A Musical Genius Who Plays Memories - Chapter 13

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 13. Don’t know why (3)

“Do you happen to know Hee-seong’s mother?”

“Hee-seong’s mother… Oh, I’ve met her once. What’s this about?”

What Aeyeon’s teacher was saying was this:

Shin Ji-eun was going to take Hee-seong to play at the park on the way, and Aeyeon wanted to play too.

So she was calling to ask if it would be okay for her to look after him for a while.

Aeyeon’s Mother pondered.

‘Aeyeon seemed to enjoy it…’

Last Saturday, when she saw Aeyeon pushing Hee-seong from afar, his face was filled with joy.

She couldn’t forget Aeyeon’s eyes as he kept looking out the window on the way home, as if he wanted to play more.

“Does Aeyeon want to go?”

“Yes, he keeps saying he wants to play with Hee-seong.”

“Then…”

Aeyeon’s Mother thought that if her daughter wanted to play, she should let her play.

However, that thought was brief, as another thought crossed Aeyeon’s Mother’s mind.

‘My daughter shouldn’t be ignored.’

Missing academy for one day wouldn’t kill anyone.

However, Aeyeon’s Mother was certain that it would mean falling further behind from first place.

That’s why she would tell her daughter to be patient even if she wanted to play.

“I’m sorry, but that would be difficult. Today, her aunt will take her to the academy as well.”

“I understand! I’ll explain it well to Hee-seong’s mother.”

“Thank you.”

After hanging up, Aeyeon’s Mother hurriedly prepared to leave work.

If she was even a little late, traffic would jam and she wouldn’t be able to move forward.

She had to leave now to arrive at Aeyeon’s academy by 6:30.

If she waited for 30 minutes at a cafe or convenience store near the academy.

Aeyeon would walk out when academy ended, and the two mother and daughter would have dinner together.

Either at an expensive restaurant, or Aeyeon’s Mother would cook directly at home.

However, since she wasn’t particularly good at cooking, they mostly ate what the housekeeper aunt had prepared.

‘Let’s hurry.’

Today too, Aeyeon’s Mother hurriedly left the company.

***

Monday morning, not refreshing at all.

Light city pop was flowing in the car heading to preschool.

“My son, why do you look like that? Is it because it’s Monday?”

“Yes…”

“Hahaha! A 5-year-old already suffering from Monday blues?”

Of course, I disliked Monday, but there was a bigger problem occupying one side of my head.

Last Saturday, I couldn’t erase the image of Aeyeon being dragged away by her mother while crying.

That scene, which had been replaying automatically in my head over the weekend, caused various concerns.

‘How do I even ask about this?’

Tears don’t come out as easily as one might think.

The more memories that gently touched emotions entered the mind, the more the dam blocking the tear ducts would burst.

I thought Aeyeon must have felt the same way.

I wasn’t a psychologist nor someone who professionally cared for children, so I didn’t know much.

However, I had a heart that could approach emotions just a little more easily than others.

I also had a mind that could vividly recall even old scenes.

I was making music using my strengths.

Since Saturday, Aeyeon’s face kept coming to mind.

Those footsteps trying hard to keep up with her mother’s quick pace wouldn’t disappear from my head.

What should I say when I go to preschool today?

I couldn’t think of anything.

‘…I should just play piano together.’

I didn’t have the skill of speaking well.

Instead, since I could feel music well, I wanted to perform with the child.

If you’re a person who makes music, it’s easy to put your heart into music.

It wasn’t only people who make music who could do that.

Even people who listen to music while living in the world could do that.

Don’t we collect music that matches the mood according to our feelings at the time?

‘Was that called a playlist? I think Father said that.’

Like collecting calm songs with calm songs, and exciting songs with exciting songs.

By genre, by mood, or by preference.

Like bibimbap, music that perfectly suited the listener’s heart was all contained in one bowl.

Then, what kind of heart would be contained in music flowing from the hands of someone playing piano?

‘I don’t know either. That’s the performer’s heart after all.’

However, I could tell what kind of atmosphere it was.

Let’s imagine there’s someone performing.

What emotion would a performer with a tightly frowning expression, biting their lower lip, be harboring?

I would think that person was rejoicing.

