No More Thug Life, I’m Playing Music

Episode #11: Chaconne (1)

Paganini.
The violinist who sold his soul to the devil.
A musician who heralded an era of uniquely distinctive virtuosos and the one responsible for making the difficulty of performances utterly fiendish.
A legendary performer, said to leave audiences foaming at the mouth and collapsing during his concerts.

And a few years ago, there was a boy prodigy in the music world, hailed as the reincarnation of Paganini.

Kevin Jung.
A genius whose talents could only be explained as a pact with the devil.
He vanished like the wind, only to return just as abruptly—
Now impossibly handsome.

“How about this? I was thinking of using it as the opening narration for the video.”
For a while now, Choo Minji had been muttering to herself, giving a thumbs-up with her right hand.

I barely listened, busy gnawing on the school lunch’s dry chicken drumstick.
How could chicken be this parched?

“Absolutely terrible.”

“W-What? Really? Then how about this? We start with old footage of Kevin Jung. A ten-year-old phenomenon who won first place in the Shinhwa Gyehyang Competition, entered an international gifted academy as the top student, and swept every youth competition….”

“So cliché. Oh, excuse me.”

From across the table, Kim Bom interjected, one corner of her mouth curling upward in a blatant smirk.
Not stopping there, she added another jab.

“I thought you’d have something different, considering your surprising subscriber count.”

“Can you keep your mouth shut? Nobody asked for your opinion.”

Choo Minji turned her gaze toward me this time.

“What do you think, Junsoo?”

“M-Me?”

Baek Junsoo flinched, startled, and dropped his spoon.
It seemed he hadn’t anticipated the question being directed at him.

“Uh….”
Clearly nervous, his Adam’s apple bobbed.
From what I’d heard, Choo Minji was one of the most well-known students at school, second only to Choi Pilwook.
Her fame, though positive, seemed to weigh heavily on Junsoo.

Mental scars don’t heal easily.

“Um… I think it’s fine….”

“Aw, come on. Tell me what you really think, okay?”

“Uh….”
Junsoo’s eyes darted around before he finally responded.

“I don’t think we need to focus on Kevin Jung specifically.”

Minji’s eyes widened, clearly not expecting this answer.

“Oh? Why not?”

“I understand what you’re aiming for, but if we bring up Kevin Jung, we might gain some attention at first, but the content would feel too limited…. It might focus too much on past footage, making it seem like it’s all about what happened before rather than what we’re doing now. Instead, I think we should approach it as launching a brand-new project… oh!”

Junsoo abruptly stopped mid-sentence, seemingly startled by his own boldness.

“I-I’m sorry, noona…. I didn’t mean to overstep….”

“It’s fine, I don’t mi—”

Clang!
I lightly smacked my tray with my spoon, unable to hold back any longer.
I couldn’t just sit by and let Junsoo keep acting like this.

“Wh-What’s with you, gangster?”

Minji grabbed my shoulder, startled.
But I didn’t take my eyes off Junsoo.

I spoke slowly and deliberately.

“Junsoo.”

“Y-Yeah?”

“Why are you acting like this? Sit up straight, shoulders back, and put some strength in your voice. Always speak with confidence.”

“…….”

“And for the record, I agree with what you said.”

With that, I placed the chicken from my tray onto Junsoo’s.
Not because I didn’t want it, but because I wanted him to grow strong and healthy.

“A man needs strength from food. Here, have my yogurt too.”

Junsoo’s eyes turned red as he tried to hold back tears.

“Thanks, Seojoon….”

“Ugh, there you go again.”

“S-Sorry….”

At my sharp glare, he finally straightened his posture and took a big bite of his food.

“Haha….”

Minji let out an awkward laugh and clapped her hands.

“A new brand, huh…. Sounds… good?”

“Yeah, I agree with Baek Junsoo too,” Bom chimed in.

“And what’s your deal, Kim Bom? Why are you always butting in?”

