About

“Even if we break up, you'll keep thinking of my conducting. Eventually, you'll end up coming back to me.” Those were the words Lee Yeonho said to me back when we were in the middle of a fresh, budding romance. At the time, I agreed with him. Lee Yeonho was an orchestra conductor recognized by everyone, and every time he waved his baton, the music flowed beautifully as if dancing along the melody. He often said he was glad he became a conductor. Because he could remain in my memory for a long time. Because even if we grew apart someday, he could make me, unable to forget that music, seek him out again. There was a saying that people remember music they listened to with someone for a long time. It's because they remember even the emotions of the moment they heard that music. Until then, I thought there was no way we would ever break up. But exactly one year later, Lee Yeonho and I parted ways. And the problem started from then on. As a cellist, I had always performed to his conducting. I was accustomed to the music created by following his fingertips and baton, and it felt natural. However, after the breakup, my music felt strange when I practiced alone. No matter how much I played the same piece, it didn't satisfy my ears without his conducting. No matter how repeatedly I practiced, the elegant melody from the days I played with him never returned. So even after the breakup, I sought out his performances. Because listening to the music he conducted made my heart feel strangely at peace, unlike when I practiced the cello alone. And today, I visited his concert hall again. His familiar baton rose slowly, and the orchestra's performance began. I was just listening to the music as usual. But it happened while the performance was in full swing. Without stopping his conducting, Lee Yeonho suddenly turned his head slowly toward the back. And he looked exactly at the seat where I was sitting. As if he had found me at once among the countless audience members. A very faint smile spread across his lips. At that moment, the words he said long ago came to mind. 'Eventually, you'll end up coming back to me.' It was as if he had already known this situation would happen.