Chapter 25

025. Comfort (2)

After finishing the conversation with Vice President Baek Sun-hwa,

I headed straight home instead of going to the studio.

Mom was surprised and asked what was going on, but she also asked what I wanted to eat, suggesting various options.

She seemed to be in a good mood.

While it's great to focus on music, I thought I should also pay attention to my parents from time to time.

After all, I am Han Seo-ho, not Brenner.

I enjoyed a delicious lunch and, for the first time in a while, chatted and helped with household chores.

Mom, knowing what kind of project I had taken on, naturally had a lot of questions.

"So, you really met the vice president of SJ Entertainment?"

Mom, who had just put the laundry basket down on the vacuumed floor, asked, her eyes sparkling. I guess I would feel the same way.

If my child came back from visiting a major corporation and meeting a vice president...

I would probably keep them up all night with questions.

I smiled and nodded.

"Yes."

"Wow, I'd probably be so nervous I wouldn't be able to say anything. How was it? Was it okay?"

Hmm...

I thought about the meeting in the vice president's office for a moment and shrugged.

"It was fine. She was just a nice aunt."

"What?"

Mom, who laughed at my calling her a nice aunt, continued.

"So, what kind of song do you want to create?"

"Since Dad isn't feeling well, I want to create a song that can comfort him."

After explaining the situation, Mom, who had been smiling, looked sympathetic.

"That's a bit sad. I thought rich families would just calculate everything among themselves, but it seems they are human too."

"That's what I thought."

I explained the situation with a calm voice, but my affection for Dad was genuine.

As I nodded, Mom silently sorted the laundry. She must have been thinking of Grandpa.

I helped and waited quietly. Soon, Mom, with a bright expression, changed the topic.

"By the way, it's quite amazing."

"What is?"

"Do you remember when we went to Europe when you were 12?"

"Of course."

I couldn't forget it.

Mom chuckled and continued.

"Right around the time we got back from the trip, Dad said you might have a talent. I was pretty casual about it then. Since Dad is into music, I thought maybe. But now you're registered with the composers' association and even getting commissions from such important people."

Mom's face showed pride.

I felt a tickle of pride too and said,

"Thank you."

"Huh? Oh, I wasn't trying to take credit. I'm just proud."

"I know. Still, thank you. For teaching me music."

Most of all...

I looked down at my hands as I folded the laundry and added,

"Thank you for bringing me into this world healthy."

"Huh? You really are something..."

After saying it, I felt a bit embarrassed, but not enough to break out in hives. I quickly finished folding the laundry.

"Phew, done!"

"Right, the laundry is done!"

"The laundry...?"

Throughout the chores, Mom's laughter never stopped.

#

After finishing the endless household chores, I am now standing in front of the piano in the living room.

I haven't sat on the piano bench yet and am looking at the photos on top of it.

Pfft. It's like looking at the evolution of humans in a textbook.

All the stages of my growth from a newborn to now are captured.

Among them, the one that caught my eye is the 12-year-old me.

In the photo, I am standing in front of an arched window where sunlight pours in. I was only half as tall as I am now, so the antique desk on the other side was completely out of sight.

That's why...

I stood on tiptoe and reached out to the desk without thinking.

"You were really lost in thought."

I chuckled at the expression in the photo.

It's understandable. Right now, I must be overwhelmed with the memories from my past life flooding in.

I stared at the photo for a while.

To try to recall Brenner's memories more vividly.

I couldn't help it. I can't just fly to Baden-Baden right now.

Then I sat down and checked the time. It's only 5 PM. Plenty of time to play the piano!

Creak.

I opened the lid and thought for a moment.

'I said I wanted to comfort.'

Vice President Baek Sun-hwa wanted this song to comfort her father, Chairman Baek Han-gil.

And I thought I could fulfill her wish by showing him the comfort I had received.

So, I needed to think.

Comfort. How can I incorporate this abstract concept into music?

After much thought, I decided to become Brenner. To completely erase Han Seo-ho.

I recalled the moments when Brenner had been comforted, one by one.

Did looking through the photos of the castle help a bit?

The images of the fireplace and windows became clearer, and so did other details.

That's how I...

Like watching the passing scenery.

Like reading a story in a movie.

I turned Brenner's memories into inspiration and stacked them in my mind.

'Sheet music...'

Since this isn't the studio, there's no sheet music on the piano.

But I didn't think it mattered.

I reached out my hands and started playing immediately.

Slowly but with clear intent, I poured out my inspiration.

It felt like someone had turned on a faucet in my head.

My fingers instinctively knew what to do.

The tempo gradually picked up.

I let my hands move freely, using the empty music stand as a mirror to observe my emotions.

It was a kind of verification.

To see if the song was coming together well.

Since I was playing it spontaneously, it was also the first time I was hearing it.

By the time I released the last note, a tingling vibration filled the air.

'...Done.'

I finally smiled, feeling the emotion I had been waiting for.

Brenner inside me had been comforted.

This was the completion.

