No More Thug Life, I’m Playing Music

Episode 34: Stand-in (3)

[Bang–!]
“Choo Minji!”

Overwhelmed with frustration, I slammed the keys.

Even when my juniors messed up in the past, I never felt this furious. But now, I couldn’t control myself. Was it my temperament? Or was it because it involved music? I wasn’t sure.

“Why are you yelling at me!”

Choo Minji glared at me, tears welling up in her eyes. Seeing that, I wondered if I had gone too far.

“Phew…”

I am an adult. I’m too old to be raising my voice at a kid like her. Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself and spoke calmly.

“What on earth… are you doing?! Why are you coming in like that? It’s supposed to go oot-da-aa-da! That’s the rhythm!”

“I did it like that!”

“Did you not hear my cue? After the thump, it’s supposed to go oot-da-da! If you’re going to do it like this, just follow my beat already!”

“…….”

Choo Minji bit her lip hard.

“Alright, alright,” interjected her contrabass instructor, who had been standing beside the piano, trying to mediate.

“Let’s call it a day, kids.”

She brushed her long hair back and gave my shoulder a gentle pat.

“Kevin, calm down, okay?”

“Yes… understood.”

I got up from the chair and headed to the kitchen. Frustrated, I poured myself a glass of cold water and gulped it down.

“Why is it so hard…”

It’s not that Choo Minji lacks skill. She’s much better than I expected. But every time she reaches the climax of a piece, her expression falls flat.

It’s imprecise, hesitant. The pitch keeps slipping.

Every time that discord resonates, it torments me.

This is the third day.

The thought of doing this for another ten days leaves me feeling hopeless.

“Damn it…”

Maybe I’m more disappointed in myself than in her.

This is my first time accompanying someone.

I thought it would be easy. I assumed all I had to do was match the soloist’s performance.

But when I tried, it was completely different.

Playing as I pleased was one thing, but synchronizing with someone else was incredibly difficult.

It wasn’t the performance itself that was hard—it was breathing in sync with someone else.

For the first time, I truly appreciated the importance of a conductor.

“Phew…”

I remembered a lesson I had with Professor Han two days ago.

When I told her I would be accompanying Choo Minji, she surprisingly welcomed the idea. She said it would be a great learning experience and told me:

“Your music is intense, Kevin. It’s like a deep red. When you’re the star, it’s breathtaking, unrivaled. But it also means the colors beside you pale in comparison.”

A soloist with a distinct color is like a warrior armed with a powerful weapon.

But as an accompanist, it becomes a fatal flaw.

Back then, I brushed off her words.

I listened, but I didn’t fully understand them.

Today, though, her words hit home.

I can only feel at ease when I dominate the surrounding sounds.

I need to wield the music as I wish to feel satisfied.

I run when I want to run, fly when I want to fly—that’s when I’m happiest.

Trying to keep pace with someone else felt stifling.

I was so frustrated I wanted to snatch Choo Minji’s bass and play it myself—or even take over the piano accompaniment.

I knew that’s not how accompaniment worked, but I couldn’t help my frustration.

“Phew…”

Even my hypersensitive hearing, which usually brought me comfort when I played, was now acting up.

It must be because of the dissonance.

“Damn it.”

I’ll need more practice.

I’ll have to figure out how to use Choo Minji like my own instrument.

“Music is never as simple as it seems…”

I pulled earplugs out of my pocket and inserted one into my ear. As I was about to put in the other, I caught snippets of conversation between Choo Minji and her bass instructor.

“Minji.”
“Yes, sir.”
“It’s upsetting, isn’t it? Matching with a top pianist isn’t an easy task.”
“…Yes, sir.”

“……”

Unintentionally, I focused on their conversation.

“But think of it this way. As long as you come out of this with a net gain, it’s worth it.”
“…Yes, sir…”
“Alright, let’s pack up. I’ve got something good for you at home.”
“Yes, sir… After I stop by the hospital to change my grandmother’s clothes.”
“Sure, sure. Are you staying over again tonight?”
“I’ll see how it goes…”

“…Staying over?”

Suddenly, I remembered something Junsoo told me yesterday.

The reason Choo Minji was able to start music despite her difficult circumstances.

Her instrument was left behind by her late mother, and the reason she could receive lessons from such an expensive teacher was because he didn’t charge her.

“…Wait a second.”

Fragments of Choo Minji’s unfortunate story began to align with their current conversation, leading my mind to form unsettling assumptions.

A principal player of the KBC Symphony Orchestra giving free lessons?

“…Hah.”

All my concerns about music vanished.

Now, I needed to manage my anger.

***

“Wasn’t it you who said we should go?”
“Yes, boss.”
“Who suggested it again?”
“It was me, boss.”
“Alright.”
“I’ll handle this, boss.”
“You’d better.”

The taxi carrying Choo Minji stopped at an apartment complex.

