Chapter 426: Goodbye and Promise (1)

Who would've thought that Joo-Han still had this track? Even the title had remained the same—“Once Again.” This song was probably over ten years old to Joo-Han of Elated, and it seemed that he couldn't bring it up to me. I thought he had forgotten or discarded it.

“Anyway, I was going to give it to you, so take it. Listen and transfer it to your phone.”

“You were going to give this to me?”

Why? The question immediately arose since there was absolutely no reason for him to do so. Chronos Joo-Han had said it was a debut congratulatory gift. But in Elated’s timeline, I hadn’t debuted. Therefore, I was far from being someone worthy of receiving a song, much less singing it.

In that world, I had no reason to be given a song. But why would Joo-Han, amidst his busy schedule, deliberately dig up an old song to give to me?

As I gazed at the screen without playing the song, Joo-Han noticed my hesitation. “Just listen, kid. You always overthink things even though you’re not that smart[1]."

“...”

His remark was a direct hit to my heart. I decided to just listen to the song without arguing. With a sigh of protest, I pressed the play button, and the music began to flow from the speaker.

“...Huh?"

‘Wait, this song sounds very different.’

The melody and rhythm I knew so well were completely gone. Could it be that the "Once Again" Joo-Han mentioned wasn't the one I knew? He said it was a draft, but it had nothing in common with the original song. Instead of the calm, hopeful ballad of "Once Again," this version was trendy, house-style right from the start.

Although a composer's mood or taste might change during production, this was so different it made me wonder if it was even the same song. The beat was lively, yet the melody somehow melancholically descended. It sounded like the same song but different at the same time.

However, Joo-Han's voice coming through the earphones quickly swept away my doubts.

♪ Recreate the halted footsteps

Carving courage into the ground with each step

I start again

Once again

Yes, it was "Once Again." Though the lyrics had changed significantly, the meaning echoed that of the "Once Again" I had written.

♪ Unclench my hands

Shake off the dry soil

Grab hold of new dreams

I can do it once again

Each verse of the song imprinted itself in my mind. Even though it was just a rough guide vocal, the lyrics weren’t sung casually.

I planned to give him feedback, but my mouth was shut without realizing it. I was so caught up in the lyrics that I let the song play out.

♪ Open the door and reach out your hand

The world will gently wrap around my hand

Like warm sunshine

Telling us we will never be cold

“Joo-Han hyung."

I finally understood why Joo-Han had insisted on giving me this song, even when I gave up becoming a singer. The melody was joyful without any sadness, and the lyrics about overcoming pain were full of hope. This song was advice to shake off my pain and try again. It was comfort wrapping around me, telling me the world wasn't so cold, and pushing me forward with support.

Joo-Han had wanted to give me another chance when I was trapped in feelings of inferiority.

The song ended, and I removed the earbuds. As if he had been waiting for it, Joo-Han asked, “What do you think? Good, right? I think it's better than the one Chronos Joo-Han wrote."

“Yeah, it's good."

Joo-Han was always blunt, whether as Chronos or Elated. But the song really was good. I couldn’t say whose song was better.

“But, hyung, did you really mean to give this to me?"

“Yes. I wanted you to sing it."

“But back then—"

“If you weren't going to sing it, I thought you might as well throw it away. But it was meant for you."

“..."

“If you agree to sing it, I will release it."

Joo-Han's words weighed heavily on me. Why would Jin-Sung, Joo-Han, and Goh Yoo-Joon go to such lengths for me? Back then, I avoided everyone and was ignorant of everything.

“Hey." Joo-Han nudged my arm. “Hurry up and transfer it to your phone. I’m going to delete it from Kang Joo-Han's phone. Can't let him outdo me."

“Isn't it weird to compete with yourself?"

“But Chronos and Elated are totally different groups."

I shook my head as I transferred the music file to my phone and handed Joo-Han’s phone back to him. He took it and sighed with relief. “I didn't expect you to accept the song without a fuss, but I’m glad you did."

“Thanks."

“Will you sing a song I wrote someday?"

