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"Let’s get straight to the point. I can help you get into Decelis Music Academy —the place you’ve always dreamed of."
Sunoo’s fingers tightened around the glass of water he was holding, his gaze snapping to the middle-aged woman staring back at him with a smug expression. Of course, Sunoo knew who she was—the principal of his school—but having a private conversation with this arrogant woman offering him such an extraordinary deal had never crossed the mind of Kim Sunoo, the school’s top student.
"That’s a very unexpected offer," Sunoo tried to sound casual, masking the excitement bubbling within him. "I’m sure it will cost an expensive price."
Living as a high-achieving student had taught him to read between the lines, especially when it came to dealing with someone as stubborn and ambitious as the woman sitting before him.
"As expected from the top student, you quickly catch on." Mrs. Lee lifted her cup and took a sip before returning her sharp gaze to Sunoo. "I want you to take my son with you to the academy."
Hearing the condition he had never anticipated, Sunoo furrowed his brows. "You want me to help Lee Heeseung get into Decelis Academy?"
"It's a simple offer, can you do it?"
A few thoughts ran through Sunoo’s mind, but he decided to clarify one thing. "I won’t ask why you’re not encouraging him yourself, considering he’s your son, or even if Heeseung likes music at all. But I do need to know one thing—why are you asking me to do this?"
Sunoo needed to understand her intentions. Something about her vague request made it difficult to grasp fully, but he knew it would help him decide his next move.
"I'm not sure myself, I just feel you’re the only one capable of doing this for my son. Remember when you played the piano at the school festival back in elementary school? That was the first time I saw him try so hard to practice the piano—only so he could beat you."
Sunoo couldn’t stop his lips from smiling, slightly amused at the thought of Lee Heeseung striving to surpass him. It was surprising, given how Heeseung always looked at him with arrogance, as if he did it effortlessly everytime he had won some grand competition against him.
"Besides," Mrs. Lee added, "I think Heeseung likes you."
Unfortunately, Sunoo had just taken a sip of water, causing him to choke. Even though he had known Heeseung for years, he never expected to hear such words in his lifetime—especially from Heeseung’s own mother.
"What exactly do you want me to do? Are you asking me to provoke him?" Sunoo quickly tried to steer the conversation elsewhere.
After all, even with most of the pieces falling into place, he still felt lost. Getting Heeseung into Decelis Academy wasn’t the same as pushing him to beat Sunoo at a piano performance.
"You can do that—provoke him, influence him, persuade him, whatever it takes. The important thing is that Heeseung agrees to enter Decelis. In return, I’ll help you get in as well. You know it’s not easy to join an elite academy like that, especially considering your family’s financial situation."
The words hit Sunoo like a bullet straight to the chest. Still, he forced himself not to show any sign of being offended. It would be foolish, he thought, to let his ego reject such a golden opportunity.
"Before I make my decision, may I ask one more thing?" Sunoo said, to which Mrs. Lee gestured for him to proceed by raising her glass.
"Why don't you let Heeseung choose his own path?"
It was ironic. Before this conversation, Sunoo would not have spared Lee Heeseung a second thought. But now, seeing a parent forcing their child to conform to their wishes sparked a sense of empathy in him.
"Sometimes, children don’t have the ability to choose the right path for themselves. It’s a parent’s duty to guide them toward what’s best."
Hearing that, Sunoo couldn’t help but feel sorry. One more thing to be grateful for in his own life—his parents had always given him full control over his decisions and never pressured him to follow their desires.
"Alright then, we have a deal."
In the end, business was business. And Sunoo wasn’t foolish enough to turn down an offer that could secure his future.
★
Suddenly, a sheet of paper landed on his desk. When Sunoo looked up, he saw that Heeseung—the class president—was the one responsible.
“What’s this?” Sunoo asked, frowning at the paper.
“The guidance teacher asked me to hand out. Everyone gets one.”
Sunoo squinted at the paper, noticing a series of questions. It looked like some sort of form. “Do I have to fill this out?”
When Sunoo glanced at him, Heeseung’s deer-like eyes gave him a flat stare, as if silently saying, 'Isn’t it obvious?'
“Give it to me when you’re done. I'll collect it,” Heeseung said. With that, the boy—who never failed to speak coldly to him—started heading back to his seat.
But Sunoo wasn’t about to let him go so easily.
With a quick motion, he grabbed Heeseung’s arm to stop him going anywhere. Heeseung’s eyes widened at the sudden contact, clearly startled. When their gazes locked, Sunoo didn’t waste the opportunity to make his first move.
“What are you going to write?”
Heeseung’s expression was one of pure disbelief, as though something bizarre had just occurred. He immediately shook off Sunoo’s hand, making it clear how uncomfortable he was with the touch.
