Chapter 3

3,

Han Jihyuk had no talent for music.

There is something called musicality.

It's not overly complicated; it refers to a musical sense.

Han Jihyuk didn't have that.

He could play instruments to a certain level.

That was something he could cover with effort.

How to handle instruments and how to read sheet music.

Han Jihyuk really worked hard to learn and practice these things.

But when it came to singing, things were different.

Playing an instrument to a certain level and singing to a certain level are a bit different.

Of course, Han Jihyuk wasn't a bad singer.

He just wasn't very good.

He couldn't sing the kind of songs that move people's emotions or elicit admiration.

'But now...'

It's different. Definitely different.

Han Jihyuk could feel it.

From the moment he sang the first line, he knew.

-You said you loved me, didn't you? You said it was good.

So don't say such things, please.

The charm of this song, "Please," is evident from the first line.

A song that reveals deep emotion from the first line and has a powerful pull.

Revealing that emotion wasn't easy, but Han Jihyuk was handling it perfectly.

He skillfully controlled his emotions, calmly singing each note.

Han Jihyuk felt his singing had changed and was a bit flustered, but he didn't show it.

He continued the song calmly.

-The only one who makes my heart resonate is you.

Please don't leave me.

He eventually reached the highlight part.

It required a considerable high note, but Han Jihyuk effortlessly hit the high note while appealing emotionally.

He was saying, "Please don't leave, please stay by my side."

The song was filled with immense longing and overwhelming sadness.

Han Jihyuk, without realizing it, was so immersed in the song that he tightly closed his eyes.

He felt like he might cry if he didn't close his eyes.

It was just a common breakup song, but it affected his emotions so much?

This was the first time such a thing had happened.

He clenched his jaw and opened his eyes.

He saw Jeon Taechan looking at him with a flustered face.

Just by looking, he could tell Jeon Taechan was stiff, clearly surprised by how well Han Jihyuk sang, something he never expected.

Han Jihyuk was also surprised and flustered, so how much more so for Jeon Taechan?

-'Another Queen' smiles contentedly and claps, saying, "Well done."

-'The Wizard of Six Strings' says it was a decent performance.

-'The Emperor of Pop' chuckles, saying it was a proper musical performance and he likes it.

Translucent windows appeared before his eyes.

Han Jihyuk read them and suddenly came to his senses.

He thought his performance and singing were good, even by his own standards.

He didn't know how he did it.

"Do you feel it now?"

Han Jihyuk handed the guitar back to Jeon Taechan and stood up.

Jeon Taechan, still at a loss, stared at Han Jihyuk.

Jeon Taechan snatched the guitar and looked at him with a distorted face.

"What are you, you?"

"What's the problem, again?"

"How...!"

Jeon Taechan was about to ask, but then shook his head.

"No, anyone can see my song was better than yours!"

Jeon Taechan tried to act calm.

Anyone could see Han Jihyuk's performance and singing were much better.

But to say that now?

It was absurd, and Han Jihyuk let out a sigh.

"It's not a joke... If you really think that, you should seriously reconsider your music career."

Han Jihyuk said this and turned around.

Jeon Taechan would likely keep insisting he was better.

Han Jihyuk decided it was best to avoid him and turned around.

But as soon as he turned, he hesitated.

"Boss."

The cafe owner was looking at them with a strange expression.

The cafe owner, Jung Seonwoo.

He had been running a music-themed cafe for years, finding joy in a peaceful daily life.

Running the cafe wasn't difficult, and the financial aspect was fine.

He didn't need to seek change, so he planned to continue with the current system.

Of course, the system included people.

'But... Jeon Taechan really dislikes Jihyuk.'

This was one of Jung Seonwoo's biggest concerns recently.

Jung Seonwoo thought highly of Han Jihyuk.

He was diligent and did his best in his assigned tasks.

He loved music and had a dream of succeeding in it one day.

He was a good person.

Jeon Taechan was the opposite.

He would come to perform in the evening after drinking or frequently use foul language.

While his lack of responsibility bothered Jung Seonwoo, he couldn't easily say hurtful things, so he only occasionally warned him, never thinking of firing him.

He hoped Jeon Taechan would change eventually.

'He's the one who starts the evening performances, so...'

