Once everything was ready, Dayo pressed a few keys on the piano. The soft sound filled the air — slow, smooth, and calm. He adjusted the mic and looked at Luna, who was already waiting near the booth.

Luna smiled faintly. "This song… it feels different."

Dayo looked up from the piano. "Yeah, it does. It's not just another track. It's something more."

She raised a brow, a playful smile forming on her lips. "Something more, huh? You sound pretty sure."

He grinned. "Maybe. We'll find out soon enough."

She smirked. "Alright then, mister confident. Let's see what you've got."

Wayne and Valery were already by the soundboard, setting up the mix. The room was quiet but carried a kind of soft energy — the kind that said something good was about to happen.

Luna walked to the mic and adjusted her headphones. "Let's do this."

Wayne nodded from the soundboard. "Ready when you are."

The soft intro of Say Something began to play through the speakers. The keys sounded gentle and emotional. Luna's voice came in right after, light but full of feeling.

> "Say something, I'm giving up on you…"

A few seconds later, Dayo joined in. His deep voice mixed with hers perfectly — calm, warm, and steady. It was like their voices were made to blend.

> "I'll be the one, if you want me to…"

Wayne leaned forward, his hands resting on the mixer as he listened closely. Valery stood beside him, smiling quietly as she felt the emotion in the song.

There were no errors, no pauses, no retakes — only pure flow and connection.

When the last note faded, silence filled the room. It stayed that way for a few seconds before Luna slowly pulled off her headphones.

"Wait," she said, looking at everyone. "Did we just take that in one go?"

Dayo looked at her, trying not to smile. "Yeah. I think we did."

She blinked a few times. "That's… weird. It felt too smooth to be normal."

He shrugged. "Maybe we're just getting better."

Luna frowned a little, thinking. "I don't know. I've been feeling like this all week. Everything's been going so easily — too easy. It's kind of strange."

Wayne turned from the soundboard, trying to sound casual but clearly confused. "You're not wrong. I've been doing this for twelve years, and I swear, this week's been… different. Everything's perfect. Every mix, every sound, every take — it's like they all just fit perfectly without effort."

Valery nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I noticed it too. Even the editing and timing. No lag, no sound breaks, no mistakes. Everything's just smooth. It's like the universe decided to be on our side."

Dayo smiled a little, trying to act like it was nothing. "Guess we're just on a lucky streak then."

They all laughed lightly, though Luna gave him a small suspicious look. She knew Dayo well — something about his calm face didn't sit right, but she let it go.

What none of them knew was that Dayo had a secret.

The Cut Effect skill was still active — increasing everything about his production by three hundred percent. His music, vocals, mixing — everything felt flawless because the skill made it that way. But he wasn't going to tell anyone. Not yet.

Luna stood beside him and folded her arms. "Well, whatever it is, I'm not complaining. That take was amazing."

Wayne nodded in agreement. "Best one I've heard in a long time."

Valery smiled. "And we did it in one go. That's something."

Dayo chuckled. "We'll review it again tomorrow, maybe adjust a few little parts. But yeah, we're done for today."

Luna looked at the clock on the wall. "Already? It's barely six."

"Yeah," Dayo said, stretching his arms. "That's what happens when everything flows."

Wayne smiled tiredly. "You say that like you've been sleeping. You barely rested last week when you worked on your single."

Valery laughed. "That's true. The only reason you're smiling this much is because Luna's here."

Luna smirked. "He knows I'd drag him out of the studio if he didn't take a break."

Dayo laughed quietly. "Yeah, yeah, I know. You don't have to remind me."

They all laughed softly together before Luna walked over to him. Her tone turned gentle. "Hey, about earlier… I hope you're not mad that I told them about us. I just didn't want them to feel weird around me."

Dayo looked at her, smiling. "It's fine. You did the right thing. I should've said it myself. They're family now."

Valery smiled, a bit shy but touched. "You really think of us that way?"

He nodded. "Of course. You, Wayne, Luna — you're my people. You've all been with me through everything."

Valery smiled warmly. "Thanks, Dayo."

He grinned. "Don't thank me. Just keep showing up and working hard. That's enough."

She laughed and gave him a quick hug. "Alright, boss."

They packed up and started heading out of the studio. The air outside was cool, and the sky had started turning orange as the sun dropped. Dayo and Luna walked side by side, close enough that their hands brushed now and then until Luna quietly slipped her fingers into his.

They walked like that for a while — no words, just calm silence between them.

Then, out of nowhere, a man passing by called out jokingly, "Hey, you two! Get a room already!"

Luna's eyes went wide. "What?! No, it's not like that!"

Dayo burst into laughter. "If only he knew how wrong he is."

She hit his arm lightly, embarrassed. "You're not helping!"

He raised both hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. I'm sorry. I couldn't resist."

She rolled her eyes, trying not to laugh, but soon joined him. Their laughter echoed down the quiet hallway as they walked together.

After a few minutes, the mood turned softer. Dayo looked at her. "So… how's Urich doing?"

Luna stopped for a moment, surprised. "You don't know?"

He frowned. "Know what?"

She sighed. "Urich was laid off. Him, Lois, and even Chris Philip's father. All gone."

Dayo froze, staring at her. "What?! I knew about Chris, but not Urich. How could they let him go? He worked harder than anyone else."

Luna looked at him quietly for a second before saying, "I'm sure you're smart enough to guess who made that decision."

Dayo let out a small breath. "Yeah… of course I do."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air around them felt heavier.

He wasn't angry — just disappointed. Urich didn't deserve that. Still, deep inside, Dayo knew he'd make the same choice again if it meant protecting everything he'd built.

He thought about it for a while, then a new idea began to form in his mind. Something he could do — not out of pity, but because it was the right thing.

He turned to Luna and smiled softly. "Don't worry. I think I know what I'm going to do."

Luna tilted her head. "Oh? Should I be worried?"

He chuckled. "Maybe a little."

She smiled. "You always have something planned."

Dayo walked her to her car. The evening air was cooler now, soft wind brushing against their faces. Luna turned toward him and smiled.

"Thanks for today," she said.

He nodded. "You did great."

For a moment, neither of them moved. Then, she leaned forward and kissed him gently. It was simple, warm, and calm — the kind of kiss that said everything without words.

When they pulled apart, she whispered, "See you tomorrow."

He smiled. "Yeah. See you."

Luna entered her car and drove off, leaving Dayo standing there, watching as the taillights faded into the distance.

He slipped his hands into his pockets, still smiling faintly.

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