Devil’s Music

 Byung-jun crossed his arms with a complex expression after hearing in detail about Geon's conversation with Gregory.

"So that's how it is. Kiska is still young, and there aren't any other family members here, so it wouldn't make sense for Gregory to go alone. I understand."

Byung-jun glanced at Geon, who was still sniffling and shrugging his shoulders, and looked sympathetic.

"It's disappointing, I've grown quite fond of you. Maybe not as much as you have."

As Geon continued to sob without responding, Byung-jun waited silently until he heard the sound of running footsteps outside and quickly changed his expression, shouting softly, "Kiska is coming! Hurry to the shower.. No! Take a shower and come out!"

Startled, Geon threw off his coat and ran into the shower room. As Kiska opened the door to the annex, the shower room door closed, and Byung-jun picked up the coat Geon had thrown off, raising one hand awkwardly.

"Ah, Kiska. Welcome back."

Seeming in a good mood today, Kiska ran up to Byung-jun, puffing out her breath and hugged him. Byung-jun, slightly pushed back by the energetic hug, feigned distress.

"Ouch! Our Kiska has gotten strong!"

Unlike Geon, who managed to keep a composed face in front of Kiska, the simple-hearted Byung-jun couldn't meet the girl's eyes and kept looking elsewhere.

"Ah...ah, Kay is showering. It's late, so when he comes out, ask him to read you a storybook. Ahem, I, I need to smoke."

Byung-jun placed Kiska on the sofa and left quickly without making eye contact with her to the end. Wearing only a T-shirt and shorts, Byung-jun felt the biting wind as soon as he opened the door to the annex but couldn't bring himself to go back inside and left.

Left alone on the sofa, Kiska waited for Geon with a blank expression, listening to the sound of water from the shower room.

**

The next day

Members of Montana gathered in a studio at Lincoln Center to practice a new version of "Fury." After several attempts and finally completing a run-through, Kevin, who had sweat dripping from his forehead, blankly held the microphone, looking at Geon, who seemed powerless but had delivered a nearly perfect vocal line. Geon caught Kiska's eyes and smiled slightly.

Silence momentarily fell in the recording booth, and Kevin was the first to snap back to reality, staring at Carlos as if spellbound.

"It sounds almost the same as the official version..."

Carlos, too, was surprised, his eyes widening.

"It's completely turned into a different song."

Confirming that Carlos shared his thoughts, Kevin then turned to Geon, who was still looking at Kiska.

"What did you do?"

Without responding and still gazing at Kiska, Kevin tapped his shoulder.

"Kay."

"Huh? What did you say?"

Not realizing what he had said, Kevin grabbed Geon's shoulder and asked again.

"What did you do to 'Fury'? The sound is almost the same, but how did the mood of the song change so much?"

After scanning the other members, Geon smirked.

"How does it feel like it changed?"

Confounded, Kevin retorted.

"You created it, why are you asking me?"

"I'm curious about what you felt."

Grinning at Kevin, who was scrutinizing him, Kevin looked at the score again and said.

"Well... it feels refreshing to play, like... If the previous song felt like it was channeling anger at someone who had hurt me, this one feels like screaming and releasing all my frustration after climbing a mountain for hours. Something like that."

Geon grinned deeply, looking at Carlos.

"What do you think, Carlos?"

Carlos, who had been arm-crossed and looking at the score, nodded.

"It's been a while since Kevin's description felt accurate. I felt the same."

When Geon made eye contact with Jose, who was sitting at the drums, he also nodded. With confirmation from the three, Geon grinned and said.

"The intention was conveyed correctly. I guess you could say it's a success."

Still dazed, Kevin lifted the stand with the score and said.

"Are you a monster?"

"Huh?"

"The official version was already amazing, but what about this song? If we give you more time, can you produce even better?"

"Well, maybe?"

"Maybe? Wow... that's no joke, seriously."

While the two conversed, Carlos, still not taking his eyes off the score, said in a serious tone.

"Uh... it's too good to just perform live. But we can't release an album that's already out."

Geon approached Carlos and tapped his shoulder.

"Director Lynn will take care of it."

Carlos twitched his

 eyebrows upon hearing Lynn's name.

"Oh, that genius director? Yeah, how's it handled?"

Geon looked back at Kiska and said.

"They're planning to film a live performance. The audio will be uploaded exclusively for streaming services, and the live video will also be uploaded to YouTube."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yeah, I heard that this way, we can settle any issues with the streaming service company, and more people than those who bought the album can hear the new version of 'Fury.' Also, those who bought the album can feel proud that the track included in their album is the real 'Fury.'"

"Oh! That's right! Moving to the company was a good decision, she really has a sharp mind, that woman."