He had left it alone, but recently Jeon Taechan had been treating Han Jihyuk unfairly, which was a concern.

He had told Jeon Taechan a few times not to treat Han Jihyuk badly, but it didn't change.

But today was different.

"No, what... It's not a joke. I don't know why you've been acting like this..."

What?

What did I just hear?

Jung Seonwoo's eyes widened as he turned his head.

It was definitely Han Jihyuk's voice.

Usually, he would just accept everything and not resist Jeon Taechan, so Jung Seonwoo was surprised.

"What's going on...?"

He muttered and subtly moved to look at Han Jihyuk and Jeon Taechan.

"Watch your words. Don't speak so carelessly."

Hearing Han Jihyuk's words, Jung Seonwoo's mouth dropped open.

He couldn't imagine such a gentle person saying something like that.

'I feel so relieved.'

Jung Seonwoo smiled.

He thought it was time to step in, but the situation took an unusual turn.

"If my music is that bad, why don't you try? Let's see how well you can do."

Hearing Jeon Taechan's words, Jung Seonwoo stopped moving toward them.

He knew Han Jihyuk aimed to succeed in music but had never heard his music.

Han Jihyuk always shook his head, saying he wasn't ready to show it to anyone.

Curious about Han Jihyuk's music, Jung Seonwoo couldn't stop the conflict between them.

And so, a fantastic performance began.

"Huh?"

Jung Seonwoo, listening, couldn't help but open his mouth in amazement.

Jung Seonwoo loved music.

That's why he ran the music cafe, 006Y#.

Being interested in music, he naturally knew a lot about it.

Jung Seonwoo could clearly say:

Even though he only heard the prelude, he could tell Han Jihyuk's skill was top-notch.

As he was marveling at the performance, when Han Jihyuk started singing, Jung Seonwoo's legs almost gave out.

He wobbled and put down the coffee cup he was holding on a nearby table.

Jung Seonwoo felt as if his father had appeared before him.

His father, who had passed away, was an unsuccessful singer.

Why did he suddenly come to mind?

Han Jihyuk's song ended.

Jung Seonwoo took a few deep breaths to recover from the aftereffects.

He could hear Han Jihyuk and Jeon Taechan talking.

Jeon Taechan, insisting his song was better, made Jung Seonwoo change his expression.

He stood up and walked over.

"Boss."

"Han Jihyuk, Jeon Taechan."

Jung Seonwoo met their eyes one by one and then spoke.

"If you're going to do this, why not start from the beginning? What are you doing?"

"But that's..."

As Jeon Taechan tried to argue, Jung Seonwoo cut him off and continued.

"Get a fair evaluation, then."

Jeon Taechan's eyes sparkled, thinking he had heard a favorable response.

"Ah, then the boss should evaluate. What do you think?"

Jeon Taechan asked, believing Jung Seonwoo would naturally choose him.

He thought, from the cafe's perspective, Jung Seonwoo would support him over Han Jihyuk.

But Jung Seonwoo shook his head.

He didn't support either of them.

"My evaluation isn't fair."

Jung Seonwoo smiled slightly and said.

Saying whose song was better would mean incurring the wrath of one of them.

And they might not accept the result.

So, he thought it would be better to get a majority opinion rather than his own.

"Let's expand the scope."

"Expand the scope...?"

Han Jihyuk blinked at Jung Seonwoo's words.

Expanding the scope.

Several scenarios flashed through his mind on how to do it best.

"Since it's almost time to open for the evening, why not let the customers hear it?"

Jung Seonwoo casually suggested.

Han Jihyuk felt his heart race.

'Let the customers hear it?'

That meant getting on stage.

Most people wouldn't understand how significant this was for Han Jihyuk.

Some might dislike performing on stage.

But not Han Jihyuk.

To him, the stage was his dream.

Always watching from behind the stage, getting on stage had a special meaning.

"And Jihyuk, you don't have anything to be embarrassed about. Try your best this time."

Jung Seonwoo smiled and patted Han Jihyuk's shoulder.

He was telling him to get on stage and share his music with others.

Han Jihyuk's face changed.

He was still in shock.

But one thing was clear.

Perhaps he could dream again, a dream he had lost.

There was no hesitation.

"I'll do it."

He said, emphasizing his words.

Okay.