The Pianist [DoHwan/HwanYoungz]

January, Tuesday 17

Classes started once again a week ago, and I haven't got a chance to see Doyoung since he hasn't attended school at all. I've visited his house almost daily, but never make it pass the door. Every time Ms. Kim opens the door, she says Doyoung is not feeling well, he's asleep, or he's taking some rest, and asks me to come back again the next day.

I'm starting to get worried.

I've gone to the PC café to play videogames with my friends every now and then, especially during the weekend, only to get distracted, but to be honest, is not quite working. Especially when team fights ensure and I got to press every button in a specific order in a fraction of a second so we can guarantee victory, but I end up imagining that maybe that's how it must feel to play the piano, or wondering if Doyoung has heard Dearly Beloved once again.

This afternoon, when Mrs. Kim opens the door, she smiles at me, relieved.

"He's in his bedroom." It's all she says, and let me come in.

Doyoung's sitting at the piano, but he's not playing it.

I wonder if I should make a sound so to announce I'm there, but I remain quiet. Truth is, even I can only see his back, I can totally sense he's super focused.

Doyoung places his hands in the piano keys, plays a couple of notes, and takes his hands off again. He repeats this process several times. It's in his fifth try when he's able to continue. The melody is fast. Aggressive. Somehow I can sense his frustration. When he finally finishes, I can hear his heavy breathing. As if playing that piece has left him exhausted. After breathing deeply, a couple more times, he closes the piano cover, and turns around in the bench.

That's when he sees me.

"Ah." He says, a little bit embarrassed of his heavy breathing. "The Four Seasons, Winter I, by Antonio Vivaldi. Winter, by Vivaldi." He soon summarizes.

"Winter, by Vivaldi." I repeat, but soon enough add. "Are you okay, Doyoungie? You look skinnier. And pale. You haven't attended school this whole past week, and your mom didn't let me come in to see you."

"I'll tell her to let you come in, no matter the situation, Junghwanie."

I can't help but frown. I didn't mean-

Ignoring my frustrations, Doyoung gets up from the piano bench, and goes lay down at the bed. Unable to hold it in, he closes his eyes.

"I just need a little bit of rest. I feel tired. That's all."

I nod, despite him having his eyes closed and thus being unable to see me.

At least his nose is not bleeding today.

But still, I can't help but feel a heavy heart.

What a winter~

Ribo~