Ricky watered the plants carefully, trying not to knock any of the flower pots again. Last time that he had knocked one, it almost hit the apartment owner’s head. Both he and Gun Woo got an earful that day and Ricky would try his best that it won’t happen ever again.

He looked forlornly at the pretty flowers while evaluating his situation. This is his fifth day staying at Gun Woo’s apartment. For the past few days, all Ricky did was laze around, try not to get on Gun Woo’s way and, to relieve his boredom, occasionally annoy Gun Woo which Ricky found to be quite fun. He wasn’t too useful when it comes to chores. It came to the point that Gun Woo wouldn’t let him do any at all because it all would just result to unnecessary trouble. It’s not like Ricky does it on purpose, he even felt guilty. He’s all aware of being a burden to Gun Woo.

Maybe I should get a job or something.

A butterfly interrupted Ricky’s train of thought. It settled on one of the biggest and most blooming of flowers. Teen Top’s visual maknae couldn’t help but smile.

Regarding the flowers, Ricky thought that Gun Woo isn’t the type to keep them around. He seemed like a guy you won’t associate with any kind of prettiness and fragility.

His thoughts were interrupted yet again when the phone from the living room rang. He ignored it for a while, thinking that Gun Woo would answer it since the call would be definitely his, but when it still kept ringing, Ricky abandoned the flowers momentarily and decided to answer the phone.

“Hello?”

“Are you Gun Woo’s girlfriend?” A mature female voice answered back.

Ooookaaaay… That escalated quickly.

“No but, uhh, let me get him for you.” Ricky answered quickly. It turns out though that he didn’t need to look for Gun Woo as he was at his side already, gesturing for Ricky to hand over the phone, his face grim.

Ricky quickly handed the phone over and left to give Gun Woo some privacy but before he could leave he heard Gun Woo answer in a low voice.

“I told you I can’t come back yet. I still have something to do.”

Ricky paused, intrigued. Despite himself, he couldn’t help but eavesdrop.

“You don’t understand. I have to do this. I… I promised him.”

Ricky was stunned. There was a thick emotion and rawness present on Gun Woo’s voice. He instantly felt guilty for eavesdropping. Before he could hear anything else, he left quickly and went to the balcony.

Ricky picked up the watering can as he mulled over what he had earlier.

I wonder who that was on the phone. I never heard hyung so…

Vulnerable.

While Ricky was lost in his thoughts, he failed to notice three men in black observing him from the distance.

______________________________________________________________

The man in front of him sighed.

Gun Woo frowned, retracting his hands from the keyboard.

Silence stretched before the two occupants of the room and the previously mentioned man looked like he was hesitating on telling him something. Gun Woo squared his shoulders, waiting for the professor to speak.

“Gun Woo… how should I say it? Your piano…”

A pause. The man folded his arms in front, looking at Gun Woo solemnly.

“It’s inadequate. You’re not ready for the competition.”

What?

The student’s brows furrowed, not liking one bit what his professor just said.

“What do you mean inadequate?” Gun Woo demanded. “I played it perfectly!”

“You did,” the man agreed. “But perfection is not all that there is. You have to own the music, Gun Woo. You should play it your own style.”

“I was the one playing the score,” Gun Woo said slowly, getting frustrated. “I don’t understand what you are talking about.”

The man sighed again, which was starting to irk Gun Woo, and looked straight in his eyes.

The man in front of him was Professor Jino, a renowned and respectable pianist. He was Gun Woo’s teacher and friend.

“Your style of playing… is an imitation of Kai’s.”

Gun Woo froze.

“Way back, you already had found your own style and it was amazing,” Professor Jino said. “Kai would have agreed with me.”

Gun Woo remained silent, his eyes hardening.

“Gun Woo, I understand that the accident affected you drastically,” The professor continued, unaware of Gun Woo’s raging emotions. “But if he sees you right now, he’ll be—“

“Enough,” Gun Woo said coldly, standing up abruptly. His eyes were hard and haunted.

Professor Jino looked up, surprised, and realized he said too much.

“Gun Woo, look, I’m sorry. I said too—“

“I’m done for today,” Gun Woo cut him off and prepared to leave. “Thanks for the lesson.”

He bowed stiffly and left, avoiding the pitying gaze of the professor.

______________________________________________________________

With a pounding headache and a sour look on his face, Gun Woo walked swiftly toward his apartment. After the incident earlier with his professor, his headache that which seemed to plague him for many days now had worsened. Scowling harder than before, Gun Woo wished direly for it to disappear.

Clutching his head and pulling his hair a bit in hopes that the pain would somehow alleviate while walking faster, his apartment finally came in view. Wasting no time, he hurriedly went to the front door. He had meant to take some aspirin but he was interrupted in his quest when he heard music floating from inside.

Wondering who on earth would be playing his piano; he quietly opened the door and was greeted with melodious music, clearer now that he was inside. Peering behind a wall that separated him and the living room, he was surprised to discover the identity of the person whose hands were on the keyboard, playing.

Park Hyoshin’s Snow Flower.

The song being played was immediately recognized by Gun Woo’s sensitive ears. He remember playing it once or twice for his little bro—

Gun Woo froze and clutched his head. His headache.