“What’s with the sudden curiosity? I never know that you ever care about me.“
Sunoo rolled his eyes at the overly dramatic response. Still, he wasn’t about to give up and quickly redirected the conversation back on track. “I’m just curious about which college you’re planning to go to. Is that supposed to be a secret?”
Heeseung hesitated, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. Yet, he still managed to answer, albeit reluctantly.
“I haven’t decided yet, maybe something related to business.” The uncertainty in his tone was unmistakable, and Sunoo picked up on it right away. “What about you?”
“Decelis, of course,” Sunoo replied without a moment’s hesitation, as if the answer had always been ready on the tip of his tongue. He failed to notice the strange flicker in Heeseung’s eyes when he mentioned the name of the prestigious music academy.
“Of course. I remember how much you’ve always loved music,” Heeseung murmured softly, his gaze drifting to some faraway thought.
“And so did you,” Sunoo countered, catching Heeseung off guard. “You used to love music just like me—until you don't.”
A palpable tension hung between them as Heeseung held Sunoo’s gaze, his expression unreadable.
“Come with me, Heeseung. I think it'll be fun to get into Decelis with you.” Sunoo tried his best way to maintain the eye-contact, mesmerized Heeseung's gaze into his, intentionally sway the other boy.
For a brief moment, Heeseung seemed tempted, but he quickly looked away, regaining his composure.
“You’d probably get bored if you don't have me to compete with, wouldn’t you?”
Hearing this, Sunoo smirked. “I’ve never seen you as a competitor, to be honest. Do you always see me as your rival, Heeseung?”
Heeseung’s ears turned red, and Sunoo could barely keep himself from chuckling because of the reaction.
★
Sunoo and Heeseung had known each other since kindergarten. Even so, they came from families of vastly different social standings, which meant they never had the chance to be friends. Heeseung always had a crowd of respectable—wealthy friends, while Sunoo gravitated toward the ordinary kids in their class.
Despite never being friends, they had a unique connection: Sunoo would silently observe Heeseung, who always seemed to easily get challenged by him openly.
For instance, there was the sharp glare Heeseung gave him whenever Sunoo won something—followed by Heeseung winning the same award not long after—or the way Heeseung joined every club that Sunoo participated in.
To Heeseung, perhaps Sunoo was a rival. But to Sunoo, Heeseung was a questionable classmate obsessing over him.
Maybe that was why the principal—Heeseung’s mother—asked Sunoo to help her son get into the same academy as him. Because Heeseung always followed him. Because Heeseung was always drawn to whatever Sunoo did.
This was also why, during one lunch break, Sunoo carried his tray over to Heeseung’s table and casually sat across from him, as if they hadn’t been distant for years.
Heeseung choked on his food the moment he saw Sunoo sitting in front of him. Reflexively, Sunoo slid a glass of water toward him. Heeseung quickly gulped it down, eager to clear his throat and speak.
“What are you doing here?” Heeseung asked, his face still red from choking.
“Why? Do you mind sitting with your rival?” Sunoo teased, raising his eyebrows in a playful reminder of their earlier conversation.
“Stop mocking me.”
Sunoo smirked, regretting that he hadn’t teased Heeseung sooner. If he’d known the other boy’s reactions would be this entertaining, he would’ve started long ago.
“Relax, I’m just here to eat lunch, not to compete with you,” Sunoo said before picking up his spoon and starting on his food. “You don’t have to mind me, Heeseung. Just enjoy your lunch.”
Heeseung raised an eyebrow but eventually began eating again, as instructed.
“You’ve been acting strange lately, Sunoo.”
“I just want to get closer to you,” Sunoo replied absentmindedly, not realizing how his words had made Heeseung freeze for a moment. “We’ve known each other for so long, but we’ve never really talked. Don’t you agree?”
Heeseung muttered softly, almost inaudibly, “I guess you're right.”
Sunoo chuckled at the sight of Heeseung lowering his head, avoiding his gaze.
“It feels strange that we’ll part ways after spending so much time in the same school.” Sunoo glanced at Heeseung, gauging his reaction. Heeseung seemed to be picking at the vegetables on his plate, prompting Sunoo to notice something else. “Are you not going to eat those? If not, give them to me.”
Heeseung let Sunoo take some of the vegetables from his plate, watching as Sunoo ate them enthusiastically.
“Aren’t you sick of seeing me at the same school?” Heeseung asked suddenly, just as Sunoo thought the conversation had ended.
“Not at all. In fact, I think it'd be nice to see you again after we graduate,” Sunoo genuinely replied, chewing his food and meeting Heeseung’s gaze, his eyes soften. “It’s just too bad you’ve already decided not to go to Decelis.”
A suffocating silence followed. For a moment, Sunoo thought he saw a flicker of hesitation in Heeseung’s expression. But that hope was quickly dashed when Heeseung finally spoke.
