Time Traveler

Chapter 4

The day after, all of us heangsu attended the Gayageum class. The new teacher introduced himself.

"I'm the new teacher who's recommended by the Crown Prince. You must quickly learn how to play this instrument because the name day of the King is about to come. I am Choi Hyun Min."

"As you wish." We answered in unison.

One by one, the scholar Choi teaches all women and then, it was my turn to face him. He taught me the proper ways to hold the Gayageum and its notes. I did follow all of his instructions.

"That is wrong. You should not press the palm of your hand on the gayageum, only the fingers can touch the strings of the instrument."

"Ah, yes, I'm sorry." He's too close for my comfort. I don't know what to do, it feels so awkward.

"Don't be so uneasy, Mirajane."

"Forgive me but I am just having a hard time playing it. In my country, playing the guitar was easier."

"A guitar? What is that? In what country did it come from?"

"Huh? Oh!" I laughed nervously. "Nothing. It's nothing. Just my imagination, that's all!"

"Are you keeping something from me?"

"No!"

"Alright then, whatever you say."

Ever since that day, scholar Choi and I shared lots of conversations, mainly because he spends most of his time teaching me since I cannot easily understand his words. We are from different time after all.

"Let's end today's lesson here." He said.

"Very well, thank you."

"Are you going somewhere?"

For a moment, that made me confuse. "Huh? Oh, yes. I am going to buy some cloths in the marketplace."

"You can join me on the long walk there. The Crown Prince orders me to buy papers for him."

"Alright."

We started the walk to the city market. My companion is too quiet so I decided to make small talk.

"Were you and the Crown Prince good friends?"

"Yes."

"Is it so? What does he look like?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Oh nothing, it's just that there will be a day that I'll get a chance to meet him yet I might fail to give the proper respect, just because I didn't recognize him as the prince."

"You will know he's the prince because an official announcement will be spread to the city if the prince wanted to visit. And, you can stop hoping to meet such royalty since you're just a mere gisaeng."

"Hey! You don't have to be so harsh. But yeah, I bet he's really handsome." I smile at the thought.

He took a glance at me like I did something unruly and looked back at the road, continuing our walk ahead.

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Just for now :)

Eend of chapter 4