Chapter 10.7 - Act 10: D.C. 7 (1/2)

Act 10: D.C. 7

The kids that had sung in the concert, Lee Suh-ah, Han Dasom, Kim Wuju and Jun Shihyuk wore faces filled with curiosity.

“Part allocation?”

“I thought we were just singing a chorus?”

“Yeah, so, that was how it had been during middle school, but it changes a little in high school.”

Glancing over the kids blinking their eyes in cluelessness, I nodded.

Future Performing Art High School’s Subscription Concert.

This large concert held annually is on a whole new league compared to other concerts and unlike those that were performed in a school hall, it was held outside.

In addition, the building they rented was none other than the famous Seoul Arts Centre. We would be singing at an overwhelmingly large, dedicated hall in front of thousands of seats.

Its scale was on a similar level to concours and was the fanciest concert of Future Arts High, leagues apart from the small scale concerts of middle school. Perhaps it would be a lot different from the Subscription Concerts they were accustomed to.

“Hmm… I haven’t checked the songs yet so it’s not certain what songs we will be performing but… it would most likely be like this. The first-graders and the second-graders will be performing a chorus together – that much is the same, but after a few choruses, the prac high-achievers would be gathering for a separate song of their own!”

Just one song, but that song will not be a simple one.

As if she read my mind, teacher Kang Heewon continued her explanations.

“And that song will be sung by two pairs of male and female, each from the high-achievers of the first and second grade students. There would be a total of four people singing at the front as main vocals, with the others being in the chorus at the back~”

One pair of male and female – hearing that, we exchanged glances. There were five prac high-achievers but only two would be allowed to stand at the front.

…I could smell competition which teachers loved and adored. There was no way they would refrain from using such an easy solution to the problem.

Wearing a face of resignation, I remained sitting when teacher Kang Heewon exclaimed as expected.

“The principal who will be in charge of conducting will conduct a few interviews later and choose the mains. So, our prac high-achiever students should practise hard until then right?”

“…Yes.”

“Then! That’s the end for today!”

In front of the newly announced large event, kids started talking amongst themselves with enlivened faces. I could see all sorts of emotions going through their reddened faces. There was anticipation from being able to perform at the Seoul Arts Centre, anxiety due to performing at the largest stage they had ever been in, as well as jealousy towards us who might become the main vocals…

Staring at them, I grinned.

‘Reminds me of the past.’

I was like them back then.

Before going up the stage of Seoul Arts Centre, I trembled a lot from nervousness and constantly made small mistakes. I remember punching my pillow after returning home from the performance in regret, because it was all over the place. Even now, I was embarrassed whenever I reflected on it.

To artists and musicians, the Arts Centre was a place like that. The name itself was a source of pressure as pleasant nervousness awaited us; that place which symbolised the success of musicians.

Seoul Arts Centre.

‘A main vocalist there huh…’

Suddenly, a memory of the past resurfaced. Beneath the radiant lights, the protagonists stood and behind them was an orchestra of dozens of musicians, receiving faint spotlight. With all sorts of instruments in their hands, they played the accompaniment dedicated for the main vocals as they attracted the gazes of thousands of audience.

And behind all that.

In that dark corner with not a single light peeking through, there was an ensemble of densely packed singers. Shoulders pushed against others and without even a music stand to place the sheets on, I sang.

While letting out the same sound as the kids next to me, and the other kids standing next to them, I sang.

“…”

I was in deep flashback when Han Dasom blankly opened her lips from the side.

“Seoul Arts Centre…”

Throwing a glance, I found Han Dasom making a dull expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nn…? Ah, it’s just that…”

Making a shy smile, Han Dasom met her eyes with mine.

“It doesn’t seem realistic to me… Seoul Arts Centre… I’ve been there to watch a concert but now I’m going there to perform… it feels strange.”

Indeed, it does feel weird to attend as a performer at a place you had only been in as a part of the audience.

“Besides, there’s the interview as well.”

Hearing her say that reminded me of it.

Interviews.

In situations like today where there were issues with parts allocation or a missing role, interviews would be held amongst performers. The conductor in charge of the stage would be in the lead deciding the sections, after considering the skills and various other aspects of the musicians.

‘And the most important one of those aspects is…’

Turning my head, I stared at Kim Wuju, closing his eyes. Listening to him chatting with the girls next to him about the concert, I quietly thought to myself.

‘The ability to get attention.’

Subscription Concerts were held once a year by Korea’s greatest performing art school, Future Arts High and naturally, its objective was half for showing off.

Our students are excellent and amazing – after stamping that to the outsiders’ heads, they increased the fame of the school and attracted better students with that fame. This strategy of Future Arts High that prided themselves as the birthplace of Korea’s performing art world for 40 years was simple yet effective.

Therefore, the frontmost position of Subscription Concerts were the faces of Future Arts High. It wasn’t given away easily and the most important question was how high the students could increase Future Arts High’s fame by.

Due to that, although the singing skills were also important, the ability to gather the eyes and attention of outsiders was important.

And when it came to that, Kim Wuju was definitely the top. There was the uniqueness of being a blind genius, his three years of fame built up during middle school, a good look added to the overwhelming singing skills…

“It’s going to be difficult…”

A sigh escaped my lips unknowingly.

How can I beat him? It’s not like I could attack through a hole in the marking criteria like during the prac test and for me to win through singing skills alone, I was lacking. With a sullen face, I faced Kim Wuju when Han Dasom turned towards me with her head tilted.

“Difficult…?”

“I’m talking about the interview. I have to be against Kim Wuju out of everyone else.”

Resting my chin on my hand, I contemplated but soon closed my eyes. Although it was unfortunate… there was nothing I could do.

I worked hard but so would Kim Wuju. Whenever I was in a practice room, I’m sure Kim Wuju was inside one himself, singing as hard as he could.

Because that was the kind of guy he was.

He was the hardworking genius who would be praised by the media in the future as an enjoying genius. If two people tried hard, it’s not one of them’s fault even if the other fails right?

“…”

Within the darkness, I slowly organised my thoughts when a foreign touch tapped and spread warmth through my fingers. Feeling the ticklish touch carefully caressing a tip of my finger, I opened my eyes with a flash and found Han Dasom sitting before me.