Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: A Trip to Japan
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Yeonwoo had fallen asleep in the dead of night.
Jihoon sat at the dining table with his mother and younger sister.
Somewhat exhausted, he was instantly wide awake at Heo Ok's unexpected words.
"You're going to Japan with Yeonwoo?"
"If you give me permission."
Jihoon scratched his head at Heo Ok's words.
"No, why Japan?"
"First... let's talk after you listen to this."
Heo Ok played the song Yeonwoo had given her, titled Mom.
"Is this really made by our Yeonwoo? It's too sad for a child to have composed."
"...The title is Mom."
"Oh."
Jihoon's expression grew strange as he listened to the song calmly.
"Our Yeonwoo is great because he doesn't hide anything. To miss and grieve for his mom this much."
"Yeonwoo said holding it in would make him sick."
"That's not wrong. Maybe because he went through so much hardship as a child, it feels like there's an old soul inside him."
At Jihoon's words, Heo Ok glanced at Jiyeong and said.
"Some people are still kids even after turning thirty, but yeah, totally different."
"Mom!!"
"What trouble did you cause this time?"
"Wow, seriously. Am I some troublemaker? I'm a respected member of society once I step out."
"If only you'd act that way at home too."
"You should do better yourself!"
"Hmph, but seriously, why Japan? Because of this song?"
Jihoon truly seemed to have built a wall against music. He didn't grasp just how incredible this song was.
"This song is amazing. Even I, who's spent decades in the jazz scene, haven't seen many people who could compose something like this."
"That good? Our Yeonwoo is incredible!"
Jihoon was purely delighted.
"Wow, this brother is nothing more or less than a doting dad."
"Of course I'm happy. Should a dad be sad when his genius son is praised?"
"W-Well, yeah?"
Heo Ok continued, watching the bickering siblings.
"So, I'm planning to introduce Yeonwoo to people who play in the wide world. Even brief meetings to build connections will help him learn a lot."
"Then does it have to be Japan? What about America? That's where you were active during your prime."
As Jihoon said, the stage where Heo Ok had truly shone as a jazz pianist was America.
Japan was from her early days and after her peak, when she stepped back from the spotlight and spent more time teaching than performing.
"America's too far. My health aside, it's still a tough schedule for Yeonwoo."
"I see."
Jihoon smacked his lips in disappointment, thinking it would be better to show him America, the center of modern music.
On the other hand, he was worried about sending his grandmother and Yeonwoo alone to America without him.
"And Japan has its share of talents."
"Really?"
"At least for jazz. I have a disciple who's a world-class musician."
At those words, Jiyeong looked at Heo Ok and asked.
"Someone like that exists?"
"She does."
"Who?"
"Not sure if you'd know the jazz scene. A girl named Uesugi Himari."
Jiyeong was shocked at the name.
"No way, that Himari? The one who plays piano and composes?"
"You know Himari?"
"How could I not?! Four years ago, her jazz track stayed in the Melboard Hot 100 top ten for like four or five weeks."
Even in jazz's homeland of America, jazz no longer had its former popularity.
Amid that, a track composed by a woman from Japan—not even jazz's home turf—had dominated the top of the Melboard Hot 100 for an extended period, an unprecedented event. Jiyeong, whose job required keeping tabs on Melboard, couldn't have missed it.
"Well, there are a few others, but Himari's the first one I want to introduce to Yeonwoo."
Jihoon stroked his chin at that.
Jihoon knew about the Melboard Hot 100 too. It was shocking enough that a composer charting there was his mom's disciple, but she was going to arrange a meeting with Yeonwoo?
Jihoon didn't care much for music, but for Yeonwoo's sake, this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
"Then go ahead. He'll learn a lot, and an overseas trip is a big experience in itself."
"Alright, got it."
As Heo Ok looked satisfied with her goal achieved, Jiyeong sucked in a breath and said.
"This... with Himari involved, now even I want to tag along."
"Sure, come with. It'll help you too."
"But will Yeonwoo go?"
"He lit up at the idea of meeting someone who plays piano better than his grandma and insisted on going to see for himself."
Jiyeong burst into laughter at Heo Ok's words.
"To Yeonwoo, his grandma plays piano the best, but he hates admitting anyone beats her. Bro, you should've seen that face. It was like, 'I'll believe it when I see how good they really are.'"
"Good lord...."
Jihoon wondered if it was such a big deal to get upset about, but let it slide since he was only six.
"Anyway, have a safe trip. Oh, gotta make passports and all that."
"I'll take them for passport photos tomorrow. You handle the rest."
"Got it, Mom? Going to bed?"
"I need to prepare for Japan too."
"Huh?"
As the siblings looked at Heo Ok puzzled, she entered the master bedroom and pulled out an old notebook.
It was filled with numbers of old contacts she hadn't even saved in her smartphone since retiring.
