#starter.zip

She groaned but coughed it off quickly after. How unfortunate she was to run into an old ‘student’ that she, surprisingly, wished she was held back into the jail that is their home. By now, she’s figured out how this boy was. She was disgusted, but everyone deserved respect regardless. He was older by at least two years but she was responsible for educating him— the person she felt indifferent about. It was her father, once again, pushing her to fulfill duties she wasn’t willing to do. Burdens, rather. It was nothing new, however. Almost all, if not everything, that she had been doing were all out of her accord. Everything she desired had to be left undone before she can finally be free, no matter how unattainable that seemed. “Long time no see.” Areum asserted with a grimly mocking grin.

"I don't think that's how it goes." She sang a broken tune, clearing her throat once, and twice, but still constant with the surprisingly uncured voice. She hadn't been singing in a while. In fact, the deed was completely pushed aside as the years went on, trying to surpass her own standard in a different field. But what was the point of impressing someone who spun lyrical poetry in rhyming chants rather than soft melodies. It wasn't her style at all and if she were to ask, she knew she'd be disappointed— only, she did out of 'courtesy', also trying to sound innocent with a hint of reluctance. "It still doesn't sound right. H-How do you sing that part?"

She convinced herself of an unbiased treatment with everyone, but in reality she had her own favoured specimen. Her worry was no more than a facade to conceal the vile nature that simply wanted the female out of sight, and almost everyone else in that case. She was in search of a saviour and nothing less. Not that she hadn’t the guts to say so outright, it was a preference. She wanted people to view her the same way they have, and they shall always. “We can meet at another time, I’ll be sure to treat you to something.”

A soundboard struck by hammers at each press of a key, and strings stopped by dampers at each release. Black and white keys producing melodies that resonated, sending shivers down her spine. It was terrifying, but beguiling in the same way. It had her all ears. But no, it wasn’t the keys. It was him— and his hands. His hands of pale, delicate fingers, that played a tune only she could ever wish to know, but even just hearing— listening, satisfied her. He was but a stranger with a finesse for music, sending warmth to the young lady turned an instant fan. “That was beautiful.”

She watched with judging eyes, the message of the female’s song turning wry in her ears, her very own eyes deceiving her and showing nothing but a crook. Once finished, she stepped away just as she did. The glower of her face quickly became animated with a smile. “Hey—” she tapped on her shoulder, swiftly hiding them behind her as she swung her body sideways, left and right. “You did great back there.”

“Oh— sorry,” eyes that widened in surprise quickly turned into crescents with a vibrant smile etched onto her gentle features. She might have bumped into him, broken his toes and whatnot, but an amiable apology should rid off an unpleasant start point or avoid it in the first place. He looked like just anyone who was interested in art, but anyone in this place could be a bridge to opportunity or be the person to give opportunity themselves. She had to be smart. “I was lost in thought.” She chewed on her lower lip, eyebrows furrowed and nose scrunched as if it was her who was in pain. “I’m really sorry, what should I do?”

“My bad.” Lips puckered, head tilted with eyes enlarged in an attempt to appeal, brows slanted; all expressing a dim view of the other female’s assumed dislike for the certain favourite of hers. Instead, she shifted her attention back to the stray kitten that found its way to the pair’s leisurely way. “You look like someone who appreciates cats.” She followed up with a monotonous voice, her eyes focused on the feline whilst caressing its head.

“Can you delete that, please?” said Areum, pointing at the screen. Although it was simply her assumption that he took a picture of her, she was sure she has heard a click. Undoubtedly of a camera; his camera. There were no one else around with one, after all. She cleared her throat, suppressing the black look with an involuntary thin line of smile as she insincerely pleaded. “Let’s make this easy for both of us.”