Devil’s Music

Two days later, Geon returned to Juilliard.

The day after his arrival, Geon, feeling nervous about participating in his first recording session with Santana's album, managed to finish the six-hour recording smoothly with Sharon's help.

Although Sharon had advised him to take a break for a few days, Geon, who had been practicing in the school's rehearsal room every day due to a lack of practice time, was now heading to the professor's office at her request. During this time, rumors about the Lolapalooza Festival had spread within the school, and many students passing through the corridors looked at Geon with admiration.

"Isn't that Kay?"

"The guy who did a live session with Santana?"

"He's really good-looking... hehe."

Just two days ago, Geon would hurriedly walk past, lowering his head due to the admiring looks from students, but now, after a few days, he seemed to have grown accustomed to these glances and walked without paying much attention. It was then that three female students blocked his path.

Geon glanced at them one by one as if questioning their intention, and one of them extended a notebook and pen toward him.

"Um, Kay, could you please give us your autograph?"

Geon asked, surprised, as he alternated his gaze between the bashful girls.

"Aren't you students here?"

The girls, glancing around cautiously, replied quietly.

"Well, we're still in the pre-college division."

Geon proficiently signed the notebook and then asked the girls, "What are your names?"

One of the girls raised her hand enthusiastically. "I'm Natalie! Wow, seems like you get many autograph requests. You're quite skilled at it, hehe."

"I'm Lina!"

"Please write, 'To my love, Jenny!'"

These students didn't seem to know how popular Geon was in Korea and China. Geon chuckled to himself, thinking, 'I'm quite skilled at this, huh?'

After signing for the three girls, Geon gave them a smile and continued toward Sharon's office. Standing in front of the door, he knocked softly.

"Knock, knock."

"Come in."

Sharon, who had been going through scores inside the room, smiled warmly upon seeing Geon entering.

"Kay, did you have a good rest?"

Geon smiled back and replied, "Yes, Professor. Did you also have a good break?"

Sharon nodded and, holding a black hard case beside her desk, gestured for Geon to sit on the sofa. After Geon sat down, Sharon extended the case and a piece of paper. Geon took the paper first, curiously looking at Sharon, who then placed the hard case on the table.

"Carlos dropped by yesterday. He asked me to pass this on to you since he said he doesn't know your place."

Geon read the words written on the paper:

Dear Kay,

Thanks for the amazing live session. I wanted to convey my gratitude with a meaningful gift, so I asked Sharon for help. Since you already have a good acoustic guitar, I thought of gifting you one from my electric guitar collection. You know I only collect from other companies; I never played any of them. This guitar I'm sending has never been played since I bought it.

If this guitar goes to you and you can bring out your own sound, it'll be good for it too. Rather than rotting away in my room, it might suit you better than an old guy like me.

I'll be in my hometown in Mexico for a while. When it's vacation time, come visit.

P.S. Ask Sharon for my phone number and give me a call. I don't have your number.

Geon raised his eyes to look at the black hard case on the table. It seemed to be for a hollow body guitar, with a peculiar shape that matched the hollow body. Without opening it, Sharon urged him, "I haven't opened it yet either. Go on, open it, I'm curious too."

Geon folded the paper neatly and put it in his pocket. He unlocked the latch of the hard case and opened it.

"Wow."

"Oh, it's the White Falcon, Kay."

The guitar that revealed itself was stunningly beautiful, with a dazzlingly white body adorned with gold accents. Geon examined the guitar carefully without touching it, just as it was in the case.

Sharon, noticing Geon's amused expression, remarked, "It's a Gretsch White Falcon, often called the 'most beautiful guitar in the world.' It's a perfect gift for Kay."

Geon cautiously touched the guitar's body. It was smooth, without a speck of dust, looking like a brand new guitar. Geon held the neck of the guitar and placed it on his thigh, feeling the solid hollow body.

Geon, with a pleasantly content smile, remembered that in a dream, Jimi Hendrix had named his guitar. As he examined the head, the sophisticated gold pickups, he said, "Your name is 'Haku.' Let's be together from today."

Sharon, who had been listening, asked, "Haku? What does that mean? It sounds cute."

