Devil’s Music

Geon entered Studio C after checking through the window on the door. The studio's office had a window overlooking the recording room, equipped with various computer hardware. Inside the recording room, there were drums, a keyboard, and an amplifier, set against a backdrop of luxurious light brown decor, reminiscent of an expensive rental studio at Lincoln Center. Geon, looking around the spacious control box table, eventually sat down at the PC, crossed his legs, and folded his arms, sinking into thought.

"Could I ever create beautiful music about my family, or my father? Even if I did manage to produce it, would that music be genuine? If I compose a song with false emotions, would people appreciate it? What if someone else, like Carlos, played it, would people even realize?"

Plagued by various thoughts, Geon suffered a headache and grabbed his head, bending forward. As he leaned over in the quiet studio, he faintly heard the door opening. Startled by Geon suddenly looking up, Shizuka, who had opened the door very carefully, froze in place.

"Ah, you're here?"

"Sorry, it seemed like you were deep in thought. I didn't want to disturb you."

"No, it's fine, sit down. What's that in your hand?"

Pointing at the paper bag in Shizuka's hand, she gently smiled and placed it on the table.

"I heard from the manager on the plane that Kay likes the avocado salad from Logan’s bakery. I stopped by on my way here."

Geon was delighted and dug into the paper bag to pull out a sandwich.

After handing Shizuka an avocado sandwich, Geon took a bite and asked,

"Wait, weren't you coming from school to the Lincoln Center? Logan's shop is quite a walk past Lincoln Center; don’t tell me you walked all that way just because of me?"

Shizuka, flustered, rambled in reply.

"No, no! I just happened to pass by. Ah, no, a friend asked me to deliver something around there, I didn’t go out of my way."

"Hmm? Which friend? I thought you didn’t have any friends other than Anna and Anthony."

"Well, well, I do have other friends that Kay doesn't know about."

"Oh, is that so? This is really good, by the way."

Seemingly not too concerned, Geon quickly agreed and continued eating. Shizuka, relieved inside, watched as he quickly finished his sandwich.

"The manager was right; you really like these."

Geon blushed and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"Yeah, I like it. There are over fifty kinds of bread in Logan’s shop, but I always eat this one. I’ve been doing so since before I enrolled at Juilliard when I first came to America, haha."

Shizuka laughed beautifully and added,

"If you like something, you stick with it forever, huh? Kay, do you also rewatch movies you've seen, or reread books you've read?"

Surprised, Geon’s eyes widened.

"How did you know?"

"Ha, people like you usually do that. What movies or books do you revisit often?"

Thinking for a moment, Geon responded,

"Uh, there are quite a few... There’s a Korean movie called 'Memories of Murder' that I’ve probably seen around... a hundred times? I know the dialogue for the first 20 minutes by heart. As for American movies, I like 'Leaving Las Vegas' and 'Constantine.' I've seen each of them at least fifty times. Oh, and there’s a Japanese movie, 'Be with You'."

Shizuka nodded with a smile, and Geon continued,

"Yeah, I’ve seen that movie about thirty times. I used to like Yuko Takeuchi a lot. I was devastated when I heard she got married, haha."

"Really? But did you know that the male lead in that movie is her real-life husband?"

Startled, Geon exclaimed,

"What? Really?"

"Yes, they got married after meeting in that movie. And they’ve divorced now."

"What, divorced?"

"Yes, haha. You’re a bit slow on the news. But don’t get your hopes up. She has a son, and she’s quite old; not really a match for you."

"Hmm... so she’s divorced, huh."

Geon looked serious, then suddenly Shizuka’s face came close, startling him as he leaned back while sitting.

"What’s up?"

Shizuka flicked her index finger with a serious look.

"Don’t even think about it. She’s an old lady."

"Uh... okay, got it."

Shizuka, appearing somewhat stern, caught Geon off guard, causing him to playfully lean forward just as her face got closer. When their faces nearly touched, Shizuka’s face

stiffened and turned red as she gazed at Geon’s lips, now turning a deeper shade of red. Geon, noticing her eyes focusing intensely, laughed and leaned back,

"Ahahahaha!!! Look at your face, Shizuka! Ahahahaha"

Leaning back and laughing, Shizuka, her face still red, puffed up her cheeks.

"What’s so funny! Don’t laugh!"

"Ahahaha, ahahaha!"

Shizuka pinched Geon’s thigh, causing him to whine,

"Ouch! It hurts! Ahahaha!"

"Stop laughing!"

"Okay, okay. Hehe! Don’t pinch!"

Laughing and ruffling his hair with his hands, Geon said,

"Phew, I was so worried, but I feel a bit relieved thanks to you, Shizuka."

Shizuka pouted and asked,

"What were you worried about?"

