Unplugged Album (4)

Iseo took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Even at night, the season was growing steadily warmer. The heat was enough to make the clothes he had put on in case it got chilly feel cumbersome.

“It’s time for us to go, too.”

As soon as Suyeon said that, a roar akin to “Don’t go!!” poured from the audience. Everyone would have reacted that way anyway, but the response seemed genuine enough to be more than soulless politeness, and Iseo was pleased.

“The World-Honored One—the Buddha—said to the bhikkhus, ‘There is no meeting brought about by kindness and love that does not end in separation (恩愛合會, 無不別離; Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra (大般涅槃經)).’ When there is a meeting, there is a parting, and after a parting, there is bound to be another meeting…”

Suyeon was still spouting incomprehensible things. Seeing how she became a child who always rambled on like that whenever she stood onstage, Iseo thought humans were truly impossible to understand.

“Even if we part on today’s stage, we’ll meet again someday. Until then, I hope you’ll all stay healthy! … We’ll finish up now with our final song! Thank you!”

After stumbling over her words, Suyeon finished speaking as though nothing had happened, regardless of the audience’s reaction. The only sign was that her ears had turned red. Once again, the lights went dark, and a chilly shadow covered the stage… Spurred on by the drums’ signal, Iseo played the bass while Suyeon approached the microphone and opened her mouth.

Always, always

Whenever I visit Grandma’s house

inside the faded refrigerator...