Chapter 10.4 - Act 10: D.C. 4 (1/2)
Act 10: D.C. 4
Once the concert was over, it was time for a group photo. The performers all walked up to the stage in groups and had pictures taken of them as a variant of a curtain call.
Although it wasn’t official or mandatory, since it was my first time standing on a large stage, I decided there would be no harm in participating.
“…”
When I actually stood on the stage, I felt moved. On the brightly lit stage, the performers stood wearing fine clothes as sounds of photos being taken as well as laughter and chatter filled my ears.
After taking those pictures which would be decorating a corner of our school website, we were given free time. We could take pictures with our family, friends, and could also take a shot or two with acquaintances or get to know others during this time.
Especially for the outsiders, it was the most opportune time for them to approach the performers so those that performed well had crowds gathering near them.
“As expected of Miss Lee Suh-ah. It was a fabulous song.”
“Student Kim Wuju. If you have time…”
Unsurprisingly, Lee Suh-ah and Kim Wuju had the most number of people approaching them. They had a lot of fame under their belt due to various concours and concerts so they received a lot of attention from outsiders.
It was natural because they were geniuses who had their future success guaranteed.
Introducing themselves as staff of an ensemble, some college, or a famous musical group, people approached them. However, judging from how they reacted casually to those queries, it seemed like it was an everyday thing for Lee Suh-ah and Kim Wuju.
“Iya…”
I stared at them with amazement when Chloe standing further away entered my sight. Wearing a cold look on her face, she was talking to a male.
“…we will provide…”
“I’m not interested.”
She had a frown as if she was annoyed, and soon, perhaps noticing a gaze, she suddenly turned towards me. And when our eyes met, a bright smile appeared on her lips.
“Aht!”
“Wait…!”
Leaving behind the male who reached out in a fluster, she trotted her way and soon arrived next to me.
“Yunjae, what are you doing here! Let’s go take a picture together!”
“…That’s fine but… weren’t you talking to that man over there?”
“It just finished~”
“…”
She must have been extremely annoyed but if she plans on walking down the path of a performer, it would be better to form connections…
Seeing the bright smile on her face, I smiled.
Well, since she was still in the first grade, I guess that could wait a bit.
*
Time passed as I took pictures with Chloe and others, and the people from outside started recognising me. They walked up and gave me a few stealthy offers – without saying anything direct, they explained the charms and pros of their organisation.
“We have this programme for growing young artists…”
“There’s a plan to give scholarships to…”
“I believe we have the greatest line of teachers…”
Like that, they gave out offers I had never expected to ever receive but I put those offers to the side in an evasive manner. After all, I was still too young to be certain of, or decide my future.
With a smile plastered on my face and somehow finishing entertaining the guests, I sat down on a chair inside the hall, exhausted.
“Haa…”
“They’re very impatient right?”
Turning my eyes to where the voice sounded, I found Kim Wuju smiling with his hand holding the helper’s.
“It must’ve been tough on you as well. Surprised you made it out.”
“Well, it is the fourth year for me.”
“…”
Kim Wuju said that as if it didn’t concern him in the slightest. Hearing that, I realised once again that he had no interest in anything unrelated to singing.
A genius blind to anything other than songs, Kim Wuju.
Since he put a lot of effort in and enjoyed the process, plus his talents, it wasn’t a coincidence that he became the greatest opera singer of the century. With a slightly heavy heart, I stared at him when he slowly turned his head back towards the stage.
“The song you sang today was Elf King right?”
“Nn? Yeah…”
Standing still, he faced the stage as he opened his lips.
“You know when Sir Timothy Dickson came last time.”
Turning towards him, I saw his face that had its eyebrows pulled in towards the centre.
“The song you sang back then, ‘Tristesse’; I enjoyed it a lot. It was very heavy and was a song that had your music embedded in it and although it’s usually sung by baritones, it strangely suited you a lot.”
Blinking my eyes, I thought.
So… he’s talking about the master class with Sir Timothy Dickson right? Kim Wuju was there as well so it’s natural he knew about it but why was he suddenly bringing that back up?
With my head tilted to one side, I was about to say thanks when he suddenly turned and faced me with a flick of his head.
His expressionless look filled my vision.
“But why did you choose Elf King for this concert?”
As if he found it weird, Kim Wuju frowned.
“I’m sure Tristesse was a lot better.”
“…”
After flinching to a stop, I stared back at him before facing the stage again. Watching the bright lights still pouring down the stage, I thought blankly.
‘Tristesse’ with my past and the newly learnt ‘Elf King’. The reason I picked Elf King out of the two was simple, and was because it would receive a better reaction from the audience.
However, Kim Wuju was saying otherwise. Kim Wuju, a genius infinitely above me, was saying that.
“Tristesse was better?”
“Of course. I always thought your songs were very interesting. That… who was it again? Ever since you were singing with that girl.”
“Han Dasom?”
“Yeah her. But it felt like your music, the heavy and sorrowful song disappeared in Elf King so that was disappointing.”
“…”
Kim Wuju waited for a reply from me, who remained seated, before tapping on the helper’s hand and carrying his feet when he received none.
“In any case, I’m not saying this song was bad. I’ll be going then~”
Staring at his distancing back, I contemplated in silence.
My song…
Tristess was a song that contained 20 years of my life. Kim Wuju said he preferred that over the fancy techniques of Elf King.