Chapter 27: Becoming the Older Brother of a Top Star

"Ugh... It's so difficult."

Yuna stopped pressing the piano keys with her hands.

"Why? Not going well?"

"Yeah. It's too hard. My hands feel stiff, and I can't even press the keys properly."

It's been a week since we came to Professor Lee Jang-won's lesson room.

Today, we came here to practice on our own without the professor.

The professor gave us a master key so we could come and practice freely whenever there were no lessons.

That's why we came here to practice together.

"The professor also seems worried because I'm not doing well."

However, unlike me, Yuna's skills haven't improved much.

She struggled with the guitar, and now it's the same with the piano.

'She definitely has a good aura.'

From the moment Yuna started pressing the piano keys, her overflowing aura clearly showed that this child has incredible talent.

However, it's strange that her skills don't improve at all.

'Maybe I'm missing something?'

I tried to manipulate Yuna's aura.

Then, the pink aura that was shimmering in the air flowed through my body via my hands.

'The aura is the same.'

Nothing has changed.

It was still Yuna's unique, beautiful, warm, and sweet aura.

So, what's the problem?

With this level of aura, she should be able to learn the piano without any issues.

"I guess I don't have a talent for music."

Yuna let out a depressed sigh and slumped.

I chuckled and patted her shoulder.

"It's okay. Everyone finds it difficult at first."

"But you're so good at it, right? I want to be good too."

"Well, that's because I'm naturally good at everything."

Yuna slapped my back with her palm, looking exasperated.

"Wow, really! How did my brother become like this?"

"Ouch, Yuna. As I always say, such intense reactions are not good."

"Then you should be more careful with your words."

"I have to be shamelessly proud in front of you. Who else would I be proud in front of?"

Yuna glared at me for a moment before saying,

"I'm a good sister, so I'll tolerate it."

Even though she said that, I'm only half-talented.

I need to continuously absorb the aura and practice.

But Yuna,

"Still, there's one thing I can say for sure."

"Hmm?"

"You have more talent than anyone else."

This child's talent is real.

Unlike me, she doesn't need to absorb someone else's aura to improve.

"You just haven't realized it yet. If you keep practicing, you'll eventually reach a threshold, and everything that was blocked will suddenly break through."

Yes, don't overthink it.

Playing an instrument is all about repetition.

Only through repeated practice can you improve.

Besides, it's only been a week, right?

Of course, it seems like she's learning much slower than others, but her aura is more massive and beautiful than anyone else's.

And the most important thing is,

"If you really can't do it or if it's not fun, you can just stop."

I don't want to force her to do something she can't or doesn't enjoy.

Just let Yuna do what she wants to do.

That's what I hope for.

"I don't want to."

But Yuna's reaction was firm.

"Hmm?"

"Are you going to do it without me? I like playing the piano too!"

That's a relief.

Actually, I thought coming to the lesson room alone would be very lonely.

"Psst. Still, you need to improve. If you keep this up, the professor might only teach me and leave you out."

I know from Professor Lee Jang-won's expression.

When he teaches me, he always has a warm smile, but when he teaches Yuna, he looks like he's in a panic, unsure of where to start.

"Yuna, try playing. I'll watch from the side."

"Ugh. Don't make fun of me if I can't play, okay?"

"It's fine. I already know you can't play, so what's the point?"

"Damn."

"Got it. I won't make fun of you, so try playing."

I sat next to Yuna to figure out what the problem was.

Yuna was learning a very basic piece from Czerny 100.

Ding~ Ding~

Clearly, she was pressing the keys with her fingers, but it sounded like a guitar with poorly tuned strings.

How do you even do that?

This... this might be a talent in itself.

"Hey, that face! I'm watching everything."

"Hmm? What kind of face did I make?"

"Like the professor, you look like you're watching a gorilla."

"No, no. Not a gorilla. And you should focus on the piano, not other things."

But your hands are really stiff.

You're using a lot of force.

I started massaging Yuna's shoulders.

"Okay, Yuna. Relax. Whether it's sports or an instrument, the first step is to relax your shoulders."

"Okay."

"Good. Try pressing the keys in this state."

Ding-ding!

It's much better now.

I massaged her shoulders a few more times and had her press the keys.

At first, she couldn't even move from one measure to the next, but now she's moving smoothly.

"Wow! I've never been able to move so smoothly to the next measure."

"Keep going, Yuna."

"Okay!"

Yuna started playing the keys enthusiastically.

