"This waiting,
It's not easy to endure."
____
Lee Jihoon was a prodigy with classical music. Whatever instrument you thought of, he probably already knew how to play. Piano? Listen to this OST. Guitar? Here's an acoustic version of that song you like. Drums? When's the gig?
He was also my adorable dongsaeng.
We were both people in love with music and wanted to dedicate our lives for it.
____
"Jihoon-ah, you didn't wait long, did you?" I asked, putting my bag down on their couch.
"No." Was his quick answer as he gestured for me to follow him upstairs. I looked around his living room before following him.
As we entered his room, the first thing I noticed was an acoustic guitar propped up next to his bed. At the foot of his bed was a keyboard on a stand.
"I'm surprised you don't have an entire drum kit here." I joked. He dug his hands in his pockets. "Mom didn't think it was a good idea." He explained.
I restrained a laugh, imagining him asking his parents for a drum set in his room. Then again, he's small enough already, so it might not take that much space.
"So," I fidgeted with my hands, "Are we going to use that?" I pointed to his keyboard.
He nodded, "I needed help carrying it down."
"I see." I muttered as he picked up the keyboard, meanwhile, I carried the stand.
We headed downstairs together.
____
"So what feeling do you want to convey?" He asked me once finished setting up the keyboard in the living room. His parents weren't home so we can make as much noise as we want without disturbing anyone.
"Ms. Seong said to make it sound bittersweet. Emphasis on the sweet." I told him, knowing how Jihoon can write such melancholic lyrics.
"Even more emphasis on the bitter, then." He muttered to himself as he plugged in the keyboard. "Do you have a tune in mind?" He asked.
I hummed in response. Once the keyboard was turned on, I sat in a chair in front of it, ready to play.
"It's more of an intro, I just can't write sentimental stuff without cringing." I joked.
He listened intently as I played the tune I've worked on this week. Once I finished, he seemed to be in deep thought.
"Noona, you're really a genius." He suddenly said.
I had a look of amazement over what he said.
"Me? No way, you're the real genius here." I reached up and pet his head. He gently swatted my hand away.
"I'm serious, I can feel the emotions you can't express with words alone." His eyes seemed to shine as he said this.
"Whatever that means." I remarked sarcastically, "If anything, words would make this song sound better."
"Music is about how you feel towards it, Noona. Sure, we can interpret the lyrics however we want, but think about songs in other languages. We can't understand a thing, yet we feel the emotions they want you to convey." His hands were gesturing to this and that as he explained.
"And your intro, even if the song isn't complete yet, already shows what's going to be about." He finished.
"You have a way with words, don't you?" I grinned, "I knew coming to you was the right choice."
"Choice, huh?" He mumbled.
"I could've asked help from the other seniors." I explained quickly.
I looked up as he gently smiled to himself. I restrained myself from cooing over his cuteness.
'He's only two years younger than me, yet he's so adorable.'
"Ah, I don't want to graduate yet!" I sighed, "I wish we were the same age, Jihoon-ah, then I could just copy your homework if we ever major in Music together."
He nodded, I guess he agreed with me.
"I'll start writing a draft and you can tell me what to change and you can start adding stuff." He told me, "You can just play around with the keyboard, find a tune for the rest of the song."
"You talk like we're the same age." I remarked. He said nothing and went upstairs.
____
I remember our first days together
We couldn't even look at each other directly
Now, I feel like I'm about to cry any moment
Because knowing I won't see you again hurt too much
In one moment
Will you forget
Everything we've been through
In one moment
Will it all end here
Everything my heart cherished
In one moment
In one moment
I read the lyrics, amazed at what I felt as I read the piece of paper.
"Jihoon-ah," I smiled up at him, "You're really a genius! And it's only the chorus!"
A small smile graced his lips but he cleared his throat and it disappeared. "Like I said, the tune you worked on was inspiring."
"Sure, but this is different." I glanced at the paper again, "It's like what you feel in the moment. You're not even a senior yet, but look at what you can do with words. You described how everyone feels during the last moments of graduation before you yourself even graduated!"
I felt my eyes decieve me as I looked at Jihoon's face.
'Is Lee Jihoon flustered?'
"Cute." I muttered, not realizing I said it out loud.
Jihoon looked up, eyes wide, pink tinted his cheeks.
"Are you talking about me?" He asked quietly.
I hummed in response, ruffling his hair. He swatted my hand away.
"Noona," He whined, "I'm not cute."
"You're a genius then!" I cooed.
"I'm not that as well." He whined.
"Jihoon-ah, you may not see yourself as these things, but to me, you're my cute dongsaeng who's a genius with music." I smiled at him.
He sighed, I became a bit worried.
"Yeah, I'm your dongsaeng!" He laughed.
I don't know why, but he seemed to be reassuring himself about something.