Ducheol drove off to find parking while I quickly got out and followed her.

I trailed Choo Minji for a moment, her head floating above her long padded coat.

Then, I hit a roadblock.

I had no way to open the front door of the building.

All I could do was glare at the floor number where Choo Minji stopped.

“Excuse me.”

As I contemplated how to get inside, someone called out from behind.

Turning around, I saw a deliveryman wearing a helmet.

“Are you not going in?”
“Ah… I forgot the password.”
“Ugh… I’m busy. Move aside.”

Thanks to the deliveryman’s help, I managed to get inside. Following the enticing smell of fried chicken, I reached the floor where Choo Minji had gotten off.

After sending a text to Ducheol, I surveyed the area. There were three apartment doors in sight. Finding the right one wasn’t difficult.

Focusing my hearing, I caught several sounds, including Choo Minji’s laughter.

“Wow! Soda, soda! Looks delicious!”

Soon after, another voice followed.

“Eat as much as you want, Minji.”

“…A woman?”

Ah. I was mistaken.

Why hadn’t I considered the possibility that her bass instructor might be married and have a family?

“Damn it…”

I felt ridiculous for poking my nose where it didn’t belong.

When had I ever been so righteous to chase someone all the way here?

I hadn’t even confirmed whether Choo Minji was truly family or not.

“Heh.”

I let out an awkward laugh at my own foolishness.

I pressed the elevator button to head back down to the first floor.

After a moment, the elevator arrived, its doors slowly opening.

Inside was a tall man holding a small baby in his arms.

It was Choo Minji’s bass instructor.

“Oh?”
“Ke…vin?”

“…….”

Although caught off guard, I managed to greet him.

“Hello, sir…”

“What brings you here? Did Minji call you?”
“No, not exactly…”

Thinking quickly, I came up with one plausible excuse.

“I was delivering chicken for a friend.”

“Chicken?”
“Yes, to the apartment next door.”
“Ah~ That’s why I smelled chicken. Kevin, you’re such a good friend, always helping out.”
“Uh… sure.”

“If you’ve got time, why don’t you come in for a meal? Minji’s here too.”
“No, I’m fine…”

As I was about to decline, the baby, who had been sleeping peacefully, opened its eyes.

The baby blinked at me with sleepy eyes.

“Peek-a-boo.”

“Waaaahhh!”

The shrill wail of the baby pierced my ears like a siren.

At that moment, the door to the apartment flung open, and a woman wearing an apron appeared.

“Honey, you’re back? …Oh? Who’s that next to you?”
“Minji’s friend. Her accompanist.”
“Oh my, really? The Kevin? Minji! Hey, Minji!”

“Ah…”

Before I could stop her, the door swung open wider, revealing Choo Minji, who was enthusiastically chewing on some meat.

“Huh…? Huh?! Oh, gangster!”

Damn it.

Reluctantly, I followed the bass instructor into his apartment.

Just as the elevator, now on its way back down to the first floor, arrived again, the doors opened to reveal Ducheol.

His face was a picture of battle readiness, brows knitted tightly together.

He raised a hand as he spotted me.

“Hyung…”
“Go!”

I quickly shut the door behind me, leaving Ducheol in the hallway.

Inside, Choo Minji and the couple were staring at me, their eyes wide with curiosity.

With questioning looks that asked why I had yelled, I had to say something.

“L-let’s eat! Smells great!”

“See? Gangster…”
“Oh my, how funny! Friends really do rub off on each other.”
“Kevin doesn’t seem like that type though…”

“Waaaahhh!”

I’m sorry, Ducheol.

****

The bass instructor and his wife turned out to be good people.

Seeing how they laughed off Choo Minji’s antics made that clear.

“Unnie! Give me another drink!”

Choo Minji, cheeks flushed red, waved her hand.

“Ah, Minji! Take it easy!”

“Waaaahhh!”

The bass instructor turned to me and gestured for me to follow him.

He led me to a room that doubled as a study.

“Feeling better now?”
“What do you mean, sir?”

He gestured toward my ears.

“Is it hyperacusis? Like Jo Sanghyuk?”
“Ah… it’s something similar.”

It’s entirely different.

Hyperacusis is a condition where certain sounds are perceived as painful.

What I have is beyond extraordinary—superhuman hearing.

It’s not an illness, but a gift.

I didn’t feel the need to explain that, so I left it at that.

“Kevin, since you’re here, want to see something interesting?”

The bass instructor opened a drawer from his desk and pulled out a photo.

In the picture, a younger version of the bass instructor stood beside a small girl.

She had heavy smoky makeup and bright yellow-dyed hair.

“Recognize her?”
“…Don’t tell me.”
“Yep, that’s Choo Minji in her rebellious phase. Middle school, third year.”

I couldn’t believe Choo Minji used to look like that—a complete delinquent.

“In person, it was even more outrageous.”

“Heh.”

I immediately pulled out my phone and took a picture.

