Chapter 39

39. My heart raced.

"Se-ri-na. You...?!"

Se-ri-na's eyes were filled with a storm.

"How did this happen? That song?"

"A-ah, Ji-hyeok. Oh, it's a misunderstanding. I didn't mean to…."

Se-ri-na waved her hand, her face almost on the verge of tears.

"Look, I didn't intentionally sing like that at the audition. Really."

"Alright. Se-ri-na. I won't misunderstand. But… can I ask why?"

Se-ri-na bowed her head deeply.

"Um, so, I… can't sing in front of people."

Ji-hyeok furrowed his brows.

Can't sing in front of people? Is it like stage fright?

"Is it only on stage or at auditions?"

"No, no. It's just, if there's even one person in front of me, I can't even make a sound, I get short of breath, and my pitch goes all over the place…."

"How long has this been going on?"

"Since I was very young."

"Do you know why?"

"No. I really don't know. I don't do it when I'm alone…."

Se-ri-na asked cautiously, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Um, Ji-hyeok. Are you… angry?"

"Why would I be angry?"

"No, I was worried you might think I did it on purpose."

"No. I said I won't misunderstand. I believe you, Se-ri-na."

"Phew, thank goodness."

Se-ri-na seemed genuinely relieved, and Ji-hyeok felt a pang of sympathy for her.

Even if there was a reason for her deception, it wasn't a malicious act that would harm Ji-hyeok.

Her concern for his feelings to this extent must be due to her sensitive nature, reacting to others' emotions.

"Um, Ji-hyeok."

"Uh-huh?"

"I've never told anyone this before… please keep it a secret. Especially from Dad. I don't want to worry him."

"Okay, I understand. Don't worry."

Ji-hyeok nodded and said warmly.

"But, you sing really well."

"Huh? Ah, not that well…."

"Really. It's a waste to keep such a beautiful voice to yourself."

Se-ri-na smiled shyly.

Ji-hyeok felt a sense of relief. And his heart raced.

If this world hadn't lost Se-ri-na's abilities, he would surely be able to hear her sing properly someday.

But what could be the reason?

If she can't even sing in front of one person, it's not just stage fright. Maybe….

***

"Trauma?"

Ji-hyeok's mother, Kim Sun-hwa, asked in surprise, repeating what her homeroom teacher, Jeong Su-jin, had said.

"Yes. I'm wondering if there was some significant shock in Ji-hyeok's childhood."

Jeong Su-jin was certain.

The abilities Ji-hyeok was showing now couldn't have suddenly appeared due to an accident.

Thinking about it, it was strange from the beginning. Even if an incomprehensible intelligence emerged from an accident, it was hard to believe he could display such remarkable skills in various fields in such a short time.

Especially in music, she was an expert. Ji-hyeok's abilities were not just talent; they clearly included skills honed over a long period of training.

This meant that Ji-hyeok had been hiding his innate, genius-level talents and the skills he had polished alone. Why? Why did he hide them?

'Maybe it's due to trauma. An absolute trauma that prevents him from showing his abilities in front of people.'

Jeong Su-jin thought that Ji-hyeok's always depressed and isolated demeanor was due to this reason.

"So, you're saying Ji-hyeok was hiding his abilities due to trauma?"

"For now, that's my assumption. Once his memory returns, we should have him evaluated by a professional, but the doctor said it's quite possible."

"Then, the changes now…."

"Probably due to amnesia."

Amnesia that made him forget his trauma must have revealed the hidden genius abilities.

"If it's really trauma, maybe it would be better for Ji-hyeok if he doesn't recover those memories. I even thought about such an absurd idea, but… it's not possible, is it?"

"……"

Ji-hyeok's mother, Kim Sun-hwa, barely held back the tears welling up.

How hard must it have been for her son? How hard must it have been for him to isolate himself from the world and hide such talents and abilities?

"We need to find out if there was a cause. If we know the cause, it will be easier to handle if Ji-hyeok's memory returns and the trauma resurfaces."

Kim Sun-hwa tried to recall her son's past.

What could have happened? When did his behavior start to change noticeably?

"Maybe in third or fourth grade. He was very depressed and didn't want to go to school. After that, his personality seemed to become more timid."

