42 Farewell (Part I)

It was… therapeutic I guess. That conversation I just had with Damian revealed me a lot of things. I now knew who were my parents, where did I come from, and how did I end up where I was. And while I was deep in thoughts, Damian was still with tears in his eyes, a lot much calmer, but still visibly shaken.

— Old man, you did a great job. Don't worry about it — that was the last thing I said to the old man, trying to comfort him a little bit. That was, before I told him about how were my days after I separated from him and Eimi.

I told him about the Noonas I met thanks to Sang Min-hyung, about how they discovered my scars. I told him about how I ruined Sang Min-hyung's love life, and possibly his career, as I haven't heard about him for quite a while now.

I also told him about that day I met Father, and how since then I've been so grateful to him for what he has done. By the end of the story, I told him about me being a trainee, and what my plans were.

By the end of my story, Damian had his poker face once again, just silently listening to me, not giving any hint of his thoughts.

— What about the little girl? — Damian asked after I finished talking.

I could only sigh at his question, as he made me remember about Eimi.

— She's doing better than us. That family is taking really good care of her.

— So you're trying to cut relationships, huh? — he calmly said. I don't know when we switched to talk in English — I won't say anything about that lad, it's up to both of you to sort out. I know your reasons of doing so, but still, that little girl is tougher than you think.

I kept silent. A few minutes later, I tried to change the topic by asking.

— What's the deal with that nickname of yours? The general, is it?

— It's all that Bastard Lee's fault, I met him a long time ago, and he was the one who gave me that nickname — He exasperatedly said while rolling his eyes, before frowning once again — but still, he's a good man. That son of his is also a good lad, he should be about 4 or 5 years older than you. From what I know, he should be debuting soon.

That last part he said it with a teasing tone, clearly aiming the diss at me. Seeing that I had no response, he continued.

— So, when are you going to show me your skills? — I was wide eyed at his request, but still I replied.

— I'm too tired to dance right now, old man — he glared at me, before saying.

— What about a song then? Are you also too tired for a song? — He was clearly irritated, so I could only comply while sighing.

— Anything in mind old man? Or should I sing whatever I want?

I could see how Damian was deeply thinking, I guess I took that from his part of the family, because I could notice every change in his expression. He was as transparent as me. After some thinking, he finally said.

— You know, there was a song I heard some time ago. I don't know the name of the singer nor the lyrics. I do remember it started in something that sounded German, is that enough? — I was flabbergasted at first, but then I recalled a song that Sang Min-hyung loved. That song fit in Damian's description, so I started singing.

「Ich liebe dich, so wie du mich

Am abend und am Morgen」

I sung powerfully, I'm not sure what does it mean, but I've heard Hyung singing the song before.

「There are many things one should not love

So that's why I become sadder 」

After that initial German part, I started to sing as sweet as I could, as if whispering, making the lyrics hit even harder. I noticed Damian closing his eyes, immersing himself in the song. I ignored him, and continued singing.

「Among it, the saddest part is

That you do not love me」

The lyrics pierced anyone's heart deeper and deeper, so I tried to convey the feelings of the author. Even though I couldn't sympathize with the lyrics, as I haven't experienced it, I did my best at recreating the feeling.

「I didn't ask you to stay with me

But there's no reason for you to leave」

My pitch got higher and higher with each sentence. It was heartrending, the song was powerful enough to make people be lost in it.

「So I will love you silently

Even if my tears show in my sadness」

I was starting to abandon myself in the lyrics, making me remember Eimi. Even though I do not have those kind of feelings for her, my sense of loss is still veracious, and the lyrics make it even deeper.

That way, I continued.

「Yesterday's love is today's goodbye

You were crying through a smile

But the reason I cry so sadly

Is because longing will find me tomorrow」

I finished the song with a whisper, highlighting the longing the song tried to inspire. Even though it already ended, I was still deep in the feelings I evoked with the song. But I wasn't the only one, I could see how Damian was still with his eyes closed.

Now that I think about it, the only things I knew about him were the things he wanted me to know. There's probably a couple of stories I haven't heard about him, after all, he's been around for a lot of time.

That way, both of us kept quiet for a while once again, each one reminiscing about some important memories of us. That was until Damian finally asked.

— It seems I've gotten more emotional with the age — I laughed it off, so he continued — so lad, what's the name of the song?

— Invisible Love, by Shin Seung Hoon — I immediately clarified, then I continued — Sang Min-hyung also loves this song.

He was visibly surprised for a second, but then a faint smile appeared on his face.

— It seems he has his own problems. I'm really sorry to him. He didn't deserve what I did to him or his mother — he said, while looking at the scenery once again. It was quite beautiful, as the green hills at the outskirts of the city were perfectly seen.

— He doesn't blame you — that was the only thing I said. I wasn't involved in their problems.

That way, silence once again pervaded. But this time, I interrupted after a couple of minutes.

— I'll stay here for some time, old man — He simply nodded after I said that, kept silence for a bit, but finally continued.

— That bastard lee's son is a good lad, Dong Hae. It would be good for you to know each other, when will you debut?

— I think that a year and a half if everything goes well — I said, thinking about how it was possible that if I debut, I could be forced to abandon. Still, I didn't mention anything about that.

— That much, huh? — he said, a little bit downcast — I don't think I'll see your debut then, little guy. But still, you'll be fine.

He ended with a big a grin on his face, making me smile a little bit. We kept staring at the scenery, completely silent. Time passed, and both of us were there, just thinking while being in each other's company. The old man and the young teen that once lived peacefully in Guryong village were now together once again. Even though neither could admit it, both appreciated very much each other's presence.