“Then why are you here, unnie? Don’t you have tons of friends? This is a gathering of outcasts, you know?”

“Ha! I’m here for an official meeting with the gangster, thank you very much. So why don’t you leave?”

“Well, I’m going to help with the channel too.”

“Eh? You’re hilarious. Who said you could join?”

“Seojoon.”

“…Me?”

I was about to respond incredulously but stopped when I noticed Bom’s gaze shift toward Junsoo.
It was as if she were saying, ‘Want me to spill the beans about your little secret?’

“Hah….”
Should I just come clean myself instead of letting that brat manipulate me?

While I wrestled with this thought, Minji slammed her hand on the desk, shaking her head.

“Absolutely not! Over my dead body!”

“Fine. Got it,” Bom replied nonchalantly.

*****

Time flew by.
A few days had passed since the Choi Pilwook fiasco.
The once chaotic school had settled back into its usual rhythm.

What had changed, though, was the atmosphere.
With Choi Pilwook—like a rock in everyone’s shoe—gone, the students’ faces looked noticeably lighter and more relaxed.

But one thing hadn’t changed.

“Hey, gangster, hurry up and finish eating. We’re starting to cause a scene.”

“So what? It’s not like it’s Seojoon’s fault.”

Every time I entered the cafeteria, the lively chatter among students would die down into silence.
It seemed like their behavior, conditioned by fear of Pilwook, was now naturally directed toward me.

Given the videos of my unrestrained actions that had circulated among the students, I’d expected some reactions, but not to this extent.

At least there was no hostility—only fear.

Not that it bothered me much. I was used to these reactions.

Back when I lived as Baek Jinseong, the same thing would happen whenever I entered a restaurant with my brothers.
Everywhere we went, the room would fall silent.

“You done eating? Let’s go.”

As we stood up to leave, Choo Minji and Kim Bom followed suit.

“…….”
I glanced at Baek Junsoo, still sitting there absentmindedly.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you coming to the store?”

“M-Me too?”
Junsoo hesitated, as if asking for permission.

This wasn’t the first time. It’s all because of Choo Minji and Kim Bom.

I sighed and picked up Junsoo’s empty tray, carrying it to the return counter.

“Se-Seojoon! I’ll do it!”

A little later, we sat on a bench outside the school store, eating ice cream that Kim Bom had bought for everyone.
The store, bustling with students just moments ago, had cleared out in no time, leaving us comfortably settled.

“Are they all on some kind of group diet? The store’s been so empty lately.”

For a moment, it felt like Minji, Bom, and even Junsoo gave me incredulous looks, but I shrugged it off as my imagination.

“Smack.”
I pulled out a toothpick I’d brought from home and started picking at my teeth. With more natural teeth than implants, I didn’t get much food stuck anymore, and knowing they wouldn’t need replacing gave me some peace of mind.

Feeling a sharp gaze, I turned to see Minji looking at me, her upper lip scrunched.

“Old man, if you’re going to waste a face like that, just give it to me.”

Too tired to respond, I shook my head.

“What a waste… Anyway, where should we do our next shoot and practice?”

Minji’s question was met with a casual reply from Bom.

“Just rent a practice room.”

“Using it only once or twice a week feels extravagant, doesn’t it?”

“It’s not that expensive.”

“Ugh, you’re so annoying. And it’s none of your business, so why don’t you stay out of it?”

“Sure, sure.”

Junsoo, who had been listening quietly, hesitantly raised his hand.

“Um….”

“Yeah? What is it, Junsoo?”

“If you need a practice room, you could use my place….”

What’s this now?
I frowned at Junsoo, ready to say something, but Minji jumped in first.

“Huh? Your house?”

“Yes… We decided not to sell it, so the first floor is completely empty.”

“Oh? The first floor? Your house must be pretty big.”

Her expression suggested she wasn’t taking it seriously, as if wondering how big a house could really be. But when Junsoo pulled up the listing photos from the real estate site, Minji’s jaw dropped.

