The Healing Life of a Music Genius - Chapter 97



Only Noblemtl

97 Then and Now

* * *

“Do well and come back.”

“Of course I should.”

“boy. “If you have that level of confidence, you won’t be disappointed anywhere you go.”

We had quite a busy time, starting with saying hello to our hyungs in Hongdae.

First, I bought a new suit. I could no longer wear the tailcoat I wore last winter.

‘It was a little small even back then.’

Anyway.

Perhaps thanks to eating well and jogging every morning, I was growing up quickly.

My parents followed me to the tailor shop and looked at each detail… Suyeon, who was next to me, gave me a thumbs up.

He even jokes slyly.

“Ugh. I was really surprised. I was wondering where my brother went. Is there some kind of celebrity suddenly appearing? “I thought you were in big trouble.”

He laughed and asked where he learned jokes like that, and he said he learned them from his father. He says he did that the last time he bought him clothes.

“So you think it’s okay?”

“huh! Awesome! “I think my brother is the best.”

“Then shall we take a picture?”

“Really? “Is that so?”

My brother and sister standing side by side in front of the mirror in the tailor shop. Suyeon has also grown a lot since last year. It’s both amazing and disappointing to see him grow so quickly, so I often take pictures with him these days.

“Who on earth are these kids that are so pretty? Guys! Look here! here!”

And I think it was the same for my mother. We are busy taking pictures with our smartphones all the time.

The next day, I put on a suit and went for the interview.

⌜Monthly Ensemble⌟ in Jongno.

It was a fairly old classical music magazine in Korea.

The interview ended quite succinctly.

Right now, I don’t have much to interview.

Not one of the top three major competitions, but advanced to the finals of a youth international competition.

The number of previous competition awards is close to 0.

Moreover, he wasn’t even from a gifted academy.

If you look at the specs, there was nothing special.

Assistant Manager A-Ram Kim, who brought me here today, also gave me some words of consolation.

“You know there’s no need to be disappointed anymore, right? “You’re just getting started.”

“It’s actually nice because it’s not a burden.”

“You can just think of it that way. They didn’t hear you play. So, we have no choice but to evaluate it piecemeal.”

“i know. However, thanks to the assistant manager, I am now able to attend ⌜Monthly Ensemble⌟. “It was a magazine I had been reading for a long time.”

Assistant Manager Kim A-ram, who was listening to me, smiled.

In fact, from the perspective of the classical music industry as a whole, I was just taking my baby steps.

Now, it can be said that I was able to get an interview like this because the name ‘Ettlingen’ has value.

Still, it was Assistant Manager Kim A-ram who took care to ensure that it was reported wherever possible.

Even though it wasn’t his job, he contacted me separately and set up an interview.

I expressed my gratitude once again, and Assistant Manager Aram Kim waved his hand a few times as if it was nothing and then suddenly disappeared.

My mother looked at me and said something.

“Seojin, it seems like you have a lot of people to be thankful for. “Even if time passes, we can’t forget these things, right?”

“of course.”

We returned home straight away.

I decided to have my mother come along for this competition. She told her mother several times that it was okay, but to no avail.

He said he wanted to at least cook the food himself during the contest period.

“People should eat food that suits their tastes.”

“To be honest, I have the appetite to chew on rocks.”

“Isn’t the food mom makes healthier and tastier? And how old are you now? And I want to follow you around until you grow up. “Mom, that’s how I feel.”

What’s more, he saved up the expenses in advance. He said he was able to save money easily thanks to paying off all the loans.

“I think this is also thanks to my son. right?”

“Then, at least to this extent, I…”

“Are you stopping me even though my mom said I was going to spend her money? Egogo. Her mother is already being held captive by her son. “She can’t help this.”

“······.”

There was absolutely no way to win.

And it was the same for my younger brother.

Su-yeon spoke quite calmly (?) with her eyes wide open and tears welling up in her eyes.

“Sigh. Because my brother has work. If I follow you, I’ll get in your way. Hehehe. I’m fine. I will be here praying for the best for my brother. It’s just… I’ll be living well here without my brother and mother… Sigh. By the way, these are not tears. “I got dust in my eyes.”

“······.”

What should I do with that? Since money was not as tight as before, I willingly decided to take my younger brother with me.

“However, we won’t be able to go somewhere to have fun like last time. know?”

“I’ll just stay in the dorm! I’m never going anywhere! And these days, when I walk around, it’s hot for no reason. Just use your strength.”

“and?”

“I will never interfere with my brother, and I will do my best to help mom as well. I will be your supporter this time. Believe me!”

Suyeon smiles brightly while looking at me.

