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                                  Sometimes, the conditions for happiness are very simple. You just have to slow down, look at the people and the things that matter to you and smile.

A few months passed and Sunggyu’s shop was doing a lot better than before. He managed to sell a few instruments and help many more customers along the way. School term started and Yerin went back to school, leaving Sunggyu, Woohyun and Hyerim to tend to the shop themselves. Before they knew it, the first snow fell and winter officially came around.

“Do you sell any pain relief music?” A female walked to the counter, her face expressionless. She was dressed in a black dress, accentuating her pale complexion. Her eyes were downcast, focusing on the speck of dirt on her white shoes.

“Of course, the discs are on the shelf over there.” Hyerim replied with a smile, gesturing to the black shelf in the corner of the shop near the wind instruments.

The female shuffled quickly towards it, before grabbing the first disc at eye level. She then made her way quickly back to the counter, her anxiety making her look especially suspicious. Hyerim shifted uncomfortably behind the counter, resisting the urge to call Sunggyu, who was out getting new instruments from the suppliers for help.

“Would you like to get anything else?” Hyerim asked, putting the disc into a plastic bag before sliding it across the counter.

“I heard you guys managed to help a pianist play again.” The customer started, her voice wavering slightly as she looked nervously at Hyerim.

Hyerim nodded hesitantly.

“I want to play the harp again.” Before Hyerim could start, the female cut in, slight hope evident on the otherwise expressionless features.

Hyerim sighed inwardly. Another one… Sometimes I wonder if we are doing the right thing…“And your reason?”

“I just recovered from an injury,” Her reply was short, “But I really have to play again, regardless of the price. I am willing to pay, as long as you guys would help me.”

“Then you should go to a physiotherapist, not come to us.” Woohyun walked out from the back room, his voice clear against the soft music in the background. “We’re not doctors.” His face was unusually cold, his arms folded in front of his chest.

His second statement earned a glare from Hyerim, who proceeded to smile at the female. “What’s your name? I see what we can help with, but no guarantees.”

“You can call me Hee-Jin.” The female forced a smile onto her face. “I have to go now, but I will be back next week. I need to play again, and I really hope that you guys can help me. Pricewise, everything can be negotiated. And no, it’s not because of my injury. I have my reasons.” She looked at Woohyun, directing her last sentence towards him. With that, she shuffled quickly out of the store, leaving a puzzled Hyerim looking at Woohyun.

“Look Hyerim, do you think this makes sense?” Sunggyu waved Hyerim over to the counter, pointing at the screen of his laptop, which was on the page showing the different music pieces and tones that could help with depression. That night, Hyerim told Sunggyu about the weird customer that afternoon, after which Sunggyu decided to help her immediately, almost without thinking.

“Why do I feel that you should be a psychiatrist instead?” Woohyun mumbled, playing with his fingers as Sunggyu and Hyerim sat hunched over the laptop, figuring out how they could help a certain customer.

“I started this store to help people relax and have fun with music. Heck, I would have started conducting lessons if not for the fact that I have no music background.” He sighed, squinting even more at the computer screen. “Therefore, I will help as much as I can, in my own little ways.”

Woohyun rolled his eyes. “Then you’d better start charging those customers. You need money to survive too.”

“It’s okay, I’m earning a bit from the instruments and scores already, thanks to the positive reviews we got. Plus, we are not paying any part timers and I only have to buy incense once in a while.” Sunggyu smiled, his eyes still focused on the laptop screen.

Hyerim frowned, scrolling through the webpages. “Do you think hers might be a case of depression? She didn’t look like she had problems moving her hands. Her fingers looked okay too, although I noticed a scar on her right wrist.” She mumbled to herself thoughtfully, her gaze distant as she tried remembering how the customer that afternoon looked like.

Sunggyu nodded, before scribbling the information into a notebook.

“Speaking of which, a street musician came in the other day.” Woohyun started, his arms folded in front of his chest. “He said something about his brother getting depression and him being unable to help. Do you think he can help with this? Although I maintain the stand that we should not be meddling in our customers’ private affairs.”

“Just ignore that guy, he never means what he says.” Hyerim joked, only to receive a disgruntled glare from Woohyun.

Sunggyu laughed at their antics, his eyes turning into mini crescents. “Now, stop flirting in front of me, will you? I’m single.” He sighed jokingly. “I can’t believe that I am envious of two ghosts.”

Woohyun and Hyerim looked at each other and laughed. “Actually, we realised that we were better off being friends. Furthermore, you’re more my style.” Hyerim joked, winking at Sunngyu before sending a flying kiss in his direction.

Sunggyu shuddered. “No thanks, I would prefer a human girl, thanks for your offer though.” He scoffed, earning a pout from Hyerim. He did not spend much time looking at her reaction before continuing, “I think we can enlist the help of that street musician. When will we see him again?”

“He said he would drop by next Monday to collect the new scores he ordered.”