A Musical Genius Who Plays Memories - Chapter 42

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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 42. Stay With Me (3)

 

The sound from the massive speakers struck my ears.

 

It was like being hit in the head with a huge hammer.

 

The first act was a four-member band.

 

Even before appearing, they were bustling around preparing something.

 

“Tiger!!!”

 

That was the beginning of the stage.

 

The main vocalist wearing a tiger mask started by shouting.

 

A singing technique called growling.

 

These people’s main genre was heavy metal.

 

“Scream!”

 

It was a stage that knocked your soul out from the very start.

 

‘T-this is heavy metal?’

 

The man’s voice was so rough that I couldn’t help but get excited.

 

A vocalist spitting out tender lyrics amidst the feast of heart-pounding electric guitar, bass, and drums.

 

Without realizing it, I was bobbing my head and hips to the rhythm.

 

“Come on, Heeseong, let’s put in earplugs.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“Heeseong’s ears are still delicate, so loud sounds like this could hurt your hearing.”

 

“Got it!”

 

I quietly let Father put the earplugs in for me.

 

Since I understood Father’s explanation, I didn’t hesitate to bring my ear over.

 

Honestly, aside from my heated mood, my ears were hurting a little.

 

Now that I had the earplugs in, it was time to enjoy the stage.

 

-Perfect you always say♬

 

Unlike the beginning, the lyrics were quite emotional.

 

Even the fingertips of the person wearing the tiger mask were gentle.

 

It looked like a woman combing her hair with a brush.

 

‘Huh? That’s Mother!’

 

Looking now, the green room door was wide open.

 

Whether out of consideration for people’s gazes, the green room lights were off, blending into the dark live house.

 

People there were entranced by the song the tiger was singing.

 

Some of them were holding beer cans.

 

That was the culture of this place.

 

Getting lost in music like this on weekend evenings.

 

‘It’s truly beautiful!’

 

It was so wonderful.

 

Being able to genuinely enjoy someone else’s song.

 

Father sitting next to me was also holding me with his left arm while wildly waving his right arm.

 

It was a professional sight of him enjoying the stage while simultaneously taking care of his child.

 

Suddenly sensing my gaze, Father leaned down.

 

I heard Father’s whispering voice in my ear.

 

“Son, how is it? Is it fun?”

 

“It’s the best!”

 

I was sincere.

 

When else would I get to feel such a hot stage?

 

I cheered with all my might, but the song was coming to an end.

 

‘I wanted to hear more!’

 

Despite my disappointment, the song ended.

 

The music’s accompaniment quieted down, and like water being sprinkled on a hot road, cool wind touched my face.

 

The main vocalist took off his tiger mask with a rough ‘whew!’ sigh.

 

“Hello everyone.”

 

There was a handsome bearded man.

 

His distinguishing feature was that he had no hair where there should be hair, and it was growing in the opposite places.

 

The man bowed his head and continued speaking.

 

“We are the band Tiger’s Den. I’m the first tiger, Maphildoo.”

 

Maybe it’s because of his name, but he looks somewhat scary.

 

When I turned my head, I saw Father gulping down saliva.

 

It seems he’s thinking the same thing as me.

 

Then, as if remembering something, Father’s eyes and mouth opened slightly.

 

“Ah, Heeseong. Are you curious why he suddenly talks like that after singing?”

 

“I’m curious!”

 

“What that person is doing now is called being a frontman.”

 

“Frontman?”

 

“Yeah, simply put, he’s the face of that band. And he helps so the instruments can be readjusted.”

 

“Aha? So he’s buying time?”

 

“…Of course there’s that too, but he’s someone who draws out more excitement. So now let’s listen to what he’s saying.”

 

“Yes!”

 

So ultimately, it meant he was a person for the band.

 

Someone who plays the role of talking about and showing what kind of band they are, promoting them.

 

Everyone here would know that joy was written on Maphildoo’s face as he continued speaking.

 

“Normally I should do another song before giving this speech, but I wanted to say this so badly that I skipped ahead.”

 

At those words, laughter could be heard from here and there.

 

Since it was coming from the audience seats rather than the green room, they seemed to be fans of Tiger’s Den.

 

“My idol singer, Shin Ji-eun, is going to take the stage after a really, really long time. As a longtime fan, I have no choice but to say this.”