Admiring Carlos, Geon responded with a proud expression.

"Of course, Director Lynn is someone who can solve any problem."

"Ha ha, I hope she can solve my problem too then."

"Ha ha, she will."

Listening to their conversation, Kevin suddenly said.

"So, is it just going to England now?"

Geon's expression momentarily darkened upon hearing Kevin's words, but since everyone was looking at the scores, they continued their conversation without noticing his expression. Kevin looked at the calendar on his phone app and said after Jose's words.

"If we leave in two days, that should work."

Kevin rolled his eyes calculating.

"Two days, then... we'll leave in the morning, so we only have today and tomorrow to practice? Wow, that's trouble."

Carlos chuckled.

"Sleep on the plane, and don't think too hard for the next two days. Seeing your skills, it looks like Kay's Spartan-style practice is needed. Kay! We're counting on you for some serious training these next two days!"

Geon looked at Kiska, who was waving from outside the window, with sad eyes. When Geon didn't respond, Carlos turned his gaze to him and called out.

"Kay?"

Geon looked intently at Kiska then bowed his head slightly.

"Yes, I understand."

Kevin, brimming with motivation, shouted.

"Alright!! It's practice time, practice!"

Their practice continued even on a cold winter day, their bodies soaked with sweat and going late into the night. The bass playing had changed, and the interlude part became more rhythmical, so Kevin and Jose practiced enthusiastically. If Kiska hadn't been there, the Montana members might have skipped meals to keep practicing. They quickly finished their meal and went back to practice again. At 11 PM, Byung-jun came to pick up Kiska and take her home, and Geon, watching them, waved at Kiska, who was hugging Byung-jun, and smiled at her.

The two days of practice flew by, and on the morning they were set to leave for England.

Geon, carrying a packed suitcase, quietly opened the door to Kiska's room, who was about to turn eleven but still looked about seven. She lay with her arms up and mouth slightly open. Geon watched her sleep from a distance, fearing he might wake her if he got too close. Byung-jun, who had put a hand on his shoulder from behind, glanced at him.

"Let's go."

Geon nodded slowly, but his feet didn't move, so Byung-jun pulled his suitcase.

"I'll put this in the car. Come out later if you need more time."

Considering Geon, who was constantly thirsty for practice and hadn't had time to finalize his farewell with Kiska, Byung-jun carried the luggage outside. Geon clenched his fist and looked down at Kiska, then pulled up the blanket she had kicked off to cover her. As he straightened Kiska's bangs, tears flowed again.

'Goodbye, Kiska.'

After mentally bidding her farewell, Geon wiped his tears with his sleeve and stood up. He left Kiska's room without looking back until he got into the car. Byung-jun sighed and said to the waiting members.

"Let's go."

As Byung-jun was about to get into the car, he made eye contact with Gregory standing at the second-floor window of the main building and nodded slightly. Gregory nodded back faintly. Looking up at Gregory with complex eyes, Byung-jun got into the car and looked at Geon. Geon was looking out the window on the opposite side of the annex with a sad expression. Byung-jun sighed again and instructed the driver to start the car.

The car soon departed. Byung-jun, sitting in the passenger seat, adjusted the rearview mirror to reflect Geon sitting in the backseat. Geon, not looking at the annex, had turned around to look at the receding Red Castle. Byung-jun shook his head and spoke in a low tone.

"You'll come back soon."

Geon seemed not to hear Byung-jun's words as he stared endlessly at the disappearing

 Red Castle. Seeing Geon's shoulder shake again, Byung-jun quietly handed him a handkerchief. Geon cried in the car until they arrived at the airport parking lot and couldn't get out of the car for a long time.

Without a word, Byung-jun waited for Geon and then got out first to smoke. After smoking several cigarettes in a row, Geon finally got out of the car and met the Montana members in the airport lobby. They boarded the Fantagio private jet and didn't speak a word until they arrived in England.

Sensing something was off with Geon, Kevin tried to make a joke to lighten the mood, but Byung-jun's intervention prevented him from approaching Geon, who was sitting alone. Only Carlos, who had heard the rough details from Byung-jun, looked at Geon with pitying eyes.

Fortunately, by the time they arrived at Liverpool John Lennon Airport in England, Geon had regained his usual demeanor. Seeing Kevin still cautiously watching him, Geon patted his shoulder.

"Sorry, I'm okay now."

Kevin let out an awkward laugh.

"Is that so? Good, haha."

Geon smiled at Carlos, who looked at him with pity, then stood at the top of the private jet's stairs. Touching the pick-shaped necklace around his neck, which had Kiska's name engraved on it, Geon said.

"Let's go, to share our second 'Fury' with the world."