Devil’s Music

The vessel bound for Manjaedo was a small cruise ship capable of accommodating around 50 passengers, causing its tremors to intensify as it ventured further into the open sea. Being a small craft, it struggled against the towering waves, yet since only a handful traveled through Gagedo to reach Manjaedo, this vessel usually carried no more than six passengers during ordinary times.

As the vessel's vibrations grew more pronounced, crew members succumbed one by one to seasickness. Haejin, inherently in tune with nature, sprawled comfortably, legs outstretched, absorbed in music, unaffected by seasickness. Meanwhile, Seungwon and Chunho had dashed to the restroom multiple times already, returning to slump in their seats after bouts of nausea. Geon, though on his inaugural boat ride, seemed fortunate to possess a constitution immune to seasickness, engrossed in music through his smartphone.

When Yeongseok nudged Haejin, gesturing towards the rear, she glanced back at Seungwon and Chunho sprawled there, prompting her to worry. She rose and, concerned, tapped Seungwon's thigh, speaking up.

"Hey, feeling really queasy? We've still got a couple of hours to go."

Seungwon, half-awake, replied, "Ugh, don't talk, about to hurl."

When Geon turned around at Haejin's behest, she glanced at Seungwon and Chunho and, apparently concerned, prodded Seungwon's thigh, saying, "Why, feeling unwell? We've got a couple more hours ahead."

Geon, taken aback, looked around before speaking, "I read in a book that motion sickness results from irregular movement affecting the semicircular canals in the ear, causing lymph fluid to transmit through them. That irregular vibration gets relayed to the eyes and ears. See, Geon isn't sick because he's listening to music. Try humming a song, close your eyes, huh?"

Seungwon, still half-awake, waved his hand dismissively, "Ugh, no strength to plug in earphones."

While Seungwon responded, Chunho lay there, his only movement a grimace. Haejin, fretting, urged them, "Come on, just believe me, okay?"

Seungwon frowned, saying, "Ugh, no energy, so sing to me if you want me to listen."

Haejin, taken aback, chuckled, "Sing? Here? Oh my, my."

Amid Haejin's laughter, Geon retrieved his guitar, saying, "I've only just started learning guitar, so I can't do complex songs. And since we're on the sea... I thought of singing 'Blue Sail' by the Poet and the Village Chief."

Chunho, upon hearing Geon's intent to sing his own song, barely opened his eyes and glanced at Geon.

Geon, with his guitar, settled by the window overlooking the sea. As he tuned his guitar, passengers and even Seungwon and Chunho, unable to turn away, watched him sideways.

Geon cleared his throat, gazing at the sea beyond. Perhaps it was a song understandable to his younger self, contemplating how the forty-something men would perceive this journey with their friends. He began to pluck the guitar strings, starting an arpeggio with relatively simple chords. Even the staff, suffering from seasickness or drowsiness, turned to see him.

Geon, hoping his song would uplift Seungwon and Chunho, exhaled while looking at the waves outside.

"Seems too much wind's blowing,

The seeds of silvergrass are scattering,

We've lived too breathlessly,

Friends, should we dream again?

All have lived so constrained,

Like tired cotton wads,

But those waves rise so high,

Maybe, friends, we should hoist the blue sail."

My voice, not loud, echoed faintly in the small cabin, and people, without any high-pitched chorus to strain their ears, closed their eyes. Though a short song, Geon sang it three times, witnessing slight improvements in people's expressions.

The camera director filming Geon and the passengers almost dropped the camera, almost dozing off after the second repetition. The only ones not tormented by seasickness were just three: the staff member holding the camera, including himself, constantly pinching his cheek with a drowsy look, and the audio technician napping while clutching the microphone stand. The only one seemingly wide awake was the main PD, Yeongseok.

Seungwon, Haejin, Chunho,

And even the few passengers listening to Geon's song,

All fell into a peaceful slumber with serene expressions.

Yeongseok glanced around, then turned to the camera director after Geon finished singing. "That's enough. Once we've got this footage, VJs can rest. Everyone, let's nap for two hours. We'll be on a forced march when we arrive."

Even Yeongseok, who appeared wide awake, succumbed to a deep sleep upon taking his seat.

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