The Sound Of Heart (2021) | Completed

27 | a loop

For the last 5 years, Fairytale Night had been the biggest event of the year at Pyeonghwa. And to prove that, the management team put lots of money and effort in recreating a magical world for the kids there, from the various whimsical photo corners, to the costume rental booths and of course, the annual acting skit as a tribute to Disney by Pyeonghwa's staff.

This year I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't play any role in the skit but the sign language narrator. Unlike me, Hyojin still had to dress up. "I'm thinking of making it a tradition", said Sunye with satisfaction as she showed me and Seulgi the way to the dressing room where Hyojin was at. Sunye was extremely excited with the skit even though the original female lead had to turn down the role due to a positive Coronavirus test result and they had to quickly find a replacement.

And the replacement, who was also a new volunteer, was no other than Kang Seulgi.

She was such a salvation to the skit's "executive producer" Kim Hyojin.

Yet a nuisance to me.

As I had been literally stuck at her place for two whole days just to observe and give feedback for her countless practice sessions.

Nevertheless, I appreciated her goodwill and effort. Not many people dare to pick up something they hadn't done and spent precious time after work just to get well prepared like what she had done. Unless you were Seulgi!

     "Unnie, and who's that returning volunteer?"

I asked Seulgi as we strolled along the corridor to Pyeonghwa main hall. Sunye told me earlier that there were actually some more last-minute replacements, among which there was a returning volunteer. But as I didn't go to the final rehearsal, I hadn't had the chance to see them.

Seulgi replied me with a knowing smile.

     "That's the perk for those going to the rehearsal yesterday."

I sighed. Does she need to act that mean when I had to give up the final rehearsal due to my grandmother's sudden visit?

     "Geez" - I stuck out my lower lip - "If you're playing mysterious, that person'd better be a famous one."

     "Let's say, he's quite well-known to many people here but probably not to you." - Seulgi nudged me and pointed her chin to our front, laughing as she made a sudden halt. - "Oh here he is."

I turned my gaze to Seulgi's direction and heard myself blurting at the person who was literally running to us.

     "You?"

The returning volunteer. The volunteer that was said to be widely admired at Pyeonghwa. The debuting Fairytale Night actor. The owner of the special painting-on-request booth where lots of teenagers at Pyeonghwa was flocking to.

And the person requesting a song to motivate me on FM The 9th Hour.

Kim Taehyung.

He welcomed me with his usual smile.

     "I thought you couldn't make it today, Wheein-ssi."

     "Ah yeah" - I cleared my throat, totally flustered as Seulgi didn't even bother to hide her mischievous smile. - "My grandmother just stopped by for a short visit."

I didn't know why I was explaining to him but he listened to me as we walked behind Seulgi and headed to the dressing room. A few teenagers passed by and asked Taehyung for a painting but he simply said that the booth has closed .

     "Seulgi unnie said you were famous here." - I crossed my arms, commenting. - "Seems like I've missed a big part in Pyeonghwa's history."

     "Erm. . ." - He titled his head aside and pouted at me. - "You just barely cared, didn't you?"