Devil’s Music

This morning I'm in a great mood. Kiska, who has been content with just hearing my voice for six months, is coming today.

I usually don't wake up until around 10 AM, but today I got up at 8 AM. I started the morning by measuring my height against the marks on the living room wall and was happy to find I've grown a bit taller—now 156 cm. I took a careful shower to make sure I wouldn't smell bad in front of Kiska, and even used a peach-scented shower gel.

Kiska dislikes strong perfume, so I plan to only smell like shampoo.

I'm sitting on my bed, fidgeting my feet and just watching the clock. It's a ninety-minute drive from our home to Tbilisi International Airport.

Kiska is supposed to arrive at 3 PM. It's only noon now. I still have over an hour before we need to leave for the airport, but I'm already fully dressed, shoes and all.

The clothes I bought yesterday with dad have become too small, and I don't really like them.

How would I look in a pink t-shirt and short tennis shorts? Would he like my lively look? Would it be cuter if I braided my hair, or should I leave it long and loose? I'm so worried about it that I can't do anything else.

I've already changed my clothes three times. Dad and I spent over three hours shopping yesterday. We bought more than twenty outfits, but I don't like any of them—it's frustrating.

I want to look pretty for Kiska, but I'm afraid I won't be able to.

As I pass by Kiska's room, Gregory sees me sitting on my bed looking glum.

"Kiska, what's wrong? You were so happy yesterday, running around."

I puff my cheeks while pulling at my pink Adidas t-shirt, looking back at dad. Gregory laughs as he enters the room.

"I guess there's nothing we can do, no one knew our girl would grow up so fast. We'll buy you pretty clothes when we return to the U.S., just hang in there. And you're cute and pretty even now."

Kiska looks down at her white thighs showing below her white tennis shorts, then looks up at Gregory with dissatisfaction in her eyes.

"I like skirts better."

"Haha, you didn't pick any even though you practically turned the store upside down. There's nothing pretty, you say."

"What can I do if there's nothing pretty?"

"Well, we'll buy a lot when we go to the U.S."

"It's too late if we wait until we go to the U.S.!"

"Why, what's late?"

"I don't know!!"

Kiska dashes out of the room. She opens the door of her grandmother's two-story house and runs out, heading down the hill to a cliff with a rock at its edge.

Sitting huddled on the rock at the cliff's edge with a cool breeze blowing, the girl buries her face in her knees, tears glistening in her eyes. Hearing a strange sound, she looks up.

Furuk, furuk.

A brown horse is poking its head out in front of Kiska. Like ownerless cows roaming the streets in Nepal, wild horses were common in this part of Georgia.

People didn't harm the horses, and the horses didn't fear people, living together peacefully. Kiska reaches out and pets the horse's head, and the horse, seeming pleased, snorts and comes closer. Kiska, having no other option right now, wants to believe even the horse's nod.

"What do you think of my outfit today?"

The horse snorts and nods its head.

"Pretty?"

Horses rarely shake their heads; Kiska knows they usually nod and snort. Still, she wants to believe the nod.

"Thanks, hehe."

After petting the horse for a while, Kiska checks the time on her White Falcon watch, then rushes back home. She bursts into Gregory's room where he is still dressing.

"Dad! Let's go!"

"Oh, there's still about 30 minutes. Let's go slowly, there's nothing but waiting anyway."

"No! What if Kiska's plane arrives a bit early?"

"Even if the plane arrives early, it would be by a minute or two."

"But still no! Let's go quickly!"

Kiska grabs Gregory's arm, still threading through his pants, and pulls him. Gregory yells as he's dragged.

"Oh, dad's going to fall! Okay, okay, don't pull, I'll be ready soon."

Only then does Kiska let go of his arm. She sits on the bed in Gregory's room, watching him get ready. Gregory quickly puts on his clothes, smiling bitterly.

Now grown so much, holding her hand feels like holding a grown lady's hand. Gregory, taking his grown-up daughter

 by the hand, waves to his mother standing in front of the house.

"Mother, we'll be back soon. Won't be long."

Kiska also shouts from the passenger seat after rolling down the window.

"Grandma, we'll be right back!"

As the car starts, the grandmother sits down on the chair by the house door with a content smile.

"What's there to be so happy about? Hoho."

Hours later, at the airport in Georgia, Geon has his face well-covered. Fortunately, the staff at the departure gate doesn't watch TV, as they don't make a fuss even after seeing Geon's passport, allowing him to exit the airport quietly. As Geon steps out of the arrivals gate automatic doors, he thinks.

