Chapter 31
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Whether Intended or Not (4)
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The atmosphere was different from yesterday. In the small auditorium where the kids weren't making too much noise.
Kim Ga-eul grabbed my wrist and pulled me up onto the stage.
"I brought a friend! They call him the traitor, piano major."
"Piano? Perfect, the more the merrier."
"But what's their name...?"
"Yeah, Kwon Do-hyun. Nice to meet everyone."
"Yeah, hi."
I exchanged awkward greetings with the strangers, my lips twitching at an odd angle. After a few embarrassed nods, I finally made it back to an empty seat in the audience.
This temporary orchestra's situation was a bit better this time. The kids seemed motivated, somehow. You could tell just from how they huddled together before practice.
"This part doesn't sound great because you don't hold the fortissimo long enough."
"Ah, yeah."
"You have to articulate those sixteenth notes next to it precisely too. My lesson teacher said over the weekend..."
They were comparing notes scribbled in their scores, chatting about musical details.
Even though they were total strangers, I couldn't help but smile warmly. It was only natural since these were the kids Kim Ga-eul had gathered, and she was the principal trumpeter.
As practice time approached, the kids hurried to set up their instruments and chairs. I took the opportunity to scan the score, visualizing the performance in my head.
What did Da-eun sunbae say again?
Solo instrument, a special position. First-person, protagonist. Those keywords floated around in my mind.
After watching the performance videos a few more times last night, I got a rough sense of what "protagonist" meant.
The pianist was definitely shining fiercely.
This assignment piece had plenty of explosive piano parts, including the solo sections, scattered throughout. It was different from the calm, even pieces I usually played.
If the piano is the protagonist, then bringing those moments to life and leading the orchestra is key.
After a general check, I focused on the details using the notes I'd jotted down from the first practice.
Soon, Kim Ga-eul clapped her hands to gather everyone.
"Guys, let's tune up and get started!"
Including me, there were five pianists total. Come to think of it, I hadn't run into Kim Ju-hee during practice yet. Wonder if she's doing okay.
I stood blankly off to the side of the stage, listening to the others play first.
Whoa... the quality is leagues above last time.
The overall sound texture was clean. Compared to last week's group, this orchestra was several levels higher. The improvement was palpable.
Especially Kim Ga-eul's powerful trumpet—it was incredible. She handled delicate expressions well and exploded with force when needed.
I nodded along as I listened, and before I knew it, my turn came up.
"Let's see what Do-hyun's got!"
I shifted my gaze from the confident Kim Ga-eul to the piano. I'd gotten a rough gauge of this temporary orchestra's level, so all I had to do was my part right.
I took a calm deep breath and placed my hands on the keys.
To make the piano seize control of the performance's flow... it might be good to push a step ahead of everyone else.
Not dragging the tempo my way, but amplifying the intro's presence.
I mixed my own forte expressions and decrescendos into the transitions, delivering an intense performance.
The orchestra's following nicely.
At this point, I felt like ramping it up a bit.
Since it was the first practice, maybe I should push the volume deliberately hard to prepare for next time.
With that in mind, I consciously amped up the power and carried through to the end.
As the reverberations faded, a brief silence settled over the hall.
"Whoa... not bad? Feels like the first time in ages I've played with a powerful piano!"
Kim Ga-eul was the first to share her impression. She clutched her trumpet close, beaming brightly.
I think it turned out pretty well myself.
I could vaguely sense what kind of orchestra followed the piano. Maybe I'd held back too much—next time, go even harder?
"Hmm... wasn't the piano sticking out a bit?"
"Felt like it was rushing ahead too much. Hard to keep up with the tempo."
"Couldn't we try playing more to match us next time?"
But the kids from other sections subtly shook their heads with awkward smiles. The reactions were lukewarm.
"Did it? I liked it."
Amid the majority neutral-to-negative responses, only Kim Ga-eul approved. She glanced around casually as she spoke.
"Didn't it? No?"
"Uh, well..."
The others wore ambiguous expressions, suggesting we check again next round.
Maybe Kim Ga-eul's standards are just unique. I replayed my performance mentally before stepping away from the piano.
A few more rounds continued, and my turns were done. I slipped quietly into the audience, popped in my earphones, and reviewed the recordings.
Thanks to the orchestra, this practice wasn't bad overall.
Concerto felt kinda fun, actually.
Today's performance totaled four times.
Using the first as a baseline, I tried tightening the piano's power more and loosening it up too.
One thing I definitely felt during practice: when the piano's influence was strong, Kim Ga-eul reacted well; when I matched the orchestra, the other kids did.
This was the tricky part.
Kim Ga-eul's amazing, but... a concerto involves multiple instruments, so I can't ignore the majority opinion.
What did I like best? Obviously when the piano dominated. More spotlight for me—who wouldn't love that?
Objectively, the stronger piano versions seemed more polished too.
Are they thinking a dominant piano means they won't shine? Gotta find some compromise for future practices. Tricky.
Hm?
Deep in thought with my earphones in, I picked up on something odd.
For a split second, an awkward sound slipped in.
The bass resonance... yeah, the trombone had let out a weird note.
That's a clear mistake.
A dissonance from the error.
Such minor issues happen often in practice, nothing strange. What really puzzled me was something else.
No sign it was a mistake at all?
It sounded so natural, like the score allowed that dissonance.
I quickly checked the same spot in other recordings—there, it played smoothly without error. Shockingly, the difference was barely noticeable.
To make a mistake sound like it wasn't one. I compared recordings multiple times, but it was inconclusive. Too many surrounding variables.
Maybe thanks to the piano or other instruments, or good ensemble breathing.
