“Five hundred million years?”
“Did they say five hundred million years?”
“It must mean that much confidence! Let’s try being quiet for a moment!”
Murmurs spread from various parts of the crowd.
The realization that the newcomer, once considered an unknown quantity like a random pebble, was actually an immensely skilled talent, inevitably drew everybody’s attention.
Sua now spoke towards the bustling crowd.
“Shall we start the performance?”
Every person present, including Ko Tae-min, Kim I-seo, and the director of AWA Entertainment—who would have otherwise criticized Sua mercilessly—now nodded their heads like fools, overwhelmed with shock.
“Performance? Ah, if Sua is agreeable, I’d be grateful.”
Such was Ko Tae-min’s rather tepid reaction.
Currently, in everyone’s minds, the excitement around “Starting Tomorrow, Crescendo” had slightly taken a backseat. They were merely captivated by the thought of Sua and Ham Ah-yoon performing one after the other.
Though skill was undoubtedly impressive, the subtle differences in how two people interpreted the same piece was where the true magic lay.
Amid all this chaos,
“Let’s start.”
Sua took a brief deep breath.
Ordinarily, a first performance would never be pure. It would be a mix of hesitation, questions about the music, fear, and other stray thoughts—a lot of unnecessary noise interfering with the immersion into the performance.
However, Sua’s expression soon became very clear, the look of someone who had cleared all disturbances and was entirely focused on the music.
And then, finally,
The flight of the bumblebee began.
…
…
…
…
…
…
A little later,
“…”
Complete silence filled the space.
In the midst of this stillness, Sua thought,
‘What am I supposed to do about this?’
It all went horribly wrong.
Well, does the bumblebee really fly this fast? No exaggeration, it felt like her fingers could snap.
One might even worry if the ten fingers could become tangled like earphones in a pocket.
‘Hey Special Ability, what the heck is going on here?’
Instantly, a response came back.
[It’s natural.]
[Experience is still experience.]
[Sua’s hands are still stiff.]
[Actual practice required.]
‘…Well, sure. Just feeling disappointed, that’s all…’
And then, right after, Sua stiffened.
It was as if, in that moment, she had seen the arctic fox form of Special Ability bare its teeth and bristle its fur. One thing was certain: Special Ability was clearly annoyed.
[Show me the script level.]
[Let me experience the script.]
[Increase intelligence.]
[Teach me the ability.]
‘Ah, got it. Just calm down, will you?’
[Already did everything for you.]
[Already did everything for you.]
[Already did everything for you.]
[Just already did everything.]
By this point, Sua too was getting angry.
‘Look, I was just asking. Why are you always reacting like this? It’s so annoying.’
Then,
“…?”
[Erase Special Ability…]
[Process ongoing, 1%…]
‘Ahh, I’m sorry. Got it. I really apologize.’
And the deletion message halted right then.
[Sua surrenders.]
[I’ll let it go this time.]
[Don’t sass me.]
‘…’
Sua’s lips pouted slightly as she bowed her head deeply.
It was a significant moment.
Why so significant? It was the exact moment when the hierarchy between Sua and Special Ability was clearly established. Surprisingly, Sua ended up lower in rank. She had indeed submitted…
It was then.
“Sua.”
Director Ko Tae-min’s voice.
Sua was finally roused from her thoughts. As her mind returned to reality, a flood of worries came rushing in. Everything had been going well until she messed up this final performance. What should she do now? She shouldn’t have agreed to perform.
She was lost in her myriad of worries when something unexpected occurred.
“Miss Sua, did you intentionally play with Kim So-hee in mind?”
“Eh?”
“I’m talking about the piano performance just now. I wanted to check if my perception was accurate.”
Director Ko Tae-min had said something completely unexpected to Sua. What? She was still stiff because she wasn’t entirely comfortable yet with her fingers.
Sua pondered how she should respond.
Then, someone else’s voice chimed in.
“Yes, it’s definitely Kim So-hee’s style.”
Everyone’s attention immediately shifted towards the voice’s owner. It couldn’t be helped. It was Ham Ah-yoon after all.
As usual, with her flowing blonde hair, she continued speaking with an unusually serious expression.
“The sheet music is perfectly ingrained in her head, but her hands are still somewhat stiff, so they can’t quite catch up. I was slightly unsure at first, but I was certain just now. It was unmistakably ‘Flight of the Bumblebee.'”
What?
While Sua was confused inside,
“My goodness, knowing how to play the piano is already surprising, but delivering a performance while embodying Kim So-hee’s role? Incredible. It never even occurred to me. Even in such a situation, you’re acting?”
“That’s true.”
And Ko Tae-min and Ham Ah-yoon continued their conversation, one that only they seemed to fully understand. Sua remained silent and listened.
Then,
“Come to think of it, Kim So-hee might suit you better than me.”
Shockingly, Ham Ah-yoon made an unexpected declaration.
Everyone was astounded.
In practical terms, it was as if Ham Ah-yoon was openly declaring that she was willing to hand over the role of Kim So-hee to Sua, yet the latter continued speaking calmly.
“I find it difficult to play that way. Deep-rooted habits in my body push me towards a perfect performance. No matter how hard I try to pretend otherwise, to intentionally play stiff or poorly, it would sound displeasing.”
“That’s true, but in Sua’s case…”
“The stiffness feels natural. The fact that her body isn’t yet completely fluent actually works as an advantage due to her theoretical perfection. It naturally reflects Kim So-hee’s savant syndrome.”