Geon, without taking his eyes off the guitar, replied, "It's a Japanese expression when reading Chinese characters in Japanese. It means 'white,' pronounced as 'haku.'"

Sharon nodded and asked, "But Kay is Korean. Why did you choose a Japanese name?"

Geon chuckled and explained, "Actually, when I was in school, there was an anime I really liked, 'Spirited Away.' The main character there called a white dragon living in a river 'Haku.' When I saw this guitar, that name just came to mind, and it would have felt awkward to think of another name."

Sharon smiled and gently stroked Haku's body. "Haku, do you have to be on good terms with the person who named you?"

Geon chuckled and plucked the guitar string. It only produced a faint sound as it was an electric guitar without being plugged in, but in the quiet professor's room, it resonated beautifully. Holding the neck and finding the chords, it felt like the guitar was eagerly waiting in his hands, as if saying its name.

Geon closed his eyes and played the intro of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" on his guitar. It was a song that many guitar students attempted, and Geon had practiced it countless times on various guitars. However, the clear sound that resonated from Haku's beautiful body brought immense satisfaction to Geon.

After finishing the performance, Geon opened his eyes and noticed Sharon, who was holding a smartphone and taking a picture of him. Their eyes met as Sharon, a bit flustered, blushed and said, "Oh, it's just that Haku and Kay look so good together, I couldn't help it, haha."

Geon chuckled and carefully placed Haku back into its case. "Haha, Professor is quite something. Still, it feels good when even the professor acknowledges that they look good together."

As Geon locked the hard case, Sharon handed him a note and said, "Carlos's phone number is here, so save it. Oh, and Rob asked for Kay's number too. Can you let him know later?"

Geon nodded in agreement, and Sharon, smiling, asked, "Are you going to Korea during this break?"

Leaning back on the sofa, Geon replied, "No, I'm just a first-year, and I need more practice, so I'll stay at school. Maybe I'll take a short trip somewhere nearby, but other than that, I'll be stuck at school. Haha."

After a brief pause, Sharon asked, "If nothing major happens during the break, could you help Professor Corigliano a bit? It's a three-month break, so there should be plenty of time for a trip after helping."

Geon, with interest, asked, "Professor Corigliano? What kind of help does he need?"

Resting her chin on her hand, Sharon said, "Well, I haven't mentioned it to Professor Corigliano yet, but there seems to be something that could help Kay. He received a request for film music production recently."

Geon reflected on this and asked, "Film music? Is he making it himself? That sounds interesting."

Sharon nodded, "Professor Corigliano likes Kay a lot, so if I ask, he will probably join in. But there's a bit of an issue."

Geon raised an eyebrow, "What's the problem?"

Standing up, Sharon said, "The co-producer working with Professor Corigliano is based in Germany. The work will be done in their studio, so you might need to stay in Germany for about a month. Is that okay with you?"

Geon, nonchalantly clapping his hands, said, "Well, I was planning to be stuck at school anyway. Whether I practice here or in Germany, it's the same. Plus, I can learn about film music in Germany. No problem for me, Professor. I appreciate the opportunity. But... is there a chance Professor Corigliano might decline?"

Sharon shrugged, "Well, if it doesn't work out, he said he'd consider composing as a minor. Kay is so determined that he might even sell his soul for his major."

Geon laughed, covering his mouth, "Isn't that true? He's always been asking me if I'm interested in composition whenever we have time in Chicago. Haha."

Sharon also laughed, "Exactly! Before the studio class started, Kay showed me the score he submitted. He's been trying to convince me every time. Hoho."

As they reminisced about Professor Corigliano's persuasions, Geon asked, "But why would such prominent figures go all the way to Germany for collaboration? What's so special about this movie?"

Smiling mysteriously, Sharon said, "I haven't heard the movie title or details. There's only one thing I know."

Geon raised an eyebrow, "And what's that?"

Looking into Geon's eyes, Sharon said, "The director in charge of the movie."

Geon's eyes widened as he asked, "The director? Is he famous?"

Pointing her index finger up, Sharon said, "He's a director who walks between fairy tales and reality, Tim Burton."

Geon stared at Sharon in astonishment.

>

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