From A Producer To A Global Superstar-Chapter 292: Check up from Coach

By the time Dayo got back home, the weight on his chest had finally eased. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The editing session had gone better than expected. Seeing the footage respond to his adjustments seeing the story tighten, the pacing settle gave him a quiet sense of satisfaction. Not excitement. Just relief. The kind that came when something difficult finally started making sense.

He took a long shower, letting the hot water wash the fatigue out of his muscles. By the time he stepped out, towel around his waist, the city outside his window had already begun to slow down. Night had fully settled in.

He dressed simply, dropped onto the bed, and reached for his phone.

He was just about to set it aside when it rang.

Dayo frowned.

Coach Richard.

He checked the time again.

"Why is he calling this late?" he muttered.

Then it clicked.

Different time zone.

He answered.

"Coach?" Dayo said. "Everything okay?"

Coach Richard’s voice came through tired, but warm. "Yeah... yeah, everything’s fine. I just wanted to check on you. How are you holding up?"

Dayo leaned back against the headboard. "I’m good. Just got back from the editing studio."

"Still working as hard as ever," the coach said with a soft chuckle.

"You know me," Dayo replied. "I don’t really know how to slow down."

There was a brief pause.

Then Coach Richard cleared his throat. "Actually... there’s something I wanted to talk to you about."

Dayo’s expression sharpened slightly. "Alright. What’s up?"

"It’s about your brother."

Dayo sat up straighter. "What happened?"

"Nothing bad," Coach Richard said quickly. "At least not exactly. I just wanted to give you an update."

Dayo listened he remembered telling coach that incase anything popped up he should inform him.

"You know how it usually goes," the coach continued. "New athletes come in fired up at the beginning. First few weeks, they push hard. Everyone’s motivated. Everyone wants to be great."

"Yeah," Dayo said. "And then reality hits."

"Exactly," Coach Richard replied. "Training gets harder. Progress slows. And that’s when some of them start cutting corners. Some reduce intensity. Some just disappear entirely."

Dayo was quiet.

"But I haven’t seen that with your brother," Coach Richard said. "If anything, it’s the opposite."

Dayo let out a slow breath. "That’s good to hear."

"It is," the coach agreed. "But I’ll be honest—I’m a little concerned too."

Dayo raised an eyebrow. "Concerned how?"

"He’s pushing himself a lot," Coach Richard explained. "Almost like he’s afraid to fall behind. Like he’s chasing something."

Dayo smiled jokingly. "He’s probably chasing me."

Coach Richard laughed softly. "That’s what I thought too."

Dayo shook his head. "Coach, trust me. He knows I’m on a different level. Class A compared to him," he added jokingly.

"Oh, come on," Coach Richard said. "Don’t dodge it. I’m serious."

"Alright, alright," Dayo replied. "But really it’s not competition. We talked."

"You did?"

"Yeah," Dayo said. "A few days ago. Maybe a week. We had a proper conversation."

Coach Richard sounded relieved. "That explains a lot."

"I told him what he needed to hear," Dayo continued. "Not to burn himself out trying to prove something. Just to stay consistent and everything would eventually fall in place."

The coach sighed. "I’m glad. Because I’d hate to see talent like his go to waste."

"Me too," Dayo said. "Thanks for looking out for him."

"That’s part of my job," Coach Richard replied. "Though you might have to start paying me extra."

Dayo laughed. "For babysitting?"

"For emotional counseling," the coach shot back.

"Careful," Dayo said. "Next thing you’ll start calling yourself a billionaire."

Coach Richard laughed. "Move in dollars first, my guy."

They talked a little longer nothing serious. Just jokes, updates, small reminders of familiarity. When the call ended, Dayo placed his phone on the bedside table and lay back down.

Sleep came easily.

***

The next morning, Dayo followed his usual routine.

Shower. Fresh clothes. Clear mind.

By the time he arrived at Min-Jae’s office, the place was already alive.

"Yo," Dayo said as he stepped inside. "Min-Jae."

Min-Jae looked up from his tablet. "Morning. You look unusually relaxed."

"Good sleep," Dayo replied.

Min-Jae smirked. "That’s rare."

"So," Dayo said, cutting straight to it. "How did she react to the music?"

Min-Jae chuckled. "Honestly? You should see it yourself."

Dayo frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

"She hasn’t gone home," Min-Jae said. "She practically slept in the studio. I had to force her out this morning just so she could freshen up."

Dayo paused. "That serious?"

"Very."

Dayo nodded. "I’m not surprised. Those tracks were built for her."

Min-Jae studied him. "You really believe in her that much?"

"Yes," Dayo replied without hesitation. "She won first place for a reason. And this project isn’t just about music it’s about shaping her foundation."

Min-Jae smiled. "You sound confident."

"She’s going to be big," Dayo said calmly. "Artist. Watch."

Min-Jae shook his head. "You always say things like that."

"And I’m usually right," Dayo replied.

They walked toward the studio together.

The moment Dayo stepped inside, the room shifted. Everyone stood up instinctively, bowing.

"Sit," Min-Jae said calmly. "Keep working."

Dayo didn’t acknowledge the attention. His eyes were already on the recording booth.

Through the glass, he saw Yura.

She had her headphones on, eyes closed, fingers curled slightly as she followed the rhythm. She stopped, rewound, tried again. Corrected herself. Again. Again.

No frustration.

Just focus.

Dayo nodded to himself. Good.

The producer noticed him and subtly cut the beat.

Yura opened her eyes, confused—then froze.

Her eyes widened.

"Sir Da-ayo.?" she said softly.

She rushed out of the booth, bowing repeatedly. "I—I didn’t know you were here. Thank you so much, sir. I don’t even know how to—"

Dayo raised a hand gently. "Relax."

She laughed nervously. "I’m sorry. I just... these songs. They feel different. They feel right."

"That’s the idea," Dayo said. "When music fits you, it stops fighting you."

Yura nodded quickly. "I’ve never felt this comfortable recording before."

"You’ll get used to it," Dayo replied. "And soon, you’ll have to work even harder."

She smiled. "I don’t mind."

"Good," Dayo said. "Because we’re just getting started."