Chapter 10.4 - Act 10: D.C. 4 (2/2)

But, what in the world was my ‘music’?

The previous heavy vocalisation method and not the one teacher Ku Mingi taught me?

Or the long years of experience?

Is he saying the new song lacked in expression due to a lack of practice?

“…”

Left alone inside the hall, I closed my eyes.

*

With the Prac High-achievers Concert finished, the second semester began in full swing. As if to welcome the students that got to rest as much as they want during the holidays, lessons, practices, concerts, concours and studies were packed into their schedule.

It didn’t take long for the faces of the performing art students that were brightened after playing around and eating what their hearts desired to have dark clouds forming.

No more than three days.

After that were the familiar zombie-like faces of the students overflowing within the school.

“…Tomorrow I have a test and yet I have to practise for the concour as well.”

“We need to study for mid-sems as well…”

But even during those busy days were students diligently enjoying the rights of students.

Club activities.

With the second semester well and truly on the way, there were those that changed their clubs as well as members of various clubs going around publicising their societies.

“Are you interested in the Hymns Society?”

“The French Cultural Research Society is looking for new members~”

Like that, upperclassmen entered the class during lessons after receiving permission from the teacher and promoted their club activities. Staring at the noisy scene at the front with boredom, Lee Suh-ah twirled the ends of her hair before throwing a glance at me.

“Are you not going to enter any clubs?”

“Clubs?”

Tapping the table in thought, I nodded.

Clubs were quite important in Future Arts High.

Quite evidently, the performing art industry was one that was tightly intertwined with connections. Therefore, ‘clubs and societies’ which acted as pretty much the one and only method that connected us to upperclassmen was naturally the most important aspect in forming connections.

Besides, since clubs could be counted as a form of work experience… there were pretty much no students that did not enter a single club.

Last semester, I avoided entering one to focus on my studies but since I somewhat caught up to the high school studies that I had forgotten during the past 20 years, there was no reason not to enter one now.

Sir Dickson also said to build up a lot of experience to become an opera actor so…

After slowly organising my thoughts, I turned my gaze towards Lee Suh-ah.

“For now I’m thinking of entering one that’s related to opera acting.”

“Acting?”

Song Mirae who was eagerly waiting for an opportunity from the side sparkled her eyes and chimed in. When I turned and faced her, there was a long-awaited look on her face. Her eyes shined in expectation, a bright smile appeared on her lips and her hands formed a grip.

In that state, she pushed her upper body in towards me excitedly as a glad voice escaped her lips.

“Then you can enter our musical club!”

“Musical?”

I thought while touching my chin.

Musicals… came out from opera so doing that will be, in its own way, an experience as an opera actor. Although it would be great if there were opera clubs, there weren’t any when I checked during the first semester.

Well, perhaps it was nothing surprising.

High schoolers were more interested in musicals than the boring opera acts in general and there weren’t clear, strict distinctions between the two either.

Seeing that I wasn’t against it from my expression, Song Mirae immediately started blabbering about the pros of the musical club.

“Our club prepares a performance every semester. After choosing an act, we practise for the whole semester until we present it towards the end of the semester and besides, since it’s been more than 30 years since it was founded, the support it receives is great! There are teachers watching our singing practices as well as acting practices and it is the best way to build up experience!”

Singing and acting lessons huh…

Those were indispensible skills for an opera actor. Although acting was less important than singing, operas were also plays so learning acting would be better than nothing if I’m going to become a professional opera actor.

I was nodding swiftly in response when Song Mirae, who had been running her mouth suddenly stiffened.

“Ah… but…”

“…?”

“Maybe it’s not good to enter the musical club after all…”

“Why?”

What was this after all that enthusiastic invitation? Tilting my head, I looked at her, stealing a glance at me, soon opening her mouth.

“That… there’s Kim Sukwon-sunbae there…”

“Kim Sukwon?”

Who was that again?

I fell in deep thought when Song Mirae opened her mouth in a complaining tone.

“He’s that upperclassman during the song presentation… he is the leader of our club. After that day, I’m super disliked. He doesn’t talk to me and doesn’t give me any roles either.”

“…”

Only then did the memories start floating up.

Kim Sukwon. Right, there was an upperclassman with that name who picked a fight with us. He was the leader of the musical club huh…

Seeing me contemplating with crossed arms, Song Mirae whispered.

“I think he’ll be like that to you if you enter as well… no, maybe, it would be even worse?”

“…Most likely yeah.”

I did take him down a notch with words so he most definitely wouldn’t like me.

“What should I do… Sorry Yunjae… Because of me, you…”

With my eyes on Song Mirae having her lips pointing down, I slowly organised the situation.

So, the leader of the most famous musical club of our school, Cantabile is Kim Sukwon who hates me a lot. Even Song Mirae was being treated like that so he would hate me even more.

Therefore, even if I entered that club, I wouldn’t be able to have any proper activities done because there was no way he would allocate a good role to me even if there was a performance.

Wouldn’t he give me a role with one line or something? Since he’s the leader, he probably had the power to.

“…”

When I was in the midst of thinking of an alternative with my mouth closed, I suddenly heard the front door of the class being pushed open.

“Hello.”

Then, a girl appeared.

My eyes caught sight of that girl; she had a blue name tag that hung on her clothes, and gave a deep bow before entering the classroom.