Since 그 day, I had started teaching Ai how to play the guitar.
Ever since she started learning, her interest in music seemed to spike. It wasn't just the flurry of texts asking me this and that; the amount of time we spent alone together naturally increased as well.
It usually went something like this.
● Hoshino Ai (호시노 아이) ●
- How about a lesson this evening??!
- (⩌⩊⩌)
'But isn't Ai a busy active idol...?'
I didn't know where she found the time, but Ai sent texts almost every single day, insisting on a lesson.
Of course, once the lesson actually started, she'd throw a tantrum, complaining that her hands hurt or that it was boring. But that's just how starting the guitar goes—your fingers are supposed to hurt.
Ai, you chose this instrument. You've got to grit your teeth and endure it.
● hide (히데) ●
- Ah, today is a rehearsal day for the band.
- I'm going to be finished pretty late today. ◡( ╹◡╹ )◡
As soon as I sent the text, a flood of replies came crashing in.
'Wait, isn't this a bit much?'
It felt like Ai's whining had increased lately, but I checked the message window with a faint smile.
Kids are supposed to grow up through their complaints, after all.
If there aren't any adults around Ai to handle her fussing, shouldn't I at least take up that role?
● Hoshino Ai (호시노 아이) ●
- The ultra-top-tier popular [Idol] Ai is asking, though? ☆
- And I can wait! (≧∇≦)
- Besides, it's boring without Hide...(｡•́︿•̀｡)
- Is it really impossible...?
- Really...?
- ૮꒰ ྀྀི⸝⸝›̥̥̥ ·̭ ‹̥̥̥⸝⸝꒱১
'But I really can't today...'
And yet, Ai was crying.
As an adult, could I really just sit by and watch a child cry?
No, I'm not the kind of man who can simply ignore a child's tears.
There was only one answer.
Even though I had pulled an all-nighter trying to translate songs from my past life into reality, it was a problem that could be solved by just cutting more into my sleep.
● hide (히데) ●
- You're an idol, sure, but [Ultra-top-tier]? Not quite. [・ヘ・?]
- I'll put some Häagen-Dazs in the studio fridge.
- Eat that and wait for me.
She must have been staring at her phone because the reaction was instantaneous.
Whenever I spent my daily life like this with Ai, I truly felt like I had gained a daughter. And that wasn't a bad feeling at all.
'Will Ai eventually start saying things like "I hate you, Dad!" like girls usually do during puberty? That would be a bit bitter.'
● Hoshino Ai (호시노 아이) ●
- Häagen-Dazs??!! (*´∪`)
- I'm coming right now!
- See you at the rehearsal studio! ( ˃ ⩌˂)
To think someone would abandon such a cute daughter.
They basically kicked away their own luck, but even so, Ai's parents deserve divine punishment.
'I'll be the one taking care of your daughter now.'
.
.
.
.
The guitar is an instrument with a high barrier to entry.
The notation itself isn't the standard melodic sheet music most people think of; we use Tablature. And even if you get used to reading tabs, you have to endure the pain of building calluses on your fingers while practicing chords.
Only after getting accustomed to that process can you begin to master the various skills people associate with guitarists, starting with fingerpicking.
Since my past life, I was never a genius but rather a person of average talent, which actually gave me a knack for teaching others. Back then, because I lacked raw skill, I had maxed out my theoretical knowledge instead.
I don't play the guitar by "feel."
Tring— Ting—
"Haaah..."
Seriously, what is the problem here?
With a look of utter incomprehension, I watched Ai strum the guitar. That was something that could never be called a performance.
"How was Ai's fantastic performance? Didn't it look a bit like Hide? (⩌⩊⩌)"
"Alright, Ai, let me explain how to hold a barre chord again. No, let's just go back to practicing scales."
"Eeeeh—!!! That makes my hands hurt! ૮˚•᷅ࡇ•᷄ ྀ입어버리고 말았다! Look, Ai is an idol, and look at the calluses forming on my hands!"
Ai spread her fingers wide and shoved them toward me.
No, if you've actually got calluses, then why on earth—??
How??
What is going wrong??
I slumped in despair after seeing Ai's hands. It was clear that having stars in your eyes had absolutely nothing to do with musical talent.
'Yokishi, Shuji... I miss you guys so damn much...'
"Unless Hide plays a song just for me, I am absolutely never practicing scales! (๑و•̀Δ•́)و"
Whenever it came time for guitar lessons, Ai's whining grew exponentially. I couldn't tell if the hardship of practice was peeling away the thin mask she usually wore, but when she practiced, Ai looked more [sincere] and happy than at any other time.
'Fine... if it makes you happy...'
I took the guitar she was holding.
"Well, any song you want to hear?"
"Layla! That's my absolute favorite!"
"Again??"
Watching Hide play the guitar, Ai's face flushed red. Whenever she heard this song, she felt a soft, fuzzy warmth blooming in her chest.
According to him, 'Layla' was a song written while imagining courting someone he loved.
In that case, this song should never, ever be released to the world.
For some reason, the mere thought of him playing this song for someone else left Ai feeling unpleasant and dirty.
She was, as she had always been, a greedy girl.