Chapter 5, Confronting the Illusion (1)

Chapter 5, Confronting the Illusion (1)

As the pale yellow petals dreamed of blooming, the moment of their brilliant fruition was drawing near.

Though it was still early March, the fully bloomed forsythia petals filled me with a fresh sense of hope, just as their flower language suggested.

Likewise, the day of my return to school at the age of 15 was approaching with breathless speed.

"Is it really okay to postpone the cram school?"

"Yes, it's fine."

"Starting during the semester might be harder to adapt to than starting during the break..."

I knew my mother's words made sense, but I couldn't burden her with the cost of cram school, nor did I need to.

My level was far beyond that of a beginner who would learn much from a local cram school.

All I needed was a piano and the will to play.

Mother had already provided me with that, and the piano was...

"There's a piano in the attic too."

"Are you going up there today?"

Mother smiled contentedly at my casual reply and asked, and I smiled back.

"Of course."

"Seung-young, you should thank Unnie for her kindness."

But amidst her contentment, a hint of sadness seemed to linger, as if she felt guilty.

She must have wanted to provide me with my own piano, rather than relying on someone else's.

Understanding her heart, I added with a bit more playfulness.

"Thank you, Mom."

"Huh? For what?"

"For moving to a house with a piano in the attic. It was a great move."

"Ha, what are you talking about."

Seeing the smile on Mother's face, even if only for a moment, I felt a weight lifted from my heart.

* * *

Creak.

The old iron door creaked open, and the room, bathed in moonlight through the window, came into view.

"Ah!"

At the center, a lady spectator, as always, was waiting for me.

This was about the fifth concert.

"Did you have a good dinner?!"

"Uh-huh."

"I'll play this one today!"

She fumbled and pulled out something, which, as expected, was a sheet of music.

"Huh?"

The spectator, who urged me with a bright smile, had completely forgotten about formalities.

But her innocent appearance was somehow endearing, and I couldn't help but smile.

I checked the requested piece for today. It was a piece I couldn't possibly not know.

Beethoven, Für Elise.

Beethoven, For Elise.

I had realized over the past week that Chae-won's ear was quite discerning.

Even though she seemed to pick random pieces from the music book, they were all masterpieces.

Or, should I say, she had a good eye?

While I scanned the sheet music in my hand, Chae-won muttered.

"This is the song that always plays in cars."

"..."

Right, it was a famous piece used as a car backup warning in the past.

Of course, the rigid mechanical sound couldn't capture the nuances of the piece, so it was a tragic work that had been diluted in the public's mind.

"Can't you play it?"

"No."

I smiled and put down the sheet music. It was a piece I liked, regardless of its popularity.

Not because of the simple repetition of notes, but because of the lingering aftertaste it left.

"I was thinking about how to play it."

Ten fingers on the keys.

The rigid keys greeted my hands, but I had to find the softness within.

For Elise.

The key to this piece was not the difficulty but how softly the keys were handled.

My fingers began to play freely, as if swimming over the keys.

Poco moto.

(Slightly faster, with movement)

Calm yet poignant.

As if reminiscing about a past love. A love that ultimately remained unattained.

In the dark and poignant A minor.

Do-Si-Mi.

The melody rose, swelling in my chest.

Sol-Fa-Mi-Re.

But it gradually subsided.

Fa-Mi-Re-Do.

A love that crumbled.

"Wow...,"

A sigh escaped Chae-won's lips. It was a deeply dark emotion for a mere 14-year-old girl to feel.

Yet her ears perked up.

Because it was more moving than any performance she had ever heard.

* * *

Seung-young watched the two and thought.

"Wow, Uncle!"

"Chae-won, how are you?!"

Both the welcoming daughter and the overjoyed nephew were like children.

At least the older one was doing a great job taking care of herself, which was a relief.

Her husband, standing beside her, joined in the greeting.

"It's been a while. You look much better. Have you been more relaxed?"

"Bro, don't talk about work. It's already making me anxious."

"Gift, gift~"

"Ah! That's for Dad, Chae-won. Chae-won's is here..."

The moment they arrived, the house was filled with noise, but Seung-young decided to enjoy this warm atmosphere.

It wasn't a common sight since the young master had settled in Seoul.

They decided to have the prepared meal together and catch up a bit.

"So, what happened?"

"Ha! Don't even ask, Sister-in-law."

Soon, Sang-gil's complaints began.

"They want at least three people. How can just anyone be a prodigy? And where do you find talented prodigies? What can you do when there's nothing? They just keep pushing to bring people in. Oh, how frustrating."

In short, the project he was in charge of was to discover prodigies, but he couldn't gather the promised number of people.

Given the authority of the foundation he belonged to, it was even more surprising.

The Seonhyang Art Foundation, known as the best in the country.

"Hehe. You seemed so happy to join such a prestigious foundation."

"Ah, don't laugh, bro. I thought I could retire and live a peaceful life, but it's really frustrating..."

And in the middle of their conversation, Chae-won's muttering slipped in.

"Hyun-woo plays the piano really well."

"What?"

"Hehe!"

"Who is Hyun-woo, Sister-in-law?"

Seung-young, who had figured out the situation, burst into laughter, and everyone's attention turned to her.

She was the only one who knew the truth.

Her daughter, who had been going to the attic more frequently lately, had fallen quite hard for a boy named Hyun-woo who lived on the second floor.

At first, he seemed cold, but a woman's heart is like a reed, and it seemed her daughter was no different.

