"I think you should give lessons, V. You could make extra money asides from your performances!"

"You know; I don't play music for money, right?"

"Then think about it as helping other people achieve their dreams! Wouldn't you think it would be fun?"

V thought about it for a couple months, eventually agreeing since it would make his girlfriend happy.

They set up a separate parlor in their (frankly, oversized) apartment as a makeshift studio; locked away from the rest of the house.

"That is very unlike you, V," Jumin remarked. "I know you can be quite theatrical at times, but suddenly walking off a stage? What upset you?"

The man noted the concern in his friend's voice through the phone.

"It's nothing," V replied coldly. "It's very unlike you to call so late at night."

Did he sound too rude? V sighed. He had noticed that, as more time went by after his break-up, he was growing evermore forbidding to the people around him. Jaehee had said it was 'unlike V to be cold,' be the man guessed that anyone could be full of surprises.

Perhaps this was one of them. He regretted snapping at Jumin, but it was too late to take it back. Gone were the days he would let himself appear weak; even if it hurt him internally to be disagreeable.

This was simply another means to destroy himself.

"I called because I was concerned. Can I not be?"

"I would prefer if you were not. I'm fine."

"The waver in your voice says otherwise, my friend."

Silence.

"V?"

"I'm still here. I actually just got home, so, if you'll excuse me…"

"Of course. I'll call again tomorrow."

The mint haired man hoped that he would not.

It was a Saturday evening tradition to share a toast of wine with V's lover and Jumin. V still partook in this ritual, except now there was no lover, no Jumin, and his drink was always something cheap he had lying around.

He wasn't a drunkard, not in the slightest. In fact- V only drank one or two glasses each week. He didn't like being drunk. It often made him happier than he was in reality.

Today was definitely a rarity. It had been a particularly hard week for V.

The bottle of Bordeaux was nearly empty as he laid his head on the cool marble countertop. His kitchen was one of the few places he had no important memories with her.

Often he debated with himself; was it really okay to let himself succumb to bitterness? He knew the right answer was 'No, Jihyun, you need to keep bettering yourself' and that he shouldn't put up emotional barriers.

Yet, here he was. On the verge of tears for the upteenth time.

He didn't like being cold to Jumin. He did not like cutting off the RFA. He couldn't stand hurting everyone around him again.

But V did it anyway.

She had always told V to be selfish, without hesitation- and he was. He was selfish with her. Maybe….it became a habit, and that's why refuses to let himself be kind.

Why should he? Every time he was kind, he was hurt. He was getting older. For all one knows; this may very well possibly be the fate the world wanted him to suffer. There may not even be an escape.

His phone buzzed- a reminder for a calendar event.

15:30 - Lesson. Tomorrow.

Oh. That.

8 in the morning: Alarm went off. It momentarily woke V, before he groaned and forcefully turned it off. He went back to sleep.

10 in the morning: The man woke up and got out of bed. Hungover? Tragically so. He brewed his coffee begrudgingly, not bothering to add his usual cream and sugar.

11 in the morning: Forced himself to eat. V never knew food could taste so bland. He stopped caring.

Noon: The man cleaned himself up, and lingered a little too long outside of their once shared bedroom. He bit his tongue to try and keep himself from crying. He failed.

2 in the afternoon: Finished cleaning; wiped his eyes. V sat down at his grand piano and began to play, losing himself in song. The melody was light, almost dream-like, yet still had a remorseful underto- someone knocked.

He groaned in discontent, grumbling to himself as he stood and went answer the door.

"Hello?" The man inquired, peering out.

"Hi! It's nice to meet you! I am supposed to have a lesson today!" The visitor chirped.

In front of V stood a young woman, beaming up at him. He noted that she had long brown hair and golden eyes.

He checked his watch.

"You're early."

"I am."

"Why?"

"Well, I was really excited! I haven't played piano before…" the girl said, sounding uneasy.

"Mm. Come in, then."

