The Reborn Genius of an Arts High School - Chapter 111

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 111.
Ha Eun’s interest in Ye Ji had begun in the most direct and intense way possible.
At first, she’d attributed it to simple fear—a suspension bridge effect born of panic.
She’d been so startled that she’d nearly shattered everything around her.
But the more she reflected on it afterward, the more those overlooked details seemed to swell in her memory.
The things she’d failed to notice carefully in the moment, drowned out by that overwhelming fear.
The raw intensity that Ye Ji’s work possessed.
‘And the atmosphere seemed good too.’
A gentleness among the second-year students that was almost on par with the first-years—pleasant to look at.
Even to Ha Eun, a year below them, it seemed clear that Ye Ji was at the center of it all.
That initial interest had blossomed into genuine curiosity about her.
She didn’t engage in a wide variety of activities, but what she did pursue was unmistakably defined and substantial.
Paris, the city of art.
A Korean high school student’s solo exhibition that had captivated the stern, exacting eyes and hearts of the artists there.
Though Ha Eun hadn’t been able to attend in person, even through the screen it came across powerfully.
The way Ye Ji’s eyes and expression had halted before her own work.
She wasn’t simply a senior who painted well.
She was someone who knew how to move people’s hearts, and who understood her own place accordingly.
Not just someone who’d enrolled a year earlier, but a real senior—someone with so much to learn from!
Ha Eun steeled herself again and made her appeal forcefully.
“I know I’m nowhere near Ye Ji’s level!”
The more Ha Eun recalled it all, the more certain she became that she couldn’t miss this opportunity called the Special Class.
If she could take classes with someone like that, she’d surely gain tremendous insight.
“But that doesn’t mean I’m completely unqualified either!”
Or even if she gained no special revelation at all, that was fine too.
It was simply an idolization, vague and boundless.
For Ha Eun, merely learning in the same space as Ye Ji was meaningful enough.
“Even if I’m not quite at her level, I’ve already won this many awards in domestic competitions!”
By domestic standards, Ha Eun pointed out forcefully, she’d actually won more awards than Ye Ji.
But Ki Hun only grew more frustrated, pressing his forehead with a troubled expression.
Ye Ji didn’t need domestic competition awards.
She’d already placed in world-class competitions—so why would it be a problem if she participated in domestic ones?
For someone who’d already moved to a different league, such competitions held no necessity.
It was then.
“Um… Teacher Park.”
A voice like a savior reached both Ha Eun and Ki Hun, who’d been locked in this circular argument.
The teacher responsible for Special Class assignments had been listening to their bickering for days now.
“As it stands, the Art Department might… need to include one second-year student, I suppose?”
For more than two weeks now, ever since the first day of the new semester.
This was the moment when Ha Eun’s persistent visits to the administrative office were finally bearing fruit.
The teacher responsible for Special Class assignments scratched the back of his head as he watched Ha Eun clasp her hands together in gratitude.
“The Art Department especially… has had a lot of students refusing to take the Special Class lately.”
The phrase “especially the Art Department” carried considerable weight.
There was one exceptional genius in the current third-year art class.
Namely, Ye Ji.
Taking a select and rigorous class alongside such a student meant inevitable pressure.
What’s more, that student had maintained first place even when competing against her seniors last year.
Knowing that full well, were they really supposed to become her closest point of comparison in grading?
They might get an extra line on their academic record, but that was the only advantage.
Ye Ji was going to take first place anyway.
No one wanted to wear down already fragile confidence against such opposition.
“Besides, Ye Ji’s gotten quite close with so many students.”
If relations had been poor or distant, at least there’d be competitive spirit to draw on.
But since the festival, most third-years had built some connection with her, so the majority preferred to avoid clashing with her entirely.
They were being pushed aside one by one to the back of the line in sequence.
“At this point, it seems better to just let Ha Eun do it than wait for the next third-year in line.”
At that remark, Ha Eun silently raised her fists in triumph.
The art Special Class last year had also started with one fewer student than other departments anyway.
This time, it had to be possible too.
“Ha Eun’s not unqualified like she says, so let’s bring her in.”
Ha Eun looked overjoyed, but Ki Hun’s heart remained complicated.
Taking the Special Class purely out of admiration for Ye Ji offered little concrete merit for a second-year student.
“…You do know the Special Class has separate grading, right?”
Ki Hun warned her again, emphasizing the point.
Ye Ji last year had been an exceptional case.
For a second-year to take classes alongside third-years and earn strong grades was, practically speaking, not to be expected.
But Ha Eun already knew all that.
“That’s fine! I don’t mind!”
Ha Eun seized the opportunity without hesitation.
***
After lunch, Ye Ji was taking a walk around the playground with Da Hye.
There were plenty of female students moving about at this hour, calling it a stroll.
A commotion of voices calling out to Ye Ji reached them as they moved among the crowd.
“Ye Ji! Ye Ji!”
As expected, the source of that voice was Se Hee.
Lately she’d been busy with school duties and running around to auditions.
Yet her energy remained as vibrant as ever.
“What is it this time?”
Da Hye’s voice carried a note of gentle amusement, and Ye Ji smiled softly.
What could it be this time?
With modest anticipation, they waited, and Se Hee soon came rushing over and stopped before them.
“Starting today… the Special Class… whew….”
She was out of breath from running and could barely get her words out.
Ye Ji casually handed over the apple juice she’d been holding, and Se Hee gulped it down greedily.
‘My juice….’
