Sometimes, I find myself thinking about this.
What if, in my previous life, I had made the choice to start my career as a composer a year earlier?
Would I have ended up enrolling at Seolhwa High School then?
‘Probably not.’
After all, the prestigious reputation of Seolhwa High School comes with ridiculously expensive tuition and fees.
In fact, just getting admitted might have been a challenge.
The entrance competition at Seolhwa High School was notoriously fierce.
Back then, while I was studying piano under my sister, could I have passed the entrance exam at Seolhwa High School?
‘Maybe if I had just focused all my efforts on the written examination, I might have managed.’
The Seolhwa High School entrance exam consists of a written test and a practical test. The written exam counts for 30%, while the practical exam makes up a whopping 70%.
The conclusion is that the practical exam, which reveals a student’s talent, is the most important. However, dismissing the written exam altogether is not wise.
Ironically, though, most people tend to give up on the written exam.
This is because it is supposedly as difficult as the exams for a prestigious science high school.
So, isn’t it more efficient to prepare for the practical exam instead of studying for the written one in the time available?
“Most people think that way and end up failing at Seolhwa High School.”
My sister enthusiastically began explaining about her current school, Seolhwa High School, immediately after I announced that I intended to enroll there and came into my room.
Oh, and Baek Ye-rin was just an extra listening in on the conversation.
Now that I think about it, this kind of setup has been happening more frequently lately.
Usually, both of them are usually busy with their activities. However, since RT Entertainment announced that they would be taking a break until the end of the year, their schedules have considerably lightened up.
As a result, naturally, I’ve found myself with more days off, which is why we’re spending our early evenings chatting in my room like this.
But why specifically my room?
Just as I was thinking that, my sister continued speaking.
“Anyway, it’s better to prepare for both the written and practical exams. Unless you’re absolutely certain you’ll ace the practical exam.”
“Hmm… By any chance, do you know what the practical exam for the Contemporary Music Department involves?”
“That’s all clearly posted on the school’s website, so it’s fine.”
According to my sister, the practical exam for the Contemporary Music Department is divided into two categories depending on the major.
For those majoring in composition, you select one instrument of your choice and perform an original song using that instrument. After the performance, you must also explain your original composition—what inspired you, the themes behind it, and such.
For the vocal majors, it’s simpler: they only need to perform one song of their choice.
However, because they only assess the vocal performance, it’s said that the evaluation is extremely stringent.
“So, in the end, whichever path you choose, you’ll have to sing.”
“Why? Aren’t you confident in my singing?”
Reflecting on it, my sister did have a point—she had never actually heard me sing.
A wry smile unconsciously appeared on my face.
Not that I lack all confidence…
Objectively speaking, I know I don’t possess talent on the level of Baek Ye-rin or my sister.
But still…
“Your song was amazing.”
Since earlier, Baek Ye-rin, who had been quietly listening in on our conversation, interjected, saying that she thought my song was incredible.
…I instinctively knew there was no falseness in her words.
And Baek Ye-rin’s confident remark piqued my sister’s interest, her expression lighting up as she spoke.
“What, have you heard it, Ye-rin?”
“Yes, there were a few songs you personally did guide recordings for and let me listen to. By my standards, they were all fantastic.”
“Oh, then let me hear them too!”
“No way. I’m absolutely not showing them to you.”
“Why?! If Ye-rin says it’s good, that’s good enough, isn’t it?”
“Maybe he’s shy?”
“Aha. That must be it.”
Baek Ye-rin and my sister smiled warmly at each other.
Watching them like that, I felt inexplicably drained.
Why can’t I get proper rest in my own room…
Why does Baek Ye-rin sincerely compliment my singing…
I was lost in thought when my sister yawned and got up from my bed.
“I should probably leave now. You get the hint, right?”
Turning to look at me and Baek Ye-rin in turn, she said this.
Yes, I agree with that.
I was also getting sleepy. I’d actually prefer it if they left soon.
Ryu Won sighed inwardly.
Even after his sister, Ryu Se-ah, had left his room, someone else remained.
Baek Ye-rin.
“…”
She showed no sign of leaving Ryu Won’s room.
An awkward silence filled the room, with only the two of them remaining.
Breaking the silence, Ryu Won spoke first.
“Why did you say my singing was good earlier?”
“Hm? Because it is. I don’t know about others, but personally, I think your songs are amazing. I felt that way when I heard them in the karaoke room.”
That was direct.
But to Baek Ye-rin, it was natural.
She genuinely thought Ryu Won’s songs were incredible.
After all, she had been consistently listening to them every day since then.
The songs Ryu Won had personally sent her—his own recordings.
In that sense, someday…
Baek Ye-rin wanted to hear more songs sung by him.
However, Ryu Won knew himself too well.
Unless in some special circumstances, he wouldn’t sing for others.
After hearing Baek Ye-rin’s straightforward response, Ryu Won scratched his cheek.
