Geon's eyes caught a glimpse of another guitar leaning against a small amp next to the stage where he stood with his guitar strapped on. As Geon leaned over to inspect the guitar, the person beside him, whom we'll call the stage companion, asked,
"Can you play the guitar?"
Geon nodded with a smile, and the stage companion offered him the guitar, saying,
"Shall we play together?"
"Would it be alright if I played your guitar?"
"Of course, it's not that expensive. Feel free to play as much as you want."
Geon lifted the guitar and carefully examined its body. The guitar, with its elegant dreadnought body, appeared to be a very old handmade one. Turning to the stage companion, Geon began playing the intro to "If I could change the world." The stage companion watched silently and then joined in with the second guitar's part, visibly impressed by Geon's spirited performance. As the two men's impressive playing began, the audience started cheering, and more people gathered around to watch.
The stage companion was astounded by Geon's ability to seemingly play two guitars at once during the triple guitar part. The audience, too, seemed mesmerized by Geon's fast-moving hands, blurring as they moved up and down the fretboard. When the vocal line joined, Geon looked at his companion, who stepped back from the microphone, gesturing for Geon to step forward.
Geon sang,
"If I could change the world.
(If I could change the world.)
Back in time, I'll be back then.
(If I could turn back time, I'd go back to that moment.)"
His voice filled Grafton Street, eliciting sharp screams from the women.
"Kyaaaah!!!!!"
"Mom, what do we do!! He sounds just like Kay!"
"Doesn't he sing better than Kay? Kay couldn't have done this well in a street busking performance!"
"Who is this guy? Is he a real singer?"
Surprised, the stage companion approached the amp to turn up the microphone volume, joining in,
"When I had to hide in a place where no one knew.
(When I had to hide in a place unknown to all,)
If you can go back then and save you.
(If I could go back and save you.)"
As the volume rose, even people standing at a distance turned their heads towards the busking scene. Captivated by Geon's voice, they moved closer to its source. Geon, slightly bowing his head and hiding his face under the brim of his hat, pulled down his scarf and approached the microphone,
"If I could be Your child even for a day.
(If only I could be your child, even just for a day,)
I'd take you as my queen.
(I would make you my queen.)
But for now I find.
(But now I've realized,)
It's only in my dreams.
(it was only a dream.)"
As more people gathered, the stage companion energetically began playing the guitar. Soon, it was time for a solo, and the companion stepped forward to take the lead, with Geon quietly laughing and taking over another part of the guitar ad-lib. Their perfect harmony had the audience waving their hands in the air, clapping to the beat. The clapping of the audience served as a drumbeat for the duo, whose fingers moved faster and faster.
The climax of their performance had the audience in awe, watching the rapid movements of their hands without clapping, completely mesmerized. The stage companion, sweating and eyes closed, wished the moment of his lifetime performance would last forever. Finally, after playing the climax section twice, Geon delivered the last lyrics,
"If I could change the world.
(If I could change the world,)
I would be the sunlight in your universe.
(I'd be the sunlight in your universe.)
Sweetheart, if I could change the world.
(My dear, if only I could change the world,)
And I Know there'll be no more tears in heaven. (And I know that there will be no more tears in heaven.)"
As the final notes echoed and the guitar resonated, the stage companion opened his eyes to see over three hundred people applauding and cheering in unison.
"Woah!!! Amazing!!"
"The best!!"
"Kyaaaah!! To see such a performance on the street!"
"Today's my lucky day!! Kyaaak!"
"Please, tell us your name! I'll definitely buy your album when it comes out!"
The stage companion, bewildered by the cheering crowd, had busked on Grafton Street four times before. Although about twenty fans had applauded each time, he had never experienced such an overwhelming response. Shivering for a moment under the crowd's cheers, he eventually looked up, saw Geon smiling beside him, and approached him with an outstretched hand,
"Thank you! It was the best performance, the best song! I
'm truly happy to have made such a wonderful memory!"
Geon shook his hand with a smile, and the stage companion lifted Geon's hand high, greeting the still-applauding audience.
"Kyaaaah~~~~~~"
The audience, still amazed, continued to shout and cheer.
"One more song, please!"
"Yeah! Just one more!"
"Please! If you sing one more song, I'll give you all the money in my wallet!"
