Rock and Roses

6

Minho thinks that he finally has Jisung under control, until he doesn't.

The following week, Minho opens his store as usual to find that the bassline emitting from Spin City is still deafening; just like last week and the week before. Minho grunts — he's had it up to here with Jisung's childish antics. Requesting simple human decency from his indecent neighbor feels like training a dog. There's a reason Minho prefers cats, but perhaps he should invest in a shock collar for Jisung.

Minho stomps over to Spin City, watering pail in hand, and knocks on the door violently. Through the window, Minho notices that Jisung is leading a poor, innocent child through his chamber of Hell known as Spin City.

However, Jisung bounds over to the door within seconds, like clockwork, and opens it with a charming grin.

Minho grits his teeth. Jisung fastens the large headphones over his ears, almost instinctively. Minho's face twists into a scowl — how thoughtful.

Jisung opens his mouth to speak: "Hey neighbor—"

Minho cuts him off abruptly.

"For weeks, I have had to put up with your nonsense. Every. Single. Day. You do not take anything seriously!" An aggressive step forward leaves a drop of water flinging from the watering pail and onto Jisung's clothing. "Not my requests, not the noise complaints coming from literally everyone and everything around you, not anything! It's rude, and I won't put up with it any longer."

Jisung blinks owlishly, lips parted ever-so-slightly. His customer seems equally as perplexed. Minho continues, stomping his foot down against the pavement for emphasis. A bit childish. More water splatters out of the watering pail and onto Jisung.

"So, listen carefully, because I am only going to say this once," Minho says, tone dripping with venom. "Turn. Down. Your. Music."

Minho emphasizes each word with a menacing step forward, and he finds that he's uncomfortably close to Jisung now — so close, in fact, that he can hear the faint ticking of Jisung's oversized headphones. Jisung gulps, and Minho revels in the way he appears to shrink under his gaze.

"Actually, I'll show you what appropriate levels looks like," Minho says, pushing his way into the shop. Jisung stumbles aside, blinking rapidly as he watches Minho march over towards the large music player.

As Minho is caught up in his rage, he fails to notice a thick cord at his feet. He trips, eyes widening comically as he begins to fall forwards, the watering pail launching into the air and drenching the music player. Electricity crackles and the music distorts until it fades out completely, leaving the shop eerily silent.

Minho lands flat on his face with an unceremonious thud.

"No...," Jisung croaks weakly.

Minho grimaces, sitting upright and rubbing his forehead gingerly.

Jisung scrambles towards the music player, resting his hands on his knees as he inspects it. Electricity continues to crackle ominously. It's so unusual to listen to the deafening tune of peace and quiet. Just static. Jisung groans, running his fingers through his hair. Minho can see that he appears visibly distraught.

It's a bit peculiar. Jisung can simply march into any electronics store and buy a new speaker. Hell, he could even purchase a better speaker than the one he destroyed — one that could probably blast music louder than ever before. So, why does Jisung look like a kicked puppy right now?

Minho frowns and rises to his feet, brushing himself off. He approaches Jisung cautiously, clearing his throat to get his attention.

Jisung jumps, as if he forgot that Minho was still present. He turns to Minho and forces a weak smile.

"Sorry," Jisung apologizes with sorrow soaking his syllables. "Won't happen again."

Minho contemplates Jisung for a moment — observing the way his shoulders droop pathetically, the way he holds himself with none of the previous bravado and confidence. Minho frowns; Jisung truly looks miserable.

Unknowing of what to say, Minho's lips morph into a thin line that seems to stretch on forever.

"Thank you for understanding," he settles on eventually. He offers Jisung a curt nod before pivoting on his heel to return to Verdant Oasis.

Minho tries not to let the guilt eat at him when he fails to pick up on a goofy goodbye from his neighbor, or when the sight of Jisung's wilted smile seems to tattoo itself behind Minho's eyelids.

At least...the problem is solved?