Chapter 269
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 269
Chapter Title: A Graduation to Remember
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Remember the thrill of first holding a script, a brush, an instrument,
Recall the joyful days as your skills steadily grew,
Even if you despair in a daunting slump.
May you finally bear a brilliant fruit!
Brilliant!
The violin melody filling Yeoul Hall seemed to resonate within the audience. It felt as if all the joy in the world was rushing in at once.
Hearing it in person was on a completely different level from hearing it through a video. Even the teachers and the people from the ATR Foundation were lost in the performance, but two people had a different reaction.
‘He’s gotten better again.’
Only Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun, who heard Seojun play up close and often, were enjoying the performance with a sense of calm.
Seojun's violin skills had improved by leaps and bounds. It was thanks to his diligent practice, constantly exchanging messages and videos with Jayden Moore and Professor Benjamin Morton.
When the violin performance that had filled Yeoul Hall concluded, everyone was momentarily speechless. They wanted to leisurely savor the heart-swelling afterglow.
Seojun lowered the violin from his chin and instantly spotted his mom and dad among the crowd of parents. His eyes met his mother’s, who was holding a camera, and his father’s, who was holding a bouquet. Seojun beamed. Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun noticed and smiled back.
Seojun gave a deep bow and headed to the side of the stage.
Only then did people begin to come to their senses and speak, one by one. Applause and cheers poured down like rain.
“...Wow. That was insane.”
“I heard him play once before, but the power today was no joke.”
“Ugh. I have to watch *Over the Rainbow* when I get home today!”
“Me too!”
The parents felt the same, wanting to take this感動 home with them. From the student section to the parent section, applause and cheers poured down like rain.
* * *
As Seojun came down from the stage after his performance, the music teacher and his homeroom teacher greeted him. Seojun smiled and handed the violin to the music teacher.
“Here you go, sir.”
“That was a wonderful performance. It’s my violin, but it felt completely different. I was truly surprised.”
The music teacher said in admiration as he took the violin from Seojun.
He had played this violin for quite some time, but the melody felt different from any he had ever produced. He thought he had been playing it to its full potential, but it turned out there was a different kind of melody hidden within the instrument.
While the music teacher’s eyes sparkled as he looked at his violin, the homeroom teacher watched Seojun with a pleased expression.
“I never knew you were thinking of something like this, Seojun.”
The homeroom teacher’s smile deepened as the cheers and applause belatedly reached them.
“I think this will be a wonderful memory for the kids.”
The homeroom teacher patted Seojun's shoulder.
“Do well in high school, too. I’ll be looking forward to your projects.”
“Yes, sir!”
Seojun smiled brightly at his teacher’s heartfelt words. In the meantime, the applause died down and an announcement was made.
[Next will be the presentation of diplomas.]
“You should get going now.”
“Okay.”
Seojun bowed and headed toward the audience seats in Yeoul Hall, while the music and homeroom teachers watched him go with warm smiles.
* * *
For the diploma presentation, only the class president and vice president of each class would receive them.
While the students went up on stage to get their diplomas, Seojun found his seat and sat down. The seats for the acting department, year 3, class 2, were closest to the entrance.
“Whoa. Lee Seojun.”
“We were wondering where you disappeared to, and you were preparing an event like this?”
The students spoke while their hands were busy clapping. Seojun grinned and clapped enthusiastically. The president of acting department year 3, class 2, Yang Juhee, and vice president Kang Jaehan received their diplomas from the principal.
“It’s a graduation gift. Since some of us are going to different schools.”
“It was a great gift.”
At the words of a friend who was advancing to a regular high school, the eyes of the other students welled up with tears.
*Is it because they're actors? They’re so exceptionally sensitive,* Seojun thought, his own eyes growing moist.
While some students comforted their sniffling friends, the Yeoul Arts Middle School graduation ceremony quickly drew to a close.
[Lastly, we will sing the school song.]
The students of Yeoul Arts Middle School sang the school song they had grown familiar with over three years.
It was the last time they would sing it.
* * *
After the graduation ceremony ended, students and parents filed out of Yeoul Hall. Some headed to their classrooms, others to the school field. The field and the buildings were bustling with people.
“Seojun. Congratulations on your graduation.”
“Thank you, Mom, Dad!”
Seojun beamed as he took the bouquet of flowers from Lee Minjun. Seo Eunhye was busy taking pictures.
“You surprised us. I didn’t know you were going to play the violin.”
“It was just the end, and everyone seemed down, so I asked my teacher. He said it was okay, so I did it.”
It was a last-minute performance, but seeing that the passing students had sadness in their faces but not gloom, he felt relieved that it seemed to have been a good event.
“Seojun hyung!”
“Seojun oppa!”
At the calls, not only Seojun and his parents, but other students and parents turned their heads.
Two small children came running over. It was Soobin and Eunsoo, each holding a small bouquet. Seojun’s face lit up at the appearance of his adorable little friends.
“Soobin! Eunsoo!”