“Whoa, this is insane! You’re loaded!”

“I wouldn’t say I’m rich….”

“Really? Can we use it? Have you asked your parents for permission—ow! Why’d you poke me?”

“Unnie, tone it down a little,” Bom interjected, echoing the words I was about to say.

“What? Tone it down?”

“Yeah, you’re being over the top.”

“You little—!”

As Minji moved to pinch Bom’s arm, Junsoo awkwardly smiled and spoke up.

“I live alone. I don’t have any family….”

“…….”
Minji bit her lip slightly.

“Sorry….”
She hesitated, then held out the ice pop she’d been eating.
“Want this?”

“No, it’s okay….”

“Ugh, Baek Junsoo.”
I finally spoke up, unable to hold back.

“Why aren’t you selling the house? How do you plan to live in a place that big by yourself?”

“It’s just… there are a lot of memories….”

“Memories, huh. Bet most of them involve you holed up in your room.”

It was true. If anyone knew, it was me.

Maybe my tone was a bit harsh, because Minji stepped between us.

“Hey! Why are you talking to him like that? Anyway, Junsoo, can we use your house? We’ll pay you rent.”

“Sure… Use it as much as you like.”

I didn’t push further.
Junsoo’s expression looked strangely content.

“So all we need now is a piano?”

“I could lend you one,” Bom offered.

“You have one at home?”

“It’s just taking up space.”

“We’re not looking for a basic one. We’d need to rent something proper….”

“It’s a grand piano.”

“…What brand?”

“Steinway & Sons.”

“You’re offering to lend that?”

“Yeah. It’s in the way.”

Before Bom had even finished speaking, Minji grabbed her hand.

“Welcome to the team, junior!”

Bom pulled her hand free, replying,
“Then try opening your eyes wider first.”

She bent down to scoop up a handful of sand from the flowerbed beside the bench.

****

A Shady Alley Near the Red-Light District

The sun had barely set, but the alley was already littered with drunks sprawled out on the ground. Their spilled misfortunes and stress mingled with the stale stench of cigarettes, filling the narrow street.
The night felt colder than the day before.

“Please give me another chance, boss!”

Choi Pilwook bowed deeply, his voice pleading.
In front of him stood a large man, calmly smoking a cigarette.

Dressed in a black suit with a buzz cut, the man had a face that was far from ordinary.

The man’s voice, as thick as his neck, rumbled.
“Why would I be your boss? You’re not even part of this life—wake up already.”

He flicked the ash off his cigarette and tapped Pilwook’s bruised face.

“I don’t need a lackey who can’t handle a single task. Don’t ever show your face again, got it?”

As the man turned to leave, Pilwook dropped to his knees and grabbed his pant leg.

“Boss! Please! Just one more chance!”

Pilwook didn’t realize it.

From the moment he knelt, a sly smile had crept onto the man’s face.

“Ha… Pilwook, you’ve really let our boss down. How are you going to fix that?”

“I’ll do anything! Just give me another chance!”

“Here’s a tip….”

The man grabbed a fistful of Pilwook’s hair and forced him to look up.

“If it’s too hard to make him die on his own, why don’t you just do it yourself?”

“You… you mean….”

The man raised a thumb and drew it across his throat in a slashing motion.

“That’s your choice,” the man said, leaving a final remark as he stepped out of the dark alley. “And don’t worry about cleaning up afterward. China’s convenient these days.”

The man disappeared into the dimly lit backstreets.

***

“Have you eaten, sir?”

“Yes.”

The man replied curtly as he passed under the neon signs that lit up the night, cutting across the lively street.
A few moments later, he arrived at an underground parking lot.

The space was almost entirely empty, except for one spot where a sleek black sedan was parked. He approached the car and bent deeply at the waist toward the backseat.

“Excuse me, sir!”
His booming voice echoed as he opened the rear door and climbed inside.

