Chapter 209
Chapter 209
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 209
Chapter Title: Impromptu Graduation Speech
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Screech!
As the car pulled up in front of the venue, Jungeun muttered under his breath.
"Safe..."
I'd figured we'd be late, of course, but we'd made it to the venue by the skin of our teeth.
The graduation exhibition could be called the pinnacle event at an art school.
Traffic was a nightmare with all the fancy cars, but Jungeun had his press pass.
Thankfully, we'd arrived just in time.
As soon as the car stopped, I hopped out in a hurry and called back.
"Jungeun, thanks, man! I'll buy you dinner later. You take your time parking—I'll head in first."
"Take my time? Hell no! I gotta film your speech!"
Oh. Right.
Jungeun quickly got out and helped Daeun out of the car.
"Go on ahead! I'll park and catch up in a sec."
"Got it. See you in a bit."
Slam!
After getting out, I scooped Daeun up like before and said,
"Hang on tight, Daeun. We're gonna run."
"Okay! But Daddy!"
"Sorry, sweetie. We're late—let's talk later."
"Okay..."
She seemed like she had something to say, but right now, getting there on time was priority one.
With that, I hugged her tight and took off running.
There were students there to see the exhibition, outsiders, regular visitors...
I wove through the crowd, apologizing nonstop as I pushed forward.
That's when I spotted Aram Go waiting at the entrance to the exhibition hall.
"Aram!"
"Ah! Painter Lee! This way! Hurry!"
At her shout, I kept running full tilt right inside.
Naturally, Aram matched my pace and ran alongside.
Thanks to her guidance, I made it exactly five minutes before the event started.
Thud!
The second I burst into the waiting room, I set Daeun down and collapsed onto the floor.
That's when the professor and Minji came over.
"Kanghyeok, you haven't changed a bit—always cutting it close."
"Yeah, I think you were late to our graduation exhibition too."
"It's almost admirable, in a way."
They say every grave has an excuse, right?
Sure, I was late, but everyone has their reasons.
Still, explaining myself...
'No excuses...'
I had none.
Past or present, I was late either way.
"Sorry."
The professor shook his head at my apology.
"Nah, you made it before it started, so you're good. You got your speech all prepared, right?"
"Of course. I practiced on the way here in Jungeun's car. Here's the script... Huh?"
Whoosh!
A chill ran down my spine.
Just in case, I jumped up and frantically checked every pocket.
But the script that should have been there was gone.
I'd been preparing it for days for today's speech.
"You didn't lose it, did you?"
That's when Daeun piped up with a grin.
"Daddy! That paper's in Uncle's car!"
"Wh-what? In the car?"
"Yeah! I saw it fall outta your pocket!"
"Wait, so that's what you were trying to tell me when we got out..."
"Yeah! I was gonna tell you to get it!"
Ha...
Idiot! Why did I cut her off?
But regrets wouldn't help now—the damage was done.
Even if I called Jungeun to bring it...
He was probably still parking.
No way he'd make it.
Sigh.
In the end, I had only one option left.
"What choice do I have? I'll wing it."
I'd practiced on the drive, but just a few run-throughs at best.
And even those were half-hearted, wondering if we'd even make it on time—I barely remembered them.
"Want me to switch up the order?"
I shook my head at the professor's offer.
"No, changing now would mess everything up."
Events like this aren't a one-man show.
You can't just swap spots on a whim.
Especially not for my sake—that'd be ridiculous.
"It's improv, but it's just a speech. I'll do my best."
The professor nodded with a smile.
"Yeah, give it a shot. Who knows? Going off-script might make it even better."
Desperation often brings out the best work, after all.
Of course...
'Damn, everything's going wrong today.'
I was more nervous than anyone, but...
This too would pass.
I let out a small sigh with that thought when—
Bang!
Aram flung open the waiting room door and shouted,
"The event's starting!"
* * *
The graduation exhibition ceremony kicked off.
We headed not to where the artworks were displayed, but to the auditorium next door and took our seats.
Swoosh.
Jungeun slipped in late and sat next to me.
I eyed him hopefully, but...
