Diet | K.TH (REWRITING)

Chapter 21: Piano Heart

"So tell me a story then."

Jihan sat up to follow my line of sight. Her gaze landing on the Bangtan table just as Yoongi stood from his seat. With him stood Hoseok, and they left the cafe in silence. Though we were still on the phone I felt the need to follow them.

Grabbing Jihan's shoulder, I quickly pull us to our feet and out the cafe side door. Too much was happening lately. I needed answers. So I blindly tailed the two men without fear of what might happen.

"You still there, (Y/n)?" Yoongi's voice called to me through my phone speaker as I watched him and Hoseok turn a corner just up ahead. "Of course. Just keeping my distance," Jihan nudged my side hearing this answer. Her body walked passed mine with confidence as she seemed to understand what was happening now.

"You're an amazing writer, I'm jealous."
Somehow this comment didn't sit well with me entirely, but I let Yoongi carry on as we strayed farther across campus.

"I heard you're working on something new in class, and I can't wait to see it. But it will never be as good as that."

I wasn't sure where he'd get the idea I'm good at writing anything other than from Hoseok seeing as we were in class together. That could've been absolutely anything. I write very often, and professors always tease me for it. So what was Yoongi talking about?

I hadn't noticed it before, but the more we walked the path started to look similar to the one I take to Mrs.Choi. That couldn't possibly be right though. Music students weren't usually on this side of campus so it wouldn't make much sense for Yoongi to know her. Yet somehow...

"(Y/n)," Jihan grabbed my hand as we approached the small campus building where I sometimes seek refuge from life. It was confusing how we even ended up here. Considering I really didn't think they would know about this place. "Do you remember what I said back there?"

"About returning some favor?"

Jihan smiled while pulling me forward until we were next to Hoseok and Yoongi. She let go of me, and tossed both of her arms around the boys' shoulders. The trio marching forward without another word. None of them explaining their actions only confused me more as I shoved my phone into my pocket. I just didn't understand.

They quickly pile into the door, skipping down the hall to the only classroom here while I hesitated behind them. It was almost unfair that they all knew something I didn't. I just wanted answers. I just wanted to understand why these people even talk to me.

Why me?

When they reached the door a voice greeted them all cheerily, and asked them to step inside. It was none other than the voice of Ms.Choi. Slowly I followed behind, making sure I greeted her as well when I finally entered the room. "My darling (Y/n), how have you been! I'm so sorry I haven't been here to give actual assignments lately. Are you eating properly? I hope you haven't been working too much," her voice was naturally sing-songy and motherly. She asked us all how we were doing. Somehow it seemed she knew us all very well. Ms.Choi was a woman of nurturing, and she greeted us all with open arms even if things were tense amongst the room.

"Ms.Choi, we came to look at that book," Yoongi said gently while taking a seat in the class room's front row. His face seemingly gentle as she nodded. As she went over to her class shelf, Yoongi looked to me with a small smile. "Did you know she keeps all of her favorite writing assignments that have ever been turned in?" He asked just as Ms.Choi pulls out a book. It had no spine, and the pages seemed to be held together by ribbon. It didn't look entirely old or anything. The book just seemed unordinary.

"I read this book my first semester here," Jihan takes the paper binded bundle into her hands while turning to me. "It made me so sad. I cried at the end of it, and I thought-" "What if it had a different ending,"  Yoongi finished her sentence as he laid his head on the desk in front of him.

I was confused as to what this had to do with anything, but I continued to listen as they went on.

"The story isn't put together properly because this book wasn't supposed to be one big piece. It's a collection of works from the same person that tell the same story in different ways," Yoongi further explains as he motions for Jihan to pass the book over to him. "Somehow no matter how many times I read it, I'll never understand why the author was so lonely."

Hoseok sat beside him as he flipped through a few pages. It was like he wasn't sure what exactly was happening either, but he supported whatever Yoongi was up to. I watched them as the room stayed silent for a bit, and then Hoseok began to read aloud as Yoongi halted on a page.

"'The moon sings in a blue hue, causing the sky to beg for my tears. But they do not come. So instead the clouds weep, and I realize it is my own fault. I caused another's pain because I was unable to do what was asked.'"

Yoongi flips a few more pages as Jihan stands behind him, and begins to read herself.

"' Mirrors are the nightmares in which I hide from. They're a safe haven for my demons to cast their torment upon me because I'll never be the one they call 'Beautiful'. Windows are the place my eyes can rest. Because looking through means looking forward.'"

Without even joining them Ms.Choi puts a hand on my shoulder. Smiling at me she recites a small bit like that others, and somehow fills me with nostalgia.

"'To adore the world's light while being a shadow is blissfully painful. Perhaps I wasn't meant to be.'"

Yoongi turn a few more pages before facing the book towards me, and pointing out a certain paragraph. Without really saying so he egged me on to read it. Slowly, I skimmed the page, and pulled out the voice that had been silent this whole time.

"' My heart, like piano that had been forgotten, ever silent. But they echoes of a bitter sweet melancholy melody rings throughout the hall... Calling for someone to play its keys with love. Because I want to live.'"

As I finished reading, everything clicked. The book, Ms.Choi keeping assignments, and Jihan's favor. I didn't realize at first, but it all came together in an instant.

I was the author.

They were reading different assignments of mine from my school application, and even some from class. Proudly displayed on a book shelf where other people could read them.

"I borrowed this book from Ms.Choi before I actually got to meet you," Jihan said. "I didn't realize Yoongi read it too, but back then I didn't realize you were even a student here and when I over heard someone hurting you I was angry."

"I couldn't understand how you just took it, and didn't have anyone to talk to. I wanted to change the story's ending somehow, and when I saw what was going to happen I couldn't stop myself."

Yoongi nodded in agreement. He tilted his head back to look at the ceiling as Hoseok shrugged. "I didn't know about this book stuff. I didn't know you thought like that either, but (Y/n)... I know since we've actually met we've talked a lot about writing. It's the only reason we even started talking honestly. I just never imagined I could feel so sad after reading about something that sounds like rain."

I just stand there stunned with no response. I didn't understand what this had to do with Yoongi telling me a story. Jihan made sense, but Yoongi still confused me. What did he have to do with any of this? I look to him for an answer of my unspoken question, and he somehow seems to catch on.

"Well, I guess my story didn't have an end for you did it?" he asks as he adjusts himself in his seat to look at me properly. "When I read your piano heart piece, without even meeting you I fell in love with you. So in love, that I told someone I see as an older brother about it," Yoongi closes his eyes for a moment like he was reminiscing something and he continued, "And when I finally found you I wanted to tell you everything, but he already had his eyes on you. He was in a closer study, knew your name and found you so easily. So I wonder, does he love you, or does he enjoy having everything like a greedy king."