“You’re right. I’m not going to Decelis.”
At that moment, Sunoo felt as though he’d lost his chance. Heeseung looked resolute, and Sunoo began planning to tell Mrs. Lee that their deal was off. He had failed his mission, and there was no point in wasting time on something futile.
“But if you want to get closer to me, why don't we start now?”
Sunoo froze mid-bite, his hand stopping in midair. He looked at Heeseung, who was staring back at him intensely, his expression helplessly serious. Realizing what Heeseung meant, Sunoo forced a smile.
“Ha ha ha… sure?” Sunoo muttered, feeling most ridiculously unsure than he ever felt in his life.
★
Since their lunchtime conversation, something about the way Heeseung acted towards Sunoo had changed.
At first, Sunoo thought he was imagining things. But during PE, when Heeseung stood right next to him, Sunoo barely noticed until he felt warm breath on his neck and heard a soft whisper.
“Are you good at badminton?”
Sunoo nearly jumped, startled by the sudden closeness. What made it even weirder was how casual Heeseung seemed, as if they were long-time friends.
Despite his surprise, Sunoo managed to respond.
“I guess I’m not too bad at it.”
Heeseung smirked. “I’m pretty good at it. We’d make a great partner.”
There was something off about the way Heeseung said it, but Sunoo chose not to dwell on it. In the end, they did become a team when the doubles match began.
Heeseung hadn’t lied—he was serious when he said he quite skilled. They won the match, though by a narrow gap. Still, the victory was sweet enough for them to cheer and exchange casual high-fives and fist bumps.
But their newfound closeness didn’t stop at the badminton court. In class, Heeseung walked over to Sunoo’s desk and lightly touched his shoulder, pulling Sunoo’s attention away from the music playing in his earphones.
“What’s up?” Sunoo asked, removing the earbuds.
“Want to partner with me in the lab later?”
Sunoo tilted his head in surprise. “Don’t you usually pair up with Jongseong?”
“Not today,” Heeseung replied quickly. “So, is it a yes?”
Though confused by Heeseung’s sudden change in behavior, Sunoo smiled faintly. “Sure, why not?”
After all, Sunoo wasn’t picky about lab partners. He could work with anyone.
Heeseung flashed a smile, patted Sunoo’s shoulder a few times, and returned to his seat. Sunoo sat there, baffled, unable to process what had just happened. Even a classmate seated behind him whispered, asking since when he and Heeseung had become close. Sunoo could only shrug—he didn’t have an answer either.
When they arrived at the lab, Heeseung waved and patted the seat next to him, signaling Sunoo to sit there. Keeping his promise, Sunoo walked over and took the seat.
A few classmates exchanged puzzled looks, clearly not used to this unfamiliar sight. Jungwon—Sunoo's previous partner, in particular, looked irritated as he was forced to pair up with Jongseong.
“This is the first time we’re working on a project together,” Heeseung remarked, breaking the silence. “Before this, we never even talked.”
Sunoo smiled, locking eyes with him. “Not when you always looked at me like you were shooting laser beams from your eyes.” He mimed a laser with his fingers.
Heeseung laughed. “That’s because I thought you didn’t like me.”
“The truth is, you were the one who didn’t like me and saw me as your rival.”
Sunoo meant it as a joke, but when he glanced at Heeseung again, there was an unfamiliar glint in his eyes. It unsettled Sunoo, especially because of the strange flutter in his chest under that gaze.
“I never disliked you, Sunoo,” Heeseung said softly but firmly. His voice sent a shiver down Sunoo’s spine for reasons he couldn’t quite understand. “I was just afraid you’d think I was weird for watching you too much.”
Sunoo wished he hadn’t heard that. Because after hearing it, he found it impossible to act normal around Heeseung.
Like when his heart raced while watching a demonstration video and Heeseung stood so close behind him that their heads almost touched.
Or when Heeseung gave him a little smile as their eyes met, leaving Sunoo flustered and forcing him to look away.
The worst was when Sunoo was pouring a liquid into a measuring glass, and Heeseung suddenly placed his hand over Sunoo’s. The brief touch startled Sunoo so much that he ended up spilling the thing.
“Fuck, I’m sorry,” Sunoo apologized frantically, rushing to clean up the mess on the table. Meanwhile, Heeseung gently patted his arm, a gesture that only made Sunoo more flustered.
“It’s fine. We can just start over.” Heeseung’s calm reassurance didn’t help.
That day, everything felt chaotic—their project, their lab table, and most of all, Sunoo’s feeling because of Heeseung’s actions.
★
Sunoo was truly terrified to admit that his feelings for Lee Heeseung has begun to grow. Yet, here he was, standing in front of Heeseung, who had just invited him to watch a movie together over the weekend.
Everything might have been fine if, halfway to the theater, Heeseung hadn’t suddenly said, “This is going to be such a fun first date.”
