“We can do this much as vendors in the same street.”

 

Jongdae can hardly believe but Junmyeon actually bought the “Hyung asked me to store this instrument here since we’ve run out of place” tale Chanyeol presented him with. He didn’t even call for Shin Sungwoo, the owner of the music shop for confirmation. But well, we’re talking about Kim Junmyeon, Mr. Conscientious.

 

“If you say so.” Jongdae replies amused, pressing the mobile closer to his ear with his shoulder, squeezing some books to his chest at the same time with the same hand.

 

Jongdae wanted to refuse Chanyeol yesterday and planned to tell the truth to his boss but at the end just decided to go with the flow. It’s Chanyeol’s problem after all, he’s the one risking his job, Jongdae only has to watch over the instrument from time to time and dust it off if it gets too dirty.

 

This much can be done as a supporting friend... and whose Jongdae is kidding, it is actually fun. If Chanyeol gets his kicked by his boss, make it double fun.

 

“I’m sorry I can’t be there when it gets delivered.” Junmyeon speaks again from the other end of the line.

 

“It’s okay. I can deal.”

 

Other than helping customers and waiting for a package arriving at four Jongdae has all time in the world. Junmyeon worries over nothing as always -

 

“There’s something more, actually.”

 

Jongdae stops.

 

“What else is there?”

 

He doesn’t want to sound unwilling but the way Junmyeon delivers the news gives off a strange vibe Jongdae identifies as troublesome.

 

“You’ve probably heard about the new workshop built up at the end of the street. Well, they’ll send a representative in the afternoon… their chief explained why exactly but I… um didn’t really understand him… Anyway, you should welcome them.”

 

Jongdae can’t help but picture the confusion on his boss’ face and it causes him breaking into a wide grin. He feels like laughing but that have to wait with the end of the call.

 

“’Kay. I’ll make sure to welcome them. And take care of the piano as well.”

 

“Thanks, Jongdae.” Junmyeon’s voice turns a bit warmer. “Sometimes I wonder what I would do without you.”

 

Jongdae bites his lip. Why couldn’t he stop at thanks?

 

“Well, I’m here so…”

 

“Yes, you are.”

 

…

 

Damn, this is awkward.

 

“I don’t want to hold you up I’m sure you’re outside the city for a reason, bye hyung.”

 

Jongdae doesn’t wait for goodbye, just ends the call and stuffs the device in the back pocket of his jeans. Maybe he really should ask Junmyeon about what is going on… if this goes on longer, Jongdae will surely go crazy.

Otherwise it’s a calm morning at the bookshop “El Dorado”. Customers come and go, some buys books, some just flips through the pages then leaves with a musing hum. A man in his forties complains about their “lacking” Japanese section. Jongdae would really like to tell him sorry for not selling exclusively but at the end just instructs him to a nearby manga and anime shop with a warning smile.

 

The piano arrives at noon.

 

Jongdae doesn’t notice it at first – too busy with convincing a mother that books about dinosaurs don’t hold her son’s brain back from development – but then his phone rings.

 

“Excuse me for a second.” Jongdae apologizes at goes to the side to answer. When he sees the name on the screen, he grunts. “Chanyeol –“

 

“Open the damn door!”

 

One look towards the entrance (Chanyeol with a pained face, a big brown thing right behind him, a mop of silver hair and face of total nonchalance closing the line) and Jongdae flies to do as he’s told.

 

There are only five people in the shop but all of them look up from what they’ve been looking at as a piano lands inside with a moderate thud.

 

“My arms~” Chanyeol whines, massaging his long limbs good for nothing. “Are you deaf? I was knocking like crazy!”

 

“Sorry but I’m working.” Jongdae fires back. “Next time call in advance.”

 

“You could have just left the door open.”

 

“All day? It’s autumn, you idiot.”

 

“Books can’t get a cold.”

 

“But the customers can…. besides last time I’ve checked you’ve had hands to pull on the handle!”

 

“It’s really entertaining watching you two argue but my lunch break is more precious than spending it with you.”

 

Jongdae turns to the owner of silver mop hair and usual nonchalant face surprised.

 

“Sehun-a, what are you doing here?”

 

Sehun is a part-timer at the Chinese take-away restaurant “Mandu” which is located right next to the music shop, “The Golden Song” where Chanyeol is supposed to work at. Since the two of them see each other a lot it would be understandable that Sehun agreed to help out but it’s Oh Sehun. He’s barely active enough to scribble down orders. Carrying pianos is beyond his abilities.

 

“Minseok hyung promised to bring bubble tea for me.” The youngest answers, face coming to life at the mention of his treasure. “Oh, and he sent some food for you.”

 

It’s Jongdae’s turn to light up as Sehun lifts his arm to show up a bag with a little box in Chinese design. God bless Kim Minseok and his kind heart.

 

“Let’s move this over before the lady throws that dinosaur book at us.” Chanyeol interrupts warily. “After that we can eat.”

