Devil’s Music

It took Geon 6 days to complete the basic score for the "Song of Water." Unlike other compositions he had written in just a few hours, Geon, who felt a deep affection for this piece, had asked for assistance from Shizuka and Kevin in the morning.

After receiving Geon's call, it took less than an hour for the two to gather, and while each analyzed the scores, Geon, who was sitting in front of the keyboard, also made a call to check the schedule with Arthur.

"What do you think?" Geon approached Shizuka, who was pressing the keys silently.

Shizuka, looking slightly flustered, replied, "Well... it's not that it's a difficult piece, but I think it needs some practice to bring out the right feel."

"Yeah, I suppose so? If you find any difficult parts while practicing alone, let me know immediately."

"Okay, what will Kay do?"

"Well, I'm about to start recording the guitar part."

"I see, and the drummer?"

"Ah, the drum part should be recorded first, but the drummer is in the UK. He's arranging his schedule, so just practice until then. There should be plenty of time."

As Kevin plucked an unamplified bass guitar, he turned his head.

"What about the drummer, can't we use Jose?"

Geon chuckled and shook his head. "He's my drummer, named Arthur Hodgson."

As soon as Geon mentioned "my drummer," Kevin and Shizuka simultaneously froze. Confused by their intense gaze, Geon asked, "What's wrong?"

Kevin, with a serious expression, set down his bass guitar and pointed at himself with his index finger.

"Me?"

Geon frowned. "You, what? You're Kevin."

"No, what about me?"

"What are you talking about?"

Shizuka joined in the confusion. "And what about me, Kay?"

"Huh? What are you talking about, both of you?"

"Am I not Kay's pianist?"

Geon finally realized what they were talking about and laughed. "Haha, that's right. Shizuka is obviously my pianist, of course!"

Shizuka blushed and giggled softly. Although her laughter was small, the joy seemed to spread across her face as she immersed herself in practice.

Watching this, Kevin, still covering his face with his hand, pressed on, and Geon shrugged helplessly with a smile. "Phew, wonder when we can find a bassist?"

Kevin's face fell, and as Shizuka covered her mouth to stifle her laughter, Geon patted Kevin on the shoulder and said, "Kevin Winston. My bassist. The only bassist in the world for me."

Kevin's spirits lifted, and with tears welling up from the disappointment, he asked, "Really?"

"Haha, of course! Really."

"Giggling, okay then! I'll burn it up with practice today!"

After patting Kevin's shoulder a few more times, Geon left to prepare for recording. Having arranged studio support with Sharon, he walked into the recording studio with a J-200 and froze as he opened the door.

"Hello?"

Expecting the studio to be empty, Geon was surprised to find it packed with professors from Juilliard. Sharon and John Corigliano, along with retired professor Price and the dean, along with professors from the piano and brass departments, were among over ten professors sitting on folding chairs and chatting.

"This is Studio S, right...?"

Geon double-checked the studio number on the door, wondering if he had come to the wrong place, when Professor Leontine Price spoke up from inside.

"Kay, you're in the right place."

"Ah, Professor! Long time no see."

"Hehe, yes. Come in."

John Corigliano got up, brought a chair across from the professors, and gestured for Geon to sit down, creating an awkward interview-like atmosphere. Geon stammered, "Um... what's going on?"

Sitting in the front row with Leontine Price, Sharon smiled and explained, "It seems everyone wanted to see Kay record his official album, and the dean came to check for credit recognition."

A large elderly man with white hair chuckled. "This is my third time seeing this."

Geon bowed politely and said, "Hello, Dean Christian Pulisic."

"Hehe, yes. Credit recognition is something the board will decide, so I came out to check personally. I hope I'm not causing any disturbance."

"Ah... I see. Well, today I'm just recording the guitar, so..."

"Hehe, that's fine. Just check that the work is progressing well."

"Ah, got it, Dean."

"Right, we'll consider ourselves not here. Go ahead and record."

Geon, internally screaming 'how can I ignore that?', reluctantly nodded, grabbed his guitar, and entered the recording studio.

Once the studio door closed, John Corigliano adjusted the control box so that the music being played inside could also be heard outside. Geon, facing away from the professors, frowned.

'I need to concentrate! Darn it!'

Eventually, he recorded only the basic structure and decided to re-record when he could focus better. However, it was neither blues nor rock music, and with the guitar playing a relatively minor role, Geon worried if he could gain recognition from the professors as he repeatedly tried to concentrate.

