Chapter 16
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Sketch (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Mr. Choi.”
The plush, high-heeled slippers moved unusually quickly.
Kwon Se-hee was hurrying to catch up with Choi Je-hun, who had left the classroom first.
“Mr. Choi—.”
“Yes.”
Choi Je-hun, who hadn’t reacted at all, finally turned his head only after reaching the staff room door.
And Kwon Se-hee was truly touched by his courtesy of holding the door open for her to enter first.
“For this evaluation, are we doing the whole Piano Department together?”
“No, just our class separately.”
Choi Je-hun found his seat, plopped down, and crossed his legs. He grumbled about the backlog of work, looking quite relaxed.
“Then I need to get the notice out by tomorrow…… Have you set the grading criteria?”
“Feel free to tweak anything that needs fixing.”
Kwon Se-hee quickly scanned the A4 sheet he handed over so casually.
Various terms flew by, but what stood out most was the weight given to the “Harmony Among Group Members” category. It accounted for half of the total score.
“Harmony of sounds. It’s about how naturally the four members complete the music together, right?”
“Yes, exactly. I’ll leave it to you.”
Kwon Se-hee nodded as she stared at the paper.
The main purpose of this evaluation wasn’t to meticulously assess individual skills.
Even if she probed with a question, the answer would just be, “That’s what the major practical exams are for.”
Well, there are plenty of big and small tests to evaluate performance left anyway.
Weaving four different performances into one piece of music. It was an intriguing exam in its own way.
Kwon Se-hee returned to her desk nearby, opened her word processor, and stretched languidly.
“If the evaluation’s like this…… we’ll need a student who can coordinate the group well overall, right?”
Choi Je-hun glanced at her and gave a short affirmation.
“The group with someone who has a good ear for music will score high.”
“Still, it might be too tough for first-years……”
“If they’ve listened to some music, it’s not impossible.”
“Is there a kid with that much experience and savvy? They’re just first-years—probably in the Conducting Department if anything.”
Kwon Se-hee, typing away diligently, clapped her hands with a “That’s right!”
“The student you made play twice during the class division exam, right?”
“Who’re you talking about?”
“You know, the one who paused midway to let the percussion seniors set the pace. Kwon Do-hyun, was it?”
Choi Je-hun showed no particular reaction.
Soon, he stared blankly at the file cabinet, nodded slightly, and muttered lowly.
“Yeah, sure.”
“Hmm.”
Kwon Se-hee moved her hands from the keyboard to the mouse and rummaged through the student roster.
The semester had just started, so pristine student records without much content popped up.
She scrolled quickly, eyes darting.
Kwon Do-hyun, Kwon Do-hyun……
Sometimes, there are kids like that.
No big rumors or evaluations, but they stick out sharply.
Kwon Do-hyun’s performance today was just like that. Even though the name wasn’t familiar, matching with the percussion was captivating.
“Huh?”
A moment later, Kwon Se-hee let out a sharp sound of surprise.
Her gaze fixed on one spot.
“Kwon Do-hyun got a perfect score on yesterday’s sight-singing and ear-training test?”
The classroom was buzzing.
Everyone was busy finding group members.
About half seemed to have formed groups already and looked relaxed; the rest moved with urgency.
I took in the scene slowly and thought.
Damn it.
I have no friends.
If I team up with Lee Seong-hyuk next to me, that leaves two spots……
“You got anyone in mind?”
“Out of my middle school music friends…… not a single one got into Ye-rim.”
Lee Seong-hyuk shrugged.
Right, he’s in the same boat as me.
“You don’t have any music friends either?”
As if I’d remember middle school from 20 years ago. I shook my head, and Lee Seong-hyuk looked troubled.
Unfair for us nobodies.
So what now?
The leftovers who don’t find groups by the end…… the ‘etceteras’…… can’t form a group together.
I want above-average points, at least.
This isn’t an event; it’s a real evaluation. No excuses about participation mattering.
To stay in Class A and compete in future events, I need a competitive position.
I need to recruit some skilled members for a shot at winning.
A bit cowardly, but better than everyone tanking.
“This is tricky.”
I scanned kids I’d talked to a few times or had some familiarity with.
Baek Ji-ho’s a pass. He doesn’t remember me, and he’s already swarmed.
Same for Seo Ye-ri. She looked exhausted fending off pleas to join her group.
Myeong Woo-bin…… nah.
He’s popular anyway, and doesn’t seem to like me much.
