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“What are you doing today?”
“The same as always. Why do you ask?”
Music studies and rehabilitation. Hee-jin's daily life these days could be summed up by those two things. She was studying theory so diligently that it felt like she had returned to her college days. Or rather, a college life where nothing interesting ever happened.
“The results came back positive, so don't you think you need some time to catch your breath? You have to rest properly to avoid burning out.”
“What do you want to do? Just do whatever you want. You're going to drag me along even if I say no anyway.”
“No way.”
The face that asked back with an expression of ‘Me?’ was truly brazen. Hee-jin narrowed her eyes and looked at him, wondering what he was plotting this time.
“It's a sincere invitation. I got some great tickets.”
Telling her not to misunderstand, Seok-hyun pulled two tickets from the inner pocket of his suit. The face printed on the front was familiar.
“Rachmaninoff?”
“It's a listening session for <Symphony No. 2>. I thought it would be a good way to enjoy something light.”
Rachmaninoff's <Symphony No. 2> was a work famous for its romantic melodies and grand orchestration, and it was a piece frequently performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Moreover, it was Hee-jin's favorite piece. She remembered how excited she had been when she saw this piece on the orchestra's repertoire.
Before the accident, when Hee-jin mentioned returning to her old position, Go Seok-hyun had sneered, asking if she wanted to go back to being a ‘mere part.’ But it was only when all those parts came together that this masterpiece was completed. If even a single violin were missing, the same emotion would not be felt.
Hee-jin's fingers moved reflexively, recalling the melody of the part she had played back then. As the clearly remembered melody lingered at her fingertips, the moment of that performance seemed to be fully revived. It wasn't an exaggeration to say her recovery was going well; this level of movement certainly didn't hurt. However, as she picked up speed, it soon became stiff, and Hee-jin stopped her fingers.
“Fine. I'll go.”
Even if she said no, he would probably find all sorts of excuses to make her accompany him, and since it was a piece she liked, there was no reason not to go.
“Thank you.”
Since she accepted without much fuss, a look of joy was evident on Seok-hyun's face. To be so purely happy—was he really just suggesting they get some fresh air without any other ulterior motive? Having dealt with so many of his tricks, she felt a bit embarrassed for assuming he had some hidden agenda this time.
Hee-jin was relieved that the food arrived, so she didn't have to continue the conversation. She also didn't have to look at Go Seok-hyun, who was wearing a burdensome expression.
✾ ✾ ✾
“Did you leave something behind?”
Hee-jin, feeling puzzled, asked as Seok-hyun drove the car into the VONA building's parking lot. Since he had said they were going to a listening session, it was only natural to find it strange that they had returned to the company.
“Let's get out.”
“Is the listening session here?”
“You'll know once we go in.”
In a building of this scale, it was plausible that there would be a small hall. Furthermore, unlike a typical company, the building seemed to be used for various purposes, so it wouldn't be strange if there were a cinema. There was a high possibility that Seok-hyun had organized and invited her to the listening session himself. He was the kind of person who could do that. Hee-jin stepped out of the car without much suspicion.
However, the place Seok-hyun took her to was a select shop on the first floor.
“You don't have any summer clothes. Isn't it starting to get hot?”
Only then did Hee-jin realize his intention and look down at her clothes. The clothes she was wearing now were the ones Seok-hyun had filled her closet with when she was discharged from the hospital. Since they were spring clothes, they were still wearable, but there were times when it felt a bit too warm.
Having felt the change of seasons at the hospital earlier, realizing once again how much time had passed made Hee-jin's expression slightly complicated. She wasn't in a rush, but the flow of time left a heavy mark in a corner of her heart. She couldn't just pretend everything was fine.
“Here, try this on.”
Just then, Seok-hyun picked up the nearest piece of clothing and held it out to Hee-jin.
“Where am I supposed to wear this...?”