I wasn’t too worried because he was a very quiet kid and usually listened to me well.

‘Well… it would be good to take them abroad often. Because it will all be an experience for Suyeon.’

While I was thinking that, a bundle of paper suddenly came from somewhere.

I read one…

“Hand massage voucher?”

“huh! My hands hurt when I play the piano. I will take responsibility for this trip to Germany. “It will definitely help!”

“what······.”

Suyeon started kneading my hand with her fern-like hand. ha ha ha. How much can I do with just this…

“······ It’s refreshing?”

“right? Even though I’m like this, I have two years of experience giving shoulder massages to mom and dad. “The allowance I’ve received so far is over 10,000 won.”

“As expected, people with different experiences are different, right?”

“Ahem. “Oppa, only trust me.”

Suyeon was motivated.

We found accommodation through Airbnb according to our schedule. It was easy to cook and eat, and it seemed like it would be comfortable for three people to use. We decided on the location of the accommodation by exchanging emails with competition officials. They said they would provide vehicle support, so there was no problem.

As I participated in this international competition for the first time, I learned some new things.

The contest basically requires participants to pay the entire cost of their stay.

Accommodation, meals, plane tickets, etc.

This is why people say that making music requires a lot of money.

‘Regardless of whether you win an award or not, you get the same amount of money just by participating.’

In some ways, it was a bit of a sad reality.

Originally, Professor Yuhan Kang was supposed to pay ‘my personal expenses’ on my behalf, but I told him not to do so from this time on.

Actually, I was grateful that they created this opportunity, and more than anything, I didn’t have any money.

My parents said they spoke well to Professor Yuhan Kang.

If you look at this, definitely.

“I should make a lot of money.”

“huh? Why all of a sudden?”

Suyeon hears my muttering and looks at me.

“That way, from now on, I can buy Suyeon delicious food and take her on trips.”

Su-yeon immediately hit the ground running.

“no. “You just have to wait a little longer.”

“huh? what?”

“Once I grow up, I will do everything for you. I will send you on your trip, and I will buy you all the clothes. “I’ll buy you a nice car too.”

I smiled a little at the confident expression on his face.

“Wouldn’t that be too much of a burden for Suyeon?”

“no! I will help you get stronger. So, you just have to trust me. Understand?”

“okay. “There is only Suyeon.”

I felt like I had strength just by saying it.

This made me wonder if I wanted to take Suyeon to this competition as well.

On the day of departure.

Early in the morning, I took my father’s car and headed to Incheon Airport. His father couldn’t tag along this time because he was busy with publishing.

First, I have to go to Berlin and complete a few things. It seemed like most of the practice would be done in Berlin.

Afterwards, it was planned to move to Ettlingen according to the competition schedule.

“Ettlingen. A small city in southwestern Germany. It was an important crossroads during the Roman era, so there are some ruins. “I heard that a lot of people who like music visit this place in the summer because it’s famous as a venue for competitions.”

Suyeon explains it to me while looking at a travel guide to Germany. This is our little brother who tries hard to do his job in one way or another. It was actually very helpful.

I went to the airport, bought a ticket, and checked in my luggage.

At that time, a phone call came.

“······ Why are you asking about my location now?”

– Anyway. What do you see around you? Please tell me the check-in alphabet number. I need it right now.

“······?”

After a while.

I could understand why Shin Joo-won wanted to know my location.

“Seojin!”

“Do well! “You are the head of our piano department!”

“Show Germany the power of folk tales!”

“go for it!”

Baek So-yeon, Shin Joo-won, Lee Ha-eun and some other friends from Class A.

And Teacher Yang Woo-joo also came to see us off.

“I wasn’t even thinking about it.”

“That’s what makes a surprise party meaningful. Well, I wouldn’t call it a party.”

Since we were all gathered together, we took a photo first.

“And shouldn’t we be watching to see if our chief is going to do well or not? “I felt like I had to see it with my own eyes.”

Shin Joo-won taps my shoulder and says those words.

Baek So-yeon also added a word.

“But don’t stress too much. You did well just to advance to the finals. By the way… is Sooyeon next to you?”

“oh. yes Soyeon, it’s been a while. How you doing?”

“omg.”

Instead of talking to me, Baek So-yeon was busy chatting with Su-yeon. She tells Soo-yeon not to follow her brother and that she will go to her house with her. It was a brazen kidnapping attempt. Of course, Soo-yeon shook her head.

“That’s not possible. “I need to be with my brother.”

“I’ll give you some candy. how is it?”

“Hi-Hi. You can’t even give me a candy factory! “I’m sorry, sister!”

“crying. “I wonder why Sooyeon doesn’t have a younger sister like you?”

