‘ And so. ‘ Woohyun pronounced carefully. ‘ You’re done with Paradise, lyrics all filled in but you can’t sing it. ‘

‘ Yeah. That just about sums it up. ‘

‘ But why me? Sunggyu hyung’s a better vocalist than me. ‘

‘ But you’ve met Myungsoo before. So it should be fine for you. ‘

‘ He’s gonna leave, right? To where he belongs after you play Paradise for him. ‘

‘ Yes. ‘

‘ But you love him. I can see that. ‘

‘ That doesn’t count. It doesn’t change anything at all. He’s a spirit, I’m a human. ‘

‘ But you don’t mind those differences. If you don’t mind, I’m sure he doesn’t too. ‘

‘ Maybe it’s fine for us, but he needs to go to where he belongs. He doesn’t belong in that old piano room which is dusty like mad. ‘

‘ So. I can sing for you, but is that what you really want? ‘

‘ Yes, hyung. Please help me. ‘

‘ All right. After school, at the room? ‘

‘ Yep. ‘

^_^

‘ Woohyun… you’re here. ‘ Myungsoo stares at the shadow of Woohyun. ‘ Where’s Sungyeol? ‘

‘ I expect that he’ll be here later. ‘ Woohyun glanced momentarily at the scores on the piano. ‘ I’m sorry, Myungsoo. For all that I did. For the hurt I’ve caused you. ‘

‘ And you don’t need to be. In fact, our encounter brought Sungyeol to me. He’s all that matters to me. ‘ A contented smile appeared on Myungsoo’s face, and Woohyun smiled too.

‘ I might leave after this, but tell him that I’ll love him always, Woohyun. I’ll only look at him no matter where I am. ‘

‘ Why don’t you tell him this yourself, Myungsoo? Both of you love each other so much, it’s a pity you have to break off now. ‘

‘ Cause it’s a forbidden romance, hyung. ‘ Sungyeol appeared, leaning against the door. ‘ I’ll start playing, and you’ll start singing. ‘ Myungsoo closed his eyes.

‘Because my heart is not working
I can’t let you go like this, why?
Even if I look shaky and dangerous
I can only hold you in, what now?
I love you (I’m sure you do too) I won’t do it (you will do it)
I will do it, I only look at you
Please stay here, I’m asking you a favor, I’ll treat you better, I can’t let you go yet
I must live, I must survive, cause I will stop some day

This place is a paradise only if you’re here
A paradise that has locked you in against your will
A sad paradise that you won’t go if you’re awake
A paradise that we can be together forever, oh

I can only watch you while holding my breath
I can only do so cause it might break
You look at me (you probably will) you don’t look (you will)
You look at me and it hurts
Please stay here, I’m asking you a favor, I’ll treat you better, I can’t let you go yet
I must live, I must survive, cause I will stop some day

This place is a paradise only if you’re here
A paradise that has locked you in against your will
A sad paradise that you won’t go if you’re awake
A paradise that we can be together forever, oh

Every night, I filled me with you
Yeah, now I have to fill it with alcohol, time
The arm that wrapped, the panting night
The best paradise, without you it’s a hopeless world

I’m gonna hold you in a little longer, I’m gonna look at you a little more
Until my heart cools off a little more
I must live even without you, but right now, I need you

This place is a paradise only if you’re here
A paradise that has locked you in against your will
A sad paradise that you won’t go if you’re awake
A paradise that we can be together forever, oh ‘

Woohyun’s heart broke every single time he surveyed the lyrics. How much did they have to go through for Sungyeol to write these lyrics? Sungyeol couldn’t sing them; it was not because he couldn’t, he actually had a light and soothing voice. It was just that Sungyeol did not have the confidence to sing the song without breaking down in front of Myungsoo.

The song ended, and Sungyeol looked up to see Myungsoo’s gaze, unwavering and he looked away, afraid that he would start dripping tears. ‘ Thank you. ‘

‘ You say that too often. ‘

‘ I’m leaving. ‘

‘ I can feel it. I’ll miss you. ‘

‘ Live a good life, Lee Sungyeol. Forget all about me. ‘

‘ Like I could. ‘

‘ Try. ‘ Myungsoo stressed. ‘ I guess. ‘

Myungsoo’s touch began to fade, as he began to disintegrate right in front of Sungyeol’s eyes. Myungsoo pressed his lips to Sungyeol’s, feeling his lips curve up into a smile.

‘ Goodbye, Lee Sungyeol. And… I love you. ‘