Chapter 51: I Became the Older Brother of a Top Star

"Teacher."

Mr. Yang Taehoon was a bit taken aback when he saw the students crowding into his office.

"Why? What's going on?"

"We heard a strange story. It seems that the person who will conduct the orchestra for this concert is not a student from our conducting department, but someone named Jung Yunseong..."

Mr. Yang Taehoon looked at them and nodded, as if he understood the situation.

"Yes, Yunseong is indeed one of the candidates."

"Really? But Jung Yunseong hasn't even learned conducting from you..."

"I taught him the basics. Besides, he also has a private tutor. However, I didn't actually choose him as a candidate to be the conductor."

The students looked confused.

"We don't have many concerts where we perform original compositions. It's quite rare, especially for first-year students. This is the first time in our school's history. So, having Yunseong, who knows the composition best, by your side will help you learn a lot."

"Oh..."

"To conduct, you need to understand the piece well and grasp its meaning. If you don't, even the best orchestra will end up in chaos. You know that, right?"

Just as a commander's ability is crucial in the military, a conductor's skill is equally important in an orchestra. No matter how skilled the members are, if the conductor is incompetent, the performance will be a mess.

"Actually, I didn't choose a single conductor because it's too difficult for you at this stage. Originally, we select 6 to 10 first-year candidates and have them lead the orchestra together through discussion."

"Then, why did you include Jung Yunseong?"

"To help you. To be honest, Yunseong's musical talent is far better than you think. The teachers didn't suggest performing a first-year student's composition lightly."

Is it that good?

Seeing the teachers, who are known for their high standards, acknowledge this, it must be something extraordinary.

"Of course, Yunseong will also learn a lot by working with you. After all, an orchestra is a team effort. So, take this opportunity to learn as much as you can. Understand?"

"...Yes."

It was hard to argue with such a well-reasoned explanation.

But that doesn't mean I'm going to back down.

"Then, who will end up being the conductor?"

"Hmm. I need to think about it more. You can decide among yourselves."

"Among ourselves?"

"Yes. If you think someone is the best fit, you can choose them."

The students exchanged glances.

They seemed to know without asking.

If there were a vote, each would likely vote for themselves.

* * *

'This is intense.'

The moment I entered the auditorium, the temperature difference between the back and the front was stark.

The conducting department students in the back looked like they were about to burst into flames, while the front was as fresh as a spring day.

"Wow, Yunseong. So this is the piece you composed?"

"I was eager to see it myself."

"Wow. The melody from the very beginning is insane?"

"How did you even create such a piece?"

The students selected for the orchestra gathered around me, chattering excitedly.

Most of the orchestra members were female, and the conducting department students in the back, all male, glared at me with intense animosity.

"Alright, everyone, quiet."

Mr. Yang Taehoon rapped on the desk to calm the noisy atmosphere.

"Have you all looked at the score?"

"Yes!"

"Then, spend the next 30 minutes practicing while reviewing the score. We won't make much progress today, so focus on practicing the beginning part."

The students reviewed the score and played their instruments.

I sat a bit away and observed the members.

'This is intense.'

Maybe it's because they are the best from the first year.

The auras they emitted were all formidable.

Like smoke rising from a recently erupted volcano, the members were like that.

I wanted to throw myself into that rising aura and walk on the clouds.

But—

"Jung Yunseong, you should come here and join us."

"Huh?"

"Practice with the conducting department students."

"Ah, okay."

I didn't want to get too close, given the intense gazes, but Mr. Yang Taehoon, with a smile, placed me there.

"...Hi?"

"Ah, yeah."

"Hi."

I greeted them first, and they awkwardly responded.

They didn't seem like bad people.

After all, from their perspective, it's like a new stone has come and displaced the old one, so it's understandable they might feel upset.

"But, um..."

"Yeah?"

"Is this really... something you composed?"

A student with a name tag reading Kim Sangjun asked.

The teachers and students all asked me similar questions.

Is it really that hard to believe that I composed this piece?

"Yeah, it is."

"...Impressive."

"Huh?"

"To be honest, I thought it would be good, but it's even better than I imagined."

"Right. That's why the teacher asked you to conduct as well."

Their reactions were unexpected.

I thought they would be very wary, but it seems they weren't.

"By the way, how do you plan to play this part?"

