A Musical Genius Who Plays Memories - Chapter 4

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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 4. Twinkle Star (1)

The small note I played on the piano completed Father’s song.

Father called me his lucky charm and took me to the music studio every day to play piano in front of me.

So naturally, I was able to learn piano from Father.

‘Well, I already know how to play piano anyway.’

Still, playing piano together with family was the most enjoyable thing ever.

***

Time passed and I had already turned 4 years old.

Though I was 2 years old by international age.

‘Why does this country have the complicated international age system? Ah, whatever. I’ll just say I’m 4.’

Anyway, my short tongue had grown longer, and my weak legs had gained strength so I could run around.

When I reached an age where I could move my body somewhat properly, I began playing piano seriously.

Of course, I didn’t play alone.

My parents enjoyed music together with me.

We spent harmonious days listening to good songs together and discussing good musical ideas when they came to mind.

Then one day it happened.

“Heeseong should start going to preschool soon.”

In November, when the cold winter wind was slowly approaching.

While we were leisurely spending the afternoon, Mother’s murmuring made the house a bit bustling.

Preschool.

From the name, it seemed like a facility that takes care of children.

‘I think they talked about this when I was 1 year old.’

That meant I would be able to see children my age.

And it would be my first social life.

‘Well, it’ll probably be the same wherever I go.’

For me with a 40-year-old ego in my head, whether they were 3 or 4 years old, they were all the same kind of friends.

“That’s true.”

“Should we try contacting a nearby place?”

“You rest. I’ll look into it.”

Father, who had been lying on the sofa, suddenly got up and headed to the music studio.

Then he brought his laptop and sat at the dining table, calling Mother over.

“Daddy! Me! Me too!”

“Sure. Son, come here. But won’t you call me Papa?”

“Hehe…”

Since I never had a father in my previous life, the word “Papa” didn’t quite stick to my tongue.

Father looked somewhat disappointed inside, but it couldn’t be helped.

Still, instead of Father, I was calling him ‘Daddy’, so didn’t that seem intimate?

I sat on Father’s lap, and our family began focusing on the small laptop screen.

“There are quite a lot more than I thought.”

Father said after searching for preschools in the internet search bar.

I had seen one or two preschools while passing by, but there were much more when looking online.

“Should we look for ones near home first?”

“There are English preschools too.”

The two were busy talking to each other, saying this one was good or that place was good.

I rolled my eyes following the direction Father moved his mouse.

Then my gaze became fixed on a certain word.

‘Huh? This place is…’

Music preschool.

Since music was in front of preschool, it seemed like they focused on teaching music.

I tapped Father’s arm to confirm if my judgment was correct.

“Hmm? Son, what’s wrong?”

“Daddy, this one.”

“Let me see. What, there was a music preschool near our house?”

“Really? Let me see.”

Like a true musician couple, as soon as they saw the words music preschool, they began examining it as if enchanted.

“Hansul Preschool? There was a place like this near our house?”

Father tilted his head as if puzzled.

Looking further, it said they had newly opened a few years ago and were recruiting students.

Every time Father scrolled down with the mouse, my expression began to be filled with more and more rapture.

‘I can play such big pianos…?’

The photos on Hansul Preschool’s homepage showed as many as 5 large grand pianos.

Of course, we had a piano at home too, but since it was an electronic piano, I had been feeling somewhat disappointed.

There was also an upright piano, but unfortunately Mother had sold it.

Besides that, I could also see small upright pianos and instruments like violins, trumpets, and acoustic guitars.

‘Does this mean I can play those pianos if I get in here?’

I absolutely had to get in.

I was blinded by the thought of being able to play piano to my heart’s content from a young age.

However, reality wasn’t so easy.

“Aptitude test…?”

Father muttered while looking at something.

“It seems we need to take an aptitude test?”

Aptitude.

In other words, it could also be called talent.

‘But do they give such tests to 4-year-olds? Does this mean it’s not an easy place?’

Father began slowly reading the notice that was posted.

“It says they recommend on-site visits? It seems they do aptitude tests along with consultations.”

“Then, should we go tomorrow right away?”

“Good. I’ll call later to say we’re coming to visit.”

Father and Mother said that and began looking into other preschools as well.

But my mind was already filled with that preschool.

‘Whatever test it is, I’ll pass it.’

I clenched my small hands tightly and made a resolution.

That day in early November was passing by like that.

***

The next day, I woke up earlier than anyone else.

I was slightly nervous at the thought of taking a test, but it was still okay.

Because I had knowledge from my previous life.

Still, I planned to overcome the test with my own strength as much as possible.

Because I wanted to reduce my parents’ troubles.

“Heeseong, let’s wash your face with Mommy.”

“Yes!”

After washing my face and having a simple breakfast, time had already passed 11 o’clock.

Our family hurriedly prepared to go out and got into Father’s car.

“Well, let’s go.”

The car began moving along with Father’s humming.

And at the same time, music began playing softly.

Mother always said she was bored when riding in the car and played music through the Bluetooth speaker.

The mood and genre of music changed every day, so it was fun to listen to.

Today’s music was classical.

Mozart’s Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Variations.

‘Mm. It really is a good song.’

Humming the melody of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star variations while looking around the street, I had arrived at the preschool before I knew it.