What is this? What situation is this?
But Sua’s shrewd mind quickly understood.
She hadn’t yet mastered through physical practice what she had gained from the special ability experience, yet, somehow, the stiffness suited Kim So-hui’s savant syndrome perfectly, didn’t it?
[Another reason it suits:]
[Intelligence.]
Ignoring the voice of the special ability for once,
“Hey, Sua.”
It was around that time that director Ko Tae-min called Sua again.
“We haven’t yet heard from you, Miss Sua. Is it really true? For the role of Kim So-hee… that much…”
Sua looked around at the others.
There was no longer any division among the group.
The once questioning or antagonistic gazes were gone. People were no longer divided into factions. They were all together, waiting with admiration for Sua’s answer.
So,
Sua quietly rested her hands over her chest in a crossed-arm posture.
“…I admit.”
With that, she gave a gentle smile.
◈◈◈◈◈
“…Sua! What is this about?”
Kim I-seo looked at Sua with wide eyes.
Sua blinked and thought. What is it really? Just that a favorable situation presented itself, so she quickly conceded.
The two were now located in the corner of the conference room.
The conference room was currently consumed by an unexpected fervor. The production team of “Starting Tomorrow, Crescendo” seemed to have gathered suddenly, and heated discussions began.
Sua found it surprising. Wasn’t everyone fighting just a moment ago?
Kim I-seo placed her hand on her chest.
“I’m shocked. Truly, I’m shocked.”
It showed. Kim I-seo’s eyes, fixed on Sua, looked ready to pop out and roll on the floor any moment.
Then,
“Excuse me, do you have a moment?”
It was Ham Ah-yoon’s voice.
However, three people approached Sua and Kim I-seo: Ko Tae-min, the AWA Entertainment manager, and the blonde-haired Ham Ah-yoon.
Sua blinked, wondering what this was about.
Director Ko Tae-min broke into a wide smile and began to speak.
“First of all, our deepest thanks are in order. I just finished a good chat with AWA Entertainment. The role of Kim So-hee has been very smoothly assigned to you, Sua.”
“Ah.”
“Upon closer inspection, there were some misunderstandings in the middle.”
“Was there?”
At this point, the manager of AWA Entertainment removed his baseball cap and bowed deeply, a complete contrast to his earlier demeanor. He now seemed exceptionally polite.
“My apologies. Frankly, I thought Ah-yoon’s offer was too high, so I assumed you were trying to scam us by presenting someone new. I had no idea we were dealing with a performer so well-prepared…”
“Scam?”
Kim I-seo tilted her head in confusion.
“…Ah. I can see why the misunderstanding occurred.”
Kim I-seo quickly grasped why they had misjudged after a moment’s thought. It wasn’t their fault. They had acted logically based on conventional thinking. It was simply because Sua was an extraordinary exception.
By then, Sua was curious about something herself.
“Then, shouldn’t you thank AWA Entertainment rather than me? They neatly surrendered the role.”
“No, the gratitude towards AWA Entertainment is one matter, but we have a separate appreciation for you, Miss Sua.”
“Appreciation towards me?”
“Miss Sua, I consider a piece of work like a ship that I’m building.”
Director Ko Tae-min began his words very gently. Meanwhile, Sua started to sweat down her back.
Ah, this is definitely going to be one of those complicated conversations. I don’t know anything about that!
“One oar rowing unevenly is enough to send a ship veering off course, but Miss Sua acted as the mast, uniting everyone’s hearts into one.”
“Eh…”
[Everyone’s thoughts split. Fighting ensues.]
[But then Sua proved herself.]
[Now, thoughts united. Conflict resolved.]
“…Ah! I completely understand!”
Thanks to the special ability, Sua had fully comprehended the situation.
It was then Ham Ah-yoon spoke.
“Congratulations on the role of Kim So-hee. Though, I have one question.”
“Hm?”
“When I was playing, why did you pull that expression?”
Sua quietly blinked her eyes.
Even though Ham Ah-yoon was asking seriously, Sua didn’t remember what kind of expression she had made. Did I look strange on my face? I was just amazed by how incredibly well she played.
“Hmm…”
“That kind of expression, you…”
But Ah-yoon didn’t finish her sentence.
Instead, she sighed.
“…Never mind. Alright. I’m leaving. Keep it up.”
As Ham Ah-yoon turned away with the manager, the moment came when
(!)
A notification popped up in front of Sua.
“…”
Sua’s eyes widened as she read it.
It contained shocking information about Ham Ah-yoon.
…
“…Ah, wait!”
At that, Ham Ah-yoon slightly turned her head while keeping her back toward Sua. She presented a side that could bewitch even another woman’s heart.
“Director, did you manage to find someone for Park Min-seo?”
“Park Min-seo? Not yet. But it won’t be hard. Kim So-hee is challenging, but finding someone for Park Min-seo shouldn’t be too tough…”
“Then how about if Ah-yoon takes the role?”
Everyone was taken aback by the sudden suggestion.
However, Sua was serious. She felt an intense need to keep Ah-yoon involved. Reflecting on the conversation they just had, she even found herself making such a commitment.
“Ah-yoon, would you consider it?”
“…What?”
“Ah-yoon, that expression you wondered about, I’ll recreate it for you.”
This took place just before the short film festival premiere.