As Soobin and Eunsoo ran into Seojun’s arms, Seo Eunchan, who had brought them, handed two warm cups of coffee to Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun. Seo Eunhye smiled and greeted her younger brother.
“You’re here.”
“Yeah. When did the ceremony end? Are we late?”
“No, it just finished. You’re right on time.”
“The customers at the café started leaving one by one, so I followed them out.”
Only two family members were allowed inside Yeoul Hall for the ceremony, but anyone could wait outside. After the ceremony ended, other families began to appear one by one to take pictures.
Seo Eunchan, who had been waiting at a nearby café, had followed the crowd.
“Did you wait long at the café?”
“No, about ten minutes? I left home to match the time the ceremony would end.”
“Good thinking.”
While Seo Eunhye and Seo Eunchan were talking, Lee Minjun took the camera from his wife and continuously snapped pictures of Seojun and the two children.
Just then, the bouquets in the children's hands caught Lee Minjun's eye.
“Soobin, Eunsoo. You have to give the flowers to Seojun hyung.”
Soobin and Eunsoo, who had been giggling while spinning in circles with their favorite Seojun hyung (oppa), looked startled and glanced back and forth between the small bouquets in their hands and Seojun.
“Ah! Seojun hyung! Congratulations on graduating!”
“Congratulations!”
“Thanks, Soobin, Eunsoo!”
As Seojun accepted the bouquets and smiled with genuine delight, Soobin and Eunsoo giggled shyly.
Then, as children do, their attention was quickly captured by something new—the uniform Seojun was wearing. Soobin’s eyes, in particular, sparkled.
“Hyung, this is a uniform, right? I want to wear a uniform too!”
“Soobin, do you know what a uniform is?”
“I do! It’s what middle school hyungs wear!”
To Soobin, who was starting elementary school this year, middle schoolers were an incredibly high grade.
“Soobin. Seojun hyung isn’t a middle schooler anymore, he’s a high schooler. Isn’t that amazing?”
“A high schooler!”
At Seo Eunchan's playful words, Soobin's eyes twinkled. Just as his Samchon Eunchan said, a high schooler seemed even more amazing than a middle schooler. To Eunsoo, who was playing while holding Seojun's hand, middle schooler or high schooler, it all seemed the same.
“I want to wear a uniform too!”
“Hmm. Then do you want to try on my jacket?”
“Yes, yes!”
Soobin put on Seojun’s school jacket. The large jacket completely covered both of Soobin's hands. Despite that, Soobin giggled, finding it all so amusing. Lee Minjun quickly took a picture of Soobin with his phone and sent it to Kim Heesang.
“It suits you.”
“If Soobin keeps playing the violin, he could come to Yeoul Arts Middle School.”
“You’re right. Would he be Seojun’s junior then?”
“Come to think of it, doesn’t Soobin go to Maesil Elementary?”
“Oh, then he’s already your elementary school junior.”
Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun chatted with smiles. Seo Eunchan raised his camera.
“Soobin, Eunsoo. Let’s take a picture.”
“Okay! Kimchi!”
“Kim-chi!”
Soobin in Seojun’s jacket, Eunsoo holding Seojun’s hand tightly, and Seojun with three bouquets in his arms all smiled brightly.
* * *
“Seojun, did you finish taking pictures with your friends?”
“Yeah. I took a ton.”
While Soobin, who was starting elementary school this year, and Eunsoo, still a kindergartener, explored the school with Seo Eunchan, Seojun had taken a load of pictures with his friends. His BananaTalk was probably flooded with photos sent by them.
“Well, Eunsoo and Soobin seem tired, so let’s head home now.”
At Seo Eunhye’s words, Seojun nodded. Seo Eunchan held the nearly-asleep Eunsoo in his arms, and Lee Minjun handed a call from Kim Heesang to Soobin.
“Where did you park the car?”
“There was a paid parking lot over there. I parked there.”
Eunchan and the couple had already agreed to take one car. So Eunchan answered Seo Eunhye, who had come by taxi. Everyone followed Eunchan towards the school gate.
Walking slowly at the very back of his family, Seojun turned around just before leaving the gate. He could see families and students still lingering to take pictures.
The field where he had run around during gym class, Yeoul Hall where he had performed with his friends, the classroom windows where he had attended lessons, the cafeteria where he had eaten lunch, the building with the practice rooms, the faculty office he had visited frequently for attendance,
“……”
He saw Yeoul Arts Middle School, where he had spent three happy years.
Just as he had never gone back to Maesil Elementary after becoming a middle schooler, he probably wouldn't come back to Yeoul Arts Middle School either. Even if the mana in the sigil carved on the wall depleted, it would never be recharged.
“……”
It wasn't as sad as his elementary school graduation when he was younger, but his chest felt a little heavy.
His parents and Seo Eunchan quietly waited for Seojun as he looked at the school, reminiscing about his time there.