 

They place the instrument to the back of the shop where it’s secluded enough to remain barely noticed and completely preserved until Chanyeol fills his wallet with its price.

 

“Are you sure no one will have their eyes on it?”

 

Jongdae rolls his eyes as Chanyeol caresses the piano as a mother would her first child after birth.

 

“We’re standing in front of the Latin & Greek Poetry section.”

 

“I doubt dust is interested enough to gather here.” Sehun scrunches his nose up as he watches rows of uniform white books standing soundlessly. “Have you ever read a book from here, hyung?”

 

Jongdae is slightly offended (he was a literature major, what kind of a question is that) but it’s too long of a conversation to carry out so turning a blind eye over it, reassures Chanyeol instead.

 

“I’m sure I can save it for you until you grow rich enough.”

 

Chanyeol stiffens a bit.

 

“You might have to keep it longer than you think.”

 

Jongdae blinks. Knowing Park Chanyeol, he has anticipated that option.

 

“Just work more diligently than Sehun and we’re good.”

 

Said boy stops picking his nails and lifts a hand to his heart with an expression intended to be hurt.

 

“You wound me, hyung.”

 

“No, I help you get your bubble tea.” Jongdae chuckles then looks at his wristwatch. “Let’s eat.”

 

 

 

Jongdae once again pats himself on the shoulder for befriending the owner of a Chinese restaurant, because outside of being a loyal and understanding friend Jongdae can always rely on, Kim Minseok is also a great cook who never forgets to test his new cuisines on his friend or get free food for his hungry stomach.

 

Putting the now empty box aside, Jongdae wipes his chopsticks and goes to the restroom to wash his face as well. Some pickles are left. He has to eat them later or else…

 

“You live with us so you eat our food”, Jongdae hears his mother complain even if she’s not present at the scene. “I’m not cooking for you to eat out, dear. Let me pack some.”

 

Living with your parents at the age of twenty-four is far worse than it sounds. Mama Kim always insists on that her son is too skinny and he’ll never gain weight if he only eats junk food while Papa Kim never fails to remind his son that he’s at the age of marrying a good girl and grounding an own family with a salary better than a bookshop employee’s… Jongdae can totally understand why Jongdeok had decided to move as far from their family home as possible. He loves his parents, no doubts about that, but Jongdae has passed the age which now lets him to take care of himself a long time ago. The Kim parents should acknowledge that and lessen their control a bit.

 

But it’s not like Jongdae can have a word. They’ve raised him since he was born, give up on things for him and never hesitated to give him what he has wanted. They’ve prepared him for life, even paved the way in front of him… Jongdae can’t be anything else but thankful.

 

So he texts his mom as he exists the restroom.

 

“How was lunch? I hope mom and dad could fill their stomach with something yummy… I’ll have a taste when I get home so leave some for me, please. ☺”

 

Jongdae gets back between the shelves with a smile. Mama Kim will be over the cloud when she sees the message.

 

He’s about to walk to the counter since they open in ten minutes but as he passes by the Latin & Greek Poetry section, he notices the forgotten piano and his legs stop.

 

In Chanyeol’s eyes every instrument is outstanding and beautiful (or as he always says “blessed with beauty and soul”) but Jongdae finds the piano gorgeous and glowing without considering that.

 

It’s not excessively big but just the right size for two people to comfortably sit next to it and play a piece for fours hands if they want. The contrast between the black and white keys is pleasing and the walnut colored wooden parts are practically shining. It definitely shows Chanyeol has taken care of it as there’s not even one layer of dust when Jongdae pulls a careful finger over its surface.

 

Re-opening is closer with every tick of the clock on the wall opposite but Jongdae pulls a chair next to piano and sits down in a whim.

 

His fingers rest on the keys comfortably. It’s been long since he’s played last. Sure he visits Chanyeol at the music shop sometimes but he’s never been bold enough to try some instruments out… the boss watches their every move anyway.

 

It wasn’t yesterday but Jongdae remembers which song he’s played last. He attended one of his younger cousins’ birthday and the little girl asked him to play something nice. Junghwa was five that time, nursery rhymes were considered uncool and boring, so Jongdae played the OST of the movie she liked the most then.

 

The melody starts unsure and quiet but as Jongdae gets more comfortable, gets lost in the pleasant music in his ears and the rapid but pleasantly stretching moving of his fingers, the music becomes stable and flows through the shop effortlessly.

 

It’s far from perfect, he has lost from technique and musicality that’s easy to detect, but Jongdae enjoys playing and even hums along after a few seconds into. Damn, he’d really like to sing also… The first words of the lyrics are on his tongue but before Jongdae could give in to them, he becomes aware of the shadow not far behind him.

 

He turns around at lightning’s speed, hands coming to rest in his lap, cheeks red from getting caught.

 

The intruder is a man with blonde hair and shining eyes.

 

“Sorry I… didn’t want to interrupt.”

 

Jongdae feels embarrassed for no reason he knows of but as the stranger smiles a little, he feels more at ease.

 

He lifts his head and carefully smiles back.

 

“How can I help you?”