I looked at Joo-Han, speechless. He tried to appear nonchalant with a smile, but his eyes betrayed his anxiety. He was worried that his song would be discarded and that his feelings wouldn't reach me. Since he asked me this question with departure in mind, I didn’t hesitate to answer.

“Of course. I will definitely sing it."

“On a big stage like a concert."

“Got it."

Joo-Han smiled broadly and looked straight at me. “I’m so glad to see you like this. Whatever happens, it's good that you’re doing well."

He lightly slapped my shoulder and then hoisted Jin-Sung over his shoulder before leaving the room.

After Joo-Han left, I listened to "Once Again" once more. If a song hastily put together in two days could be this impressive, how meticulously crafted must the other original song Joo-Han intended to give me have been? It was deeply regrettable not to hear it.

“The lyrics are good."

Typical Joo-Han. The lyrics I had managed to write with other people’s help were nowhere near as resonant as his. The more I listened, the more moving the song became despite its upbeat nature.

Joo-Han's affection for me was the same, no matter which world he was from. But toward these kind people, I had built walls, hated them, and treated them as if they were my enemies. I never even considered listening to what they had to say.

Then, I ended up dying alone, and it was thanks to these three people that I was revived. It was such a foolish thing to do.

...Had I ever apologized to these two?

As the thought struck me, I stood up. I had to remember that this could be my last chance. If not now, I would never get another chance to say what needed to be said. I now understood that opportunities don’t come back easily.

***

“Have you made your choice, hyung?"

“Yeah, I have. It's about time, especially since Jin-Sung has already gone back."

In Kang Joo-Han's studio, the two men faced each other and fell silent. Even with little time left, they needed a moment to gather their thoughts amidst the quiet.

“...What did you talk about with Suh Hyun-Woo earlier?"

“Nothing much. I just gave him the song and left."

“Ah, that song," Goh Yoo-Joon said.

Silence enveloped them once more. They were neither in the mood nor had the energy to converse. They just wanted to quietly soothe the sadness that lingered.

'Is there really any time for that?'

Probably not. Kang Joo-Han sighed deeply, the weight in his breath breaking the silence before Goh Yoo-Joon spoke again.

“You’re going back, aren't you?"

“Of course. What a silly question," Kang Joo-Han chided him. “Look at Hyun-Woo's face. How can you expect me to start over with him again? I can't do it. I haven’t seen him this happy before."

Words contrary to his feelings spilled out, but his decision aligned with them. Kang Joo-Han chose to leave Suh Hyun-Woo behind and return to his original world. In this place, Suh Hyun-Woo seemed incredibly happy, as Kang Joo-Han had always imagined he would be.

'That's enough. I shouldn’t be greedier than this.'

The smile of Suh Hyun-Woo in Chronos’ Kang Joo-Han's memory would be something they could never see if they stayed here. Because they saw Hyun-Woo as the result of trauma or a painful memory, the members of Elated could never allow him to live life to his fullest.

Kang Joo-Han had made up his mind. Suh Hyun-Woo would be better off moving forward with Chronos, who knew nothing of his past, rather than with Elated, who could only handle him with gloves, like he was fragile. It was sad, but the members of Chronos had unwittingly provided Hyun-Woo with happy memories devoid of any darkness.

“Let's return to our lives."

It was best to consider this a Christmas miracle and wake up from this dream. A sacrifice, if it had to be called that, was fine by him.

However, Goh Yoo-Joon couldn't easily respond to Kang Joo-Han's words. “Hyung, I..." He hesitated for a long time before finally speaking in a trembling voice,”I actually want to stay here."

Goh Yoo-Joon's words made Kang Joo-Han flinch, but he quickly regained his composure. “You’re crazy."

“I knew you'd say that." It was a resigned reply, but he was being honest about his feelings.

Before coming here, he had planned to make any choice that was best for Suh Hyun-Woo. But does the heart ever follow through with resolutions so easily? At just fifteen years old, without family or siblings or any real support system, Suh Hyun-Woo had been the only friend and family Goh Yoo-Joon had.

“If I go back to my original world, Hyun-Woo won't be there."

Leaving Suh Hyun-Woo behind and returning to his original world was not an easy decision to make.

1. Ouch. ☜