Probably nothing.
I brushed it off and removed my earphones. Just then, Kim Ga-eul hurried by nearby.
"Ah, Do-hyun, good work! You did great today, solid playing."
She waved energetically at me before darting out of the auditorium. She vanished like the wind—no time for a proper goodbye.
After school, the voices of kids lingering on campus echoed sporadically.
I headed to the faculty office to check the small auditorium's reservation schedule by time slot.
Sticking with Kim Ga-eul's group would be great, but practicing with orchestras of varying skill levels would make adapting on the day easier.
Rubbing shoulders with top-tier groups can trick you into thinking their level is yours. If I spotted Kim Ju-hee on the list, I'd ask to join right away.
"Oh."
Turning the corner at the stairs, I nearly collided with someone carrying a huge load of boxes.
"Ah, sorry...!"
I stepped aside, and the girl shuffled past with heavy steps. Her retreating silhouette looked familiar.
"Seo Ye-ri?"
"I can't see ahead right now—who is it?"
Her voice confirmed it.
I swiftly snatched the load from the wobbling Seo Ye-ri as she turned around.
"Where you headed?"
"Whoa, Do-hyun! But the stuff's fine... isn't it heavy?"
Seo Ye-ri flapped her hands, trying to take at least one box.
Honestly, it was kinda heavy. No, pretty heavy.
But admitting that after grabbing it myself would look uncool, so I played it off.
"It's fine. Let's go."
"Okay, thanks! I'm going to the 6th-floor research room."
6th floor... that's far.
Wonder what she'd think if I suggested splitting it now. No choice—I carried it all solo.
We started up the stairs together. We didn't talk much usually, so our footsteps echoed alone in the hallway.
I glanced at Seo Ye-ri and broke the silence first.
"Class rep stuff tiring?"
"Nah! It's manageable. Teachers help a lot."
She always looked super busy darting around. But she was the type to grin through anything, so who knew.
"For real?"
"Yeah, I'm used to it now—totally fine. Thanks for worrying."
Seo Ye-ri flashed a bright smile, then quietly looked down. Her lips dipped slightly.
This time, she asked me first.
"How's practice going lately? Good?"
"First time doing concerto even with a small orchestra, so still tough."
"You're doing Tchaikovsky, right? Yeah, that'd be hard..."
"Did I ever tell you I picked Tchaikovsky?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. How'd that happen?"
I hadn't said a word, yet she panicked hard before shooting me an intense look.
"J-Ju-hee told me!"
"...I see."
Brief silence, then we resumed walking.
"What'd you pick, Ye-ri?"
"Beethoven! Seems doable difficulty-wise, but first concerto for me too, so syncing breaths is tricky."
Once the conversation flowed, chit-chat poured out.
She was pretty talkative. Just nod and react, and it kept going.
"Hey, Do-hyun, no pressure?"
"Sudden pressure talk?"
"The bet for the second eval. What Teacher Choi Je-hun mentioned."
"Oh, right, that."
"You seem so chill."
Truth be told, nothing burdensome for me. No real downside if I lost.
If anything, the pressure was wanting top marks even in Class A. Come to think of it, stares from B and C classes felt heavy.
"Not chill—just focused 'cause this load's heavy, can't talk."
"It was heavy! Ah, sorry... let me take some, yeah?"
"Kidding, kidding."
My wrists were starting to tingle. How'd she carry all this?
After puffing her cheeks and glaring harmlessly, Seo Ye-ri sighed deeply.
"Glad you're not stressed. Teacher Choi Je-hun can be sly."
"Yeah, he is."
"Might sound bad to others, but weirdly, it gets me hyped?"
Seo Ye-ri fidgeted with her palms as she continued.
"Feels like you won't lose the bet to anyone... that kinda vibe."
"B or C could score 100."
"Then you just get 101! Right?"
She giggled and stepped a pace ahead.
"Your playing's always special. The situation back then, or the performance itself. Must've been nerve-wracking. All that interference."
True, it was eventful. Secretly hoping the second eval goes smoothly.
"So yeah, gets me excited for this one too?"
"High expectations lead to disappointment."
"Then just shine like always!"
Seo Ye-ri snorted confidently, eyes resolute.
"I'm practicing late too! Tension feels good, yeah?"
"Uh, tensing up so much my legs go weak. What's this?"
"Ahh, don't laugh while saying that..."
I pretended to wobble, and she pouted. Teasing her was fun—I chuckled away.
"For real. Let's both score high."
"Yeah!"
A few more steps, and we reached the research room by the practice floors. Seo Ye-ri thanked me and took the boxes.
"Off to practice?"
"Gonna find folks. Was heading to check hall reservations."
"Text Ju-hee! She said small auditorium today."
"Ooh, insider info."
I watched her enter, then turned back. Kim Ju-hee was still at school.
I'd just texted asking if I could join when my phone rang—Kim Ju-hee.
"Hey, Ju-hee. Where you at?"
[Orchestra leader! Where are you?]
Answering a question with one—sneaky.
Anyway, her voice sounded oddly hurried and loud. Had to crank the volume max.
"Main building 6th floor. Practicing?"
[Kinda... how to put this.]
"Am I awkward to join?"
[Not that, um.]
As Kim Ju-hee paused thoughtfully, voices—probably her practice mates—came through the phone.
[This is bullshit, seriously...]
Not just that line—raised voices too. I tilted my head and asked again.
"Did I hear wrong? You guys fighting?"
[Yeah, a bit. Come once it calms? Small auditorium 201.]
"Got it."
Call ended.
Curiosity piqued, I hurried down the stairs.