After the endless talk of foreboding trouble, I picked up a blank book. I jotted down the necessary formulas to help me interpret the sad music given by Jian He. Even though I didn't want to assist this ghost around me, the only way to send her out would be to fulfill her desire. How frustrating! Sometimes I wonder about the kind of destiny I have to encounter such a disaster in human clothing. Dealing with her is not impossible but complicated. She was like a bomb—destroying her would harm me.
"You know this is literally impossible, right?" As she saw what I was doing, Li Min sounded defeated when she thought what I was doing would be hard to accomplish. Her expression was exactly like her word: unbelievable.
"In any case, you begin with creating the song's lyrics," I said, almost impassively. There was no need for her words to ruffle me; I had immersed myself in the art of music already. It was only because her music comprehension was too shallow; that's why it all displayed in her emotions.
After I had written out the lyrics, I nodded in satisfaction. Of course, I was still indifferent on the surface. After giving the lyrics a long appraisal, I came to the interpretation of the song into notations. This part would have posed some problems to high school students, but my mental capacity had undergone a vast leap. So I knew for a sad song like the one Jian He gave the class—it was relatively simple because people created them using minor keys. People used minor keys in string instruments to highlight sad and emotional songs. Such songs invoked heavy memories, contrary to Major keys, which were lively and sometimes noisy.
Since I understood that part, I chose the minor key suitable for the song. In fact, I had previously tested to confirm this result. Therefore, our musical interpretation took off with little to no effort. Although it was slightly a difficult task as I had to also explain the core aspect of music to the annoying witch, much to my displeasure—I still succeeded in teaching her. Also, I occasionally had conflicting points of view with her in some areas. Now that she had acquired some loose knowledge, she wanted to place me in a dire situation. It made me suddenly wonder who the teacher was. If I were to suddenly send her out to teach herself, I would become the target of a vicious attack.
In the end, we concluded the musical lesson with little quarrel, thanks to my generous concessions. However, that was only the theoretical aspect of the task. Li Min had suddenly unwrapped her previously covered Guzhen; she began to practice some sounds. Anyone could imagine someone as musically shallow as her releasing explosions in the form of music. Was that still the art of music? This human being behaved like a tone-deaf. She also did not know the heart and craft of music, much to my disappointment. How annoying! Only for an hour, Li Min had destroyed my room with string sound. My wall loudly groaned in pain. There would have been many holes on my walls If sounds could slap the wall with their heavy and visible hands.
I endured her sonic sound so much that my whole system was convulsing. It was a shame! What a shame!? Was there still justice? It was as though I would vomit at the hearing of those sounds. What the hell was she even playing? I couldn't make out anything of it.
"Ahh! I think I understand now!" That was the most annoying thing. Li Min had been shouting the exact phrase for an hour now; still, her musical skill had yet to level up, even one point. How truly unsatisfactory! Is this thing going to work today? Can she leave with the way she is playing? (I questioned myself in confusion).
"Give me that!" I was totally enraged. At this rate, I might have to secure a grave in my room, and even if I died, I couldn't believe she would allow the tomb to be quiet.
"What did you do that for?" Li Min snorted. Clearly, Li Min wouldn't miss the opportunity to dart her frustration and anger at me. She flashed her baleful eyes at me like I was the source of her frustration. I only taught her an art, nothing more. Why was she looking at me like she would kill me?
"I was beginning to get the hang of it." She shrieked.
I looked at her with surprise. This occurrence was the first time I saw the other side of Li Min, contrary to her indifference. In any case, If the wall could speak, they would have probably said it was enough as well. This music of hers was no different from an explosion. However, Li Min did not quite understand her perseverance was aimless. She thought, perhaps, you could play songs just because you wish to. Playing well didn't have anything to do with baseless persistence. Of course, there might be some development, but it might not be enough. In any case, someone needed to submerge their spirit and understand the music in its entirety.
"Because of you, I've almost lost the ability to hear." I pointed out. I had to say: maybe this sad song was an ordeal for her. She could not even catch her breath. She almost followed me to bed only to unleash her wrath on me. This action of hers made us fall to the bed simultaneously. If someone had seen us, they would have inevitably misinterpreted it. I sighed in worry as I gently pushed Li Min off me. While such an occasion hardly comes by, I would be seeking my death if I let it linger. Although her body was soft, and her pleasant fragrance was sipping into my nose, I could not really allow her on top of me before it became awkward. I sat on my chair as I allowed her to settle on my bed. Perhaps, a change of location can do just the magic. A flash of brilliant thought!
I have never dared to do anything for anyone. However, I understood even though this ghost had caused me more bad than good—it had also helped me. In any case, the girl in front of me must be encountering some stress. Maybe, she only shows people the controlling, cold, noble, and lofty part of her. I took the Guzhen and sank deep into myself. At this point, there was another air around me. To be right on track, I was in sync with the instrument.
Previously, at my point of practice, I understood anyone could play and play well if they could freely understand the deeper meaning of music. Or perhaps, it is in the instrument. The instruments were like tools that have souls. If your soul and their soul could communicate, then your music could change the atmosphere around you with a single-string strike. I breathed in and out gently before I played counterpoint while using conjunct. It was like managing different kinds of melodies ranging from Minor to Major. I skillfully pitched the note when I had to and even played cross-rhythm. Very soon, the atmosphere became alive, and Li Min smiled like a child. Another expression I was seeing for the first time genuinely. The rhythms were surprisingly smooth when I handled them, unlike when she had messed up earlier. As time went by, she couldn't contain her joy. It was conspicuous. I had to wonder, was this another part of the goddess which everyone admired? Even though she acted all this tough, does she have this vulnerable part? I was overwhelmed with questions. However, it didn't matter. These things were of little value. I reckoned my true self must have smashed her noisy Guzhen by now. I endlessly cursed that gods-mind for meddling with my life.
I held the current mood and kept it smooth. My existing plan was to end the song with the melody that the homeroom teacher, Jian He, gave to the class. Surprisingly, it worked. The cadenza was the sad song that Jian He gave. I merely played the refrain melody. However, Just as I had begun, the room's atmosphere became depressed and painful. I even got a glimpse of tears from Li Min. Even when I ended the music, the atmosphere lingered.
"You can take your time. We still have two days left. It was not as though that man would examine us with music practical. He only wanted us to submit that piece of paper," I explained calmly.
Li Min nodded as if she had begun to see me from a new light. Although, I did not want to be announcing this part so much. However, I know I could not just leave things as they were before she burned my ear with pointless sounds.
"Just take your time and practice; I am sure you will understand it." I encouraged.