Devil’s Music

After his meeting with Herald Winston, Geon returned to Manhattan and arrived at Red Castle. Byung-jun, who had been in Japan and then Seattle before returning to Red Castle, came home a day earlier than Geon to catch up on backlog work, only then able to return home. Geon, who had been reading in the annex, saw Byung-jun, rubbing his freezing hands as he opened the door, and put down his book with a smile.

"You’re back, bro? You must be exhausted."

Byung-jun threw off his jacket carelessly and flopped down on the sofa.

"Man, it’s tough, so tough. I’ve flown over 40 hours in just a few days."

Geon patted his shoulder as if to say ‘well done’.

"How’s Shizuka?"

"She came straight to Manhattan from Japan. I just stopped by Seattle to finalize a deal with Kevin because of your message."

"I see. Where have you been now?"

"Ah, Carlos rented a studio for me in the basement of Lincoln Center. I just checked it out."

"It is. But it seems Carlos is quite concerned since it's his music. He’s rented it for the next week, so make sure to produce something good. That way, it'll sell for a good price."

"Haha, are you trying to make some money?"

"Isn’t it obvious? Fantagio isn't a charity."

"Carlos was saying he’s going to give you R/S instead of paying a fee for the songs."

"Really? That's even better. Your songs are bound to be a hit, so it’s much better to earn in royalties. Looks like I’ll have to draft another contract in that direction. How’s the composition going? Any ideas yet?"

Geon crossed his arms and slightly shook his head, which Byung-jun noticed and he licked his lips.

"The studio rental starts tomorrow. Let's just create something within this week; we’re not actually recording, just making a guide track."

Geon looked troubled, prompting Byung-jun to ask.

"What’s wrong? It’s not like you to struggle with creating music."

Geon scoffed and lightly hit Byung-jun's arm.

"Bro, what musician doesn’t struggle with creating music? I do think hard and go through a lot of trials to produce music."

Byung-jun flicked Geon's forehead with his finger.

"That's what you think. Some musicians take over a year to make a single song. For someone like you, it should just flow out easily. But you seem troubled, hence I asked. Is there a problem?"

Geon explained to Byung-jun about Kevin’s past that he had learned from Herald Winston. Byung-jun listened with a serious expression and nodded.

"That's certainly a scenario that could hurt a teenager. Everyone has their critical moments."

Geon nodded solemnly.

"There’s a saying about adolescence being 'the period when souls are crafted.' It's also a period that determines human personality. It’s even the starting point for psychopathic killers."

Byung-jun raised his eyebrows.

"Psychopath? Why such a frightening talk all of a sudden?"

Geon spoke earnestly.

"It's particularly noticeable in birds. They recognize the first living being they see as their mother, and this belief doesn’t change until they die. For them, the most crucial period is the moment they open their eyes. The information they get at that moment is what they believe to be the truth."

Byung-jun nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, I think I’ve heard about that. Like how ducklings think the first thing they see when they open their eyes is their mother and they follow it around."

"Exactly, bro. Each species has its own critical period of growth or formation. For birds, it’s the moment they open their eyes, and for humans, adolescence is crucial. We often refer to psychopaths as monsters. These individuals typically go through some decisive events during their adolescence, although there are exceptions."

"Sounds like something out of a drama."

"Yes, psychopaths either become monsters themselves or are seen as monsters by others. Anyway, people during this period often can't discern right from wrong and simply imprint the information in their brains. In Kevin's case, it was his thoughts about his father."

Byung-jun pursed his lips.

"But how does that relate to you making music?"

Geon pulled out a piece of staff paper tucked inside a book. The paper was plain except for the five musical staff lines.

"When I heard the music Shizuka made, I realized it contained her life and her thoughts at the time. That’s why so many people were moved by her performance. It’s because her sincerity was conveyed through the music. Kevin will also shine when he plays with true emotion."

Byung-jun shrugged his shoulders.

"So it

’s either a song that expresses hatred for his father or politics, or a song about forgiving and loving his father again. Given your nature, the latter seems more likely."

Geon grimaced at Byung-jun’s words and showed two fingers.

"There are two problems with the latter option you mentioned."

"What are they?"

Geon sighed and lowered his fingers.

