Chapter 6

20-second Composition Genius, Becoming a Monster in 200,000 Seconds Chapter 6

Innate Talent (2)

My school uniform, despite being for a second-year student, had seen better days.

Even though school uniforms are cheaper than they used to be, when you add everything up, it still costs around 200,000 won, and I couldn't help but feel it was a waste.

So, I bought a second-hand uniform for 30,000 won.

It was decent when I was in first year, but now that it's been five years, it's starting to show its age.

'Can't they make school uniforms out of flour sacks?'

A scene from *Black Shoes* flashed through my mind, but only for a moment.

My uniform may be old, but it's not so worn out that a single fart would tear it, right?

This is as good as new. Yeah.

I set off for school.

For the first time since dying and returning from hell.

Fortunately, I didn't get lost on the way, just like when I came back home.

"The building is really beautiful."

Under the perfect weather, I stood at the main gate, gazing blankly at the school.

As befitting an arts high school, the exterior was quite luxurious.

Near the practice building, there were so many colorful flowers that you'd worry someone might steal them.

Not only that, the trees planted everywhere were neatly maintained every month, and there wasn't a single piece of trash to be seen inside the school.

The problem was that the students' faces were the complete opposite of the scenery.

'They all look like they're about to collapse.'

Everyone must be busy with competitions and contests. Practicing until late at night is a given. So, they must be sleep-deprived and have dark circles under their eyes.

'I was like that too.'

I didn't lack effort. Even if I got into the arts high school by luck, I couldn't have even stepped through the door without basic effort.

It's just that my efforts were misdirected, and I wasn't diligent enough to correct my mistakes like others.

I always lived with regret.

'Let's do well.'

I passed through the main gate and headed to the main building, up to the third floor.

I momentarily forgot which class I was in, but as familiar faces filled my vision, the information buried in my mind flooded back.

"Hey, Kim Do-il!"

"Kim Do-il, the public confession has begun!"

My face flushed.

'Oh right...!'

Right after returning from hell, I thought the teacher was pretty.

I was convinced that the scene in *Oldboy* wasn't a lie.

But what could I do?

'It was really a once-in-a-lifetime joy.'

Of course, that joy quickly shifted to the piano.

Still, what's done is done.

I desperately tried to think of an excuse.

"Um…."

"What! When did you start liking her?"

A girl with a short bob stood uncomfortably close.

Her eyes sparkled like a cowboy who had just discovered a gold mine in the Wild West.

"Um…."

"Um!"

"…Dreaming of dating someone I like."

The answer that my desperate brain spat out. Not bad at all!

"Someone you like…?"

"There is."

The girl, who seemed suspicious, narrowed her eyes and glared at me.

Judging by how I couldn't remember her name, we weren't that close.

I subtly checked my name tag. And, I had to desperately suppress the urge to exclaim, "Ah!"

'Yoo Rim…!'

A familiar name. While it might be unfamiliar to those not interested in classical music, I had always heard the name of cellist Yoo Rim.

After all, she's the owner of the largest classical music YouTube channel in Korea.

'I think she had over a million subscribers, right?'

While a million might not seem like much, considering the niche of classical music, it's an incredible number.

The girl in front of me will play a role in spreading classical music to the masses in the future.

"Why are you staring at me like that…?"

Of course, she has no idea, and I have no intention of telling her.

"Just thinking you have a good face."

"What…!?"

On YouTube, a good face is really important. While it doesn't affect the quality of the music, appearance does influence money and attention.

'Composers are great in that aspect.'

No one is curious, and it doesn't get in the way! The composer I became after returning from hell suited me perfectly.

Of course, right now, I'm just a high school student.

I returned to my seat.

And, the attention that had been on me quickly faded. Even if I had suddenly confessed to a teacher, it would only be this much.

If I had been a popular person, dozens of people would have swarmed me and teased me, but I was an outcast in the past.

'Sad, isn't it?'

I didn't have many friends in high school. Did I ever have many friends in my life…?

I thought I could do well on my own, but it turned out not to be the case.

There's no need to reject people or help.

Don't build walls.

I resolved to try to have a decent relationship with others this time.

And then,

"Kim Do-il."

An opportunity to showcase the amazing social skills I honed in hell presented itself!

Round glasses, a timid posture, and a familiar face. It was our class president, whose face and mannerisms were still etched in my mind.

I immediately smiled and replied.

"What's up?"

"…!"

What's wrong?

I thought I had a bright smile, but why does my face look like that?

"Did I do something wrong?"

"Huh?"

"That smile was really strange… Ah, never mind. The office called you…."

Being called to the office by teachers was a common occurrence.

Usually, it was about my home situation, whether I could go on a field trip, or my academic performance.

Given my family circumstances, it was fortunate that they cared about me in various ways.

Reflecting on my past, I thought it would be for a similar reason this time.

But the moment I entered the office and felt the atmosphere, I immediately sensed something was off.

"…"

It's cold.

Not the temperature, but the gaze.

The teachers' eyes were abnormally cold, something I had never experienced, even when they looked at a pitiful child.

"Do-il, come here."

The teacher in charge of aural training. Wasn't his name Kim Hak-seon?

I don't recall having a counseling session with him. It was always my homeroom teacher.

"Sure."

With a head full of questions, I went to the aural training teacher and sat down.

Thud.

As soon as I sat, a hand was placed on my shoulder.

"Do-il, I know very well that you work hard."

"Sure."

"I know you participate in various competitions… and that your grades aren't very good."

…It's painful, but it's true.

I compose and participate in competitions, but I've never achieved meaningful results.

'They were all monsters.'

If you expect to be treated the same way in an arts high school as you were in regular elementary and middle school, you're a fool.

Think about it. They've filtered out the 'special' ones and put them all in one place. How easy do you think it is to stand out?

It's hard.

And I couldn't do it.

'Of course, there are those who can.'

Talented individuals who shine even among a group of talented people.

Could I have been one of them?

If all the conditions had aligned perfectly….

"Sure."

I nodded silently.

"Sometimes, when you see poor results, you might go off track. Of course, it's also the teacher's job to guide you back on the right path."

"Sure…?"

I thought they just called me to encourage me to work hard.

But the conversation was taking a deeper turn…?

"Let's get to the point. The school sports festival composition contest. I'm in charge of it. Why did you cheat?"

"Cheating?"

"Your composition… or rather, the piece you submitted. Did you create it yourself?"

I looked directly at the aural training teacher.

His eyes were smiling, but the rest of his facial muscles weren't moving.

No, it felt like he was barely holding back from contorting his face.

And I immediately understood why.

Even if I was a failure, the gap between my high school self and now is immense.

With the special training I received in hell, my experience spans several decades.

I had regressed with that level of skill.

It was suspicious, of course.

"Um… of course."

"Really?"

"Yes, it's true."

But I wasn't going to lose my confidence.

It looked unnatural? Well, that could happen.

People can suddenly improve their skills after a good night's sleep, right?

I decided to be confident.

From now on, I will never show any signs of weakness.

"There was hesitation in your answer."

"I understand you already suspect me."

"No, that's…."

I could tell from his expression.

If he was really unsure, he would have taken me to a counseling room or somewhere with more privacy.

He was already convinced.

And I had to break that conviction.

"I'll show you."

"What?"

"Can I compose a piece here?"

I slightly moved my chair to face the computer at the aural training teacher's desk.

FL Studio.

A program more than sufficient to quickly extract the melody in my head.