“This isn’t a date,” Sunoo interjected, attempting to dispel Heeseung’s fantasy about their relationship.
But Heeseung didn’t seem to care. Every time their eyes met, that naughty smile of his sent Sunoo’s stomach into flips.
“You don’t mind action movies, do you?”
The bad news that day was that there weren’t many good movies showing. Out of the three options, the action movie was the best choice.
“Sure, I’m fine with any movie,” Sunoo replied. After all, they’d already made the effort to come all the way there.
Inside the theater, the two sat side by side. They stared at the screen for the first 20 dull minutes, hoping the story would pick up and draw them in to some exciting plot. But even after thirty minutes passed, it was clear the film wasn’t getting any better.
Sunoo couldn’t fight off his sleepiness. He repeatedly pinched his thigh to keep his eyes open, but the drowsiness crept in like an unstoppable virus. Around fourty minutes after the movie played, he finally gave in and closed his eyes.
He woke up a while later to the sensation of a hand gently stroking the back of his palm. Opening his eyes, he realized his head was resting on Heeseung’s shoulder. He swallowed nervously when he noticed their fingers intertwined on Heeseung’s lap.
Sunoo shifted his head slightly, making Heeseung aware that he was awake. Heeseung tilted his head only to look at him. “You can keep sleeping. The movie’s boring anyway.”
The intensity of Heeseung’s soft gaze made Sunoo’s heart drop to his stomach. No one had ever looked at him with such focus and care.
For a brief moment, they locked eyes, and Sunoo couldn’t help but think that his impulsive side might just lean in and kiss Heeseung—he suddenly looked far too attractive.
Thankfully, his common sense prevailed, and Sunoo quickly pulled away, lifting his head off Heeseung’s shoulder and disentangling his hand from Heeseung’s grasp. The warmth he felt moments ago was replaced by an instant void.
Heeseung cleared his throat after a moment, and Sunoo glanced at him. Heeseung’s expression was tense, and Sunoo could guess why. They spent the remaining 25 minutes of the movie in awkward silence.
Every so often, Sunoo felt Heeseung glance at him, as if he wanted to say or do something. But by the time until the movie ended, nothing had happened. When the credits rolled on the big screen, Sunoo was the first to stand, and Heeseung followed behind him as they quietly left the theater.
“Are you hungry?”
Heeseung broke the long silence with his question. Sunoo cleared his throat before replying, “How about dinner before we head home?”
Heeseung agreed immediately. They entered a restaurant simply because of its classic interior, where the sound of live music wafted out from inside. A grand piano stood prominently on a small stage, and something within Sunoo stirred.
Heeseung looked on, puzzled, as Sunoo walked up to the low stage, exchanged a few words with the singer, and took a seat behind the piano.
Heeseung remained standing in place as Sunoo’s slender fingers began to press the keys with delicate precision, producing a lively tune that Heeseung recognized instantly.
It was Flohwalzer. The familiar melody transported Heeseung back to a memory from years ago, when he couldn’t take his eyes off a young Sunoo playing the same piece during a school festival.
For the first time in his life, Heeseung’s heart raced as he watched a six-year-old Sunoo master a piece he himself had never learned. Today, that same heart beat just as fast as he watched the now-grown Sunoo play again.
The difference was that young Sunoo had focused solely on the piano in front of him. The Sunoo of today played with his gaze fixed straight ahead—on Heeseung—with a sly smirk on his lips. Those fox-like eyes sparkled mischievously, as though deliberately teasing him. If that was Sunoo’s goal, Heeseung had to admit he succeeded.
When the piece ended, Sunoo didn’t move right away. With one eyebrow raised, he seemed to wait for Heeseung. Finally, Heeseung stepped forward, greeted by Sunoo’s crescent-eyed smile.
“Your turn,” Sunoo whispered before standing and allowing Heeseung to take the seat.
Heeseung had fallen in love with the piano the first time he touched it. He remembered learning songs that were played only by professionals. But his passion for music faded during middle school, and his fingers now felt a bit stiff from years of disuse.
Fortunately, his muscle memory kicked in as he began playing Chopin’s Waltz Op. 64 No. 2. With what he could still recall, Heeseung pressed each key, creating a melody so beautiful that it silenced the room. At the end of his performance, all he could remember was the way his eyes met Sunoo’s and the soft smile that followed, filling his chest with a warmth he hadn’t felt in years.
Sunoo asked if they could play one more song together. Standing beside Heeseung, Sunoo began with Spanish Fantasy, creating an upbeat tune that delighted the small audience. Midway, Sunoo gestured for Heeseung to take over, and he did so seamlessly.
Their spirited performance ended with satisfied smiles and a smattering of applause from their uninvited audience.
Afterward, they finally sat down for their delayed dinner. The dinner was filled with laughter as they reminisced about their childhood obsession with music.
