Chapter 10.11 - Act 10: D.C. 11 (1/2)
Act 10: D.C. 11
“Right.”
After looking into my eyes for a bit, the principal soon turned his gaze away.
“If it’s you, I guess that’s possible.”
“…”
What in the world did the principal think I was? I stood there feeling slightly awkward as he then started asking questions to Lee Suh-ah. The questions were on the interview song she had just sung – the reason she sang a specific verse the way she did, her interpretation of the song as well as how she practised.
Thinking that was probably how I looked just then, I watched the process in a faintly relaxed mood. Then, I felt a hand touch from the side.
“Nn…?”
When I turned around, Kim Wuju with his eyes closed filled my sight. I took a step back in surprise as he showed a wide smile.
“Did you really just practise by yourselves?”
“Hn?”
He’s asking someone else during the interview? I watched him continue his words in curiosity.
“Ah, I’m just asking. We usually just sing the way our teachers tell us to.”
“Yeah…”
Seeing him tilt his puzzled face, it seemed like he really was just asking out of curiosity, but since it’s Kim Wuju, I guess it wasn’t that strange. He didn’t have much interest in things unrelated to songs so he probably wouldn’t really care about performing in the Subscription Concert in the first place.
Kim Wuju would just sing because he was asked to.
I quickly gave a reply after accepting that fact.
“Umm… It’s not that special. We just sang together and tried matching the sounds together to find the best sound and expression. There’s no reason to call a teacher for something like that so…”
“But it was really good – better than a teacher’s.”
“…?”
When I faced a confused look at him, Kim Wuju made a smile.
“It’s nothing. It was good.”
“…”
In that instant, the principal who had finished his interview with all the students tapped his palm with the baton.
“Now, I will announce the results of the interview.”
As soon as his words fell, our eyes gathered towards him. Within that atmosphere filled with tension, the principal kept his mouth closed for a while before glancing across each of us and explaining.
“Before that, there’s something I want to say. The results that are out right now can be overturned at any given time. If I don’t find it to my liking while conducting, I will immediately chase you down and call someone else. The chorus parts are simple anyway.”
“…”
A temporary position, huh. It wasn’t anything unheard of.
I silently gave a nod as the principal spoke with a stern look.
“So don’t relax just because you were chosen now, and don’t practise half-heartedly just because you didn’t make it now. Do you get it?”
“Yes!”
He then glared at us with a scary gaze and remained quiet before suddenly dropping a name indifferently.
“Han Dasom.”
“…!”
I could see Han Dasom’s eyes enlarging as they threatened to pop out. Her eyes were originally very big but the current sight reminded me of how large they really were.
In the middle of my stupid reflection, the principal’s voice dug into my ears.
“And Jo Yunjae.”
“…”
The eyes of other interviewees gathered at me, and from within, I caught sight of Lee Suh-ah’s sunken look.
*
Lee Suh-ah stopped her feet in front of the classroom. She was returning to the class after the practice for the Subscription Concert ended to pick up her bag.
The class was filled with an energetic mood. Students talked about how this time, the song would be interesting and that it was rare for a boring school like theirs to perform a musical song, while also chatting about the main vocals this time.
Watching that rowdy scene, Lee Suh-ah took a step into the classroom as Noh Jusup welcomed her with a raised hand.
“What are you doing?”
Seeing her expression crumple in an instant, Noh Jusup made a solemn look.
“Lee Suh-ah. I heard it’s your first time.”
“?”
Raising his eyebrows in an irritating manner, Noh Jusup grinned.
“First time coming to the back of the stage – to the chorus. Then naturally you should greet this senior who has three years of chorus experience, right? Come on, I’m waiting for it!”
“…”
It was annoying.
Thinking that, she glared at Noh Jusup when a familiar laughter sounded from behind – a somewhat annoying and unpleasant laughter. It was Jo Yunjae’s laugh.
Turning her head around with a flick, Lee Suh-ah screamed.
“What’s so funny! It’s not like a person can be the main vocal every time!”
“Kukuk, ah sorry.”
Him appearing to be holding back his laughter was more annoying. And Han Dasom standing behind Jo Yunjae wearing an apologetic expression was more and more annoying.
Trampling on the ground for no reason, Lee Suh-ah took a deep breath in and out before sitting on her seat.
“Haa…”
Why did things turn out this way?
‘…No, it’s not like I can’t acknowledge the result itself.’
That’s what Lee Suh-ah thought.
Han Dasom and Jo Yunjae. The two of them practising together, unlike others who practised alone, definitely had an effect and plus, it was obvious that a chorus was what the conductor desired.
A harmonic chorus different from a solo piece.
Considering how everyone else apart from them had practised separately, the end result of them winning was something she and other interviewees could acknowledge. Besides, since it was a temporary decision, she would be able to take the position of the main vocal whenever after practising the said section.
‘But… it’s annoying…’
In an attempt to hide the frown on her face, Lee Suh-ah laid down on the table.
It was annoying.
Although it wasn’t anything big, it annoyed her.
It’s not like this was her first defeat in life and she had lost countless times to Kim Wuju already. For Lee Suh-ah who already had enough fame, the Subscription Concert wasn’t even that important either.
But then, why was she so annoyed? Why did it feel like a part of her chest was boiling up? Why was she feeling an intense emotion which she had never felt before in her life?
“Haa…”
She heaved out a sigh when a memory of what happened during the interview popped up in her head. On top of the stage, there were Han Dasom and Jo Yunjae singing side by side.