Chapter 38 of "Top Star's Big Brother"

"Ha-ha-ha! I told you, didn't I? You were bound to do well! Honestly, who else but you could be the top student?"

Professor Lee Jang-won's hearty voice echoed throughout the practice room.

It seemed like a voice that could pierce through any soundproofing.

"Just lucky, I guess."

"Are you being modest, or do you really not know? Do you think I don't know the school system?"

Professor Lee Jang-won shook his head.

"Those people are really something. You can't underestimate high school teachers. If they set their minds to it, they could all become university professors. In fact, many professors have left their university positions to become high school teachers."

At this, Yuna, who was sipping chocolate milk, tilted her head.

"Why? Isn't it better to just go to university?"

"Well, there are various reasons. The biggest one is probably... "

Professor Lee Jang-won formed a circle with his fingers.

"It's because of this. The pay there is incredible. Plus, as a teacher at Jeonho Preparatory School, the lesson fees are also astronomical. Everyone knows that talented people in Korea go to teach at Jeonho Preparatory School. Plus, you can expand your network without being tied to a university."

Since so many famous people have graduated from Jeonho Preparatory School, the connections made there are also significant.

"Moreover, those famous people continuously donate to Jeonho Preparatory School. It's a kind of investment. If there's someone worth it, they might even take them on."

Now I understand why the school fees are so ridiculously high and the school is so good.

There was a reason for it.

"That's why those people have a lot of pride. They are known for being very strict in their evaluations. It's also difficult to get someone in through recommendations. That's because the judges have to unanimously agree to pass someone."

"I see... "

It was a school for geniuses, where connections couldn't get you in.

"Anyway, congratulations. Lately, everything you do seems to go well. Your NewTube channel is about to hit 500,000 subscribers, right? Try to upload videos more often."

"I'm already thinking about the next video."

Due to exam preparation and other things, I hadn't uploaded a video since the last busking video.

But I wasn't in a hurry or feeling pressured to create something quickly.

After all, it wasn't a channel I created out of obligation.

"Is that so? What are you planning this time? What song are you going to do?"

Actually, I had a lot of ideas.

Yuna and I had practiced several songs.

"I have a few original songs, but I'm not satisfied with any of them."

"Huh? Really? Then let me hear them."

"Professor?"

"Yes. I'm well-versed in both classical and modern music. Don't you know how great your teacher is? I have a better ear than most producers."

That wasn't an exaggeration.

"Sure, we'd be happy if you listened, Professor."

Yuna showed a very positive reaction.

"Brother, shall we try?"

"Hmm. Which one?"

As we were thinking about which song to play, Professor Lee Jang-won waved his hand.

"What are you thinking about? Just play them all."

"All of them?"

"Why? Are there that many?"

"About fifteen songs."

"Whoa, fifteen songs? No way. You had that many songs hidden?"

Professor Lee Jang-won laughed.

"Then pick five and let me hear them."

"Sure, but Professor, these are still unfinished, so don't criticize them like you would a university student's work, okay?"

"Hey, that's my job. If you tell me not to do my job, what am I supposed to do? Expect a harsh critique."

"That's too much. Then we won't do it."

"Ah, this is all part of the learning process. You need feedback to improve, don't you?"

The professor was right.

You need constructive feedback to improve.

I planned to use this opportunity to completely overhaul the songs I wasn't satisfied with.

"Professor, you're right, Yuna. If we create songs without feedback, we'll definitely miss something."

"Ugh. I'm scared. But please be gentle."

"Sure, sure. I'll be gentle for Yuna's sake."

With Professor Lee Jang-won laughing, we sat in front of the piano.

I was going to play the piano while Yuna sang.

"Shall we start with the one we practiced yesterday?"

Yuna nodded with a smile.

I slowly tapped my foot to the rhythm and gently pressed the keys.

# # #

Professor Lee Jang-won quietly sat and listened to the two children's performance.

Since they asked for feedback, he listened as a teacher, not a fan.

He planned to remember any issues and comment after the song was finished.

However—

"What, what is this?"

Jung Yun-sung's piano playing and the melody it created.

And Yuna's voice, which naturally caressed the ears.

There was nothing to criticize.

The melody, lyrics, everything was perfect.

'Is this an unfinished song?'

Is this guy playing a joke on me?

Who would call a fully polished song an unfinished one?

"How was it?"

Before I knew it, the song was over.

Yuna's innocent face made Professor Lee Jang-won clear his throat.

"Ahem. Let's hear the next one first."

"Sure~."

While the previous song was melodic, the next one had a bouncy feel that matched the siblings' style.

The rhythm was like a Turkish march, and the voice and lyrics blended beautifully.

"How was this one?"

"......"

As Professor Lee Jang-won didn't say anything, Jung Yun-sung and Yuna immediately moved on to the next song.

'Ha. Look at these guys.'

After listening to all five songs,

"Professor?"

"Did you... finish singing?"

"Yes, but was it that bad? Your expression hasn't been good since the beginning."

"Bad?"

Professor Lee Jang-won exclaimed and jumped up from his seat.

"Hey, you guys. I asked for unfinished songs, but you're giving me fully completed ones?"

"But they're still unfinished..."

"Where do you see them as unfinished? If you post these on NewTube, people will love them."

"Really? I thought the melody was bad and the notes were off, so I was going to delete them."

"Delete them? You, you're a dangerous guy."

These were incredibly outstanding songs.

