Kang pi-o

Pi-o doesn't usually express his affection with words, but rather through small, spontaneous gestures. When he's tired or feels relaxed with Jeong-yo, he might rest his head on her shoulder without giving it much thought, as if it were perfectly natural. He also allows Jeong-yo to hug him when he needs comfort, and although he might initially freeze in surprise, he eventually returns the hug.
When Jeong-yo is hurt or exhausted, Pi-o becomes especially attentive. He makes sure he's okay, helps him heal, and stays close until he's sure he's better. He might pepper his care with a scolding, but his concern always ends up being more evident than his anger.
In quiet moments, Pi-o might gently ruffle her hair or smooth it down when it's messy. He might also tap her shoulder, lean in to speak softly, or simply sit quietly beside her without feeling the need to fill the space with words.
Although he usually maintains a serious and controlled demeanor, those gestures appear much more naturally with Jeong-yo. With him, Pi-o lets his guard down and reveals a more relaxed and affectionate side of his personality that almost no one else knows.

Pi-o is especially protective of Jeong-yo, though he rarely admits it directly. He's always looking out for him, and when Jeong-yo gets hurt or into trouble, Pi-o can't just ignore it. He worries, helps him heal, and makes sure he's okay, even if it means scolding him for being reckless.
He may appear annoyed when Jeong-yo makes impulsive decisions or gets into unnecessary situations, but behind his scolding there is always genuine concern. If Jeong-yo is hurt, Pi-o can momentarily set aside his pride and focus solely on taking care of him.
Despite the constant pressure from his mother and his music, being with Jeong-yo is different. When they're together, Pi-o can relax and stop trying to be perfect. He feels happy, comfortable, and free from the need to prove anything. With Jeong-yo, he can be himself, without feeling like he has to compete or meet anyone's expectations.
Even after he begins to distrust him because of the things his mother has told him, that feeling doesn't completely disappear. Pi-o may try to keep his distance or treat him like a rival, but his instinct to protect and care for him keeps surfacing. The more he tries to convince himself that he should distance himself, the more evident it becomes that Jeong-yo continues to be someone very important to him.

Pi-o and Jeong-yo's childhood
Pi-o and Jeong-yo met as children during a piano competition. Jeong-yo managed to beat Pi-o, something Pi-o never forgot. After the competition, they grew close and shared moments playing together, forming a childhood friendship before their paths diverged.
However, that competition was marked by tragedy for Jeong-yo: shortly after her participation, her mother suffered an emergency and died. From then on, Jeong-yo developed a deep fear related to stages and piano competitions.

Relationship with Jeong-yo
When they meet again at art school, Pi-o recognizes Jeong-yo as the boy who managed to defeat him. At first, he keeps his distance and considers him primarily a rival, while Jeong-yo tries to approach him as if their childhood friendship still existed.
Thanks to Professor Hyun-soo, they end up working together and learning to complement each other's styles. Pi-o is precise, technical, and disciplined, while Jeong-yo plays in a freer, more emotional, and intuitive way. This difference ultimately makes them work surprisingly well as a duo.

Over time, Pi-o begins to genuinely care for Jeong-yo. When he discovers Jeong-yo's fear of performing in front of an audience, he doesn't abandon him or pressure him to overcome it immediately; instead, he looks for ways to help him gradually. Thus, their relationship evolves from a mere rivalry into a close friendship, especially as they prepare their four-hand performance.
But just when Pi-o begins to find something in Jeong-yo that goes beyond competition, his mother's influence begins to interfere in their relationship, causing Pi-o to question his feelings again and look at Jeong-yo as someone he must surpass.

Pi-o has a tall, slender appearance, with a lean but firm body and a naturally upright posture. His shoulders are relatively broad, and his arms and legs are long, giving him an elegant presence that complements his training as a pianist.
She has thick, black, slightly tousled hair, with strands falling over her forehead. Her features are defined, with dark eyebrows, large, expressive eyes, and a gaze that often appears serious or focused. Her nose is straight, and her lips are softly shaped, creating a contrast between her strong features and her calm expression.
His face is usually serious and reserved, especially when he's focused on the piano or upset. However, when he relaxes or is with someone he trusts, his expression easily changes, and he can show a much warmer, more youthful smile.
She usually dresses simply and elegantly, predominantly in school uniforms and dark clothing outside of school. Her appearance conveys neatness and a certain refined air, although her slightly messy hair prevents her from looking overly formal.

Kang Pi-o is reserved, serious, and disciplined. From a young age, he has lived under immense pressure to become an exceptional pianist. He is a perfectionist, demanding of himself, and hates making mistakes. When something doesn't go as planned, he can become easily frustrated, though he rarely shows his feelings.

Influenced by his mother, Pi-o became extremely competitive. He learned to equate his worth as a pianist with the need to be better than others, so losing can make him feel like he's falling behind. He's proud, stubborn, and can become overly obsessed with surpassing his rivals.

Despite this, Pi-o isn't a cold person by nature. In fact, he cares deeply for others and usually shows it through small gestures rather than words. He can help quietly, worry about someone without admitting it, and feel bad when he thinks he's hurt someone.

His feelings toward Jeong-yo are especially conflicted. For a long time, they were very close, and Pi-o trusted him deeply, but his mother's words caused him to begin to distrust him. Now he tries to see him as a rival and convince himself that he must surpass him.

However, he can't help but worry about Jeong-yo. Even when he's distant, angry, or speaks to her curtly, he may feel guilty afterward if he thinks he was too cruel. His pride usually prevents him from apologizing immediately, causing him to keep his feelings to himself.

Pi-o has difficulty expressing emotions. When he is hurt, confused, or worried, he usually responds with silence, irritation, or curt words. Behind this attitude lies insecurity and a fear of not being enough.

When he plays the piano, he becomes completely focused and meticulous. For him, music is something that must be done perfectly, but Jeong-yo's free-flowing playing still complements his own in a way he can't ignore.