To Byul (Omegaverse)-Chapter 114: For a spectacular performance...

The atmosphere was rather tense. It looked like this was a family discussion and Chin-hwa did not want to be a part of it.

Sure, he was curious but he liked to stick out from complex conversations that had to do with inheritance and whatnot.

But first of all, why was there such an argument? Kang-woo wasn’t studying Business and management, so how was he supposed to run the company?

"Don’t get it wrong," Tae-won said. "Your Hyung is just throwing a fit. As for who inherits the company," he sighed. "We’ve already decided on it."

Kang-woo stared at them, wondering what was going through their minds.

"So, who is it?" He asked but before they could say more, Hae-won raised his hand,

"Um, sorry to interrupt but... I’ll just go upstairs to the music room. You guys can talk, okay?"

Kang-woo nodded and handed him his bag.

"The score is inside. You can look through it in the meantime,"

"Yeah," Chin-hwa said, letting out a little smile, and then bowed his head at Tae-won and Ga-ram before heading upstairs towards the music room.

From the top of the stairs, he watched them and how they all looked so serious. Such a tense atmosphere... He hoped Kang-woo would be okay.

’Hm, inheriting the company,’ he darted his eyes away in thoughts. ’I never actually thought about it. But oh well, I’m third in line anyway, so I don’t have to worry about that. But for Kang-woo... He’s the Alpha son, so maybe there’s this prejudice in the company, not wanting an Omega to take over.’ he got deep in thought, getting lost in a matter that concerned him not.

He soon came to his senses, shook his head and said,

"Let me go look over the score while I wait for Kang-woo. Nothing’s going to happen." He entered the music room and took off his coat, hung it on the coat hanger that just happened to be there, and took off his beanie as well.

It was warm inside so he didn’t need to be fully cladded. He shoved his fingers through his hair and ruffled it, sighing in relief as he had come out of the thickness of his own clothes that were worn to protect him from the cold.

"Relief." He exclaimed and sat next to the piano. He placed the score note in front of him and opened it. "Alright, let’s see what it’s about."

A few minutes passed with Chin-hwa still studying the score, more minutes, and then half an hour, going straight to an hour.

Chin-hwa had been so engrossed that he didn’t even realize the time was going fast. He tried his fingers with the keys on the piano, was amazed, and even noticed that the rhythm went well with a violin combination, and thus came up with an idea.

For a spectacular performance with Kang-woo up on stage, he knew what must be done.

The door slowly opened with a sighing Kang-woo coming in with a plate of sliced apples and strawberries.

"Hwa, sorry for making you wa--"

"I got it!" Chin-hwa yelled in excitement, startling Kang-woo. He raised his head and found Kang-woo staring in shock. "Oh, Kang-woo, you’re here, hehe." He smiled brightly, displaying his entire set of teeth. "I was waiting for you."

Kang-woo took one long look at that bright smile and ended up smiling. He must’ve had fun while he was gone.

"What did you get?" He asked as he walked closer, placing down the plate of apples and Chin-hwa picked one with the pickers.

"The perfect reharmonization to allow us to play ’Happiness’ with the piano and Violin while I sing." He said and Kang-woo nodded.

He was always talented in music so this wasn’t a surprise.

"Well, do you write it down? Show me." Kang-woo said but Chin-hwa opened his mouth and gave a big smile,

"No, it’s all in my head."

"Hm, do you want me to open up your head and read the new score out?" Kang-woo asked, teasing Chin-hwa as he grabbed his head and Chin-hwa laughed.

"It’s nothing too difficult. Just... Follow my lead, okay?"

Kang-woo sat next to Chin-hwa and watched him. He balanced himself in front of the keyboard and began to play, his fingers gracefully sliding over the piano keys like they were flower petals floating with the wind.

He was so graceful and even more so when he smiled with genuine happiness.

Kang-woo thought Chin-hwa would ask about the situation downstairs once he had gotten to the music room, but it looked like Chin-hwa didn’t even think about it.

He had been so engrossed in modifying the score notes to suit their performance better. Honestly, he was glad. He just... Didn’t want to talk about it.

Chin-hwa stopped as he noticed Kang-woo drop his head on his shoulder with his eyes closed.

