A Musical Genius Who Plays Memories - Chapter 36

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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 36. If You Stay by My Side (5)

 

Ajin’s fingers hesitated.

 

The piano keys were clearly at chest level, but somehow they felt distant.

 

‘I need to start playing…’

 

The child clearly knew.

 

That the performance had to begin.

 

But the tension became heavy shackles pressing down on the child’s wrists.

 

“I’ll start.”

 

Ajin was flustered by Bom’s words, but the accompaniment had already begun.

 

Like a departing train, a solid and deep resonance continued.

 

So Ajin had no choice but to play while wearing shackles.

 

– Ding-♬

 

The music room was like a snowy field where snow was falling, and Ajin was a trapped victim of distress.

 

The child moved fingers busily to catch the departing train.

 

Like footsteps trying to catch up with a train, the child’s fingers were merely motions to follow along, not a performance.

 

‘This isn’t right…!’

 

Ajin muttered inwardly.

 

And while Ajin was having such thoughts.

 

‘I started too fast!’

 

Bom also realized that she had made a mistake.

 

The tempo was too fast.

 

In a performance that should be done together, she failed to check Ajin’s condition.

 

Of course it was natural.

 

Bom was also nervous.

 

No matter how small the recital was, it felt like a huge stage to the child.

 

Jeong Mi-rae seemed like a judge evaluating her.

 

That was actually correct, but the meaning behind it was different.

 

‘It’s getting slower…?’

 

Bom focused on Ajin’s melody that was beginning to be faintly heard.

 

A performance that was getting slower and desperate to keep up.

 

‘The skill improved over the week…!’

 

Bom thought of when she first played together with Ajin not long ago.

 

A child who made mistakes every 3 seconds.

 

That was Ajin’s first impression.

 

To a child full of desire to be recognized by Jeong Mi-rae and win first place, Ajin was an obstacle.

 

That’s all she thought.

 

‘It gradually improved so we could play together.’

 

Ajin’s skill gradually improved, perhaps from practicing a lot.

 

Though both hands were still difficult, the child became able to play melodies with one hand.

 

But such a child was unable to perform properly due to her own mistake.

 

That weighed on her mind.

 

“Ah.”

 

While Bom was thinking about Ajin.

 

A small sigh that only Bom could hear came from beside her.

 

Ajin had stopped playing.

 

When she rolled her eyes to look at Ajin, the fingers were stuck to the keys without moving at all.

 

Tears were gradually gathering in the eyes like a dam about to burst.

 

It looked like someone who had missed a train they absolutely had to catch.

 

‘What I can do…’

 

Bom hurriedly racked her brain.

 

She thought about what she could do for Ajin right now.

 

‘Yoon Hee-seong…?’

 

However, no solution came to mind, and instead Hee-seong’s face appeared.

 

More precisely, what Hee-seong had said.

 

“Slowly.”

 

She followed those words.

 

Not fast, but slowly.

 

More slowly than usual practice.

 

Like a train gradually coming to a stop, the child’s accompaniment was slowing down.

 

– Ding-♩

 

And eventually, following the slowed accompaniment, Ajin’s melody continued.

 

Ajin had boarded the missed train, and the two children’s true performance was gradually beginning.

 

***

 

“You’re doing well.”

 

I muttered quietly.

 

The children’s performance was quite unstable.

 

It swayed a lot like standing on a precarious bridge.

 

But they had overcome that crisis and were now performing beautifully.

 

Though not perfect in the short period of a week, the sight of them smiling while gently pressing the keys was admirable.

 

– Ding da-♪

 

Bom’s accompaniment was solid.

 

It was heavy and rough.

 

Though she looked like a delicate child, I could tell she had deep thoughts.

 

I wanted to know whether she understood the essence of the piece or had her own interpretation.

 

‘It’s not calm. Right, this piece is slow but exciting.’

 

When creating the piece, I referenced Canon, but my own intentions went into it much more.

 

The wish that someone would be by my side when I first played the piece.

 

I created the piece with that wish.

 

So the melody was played with only one hand.

 

Because those playing the melody were learners.

 

‘My past self. And Ajin now.’

 

So I composed it with the hope that it would be simple but somewhat enjoyable to play.

 

Though delicate like Ajin, if one could play with courage nonetheless, it would surely produce good sound.

 

Like now.

 

The accompaniment was heavy like a tree that had lived for a long time.

 

Because it was solid, it didn’t waver.

 

That was the accompaniment I envisioned.

 

A tree whose base remains solid even if it might crack when storms blow and thunder strikes.

 

Bom was excellently performing such an accompaniment that helped the melody with both hands while going its own way.

 

‘She realized it. That she had to lead Ajin.’

 

The piece was gradually becoming brighter.

 

The melody became snowflakes dancing gracefully above the accompaniment.