People quickly searched their pockets and began throwing coins and bills into the open guitar hard case. Watching the money pile up quickly, the stage companion beamed at Geon, who nodded slightly and slung the guitar strap over his shoulder again.
Approaching the stage companion with the guitar, Geon explained,
"It might be a song you're unfamiliar with, but the chords aren't too difficult. It's just a repetition of C - F - C - F - Am - G - Am - G, and you can just use basic strumming. Can you do it?"
The stage companion, trying out the chords Geon had shown, asked,
"What about the tempo?"
"It's in 2/4 time."
"Okay, that doesn't sound too hard. What song is this?"
Geon grinned and took the microphone. As he did, the cheering crowd quieted down. Turning to the audience, Geon spoke into the microphone,
"This is a song I sang a while ago. Well, not exactly me, but someone I greatly admire. And it's written by someone I dearly love, with the music composed by another respectable individual. Today, on my first day in Ireland, I want to share this song with you all as a gift for this enjoyable night. Unfortunately, the song doesn't have a title. Haha."
As Geon nodded at the stage companion, who then began to play the chords slowly, Geon added an arpeggio guitar play to the same chords. Looking up at the moon, Geon sang with a mystical and somewhat lonely tone,
"Distant and lonely,
Black horse, big moon,
And raspberries on my saddle,
Into the plains, into the wind,
The black horse looks at the red moon."
The audience, surprised by Geon's lonely voice, watched as Berenice, pushing through the crowd, pointed at Geon, exclaiming,
"This, this is a song from the opera!"
People, initially annoyed by her outburst, soon remembered the words of the masked man,
"The lyrics were written by someone I deeply love, and the music was composed by another person I respect."
A middle-aged couple murmured among themselves,
"Could it be... not Kay, right?"
"Yeah, why would he be here? Nah, it can't be him."
As Geon continued to sing, focused on the performance, he didn't notice the audience's reaction. With his eyes closed, he delved deeper into the song,
"The dawn flowers have already opened,
The black horse snorts at the cold scent of the moon,
With white wings sprouting from its black back,
It flies into the sky."
Berenice, who had initially screamed, looked enchanted. Turning to her friend, she said,
"So this is how it feels when a man sings this song. It's really good, right?"
A redhead woman, touching her cheek, replied,
"Seriously, I think I might fall for him. What should I do?"
"But the song looks so lonely."
"It's from the opera, about a girl who walks alone to Juilliard through the mountains."
"Ah, so that's why it feels lonely."
"Yeah, I recorded it separately with a PC program when I watched it on PPV and rewatched it four times."
As Geon finished the song, the audience erupted in cheers once more. Receiving the applause, Geon raised his hand to greet them, while the stage companion, playing the guitar beside him, tried to give him a high-five. Distracted by greeting the audience, Geon turned towards the stage companion just as his hat was knocked off.
"Ah! I'm sorry, I was trying to give you a high-five... Oh?"
The stage companion, pointing at Geon's face, exclaimed,
"Ka, Ka, Ka, Kay!!!!"
"Kyaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"It's real!! It's really Kay!!"
"Aaaah!! Look! I told you it's Kay!"
"Uwaaah!! I'm seeing Kay in real life! To think Kay would come to Ireland!"
As the audience buzzed in excitement, Geon, hatless and with an awkward smile, noticed that people weren't coming too close and smiled, lowering his scarf.
"Ah!! He's even more handsome in person than on TV! What do we do!!"
"Pictures! Take a picture of me! Hurry up!"
"Me first, girl! Now, hand me the phone!"
As more people screamed, the crowd around the busking site swelled
to over five hundred. Geon, looking bemused at the stage companion, chuckled and then raised a hand to the microphone,
"Hello, Ireland? It's Kay."
"Kyaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"
"Wow, what a world!!"
"Kay!! The opera performance was fantastic!"
"When did you arrive in Ireland?"
"Ahh!! How! Really handsome!"
"Ahhhhhh!!!"
In an instant, people flocked to Grafton Street. When Gun was waving to the people with a smile, Vimad, who had regained his senses from a dazed expression, touched Gun's back and came up quietly whispering.
"Come to the back for a moment."
"Yes? Where to?"
Vimad grabbed Gun's arm and pushed him into a small alleyway between the busking buildings. The onlookers shouted as Vimad pushed Gun into the alley.
