Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: The Merciless Azalea
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Rengyō [Azalea] – Yeonwoo Arrangement Version.
Yeonwoo had done his best to make it as simple as possible, taking everyone's circumstances into account, but that was by Yeonwoo's standards.
On top of that, perhaps because Yeonwoo had been influenced by Chopin, one mistake would ruin the entire piece.
It was a brutally unforgiving song that tolerated no errors.
And considering it was a jazz orchestra piece with over ten session musicians involved, no one could call it easy.
They had to master this in two weeks.
That meant nothing but a grueling forced march ahead.
From morning till evening, even when young Yeonwoo headed home first, the session musicians stuck around, delaying their own departures to perfect the piece.
"It's impressive enough that he made this, but Yuin's ears... they're not human."
The woman handling the clarinet spoke, and the saxophonist man nodded in agreement.
"It's scary, seriously scary. She catches even the mistakes you think she couldn't possibly hear, then glares at you like a ghost."
"No, honestly, isn't it superhuman? How does she hear everything?"
At this point, none of the members saw Yeonwoo as a child anymore.
Superhuman, genius, monster.
Whatever they called it, he was a being with otherworldly talent.
Regardless of age, they could only submit to him and show respect.
That was why, except for Orion, no one treated Yeonwoo like a kid—using casual speech or acting carelessly.
Even Orion spoke casually but never treated him roughly.
Takeo had snapped at Yeonwoo early on, only to get shut down by Heo Ok, but after grasping Yeonwoo's talent and skill, he followed without complaint.
With everyone following Yeonwoo, even in this forced march, the jazz orchestra gradually reached the level he demanded.
It was four days before the performance.
* * *
"How's Orion been lately?"
With Yeonwoo firmly establishing himself as the leader of the jazz orchestra, Heo Ok—who had been spending most of her time at the dorm with Jihoon—suddenly asked him over dinner.
"How are they?"
"Yeah. They seemed pretty disappointed before. I was wondering if things are better now."
Yeonwoo nodded at Heo Ok's words.
"They're doing great."
It was true.
As expected from people who had dominated the U.S. jazz charts.
Their senses and skills, dulled from time away from the stage, had returned, making them seem like entirely different people.
"I even want to work on an album with them."
"I see. Honestly, I was shocked too, seeing those talented kids in that state. But it's a relief their skills are back."
"The uncles and aunts are motivated now that their form's returning. They mentioned thinking about getting active again after this performance."
"Really?"
"Yeah, so I was thinking of working with them once."
Heo Ok paused her chopsticks and looked at Yeonwoo.
"You're going to write them a song?"
"No. I want to invite them as session musicians for my album."
While preparing the jazz orchestra, Yeonwoo had been inspired by Orion using guest vocalists and had been sketching out his own album in his spare time.
What genre, what songs to include, who to bring in as guest vocalists or session players.
It had been vague so far, but doing jazz made him want to use Orion for sessions.
Not just because their regained form was impressive, but because their unique sensibility appealed to him.
"An album under Yuin... Do you have any ideas?"
"Just vague thoughts for now. I'll plan it properly after the performance."
Even as he said that, the tracks were already mostly decided.
He planned to release all the S-grade songs he cherished in his folder under his own name.
It felt like a waste to give them away when he was putting out an album under Yuin—his nickname and his mother's name.
Saying he'd prepare in earnest after the orchestra wrapped meant he'd start looking for lyricists and singers for those songs.
"Yeonwoo, after the performance, you're heading straight back to Korea?"
While Yeonwoo pondered his album, Jihoon asked.
"Yeah, I have to."
"What about travel? Going to do that next?"
"No. Heading home. I want to work on the album."
"Alright."
Jihoon wanted to tell him to rest more, but seeing Yeonwoo lost in thought at the mere mention of the album, he couldn't bring himself to say it.
He didn't want to interfere with what the boy wanted to do.
Besides, it didn't seem like overdoing it.
Watching Yeonwoo work on music looked less like labor and more like a kid his age playing video games or toys.
He just factored in practical things like money and mass appeal.
"Still, don't push yourself too hard."
"Yeah, I'll take it easy."
Yeonwoo said, popping a piece of sweet-and-sour chicken into his mouth and savoring it.
* * *
Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka.
Today, Uesugi Himari's 20th anniversary concert would be held at the home stadium of the SoftBank Hawks, one of Japan's top baseball teams.
This was a historic event.
For a jazz artist—a pianist, not even a singer—to hold a solo concert at a dome stadium was unprecedented in Japanese history, no, world history.
Koreans might think: A dome sounds great, but will the audience show up?
They would.
Beyond Japan's jazz demand surpassing even America's, Himari was a global icon.
