Devil’s Music

"Touring with Kiska?"

Gregory, who was sitting in the study trimming the end of his cigar, twitched his eyebrows and looked at Geon sitting on the sofa.

"Isn't that a university? Are you talking about Kiska, who hasn't even started elementary school yet?"

Geon showed his hands and said,

"It would be better if there were friends of Kiska's age, but since that’s a long shot, I thought why not take Kiska to see Juilliard while I'm registering for classes today. Kiska is ten years old now. Keeping her confined at home for safety reasons isn't good for her emotional development, Gregory."

Gregory, holding the cigar in his hand, pondered for a moment. He hesitated to light his cigar, then sighed and lit it while looking out the window.

"It does seem like something Kiska would enjoy."

After taking a puff of his cigar and exhaling, Gregory picked up the intercom.

"It's me. Tell Miroslav to come in."

"We were just talking about this, but suddenly, those Albanians who were roaming our area started disappearing. They're being detained by the police, though we're still confirming it. We don’t know what they did wrong, but it’s good news for us, who have been lying low. Once Miroslav comes, we'll check for safety and then give permission."

Geon thought of something Kiska would like and smiled happily.

"You've thought this through, Gregory. Kiska will be thrilled. Ha ha."

Gregory gave a bitter smile and put his cigar on the ashtray.

"Heh, I don't know if it's a father's greed, but I miss Kiska, who used to smile as if she owned the world whenever she was with me. It's a bit early, but as she steps into the world, she'll meet others beyond me and build precious connections. Like how you met Kay."

Geon remembered his mother as he saw Gregory’s bitter smile. He couldn’t recall the last time he was embraced in his mother’s arms when he was young.

"Everyone leaves their parents’ embrace eventually. First physically, and then mentally, but no one forgets their parents' love. I think it's wise for a father to bless Kiska's future in the world rather than worry, Gregory."

Gregory took the cigar again, brought it to his mouth, and chuckled.

"You sound older than me. But that’s probably because you haven’t married and raised a daughter yet. You'll understand how I feel if you go through the same experiences."

"Ha ha, maybe. Gregory is quite the doting father. I don’t know if I’ll be the same."

"Doting father? What's that?"

"Ha ha, it's a term in Korea for fathers who can't help but find their daughters lovely and adorable, to the point of losing their senses."

"Hm? Doesn’t sound too bad. I am that kind of person, and I’m proud of it. Heh heh."

Knock, knock

"Let Miroslav in."

The door opened, and the head of Miroslav, marked with a fearsome tattoo, peeked in. Geon chuckled at the sight of Miroslav’s tattoo, which he could never get used to, and waved his hand.

"Good morning, Miroslav."

Miroslav turned to Geon, about to smile, then straightened up remembering Gregory had called for him.

"You called, boss?"

Gregory chewed on his cigar and said,

"Give me an update on those Albanian guys. It seems Kay wants to take Kiska out."

Miroslav took out a notebook from his pocket and flipped through it before speaking,

"First, Aurel Mabray was suddenly deported back to Albania. The reason is unclear, but considering that the deportation was carried out by the immigration office, it seems he wasn’t caught for a crime but for illegal immigration. A shameful end for a mafia boss who entered the US from Albania."

Gregory burst into laughter, holding his cigar.

"Ha ha ha! What? Caught for illegal immigration? Ha ha ha! That guy will be too embarrassed to show his face back in Albania!"

Listening, Geon tilted his head and asked,

"Embarrassed? Why, isn’t it good that he returned home peacefully?"

Gregory, still laughing cheerily with a cigar in his mouth, shrugged.

"Look, Kay, he’s a mafia. For the mafia, losing face is the end of it. If word gets out back home, he’ll be ousted from the industry here, maybe. Ha ha. Continue, Miroslav."

Miroslav flipped to the next page of his notebook and read,

"Ansi Yag

oli, a mid-level boss. This guy, who was managing street prostitutes based on Tillery Street, was booked the day before yesterday for illegal brokerage of sales, and another mid-level boss, Erkis Kache, was caught smuggling drugs from Colombia through Roxbury the day before that. With this, the mid-level bosses of the Albanian mafia operating in Brooklyn have been taken care of, and those managing the remaining businesses are being continually arrested. Oh, and Burim Kukeli was also arrested this morning."

Gregory rolled his eyes and asked,

"Burim Kukeli? Wasn’t he mainly responsible for force? Seemed like a quiet guy who only showed his face during wars, what was he arrested for?"

"That’s....."

Miroslav glanced between Geon and Gregory, trailing off, which made Gregory frown.

"What? Something serious?"

Miroslav held up the notebook and said,

"Well... he was caught in a car under the Brooklyn Bridge with... a prostitute."

Gregory looked at Miroslav in disbelief before bursting into laughter.

"What? Ha ha ha! The Albanian mafia's killer caught in a car doing that? Ha ha ha, really, Miroslav?"

"Yes, boss. Truly. It was a seldom patrolled area, as if the police appeared right when they were least expected and detained him."

