Geon left Jamaica three days after a minor accident. Nanael waved a tear-soaked handkerchief as she watched the departing plane.
"Please, don't come back!"
Behind Nanael, tears of joy flowed as numerous angels embraced each other, sharing in the relief of Geon's safe departure. Upon returning to the cemetery to inform Geon of his safe departure, Nanael's eyes filled with tears at the sight of only their empty spaces, but her expression of relief was evident despite her murmurs of complaint.
Geon returned to Manhattan a week before the end of the vacation and sought out his school. With a hat and mask covering his face, Geon, carrying Hakoo, lurked by the school's adjacent building, peering at the school gate. About a hundred journalists stood guard with vigilant eyes, scanning their surroundings.
"Oh, they're here again. They asked the company for an interview, really."
Geon sighed and weakly made his way towards the school, only to be swarmed by journalists who recognized him instantly.
"Kay! Rumor has it that you've been behind the scenes in the American hip-hop scene. Is that true?"
"As a businessman, what was the reason behind bringing Dr. Dre back to the music scene?"
"Is it true that you're the one who devised Apple's business strategy? There have been rumors about someone else!"
"Kay! Just say a word, please!"
"Kay! Kay!"
Geon approached the school gate without a word, ignoring the clamor from the journalists. Once inside, he removed his hat and mask. Despite it being vacation, students who had come out to practice looked at Geon with expressions as if they had won the lottery. Some girls hurriedly approached, requesting autographs and photos.
"Are you prospective school students?"
The girls shook their heads, drawing hearts in their eyes as they looked up at Geon.
"No, we're students here."
Geon widened his eyes in surprise and asked, "Students? Are you asking for autographs from fellow students?"
Unable to verbalize their astonishment, the girls just stared at Geon, who handed them his autograph before asking, "Are you prospective school students?"
As he walked down the corridor to the practice room, Geon thought, 'Sharon and Corigliano professors probably aren't here, right? Let's focus on practicing today.'
While searching for an empty practice room, Geon's ears caught the melancholic and desolate melody of a piano. Despite the sounds of other students practicing their instruments, he was drawn to the beautiful solo piano playing and unknowingly followed the sound to a practice room. Peering through the small window on the door, he saw the back of a man sitting at the piano. When the man slightly turned his head, Geon, shocked, pressed himself against the window.
"Jo! Jo, John Lennon!?"
Indeed, the man sitting at the piano bore a striking resemblance to John Lennon, whom Geon had seen in a dream. The man, with his slightly turned up nose, round glasses, and similar hairstyle, seemed to suddenly notice the presence of someone outside the door. Stopping his playing and turning to look at the window, he appeared slightly surprised. He then got up and approached the door, opening it.
As Geon stared at him in astonishment, the man smiled and extended his hand for a handshake.
"Kay. Nice to meet you. I've been wanting to meet you."
Geon, still surprised, looked at the hand he was offered.
"Uh... Um, yes, yes. But who... who are you?"
The man touched the collar of his white dress shirt and said, "I'm Sean Yoko Lennon."
Geon's eyes widened in shock. 'Sean? The little boy I saw at Lennon's house?'
As Geon stood there with a surprised expression, Sean, feeling awkward, began to lower his hand, which he had extended for a handshake. Seeing this, Geon hurriedly grabbed his hand and shook it.
"Oh! I'm sorry. Haha, you really look a lot like your father! Oh, haha."
Sean raised his eyebrows and asked, "My father? I haven't mentioned my father yet... Ah, you recognized me because of my name?"
Geon said, embarrassed, "Ah! Yes, yes! That's right! Haha."
Sean laughed and gestured towards the inside of the practice room, saying, "Can we talk for a moment? Please come in."
Geon awkwardly laughed and put Hakoo down in one corner of the room before taking a seat. Sean, sitting on the piano bench, crossed his legs comfortably and said, "I really wanted to meet you, Kay."
"Oh... Thank you."
"It's really amazing. Actually, I've been watching you since you made movie music. You might not know, but I even went to Pantera's tour, which isn't my taste at all. Just to see you. You're really cool."