 

Like someone expressing utmost respect, he bowed as low as possible and pointed at Mother with both arms.

 

Mother, who received such a greeting naturally, waved her hand to greet the audience.

 

Everyone in this place seemed to know Mother, as they cheered loudly.

 

“The queen has returned!”

 

“Kyaa!! Ji-eun! Ji-eun!!”

 

“Sister is the best!!!”

 

The last one was Father.

 

Wait, why did he lose control like that?

 

People’s reactions made me even more curious.

 

What must Mother’s voice be like for everyone here to be so enthusiastic?

 

“I was really surprised. There was a band name I’d never seen before, so I thought they might be newcomers, but wow… I was mistaken.”

 

“We didn’t know either!”

 

“Yes, as our second tiger on bass said, we didn’t know either. It seems we’ve used up all our luck for this year.”

 

“That’s right! We’re so glad we came to see today’s performance!”

 

“Thank you! I want to say more, but the queen will tell you the rest. We’ll sing the next song.”

 

The small live house heated up once again.

 

That’s why even more so.

 

‘What kind of song will Mother sing!’

 

I was excited.

 

Until then, let’s enjoy this hot place a little more.

 

***

 

“You called me a queen earlier, but that’s too generous an expression.”

 

“No it’s not!”

 

“You’re the best!!”

 

Perhaps burdened by the earlier expressions, Mother was fanning herself with her hand.

 

I would have done the same.

 

The expression “queen” was quite embarrassing for the person hearing it.

 

‘Of course, I’ve never been called by such a nickname. Though I’ve heard others being called that many times.’

 

Every time I heard someone being called by such a nickname, my hands and feet felt like they were curling up like rolled octopus.

 

I could see Mother clenching her fists, probably feeling the same way.

 

“Thank you all. It’s been a while since I greeted you. I’m Shin Ji-eun, vocalist of the band Ordinary City.”

 

“Main guitar, Shin Seong-jin.”

 

“Wooooooh!”

 

It was a simple introduction, but people went wild even at that introduction.

 

I became even more curious about what kind of person Mother was.

 

Mother continued speaking in front of an audience that was more enthusiastic than cult followers.

 

“Um… It’s been really long since I’ve been on this stage. Since I got pregnant, 5 years? 6 years? I think it’s been about that long.”

 

“We missed you so much!”

 

“Ah, me too. Those who are quick-witted might have noticed. That little gentleman sitting over there is my son.”

 

…Huh?

 

I was flustered by Mother’s sudden designation.

 

I didn’t know what to do, but I figured I should greet them at this moment.

 

I bowed slightly to the Tiger’s Den band members who had become audience members and the other fans.

 

“Oh my, how cute!”

 

“Ugh, my heart hurts…”

 

I didn’t know what to do with my expression at the more excessive reaction than expected.

 

“I was bored all this time. I wanted to get on stage quickly, but promoting it widely felt a bit burdensome.”

 

Mother timely drew away the attention that had been focused on me.

 

“And hidden cameras are fun, aren’t they? Well then, shall we start?”

 

As if she couldn’t wait any longer, Mother said she would start the stage soon.

 

As soon as those words ended, all the lights dimmed.

 

Only two very white spotlights illuminated Mother and Shin Seong-jin with his blue guitar.

 

– To you~♬

 

Mother’s voice resonated.

 

It was a gentle sound, not strong at all.

 

And Shin Seong-jin, who had been touching the laptop behind, tapped it with a ‘thud!’

 

The sound of drum hi-hats, bass, and soft, fluffy instruments began to be heard.

 

‘So refreshing…!’

 

Wind brushed through my hair.

 

It was probably wind from the air purifier, but somehow I thought it had blown from between buildings.

 

I could smell the fragrant flower scent carried by the wind.

 

Night City Scenery.

 

Yes, that scenery that could only rely on gaslight came to mind.

 

When evening came, people lit candles.

 

I was one of those people too.

 

Leaning against that orange light, I immersed myself in the stage.

 

I struck the keys and listened to the sounds.

 

-I feel the way we talked about last night♩

 

Mother’s expressions and gestures made the song richer.

 

Everyone here was slowly but surely falling into Mother’s song.

