Chapter 10 of 10

Chapter 10

10 min read2,559 words

### Chapter 10: Time Solves Nothing (3)

As the sun began to set, Jong-woo and Sang-gil were together in the office.

“So... Hyun-woo said a month, but you're estimating about three weeks, right?”

“Yeah.”

They talked about the children who had passed through, and the first subject was Hyun-woo.

“He's so smart, he'll learn quickly. With his ambition, he'll probably finish before the month is up.”

Mastering Hanon in three weeks.

To a beginner, it sounded like a crazy idea, but Hyun-woo's performance gave them enough reason to expect it.

The conversation moved on to the next subject.

“What about Seong-woo?”

“He's the same as always. If anything, he seems more motivated since that day.”

By "that day," they meant the day Hyun-woo first came to this place, the day he, despite being a beginner, had outshone the two geniuses.

“I'm worried about Ye-geum.”

“Yeah, ugh.”

Sang-gil, lying on the sofa, slowly stretched.

“It seems the shock from Hyun-woo isn't having a good effect on her. It's different from Seong-woo...”

“Sit up straight, or you'll end up like this.”

With dark circles under his eyes, Jong-woo's words made Sang-gil pull his arms down.

Still, he didn't back down.

“Hey, you're tired too.”

“Even if it's just the two of us, this is still a meeting. If your posture is sloppy, everything else will be too.”

“Tsk, you're getting old. When you were young, you were kind of cute...”

“I'll kill you if you keep bringing up my height.”

The two briefly bickered, then the topic returned to Ye-geum.

“Her skills are the same. It's not that she's gotten worse... more like she's blocking herself?”

“Especially since she was so expressive... The competition is this week.”

There was no need to explain; her playing had become stiff. Although she was swayed by emotions, her once soft and flexible playing had become rigid due to the suppression of her feelings.

Even if she tried to correct it, her hands wouldn't listen.

The approaching competition schedule only made things feel more urgent.

“What should we do...”

As they pondered, time passed, and it was time for the children to leave.

Jong-woo, sighing repeatedly, was the first to step outside.

♬

The music continued to play.

Following the sound, a child was left alone in the practice room.

Peering inside, the child was still running their fingers over the keys, drenched in sweat.

Without a hint of fatigue, the interrupted playing resumed and continued.

“She's still practicing even though everyone else has left...”

Muttering to himself, Jong-woo watched, and Sang-gil added with a chuckle.

“You remind me of yourself when you were young.”

“...”

“You didn't have talent, so you practiced like a madman, unlike me.”

“...You brat.”

“How can someone with that much talent still be like this?”

In both their eyes, the young genius was reflected, the best among geniuses, a genius who worked hard.

* * *

School, home, foundation.

Despite the monotonous routine, there was one event.

The store they had contracted with their mother.

Stepping into the store that was finally theirs, the mother looked visibly excited.

“Let's put this here, and that over there...”

“Mom.”

“Hmm?”

“There's a scratch here. It's small, so maybe we can cover it with a plant or something?”

“Oh, really? Then let's put a plant here...”

Although it was a bit rushed, they were lucky to find a suitable building available.

I intended to offer advice on the store's interior design.

I'm not an art school graduate, but as a modern person, I can create a clean and tidy atmosphere.

The mother, in high spirits, patted my back proudly.

“Oh, thanks to my son, I get to be a shop owner.”

“Really? How do you feel, Ms. Choi?”

“Haha, you!”

The mother's laughter, as she playfully patted my back, made my heart warm.

In my previous life, she had also opened a side dish store, but this time felt different.

I hadn't seen her then, but...

‘This time, I'll do my best to help her.’

Rummaging through my mind, I remembered a snippet from a newspaper I had read.

An interview with a brand that became famous as a franchise side dish store, where I had briefly read about the secrets to their successful startup.

Honestly, I only clearly remember one line.

‘Good ingredients make good food.’

A basic statement, but true when it comes to food.

I had seen them succeed in localization, directly trading with farmers to use fresh and carefully selected ingredients.

This was a valid point for my mother and me.

‘It's fortunate that we live near the countryside.’

Moreover, this era had many advantages for me.

Services that were common in the future had not yet been popularized.

The era of motorcycle delivery services had not yet arrived.

Of course, beyond that,

“I'll make sure it succeeds, so your son's money isn't wasted.”

“Of course it will succeed. Whose side dishes are they?”

“Right?”

The vitality in the mother's eyes, which had always been tired and worn, warmed my heart the most.

And.

Naturally, I needed to focus on my own work.