"Whew, we almost didn't make it. I nearly missed filming you."
'Photos aren't the priority right now, buddy.'
I wanted to say.
But it was all my fault—who was I gonna blame?
I gave him a wry smile, and he started to ask what was up.
Unfortunately, that's when the event began.
-Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to join us for this exhibition.
They'd hired a pro MC—the proceedings were smooth as silk.
-Before we begin, please welcome our president for opening remarks. A big round of applause, everyone!
Clap clap clap!
The audience applauded.
The president ascended the podium, faced the crowd, and spoke in a somewhat stern tone.
-It's an annual event, but it always feels fresh. I pray that great fortune follows every student exhibiting today...
The president's speech lasted about ten minutes.
Longer than expected, but sadly, not a word sank in for me.
Because I was next.
Following the president, no less.
At first, I'd wanted to decline.
But no other alum had achieved what I had.
Plus, I'd succeeded thanks to this very graduation exhibition.
As an example, perhaps.
That must've been why the professor put me up here.
'At least Director Go isn't here.'
She had a schedule and would swing by later this afternoon.
If she were here, I'd want to crawl into a hole.
Not that it made things okay.
'Ha...'
As I stewed, the MC took the mic.
-Alright! That's the president's address. Let's give him another big round of applause!
Clap clap clap!
As the president's turn wrapped, Jungeun nudged me.
"Hey, get ready to go up."
"Y-yeah, okay."
I turned to Daeun with a smile.
"Daeun, Daddy's gonna give his speech. Can you wait a sec?"
"Okay! Do good, Daddy!"
"I will, sweetie."
That's when the MC looked my way.
-Now, we have a very special guest. A graduate of our school—and perhaps our greatest painter! I daresay.
Hold on... Mr. MC.
What the hell...?
But oblivious or not, the MC introduced me with even more flair.
-Everyone, please welcome our nation's top star painter, Kanghyeok Lee, with thunderous applause!
Clap clap clap!
The introduction sent a murmur rippling through the seats.
It was only natural.
The professor and students knew, but the other attendees hadn't heard I'd be speaking.
Introducing me like that in this situation...
My nerves were shot before I even started.
But no backing out now.
Swoosh.
I glanced around cautiously and slowly made my way to the podium.
"Please, say a few words."
The MC handed me the mic with a grin.
Swoosh.
Whoa, he really set the stage.
A simple intro would've sufficed.
Top star...?
Tense enough without the script—this was torture.
But no escaping it.
-Ahem! Uh, hello. I'm Kanghyeok Lee, the painter currently active as an artist.
The words drew roars and applause from the audience.
For students, the graduation exhibition was their first big test.
Plenty of art pros were there to scout, and they'd all heard my name at least once.
No way they expected me here.
I swallowed hard at the reaction.
-I'm not sure I'm worthy of giving a speech, but since I'm up here, I'll say a few words for the graduates and all our esteemed professors.
No prepared script.
Just whatever came out in the moment.
-Haha, I agonized over how to start. The MC just introduced me, but honestly, I'm not that impressive. Compared to my seniors, I'm a nobody. But there's one thing I think sets me apart.
I'd share my story.
-It's that I graduated from this school. To me, this place holds immense meaning. It gave direction to a guy who was just drifting, became my home, and let me meet the most precious people in my life.
Not just Hyorin—the professor, Jungeun, Minji...
The university was where I'd forged those bonds.
-And through this school, I grew and reached this stage.
Swoosh.
I scanned the crowd as I spoke.
The hall was dim, but it didn't matter.
I could clearly see one face: Daeun's.
-So standing here, I knew I had to tell you graduates this one thing.
I wasn't anyone grand.
But I wanted to share what I'd felt.
-Being an artist is a lonely profession. Always wrestling alone, thinking alone, creating alone...
Life doesn't have to be that lonely.
-Life is a work of art. And the artist crafting that life...
Is you.
Finally, I posed a question to the students.
Not expecting an answer—just for them to reflect.
-So, do you really need to live such a lonely life? That's all.
Clap clap clap!
And so the somewhat boisterous speech drew to a close.