Ch.22The Only Thing That Didn’t Break

The second world I entered through the script was different from before.

‘There’s no one here.’

Not showing some scene from Lee J’s life.

A space where I could become Lee J himself and move around freely.

Clink.

But it wasn’t easy to do so.

Countless broken glass pieces on the floor prevented me from moving carelessly.

It’s dark around me.

A pitch-black world where nothing is visible.

‘I can see little by little.’

As my eyes adjust to the darkness, the surroundings gradually reveal themselves.

A large, empty opera hall.

Only I, or rather ‘Lee J,’ am left alone in that space.

The floor is carpeted with shards of broken glass.

I, ‘Lee J,’ look down at the stage below.

A grand piano placed on an old, worn-out stage where no light shines.

That was Lee J’s only pride and last lifeline.

“…I have to go.”

To prove that I have talent.

Clink, clink.

I slowly descend, stepping on glass fragments.

A world where nothing is properly complete.

The only thing that wasn’t broken there was the piano.

In a world that’s broken, shattered, worn, and missing pieces—the only complete product.

Splash, splash.

With each step toward the piano, glass shards dig into the soles of my feet.

Where are my shoes? That wasn’t important.

Screech.

The sound of pulling out the piano bench is like someone’s scream.

Was it like mother’s scream when I broke the jar?

Or was it my own cry from feeling terrible loneliness one day?

Well, that’s not important anymore either.

Swoosh.

The piano lid opens, revealing the hidden keys inside.

As soon as my fingers touch the white keys, notes spring forth.

-Perhaps someone like you shouldn’t have been born… no, no, mommy’s sorry.

As tears fall on the black keys, sound flows.

-I never thought of someone like you as my son, couldn’t you have just followed your mother?

Terrible words pierce my entire body like awls.

Yes, these are familiar notes.

A hatred so intensely entangled that it won’t leave my body anymore.

Now I realize.

I didn’t bloom from hatred.

I-.

++++++

Time returns to the present.

PD Kim Youngmo went to the principal’s office to say he would use the grand piano.

It’s true that they rented the entire arts high school, and using it wouldn’t be a problem.

Nevertheless, saying so was morally right.

“…So you’re saying you want to use the grand piano?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Hmm…”

The principal wore a troubled expression.

“Actually, when I offered to rent out the entire arts high school without mentioning the equipment, it was because I knew the actors wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

After learning how High Dream would be filmed.

The principal knew that instruments couldn’t be played without professional training,

so he generously offered to rent everything.

But now they wanted the grand piano.

Of course, playing the piano wouldn’t break it,

but it bothered him that a non-major would handle such an instrument.

‘Even though it’s been tuned and should be fine.’

Hmm, a moment of contemplation.

Still, he needed to keep his word, so the principal nodded and added a condition.

“Would it be alright if I watched as well?”

“Oh, of course, why would that be a problem?”

The filming will start soon, so let’s go together.

The principal felt a bit better at PD Kim Youngmo’s straightforward response.

Usually, people from broadcasting stations were all picky, sensitive, and acted superior.

‘Well, I hope the drama does well.’

Saying a small prayer, the principal followed PD Kim Youngmo.

There, numerous staff members were spread out widely around one person.

“Is that child going to play?”

“Yes, that’s actor Kim Donghu.”

“He’s excessively handsome. I’ve never seen someone so handsome in my life.”

The principal expressed his honest impression.

While working as an arts high school principal, he had encountered many arts and sports talents.

But this was the first time he’d seen someone so handsome.

“Is he going to play right now?”

“No, he said he’s just warming up before starting.”

“I see.”

As soon as the face appreciation ended and the performance appreciation time began, the principal’s expression completely froze.

While watching the actor was from a viewer’s perspective, listening to the performance was from a principal’s perspective.

He naturally became serious.

His gaze painfully moved down from the face.

The principal’s eyebrows raised slightly.

“By any chance, was this Kim Donghu originally a piano major?”

“No, I haven’t heard anything like that. I just heard he knows how to play. Is there a problem?”

“Ah, no, not at all. Haha.”

The principal laughed awkwardly and examined Kim Donghu’s posture again.

