The reason why Baek Ye-rin was standing on the stage of Seolhwa High School’s auditorium.
Naturally, it was to take the representative oath for the freshmen.
Students at Seolhwa High School usually have strong egos.
Why? Because being admitted here is itself an acknowledgment of one’s talent to some degree.
But among these egotistical students, is there anyone who would oppose the current situation? Baek Ye-rin taking the oath as the representative of the freshmen?
There would obviously be no one. Except for Kim Tae-hwan, who kept muttering behind me.
Nonetheless, I believe this is a position truly suited to her, the perfect one in every way.
Simultaneously, as I observed Baek Ye-rin reading the admission oath, a faint smile involuntarily formed on my face.
She seems like someone from a different world, and yet, here I am, standing beside her now.
That fact is truly…
‘How should I describe it?’
Is it amazing? Thrilling?
It’s definitely a feeling of happiness, that much is certain.
Just as I was thinking that, someone spoke to me.
“Hey… this kid drooling over Baek Ye-rin again. Is seeing her in real life that satisfying?”
Kim Tae-hwan spoke with a teasing grin on his face.
Thinking about it, from his point of view, it must seem like I’m seeing Baek Ye-rin in person for the first time.
Then, what would be the appropriate reaction for a true Baek Ye-rin fan?
“Pretty damn nice.”
“Haha. That’s consistent, alright. But seriously, don’t confess. It’ll definitely become something you regret.”
“What… I know my limits pretty well.”
“Not really. You’re crazy, so once your gaze gets fixated, who knows what’ll happen.”
Kim Tae-hwan said this with a somewhat serious expression.
Anyone watching would probably think I’m the insane one, huh?
Anyway, following the admission ceremony…
‘Was it class assignments?’
Each grade at Seolhwa High School has a total of 8 classes.
There are a total of 6 majors, and each major shares classrooms.
For reference, representative majors like practical music use two classes, arranging students purely based on merit.
For example, first place goes to class 1, second place to class 2, third place also to class 2, and fourth place to class 1, roughly.
Of course, there are always exceptions.
“Let’s gather the key figures of the practical music vocals into one class.”
“Wouldn’t that be better? They are clearly ahead of the other students.”
“Indeed, putting them together could stimulate each other positively.”
It started with a professor’s suggestion.
Typically, when the grade advances, the school has a better grasp of student tendencies by that point, so they consider those factors during class assignments.
However, new students usually have limited information, which necessitates merit-based class assignments.
But the notable figures who entered this practical music program already had their information widely circulated.
Thus, the conversation emerged as a way to gather these notable students in one place to spark their competitiveness.
“It seems like a decent idea.”
Moreover, the negative opinions were significantly weaker than the positive ones.
There was no clear problem.
Just because the notable students have high reputations that may seem burdensome, they aren’t troublemakers.
Absolutely not.
It’s safe to say that almost none of the students from Seolhwa High School cause trouble.
Since only elites are selected and the school’s reputation is directly linked to their future activities.
In fact, except for one person, due to their busy schedules, most are highly likely not to attend school frequently.
In other words, even from the perspective of the assigned teacher, there’s not much difficulty in dealing with them.
“What do you think about the composition-focused students? If we want some balance, the top composition student should go to another class.”
The head of the practical music department glanced towards a corner of the conference room as he said this.
The quiet Shin Yu-ra, who was listening attentively, nodded her head lightly and responded to the head’s question.
“Yes. Let’s proceed with that.”
“We’ll sort the rest based on their grades.”
“Wait a moment. How about we make one more exception?”
“An exception… you mean?”
“Yes. There’s a boy who, if included, could create some interesting synergy with those notable students.”
Shin Yu-ra smiled faintly as she recalled a particular student’s original composition she’d listened to during the entrance exam.
Actually, Shin Yu-ra had thought this boy would easily secure the top spot for composition.
After all, he was the only one who scored a perfect score on the practical exam. But unlike his overwhelming practical skills, his written exam results were quite average.
Thus, he ranked 6th out of 30 composition students and was originally due to be assigned to a different class from the notable ones.
Of course, Seolhwa High School’s exam results only disclose the top two scorers to the students…
So, naturally, Ryu Won had no idea about this fact and thus thought upon seeing the class assignment results.
