“I was thinking how even your absurd words sound pretty, and now you go and say something genuinely beautiful. It’s driving me crazy.”

He gently nudged his nose against her delicate one.

“But because of the recital, even a kiss is off-limits.”

He was displeased at having to leave Han Seung Yun unattended. It seemed he had quickly intervened to prevent things from getting worse. Ki Joo’s gaze drifted down from her lips to her neck, leaning in closer.

“Ah.”

As the sensation of his touch tickled and teased, Eun Chae involuntarily opened her mouth, watching his dark hair move under her chin. Eventually, she closed her eyes to block her view.

“It’s okay to leave it, right?”

Her eyes snapped open at his next words. He meant leaving a red mark… at a public event with numerous invitees. That was outrageous.

“No.”

“A lot of nos.” Ki Joo murmured, his breath tickling her. Eun Chae laughed lightly, like a dandelion seed floating away.

Caught off guard by her soft laughter, Ki Joo lifted his head to look at her.

“…….”

His eyes dilated before he buried his face in her shoulder. Eun Chae wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders, which she couldn’t completely embrace.

“I’ll be back. I won’t make any mistakes.”

Somehow, the tension for the upcoming recital seemed to ease.

Thump, thump, thump.

Maybe it was because his heartbeat echoed her own.

“You won’t do anything less than great.”

Ki Joo’s voice soaking into her shoulder made her feel unexpectedly emotional.

The majestic sound of the orchestra filled the art hall. Students, honed for this day, performed flawlessly, each showcasing their hard work.

Focused on the viola’s sound among many instruments, Eun Chae played seamlessly and then quickly changed into a dress for her solo performance. Her light beige, beaded, see-through dress shimmered on her.

While touching up her makeup, she observed a few students, finally relaxing after their performance, getting emotional.

“We really worked hard.”

“It’s really over now, huh? Graduation feels real.”

“It’s not over yet. We still have Eun Chae.”

Mirae, amidst the teary students, lightly grabbed Eun Chae’s arm.

“Make the finale spectacular.”

Eun Chae was the closing act of today’s graduation concert. Though a solo performance was expected for a violist of her caliber, she chose to perform with her teammates today.

“Good luck! Fighting!”

The atmosphere lightened with cheers of support. Eun Chae smiled appreciatively.

“Thanks. You all were amazing today.”

As she finished speaking, a staff member entered, signaling it was almost time.

Eun Chae left the dressing room for a space beside the stage, hidden from the audience. The sense of relief after the ensemble performance was tinged with renewed tension for her solo. She stretched her neck lightly and peeked through the curtains at the audience. No familiar faces were seen.

Did he forget to come?

Relieved at the absence of empty seats, she was glad Seung Yun wasn’t there. His presence would have only led to derogatory remarks. She didn’t want him there anyway.

…But it would have been nice if he were here.

She swallowed her disappointment, thinking of Ki Joo. Perhaps he was listening from outside? With that small hope, she glanced at the tightly shut doors and followed the staff onto the stage.

“…….”

The stage felt unexpectedly vast and overwhelming. Was it because she had waited so long for this day? Breathing became difficult.

Clap, clap, clap.

She calmly placed her hand on her chest, bowed, and was met with applause.

The moment she lifted the viola to her shoulder, the hall went silent.

The pressure felt different than when playing with the ensemble. After taking a moment to breathe, she opened her eyes and looked straight ahead.

Then, the art hall door opened.

Between the slowly parting doors, bright light poured in, followed by someone’s entrance. With steady, but straight steps, a man took a seat at the front, center of the audience.

Eun Chae, concealing her surprise, relaxed her tense fingers.

Ki Joo sat there as if he had always been part of the audience, fitting in seamlessly.
Sitting with his legs crossed and his face resting on one hand, Ki Joo’s gaze, since his entrance, was fixed in one direction. Meeting his eyes, Eun Chae’s nervous confusion transformed into a pleasant thrill. She gently closed her eyes.

Breathing became easier, and her shoulders felt unbelievably light.

He was there.

Not Han Seung Yun, but Kwon Ki Joo.

Eun Chae smiled slightly. Her slender wrist moved smoothly up and down.

Soon, warm and cozy melodies radiated from her, spreading far and wide. The audience focused on her, but Ki Joo’s eyes, deeper than theirs, shone brilliantly on the radiant Eun Chae.

His slightly furrowed brows, twitching lips, hands toughened yet soft, and her physique fluttering like a feathergrass. Everything about her was delicate and soft, yet her heart was noble, strong, and warm, just like the viola sounds filling the air.

“…….”

Ki Joo watched her play, feeling as if he was floating in a dream, filled with a desire to blind others with her beauty, unable to fully capture her viola’s essence with just his eyes and ears.