Chapter 5: Piano Room (2)

I’d agreed to play the role of a fake boyfriend only as long as it didn’t interfere with my studies.

Surprisingly, So-yul seemed to understand this quite well.

After asking if the piano sound would disturb me, So-yul focused on her practice without saying a word.

I’d come prepared to put up with her chattering, but So-yul just kept playing the piano quietly. She seemed so absorbed in her performance that she didn’t even notice someone was nearby.

Occasionally, she’d mutter things like “This part should be like…” or “Why can’t I play this right?” It really looked like she was lost in her own world.

Thanks to that, I could concentrate on studying with So-yul’s performance as background music.

Studying while listening to a promising piano prodigy play live – even I had to admit I was pretty lucky.

For lunch, we decided to eat separately and return at different times.

So-yul had wisely pointed out, “It’d be a disaster if we got caught going to the cafeteria together.”

I was genuinely surprised by this.

I was so shocked that I quietly said:

“So you’re capable of normal thinking after all.”

“What?”

So-yul’s eyes narrowed at my sarcastic comment. That look was a bit scary. I had to clear my throat before I could speak again.

“I mean, you said you liked the thrill of almost getting caught. I was worried you’d suggest we eat together.”

“As if I’d do that. I’m not an idiot.”

So-yul retorted, hands on her hips. Well, I’m not sure if you’re an idiot or not.

Then she puffed out her chest and declared:

“I like situations where we might almost get caught, not actually getting caught. If we’re openly together, everyone would be suspicious. Of course I wouldn’t do that.”

If you say so.

Anyway, I was relieved that So-yul seemed to have at least some common sense. I’d been worried she might try to acknowledge me in the middle of class or something.

It was good to know that probably wouldn’t happen. …Probably.

Time kept ticking by.

As I was jotting down notes in my textbook, I glanced at my phone. The screen showed exactly 3 PM.

It was about time for the dorms to open.

Staying here to study wouldn’t be a problem. If anything, it seemed to help me focus. All thanks to So-yul playing gentle pieces to accommodate me.

Plus, So-yul didn’t seem to be trying to kick me out, so I could stay if I wanted.

But I wanted to avoid leaving any room for suspicion. If a student or teacher came into the piano room for any reason, we’d be done for. The longer we stayed together, the higher the chance of getting caught.

So maybe I should head back to the dorm to finish studying.

As I put down my pen and stretched, my whole body cracked loudly. No surprise, since I hadn’t moved for about three hours.

As for So-yul…

I glanced to the side. So-yul was staring intently at her sheet music, her fingers moving over the keys.

She’d been repeating the same part over and over. Was she not satisfied with her playing? It all sounded the same to me.

Either she didn’t notice my gaze, or she didn’t care. So-yul just kept playing the piano silently.

So-yul had changed her practice piece to accommodate me, so I didn’t want to disrupt her practice. I decided to just watch quietly until she took a break.

“Phew…”

A few minutes later, So-yul finally stopped and took a breather.

Now seemed like a good time to pack up without disturbing her. I quickly cleared the desk of my writing materials and textbooks.

Sensing my movement, So-yul’s eyes turned to me.

“Are you leaving?”

“Yeah. The dorms are open now, so I’m heading back. It’s better if we’re not together too much, right?”

Hearing my perfectly reasonable explanation, So-yul gave a subtle smile.

“I don’t mind being with you longer.”

Her expression didn’t show even 1% seriousness.

“Well, I mind.”

“Hmm~”

Upset that her joke didn’t land, So-yul clicked her tongue and turned back to her sheet music. Her face still held a hint of amusement. It was completely different from when she was absorbed in playing.

Without even looking at me, she said:

“Fine. Do what you want.”

I was planning to do that anyway.

I stood up, shouldering my bag. My whole body felt stiff from sitting so long. That ache somehow felt good, like proof of how hard I’d studied.

“Are you staying?”

I asked casually. So-yul answered without changing her position.

“Of course. I’ve booked this room until evening. If I don’t practice, I’ll fall behind the others.”

“…I see.”

It seems even piano prodigies worry about falling behind others.

Well, someone like So-yul probably competes with geniuses from around the world. It’s a whole different scale from me worrying about falling behind our classmates.

“Anyway, take care.”

So-yul gave a simple farewell, raising one hand and waving it.

All five fingers were alarmingly red. Her nails were so short they were almost nonexistent.

“Yeah.”

I responded briefly, then left the piano room.

I thought about how hard we both were working.

◎

That night, in the dorm.

As I was reviewing the day’s studies, a sudden loud vibration startled me.

Looking towards the sound, I saw my phone on the desk.

The screen showed 22:13, with a KakaoTalk notification below. Seemed like I’d received a message.

I’d set all my group chats to mute, so this must be a private message.

Who could be messaging me at this hour? …I had a hunch.

Usually, when you think “no way,” that’s exactly what it is. Unlocking my phone confirmed my guess.

It was So-yul.

[Sleep well.]

What a pointless message. Doesn’t she care about wasting time and data on this?

I thought about ignoring it like I did this morning… but I knew she’d just ask why I didn’t reply.

Plus, she had let me use the piano room today. It might be better to pay her back in a way.

Resting my chin on the desk, I typed a reply.

[Going to bed already?]

Her response came immediately.

[I’ve been playing piano non-stop today. I’m tired, so I’m turning in early.]

I guess that makes sense. She’d been playing piano constantly even when I was there. Compared to reading books and scribbling notes, playing piano probably uses more energy. No wonder she’s tired.

This must be the unseen effort behind the title of “piano prodigy.”

As I was thinking this, another message arrived.

[I’m changing into my pajamas right now.]

Great. Thanks for the unnecessary information I didn’t want to know.

[Why are you telling me this?]

[I was curious about what you’re doing now.]

What an odd way to ask.

Anyway, the answer to her question was obvious.

[Studying.]

[Oh my, studying at this hour? How admirable, my boyfriend.]

I felt like I was being made fun of. I snorted, even though she couldn’t hear it, and replied:

[As if I could be more impressive than Korea’s representative piano prodigy.]

[Stop calling me a prodigy……]

She whined, then sent an emoji of a bear character punching a sandbag.

I hope that doesn’t mean she wants to hit me like that.

Anyway, it seems even someone like So-yul isn’t used to being called a prodigy. I thought she’d be proud of compliments, even if she didn’t brag about her talents. Guess that’s not always the case.

As I was thinking how unexpected this was, another message from So-yul arrived.

[I’m sleepy. Going to bed now. Good night.]

Looks like sleep was overtaking her. Not sure why she felt the need to report this to me.

Anyway, it was good that she was going to bed early. I had no desire to waste time on such meaningless chats. I’d only play the fake boyfriend role as long as it didn’t interfere with my studies. That policy hadn’t changed.

But still.

Even though it was the result of a complicated situation, I had received help from So-yul today.

It seemed appropriate to at least say one last thing.

So I slowly moved my fingers to type a brief message:

[Good night to you too.]

This time, there was no immediate reply.

The “1” had disappeared, so she must have read it. Well, she might have fallen asleep with the screen on. No need to think too deeply about it.

Accepting that, I was about to put my phone down when I felt another strong vibration.

It was another message from So-yul.

[Hehe.]

I swear I’ll never send a message like that again.

—