{CNBLUE} I'm A Loner [songfic]
Lee Jungshin sat strumming his bass guitar idly, his legs dangling lazily over the edge of the stage. He heaved a small sigh and turned to gaze at his other band members who weren’t even the least amount of interested about the upcoming concert. It was only when their manager scolded them about not practicing that they began to grab their instruments and he joined them. They had a successful but extremely short practice. They were informed to exit the stage as it was being set up for their concert.
==================== Their concert was a swell performance, but Jungshin was growing bothered. He approached the others afterward and smiled as though nothing were wrong. “You know guys,” he began, “I’ve been thinking about our next album.”
“Oh?” they said, merely acting interested.
“We should change it up a bit. Try a new style. Rock is neat and all, but what if we added a jazzy or swing style to it? The fans would love it.”
“You’re stupid,” his lead guitarist barked. “That would drive them away. Classic shit sucks.”
Jungshin narrowed his eyes. “I started this band. I do believe as leader it’s up to me what we perform.”
“But you can still leave all the same. Majority rules,” the drummer chimed in.
Jungshin stared at them all who simply gave him the same irate look. “I can’t believe this. I brought you this far and this is what I get? Fine. I’ll leave and I’ll make something so much better than what this turned out to be.”
“You won’t make it without us, Jungshin,” the lead vocalist told him with a smirk.
“Watch me.”
====================== Jungshin had walked away from his dream that night with no chance of looking back. It had been a week and he hadn’t been able to form anything-a thought, an idea, or another band. He held his chin in his hand, elbow leaned against the top of the bar as he sipped the somewhat watered down amber liquid in the crystal glass the bartender had given him. “I can’t believe myself,” he slurred somewhat drunkenly. “I turned my back on the only thing I’d ever wanted. Am I stupid or something?”
The bartender-who happened to be a relatively close friend-shook his head. “Nah. It wasn’t obviously what you wanted. You weren’t happy with them, Jungshin. Despite being their leader, they refused to listen to you or your ideas. It was a good decision.”
“But… but now I’m miserable.”
“You’ll be fine, I know it. You’ll find something better. Something so much better.”
Jungshin sighed and nodded softly, finishing off the glass. “I’m going home now,” he mumbled, tossing some money on the counter and walking off. At least he could walk straight. It didn’t say much about his thinking.
===============================
Jungshin wasn’t really drunk per se. He was just miserable and only intoxicated enough for him to somewhat numb that feeling. He accidentally bumped into someone and mumbled sorry, but the person he’d run into didn’t accept that apology. The guy grabbed Jungshin’s jacket sleeve and whipped him around. “Watch where the fuck you’re going, kid,” the guy barked.
“S-Sorry,” Jungshin murmured, frightened.
The man pushed him and he stumbled until his back hit the brick wall of the building behind him. Ah, shit, he thought to himself. I’m going to get my ass kicked. Could this week seriously get any worse?
Just as the guy raised his fist to assault Jungshin, another young male grabbed the guy from behind and ripped him backward. He then proceeded to pull off some sort of martial artist moves until the guy was sent scrambling away for his life. The young male wiped his face on his sleeve and heaved a sigh. “Oh, god, thank you,” Jungshin mumbled.
“What the-?” the guy said, startled. “When did you get there?”
“You… mean you didn’t… wait, you didn’t save me from that douche bag?”
“No, I kind of didn’t notice you even existed until you said something.”
Jungshin felt stupid. Again. “Oh. Well… uh, thanks anyway.”
“Sure, whatever. Where’s my axe?” the guy questioned.
Jungshin-as somewhat intoxicated as he was-stared at him. “Axe?”
“Guitar, dumbass. Oh, there it is.”
The kid picked up a guitar case and slung the strap on it over his shoulder. “What do you play?” Jungshin asked.
“…I play a fucking harp, what else. A guitar, duh. You’re a bright one, aren’t you?” the young man barked.
Jungshin squinted at him slightly. “Not what I meant… do you play lead or rhythm?”
“Does it matter?”
“Well, I have to find members for a new band.”
“Not interested. Are you drunk?”
“No.” He paused. “Maybe… Yes… A little…”
“I’m leaving now. Have a nice night.”
“Hey, hey,” Jungshin called, following him for a second. He stumbled and leaned against him, his hand brushing against the pocket of the fellow’s coat.
“Hey, watch it!” the man shouted, backing up. “Go home and sleep it off, kid.”
Jungshin sighed and picked himself up. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever,” he mumbled, walking in the opposite direction with a faint grin.
