A small smile formed on Sangwon's face as he played his piano. His eyes closed at intervals as he was immersed.
The soft tunes filled the air as he played. The soft breeze flowing in, softly ruffling his hair.
His head immediately whipped to the side when he heard a thud. His eyes locked with a boy. He paused looking at Sangwon as he bent down to pick up the fallen ornament.
Sangwon still looked at him wondering who he was and why he was watching him. He cautiously stood up, moving back.
"Hey hey relax- I just happened to hear you play from over there" The boy said with a bright smile.
Sangwon sceptically looked at him. His eyes went over him. He loosened his guard when he saw the uniform the boy was wearing.
A servant.
Sangwon pursed his lips and looked away from him.
"You play beautifully" The boy complimented.
Sangwon gave him a small nod as he faced his piano. The boy clicked his tongue wondering why Sangwon ignored him.
He walked into the room. "Can you play some more?"
Sangwon's eyes widened when he saw him in his musical room. It was off bounds. Only Sangwon and his Piano Teacher ever entered there.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Is something wrong?- ahh it must be because you don't know me" The boy said clapping his hands in realisation.
He hung the rag in his hand on his shoulder and held out his hand.
"My name is Leo. Well.. not actually.. an English Master gave me the name after I helped him out during his stay. He said I looked like the sun and moon- whatever that meant I don't know..."
Sangwon quietly looked at Leo who kept rambling. He blinked already lost halfway.
Leo caught himself and chuckled.
"Sorry sorry, I spoke too much. I'm Leo. What's your name?"
Sangwon looked in the direction of the door before looking back at Leo.
'You're not meant to be here' Sangwon signed.
Leo's brows furrowed. "Huh?"
'Leave before someone sees you here'
Leo scratched his head in confusion when Sangwon signed again. He then clapped his hands in realisation.
"You're deaf!" He exclaimed and Sangwon squinted his eyes at how loud he was.
Sangwon shook his head in disagreement.
Leo tilted his head. "Huh? Then what?... Are you blind?" He asked waving his hands in front of Sangwon's face.
Sangwon let out a low sigh as he moved Leo's hand away. He pointed towards his mouth and did an X sign.
"Ohhhhh... you're mute" Leo said and Sangwon nodded. Leo stood looking at him. Sangwon arched an eyebrow wondering why he was staring.
Leo cleared his throat as he leaned down, closer to Sangwon, Sangwon's eyes widened as he moved his head back.
His eyes trailing Leo's close-up face. Warmth dusting his cheek at how close Leo's face was. He pursed his lips.
"MY NAME IS LEO!" Leo suddenly shouted startling Sangwon.
Sangwon looked at Leo in disbelief.
'I said I'm mute not deaf' He signed in frustration.
Leo looked at his hands clueless. Sangwon clicked his tongue as he got up. He held Leo's hand pulling him.
"Hey hey- what did I do?" Leo whined when Sangwon pushed him out of the room.
'Go back to work' He signed and closed the door. Leo scratched his head looking at the closed door.
"He's in such a bad mood..tch" Leo muttered taking his rag back in his hand, whistling as he walked out.
-
"Uncle, I'm done washing the cars." Leo brightly said. His uncle turned and nodded, patting his shoulder. Leo sighed looking at his old uncle.
"Uncle you know you're the main reason why I stopped selling buns at the market to come here. You're too old to continue working... look I have enough muscles to work"
His uncle weakly smiled as he pinched Leo's cheek. "My work doesn't require much. I'm just a driver to the Master after all"
Leo sighed already giving up on convincing his old uncle to quit. But then again, could he though?
With the Famine, things were hard already. Prices for food going up. Everyone starving and burning their backs to make a living.
The rich hoarding all the food and demanding money from the poor for them to have a taste.
At least working here, they could eat modestly.
"Go inside and find something to do before trouble comes" His uncle said and Leo nodded turning.
He whistled his way into the house.
"Argh-
He turned looking at who he bumped into.
A boy of his age looked back at him, a scowl on his face. He immediately recognised him as Geonwoo, the Master's nephew.
"A low servant like you dares look at me?"
Geonwoo spat angrily. Leo rolled his tongue against his cheek not liking his tone.
But then, he truly was a servant. He looked down bowing at him. "Sorry Young Master, I wasn't looking"
Geonwoo smirked seeing Leo bow to him.
"I didn't hear you. What did you say?"
Leo let out an annoyed sigh. "I said I'm sorry young master"
Geonwoo folded his arms. "Kiss my feet"
Leo looked at him in disbelief. "You still look?!" Geonwoo yelled, raising his hand to hit him.
Leo looked down making Geonwoo stop.
"Hurry up. I haven't got all day. I have a literature class. Kiss my feet. Maybe that will remind you where you'll always be. At the bottom"
Leo clenched his fists seething in anger. He let out a sigh as he slowly got down on his knees.
As he bent down, he suddenly felt someone hold his arm. He looked up and saw Sangwon.
Sangwon pulled him up and turned to Geonwoo.
'Hyung he already apologised. Why do you have to go extreme?'
"Mind your business Sangwon" Geonwoo glared.
Sangwon sighed. 'He's just a servant. Let him go. He knows nothing'
Leo quietly looked at Sangwon who signed to Geonwoo, completely understanding nothing. Geonwoo looked back at Leo and scoffed.
"You're lucky I'm in a good mood" Geonwoo said walking out as he harshly hit Leo's shoulder.
Leo looked back at him glaring. He turned and looked at Sangwon. A bright smile immediately forming on his face.
"My friend!" He yelled. Sangwon clicked his tongue. 'We just met today'
"I don't know what you just said but yes"
Sangwon hit his forehead sighing, he turned and left, already tired of Leo.
"I'll see you around!" Leo yelled at his disappearing figure.