And he wants to delete them!

"The songs are perfect. There's nothing to criticize. They're ready to be polished."

Jung Yun-sung's expression, nodding his head, looked uncertain.

This guy...

"You're a perfectionist."

"Me?"

"Your brother?!"

The two were simultaneously surprised, which was amusing.

"Yes. That's what a perfectionist is. What's the problem? To me, they're already complete and sound great, but you're not satisfied, Jung Yun-sung."

"Our brother... Well, I can't speak for other things, but he definitely strives for perfection in songwriting."

I was certain.

Jung Yun-sung is a perfectionist.

I've seen many composers of this type.

But he might be a bit more malicious than them.

"Anyway, the songs you showed me today were all great. Don't delete them. Got it?"

"Hehe. Thank you, Professor."

But Jung Yun-sung's response was half-hearted.

He seemed to want to modify the songs further.

The songs were too precious, but it was his choice.

If he doesn't like them, how can I force him?

"Feedback ends here. Come to dinner tonight. I'll treat you to a fantastic... "

"Ah, sorry, Professor. It's my mom's birthday today, so I can't."

"Ugh. Why is it so hard for you guys to have a meal together?"

"Hehe. But please take us out tomorrow."

"No way. Not even a bowl of soup."

"Ah~ Professor, you're at it again."

His brief annoyance melted away at Yuna's charm.

They were a pair that couldn't be disliked.

* * *

"Mom~! Happy birthday!!"

"Happy birthday to you!"

"Dear, happy birthday~!"

Our family gathered at a high-end hotel restaurant to celebrate my mother's birthday.

The restaurant was on the top floor of the tallest building in Korea, offering a beautiful view of Seoul's night lights.

"Thank you. My little puppies."

Mom held and shook both Yuna's and my cheeks.

"Plus, our son gave the best gift for Mom's birthday."

"Huh?"

"Top student at Jeonho Preparatory School! Our son is so handsome and proud."

I smiled shyly.

"But how did you manage to reserve a table here? I heard it's really hard to get a spot."

"Don't even ask. I made the reservation a year ago. You said you wanted to come here."

"Wow, Jung Young-hoon. I'm touched."

"Hehe. I am the best husband, after all."

They were a married couple, but they also seemed like close friends.

I wanted to have the same kind of relationship with my future spouse.

A relationship where we can rely on each other comfortably and talk without any pretense.

"Go ahead and order whatever you want."

"Wow~! Then I'll have steak and pasta!"

"Sure. When will we get a chance to eat here again? So order whatever you want today."

Yuna and I ordered what we really wanted.

Come to think of it, it had been a while since we had steak and pasta.

"Phew, this is really delicious. Mom, the view here is also beautiful. Now I understand why it's so hard to reserve a table."

"Right? I finally fulfilled one of my wishes."

"Our dad did a great job today~?"

Dad shrugged and laughed.

Then I saw an opportunity and said,

"I'll go to the restroom for a bit."

Yuna followed,

"Hey! I'll go too!"

She whispered in my ear,

"Brother, did you tell them beforehand?"

"Yes, the restaurant manager gave us permission."

This restaurant is famous for live performances instead of playing recorded music. Sometimes, famous singers are invited to perform.

As we approached the counter, a man came up to us.

"Jung Yun-sung and Jung Yuna?"

"Yes."

"Hello, I'm Kim Myung-ho, the manager of L Restaurant. You reserved a piano performance today, right?"

"Yes. Can we start now?"

"Yes, we've been waiting. The previous performer just finished."

Yuna and I followed the manager to the stage.

Yuna asked,

"Do regular people perform here often?"

Manager Kim Myung-ho shook his head.

"No, you two might be the first."

"Wow, really?"

"Also, you two are quite well-known. Plus..."

Manager Kim Myung-ho smiled.

"Our owner is a fan of yours. He even came to the restaurant today when he heard you would be performing."

"Really?"

Yuna turned to me, surprised.

"Brother, what do we do? This is getting bigger."

"Right. We only planned to sing one song and leave..."

"Don't worry. Just sing as much as you want."

Well, if that's the case.

Yuna and I went up on stage.

Thanks to the staff's preparation, Yuna sat at the microphone, and a microphone was also set up in front of the piano where I sat.

"Phew."

Yuna took a deep breath and greeted the people in the restaurant with a fresh voice.

"Hello, everyone~!"

"Huh?"

"What's going on?"

"A new singer?"

The restaurant guests turned their heads to look at us with interest.

Yuna, unfazed, continued calmly.

"You might be surprised because we're not the usual performer. I'm sorry. It's my mom's birthday today, and my brother and I wanted to give her a good memory, so we're up here. Please understand if the performance is a bit lacking."

As Yuna clasped her hands together, people started to comment.

"Wow, they're siblings?"

"No way, how can they be so good-looking?"

And some people started to recognize us.

"Wait, aren't these the siblings from NewTube?"

"Oh, right! The 1-day 1-sibling, right?"

"Ah! The 1-day 1-sibling!?"

Eventually, our parents, who were sitting by the window, noticed us.

"Huh?"

"Isn't that Yun-sung and Yuna?"

From their expressions, it seemed the surprise was a success.

Now, the most important part was left.

"Yuna."

"Yes!"

I gave Yuna a signal and slowly pressed the keys as we had practiced.

Yuna, following the melody, approached the microphone and began to sing with a sweet voice.

Chapter 39