====================== Along his way home, he paused as he heard the sounds of an acoustic guitar. The voice that accompanied it was absolutely heavenly. Deep, somewhat raspy with some notes but it was gorgeous. Of course, it was a man’s voice. He rounded the corner to find a young man, though most likely older than himself, strumming a guitar complacently and singing along. He paused a foot or two away from the man, simply watching and listening. Another couple of people were tapping their toes idly with the beat of the young man’s music. They tossed some bills in the guitar case laying beside him. He smiled and nodded at them, still singing. The two left, leaving it as just he and the guitar player. Jungshin tossed a few bills in, too, and waited for the guitarist to finish his song.
“Did you write those lyrics?” he asked him.
“Yeah,” the young man responded. “I wrote everything. The lyrics and the music to go with it.”
“You’re quite… well, amazing.”
“Hah, thanks,” the young man replied, kneeling to shuffle through the money in his case.
“What’s your name?” Jungshin asked.
“Uh, Yonghwa. Jung Yonghwa.”
“Ah. Do you come here all the time?”
“Yep. I have to make a living somehow since I’m out of work,” Yonghwa said softly.
His voice was very smooth and silken. Jungshin couldn’t help but notice that it was tons better than the vocalist of his ex-band. “Will you be here tomorrow?”
“Of course… why?”
“Just wondering.”
“Okay… well, I’m packing up for the night. So…”
“Ah, sorry. I’ll stop bugging you then. Have a goodnight,” Jungshin mumbled.
Just as he turned to leave he paused. “Uh, you know… you have a really great talent, Yonghwa.”
“Thanks, uh… I’m sorry. I didn’t get your name.”
“Jungshin. Lee Jungshin.”
“Jungshin. Thanks.”
Jungshin kicked a stone under his toe. “You know, I had a band a few weeks ago. Although… there were some issues. We don’t play together anymore. I was looking to start a new band.”
“Sounds like things have been rough. Good luck with your new band.”
Jungshin nodded a bit. “If you’re interested-“
“Sorry, I don’t think I could.”
“Well, I mean, hear me out.”
“Go on,” Yonghwa insisted.
“If you ever get interested, how about I leave you my number? Just in case you feel like you want a bigger venue.”
Yonghwa laughed. His laugh was as sweet as his voice. “Sure thing, then.”
Jungshin excitedly handed him a small card with his number on it. “Just in case,” Jungshin told him.
Yonghwa smiled a bit and nodded. “Yeah. Don’t count on it though. I’m a pretty busy guy.”
“Understood.”
“Have a good night, Jungshin.”
“You, too, Yonghwa.”
Jungshin and Yonghwa parted ways there, each headed toward home in the opposite direction. Jungshin knew by the end of the week, Yonghwa might just change his mind.
====================== It was the next day and Jungshin was very much sober. Too sober, he thought to himself silently.
He walked down the sidewalk to the local library. Whilst he was waiting for the phone calls that he could only hope that he would get, he figured he could read up some more on some more interesting bass lines. He knew he was good at bass guitar, but he wanted to be better. He rested his chin in the palm of his hand as he flipped idly through the pages, skimming over line after line of words and music notes.
“You’re a bassist?” a young male asked him, leaning against the table.
“Oh, yeah,” Jungshin responded softly.
“That’s pretty cool. There are some better books for that over on the next shelf. You should check them out. I read up on the ones on drums.”
Jungshin smiled faintly for the word ‘drums’ perked his interest. “So you’re a drummer, eh?”
“Only a little. I mainly just do it for the kids on Wednesdays. We have a small three piece band that gets together and plays for the kids.”
“I see,” Jungshin replied thoughtfully. “Have you ever thought about… well, doing it regularly? In a band that plays for more venues?”
“Nah, not really,” the young male told him. “I’m decent, just not that good.”
“Now, now. One really is their own worst critic.”
The two of them chuckled faintly and the young man stood straight. “I’m Kang Minhyuk by the way.”
“Lee Jungshin.”
The two shook hands in greeting and grinned at one another. “If you change your mind, here’s my number. I’m trying to get a band together and I really could use a talented drummer.”
“How do you know I’m talented?” Minhyuk laughed. “You’ve never listened to me.”
“I have faith you’re better than you give yourself credit for.”
Minhyuk smiled sweetly. He had such a baby face. Jungshin refrained from snickering. With a face like that, Jungshin thought to himself, we’d be a hit with the ladies, with them all wanting to pinch his cheeks.
“If you’d like, we’re doing another little set-up for the children this week. It always starts at 5 in the evening,” Minhyuk offered. “You can see for yourself what talent I have.”
Jungshin nodded a bit. “I think I’ll do that. But I’m still pretty certain you play just fine.”