"Gregory said he'd come to pick me up…"

Looking around, Geon sees Gregory walking towards him from a distance, with a woman pulling him eagerly.

"Ah, that's Gregory. But who's that with him?"

The woman urging Gregory to hurry lifts her head.

Long platinum-blond hair had covered her face, but she brushes it behind her ear, revealing her face.

"Ki, Ki, Kiska?"

Seeing her face, Geon is startled and takes a closer look at Kiska. Long, healthy legs, a bit thick but looking robust.

Thanks to tight tennis pants, Kiska's already good proportions make her legs appear even longer. There was no curve where Kiska's waist and hips met, the line was slender.

Tucked inside the pink t-shirt, her upper body couldn't yet be called adult, but at nearly 160 cm, Kiska's body was close to an adult's.

Geon stood there with his mouth open, looking dazed, but fortunately, his sunglasses and mask hid his expression.

Noticing Geon standing still from afar, Kiska stops dragging her father.

The two stood apart, not obstructed by the passing people between them.

In Kiska's eyes, the passersby were invisible. Only the man covered with a hat and sunglasses filled her vision.

Though his expression was unreadable, it was clear he was looking at her. Kiska wanted to run to him and hug him, but her feet wouldn't move.

Seeing the tears start to form in Kiska's eyes, Gregory gently places his hand on her shoulder and points at Geon.

"He's been waiting a lot, hasn't he? Go say hi."

Even with her father's encouragement, Kiska's legs remain still. Eventually, Gregory steps forward and extends his hand to Geon.

"It's been a while, about six months?"

"Ah, Gregory. Yes, that's right. How have you been?"

"Haha, I'm just happy to be back home. Go on, greet Kiska."

"Yes, but Kiska has grown so much, hasn't she?"

"Haha, even I'm surprised every time I see her. Just this morning, we measured her height, and she was already 156 cm. Haha."

"That's... that's really something. Six months isn't that long..."

"Haha, Kiska must be waiting, go on."

Geon approaches the now-stationary Kiska. Looking down at her, now too big to hug like before, Geon awkwardly says.

"Ki, Kiska. Have you been well?"

Seeing the changed reaction from Geon, Kiska's face falls. Gregory, watching from the side, clears his throat and turns away.

"Ahem, I think I'll go get a coffee downtown while I'm here. You two chat for a bit."

After Gregory leaves, the two stand looking at each other for a long while without speaking. With teary eyes, Kiska raises her arms.

"Won't you hug me?"

Her once tiny, fern-like hands have grown, and now when she hugs Geon, she can wrap her arms around his back.

Geon, feeling awkward, shifts his hips back and hugs her.

Feeling his half-hearted embrace, Kiska's tears begin to flow.

"Sob, sob, is it because I'm not pretty?"

"Uh?"

"Is it because my clothes aren't pretty? Sob."

"What? No, what are you talking about?"

"Sob, really?"

Geon touches Kiska's face, wiping away her tears with his thumb. Looking down at her outfit—a pink t-shirt and white shorts paired with black Adidas Gazelle sneakers—he strokes her hair and says.

"You're pretty."

Kiska, unable to even think about stopping the tears that are flowing like a flood, says.

"Sob, sob, really?"

"Yes, pretty. The prettiest in the world."

"Sob, then hug me again."

Looking up at Geon, begging with her words, Geon smiles warmly and opens his arms.

"Come here, let's hug."

"Waaaah!!!"

Kiska throws herself into Geon's arms, crying, and people passing

 by glance at them.

But soon, seeing the man patting the woman's back in comfort, they move on, thinking, 'They must be lovers in a long-distance relationship, parting ways.'

After over ten minutes of listening to Kiska's crying, Geon finally touches her face, which has calmed down a bit.

"Our Kiska has really grown up. It's almost awkward for me."

Kiska, still sobbing but much calmer, continues to hold onto Geon as she looks up at his face.

"Am I pretty?"

"Yes, pretty."

"Prettier than Suzuka?"

"Yes, much."

"Hehe."

"Laughing after crying is a big deal."

With her tear-streaked face breaking into a smile, Kiska's expression turns stern.

"Don't play with Byung-jun! Only Byung-jun says such things!"

"Haha, who's Byung-jun, Kiska. It's fine to use American names, but it sounds funny when you use Korean names like that, haha."

Kiska, with wide eyes, asks.

"So what should I call him?"

"Byung-jun oppa."

"Oh... oppa? What's that?"

"It's what you call an older man."

"Do they like being called that?"

"Yes, men like it."

"K too?"

"I like it better than just being called by name."

"Uh... I see."