 

The children’s performance seemed to become richer as time passed.

 

It surged slowly but powerfully.

 

‘That’s it! That’s all you need to do!’

 

My first piece as Yoon Hee-seong was gradually coming to an end.

 

Nevertheless, my expression was so endlessly joyful that my cheeks seemed like they would hurt.

 

The small music room had somehow become a grand concert hall.

 

It felt as if they were performing in front of countless audience members.

 

– Ding!

 

The two children’s performance ended simultaneously.

 

The resonance lingered in the music room for a while before fading away.

 

Silence didn’t continue.

 

“Wowwww!!”

 

The other children’s cheers chased away the silence.

 

Yes, this was it.

 

This was why I made music.

 

I wanted others to cheer when they heard my songs.

 

I was so happy that the strength left my clapping hands.

 

“So this is what the song was like. It’s good.”

 

“Aeyeon was right! It’s really good!”

 

Aeyeon and Garam’s admiration also made me feel even better.

 

Even if it was just a small recital, this was my first step.

 

“You both did well! Now, go back to your seats. Since you played well, I’ll give you both praise stickers!”

 

“Thank you…!”

 

“Thank you, Young Teacher!”

 

The two children held their praise stickers tightly to their chests like precious treasures.

 

Watching them made me feel proud too.

 

But the recital wasn’t over yet.

 

It was time to put the joy aside for a moment.

 

“Now, shall we decide the long-awaited first place?”

 

“Yes!”

 

“Tell me which friends you thought were the best. You’ll decide first place yourselves!”

 

“Wow! That’s great!”

 

“Hurry up!”

 

“Alright, let’s do it right away. I’ll count to three, so point with your fingers! Got it? Here, one!”

 

At Jeong Mi-rae’s signal, everyone was busy rolling their eyes around.

 

They seemed to be choosing very carefully who to pick.

 

‘Why am I nervous about this?’

 

I swallowed and watched the other children.

 

“Two!”

 

“Twoo!”

 

Jeong Mi-rae’s and the children’s voices filled the music room.

 

It was like echoes ringing here and there in the forest.

 

The children’s eyes were like predators, which was a bit eerie.

 

It was coming soon.

 

“Three!”

 

With Jeong Mi-rae’s signal.

 

The children’s fingers moved.

 

“Oh my.”

 

Jeong Mi-rae’s reaction as she counted to find the first place the children chose was unusual.

 

After checking the results, Jeong Mi-rae answered with a slightly excited voice.

 

“It’s split exactly in half! Aeyeon and Garam, Bom and Ajin, come out!”

 

At her call, the four children went to the front.

 

Cheers from the other children began to be heard.

 

I sat quietly in my seat and began watching the children who went to the front.

 

“Wow! First place!”

 

“Huh? But is it okay to tie for first place?”

 

“Well, so what? The song was good.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

Listening from the side, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

 

The children stood side by side in front of the grand piano.

 

The children’s expressions were becoming lively at the thought of receiving an award.

 

Jeong Mi-rae stood beside them and spoke to everyone in the music room.

 

“Now, I’ll ask why you chose these friends for first place. Anyone want to speak?”

 

“Me!”

 

Then one child raised their hand high, and Jeong Mi-rae pointed to that child.

 

“Garam sang really well!”

 

“Right, right.”

 

“My head started swaying on its own.”

 

The other children nodded at that child’s words.

 

Jeong Mi-rae saw this and said while holding back laughter.

 

“Pfft…! R-right. Garam’s voice was really refreshing.”

 

“That’s right!”

 

“And Aeyeon’s playing was really good too. Right?”

 

“Yes! She did well!”

 

Jeong Mi-rae praised Garam and Aeyeon’s performance.

 

She said the two children’s harmony matched so well that it was like watching a real concert.

 

I agreed with her opinion too.

 

Of course, I hadn’t watched the animation, but I felt like I knew the theme they wanted to convey.

 

At Jeong Mi-rae’s praise, Aeyeon’s face flushed red, and Garam smiled with his mouth wide open.

 

“Now, who wants to talk about Bom and Ajin’s performance?”

 

At Jeong Mi-rae’s question, the other children hesitated, unlike with Aeyeon and Garam’s performance.

 

It seemed like they didn’t know how to express it.

 

I thought that was understandable.

 

‘They made mistakes, and the rhythm was strange in the middle.’

 

Still, hoping they’d say something would be the composer’s greed.

 

“Um… I want to try saying something!”

 

A girl raised her hand high.

 

I focused on every word that child said.

 

I should listen carefully to this kind of evaluation.

 

“At first it was kind of strange, but it gradually got better!”

 

“Can you tell us how it got better?”

 

“Um… like, it was cold but then it felt like it was getting warm.”

 

“That’s right!”

 

“It felt like being with grandma.”