Minhyuk kindly accepted Jungshin’s compliment. The two chatted softly on the way to the check-out desk where Jungshin checked out a bass guitar book and left afterward.
====================== Jungshin sipped coffee as he tapped away at the keys on his laptop. He propped his foot on one of the support bars of the chair in front of him and leaned back a little. The coffee shop was bustling that morning. He heard the microphone adjust and it caught his attention. There, upon the stage holding an acoustic guitar, was a familiar face.
“I know you,” he murmured beneath his breath. “What in the world is your name?”
Just then it was announced that Jung Yonghwa was taking the stage for the next ten minutes to appease the restless inhabitants of the coffee shop. It then registered in Jungshin’s mind who he was. He leaned back and enjoyed the show. Still, Yonghwa had quite the masculine, raspy voice that Jungshin enjoyed. It was rough but pleasant to listen to. Once Yonghwa finished, Jungshin made it a point to make himself obvious to him. He stood up and moved to the little counter to ask for another cup of coffee. Yonghwa walked up behind him. Jungshin turned and seemed genuinely surprised to see him. “Oh! Yonghwa,” Jungshin exclaimed.
“Oh, uh…” Yonghwa failed to remember his name.
“Jungshin,” he was reminded.
“Yes! Jungshin, sorry. I’m horrible with names.”
“It’s fine. Here, let me get you some coffee. That was some performance.”
“You saw?” Yonghwa asked with a chuckle.
Jungshin nodded, handing him a cup of hot coffee. Yonghwa thanked him profusely and the two moved to sit at a table together. “Yeah, I saw,” Jungshin told him, “and I think you did very well.”
Yonghwa was a little embarrassed. “Ah, thanks,” he murmured. “Really, I think I messed up a time or two. I got it close though.”
“I still think you wrote some fine lyrics.”
“Thanks…”
“No need to thank me. It’s the truth. I still would not mind it at all if you were willing to join up with me and help put together a band.”
Yonghwa hesitated, turning his cup a bit. “I was thinking about that last night actually,” Yonghwa told him. “I can’t guarantee I’ve got the talent for it, but I really wouldn’t mind giving it a shot.”
Jungshin refrained from screeching with joy. “Really? That’s great!”
“Have you got a bassist or another guitarist? What about a percussionist?”
“Well, I play bass, so the bassist part is taken care of. But,” he paused with a sigh, “I’m having a hard time finding a rhythm guitarist. The one I’d bumped into didn’t want to. The percussionist I’d considered may or may not. We’ll see.”
Yonghwa nodded a little and sipped his coffee. “Well, here,” he mumbled, grabbing a pen and small pad of paper from his pocket. He scribbled down a phone number and handed it to Jungshin. “Tell me when you happen to get together the other couple needed. Or, who knows. I may end up giving you a call before then.”
Jungshin smiled and nodded. The two waved and parted ways again. Jungshin was proud of the small advancement he’d made. I’m getting there, he thought to himself.
====================== Jungshin had just gotten home and comfortable when his phone rang. His first thought was that it was Yonghwa. He excitedly answered and was almost dismayed that it wasn’t. “Is this Jungshin?” a small voice said over the phone.
“Yes, this is he,” Jungshin responded. “Who is this?”
“It’s Minhyuk, from the library.”
“Minhyuk,” Jungshin said, “the percussionist! How are you?”
“Awful…” Minhyuk whined. “We’re not doing our show at the library today for the children. It was cancelled because of some other event. I didn’t want you showing up to see nothing.”
To be honest, Jungshin had completely forgotten. But, now he was just wondering why Minhyuk was using him as a shoulder to whine on. “Ah, thanks for telling me. It’s a shame though. I’d have loved to hear you play.” That part was truth.
“Well, that’s what I was wondering, actually,” Minhyuk told him. “Do you have a place to play at? At least for practice purposes? I was wondering if we could get together who you’ve arranged later and maybe see what we’ve all got.”
Jungshin grinned. “Yeah, actually. I can arrange something. How’s six o’ clock this evening?”
“Great! Where at?”
“The old studio house on the square. It looks old, but I bought it out and turned it into a sound-proof studio when I had my old band together.”
“Meet you there at six then!”
“Sounds great, see you then!” Jungshin told him before hanging up.
“Today is going to be awesome,” he mumbled cheerfully to himself before calling Yonghwa with the news.
====================== It was close to six when Jungshin’s phone rang again. He figured it was Minhyuk, but alas the number was different. He answered, but before he could say hello, the voice on the other end demanded his name. “Alright, who the hell is this and why did I find your number in my pocket? It better be a girl,” the voice grumbled. Jonghyun.
