Devil’s Music

For days, people kept refreshing The Lake's website, waiting for it to normalize. Once it did, they couldn't hide their disappointment.

Because all 200 pieces had sold out within 10 minutes of the advertisement, the efforts of those who had waited two days were in vain from the start. Many inquired about additional production on the website and social media, but The Lake announced that there would be no more productions of the White Falcon collaboration.

A watch priced at USD 10,650 (12 million KRW) was merely a tool for the wealthy to flaunt their superiority.

Given that some of these watches the wealthy wore were worth over $100,000, it was hard to call them mere luxuries, so their executive assistants moved quickly to secure these watches.

This time, only men's models of the White Falcon were produced, leading to numerous inquiries from female customers charmed by its beautiful design about the production of women's watches.

Arthur had made just one women's watch, which was meant as a unique gift for Kiska at Geon's request.

An associate who regularly traveled between Russia and Georgia delivered the White Falcon model to Kiska, making her the only woman in the world to own one, which delighted her.

Arthur, having made about ten more watches at Geon's request, pleaded with Arthur not to post about it on social media for the time being, due to potential customer complaints. The watches that Alisher Usmanov had even paid for were now stacked in the annex where Geon was staying.

On the day the watches were transferred to Red Castle, Byungjun, after finishing his schedule late at night, opened the door to the annex and saw a white box and a letter on the sofa.

Byungjun, taking off his coat, picked up the letter placed next to the box after spotting his name at the top of the first line.

Dear beloved Byungjun,

It's been four years since we met, and now we're entering the fifth year.

I've never given you a proper gift despite your constant care and love, so I prepared one this time.

I am always grateful for your efforts.

From Geon.

Not knowing what the gift was, Byungjun was moved just by the contents of the letter. Wiping his nose, he lifted the elegantly white and gold-embossed expensive-looking box, and his eyes lit up.

"Wow! The White Falcon model!"

Hesitant to touch the beautiful watch inside, Byungjun's eyes welled up slightly as he saw the gold engraving inside the movement.

The world's best manager, Byungjun.

With a small laugh, Byungjun wiped his eyes and took great care of the watch. He glanced at Geon's closed door before entering his own room.

He turned off the light and left the door slightly ajar as he watched Byungjun, Geon's eyes curving into a crescent moon.

"Hehe, he likes it. That's good."

Thinking that giving a handwritten letter along with the gift made it more touching, Geon was satisfied with the effect of this little event and sat on the bed, about to call Kiska, when his old model phone, not his new one, rang. Seeing the time was just past midnight as he looked at the wall clock, Geon tilted his head.

"Who could it be at this hour? Oh!!!"

His eyes widened as he read the blue lettering on the black background of the screen. Taking a deep breath to steady his trembling hand, Geon swallowed dryly and answered the phone.

"Ah, ah, S, Snoop. Ha, hahaha, how have you been?"

"You want to die?"

"No, no that's not what I—"

"You make me wait three years? You dare?"

"No, no, I was going to call, but then—"

Gun cocking noises came from the other side of the phone, causing Geon to sweat and stammer out an excuse.

"That, that was since the Nepal thing, things got a bit busy, Snoop."

"Is it so hard to make a call?"

"Ah, ahahaha... sorry."

"Sorry isn't enough, give me the watch."

"What?"

"The watch."

"What... oh! The White Falcon model?"

"Yes, I saw the ad and tried to order it right away, but I was a bit late. I hear you're not just the ad model, but the major shareholder of that company, so you could send one, right?"

"That, of course! I'll send it to you."

"Good, then I forgive the three years of waiting. But come visit within a month; the Doctor wants to see you too."

"Yes, yes. It's not far; I'll definitely come by."

Suddenly, some scuffling noise came from the other side of the phone. It seemed like Snoop was arguing with someone before he shouted.

"I'm hanging up!"

"Hey!!

Give it here!"

Just before the call disconnected, Geon heard Eminem's voice and smiled as he grabbed two boxes of the White Falcon model. Thinking he needed to send them out early the next morning via express post, Geon was about to call Kiska again when his phone rang once more. Recognizing the caller, Geon answered the phone with a delighted expression.

"Oh, Arthur?"

"Haha, Kay. Did you get the watch?"

"Yes, if Arthur hadn't prepared it in advance, I might have been shot somewhere or found vomiting in an alley after a night out. I really appreciate it."

"What? What do you mean—"

"Haha, no, but what's up so late?"