Japanese fans adored her so much that tickets sold out in a frenzy.
As the packed dome's screens displayed the number 20, the concert began.
Himari poured her all into playing the songs beloved by jazz fans worldwide.
While mics and speakers scattered around relayed her piano sound, Yeonwoo—who had come to one side to watch live—stared entranced.
"Grandma, a dome is incredible."
"I see."
A dome concert was a dream stage anyone in Japan or Korea aspired to perform at least once.
Yeonwoo might not know that, but he could guess why they chose a dome.
Countless people gazed solely at Himari.
That alone would move the star of the show, but it hit Yeonwoo even more specially.
Blue Fairies filled the dome with blue light, fluttering about.
It looked just like swimming in the ocean.
And right then, "Fuyu no Umi" started playing.
Perfect.
Yeonwoo kept watching Himari's performance, mesmerized, until it was his turn to prepare.
"[Mr. Yuin, time to get ready!]"
"[Yes!]"
Now it was Yuin's turn.
Just like at the Budokan show, Yeonwoo hurried to the waiting room for final prep to perform "Mama" with Himari, then stood at the entrance.
-[Introducing Yuin!
With Himari's voice echoing, Yeonwoo stepped onto the stage.
Waaaaaaaaah!
The deafening cheers, the sea of audience members and Blue Fairies.
Yeonwoo stood briefly, entranced, taking them in before locking eyes with Himari and approaching her.
Himari took Yeonwoo's hand, bowed once more to the crowd, then said to him,
"It's an honor to share the stage with you again, just like last time."
"The honor's mine, Aunt."
Himari and Yeonwoo smiled at each other and began playing the now-familiar "Mama."
'Aunt...'
Was it because this was her 20th anniversary, dedicated to her?
Himari's playing today was at its peak.
All her senses seemed focused solely on the piano—it was the best form Yeonwoo had ever seen from her.
'Me too...'
Sharing the stage for Himari, he couldn't half-ass it with her giving her all.
Yeonwoo forgot the audience and Fairies, concentrating on the piano.
That's when it happened.
Himari's Fairy, who had passed abilities to Yeonwoo and whose light had dimmed since, began shining brilliantly.
Yeonwoo looked in surprise, and Himari's Fairy met his gaze before pointing at Himari.
Yeonwoo understood what Himari's Fairy meant.
Like Yujaihyeok's Fairy, hers was returning.
Yeonwoo nodded willingly.
Himari's Fairy waved to Yeonwoo, then flew to Uesugi Himari and merged into her body.
Himari flinched.
She might have sensed something—mid-performance, her body trembled involuntarily.
In her trance, she felt her fingers dance fluidly over the keys.
If anything, it was like her skill suddenly surged during the piece, or realistically, like delivering peak performance in perfect condition.
Himari glanced at Yeonwoo.
Seeing him watching her, she smiled back and instinctively swung into an ad-lib swing.
Yeonwoo followed her swing immediately.
'This kid...'
How does he keep up even in moments like this?
Geniuses really are different.
In that case...
This is my concert today—time to play to my heart's content.
Himari decided, pounding the keys excitedly.
Yeonwoo diligently followed her swing.
Thrilled by Yeonwoo supporting her and her mysteriously improved state mid-performance, Himari played with ecstatic passion.
At the climax, she slammed the keys with full force, throwing her head back.
Sweat dripping from her forehead scattered into the air.
The audience, watching breathlessly on the giant screens, erupted in thunderous cheers as Himari rose, approached Yeonwoo, and hugged him tightly.
"Psycho!! That was the best, Yeonwoo."
"You too, Aunt. You were amazing!"
"Right? Even I think so. Today was somehow... what..."
"The best, just the best!"
"Yeah, yeah. Oh!"
Chatting with Yeonwoo, Himari checked the audience and took his hand.
"Let's bow."
"Yes."
As Himari and Yeonwoo bowed together, the crowd roared even louder in response.
"[Thank you. Every time I play Mama, I think of my late mother and my teacher, Heo Ok. I bow in gratitude to my teacher who taught me once more. Without her, there'd be no jazz Uesugi Himari.]"
Himari thanked Heo Ok, then turned to Yeonwoo.
"[My disciple, teacher, and colleague Yuin has prepared a stage for me today. It's a jazz orchestra with Orion seniors and Hashimoto Atsushi. Please enjoy it with me.]"
With that, Himari and Yeonwoo exited the stage.
As they left, staff bustled onto the stage for setup.
At the entrance, Yuin met Orion and the jazz orchestra members waiting.
"[You've all prepared for today. You can do great, right?]"
The members looked at Yeonwoo.
Those sharp eyes—like his grandmother's—radiated an aura that said he'd have Shuji fold them up if they slipped.