After roughly deciding on the practical exam piece, I was sitting across from Kang Beom-jun, tearing into some chicken, when it happened.
“President.”
“What?”
“How do you think my vocals are? You’ve heard me a lot, right?”
“They’re not all that bad.”
…Not all that bad.
It means it’s neither outstanding nor particularly bad.
But, doesn’t that apply perfectly to me right now?
Especially because it was something Kang Beom-jun said, it was even more trustworthy.
Then he smirked and asked.
“Are you trying to master vocals now?”
“No. Just the other day, Ye-rin and my sister were talking about my singing. Ye-rin said she really liked the songs I sang, which made me feel a little suspicious.”
“Still… Music varies greatly depending on a person’s life experiences and values. It’s entirely possible that someone like Ye-rin would find your songs appealing.”
“…Is that so?”
“So, you don’t have any plans to keep singing in the future?”
“No.”
To Kang Beom-jun’s question, I replied firmly.
Of course, there’s no one like the people around me who shine on stage. No such talent exists in me.
And my voice or vocal range isn’t good, either.
Besides, I already knew what my true calling was.
But.
“If a situation ever arises where my voice is needed, I do plan to sing without hesitation.”
“Oh, that’s quite encouraging. But I’ve noticed something lately.”
“What is it?”
“You seem to care less about hiding your identity.”
If I’d fully committed to concealing it, I wouldn’t have gone out on weekends with Ye-rin and wouldn’t have even attended Seolhwa High School.
I shrugged at Kang Beom-jun’s question.
I didn’t intend to deny it.
“There’s no such thing as a secret that lasts forever, is there? From the start, I never thought I could conceal my identity forever. And we’ve already achieved a certain goal, haven’t we?”
Achieving that all attention was on Baek Ye-rin at her debut, thus creating instant popularity and buzz.
Considering the status that 16-year-old Baek Ye-rin holds now, it was clear we had achieved the goal to some extent.
But also, my personality didn’t align with constantly worrying about hiding my identity.
“Still, I don’t plan to reveal it right now. It will be best to do so only when the situation demands it.”
“As far as I’m concerned, my hope is that day never comes.”
“Same here.”
Both Kang Beom-jun and I shared an exasperated look.
Clearly, that day would be exhausting.
The busiest time for the teachers at Seolhwa High School.
That would probably be from early December when the entrance exams for new students begin, to March when the new students are inaugurated.
Especially this year, with the fierce competition expected for admissions into the Practical Music department, the flagship department of Seolhwa High School.
It was most likely due to Ryu Se-ah’s performance practice video circulating online.
This year’s “Cantabile” song earned her one of the highest evaluations among all performance practice stages in history.
From a student’s perspective, it was natural to be fascinated by the allure of the stage.
In this context, it was unsurprising that Ryu Se-ah’s performance footage was prominently featured in Seolhwa High School’s new admissions promotional video.
However, the teachers at Seolhwa High School didn’t see the surge of applicants as too much of a problem.
This was because there was an even bigger issue at hand.
The teachers were seriously concerned about the application dossier of a certain celebrity.
“Baek Ye-rin? What does she even need to learn from our school?”
“Shouldn’t we be the ones receiving vocal lectures from her?”
“Probably just here for a diploma. After all, there’s no school as accommodating for activities as Seolhwa.”
Although it’s not entirely rare for active celebrities to enter Seolhwa High School, Baek Ye-rin assessed as a fully developed singer at this young age is a completely different case, isn’t it?
And it’s not just her.
“From a 1 million subscriber YouTube personality Tae-E to the youngest member of the top-three entertainment agency’s popular girl group Iris…”
“This year’s lineup is particularly impressive.”
“It’s funny how all three of them are born in the same year, isn’t it? It’s almost like fate playing tricks.”
“The conclusion is that next year’s Practical Music department will be in a golden era. Of course, their admission has yet to be finalized.”
Hearing this, the teachers chuckled.
Because unless they don’t show up for the exam or insult the teachers, they have almost zero chance of failing.
“Anyways, since all three are going to specialize in vocals, it’ll surely cause a stir among the existing students. When do they ever get the chance to work with celebrities of this caliber?”
“Of course, that would only be possible if those individuals choose them. Especially Ye-rin, who has been working exclusively with Ha-on and now has high standards.”
“Apparently, it will be hard to expect much from the existing students. Despite their relative talent, they don’t have that overwhelming aura.”
Initially, the songwriting major has always been overshadowed by the vocal department.
And it’s predicted that the gap will widen even further due to the presence of these vocal celebrities next year.