 

As if under a spell, breathing became quieter and everyone was falling into somewhere.

 

I thought they were probably falling into their own night scenery.

 

‘It’s night scenery. A dawn night with cool wind blowing.’

 

Night was always orange to me.

 

No, was it red?

 

Anyway, it was a warm color, but it wasn’t that warm.

 

But Outside the Window was blue.

 

It was a deep navy blue as if expressing loneliness.

 

– Stay With Me…♪

 

Mother’s voice was heard clearly.

 

Even though I was wearing earplugs, my heart was warming as if she was whispering right next to me.

 

The gradually continuing movements of hands and fingertips were elegant.

 

The term “queen” wasn’t said for nothing.

 

There was an inexplicable power in Mother’s voice.

 

Just listening quietly created the illusion of being drawn in.

 

Her voice was like the moon visible in the night scenery.

 

The large moon floating high in the dark dawn sky showed people the way.

 

It was a reassuring voice as if telling them to follow.

 

‘This is Mother’s stage.’

 

How should I put it, it was hard to express in words.

 

It was an emotion too complex to be contained by the word “wistful.”

 

My night began to change gradually.

 

Perhaps due to the moonlight, the scenery seen Outside the Window wasn’t red.

 

‘It looks blue…’

 

It contained wistfulness, loneliness, and solitude.

 

I thought everyone here was thinking of night.

 

They must be recalling their own precious night scenery.

 

Someone might be thinking of a view looking down at the city from a high place, someone else might be thinking of a view seen through a Window.

 

Still, I thought everyone’s impression was the same.

 

Mother’s voice was comforting such wistfulness.

 

It contained such power.

 

– That season when I cried telling you not to go back is before my eyes…♩

 

It was that kind of song.

 

It was an indescribable scenery with sad lyrics set to an upbeat rhythm.

 

The song still continued.

 

The song of the hazy night and blue sky was becoming clearer as it continued.

 

Then my eyes met Mother’s.

 

At her quiet smile, I found myself smiling without realizing it.

 

Haha.

 

Something was gradually moving away.

 

I don’t know what was moving away.

 

‘Whether it’s the blue sky or the night with cool wind blowing.’

 

One thing for certain was that the emotion I was feeling now was wistfulness.

 

– Stay With Me…♪

 

I would never forget the emotion I felt watching this blue night and Mother’s stage.

 

The song was ending.

 

Yet I didn’t feel regretful at all.

 

This was only the first song after all.

 

***

 

“How was it today, son?”

 

“It was really, really, really the best!”

 

I answered Mother’s question sincerely.

 

If the first song was filled with wistfulness, everything after that was a series of frenzies.

 

It was a stage without a fixed genre.

 

Whether ballad, rock, or jazz, Mother sang every song she could sing.

 

Mother was unstoppable, as if she was finally releasing the pent-up longing from not being able to perform on stage for five years.

 

“Your Majesty, when is your next performance?”

 

After Mother’s performance ended, Maphildoo asked.

 

Since there weren’t that many audience members anyway, he could ask such questions without hesitation.

 

Mother thought for a moment before answering.

 

“Well, I’m not sure about that myself.”

 

Mother didn’t say anything more than that.

 

The other people looked disappointed, but she paid no attention and came over to my side.

 

I was grateful to her.

 

Thanks to her, I had gotten a sense of what kind of song I should write.

 

So I said to Father, who was patting my head.

 

“Father! When we get home, I want to listen to that!”

 

“Huh? What?”

 

“The thing I couldn’t listen to yesterday!”

 

“Ah, the representative city pop songs? Is it because you heard what Mother sang?”

 

“Yes!”

 

I had vaguely guessed that Mother’s singing genre was city pop.

 

I would definitely need to study it.

 

But somehow, the story contained within seemed more important than the singing technique or skill.

 

Should I call it a theme?

 

City pop was night.

 

A wistful night.

 

I’m going to try writing that.

 

“Hmm, should we eat first before that? You haven’t eaten, honey.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

“Should we go to the chicken place near here? The owner likes it there.”

 

“Sure, let’s go after the performances end.”

 

“Chicken!”

 

I want to compose right now, but let’s wait a moment.

 

Not only do I want to eat chicken, but there are still other teams left to perform.

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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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