’He must be tired.’ Chin-hwa thought, ’I wonder what conclusion they came to.’ he decided to just continue playing. "Even while you rest, keep the changes in mind. Once you’re well rested," he slid his fingers over the keys in a long slide and smiled. "... we’ll officially start practicing,"

"Aye, Aye, Captain," Kang-woo said with a small smirk with his eyes still closed.

And to think this was the same person who was so adamant about not performing. You can always try to hide, but there’s no running away from one’s heart’s true desire.

Without realizing it, Kang-woo actually did fall asleep and Chin-hwa had lent his thigh to him as a pillow.

Chin-hwa enjoyed his time watching Kang-woo sleep so peacefully on his thigh. He was so close, and it made his heart pound, but... He was so glad and secretly planted a kiss on his cheek, whispering softly,

"Let’s become closer than ever, Byul,"

Kang-woo finally woke up and found Chin-hwa writing down the scores afresh. Where did he get a book and pen?

Chin-hwa noticed he was up when he began to raise his head.

"Oh, you’re up. You were probably exhausted since this week was a hectic one. And for you who transferred, you had a lot to cover up so it must’ve been especially hectic." He said. "So, I let you sleep for a while."

"What time is it?" Kang-woo asked, shoving his fingers through his hair. An old habit that occurred after waking up.

"It should be dinner time right now." Chin-hwa said. "You didn’t sleep too long since we got here around 3."

"I slept for two hours," Kang-woo said and looked at Chin-hwa’s legs. "How are your legs? Did I inconvenience you?"

"Oh, it was nothing." Chin-hwa said but truth be told, his legs felt quite numb. "Your mom came in a while ago. She helped me with the book and pen," he showed Kang-woo the scores he had written, successfully changing the topic. "And thanks to that, I’m all done with the scores too. So, we can start practicing after dinner."

Kang-woo stopped rubbing his face and looked at all Chin-hwa had done while he was napping. He felt he had left Chin-hwa alone and made him lonely but Chin-hwa didn’t really mind.

"Hwa, I’m sorry." Kang-woo suddenly apologized. "I should’ve been more active. I’m the one who tried hard to convince you, so I should be the one doing all the work, yet--"

"Oh, don’t be like that. I told you it’s fine." Chin-hwa said, waving it off. "I’m very excited to practice now so let’s not kill the mood and just do it. If you want to make it up to me then you can just do a good job. That’s it."

Kang-woo sighed.

’Oh, Hwa, sweet adorable Hwa, why are you so nice and forgiving?’ he thought. ’At least,’ he took his hand and pressed his lips on his knuckle. ’Let me first seek your forgiveness before you hurry on to forgive me for my incompetence.’

"H-hey," Chin-hwa called, his face gradually flushing as he watched Kang-woo kiss his knuckles softly. ’What is he doing? If he’s done, he should let go already, right?’

Yet, Kang-woo did not let go. As if enamored by the sudden sweetness he felt, he kissed Chin-hwa’s knuckles one more time and then slowly traced the kiss to his wrist, giving Chin-hwa instant chills from the excitement that ran through him.

’Seriously, what is he doing?’ he covered his mouth, scared to make a noise.

Kang-woo, who was carrying out this action, realized what he was doing a moment too late and wondered what to say to avoid a misunderstanding.

He couldn’t just raise his head and act like nothing happened.

He glanced up and his eyes widened, seeing how Chin-hwa had his questioning and yet smitten gaze on him.

"Apple," Kang-woo suddenly said and Chin-hwa uncovered his mouth.

"W-what?"

"Your hand tastes like apples," he said, and yeah, they did taste like apples. It looked like Chin-hwa had used his hands to eat the rest of the apples and strawberries so some of the juice had rolled down.

He had been too engrossed with what he was doing to clean it. So, thanks to that, Kang-woo had the perfect excuse for his actions.

"It’s sweet," he said and Chin-Hwa nodded, his eyes slightly twirling from the turn of events.

"Yes, Apples are sweet. Let’s..." He attempted to get down from the seat. "Go get more." But as soon as he stood up, his legs that were still quite numb, gave out on him, and he fell, but thankfully, Kang-woo was there to catch him in the nick of time.

"Hwa," he called and Chin-hwa opened his eyes to find himself on top of Kang-woo. "Are you okay?"