Still, the application rates for the songwriting department are at an all-time high this year. Maybe it’s worth hoping for a little.
The teachers of the Practical Music department looked forward to the admissions exam dates with a small shred of hope.
The day of the entrance exam at Seolhwa High School.
Ryu Won was heading towards Seolhwa High School, carrying a guitar borrowed from Kang Beom-jun.
With the massive number of applicants this year, the entrance exam schedules were scattered.
Of course, Ryu Won and Kim Tae-hwan had their exams on the same day.
Seeing his friend strumming the guitar, Kim Tae-hwan looked a little curious.
“What’s this? Can you play guitar too?”
“Learned it from my mentor a long time ago.”
“Mentor? Who’s that? Is he or she famous?”
“Probably.”
“What’s that ‘probably’ supposed to mean…?”
Ryu Won’s vague response made Kim Tae-hwan sigh.
Ryu Won couldn’t help but smirk on seeing Kim’s reaction.
His skill with the guitar, like the piano, was thanks to his mentor.
Was it for nothing that Ryu Won considered Kang Beom-jun as his master?
– “You said you were self-taught in everything else except piano?”
– “Yes. And I’m a little regretful. I can see where I lack.”
– “Would you like me to teach you a little?”
– “Teach me? Guitar?”
– “Sure. Just to brag a little, I’m one of the best guitar players in Korea. So, if I do teach you, it’ll be Spartan style. If you don’t meet my standard within six months, you’ll have to pay for lessons.”
– “How much is that…”
– “Don’t worry about the money. I’ll take it in kind. Consider it like being a slave to my company.”
– “Being a slave to Baek Ye-rin sounds appealing but…”
Thus, Kang Beom-jun could only be treated as a mentor to Ryu Won.
Of course, it’s uncertain if he’s been treated such in this life…
Anyway.
“By the way, I’m going to be the top student.”
“Do you have a desire for such things?”
“Feels like the minimum to stand at the starting line like my sis.”
At Kim Tae-hwan’s declaration, Ryu Won appeared a little surprised.
If Ryu Won was the type to just let things flow, then Kim Tae-hwan was more of the “live life to the fullest” approach.
Would someone like him actually start coveting academic performance?
That’s why Ryu Won looked at Kim Tae-hwan with an almost pitiful expression.
“You’ll miss the top spot.”
Ryu Won thought this for a very simple reason.
Because Baek Ye-rin was also applying this year.
For her, the practical part was almost irrelevant, and she would likely do well in the written portion too.
After all, Baek Ye-rin excels academically as well, making her a complete package…
Meaning everyone below Baek Ye-rin would just settle for mediocrity.
“Good luck… buddy.”
“Right. I have to get past Baek Ye-rin, so I need to focus as well.”
“Huh? Why does Baek Ye-rin suddenly come up here?”
“Maybe she applied to Seolhwa as well?”
“Based on what?”
“Instinct?”
Ryu Won left the rest unsaid.
The instincts of that guy were…
“Sometimes I get him, sometimes I don’t.”
Incidentally, Baek Ye-rin’s entrance exam day is tomorrow.
The rumors about her applying to Seolhwa will likely spread rapidly beginning tomorrow.
At this moment, Kim Tae-hwan, showing no signs of tension, asked Ryu Won.
“So, what about you?”
“What?”
“Did you prepare well?”
“I’ve somewhat practiced the practical part.”
“And the written test?”
“Going to do it like always.”
“Which basically means you didn’t study at all… But your regular skills might carry you through.”
“…”
In the face of Kim Tae-hwan’s factual accusations, Ryu Won had no response.
But, there was a reason he didn’t study for the written test.
He had reached a certain truth while preparing for Seolhwa’s entrance exam.
“Isn’t it that if you’re good in the practical, which is worth 70%, you can pass?”
“Um… you’re right.”
That was simply a hard truth.
Kim Tae-hwan sighed.
It was a concept most students taking the entrance exam might think of. If one doesn’t have confidence in the practical part, it’s a gamble.
But Ryu Won couldn’t be unaware of this kind of logic, right…?
In other words, it meant he had confidence in his practical skills.
So Kim Tae-hwan asked curiously.
“If you’re specializing in composition, you’ll need to perform an original song during the practical test, right?”
“Right.”
“Could you at least tell me the title of your original song?”
The title of a song has a relatively big role.
Sometimes, you can predict the quality and the vibe of the song simply from the title.
In that regard…
“<Dreams of the Goldfish>.”
Upon hearing the title of his friend’s original song, Kim Tae-hwan could only think one thing.
Hmm… This guy’s got it all figured out.
