’ve got this. Don’t overthink it.”

Sujin smirked and nudged Liu with his elbow. “Guess you’re the star now, huh?”

Liu glanced at his bandmates, their support giving him strength. Then he turned back to Eclipse. “I’m honored,” he said, his voice steadier now. “Let’s do it.”

Kai clapped his hands together. “Perfect. We’ll send over the track and set up a meeting. Looking forward to this, Liu.”

As Eclipse left the studio, the door closing behind them, Sujin let out a low whistle. “Collaborating with Eclipse? You’re about to blow up, man.”

Liu smiled faintly, his usual guardedness giving way to a flicker of excitement. For the first time, he felt like he was truly stepping into his own spotlight.

Chapter five will be released tomorrow🦋💜

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