Devil’s Music

Gushion and Pyemon had stayed at Red Castle for nearly two weeks.

They spent ordinary days with Geon, building intimacy and trust.

Gamagin visited Gushion after Geon fell asleep, informing him that he would return to being an angel, which startled Gushion enough to repeatedly confirm Gamagin's intention.

Realizing that Gamagin's decision was not a temporary thought from a day or two ago, Gushion finally understood that the angels' inactivity was not merely due to their affection for the child named Geon.

Gushion, realizing that a high-ranking demon like Gamagin returning to an angel would have effects on other demons, wore a worried look but did not consider interfering with Gamagin's ceremony, having already sworn a pact of friendship under the name of a demon.

After a considerable time at Red Castle, the two left on the fourteenth day, and despite the long time together, Geon felt a pang of sadness as he and Byung-jun were left alone, sitting on the sofa in the slightly desolate annex living room.

Byung-jun, who always seemed to be alone, seemed to feel the absence of the ever-perceptive Pyemon, who had quickly grasped his metaphors.

That day, as usual, Byung-jun, in his underwear, kicked at Geon who sat near his feet.

"Geon."

Geon pushed his foot away with his arm and frowned.

"What?"

"Aren't you working on your album? You've just been playing all these two weeks, with the kids."

"Who's playing? I've got the structure of the tracks all sorted out."

Byung-jun sat up excitedly and said.

"Oh! Really? Ah, is it about what we discussed at the drink session? The song of fire, water, wind, and earth?"

"Yes, I've basically finished the structure and concept."

"Oh, tell me about it. I'm dying of curiosity. You know if you don't finish it in the next six months before graduation, the headlines will be buzzing with news of Juilliard's prodigy Geon being held back."

Geon got up and went to his room to fetch a sketchbook filled with scribbles, flipping through it before handing it to Byung-jun.

"For now, it's the song of fire."

Byung-jun frowned as he took the sketchbook full of incomprehensible scribbles and tossed it aside, scowling.

"Stop joking, man. Chairman Wang Hao is also worried."

"That's the actual concept. I always write like this."

Byung-jun picked the sketchbook up again with a laugh and handed it back to Geon.

"Just explain it to me so I can understand, starting with the song of fire."

Geon, looking at the sketchbook Byung-jun was holding, said,

"The genre is rock, and the key point is energy. The song of water, as you know, is closer to ballad music, not rock ballad but an R&B ballad."

Byung-jun looked puzzled.

"The song of water was an R&B ballad? I had no idea."

"It doesn't have lyrics yet. Once Kiska's lyrics are finished, we'll add an R&B-style vocal melody line, reformatting it into more comforting, restful music."

"Well... I see. What about the song of fire?"

"As I said earlier, it's rock, very intense rock, rhythmic rock that will make listeners involuntarily move, think of it as groove metal."

Having already toured other bands in groove metal and having been acknowledged for his work in the genre as Fury, Byung-jun nodded without much worry and flipped to the next page of the sketchbook, again scowling as he extended it.

"What's this?"

Geon, looking at the sketchbook page filled with brown crayon scribbles and indecipherable drawings, said,

"That's the concept for the song of earth."

Byung-jun looked again and turned the sketchbook back to Geon, scowling as if staring at a toddler's scribblings.

"The key point of the song of earth is hope. It's a story about rising again from cracked and dried earth, and the genre is hip-hop."

Byung-jun, astonished, asked,

"Hip-hop? You can't rap, can you?"

"That doesn't matter; I have many people I can ask for help. It's my album, but I don't have to be the only one singing."

"Well, people like Snoop Dogg or Eminem?"

"Probably, I'll use people I know, who are also very skilled."

"Hmm... I should prepare the contracts."

"Yeah, do that."

"What about this one?"

Byung-jun flipped the next page without looking and turned the sketchbook towards Geon. He was giving up early and demanding an explanation

.

The sketchbook was filled with blue crayon scribbles, much more complex than the other pages. Geon laughed,

"That's the song of wind. I pondered this one for a while. Wind is such a fascinating thing; it carries the seeds of flowers to new places to spread life, it brings sailors to land, but when it's angry, it becomes a hurricane that sweeps everything away, or a storm that harms people. Of course, the song of wind I'm creating isn't that kind of music."

"What kind of song are you making then?"

"It'll be a refreshing wind. A pleasant wind that blows away stress."

"Hmm... Sounds plausible, but... what genre?"

"I'm thinking of dance music, something for clubs."

"What? Suddenly club music? You've never done that before?"

"It's a chance to try something new. Hehe."

After hearing the descriptions of all four songs, Byung-jun cocked his head, knowing he couldn't win a musical argument with Geon and that he had never disappointed him musically, so he nodded and handed back the sketchbook.

"Have you decided on the album name?"

Geon raised his index finger and smiled,

"The Nature. Nature itself will be my music."

Byung-jun pursed his lips and nodded as if he agreed,

"Hmm... That's good. I'll give a rough report then. But can you keep to the schedule?"

Geon folded the sketchbook and said,

"Well, it seems okay for now, but Kiska's lyrics are taking a bit longer. Normally, she writes them in an hour or two, but this time she seems to be stuck."

Byung-jun chuckled,

"Hey, how long did it take you to make the song of water?"

Geon thought for a moment and replied,

"Well, a few months, I think. Why?"

"Even a genius like you took months to make a song, how easy do you think it is to add lyrics? Kiska isn't someone who writes nonsense; she calculates and considers emotions to write the best lyrics."

"Ah... Is that so?"

"Pfft, anyway, you've been through the military and are about to graduate college, but this guy hasn't matured in anything but music."