"First, Kevin already knows that his father sent me. If I give him a song that suggests forgiving his father or loving his family, he'll think I'm trying to force a reconciliation through the music."

Geon paused to catch his breath before continuing.

"Secondly, if he just performs because it's my song, it won’t truly carry his sincerity. A professional musician like Carlos would notice that. If so, Carlos would find no use for Kevin if he’s just a technician since there are plenty of those around."

Byung-jun nodded seriously.

"Makes sense. And the second problem?"

Geon smiled awkwardly and looked out the window momentarily.

"Singing about love and forgiveness for his father. Do you think I can do that right now, bro?"

Byung-jun looked slightly shocked and then apologetic, gauging Geon’s mood.

"Ah, hmm, I see."

Geon’s expression turned slightly sad, and Byung-jun stretched and changed the subject.

"Ah, it’s nice out! Should we go out?"

Geon looked baffled.

"It's cold, where would we go?"

Byung-jun, flustered, couldn't find where to look and stood up heading to the shower room.

"Ah, right, it’s a bit chilly. I guess I need a hot shower."

Geon, smiling, said as Byung-jun headed to the shower room.

"Heh, bro. Then I’ll go check out the studio."

Turning back, Byung-jun said,

"Huh? The studio rental starts tomorrow. You can’t use it now."

"Just going to take a look and get some fresh air. Haven’t been out today."

"Should I come with?"

"No, take care of Kiska when she arrives later."

"Alright, will do. Call if anything. Oh! Shizuka said she had school stuff today. Maybe see her?"

"Really? Got it."

As Byung-jun entered the shower room, Geon, dressed, left the annex. Miroslav, who was checking the security personnel, saw Geon dressed and hurried over.

"Are you going out?"

Geon straightened his collar and smiled.

"Yes, heading to Lincoln Center."

"I’ll get the car ready."

"Thank you."

Miroslav offered the car, and as Geon left Red Castle, two more cars with security personnel followed. Inside the car, Geon looked out and made a call. After one ring, a cheerful voice came through.

"Hello! Kay!!"

"Yes, Shizuka. I’m back. Where are you?"

"At Lincoln Center for work. You went to school?"

"Yeah! Just met with the professor to make up for the last few days of the semester."

"Done with everything?"

"Yes!"

"Then let’s have lunch. I’ll call you after."

"Um! Is this 'work' meeting someone else?"

"No, why?"

"Then I’ll come too. I’m free anyway."

"Haha, alright. See you in 10 minutes on basement level one at Lincoln Center."

"Hehe!! Okay!"

Geon waited for Shizuka to hang up first, but thinking the call had already ended, he heard her exclamation.

"Yes!! It’s a date!!"

Hearing Shizuka's voice through the handset, Geon chuckled. After waiting a bit longer, only rustling sounds came through, indicating she might have put the phone in her pocket. Geon ended the call and leaned comfortably against the car seat. About ten minutes later, they arrived at Lincoln Center. The team members got out quickly and opened the rear door for Geon.

"Thank you. Lincoln Center is a public cultural space, so if you all come in, it’ll disrupt business. Sorry, but could you please wait nearby?"

The team members nodded slightly before getting back into their cars and moving away. Geon knew they would still protect him from a distance. He covered his face with a scarf up to his eyes before entering Lincoln Center. Despite it being a weekday, the lobby was crowded with visitors. As soon as he opened the door, he walked straight to the stairs leading downstairs. The security guard at the studio entrance raised his hand to stop him.

"Sorry, this area is restricted to general visitors as it houses music studios."

Geon, checking that Shizuka hadn’t arrived yet, smiled with his eyes and said,

"Ah, I have a reservation to rent this place starting tomorrow and wanted to look around in advance."

"Is that so? I need to verify, so could you show your ID card...?!"

As

Geon lowered his scarf and smiled warmly, the security guard covered his mouth in shock. Geon reassured him with a smile.

"Can I go in now?"

The flustered guard stepped aside quickly.

"Of course! Go right in."

"Thank you. Shizuka will be here soon too; she has an appointment with me, so please let her in."

The surprised guard responded,

"Shizuka Miyawaki? Of course! I’ll take care of her admission myself!"

"Thank you."

Geon passed the security guard and walked alone down the quiet studio corridor.

>

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