Of course, they might look angry.

However, imagining raised corners of the mouth and a relaxed expression, it was definitely an act filled with happiness.

Yes, it would be easier to imagine taking the first sip of cold beer or carbonated drink.

Your eyes would naturally close and your expression would scrunch up from that refreshing sensation flowing down your throat.

Just imagine lightly biting your lower lip there.

“Now, son! Have a good day today too! Mom says let’s eat out for dinner tonight.”

“Really? Wow, Mom’s the best! Father’s the best!”

“Yes, yes. My son, study hard today too.”

“Yes! I’ll be going!”

Worries were worries, and eating out was eating out.

While Mother’s home cooking was delicious, eating out had its own special taste.

I genuinely rejoiced and greeted Father.

The preschool I entered had few children as always.

Since Father always brought me to preschool early, there were no children in Moran Class.

‘Aeyeon comes early too, but she’ll probably come in about 10 minutes.’

Whenever I arrived at preschool, the teachers were always running around busily.

Watching this was also one form of entertainment.

They seemed to do everything well in front of the children, but in unseen places, they were ordinary people who made mistakes too.

Of course, I couldn’t just watch.

Since I didn’t have a hobby of watching busy people, I moved to the corner of Moran Class where the dolls were gathered.

‘Should I catch up on some lacking sleep?’

Whether it was me living in South Korea now, or me who lived in distant Europe in the past, if there was one thing in common.

It was that I tremendously loved sleeping.

I would fall asleep immediately wherever I laid my head.

My friend used to say, ‘I envy your talent for falling asleep easily more than your musical talent.’

Since there was nap time at preschool, if I slept in the morning, I wouldn’t feel sleepy in the afternoon.

But not me.

It was awkward for me to play with toys, and the teachers were too busy to talk with them.

So what could I do?

I might as well sleep.

“Snooore…”

As soon as I laid my head on the pillow, I fell into the land of dreams.

***

Poke poke.

Poke, poke poke, po-poke poke poke poke!

“Mmm…!”

I was sleeping well, but something kept poking my cheek, making irritation surge up inside me.

“Kihit!”

Hearing that voice full of mischief, I could tell who it was without even opening my eyes.

If I open my eyes right away, it won’t be fun.

Let me show the cunning of a sleeping 5-year-old with an adult’s soul.

Snooore.

Poke, poke poke.

‘Not yet.’

I slowly waited for my opponent to let their guard down.

Fishing required patience and waiting, after all.

“Is he sleeping really deeply? Why won’t he wake up?”

Snooooore!

Snore, snooore!

After enduring the painful finger poking with patience.

Finally, that moment arrived.

“WAHHH!”

“KYAAAAH!”

When I shouted loudly, Aeyeon’s voice echoed through the Moran Class.

Instantly, the children’s gazes turned to me, wondering what had happened.

“Aeyeon, Heeseong. What’s wrong?”

At the teacher’s question after hearing the noise, Aeyeon calmed her startled heart and spoke slowly.

“Hee, Heeseong woke me up…”

The teacher chuckled as she watched Aeyeon place her hand on her chest and mutter ‘Phew, that really scared me…’

It seemed Aeyeon had seen me sleeping and asked to wake me up.

She patted Aeyeon’s head and said, ‘Good job, Aeyeon.’

Then she looked at me and scolded.

“Heeseong, you’re going to nap later, right? But what if you sleep now?”

“Um… I was just so sleepy. I’m sorry…”

“Next time you’re sleepy, tell the teacher. Understand?”

“Yes!”

Fortunately, I didn’t get in big trouble.

Just before class started, the other children and I gathered together.

It was partly for the teacher to check attendance, but today was the day Jeong Mi-rae was coming.

So we gathered like this in advance for quick movement.

“Teacher Yu-ra! Wait a moment.”

Just then, Park Jeong-a came rushing over and whispered something in her ear.

As their conversation continued, Teacher Yu-ra’s expression gradually began to worsen.

Since Aeyeon and I were sitting in the front, I could hear some of their conversation.

“Teacher Jeong-a, …what should we do?”

“Let’s ask the …children first.”

“Alright…, let’s do it that way.”

After Teacher Yu-ra said she understood, she cleared her throat with a ‘Ahem!’

