Chapter 2.1 - Bit by bit 1 (1/2)

I went over the likelihood one more time.

‘Coming first out of 150 Music Department students…’

Firstly, theory.

Subjects like Music Theory and Harmonic studies were fine, as going through them during the test alone was enough to bring back the memories. I felt rewarded for having studied even after graduating in my previous life.

In any case, I had the confidence to get full marks in these and languages that had to be learned in opera, like German and Italian were on point as well.

‘The problems would be the prac exams…’

The Specialist Prac, Performance Training and Concerted Music…

Just a brief count had already shown the immense number of subjects. Added to this, the theory exams were pretty laid back, further increasing the importance of prac results.

Throwing the eyes downwards, the pitifully thin stomach was laid bare.

“Sigh…”

Coming first in prac with this body…

Even if I were to strand myself in practice rooms every day, it wouldn’t be easy to retrieve all the skills. Besides, the first prac lesson was tomorrow! There was some leeway until the tests, but it was lacking considering the time it would take to pull my condition back to the top.

It was a point where something special was needed.

‘Prac… prac…’

Raising my head in a flash, I stared at Noh Jusup who had been innocently sitting down.

“Hey”

“Un?”

“Can you help me out?”

“Uuun?”

*

“Haa…”

Splash. When I laid myself onto the table, the cold wooden texture contrasting the air from the heaters touched the cheek.

The subject that had just finished was Science. It had been 20 years since I had walled myself from science, and yet I had to learn Science and Society and culture!

While I was bewildered by the timetables, the lesson had started without me realising. The Science teacher came in and explained in a boring voice… it might’ve even been a new torturing method.

The traits of organisms? The difference between living and non-living beings? Hell, why do we need to know that – just think ah that’s alive.

A complaint murmured out.

“Why are we learning science at a performing arts school…”

I thought the pracs were the only barricades but to think there were more. As I laid there without any energy, the nearby Noh Jusup leaned onto the table and smiled.

“A performing arts high school is still a high school so obviously there would be science, maths and stuff. What were you expecting?”

It’s pissing me off.

Glaring at Noh Jusup who had a face full of smiles, I asked.

“… Why are you so carefree, are you good with science?”

He shrugged his shoulders.

“Good? More like why are you so stressed? Just guess during the tests – it’s not like we’re going to uni with our studies.”

“Ehew…”

Who would give a scholarship to a guesser?

It would’ve been nice if I could live carefreely like him… I sighed with my hazy eyes looking at Noh Jusup.

Well, what else can I do – I can only study hard. At least I wouldn’t have to study for Music Theory and stuff so I wasn’t too far behind other students.

After organising my thoughts, I checked the timetables after taking out my phone.

“The next class is… Concerted Music.”

“Yeah. Yours is also on the third floor, right?”

“We’re both in opera so obviously it’s the same.”

Moving out of the class as we talked, a girl walking straight from the other side of the aisle entered my sight. She had straight, confident legs, a uniform with no blemishes and her hair hanging neatly behind her neck.

Lee Suh-ah.

She who had been walking with an indifferent expression raised her eyelids when she looked at me coming to a sudden stop.

“Un? Hey Jo Yunjae what are you doing… Ah? Lee Suh-ah?”

I flicked my head towards Noh Jusup. Just then, his way of calling Lee Suh-ah’s name sounded natural – without any sort of distance, so to speak. Anyways, it seemed that he was somewhat familiar with her.

With a sudden thought filling the head, I quickly asked.

“Hey, are you friends with Lee Suh-ah?”

“Uh… somewhat? We talk sometimes.”

“Then go and talk to her.”

In response to the sudden words, his eyes full of puzzlement stared right into mine.

“What?”

My head turned quickly without caring for the befuddled Noh Jusup. Right now was the most opportune timing – the opportunity to definitely get a good prac result was right there.

Behold, the ‘Get Carried’ strategy.

A smile naturally appeared on my lips.

One of the largest weightings within prac results in Future Arts High was Concerted Music. Concerted – the word pretty much described what the subject was about – it directly described how students would perform together.

‘In other words, it’s like the opera’s version of group assessment’

The first lesson of Concerted Music would be simple. With regards to starting an opera ensemble, it would begin with around 4 people forming a group and singing together. Forming a group as such and singing the allocated song at the end was the rough structure of the subject.

And with that singing heavily impacting the results, my own mark would naturally go up if our entire group performed well.

‘Now, let’s think.’

What ways are there to increase the group’s overall skills? A harmony between teammates, cooperation and teamwork?

‘… the answer is, outstanding group members.’

Teamwork – yes, of course, having teamwork was great. Everyone would be singing together so there’s no way it wouldn’t be beneficial. However, if the main singer leading the song had an overwhelming quality, with a timbre that could tempt the audience’s ears… it could cover slight mistakes and give the impression that the rest of the members are doing well.

And I, with my ensemble experiences, had the confidence to lay low and follow the tides.

‘…A bit of a shameful skill but…’

In any case, with all these in consideration, the most fitting person could be considered as Lee Suh-ah. Her singing skills were on the top and besides, she was a girl.

‘Our positions won’t overlap because she’s a girl.’

With a deep smile, I stabbed Noh Jusup on his side and promptly sent him to Lee Suh-ah.

“Ah, ah?”