‘No matter how I look at it, he’s a professional.’

The way he sat at the piano and positioned his feet to press the pedals.

His upright posture and the natural way he placed his fingers on the keys.

Every single detail had the aura that only a professional could possess.

Even showing habits formed by countless hours of accumulated effort.

Then the performance that began surprised the principal.

♪♩♪♩♬♩♪

Light and cheerful notes stretched out smoothly.

“Oh, he plays really well.”

By amateur standards, it was top-class.

With a little more refinement, he could immediately enroll in the arts high school.

“Y-yes indeed. He plays amazingly well?!”

“…?”

Didn’t you already know? Why are you so surprised?

The principal was confused by PD Kim Youngmo’s enthusiastic reaction.

Shrug.

Thinking it wasn’t a big deal, the principal shrugged his shoulders.

Anyway, with that level of playing skill, there shouldn’t be any problems.

Just as he was about to leave reassured, PD Kim Youngmo’s words stopped him.

“If that’s just warming up, does that mean he’ll play even better during the actual performance?”

“Pardon?”

“I don’t know much about piano, so I’m just wondering since that was practice.”

Come to think of it, that was true.

That was just a simple warm-up.

But if that was just warm-up, then-.

‘It’s likely just showing off.’

To be honest, even that level was impressive.

But to say he could do better than that?

‘They all seem to be falling too deeply for a 14-year-old’s boasting.’

Isn’t that the age when kids often lie?

How could they have such high expectations just because the kid can play?

The principal glanced around.

The practice was over and the filming was about to begin in earnest,

expectation was visible on everyone’s faces.

How sad.

The higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment.

“Ah, he might play better, or not. It’s entirely possible.”

Still, to avoid ruining the atmosphere, the principal nodded and decided to stay.

“Alright, we’re starting to film! Cue!”

And so, when the cue signal was given and the camera light turned red.

Doong.

The black key was gently pressed and the sound slowly spread around.

“…!”

The principal’s eyes bulged out in shock.

+++++

After playing the piano once as practice.

I nodded, indicating to the director that I was ready.

My fingertips trembled, as if eager to release the performance I had practiced countless times through immersion.

But not yet.

It wasn’t time yet.

This performance wasn’t one that ‘Kim Donghu’ should play.

A score permitted only to Lee J.

“Alright, we’re starting to film! Cue!”

As permission was granted, emotion disappeared from my face.

Doong.

As soon as the black key touched my finger, hatred boiled up.

-I never thought of someone like you as my son, couldn’t you have just followed your mother?

Ting.

As the white key followed, forgotten contempt sprang forth.

-Perhaps someone like you shouldn’t have been born… no, no, mommy’s sorry.

Lee J, or rather ‘I,’ born among broken pieces, had never once looked down.

I was never born in hatred.

In it, with it, eating it, I grew.

Like maggots in the jar my mother broke.

Eating hatred, ruminating on it, recalling it as I lived.

Yes, I was a flower that grew by feeding on hatred.

The performance begins.

Hatred for family flows through the keys.

Why did you have to break apart like that, leaving young me behind?

Couldn’t you have endured a little more, compromising with each other? Didn’t you think of me?

With each press of the pedal, resentment toward inferior beings bursts forth.

How can you all laugh like that?

Can you laugh while looking at trophies thrown in the trash? Can you be so cheerful?

How can you inferiors.

‘Have what I cannot have.’

It’s both a question and an inferiority complex.

They say if you have talent, if you have ability, you can have everything.

Yet why can’t I have anything I truly want?

That’s why I hated you all.

I resented the very attempt of stupid people trying to accomplish something with their parents’ support.

I hated it.

I hated the whole world.

A world that only allowed me to have this one piano.

My wretchedness that could only possess broken things,

‘Was disgusting.’

Self-loathing becomes emotion that spreads across the keys.

You all cannot succeed because of that, no, you shouldn’t.

My gaze fixes on the camera and my hands move more busily.

If you haven’t been frustrated by the wall of talent, I’ll frustrate you.

I, who bear this boiling hatred, will kill your ideals.

More passionate, heavier, more intense.

Moonlight Sonata, First Movement.

Lee J’s hatred permeates everywhere.