 

Then my eyes met with Jeong Mi-rae’s.

 

Her eyes, curved like half-moons, seemed to know everything.

 

“I think I know why this song is good.”

 

“Why is it good?”

 

“It’s because Ajin and Bom played well.”

 

That was right.

 

Because the two children had enough practice time and played until the end, we could achieve such good results.

 

Of course, they made mistakes, but they still played until the end.

 

Together.

 

“The two friends made mistakes in the middle, right?”

 

“Oh, that’s right…”

 

“Sniff…”

 

“It’s okay. Anyone can make mistakes. But you still gave a wonderful performance together, didn’t you?”

 

With those words, Jeong Mi-rae’s gaze was fixed on me once again.

 

“The person who created this song must have intended for it to be played together.”

 

“Hm? Why do you think so?”

 

“Probably because playing alone would be lonely.”

 

Since she had turned around, I couldn’t see what expression she was making.

 

But I thought she was probably smiling.

 

As she said, playing alone was indeed quite a lonely thing.

 

Evening was approaching at Hanseol Preschool.

 

The four children were holding up their praise stickers high and rejoicing.

 

Watching them, I also genuinely congratulated them.

 

“Oh, teacher. But Hee-seong didn’t get a praise sticker.”

 

Huh?

 

Aeyeon suddenly pointed at me and said that.

 

I didn’t particularly mind not receiving one, but Aeyeon seemed to feel otherwise.

 

“You’re right. We should give one to Hee-seong too.”

 

Jeong Mi-rae was slowly approaching me.

 

Her gentle smile somehow put my heart at ease.

 

“But Hee-seong didn’t perform.”

 

“That’s right!”

 

“But Hee-seong did something amazing.”

 

“What was it?”

 

At the children’s pointed question, Jeong Mi-rae smiled and explained.

 

“The song that Bom and Ajin performed was composed by Hee-seong. Of course, he had help from his father.”

 

“Really? Wow, Hee-seong is so cool!”

 

“Amazing! He should get two praise stickers!”

 

“Um… that’s not really necessary…”

 

I just scratched my head in embarrassment.

 

The children’s praise made me smile without realizing it.

 

Jeong Mi-rae had come close to me before I knew it.

 

In her hand was a praise sticker.

 

It was a cute sticker with the phrase ‘Great job!’ written on it.

 

“Teacher hasn’t tried composing before, but I’ve played music a lot. So I can tell how good Hee-seong’s song is.”

 

“…Really?”

 

“Of course! Listening to the performance makes my heart feel warm. Creating that kind of song isn’t easy.”

 

“Hehe…”

 

“Moving people’s hearts with music rather than words is truly difficult. But Hee-seong’s song had that power.”

 

Her eyes held sincerity.

 

Yes, it was the same look she had after listening to ‘From an Unknown World’ that I had played for her.

 

It was clear, as if filled with firm conviction.

 

“Now, a friend who composed well should get a praise sticker.”

 

She handed me the praise sticker.

 

I accepted it with a joyful heart.

 

“Thank you!”

 

I wouldn’t stick this praise sticker anywhere.

 

Praise received from an adult, not children, and from Jeong Mi-rae at that.

 

It truly felt more genuinely joyful than any other praise.

 

“Oh, could you tell me the title of the song?”

 

The title of a song was always an important element.

 

This song was inspired by my father’s song.

 

From there, this song had branched out.

 

‘Stand by me… but that’s father’s song.’

 

I would title it in my own way instead.

 

As my contemplation grew long, Jeong Mi-rae tilted her head.

 

It seemed better to tell her quickly.

 

“If You Stay by My Side. That’s the title.”

 

“It’s a title that fits the song perfectly.”

 

As she said, it was a title that perfectly matched the song I composed.

 

***

 

Jeong Mi-rae walked down the hallway, thinking.

 

‘Is Hee-seong really a genius?’

 

She had spoken casually to Hee-seong earlier, but inside she was filled with amazement.

 

She had been surprised when he first said he would compose.

 

‘Maybe this child Hee-seong’s talent is even more outstanding. It’s truly amazing.’

 

Recalling the child’s performance, she got goosebumps.

 

Hee-seong’s performance and the song he composed had the power to comfort hearts.

 

As she had told the child, that was truly a difficult thing to do.

 

Comforting music.

 

She desperately wanted to know how a 5-year-old child understood that feeling and how he turned that feeling into a song.

 

“The title was good too.”

 

If You Stay by My Side.

 

It was a title that perfectly matched the warm performance.

 

That’s why she was curious.

 

What kind of performances he would show in the future.

 

And she looked forward to whether he might show even more amazing songs if he experienced more things.

 

“Hee-seong!”

 

Jeong Mi-rae ran to Hee-seong, who hadn’t gone home yet.

 

In her hand was a white paper bag.

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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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