As they continue their conversation, Gregory returns, and thanks to Kiska calling him "oppa" in the car, Geon nearly falls out of the car laughing.

 Kiska's grandmother's house was located in a small and ancient village called "Abkhazia." Thanks to Kiska, who sat next to Geon for over an hour chatting about the neighborhood, Geon arrived without boredom and stepped out of the car to see his grandmother's house.

The house, built on a sloping hill that seemed to be in a mountainous area, was a two-story building with dark brown roofs and walls made of ochre bricks, set against a picturesque mountain.

In front of the house was a downhill grass lawn, and at the end of the path was a cliff. Across the cliff, there were no other mountains, and the distant urban area could be seen like ants—a scenic place indeed.

Feeling the cool breeze from the mountain, Geon smiled, and Gregory, who approached him, said while looking at the view Geon was admiring.

"It's a nice place, isn't it? This is where I was born."

Geon, as if trying to store the clean air inside him, took a deep breath and laughed.

"Yes, it really is a beautiful place."

"Hehe, let's go in. Let's greet my mother first."

Following Gregory, Geon went to the grandmother's room on the second floor and could see the grandmother quietly sleeping. Gregory, who opened the door and saw his mother sleeping, quietly closed the door saying,

"Ha, she's asleep. Let's greet her later."

"Alright, that sounds good."

While Kiska was combing her wind-blown hair, Gregory, who came to the living room, offered a flatbread.

"It's bread baked in an oven with cheese, Georgian style. It's called 'Purée.' You must be hungry, have some."

Geon bit into the bread and asked,

"Did you say your mother has a chronic illness?"

"Yeah, she has cancer. They say she's too old for surgery, and she didn't like staying at the hospital, so she insisted on coming home. It seems she might not make it through this year."

"I see..."

"I should have come earlier; I would have shown her many nice places while she was still healthy."

Seeing Gregory's regretful eyes, Geon made a sympathetic face, and soon Gregory brightened his expression and looked up at Kiska's room on the second floor.

"What are you planning to do about our Kiska?"

Geon widened his eyes and asked,

"What do you mean?"

"Even I know about it, and you, the person involved, claim not to know?"

"I don't understand what you mean, Gregory."

"Heh, you don't know Kiska likes you?"

"Ah... I know."

"Then what are you going to do about it?"

"Well, that... Kiska is still too young."

"Young? She's twelve years old now."

Geon, sweating due to Gregory's attempt to push Kiska onto him, said,

"Well, maybe when she's a bit older..."

Gregory stared into Geon's eyes quietly. Suddenly stopping his words and staring intently at him made Geon unable to stand it any longer and he asked,

"What would you like me to do...?"

Gregory said seriously,

"You're not planning to just date my daughter and let her grow old, are you?"

"Well, that's..."

"I acknowledge that Kiska is still young. But there are too many women around you. It seems you don't even give them a glance, but Kiska is very insecure. She's especially worried about that Japanese girl, Shizuka. A while ago, she even thought about dyeing her beautiful platinum blonde hair black, thinking you would like it like Shizuka."

"Ah... I see."

"Get engaged."

Geon's face went blank, and he sat down comfortably crossing his legs, but Gregory continued speaking with the intimidating eyes of a mafia boss.

"Even if it's just a simple engagement, of course, you would marry when Kiska becomes an adult."

"Well, that's..."

"Do you dislike my daughter?"

"No, it's not that."

Geon stuttered, overwhelmed by the sudden situation. Taking advantage of Geon's confusion, Gregory pressed on for an answer.

"I won't pressure you. If either Kiska or you requests to break off the engagement, I'll accept your separation without a word. Would that be okay?"

Geon slightly furrowed his brow. After a moment, looking into Gregory's eyes, he asked,

"Why are you in such a hurry? If those are the conditions, couldn't we take our time?"

Gregory got up and walked to the window, crossing his arms and gazing deep into the scenery before finally speaking,

"I'm anxious."

Realizing that this was an important statement, Geon quietly observed his back.

"Kiska is not normal. Well, she wasn't normal, but now she's returning to normal. So I'm anxious. She's not yet completely normal like other children her age. I hope you

 will always be with Kiska. I believe that with you, Kiska can live a life like any other person."

Gregory turned around and saw Geon sitting on the sofa.

"I feel sorry for being forceful. Maybe I should rephrase that. Rather than an engagement, I'd appreciate it if you could promise to always be by Kiska's side. Then I'd feel a bit less anxious."

Geon nodded as if there was nothing to think about.

"Of course, I'll always be there if Kiska wants me."