A student showed me the score and asked.

He must have already studied it closely, as there were notes written all over it.

It was both touching and surprising to see someone so passionately dissect my composition.

"Ah, you can follow the score, but you can also play it with a faster rhythm. The title of this piece is 'Liberation,' so it's a part where everything that was blocked is released like a soda. You can play it more intensely."

"Oh, I see. I thought this part might be the highlight."

"I did too. So, Yunseong, how do you plan to handle this part?"

The cold atmosphere from before had now heated up.

This was probably due to the intense auras the students were emitting.

I also got caught up in the moment and enthusiastically joined the discussion.

We focused more on how to make the piece more sophisticated and refined rather than who was right or wrong.

Then, suddenly,

"..."

I met Mr. Yang Taehoon's eyes, who was observing the students from a distance.

He pretended not to pay attention to us but kept glancing our way. He then subtly gave me a thumbs up and quickly lowered his hand before anyone noticed.

Was this also unexpected?

I thought he was a very strict person.

"Alright, it seems like you've practiced enough. Let's do a full ensemble now?"

"Okay~!"

Mr. Yang Taehoon looked at us and asked.

"Who wants to go first?"

I wanted to give the opportunity to the students who had analyzed and discussed my piece so enthusiastically.

But,

Snap!

"Huh?"

Everyone pointed at me.

"Okay, then, by majority vote, let's have Yunseong go first?"

"Ah—"

Looking back, the students clenched their fists and said,

"Good luck."

"Since you composed it, you should go first."

"Right, it's only polite."

This is—

They are so cute.

Clearly, they also want to do it.

"Alright."

I walked up to the front of the orchestra.

Before I stood there, I didn't realize how different it felt.

It's like a heavy sense of responsibility.

The pressure was immense, and the baton felt heavier than usual.

But I decided to stay as relaxed as possible.

Like when I recorded in the studio.

"Let's do a light ensemble first."

"Okay~."

As I gently waved the baton, the performance began.

The piano opened the introduction, followed by the other instruments joining in.

"..."

I observed the auras emanating from the members.

At first, it seemed fine, but as they couldn't hold back and started to compete, the overall harmony began to distort.

I tried to listen through to the end, but I eventually put down the baton.

The members also stopped playing.

'This is chaotic.'

This is what an orchestra is like.

If the harmony is even slightly off, the entire balance collapses.

It's not as simple as it seems.

But there was a way to fix it.

'By observing the auras.'

I don't know how other conductors do it, but I have my own method.

I can see the auras of the members, so I know exactly which auras to raise and which to lower.

If I execute this well,

'I can expect a significant synergy effect.'

Whether this is possible or not depends solely on me.

"Let's try it again."

I picked up the baton I had put down.

* * *

"..."

The conducting department students watched in awe as Jung Yunseong handled the orchestra.

'Really, he's insane.'

The more they watched, the more this thought came to mind.

At first, they were wary of Jung Yunseong. They came with a competitive attitude, but they were initially intimidated by the score the teacher had given them.

Then, they were further impressed by Jung Yunseong's discussion about the composition and his conducting methods.

And now,

"Let's try it one more time. The violins and cellos were tangled at that part. It would be better if the cellos entered a beat faster."

"Ah, okay!"

"I understand."

Despite being a first-time conductor, his skillful handling of the members left them completely in awe.

'He's a complete monster.'

If it were me up there instead of Jung Yunseong,

I probably wouldn't even be able to speak properly and would fumble through my turn.

All the students here felt the same way.

"Let's play this part with this feeling."

Jung Yunseong not only explained but also demonstrated by playing the instruments.

Piano, violin, and other instruments.

"How many instruments can Yunseong play?"

"From the way he plays, it doesn't seem like he just learned them casually."

"Insane. He's really good at them."

This reaction wasn't limited to just the conducting department.

The orchestra members were also amazed by Jung Yunseong's performance on various instruments.

As fellow musicians, they quickly recognized the high level of his form and playing ability.

"Oops, the violin's note is wrong here? It's probably because it's the first time. Let's try it again."

His sharp ears could even detect mistakes that the players themselves didn't notice.

Moreover,

"Hmm. Let's practice this part until it's smooth. You can do it."

He was a terrifying conductor who didn't tolerate even the slightest mistake and repeated practice until it was perfect.