DLMS 23

Chapter 23

“What did I even do?”

“Think about it. How hard must it have been for him to say something like that to you?”

“No, seriously, what exactly are you accusing me of?”

“Hey. Honestly, I didn’t say much since I’m your friend, but back in middle school, when you told him to buy bread, he went. When you hit him, he just stood there and took it.”

“……”

“Look, I didn’t do anything to stop it either, so I wasn’t any better. But I can understand where he’s coming from.”

“Sending him to the snack bar was just asking a favor, and hitting him… come on, who didn’t get into fights in middle school?”

“Jongpil, it wasn’t like that and you know it…”

“Haah…”

Kim Jongpil let out a long sigh.

The root of the discomfort he’d been carrying was simple: the fact that he was a perpetrator of school violence.

It wasn’t as if he didn’t know. Deep down, he’d always been aware of his wrongdoing.

But maybe because he had denied it for so long, after endlessly justifying himself, somewhere along the way he had convinced himself that he wasn’t at fault.

He wished nobody would ever find out, and that the classmates who had witnessed the violence would simply forget.

Of course, that wish included Yu Jaehee, the victim.

“Even as your friend, I gotta say—you were in the wrong.”

Jongpil took another swig of alcohol.

“I’m not trying to lecture you. But these days, with all the school bullying scandals, you’ve seen how much trouble celebrities get into.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I doubt you’re going to become a celebrity, but still—having that kind of label follow you isn’t good.”

“So what am I supposed to do then?”

“You can’t undo what’s already done. But you can apologize. How about telling Jaehee you’re sorry sometime?”

“Me, apologize to him?”

“Damn it, man…”

“Haah…”

“Just think about it, alright? Honestly, it’s weighing on your conscience too, isn’t it?”

“I don’t know anymore…”

He had gotten drunk tonight because Jaehee had made him furious.

But the words coming back from his friend were the last thing he had expected.

Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was those words. Either way, Jongpil just lowered his head.

“You okay, man?”

“…I don’t know.”

Time passed faithfully, and exam season finally ended.

It had been a while since I’d last taken tests, but I didn’t think the results would be bad.

I didn’t bother asking the others how they thought they did, but judging by how hard she studied, Seolhee would probably do well.

As for Taehun…

…let’s leave it at that.

Depending on the professor, grades would probably be out in a week. Until then, I just wanted to enjoy freedom.

“So we’re really going today, right?”

For our first free time after exams, we decided to hang out at Seolhee’s practice room.

“Yeah. Taehun, you’re coming too?”

“Of course. Haven’t seen the guys in a while.”

“Fine, but for once—don’t cause trouble, okay?”

“What? I never do anything.”

“…Forget it.”

After grinding through exam week, we agreed to spend today with the band.

We drove as usual, my car heading toward Hongdae where the practice room was.

Exhausted from studying, Seolhee fell asleep in the backseat.

Meanwhile, Taehun, sitting in the passenger seat, never stopped talking.

With him and the devil both chattering in my ear, I could barely think straight.

But then again, driving was always easier with someone talking beside me.

The distance wasn’t far, and I even grabbed an Americano for the sleepy Seolhee before we arrived at the practice room.

It had been about two weeks since the last audition practice.

The stairs leading underground were still just as dark and damp—no one had changed the bulbs.

Clunk.

The door opened, and light from inside spilled out.

“Oh, Seolhee, you’re here.”

“Huh? You guys got here first?”

The band members were already there.

“Brooo!”

“Hey! Kim Taehun! How’d you do on your exams?”

“Whoa, isn’t that question a little out of line?”

It seemed like Taehun was already well-acquainted with them.

As the last one in, I hesitated before greeting them.

“Hello.”

“Ah, nice to meet you. We’ve heard a lot about you from Seolhee.”

The one joking with Taehun returned my greeting warmly.

“Hyung, let me introduce the band. This is our guitarist, Heecheol. He’s 24.”

“Nice to meet you.”

That was Moon Heecheol, the guitarist who had greeted me earlier.

“And this is Do-hwa noona, our bassist. She’s 26… same age as you.”

“Hello.”

“Yeah, nice to meet you.”

Next came drummer Yoon Jongcheol and keyboardist Cho Jaehun.

Except for the bassist, they were all younger than me.

Since they were the ones making music with Seolhee, I was happy to meet them.

But one thing in particular caught my attention.

[These outfits look legit.]

‘Yeah… they’re dead serious about rock.’

All of them, except Seolhee, looked like they lived and breathed rock music just by their fashion.

I hadn’t heard their music yet, but I could already imagine what it might sound like.

Especially guitarist Moon Heecheol—he seemed extremely close with Taehun.

“So, when are you going to the army?”

“Wow, you’re really crossing lines today, aren’t you?”

The two bickered nonstop while the rest of us just laughed.

Still, the atmosphere felt faintly awkward because of me.

While Taehun and Heecheol carried on, the others mostly stood around, watching.

“Anyway, why don’t we get something to eat? It’s almost dinner.”

“Yeah, that sounds good.”

