Gulp!
Leah's throat trembled greatly. Her eyes were bloodshot, but her gaze never left the VCR. Day turned into night, and she had been sitting in the editing room for hours. Documentaries are divided into scenes that need to be edited and scenes that need to be highlighted. But.
"It's so much fun."
That was the problem. The days at Chapel were filmed using surveillance cameras. In the past, there was nothing to salvage, so I was worried. Since sensitive musicians gathered together, the cameras only captured the sight of them playing the violin day and night, not to mention their interactions. However, this year was different.
"Steamed, steamed chicken?"
Doesn't it feel like watching a teen drama? Of course, Kang Hyun is definitely at the center of the drama. A kid from the East. Aside from his small stature, he had a charisma that captivated the audience. He was as charming as when he played the violin. Especially in the scene where he comforted William who was crying, it was hard to tell who was the older brother and who was the younger brother.
Anna, who is from Russia, also follows Kang Hyun well. She treats him like an older brother. Strangely, her appearance catches the eye.
'The director was right!'
Jjambbap wasn't something to be taken lightly. There was a reason why he chose an unknown young child among the many newcomers. As a certain master said, if the second round of judging videos were released, the music industry would be excited, and if he were to show his days at Chapel, there would be a lot of interest in Kang Hyun. That was when.
For a moment, Leah's eyes widened.
In the scene where Kang Hyun in the VCR corrects the violinists' posture, something amazing happened. After the posture changed, the tone of the performance that followed immediately changed strangely. The other newcomers rushed to ask for help in this magical series of events.
"her."
It was such an amazing scene that I couldn't even exclaim in admiration. They were people with strong musical pride. Moreover, they were competitors who were about to compete. But now, it seemed as if everyone was of one mind. Through Hyun.
Gulp.
What on earth is that kid?
*
"How did you know?"
What should I say in answer?
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5.
A symphony I had often heard in my past life, but I had never memorized the score, let alone seen it. An orchestra with five strings. Can you believe it? The dissonance I felt in the midst of these numerous chords caught my ear. When I couldn't answer right away, Eden smiled brightly instead.
"Come down quickly, we need to say hello to the members."
I hurried down the stairs on my short legs.
"Are you really 14 years old?"
It wasn't a lie, since I was 14 years old in Korean age. The orchestra members all looked at me with curious eyes. It seemed like they couldn't have imagined that a young kid like me would be on the final list. Moreover, hadn't I shown an unbelievable sight before?
"Hyun, is this your first time collaborating with an orchestra?"
"Yes, Maestro."
Eden looked at me with a strange gaze.
"Isn't it better to experience it for real than to listen to theories? You can freely tell us the melody and conducting flow you want while practicing."
When I picked up the illusion, exclamations of admiration erupted here and there. Even Eden's eyes could see the ripples. For a moment, the red curtains, bathed in moonlight, fluttered.
Collaborating with an orchestra was a dreamlike continuation of time. It felt like a grand stream of water was moving toward me. I was surprised by the grandeur of the melody that I was feeling for the first time, but the bow and strings were in constant contact.
"That's strange, you really do look like someone I know."
Eden looked at me with a gaze that seemed to be reminiscing about the past.
"What part would you like to change?"
They are all members with outstanding skills. However, the collaboration was different. The flow of the score interpreted by the violinist could be different from what they thought. Eden treated me comfortably so that I would not feel burdened. Naturally, as if I was dealing with a beloved grandchild. I immediately received a red pen and the score from Eden. Soon, I suggested a correction for the 5th string section with a red pen without hesitation.
*
'It's amazing, really.'
I could not have imagined that the person who solved the puzzle after decades would be so young. Usually, instead of giving the correct answer, he would be busy expressing his subjective impressions. What about his performance skills? I couldn't take my eyes off him the whole time he was conducting. It's been a long time since I felt like this.
"Here you go, Maestro."
The revised score made Eden doubt his eyes. Because it found all the problems he had felt without fail. It wasn't that the members' pitches were wrong. It was just the difference in interpretation between the orchestra and the violinist. How could he notice something like this at such a young age?
"Hyun, you really were born with it."
Even the conductor's talent.
The humble appearance of slightly lowering his head as if to say no made me doubt his age. What kind of master is crouching inside that child's body? I also wondered if the rumors going around Brussels were true.
That Mozart was reincarnated.
* * *
"How do you feel when the recital is over?"
It's a complex and subtle question.
"Can I say it feels like a sweet candy melts in your mouth?"
I have been playing the violin for decades, but this feeling I get when a solo recital ends has never changed. Rather, it seems to become more intense as time goes by. I don't know why this heart that pursues endless melodies becomes more passionate as I get older. Maybe it's because I met that child.
"Mr. Hirose, I've heard rumors that there's someone in Brussels who has a letter of recommendation from you. Is that true?"
Hirose nodded briefly without hesitation. Tanaka swallowed hard at the sight. It was something he had not said when they had interviewed him about Brussels the other day.
"Are you aware that this person is on the final list?"
