Ch.30030. The Gaze

OB.

It was an abbreviation for Old Boy, a term used to refer to graduates in Spirit and other clubs.

Of course, there were some ambiguities in calling Jaejun an OB since he was still enrolled, but in Spirit, they classified anyone from the second year and above as OBs.

“King jerk? Hana, that’s harsh.”

Jaejun jeered with distaste as he protested to her.

“Why are you here?”

“What do you mean why? Do you need permission to go to your own home?”

“This is our home now. Here.”

Graduates were free to enter the club room.

However, most seniors didn’t visit often after their third year because they were busy preparing for their careers or job hunting.

“Sigh… They say there’s no reward for raising someone.”

Usually, such words might sound like someone fishing for gratitude, but Jaejun’s words weren’t entirely baseless.

He had actually guided Hana’s guitar playing for quite a long time.

It was Seo-eun’s earnest request that he become a teacher for Hana, who desperately wanted to learn.

Though he hated both hassle and teaching, Jaejun couldn’t refuse his girlfriend’s plea.

“Anyway, if you’re going to lecture Suhyeok, just leave.”

“Oh my, how scary. But what I was going to say isn’t that bad?”

“What were you going to say?”

“Hey, use your brain. Suhyeok plays guitar better than you. Would I realistically say something harsh?”

Ah… really…

The way he talks is so freaking annoying.

Hana’s teeth were on edge from experiencing Jaejun’s way of speaking after so long.

“Fine. I get it. I get it, so leave now.”

“I’m supposed to meet Seo-eun here. I’m not leaving.”

“I’m going to call Seo-eun unnie and have her kick you out.”

Hana actually called Seo-eun and handed her phone to Jaejun.

“Here.”

“What? You actually called her?”

[Oppa! I told you not to bother the kids!]

[Times have changed!]

Seo-eun’s sharp voice came through the phone.

Jaejun felt wronged.

He had literally just said hello, so why was he getting scolded like this?

[I wasn’t bothering them.]

[Whatever, just come down to the café! I’ll head there.]

Jaejun looked at Hana with disbelief.

Hana wore a smug expression, clearly pleased with the outcome.

“Wow… Yoon Hana. You really…”

“Senior! Thank you for your hard work!”

Having successfully evicted Jaejun, Hana finally turned to look at Suhyeok.

“Phew… that awful human.”

Hana plopped down next to Suhyeok with a pout.

“But Hana, why do you… dislike Jaejun sunbae so much?”

Honestly, from Suhyeok’s perspective, it seemed excessive to show such aversion.

“Hey, Lee Suhyeok. You’re blessed, seriously. Do you know how much that guy tormented us in our first year?”

Days when Jaejun came to observe practice were emergencies.

Especially Hana, who played the same instrument, had to come prepared to be used as a punching bag.

Even the tough Choi Gang had backed down in fear of him.

“Really…?”

“Don’t even mention it. Juyeon was crying, the guys were threatening to quit because they couldn’t take it anymore. It was a mess.”

“Wow…”

Perhaps last year’s Spirit was more in line with what Suhyeok had imagined a central club to be.

The current Spirit felt more warm and friendly than strictly disciplined.

“Still, I can’t deny that we’re this good now because of that guy.”

Good medicine is bitter to the taste.

She believed that it was because of the seniors’ Spartan training that she and the other members had developed such outstanding skills.

That didn’t mean Jaejun was good or likable, absolutely not.

His way of expression was masterful at making one lose their appetite.

Honestly, Hana still thought Seo-eun was a hundred million times too good for him.

“Ah, never mind that. How’s the solo? Was it manageable? I feel like I told you about it too late yesterday.”

“Yeah, I’ve been practicing.”

“Really? Then shall we take a look?”

This feeling of being much more comfortable playing guitar in front of Hana than practicing in front of a senior.

Honestly, it was difficult for Hana at first too, but as they spent more time together, Suhyeok gradually felt more at ease with her.

“Okay.”

“Hey, wait. I’ll back you up, so try playing along with me.”

Seeing Hana naturally bringing over a cable, Suhyeok felt his heart swell.

Someone playing accompaniment for his performance.

Compared to spending all day playing alone, these days felt truly blissful.