“Not a girl,” Jungshin replied cockily.
“Oh, goddamnit,” Jonghyun cursed loudly into his ear. “What the hell? You’re the failed musician kid, yeah?”
“Bingo.”
“You sonofa-“
“Why’d you even call the number? You could’ve thrown it away.”
“…I was curious.”
“Sure.”
“So, I wanted to ask about that band thing, anyway,” Jonghyun muttered.
“You’re interested?”
“Vaguely. Now, if we were to practice or whatever, when and where?”
“Well, I’ve got a few people. We’re attempting to arrange something later this evening at a studio in the square. You going to show up?”
“Probably not. I was just wondering. Hanging up now.”
Sure enough, Jonghyun hung up. Jungshin chuckled faintly to himself. “What a dork.”
He had a pretty good hunch that Jonghyun was going to show.
====================== Jungshin had arrived a bit early at the studio to set it up a bit. He tossed his jacket aside and removed the bass guitar from its case, plucking at the strings a little. He had one sheet of music for each of them, but no lyrics to go with them. Perhaps that wonderful lyricist, Yonghwa, could figure up something for this. He shrugged his shoulders a bit. It was six o’ clock on the dot when Minhyuk strutted through the door. “I meant to ask if you had a set here or if I should bring my own. I ended up dragging my own here though. I noticed there’s a garage door out back-could I roll in my equipment through that?” he asked.
Jungshin smiled sweetly. “Of course! Need some help?”
“That’d be great!”
The two of them proceeded to roll in a massive cart with Minhyuk’s percussion equipment loaded on it into the main practice area. As they were setting up his drum set, they heard the door open again. This time it was Yonghwa. “Greetings,” he called to them, setting his guitar case down.
Jungshin and Minhyuk finished and approached him to greet him. “Yonghwa, this is the drummer, Minhyuk. Minhyuk, this is Yonghwa. He’s an awesome lyricist.”
Yonghwa just grinned somewhat modestly and shook his head while also shaking Minhyuk’s hand. “Is this all we have?” Yonghwa asked.
“As far as I know, yep. The rhythm guitarist said he wasn’t going to show up yesterday. We’ll see though.”
Yonghwa began his own set up while Jungshin sat and skimmed through the pages of music. “I wrote out some sheet music over the past few weeks. It’s set for four people, but I think if it turns out being just three we can compromise.”
Just then, the door swung open and there was a rather rugged, bruised and somewhat torn up young man standing with a guitar case strapped over his shoulder. It was Jonghyun. “Sorry I’m late. Fucking bastards.”
Jungshin just shook his head and sighed while grinning. He really hadn’t expected any less of what he knew of Jonghyun thus far. Jonghyun gave them each some sheet music. “Let’s get started.”
====================== Two weeks later, Yonghwa had come up with a page full of amazing lyrics for he and Jonghyun to sing. Another week after that, they were ready to hit up a local club for their first performance-which Jungshin was thoroughly aware his previous band-mates would be attending. He wanted this perfect opportunity to rub it in their faces that he had, in fact, come up with something truly spectacular.
They were preparing themselves for the stage when Jungshin looked over at the other three with a grin. “Let’s give them hell,” they heard the youngest mutter. Jungshin was in this for music-but he couldn’t deny that he was in this for a bit of vengeance, too.
They threw their guitar straps over their shoulders. Minhyuk had his drum cart strolled out on stage. The crowd was restless, eagerly awaiting some sort of music-they were sick of listening to each other shout. With that, the foursome strolled out on stage. Minhyuk adjusted his set while the other three strummed some chords on their guitars. They were ready.
Jungshin spotted his previous band-mates in the crowd, confused and somewhat irate expressions on their faces. Jungshin looked over at Jonghyun and Yonghwa, indicating the beginning of the song. “Oetoriya, oetoriya~” Yonghwa sang into the microphone.
The crowd quieted themselves and they continued playing, Yonghwa and Jonghyun taking over the vocals. Before long, all four of them were grinning, each for different reasons-and also for the very same. “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, tonight…”
They couldn’t help but feel invigorated as they sang. Yonghwa moved a little, tossing his head from side to side every once in awhile. He tapped his foot to the beat, more intensely the closer they came to the end. “Seumyeo nunmul heulligo isseo!” the finishing lyrics stated. The last few chords echoed a bit and sent the crowd into a roar.
After all was finished, Jungshin was approached by his previous band-mates. “So, we can’t deny that you did pretty well,” one of them told him. “Ready to come back and help us produce some good music?”
