Chapter 54
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Ironic Melody (2)
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The collaboration with the Composition Department was an extension of this homework assignment, so I'd been told it was fine to just play comfortably.
But a recital was, in other words, an exam, wasn't it? There was no way I could butt into someone else's exam and perform with a relaxed mindset.
No matter what piece I got, I had to nail it... The thought made it feel a bit burdensome.
'I wonder which senior I'll be paired with.'
The teacher had said they'd set it up for me, so I wasn't too worried, but there was still a hint of tension.
"I'm doing a collaboration with the Composition Department."
Early morning, before homeroom started. I tossed it out casually to my friends.
"Why do you say stuff like 'I'm hopping on a spaceship to Mars~' so deadpan all the time?!"
I ignored Kim Ju-hee, who was fixating on some weird analogy, and turned to Lee Seong-hyuk.
"The first-years' recital hasn't even happened yet? You're doing it with a senior?"
"Yeah, second-year. You know a lot, huh."
"That's unexpected."
"What is?"
Considering how high school hierarchies made seniors scarier and harder to deal with than teachers, yeah, it was surprising that a senior and junior would team up all buddy-buddy.
"There are cases where they recruit from other grades, even juniors. I'll give you an example."
"Give me one, and I'll listen."
"Class rep, you're seriously no fun..."
"Hearing that hurts my feelings too."
"Ugh... sob..."
"What, Ha-yeon? You think that's funny?"
"Ha-yeon's my friend."
"What?!"
Lee Seong-hyuk ignored Kim Ju-hee's outburst and counted off on his fingers.
"First: someone you're close with who also plays an instrument well. You write the piece around them, and it's easy for both sides, right?"
"Sounds good."
"Second: hire an outside performer. Costs money, but for our school's students, it's not too burdensome and a safe bet."
"Because this school's full of rich kids like you."
"Third: someone you're not close with but who's skilled. Ask a friend to connect you—shouldn't be too hard."
"Hm."
"Fourth: no connections, no budget for an outside player."
"Then what? Call in a junior?"
"Nah, rewrite the piece. Even a human has at least a few friends. Tailor it to whoever among them is best, whether they're in vocal or whatever."
"Even a human..." That kinda sounded like an insult to Ha-yeon. She seemed oblivious, staring blankly, not realizing it applied to her.
Anyway, the point was, very few people were desperate enough to recruit a junior performer, so getting an offer like that was rare.
"But if they do collaborate with a junior, what does that mean?"
Lee Seong-hyuk cleared his throat like he was about to give a speech.
"Either the junior volunteered, or the junior got recruited."
"One or the other."
"The first type are the crazies dying to constantly prove their superiority."
"...Isn't that Seol Yu-jin?"
I whipped my head around to spot Seol Yu-jin. She was face-down on her desk, dead to the world.
...Somehow, even if she threw a fit demanding to perform, the seniors would probably turn her down.
"The second type? Kids so talented the whole school knows their name."
"That's our Lee Ha-yeon right here. Or Baek Ji-ho from the class next door."
Lee Ha-yeon tilted her head blankly when her name came out of my mouth.
"Anyway, most do it with friends or hire outsiders. It's a hassle for performers too—without friendship or cash, collaborations are tough. They're busy practicing themselves."
"Might as well prep for their own exam?"
"Recital participation factors into grades a bit, but practical skills matter way more."
"Prioritize and focus."
Friendship or money. In my case... pure fun.
I'd nodded because it seemed interesting, but it could help my practicals too, and it aligned with the teacher's intentions—one stone, two birds.
"Hey, Ha-yeon."
"Yeah."
"You've never performed at a recital, right?"
"...Yeah. How'd you know?"
I chuckled at Lee Ha-yeon, whose eyes went wide with genuine surprise.
'You said your only friend was Seo Ye-ri...'
Laughing made me feel a little guilty for some reason.
Back at Ye-won, no one would've had the guts to suddenly ask her to perform anyway. She came off pretty cold on the outside.
"But I'm neither. The teacher just told me to try it."
"Dunno. Teacher must've lined up a senior. Or saw you somewhere and liked you more than Baek Ji-ho."
"Where would a senior even see me?"
"Who knows, YouTube?"
"Ah."
Right, the jazz busking video had decent views. Any student here probably saw it at least once.
Suddenly felt like a big shot.
'But that was jazz.'
Not much reason to recruit me for a classical recital. If they wanted a junior, they'd go for someone famous for skill.
Kim Ju-hee, who'd been listening quietly, tapped her desk.
"Seong-hyuk, how do you know so much? You came from a regular middle school. It's all spot-on—kinda shocking."
"This guy's a bit weird. Otaku... something like that. Knows more about Ye-won than you Ye-won grads."
He'd straight-up insulted her, but she took it as a compliment. Lee Seong-hyuk crossed his arms proudly and spoke arrogantly.
"I like Ye-won, Ye-rim, and everyone at Ye-rim equally—no discrimination. But I'm not an otaku."
Wasn't that the definition of otaku?
He seemed to think so himself, but from what I'd seen, it didn't hold water. Time to clue in the girls about this guy's deal.
"Seong-hyuk."
"Yeah."
"Tell me Lee Ha-yeon's award history from Ye-won."
"Lemme see—top seat from enrollment, grabbed a Practical Excellence Award right off the bat."
Didn't think he actually knew.
Kim Ju-hee and Lee Ha-yeon's faces rotted in real-time as Lee Seong-hyuk whipped out a notebook and rattled off details like a pro.
