Devil’s Music

Chapter 256: It's Okay to Go Slowly

Upon hearing Professor Sharon's words, the trio returned to the practice room with contemplative expressions, only to be greeted by Shizuka, who sat modestly fixing her makeup. Geon, unable to make eye contact with Shizuka, perhaps out of embarrassment, smiled at her and then gathered some chairs for everyone to sit.

"Looks like we need a meeting, doesn't it? Let's gather around."

Once everyone took their seats, Anna was the first to speak up.

"Isn't this a great opportunity? We already have Kay, the world's best singer-songwriter. It's almost a given that we'll win!"

Anna spoke excitedly, but Shizuka, looking doubtful, received an explanation from Anthony. After listening, Shizuka nodded in agreement.

"Anna's right. We can't really compete with that."

Anthony glanced at Geon, who appeared contemplative, and asked cautiously, "Do... Does Kay have any reservations?"

Geon crossed his legs, rested his elbows on his thighs, and propped his chin on his hands.

"Hmm... I'm wondering if this is really what the professors want."

"I was thinking the same, Kay."

"Why only you two? Share with us too!"

After a chuckle, Anthony explained.

"Of course, if Kay handles the composition and lyrics and we play the instruments, we'd produce music high enough to outclass any competition. But do you think the professors don't know that?"

Anna asked, puzzled, "So what's the issue?"

"They know, but why give us such a mission? To favor Kay with extra points? Because they like him? From the Juilliard professors?"

"Well, that's..."

As Anna looked confused, Anthony added, "They'll probably penalize Kay's composition. Kay might end up getting all the score while we're left with C grades. The participation level will be exactly that, leaving no room for argument."

"Really?"

"It's almost certain. It's just a hunch, but. What do you think, Kay?"

Geon nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. The Juilliard professors are known for being fair. It doesn't make sense for the professors of the drum, piano, and bass departments to jointly judge this under such conditions."

Shizuka also looked troubled but soon nodded in agreement, "Now that you mention it, if those are the terms, then the victory of Kay's team is almost certain."

Anna tapped her thigh, saying, "So, if Kay writes and composes and we play, it's like we're just riding a bus driven by Kay and won't get any scores, right?"

Anthony snapped his fingers, "Exactly. That's what Kay is worried about."

Grateful for Geon's thoughtful consideration, Anna and Shizuka looked at him with appreciation. After a moment, Anna looked around at the team members and said, "So... who should compose? Co-composing might lead us astray. It seems better if one person takes charge, though we'll offer as much help as we can."

The trio glanced at each other until Geon, loosening his chin-rested hand, said, "Can I share my opinion first?"

"Sure, of course!"

"You might not know this, but you're already the leader, Kay! Go ahead!"

"It's fine, Kay. I'll always prioritize what you have to say."

With everyone echoing their support, Geon smiled and began, "Thanks. Well... I'd like Shizuka to handle the composition and lyrics for this mission."

Shizuka pointed to herself in surprise, "Me?"

Geon leaned back and crossed his arms, looking at Anthony, who after a moment of gazing at Shizuka, met Geon's eyes and quietly nodded, following Geon's lead in crossing his arms.

"I agree."

Anna, after a moment of thought, announced, "If you're an artist, sometimes you hit a wall, and there are times you break through it. There are times you're cocooned and times you emerge as a butterfly. Not all albums produced by musicians living for their music can move the listener's heart. It's the music they produce when they achieve enlightenment or break through a wall that truly moves people."

Geon stood up, placing his hand on the dazed Shizuka's shoulder, "I think you're at that point now, Shizuka."

Anna suddenly stood up, raising an arm, "Alright! I agree too!"

Shizuka, looking bewilderedly at Anna, then turned to Geon, who continued to smile trustingly, "I'll help you. Trust me."

Shizuka's gaze softened, transforming from the determination of a competition to joy, as she nodded slowly, meeting each team member's eyes. Anna and Anthony cheered, "Let's do it!"

"Yeah! Go for it with confidence,

Shizuka!"

As Shizuka smiled at Geon, he patted her shoulder, "Okay, let's meet again in three days. Shizuka, bring whatever score you've worked up to then. No need for a band score, just piano is fine since we'll be participating too."

"Yes, I'll do that."

"Then..."

As everyone focused on Geon, seemingly with more to say, he simply grinned, "How about a drink tonight?"

"Ohhhhhh!!!"

"Yeah!!!"

"Ahaha, sounds good!"

