episode_0028

In the Baekjoong Hall with a grand piano, surveillance cameras were installed to prevent theft and unwarranted malfunctions.

Access without police permission is prohibited unless there’s a theft incident. It’s strictly managed.

Hence, this wasn’t captured by surveillance cameras.

The location filmed was not the ceiling but the ground, near the hall entrance.

She thought she was going to mind her own business, yet Yoon Jiyu was secretly watching from outside the entrance for some reason.

Why on earth?

I really don’t understand the reason.

Could it be that if I did something strange, she recorded it to use for blackmail later?

The girls who have been oppressed by Yoon Jiyu until now… all for this stroke of luck.

“What are you talking about?”

“Anyway, I’m kind of looking forward to it. Just from watching the video, I could tell. Min Chaewon is a classical expert. Clearly.”

“…Sigh.”

It would have been fine if she had caught me playing La Campanella.

The problem is that it was Yoon Jiyu and that she’s already inquiring about my identity within the school.

— Witch: Does she know him?

— Witch: (video link)

— Witch: If she does, let me know. ㅎ

From my perspective, she’s the villain.

Yoon Jiyu is more famous in the Violin Department than the student council president.

While we’ll refrain from causing disturbances like spreading videos online, if she starts questioning current students about my identity while carrying around the video, it’s only a matter of time before Jungsioo finds out.

“But don’t worry. I don’t think Aclertra was revealed.”

“How do you know?”

“I could see the main entrance directly from where I was lying down. I was just listening to music and looking at the entrance. Our house gorilla wasn’t there then.”

“…That’s a relief.”

If that had been recorded, it would have probably caused even more chaos.

There might have been others besides Yoon Jichang who recognized me.

“Anyway, shall we get started?”

“Ugh. Don’t expect it to be perfect.”

“It doesn’t have to be perfect.”

The sudden visit to the piano practice room was precisely to handle this situation.

The advice from Yoon Jichang, who has the potential to become a famous scenario writer, was somewhat appealing.

Before Yoon Jiyu goes around questioning, let’s take the lead.

Remember, I said I heard it from a knowledgeable older brother?

It wasn’t just one older brother; there were several.

Assuming Yoon Jichang lent us the practice room. What if I record a short 5-second video of me playing and send it to Yoon Jiyu?

Even if I don’t know why she’s inquiring about my identity, Yoon Jiyu, who needs me, will likely cling to Yoon Jichang.

This is like a game of cat and mouse starting within the vast campus of Hanye University.

Since I don’t plan to visit here often, I’ll waste a lot of energy searching for Min Chaewon, who doesn’t even exist alone.

“Come to me once and beg pitifully.”

It feels like passing the buck, and I feel sorry for Yoon Jichang, but there’s no one as suitable as oneself to handle oneself.

Above all, since it was voluntary out of fandom, they should praise me instead.

“I can’t bring myself to praise you.”

Let’s play the music.

The long-awaited La Campanella.

Carefully placing my hand on the keys, I briefly pondered how to perform.

Now, Number 1 speaks.

Since it’s fate to be connected to Jungsioo anyway, isn’t it fine to play like Sioo?

Surely, once Yoon Jichang hears it properly, he’ll encourage Jungsioo. This is the chance.

Number 992 pops up sharply, disagreeing.

Suddenly, this guy also brought a panel with Song Sunghyuk’s face printed on it.

Wait, I never permitted such things.

But since we don’t know yet who Chaewon will end up with, favoring only Sioo isn’t right.

Number 992 argued quite objectively.

Although I dislike Sunghyuk, I was completely convinced just now.

“But can I play in Chaewon’s style?”

My La Campanella is based on the performance Professor Baek Jung-eon shared with me, starting from when I was six years old, pressing the distant piano keys with short fingers, until a few years ago when I had fully matured.

I endlessly changed my playing techniques, divided the phrasing again, and after playing to make it as comfortable and perfectly executed as possible, I relied on brief moments of reflection to gradually refine it over the years, incorporating performances by various musical masters.

Naturally, it’s nearly impossible to change overnight into Chaewon’s style.

“I don’t like Yoon Jichang’s flattery….”

If it’s this kid, he will surely listen and suspect the relationship between me and Jung Siwoo.

Did they both learn from the same professor?

Did Jung Siwoo teach him?

There are endless doubts.

“It seems like there might not be a way at all….”

I once mentioned that one’s sense of self fluctuates depending on whether they perceive themselves as Jung Siwoo or Min Chaewon.

If I were to perform while perceiving myself as Chaewon?

Perhaps I could forcibly evoke memories of Min Chaewon’s La Campanella.

Since the two identities are subtly divided, breaking down that barrier would briefly empower Min Chaewon’s side of the self.