Jungshin turned to look at Yonghwa, Minhyuk, and Jonghyun. “No, I think I’ve got everything I want right here,” he replied rather cockily before turning and waving his hand at them to bid them farewell.
Jungshin found his new friends, his new band. That was what mattered most to him.
==================== Their concert was a swell performance, but Jungshin was growing bothered. He approached the others afterward and smiled as though nothing were wrong. “You know guys,” he began, “I’ve been thinking about our next album.”
“Oh?” they said, merely acting interested.
“We should change it up a bit. Try a new style. Rock is neat and all, but what if we added a jazzy or swing style to it? The fans would love it.”
“You’re stupid,” his lead guitarist barked. “That would drive them away. Classic shit sucks.”
Jungshin narrowed his eyes. “I started this band. I do believe as leader it’s up to me what we perform.”
“But you can still leave all the same. Majority rules,” the drummer chimed in.
Jungshin stared at them all who simply gave him the same irate look. “I can’t believe this. I brought you this far and this is what I get? Fine. I’ll leave and I’ll make something so much better than what this turned out to be.”
“You won’t make it without us, Jungshin,” the lead vocalist told him with a smirk.
“Watch me.”
====================== Jungshin had walked away from his dream that night with no chance of looking back. It had been a week and he hadn’t been able to form anything-a thought, an idea, or another band. He held his chin in his hand, elbow leaned against the top of the bar as he sipped the somewhat watered down amber liquid in the crystal glass the bartender had given him. “I can’t believe myself,” he slurred somewhat drunkenly. “I turned my back on the only thing I’d ever wanted. Am I stupid or something?”
The bartender-who happened to be a relatively close friend-shook his head. “Nah. It wasn’t obviously what you wanted. You weren’t happy with them, Jungshin. Despite being their leader, they refused to listen to you or your ideas. It was a good decision.”
“But… but now I’m miserable.”
“You’ll be fine, I know it. You’ll find something better. Something so much better.”
Jungshin sighed and nodded softly, finishing off the glass. “I’m going home now,” he mumbled, tossing some money on the counter and walking off. At least he could walk straight. It didn’t say much about his thinking.
===============================
Jungshin wasn’t really drunk per se. He was just miserable and only intoxicated enough for him to somewhat numb that feeling. He accidentally bumped into someone and mumbled sorry, but the person he’d run into didn’t accept that apology. The guy grabbed Jungshin’s jacket sleeve and whipped him around. “Watch where the fuck you’re going, kid,” the guy barked.
“S-Sorry,” Jungshin murmured, frightened.
The man pushed him and he stumbled until his back hit the brick wall of the building behind him. Ah, shit, he thought to himself. I’m going to get my ass kicked. Could this week seriously get any worse?
Just as the guy raised his fist to assault Jungshin, another young male grabbed the guy from behind and ripped him backward. He then proceeded to pull off some sort of martial artist moves until the guy was sent scrambling away for his life. The young male wiped his face on his sleeve and heaved a sigh. “Oh, god, thank you,” Jungshin mumbled.
“What the-?” the guy said, startled. “When did you get there?”
“You… mean you didn’t… wait, you didn’t save me from that douche bag?”
“No, I kind of didn’t notice you even existed until you said something.”
Jungshin felt stupid. Again. “Oh. Well… uh, thanks anyway.”
“Sure, whatever. Where’s my axe?” the guy questioned.
Jungshin-as somewhat intoxicated as he was-stared at him. “Axe?”
“Guitar, dumbass. Oh, there it is.”
The kid picked up a guitar case and slung the strap on it over his shoulder. “What do you play?” Jungshin asked.
“…I play a fucking harp, what else. A guitar, duh. You’re a bright one, aren’t you?” the young man barked.
Jungshin squinted at him slightly. “Not what I meant… do you play lead or rhythm?”
“Does it matter?”
“Well, I have to find members for a new band.”
“Not interested. Are you drunk?”
“No.” He paused. “Maybe… Yes… A little…”
“I’m leaving now. Have a nice night.”
“Hey, hey,” Jungshin called, following him for a second. He stumbled and leaned against him, his hand brushing against the pocket of the fellow’s coat.
“Hey, watch it!” the man shouted, backing up. “Go home and sleep it off, kid.”
Jungshin sighed and picked himself up. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever,” he mumbled, walking in the opposite direction with a faint grin.
