Chapter 76
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Naked Pianist
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Naked Pianist
"The breeze blows in— sweeping the you inside me away—"
...Amazing.
How does such a sound come out of this tiny body?
Hearing Jini's live performance right in front of me was so incredible it gave me chills.
Vocals getting drowned out? Turn down the piano?
That was amateur thinking.
The human voice truly is the ultimate instrument—no exaggeration.
My piano got completely buried under Jini's singing.
Pros really are on another level.
Mi-so's a pro too, but after hearing Jini, I almost felt bad comparing them.
...Come on, Mi-so. You got this.
Your bro's rooting for you...!
The song ended.
Mi-so turned off the camera, and Jini sat there with her eyes closed, lost in the afterglow.
My fingers were trembling from the emotion.
I finally got why people go crazy for idols.
"Mi-so. You see that?"
"Yeah. I saw."
Mi-so and Jini whispered to each other.
I didn't want to interrupt their serious chat, but I couldn't hold back a compliment.
"Jini, you sing so well. I forgot to breathe, totally lost in it."
"Sun-hu oppa. Your piano was amazing too."
"Nah, what I played was just basic accompaniment. Any decent pianist could've done the same."
I wasn't being humble—that's how I really felt.
Breeze isn't a tough piece to play.
But singers who could match Jini's level? You could count 'em on one hand.
Even I, who knows zilch about vocals, was dead certain of that.
"Oppa! What about me?"
"Mi-so, you were cute."
"What? For real."
Mi-so pouted playfully.
What can you do? She is cute. What else am I supposed to say?
"But Sun-hu oppa."
Jini, who'd been deep in thought, called me with a serious look.
She acts like a kid, but flips the switch the second a song starts.
Pretty cool, actually.
"Singing with your accompaniment felt so easy. No idea why, but the high notes just flowed."
"Really? Feels good to hear that, but Jini's skill is what made it great—not the accompaniment."
"No way. I've sung Breeze over 300 times, practices included. This was the best ever. For sure."
"So I witnessed Jini hitting her peak? Lucky me."
"Is that what it was...?"
Jini drifted back into thought.
"What now? Should we just go with this take?"
"Wanna try once more... Sun-hu oppa, you cool with that?"
"Of course."
Hearing Jini sing again? That's an honor.
Recording started up.
I played accompaniment while Mi-so and Jini took turns on vocals.
Highlight reel, of course, was Jini's solo.
Jini was even more intense this time.
Rehearsal had a hint of playfulness, but now? Pure focus.
That was real passion.
This wasn't a song for some amateur backing in a tiny room.
It belonged in a 50,000-seat concert hall.
My ears were feasting, but it sucked that only two people got to hear it live.
They should've charged admission.
The song wrapped up.
I was floating on a wave of awe.
Only when Mi-so killed the camera did I catch my breath.
"Whoa."
I had to clap.
What do you even say? It shook my soul.
"Sniff..."
Looking over to praise Jini, I saw tears streaming down her face.
Wait, why!?
"Jini, you okay? What's wrong?"
Mi-so tried to comfort her and lead her out, but Jini waved it off.
Instead, they plopped down on my bed.
"Just got overwhelmed. I'm good now."
I grabbed some tissues and handed them over.
Emotion overflowing mid-song? Unexpected depth from someone who seemed so young.
"Phew. Sun-hu oppa. Mind a request while I calm down?"
Jini blinked her puffy, red eyes.
"Sure. Hit me."
"For real?"
"Yeah. Long as I can play it."
No way she's asking for something insane.
But Jini's request blew past my wildest guesses.
"Oppa, play naked. Wanna see how your muscles move when you play."
"...Huh?"
"Oh! Me too!"
"Wait... that's your request?"
"Yeah... No good?"
And just like that, tears started falling again.
"Oppa! Making Jini cry like this! So mean!"
"No, I..."
Did I make her cry?
I was too flustered to speak.
How do you even respond to that?
Naked piano? Never heard of it.
Classical world's all about formality.
Performer skips a tie? Cue the etiquette lectures.
Sure, I'm an amateur—not some paid pro on stage.
But isn't that disrespectful to the piano?
Wait...
Mom and I did it on top of one. With Sis, I even came all over it. Not on purpose, but still.
Me lecturing piano etiquette? That's rich.
Felt like the cactus on top was laughing at me.
"Sun-hu oppa, if you're shy stripping alone, I'll join you."
"Me too!"
"Hold up!"
I stopped them before they could shed their outfits.
"You wanna see piano muscles, right? Topless do it?"
"Might as well go bottom too."
"Pedals, remember?"
True...
"Please. Can't ask anyone else. I'll do anything."
Yeah, no kidding!
Who asks a stranger to strip and play piano?
But if it's too weird for others, spare me too.
And girls shouldn't toss out "anything" so lightly.
"Oppa, please..."
"Please..."
Two idols begging with teary eyes.
Any guy escaping this web?
A dude's naked bod ain't that valuable.
No recording, no harm, right?
"...Fine. But—"
"Yes!"
"Woo!"
They high-fived like they won the lottery.
You two... Jini, weren't you sobbing seconds ago?
Acting?
"But. No recording. Tell no one. No touching—just look. Ends here. No bringing it up ever."
"Got it."
"Okay!"
Mi-so's seen it anytime, even barges into the bathroom.
Jini... well, she's curious like me.
Long as they don't blab, should be fine.
...Right?
Made up my mind, untied my necktie—cue the squeals.
Maybe they don't want my naked self. Just some wild thrill with a friend.
Shed the jacket, unbuttoned the shirt.
Got quiet. Looked over—they were side-by-side, hands clasped, eyes glued to my striptease.
...More embarrassing than I thought.
Screw it. No point hesitating.
Nothing to be ashamed of.
Go big or go home—full service.
Flung shirt and pants to the audience.
"Kyaa!"
They lost it.
Just two, but felt like a stadium.
Down to boxers now.
Audience eyes sparkling with hype.
Hahaha! Feast your eyes!
"Kyaaaa!"
Biggest cheer yet.
"Mongolian Death Worm!"
Jini pointed at my crotch, yelling.
What the hell?
Kids these days—can't keep up.
If my birthday suit makes two cuties this happy, cheap price.
I was past caring.
Bowed naked to the crowd, took my seat at the piano.
Thunderous applause welcomed me.
Piano bench feels cold. News to me.
Shame hit late, but I shook it off.
Clothed or not, job's the same. Play.
Wanna see muscles in action? Perfect song for it.
The one I've been grinding lately.
Gave up as a kid 'cause it was too hard.
La Campanella.
Inspired by Paganini's violin concerto—the "Devil's Violinist"—Liszt, the "Pagan of the Piano," transcribed it.
Kid me loved cool nicknames like that. Had to conquer it.
But skill and build? Not ready. Old monsters' tunes ain't for amateurs.
Shelved it back then, picked it up again recently.
Still can't nail it.
No way I'd play for an audience.
But these "fans" don't care about the performance.
Muscle show. This fits—toughest in my repertoire.
"Hoo."
Keys first.
Conscious of every flex.
Piano muscles? Never thought about it.
Might matter, though.
Felt the shifts per note.
Wonder what it looks like from the side?
Shoulda filmed...
Nah, can do that later.
Focus. Tough even concentrated.
4:40 flew by.
No sweat drop. Heat from embarrassment, probs.
Hard piece, but low exertion.
Viewers might be bummed.
Finished, stood, bowed to the house.
Mi-so clapped blankly.
Clap clap clap clap.
Jini shot up, hollering.
"Sexiest bod!"
What even is that.
Kids' slang—lost on me.