"Ha ha ha! That’s so refreshing. Much more satisfying than if he had been caught for a serious crime! Ha ha!"

Geon, also amused, giggled along, and Gregory, laughing, wiped away tears and asked,

"Ha ha, so we can consider there’s no danger now?"

Miroslav put the notebook back in his pocket and nodded,

"The rest are small fries not worth our concern. Just make sure to have the security detail properly set up in case of any unforeseen situations, and there should be no danger in going out."

"Alright, I understand. Then, prepare for Kay and Kiska to go to Juilliard after lunch. Since it’s Kay’s school, try to keep the security close but not too close for comfort."

"Yes, boss."

"Alright, you can go now. You too, Kay."

Geon stood up and left the room with Miroslav. Walking silently down the hallway, Geon hesitated as if he had a difficult question and then spoke,

"Um... Miroslav. There’s something Byungjoon and I have been curious about..."

Miroslav gestured for him to continue, and Geon asked awkwardly,

"That tattoo on your head. The crying snake. What does it mean?"

Miroslav rubbed his bald head and chuckled,

"No special meaning. Just thought it looked cool. Now, go ahead and get ready for your meal."

"Ah, okay. Understood."

Geon watched Miroslav’s retreating back intensely.

'It doesn’t seem like he did it just because it looked cool... He doesn’t want to talk about it, I guess. There will be another chance someday. But I wonder how much Kiska will like it! Hee hee, I should go tell her quickly!'

Geon rushed to the annex and flung open the door to find Byungjoon’s massively protruding belly serving as a pillow for Kiska, who was rubbing her sleepy eyes awake on the sofa. Geon was startled at the sight of Byungjoon’s belly.

"How can a belly stick out so much when lying down?"

As Kiska got up from Byungjoon’s belly and stretched her arms out towards Geon as if asking for a hug, Byungjoon groaned and woke up, stepping on his solar plexus.

"Cough! Who's ambushing me! Who is it!"

Kiska found Byungjoon’s funny reaction amusing and hopped on his belly, laughing.

"Cough!! I'm dying! Call the members! Tell them Kay's manager is dying!"

Byungjoon laughed and tickled Kiska’s sides, making her roll over on his belly with a burst of laughter. Watching the two play, Geon moved Byungjoon’s leg aside, sat down next to him, and lifted Kiska’s armpits.

"Kiska! Let's go out with your brother today!"

Kiska widened her eyes in surprise and tilted her head, and Geon continued,

"Brother has to go to school today, but you can come too! I got permission!"

Seeing Geon’s words, Kiska’s face lit up with a smile, and she raised her arms high. Just as she seemed to ponder deeply, she darted out the door left open by Geon, which Byungjoon noticed as he got up from the sofa and asked,

"What’s the rush? Where’s she off to now?"

"Ha ha, she’s picking out clothes. Kiska likes to dress up like a little lady."

"Geez,

she’s only ten. What’s she care about fashion? I wore whatever my mom got from my cousin at that age. Just threw on whatever she gave me and went out to play ball. Is it different with girls?"

"Ha ha, who knows?"

Byungjoon scratched his belly under his T-shirt and asked,

"Registering for classes today? Can't you do that online?"

"Ah, I'm returning to school. Wanted to greet the professors since it's been a while."

Byungjoon got up, heading towards the shower room,

"Then let me join you. I need to meet the director anyway."

Geon watched Byungjoon’s back and asked,

"Director Lin? What for? Is there a problem?"

Byungjoon, taking a towel and draping it around his neck, replied,

"The problem is there isn’t one. A signed artist who climbed to 4th on Billboard is doing nothing but slacking off at home, isn’t that an issue?"

"Ha ha, is that really why you’re going?"

"Joking. Just going to report, nothing special. Might as well grab a coffee while I’m there."

After a short while, Byungjoon and Kiska, now dressed, sat side by side in the annex for breakfast. Byungjoon looked at Kiska, dressed in a sky blue dress with a white fur hat, eating ramen with a fork, and said,

"You're getting good at eating ramen, Kiska?"

Kiska silently smiled and sucked the twirled noodles into her mouth. Observing Kiska’s dress, Byungjoon continued,

"Aren’t you going to be cold dressed like that, Kiska? It’s winter now."

Kiska turned and pointed with her hand to the leather jacket laid over the sofa, smiling. Byungjoon tilted his head, puzzled,

"A leather jacket? That’s a rider jacket. Kiska has clothes like that?"

Unaware of Kiska’s fashion inspiration from the stylish appearances of music college students seen on TV, Byungjoon was simply bewildered. After finishing their meal quickly, the trio stepped out of the annex where Miroslav was waiting to speak,

"The personnel on our side in the car, including the driver, will be just two. I’ve placed the most presentable guys in there, so they won’t be bothersome. The rest will follow in another car. Security will be outside the school, so don’t worry and go about your business."

Holding Kiska’s hand, Geon slightly bowed and got into the car.

"Thank you, Miroslav. We’ll be off then."

>

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