After draining the bottle in practically one go, Se Hee finally caught her breath and spoke again.
“Phew, I’m alive. So you’re starting the Special Class today, right?”
“Yeah, first class this evening.”
Ye Ji nodded, looking at the empty bottle with a rueful expression.
Se Hee waved her hand dismissively, turning Ye Ji’s attention back to herself with her words.
“The Art Department has a second-year joining this time too!”
“…Really? Seriously?”
This was news even Ye Ji hadn’t anticipated, and her response was genuine.
She knew especially well, since she herself had taken the Special Class as a second-year before.
The Special Class wasn’t a good system for mixing grades.
Yet there was a second-year willing to participate anyway?
“There’s really a second-year with that kind of level? Is she famous?”
Da Hye was equally puzzled and asked immediately.
At their reactions, Se Hee answered with evident smugness.
“Well, maybe? She’s apparently won several domestic youth competitions recently.”
Da Hye shook her head as Se Hee spoke with her chin raised, her tone insufferably proud.
“But why are you acting like that?”
“Because I’m bringing you news you don’t know!”
Se Hee’s expression turned satisfied as she continued, genuinely pleased at possessing special information.
“Her name is Ha Eun.”
“Ha Eun?”
“…That name sounds familiar somehow.”
Ye Ji and Da Hye exchanged a puzzled look.
The name sounded oddly familiar, but neither could quite place where they’d heard it.
Since they didn’t often encounter juniors, it didn’t seem particularly important.
At their indifferent response, Se Hee added with a playful smile.
“Seems like she might be your fan? Maybe you’ve run into her somewhere~”
“I don’t have anything like fans.”
She wasn’t a celebrity.
A painter who’d just had her first solo exhibition couldn’t possibly have fans like that….
‘Korea’s first Montrebleu award recipient—one interview….’
‘Artist Ye Ji, do you have other exhibition schedules….’
‘Artist, please follow me back!’
Ye Ji recalled the messages and SNS comments that arrived whenever she let her guard down.
Well, maybe she did have some.
Ye Ji laughed it off lightly, but Se Hee insisted it was true.
“This class is going to be fun, right? Having a cute junior following you around!”
At Se Hee’s words, Ye Ji’s feelings grew complicated.
Being called a fan was probably an exaggeration.
But it seemed like this junior did care for her work to some degree.
Whether that would feel endearing or burdensome.
She’d only know once she experienced it.
***
Young had spent the past winter in an absolute whirlwind.
Since Ye Ji did no outside activities under the name Goyo.
It was natural that attention fell on Young, who’d worked on the project with her.
Ye Ji’s work had become a sensation primarily because of the inherent star quality of her pieces.
But it wasn’t possible to say that was all there was to it.
The know-how of Installation Art that took Ye Ji’s ideas and maximized them into reality.
Because Young’s hand had touched it, the scale could expand so dramatically.
Of course, the industry insiders who’d examined that popup closely could feel that element as well.
Because of it, exhibition proposals and collaboration offers poured in not just for Ye Ji but for Young too.
Though they weren’t particularly attractive proposals for Young.
‘There’s still something more interesting ahead.’
The value of the student called Ye Ji who’d appeared so suddenly couldn’t be confirmed just yet.
Not value quantified by mere capital amounts.
Whether she was truly the kind of presence who could provide the stimulus and enlightenment that had been missing from his life—that kind of philosophical value.
Because of it, Young had spent the entire winter trying to wrap up all that commotion.
‘At least one more time.’
He was certain that the experience in an environment like the Special Class would give him clearer inspiration.
So Young was able to return to Korea in time for the new semester.
“Hey, everyone! Hello!”
The special lecture of the Special Class, beginning anew.
With anticipation at meeting new students, Young opened the classroom door with a cheerful voice.
Truth be told, he hadn’t given much concrete thought to what to teach them yet.
Like last semester, depending on the characteristics of the students he’d be taking on….
“Hey! Are you done talking?!”
“No! Why! Are you automatically the senior just because you’re a third-year?!”
Getting along, while… learning…?
“Just because you’re one year older doesn’t make you automatically the senior! When you haven’t even had a proper exhibition!”
“Anyway it’s all connections! Why are you making such a big deal out of it?!”
He’d thought it would work out….
The sharp shouts from the classroom caused Young to freeze momentarily, as if experiencing cognitive dissonance.
Two unfamiliar female students in the classroom had their hands locked in each other’s hair.
And were shouting at each other very sharply in that state.
This was definitely not the thrilling, heart-fluttering first class scene Young had imagined.
There were two male students nearby, but even they seemed at a loss, hovering uncertainly around the fight.
They wanted to separate the two, but since each had such a firm grip on the other’s hair, they couldn’t pull them apart.
And then there was Ye Ji, regarding him with a troubled expression.
As Young surveyed the classroom, the next voice that came helped him understand the situation briefly.
“Look how hard Senior Ye Ji worked! And you’re talking about it like that?!”
“And who do you think you are to show off like that… Ugh! Let go, will you?!”
“You let go first!”
It seemed one side was criticizing Ye Ji, and the other was defending her.
This was quite an entertaining situation….
Young couldn’t hide his amusement and began watching when Ye Ji suddenly shouted.
“Please stop them!”
Right. I’m the teacher. Right.
Awakening to his role at Ye Ji’s urgent cry, Young began clapping loudly.
“Okay, okay, STOP! Enough! That’s not going to prevent hair loss. Let go and talk. Let go!”

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