Devil’s Music

Kiska's grandmother's house was located in a small and ancient village called "Abkhazia." Thanks to Kiska, who sat next to Geon for over an hour chatting about the neighborhood, Geon arrived without boredom and stepped out of the car to see his grandmother's house.

The house, built on a sloping hill that seemed to be in a mountainous area, was a two-story building with dark brown roofs and walls made of ochre bricks, set against a picturesque mountain.

In front of the house was a downhill grass lawn, and at the end of the path was a cliff. Across the cliff, there were no other mountains, and the distant urban area could be seen like ants—a scenic place indeed.

Feeling the cool breeze from the mountain, Geon smiled, and Gregory, who approached him, said while looking at the view Geon was admiring.

"It's a nice place, isn't it? This is where I was born."

Geon, as if trying to store the clean air inside him, took a deep breath and laughed.

"Yes, it really is a beautiful place."

"Hehe, let's go in. Let's greet my mother first."

Following Gregory, Geon went to the grandmother's room on the second floor and could see the grandmother quietly sleeping. Gregory, who opened the door and saw his mother sleeping, quietly closed the door saying,

"Alright, that sounds good."

While Kiska was combing her wind-blown hair, Gregory, who came to the living room, offered a flatbread.

"It's bread baked in an oven with cheese, Georgian style. It's called 'Purée.' You must be hungry, have some."

Geon bit into the bread and asked,

"Did you say your mother has a chronic illness?"

"Yeah, she has cancer. They say she's too old for surgery, and she didn't like staying at the hospital, so she insisted on coming home. It seems she might not make it through this year."

"I see..."

"I should have come earlier; I would have shown her many nice places while she was still healthy."

Seeing Gregory's regretful eyes, Geon made a sympathetic face, and soon Gregory brightened his expression and looked up at Kiska's room on the second floor.

"What are you planning to do about our Kiska?"

Geon widened his eyes and asked,

"What do you mean?"

"Even I know about it, and you, the person involved, claim not to know?"

"I don't understand what you mean, Gregory."

"Heh, you don't know Kiska likes you?"

"Ah... I know."

"Then what are you going to do about it?"

"Well, that... Kiska is still too young."

"Young? She's twelve years old now."

Geon, sweating due to Gregory's attempt to push Kiska onto him, said,

"Well, maybe when she's a bit older..."

Gregory stared into Geon's eyes quietly. Suddenly stopping his words and staring intently at him made Geon unable to stand it any longer and he asked,

"What would you like me to do...?"

Gregory said seriously,

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"You're not planning to just date my daughter and let her grow old, are you?"

"Well, that's..."

"I acknowledge that Kiska is still young. But there are too many women around you. It seems you don't even give them a glance, but Kiska is very insecure. She's especially worried about that Japanese girl, Shizuka. A while ago, she even thought about dyeing her beautiful platinum blonde hair black, thinking you would like it like Shizuka."

"Ah... I see."

"Get engaged."

Geon's face went blank, and he sat down comfortably crossing his legs, but Gregory continued speaking with the intimidating eyes of a mafia boss.

"Even if it's just a simple engagement, of course, you would marry when Kiska becomes an adult."

"Well, that's..."

"Do you dislike my daughter?"

"No, it's not that."

Geon stuttered, overwhelmed by the sudden situation. Taking advantage of Geon's confusion, Gregory pressed on for an answer.

"I won't pressure you. If either Kiska or you requests to break off the engagement, I'll accept your separation without a word. Would that be okay?"

Geon slightly furrowed his brow. After a moment, looking into Gregory's eyes, he asked,

"Why are you in such a hurry? If those are the conditions, couldn't we take our time?"

Gregory got up and walked to the window, crossing his arms and gazing deep into the scenery before finally speaking,

"I'm anxious."

Realizing that this was an important statement, Geon quietly observed his back.

"Kiska is not normal. Well, she wasn't normal, but now she's returning to normal. So I'm anxious. She's not yet completely normal like other children her age. I hope you

will always be with Kiska. I believe that with you, Kiska can live a life like any other person."

Gregory turned around and saw Geon sitting on the sofa.

"I feel sorry for being forceful. Maybe I should rephrase that. Rather than an engagement, I'd appreciate it if you could promise to always be by Kiska's side. Then I'd feel a bit less anxious."

Geon nodded as if there was nothing to think about.

"Of course, I'll always be there if Kiska wants me."

Only then did Gregory smile and look at Geon before turning his head and seeing Kiska standing on the staircase leading to the second floor.

