Chapter 25
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Impressions Vary
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Baek Ji-ho struck up the conversation lightly.
"I really enjoyed listening today. The composition was killer. The waltz—you picked that, right?"
"Yeah, how'd you know? Thanks for the praise."
The day had finally come when that Baek Ji-ho was praising me. I awkwardly scratched the back of my head, stuffing my overwhelming emotions deep down inside.
He leaned on his cane and slowly turned toward the stairs.
"You yourself, and your knack for spotting others' strengths—it's impressive. Kinda jealous."
It felt surreal and embarrassing that he was showering me with compliments after so long apart.
Glancing back over his shoulder, Baek Ji-ho looked at me and added,
"Only thing is, I'm a bit bummed you weren't the finale. I wanted to hear your solo."
"Kim Ju-hee fit the last part better than me. That's how it shook out."
"Your call was probably right. Still, next time, I'd love to hear a proper solo from you."
I didn't know about my judgment being spot-on, but damn if I didn't crave standing alone on stage and playing piano myself.
Wonder if the second evaluation will give me a shot as a soloist. Even if not, practical exams will mean playing solo for sure.
Gotta practice harder thinking about that.
"Do great later. Looking forward to it."
Instead of replying, Baek Ji-ho gave a small wave with the hand gripping his cane. Probably too awkward for a big gesture.
He's always been like this since we were kids—impossible to pin down...
I let out a light breath and headed back to my group members.
Winter's reluctant whims had vanished before I knew it.
It was full-on spring now. Even a bit hot during the day.
The major classroom buzzed with chatter. The excitement was palpable in their voices.
Today was the first time Class A students had gathered since the ensemble exam wrapped up.
"Guess we won't have to practice together anymore."
Kim Ju-hee sprawled over her desk, mumbling regretfully.
"What, you graduating or something? We see each other in class every day."
"Still."
Lee Seong-hyuk, leaning back with his hands behind his head, grinned.
"Practicing together sometimes wouldn't hurt, right? That lesson room we used before—they said we could borrow it anytime the schedule's free."
"Absolutely!"
Lee Ha-yeon gazed at the beaming Kim Ju-hee with a gentle, sisterly smile.
Aside from the exam, Seo Ye-ri's plea to make new friends had worked out well. Thanks to that, Lee Ha-yeon had made a friend too.
How had Kim Ju-hee hidden this friendliness and stuck only to Seo Ye-ri? Memories of her hesitant practice sessions flickered by, leaving a strange feeling.
"Anyway, you're still group leader."
"The group's disbanded now?"
"Just do it."
"Hey, I don't wanna carry that responsibility."
"Be leader forever, then."
I gently shoved Kim Ju-hee as she nudged me with her elbow. Just then, the front door creaked open.
"You punks, think this is a marketplace? Sit down."
Skipping greetings, Teacher Choi Je-hun shook the attendance sheet loosely and ambled in.
He plopped into his chair, crossed his legs, and spoke.
"I'm announcing the first evaluation results. Detailed scores and feedback later—save objections for then."
The classroom fell silent in an instant.
It was sudden, but the students reacted calmly, as if expecting it.
"I'll just announce group leaders' names and total scores. Kwon Do-hyun, 95 points."
"Huh."
My name kicked it off, and I let out a dumb sound in surprise.
Did I hear that wrong? First place, and 95?
"Baek Ji-ho, 89. Myeong Woo-bin, 87. Seo Ye-ri, 84. Seol Yu-jin, 82..."
...It's real.
Before I could hide my bewilderment, smiles crept across my group members' faces as we exchanged looks.
"No way, we actually got first!"
Kim Ju-hee grinned wide and hugged Lee Ha-yeon tight.
"Ugh, heavy..."
"H-Heavy? I haven't even hit fifty... uh, everyone gains a bit before exams, right? Right?"
I just chuckled and mumbled awestruck exclamations.
First place... First evaluation and we take first.
And crushing second place—Baek Ji-ho's group—by a wide margin. We'd seized the high ground.
I'd hated reducing our music to numbers at first, but scoring high changed my mind. Taking exams like this forever? Sign me up.
"Good work."
"Thanks—you did all the heavy lifting."
Lee Seong-hyuk and I shared a quiet laugh. I was grateful he'd trusted and followed along silently.
Baek Ji-ho in second, though.
Not an unbelievable result.
His group had surprisingly good balance, contrary to rumors. No over-reliance on Baek Ji-ho, solid song choices.
If compositions were equal, Myeong Woo-bin dropping to third made sense.
Whoa...
Myeong Woo-bin's face was priceless.
He sighed repeatedly, suppressing frustration and resentment. Looked like he shouldn't be poked.
That's how competition works, but I felt oddly sorry for him.
"Heh... so that's how it is."
Kim Ju-hee, arms crossed, let out a low chuckle, eyes gleaming with uncontainable excitement.
"I get you're hyped, but don't tease Jeong Hye-won too much."
"Where's she at, anyway?"
"Show some winner's grace, or it'll start a fight."
"Am I a kid?"
"Sometimes."
I turned to scan for Jeong Hye-won.
She was calmly chatting with Myeong Woo-bin. He seemed the most pissed in the room.
"Hmm, got it. Gonna say hi to Ye-ri real quick."
Kim Ju-hee smacked her lips in disappointment and stood.
The classroom erupted in chatter over the results.
The teacher stared at some papers, not intervening. Seemed he was tacitly allowing a brief talk.
"Great start. First in the first eval."
"Yeah."
Effort paying off in a positive loop was great motivation. What would the next eval be? Suddenly itching to practice.
"Ju-hee! What if you actually take first?"
