A Musical Genius Who Plays Memories - Chapter 16

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 16. Don’t know why (6)

Aeyeon’s small hands began to walk across the keys.

It was a light movement, as if taking a stroll.

‘Slowly…’

It was her first time performing in front of Mother, so she was nervous.

Even so, she didn’t make any mistakes.

The fingers that had barely moved at the academy were somehow moving freely now.

Was it because she was at home?

In the comfortable atmosphere, the tension in the child’s back also relaxed.

A comfortable performance following the comfortable atmosphere.

The child’s heart was somehow uplifted.

She couldn’t hear Father’s performance, but somehow it felt like he was right beside her.

It seemed like she could smell the heavy scent of wood.

‘Huh…?’

That unfamiliar fragrance was also familiar to Aeyeon’s Mother.

It was the wooden scent she had forgotten.

The more she listened to the child’s performance, the stronger the wooden scent became.

***

The living room was always filled with the sound of piano.

Aeyeon’s Mother’s mornings always began with the sound of piano.

Piano music that started gently, her husband’s performance.

Ta-dan-♬

After her husband entered her life, Aeyeon’s Mother began listening to music.

Until then, she hadn’t shown much interest in music and felt that songs from TV or the internet were pointless.

She was too busy working to have time to listen to songs.

“How do you like this song?”

It was a warm voice that opened her ears.

A friend she was close with during her university days.

One of her male friends, as they’re commonly called, said one day.

He asked what she thought of a singer he liked.

Aeyeon’s Mother’s answer was predictable.

“I don’t like listening to songs.”

“What? No, why?”

“I just think it’s pointless.”

The man fell silent after that.

She was busy with assignments and didn’t properly see the man’s expression.

She spent time carelessly like that, and when the next day came.

“Listen to this.”

“…You’re really being annoying. I told you I hate listening to songs.”

“Really, just! Just once. Just listen once.”

“What’s so good about that song that you’re doing this?”

At the man’s earnestness, Aeyeon’s Mother made a fed-up expression, but soon listened.

The song was still uninteresting.

Neither the female singer’s voice nor the gentle piano accompaniment.

It was just boring music.

“It’s boring. Stop it now.”

“Then, how about this song? It’s a song I really like. Just listen one more time.”

The man continued to ask tediously.

Aeyeon’s Mother found the scene tiresome, but on the other hand, it was interesting.

‘What’s so good about this that he likes it so much?’

Of course, she only thought that to herself.

The man asked her to listen to songs for a day, a week, over a month.

Aeyeon’s Mother thought ‘What kind of crazy guy is this?’, but eventually gave up.

Usually he was a fun and kind friend, but when it came to music, he showed a crazy side that was even a little scary.

‘It seems kind of okay…?’

Listening continuously like that, Aeyeon’s Mother felt it seemed okay.

Instead, she began to develop interest.

Perhaps that was when it happened.

When she fell for that man.

A lot of time passed like that.

The woman who had been a university student started working at a company.

The man who loved music was gradually making himself known.

Those were the days of busking on the streets of Hongdae, spending time and slowly getting to know each other.

The two people promised to spend their lives together.

Between the two who had become each other’s most precious existence, a lovely being was born.

It was six months after Aeyeon’s Mother became pregnant with Aeyeon.

It was a weekend morning when the sun was rising.

“That song again?”

Aeyeon’s Mother spoke with a fed-up expression.

On the ring finger of her left hand that was holding her head, a shining ring was worn.

“Why, it’s good, isn’t it?”

“…It is a good song, but I’ve heard it too much.”

“Is that so…?”

“Yeah. I’ve heard it too much.”

The man said while scratching his head.

“I guess so. I’ll listen to just this and not listen for a while, okay?”

“Sigh… I’m only letting this slide because of Aeyeon.”

“Since Aeyeon is in your belly, be careful. Sit over there, I’ll bring you something to eat.”

The two people’s mornings always started simply.

Even though she was pregnant, Aeyeon’s Mother, being a workaholic, rarely rested.

Matching that, her husband also woke up early to prepare breakfast for her.

While eating simple but affectionate food, the two people felt the morning breeze.

“But why do you play that song every day? What if Aeyeon says she doesn’t like it later?”

“Hmm… Won’t she understand? If not, well… It can’t be helped.”

“What’s that supposed to mean.”

The sound of TV and music from the speakers, the sound of morning birds chirping.

Hearing such sounds made her heart feel at peace.

She realized once again how beautiful songs she hadn’t paid attention to before could be.

“Do you know why I like this song the most?”

“Hm?”

The man spoke during the meal.

At his endlessly gentle voice, Aeyeon’s Mother’s head turned lightly.

At her husband’s smile that held the same caring smile as always, Aeyeon’s Mother also smiled.

“I don’t know why I didn’t go.”

“Hm? Suddenly?”

“No, it’s the song lyrics. Originally they’re English lyrics, but I tried singing them in Korean.”

At the man’s voice gently touching her belly, Aeyeon’s Mother softly closed her eyes.

Worried it might be heavy, she let out a small laugh at his careful touch.

“This song expresses the protagonist’s regret, right?”

“Does it? I think it’s more like seeing someone off.”

“Interpretation is the listener’s freedom. That’s how I felt.”

“Yeah.”

The man continued speaking.

His hand was still tenderly stroking Aeyeon’s Mother’s belly.

Perhaps that gentle warmth reached the child in her womb.

She thought so.