Finally, after a heavy sigh, Geon stood up, took several deep breaths, closed his eyes, and submerged himself in meditation, observed by Dean Christian Pulisic, who whispered to Professor Sharon, "It seems we're being a distraction, aren't we?"

Professor Sharon, smiling at Geon's meditative figure, replied, "Yes, of course. But he's not the kind of student to be overcome by this level of pressure, just watch."

"Ah, more than that, he's already gained a global reputation, so we don't necessarily need to interfere, just see the results," said the dean with a chuckle.

"Sure, just stay anyway."

Professor Leontine Price, smiling gently, added, "Kay is different from regular students. He will focus soon, just wait."

Dean Christian Pulisic, nodding without a word, chuckled, "The professors' confidence in him is impressive, considering Kay's level..."

As he spoke, the dean suddenly turned his head at the sound of clear guitar tones. With his back turned, Geon began to play.

Although they could only see his back, the dean, realizing Geon was focusing with his eyes closed, shut his mouth, and fixed his gaze on him, soon becoming absorbed in the reverberations of the music.

The sea.

Not a typical sea, but one so clear that the ocean floor was visible, with a white yacht floating on it.

Lying on a net hammock installed on the yacht, Geon whistled, enjoying the pleasant sea breeze wrapping around his body.

Even the slight movements of the calm sea felt good, and as he dove into the emerald waters, the clear visibility allowed him to see colorful seaweeds dancing with the waves and pretty small fish approaching to play.

Unable to open his eyes underwater, Geon found it strange that he could still see the beautiful underwater scene clearly when a dolphin with sparkling scales approached, gently biting his foot to invite him to play.

Without needing to catch his breath, Geon grabbed the dolphin's dorsal fin, and as it started swimming slowly, it suddenly sped up, jumping out of the water and sending him high into the sky where he cheered.

"Yay!!!"

Suddenly standing up and exclaiming in excitement, Dean Christian Pulisic came to his senses and, embarrassed, looked at the professors.

"Oh... sorry...?"

The professors, all with their eyes closed, were each imagining something, but seeing deep smiles on every professor's face, the startled dean looked inside the studio at Geon, who was just playing the guitar. As the dean of prestigious Juilliard, he had managed the institution in his late forties, witnessing countless prodigious musicians pass through, and had overseen countless performances. But he had never experienced anything like today and muttered in amazement.

"What kind of performance..."

Seeing the masterly figure of Geon from behind, Dean Christian Pulisic whispered again.

"This is the first time I've felt this from a student who hasn't even graduated... There was a reason the professors cherished him so much. It wasn't just because he was popular worldwide; they recognized the power of his music."

Feeling a renewed pride in his colleagues, Dean Christian Pulisic sat back down, closed his eyes, and surrendered to Geon's playing.

After about 30 minutes, when Geon finished recording and came out of the studio, about ten professors sitting at the control box all stood up and applauded.

"Bravo!!!"

"Outstanding performance, Kay!"

"I really want to play this for our students too!"

Geon, knowing he had delivered a satisfying performance, merely grinned and bowed in thanks.

"Thank you, professors."

John Corigliano, beaming with pride, continued applauding.

"I've never been prouder of our school than today, Kay, you are Juilliard's pride! Haha."

"You flatter me, Professor. I'll work even harder."

Laughter burst out in response to his humble reply.

"If you work any harder, the rest of us will split our pants, haha!!"

"Right!! Haha!!"

"It's not about teaching anymore; we should be learning. I'm embarrassed, but I guess we'll have to practice all day today, right, professors?"

"Haha, yes! Let's all go practice, haha!"

Four days after sending the guitar part recordings to Arthur via email, Geon, filled with anticipation that Arthur, who had flown in from England, was joining them for the first time, reached for the door handle of the school studio when he was startled by a shout bursting from inside.

"What? What's wrong with the person joining today?"

Hearing the shout, which seemed to belong to Kevin, Geon stiffened as he was about to open the door, only to stiffen again at the pointed voice of the ever-calm and kind Shizuka.

"No, hello, who are you to nitpick Kay's music? Are you qualified to do that?"

Geon swung the door open after confirming even Shizuka, usually serious only about music, raising her voice.

Inside the rehearsal room, a flushed-faced Kevin was standing up, and Shizuka was sitting at the keyboard, looking restless as if worried she had been heard raising her voice.

Arthur, who seemed to hesitate, not expecting his words to provoke such anger, looked apologetically at Geon.

