Chapter 23
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: The Finishing Touch
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Ye-rim Art Hall, where the first evaluation was taking place.
Lee Seong-hyuk shot me a weary look as I eagerly scanned the interior.
"Whoa, this place is insane..."
"How many times are you gonna say that?"
I hadn't expected a high school building to be this flawless either.
All that talk about top-notch acoustics and facilities wasn't just hype. Even for someone like me who'd performed in every concert hall across the country, this was a fresh shock.
It's been ages since I sat in seats like these.
The dry, cozy warmth of the heater, the faint dusty scent, the lights adorning the ceiling.
Everything surrounding this place appealed to me.
As I gaped around with my mouth wide open, my eyes suddenly met Kim Ju-hee's.
"Hey, group leader, we only practiced that way once... you think it'll be okay?"
Kim Ju-hee, who had been clinging to Lee Ha-yeon, asked with a blank expression.
"It sounded good when we ran through it earlier."
"True, but we changed a bunch of stuff..."
"The result's the same. It'll be fine."
"I can't help but feel nervous."
Lee Seong-hyuk poked my side with his elbow and chimed in.
"At least waking up at the crack of dawn and going through all that chaos paid off."
"It was an emergency. If we nail this today, thank Myeong-seong Arts High."
"Myeong-seong? What're you on about?"
"It's a thing."
"Sure, keep your secrets."
Watching Lee Seong-hyuk shake his head, I finally felt my excitement settling a bit.
I lowered my gaze, scanning the dim aisles between seats. I spotted Class A students huddled together, chatting away.
And right in the front row, as expected, sat the teachers.
Some faces I don't recognize.
Were there more judges we didn't know about?
I pushed the thought aside and tried to recall the melody of our assigned piece in my head when Kim Ju-hee suddenly jumped up and grabbed Lee Ha-yeon's hand.
"Ha-yeon, let's hit the bathroom."
"Hey, it might start any second."
Kim Ju-hee, who had glommed onto Lee Ha-yeon like a koala, stuck out her tongue with a goofy expression.
"The group leader dragged us out at dawn—no time for makeup~."
Lee Ha-yeon, being dragged along limply, looked half-resigned. Dealing with Kim Ju-hee every day would do that to anyone.
"Those two aren't even nervous?"
"They've probably done stuff like this plenty at Ye-won."
Left behind, we killed time by chatting sporadically about the evaluation.
Students gradually filled the seats around us. Voices began blending into a murmur in my ears.
"Ugh, forget it... Our group didn't practice at all. We're doomed."
"I just slept yesterday too. What do we do?"
What were they talking about? Class A's practice rooms had lights on nonstop for two weeks straight.
Guess this smoke screen worked on the piano kids too.
"Who do you think'll take first?"
"Heard Ji-ho's group is kinda weak."
"Then Ha-yeon? Who's in her group?"
"Kwon Do-hyun? The one who plays up front a lot."
"Oh... the guy who messed up while Woo-bin carried?"
"Dude, he's right in front."
My name kept popping up, so I turned around—two students hurriedly averted their eyes. I shrugged nonchalantly and let it go.
On eval day, that's all they talk about anyway.
I was curious about other groups' pieces and practice too, so I got it.
I just kept quiet 'cause I had no one to gossip with. Lee Seong-hyuk knew everything but had zero friends—like a walking encyclopedia loner.
"Oh yeah, Woo-bin's been prepping hard too. Group lessons and all."
"So Yu-jin's getting edged out? Or Woo-bin takes first?"
Relentless, the back-row chatter shifted from me to Myeong Woo-bin and Seol Yu-jin.
I feigned disinterest while eavesdropping when my eyes met Myeong Woo-bin's as he climbed the stairs from afar.
I raised a casual fist in a "fighting" gesture; he nodded stiffly.
That look in his eyes hasn't changed.
The guy's got serious competitive fire. Doesn't show it outright, but it seeps out.
Myeong Woo-bin... could he win?
"We're back—!"
Kim Ju-hee's cheerful voice snapped me out of it. The girls settled into their seats one by one.
Just then, Choi Je-hun grabbed the mic and stood at the front.
[Testing, one two, one two.]
The speakers boomed, making my ears ring. Amid the heavy vibration, Lee Ha-yeon, pressed shoulder-to-shoulder with me, tapped my arm and whispered.
"Not nervous?"
I pulled back in surprise; she looked puzzled. She was hard to read even normally—what was she thinking?
I straightened up and thought calmly. Didn't feel nervous, really.
[We'll call two groups at first, then randomly one by one after.]
I glanced past Choi Je-hun delivering the brief announcement.
There sat two pianos, gleaming like jade beads under the harsh lights.
Soon I'll be up there playing.
In front of all of Class A as audience, ascending the stage to perform...
The thought stirred a chaotic mix of tension and excitement.
I turned from the pianos back to Lee Ha-yeon. Even in the dark hall, her pale skin stood out boldly.
I spoke softly to her blinking eyes.
"You saying that just made my heart feel like it's gonna burst."
A modest wave of applause swept the audience.
Myeong Woo-bin's group took the stage after the previous one. We watched their backs from backstage.
We could've waited in the green room, but Kim Ju-hee insisted on seeing their performance live.
"Praying they mess up—isn't allowed, right?"
Kim Ju-hee, arms crossed and stomping, trailed off. She seemed more nervous than when our group was called.
"Keep that in your head. It's embarrassing."
"Got it."
She'd been fidgeting wildly, but soon clasped her hands in the corner, muttering.
