Devil’s Music - Chapter 7

Chapter 7: First Meeting with the Dead pt. 3 

Neither of the men expected Geon’s request. However, unlike William, Elvis took it very seriously.

“Geon, honestly··· I’m not that good of a vocalist. I have a nice voice, but I don’t know good technique. If that’s your dream, why don’t you learn from someone else?”

William quickly retorted, in amazement.

“Elvis! What are you on about? You’re the best singer of our era! You’re like a god in the eyes of the public!”

Elvis smiled bitterly at the sight of his excited friend.

“William. I know very well how much you care for me. But we both know that one day the world will realise I’m not a good vocalist at all. I’m just a plain and boring performer.”

William shook his head.

“Everybody knows you’re great, Elvis. Those people out there worship you.”

“Well, well. Thanks. Let’s not argue about that for now. We should focus on how we can make this wish come true.”

Elvis stood up from the sofa and picked up a guitar. He sat back down and patted the expensive custom guitar.

“Geon, I’m going to play something that I haven’t released yet. It’s a soundtrack for a movie, I’m not sure if they will use it. William hasn’t heard this either, I don’t think.I’ll teach you this song, all right?”

Geon nodded enthusiastically.

Elvis started playing a slow arpeggio melody. Geon and William were awestruck by the beautiful song. Elvis’s smooth voice joined the guitar.

“Wise men say only fools rush in

But I can’t help falling in love with you

Shall I stay

Would it be a sin

If I can’t help falling in love with you

Like a river flows surely to the sea

Darling so it goes

Some things are meant to be

Take my hand, take my whole life too

For I can’t help falling in love with you”

Geon’s heartbeat sped up as Elvis sang. Elvis’s voice was so amazing, he could barely think.

“Well, how was it? It’s called ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’.”

Geon applauded his performance, smiling.

“It’s a beautiful song. I want to sing like that too.”

William was distracted with his thoughts. “Oh my God! I don’t know when, but this will be certified platinum as soon as it’s released…”

Elvis smiled at the child and sat down next to him.

“Do you want to give it a try? I’ll write the lyrics down for you.”

Geon nodded aggressively.

“Yes, I definitely want to try!”

Geon actually knew the song by heart.

It was his mother’s favourite.

Elvis jotted down the lyrics on a piece of paper. He slid it to Geon and started playing his guitar.

Geon could somehow read the lyrics in English. He assumed it must have been because he was dreaming, but quickly realised that he remembered them.

“Wise men say only fools rush in…”

He closed his eyes and sang the first verse as well as he could.

The guitar music stopped.

Geon opened his eyes to see both Elvis and William staring at him in shock. He tilted his head with a puzzled expression.

“Hmmm? Why’d you stop?”

Elvis put down the guitar and grabbed Geon with all his might.

“Jesus Christ! Geon, you’re an angel! That voice!!”

He quickly came to his senses.

“What sort of prodigious vocal cords do you have? My friend, you must be an angel. You’ll grow up to be a great singer.”

Geon smiled widely.

“I hope so, too, but I’m still too young.”

“Just let me hear your songs before I die. It would be a pity if I couldn’t.”

In the real world, Elvis was already dead. Geon could do nothing but nod.

Elvis picked up the guitar again.

“Okay, I won’t stop playing this time, so you can sing it till the end.”

The two began singing again.

William lifted his camera with an almost instinctive motion.

Click.

He stood looking at them for a while before quietly leaving.

“This will be worth gold when Geon grows up and debuts.”

He couldn’t take his eyes off the pair as he walked to the door.