“I knew you still loved it, Heeseung,” Sunoo remarked at one point, gazing at him with pride. “Your face, when you play the piano, still looks the same as it did back then.”
Heeseung had always been a talented musician, admired by everyone. He could sing, play the piano, strum the guitar, and even composed songs at the age of twelve. Sunoo had always admired him. He just didn’t understand why Heeseung had suddenly abandoned music and turned to sports instead.
“Heeseung, can I ask you something?” Sunoo’s voice was cautious, as though afraid his words might offend Heeseung. When Heeseung gave him a soft nod, Sunoo continued. “Back then… why did you decide to stop playing music?”
As if anticipating the question, Heeseung smiled faintly, a hint of sadness in his expression. Sunoo could tell it was a sensitive topic. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. I don't want to make you uncomfortable.”
But there was a gentleness in Sunoo’s words that Heeseung couldn’t ignore. For the first time, he decided to open up about something he had never shared with anyone.
And so, Heeseung began telling his story—years filled with trauma.
★
Heeseung never thought he would fall so deeply in love with music.
This obsession began when he watched a classmate—someone he secretly admired—play the piano gracefully during the school festival. Sunoo was the first person to make him realize the beauty of music.
When Heeseung told his older brother that he wanted to learn how to play the piano, his brother was ecstatic and immediately began teaching him.
Heeseung's brother was also a musician. Since childhood, he had played both piano and guitar. He admired many famous musicians and dreamed of becoming one of them.
“You’re really talented, Heeseung. Do you want me to teach you how to play like a professional?” his brother challenged him with a grin. Heeseung, was only six years old, nodded enthusiastically.
“I want to be as good as you!”
His brother laughed, patted the wooden bench beside him, and began teaching Heeseung everything he knew. They spent countless hours together playing music—after school and late into the night, filling the Lee family home with beautiful melodies.
Their parents fully supported their sons' passion for music. Heeseung’s brother, now in his final year of high school, dreamed of attending Decelis Academy, the most prestigious music school in the country. The academy was not only expensive but also renowned for producing internationally successful artists. The Lee brothers were blessed with excellent musical facilities, and their parents even hired a private music tutor from abroad.
By the age of ten, Heeseung had mastered numerous pieces far beyond the difficulty level of his peers. He consistently achieved top marks in music classes and won numerous awards in competitions. By twelve, he was already composing his own music. At this point, even his tutor had run out of ways to praise him.
“Your son is a musical genius,” the tutor told his parents. “He has perfect pitch, which gives him a significant advantage. At this stage, I’d recommend enrolling him in an international music school—a place like Juilliard would be perfect.”
“But Heeseung is only twelve,” his mother replied, concerned.
“I’m confident we can find a suitable program for him, Mrs. Lee,” the tutor said, optimistic about Heeseung’s potential. “The earlier he starts, the better. He’ll have more time to adapt to living abroad.”
His mother was thrilled by the prospect, so much so that the news of her eldest son being accepted into Decelis Academy no longer seemed to excite her.
Engrossed in his music and with their parents preoccupied with preparations for his move to Juilliard, Heeseung didn’t notice the growing distance between his family and his older brother. What they did notice, however, was how the older sibling became more withdrawn and sensitive. Then, when Heeseung turned thirteen, tragedy struck.
His brother attempted to end his own life.
It was something no one had ever anticipated. What shattered Heeseung’s world completely were the words of the psychiatrist to his parents—words Heeseung overheard from behind a door.
“Your son is suffering from severe depression, likely caused by a lack of emotional support from those he needed most, particularly his parents,” the psychiatrist explained gravely. “Additionally, he exhibits extreme feelings of inadequacy, which negatively influence his decision-making. Based on what he shared, I assume his confidence was shattered when he saw his younger brother excel at something he had worked on for years. However, his feelings seem to stem primarily from a lack of appreciation and the neglect he has experienced from those he loves.”
That night, Heeseung cried endlessly. He remembered his brother, who had once been full of life, always joking and eagerly teaching him music. The last thing Heeseung recalled before falling asleep, tears still streaming down his cheeks, was his brother’s smile.
Life changed drastically for Heeseung after that. His parents were perpetually somber, his brother became an entirely different person, dropping out of Decelis Academy and spending two years in therapy. Heeseung quit music and turned to sports. Of all the sports he tried, he excelled most at basketball.
As Heeseung finished his story, the sky outside had already turned dark. Sunoo couldn’t hold back his tears as he listened, sobbing uncontrollably. Heeseung found himself comforting Sunoo instead.
“Hey, don’t cry,” Heeseung chuckled, watching Sunoo hide his face in his hands. “It’s all in the past. We’re all okay now.”