* * *
Himari of the world.
In Japan, she was called Himari of the world, virtuoso of the jazz scene, the witch on the keys.
Her feat of topping the Melboard Hot 100 upper ranks with pure jazz was a given, but even before that, she was hailed as one of the world's top composers and pianists in jazz circles.
For such an extraordinary woman, she didn't live a flashy life in Tokyo.
She stayed in Fukuoka, her hometown familiar even to Koreans.
People admired how someone so successful never forgot her roots and stayed there.
But those who didn't know her said things like that.
"Hey, Tat-kun!! Where'd you buy this gyoza?"
"Ah, the place you mentioned closed today, I'm sorry!!"
"S-Sorry, Uesugi. I forgot to tell Tat-kun to call if the gyoza shop was closed and get something else."
"Seriously, do your job right. I'm hungry—how am I supposed to eat this?"
Those who knew her, however, said otherwise.
The real reason she didn't leave Fukuoka was purely for the food.
A massive eater and gourmet, she couldn't leave her hometown—not wouldn't, but couldn't.
She called her college days and time in America the most hellish periods because of her passion for local eateries.
Even now, as she complained about the portion being small, empty takeout containers piled up before her.
They were all from long-standing local favorites that did takeout only for her.
"Make sure my restaurant list gets delivered properly. Got it?"
"Got it. Make do with this for today."
"No, I'm still hungry. Sucks, but gourmet time's over. Tat-kun, hit the convenience store and grab ten onigiri."
"T-Ten?! Ah, sorry, understo od."
Himari sighed at her new manager and leaned back on the sofa.
"Ahh, my appetite's been insane lately. Gonna gain weight at this rate."
But despite her words, her body—barely past forty—hadn't an ounce of excess fat.
"You don't seem to gain any. Anyway, Uesugi, fans are waiting, but no new songs and no performances?"
At her dedicated manager's words, Uesugi Himari stared at him and said.
"Forgot I'm on sabbatical?"
"Sabbatical's one year off. You've taken four."
"What are you talking about? Three years ago, I performed at that whatever Kohaku Uta Gassen. The year before, Christmas special stage. Last year, Fukuoka promo video, outdoor show at Hakata Station."
"...Working once a year isn't sabbatical...."
"Of course it is."
Himari brazenly replied and grabbed a zero cola, bringing it to her lips.
That was when her phone, which rarely rang, started buzzing.
"What?"
"A friend?"
"Who'd dare call me first...."
Superiors avoided her hysterics by not contacting first; juniors feared calling her.
She called it her dignity, but incoming calls were extremely rare.
Curious, she picked up her smartphone.
"Huh, unknown number?"
It was unfamiliar.
"Hang up then."
"Wait."
About to end it firmly, she paused at the country code.
+82.
An international call.
"Hey, manager. Our country's international code is 81, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then 82?"
"Dunno? One digit off, so Korea or China maybe?"
"Korea...."
Korea was special to her. More precisely, a special person was there.
After hesitating, she answered.
-Himari?
"Who is this? Could it be... Teacher?
-Yes, it's me.
Himari screamed internally.
No way!!
"T-Teacher, how long has it been? Have you been well? How could you not call once? Didn't you miss your disciple?"
Himari poured out words nonstop, not even knowing what she was saying.
Then laughter came from the other end—Heo Ok's.
"Huh?"
She was stunned.
It was the first time in her life hearing Heo Ok laugh.
-How have you been?
"I've been the same. Missing you and practicing piano hard."
-The Himari I know is from Fukuoka. Dating a Kyoto guy? Spouting polite nothings like a Kyoto native.
"What are you saying, Teacher! Kyoto? You're too much."
-Anyway. You at your hometown?
"Always, unless working."
-Good timing then.
"Yes? What do you mean?"
As Himari asked in a trembling voice, Heo Ok said.
-I have a kid I want to introduce you to. My grandson. Mind if we visit together?
"O-Of course! I'll clear my schedule and wait."
-Good. I'll call with the date.
"Yes, understood."
The manager was dumbfounded watching Himari hang up politely.
She was hysterical even with superiors, but never rude or dismissive.
But using respectful "understood" like that? Never.
What was going on?
"Who was it? Who'd make you answer like that?"
At the manager's question, Himari said excitedly.
"Teacher's coming to Japan to see me."
"Teacher? No... way, her? Jade?"
"Jade? Is Teacher your friend?!"
"Ah, sorry. But what's up? She retired and vanished."
"Coming with her grandson...."
"She has family?"
Himari shrugged.
She'd never heard about Heo Ok's family either.
Anyway....
She was reuniting with the person she admired endlessly and longed to emulate.
No one remembered, but her early nickname was Little Jade.
Called the little Heo Ok, the girl who wished for it had become a giant herself, preparing to meet her.
‘I can't wait to see you, my virtuoso.’