It was a sleeveless dress in an intense red color. Moreover, large flower prints in bright colors filled the upper part; the color and design were so striking that it felt excessive for everyday wear. Regardless of whether it suited her or not, it wasn't the kind of clothing Go Seok-hyun—who always hit the mark with her taste—would recommend.
“Hmm? No, why is this...?”
Seok-hyun also frowned as he looked at the clothes in his hand. Seeing his expression that said this wasn't the right one, Hee-jin glanced to the side and burst into laughter.
A modest, plain light-blue dress was hanging next to it. That must have been the piece he intended to grab. Since the two were side by side, it seemed the red dress, which was just a fraction closer, had been caught in his hand. The fact that Go Seok-hyun could make a mistake felt somehow enjoyable. His flustered state, not knowing what to do, even seemed cute, which was unlike him.
“Why? It suits you. The flower design is pretty too...”
“Don't try to cover it up and just give me that one.”
Seok-hyun, who looked at Hee-jin standing in front of the mirror holding the light-blue dress with an embarrassed face, soon beamed. The intentional mistake had worked exactly as planned. Having let her guard down by laughing naturally, Hee-jin was now picking out clothes comfortably and without any resistance.
Seok-hyun wanted these moments—where Hee-jin laughed lightly and felt an unconscious sense of relief—to increase. Even if the sudden feelings of liking and curiosity she felt seemed small, those tiny sparks would one day ignite into full-fledged emotions.
✾ ✾ ✾
Upon leaving the VONA building and entering the concert hall, a space enveloped in soft lighting unfolded. The stage, with a small microphone for the commentator and a single-person sofa, was simple without any special decorations, but that actually created an atmosphere where one could fully concentrate on the music.
Hee-jin looked around, finding the atmosphere here interesting and different from the music salons in the US. On a large screen, a performance by the legendary conductor Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra was playing.
“Our seats are over there.”
After checking the seat numbers on the tickets, Seok-hyun led Hee-jin to their seats. The seats, which surrounded the stage in a semicircle, were plush sofas, making it seem like they could enjoy the music comfortably. Snacks and tea were also prepared so they could enjoy it quietly, giving it a relaxed, salon-like feel.
As Seok-hyun was about to cover Hee-jin, who had sat down, with a thin blanket prepared on the seat, someone recognized him and called his name.
“Go Seok-hyun?”
As Hee-jin reflexively looked in that direction, Seok-hyun's expression turned a bit cold.
“Song Young-woo.”
Turning around, Seok-hyun recognized him and subtly blocked Hee-jin from view. Song Young-woo, who seemed to have just arrived and was looking for his seat, was approaching while waving his hand.
Meeting an acquaintance at such a small listening session was unexpected, and the fact that it was Song Young-woo made it even more unpleasant. Seok-hyun did not like him.
“It's even better to meet you here. Did you come with Hong Yuna?”
Peeking out from beside Seok-hyun to check the woman's face, Song Young-woo looked at Hee-jin and asked with an expression mixed with pleasure and curiosity.
“Oh, it's not Hong Yuna? Who is this? Your girlfriend?”
Young-woo, whispering in a voice full of curiosity, gave Hee-jin a nod of greeting. Just as Seok-hyun was about to brush him off, who was pressing him to introduce her, the lights in the audience area went out and an announcement played, asking everyone to take their seats as the listening session was about to begin.
“Hey. Let's talk after it's over. We can have dinner together!”
“No, later...”
Before he could even express his refusal, Young-woo hurried back to his seat. Since the performance was about to start, he couldn't hold onto him. Seok-hyun's brow furrowed noticeably.
“…….”
Hee-jin did not miss the fact that Seok-hyun had tried to reject Song Young-woo's dinner invitation. It was rare to see him let his dislike show so clearly on his face. She didn't know why he wanted to refuse, but seeing him hate it so openly actually made her want to agree to the appointment. To be precise, she became curious about how a situation where Go Seok-hyun was flustered would turn out.
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