The Genius Composer Starts Again - Chapter 53

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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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“Your current outfit must be uncomfortable, so let’s change clothes before we go.”

 

“Would that really be okay?”

 

“It doesn’t matter.”

 

It would be better for me to change clothes anyway. This dress was rented, and more than anything, I was scared of stepping on the hem every time I walked.

 

I had accidentally stepped on the front hem once or twice and nearly fell.

 

“Then let’s meet at the main gate in 30 minutes…”

 

Just as I was about to hurry back after saying that.

 

“Oh my!”

 

Someone let out a short exclamation.

 

When I turned around, a beautiful woman was standing there. I could tell immediately. Who she was.

 

“So everyone was here?”

 

A mischievous smile like a child who found an interesting toy spread across her lips.

 

Oh Su-yeon.

 

The legendary pianist and Cho Yun-je’s mother. It was her.

 

“How can you all just come backstage like this?”

 

Jeong Tae-seong let out a hollow laugh as if he found it absurd.

 

“No~. The performance isn’t even over yet, but someone left their seat. I thought I didn’t need to listen anymore either, so I came in.”

 

‘Someone’ undoubtedly referred to Jeong Do-hyun. Her attitude was quite casual. Had they been acquainted for some time?

 

“Just as I thought. You were here?”

 

Oh Su-yeon’s gaze passed over Jeong Do-hyun and flowed toward me standing in front of him.

 

Grin.

 

When our eyes met, she wore a bright smile. Her face was so beautiful that I found myself entranced without realizing it.

 

“You’re Seol, right? Nice to meet you. I’m Oh Su-yeon.”

 

“I’m Seol. It’s an honor.”

 

Oh Su-yeon was undoubtedly a living legend in this industry. To be facing and exchanging greetings with such an Oh Su-yeon like this.

 

That alone was an incredible thing.

 

“Oh my. You know who I am?”

 

“Yes. Of course.”

 

“It’s been quite a while since I retired. But I guess I’m not dead yet. How delightful.”

 

Oh Su-yeon covered her mouth and smiled broadly. It was a girlish smile.

 

“Do-hyun wasn’t scary, was he?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Do-hyun?

 

I hesitated for a moment, wondering who that was. A beat later, I realized that ‘Jeong Do-hyun’s’ name was ‘Do-hyun.’

 

Of course. I had never even thought to call him that…

 

“He may seem a bit stiff, but he’s actually quite charming, you know? Don’t be too afraid of him.”

 

Oh Su-yeon patted Jeong Do-hyun’s shoulder and laughed playfully. Jeong Do-hyun slightly frowned and avoided her touch.

 

The fact that he didn’t warn Oh Su-yeon or say anything unpleasant despite acting like that suggested they really were acquainted.

 

Amid the confusion, Jeong Tae-seong took control of the situation.

 

“Ms. Oh Su-yeon. The kids are busy, so let’s stop there and have the after-party with just the adults. Okay?”

 

“Anyone watching would think I’m bullying them. That’s too much.”

 

Jeong Tae-seong waved his hand at me while dealing with Oh Su-yeon. It was a gesture telling me to hurry inside and change out of the dress first.

 

“If you came here to fool around, go back quickly. How can you leave first when the performance is still going on?”

 

“Hmph. After hearing a proper performance, what can I do when the rest doesn’t satisfy my ears.”

 

“It’s originally a student performance, what did you expect.”

 

“Exactly. So why insert ‘that kind of’ performance into a student performance?”

 

Oh Su-yeon smiled brightly.

 

“Making people’s hearts flutter.”

 

The performance must have pleased her greatly. Her still flushed cheeks and excited voice proved it.

 

“I just couldn’t sit still.”

 

Oh Su-yeon’s gaze reached Cho Yun-je standing behind me.

 

“I wanted to see my son’s face.”

 

“…”

 

Cho Yun-je silently stepped forward. When he stood side by side with Oh Su-yeon, I realized anew how much they resembled each other.

 

Because Cho Yun-je had bleached his hair flamboyantly, I hadn’t noticed due to the different impression from Oh Su-yeon’s neat hair color.

 

But standing side by side, you could tell immediately they were mother and son.

 

“My son. You worked hard this time.”

 

“…Yes, that’s right.”

 

“Professor Jeong, I’m impressed. When I heard that the great Jeong Tae-seong was becoming a Korea University professor, I scoffed. But being an educator seems to suit you better than I thought.”

 

Oh Su-yeon laughed cheerfully while looking at Jeong Tae-seong.

 

“I was born to be an educator.”

 

“What a joke.”

 

When Jeong Tae-seong answered seriously, Oh Su-yeon burst into laughter once more.

 

“Yun-je. I watched today’s performance well.”