Seol Yu-jin’s out. Leaves Lee Ha-yeon.
Oh, she’s alone?
Observing closely, a few girls hesitated to approach her.
They hovered awkwardly, unable to speak up.
The group gave up and turned away, muttering regrets.
“Lee Ha-yeon’s been cold since middle school, right?”
“Yeah, barely any friends, kids were intimidated.”
“Intimidated?”
“Couldn’t even talk to her.”
Lee Seong-hyuk nodded at the same sight.
Hard to even talk to? After yesterday, doesn’t seem entirely true.
She has a cool, elegant aura, sure.
Hmm……
I pondered briefly and stood up.
Worst case, back to square one. If she joins, finding one more is easy.
With “Lee Ha-yeon’s in our group” as bait, anyone would bite.
Plus, she knows my situation, so practice will be smooth.
I experienced the effect firsthand yesterday.
Teaming with her had zero downsides. Perfect for me.
“I’ll go snag one first.”
“Who? You don’t know anyone.”
“Lee Ha-yeon.”
“You’re insane……”
I shook off Lee Seong-hyuk’s grip on my collar and wove through the chaos.
Lee Ha-yeon’s seat was close now. She was packing her sheet music into a binder.
“Lee Ha-yeon.”
But someone else said it first. Turning, I saw Myeong Woo-bin beside her.
He had an unusually gentlemanly demeanor.
“You haven’t found a group yet anyway. Join us?”
Myeong Woo-bin’s gaze hit me as he spoke.
He asked bluntly.
“What’re you doing here?”
“Same, recruiting.”
Myeong Woo-bin glanced between us and continued without reply.
“Look, does Baek Ji-ho seem like the type to turn down requests from kids like us?”
Lee Ha-yeon’s eyes naturally turned to Baek Ji-ho.
“Kids like us”—probably the crowd around him.
“This isn’t an eval where solo skill wins. Just join us. Shot at first place from the start, right?”
Myeong Woo-bin persuaded confidently.
Sounded tempting even to me.
If Baek Ji-ho grouped randomly, their team with Lee Ha-yeon and Myeong Woo-bin could top him.
I’ve got nothing that appealing to offer……
Sales basics: know the need. B2C or B2B. Sadly, I can’t promise much.
No choice. I smacked my lips and turned to leave.
“No.”
Lee Ha-yeon’s voice—silent till now—reached my ear.
“Obviously…… wait, no?”
Myeong Woo-bin’s confused face flashed by.
Probably mirrored mine. Her response baffled me too.
She turned to me after slashing the sweet deal.
“Kwon Do-hyun.”
Her voice wrapped around my ankle as I turned.
“Yeah?”
“You came to ask me to join your group, right?”
“Yep.”
Staring steadily, she continued.
“Why do you want to team with me?”
A bit tricky.
I could praise her endlessly, but picked words carefully.
Scores matter, but really, it’s playing piano with her.
“Sounds fun. I want to play piano with you.”
“Fun? This isn’t kid’s play……”
Myeong Woo-bin snorted dismissively.
“Like I said.”
“We team up, we take first guaranteed.”
Lee Ha-yeon eyed us slowly, then fixed on me clearly.
“Then let’s do it. With me.”
Myeong Woo-bin, stunned, let out a hollow laugh with incredulous eyes.
“Hey, Lee Ha-yeon. Think carefully. For scores, I’m the logical choice, no?”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m enough.”
Myeong Woo-bin’s indignant retort cut off midway.
Lee Ha-yeon looked at him with relaxed tone and gaze.
Didn’t expect that bold jab from her. Refreshing sight.
“……Fine, good luck.”
Myeong Woo-bin waved half-heartedly, face sour, and walked off.
At once, Lee Ha-yeon took a deep breath in and out.
“……Hey.”
“Yeah.”
She looked up, revealing deep, unreadable eyes.
“Was that too harsh……?”
I stared down at her face.
Doesn’t seem as icy as rumored after all.
To her slightly shrunken form, I shrugged.
“Dunno. Felt more like I missed my chance to get mad at being subtly dissed.”
Whatever, it worked out. Dodged a potential bottom-tier train.
Good thing she doesn’t care who else is in the group.
That confidence isn’t bad. Essential for musicians, even.
I glimpsed her future self, assured, performing worldwide.
“Who’s the other one?”
Lee Ha-yeon smiled faintly and glanced around.
“My friend I mentioned yesterday, Lee Seong-hyuk.”