"Hope they flop...!"
"We can hear you."
I left her to it and checked on Myeong Woo-bin's group.
Through the thick purple curtain to the stage, four students stood in line. Group leader Myeong Woo-bin held the mic, giving a brief intro.
"Our group prepared Chopin's Nocturne Op.9 No.1."
Nocturne No.1. Skipping the popular No.2 showed some thought.
Minor key... a lyrical nocturne like this is tough for four players.
Plus, the difficulty wasn't beginner-friendly.
I didn't know their skills inside out, but they picked it with confidence.
Soon, paired at the pianos, their performance began. I closed my eyes and listened calmly.
No wonder rumors say Woo-bin's gunning for first.
Well done. That simple word summed it up.
The slow tempo minimized switchover mistakes.
Still, not flawless...
Take Jeong Hye-won, first up.
Maybe Myeong Woo-bin's influence, but her sound brimmed with ambition. Intense drive pushing forward.
Dropping that vibe into a lyrical intro? Might not leave much impression.
Lost in thoughts, it was suddenly Myeong Woo-bin's turn. Earlier than expected—his solo would eat the last two minutes.
"Ah."
His intro drew a small gasp from me. Excellent.
Unlike Jeong Hye-won, he controlled his boiling energy. Refined finesse smoothed the heavy mood.
Pianists need mind control too.
He'd packaged that powerful flair from before. I listened on relaxedly.
...Feels familiar?
Then hit déjà vu and unease together.
As it neared the end, a memory pierced my mind.
That recording where Ha-yeon's finale devoured our presence—it's identical.
First practice day's dismay all over again.
The more presence his playing built, the surer I felt.
And two minutes is longer than you think.
We can win this.
Conclusion from pondering over his performance.
Baseless? Nah.
"Do-hyun."
Lee Seong-hyuk nodded at me.
Stage echoed with applause, not piano. It was over.
"Yeah, let's go."
Following Myeong Woo-bin's exiting group, we climbed the stage stairs.
Passing the thick curtain, blinding lights engulfed us. Dust danced in the beams from above; the floor creaked underfoot.
Ah...
With my neatly lined groupmates, I surveyed the audience.
Mostly empty seats, but countless eyes fixed solely on us.
Expectations, indifference, tension, unease—emotions clashed in the air and faded.
Performers see this every time.
Concert halls were always stage-facing for me. Places to see and hear music.
Never imagined the audience from onstage.
Never what performing onstage felt like.
Not once.
No, that's not true...
Music reveals all lies. I clenched my fist hard. Unguarded heart scars stung more than nails digging into palm.
Be honest.
All lies. I'd deliberately blocked imagination. "Who're you to play piano?" Face reality—shut it all down.
Feared becoming a mere fan, pathetic.
Feared the gap to onstage players unbridgeable forever. Clung to my spot, stage-to-seats distance.
I was a coward. Lived pretending indifference, eyes shut, ears plugged.
"Hoo."
But now, I stood here to play piano. Feeling indescribably complex.
Even if mostly empty, even if little interest—fine.
This isn't my last performance.
What if packed? Hundreds, thousands gathered for my music...
Heart pounded, pumping blood fast. Mic-holding hand trembled slightly.
"No need to shake."
Lee Ha-yeon tugged my collar, murmuring low.
"You do great."
What makes you say that?
But Lee Ha-yeon's words are absolute truth.
So I'd believe it.
I do great. At least this moment.
"Yeah."
Grinning Kim Ju-hee, savoring tension Lee Seong-hyuk, serene smile Lee Ha-yeon.
Last glance at groupmates, then mic in hand.
"Our group prepared Chopin's Brilliant Grand Waltz."
Myeong Woo-bin's group finished; Kwon Se-hee checked her scoresheet impassively.
No high hopes from the start. Seemed simple, but tougher than practical exams for students.
Choi Je-hun's being mischievous.
Unique scoring: base points, add for merits unless major deductions.
Current first: Myeong Woo-bin's group.
They tried hard, evident effort. Non-judge me would've enjoyed it.
"Next group, please."
Choi Je-hun next to her signaled the green room aide. Soon, four students entered, Kwon Do-hyun leading.
She scanned them, reviewing her noted points.
Ha-yeon's last, probably... Focus on the other three.
Harmony among members—simply, how four make good music.
Most saved ace for finale. Strong finish leaves impact. Logical setup.
"Ha-yeon's last here too?"
"Who knows."
Choi Je-hun replied flatly, not turning.
When Kwon Se-hee looked back, Kwon Do-hyun held the mic, face emotional.
His eyes surged like waves—beyond nerves, rigid as stone.
General middle school kid, right?
Clean record, no deep music training.
Explained the tension. First time onstage.
Myeong Woo-bin's Ye-won crew showed no such nerves.
Kwon Do-hyun spoke into the mic.
"Our group prepared Chopin's Brilliant Grand Waltz."
Waltz... right.
Kwon Se-hee skimmed the submitted list, tilting head.
That's where the waltz pick went.
Most chose slow tempos.
Sensible for connecting players, buffering mistakes.
Tough road.
With that brief thought, Kwon Se-hee straightened.
Time to judge by music.
[Start whenever ready.]
Choi Je-hun's voice echoed via mic.
Students moved briskly onstage.
"...?"
Kwon Se-hee's brow furrowed then.
Her eyes held clear surprise.
What're they doing?
Kwon Do-hyun sat at one piano. Opposite, the other three took seats.
Unprecedented setup, unseen all exam prep.