"Oh? I didn't know. Thank you."
"I've been trying to meet you since then, but before I knew it, you were influencing the hip-hop scene?"
"Uh... Well, it's not that I influenced it, they moved on their own."
"Haha, well, that's not how the world sees it."
"Oh... Well, that's..."
"It's okay. I'm not a reporter. I came to ask you one question."
"Yes? A question?"
"May I ask a question?"
"Uh, yes, of course."
"Thank you. Have you ever heard my songs?"
"Uh... I'm sorry. I've never heard of them."
"Ah, I see. I understand. Not very famous, I suppose. Then, have you heard my father's songs?"
"Of course, I have. John Lennon is the musician who has influenced me the most."
"Those are kind words. My question was about the difference between my father's songs and mine, but since you haven't heard my music, it's hard to answer right away."
"The difference?"
"Yes, I've followed in my father's footsteps all my life. I wanted to send a message to many people. My songs lean more towards melancholy than singing of hope."
As Geon looked at Sean with a blank expression, he spoke.
"There's still some vacation time left, right? I asked the students earlier, and they said so. Could you spare me some time, even if it's brief?"
Geon looked at Sean, who was making a request, lost in thought.
"Is this fate? The child I met back then is now in front of me looking much older than me."
Geon looked at Sean, who was earnestly asking for his time, with a thoughtful expression.
"Let's give Sean the teachings I received from John Lennon. That would be appropriate."
Geon nodded slowly and said.
"I don't know what kind of help you need, but I'll do my best to help. However, since there's not much vacation time left, I might not be of much help."
As Geon indicated his willingness, Sean's expression brightened.
"Thank you, Kay. You're as kind as they say."
As Geon smiled slightly, Sean spoke.
"To be honest, I came to Juilliard for a project with Professor Leontine Price. Of course, the fact that Kay is here was the biggest reason."
Geon asked with a puzzled expression, "Professor Leontine Price? What project are you working on?"
After sighing, Sean said, "Thanks to the recommendation of my godfather Elton John, I've been invited to perform with the Juilliard orchestra here. We've been preparing since last year, but the arrangement isn't easy, so we're at a standstill. Fortunately, the work of the orchestra is progressing smoothly."
Geon nodded and asked, "I see. How many songs are you performing?"
Sean raised his index finger and said, "Just one. I've revised the arrangement of just one song over thirty times in the past year."
Geon nodded understandingly. "It's not easy to collaborate with an orchestra. I've seen people change arrangements more than that."
Sean nodded with his arms crossed. "Professor Leontine Price also gave me words of comfort along those lines. But my mind isn't at ease. I haven't slept properly in the past year."
Geon looked sympathetic and asked, "That must have been tough on you. But what song is it?"
Looking up with deepened eyes, Sean replied, "It's a song called 'Parachute' released eleven years ago."
Geon nodded, knowing he hadn't heard it before. "Are you arranging the entire orchestral score?"
Sean shook his head and sighed. "No, I don't have that ability. After arranging my song to my liking, the orchestral department will prepare the score that fits my song. The performance is coming up soon, but my score hasn't arrived yet, so the orchestra is worried."
Geon pondered for a moment. Sean waited quietly, not wanting to disturb Geon's thoughts. After a while, Geon opened his eyes and stood up.
"Alright. I'll listen to your music and do some research. Where are you staying?"
"I'm staying at a nearby hotel. I'll be here until the performance ends."
Geon looked at Sean for a moment and then said, "Our house is close by. Since we have a lot to discuss, how about staying at our place?"
Sean looked slightly surprised and asked, "Really? At Kay's house? Won't it be inconvenient because of me?"
Geon smiled and extended his hand to Sean. As Sean hesitated, Geon took his hand and stood up, saying, "It's our first meeting today, but strangely, it feels familiar."
As Geon smiled while holding Sean's hand, Sean asked again with a serious expression, "Why are you offering your home to someone you've just met? Is it because of Eastern culture?"
Geon chuckled and replied as they walked outside, "It's just to repay a favor. And I feel the same familiarity, haha."