* * *

“Brother, have a good trip!”

“Thanks.”

After school, I received Chae-won's greeting and boarded the bus to go to the bus terminal.

She insisted on seeing me off, even though it wasn't necessary.

‘Fighting’

Reading Chae-won's mouth through the window, I smiled and waved back.

Closing my eyes as the bus moved away, I felt the familiar but not soft ride of the express bus. When I opened my eyes again, I had arrived at the foundation.

More accurately, I had to walk about ten minutes from the bus stop in front of the foundation.

Arriving at the entrance.

The door opened.

There, a familiar child was getting out of a luxury car.

Yoo Seong-woo, as usual, with a blank expression, was staring at me.

I was the one who greeted first.

“Hi.”

“...Yeah.”

Every time I see him, I notice how well-fed and well-grown he is, being from a wealthy family.

Of course, he's already a tall boy, destined to be over 180 cm.

Ah, suddenly I don't want to walk with him.

But just as I tried to put some distance between us, Yoo Seong-woo closed the gap and followed.

We were close enough to hear each other's voices.

“Is your practice going well?”

“Yeah, sure.”

This kid is suddenly talking.

Moreover, with such a healthy topic.

This is the first time we've met alone, so was he actually a friendly and social child?

Yoo Seong-woo, the dictator of the piano.

The Yoo I remember was known for being picky and unpleasant, as befitting a young master. Although I hadn't seen it myself, everyone who knew him did.

So, was I misunderstanding him?

Or did his character get twisted as he grew up...

Of course, it took only about ten seconds for my expectations to be shattered.

“You that time.”

“Hmm?”

“You made one more mistake.”

At first, I was confused by what he meant, but I quickly understood.

Or rather, he made sure I understood.

“At the tenth bar—”

I repeated the explanation in my head as I listened.

This kid's competitive spirit is no joke.

Look at the malice in his eyes.

Whatever.

His father is a popular pianist, his mother a famous violinist.

His grandfather, Yoo Deok-cheol, is considered one of the first generations of classical music in South Korea.

How could the grandson of such a prestigious classical family ever be outdone by a peer in classical music?

Recalling that day, I could understand his attitude.

How hurt his pride must have been.

On the other hand, Yoo Seong-woo, having avenged himself, passed by me with a rather satisfied look.

“Young... so young...”

Pure evil, perhaps.

Young but a real troublemaker.

He had memorized that line and waited for about a week to point it out.

It gives me chills.

“Hey.”

“Hi?”

The next person was Han Ye-geum, coming out of the practice room.

She seemed to have arrived early as usual, but her messy hair showed how intensely she had been practicing.

“Hi.”

When we met, Han Ye-geum always had a cold attitude, like a first impression.

I wish she would stop peeking into the practice room, but that's a different story. I greeted her anyway.

“Is your competition preparation going well? I heard it's tomorrow.”

And Han Ye-geum's face darkened instantly.

What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?

I just mentioned it because I overheard it. This is unfair.

On the other hand, even in the frozen air, Han Ye-geum's tone was confident, or at least trying to be.

“Yeah, I'll win a prize.”

“I hope so.”

“Yeah.”

The awkward conversation ended there.

We weren't close enough to be friends, so I didn't mind.

“...I have to... I have to.”

She muttered something, but I didn't pay attention and moved on.

* * *

The competition day was approaching.

Lately, I haven't been the same, but if I start making excuses, there's no end.

The only solution is practice.

The keys felt awkward under my fingertips.

The piece I've been practicing for the competition is one I've known for a long time.

Or rather, I'm already quite familiar with it.

Yet, it doesn't feel right.

‘This isn't it.’

It's strangely off.

I keep thinking about that kid.

And those words.

‘You seemed a bit caught up in those emotions.’

It's frustrating.

He's only been playing for a short time, while I've been practicing for much longer.

To make my mother proud, to do her share, to work harder than anyone else.

♬

The melody flowed continuously.

How much time had passed?

Thirst crept up my throat, and I stood up.

I couldn't help but pass by that room. My gaze was drawn to it.

“...”

Drenched in sweat, he was more focused than I was.

It was a beautiful sight.

Or rather, it sounded beautiful. Honestly, more so than my own playing.

Even while practicing Hanon, the melody tickled my ears charmingly,

making me even more frustrated.

Especially with myself, unable to look away.

‘No.’

Han Ye-geum finished her spying and returned to her practice room. There was no time for this.

The competition was tomorrow.

No matter who appeared, I couldn't stop. I had to do my mother's share.

...