Sunoo asked for a tissue, which Heeseung quickly handed over. After wiping away his tears, Sunoo looked into Heeseung’s bambi eyes, which were filled with concern.
“Are you really okay, though?” Sunoo asked in a hoarse voice. “I feel bad for your brother, but I also have to say—you didn’t do anything wrong, Heeseung. You were just a kid chasing your dreams. Oh my god, why am I crying again?!”
Hearing Sunoo’s frustrated outburst, Heeseung couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Secretly, he found it astonishing how someone could look so beautiful even while crying.
“Whatever happened, Heeseung, I just want you to know—it wasn’t your fault,” Sunoo said, his warm hands gently holding Heeseung’s. “I’m so proud of how you’ve gotten through everything despite the weight you’ve carried.”
Somehow, Sunoo’s words touched a deep, hidden part of Heeseung’s heart, emotions he had long buried. Sunoo’s tear-filled eyes seemed to shine even brighter, and at that moment, Sunoo was the most beautiful person Heeseung had ever seen.
As a sudden urge overwhelmed him, Heeseung decided to act on it.
While Sunoo was still talking about music and dreams, Heeseung interrupted him.
“Can I kiss you, Sunoo?”
“Huh?” Sunoo looked utterly surprised, caught off guard by the sudden question.
But it didn’t take long for his expression to soften, and Heeseung took that as permission. Leaning in, he gently pressed his lips against Sunoo’s, who gradually closed his eyes. They shared a soft kiss that lasted only a moment before Heeseung pulled away to look at Sunoo’s face. His eyes still closed, Sunoo’s long lashes caught Heeseung’s attention, making him realize how delicate they were.
When Sunoo opened his eyes, he was met with another surprise—Heeseung kissed him again.
“Thank you, Sunoo, for saying all the things I’ve always needed to hear,” Heeseung whispered, eyes filled with fondness.
★
Sunoo felt a little nervous as he faced Mrs. Lee today. This was the first time he had met the principal again since their last conversation. However, unlike before, when Mrs. Lee had been the one to contact him, this time, Sunoo was the one who initiated the meeting.
“So, how did it go? Have you managed to convince my son to enroll at Decelis?”
Sunoo mustered his courage to meet her gaze. Determination burned in his eyes, but this time, it wasn’t for himself—it was for Heeseung.
“Pardon me, Mrs. Lee, but may I ask why you are so determined to have Heeseung attend Decelis?” Sunoo rubbed his sweaty palms together, unsure how he’d managed to let those words slip out. He’d been wanting to ask this question ever since hearing Heeseung’s story the other day.
“I don’t think that’s your place to ask, Kim,” she replied curtly, her tone carrying a hint of displeasure.
“I know it's not my place, Ma'am,” Sunoo said carefully, choosing his words to avoid offending her. “But it’s important for me to understand before I decide what to do next.”
“You understand, yet you still ask,” she said, clearly dissatisfied. “I don’t know what your intentions are, but my reasons are simple. Everything I’ve done is for Heeseung—for his future and for all the efforts the Lee family has made to support his dreams. Every parent wants the best for their child.”
For some reason, Sunoo found her response unconvincing.
“I believe Heeseung always gives his best in everything he does. Don’t you think it would be better to leave the decision to him? He probably has his own vision for his future.”
Sunoo wasn’t lying. He’d long admired Lee Heeseung and how the boy excelled in everything he did. Take basketball, for instance—a sport Heeseung had only picked up when he entered high school. Yet, in just two years, he’d already built an impressive track record.
Mrs. Lee’s gaze shifted, her expression turning colder and more hostile. “Why do I feel like you’re trying to stop me?”
Because that was exactly what Sunoo was trying to do. He respected Heeseung’s incredible musical talent, but he firmly believed that Heeseung had the right to choose his own path in life. After hearing Heeseung’s story, Sunoo had come to this conclusion: he simply wanted Heeseung to live a meaningful life, free of pressure.
Sunoo wanted Heeseung to be happy.
“If it sounds that way, then maybe that’s exactly what I do,” he admitted.
Mrs. Lee’s eyes darkened, signaling her disinterest in continuing the conversation. “So, are you rejecting my offer to help you get into Decelis?”
Sunoo swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his decision. He knew he might regret this. He could still try convincing Heeseung to go to Decelis, there are still plenty of times. But for reasons he couldn’t fully explain, his conscience wouldn’t let him.
“Yes, I’ve decided to decline the offer.”
Because now, his perspective on Heeseung had changed. If his initial plan was to persuade him to enroll at Decelis, that intention no longer mattered. Sunoo only wanted what was best for Heeseung and to support whatever decision the guy made.
“Fine, let’s end this conversation here,” Mrs. Lee said, her tone sharp and cold. “I didn’t expect your commitment to Decelis to be so weak, Kim Sunoo. I initially thought you were a determined student, which is why I considered this way to give you this offer. Is my son really that difficult to convince?”