Geon tickled Byung-jun's feet, laughing,

"Hehe, I have you and Director Lin for that."

"Pffhah, hey, that tickles!! Cut it out!!"

Byung-jun, laughing while pushing Geon away with his feet, caught his breath and said,

"Heh, heh. Oh! Actually, Director Lin asked me to ask you about the concept."

Geon widened his eyes and looked at Byung-jun,

"Director Lin? Why didn't he ask directly?"

"This guy, musicians are sensitive about their work. If someone at the director's level talks, it feels like a rush. Haven't you felt that? Like, you sit down to study, and just when you start, your mom comes in and asks if you aren't studying, and suddenly you don't want to?"

Having never been pressured by his parents to study, Geon shrugged,

"I don't know."

"Damn, I should avoid hanging out with smart guys. Anyway, Director Lin didn't want his casual comment to even slightly disturb your music work, so he told me to ask you subtly."

Geon threw the sketchbook onto Byung-jun's chest and shouted,

"Was this asking subtly? You kicked me while asking!"

Byung-jun laughed heartily,

"That's typical me, the most natural thing! You little rascal! Pffhahah!"

After their playful banter, Byung-jun again turned serious,

"Do you remember?"

"What?"

"The day you have your official stage, I promised to create the best stage in the world for you."

Caught off-guard by Byung-jun's words, Geon looked at him and smiled broadly,

"I remember."

"Look forward to it."

"I trust you."

"Is that a rhyme?"

"It seems so."

"Let's stop."

"I don't want to."

"Is it fun?"

"It is."

The two continued their playful four-letter rhyme conversation for a while. Byung-jun straightened up and asked,

"This is my personal question, and it might be sensitive."

Knowing Byung-jun's serious side, Geon straightened up and said,

"Yes, ask your question."

Byung-jun looked intently into Geon's eyes and cautiously asked,

"What about Kiska? I heard about what happened in Georgia. Was there talk of an engagement?"

As the topic of Kiska came up, Geon closed his mouth. Hesitating for a moment, he said,

"Um… actually, I'm worried about that. No matter how tall and big she is, I've known her since she was too young, and I can only see her as a child. I love her, but it's not

 the love of a man for a woman. More like the love for a family or a younger sister?"

"Did you tell that to Gregory or Kiska?"

"I couldn't, bro. If Kiska knew I said this, she'd cry and make a scene."

"Hmm, that's good. So you haven't made a decision yet?"

Geon pursed his lips and said,

"I'm just waiting, unless someone I love appears."

"Waiting? What does that mean?"

"Kiska is still young. She hasn't met many men in her life. As she grows up, she might naturally come to like someone else, and then I'll remain her brother."

Byung-jun asked with a serious look,

"What if she still feels the same even after she becomes an adult?"

Geon stretched lazily,

"I don't know, I'll think about it then. My feelings are important too."

The day after talking with Byeongjun.

Geon visited the school's practice room and immediately began working on the songs of fire, wind, and earth. The first person he contacted for help with the "Song of the Earth" was Dr. Brey.

Dr. Brey arrived at Juilliard the same day, responding to Geon's call. Getting out of a Cadillac limousine, Dr. Brey surprised the Juilliard students with his youthful appearance in a white shirt, beige cotton pants, and Air Jordan Rainbows.

Upon finding the studio through a text message, Dr. Brey opened the practice room door and whistled in surprise.

"Whistle! Who do we have here? Snap! Neminem! How's everyone doing?"

Snap and Neminem, who had already arrived in the practice room and were sitting on folding chairs, looked up at him.

"Where's Kay?"

Snap, not taking off his sunglasses even indoors, pointed outside.

"He went to apply for a recording studio rental."

"Really? But why would someone like Kay record at school? He could use my studio."

Neminem, his legs on the chair, nodded his head.

"That guy. He promised to work at school in exchange for skipping his senior year classes. I hear Fantagio's U.S. branch is almost completed, but it seems he'll have to do this album here regardless."

Dr. Brey pouted his lips and nodded.

"He's still a student, so he needs to earn credits, it might seem weird, but such conditions could happen. So, did you get any hint about the music?"

Snap shrugged his shoulders.

"No, not at all. We were also contacted just yesterday. Isn't it the same for you?"

"Yep, lucky I didn't have a schedule."

Neminem laughed playfully.

"You would have canceled it anyway if you had one."

Dr. Brey chuckled and put his hands in his pockets.

"What do you take me for, I'm a businessman now. If I had a schedule, I'd handle it and make time to help. Who here isn't busy or less famous? Everyone should stick to their schedules, not cancel them for this."

Neminem giggled and raised a finger. Dr. Brey's eyebrows twitched as he saw Snap with his arms crossed.

"Snap, what? Don't tell me... you canceled your schedule?"

Snap furrowed his eyebrows.

"What could I do? He asked the day before. Damn, after hearing you, I think I should've just kept my schedule, my pride is hurt."

Neminem chuckled.

"Ha-ha, this guy rushed to cancel his schedule because he was told he could participate in Kay's album. Fortunately, it was a radio schedule, so Firecube went instead."

Grinding his teeth at the teasing Neminem, Snap looked at his watch.

"This guy, just wait. If the music isn't good, I'll make sure to charge for the canceled schedule!"

Just then, the door burst open and Geon entered with a stack of music sheets, smiling brightly.

"Ah, Brey? You're here! It's been a long time."

They shook hands and hugged each other, exchanging greetings for a moment. Geon hesitated as he noticed Snap staring at him with burning eyes.

"Um... Snap. Is something wrong?"

Snap slightly lowered his sunglasses and stared intently at Geon, extending his hand.

