The Journey of Love by an Idol

Episode 115's

Kang Daehyun, this man showed interest in music since he was in elementary school. Every day he would pass by a street musician all the way from home to school. 

The musician is already middle-aged holding a guitar in his shabby shirt. His guitar is also no less shabby than his appearance. The man wore a hat, opened a guitar bag and put down a caption titled ‘Hargai Jalanan’ Musicians. 

Kang Daehyun did not remember the full story. But at least that's what he remembered. Initially Kang Daehyun passed by him like everyone else passed by the man. Sometimes the man could sit there playing music even until Daehyun came home from school. 

Daehyun never once saw his guitar bag full of money. Sometimes only a few coins and a few sheets were at least enough for him to eat that day. Daehyun saw the man just like everyone else. Daehyun did not care much about the music he played because the man did not sing and only played his guitar. 

One day, Daehyun's parents had a fight. Like a fight - a fight before. His father's business again - again did not go well and his mother could not pay the bills. The thing that came out of his father's mouth was to go and complain about his fate abroad. That again and that again. 

Yes, the plan had already come out of his father's mouth even far since Daehyun was still sitting in the final elementary school. Kira - about 6 years before they finally realized it. Daehyun refuses to go to school but she also has no idea what she can do and where she should go. 

Finally, Daehyun remembered the street musician. Maybe he's trying to stand there and enjoy the music. Daehyun really did. He didn't go to school and just stood listening to the musician. But Daehyun did not dare to stand close. He sat in a mini market across the street and watched the man. 

Every now and then, the man realized that Daehyun was looking at him and the man waved asking Daehyun to see him there. Then, Daehyun who felt foreign chose to run. 

A few days later, Daehyun tried to spend a little more time looking at the man. Still in the same place. Pretend to be a mini-market customer across the street and observe it. 

Daehyun did not realize, that at that time actually his interest in music had attracted him. During several times doing the same, Daehyun finally dared to come closer. 

Daehyun continued to do the same activity at least until she was in the third grade of junior high school. It was then that he managed to muster up his courage to talk to the man. 

“Why do you keep playing your music in this place?”, asked Daehyun. 

For the first time he was curious and asked the man. 

“In your opinion, where else should I play my music?”, said the man. 

Daehyun. Not because the man asked. Because the man could not speak. He gave sign language. Daehyun of course did not understand what the man was saying. 

Daehyun's surprised face was apparently realized by the man. 

“I think, if you move to that place, more people will be able to hear your music. Maybe you can get more money.”, said Daehyun. 

The man shook his head. He knew that even if he answered with sign language, Daehyun would definitely not understand. 

Daehyun observed the man for a while then gave him the money and left. The man was confused. 

The next day, Daehyun came there. The man was again - confused. If Daehyun continued to observe him, the man too. The man knew that Daehyun only passed through the area on school days. The holiday is not. But now Daehyun was there. 

Unusual, Daehyun was like carrying a big bag. Daehyun took out the contents. A shirt, pants and a hat. 

“This is for you. I hope the size fits.”, Daehyun said. 

Of course Daehyun's treatment made him question. He did not think that Daehyun would give him clothes. No, Daehyun was too young to know something like this. Not until there. Daehyun's next words made the man even more surprised. 

“I'll give you money. Do you mind going to the barber?”, said Daehyun. 

Of course the man was astonished. Who's this kid telling him to shave? But, either the chemistry or what makes him seem to not mind Daehyun's request. Right then and there the man went to a barber not far from there. Daehyun. 

The man was wearing the clothes that Daehyun had given him and now he looked different. Her hair was well-groomed and better with a hat. Although he was old but the clothes made him look cleaner and more pleasing to the eye compared to before. 

“I asked the store owner and you can play your music there. All this time I saved up and bought a loudspeaker that I had left to the store owner's uncle.”, said Daehyun. 

“What do you want?”, asked the man. 

“I want you to play your music. I'm gonna sing. Our income is for two.”, Daehyun said at the time. 

The man was speechless. This time more than when Daehyun told him to shave. What this child really wants and thinks. 

“What makes you think you can take my income?”, asked the man. 

“You can sit where you used to sing and earn enough money to eat every day without a place to stay. Or you accept my offer and I believe you can buy more than food after this.”, Daehyun said. 

At that time, Daehyun was already 15 years old. Soon she will graduate and enter high school. 

Hearing Daehyun's words, the man tried to pit his luck. What Daehyun said was to turn on the soul to accept the challenge within him. Even at an old age. 

Daehyun took the man to where he meant. A Cafe. In front of him was a large courtyard, belonging to the man. He took out the loudspeaker he put in the cafe and did a little setting at once with the mike he had. 

The man was confused as to why there was a mic. Daehyun should have known that the man could not speak. 

The man looked at Daehyun in confusion. 

“Just play the music you used to play.”, Daehyun said. 

The man gawked for a while before finally strumming his guitar. Passing through some melodies, Daehyun then let out his voice. The man was stunned as he continued to play his guitar. 

He had no idea that a lyric from his melody coming out of Daehyun's mouth could be so pleasing to him. Not just himself. Some of the people around them were immediately shocked. Some continued their steps but whispered. Some choose to quit. 

Although not 100% perfect like a professional singer but Daehyun's voice is very good at hearing and blends with the melody that the man chants from his guitar. 

