ii. mezzo piano

soonyoung stops on his tracks when he hears jihoon whimper. the latter just wishes he could hear every tune of his song instead of it being silent as if it comes from a hushed orchestra.

"excuse me, are you okay?" soonyoung asks, not getting any response in return. he decides to come closer until jihoon eventually feels his presence, craning his head into his direction and hurriedly wiping his tears off. jihoon opens his mouth in an attempt to say something, but all that came out is a mix of silence and hesitation.

the older asks again, "are you okay? can i sit beside you?"

jihoon may be deaf but he could read lips well so he nods and watches the tall boy sit beside him to face the piano.

"i'm soonyoung and i'm a new member of the orchestral group. i just want to tell you that you're really good at playing the piano. your music is really pleasing to listen to!" that was too long and quick for jihoon to understand so he lets out a small sigh and speaks, "can you please talk slowly?"

his voice is just as lovely as his music, soonyoung tells himself, chuckling nervously before attempting to repeat his words. this time, a bit slower for jihoon to understand. the latter's mouth hangs open as he observes the boy speak, and when soonyoung notices how the other gazes intently into his lips, his cheeks start to flush. when it was jihoon's turn to introduce, he matches his words with sign language, giving soonyoung the idea that he couldn't hear well.

"oh, you can't hear me?" the taller says, trying to do some random signs though the latter can completely understand without the unnecessary movements so he laughs at how cute soonyoung looked. "i lost my hearing a few years ago, sooyoung," jihoon replies

"it's soonyoung."

"hm?"

"kwon, soon, young," soonyoung comes closer and emphasizes each syllable with the shape of his mouth, but jihoon still couldn't get it so the older one just types it on his phone. "ah, soonyoung," jihoon says with a smile before turning to the piano again to start playing a soft melody while soonyoung picks up his violin to try and match it with the music. it didn't take long though, since soonyoung is really having trouble with his instrument and he knows he doesn't belong to the string group. jihoon notices the swift change of mood right away and stops playing to ask if his new friend is alright.

"yes, i'm alright! please keep playing, jihoonie. it makes me feel better."