"Those music sheets, are those it?"

"Ah, yes. That's right."

Geon handed the music sheets to the three of them.

"It's Cubase music, so you might not get the feel from the sheet alone. Since I've rented a recording studio, shall we go listen to it?"

Neminem and Snap stood up without a word. Brey, who had been standing from the start, was the first to follow Geon, and as the four celebrities started walking down the corridors of Juilliard, students crowded around them like a swarm.

Seeing even the faculty members coming out to watch, Geon sweat coldly and forced a smile.

As the students followed them to the front of the recording studio, clamoring for photos and autographs, Snap, Neminem, and Dr. Brey eventually took some time to provide fan service, while Geon started preparing inside the studio.

Snap returned to the studio first, followed by Dr. Brey. Last to be held up, Neminem entered the studio, and the waiting Geon smiled and operated the control box.

"Now, this song is called 'Song of the Earth.' You might think the title doesn't match hip-hop, but the emotion it contains is like rain on parched earth, bringing hope again. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?"

Dr. Brey crossed his arms and nodded.

"Hmm, it's like our story of overcoming tough family backgrounds and succeeding in Harlem through hip-hop,

 isn't it?"

He looked at Snap and Neminem for agreement, and they nodded. Smiling, Geon spoke before playing the music.

"As you know, my song lyrics are written by a kid named Kiska Miocic. But in rap, the sincerity of the rapper must melt into it, as Dr. Brey taught me."

Dr. Brey, proud, smiled back at him.

"In 'Song of the Earth,' there are two sixteen-bar verses for rap, which is why I invited both of you. And Brey, you'll be producing this music."

Snap looked at Dr. Brey.

"Hey, you came all this way to produce just one song?"

Dr. Brey laughed softly.

"There are two of you to record a sixteen-bar rap, what are you talking about?"

"Damn!!!"

Snap crossed his arms and cursed, while Dr. Brey turned to Geon, grinning.

"How many songs are in the album?"

Geon showed four fingers, and Dr. Brey asked with a surprised look.

"Just four songs? Can you call that a full album?"

Geon waved his hand as if it were fine.

"Not yet decided on the title track, but one song, 'Song of Water,' is 23 minutes and 07 seconds long. So it's possible to make an album with just four songs."

Dr. Brey stroked his chin.

"Then, can I produce the rest of the songs?"

Geon's eyes widened.

"Uh... rock, dance, ballad; are you sure you can handle it?"

Neminem suddenly interjected.

"Dance? Rock and ballad I get, but what's with dance?"

"The 'Song of Wind' is a club dance track."

"You're doing strange stuff again, dude. How many genres do you need to be satisfied, you?"

Snap also nodded in agreement.

"Right, this guy has mastered orchestra, opera, rock, and hip-hop. It'll be a headache if he starts on traditional music from some country."

Geon laughed and placed his hand on the play button.

"Well, I try to avoid confining myself to just one genre as much as possible. Shall we listen?"

As the play button was pressed, a heavy drum beat with a groovy bass started playing.

As the foundational beat of the music played, the piano notes danced in the background, drawing increasingly shocked expressions from the three.

After Verse 1 and during the instrumental break, the rock bass guitar sounds made the trio jump up from their chairs.

Throughout the six-minute-plus song, they could not sit down again, and given their deep understanding of hip-hop, they could anticipate the immense impact this music would have on the world, so much so that they were sweating.

Long after the music had ended, all three remained speechless. Geon, observing their reactions, also swallowed hard.

It was Dr. Brey who finally broke the silence.

"My god..."

Snap threw the music sheet he was holding onto the floor.

"Damn, I was going to punch him if the music was crap after he messed up my schedule. Hell, I can't even open my mouth now."

Neminem had already started writing something on his music sheet, seemingly planning his rap. Feeling guilty for suddenly asking for help, Geon turned to Snap with an awkward smile.

"I'll properly pay you the featuring fee, I'm sorry. Snap."

Snap suddenly stood up and grabbed Geon's arm.

"Not just that."

Geon, startled by the towering figure grabbing his arm, asked back.

"What else?"

Snap flicked his finger.

"Give me a song instead of money."

"What?"

"Write me a song to use in my album later."

Neminem, who had been silently watching, now spoke up.

"Ah, give me a song too. Forget the money."

Dr. Brey burst out laughing and pointed at them.

"Ha-ha! Look at these guys, clinging on for a song. Have you musicians no pride, begging for songs?"

Snap flared up.

"Who's begging! I'm rightfully asking to be compensated with a song for the featuring."

Neminem casually kept his eyes on the music sheet.

"Well, I am actually begging."

"Damn!! Be quiet, you!"

As the two started bickering again, Geon spoke up to calm them down.

"Alright, I'll give you the songs, okay?"

Dr. Brey stepped in and flicked his finger.

"Ooh, that won't do. I don't know how much their featuring fees are, but the value of your four songs is greater. You should charge extra and write them."

Snap grabbed Dr. Brey by the collar.

"Almost had him, this guy!!!"

Neminem raised his hand again.

"I'm willing to pay extra, so give me first."

Snap took off his sunglasses and threw them at Neminem.

"I'll pay even just one dollar more than this guy! So give me mine

 first!"

An unintended auction started in the recording studio, and eventually, Dr. Brey, trying to settle the childish fight, sat seriously at the side control box.

"Alright, the overall framework is set, and the lyrics are still pending, right? Since the concept has been conveyed, let's start with their raps?"

Professionally ready to start work, Dr. Brey looked at Geon, who smiled brightly.

"Yes, shall we begin?"

As he clapped his hands to focus the still scuffling duo, Dr. Brey spoke with serious eyes.