"Ah! What? Where are you going?"
"That's right! Move aside!"
Vimad stood in front of Gun, raised a hand, and said with a sly smile.
"Hahaha... Please wait a moment, everyone. We have something to discuss. It will only take a moment!"
Vimad completely shielded Gun and turned around with wide eyes.
"Wow! The day I busk with Kay has come, what an event."
Gun smiled broadly and nodded slightly.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to deceive."
Vimad waved his hand and laughed.
"Not at all, not at all. It's an honor."
"Haha, thank you for thinking so. But what did you want to talk about?"
Vimad glanced back to see people approaching to see Gun between the buildings. Turning back, Vimad hurriedly said.
"Listen carefully. It might be dangerous. When I give the signal, turn around and run immediately. Right now, they're looking with friendly eyes, but you never know how the public might change. Run along the alley to the next building, then turn right, and there will be a small pub called 'John Fallons' on the second floor. It's an old bar that's been there since the 1600s, so it should be okay to catch your breath there for a moment. There might be a few people at this time, but it's such a small bar. Look out the second-floor window, and once things have settled, then leave. Got it?"
Gun peered behind Vimad. When the onlookers behind Vimad's back saw Gun's face, they screamed again.
"Kyaa!! Kay!! Please take a picture!"
"Yeah!! Come out and sing one more song!"
Gun hid behind Vimad again and nodded with a slight smile.
"Thank you for thinking of me, Vimad. Then I'll be there. Will you come? I'll buy you a beer. You have to try a stout when in Ireland, haha."
Vimad pointed to his own face with a dumbfounded expression.
"Me? You want to drink with me? Are you serious?"
Gun smiled and nodded, then turned around.
"See you later then!"
As Gun started running, people watching the alley behind Vimad's body began to scream as they caught a glimpse of Gun's back.
"Ahh! Kay is running!"
"Where! Where did he go? Oh, mister! Move aside!"
"Hurry and find him! Run!"
Some people quickly ran around the building, and some pushed through Vimad, who was blocking the alley. People got angry at Vimad, who was blocking the narrow alley that barely allowed one person to pass.
"Ah! What's this!? Move aside! Kay is getting away!"
"Wow, this guy is so strong! Move, will you!"
After Vimad held his ground a bit longer, enough time for Gun to have entered the pub, he awkwardly smiled and stepped aside from the alley.
"Haha, so, sorry."
"Move!! Damn it!!!"
People squeezed through the narrow path, running around the alley, making a fuss trying to find Kay. Out of the focus of the people, Vimad quietly packed up his guitar and amp.
Meanwhile, having separated from Vimad and running along the alley, Gun turned his head to the right past the next building, scanning the several signs visible on the second floor. Spotting an old yellow sign that read 'John Fallons' on the second floor of the second building made of red bricks, Gun quickly ascended the stairs leading to it. Reaching the entrance on the second floor of the apparently very old building, Gun looked out the window of the stairwell. Seeing people running around screaming, Gun hid inside again and whistled.
"Phew, that was almost dangerous. Haha, but it's fun, hehe."
After catching his breath, Gun looked at the Irish-style old store door. The yellow door with arch-shaped windows seemed to indicate a store with tradition. Glancing through the window on the door to check the atmosphere inside, Gun saw quite a few people inside but realized it felt packed because it was a small store, so he opened the door.
As the door opened and the bell rang, an elderly bartender with white hair turned his head
and reflexively said.
"Welcome. But there are no seats available right now..."
When Gun made eye contact with the grandfather and smiled slightly, the grandfather looked him up and down and said.
"Hehe, what a remarkably handsome guy. I'd like to make a seat available just for you. Would you mind waiting at the bar until a seat frees up? It's only a corner seat, though."
Gun, unnoticed by the bartender grandfather, smiled and nodded, heading towards the corner seat when he made eye contact with two female patrons. The Hispanic women, seemingly tourists from Mexico, had healthy tan skin and were wearing thin, tight sleeveless t-shirts under their coats despite it being winter. One of the attractive women with long, black, lush hair reaching her waist pointed at Gun and screamed loudly.
"K,K,Kay!!!!!!!!!"
The woman with short hair next to her turned her head towards Gun and dropped her jaw.
"It, It's really Kay!!"