I unexpectedly bring up this topic because of the peculiar experience I had at the Baek Jung-eon Hall earlier.

“The Birth of My Favorite” opening, arranged by Min Chaewon. Although Yoon Jichang suddenly interrupted, I didn’t have time for self-reflection, but I definitely felt it right after the performance.

I was with Chaewon at that moment.

Just as 0th Min Chaewon met other Min Chaewons through music, I also felt her presence.

So I believe she will appear again this time.

…Incidentally, it would be even better if I had the chance to ask who she likes.

“I am Min Chaewon.”

After repeating this in my mind about ten times, I asked Yoon Jichang for one favor to confirm if it mixed properly.

“Could you pat my shoulder lightly?”

“My shoulder?”

“Yes.”

“What… Well, it’s not difficult. Why suddenly using formal language again?”

Unintentionally, I was surprised to find myself using formal language, especially like Chaewon.

“Eek.”

Feeling oddly uncomfortable with Yoon Jichang’s absent-minded pat, I impulsively swatted his hand away.

Just now, his touch felt completely like Min Chaewon.

“What’s wrong, this feels strange.”

If Chaewon’s characteristics mix in heavily, it turns out like this.

Curious yet anxious about what would happen if it mixed even more.

“Phew. I’ll give it a try.”

Taking a deep breath.

I turn on the metronome in my mind.

Tick-tock-tick-tock. An 8/6 beat rhythm flows at the same 120 bpm as before.

A small paper rustles, rustles, rustles….

Gradually diminishing, it slowly starts the prelude with a gentle sway.

After a few measures, the right hand between octaves begins an exhilarating leap.

Starting from the octave (8th), the thumb and pinky move apart to 10th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 16th, reaching 17th before returning.

Descending one octave, I repeated this process.

Next in this leap, it’s time to add the index finger.

Even with the hand fully extended, the index finger must press a key close to the thumb, making the jump more vigorous and precise.

“Tsk….”

The volume of the keys pressed with finesse varied irregularly.

When the hand is spread wide enough to hit the outermost keys, snapping the wrist with elasticity can maintain a consistent volume. However, during the jump, the intensity was erratic.

For the average person with less sensitive ears, it might seem passable, but not for me, not for Chaewon.

I could pour all my resources into achieving flawless skill, but then Chaewon’s body knows that the performance would be abruptly halted before reaching the end of the piece, the cadenza, just like before.

Jung Siwoo’s 111th self shouts out.

Throughout 15 years of practice, making mistakes in the technique and skill of a piece is shameful.

An imperfect piece is not worth playing seven times.

Either play it properly or smash it.

The 999th self I was listening to retorts.

Stopping mid-performance is a more serious matter than playing a wrong note or disregarding the score’s instructions and acting recklessly.

It is akin to giving up the right to be evaluated.

Chae-won has a reason to participate in the concours, the 111th self counters.

Yet how dare you discuss technique and skill when you can’t even complete a performance, the 999th self exclaims loudly.

Other selves also take sides between the 111th and 999th.

This is correct, that is correct. The newly established colosseum divided in half once again for a full-scale confrontation.

The strings of the grand piano in front of me.

The selves standing on them ask me.

What will you do? Choose.

Whose side are you on?

“Why do we have to fight?”

A new argument captivates with a beautiful voice.

It is a valid point.

That was what I wanted to say.

“Hey, everyone!”

A voice echoes once again.

Unfamiliar, I wondered who it could be.

None other than myself. More precisely, the 0th self appeared—.

“Let’s not fight. If we all join forces, we can create a more perfect harmony.”

Unlike the 1st to 999th selves, it took on Chae-won’s appearance.

Surprisingly, every self turned their heads in surprise at that voice.

“I may have been just 26, but there are nearly a thousand of you. It might be chaotic if everyone speaks their minds, but if we start speaking with one voice…!”

Having handled all the instruments in an orchestra, Min Chae-won gathered from within, from Min Chae-won No. 1 to No. 25, persuading and reaching a simple conclusion.

If everyone combines their strengths, they can perfectly reconstruct. A little compromise and consideration from each other is all it takes.

“That would be the most beautiful harmony in the world. That’s what I believe!”

But perhaps because it was a lonely voice without supporters.

Despite hearing that cry, the selves were still drawn into the battle between the 111th and 999th.

Damn it, the future Madam has arrived, how could such disgraceful behavior occur.

Unable to bear it any longer, the 1st raises their voice.

“All—.”

It was the loudest emotional sound that had emerged thus far.

“Attention—!!”

The mischievous Chae-won Love Troupe evolved into Chae-won.

My inner self, Min Chae-won’s share, split into two.