"Stop it, and write the lyrics. I'll give a song first to whoever finishes their work first."

The two instantly scattered to write their lyrics, while Brey and Geon exchanged smiles. Dr. Brey, usually working with his favorite sound on the machine, asked.

"But you'll handle rock yourself or ask Carlos for help, but what about dance?"

Geon leaned on his chin and looked into the recording booth.

"Actually, that's what I'm worried about. Should I go to Korea?"

"Korea?"

"Yes, there are many musicians of dance music in Korea, it's quite popular there."

Dr. Brey frowned.

"Isn't Korea just overrun with girl groups?"

"Ha-ha, well. I'll look in the U.S. first, and if that doesn't work out, then I'll go with the backup plan."

Snap and Neminem competitively laid down their raps. However, rushed by time, the quickly produced raps failed to satisfy them, and they ended up tearing up their own lyrics to start anew.

They were struggling with writing lyrics, as they found themselves featuring in someone else's song without having main lyrics of their own.

Within a few days, Fantagio's American branch was completed, and although not officially open, Byungjoon began commuting to the Manhattan office, carrying a contract for a feature.

Though an outsider, Byungjoon was recognized by the school officials due to his familiar face, greeted the security guard, and entered the school where musicians were working in the recording studio. He couldn't help but smirk as he opened the door to the studio and saw the large figure of Snap crouching on a folding chair, clutching his head in frustration.

Neminem, in a similar pose, looked relatively smaller and thus less pitiful.

"Um... hello, I'm Manager Kay."

Snap glanced at Byungjoon through his sunglasses and waved his hand casually. Neminem also just raised his hand, indicating that he knew he had arrived, prompting Byungjoon to laugh awkwardly.

"Let's not stay here, come to our branch office. You can just record here."

Snap, who had been suffering from back pain, immediately stood up and stretched his back at Byungjoon's words.

"Ah, my back. You should have told me earlier."

"Haha... actually, I only got into the office yesterday myself."

"Come on, Neminem. It's too uncomfortable here."

Neminem silently followed, and Byungjoon led them away.

Though it was a walkable distance from Juilliard, Byungjoon, being with celebrities, could not risk any incidents and had a car waiting outside the school. Within less than two minutes, the three arrived in front of Fantagio's red brick building.

The building wasn't tall but had a sizable five-story structure, still without a sign.

After getting out of the car and looking up at the building for a moment, Snap limped into the first floor, where a security guard approached to inquire about their visit.

In a situation where it was awkward to ask someone so obviously recognizable what they were doing there, the security guards, seeing Byungjoon follow, simply stepped aside and pressed the elevator button for them.

"We're being treated like outsiders."

Byungjoon laughed as they stood in front of the elevator.

"Sorry, the director instructed to staff the American branch entirely with Americans, and since the employees just started, they aren't fully operational yet. Please understand."

Snap nodded absently as they entered the elevator and whistled when he saw the buttons.

"Whew, it's not just a five-story building, there are five basement levels too?"

Noticing the button for the fourth floor labeled "Kay," Neminem asked, "Is the fourth floor Kay's personal space?"

Byungjoon pressed the fourth floor button, smiling.

"Yes, that's right. The entire 230 square meters is for Kay, as he is Fantagio's flagship star. The basement levels four and five are parking, levels one through three will soon become practice rooms for Fantagio's artists and are still under construction, the first floor has the lobby and rooms for interviews and meeting external guests, the second floor is currently unused, the third floor is for staff offices, and the fifth floor will be for management. There's also a plan to include a terrace and relaxation areas on the roof."

As the elevator ascended, Snap enviously looked at the floor indicator showing 'Kay' instead of the number 4.

"Man, I don't have anything like this, doesn't it look impressive, Neminem?"

Neminem chuckled as they stepped out of the elevator.

"Why don't you make one at your place?"

"Our house is all my space; why would I need this!"

"If you're jealous, you lose. Just get off."

Neminem gasped as they got off at their floor.

"Wow, this is killer!"

Upon exiting the elevator, the first thing they saw was a wall of white marble. They had to walk down a separate corridor to the left to reach an automatic door, to ensure that Kay's music work was not disturbed.

The marble adorned both the walls and floor, with engraved live photos of Kay and stills from his music videos.

Whistling as they looked at the photos, Neminem and Snap approached the automatic door.

"This way," Byungjoon said as the door opened, and Snap exclaimed in amazement.

"Wow, it's not separate; it's all one space?"

The 230-square-meter room was a vast single space. The only divided area was the recording booth set up in one corner, making the large space seem even more expansive.

One wall of the room was entirely made of glass, with a beige leather sofa that seemed to seat more than ten people at one end.

Next to the sofa was an island-style kitchen that felt more like a cafeteria than a kitchen, with an espresso machine that could be seen in a professional cafe, a large refrigerator, and various dishes and pretty cups.

Snap ran to the refrigerator, opened it, and yelled, "There's no alcohol!"

Although the fridge was stocked with drinks, Snap was disappointed by the lack of alcohol. Byungjoon laughed and pressed a button on the wall next to the kitchen, and a compartment with wine, whiskey, and beer appeared. Snap brightened up and took a bottle to inspect it closely.

"Makgeolli? What's this?"

"Haha, it's a traditional Korean drink. Try it later."

"Later? There's no later with alcohol. You drink it as soon as you see it."

Snap attempted to open the makgeolli, but Byungjoon reached out to stop him.

"Haha, you have to shake it first. Give it here."

After shaking the makgeolli and opening the bottle, Byungjoon handed it to Snap, who didn't even wait for a cup and directly took a swig from the bottle, grimacing.