After gazing around at Yeoul Arts Middle School, Seojun finally turned back with a lighthearted expression. Seeing Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun's gentle smiles, Seojun scratched his cheek, feeling a bit sheepish.
“Let’s go home.”
“Okay.”
Since there were many people, Seo Eunchan, who had brought Seojun's car from the company, took the wheel. Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun sat next to the exhausted, sleeping children. As Seojun settled into the seat next to the soundly sleeping Eunsoo and fastened his seatbelt, he called out to his uncle.
“By the way, Samchon.”
“Hm? What is it?”
Seo Eunchan, who was about to start the engine, turned his head to look at Seojun in the back seat.
“I played the violin today.”
“Huh?”
“It was filmed, too.”
“...Huh?”
Seo Eunchan, who had been smiling fondly at his daughter Eunsoo sleeping and smacking her lips, froze at Seojun’s words.
“Oh, I filmed it too. I haven't checked it yet, but I hope it came out well. Should I check now?”
“Should we?”
Seojun and Lee Minjun chuckled softly at the sight of Seo Eunhye taking out her camera. Watching this harmonious family scene, the momentarily frozen Seo Eunchan let out a hollow laugh and, instead of starting the car, pulled out his phone.
The aftermath of the play *Mirror* hadn't even subsided yet, and it looked like Cocoa Entertainment was about to be thrown into chaos once again.
* * *
[Actor Lee Seojun Graduates from Yeoul Arts Middle School!]
[Over the Rainbow Echoes at Graduation Ceremony!]
[A Performance After a Long Time! Lee Seojun’s Over the Rainbow!]
[Actor Lee Seojun, Violin Performance Fancam!]
-Seojun! Congratulations on graduating!!
-Wow. Other people’s kids grow up so fast.
=22 He’ll be a high schooler this March.
=And in three years, he’ll be an adult.
=...Time really flies.
-Over the Rainbow! The graduation video is up!
=They filmed it from every angle!
=Honestly, I would have filmed it too.
=It’s on Channel [JUN] too!
=Sprout From the Ground is also full of Seojun’s graduation pics!
=Seojun holding flowers! Thank you, Mother! Father!
-He’s not an idol but he has a fancam lol
=But the view count is rising faster than most idol videos haha
-It’s great that there are so many videos. The play, the violin performance.
=I still watch the busking video sometimes, but this version doesn't seem like the Gray Vainie one.
=222 It seems like the Lee Seojun version.
=I love this difference in atmosphere hehe
=Time to rewatch Over the Rainbow + the busking videos!
-The people who heard it live are so lucky.
=I know, right? And the Yeoul Arts Middle School parents probably saw the play live too!
=Wow... I'm so jealous.
* * *
“What are you doing?”
At writer So Eunjin’s words, assistant writer Yoo Cheonga, who had been furiously typing, shrieked, “Aaaah!” and shot up from her seat. If it had been a laptop, she would have slammed the monitor shut, but unfortunately, it was a desktop.
After fidgeting in front of the monitor, Yoo Cheonga finally gave up and spoke with an awkward laugh.
“W-Writer-nim. When did you get here?”
“Just now. I did knock.”
Yoo Cheonga sighed inwardly.
‘I was so focused I didn’t even notice her coming in.’
This was their studio, a space shared by writer So Eunjin, Yoo Cheonga, and another assistant writer. Seeing So Eunjin’s mischievous expression, Yoo Cheonga’s eyes darted around before she spoke.
“...Did you see?”
“No, I didn’t. It looked like a script, though. What were you writing that you didn’t even notice me come in?”
Yoo Cheonga screamed internally, then let her shoulders slump and said.
“Well... I was preparing something to submit to a competition.”
“A competition? Is there a broadcast station holding one?”
So Eunjin tilted her head.
“No, not yet, but I’m just preparing in advance. I thought it would be better to prepare ahead and revise it rather than rush to write something.”
“Don’t you need feedback then?”
“...Pardon?”
“You have a professional writer right here. Who else were you going to ask for advice?”
As So Eunjin smiled warmly, Yoo Cheonga’s eyes filled with tears.
“...Writer-nim!”
“Hurry up and print it out for me.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Yoo Cheonga handed So Eunjin the script, still warm from the studio printer. So Eunjin sat down and began to read Yoo Cheonga’s work.
For So Eunjin, it was a short time, but for Yoo Cheonga, it felt longer than ever before.
With every rustle of the paper turning, Yoo Cheonga felt her heart sink to the floor. So Eunjin smiled as she read a line of dialogue. Unsure if that calm smile was a good or bad sign, Yoo Cheonga could only swallow hard.
Trying her best to calm her pounding heart, Yoo Cheonga clasped her hands tightly as So Eunjin finished reading and placed the script on the table.
‘Is it okay? Or... is it bad?’
Looking at Yoo Cheonga’s tense expression, So Eunjin opened her mouth.
“I think you’re ready to graduate now.”
Writer Yoo Cheonga clapped a hand over her mouth.