Geon sighed deeply and explained,

"I’ve made a new friend recently, a guy named Kevin. I’ll introduce him to you soon. He’s in Mexico right now, so you can’t meet him yet. I need to give him a song, but I can’t decide what to make."

The conversation turned serious as Shizuka asked,

"You’re giving him a song? What kind of musician is he?"

"He’s going to be the bassist for Montana. The song will be one of Montana’s."

Shocked, Shizuka covered her mouth,

"My goodness! Montana? Your friend is going to be the bassist for that famous band?"

Geon nodded with a slight smile,

"Yeah, he just joined. You wouldn’t know."

"That’s amazing. Please introduce me later. But what do you mean you don’t know what song to give him?"

As Geon shared more about Kevin, including that he was the president’s son, Shizuka was taken aback and fell silent for a moment after listening to the whole story. Both lost in their thoughts for a while, Shizuka finally spoke up,

"I think the topic of your worry is a bit off."

Emerging from his thoughts, Geon asked,

"The topic of my worry? What do you mean?"

Shizuka smiled faintly and explained,

"I think you’re not just unsure about what song to make. It’s more about what kind of song can truly capture his essence. Isn’t that right?"

"Yeah, that’s right."

"But what you’re actually worried about seems different."

Leaning forward with a serious look, Geon urged her to continue.

"So what is it? What do you think my worry is?"

After a moment’s pause, Shizuka spoke gravely,

"It’s not about that. I think you’re wondering how to beautifully express his heart and make him happy."

"What does that mean..."

Shizuka held Geon’s hand and looked him in the eyes for a long while. As his eyes began to show confusion, she smiled gently and said,

"Kay, the emotions you thread into your music don’t have to be just beautiful and happy. There’s also confusion, despair, sadness, and longing. Being called the angel of this world, Kay, maybe you’ve been trapped in the idea of only making touching and beautiful music."

Geon’s eyes widened in realization. He stared with trembling eyelids as Shizuka continued with a softer tone,

"It’s just my opinion, but if you stay trapped within the nickname of an angel of this world, you might never escape that cage."

Feeling Geon’s hand trembling, Shizuka hesitated before adding,

"Was that too harsh? I’m sorry, Kay. I just wanted to help you this time since you’ve always been helping me... Sorry."

Although Shizuka apologized, Geon was shaking, unable to focus, which worried her. She continued,

"I’ve been a fan since your debut, Kay. I felt that insisting on only beautiful music might be a fixation. Don’t be too upset. Just ignore it."

As Geon remained unresponsive, Shizuka’s eyes trembled, and tears welled up. With anxious eyes, she examined him as tears were about to fall when Geon suddenly stood up.

"That’s it! My worry was wrong from the start! It’s not about Kevin’s issue, but mine! Hahahaha!!"

Surprised, Shizuka lifted her head as tears streamed down her cheeks. Geon, with a joyful expression, raised his arms and looked down at her,

"Shizuka! Thank you, it’s all thanks to you! I can see the way now!! Uh...? Why are you crying?"

Geon, seeing her tears, unknowingly wiped them from her cheek with his hand.

"Why, Shizuka? Why are you crying? Did I do something wrong?"

Shizuka, unable to control her tears, yet smiled through them,

"It’s nothing, really. It’s okay, nothing at all."

Though she said it was nothing, her tears

continued to flow as she kept wiping them with her hand. Geon pulled out a tissue and handed it to her,

"Here... use this."

"Thank you, Kay."

With an awkward expression, Shizuka still couldn't stop her tears. Geon approached and gently hugged her.

"I don’t know what it is, but I’m sorry for making you cry. I was just grateful."

Hugged by Geon, Shizuka cried even more.

"No, it’s really okay. I’m happy I could help."

Geon patted her back as she tried to hold back her tears,

"Let’s stop crying now. We’re both happy, so why cry?"

"Yes, sniffle."

While hugging Shizuka, Geon’s eyes glanced at the calendar on the wall.

"Just one week left. Alright, Kevin. This music might not be for you, but for me. Sorry. Hehe."

>

Unlock exclusive early access to more than 100 Chapters before anyone else by becoming a valued member of my Patreon community.

As a cherished member of our Patreon community, here is what you'll get:

For just $5:

• Early access to 100s of chapters before they go public. (You can find all the novels I'm translating HERE.)
• Your name will be prominently featured on the "Wall of Gratitude".
• The power to vote on which novel I translate next.
• You Get Ad-free Chapters.

For $10:

• You get to suggest a Novel for me to translate.
• Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in gold).

For $20:

• You get to recommend an abandoned Novel and I will immediately start translating it.
• Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in blue).

Don't let this amazing opportunity slip through your fingers!

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!