“Instead, I will play with you sometimes.”

“really?”

“Of course~”

Baek So-yeon’s expression suddenly brightened at Su-yeon’s cute actions. He is healing here. With the competition just around the corner, she was under a lot of stress. Maybe she’s good.

At that time, the phone rang again.

I asked my friends and teacher for their understanding and left for a moment.

Thanks to leaving plenty of time, I had plenty of time to spare.

“I’m sorry I’m busy. “Just to see your face.”

“you’re welcome. On the contrary, I am grateful.”

At the place we arrived, Manager Park Hoon and Assistant Manager Charina were there. You give me a compliment.

and.

On this hot day, there was also a person wearing a beanie and fully armed standing next to me.

I recognized him right away.

“Seolha sister. Yesterday’s phone call was enough for me. “You’re busy, so there was no need for you to come out.”

“Huh, how did you find out?”

“I knew it right away. “Now I think I know a little bit about how fans recognize my sister.”

Sister Seolha slowly lowered her sunglasses and looked around. Then he came slightly towards me.

“Take care of yourself.”

“yes.”

“Don’t be offended.”

“yes.”

“Just have fun and come. Okay, my little brother.”

Then he gently pats my head.

Sister Seolha and ⌜Wolgwang⌟ left quickly. I was slowly starting to feel the gaze of those around me.

On my way back, I met Lee Ha-eun first.

He said I didn’t come and came looking for him.

I whispered very softly to Lee Ha-eun.

“I’m late because I had to meet my sister Seolha.”

“From here?”

“huh. You stopped by for a moment. “He left right away.”

“······ I see.”

Lee Ha-eun glanced back. Then he looks at me again and stretches out his hands. It was only for a moment that he hugged me as if he had no idea.

No matter how much I thought about it, it seemed like Ha-eun’s personality had changed a lot.

Little by little, the parts that felt sharp have completely disappeared, and now I know how to be pampered.

‘You’re still young. ‘My heart is also soft.’

He was a helpless child.

When I was about to say something, Lee Ha-eun spoke first.

“You can do it. I know. So don’t worry.”

I sighed and laughed.

“What do you know?”

“Your music is different from other people’s music. “Your music moves people’s hearts.”

“is it?”

“huh. I’m sure you’ll recognize it. I know your music well because I’ve listened to it a lot recently. “Because we played together in an ensemble.”

“It was like that.”

“So you’ll do well. don’t worry.”

Lee Ha-eun hugged me and patted my back twice. Now that I see it, I think he wanted to encourage me.

“I wanted to support you like this. Just like you did for me. me too.”

“Thank you.”

“That’s it… that’s enough.”

I sent similar support to Lee Ha-eun.

Baekwol Piano Competition, which Lee Ha-eun’s father is said to be coming to see.

Do well.

He told me that I would definitely be able to do well.

“huh. I will do well too. And I will work hard until I can play as well as you. “I don’t want there to be any more difference than this.”

Only then did Lee Ha-eun release her hug from me. Lee Ha-eun’s expression finally caught my eye.

It felt a little shy since he spoke honestly, but he basically seemed very serious.

Lee Ha-eun, who was scratching her cheek, suddenly held out her hand to me. handshake? When you take his hand, you gently wave it up and down.

‘At that time… when I first shook hands with Lee Ha-eun, I think my hands were cold.’

I even felt a little warm now.

Lee Ha-eun’s pure and bright smile seemed to remain in the memory for quite a long time.

We returned to our original seats.

My friends wondered where I had been.

After thinking for a moment, I answer that I went to the bathroom, and Shin Joo-won quietly nods.

“look. He’s nervous too. “We are all human.”

“I guess you finally figured that out?”

“That’s right.”

I said hello to my friends.

I expressed my gratitude to teacher Yang Woo-joo.

Soon after, I joined Professor Yuhan Kang.

Second trip to Germany.

Before even getting on the plane,

My heart felt somehow full.

* * *

Berlin Brandenburg Airport.

The girl walks briskly. Right behind the child, a boy who appears to be slightly older follows.

The girl looked closely at the placard someone was holding.

And shout out loud.

“Guten tak!”

A situation that makes you smile.

Finn Roth, an official at the Ettlingen Competition, asked the little boy with a smile.

“hello. miss. “Then is that boy over there a participant, Seojin Han?”

“······.”

The girl quickly looked back.

The boy immediately holds the girl’s hand.

The boy spoke to the man in German, which was quite nicely pronounced.

“hello. This is Seojin Han. Thank you for coming to meet me here. “Mr. Ross.”

The first time the boy came here was last winter.

A lot has changed between then and now.