Chapter 13

13

* * * *

He is a second-year student. The light blue name tag, which appeared slightly brighter and lighter than the dark blue ones of the third-year students, was proof of that.

"It's a light blue name tag."

"Really?"

The black-haired boy walking towards Goduhan's side, as the third-year students whispered to each other, confirmed that the rumor about a second-year student filling the gap left by Kim Maria was true. The third-year students recalled Kim Maria, who had immediately left for a German language training program after being accepted into the early admission program.

They had said to be grateful, as the competition for publication would decrease with a second-year student taking her place. It turned out to be true.

"That's the rumored...?"

However, the idea that the competition for publication would decrease because of a second-year student didn't seem to hold much weight.

"He doesn't seem like an easy opponent."

"Frankly, it's not as if anyone can just fill an empty seat."

"Would Goduhan just randomly include someone in the third-year project?"

Goduhan was a true meritocrat.

The third-year students still remembered what Goduhan said on the first day of class.

– "I hate those who only talk big. None of the smooth talkers have a good smell."

It wasn't just for show. Goduhan was genuine.

He truly valued actions and results over words and intentions. That's what they had seen over the past three years.

Goduhan suddenly brought a second-year student into the third-year project. It couldn't just be because a seat was open.

"He must have brought him because he has the skills."

"Still, if he can fill Kim Maria's spot, he must be something, right?"

Kim Maria was the weakest among the third-year students.

"Does anyone not know how Kim Maria got into Baehwa University? It was through the early admission non-practical test. She qualified because of her top grades at Cheonghua High School. If not for the Cheonghua High School brand, it would have been impossible."

This was the replacement for Kim Maria. The thought of him being a threat was a blow to their pride.

"Hey, just because Kim Maria didn't prepare for the regular admission to Baehwa University doesn't mean she can't draw."

"She's the worst among us."

"That's just among us."

Kim Maria was from Cheonghua High School, and she was a third-year student.

There were so many talented students in the practical exams that even a 100-meter radius around a third-year student would be filled with them.

The fact that a second-year student was filling the gap left by a third-year student from Cheonghua High School was impressive.

Whether he truly had that level of skill was yet to be seen, but it would become clear soon enough.

"Come on, take it out."

The third-year students' eyes gleamed.

Their eyes were like those of predators on the savannah, waiting for their prey.

"Can I take out any of them?"

Squeak.

As if an animal emerged from the underbrush, the folder opened as it was pulled down.

Goduhan nodded at the black-haired boy, Kang Seok, who was rummaging through the drawings without even looking.

"Any of the drawings you prepared today is fine."

"Understood."

Kang Seok seemed to decide to do just that, as he pulled out a random drawing.

The third-year students' faces were filled with curiosity. Was he not going to take out his best drawing?

Usually, one would carefully choose their best work, but Kang Seok didn't seem to have any such concerns. His hand pulled out a drawing without hesitation.

Before the third-year students could prepare themselves, a 4-section paper was taken out of the folder and revealed to the world.

The predators waiting for their prey. The moment the third-year students realized something was wrong, Kang Seok's drawing filled their field of vision.

"Hmm."

Similarly, Kang Seok, whose view was blocked by the 4-section paper he lifted, looked at the back of the paper with a puzzled expression.

What should I do now? Since I'm supposed to introduce myself through my drawing, is it enough to just hold it up?

Kang Seok's mind was filled with questions, but no one was there to answer them. So, he quietly looked at the back of the paper.

...

...

How long had he been standing there quietly?

Kang Seok suddenly realized that the drawing room had become so quiet it was suffocating. There were no comments or questions.

Should I say something? As Kang Seok rolled his eyes, he added a casual remark.

"My name is Kang Seok. I'm a second-year student. Nice to meet you."

"..."

"..."

There was no applause or cheers for his simple greeting. The silence was oppressive.

What's going on? By this point, it was strange. Kang Seok peeked out from behind the paper. With his head slightly sticking out, he scanned the room.

Ah.

They were sitting there, frozen like those who had directly looked at Medusa's head.

* * * *

It's him.

Yumi Ji, who had been frozen while admiring Kang Seok's drawing, suddenly realized it. This is the genius her younger sister had talked about. It was clear.

Yumi Ji, who had never missed the top spot in the sketching A class throughout her three years at Cheonghua High School, remembered the harsh words her younger sister, Yumi Kyung, had said, mocking her as someone who couldn't even compete.

It was a few days ago.

...

...

– "You're crazy. How can you draw like that?!"

Yumi Ji frowned as she watched her younger sister, Yumi Kyung, lying on the living room sofa and punching the cushion with her fists.

She was suspicious about the origin of the cushion Yumi Kyung was using as a punching bag.

– "Hey, where did you get that cushion? Is it mine?"

– "Wow! How can someone draw so well! Ah! You're crazy! You're crazy!"

– "You're the crazy one! How can you just grab my cushion and beat it up like that!"

Yumi Ji, who had been sitting like a cat, kicked Yumi Kyung's raised buttocks.

– "Ouch!"

Yumi Ji, who had watched Yumi Kyung roll on the floor, picked up the cushion.