It was an embarrassing comment to receive, and he felt a bit apologetic toward her.
—It’s just… your song is so good. I want to keep listening to it in the future.
He had expressed the same sentiment in the past.
“Ahem!”
Ryu Won cleared his throat. Then, to prevent the mood from growing any more awkward, he changed the subject.
“Speaking of which, what are you planning to do?”
“What do you mean?”
“Are you going to attend high school?”
In his previous life, Baek Ye-rin chose not to attend high school and instead took the GED exam, because she wanted to fully focus on her activities.
Now, with so many changes from back then, what does she plan to do?
Upon hearing Ryu Won’s question, Baek Ye-rin paused to think, then smiled and replied:
“Maybe I’ll give Seolhwa High School a shot, just like you.”
“You don’t even need to use a grand word like ‘try.’ If I were the school, I’d admit you based solely on your resume.”
Ryu Won smirked as he said this.
Seeing this, Baek Ye-rin appeared slightly surprised.
“Less surprised than I thought you’d be. If I had said I was going to Seolhwa High School, I thought you’d be shocked.”
“Well, while I’m a little surprised… if that’s your choice, I respect and support you.”
Ryu Won’s words were sincere.
He merely respects Baek Ye-rin’s choices, whatever they turn out to be.
It would be no different if she chooses to enroll at Seolhwa High School.
Of course, there might be some inconvenience within the school…
But Ryu Won believed Baek Ye-rin would handle it well.
Hmm…
Perhaps.
“Both of you decided to apply to Seolhwa High School?”
“Yes.”
“Ho, that school’s going to be in chaos for many reasons.”
“It’s not confirmed yet that we’ll pass.”
At Ryu Won’s words, Kang Beom-jun chuckled.
“If you don’t pass, there’s something wrong with that school. Even if Seolhwa High’s exam is tough, do you really think you’d fail?”
“At least Ye-rin wouldn’t. But I still haven’t gained much recognition, right?”
Meaning that he would take the exam purely as Ryu Won, not Ha-on, and having his sister as Ryu Se-ah could influence the expectations placed on him.
“But does it matter? Since they’re bound to drool over a composition by you and give you maximum points.”
“The compositions Ha-on wrote would be great, sure. But I think it’s a waste to use those kinds of pieces for a high school entrance exam.”
Therefore, Ryu Won wanted to create an entirely new style of music.
A fun song that could have been composed by a high school student named Ryu Won rather than Ha-on.
“In fact, I’m here to get some advice on that.”
“Haha. What kind of urgent advice made you come to my house even on a Sunday?”
Kang Beom-jun grinned warmly.
He seemed almost Zen-like.
Indeed, as Kang Beom-jun mentioned, Ryu Won was visiting his place for advice about the practical exam. But it was more out of boredom than urgency.
“Anyway, could I borrow your guitar? And could you name a random word?”
“Why the sudden request?”
“I’ll try composing a song based on that word right here and now. It would be more fun to have a handicap like that for the high school entrance exam, don’t you think?”
“Ho, that’s the impression entrance exams have on someone like you. Let’s see, I’ll name a random word.”
Ryu Won nodded casually, and Kang Beom-jun slowly looked around.
He naturally landed his eyes on something.
A beautifully decorated fish tank sitting on the table.
Kang Beom-jun pointed to it and said,
“What about that?”
“…Goldfish?”
“Yes. Even a genius like you should struggle to create a song using goldfish as the theme, right?”
“Hmm.”
Ryu Won lightly tuned the guitar while gazing at the fish tank.
Clearly deep in thought.
Then, surprisingly, he opened his phone’s notepad and began typing something.
Kang Beom-jun could only quietly observe Ryu Won’s fully concentrated figure.
Exactly 15 minutes after Kang Beom-jun threw out the “goldfish” theme.
“Would you like to listen?”
“…You’ve already finished?”
“Yes. I’ve even come up with the lyrics and the title. Don’t expect too much though. This is aimed at a high school level.”
Ryu Won smiled slightly as he spoke.
In his view, it was a surprisingly fun topic, and since the goal was to create something relatable to high school students, he was able to write the song without much stress.
With that thought, Ryu Won slowly began playing the guitar.
The gentle and serene acoustic guitar sound, matching the movement of his fingers, gradually filled the living room.
And to that melody, Ryu Won lowered his head and began singing, following the lyrics he had written on his phone’s notepad.
Listening to the song, Kang Beom-jun was struck with the thought:
In just 15 minutes…
A song on the theme of goldfish could be spontaneously created?
“How is it?”
“Haha, it was a pretty fun song. A pure, smile-inducing kind of song, I might say.”
“So with a little more polish, it’d be good enough for the practical exam?”
At Ryu Won’s question, Kang Beom-jun nodded.
Of course.
After all, it’s a composition by a genius composer.
Even if it was made for fun.
