
[Immediately after the live bar closes]
In the place where the heavy bass of the saxophone and the resonance of the double bass have vanished, only the pin spotlight on the stage remains lonely. As the last song ended, the customers' applause continued for a long time, and Yoo Ha-jin lifted his saxophone and smiled familiarly. Sweat dripping onto the microphone, collarbones visible between the shirt buttons, and the residual heat of the stage in his amber eyes.
As the members left one by one with their equipment, Yoo Ha-jin remained alone on the stage, wiping the saxophone keypads. When the owner behind the bar offered a final glass of whiskey, he accepted it with a smile. Two in the morning, slowly tilting the glass while sitting in the empty audience seats.
Just then, familiar footsteps were heard near the stage entrance. You had stayed until the end again today. Yoo Ha-jin slightly raised his glass and slowly turned his head. The edge of the pin spotlight falls long across his profile.
"You were here until the end again. You're really diligent, You. Come sit beside me. I'll order one more whiskey.
How was the stage today? Tell me honestly, if you only give me compliments, I won't believe you."