Chapter 1.3 - As if Singing 3 (2/2)

I looked at the talking students while feeling strange, but suddenly thought of a possibility.

‘Ah, they’re from Future Middle High.’

Now that I think about it, 80% of students in Future Arts High were from Future Middle High.

Future Middle School under Future Foundation.

It was also a Performing Arts school and being a lower version of Future Arts High, it was easier to enter that way.

They did not actually get bonus points but it seemed there were lots of rumours on the admission tests floating there. Besides, performing arts was a field usually studied from childhood so students that were interested would obviously start from Future Middle School.

And thus, the close ones would group together and thinking of entering those groups, the future seemed bleak.

‘But I don’t want to be alone again.’

A boy marched up the podium while I was lost in my daydreams. Short hair with an immature face. Closed eyes, grabbing on the hand of a woman.

He, who was the centre of the spotlights, emitting an elegant air on the podium. He was Kim Wuju.

‘Kim Wuju…’

It was an immature version, but the appearance resembled one I had seen on the screen and was familiar.

Familiar indeed.

The legendary tenor after 20 years, called one of the 2nd generation’s three tenors – a man revered as the Korean Pavarotti.

“…”

Why is he so damn good looking even when young?

While I was looking up with a discontent expression, the surroundings got louder.

“Why is he closing his eyes?”

“You don’t know? He’s blind.”

“Really? Wasn’t he the top student? That’s amazing.”

“Anyway, he’s so handsome.”

Now that I think about it, I was the same grade as Kim Wuju. There was too big a difference and I got nothing good out of, that I had forgotten it. In the middle of the pure admirations of the girls, a discontent voice spread out.

“Handsome? What a joke.”

No, let’s be honest, he is handsome, right?

Not being able to believe that someone had actually said that, I turned and saw a male student with a pouting face. I couldn’t really remember the face and frowned until he opened his mouth once again.

“If I didn’t have a sore throat on the day of the interview, I would’ve been first place not second.”

The students nearby quickly agreed to it.

“Shihyuk is a good singer indeed.”

“They probably gave him pity points as a bonus.”

Shihyuk… Ah I see, Jun Shihyuk, huh?

Now that I hear the name, there’s a bit of impression left from the future. A rigid face with a body already toned – Jun Shihyuk who was quite famous as a baritone. I think I remember hearing him entering Met.

Met which I couldn’t join.

“…”

What an impression.

When I raised my head back to the podium, a girl was advancing elegantly. Straight hair reaching the shoulders, and eyes looking up like a cat.

Soprano, Lee Suh-ah.

Lee Suh-ah. She was amazing as well, known as a soprano great enough to be grouped together with Kim Wuju as a set. Those two raised their hands and then, their voice.

“I declare that we, the freshmen…”

“I declare that we, the freshmen…”

I could feel once again, what kind of school I had entered.

‘Future Arts High…’

I was suddenly brought to the school mindlessly but had no real worries. 20 years – I had travelled back. The body had sunk to the very bottom, but that could be raised back up. My 20 years of experience was still there.

The shortest route to raising the body and what was needed to develop my singing – these things I knew the best. I had experienced these after all. I just have to raise my skills and regain my instincts and these normal high schoolers are a piece of cake… was what I had thought.

‘But those guys are too much.’

The principal who had been satisfied by their successful finish of the declarations solemnly spoke.

“I acknowledge your entering of Future Performing Arts High School.”

The two freshmen representatives lowered their heads.

Kim Wuju and Lee Suh-ah.

Kim Wuju who would become world-famous as the best tenor, as well as Lee Suh-ah, the soprano who would be a set. And Jun Shihyuk who entered Met. Although they were still in high school, would they really be lacking compared to me?

They who were geniuses that could tramp on my 20 years with a smile?

*

“… And now… with this, the entrance ceremony of Future Performing Arts High School’s 41st freshmen has ended.”

The boring welcome statement of the principal had finally ended and the freshmen divided and dispersed into 3 ways.

The Music Department with the most students first left with the teacher into a different room, followed by the Fine Arts Department and the Dancing Department.

Although we were technically in the same school, we most likely won’t have much contact with them, as the department itself was different.

The Music Department was once again separated into majors.

First was piano which had the most numbers. 40 out of the 150 Music Department students were piano majors which made it almost one third. It seemed, after all, that piano was the most popular instrument.

Next was the violin with around 30 students.

And only after that, was the opera.

It was approximately 20 students, with 7 of them male.

“The 10th class students please come this way.”

Following the teacher’s instruction and going into the class, there were several familiar faces which gave a surreal feeling.

Song Mirae who had never changed was easy to tell, as well as Lee Suh-ah and Jun Shihyuk who I had seen often via video. And then there was Chloe with eye-catching, bright, blonde hair.

The others… I can’t really remember them. I left the Arts High after around one year of commuting, so, the only ones I could remember were those who would become famous later.

Since I had no friends either.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, I scratched my face and sat at a random place.