"Gah! What is this taste? It's like cream soda with sugar poured on it, yuck."

Byungjoon chuckled as he tried to offer a cup.

"It's not like single malt whiskey or beer that you drink without side dishes. Try it with Korean snacks next time. Now, this way, please."

On the opposite side of the kitchen, next to the elegantly decorated recording booth control box, was a long desk.

Whether it was initially designed as a space for composing, various instruments were set up, and, for collaborations with other musicians, several comfortable chairs were placed.

Byungjoon led them to what he called the "chairman's chair," a luxurious and comfortable looking chair.

"Feel free to work comfortably here. I'll let Kay know."

Snap settled comfortably into the chair and closed his eyes.

"Phew, comfortable. The folding chair at the school was so small, my butt barely fit."

Byungjoon operated a button next to the control box, and a king-size bed descended from the wall.

"Use this if you need a rest. Since you might not know how to operate it, I'll leave it down."

Neminem jumped onto the bed with excitement.

"I'll work here!"

As Neminem bounced on the mattress, seemingly pleased with it, Byungjoon smiled.

"Let's start with the featuring contract. Here's the contract."

Byungjoon handed Snap and Neminem their respective contracts.

"As requested, the contract offers each of you a song in exchange for the feature. The song will be provided within a year from the date of signing the contract, and the song's duration is specified to be no less than 3 minutes and 23 seconds."

Neminem glanced over the contract quickly and took out a pen to start writing lyrics.

"The part where we pay additional costs when we receive the song is missing?"

"Ah, Kay's side refused that, saying it wouldn't be right to take additional money from people who came to help in difficult times."

"Hmm, that's nice. I'll sign right away."

After signing, Neminem handed the contract back and then reached out to Byungjoon, who knew what it meant and smiled as he pulled out another contract. Snap looked up and saw Neminem was signing another, much thicker contract.

"Hey, what's that?"

"Oh, I'm moving here."

"What? Seriously?"

"Yeah, it's a company with Montana, Kay, and Shizuka. They've just launched in the U.S., but they're well-known enough, and with Kay there, there's no way it will fail. I'm going to stick with Director Lynn, that woman is a genius."

"Damn! When did you start thinking that! You didn't even discuss it with me!"

"Why would I discuss it with you? We're in different companies. Are you my boss? Plus, you don't even have a company. You've been out of Death Row for a while, haven't you?"

"That's... true."

"So what's it to you, you solo album guy."

As Neminem reviewed the contract, he asked Byungjoon.

"The second floor is empty, right? I'd like to have my space, although I do have a studio at home."

Byungjoon happily nodded.

"The director has considered that part."

As it became apparent that the remaining second floor would become Neminem's space, Snap became anxious.

"Let's share it!"

Both Byungjoon and Neminem turned to Snap, who handed over his signed featuring contract to Byungjoon.

"I'm signing up too. Make the contract so

 I share the second floor with this guy."

Caught off guard by another big contract, Byungjoon's smile reached his ears.

"Haha, understood! I'll prepare it right away since you'll be working here. I'll have the contract ready in no time."

As Byungjoon excitedly took the elevator down, Neminem glared at Snap.

"Hey, you're just jealous and want in here, aren't you?"

"Shut up, you coward. I've been thinking about this since before, watching Director Lynn's moves and the Fashion District music video and future plans."

"Damn, it's embarrassing to have a smaller space than Kay."

"Kek, we know we can't compete with that guy musically, keke. We're both losers now."

Struggling to retort, Neminem chuckled.

"Well... it's hard to argue against that. Once he really starts, it's unavoidable. Just look at the song 'Earth,' it makes you wonder what we've been doing with our music all this time."

Even Snap sighed in agreement.

"That's right, staying close might at least keep us in the trend. How did we end up like this, damn it."

In a VIP hospital room in Georgia, a grandmother and her granddaughter sat together on a sofa, each engaged in their own activities.

The grandmother, who had been bedridden, had improved enough in recent days to sit on the sofa occasionally and enjoy her favorite book.

The hospital staff, amazed by the grandmother's condition, conducted tests every other day, but despite the absence of progress in her illness and no pain, they stopped all tests after being sternly scolded by Gregory.

The grandmother, flipping through her book with a serene expression, smiled at her granddaughter.

Kiska seemed troubled by something as she lay sprawled on the sofa, spreading out three sheets of paper.

She had written effortlessly on the first two sheets, but now, faced with the last sheet, she just scribbled aimlessly, eventually burying her head in her hands and stomping her feet in frustration.

"Why won't this one work, huhh!"

The grandmother, who had been quietly reading, closed her book with a tender smile.

"What's not working?"

Kiska turned her head to look at her grandmother sitting near her feet and shifted to lie with her head on her grandmother's thigh. The sight of her granddaughter looking up at her with big, round eyes seemed to warm her heart, and she gently stroked Kiska's hair.

"When you're stuck and can't figure something out, try doing something completely different. Sometimes the answer just comes to you."

Kiska's eyes fluttered, and she puffed out her cheeks.

"It's been over two months already! I finished the lyrics for the two new songs I got the day before yesterday, but I just can't do this one. I can't think of anything. Why is that?"

The grandmother gently rearranged Kiska's bangs with a kind expression.

"What song is it? Maybe I should listen to it."

"You listen to it all the time, grandma. It's the music I play for you when you sleep. It's called 'The Song of Water,' and usually, when I listen to music, the lyrics come to me, but for this one, they just don't."

"Ah, that comforting music with the piano and guitar sounds that feel so soothing, that young man who came by recently created it?"

Kiska turned to lie on her side and said.