It was only 5 p.m., but we decided to eat early.

After debating whether to go out or order in, we settled on the safe option: fried chicken.

I’d been here plenty of times before, but today felt completely different.

Where I used to practice gestures, Taehun and Heecheol were fooling around.

Where I used to cram for exams, the other members now sat chatting.

I was still awkward, but at least Seolhee being here helped.

“Still feels awkward, huh?”

“Uh, yeah… but it’s fine.”

I said it was fine, but maybe Seolhee thought otherwise.

“Jaehee and I are going to buy beer. Anyone want to come?”

Taehun, Heecheol, and drummer Jongcheol stayed behind.

I went with Seolhee, bassist Kim Dohwa, and keyboardist Cho Jaehun to the convenience store for beer and snacks.

Seolhee and Dohwa walked a few steps ahead while I walked beside Jaehun.

“I really enjoyed your performance last time.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Jaehun’s voice was gentle, matching his scholarly look and smaller frame.

There was kindness in every word.

“You play piano really well. When did you start?”

“Well… I’m not that good. I just studied jazz piano for a long time.”

“Did you take lessons?”

“No, self-taught mostly. Though I did attend a classical piano academy when I was little.”

“Haha, that’s the usual path.”

“Pretty much. What about you?”

“I’ve played since I was a kid… can’t remember exactly when I started.”

“I heard from Seolhee that you write all the band’s songs?”

“Yeah, I’m the only one who composes.”

Just then, the devil butted in.

[Hey, this guy’s interesting.]

‘What’s with you all of a sudden?’

[Look, if one guy in a band writes everything, that means he’s got solid skills. You can’t pull that off without talent.]

‘I mean, true… but you never give people credit.’

[Did I say he’s amazing? No. Just curious about his level, that’s all.]

‘Figures…’

“Guess pianists click easily, huh?”

Seolhee glanced back at us, smiling. Dohwa also laughed at the sight.

“I just got out of the army, so I haven’t had anyone to talk music with for ages.”

“Hahaha! Look at Jaehun getting all excited.”

Dohwa wore heavy makeup—almost too much for a casual mid-20s look.

But somehow, it suited her vibe as a bassist perfectly.

“Honestly, my service wasn’t that hard. The worst part was that no one in the barracks cared about music. I was bored out of my mind. You get me, noona?”

“Uh, not really…”

“Ugh, so frustrating…”

“Oh, you just got discharged? Where were you stationed?”

“777th Command.”

“Ah… that place.”

[Ugh… 777, huh…]

I couldn’t help but smirk—people always said that unit had it easy compared to others.

Of course, I believed it too.

“No way! Hyung, that’s not fair! Where did you serve then?”

And just like that, Jaehun and I fell deep into military talk, quickly bonding.

“Ugh, boring! Military stories…”

“Yeah, not my thing either…”

Naturally, Seolhee—who hadn’t served—and Dohwa weren’t interested.

When we returned with beer and snacks, the practice room looked like a wild party.

“Wh-what the…”

“Oh, those two are always like that.”

Taehun and Heecheol had the music cranked up, dancing like maniacs.

“Feels like a club in here…”

“Ugh! Enough already, both of you! My head’s going to explode!”

Even Dohwa’s scolding didn’t stop them.

Meanwhile, drummer Jongcheol just clapped and laughed like it was the best thing ever.

Watching them, I felt a chill of dread.

‘Dealing with Taehun alone is tough enough, but Heecheol’s just as wild…’

[They’re insane…]

‘My thoughts exactly…’

Thump thump thump thump!

Then came knocking at the door.

“Hey! Chicken’s here! Turn the music off!”

“Got it!”

Finally, Dohwa used the food delivery as an excuse to kill the music and end their madness.

“Ah, Heecheol. Perfect as always.”

“And Kim Taehun once again—”

“Destroyed the stage.”

As soon as the music stopped, the two exchanged cryptic words of praise only they seemed to understand.

“Good grief…”

Dohwa looked exhausted by them, though not entirely displeased.

“Enjoy the food, everyone.”

“Thanks.”

And so, we had our first meal together on the practice room floor.

“Alright, first things first—cheers.”

Drummer Jongcheol, who didn’t drink, held cola while the rest of us raised beer.

Nothing breaks the ice like alcohol.

“Come to think of it, I don’t even know your band’s name.”

“Oh, didn’t we say? We’re Qrious. With a capital Q.”

Qrious.

A name that sparked curiosity.

“By the way, I really enjoyed your show the other day.”

“Oh, no, we’re still lacking in a lot of ways.”

“Hyung, if you keep saying you’re lacking, you’re gonna sound like a pretentious jerk.”

Taehun cut in as I tried to wave off the compliment.

“Hey, don’t talk to your hyung like that!”

“Hahaha! It’s fine. Anyway, thanks for saying that. So, what kind of music does Qrious make?”

I was curious about the band Seolhee sang in.

At first it was awkward, but we’d exchanged names, shared drinks, and warmed up in conversation.

It felt like the right moment to ask.

“Well, our music is…”