Chapter Text
Choi Jeongyo.
Choi Jeongyo.
Choi Jeongyo.
That goddamn name had kept haunting Pio these days.
He was a new transfer student. But before appearing in front of Pio's face, his name had been brought up repeatedly in Jaein's conversations.
One day, Jaein had announced excitedly that she found a perfect replacement for him to accompany her violin performance. At first, he felt relieved because Jaein finally stopped following him around and begging him to help her with piano accompaniment. Whoever Choi Jeongyo was, Pio owed him sincere thanks.
Jaein kept going on about how brilliant Jeongyo’s playing was. She had such a sharp ear, and Pio had rarely heard her compliment anyone so highly. Except himself, of course.
It started to irritate him when Jaein skipped his performance to practice with Jeongyo instead. Even though it wasn't a major competition, Jaein had never missed an opportunity to hear him play.
"So, that guy is better than me?" He couldn't help comparing himself.
Pio expected Jaein to immediately brush the idea aside and reassure him that he was the best pianist she had ever met, that no one could compare to him, just as she always did. But she suddenly froze and couldn't answer his question. Jaein didn't look him in the eyes and left quickly after.
When the teacher introduced the transfer student, Pio didn't even bother looking up until he heard the name Choi Jeongyo. Curly hair, anxious eyes and a flustered manner. Nothing about him looked like a real pianist.
When Jeongyo was asked to perform in front of the class, Pio was somewhat looking forward to listening to his playing. But he couldn't bring himself to do it and apologized to the teacher. At that moment, looking at his sweaty forehead and erratic breathing, Pio knew all too well that Jeongyo had stage fright.
Jaein later told him about the miraculous story of how Jeongyo got into Korean Arts High School. The principal overheard him playing for Jaein and offered him a full scholarship on the spot. Sounded like an urban legend.
What made him more confused was that Mr.Do Hyunsoo had taken Jeongyo under his wing. Yeah, the very same teacher who had refused to teach him not long ago was now offering free guidance to a complete rookie. It was like a direct slap in his face.
Mr.Hynsoo was also famous for not taking students. So, how good was Jeongyo actually?
Pio was dying to know, but Jeongyo never performed in front of others. Even during practical lessons, he came up with a thousand excuses to avoid the keys.
Jaein had invited Pio a lot to listen to Jeongyo, but back then, he had refused to waste his practice time. He could have simply told Jaein he was curious now, but for some reason, he couldn't open his damn mouth.
Instead, Pio took notice of the room and time Jeongyo had reserved for practice. That morning, he woke up early not to practice as usual but secretly found Jeongyo's room.
He remembered that morning vividly and even feared that he would never be able to forget it.
Faint morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, catching in Jeongyo's tousled hair. He looked like a fallen angel, completely lost in his own world.
Pio had intended to listen closely and pick apart every tiny flaw in Jeongyo's performance, but instead, he found himself entirely swept away.
He had always thought all the complaints about his own playing lacking emotion were bullshit. How could emotion ever trump technique?
Until he heard Jeongyo. Pio forgot all about technique and found himself lost in an overwhelming wave of emotion.
Ecstasy.
Despair.
Longing.
Desolation.
Choi Jeongyo was, in fact, a genius.
A natural genius who possessed something Pio could never obtain. No matter how hard he tried.