#

Seoul Arts Center.

Professor Yun's office.

Professor Yun couldn't close his mouth as he watched Han Seo-ho sustain the final note with the pedal.

Even after Han Seo-ho turned to look at him, still immersed in the aftertaste, he remained speechless.

...Is this even possible?

It was a cliché question to ask the boy now.

Still, Professor Yun narrowed his eyes and pondered.

A song so excellent it gave him goosebumps.

But if it had been just a great song, he wouldn't have been this surprised.

"Professor?"

"Are you learning composition somewhere?"

"Huh? Oh, no."

Han Seo-ho blinked and answered.

Professor Yun inwardly sighed with relief.

Of course. It had to be.

He had told Han Gi-joon not to do such a thing.

Since the boy was learning on his own, he should be left free.

But then...

Ahem. After a brief cough, Professor Yun asked Han Seo-ho.

"This song doesn't seem to have a tonic note."

"Oh, that? It just turned out that way as I composed it."

It just happened.

Professor Yun shook his head at the absurd answer.

As expected.

The boy had figured it out on his own.

"Arnold Schoenberg would faint if he knew a beginner who had only been composing for a few months had figured out the technique he spent his life perfecting."

Han Seo-ho, who still didn't understand what was being said, looked blankly at Professor Yun, who explained.

It might not mean much, but as a teacher...

"Dodecaphony, also known as the 12-tone technique. It's the compositional technique you applied in this dedication piece. Of course, you haven't applied it before."

"12-tone technique..."

Han Seo-ho mumbled and looked back at the keys, counting with his fingers.

C─.

Pressing it firmly, he said nonchalantly,

"I just didn't want to be bound by a tonic note. There was so much I wanted to express in this song."

No tonic note.

In other words, no key.

Han Seo-ho clearly understood the freedom it provided.

Professor Yun couldn't close his mouth.

What could he do?

With that heavenly talent.

But it seemed to be a good thing, as Han Seo-ho asked with shining eyes,

"So, how did it sound?"

A chuckle escaped his lips.

What mattered to the boy wasn't the established methods set by others.

Ultimately, how the music sounded.

That was what mattered to him.

"It's a beautiful song. Flawless. It's like a story that starts in darkness and ends in light... But it might vary depending on the listener. Your song contains so many elements."

Han Seo-ho smiled, seemingly satisfied.

Professor Yun sighed.

"It feels like I'm being tested by the boy who came to test the piano."

"Ah, no. I was just curious. I wanted to know if my song worked properly."

Professor Yun, once again speechless, watched as Han Seo-ho stood up, smiling, and made a fist.

"I'll play well."

"Sure, do your best."

His tone suggested no worry at all.

But, stroking his chin, Professor Yun added with a feigned regretful expression,

"By the way... When you have time, could you record that song and send it to me? It would be perfect to listen to after Beethoven's 'Farewell.'"

His only worry now was that he wouldn't be able to hear the performance again once Han Seo-ho left.

#

Bouquets of flowers were delivered endlessly to the mansion in Pyeongchang-dong.

Several professional artists were busy decorating the already elegant garden even more beautifully.

White tables were being set up throughout the garden.

Satisfied with the transformed garden, Baek Sun-hwa moved her steps as she saw the front gate open.

A boy walked in through the entrance.

Han Seo-ho, dressed in a clean shirt, was the composer of the commissioned dedication piece and today's performer, slowly making his way up to the mansion.

Watching him, Baek Sun-hwa murmured to herself.

"It's amazing."

Such a calm expression.

She didn't expect him to be wide-eyed at the mansion, but that's usually the norm.

Due to her father's love for classical music, many performers from music schools had visited the mansion in the past. Their nervous expressions were familiar to her, making the calmness of the 17-year-old Han Seo-ho all the more surprising.

He even crossed the garden with such naturalness that anyone would mistake him for the master of the house.

Thinking back, she had been surprised for a similar reason in the vice president's office.

At first, she had wondered what to talk about with a high school student, but soon found herself naturally discussing her wishes with the composer.

He wasn't just mature; every action exuded ease, making those around him feel the same...

"Is that the boy?"

Turning at the voice interrupting her thoughts, she saw Park, her father's personal secretary, approaching from behind.

He still looked amazed after hearing about Han Seo-ho this morning.

He had just heard the songs were popular online and added them to his list.

It made sense that I had managed to secure the composer.

"Yes, that student is Han Seo-ho."

"It's really amazing that Professor Yun recommended such a young student."

Park, who has a certain level of expertise in classical music, had introduced Professor Seo Mi-wook in the past and had met Professor Yun a few times.

That's why he was even more surprised.

"I was the same. At first, I thought Professor Yun was joking."

Baek Sun-hwa's resigned voice made Park smile as he looked at the approaching Han Seo-ho.

"I'm looking forward to it."

"Me too."

Baek Sun-hwa answered slowly.

...Finally, Han Seo-ho, guided by an employee, arrived in front of the two of them.