"Yeah, my brother wrote it, and he asked me to write the lyrics. It's going to be on his first album, but I feel like I'm the roadblock, it's driving me crazy."

"Ho ho, if you've already done the other two songs, just one more to go. Take it easy."

Kiska grabbed her head.

"It's not easy, huhh. I thought if I took my time and thought about it slowly, it would come to me, but it's been two months and I haven't written a single word!"

After a moment's thought, the grandmother suddenly asked.

"You said the lyrics come to you when you listen to music, right? How does that happen?"

Kiska sat up again, looking at the ceiling, and fiddled with her hands as if touching something.

"You know, when I listen to music or read a book, I can see what emotions the creator wanted to convey. And then in my head, the words just start floating around like this."

"Ho ho, is that so?"

The grandmother laughed again at Kiska's adorable response, who then puffed up her cheeks.

"But the words for 'The Song of Water' just won't come! I can clearly see the color of the emotions my brother put into making the music, but no words come to me!"

The grandmother patted Kiska's plump cheeks while laughing.

"Maybe that's a good thing?"

Kiska blinked her large eyes at her grandmother.

"Huh? What do you mean, that's a good thing?"

The grandmother, with a wise expression of someone who has lived a long life, replied.

"If no lyrics come to you for any music you listen to, perhaps it's because the song shines the brightest without lyrics."

Kiska blinked, pondered for a moment, then suddenly got up and hugged her grandmother, exclaiming.

"Grandma! That must be it, that's right! You're the best, haha."

The grandmother, smiling kindly, patted Kiska on the back as she hugged her.

"Ho ho, don't rush to conclusions and take some time to reflect on your own state. But from what I see, the lyrics that our Kiska can't think of, nobody else will be able to think of either."

Feeling her grandmother's warm heart, Kiska smiled brightly and hugged her tighter.

After enjoying her grandmother's warmth for a moment, Kiska got up and grabbed the phone.

"I have to tell my brother!"

Her mood seemed to lift compared to just a few minutes ago, and the grandmother watched her with a contented smile. Kiska, not

 wanting to disturb her grandmother's rest, left the hospital room and walked down the corridor, calling Geon.

It was just past 11 AM in the United States, so it wouldn't disturb Kay's rest, she thought, as she made the call. Kiska was surprised to hear Geon's voice, hoarse as if he had just woken up.

"Umm... hello?"

"Huh? Brother, are you sick?"

"Just a moment... cough."

"Brother, brother! What's wrong, are you sick? Is it a cold?"

After hearing a swallowing sound, Geon's voice sounded better.

"Ugh, refreshing. No, it's not that."

"Then what is it, it's morning there and you were still asleep?"

"It's not that, the Fantagio branch in Manhattan just opened. I got my own space there."

"Oh, you mentioned that before, you promised to take me there later."

"Yeah, but an unexpected booze demon showed up, and I got caught up again yesterday."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Haha, that's just how it is. I'll introduce you later."

"You're going to introduce a ghost?"

"Hehe, I mean it's a person, don't worry. I drank a lot, that's all. Where are you?"

"I'm at grandma's hospital."

"Hmm, how is grandma?"

"The doctors said there should have been complications by now, but her condition is so good it's weird, always drawing her blood and taking pictures until dad caught them and it was nearly a disaster at the hospital."

"Haha, I can imagine. So, she's okay now?"

"Yeah, dad put a gun to the hospital director's head, and the doctors all disappeared. Only the personal nurse remains and they're not bothering us anymore."

"Keke, must have been funny."

"Yeah, yeah! It's the first time I saw a grown man pee himself, hehe."

Realizing that what was said in jest was actually true, Geon broke into a cold sweat.

"Really?"

"Yeah! It was hilarious, hehe."

"Uh... uh-huh."

"Brother, about 'The Song of Water'."

"Hm? Ah, yeah."

"I was going crazy because I couldn't write the lyrics, but I figured something out after talking with grandma."

"Oh? Grandma?"

Kiska went on to explain to Geon at length what they had discussed. Geon listened quietly before speaking.

"So, you mean to say that the song is most complete without lyrics?"

Kiska, perhaps eager to avoid seeming like she was making excuses for not being able to write lyrics, explained earnestly.

"Yes, really. You know I write lyrics quickly. But no matter how long I wait, I can't think of a single word for 'The Song of Water'."

"Hmm..."

After a moment of silence, Kiska anxiously awaited his response, her feet tapping nervously.

'What if he's disappointed?'

But her worries were unfounded. Geon, who knew Kiska's abilities better than anyone, wouldn't misunderstand.

"Okay, if that's what Kiska says, then that must be it. Alright. Can you send me the lyrics for 'The Song of Earth' and 'The Song of Wind'?"

Holding the phone, Kiska's face brightened significantly.

"Yes! I'll send them right away!"

"Thanks, and... I'll follow your advice and leave 'The Song of Water' without lyrics, but it might need some humming. The company dislikes instrumental tracks."

"Okay, that's up to you. Surely I don't have to write humming lyrics like 'uhh, ahh', right?"

"Haha, of course not."

"Hehe, got it! I'll send it right away!"

"Thanks, Kiska."

"You're welcome, brother."

After hanging up, Kiska stared at Geon's name displayed on the phone for a moment, then hugged the phone to her chest with a happy expression. The fact that she had been able to help her brother filled her with joy as she eagerly ran back to the VIP room.

 *

Just past lunchtime.

Geon left the Red Castle and went to school to meet Professor Sharon. He informed her that a Fantagio branch had opened near the school, and Sharon immediately went to the dean to arrange for Geon to use Fantagio's studio for better music production, merely marking his attendance with the professor each morning.