As she was about to take it, she became curious about the person who had made Yumi Kyung so upset.

– "Hey, who can draw so well?"

Yumi Ji was also an art student. She naturally felt curious about someone who could draw well. A competitive spirit also arose, thinking they might be better than her.

– "There is someone. Someone who can draw a hundred, a thousand times better than you."

Yumi Kyung, who had been lying on the floor, put her hands together like a praying girl and looked up. She continued, blinking her eyes uncomfortably.

– "There's an incredible genius in the second year at Cheonghua High School. He draws well, is quiet, and handsome..."

– "That's nonsense."

Yumi Ji spat and went into her room.

– "You're talking nonsense."

A second-year student.

Someone who had already finished their first-semester grades and was focusing solely on practical exams for early admission couldn't possibly draw better than her, who had never missed the top spot in practical exams at Cheonghua High School.

Without even feeling sorry for her sister's crossed eyes, Yumi Ji sat back at her easel.

Although she had already been accepted through early admission, the most important human figure sketching publication project was still ahead. Yumi Ji gripped her pencil again.

'I have to catch Goduhan's eye in this publication project...'

She knew that four people would be selected for the final publication project, out of the twelve chosen from the A class, excluding Kim Maria.

For Yumi Ji, who had never missed the top spot in practical exams, this was a manageable standard. However, her goal was not just to be selected.

'I will definitely join Goduhan's studio!'

Her aim was to make a strong impression and join Goduhan's studio, which he ran.

Yumi Ji, with burning eyes, rubbed her pencil against the kraft paper.

...

...

That was a few days ago.

– "There's an incredible genius in the second year at Cheonghua High School. He draws well, is quiet, and handsome..."

Yumi Kyung's voice, filled with awe, played in her mind like a radio on auto-repeat.

An incredible genius who can't even be compared to me.

It was accurate.

The 4-section paper, depicting a person sitting in a cafe and drinking coffee, shattered Yumi Ji's arrogant pride.

The hand gripping the mug, the mouth pressing on the straw, the deflated cheeks, the nose sniffing the aroma, the slightly wrinkled nose, the eyebrows relaxing from the caffeine, the eyes showing a hint of vitality amidst fatigue.

The loosely tied hair and stray strands, the slumped shoulders, the other hand resting on the table, the buttocks pulled back as much as the chair, the crossed legs, the wiggling foot, and the dangling shoe.

The person, expressed in monochrome, was alive and moving.

In the drawing.

The person was alive and breathing in the drawing.

"Ah..."

A sigh of admiration and regret escaped Yumi Ji's lips. Could I ever draw something like this?

If she felt such profound skill and depth in a drawing by an eighteen-year-old, could she believe it? Yumi Ji bit her lip.

I lost.

This is a definite loss.

Yumi Ji admitted it. Once she admitted it, she could free herself from the grip of the drawing. She barely managed to turn her gaze away from the beautiful drawing and glanced at Kang Seok.

Yumi Ji's eyes turned to Goduhan. Becoming a member of Goduhan's studio was as important to her as her dream of becoming a sketch artist. She was especially curious about Goduhan's reaction.

And she saw it.

Goduhan was covering his mouth with his hand. However, his lips, relaxed from the tension, were visible between his fingers. He was smiling.

It was the first bright smile she had seen from Goduhan in three years.

'This is beyond expectations.'

Without even realizing that someone might be watching him laugh uncontrollably, Goduhan took off his hat.

Perhaps because the heater was set too high, the drawing room was warm. Goduhan's hair, which had been stuck to his forehead, was revealed.

He swept his hair back as if wiping away sweat and reflected on the past.

How could I not recognize such a pearl for two years? I still have a long way to go. After living with art for so long, to have such poor judgment.

Goduhan shook his head.

To only now recognize a student who can express a person's character and values in a single drawing... even if I had ten mouths, I wouldn't know what to say.

But apart from that, how should I handle this thrill and excitement? Goduhan wiped his face.

It's a jackpot.

Kang Seok was not just a pearl found in the mud.

'This is a diamond in the rough.'

I was planning to bring him into the human figure sketching publication project to compete with the third-year students and improve their skills, but that wasn't even necessary.

With that single practice piece, Kang Seok has already proven that he is at the top of the pyramid.

Should I kidnap him to the studio? While organizing his thoughts about bringing Kang Seok to the studio to complete more sketches and exhibit them in a solo show,

Kang Seok's voice reached his ears.

"Teacher."

A voice filled with annoyance, wondering how long he had to hold the drawing.

Goduhan snapped back to reality. He realized they were in the drawing room, and Kang Seok was holding up a drawing for his introduction.

Goduhan, who had been lost in thought, regained his composure.

"Oh, oh. Oh! Yes. That's enough for an introduction. Come in."

An introduction? Kang Seok, who had been looking at Goduhan with a puzzled expression, put the drawing back into the folder.

Then, from all around, the sound of people drawing in breath could be heard.

It wasn't just Yumi Ji and Goduhan who had been lost in the drawing. Everyone in the drawing room had been captivated by Kang Seok's drawing.

The drawing room, which had been wrapped in silence, burst into noise as Kang Seok's drawing was hidden again.

14. Crazy