 

Oh Su-yeon reached out and stroked Cho Yun-je’s cheek. It was an extremely delicate touch, as if caressing a finely crafted glass doll.

 

“They say no parent can beat their child. I guess that saying is true. But until now, I had always won.”

 

“…”

 

“This time I lost.”

 

At that declaration of surrender, Cho Yun-je’s eyes widened.

 

“Let’s forget about studying abroad.”

 

“…Mother.”

 

“If it means learning together with students like these, it would have more value than studying abroad.”

 

Oh Su-yeon looked at me particularly and smiled.

 

“Let’s talk about it again after you graduate from here. You can go study abroad anytime.”

 

Oh Su-yeon neatly arranged Cho Yun-je’s slightly disheveled hair.

 

“That piece you performed today, does it have a separate title?”

 

“…The title is ‘Birth.’ But there is a subtitle.”

 

“Subtitle?”

 

“Yes. ‘From Silence.'”

 

It was a title that symbolically captured the essence of life’s birth starting from nothing.

 

And it was also the first appeal that Cho Yun-je, who had been silent for so long, was offering to his mother.

 

Proof of his existence. A cry that he could still do more. Did that earnest meaning truly reach Oh Su-yeon?

 

After hearing the subtitle, Oh Su-yeon curled up the corners of her mouth.

 

“Yes. That’s a good title.”

 

“…!”

 

That might have been the first positive response he had ever heard.

 

“Congratulations, my son.”

 

Oh Su-yeon whispered while embracing him.

 

“You finally did it.”

 

“Mother…”

 

“I’m finally proud that you’re my son.”

 

Cho Yun-je’s body stiffened instantly. Whether Oh Su-yeon knew this or not, she patted Cho Yun-je’s back and soon smiled brightly as she pulled away.

 

“Then finish up well and come out, son. We should eat something delicious today!”

 

Oh Su-yeon suddenly appeared, stirred everyone up, then left as if nothing had happened.

 

She was like a storm.

 

“…Yes. I will.”

 

Cho Yun-je let out a belated response in a somewhat deflated voice. The answer with no one listening sounded somehow pitiful.

 

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

 

How empty it must feel.

 

If you try to derive your self-worth from others’ recognition, you’ll only have to constantly prove yourself.

 

‘Cho Yun-je will probably feel something from this too.’

 

He had finally gained the recognition from his mother that he had longed for so much. Yet somehow, Cho Yun-je had a dazed expression on his face.

 

As if this wasn’t what he had wanted.

 

“Sigh. Seol is leaving, and Yun-je is leaving too. At this rate, the after-party is completely ruined.”

 

Jeong Tae-seong let out a deep sigh and muttered.

 

“What about you, Se-ah?”

 

“My parents are here too.”

 

“Oh no~.”

 

Jeong Tae-seong looked at Mun Ah-rin with a dejected expression.

 

“Ah-rin. It would be awkward if it’s just you and me eating together. Let’s look forward to the next opportunity, unfortunately.”

 

“That’s such a shame.”

 

Mun Ah-rin softened her already gentle eyes.

 

“We all worked so hard, and I wanted to talk more about the performance.”

 

Then she casually linked arms with me.

 

Huh? When I looked at her, Mun Ah-rin’s gaze wasn’t directed at me but somewhere else.

 

None other than at Jeong Do-hyun.

 

Mun Ah-rin showed signs of hesitation and contemplation, then seemed to gather courage and spoke to Jeong Do-hyun.

 

“Um, P-President…!”

 

“You mean me?”

 

“Yes, yes. Well, I know this might be rude to ask, but… could I perhaps go with Seol too?!”

 

Her face flushed red, stammering yet boldly speaking her mind. It was a sight that others might have described as ‘adorable.’

 

To me, it only felt disgusting.

 

“Seol would feel more comfortable if I came along too. Right, Seol?”

 

She even looked at me with desperate eyes. I was so dumbfounded that my lips stiffened.

 

Just as I was wondering how to handle this, Jeong Do-hyun replied coldly.

 

“No.”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

Mun Ah-rin’s eyes widened as if she never expected to be rejected.

 

“We have matters to discuss privately.”

 

Jeong Do-hyun cut her off coldly and glanced at his wristwatch again. His attitude suggested that even the time spent talking to Mun Ah-rin was precious.

 

This caused Mun Ah-rin’s face to turn cold.

 

“Then as promised, I’ll see you later.”

 

“Ah, yes!”

 

“Well then.”

 

Jeong Do-hyun only spoke to me before turning away without hesitation.

 

His attitude showed that Mun Ah-rin wasn’t even on his radar.

 

Mun Ah-rin could only watch Jeong Do-hyun’s retreating figure without saying a word.

 

Her fingertips gripping the hem of her dress had turned white.

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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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