"Oh, sorry, it's quite late. Just wanted to tell you I've just sent the two women's watches you asked for. They should arrive in two days; just wanted to let you know."

"Ah, thank you, Arthur."

"But won't the original recipient be disappointed if there's more than one of these women's watches?"

"Hehe, it's okay. I'll ask them to keep it a secret."

"Are you giving them to family?"

"Haha, no, they're for Director Son Lin and Professor Sharon."

"Ah, I see. I don't know Professor Sharon, but I'm also grateful to Director Son Lin. Anyway, if the shipment doesn't arrive in two days, please contact me."

"Yes, Arthur. By the way, how's your drum practice going?"

"Yes, I practice every day."

"Confident enough to play rhythms?"

"Uh... quarter notes, 4/4 time, I guess."

Hearing Arthur's response, Geon smiled. His confident play meant he was not just capable but could perform with precise timing.

"I hope you can play all the music I've composed within five months, Arthur."

"I'll do my best, but why did you tell me to learn the drums? It's a nice hobby now, and I'm grateful, but the feeling of not being able to keep time is almost unbearable."

"Haha, that's exactly why, Arthur. You have a precise sense of rhythm, which is essential for a drummer."

"What do you mean—"

"You are the final piece I've been looking for, Arthur."

"Me? Then—"

"Yes, my drummer. You have to be my drummer."

Stammering in surprise, Arthur was at a loss for words.

"Then, take care in your practice. I'll be releasing an official album in five months. You'll have to take care of the drums in my music, Arthur."

"That, that's—"

"Haha, I'm hanging up. Thank you, bye."

"Wait! K, Kay!"

"Bye~"

Geon hung up, smiling as he recalled his conversation with Sharon. Sharon had negotiated with the dean, and under the condition that Geon could use the school's practice and recording studios, he was excused from all classes.

If he could release a regular album instead of a single within his senior year, the school would credit his courses. This was communicated just yesterday.

After hanging up, Geon finally called Kiska. Before the ringtone even finished once, Kiska answered.

"I've been waiting, why did you call so late?"

"Sorry, I've been getting calls from everywhere."

"It's about the watch, isn't it!"

"Yeah, many people are asking for it."

"Um, me too."

"Huh? But I gave you one."

"Dad looked so envious, can you send just one more for him?"

"Haha, I've already taken care of one for Gregory, and Miroslav got one too."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I was going to give it when I returned, but I'll send it tomorrow."

"Okay! Thank you."

"And, I'm going to release an album."

"Huh? Aren't you still in school, do you have the time?"

"Yeah, I've got permission from the school to focus solely on the album."

"An official album? How many tracks?"

"At least eight to make it official."

"Tell me the concept when you decide, I must write the lyrics for Kay's first album."

"Haha, sure."

"Got any ideas already?"

"Um... not detailed yet, but the first live I had in Chicago was with Carlos, and I want to keep a promise I made with a lady I met there."

"A lady?"

"Yeah, she seemed to be in a lot of pain after losing her child, and I made a promise with her, though she doesn't know I made it."

"Um... what kind of song?"

"It'll be a healing song. I haven't thought beyond that, but I want to create a song that eases mental pain, though it can't alleviate physical pain."

"That will fill all eight tracks?"

"No, just the direction for the first track. I'll have to think about the rest."

"Okay, but do you know the

promised two hundred nights are almost up?"

"Ah... has it been that long already?"

"Not many days left. You have to keep your promise with me."

"Haha, okay. I'll go give Gregory his watch and visit."

"When?"

"I need to check the flights."

"When?"

"Haha, I'll look now."

"Tell me tomorrow."

"Okay, Kiska."

"Then, a fairy tale."

"Alright, haha."

Geon, who had promised to read a fairy tale to Kiska, booked a flight to Georgia. Thinking about meeting Kiska after a few months, he couldn't sleep and tossed and turned in bed for 30 minutes before getting up again and pulling out a blank sheet of music.

Sitting at the desk, resting his chin on his hand and staring at the blank staff paper, the memory of the woman sobbing in a park in Chicago deepened his gaze.

"I'll definitely keep the promise, ma'am."

Geon scribbled something in the title space at the top of the staff paper. He tried to write music, but without a plan, no music could possibly come out, so after much thought, he fell asleep on the desk as dawn approached. The title written on the staff paper glowed a pale blue.

Song of Water.

>

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