novelnext Chapter 426: Goodbye and Promise (1)
Chapter 426: Goodbye and Promise (1)
Chapter 426: Goodbye and Promise (1)
Who would've thought that Joo-Han still had this track? Even the title had remained the same—“Once Again.” This song was probably over ten years old to Joo-Han of Elated, and it seemed that he couldn't bring it up to me. I thought he had forgotten or discarded it.
“Anyway, I was going to give it to you, so take it. Listen and transfer it to your phone.”
“You were going to give this to me?”
Why? The question immediately arose since there was absolutely no reason for him to do so. Chronos Joo-Han had said it was a debut congratulatory gift. But in Elated’s timeline, I hadn’t debuted. Therefore, I was far from being someone worthy of receiving a song, much less singing it.
In that world, I had no reason to be given a song. But why would Joo-Han, amidst his busy schedule, deliberately dig up an old song to give to me?
As I gazed at the screen without playing the song, Joo-Han noticed my hesitation. “Just listen, kid. You always overthink things even though you’re not that smart[1]."
“...”
His remark was a direct hit to my heart. I decided to just listen to the song without arguing. With a sigh of protest, I pressed the play button, and the music began to flow from the speaker.
“...Huh?"
‘Wait, this song sounds very different.’
The melody and rhythm I knew so well were completely gone. Could it be that the "Once Again" Joo-Han mentioned wasn't the one I knew? He said it was a draft, but it had nothing in common with the original song. Instead of the calm, hopeful ballad of "Once Again," this version was trendy, house-style right from the start.
Although a composer's mood or taste might change during production, this was so different it made me wonder if it was even the same song. The beat was lively, yet the melody somehow melancholically descended. It sounded like the same song but different at the same time.
However, Joo-Han's voice coming through the earphones quickly swept away my doubts.
♪ Recreate the halted footsteps
Carving courage into the ground with each step
I start again
Once again
Yes, it was "Once Again." Though the lyrics had changed significantly, the meaning echoed that of the "Once Again" I had written.
♪ Unclench my hands
Shake off the dry soil
Grab hold of new dreams
I can do it once again
Each verse of the song imprinted itself in my mind. Even though it was just a rough guide vocal, the lyrics weren’t sung casually.
I planned to give him feedback, but my mouth was shut without realizing it. I was so caught up in the lyrics that I let the song play out.
♪ Open the door and reach out your hand
The world will gently wrap around my hand
Like warm sunshine
Telling us we will never be cold
Then, I ended up dying alone, and it was thanks to these three people that I was revived. It was such a foolish thing to do.
...Had I ever apologized to these two?
As the thought struck me, I stood up. I had to remember that this could be my last chance. If not now, I would never get another chance to say what needed to be said. I now understood that opportunities don’t come back easily.
***
“Have you made your choice, hyung?"
“Yeah, I have. It's about time, especially since Jin-Sung has already gone back."
In Kang Joo-Han's studio, the two men faced each other and fell silent. Even with little time left, they needed a moment to gather their thoughts amidst the quiet.
“...What did you talk about with Suh Hyun-Woo earlier?"
“Nothing much. I just gave him the song and left."
“Ah, that song," Goh Yoo-Joon said.
Silence enveloped them once more. They were neither in the mood nor had the energy to converse. They just wanted to quietly soothe the sadness that lingered.
'Is there really any time for that?'
Probably not. Kang Joo-Han sighed deeply, the weight in his breath breaking the silence before Goh Yoo-Joon spoke again.
“You’re going back, aren't you?"
“Of course. What a silly question," Kang Joo-Han chided him. “Look at Hyun-Woo's face. How can you expect me to start over with him again? I can't do it. I haven’t seen him this happy before."
Words contrary to his feelings spilled out, but his decision aligned with them. Kang Joo-Han chose to leave Suh Hyun-Woo behind and return to his original world. In this place, Suh Hyun-Woo seemed incredibly happy, as Kang Joo-Han had always imagined he would be.
'That's enough. I shouldn’t be greedier than this.'
The smile of Suh Hyun-Woo in Chronos’ Kang Joo-Han's memory would be something they could never see if they stayed here. Because they saw Hyun-Woo as the result of trauma or a painful memory, the members of Elated could never allow him to live life to his fullest.
Kang Joo-Han had made up his mind. Suh Hyun-Woo would be better off moving forward with Chronos, who knew nothing of his past, rather than with Elated, who could only handle him with gloves, like he was fragile. It was sad, but the members of Chronos had unwittingly provided Hyun-Woo with happy memories devoid of any darkness.
“Let's return to our lives."
It was best to consider this a Christmas miracle and wake up from this dream. A sacrifice, if it had to be called that, was fine by him.
However, Goh Yoo-Joon couldn't easily respond to Kang Joo-Han's words. “Hyung, I..." He hesitated for a long time before finally speaking in a trembling voice,”I actually want to stay here."
Goh Yoo-Joon's words made Kang Joo-Han flinch, but he quickly regained his composure. “You’re crazy."
“I knew you'd say that." It was a resigned reply, but he was being honest about his feelings.
Before coming here, he had planned to make any choice that was best for Suh Hyun-Woo. But does the heart ever follow through with resolutions so easily? At just fifteen years old, without family or siblings or any real support system, Suh Hyun-Woo had been the only friend and family Goh Yoo-Joon had.
“If I go back to my original world, Hyun-Woo won't be there."
Leaving Suh Hyun-Woo behind and returning to his original world was not an easy decision to make.
1. Ouch. ☜