The four friends, having spent a pleasant evening at the Viking Club, regrouped three days later to find that Shizuka had surprised Geon by bringing eight pieces of sheet music. Anna and Anthony also smiled at Shizuka's newfound enthusiasm, and with all her compositions receiving a positive assessment, Shizuka smiled happily. As Geon flipped through the sheets, he asked,

"None of these pieces have titles yet?"

Shizuka nodded, replying, "Um... actually, all these pieces were written with the same emotion, so regardless of which one we choose, the title has already been decided."

Geon noticed that the notes on all the sheet music were colored purple. Raising an eyebrow, he asked,

"Love?"

Shizuka, looking surprised, responded, "How did you know?"

Geon chuckled as he organized the sheets, "Just felt it. You've infused the music with your emotions well."

Anna, flipping through her own copy of the sheet music, inquired, "I, I can't see it? Anthony, do you feel it?"

Anthony, continuously flipping through the sheet music, shook his head, "No, don't try to understand it, that's Kay for you. Don't even try, or you'll end up stretching yourself too thin."

Geon, holding up the sheet music to the still astounded Shizuka, asked, "So, what's the title?"

Shizuka, staring blankly at the sheet in Geon's hand, softly said, "Moonlight Butterfly."

Geon smiled broadly, "Good, that's a nice title. Let's play through these pieces today and pick the best one. Once a piece is selected, the rest of us will transcribe our parts, and in the meantime, Shizuka can work on the lyrics."

"Me, write the lyrics?"

"Yes, just write down anything. As long as it's a sentence filled with your sincerity. I'll help adjust the syllables to make it fit the music."

"Ah... then, I feel reassured."

"Alright, guys, let's start practicing from the first piece. We'll practice each piece twice and then choose the final two."

As they made progress, the students became engrossed in their practice, losing track of time into the evening. Byungjun, realizing it was time for Kiska's class to end, had been smoking in the school's designated smoking area and entered the studio where Geon was practicing. After greeting a security guard he was familiar with, Byungjun heard beautiful music as he approached the studio.

Stopping to listen, Byungjun smiled to himself, "What's the use if it's nice? It's an instrumental piece. What does it have to do with me? Anyway, was this the studio where Geon was?"

Peeking through the small window in the studio door, Byungjun realized, "Oh? So this music was coming from here? Well, it makes sense since it's Geon's team. No wonder my steps halted."

Byungjun then noticed a beautiful Asian woman sitting at the keyboard across from Geon, who was giving instructions with a guitar in hand. She sat at the piano, dressed in a white dress, her long hair cascading down as she focused intently on her playing.

"Phew, beauties always flock around Geon. The girl with the bass guitar looks a bit quirky but still pretty."

Geon, noticing Byungjun while checking the time, hurriedly opened the door, "Ah, sorry, bro. I didn't realize how late it had gotten. Where's Kiska?"

Byungjun glanced at the students inside the studio, "She came early and is waiting in the car. She fell asleep. When will you finish?"

"Sorry, we're wrapping up now."

Geon then addressed his team, "So, as we discussed, let's go with pieces 1 and 6. Everyone okay with that?"

"Yes! We think those are good too."

"I had my eyes on those two from the start."

"That's funny! You didn't even know what they were before we played them!"

"You underestimating drummers? I can read sheet music too, you know?"

Geon, smiling at Anna and Anthony's banter, slung his guitar bag over his shoulder and told Shizuka, "Shizuka, please add lyrics to those two pieces. Let's meet again the day after tomorrow."

As Geon was about to leave, Shizuka quickly asked, "What time?"

Geon came back in, offering his phone, "Put your number in."

Shizuka, looking surprised, entered her number into Geon's phone. Geon checked his phone and said, "You should have gotten a signal. That's my number, so save it. Just set the time and let me know. I have someone waiting, so I'll go ahead. See you the day after tomorrow! Shizuka,

contact me."

After Geon rushed out of the studio, Shizuka hurriedly took out her phone to check, staring blankly at the screen before looking back at the door. Anna quickly snatched Shizuka's phone to jot down the number displayed on the screen.

"Yesss, got Kay's number!"

Shizuka, still in a daze, received her phone back from Anna, murmuring, "To actually have Kay's number..."

Leaving a bewildered Shizuka behind, Byungjun, walking through the school corridors with Geon, recalled the conversation in the studio and asked, "That piece just now, it's going to have lyrics?"

"Not yet, we have to create them."

"Did you compose it?"

"No, it was Shizuka's work. The Japanese girl you saw in the studio."

Byungjun, crossing his arms, looked intrigued, "Hmm... is that so? What's her name?"

Geon turned to Byungjun, "Shizuka Miyawaki."

>

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