The Genius Composer Starts Again - Chapter 98

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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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‘Since they said it’s not assigned seating… I guess this spot should be fine.’

Cho Yun-je chose a seat slightly behind the middle section with a clear view of the front. On stage, microphone testing was continuing in front of the judges’ seats.

‘From here I can see the stage well. This is good.’

It was a position where he could immediately notice if anything happened.

As he sat down and adjusted his clothes, he sensed someone urgently catching their breath beside him.

“Hup!”

When he turned his head, he saw an unfamiliar face standing in front of a seat one space away. When their eyes met, the person bowed 90 degrees in greeting.

“Ah, hello! I’m Park Hee-jae, a new freshman who just entered…!”

A freshman?

Cho Yun-je narrowed his eyes.

Park Hee-jae, with headphones around his neck and clutching a notebook, gave off more of a boyish impression than that of a young man.

Wherever Cho Yun-je’s gaze landed, Park Hee-jae showed signs of not knowing what to do with himself.

“Do you know me?”

“Yes! You performed at the freshman orientation!”

“Ah. Right.”

“Since then, I’ve been a fan! That Schumann variation you played that day – I went home and listened to it all day long. Especially when I looked up videos of Oh Su-yeon’s past performances…”

“So.”

Cho Yun-je cut off Park Hee-jae mid-sentence. If he hadn’t, the boy seemed ready to recite a full review.

“Are you going to sit there or not?”

“Ah, may I sit down?”

Park Hee-jae asked with sparkling eyes. When Cho Yun-je nodded casually, he quickly sat down as if it were some tremendous honor.

“Please speak comfortably! I’m currently enrolled!”

“Alright, then. Just call me hyung.”

Cho Yun-je leaned back against his seat and asked.

“But didn’t first-years finish their semester quite a while ago? Is your family home around here?”

“No. Mine’s way over in Gangwon-do.”

“Then why aren’t you going home? Did a friend participate here? First-years usually don’t attend these kinds of events.”

“I didn’t come to see a friend…”

Park Hee-jae smiled shyly.

“I came to see someone else. Um, I’m not sure if you know Mun Ah-rin sunbae…”

“I know her.”

Cho Yun-je spoke curtly.

“Are you close with Mun Ah-rin?”

His voice suddenly carried a sharp edge. But Park Hee-jae didn’t notice at all and frantically waved his hands.

“No! We’re not acquainted or anything. She’s just a sunbae I personally respect. She’s always kind to underclassmen too.”

Even at the hurried additional explanation, Cho Yun-je just nodded quietly.

“I see. …It’s better to keep idols as idols.”

At the ambiguous words, Park Hee-jae tilted his head. Still, unable to suppress the curiosity occupying a corner of his heart, he carefully spoke up.

“Um, but… why didn’t you participate this time, hyung?”

“Me?”

“Yes. It’s a good opportunity. Even though the schedule is a bit tight.”

Cho Yun-je chuckled and answered.

“I have other plans. It’s an arrangement my mother set up – I’m planning to hold a small recital at a small hall.”

“Wow. A solo recital? With only your compositions?”

Park Hee-jae’s eyes widened.

“Yeah.”

“Whoa. Wow, really? That’s on a completely different scale.”

“Want to come if you’re interested? I’ll give you an invitation.”

“I totally want to go!”

At that innocent reaction, Cho Yun-je let out a small laugh.

He had been momentarily wary when Mun Ah-rin’s name came up, but the boy’s disposition was so bright that his suspicious gaze completely cleared.

“Then you must be really busy right now. Did you come here today to get inspiration?”

Cho Yun-je was silent for a moment.

Of course, when he got stuck while composing, listening to other people’s pieces could be helpful for reference. They could also serve as a source and vitality for new creativity.

But actually, that wasn’t the reason Cho Yun-je had come here.

“…It’s not that.”

“Then what?”

Park Hee-jae blinked.

Cho Yun-je answered briefly.

“To see Seol.”

“Ah.”