“What the hell? Who made this kind of arrangement?”
Currently enjoying recognition akin to a national singer, the monstrous star Baek Ye-rin, the idol Yoon Se-hee from the popular girl group Iris, and lastly, Kim Tae-hwan.
These three people were assigned to the same class?
Anyone could see that this was an obviously artificial arrangement.
Thus, Ryu Won couldn’t help but let out a bitter chuckle.
Not to mention that he himself had also been grouped into the same class.
“Why are we in the same class again?”
“Hmm… Wouldn’t it be better than sitting next to someone you don’t know from the first day?”
Kim Tae-hwan yawned peacefully and said this.
As always, he showed no signs of tension.
But I couldn’t say the same for myself.
Perhaps because of the person sitting diagonally behind me, it was impossible to feel at ease.
I slightly turned my head to look at her.
Baek Ye-rin and Yoon Se-hee were sitting side by side having a conversation.
What, when did these two get so familiar?
Well, they probably would have met frequently during their activities and naturally grew friendly.
Anyway, the fact that I’ll have to spend a year in the same class as Baek Ye-rin is truly bothersome.
sigh…
“Whose sigh? Out of character.”
“Just overwhelmed to be in the same class as Baek Ye-rin.”
“Hmm?”
It seemed Kim Tae-hwan had an expression of slight exasperation, as if he believed my words were sincere.
“Okay. Since Baek Ye-rin is good, shouldn’t you try to join that conversation?”
With that statement, Kim Tae-hwan pointed to our seats behind.
“Are you also composition-focused?”
“Yeah.”
“Then you must naturally have some compositions on SoundCloud?”
“Sure, wanna hear them?”
“Sure.”
Huh?
I was slightly startled by the conversation from behind about composition students evaluating each other’s works so soon.
I guessed they just met, but they were already critiquing each other’s music?
While I was lost in thought with a puzzled expression, Kim Tae-hwan sitting beside me explained.
“Vocalists need the right situation to show their skills, but composers can give a rough idea by showing past works.”
Kim Tae-hwan’s explanation continued.
In short, it’s like this.
Energetic high school students, all elite students gathered at Seolhwa High School.
In other words, everyone considers themselves as accomplished musicians among their peers.
Thus, every year there is an event among the new composition students of Seolhwa High School.
That is, hearing and critiquing each other’s works.
At first glance, this is a full-on battle of pride and ego.
In truth, a fierce battle within the Seolhwa High School domain where names make or break careers.
There are prodigies from prestigious music lineages who started early, self-taught geniuses who crafted their own path through various online resources and magazines, and even terrifying “demons” who rework other composers’ works into their own.
This is how these diverse individuals determine their rank through their carefully honed compositions!
‘…Did this guy recently read a martial arts novel or something?’
Still, thanks to Kim Tae-hwan’s explanation, I quickly understood the situation.
Just as I grasped the situation, someone tapped me on the back.
It was the composition students who had just evaluated their peers’ skills.
“Are you also composition-focused?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have any works on SoundCloud or YouTube?”
“No, I don’t have any there.”
The composition students sitting behind were visibly surprised by my answer.
And that surprise quickly turned into suspicion.
Isn’t it weird for a composition major not to have any works on SoundCloud or YouTube? Then how did you even get into Seolhwa High School?
Their expression seemed to imply something along those lines.
However, their reaction stopped there.
“Well.. you’re unlucky.”
“Let’s find the next target.”
As I had no songs to share, their interest swiftly moved elsewhere.
It seems my level has been determined within their circle.
“Haha, feels like I’m suddenly considered a novice among the composition majors, huh?”
Kim Tae-hwan, who had been observing the situation, chuckled and spoke to me.
Truthfully, although I don’t have any works on SoundCloud or YouTube, I do have quite a bit in music charts and on my laptop.
Yet, rather than revealing that, it’s probably more interesting to be regarded as a novice for now.
“I’ll start from the bottom. That’s all I can do.”
“Oh, so you have the heart of a challenger?”
I simply smiled tenderly in response to Kim Tae-hwan’s words.
If I seem overly confident, it’s probably not just my imagination.