Sunoo wanted to say that Heeseung had every right to make his own choices in life, but he held his tongue, not wanting to escalate the tension.
“You’re right,” Sunoo said with a heavy sigh as he stood up. “So, since I’ve failed this mission, Do you mind if I leave now?”
He only said what was necessary to leave the room as quickly as possible. Without waiting for her response, Sunoo walked out.
As he stepped into the hallway, his heart nearly stopped when he saw Lee Heeseung leaning against the wall just outside the door. Heeseung turned to look at him, his expression unreadable.
But Sunoo wasn’t foolish enough to miss the sadness in Heeseung’s gaze.
★
Sunoo felt as if he had just made a terrible mistake.
When he saw Heeseung standing outside the principal’s office, Sunoo instinctively moved closer to him. What he didn’t expect was how Heeseung immediately stepped away. Sunoo didn’t yet understand where he’d gone wrong, but the hurt in Heeseung’s eyes told him he had just shattered the fragile bond they had recently started to build—completely by accident.
“My mom asked you to convince me to go to Decelis.” Heeseung’s words sounded more like a statement than a question.
Sunoo wanted to reassure him, to say Heeseung didn’t need to worry about it, that he only had to choose the path he truly wanted.
“Heeseung, you don’t have to—”
“I should’ve known,” Heeseung cut him off, his tone bitter. “I should’ve realized when you suddenly started approaching me and acting strange that day.”
Sunoo’s eyes widened at the accusation. He couldn’t understand the unnecessary anxiety in Heeseung’s voice, but it seemed to be what bothered him most.
“So, you weren’t really trying to get close to me, were you, Sunoo?”
“What? Of course not, Heeseung. I—”
“I just remembered,” Heeseung interrupted again, his voice growing colder, “the first conversation we had after years of silence was you asking me to attend the same academy as you—Decelis.”
Sunoo felt as though he had been struck by something heavy. His head spun, unsure where this conversation was headed. “Heeseung, that’s not true at all.”
“Is it really not true, Sunoo? Then tell me, why did you approach me in the first place?”
“I…” The question choked him, dragging him into an uncomfortable truth he had never wanted to face. Sunoo suddenly recalled his initial motive for approaching Heeseung: Mrs. Lee’s offer. The reality hit him like a tidal wave—all of this, everything between them, had started because of his own naive greed. He had used Heeseung and pretended otherwise. Their interactions wouldn’t have existed without Mrs. Lee’s intervention, and Sunoo hated admitting it.
“Heeseung, I’m sorry.”
Though Heeseung’s expression held a hint of anger, Sunoo could see the deeper emotion beneath it—disappointment, clear and cutting.
When Sunoo reached out to touch his arm, Heeseung pulled away sharply. “Enough, Sunoo. You can stop pretending now.”
Defeated, Sunoo decided to let it go. He felt guilty—no, he felt ashamed. He had acted like he cared so much about Heeseung, but in the end, he had hurt him. At this moment, there was nothing Sunoo could do but wait for Heeseung to forgive him.
As Heeseung walked away, Sunoo remained frozen in place. He didn’t dare stop him or chase after him, afraid that doing so would only cause more harm. And as much as Sunoo hated to admit it, the truth was suffocating.
It was true—he had used Heeseung for his own gain. There was no way to deny it.
Heeseung being angry with him was one thing. But the two of them becoming distant again, after all this, was something entirely different.
What hurt the most was how Sunoo could still recall every little detail about Heeseung—the way his small touches lingered, the softness in his voice when he spoke to him, the bambi eyes that lit up when they met his own. Sunoo even remembered the shy smiles Heeseung tried to suppress, his ears turning red with embarrassment. Sunoo remembered all of it.
And so, when Heeseung walked past him without sparing him a glance, Sunoo’s chest tightened. It felt like an invisible hand was squeezing his heart while suffocating him at the same time.
Heeseung treated him like a stranger worse than he ever had during the 14 years they had known and never speak to each other.
Unfortunately, there was truly nothing Sunoo could do to fix it. The situation dragged on for what felt like an eternity—long enough that by the time graduation arrived, the last time Sunoo saw Heeseung for any meaningful moment was during his farewell speech.
And even then, it wasn’t nearly enough.
★
That day marked Sunoo’s first day at Decelis, and not much had happened.
Oh, well. It was more like a pleasant surprise to end the year when Sunoo received a scholarship to attend the prestigious academy, thanks to the recommendation of a judge from his last competition. At the time, Sunoo’s self-composed piece had been chosen as the best, earning him a direct path to his dream academy.
Sunoo had imagined that the people at Decelis would be impressive, but they turned out to be amazing. He was thrilled to have the chance to meet incredible teachers who could offer him priceless lessons.
