The Night Before
The fountain in Place Thiars shimmered under the moonlight, water droplets catching the glow of old streetlamps. So-young sat on the stone edge, licking apricot jam from her fingers—Great-Auntie's bomboloni were still warm in her paper bag.
Then the music began.
A piano stood where none had been before, its polished wood gleaming against the cobblestones. A boy played with his sleeves rolled up, fingers flying through a mix of Arirang and something French and melancholy. The crowd murmured appreciatively, but no one seemed to question the piano's sudden appearance.
So-young stood.
Their eyes met just as the final note faded.
Then—
A breeze. A ripple in the fountain's reflection.
He was gone.
The Next Evening
Behind the concert hall, Taehyun Kang slumped against the wall, loosening his tie with one hand while rubbing his temples with the other. Up close, he looked less like a prodigy and more like a teenager who'd slept in his suit.
So-young thrust the basket of hotteok at him.
"You looked hungry after your performance."
He blinked at the golden pancakes, then at her. "...Are these poisoned?"
"Obviously. I stalk talented pianists to assassinate them with street food."
A startled laugh escaped him. The first bite made his shoulders slump in relief. "Oh no. This is criminally good."
She watched as he devoured three in rapid succession. "Why were you playing at the fountain last night?"
"Last night?" Crumbs dotted his jacket. "I was passed out in my hotel room by 9 PM."
Jeong's mist curled around So-young's wrist.
The Invitation
The finals were even more crowded. Dae-ho elbowed her as Taehyun took the stage. "That's the guy you fed, right? He plays like someone lit his piano on fire."
Chairman Kang sat in the front row, stern-faced until the music began—then his posture softened just slightly.
After the standing ovation, Grandfather stiffened as Chairman Kang approached.
"Han Joon-ho." The chairman inclined his head. "Your granddaughter has excellent taste in pastries."
A beat of silence. Then Grandfather snorted. "And your grandson plays like he's trying to set the piano ablaze."
"Better than playing it like a funeral dirge," Chairman Kang countered, but there was no bite to it.
Taehyun appeared, still glowing from his performance. "Grandfather, this is—"
"The girl who fed you, yes." Chairman Kang's mouth twitched. "At least someone's ensuring you eat."
As the two grandfathers traded surprisingly civil barbs about music and baking, So-young caught Taehyun's eye.
"Told you I'd play better," he whispered.
She nudged the remaining hotteok toward him. "Told you they're better warm."