The first day, they had not earned much money. Only less compared to what the man had obtained. But, as a musician, the man was not disappointed and would not stop. 

The first month, they were still at the same point. Not too much income but at the very least, the man could buy more than just food. 

The second month, Daehyun began to apply different things. Before he came, he had the man practice playing the music he chose. A song that is popular among teenagers. The man initially refused because he had been playing his music for years. 

But Daehyun convinced him. Their first performance with the song really made people stop at their place. Cafes are also more crowded than usual and they also get tips from their owners. 

The man's income increased by 3x what he used to earn. Even if on the weekend, the income is more increased because more people pass by. 

Every week they add a new song. Daehyun chose him and the man would train while Daehyun was still in school. Over time, their relationship was more familiar than just street musicians and observers. 

“Ahjussi, Man Sik Ahjussi, where is it?”, Daehyun asked the Cafe owner. 

Daehyun had been waiting for him for almost half an hour but the man never showed up. 

“I don't know. Usually he always arrives earlier than you.”, said the cafe owner. 

Since their earnings are much better, Daehyun and Man Sik Ahjussi will perform only from afternoon to 9 pm only. The rest, Man Sik could use that time to practice new songs and others. 

Man Sik can also rent a place to stay even if it is only a basement. But at least he didn't sleep on the streets. 

Daehyun kept waiting for an hour. But the man did not come. No one knew where the man lived. He only told Daehyun that he could already get a place to stay. 

Daehyun and Man Sik had never been in contact outside their meeting place because Daehyun would definitely be able to find the man there. The man also never had a cell phone, so Daehyun could not reach him. 

That day, Daehyun had to go home without meeting Man Sik after waiting for almost 3 more hours.

The next day, he also waited in the same place at the same time but the man again - again did not appear. 

It lasted for a week until Daehyun finally asked the police. He had already asked the shopkeeper around but indeed no one knew where the man lived. He's just a street guy who doesn't pay much attention to him. 

Daehyun could not believe that no one knew where he was. Until finally Daehyun ventured to ask other street people around there. Many did not know until a man finally knew him. 

The man said Man Sik never slept here again. He said he got a basement rental not far from the station. Some stations from this place. But the man also did not know exactly where because he felt Man Sik was just bragging. How could he possibly have a temporary place to stay for so many years sometimes he slept there. 

Daehyun had to search the station in question. After walking about 800 meters from there, Daehyun was finally able to find the man's residence. 

“Ahjumma, do you know this man? Man Sik Ahjussi.”, Daehyun said. 

“Oh.. You are his family?”, Ahjumma asked in surprise. 

Daehyun of course shook his head. 

“Then why look for it. Does he owe you?”, the Ahjumma asked.

Daehyun again - again shakes his head. 

“He's my partner. Do you know where he is now?”, asked Daehyun. 

That Ahjumma gave a confused look to Daehyun. 

“He no longer exists. He was found dead a few blocks from here.”, the woman said.  

Daehyun's eyes immediately rounded. How could? The day before the man didn't show up - they were still performing together. 

“Hm. I don't know the details. He rented a nearby basement and someone reported finding his body a few blocks away. Details you can ask the police.”, said Ahjumma. 

Without wasting any more time, Daehyun immediately went to the police station in question. The police explained the chronology. Although Daehyun did not really understand how it could all happen, but clearly no one took his body because he did not have a family. 

It is likely that the body will be sent to be made Kadaver (Corpses that have been officially preserved or legal to be used as learning media, especially anatomy). Hearing this, Daehyun immediately ran to the hospital in question. 

Crying, Daehyun pleaded with the hospital to allow him to process the man's funeral properly. Of course, the hospital did not approve because Daehyun is not a family and he is not 17. 

Daehyun called his parents instead of helping, but of course Daehyun's parents were shocked because the man had been acquainted with an unknown street man and now instead wanted to claim his body and bury him. Their families are also struggling economically and are in the process of migrating abroad. 

In the end, Daehyun sat down in front of the hospital. She's speechless. Her crying could not stand it. Tight chest. All this time, he had been cold to the man and used it for his benefit. 

The first time Daehyun offered the job to Man Sik Ahjussi was because he also had to raise money if one day his parents really moved abroad. About two weeks before Man Sik never showed up to where they used to perform, Daehyun got an offer from some of his school friends to join their band. 

Man Sik might have accidentally heard it. Daehyun did not think too much about what Man Sik's view of the offer was. Man Sik did not ask, Daehyun thought he had no obligation to answer either. 

Honestly Daehyun was interested in the offer. Joining a team that is the same age as him will definitely give him plenty of opportunities to raise money. But, that does not mean he will leave his long-standing cooperation with Man Sik. 

He's still thinking about it.

Although the death of Man Sik who arrived was not his fault, but somehow Daehyun felt strange. All this time he spoke flat and kept a distance with the man even though they performed together. 

The man showed his sincerity several times because Daehyun first thought it existed. Daehyun who became his friend to talk even though he could not talk. Daehyun who became his spirit to run the day. 

On the contrary, Daehyun did not think too much about it and often gave a cold response. Now Daehyun can only cry in front of the hospital. He could not claim and bury the man's body properly and could not even see him at all because he was neither family nor the authorities.