I couldn’t wait to show it to Junsoo.

“Take good care of her.”
“Sorry?”
“You said you went to the hospital.”
“Oh… yes.”
“She’s been through so much for someone so young.”

The bass instructor rummaged through the drawer again and pulled out another photo.

This time, it was a younger version of himself, wearing formal concert attire. Behind him was a petite woman with striking features, sitting down. The photo seemed to focus on the bass instructor, with the woman appearing unintentionally in the background.

“This is Minji’s mother.”
“Oh…”

Now that he mentioned it, they did look alike.

“She was a senior at my school. And here’s a secret…”

Leaning in, the bass instructor whispered with a mischievous grin.

“She was my first love. Hahaha.”
“Heh…”

Had he been drinking? Perhaps that explained his playful demeanor.

He kept rambling on, eventually recounting his first meeting with Choo Minji.

“It was about four years ago. A friend at a music shop called me. Said some girl came in wanting to sell a contrabass, and he thought it might’ve been Misun’s instrument. The girl even looked similar to her.”

Looking at the photo in his hand, he continued.

“I hadn’t heard anything about my senior in years, so I rushed over. But there was this delinquent-looking girl standing there.”
“Heh.”

Thinking of the photo of Choo Minji in her rebellious phase made me laugh.

“You know what’s even funnier? She didn’t want to sell the instrument. She wanted to pawn it. Said she’d leave it as collateral in exchange for a loan. So, I asked her what the money was for.”

The bass instructor’s expression turned serious.

“She said she wanted to learn how to play the contrabass. To fulfill her mother’s unfulfilled dream. I… I was deeply moved when I heard that. So, I made her an offer. I’d teach her for free if she’d become my student.”

“…Hmm?”

Sensing something odd in his story, I raised an eyebrow. But the bass instructor chuckled and continued.

“That’s right. I just offered to teach her. And that’s how it all started.”
“That’s quite the story.”

As I suspected, this man was genuinely good-hearted.

“Funny, isn’t it? But life… life is something else.”

He put the photo back in the drawer and looked at me, his face flushed from the alcohol, but his eyes sharp.

“Kevin… or maybe I should call you Seojoon instead?”
“Either is fine.”
“Alright, Seojoon. Your skill is exceptional—so much so that even people who don’t know music can tell. But Minji? She’s not like that. She’s a hard-working, average talent… So, before thinking about your own music, could you consider hers?”

His tone was careful.

“You’re a leader.”
“…Pardon?”
“You carry a dominant color that pulls other sounds together. But an accompanist shouldn’t be a leader. They need to be a reliable partner and a supporter who lifts the soloist from behind.”
“…….”
“My wife said that, so it’s probably true.”

“Ah…”

That’s when I noticed the framed photo on the wall. It was of the couple—one playing the bass and the other on the piano.

“Let me just say this: accompanying Minji might do wonders for your musicality.”
“Professor Han Gwangsook said the same thing.”
“Oh, really? See? That’s exactly it.”

He winked and gave me a thumbs-up.

“Let’s arrange for a meal with her sometime.”

Before he could finish his sentence, a commotion erupted outside.

“Honey! Come quickly! Minji’s dancing on the dining table!”
“Waaaahhh!”

****

“Why don’t you just sleep over there?”

On my back, Choo Minji muttered as I carried her.

“That kid, Jia, was so noisy….”
“You were louder.”
“Shut up… And home’s more comfortable.”

Choo Minji’s house was perched on a steep hill, inconvenient for a single woman to live in—especially in snowy weather, when taxis often refused to drive there.

“Hey, gangster.”
“What now?”
“Thanks for accompanying me. I hadn’t said that yet.”
“Noted.”
“I mean it. To play with someone like you, I’d need to be at Han Yeoreum’s level…”
“Minji.”
“What? Are we just friends now?”
“Enough. If you’ve sobered up, get off.”
“I’ll puke.”
“Phew…”

I should’ve called Ducheol. I regretted my decision as I trudged up the hill, eventually reaching her villa.

“Hey, gangster.”
“What now?”
“Want to come in for ramen?”

At that moment, a voice called out.

“Doesn’t Unni know Seojoon doesn’t eat ramen?”

Kim Bom appeared, walking out from the villa’s parking lot with a large envelope in one hand.

I’d expected someone to be here, but I didn’t think it’d be Kim Bom.

I was about to greet her warmly when she glared past me at Choo Minji and said, “So you were drinking while ignoring my calls? Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for you?”

“Kim Bom.”

When I called her name, Kim Bom shifted her sharp gaze to me.

“What are you doing? I never expected you’d…”

“Perfect timing. Take her upstairs.”
“What?”

Before Kim Bom could process it, I deposited Choo Minji in front of her.

“Hey, hey, gangster!”
“Jung Seojoon!”

With a light heart, I headed home.

“Well, that’s enough leg day for today.”