Geon spoke after surveying the three of them for a moment.

"What's going on, Kevin?"

An already angry Geon asked in a cold voice, which surprised Kevin, who was not used to seeing him like this.

"Ah, no… it's…"

As Shizuka awkwardly tried to deflect, Arthur stepped forward and said,

"I apologize, it's my fault."

Geon looked at Arthur and asked,

"Could you explain what happened, Arthur?"

"That is…"

Arthur recalled the earlier incident.

Arthur, who had come to the U.S. excited just by the prospect of meeting Geon's band, had been too busy with a new product launch to listen to the guitar part Geon had sent and had arrived in the U.S. unprepared.

He was able to start rehearsing right away, so on the taxi ride from the airport to Juilliard, Arthur put on his earphones and listened to the music, grimacing slightly.

"The timing is... slightly off. Well, it's inevitable since the drums should have been recorded first, but it's still impressive. It seems like he didn't even use a metronome, but such rhythm sense, definitely Kay."

Upon arriving at Juilliard, Arthur, visiting the school of musical geniuses for the first time, looked around like a country bumpkin and knocked on the rehearsal room he had learned about in advance.

Knock, knock.

Hearing an invitation to enter, Arthur opened the door and saw a blond beauty sitting on the floor.

"Oh, you must be Kevin? I'm Arthur Hodgson."

Kevin, staring blankly at Arthur, realized he was Geon's drummer and got up with a smile.

"You're here, welcome. I'm Kevin Winston."

"Haha, please take care of me."

Arthur's first meeting with Kevin was very pleasant. Kevin, who had a knack for making people comfortable, quickly became friends with Arthur, and soon after, Shizuka joined them, quickly warming up with Kevin's jokes.

The problem arose after they started discussing music. Shizuka, looking serious, flipped through the music sheets and said,

"Kevin, have you finished practicing? It's our first session together today."

Kevin scratched his head and shook it.

"No, something's weird. It's supposed to be an easy piece, right? Honestly, Fury is much harder. This one is slow. But somehow, it just doesn't click. It feels off."

Shizuka sighed deeply and said,

"I feel the same, it doesn't seem like it would be this hard to play even the classic masterpieces said to be made by great musicians. It's not feasible to get the right feel with just a few days of practice."

Kevin sighed along with Shizuka and looked at Arthur.

"Did you get a chance to practice, Arthur? Ah, you didn't have much time, right?"

Arthur took out his drumsticks, scarred from use, and said,

"It seems we need to start recording from the drum part."

Kevin clicked his tongue as if it was the most obvious thing.

"Of course, it's normal to start recording music from the drums, that's why Kay started with the guitar, even Carlos can't do that."

Arthur casually swung his sticks and said,

"The timing was slightly off."

Kevin and Shizuka simultaneously looked up.

"What?"

"The recording Kay gave us to practice with. The timing is off, we need to record the drum part first and then redo the guitar part."

Kevin and Shizuka's eyes turned fierce. They couldn't accept that someone was saying their leader and most respected musician, Kay, was wrong. Kevin began to shout.

"What? Do you even know who Kay is to talk nonsense like that?"

Startled by Kevin suddenly raising his voice, Arthur dropped his sticks. An alarmed Arthur turned to Shizuka, who also glared back with a sharp voice.

"I'd like to see if

 you are even qualified to criticize Kay."

Arthur looked back and forth between the two, raising his hands.

"No, that's not what I meant, I was just talking about the timing…"

Kevin shouted again.

"Isn't timing part of music?! How dare you criticize Kay, are you even qualified!?"

As the conversation turned to timing, Arthur, who prided himself on his sense of timing, flared up.

"Is Kay infallible? Of course, I respect him and think he's a great musician, but even he can be off-beat at times. Is it such a crime to point that out?"

"What?! What's wrong with someone who just joined today?"

"No, hello, who are you to nitpick Kay's music? Are you qualified to do that?"

That's when Geon, entering the room, looked at the three with a cold gaze.

"This is what happened. I'm sorry for causing a disturbance, Kay."

Arthur, who stood and bowed his head, was approached by Geon, who patted his shoulder.

"You did nothing wrong, sit down."

As Geon defended Arthur, Kevin stepped forward and shouted.

"Are you saying it's okay to let a drummer who criticizes the leader on his first day go?"

Geon looked at Kevin and Shizuka. Shizuka, sharing Kevin's sentiment, looked at Arthur with force in her eyes, uncharacteristic of her.

"You two. Are you doubting me?"