Then she wiped away her sweat and said.

“Everyone. Young Teacher is sick today, so we won’t be able to have music class.”

“Huh…!”

“Is Young Teacher really sick…?”

At the news that Jeong Mi-rae was sick, all the children were surprised and began worrying about her.

Every child here had talked with Jeong Mi-rae at least once and played piano together with her.

Of course, even without that reason, anyone would worry if a teacher who taught them was sick.

I felt the same way, and Aeyeon was worried too.

“She caught a cold. Since we can’t let it spread to you children, she’ll only rest today and should be able to come tomorrow!”

“Phew… that’s a relief.”

“Instead, I want to ask if there are any friends who want to go to the music room today. Friends who want to play piano, raise your hands?”

At those words, most of the children including me raised their hands.

Some active children said things like ‘I want to play piano!’ or ‘I want to go to the music room!’

As if she had expected this result, Teacher Yu-ra nodded and said.

“Then, let’s move to the music room!”

We lined up and moved as we always did.

Aeyeon stood beside me as usual.

“Everyone, today you can freely play whatever songs you want!”

“Wow!”

“Heeseong, let’s play together!”

Aeyeon grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the piano in the corner that had become our designated spot.

Aeyeon sat down next to me with sparkling eyes and said.

“What should we play today?”

Aeyeon seemed to expect that she would play piano with me again today.

But today, I probably wouldn’t touch the piano at all.

I wanted to properly listen to Aeyeon’s performance.

I wanted to hear a performance filled with a child’s pure heart, without any interference.

“Aeyeon.”

“Yeah?”

“Did your mom scold you a lot on Saturday?”

“Uh…”

At my words, Aeyeon lowered her head and fidgeted with her fingers.

Her long hair covered her face, so I couldn’t see what expression she was making.

“Um…”

Aeyeon pondered for a long time.

Meanwhile, the sounds of other children playing filled the music room.

“I didn’t get scolded.”

“Really? Then that’s good.”

“Yeah…”

Her hair kept swaying.

Her shoulders trembled, and she kept nodding her head.

I leaned my body slightly.

I could see Aeyeon’s mouth just a little.

Her tightly closed mouth kept trying to open.

Her small teeth bit down hard on her thin lips.

As if she had something to say but shouldn’t, she kept her eyes tightly shut.

Like a barely contained dam, it seemed precarious, ready to burst at any moment.

‘If it’s going to burst, I should help it burst in a good way.’

Because that’s how musicians express themselves.

“Aeyeon, today I want to listen to your performance.”

Instead of playing together, I wanted to hear Aeyeon’s solo performance.

I didn’t know why exactly.

I just had a strong intuition that struck my head – that I needed to listen earnestly to this child’s performance.

“…My performance?”

Aeyeon pondered after hearing my words.

Since she was a child who loved playing piano, her contemplation didn’t last very long.

“What song should I play for you?”

“I want to hear your most favorite song.”

“My most favorite song…?”

“Yeah. You know, the kind of song that makes all sorts of good memories come flooding back when you hear it. You have one like that too, don’t you?”

Aeyeon fell into thought for a moment.

I couldn’t tell what she was thinking about.

Aeyeon’s piano playing was different from other children her age.

Having spent so much time in front of the piano, she surely had a favorite song.

After finishing her contemplation, Aeyeon looked at me and spoke.

I could see that the child’s eyes held certainty.

“Yeah… I do.”

“Then, how do you feel right now?”

“Feel…?”

“Express your feelings through the song you like.”

The child listened to my words and showed a question mark on her face.

But if it was Aeyeon, she would understand my words and reveal herself.

Aeyeon continued her contemplation for a while.

Though she was certainly a 5-year-old child, watching her think, she was unmistakably a musician.

That’s why I believed she would perform truly wonderful music.

***

Aeyeon thought.

About what her favorite song was.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt something forgotten suddenly rising up in her mind.

And the child thought that feeling wasn’t unpleasant.

So it seemed it wouldn’t be bad to entrust herself to that feeling.

“…I’ll try.”

Aeyeon’s contemplation ended, and the child’s small hands were placed on the large keyboard.

A single note, trembling ever so slightly, began like that.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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