"Ah."

"If something happened at school, Min-woo might know. They've been friends since elementary school."

***

"Elementary school days?"

Do Min-woo couldn't hide his expression.

"Min-woo, it's okay. Please tell us. Your mother needs to know."

Do Min-woo's eyes wavered under Kim Sun-hwa's earnest gaze.

"Ah, okay… since it's all in the past. So, it was…."

It was in fourth grade.

When Do Min-woo had just transferred.

"Hehe! You f*cking bastard. What's a guy doing picking flowers?"

"Stop it."

"What do you mean stop? You f*cking bastard."

Behind the classroom, Do Min-woo saw Woo Jin-hyeok being beaten by a gang.

"Ah!"

"Hehe. This guy is resisting. What are you going to do about it?"

Punch! Punch!

"Ugh!"

Do Min-woo approached the guys.

"Hey, stop it."

"What? You? Oh, you're the new kid. Do you want to get beaten too? If you don't, go away."

Min-woo didn't stop. His fist was already clenched.

"Hit me if you can."

"Hey, look at this guy. I was going to let you off because you're new."

But the one who ended up on the ground wasn't Do Min-woo.

Smack! Punch!

"Ugh! You f*cking bastard, you'll regret this! Do you know who my brother is?"

Do Min-woo slammed the wall, and his fist, slightly skinned, bled. He wiped the blood on the guy's cheek.

"Tell. Tell me. If you do, I'll kill you and your brother."

The kid's eyes were filled with fear. Do Min-woo's eyes were filled with venom.

With the blood on his fist smeared on his cheek, Do Min-woo didn't look normal to a elementary school kid.

"Ugh! You're completely insane—!"

The guys ran away, and Do Min-woo smiled.

Ironically, the kid's words were somewhat true.

Back then, Do Min-woo was probably half-insane.

"Stupid bastards. Hey, don't be scared. Guys like that are nothing. Just show them you're not easy to mess with, and they can't do anything."

After watching the guys run away, Do Min-woo turned to Jin-hyeok.

"Are you okay?"

"……"

"What's your name?"

"……"

"Never mind. I'm Do Min-woo. I'll be your friend from now on."

Do Min-woo looked at Kim Sun-hwa and Jeong Su-jin.

"Jin-hyeok was probably bullied for a long time before that."

Tears streamed down Kim Sun-hwa's face as she listened to Do Min-woo's story.

"Sniff… I didn't know my Jin-hyeok went through that. Thank you, Min-woo. For helping my Jin-hyeok…."

Kim Sun-hwa tightly held Do Min-woo's hand.

"No, no, it's nothing."

It wasn't out of modesty. It wasn't something to be thanked for. Maybe it was more for himself than for Jin-hyeok. Back then.

But Do Min-woo didn't say more. They were talking about Jin-hyeok, not about himself.

"I'm also grateful to you, Min-woo. Mother, it's a relief that we now understand Jin-hyeok's pain. If his memory returns and the trauma resurfaces, we won't ignore it like before."

Jeong Su-jin held Kim Sun-hwa's hand.

"Don't worry too much. Trauma can improve unexpectedly through certain triggers. It can also be healed through continuous encouragement, empathy, and care. Now that we know Jin-hyeok's situation, with professional help, he can avoid going back to the way he was."

Kim Sun-hwa nodded and held Jeong Su-jin's hand. Jeong Su-jin spoke to Do Min-woo.

"Thanks, Min-woo. You can go now."

"Yes, teacher. Mother, I'll go now."

After bowing to both of them, Do Min-woo left the office. Suddenly, an unexpected thought came to his mind.

'But, if the kid had trauma from violence, how could he be fine with martial arts?'

Remembering the incident during the school trip, Do Min-woo felt a bit puzzled.

***

"Jin-hyeok, what's with the guitar?"

"Ah, it was at home."

"Oh… but why did you bring it?"

Jin-hyeok planned to practice the song for the 'Youth Song Festival' in the academy's practice room whenever he had time.

Of course, he could sing "A Song I Can't Sing," and the familiar songs from his room were also good.

