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"if music be the food of love, play on"

Three months of lessons have woven a sense of familiarity and comfort between them.

As Jongeun sits beside his new student, their shoulders almost touching, he watches her play with a contented smile. She's engrossed in her practice, blissfully repeating rounds of "Chopsticks" and "Little Brown Jug". He's grown accustomed to the sound of her playing, the gentle melodies that fill the room.

Where she used to make mistakes, there are none now. None with the things she's familiar with, at least. This makes him content.

Her presence has also managed to become a constant in his life, and he can't help but feel a pang of nervousness every time he sees her. The scent of lavender envelops him once again, a fragrance that he's grown so accustomed to associating with her. Her hair, tied up in cute pigtails, frames her face in a way that makes her beauty shine even more brightly.

Today, she's wearing another knee-length dress - a vibrant shade of yellow that seems to outshine the sun itself. He finds himself captivated by the colour, a stark contrast to the monochromatic hues of the piano room. In the past, he wouldn't have minded the dullness of the room, only about the colour the piano provides.

Now he can't imagine the place without her in it . It's as if her mere presence has brought a burst of colour into his world, making everything feel a little brighter.

It's funny, because that has always been what music has done for him, not people. Not her.

The flutter of butterflies in his abdomen is a sensation he's all too used to by now. He's always feeling a bit anxious around her, a feeling that's both foreign and oddly exciting.

As he watches her play, he can't help but feel a mix of emotions - a sense of pride at her progress, an appreciation for her dedication, and a certain unease that he can't quite explain.

She, on the other hand, has undergone a transformation of her own. Her fingers dance across the keys with newfound confidence, and the hesitant notes that once marked her playing have given way to a more assured rhythm. Even their greetings have evolved, accompanied by warm hugs before they settle in front of the grand piano.

Her music fills the room, and he's momentarily lost in the melodies she creates. She stops playing, a smile of accomplishment gracing her plump lips. It's a smile he's come to cherish, a testament to the progress they've made together.

She turns to look at him, her big innocent eyes locking onto his gaze. The sunlight from the nearby window streams in, casting a radiant glow over her face. For a moment, it's as if she's surrounded by an ethereal halo, a vision that leaves him momentarily breathless.

"Did I...did I make a mistake again?" Her voice holds a hint of hesitancy as she tucks a loose curl behind her ear. Her gaze can't seem to hold his for long, and she averts her eyes before glancing back at the keys.

Her shyness is endearing, a quality he's grown fond of. Is he having the same effect on her that she has on him? It's a thought that both intrigues and startles him. He's not accustomed to feeling this way, to having his thoughts and emotions stirred by someone's presence.

"No," he says softly, his hand finding its way to her shoulder in a gentle gesture of reassurance. "It was perfect."

Her smile widens, and he can see a mix of relief and happiness in her eyes. It's a moment of connection, an unspoken understanding that bridges the gap between them.

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