She nodded with inscrutable eyes, so I asked back.
“But why not with him? Seemed like a golden opportunity, as he said.”
Pure curiosity, but she clasped hands demurely, averted eyes, and mumbled.
“……Myeong Woo-bin’s kinda intimidating.”
“Ah, got it.”
I stifled a laugh threatening to burst. Would reach his ears with all the glances.
“I’ll grab the last one.”
“Okay.”
With Lee Ha-yeon in, nothing to fear.
Turning briskly, a sharp gaze stabbed me.
The girls who’d failed to approach her earlier. Thick regret at being scooped.
“Should’ve asked first……”
“Ah, wanted to team with Ha-yeon!”
Their grumpy complaints flowed past.
If you wanted in, should’ve gone straight up, geez.
Grinning victoriously, I returned to my seat. Lee Seong-hyuk gaped.
“See? Snagged Lee Ha-yeon for our group……”
“Dude, what’d you do?”
He lunged suddenly. I gently pushed him off my arm.
“Why, why.”
“She just agrees like that? No blackmail? What about Myeong Woo-bin? You didn’t bribe……”
“What? She picked me.”
“Why? She give up on college?”
“……”
I stared coldly at his dumbstruck face and weird exclamation. He muttered.
“Beyond my expectations…… Lee Ha-yeon.”
“You’re not against it, right.”
“Against? Nah. Just shocking. Ah, suddenly nervous.”
Yeah, he’s an arts high otaku. Makes sense if he idolizes her.
I’m still a bit tense talking to her myself.
One spot left.
Kids memorable from class division exam already grouped.
No weaklings in Class A, so anyone decent works.
With Lee Ha-yeon, shouldn’t be hard.
Scanning around, a faint presence behind me.
“Kwon Do-hyun.”
Turning, a girl. Blonde to her collarbone, small ear piercings.
What’s with the delinquent uniform……
Ah, her.
Her striking look jogged memory instantly.
Wondering her business, I stared and asked.
“You’re that girl, right?”
“You know me?”
“Something like ‘Why pick on Ye-ri when she’s quiet’?”
She was the one in a fierce spat with the girl next to Seo Ye-ri, something about Jeong-something.
“……!”
Her eyes widened. Then left hand covered face, right waved frantically.
“That…… forget it.”
Bowing head, she brushed hair back, fanning her face.
“Anyway, what’s up?”
“Uh…… any spot left in your group? Mind if I join?”
She scratched her nape, avoiding eyes—not as tough as thought.
Out of nowhere. No real connection. Can’t recall name.
“Why not with Seo Ye-ri?”
She grinned broadly.
“Stuck with Ye-ri all three middle school years. This year, told others not to hog her…… She said try new friends……”
Mention of Seo Ye-ri lifted her lips. Serious obsession.
Twisting shyly—embarrassed, it seemed.
I rolled eyes to find Seo Ye-ri. She met mine, gave an awkward smile and wave.
Subtly charismatic, huh.
Still, slim reason to join us.
As if reading me, she added.
“And heard Ha-yeon’s in your group? Figured good scores.”
Oh…… Lee Ha-yeon effect.
Does nothing, yet pure presence markets hard.
Staring piercingly, pondered, then spoke.
“But, you any good?”
Her sharp morning glare returned instantly.
I flinched away involuntarily.
Can’t help it……
I’m lacking; doesn’t mean group averages down.
She grumbled quietly.
“……Better than you.”
Sure, whatever.
Recalling class division: no rough edges. Delicate touch, pleasant listen. Not bad.
“Alright, join us. Makes four.”
“Hi, Lee Seong-hyuk. Piercings suit you.”
Lee Seong-hyuk, who’d listened silently, greeted her.
“Yeah, Kim Ju-hee. Got these last time in Sinchon with Ye-ri……”
As they chatted names, I filed info mentally.
“Your name’s Kim Ju-hee.”
“Dude, you just now learn that?”
Kim Ju-hee grabbed my desk, yelling in disbelief.
Loud voice.
I ducked slightly.
“You never said. Good I know now.”
“……True?”
She tilted head, accepting easily.
Didn’t check nametag properly…… dummy.
“Group balance looks solid, right?”
Lee Seong-hyuk, satisfied, scribbled in notebook, asked me.
Agreed. Nodded lightly.
Pick songs right, we won’t lose to anyone.
Class-end bell rang perfectly timed.
Patted Lee Seong-hyuk’s shoulder, headed back to class together.