Even more thrilling, Sunoo was given the opportunity to perform his composition during the new students’ welcoming ceremony. That performance was a golden chance for him, opening doors to more opportunities, especially in the composition class. While his primary focus was composing, Sunoo still loved playing instruments like the piano and violin. These activities kept him busy during his first year. Along the way, he also made great friends like Sunghoon, who was exceptional at playing the violin, and Riki, whom he met in modern dance class. They quickly became close.
His first year at Decelis was a whirlwind of activity, but it wasn’t until his second year that he went on his first trip with his classmates—a visit to New York.
It was the beginning of a new semester, and Juilliard, the world-renowned performing arts school, was hosting an event to welcome its new students. Sunoo found himself seated between Sunghoon and Riki, watching an orchestra performance unfold on stage.
The one word that came to Sunoo’s mind while watching was magneficent.
To Sunoo, Decelis was already an incredible academy. But seeing Juilliard, the best art school in the world, left him in awe. He could hardly keep his mouth closed at the sheer magnificence and grandeur the institution displayed.
As the solo performance began, the lights dimmed, and a spotlight focused on a grand piano at the center of the stage. Every pair of eyes in the hall locked onto it.
And there, seated at the piano, was someone Sunoo recognized immediately, even from a silhouette.
Lee Heeseung, with all the grace and elegance he possessed, began to play Chopin’s Waltz Op. 64 No. 2. His fingers moved flawlessly across the black and white keys, weaving a melody that filled the room with emotion. Watching him, Sunoo felt a profound ache in his chest—a sensation akin to finding something he had long been searching for, a missing piece that fit perfectly.
Lee Heeseung and music is a perfect blend he never know he needed.
When the performance ended, the hall erupted in applause. Some audience members even stood, expressing their admiration. Any music lover could feel the deep emotion in Heeseung’s piano performance.
After the visit to Juilliard concluded, the students had one day to relax before heading home. Sunghoon and Riki invited Sunoo to go shopping, but Sunoo opted to return to the hotel instead. He had lost interest in sightseeing. As they parted ways in front of the entrance, Sunoo stood in the doorway, gazing at the evening sky and the bustling city streets, still lost in admiration for the place.
What he didn’t notice was someone waiting for him outside.
“You really had no intention of seeing me, did you?”
The voice, so familiar to Sunoo, came from nearby, startling him.
“Heeseung?”
The man, who had been leaning against the wall, stepped forward. It felt like ages since Sunoo had seen Lee Heeseung this close.
“You came all this way but didn’t plan to say hi to me at all.” Heeseung’s words, spoken as a statement rather than a question, sent Sunoo’s heart racing for reasons he couldn’t explain.
Yes, Sunoo had heard the news. Heeseung had decided to return to his original interest—music. While Sunoo was accepted into Decelis, Heeseung had pursued Juilliard, the best music school in the world. Sunoo had been shocked initially, but knowing how talented Heeseung was, he understood that the other man belonged there.
And yes, Sunoo had anticipated—just slightly—that he might see Heeseung on this trip. But he hadn’t expected to see him perform so magnificently on stage.
“Your performance was amazing,” Sunoo said sincerely, hoping Heeseung would hear the genuine admiration in his voice.
“It was for you.”
Sunoo blinked, unsure if he had heard correctly.
“I wanted to show it to you, Kim Sunoo,” Heeseung said firmly, stepping closer, shrinking the distance between them. “When we were kids, you were the one who sparked my interest in music. And two years ago, when I thought music wasn’t my path, you reminded me how much I still loved it.”
Heeseung had no idea how deeply his words affected Sunoo.
“I’m glad you found your way, Heeseung.”
“You know, Sunoo? Pretending I didn’t love music was painful. But finding it again made me realize how much I had wasted trying to push it away.”
Sunoo swallowed hard. Heeseung was clearly talking about music, but somehow, Sunoo felt as though he was speaking about them, too.
“I hope you’ll never lose it again, Heeseung,” Sunoo managed to say, barely holding onto his composure.
But Heeseung only complicated things further by taking Sunoo’s hand. “I know. I hope I never lose it again. I don’t want to lose *you* again, Sunoo.”
Sunoo lifted his gaze fully now, deciding to face Heeseung with courage.
“What are you really trying to say, Heeseung?”
Heeseung didn’t answer with words. Instead, he leaned in and pressed his lips against Sunoo’s, kissing him with an intensity Sunoo had never experienced before. In that kiss was a whirlwind of emotions—desire, longing, affection—all blending together. Sunoo hadn’t known it was possible to feel so much through a single kiss.
Heeseung’s hand moved to the back of Sunoo’s neck, pulling him deeper into the kiss, as though trying to make up for all the time they had lost. Every touch conveyed a single message Heeseung wanted Sunoo to understand.
Kim Sunoo has always been his music.