After finalizing the arrangement, Sharon returned to her office and smiled at Geon.

"The talk went well. Ho ho."

Geon stood up, beaming with gratitude.

"As expected! You're the best, professor!"

Sharon sat on the sofa, laughing.

"I only wish I could do more to help Kay. As a professor, I'd like to offer more, but he's grown too big for that now, ho ho."

Though she

 said this, Sharon couldn't hide her pride in Geon's achievements.

As they shared updates, Sharon heard about leaving 'The Song of Water' without lyrics and adding humming instead, and she tilted her head curiously.

"Oh, really? A song without lyrics…"

"Yeah, I plan to do it like the humming in Edward Scissorhands, without interfering with the music."

Watching the smile fade from Sharon's face, Geon asked, puzzled.

"Why, professor?"

Sharon bit her lip, her expression turning serious. After a moment of thought, she spoke.

"I know about Kiska's ability."

Geon's eyes widened in surprise.

"What? How do you know?"

"That child… can read emotions, right?"

"Gasp... how did you…"

"You don't have to say it if it's hard. I'm not trying to dig up such facts."

Sharon took a deep breath and looked Geon in the eye.

"I think Kiska said she couldn't think of lyrics because a song without someone else's voice added achieves its highest completeness. In my opinion, it might be better not to add humming either."

Hearing Sharon's opinion, Geon stared at her, deep in thought. The astonishing revelation that Sharon knew about his and Kiska's abilities was quickly overshadowed by his concerns about the song.

As Geon became absorbed in thought, Sharon stood up to boil water, turning her back on him and filling the kettle. Over her shoulder, she gave Geon a serious look.

'Kay. The moment humming is added, the direction of the song might change. The fate of many who hear this powerful track might be altered. Please reconsider.'

With these thoughts unspoken, Sharon watched the bubbling kettle in the quiet professor's office.

On the 4th floor of Fantagio, specifically on the Kay Floor.

The space, with its walls and floor made of bright white marble, appeared very luminous.

Geon was sitting alone on a beige leather sofa by the window, cross-legged on the large sofa, gazing outside.

Music titled "Song of Water" flowed from a Bluetooth speaker connected to his phone, but unlike the speaker at the hospital, it filled every corner of the room seamlessly through speakers installed throughout the area.

Recalling his conversation with Sharon at school, Geon started to hum softly, experimenting with his voice.

"Ah~~~ Aah, Aaah~~~"

In some parts he hummed low and comfortably, mixing rich mid-tones and bass, and at the climax, he used high notes that were comfortable enough not to be disturbing.

Suddenly, a jarring sound broke his concentration.

"Sssssssss!!! Haaaaaah!!!"

Turning his gaze from the window to the windowsill, he saw Lucy, comfortably seated there, baring her fangs.

Knowing that this sound was a cat's unique growling of warning, Geon stopped humming and reached out to Lucy, who promptly licked his hand with an angelic expression.

"Lucy, what's wrong?"

Lucy had lived in Geon's house until right before Gamagin and Pyemon came, following Lin's instructions, and Byungjun had taken her out. But once the Fantagio building was completed, she began to live here. Although Lucy freely roamed the office, she oddly never strayed far from Geon whenever he was there.

Rubbing her side against his hand, seemingly asking him to play, Geon looked down at Lucy and smiled.

"Why, do you also dislike music with humming like Professor Sharon?"

Lucy rolled onto her back on the floor, grabbing and lightly biting Geon's hand.

"Ouch, that hurts, you little rascal."

It seemed Lucy understood Geon, as she opened her pretty eyes wide and gazed at him.

Amused by Lucy's reaction, Geon resumed playing the music and observed her. As he hummed along, Lucy quickly changed back to a stern expression and resumed growling.

Geon, puzzled, stopped the "Song of Water" and switched to the music from "Edward Scissorhands." Despite the humming tune playing through the speakers, Lucy, lifting her back leg and licking her belly, seemed uninterested.

"Do I need to hum directly for you to react? I mean, there are dogs that sing along when their owners sing."

No matter how much Geon hummed the melancholic, low tune, Lucy, who was tapping her tail on the floor and looking outside, showed no reaction.

"Is this song not the right one?"

Geon then played a piano-only piece from Shizuka's album and tried humming again, but Lucy just dropped her head to the floor and lay on her side, appearing sleepy.

"What's the deal? Only react to the 'Song of Water'?"

When Geon played the "Song of Water" again and resumed humming, Lucy sprang up, straightened her back, and started growling again.

"Sssssssss!!! Haaah! Haaaaah!!!"

Geon stopped humming and watched Lucy, who after a while of growling, relaxed and pressed her bottom to the floor.

Although the music continued to play, the once-again serene white cat locked eyes with Geon.

As Geon was about to hum again, Lucy lifted her bottom off the floor, her expression turning fierce again. Amused by Lucy's response, Geon repeated the action several times, laughing and picking up Lucy.

"Hehe, this is fun."

Lying on the sofa, Geon held Lucy high and looked into her eyes.

"Do you dislike humming? Is that why you react this way?"

Cat's eyes are different from humans and dogs. Staring into Lucy's vertically slit pupils, Geon stroked her head and back as she climbed up to his neck and kneaded him affectionately. Geon, interlocking his fingers behind his neck, looked up at the ceiling in contemplation.

At that moment, just one floor above, in the executive office, Lin stood alone by the window, arms crossed, muttering to herself as she looked outside.

"The 'Song of Water' is not safe. It's still a very dangerous tune, Geon."

There were no CCTVs in Geon's floor, nor could any sound from the well-soundproofed 4th floor be heard, but Lin seemed to know exactly what was happening downstairs.