“Wow….”

I couldn’t help but admire the exterior of the preschool I saw through the window.

The phrase ‘Hansul Preschool’ embedded in the large building’s exterior wall looked both rustic and sophisticated.

Even after getting out of the car, my admiration for the building didn’t stop.

“It looks like a high school.”

“Right. It’s as big as the school we attended, isn’t it?”

I held both of their hands tightly while looking up at the building.

“Daddy, hurry!”

“Alright, let’s go.”

Father said with a pleased smile.

The interior of the preschool building we entered was one surprise after another.

I didn’t know what kind of facility a preschool was supposed to be, but how should I put it—it was incredibly sophisticated.

As the three of us stood blankly at the building entrance, admiring the interior, someone spoke to us.

“How may I help you?”

I turned my head toward the sudden voice and saw a young woman standing there.

From the cute apron she was wearing, she seemed to be a preschool teacher.

Father continued speaking calmly despite being flustered.

“Ah, I made an appointment for a visit consultation over the phone yesterday.”

“Are you perhaps Mr. Yoon Young-hoon?”

“That’s correct.”

“Then could you follow me? I’ll guide you to the principal’s office.”

The young teacher kindly guided our family with a pleasant smile.

Then our eyes met directly.

She who made eye contact with me smiled brightly and said in a raised voice.

“Hello! What’s your name, friend?”

I was happy that she asked me politely instead of speaking casually to me, who was much younger.

Whenever I took walks around the neighborhood with my parents, local kids and students would ask casually like ‘Hi?’ or ‘How old are you?’

‘I kept thinking “these young ones?” ….’

To her polite question, I also answered in a bright voice.

“I’m Yoon Hee-seong!”

“I see! Can you tell me how old you are, friend?”

“I’m 4 years old!”

We walked while having this conversation.

Then suddenly, a small melody gently touched my ears.

Do-do-sol-sol-

‘Huh? That’s Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star?’

I could hear music as if someone was playing it.

“Oh? That’s piano music….”

I unconsciously muttered to myself at that sound.

The young teacher listened to my muttering for a moment, then spoke.

“Ah, another friend is probably playing the piano.”

Father spoke on my behalf in response to her answer.

“Another friend, you mean….”

“Visit consultations usually take a long time. So we’re watching the children for a while in the music room next to the principal’s office.”

The young teacher said that another teacher there seemed to be playing piano for them.

But strangely, they kept playing only the same part over and over.

They were stubbornly holding onto it as if dissatisfied.

As we got closer to the principal’s office, the music filled with dissatisfaction continued to be heard.

Soon we approached the principal’s office.

“It seems another parent’s consultation isn’t finished yet. Would it be alright if I gave you a tour of the preschool interior?”

The young teacher said this for us who might be bored.

Mother said okay and glanced at me slightly.

She who had been staring into my eyes suddenly smiled.

“Could you possibly look after our child?”

“Of course! I’ll let the other teacher know. Could you wait just a moment?”

Mother said okay and knelt down to meet my eyes.

She brushed back my fallen hair and said.

“You wanted to play piano, didn’t you? You can fool Dad, but you can’t fool Mom.”

“Umm….”

Oh no, was I found out?

Mother must have seen me continuously looking toward the music room.

“Our son is mature, so you can stay quietly without crying, right?”

“Yes!”

Mother smiled as if proud and patted my head.

I also answered with a happy heart.

I did want to play piano, but I didn’t directly say I wanted to play.

That was natural.

It would trouble the young teacher, and making requests wasn’t something I was used to.

“Could you come this way?”

Having apparently finished talking to the other teacher, the young teacher approached.

She said she could look after me and guided me to the music room.

“Son, have fun playing.”

Father only said that.

He didn’t say things you’d typically say to a young child like don’t cry or don’t fight with friends.

At his words to just enjoy playing piano, I responded with a happy smile.

Creak-

The music room door opened and another teacher inside smiled and said.

“Please come in!”

As I entered the music room with the other teacher’s bright voice.

‘Wow!’

There was a large grand piano there.

– Ting-♪

And a girl much smaller than the piano was playing it.

‘Oh, she’s good.’

I took off my shoes and slowly approached the piano.

While also appreciating the unknown child’s performance.

However, perhaps my presence was disturbing.

– Bang-!

The girl struck the piano hard.

Then she slowly turned her head to look at me.

“What are you?”

She was a child with long black hair and slightly droopy eyes.

I was slightly flustered by her prickly and blunt tone.

But who was I?

To me, who had lived an adult life once, a child’s prickliness was just cute.

“Me too piano.”

“Piano?”

The child stared intently at the piano once, then whipped around to look at me.

And spoke in a slightly more relaxed tone than before.

“Do you know how to play piano?”

“I’ve been playing since I was a baby?”

“Really? Then, try it!”

Saying that, the child moved their body to make space on the piano chair.

I didn’t refuse and sat down next to the child.

“Hehe, thanks!”

Originally, a piano chair would be small enough space for an adult to fully occupy.

But for two small children, the piano chair had more than enough space.

‘Wow, how long has it been since I’ve seen a grand piano…’

I slowly caressed the keys of the grand piano.

My leisurely touch, as if savoring the moment, eventually stopped and struck a single note.

Do-♩

And so my performance began.

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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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