====================== Along his way home, he paused as he heard the sounds of an acoustic guitar. The voice that accompanied it was absolutely heavenly. Deep, somewhat raspy with some notes but it was gorgeous. Of course, it was a man’s voice. He rounded the corner to find a young man, though most likely older than himself, strumming a guitar complacently and singing along. He paused a foot or two away from the man, simply watching and listening. Another couple of people were tapping their toes idly with the beat of the young man’s music. They tossed some bills in the guitar case laying beside him. He smiled and nodded at them, still singing. The two left, leaving it as just he and the guitar player. Jungshin tossed a few bills in, too, and waited for the guitarist to finish his song.
“Did you write those lyrics?” he asked him.
“Yeah,” the young man responded. “I wrote everything. The lyrics and the music to go with it.”
“You’re quite… well, amazing.”
“Hah, thanks,” the young man replied, kneeling to shuffle through the money in his case.
“What’s your name?” Jungshin asked.
“Uh, Yonghwa. Jung Yonghwa.”
“Ah. Do you come here all the time?”
“Yep. I have to make a living somehow since I’m out of work,” Yonghwa said softly.
His voice was very smooth and silken. Jungshin couldn’t help but notice that it was tons better than the vocalist of his ex-band. “Will you be here tomorrow?”
“Of course… why?”
“Just wondering.”
“Okay… well, I’m packing up for the night. So…”
“Ah, sorry. I’ll stop bugging you then. Have a goodnight,” Jungshin mumbled.
Just as he turned to leave he paused. “Uh, you know… you have a really great talent, Yonghwa.”
“Thanks, uh… I’m sorry. I didn’t get your name.”
“Jungshin. Lee Jungshin.”
“Jungshin. Thanks.”
Jungshin kicked a stone under his toe. “You know, I had a band a few weeks ago. Although… there were some issues. We don’t play together anymore. I was looking to start a new band.”
“Sounds like things have been rough. Good luck with your new band.”
Jungshin nodded a bit. “If you’re interested-“
“Sorry, I don’t think I could.”
“Well, I mean, hear me out.”
“Go on,” Yonghwa insisted.
“If you ever get interested, how about I leave you my number? Just in case you feel like you want a bigger venue.”
Yonghwa laughed. His laugh was as sweet as his voice. “Sure thing, then.”
Jungshin excitedly handed him a small card with his number on it. “Just in case,” Jungshin told him.
Yonghwa smiled a bit and nodded. “Yeah. Don’t count on it though. I’m a pretty busy guy.”
“Understood.”
“Have a good night, Jungshin.”
“You, too, Yonghwa.”
Jungshin and Yonghwa parted ways there, each headed toward home in the opposite direction. Jungshin knew by the end of the week, Yonghwa might just change his mind.
====================== It was the next day and Jungshin was very much sober. Too sober, he thought to himself silently.
He walked down the sidewalk to the local library. Whilst he was waiting for the phone calls that he could only hope that he would get, he figured he could read up some more on some more interesting bass lines. He knew he was good at bass guitar, but he wanted to be better. He rested his chin in the palm of his hand as he flipped idly through the pages, skimming over line after line of words and music notes.
“You’re a bassist?” a young male asked him, leaning against the table.
“Oh, yeah,” Jungshin responded softly.
“That’s pretty cool. There are some better books for that over on the next shelf. You should check them out. I read up on the ones on drums.”
Jungshin smiled faintly for the word ‘drums’ perked his interest. “So you’re a drummer, eh?”
“Only a little. I mainly just do it for the kids on Wednesdays. We have a small three piece band that gets together and plays for the kids.”
“I see,” Jungshin replied thoughtfully. “Have you ever thought about… well, doing it regularly? In a band that plays for more venues?”
“Nah, not really,” the young male told him. “I’m decent, just not that good.”
“Now, now. One really is their own worst critic.”
The two of them chuckled faintly and the young man stood straight. “I’m Kang Minhyuk by the way.”
“Lee Jungshin.”
The two shook hands in greeting and grinned at one another. “If you change your mind, here’s my number. I’m trying to get a band together and I really could use a talented drummer.”
“How do you know I’m talented?” Minhyuk laughed. “You’ve never listened to me.”
“I have faith you’re better than you give yourself credit for.”
Minhyuk smiled sweetly. He had such a baby face. Jungshin refrained from snickering. With a face like that, Jungshin thought to himself, we’d be a hit with the ladies, with them all wanting to pinch his cheeks.
“If you’d like, we’re doing another little set-up for the children this week. It always starts at 5 in the evening,” Minhyuk offered. “You can see for yourself what talent I have.”
Jungshin nodded a bit. “I think I’ll do that. But I’m still pretty certain you play just fine.”
Minhyuk kindly accepted Jungshin’s compliment. The two chatted softly on the way to the check-out desk where Jungshin checked out a bass guitar book and left afterward.