Taken aback by Geon's unexpected words, Shizuka stammered.

"What? What do you mean, doubting Kay?"

Kevin also shouted as if it made no sense.

"I trust Kay more than my own mother! What are you talking about?"

Geon, arms crossed, said with a serious face.

"You two. You're my friends, right?"

"Of course!! I'm obviously your friend!"

"Absolutely! The only people I can call friends are Kay and Kevin."

As the two shouted in unison, Geon smiled and placed his hand on Arthur's shoulder.

"See, he's the drummer I chose. Why do you think I chose him?"

Kevin hesitated as he hadn't thought about that part, and Shizuka spoke softly.

"Well… because he's skilled, right?"

Stung by Shizuka's words, Kevin added,

"Is there anyone here without skills?"

Geon chuckled and said,

"That's right, everyone here is skilled. Even if we are friends, we wouldn't be together if we didn't have skills. It might be harsh, but that's the truth."

Though it might have sounded harsh, it was also a recognition of their skills, so Shizuka and Kevin nodded in satisfaction. Seeing them, Geon gripped Arthur's shoulder firmly.

"I don't have the confidence to play the piano better than Shizuka, or to perform a groovier bass than Kevin."

Kevin, swallowing the words "You could play better than me if you really wanted," looked at Arthur.

"Then… Arthur too?"

"Yes, I don't have the confidence to play more accurate timing than Arthur. That's why I brought Arthur here."

"Wasn't he a clockmaker?"

"Yes, that's right. The most accurate clockmaker in the world."

Kevin's face softened as he looked at Arthur, who was slightly older and extended his hand first.

"I should have thought more before speaking. I'm sorry if I offended you."

Arthur shook Kevin's hand, who turned away and feigned indifference.

"Ah... well, I'm sorry too."

Arthur approached Shizuka, extending his hand.

"I'd like to be your friend too, Shizuka."

Shizuka took Arthur's hand with a hesitant voice.

"Yes…"

As apologies were exchanged, Geon clapped his hands and said,

"Since it's our first meeting, let's drink today!"

At the mention of alcohol, Kevin, excited, nearly threw his bass guitar aside as he stood up.

"Woooo!! That's right, men become friends over drinks!"

Shizuka quickly organized her music sheets and stood up, as Geon playfully said,

"There are more guests today. You'll probably be able to drink to your heart's content."

Kevin shouted with excitement.

"Woooo!!! Yeah! Bring them on, let's drink to death today!"

"Hehe, let's see if you can still laugh in two hours."

"What are you talking about! There's no one who can outdrink me!"

"Hehe, we'll see."

The four headed to the Bibiking Club. The staff, happy to see Geon after a long time, led them to the VIP room, and as soon as the ordered food and drinks began to arrive, Kevin kept raising his beer glass and cheering.

"When is this guest arriving? Just one person?"

"No, two. They should be here any minute."

And that day, Kevin met the God of Wine. Snoop Dogg and Eminem, having received a call from Ge

on, came to the Bibiking Club and kept feeding Kevin drinks until he looked like his great-grandfather and collapsed on the table within an hour.

Next to him, Arthur, also collapsed, was sleep-talking with his hand on Kevin's shoulder.

"Mmm... stop it, Snoop..."

Neminem, sitting with his feet up on a chair and giggling continuously, was surprised by Geon's increased alcohol tolerance and kept ordering drinks. Geon, barely hanging on, collapsed soon after the beer switched to whiskey.

Snoop, intoxicated with the satisfaction of victory, made a V-sign, while Neminem looked at him with a disdainful gaze.

Everyone except Shizuka had collapsed asleep. Shizuka went to the restroom for a moment, and Snoop looked around at the sleeping people and said,

"It looks like Kay's band is finally complete, huh?"

Neminem, playing a game on his phone, nodded.

"Yeah, now that the drummer's here, it's complete."

Hearing something muttered by Geon, who was sleeping next to him, Snoop leaned in and asked,

"What? What's he saying?"

Neminem, also curious, leaned closer to Geon, and they heard his sleep-talking voice.

"Mmm... just need Kiska... then... it's complete."

Snoop frowned and looked at Geon, then shrugged.

"Guess it's not complete yet, huh?"

Himalayas.

It had been a week since people began scouring the mountains for traces of Gusion.

Gusion, who could have easily eliminated a few individuals without anyone noticing, was now being relentlessly pursued by thousands, grouped into dozens, and had been driven up to the very summit of the Himalayas.

