Shadows of the Spotlight

Chapter 28

Arc's style definitely got noticed. The moment the video I had recorded yesterday was edited and uploaded from Arc's official account, it went viral. The clip of him singing "Just the Way You Are" had caught fire across social media. Fans, influencers, and even casual listeners were sharing it, commenting on how his voice had brought something new to the classic, how charming and natural he looked in those glasses, and how effortlessly he'd captured the essence of the song. What started as a spontaneous moment had turned into the talk of the internet. It wasn't just his talent that stood out; it was the raw, unpolished feeling of the performance that seemed to connect with everyone who watched it.

The next day during rehearsals, Jihoon came up to us, his phone in hand, a wide grin spreading across his face. He was practically vibrating with excitement.

"Bruno Mars," he said, looking between me and Arc. "그는 영상을 보고 연락을 했습니다. 'Just the Way You Are'를 콜라보해서 정식으로 발표하고 싶다고 하네요. (He saw the video, and he's reached out. He wants to do a collab on 'Just the Way You Are' and release it officially!)"

There was a beat of stunned silence before the room exploded into excitement. Th crew looked at each other in disbelief, exchanging a mix of disbelief and joy. Even though they were used to big news, this was on another level entirely.

"Seriously?" Arc asked, his voice low, as if he was still trying to process what Jihoon had just said.

Jihoon nodded, grinning. "네. 브루노가 직접 전화했어요! 새로운 버전의 곡을 만들 계획이었지만 당신의 퍼포먼스를 보기 전까지는 영감을 얻지 못했다고 하더군요. 그는 이 영상이 노래의 영혼을 포착했고, 그것을 여러분과 함께 선보이고 싶다고 말했습니다. 엄청난 기회입니다.(Yep. Bruno himself called! He said that he was planning to make a new version of the song but couldn't get inspiration till he saw your performance. He said the video captured the soul of the song, and he wants to put it out there with you. It's a huge opportunity.)"

Arc's eyes were wide with shock and awe, but there was also a flicker of disbelief. The room buzzed with energy as everyone began to talk at once, excited about the possibility of Arc collaborating with such a legend. It felt like a dream come true, not just for Arc, but for everyone who had been a part of his journey.

"브루노는 전설이다. 이건 너에게 엄청난 일이 될 거야. 벌써부터 팬들이 요구하고 있어요! 그것이 당신의 경력에 ​​미칠 영향을 상상해 보세요(Bruno's a legend. This is going to be huge for you, man. Fans are already asking for it! Imagine the impact it'll have on your career),"Jihoon continued, his voice growing more animated.

"Of course, you should do it," said Ji-Hye, her eyes sparkling.

Everyone turned to Arc, waiting for his answer. The pressure was palpable, but there was no hesitation in his voice when he spoke.

"Okay, Let's do it," he said, a grin spreading across his face.

Jihoon clapped his hands in excitement. "나는 당신이 그렇다고 대답할 줄 알았습니다! 하지만(I knew you'd say yes! But)," he added, checking his phone quickly, "작은 것이 하나 있습니다. 일정을 확인해보니, 녹음을 하려면 시애틀 공연이 끝난 후 바로 캘리포니아로 떠나야 할 것 같아요.(there's one little thing. I've checked the schedules, and for the recording to happen, we'll need to leave for California right after the Seattle performance.)"

"So soon?" Arc asked, his smile fading just a little as he considered the logistics.

Jihoon nodded. "네. 공연 끝나고 바로 비행기를 타야 해요. 빡빡하지만 놓칠 수 없는 기회다. (Yep. We'll need to catch a flight right after the performance. It'll be tight, but it's a chance we can't miss.)"