Only then did Gregory smile and look at Geon before turning his head and seeing Kiska standing on the staircase leading to the second floor.

"Kiska?"

Blushing, Kiska dashed up to the second floor. Although it's unclear how long she had been listening, she ran away embarrassed after hearing that Geon would always be by her side whenever she wanted. Gregory chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.

"Then let me treat you to some Georgian cuisine. Have you heard of Mtsvadi? It's a Georgian meat skewer dish."

"Haha, I've heard of it but never tried it."

"Good, let me show off my skills. But... we're a bit short on firewood, could you fetch some from the backyard?"

"Ah, alright."

Geon went out of the house, headed to the backyard, and picked up an armful of wood already prepared by Gregory, cut to the right size, and went back inside to the hearth where Gregory was preparing to cook.

"Just put enough in. Don't make the fire too strong; you have to control it well. The fire is already going, so just add more wood."

"Alright, I'll try."

Geon sat on a makeshift chair in front of the small hearth and adjusted the fire, occasionally breaking off small pieces of dry wood to manage the flames.

Without thinking, as he repeatedly placed wood in the fire, Geon's thoughts drifted to Kiska. The girl he always thought of as a child had grown significantly, and it wouldn't be strange to call her a woman now.

Although still young in mind, Geon felt he couldn't treat her the same as before and recalled his conversation with Gregory.

'Engaged? She's too young.'

As he stoked the fire, Gregory approached and began baking the Purée in the hearth.

Beside him, he skillfully grilled the meat on skewers and even brought out a bottle of wine, a Georgian specialty, and continued to eat. Even as they finished a hearty meal by late afternoon, Gregory, slightly drunk from the wine, staggered to his feet.

"I need a nap. You must be tired too, why don't you take a rest?"

"Ah, I will."

"The rooms are on the second floor."

Gregory went up first, and Geon, left alone, cleaned the dishes and went upstairs after washing them. He entered the only room that was open among all the closed doors and looked around.

His room had a bed with a checkered bedspread and a small dresser.

Gregory had apparently moved Geon's suitcase earlier, as it was in one corner. Geon changed into comfortable clothes and lay down on the bed.

Although he was a bit tired, the events of the day had left his mind in turmoil, and he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. As he was about to drift off, he heard the door being cautiously opened.

Still with a flushed face, Kiska stood at the door with a pillow in her arms. Geon sat up and asked,

"Kiska, why didn't you come down for dinner?"

She looked down at the pillow tucked under her arm and entered the room.

"I want to sleep next to you."

"Um?"

"We always slept together, I want to sleep next to you."

"No, I mean, Ki, Kiska."

As Geon moved his feet to scoot back while sitting on the bed, Kiska threw her pillow onto the bed and sat on the edge.

"Why? We slept together just a while ago. Why are you acting like this now?"

Geon sweated as he scooted back.

"No, it's not that. I mean."

Kiska lowered her head and then said,

"You said you'd be with me whenever I want."

"Um?"

"You said you'd always be with me if I wanted."

"Oh, that's true but..."

Kiska leaned into Geon. As he sat up, her force pushed him down. Startled, Geon tried to push her away, but Kiska, holding onto his waist, whispered,

"Put me to sleep. Like before."

Although her body had grown, Kiska still had the scent of a baby. Feeling her warmth, Geon chuckled.

'What was I thinking?'

Geon stroked Kiska's hair. She seemed to enjoy his touch as she rubbed her face against his stomach and pulled up the blanket, saying,

"Goodnight, brother."

"Ha,

 good pronunciation."

"Put me to sleep."

Geon stroked Kiska's hair and started to sing softly, and she soon fell asleep in his arms.

As he sang to the gently snoring Kiska, confirming she had fallen completely asleep, he smiled.

'She's grown up, but she's still a baby. Our Kiska.'

Feeling the warmth of Kiska, Geon's eyes slowly closed. The long flight had left him tired, and relaxed by Kiska's presence, sleep quickly overcame him.

Just as his heavy eyelids were about to close, the sound of the door opening again startled him. Turning his head in his drowsy state, he saw the grandmother with a horrified expression.

"My goodness! Who are you!!"

The grandmother, who burst into the room, started yelling and ran in, swinging a broom laden with dust and cobwebs.

"Who are you! Who dares touch our precious granddaughter!! Gregory! Gregory!! Where are you!!"

"Ah, grandmother, it's not what it looks like, I'm..."

"You pervert! How dare you touch someone else's precious granddaughter!!"

As Geon coughed from getting hit on the head with the dusty broom, he weakly smiled.