She wasn't angry or upset. Although he was poor, he was a well-behaved boy who took good care of his mother.

But for it to turn out like this...

"Hehe. No, Young Master. She just plays the piano and hangs out with a boy on the second floor."

"No! It's true. He plays better than Uncle."

But the strong denial from Chae-won made Sang-gil's heart soften.

It had been months since he last visited, but how much had he done for her?

He had given her candies, gifts, and even a piano, playing for her and trying to win her affection.

The thought of his nephew's heart being stolen by a little boy named Hyun-woo was truly frustrating.

He didn't think Chae-won's words were true.

As a former pianist and now in a key position at the Seonhyang Art Foundation, he couldn't believe it.

It must have been a mediocre boy who had stolen his nephew's heart.

"Are you going to play together today?"

"Uh-huh. Do you want to listen too, Uncle?"

"Sure, let's go together today."

Although a bit reluctant, he had a plan to show the little boy the gap in their skills.

To remind his nephew of his uncle's true abilities.

* * *

My ears were itchy. No one was talking about me, though.

Mother, who had finished the dishes and entered the bedroom, asked.

"Why, are your ears itchy? Should I clean them for you?"

"Ah."

The thought of refusing disappeared. It was a good opportunity to create more memories with Mother.

"Sure, I'll clean yours too. How about it?"

"What? My ears?"

At first, Mother seemed embarrassed, but she soon nodded, perhaps thinking the same as I did.

I lay down and rested my head on Mother's lap.

Despite her age and the hardships she had endured, her body felt frail yet firm and comforting.

Thinking about it, it was truly pitiful.

Happiness was so close, yet I had lived a life focused only on unhappiness.

When there was so much I could do to make her happy and comfortable.

"Ah."

"Mother! Did it hurt?"

"No."

Even Mother's clumsy cleaning felt endearing. Though not the most refreshing, it was the warmest and most comforting ear cleaning I had ever had.

I also cleaned Mother's ears.

"How can you be so good at everything, our son~"

She praised me again, clearly enjoying the experience.

"Are you going to play the piano today?"

Her words made me smile.

"Yes."

It was a heartwarming moment, and it reinforced my resolve for this life.

* * *

The sound of another performance stopped me as I headed to the attic.

It was a performance with more skill and maturity than usual. Was someone in the attic?

"Brother!"

"..."

As expected, two people were sitting on the piano bench, waiting for me.

Who is he?

A familiar-looking man was sitting next to Chae-won.

"It's our uncle!"

Ah, they look alike.

"Hello, you must be Hyun-woo."

However, the man's smile felt strangely hostile. Was it jealousy?

It was impossible for a man I had never met to feel jealous of me, so it must have been my imagination.

"Hello."

Even my nod felt awkward, and his forced smile seemed ominous.

I had no idea what was going on.

"Chae-won said you play the piano really well."

"Eh, Uncle! When did I ever say that?"

The man's frown deepened, and he forced a smile as he spoke to me, looking even more suspicious.

"Can I listen too, maybe?"

"Play the one you played the other day!"

"Für Elise?"

"Uh-huh!"

I smiled at Chae-won's eagerness to request the piece before I could answer.

What a kid.

I let go of the competitive spirit I had felt towards the suspicious man.

It must have been my imagination.

He was probably just a bit unfriendly.

I just needed to focus on my performance. It was enjoyable in itself.

* * *

I know what people say about me.

If this kid's mental age had caught up to half his piano skills, his life would have been different.

God, in His fairness, had given the eccentric Sang-gil great piano skills but a deficient mental age.

But whether he liked it or not, he was the one who had made himself this way.

He didn't want to go against any part of himself.

Even now, this was a matter of professional pride.

He had come here with a sense of professional duty.

Not out of jealousy for his nephew's crush, but to discover a promising talent, a professional attitude!

He rationalized this to ease the frustration he felt towards his brother and sister-in-law, who always called him a "nephew fool."

Creak.

As the boy sat at the piano and adjusted the cover, he spread his fingers wide.

Like a pianist who had reached the pinnacle.

He exuded a relaxed atmosphere.

'He can mimic it quite well.'

Despite his inner thoughts, Sang-gil's eyes had become serious, and he watched the boy closely.

No matter what people said, he was also a professional pianist who had competed in world-class competitions.

A musician with a grand dream of music in his heart, that was the real Sang-gil.

Soon.

The performance began.

Für Elise.

His expectations were not high.

It was a difficult piece for a mere 15-year-old boy to convey.

If it were a piece that relied on technique, it might be different, but this required emotion.

For a boy half his age to play it well...

Sang-gil's guess was shattered the moment the performance began.

♬

It was even softer than expected. So soft that it was hard to believe it came from a young boy's rough hands.

The melody flowed so smoothly that it enveloped his body.

'Wow...'

That was all.

It enveloped him.

Then the mood of the piece changed.

Like recalling sunny days. Like the bittersweet memories of a loved one.

But it was all an illusion.

An illusion that soon faded.

A love that sang of the impossible.

And the short cadenza that followed. Each finger of the boy's hands revealed the depth of his skill.

The melody then shifted to a heavier mood. Finally.

Like a noose around his neck.

Hanging on by a thread, yet never breaking, like a poignant love.

Tightening his throat, the performance came to an end.

'My, my.'

Sang-gil had a premonition.

This project would be a resounding success, with this boy leading the way.