V turned away from the door, hoping she would close it behind herself. The girl shot him a funny look as she did. He passed by a mirror, and caught a glimpse of himself; perhaps he could have done better. His hair was still messy, and he had dark circles beneath his eyes. The man also, naturally, was giving off a frown. Not out of anger, or annoyment. Frankly, he had no idea what emotion he felt.

"You look sullen."

"Excuse me?" V quipped, turning his head to face her once again.

"Oh- I didn't mean to offend you- I just... think you look upset"

"I wasn't offended; I simply didn't hear you. I'm fine."

The woman nodded anxiously, shuffling in place.

"My name is-"

"Please take a seat."

The man cut her off, motioning his hand towards the piano's bench. She stood awkwardly for a second before sitting down, blinking a few times in confusion.

"Please play an octave."

"What should I call you?"

"Only use the black keys."

The brunette stared back at V, a look of 'Are you serious?' painted across her face. He stood a fair distance behind her, staring back blankly. Eventually, the woman let out a sigh- giving up on introductions- and turned back towards the keyboard in front of her.

"...What's an octave?"

"A series of eight notes occupying the interval between two notes."

"So you want me to play eight notes?"

"Yes."

"Any eight?"

"No, they have to follow a scale. Actually- we should start with scales."

The pair went back and forth like this for awhile; V insisting on her trying something and the girl being confused. Somewhere along the way he had actually leaned over to try and show her.

"I'm sorry, this is frustrating! I don't understand what you want me to do."

"I already explained it-"

"I know you already explained it; I still don't understand."

The man took a step back, watching as the woman let out a frustrated sigh and yanked a hand through her hair as if emphasising her discontent. Was she angry? Frustrated with him? V instantly felt bad. He didn't mean to distress her. If he was honest with himself, V was never good at teaching people. He had no idea where to begin.

"I'm...sorry," He started. His voice was full of guilt. "I don't really know how to teach others. Please…..be patient with me."

Why was he honest with her about that? Sigh.

The woman's face softened. "No, I, listen. Can I please have your name?"

"You can call me V."

"Alright, V. I'm MC."

"I'm happy to meet you, MC."

MC nodded. "My friends thought I should get out of the house and learn something new. I didn't think piano would be this difficult."

"It's alright. Hopefully I can make it easier for you. I'm sorry if I was being difficult."

"It's okay, V...should we continue? After all, I was here an hour and a half early, but I don't wish to waste your time."

"Let me teach you a scale."

The rest of the lesson continued much more smoothly; the both of them regaining patience for each other.

V walked the girl to the door, avoiding looking directly at her. MC...looked a little too much like her. It was the eyes. He knew, because his previous love had straight hair that was much darker than MC's.

But their eyes...they looked identical. It nearly made him lose his stiff upper lip.

"When should I have my next lesson?"

"You want another?" The man asked, brow furrowing.

"Uhm...yes? You can't learn piano after one lesson, V."

"Well, yes, but-"

"Is next week okay?"

"...Next week is perfectly fine."

"Awesome! I'll call in later to set a more specific date. Goodbye, V!"

"Of course...farewell."

V closed the door behind her, locking it, and thunked his head against the hardwood- remaining there.

He would need a lot of time to think.

"Was he better than me?"

"What? Jihyun, no!"

"Smarter than me?"

"Jihyun-"

"I bet he held you closer...valued you more…"

"Jihyun, god damn it, no!"

V was on the floor, legs in front of him as he sat against the bedroom door. She was across from him, sitting against the opposite wall. They were both still crying. The woman's eyes were always prettier when she cried; though, it was a rarity to see up until now.

Perhaps it was more rare to see V sob. She looked visibly shaken.

"Then...then why? You said you loved me-"

"I know-"

"That you cared-"

" I kno-"

"-that you only wanted me to be happy-"

"Jihyun; I know! I know what I said!"

He snapped his head back around to face her, voice full of accusation. "Then did it all mean nothing to you?"

Her silence told him everything.