Hirose expressed his agreement with silence.
"Did you know that I also own a Stradivarius 'Fantasy'?"
Hirose's expression changed at the word fantasy. His calm eyes were trembling, showing that he was quite surprised. However, a faint smile soon appeared on his lips. Stradivarius is a violin with a soul, and it must have traveled a long way to find its master, connected by a red thread.
"Mr. Hirose, you said you're going to take a break after this recital. What do you plan to do first?"
"I'm thinking of taking a flight to Belgium this evening."
Tanaka's eyes widened at the mention of Belgium. The reason she was looking for Belgium was all too obvious. Now it was time to find out whether the rumors floating around the classical music world were true or not. Tanaka pretended to be quiet and then opened his mouth.
"Mr. Hirose, is that person who participated in Queen Elizabeth your disciple?"
Has the Queen of the Present ever taught anyone before, so this recommendation letter has become even more of a topic of conversation. And now that she is heading to Belgium herself, Queen Elizabeth's final competition is famously open to outsiders.
At that moment, Hirose's white hair rippled.
"friend."
It was a short word but it had a lot of meaning.
*
Eight days is not a long time.
Moreover, for those who had to pursue endless melodies, it must have felt like a fleeting moment. As the last day approached, I felt that I had become much closer to them. Rather than everyone being about to compete, they were busy helping each other as if they were preparing for a splendid finale. Of course, I was the busiest among them.
"Come on, let's eat dinner!"
Eric, who looked like a Viking, shouted loudly. It seemed like he was the one on duty tonight. There would probably be salmon or pickled herring. It was a menu that always appeared on days when Eric was on duty. It was enough to add credibility to Joseph's claim that Eric had been a bear in his past life.
"Huh? This is."
It was a crimson stew.
"That's right, I tried making the steamed chicken that Hyun made."
Somehow, he had written down a recipe before, and it looked similar. Except that the potatoes, carrots, and chicken were all cut into large pieces, similar to Eric's size. He could take out the chicken and cut it with a knife. But the taste was pretty good. Is it true that people with big hands cook better?
"Anna, why are you so sad?"
To Daniel's question.
"I got scolded by the Maestro, I was so nervous that I made a mistake."
Anna answered with her characteristically tearful expression. By the way, was Eden the one who scolded people? I didn't know because she always had a smiling face.
"Maestro Simeon was originally known for being strict. No wonder he was called the red-haired witch when he was young. I also get quite nervous whenever I play the violin in front of the Maestro."
It seemed that the Maestro was stricter than I thought. Not only William, but even Zhang Yan agreed. I looked at Anna's weeping face.
"Anna, don't worry too much. You'll be fine."
"Oh, thank you. Hyun."
Anna nodded with a proud expression. Eric, who was holding a whole chicken leg and tearing into it, added.
"I don't know who's the older sister and who's the younger sister."
After a hearty dinner, everyone headed to the practice room to play their violins. Now that the final competition is right around the corner, everyone has practiced hard, even reducing their sleep time. Thanks to this, the melodies in Chapel are endless day and night.
The full moon is visible.
Square, square, square.
The sound of leaves falling and rustling pierced my ears.
The cool autumn breeze swept past my cheek. At times like this, it would be a shame to stay in the practice room and play the violin. In front of the chapel was a large garden, and the bushes were emitting a strange energy under the soft moonlight. I carefully took out my violin.
Under the fluttering full moon,
Jiying.
The melody of fantasy resonated. Sometimes the bow and strings met without pause, showing off their speed and splendid technique, and at other times, they showed a languid and slow melody like the breathing of a puppy. Accompanied by the sound of the wind and insects.
Jiing―!
As I pressed the bow string hard, a fish swimming in the pond jumped up with a lively high note. I thought I understood why Chapel is called a mecca for violinists. I could concentrate only on the melody as if I had returned to a time when there was nothing. How much time had passed? Before I knew it, the dusk was fading away. My whole body was damp as if I had been hit by a heavy rain. Didn't my arms hurt? No matter what, it was nothing compared to the happiness I felt now.
That was when.
In the blazing dawn.
Again!
The sound of clear footsteps was heard.
Thump thump thump.
Through the hazy mist, clear horns suddenly appeared. The bushes that had been swaying in the wind stopped moving all at once, and its true form was gradually revealed through the darkness. It was a white deer. However, the halo was so mysterious that I thought I was dreaming. In the blazing dawn, a pure white deer approached me. Its eyes were filled with an indescribable energy, as if they contained nature.
That moment when my heart was pounding like crazy.
"Hyun, have you been playing the violin until now? Outside?"
I heard a sound from behind. I turned my head and saw Anna standing there blankly. There was a worried look on her face. It must be because I played the violin outside all night. By the way, what on earth is this deer?
uh?
I turned my head forward again, but the pure white deer from before was nowhere to be seen. Only fish were leisurely swimming under the pond. The bushes were swaying again as if nothing had happened. On my last day in Chapel, I encountered another illusion. Like a mirage for a moment.