"You killed it—totally shocked me."
"Bet you'll top practicals too, huh?"
Nearby, Kim Ju-hee soaked up praise with an awkward smile. Made me proud somehow.
She had done great. Real performer vibes.
Her tightly gripping Seo Ye-ri's hand amid the hype was funny. I watched Kim Ju-hee squirm under the flood of acclaim.
"But... your group must've been tough wrangling the guys."
"Right? Ha-yeon and Ju-hee basically did it all."
"...What?"
Kim Ju-hee's eyes sharpened. Her excited tone chilled.
She glanced my way in panic, so I shrugged and looked away.
Could be taken that way, sure. But we got the score, everyone was happy—good enough.
"Yeah. They handled front and back, so no real work needed."
"Connecting parts was just show, right?"
"Guys, don't say that..."
"Hey!"
Seo Ye-ri desperately reined in the girls again.
Kim Ju-hee geared up for a loud retort when—
"Can you cut it out? It's embarrassing just hearing it."
A firm voice rang out, brimming with confidence.
Seol Yu-jin stood nearby, hands on hips.
"...Yu-jin? What's up?"
The chatty girls deflated a bit.
Seol Yu-jin glanced at our desk and continued.
"No plans to stop you bragging about bad ears and no sense. But at least know when to shut up out of shame..."
"Yu-jin, we were just talking among ourselves."
The girl cut her off with a sharp glare, as if to say mind your business.
"Kinda sad that's all you heard."
Seol Yu-jin brushed past the glare effortlessly.
An awkward tension settled in.
Seo Ye-ri and Kim Ju-hee looked stunned.
I hate atmospheres like this.
"She got lower than us anyway..."
Seol Yu-jin swiftly approached the muttering girl, arms crossed, leaning in.
"You think I got that score 'cause I suck at piano compared to you? You're not serious."
"Enough, everyone. Please?"
Seo Ye-ri forced an awkward smile to defuse things. Somehow, the gossipers ended up consoled. Felt unfair.
Kim Ju-hee floundered, unsure whose side to take, as Seol Yu-jin slipped into our empty seat and crossed her legs.
"...Hey."
"Hi."
Her fiery eyes blazed across from me.
Still arms-crossed, Seol Yu-jin leaned in close—close enough to feel her breath.
She narrowed her eyes, staring without a word. I sighed shallowly and nudged her shoulder back.
"Why so pissed?"
"Pissed? I'm not. Ugh, yeah. Frustrated. That's it."
Leaning back, Seol Yu-jin said flatly.
"You practiced a ton."
"Had to."
"Knew it. Didn't pick just any guy."
Seol Yu-jin closed her eyes and nodded as if it figured.
Lee Seong-hyuk stared blankly at me. His eyes widened as he stammered,
"Y-You already with Seol Yu-jin...?"
I pinched my brow and groaned.
"Don't misunderstand. She just talks like that. Yu-jin, pick your words better, yeah?"
Lee Ha-yeon blinked at me with huge eyes—wider and faster than usual.
"Won't lose next time."
Seol Yu-jin said her piece and vanished as abruptly as ever. She saw conversation as one-way.
I sighed deeply, ruffling my hair.
"Uh, leader."
Kim Ju-hee had returned, fidgeting and picking at her nails instead of sitting. Looked deflated.
"You hear that just now...?"
"Don't sweat it. Fine."
"Sorry! I said something—told 'em you planned most of it, no misunderstanding. Seong-hyuk too, you both did great... damn."
I waved my hand dismissively. Truly no big deal.
Lee Seong-hyuk chimed in to reassure her.
Her face finally brightened. Gloomy didn't suit Kim Ju-hee. Smiling looked better.
"Oh, and you locked eyes with Jeong Hye-won earlier?"
Kim Ju-hee clapped lightly as she sat.
Right—Jeong Hye-won. One revenge left.
"For real? What'd you do?"
"Just smirked. Mature-like. Heh."
"Nice, perfect."
Kim Ju-hee puffed proudly. Petty revenge complete.
The commotion died down, classroom quieting. Teacher Choi Je-hun finally stood.
"If you're gonna yell like that, why not vocal majors? Talked enough."
Students chuckled sheepishly and returned to seats in unison.
"Focus. Detailed scores and feedback now. Watch recordings too."
Girls' dorm room 405.
One desk was adorably cluttered: four-panel instants, family photos, handwritten letters, stuffed animals all cozied up.
The opposite was stark: sheet music, hot pack, a couple dolls—that was it.
Lee Ha-yeon sat at the barren, desert-like desk. She swung her feet idly, clutching a piano-faced doll tight.
"Maybe I should've spoken up first."
She recalled today's major practical class.
Kwon Do-hyun getting unfairly dissed by nearby students, pretending not to hear.
"As a friend, shouldn't I have stepped in?"
Lee Ha-yeon met the doll's eyes. No reply, of course.
Then, Seol Yu-jin boldly appearing to defend and affirm him came to mind.
"Haven't even talked to Yu-jin much, but I'm way closer... We've been friends since kids..."
Her head lolled back over the chair. Her words trailed weakly.
"Piano was easy, though..."
Footsteps approached her slumped ear. She hurriedly face-planted on the desk.
"Ha-yeon!"
The dorm door burst open.
Seo Ye-ri appeared in comfy clothes, towel-drying her damp hair.
"Huh? You already showered?"
Seo Ye-ri tilted her head curiously.
Lee Ha-yeon took a small breath and slowly lifted her head.
"Y-Yeah, earlier."
"Whoa, you're all fresh."
Lee Ha-yeon's voice trembled faintly as she desperately hid her embarrassment.