RAP STAR

Chapter 20 [verse 2, I got to move]

Junhyung, who had been silent as the middle school girls left, spoke up. "Hey, do you play music with your band?"

"No, it's... We just happened to perform together once, not like we're a permanent thing," Sanghyun explained.

"Didn't they invite you to some festival in Jeonju?"

"Nah, I turned it down because of Sangmi. Junhyung, I'm sorry. I should have looked at the lyrics more carefully."

In the past, Junhyung had released an album without saying a word to Sanghyun. The meaning behind the set list for Junhyung might have been more special than Sanghyun had thought.

"Even on the golden road you're walking, take a break if you hear my music, just a few steps," was a line from the title track's lyrics. Sanghyun could instantly tell that the 'you' mentioned was him.

Feeling sorry, Sanghyun apologized to Junhyung, who chuckled and playfully nudged Sanghyun's shoulder. "Nah, I'm not mad. Why are you being so careful? If you were too busy playing music with the band to pay attention to other things, you should've just told me."

"It's not like I was too busy..."

"Next time, introduce me to your bandmates. L&S Band, I feel like I've heard of them somewhere... Anyway, I'm still going to start the crew. If you want to join, you can anytime."

With Sanghyun's understanding, Junhyung hurried off on his errand. He didn't seem genuinely angry at Sanghyun, but oddly, Sanghyun felt sorry for him.

"Hey, have you written any songs for the band?"

"Not yet. I went to Sejong Music Institute to buy a mic and happened to learn about the band."

"Oh, I see. So are you completely giving up on that festival in Jeonju?"

"I have no choice because of Sangmi."

"I saw her last time, and she seemed nice, though."

“When I'm with my friends, it's no big deal, but I still feel uneasy being alone in crowded places. If we go to Jeonju, shouldn't Sangmi be in the middle of the festival alone? And quite often at that.”

"Should I go with you?" Sanghyun hesitated at Junhyung's suggestion. It was tempting.

"Well, if I need you, I'll ask."

"Okay." They arrived at a crossroads where Sanghyun and Junhyung's paths diverged.

"See you tomorrow."

As they walked, Junhyung paused and said to Sanghyun, "Sanghyun, I want to be good at music too. If you have anything to teach me, let me know."

"What could I teach you? You probably know more."

"Alright, see you tomorrow."

Sanghyun watched Junhyung go for a moment before heading home. The Junhyung he remembered wasn't this mature; something seemed off.

"Is he pretending to be mature?" he wondered.

When he arrived home, Sangmi was there. Her CA teacher had left early due to personal reasons, so there was no class. Sanghyun asked if the missed class would be made up, prompting Sangmi to warn him not to act like a busybody.

"Oh, by the way, I'll be going to a friend's house later. We'll have dinner there."

"A friend? Who?"

"Do you need to know? We have a group project together for the assessment, so please mind your own business, older brother."

"Is it a guy?"

"Think whatever you want." Sanghyun saw Sangmi's return to her assertive self as a good sign. Of course, the relationship between normal siblings couldn't always be perfect.