====================== Jungshin sipped coffee as he tapped away at the keys on his laptop. He propped his foot on one of the support bars of the chair in front of him and leaned back a little. The coffee shop was bustling that morning. He heard the microphone adjust and it caught his attention. There, upon the stage holding an acoustic guitar, was a familiar face.
“I know you,” he murmured beneath his breath. “What in the world is your name?”
Just then it was announced that Jung Yonghwa was taking the stage for the next ten minutes to appease the restless inhabitants of the coffee shop. It then registered in Jungshin’s mind who he was. He leaned back and enjoyed the show. Still, Yonghwa had quite the masculine, raspy voice that Jungshin enjoyed. It was rough but pleasant to listen to. Once Yonghwa finished, Jungshin made it a point to make himself obvious to him. He stood up and moved to the little counter to ask for another cup of coffee. Yonghwa walked up behind him. Jungshin turned and seemed genuinely surprised to see him. “Oh! Yonghwa,” Jungshin exclaimed.
“Oh, uh…” Yonghwa failed to remember his name.
“Jungshin,” he was reminded.
“Yes! Jungshin, sorry. I’m horrible with names.”
“It’s fine. Here, let me get you some coffee. That was some performance.”
“You saw?” Yonghwa asked with a chuckle.
Jungshin nodded, handing him a cup of hot coffee. Yonghwa thanked him profusely and the two moved to sit at a table together. “Yeah, I saw,” Jungshin told him, “and I think you did very well.”
Yonghwa was a little embarrassed. “Ah, thanks,” he murmured. “Really, I think I messed up a time or two. I got it close though.”
“I still think you wrote some fine lyrics.”
“Thanks…”
“No need to thank me. It’s the truth. I still would not mind it at all if you were willing to join up with me and help put together a band.”
Yonghwa hesitated, turning his cup a bit. “I was thinking about that last night actually,” Yonghwa told him. “I can’t guarantee I’ve got the talent for it, but I really wouldn’t mind giving it a shot.”
Jungshin refrained from screeching with joy. “Really? That’s great!”
“Have you got a bassist or another guitarist? What about a percussionist?”
“Well, I play bass, so the bassist part is taken care of. But,” he paused with a sigh, “I’m having a hard time finding a rhythm guitarist. The one I’d bumped into didn’t want to. The percussionist I’d considered may or may not. We’ll see.”
Yonghwa nodded a little and sipped his coffee. “Well, here,” he mumbled, grabbing a pen and small pad of paper from his pocket. He scribbled down a phone number and handed it to Jungshin. “Tell me when you happen to get together the other couple needed. Or, who knows. I may end up giving you a call before then.”
Jungshin smiled and nodded. The two waved and parted ways again. Jungshin was proud of the small advancement he’d made. I’m getting there, he thought to himself.
====================== Jungshin had just gotten home and comfortable when his phone rang. His first thought was that it was Yonghwa. He excitedly answered and was almost dismayed that it wasn’t. “Is this Jungshin?” a small voice said over the phone.
“Yes, this is he,” Jungshin responded. “Who is this?”
“It’s Minhyuk, from the library.”
“Minhyuk,” Jungshin said, “the percussionist! How are you?”
“Awful…” Minhyuk whined. “We’re not doing our show at the library today for the children. It was cancelled because of some other event. I didn’t want you showing up to see nothing.”
To be honest, Jungshin had completely forgotten. But, now he was just wondering why Minhyuk was using him as a shoulder to whine on. “Ah, thanks for telling me. It’s a shame though. I’d have loved to hear you play.” That part was truth.
“Well, that’s what I was wondering, actually,” Minhyuk told him. “Do you have a place to play at? At least for practice purposes? I was wondering if we could get together who you’ve arranged later and maybe see what we’ve all got.”
Jungshin grinned. “Yeah, actually. I can arrange something. How’s six o’ clock this evening?”
“Great! Where at?”
“The old studio house on the square. It looks old, but I bought it out and turned it into a sound-proof studio when I had my old band together.”
“Meet you there at six then!”
“Sounds great, see you then!” Jungshin told him before hanging up.
“Today is going to be awesome,” he mumbled cheerfully to himself before calling Yonghwa with the news.
====================== It was close to six when Jungshin’s phone rang again. He figured it was Minhyuk, but alas the number was different. He answered, but before he could say hello, the voice on the other end demanded his name. “Alright, who the hell is this and why did I find your number in my pocket? It better be a girl,” the voice grumbled. Jonghyun.
“Not a girl,” Jungshin replied cockily.
“Oh, goddamnit,” Jonghyun cursed loudly into his ear. “What the hell? You’re the failed musician kid, yeah?”