"Kiska?"

Blushing, Kiska dashed up to the second floor. Although it's unclear how long she had been listening, she ran away embarrassed after hearing that Geon would always be by her side whenever she wanted. Gregory chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.

"Then let me treat you to some Georgian cuisine. Have you heard of Mtsvadi? It's a Georgian meat skewer dish."

"Haha, I've heard of it but never tried it."

"Good, let me show off my skills. But... we're a bit short on firewood, could you fetch some from the backyard?"

"Ah, alright."

Geon went out of the house, headed to the backyard, and picked up an armful of wood already prepared by Gregory, cut to the right size, and went back inside to the hearth where Gregory was preparing to cook.

"Just put enough in. Don't make the fire too strong; you have to control it well. The fire is already going, so just add more wood."

"Alright, I'll try."

Geon sat on a makeshift chair in front of the small hearth and adjusted the fire, occasionally breaking off small pieces of dry wood to manage the flames.

Without thinking, as he repeatedly placed wood in the fire, Geon's thoughts drifted to Kiska. The girl he always thought of as a child had grown significantly, and it wouldn't be strange to call her a woman now.

Although still young in mind, Geon felt he couldn't treat her the same as before and recalled his conversation with Gregory.

'Engaged? She's too young.'

As he stoked the fire, Gregory approached and began baking the Purée in the hearth.

Beside him, he skillfully grilled the meat on skewers and even brought out a bottle of wine, a Georgian specialty, and continued to eat. Even as they finished a hearty meal by late afternoon, Gregory, slightly drunk from the wine, staggered to his feet.

"I need a nap. You must be tired too, why don't you take a rest?"

"Ah, I will."

"The rooms are on the second floor."

Gregory went up first, and Geon, left alone, cleaned the dishes and went upstairs after washing them. He entered the only room that was open among all the closed doors and looked around.

His room had a bed with a checkered bedspread and a small dresser.

Gregory had apparently moved Geon's suitcase earlier, as it was in one corner. Geon changed into comfortable clothes and lay down on the bed.

Although he was a bit tired, the events of the day had left his mind in turmoil, and he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. As he was about to drift off, he heard the door being cautiously opened.

Still with a flushed face, Kiska stood at the door with a pillow in her arms. Geon sat up and asked,

"Kiska, why didn't you come down for dinner?"

She looked down at the pillow tucked under her arm and entered the room.

"I want to sleep next to you."

"Um?"

"We always slept together, I want to sleep next to you."

"No, I mean, Ki, Kiska."

As Geon moved his feet to scoot back while sitting on the bed, Kiska threw her pillow onto the bed and sat on the edge.

"Why? We slept together just a while ago. Why are you acting like this now?"

Geon sweated as he scooted back.

"No, it's not that. I mean."

Kiska lowered her head and then said,

"You said you'd be with me whenever I want."

"Um?"

"You said you'd always be with me if I wanted."

"Oh, that's true but..."

Kiska leaned into Geon. As he sat up, her force pushed him down. Startled, Geon tried to push her away, but Kiska, holding onto his waist, whispered,

"Put me to sleep. Like before."

Although her body had grown, Kiska still had the scent of a baby. Feeling her warmth, Geon chuckled.

'What was I thinking?'

Geon stroked Kiska's hair. She seemed to enjoy his touch as she rubbed her face against his stomach and pulled up the blanket, saying,

"Goodnight, brother."

"Ha,

good pronunciation."

"Put me to sleep."

Geon stroked Kiska's hair and started to sing softly, and she soon fell asleep in his arms.

As he sang to the gently snoring Kiska, confirming she had fallen completely asleep, he smiled.

'She's grown up, but she's still a baby. Our Kiska.'

Feeling the warmth of Kiska, Geon's eyes slowly closed. The long flight had left him tired, and relaxed by Kiska's presence, sleep quickly overcame him.

Just as his heavy eyelids were about to close, the sound of the door opening again startled him. Turning his head in his drowsy state, he saw the grandmother with a horrified expression.

"My goodness! Who are you!!"

The grandmother, who burst into the room, started yelling and ran in, swinging a broom laden with dust and cobwebs.

"Who are you! Who dares touch our precious granddaughter!! Gregory! Gregory!! Where are you!!"

"Ah, grandmother, it's not what it looks like, I'm..."

"You pervert! How dare you touch someone else's precious granddaughter!!"

As Geon coughed from getting hit on the head with the dusty broom, he weakly smiled.

>

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