At the peak, adorned with various national flags, a white monkey, supported by the flag of an unknown country, gritted its teeth.

"Shiva... Why has this suddenly started happening?"

Gusion, sensing the essence of Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu from those chasing him, hadn't realized that this situation was orchestrated by Gamagin.

The blizzard, obscuring the view, only affected humans. Gusion, looking in the direction from which the people were ascending, muttered as he observed those marked with Shiva's symbols.

"These people know exactly that I am a demon. It's not a time when they can't tell if I'm an angel or a demon; they know for sure and search accordingly. Revealing myself now would only prove that angels exist as well, which I cannot allow. That would be doing the angels a favor."

Suddenly, Gusion, recalling that he had trapped Geon, shook his head vigorously.

"Those angels will handle him if I leave him be. There's no way they would just watch over a human who has crossed the line. Damn, I need to return to hell for now."

As Gusion was grinding his teeth, purple smoke rose from where he stood, and his body disappeared.

Unaware of this, the search continued, and a few days later, Gusion's cave was discovered. The entrance was sealed with explosives and thoroughly destroyed.

However, the Hindus and Tibetan Lamas who had failed to find Gusion did not let their guard down and maintained vigilance at the entrance of Gusion's cave.

After Gusion disappeared, Gamagin arrived at Shiva's place in the Himalayas and sat down on a chair.

"Thank you for this time."

Shiva, serving tea, said with a grave expression.

"It's not over yet. You know that, don't you?"

"Mm... I am aware."

"Just before the child's music was completed."

"It is already complete. It's just not considered complete by human standards."

"Well, if that music can heal those who are hurt, that would be great."

As Gamagin stared intensely, he took off his sunglasses.

"Aren't you affected at all? You are a god, and the child has transcended human boundaries."

Shiva, locking eyes with Gamagin for a moment, smiled.

"Gamagin, whether humans are sick or die, that is the will of gods. But humans becoming mentally ill is not. The greatest gift gods have given to humans is forgetfulness. When a human who has experienced something hard and shocking enters into forgetfulness, they can forget that event and resume a normal life and thinking."

Gamagin nodded as Shiva continued.

"However, constantly forcing them to remember, preventing them from receiving the gift of forgetfulness, is the interference of demons. Reminding them of bad, hard, and shocking events breaks down their fragile mental strength. That's what demons aim for."

Gamagin crossed his arms and sighed.

"I'm well aware of that. I've never done such things myself, but I know other demons do."

Shiva took a sip of the steaming tea and added.

"The angels have sided with the child for this reason. I, too, hope that the demons' antics are reduced. The music the child is about to create is of such nature. I have no reason to oppose it."

Gamagin stared at Shiva and asked.

"If the child's music had been in a different direction, does that mean you would have changed your stance as well?"

Shiva, observing Gamagin's intense gaze, chuckled.

"Would you have let it happen? Your goal is clear. Although you're currently a demon, you're gathering holy power because you want to become an angel. You wouldn't have let the child stray. I don't know the child well; I've only met him briefly. What I trust is not the child, but you, Gamagin."

Shiva glanced at Gamagin, who was silently watching him, and then looked outside the cave as he brought the tea to his lips again.

"So please, make sure I can keep trusting you."

* * *

Two weeks had passed since Arthur arrived in the U.S.

The band's recording began with Arthur's drums, and they hadn't practiced together even once during this time.

Geon had intentionally prevented it, so they only recorded their parts individually, and they hadn't yet heard any music that included instruments other than Arthur's drums. Kevin and Shizuka had listened to the music several times and expressed a desire to revise it, but the time wasn't right, according to

 Geon, so the other members just shrugged.

Arthur promised to return to the U.K. first to take care of business, and to come to the U.S. as soon as the next piece of music was completed.

Shizuka's piano was recorded to match Arthur's drums, and Kevin's bass was recorded last. Geon's guitar was recorded last, and although there were no lyrics, the music was finally completed.

At the New York Downtown General Hospital.

Geon, who had experienced severe headaches, sat in the waiting area as per Bok-jun's insistent recommendation for periodic brain CT scans.

"Hmm… I need to add a few more guitar notes to the transition into Verse 2."

Geon, whose mind had been filled with the Song of Water recently, didn't hear the nurse calling his name as he nodded along to the music.

"Kay? Is patient Kay not here?"

Normally, the next patient would have been called, but no nurse was unaware of the famous Geon. Seeing Geon listening to music, the nurse approached and lightly touched his shoulder, prompting him to open his eyes and smile.