“Bingo.”
“You sonofa-“
“Why’d you even call the number? You could’ve thrown it away.”
“…I was curious.”
“Sure.”
“So, I wanted to ask about that band thing, anyway,” Jonghyun muttered.
“You’re interested?”
“Vaguely. Now, if we were to practice or whatever, when and where?”
“Well, I’ve got a few people. We’re attempting to arrange something later this evening at a studio in the square. You going to show up?”
“Probably not. I was just wondering. Hanging up now.”
Sure enough, Jonghyun hung up. Jungshin chuckled faintly to himself. “What a dork.”
He had a pretty good hunch that Jonghyun was going to show.
====================== Jungshin had arrived a bit early at the studio to set it up a bit. He tossed his jacket aside and removed the bass guitar from its case, plucking at the strings a little. He had one sheet of music for each of them, but no lyrics to go with them. Perhaps that wonderful lyricist, Yonghwa, could figure up something for this. He shrugged his shoulders a bit. It was six o’ clock on the dot when Minhyuk strutted through the door. “I meant to ask if you had a set here or if I should bring my own. I ended up dragging my own here though. I noticed there’s a garage door out back-could I roll in my equipment through that?” he asked.
Jungshin smiled sweetly. “Of course! Need some help?”
“That’d be great!”
The two of them proceeded to roll in a massive cart with Minhyuk’s percussion equipment loaded on it into the main practice area. As they were setting up his drum set, they heard the door open again. This time it was Yonghwa. “Greetings,” he called to them, setting his guitar case down.
Jungshin and Minhyuk finished and approached him to greet him. “Yonghwa, this is the drummer, Minhyuk. Minhyuk, this is Yonghwa. He’s an awesome lyricist.”
Yonghwa just grinned somewhat modestly and shook his head while also shaking Minhyuk’s hand. “Is this all we have?” Yonghwa asked.
“As far as I know, yep. The rhythm guitarist said he wasn’t going to show up yesterday. We’ll see though.”
Yonghwa began his own set up while Jungshin sat and skimmed through the pages of music. “I wrote out some sheet music over the past few weeks. It’s set for four people, but I think if it turns out being just three we can compromise.”
Just then, the door swung open and there was a rather rugged, bruised and somewhat torn up young man standing with a guitar case strapped over his shoulder. It was Jonghyun. “Sorry I’m late. Fucking bastards.”
Jungshin just shook his head and sighed while grinning. He really hadn’t expected any less of what he knew of Jonghyun thus far. Jonghyun gave them each some sheet music. “Let’s get started.”
====================== Two weeks later, Yonghwa had come up with a page full of amazing lyrics for he and Jonghyun to sing. Another week after that, they were ready to hit up a local club for their first performance-which Jungshin was thoroughly aware his previous band-mates would be attending. He wanted this perfect opportunity to rub it in their faces that he had, in fact, come up with something truly spectacular.
They were preparing themselves for the stage when Jungshin looked over at the other three with a grin. “Let’s give them hell,” they heard the youngest mutter. Jungshin was in this for music-but he couldn’t deny that he was in this for a bit of vengeance, too.
They threw their guitar straps over their shoulders. Minhyuk had his drum cart strolled out on stage. The crowd was restless, eagerly awaiting some sort of music-they were sick of listening to each other shout. With that, the foursome strolled out on stage. Minhyuk adjusted his set while the other three strummed some chords on their guitars. They were ready.
Jungshin spotted his previous band-mates in the crowd, confused and somewhat irate expressions on their faces. Jungshin looked over at Jonghyun and Yonghwa, indicating the beginning of the song. “Oetoriya, oetoriya~” Yonghwa sang into the microphone.
The crowd quieted themselves and they continued playing, Yonghwa and Jonghyun taking over the vocals. Before long, all four of them were grinning, each for different reasons-and also for the very same. “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, tonight…”
They couldn’t help but feel invigorated as they sang. Yonghwa moved a little, tossing his head from side to side every once in awhile. He tapped his foot to the beat, more intensely the closer they came to the end. “Seumyeo nunmul heulligo isseo!” the finishing lyrics stated. The last few chords echoed a bit and sent the crowd into a roar.
After all was finished, Jungshin was approached by his previous band-mates. “So, we can’t deny that you did pretty well,” one of them told him. “Ready to come back and help us produce some good music?”
Jungshin turned to look at Yonghwa, Minhyuk, and Jonghyun. “No, I think I’ve got everything I want right here,” he replied rather cockily before turning and waving his hand at them to bid them farewell.
Jungshin found his new friends, his new band. That was what mattered most to him.