When she used too much force, I gave her a gentle reminder, and she slowly and smoothly pressed the keys, playing the notes on the sheet music one by one.

"..."

Now I'm the one who's surprised.

"What? You're playing well."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Why did you pretend you couldn't play before?"

"No, I really didn't know how to play. My mind went blank, but now it's working strangely. Maybe it's because you're teaching me?"

"The professor would teach you better than me."

Right then,

Yuna's aura, which had been just swirling, started to bloom brightly.

'This is like Hongdae...'

The scene I saw during the Hongdae busking is unfolding here.

Yuna's aura, like cherry blossoms in full bloom, is filling the practice room.

Is that why?

"Hmm. I'm starting to get a feel for it?"

"Really?"

"Yeah. How do I describe it? It's like being down 2-0 and then suddenly turning it around to 3-2."

I couldn't help but laugh at Yuna's unique metaphor.

I doubt anyone else would compare their feelings to soccer.

"What? Why are you laughing?"

"It's funny. Anyway, you've learned how to play, right?"

"Yep. Watch me."

Compared to the strange key sounds she was making before, she's playing much better now.

What's the reason for this sudden improvement?

"How's it going? Playing well?"

"Yeah. You're suddenly playing so well. At this rate, you'll master this piece in no time."

It's a beginner's piece, and at this speed, she'll master it quickly and move on to the next one.

"I guess I need to be taught by you."

"Hmm?"

"Since I started playing well when you taught me, maybe I should learn the guitar from you too? I still can't play the F chord."

Now that I think about it, I've never taught Yuna an instrument directly.

I just left everything to the teacher.

I thought it was better that way.

'But is it really related to me?'

But the aura's reaction and Yuna's improved skills suggest that it might be.

"From now on, I'll learn from the professor first, and then from you."

Whether it's the synergy effect of the aura or something else, it's all good.

"Sure. I'll teach you everything."

I'm satisfied just knowing that I can help improve Yuna's skills.

###

"Yuna, what happened over the weekend?"

Professor Lee Jang-won, who had been looking at Yuna as if she were a new species during the lesson, blinked.

Yuna shrugged and crossed her arms.

"Hem. This is my level, Professor."

"Haha. Really. Annoyingly, the kid who couldn't even play 'Do Re Mi Fa So La Si' is now playing so well?"

"I didn't play 'Do Re Mi Fa So La Si' annoyingly."

"Should I have recorded a video earlier? I should have posted your poor piano skills on NewTube."

Professor Lee Jang-won muttered, sounding regretful.

Then he called me, who was watching Yuna with a smile.

"Yun-seong."

"Yes?"

"Since we're talking about NewTube, when are you going to post a new video? It's been quite a while, hasn't it?"

It's been 10 days since we last posted a video.

Meanwhile, the views have already surpassed 1 million and are now heading towards 2 million.

"Professor, you watch our channel?"

"Of course! I still watch it sometimes when I think about it. I knew you guys sang well, but it's still amazing to watch. So, hurry up and shoot the next video."

I didn't expect the professor to push us to make the next video.

"Sure. And actually, I have something in mind."

"Really? What song this time?"

"Our first original song."

At the mention of an original song, Professor Lee Jang-won looked surprised.

"Hmm. An original song. That's not easy. You're learning piano from me and starting to learn composition, but it's not easy to be good at it from the beginning."

The professor continued seriously.

"Right now, I'm teaching you harmony, which is really difficult and complex. But I'm teaching it because it's the foundation of composition. I highly value your talent, but composition isn't easy. There are strict rules, and if you break them, the song will sound strange."

As Professor Lee Jang-won said, composition is a more complex world than I thought.

It's not just about randomly picking chords; there are rules, and creating a song within those rules is composition.

"Still, it's not bad to try once for practice. Knowing the theory is important, but the most important thing is this."

The professor tapped his head with his finger.

"Inspiration. Creativity is the most important. So, try making one. I'll watch you."

Actually, I can create a song right here and now.

I can even compose a beautiful classical piece.

That's because of Professor Lee Jang-won's aura.

But if I do that, I'll end up creating a song in Professor Lee Jang-won's style.

In other words, it might not be a song that suits Yuna and me.

So,

'I need to create a song that suits Yuna and me.'

And I already have an idea.

A song that fits us perfectly.

"So, have you thought about the theme of the song?"

"Yes, I have."

"Really? What is it? Romance? Breakup? Or dreams and hope?"

"No."

To the curious Professor Lee Jang-won, I smiled and answered.

"Chicken."

Chapter 28