"...Ha-yeon, let's hit the bathroom."
"Uh, yeah."
Kim Ju-hee grabbed Lee Ha-yeon's hand and bolted like she'd seen a ghost—pure terror, a first from Ha-yeon.
Lee Seong-hyuk just gawked, mouth agape like an idiot.
"Ugh... dude, even knowing it, spilling like that's creepy."
"What? You're making me feel wronged here."
"I was testing if you knew, outsider. How do you even know that stuff?"
"Didn't I say? My brother's from Ye-won and Ye-rim, so I know a few people through him."
...That was unexpected. A family of Ye-rim musicians. Explained his info savvy.
"What’s your brother up to? Studying abroad? Music college here?"
"He quit music."
Lee Seong-hyuk shut it down short, propping his chin and staring out the window.
His pursed lips said he didn't want to talk about it.
"Ah, got it."
Couldn't pry with that face, so I let it drop.
Han Yong-seong was panicking, realizing he'd made a huge mistake.
The day after casually suggesting his student join a second-year recital, in the staff room.
He fidgeted, gnawing his pen with his front teeth, flipping through papers.
"Here, here, here..."
Second-year Composition Department roster, with recital plans attached.
Just days after announcement, students had performers lined up and piece directions set. Han Yong-seong cursed Ye-rim's diligence every time.
Truth was, he'd planned Kwon Do-hyun's collab ages ago. Thought he'd have time to scout—now it bit him hard.
Almost no one lacked a performer. If no one got recruited... Unthinkable. Kwon Do-hyun would gut him with cold words and eyes.
'Some adult you are, hyping kids up just to betray them...'
Not that he'd say it outright, but the kid didn't hold back against elders, stabbing vitals often.
Sometimes felt like chatting with a peer—Han Yong-seong couldn't adapt.
"Three."
He picked students without plans, pulling updated paper life records—not server files, weekly prints.
His eyes scanned handwritten notes fast.
[Enjoys composing vocal pieces.]
[Prefers traditional techniques. Needs careful observation over pushy guidance.]
[Excellent piano skills. Strong musical philosophy. Favors avant-garde, experimental methods. Requires varied approaches.]
Kwon Do-hyun was piano major—skip first. Second and third options.
'Yu Young-sik, Park Gyu-ri.'
Yu Young-sik's grades popped. Top in theory and practicals—prime talent.
'Traditional techniques...'
Model student. Not just theory-deep, but melody genius too.
Kwon Do-hyun was beast-mode in a good way; Park Gyu-ri might sync better, but now was grind time.
Pair him with clean elite style—easier to apply to his assignment post-collab.
As long as references weren't overdone. Note that upfront.
'Now, how to convince Yu Young-sik.'
Straight ask risks seeming like abuse of power. Needed deal-like pitch.
'Sell Kwon Do-hyun's strengths for win-win.'
Second eval vid, jazz busking. Top composer might buy it—flexible classical-jazz style, orchestra command despite size.
Teacher's job: tongue-fill student's gaps. Han Yong-seong knew that earned the title.
"Alright."
As he steeled himself and stood—
"Teacher Han Yong-seong."
Familiar voice. Choi Je-hun, with a petite girl at his desk.
"Yes? Unless urgent, later? I'm swamped."
"It is urgent."
"...What is it."
Licking lips, Han Yong-seong approached. Girl stared up fiercely—first impression. Then, nagging familiarity.
"Composition second-year. Wants to meet Kwon Do-hyun."
"Do-hyun?"
"Hello, sir. Park Gyu-ri."
She bowed. Han Yong-seong, flustered multifold:
"Your ID photo and eye angle don't match much."
"...Lost weight."
"Does weight loss change your vibe that fast...?"
Her sharp glare shut him up. Authority be damned—this kid scared him.
"So, what's with our Do-hyun?"
"Want him as my recital performer. Thought seeing you first was proper."
A grin flickered, but he schooled his face lightning-quick.
Yu Young-sik first choice didn't mean Park Gyu-ri sucked. Avant-garde yet mid-upper ranks? Impressive.
Both hot meals now.
Han Yong-seong cleared throat sternly. Jumping for joy would nuke his dignity forever.
"Hm, he's busy with exams, evals, lessons."
'Say you want him even more fiercely.'
Park Gyu-ri looked troubled. His push-pull wasn't masterful, but it landed.
Her drive strong meant real experience for Kwon Do-hyun.
Eyes narrowed, he watched her closely.
"Sorry. I'm first-year too—should've expected the crunch..."
Not it.
She betrayed expectations, apologizing regretfully, turning to leave.
Han Yong-seong pictured futures fast.
Yu Young-sik not 100%. Why hadn't top dog recruited? Chosen not to?
Too risky with weak hand. This way, no recruits—roasted by Kwon Do-hyun surest.
"Wait! Gyu-ri!"
He lunged, grabbing her wrist.
Downcast Park Gyu-ri glanced sidelong.
"Hear people out."
"Pardon?"
"Coming here, respecting me—commendable. Of course I'll ask."
Dignity hidden, servile tone. Park Gyu-ri beamed.
"Thank you!"
The staff room door clicked shut behind Park Gyu-ri.
Walking calmly, she snorted derisively.
"Busy first-year my ass. Ridiculous."
Didn't love the teacher shielding him, but goal achieved.
Why coddle Kwon Do-hyun so? Mild resentment sparked odd interest in Park Gyu-ri.
"Don't make me regret the hype."