As the song was still being played, Gun Woo remained rooted in his place. Slowly and almost unconsciously, he let himself lean against the wall and shut his eyes. His ears took in the sweet and soft melody of the song.

He almost drowned as a rush of memories came to him. Beautiful but painful memories. Bittersweet memories.

“Whoooaaa!! As expected of hyung, your piano was amazing!!!”

A bright youthful voice rang inside Gun Woo’s brain. He gritted his teeth, unwilling of the memories coming fast to him.

“One day, I want to be just like hyung!”

Images flashed, conjured by his brain. The music being played was like a necromancer, summoning what he thought was his dead and buried memories.

“I want to see hyung on stage!!”

With a jolt, his eyes opened wide. He was barely aware that he was gasping while sweat began to form on his forehead. The music had already stopped; the song being played had already ended.

Gun Woo steadied himself, shaking himself from the memories. He took a deep breath as he heard the other person shift, seeming undecided what to play next as she pressed and played some random notes.

“I didn’t know you play the piano.”

Gun Woo’s voice pierced the room and the occupant of the piano bench almost fell from her seat as she jumped in surprise. Gun Woo couldn’t help but be amused as he saw her red face.

“You were listening?” Ricky asked, dismayed.

Gun Woo nodded. “It was good.”

“I know that I’m not good,” Ricky said as she slumped on the chair, pouting. “You don’t need to lie to make me feel better.”

Gun Woo quirked an eyebrow as he regarded her. “I am not a liar and your playing was honestly good. If my compliments are to be rewarded with insults, I better keep them all to myself then.”

Ricky’s eyes widened. “What, no! Umm, I don’t mean that! I’m not saying that you’re, uhh, a l-liar!!”

Gun Woo watched amused as he saw her fluster and stutter.

“Wait, do you really mean that?” Ricky asked him, her voice in wonderment. The way she asked, with her eyes big and her expression open, was endearing and Gun Woo couldn’t help but smile as he enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere between the two of them.

The guy once again nodded and his action delighted the small girl. “It needs a little bit of polishing but you’ve laid down the basics. It’s simple but at the same time beautiful.”

Ricky almost shined after hearing his compliment and Gun Woo wondered if he was overdoing it. No. He was giving credit where it’s due and strangely enough, he felt being generous today.

He glanced at Ricky’s face and saw her bright grin. It was too bright and he looked away. As he did so, he couldn’t help but think that giving the compliment was worth it, too.

His musings were interrupted when he felt a hand tugging at his shirt. Turing around, he suddenly found Ricky’s face close to his. Too close for comfort.

“Hey, hey, guess what?” Ricky said excitedly as Gun Woo tried too desperately back away but Ricky wouldn’t budge. “I made some snacks!”

Gun Woo paused as he looked at her suspiciously. He momentarily forgot their precarious position. “What snacks?”

“Eggs!” Ricky crowed. “Boiled eggs!”

Gun Woo’s face paled. “Not again!”

Ricky shrugged, not at all bothered by Gun Woo’s reaction. “It’s the only thing I can cook. Everything else ends up in a disaster. I cooked instant noodles once; I almost burned the house down.”

Bewildered and eyes wide at the last statement, Gun Woo didn’t stop the girl as she enthusiastically went to the kitchen to fetch her eggs.

How do you burn a house when cooking instant noodles anyway?

Shaking his head, Gun Woo noted to himself that he won’t allow her near any instant noodles while they are inside his apartment unless it’s cooked by Gun Woo himself, of course.

He was suddenly reminded that he had needed to fetch something. He stood up and was halfway to the medicine cabinet to get himself some aspirin when he paused in the middle of the room.

His eyebrows shot up as he realized something.

“Hyung, here are the eggs!” Ricky bounded to him with a bright grin on her face; on her hand she was carrying a bowl with lots of eggs. “I cooked 20 of them! Eat up!”

As he turned around in horror, his mind still lingered on his realization.

The pounding of his head was gone. He need not take some medicine, after all.

Or he might as Ricky started stuffing Gun Woo’s face with lots and lots of eggs.

______________________________________________________________

Author's Note:

Hey guys! I just got home and proceeded immediately to publish this chapter. I'm sorry I wasn't able to publish it yesterday or earlier today as I was busy. I didn't expect that I would be out all day yesterday and would get home so late today.

I would also like to apologize to everyone. Earlier, when I was reading the past chapters, I realize that there are mistakes in the story like grammatical errors, wrong usage of words, plot holes, etc... Please forgive me. As I am learning and trying to do better, I hope I can improve myself in the succeeding chapters. For now, please do bear with me and continue reading the fic.

For this chapter... it's short. I know. But I plan to release a bonus chapter tomorrow (I'm currently working on it) and another full chapter on Wednesday. On the Wednesday, we'll be seeing a lot of Zelo so please so do drop by to read.

Also, another point! The 'Kai' in this story is not related in any way to Exo's Kai.

I guess that's all for now. See yah.

Please do comment below if you have questions or anything you'd want to clarify with. And oh! Please do subscribe.