“I don’t know if you know him. There’s someone called Seol. Among the second-years.”

“I know him.”

Cho Yun-je turned his gaze toward the stage.

“I came to see that guy.”

In a state where his hearing wasn’t working properly, Seol was trying his best to create something of his own somehow.

That persistence and determination was enough to make even Cho Yun-je click his tongue in admiration.

“I became curious about how far he can climb.”

Just then, the lights in the hall flickered once. The announcer’s voice came through the ceiling speakers.

-Distinguished guests in the audience, please take your seats…

“I think it’s about to start.”

Park Hee-jae whispered with a small smile.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Yeah.”

Cho Yun-je nodded in response.

The stage lights were gradually brightening.

***

‘System window.’

[ Duration : 01 : 33 : 49 ]

The current order was number 2.

Piece introduction, demonstration, and Q&A with the judges. It seemed to take at least 20 minutes per person.

‘There are 4 people left before my turn. 20 minutes each makes 80 minutes. Time remaining is 93 minutes…’

It was exactly a 13-minute difference.

If my order had been just one spot later, I could have performed with my hearing intact.

‘If things get delayed bit by bit in the middle, it might just barely be possible.’

But this was close to gambling. What should I do? After thinking for a moment, I called over a staff member.

“Excuse me, sorry.”

A man wearing a staff name tag who was passing by looked in my direction.

“I’m participant number 7, and would it be okay if I did one more piano check before starting?”

-A piano check?

“It was fine during rehearsal, but with the lights on, there seems to be severe reflection on the sheet music. Since I might not be able to see the music, I’d like to check beforehand.”

Using this as an excuse, I could probably buy about 10 minutes.

The staff member seemed to think for a moment, then nodded.

-Yes, I’ll mention it for you. If it’s just a quick check, it should be fine…

The staff member stopped mid-sentence and looked over my shoulder. When I turned around, Mun Ah-rin was standing there, though I hadn’t noticed when she’d arrived.

‘I couldn’t hear her footsteps.’

Mun Ah-rin seemed to have cut off the staff member’s words.

-…would there be? I’m also a piano performer.

Mun Ah-rin slipped right in between and spoke with a bright smile.

-We already checked all the angles during rehearsal, and if there’s a delay now, all the following acts will be pushed back too, right?

The staff member hesitated for a moment.

Then Mun Ah-rin looked toward me and bluntly said.

-Seol, don’t worry too much either. I’m right before you and I also use the piano, right? If there’s any problem, I’ll tell you right away. It won’t be too late to fix it then. Right?

-Ah, yes. That’s right.

“….”

Should I make some other excuse to delay for more time? Say I’m not feeling well and get the very last slot?

‘There’s no way they’d allow that.’

If the order could be changed by being unreasonably stubborn like that, everyone would have made excuses about their condition.

I might end up being called to the medical team and banned from performing.

‘What should I do….’

-Then let’s go with that plan.

Mun Ah-rin naturally wrapped up the situation. The staff member nodded in acknowledgment and left.

Only then did Mun Ah-rin look directly at me.

-Is there somewhere you’re feeling uncomfortable?

“…No.”

-Your complexion looks really bad though.

Mun Ah-rin sent me a seemingly worried gaze. But her gently curved eyes were distinct.

-Sorry for suddenly butting in. But you were acting so unlike yourself, I was worried.

Then she showed me a bright smile.

-Don’t push yourself too hard. They say managing your health is also part of your skill, but isn’t saying that a bit too harsh? It’s not like you want to be sick.

Mun Ah-rin’s touch brushed past me. She tucked my hair behind my ear, tickling my earlobe.

-Well then. See you later.

Mun Ah-rin spun around sharply.

Before I knew it, the second act had finished, as I could feel the rumbling vibration of the speakers.

But there was no sound reaching my ears. I could see thunderous applause and cheers erupting through the monitor, but my ears remained quiet.

What remained was,

[ Duration : 01 : 21 : 47 ]

Only the gradually decreasing numbers.

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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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