“Hey, what’s with that expression?”

Hana, who had adjusted the amp settings, looked at Suhyeok with discomfort.

That guy smiling foolishly without any warning.

“Just… so happy…”

“About what?”

“Hana, I’m touched that you’re backing me up.”

…Is that so?

Is me providing backing really that joyful?

From Hana’s perspective, helping with ensemble practice was natural, so she didn’t quite understand.

Or could it be that he’s happy because ‘I’m’ the one doing it?

Just because of me as a person…?

Hana’s thoughts were racing.

Using her hair as a curtain to hide her expression, she gave the signal in a quieter voice.

“I’ll start from the octave line. Ready?”

“Yeah.”

“One, two, three, four.”

-Dahn dahn dahn dahn dahn dahn dahn dahn

Hana’s right hand played chords steadily in rhythm.

Unlike the relaxed Hana, Suhyeok couldn’t take his eyes off the fretboard.

Songs he had just memorized often required visual guidance.

If he played them hundreds or thousands of times, he could play with his eyes closed, but he wasn’t at that stage yet.

Note by note.

Suhyeok tried his best to capture the feeling of the original song.

His bending was still awkward, but the rest was at a decent level.

After cleanly finishing the final triplet run, he lifted his head.

“…How was it?”

He hadn’t made any obvious mistakes or hit wrong notes.

Hana nodded approvingly.

“You do it. Just go for it.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I’ll play a solo for another song instead.”

Honestly, until she left home, she had been eager for the part, but Hana willingly gave the solo to Suhyeok.

Jaejun was right.

Suhyeok was indeed better at guitar than her.

If he properly learned the theories and techniques he wasn’t yet familiar with, he could easily surpass Hana at any time.

“Thanks.”

Suhyeok was happy that Hana seemed to like his solo.

The days of being ignored despite practicing hard alone were now over.

He was already excited about showing this on stage.

-Creeeeak

The club room door opened and closed very quietly.

“Oh? Park Juyeon!”

Spotting Juyeon, Hana raised the hand that had been holding the guitar neck to welcome her.

“…Hi.”

“What! Why are you here so early!”

Because I had nothing to do at home…

It would be undignified for Juyeon to state the plain truth.

“I thought I’d… practice a bit.”

Juyeon had a habit of slightly raising the corners of her mouth when lying.

“Huh? Really?”

Hana didn’t notice this.

“Yeah.”

“Is that so? That’s unusual.”

Juyeon wasn’t the type to practice singing much for performances.

She could sing most songs without much practice.

There was no need to strain for high notes.

No need to struggle to keep the beat.

She just sang as her ears remembered and her voice directed, and it would become a song as fine as grains of sand.

The quality was so excellent that it was hard to find a match at the amateur level.

Self-proclaimed karaoke masters were no match for her.

“Hmm… then why don’t you sing for a while? We’ve already decided on the solo.”

“…Is that okay?”

“Yeah. Suhyeok, do you need more practice?”

Hana thought he seemed to be doing well already from what she had just seen, so she wondered if more practice was necessary.

“No, Juyeon, you sing.”

Practicing with the amp could be done during ensemble practice anyway.

‘This isn’t what I wanted.’

Suddenly made to sing in front of the two, Juyeon fumbled to take out the microphone.

With a click, the power turned on.

Juyeon tapped the microphone lightly with her fingertips.

“Ah. Ah.”

Hana and Suhyeok, who had put down their guitars, sat on the sofa like an audience, watching Juyeon’s profile.

“Standing Luxury under the moonlight”

“Reaching for the starlight”

A clear high note stretched out.

Her level was indeed so good that it was puzzling why she said she needed to practice.

Thinking that her singing was flawless as always, Hana glanced sideways at Suhyeok.

Slightly parted lips.

Eyes filled with admiration.

It might just be her imagination, but he was looking at Juyeon with eyes like those of a man gazing at the girlfriend he loves.

And that sight made Hana…

“I need to use the bathroom.”

She left the club room without waiting for a response.

Arriving at the stairwell with large, hurried steps, she gripped the railing tightly.

“What is this, seriously.”

She sighed, running her hand through her hair.

Something definitely seemed off about her today.