But Jin-hyeok wanted to practice new songs he liked in his previous life.

It would be more interesting, and there was another purpose.

To create more opportunities to connect with Se-ri-na through singing.

Jin-hyeok had witnessed how Se-ri-na's genuine passion and enthusiasm for acting emerged through him.

Maybe his singing could provide a clue to help Se-ri-na overcome her problem. That was his thought.

Se-ri-na's problem was with people, not with singing itself.

It was worth a try, and it would be a good opportunity.

"I'm planning to participate in the Youth Song Festival next month."

"Really?"

Se-ri-na's eyes widened at Jin-hyeok's words.

"Come to think of it, I've never heard you sing before. You must be good, since you're entering a competition."

"Uh, just okay."

"Well, your voice is good, so. Wow, I'm looking forward to it. Haha. Can you sing something for us now?"

Se-ri-na's eyes sparkled.

"Here?"

"Yeah. You said you were going to practice in the practice room anyway."

"But, there are other kids here now."

"Well, it's break time."

Se-ri-na jumped up and announced to the other students.

"Everyone, Jin-hyeok is entering a singing competition!"

"Really?!"

The students' eyes turned to Jin-hyeok, as bright as Se-ri-na's.

"What song? Can you sing something for us?"

Despite Jin-hyeok's usual reserved nature, he couldn't avoid singing in front of everyone now, especially in front of Se-ri-na.

"Um, I haven't decided on the song yet, so I haven't practiced much…."

Since Jin-hyeok didn't refuse, the students got up and gathered around him.

"It's okay, it's okay. We'll listen and consider it. Sing for us!"

Jin-hyeok picked up the guitar. This would be his first song in front of Se-ri-na. He wanted to sing something related to her.

He wasn't sure if this world's Se-ri-na's future would be the same as the one he knew. In fact, he was even confused if this Se-ri-na was the same as the one he knew.

But one thing was certain. The song he heard Se-ri-na sing that morning was definitely the same song he knew.

So, maybe the songs he knew were somehow connected to her.

Jin-hyeok planned to sing a song related to Se-ri-na.

Of course, he couldn't sing a song that hadn't been released yet.

"I'll sing 'Autumn Song.'"

"Huh? What's 'Autumn Song'?"

"It's the title of the song."

"Really? Is there such a song?"

The students looked puzzled. One of them said,

"I know. Isn't it an old song?"

Jin-hyeok nodded.

An old folk song from Se-ri-na's remake album, one of the songs that could serve as a connection to her.

"I'll give it a try."

"Okay!"

As Jin-hyeok strummed the guitar, everyone focused on him with eager eyes.

Ding, didi-ding

Jin-hyeok's melodic guitar arpeggios flowed.

"Wow—."

The students let out a soft exclamation. Then, the first line of the song, filled with Jin-hyeok's breath, and his gaze turned to Se-ri-na.

"Do you remember? The beautiful day, our song…."

His deep breath turned into the song,

"Ah! What do I do? It's so good."

A girl couldn't contain her excitement and buried her face in her friend's shoulder.

Se-ri-na's face was filled with surprise. Her eyes were wide, and her mouth was open, seemingly unaware of it.

"I still remember. That day, the refreshing wind, your gentle voice…."

Unlike "A Song I Can't Sing," which required advanced singing skills, "Autumn Song" conveyed Jin-hyeok's sweet voice directly.

It should have been Se-ri-na's voice.

The students closed their eyes and swayed, entranced by Jin-hyeok's sweet voice.

"…That unforgettable day, our autumn song."

Swoosh.

"Wow—!"

Clap! Clap! Clap!

"What? Wow, Jin-hyeok is a complete liar—. You said you hadn't practiced yet?"

"Ah! This is cheating! Jin-hyeok, what are you going to do with such singing skills?"

"Really good. It doesn't sound old at all!"

The students were in an uproar, but Se-ri-na just stared at Jin-hyeok in a daze.

"Right, Se-ri-na. The song was really good, right?"

"Huh? What? Ah…."

Se-ri-na didn't hear her friend's words clearly. They sounded distant and faint.

At this moment,

Se-ri-na's ears were filled with the sound of her heart racing wildly.