"Is it my turn?"

"Oh, yes. You seem to really focus when listening to music, being a musician."

"Ah… did you call me several times? Sorry about that."

"No worries. The radiology doctor is waiting, so please go for the scan, and then it will take about 30 minutes for development and analysis."

"Thank you, nurse."

The brain CT scan took about 20 minutes. Even during the scan, Geon continued to mull over his thoughts and then sought out a bench in front of the hospital to get some fresh air.

While waiting for the development and analysis, Geon sat on a hospital bench, not noticing the passing time as he observed the people limping or staggering around him. Then he looked up at the shadow covering him.

A frail, white-haired old woman approached Geon, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Alex, you've finally come back."

Startled by the old woman who suddenly grabbed his hand and sat next to him on the bench while crying, Geon was at a loss for words.

"No, I—"

"You don't know how long I've been looking for you, Alex. Where have you been? No, it doesn't matter. I'm just so thankful you're back. Thank you, thank you."

As the tearful old woman spoke, Geon knew he had to tell her he wasn't Alex, but somehow he couldn't find the words and simply extended his hand to her. A nurse quickly intervened as she saw the old woman, who had disappeared while her back was turned.

"Barbara! I was so worried when you disappeared just now."

Despite the nurse's efforts to hold her back, Barbara clung even closer to Geon.

"My son is here, please let us go. I want to live with my son."

As Barbara tried to hide behind Geon, he had no choice but to step back to give her space. Recognizing Geon, the nurse gave a discreet nod.

"I'm a fan, Kay."

"Ah, thank you. But why is she acting this way?"

The nurse sat next to Barbara, gently stroking her hand.

"She has Alzheimer's. Do you know what that is?"

"Do you mean dementia?"

"Dementia and Alzheimer's are similar brain diseases, but they're a bit different. Alzheimer's disease starts with the loss of recent memories and eventually only early memories remain."

Geon looked at Barbara with a sad expression as she rested her head against his back.

"Is there no treatment?"

"Sigh, there is no cure found yet. The best we can do is slow its progression with medication."

"I see…"

Especially soft-hearted towards the elderly, Geon turned to face Barbara. She had been looking at him with eyes full of a mother's love, and now touched his face and asked.

"Have you eaten? I'll make your favorite food. Let's go home, okay?"

As Geon looked into her eyes, filled with a momentary clarity, she suddenly recoiled in surprise.

"Oh, who are you?"

"Excuse me?"

"I'm sorry, did I—"

Surprised by her sudden change in demeanor, Geon looked to the nurse, who shook her head in disbelief.

"She's lucid now, but she goes through this several times a day."

As Barbara stood up and spoke to the nurse, her balance wavered slightly.

"Lisa, I'm sorry. Did I lose my mind again?"

Lisa, the nurse called by name, smiled and helped her sit back down on the bench.

"No, Barbara. You were just having a conversation with this gentleman."

Barbara turned to Geon and after studying his face for a moment, smiled.

"What a handsome young man. Nice to meet you."

"Ah… yes, nice to meet you too, Barbara."

"Phew, I'm tired. Shall

 we go inside, Lisa?"

As Barbara stood up, struggling to keep her balance, Geon quickly rose to support her.

"I'll help you. Let's go to your room."

"Oh, thank you. You're very kind."

"Hehe, I hear that a lot. Shall we go, Lisa? Where's the room?"

Lisa indicated with one arm while supporting Barbara with the other.

"It's in the psychiatric ward, room 403."

As Geon entered the psychiatric ward supporting Barbara, he was taken aback by the sight. An elderly woman sat perched on a bed, pretending to fish, while a young woman on the next bed continuously nodded and murmured something. The woman next to Barbara's bed was covering her face and crying.

After helping Barbara onto her bed, Geon looked around the ward with a sorrowful expression. Lisa pulled the blanket up over Barbara and spoke.

"A lot of people are suffering, aren't they?"

"Indeed… Sigh."

Geon was about to sit on a nearby daybed when he accidentally nudged the next bed.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

The crying woman raised her head, and as Geon was about to apologize, he froze upon seeing her face.

She looked at Geon briefly before covering her face again, but Geon couldn't look away.

Tightening his trembling hand into a fist, he softly said to the crying woman.

"You were here... ma'am."

One summer day.

In the psychiatric ward of New York Downtown General Hospital, Geon reunited with the mother he had met in Chicago, who had lost her daughter.