Page 265 of Scarbound

“I won’t.”

Silence.

Duri’s voice came again, softer. “I’m right here.”

Noeul leaned one hand against the wall. Water ran over his hair, his face, his shoulders. He didn’t use the soap. Not yet. He just stood there. After a while, his breathing slowed.

“Duri.”

“Yes?”

“Talk.”

Duri paused. “About what?”

“Anything.”

There was another pause.

“My music teacher hates my newest track.”

Noeul opened his eyes. “What?”

“He says the bass is too aggressive.”

Noeul rested his forehead against the tile. “He’s wrong.”

“Thank you.”

“You haven’t played it for me.”

“That’s irrelevant.”

A weak sound escaped Noeul. Almost laughter.

Duri continued talking. Music. His final school year. A customer who had tried to pay for a cocktail with a metro card. Noeul stayed beneath the water until it began to cool. When he finally turned it off, the room was quiet again.

“Still there?”

“Yes.”

Noeul dried himself carefully. He avoided the mirror, then dressed in the clean clothes Yujin had left for him. He unlocked the door. Duri was exactly where he’d promised to be. Sitting on the stool. Waiting. He looked up.

Noeul looked at him. “You stayed.”

Duri frowned slightly. “I said I would.”

Noeul stared.

That evening, Dr. Kim called. Noeul refused to speak to her at first. Duri didn’t push. An hour later, Noeul asked, “Is she still available?”

Duri checked his phone. “Probably.”

He called her back. This time, Noeul took the phone. “Doctor.”

“Hello, Noeul.”

Her voice was familiar. Noeul closed his eyes. “Do you know what happened?”