“Regret… I’ll do everything our daughter wants. So that neither you nor I will have regrets.”

“What if she asks you to buy her a house?”

“Huh? Um… a house would be a bit difficult.”

“Hahahaha!!”

Aeyeon’s Mother’s laughter was rich enough to spread outside the window.

She was certain her laughter was filled with joy and happiness.

‘I think the same way.’

That she would do everything her daughter wanted.

She thought her child’s happiness was more important than anything else.

“What if our daughter is born with your talent?”

“What do you mean what would I do. Of course…!”

“Of course?”

“We’d have to raise her to be the best!”

Her husband jumped up from his chair and looked at Aeyeon’s Mother.

“Let’s make sure the world knows about our Aeyeon!”

His bright smile was filled with love for his daughter.

And that was.

“Of course, whose daughter is she?”

The same for Aeyeon’s Mother.

***

When Aeyeon was around 3 years old.

That day was an ordinary day.

When Aeyeon’s Mother came home from work and was resting while watching Aeyeon, her husband called.

The quietly ringing bell.

Aeyeon’s Mother also loved the song he liked most.

“…Hello?”

Unfortunately, her husband’s voice couldn’t be heard.

***

Aeyeon’s performance continued.

The tips of her slowly moving fingers with eyes closed were now stepping on grass.

Under a large tree, she could smell the deep scent of wood.

The grass fragrance and faint flower scent tickled her nose, and the shade gradually blocked the harsh sunlight.

“Hiya!”

Aeyeon was enjoying the space that belonged only to her and Father.

In that precious space no one could disturb.

Rustle-.

Suddenly, an intruder entered.

It was a very precious intruder.

Aeyeon’s Mother was smelling the scent of trees.

With her eyes quietly closed.

She just stood there blankly, concentrating on the sounds she heard.

The child also quietly walked toward the rooted tree.

The song continued slowly, and the wind also rustled gently.

The space between the two people was wide enough for the sound to echo.

Same song, different memories.

One recalled precious but faint memories with Father.

One recalled precious promises and resolutions she had forgotten.

But perhaps they listened to the song while holding precious memories that might be the same feelings.

The two people were connected by the same song.

“Aeyeon.”

Aeyeon’s Mother called softly.

The two people were in the living room.

The forest scenery had disappeared, but the deep woody scent was still there.

“Does our daughter like piano?”

Aeyeon’s Mother’s careful question.

“Yeah…”

The child answered carefully.

Aeyeon’s small fingers were still playing.

Aeyeon’s Mother resolved to place her words on that melody.

While recalling the song she had heard for so long, or rather, had forgotten long ago.

“Is it hard for Aeyeon to go to academy?”

Ting!

A brief off-key note, and.

Tan-♩

The performance continued again.

Aeyeon was silent for a moment.

Rather than silence, it seemed more accurate to say she was contemplating.

Aeyeon was 5 years old.

However, since she was a child who had lived a daily life somewhat different from other children.

It could be said that the depth of her thoughts was also somewhat shallow.

“…It’s hard.”

Aeyeon said.

She spoke her true feelings, the emotions she had wanted to express but had kept pressed down.

Her calm voice contained the answer Aeyeon’s Mother had expected.

“Then, should we quit academy?”

The comfortable voice contained the answer the child wanted.

It was the heart of a mother thinking of her child.

However, Aeyeon was also thinking of her the same way.

“It’s okay. Mother, you work so hard. I should study hard too.”

But since those were words the mother had forced upon the child, there was no need to keep them.

Aeyeon’s Mother spoke firmly.

“Daughter, you don’t have to do that. You can do what you want to do.”

At her sincere words, Aeyeon nodded.

The performance was coming to an end.

The woody scent was gradually fading.

“Then, can I just go to piano academy?”

The child turned her head to look at Aeyeon’s Mother.

Her two small hands clasped together at her tiny chest, afraid of being scolded.

It was a request Aeyeon made with difficulty, but for Aeyeon’s Mother, it was an incredibly easy request.

She felt so sorry for not being able to grant even such an easy request until now.

“Of course.”

At those words that seemed light yet heavy.

“Really? For real?”

The child was surprised and smiled happily at the same time.

“Mom’s the best!”

Aeyeon, who always wore a heavy expression, pressed against Lee Ye-eun’s thigh and wrapped her arms around her neck.

Not even noticing that her thigh hurt from the action, Lee Ye-eun smiled happily.

She was so happy that tears came to her eyes.

“Mom, are you crying?”

“No, I’m not crying. Some dust must have gotten in my eyes.”

She could have been honest, but somehow she felt embarrassed.

She worried that Aeyeon might think of her as a pathetic mother.

Aeyeon climbed down from her.

It was getting late, and the child was in a hurry because she wanted to wash up with her mom.

Then, she remembered something.

“Oh, Mom! That song I just played, what’s the title?”

“The title?”

Lee Ye-eun smiled brightly at the child’s question.

Because it was a song she knew all too well.

“It’s a song called ‘Don’t know why.'”

“Don no ai?”

“Don no why.”

“Hmm…”

Aeyeon thought for a moment, then climbed down from Lee Ye-eun’s knee.

Then she bowed her head and said,

“Thank you!”

“Oh my, our daughter studied hard at preschool, didn’t she?”

“Yeah! Hehe.”

The sincere smiles and laughter of the two continued late into the night.

Lee Ye-eun suddenly realized something.

The heavy shoulders that had tormented her for so long somehow felt light today.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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