Gun unconsciously raised his hand to his head. Realizing he had left his favorite hat behind after it was knocked off earlier, he smiled awkwardly.
'I left my hat behind after it got knocked off earlier. Ah, I really liked that hat.'
The music was playing quite loudly, but because the two women were shouting so loudly, everyone in the pub who had been talking turned their heads and looked at Gun with wide eyes. As if they were too shocked to speak, the noisy pub suddenly went quiet, the music the only sound filling the space. Feeling the awkward atmosphere, the bartender grandfather turned down the music, and a quiet tension filled the pub. Gun, with an embarrassed smile, eventually raised his hand and said.
"Ah, hello everyone?"
Crash!!
The sound of a beer glass breaking caused people to turn their heads towards the noise and then hurriedly regain their composure and start talking loudly again.
"Wow! Am I seeing things right now? Hey Evan! Do you see Kay too?"
"Yeah, yeah! Didn't we watch his opera performance on the PC a few days ago? That's definitely Kay!"
"Kyaa!! Kay, I love you!"
"This trip is the best! To see Kay up close like this!"
As the murmurs grew louder, Gun glanced outside the window anxiously and raised his hand again. Thinking Gun had something to say, people hushed each other and calmed their excitement as Gun smiled brightly and said.
"I have some circumstances, so I need to hide here for a bit, everyone. If you could keep it quiet, I'll buy everyone here a stout, and I'll also take pictures with you. Just post them on SNS after I leave. How about it?"
People drinking beer laughed out loud, raising their glasses and shouting.
"Sure!!!"
"Hahaha!! To think I'd get to drink beer bought by Kay in my lifetime! Thank you!"
"Kyaa! I'll absolutely keep it a secret!"
Seeing people already preparing their cameras to take pictures, Gun laughed and said.
"I have someone to meet, so I'll be taking my time. You can come slowly, so please don't crowd! Haha"
As people cautiously returned to their seats, Gun attempted to sit in the corner seat. As Gun passed by, the Mexican women hastily made space between them and invited him.
"Kay!! Kay!! Sit here, here!"
Gun glanced at his too-cornered seat and then, with a smirk, sat between the women as the watching bartender grandfather approached, whistling.
"Whew~! You must be a famous star! I don't watch TV at my age, so sorry I didn't recognize you. But did you really say you'd buy everyone a stout just now?"
Gun took off his outerwear, draped it over the chair, and smiled.
"Of course, please serve a round, Master."
"Hehe, alright!"
The grandfather bartender rang the bell at the bar and announced loudly.
"Alright!! Everyone!! The handsome young man is buying a round of stout!"
"Woaaaaah!!!"
"Yessssssssss!!!"
"Thank you, Kay!!!"
As the young male server quickly started distributing the stouts handed over by the grandfather bartender, people who received their glasses began taking pictures. It seemed they were eager to brag on SNS that Kay had bought them a stout. The two women sitting beside Gun, holding their stouts, carefully took out their phones and asked.
"Um.. could we take a picture with you holding the Kay stout?"
"Haha, of course."
Gun gladly agreed, taking a friendly pose between the women for the photo as the smiling grandfather bartender extended his hand to Gun.
"I don't usually ask customers for a handshake, but today I must. I'm Aaron."
"Nice to meet you, Aaron. I'm Kay."
Gun shook his hand and smiled back, prompting Aaron to say.
"Good to meet you, Kay. Will you have a stout too?"
"Yes, please, one for me too, Aaron."
"Hehe
, welcome to John Fallons! Be sure to take a picture with me before you leave. I'll display it in the store."
"Sure, I'll do that."
Gun tasted the freshly served beer and widened his eyes, looking at the stout glass.
"Wow! It's really smooth!"
Watching Gun and laughing, Aaron wiped his hands with a towel and said.
"Haha! Our store has been around since the early 1600s. We're the 9th generation running this place. The stout you're drinking isn't factory-made but brewed right here at home, so it's a taste you can't find anywhere else."
Gun raised his glass and smiled.
"I should thank Vimad for this! Haha"
"Do you know Vimad?"
"Haha, just met him today. Oh! There he is."
Both women and Aaron turned their heads to see Vimad entering the pub. Vimad, carrying a load of gear, held Gun's hat in one hand and stood with an awkward expression.