Inside sat a man with thin, snake-like eyes, lounging casually while scrolling through his phone. This was Kim Changsik, the man responsible for Baek Jinseong’s downfall, now the vice chairman of JS Group.

“Did you meet with him?”

“Yes, I just saw him.”

“He seemed useful.”

“Yes, sir. He’s a bit dim, but his physical abilities are excellent.”

“I see~”
Kim Changsik responded in a kind voice, returning his attention to the video on his phone.

The man hesitated but eventually spoke cautiously.

“Sir, if I may ask something?”

“Go ahead.”

“What about Baek Junsoo? How about we get our people to take care of him?”

“…….”

When Kim Changsik didn’t reply, the man pressed on.

“Our guys are much more reliable than some school kid. Just give the word, sir.”

“Ha….”

Kim Changsik lowered his phone and gave the man a look of disdain.

“If Baek Junsoo dies, who gets his remaining shares?”

“Of course, that would be you, sir.”

“And if Junsoo is killed or dies under suspicious circumstances, who do you think they’ll suspect?”

“Ah….”

“How about you stop thinking and just do as you’re told?”

“Understood, sir.”

“Good.”
Kim Changsik resumed his video, but his calm facade suddenly shattered.

He hurled the phone to the floor, then landed a solid punch to the man’s face.

“Ugh!”

“You piece of shit!”

He roared, striking the man repeatedly.

“You goddamned idiot!”

The beating didn’t stop until blood was pouring from the man’s nose and split lips.

“Haah….”
Kim Changsik shook out his aching hand, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe the blood from the man’s face. His tone became oddly gentle.

“Am I still your ‘sir’? Hm?”

“S-Sorry! My apologies, Vice Chairman!”

The man sat awkwardly in the cramped car, hands behind his back, head bowed. Kim Changsik pressed the handkerchief to the man’s nose, like a parent helping a child blow their nose.

“Come on, blow.”

“Hmph!”

Kim Changsik clicked his tongue at the bloody mess.

“Make sure you have blood soup today. Use the company card. Got it?”

“Understood, Vice Chairman!”

“Ha.”
The smile faded from Kim Changsik’s face as he rubbed the bloodied handkerchief across the man’s cheeks, speaking in a calm but menacing tone.

“Is it so hard to call me ‘Vice Chairman’? Hm? Has your tongue worn out from kissing your daughters’ asses? Or has your brain turned to mush from all the booze you’ve guzzled? Or should I just go back to being president?”

“Sorry!”

“Let’s be more careful. How long do I have to keep drilling this into you?”

“Sorry!”

“Goddamn it, if you were half as competent as Ducheol, I’d be satisfied. Understand?”

“Yes, Vice Chairman!”

“If you suggest or even think up another idiotic idea like that, I’ll tear your mouth apart. Got it?”

“I’ll remember, Vice Chairman!”

“Phone.”

The man scrambled to pick up the dropped phone, presenting it to Kim Changsik with utmost respect. Kim Changsik accepted it with a bright smile.

“By the way, have you seen this?”
He turned the phone screen toward the man.

“Uh… no, I haven’t….”

The screen was black. The man’s eyes darted as he tried to decipher the hidden meaning.

When he didn’t respond quickly enough, Kim Changsik grabbed his jaw and growled.

“What are you doing?”

“N-Nothing’s visible, sir!”

“Ah, is that so?”

Kim Changsik turned the screen back on, and the video resumed.

It showed a boy, his face pixelated, brutally beating a group of delinquents.

“That’s the kid who took down Choi Pilwook, right?”

“Yes, Vice Chairman.”

“Hoo….”
Kim Changsik wet his lips as he focused on the footage.

The fight started with excitement on both sides but ended with stark efficiency. The boy didn’t shout or curse once, dispatching his opponents with calm, calculated movements.

“It’s like watching a young Baek Jinseong come back to life….”

A wide, crooked grin spread across Kim Changsik’s face.

“Find this boy. He’s a gem.”