With a heavy expression, Lin murmured again.

"Just leave it. Adding anything to it is not about exceeding limits; it ruins the tune. And it could lead to very frightening consequences."

As Lin spotted two men packing something hurriedly in front of the Fantagio building,

 she nodded slightly and pressed the intercom to connect to the lobby.

"It's Lin. The floors for Snap and Neminem are not completed yet; guide them to Kay's room."

"Yes, ma'am."

After a brief response from the security guard, who then went out to speak to Snap and Neminem, Lin sighed in relief.

Back on the 4th floor, Geon, unaware of anyone entering due to the music, lay holding Lucy until she suddenly leapt towards the windowsill, alerting him to the entrance.

"Ah! You're here?"

Turning off the music on his phone, Snap, apparently dissatisfied, dropped the luggage he was carrying on the floor.

"What's this, you said it would be done by today, why is it delayed another day?"

Neminem, pulling out some snacks from a paper bag, placed them on the table, saying,

"Well, interior work can be like that. Look, Kay, let's just hang out here for another day."

Geon, with a welcoming expression, said,

"I'd like that. It's too quiet here alone, hehe. Can I have some of that?"

Casually, Neminem had taken out a sausage, which Geon put in his mouth, then looked at Snap searching around his room.

"What are you looking at?"

Snap pressed a button next to the liquor storage near the kitchen, his expression serious.

"If my room isn't like this when it's finished, I'll launch a missile here."

At Snap's words, Geon, pausing from eating the sausage, started sweating.

"You don't have a missile, you fool."

"It's just my way of expressing my anger, kiddo."

"Stop the nonsense and let's start working quickly."

As Snap walked back to the sofa, the elevator made a sound again.

Geon's floor was private, only making noise inside when the elevator stopped at his level, so the three men turned their heads towards the entrance.

Hearing someone pass through the corridor and the automatic door opening, Shizuka entered with a bright face carrying something, but froze upon seeing Snap and Neminem.

Unlike the familiar Geon, Shizuka felt intimidated by the gangster-like presence of Snap and Neminem, shrugging her shoulders and looking apprehensive.

"Shizuka! You came?"

Geon quickly went over and grabbed Shizuka's arm, pulling her in. Otherwise, she might have cried just from the sight of the menacing Snap. Shizuka hesitated to approach the sofa where Snap was, instead settling in the spot farthest from him.

Snap, Neminem, and Geon gathered in one corner to eat, while Shizuka sat awkwardly far away, creating a strange scene.

"Come closer."

Geon patted the seat next to him, and Shizuka slowly moved closer, still wary of Snap. Snap, accustomed to such scenes, nonchalantly ate his bread and crossed his legs.

"Shizuka Miyawaki? Nice to meet you. Now that we're all family, let's get comfortable with each other."

Shizuka suddenly hiccupped as Snap introduced himself.

"Yes! Gulp! Ah, yes hic!"

Neminem, finding Shizuka's reaction cute, smiled, making him seem less frightening than Snap.

Snap lowered his sunglasses and pointed at Neminem, saying,

"Listen, this guy is much scarier than me, you know?"

Shizuka turned her head to Neminem in surprise, who frowned and threw an empty bread bag at Snap.

"I'm not a gangster, kid."

Snap swatted away the flying bread bag, retorting,

"You have a devil's tongue, man. Honestly, even our late stepmother didn't nag like you do!"

"Do you really have to say that in front of a new girl? I'm handsome, you know."

"Handsome my foot, crying out loud. How old are you, trying to look good in front of such a young lady? Where's Ailee's phone number?"

"Stop!! Enough!"

Watching the two start to argue again, Shizuka couldn't help but laugh, perhaps realizing they were no different from ordinary people or simply finding their quarrel amusing.

Noticing her relaxed expression, Geon finally looked at the luggage she had brought.

"What's all this stuff?"

"Ah! It's lunchboxes. Let's eat together."

As Shizuka began to unpack the lunchboxes, the two men stopped their fight and stared dumbfounded at the several tiers of food containers she placed on the table.

Opening each tier of the five-tiered lunchbox and placing them on the table, Shizuka took out another lunchbox as Neminem, staring at the bread in his hand, suddenly threw it away and rushed towards the lunchboxes.

Snap also joined in, eagerly starting to eat the lunchboxes, competing to see who could eat more. Shizuka watched them with amusement,

 finally handing Geon a pair of chopsticks.

"Kay, eat too."

"Yeah, thanks as always, Shizuka."

"Hehe, I'm always grateful that you enjoy it."

After a frenzy of eating, Snap, his belly bulging, lay down on the sofa. Neminem, also stuffed, gasped for breath as he sprawled out on the sofa, and Shizuka laughed brightly as she began to clean up the lunchboxes.

Geon joined her in cleaning up, while the still-reclining Snap asked,

"What was that music you were listening to when I came in?"

Neminem, the music still lingering in his mind, lifted his head as Geon, putting the lunchbox containers into a shopping bag, said,

"It's called 'Song of Water,' a bit of a long piece. It's going to be on this album."

Snap, removing his sunglasses and tilting his head back, asked,

"Is it just an instrumental? There were no lyrics, or is it unfinished?"

After packing up the lunchboxes, Geon crossed his arms and sat down, looking thoughtful.

"I'm not sure yet. People around me say that the piece is most beautiful just as an instrumental."

"Do you think so too, Neminem?"

Snap also raised a hand, twirling his index finger.

"I agree. I don't like agreeing with this guy, but yeah."

The only one who hadn't yet heard the music, Shizuka, looked at the three men with wide eyes, trying to gauge their reactions.