Chapter 45: Encouragement

Shared classes with arts track students only lasted until morning.

The less important subjects were bundled together. This was purely for the school’s convenience. The school had no intention of creating opportunities for the two tracks to mingle.

After lunch, academic track students had classes among themselves. I heard arts track students had their individual lessons or practice time.

Since the spaces themselves were separate, chances to run into each other rarely came up.

Conversely, that meant they weren’t completely nonexistent.

In fact, today was one of those days.

While walking to another building for lab class. Just after exiting the entrance, a faint voice tickled my ears.

Looking back, I saw So-yul’s face.

“…Yes, that’s right.”

Between buildings, in a cornered, shaded spot. So-yul stood alone with her phone to her ear.

Hiding myself was reflexive.

Though there was no real need to hide. Even the head of student affairs who shot suspicious glances whenever we passed by couldn’t say anything just for being near So-yul.

But well, it would be weird to come out after already hiding. I decided to just watch So-yul for a moment. …This wasn’t stalking.

It was strange to see So-yul alone though. She usually stuck with her friends. It was rare to see her separated from them. Quite an unusual sight.

That wasn’t the only rare thing.

So-yul, who always acted bright in front of others, now wore a stiff expression.

The reason was easy to guess.

“…I understand. Father.”

It must be because she was talking to her father.

Understandable. So-yul’s parents, whom I’d met at the arts festival, weren’t the type you could call warm even as a pleasantry. Though her mother was much worse, her father was the same.

Plus he wasn’t even her biological father. That probably made things even more uncomfortable.

As I was nodding in understanding, So-yul’s eyes suddenly went wide.

“Y-you’re coming to watch in person? With Mother?”

So-yul seemed startled as she asked back. I didn’t know what they were coming to watch, but she looked quite shocked. Her bewilderment transmitted even to me who didn’t know the context.

So-yul’s pink lips trembled. Maybe it was just my imagination, but she seemed to be growing pale.

She bit her lip lightly as if trying to endure. Teeth marks appeared on her impossibly pretty lips.

Then finally, swallowing hard, she said:

“…I understand. I’ll practice my hardest.”

Practice what?

This question would remain unanswered. So-yul soon took the phone from her ear, seemingly finishing the call.

“Haah…”

So-yul let out a weak sigh. Even that was full of trembling.

What could make her act like this?

Just standing nearby might be fine, but having a conversation could definitely be problematic. Since the head of student affairs might be watching from somewhere, we needed to be careful.

So no matter how curious I was, I couldn’t ask here. If only we were alone…

Right. When we’re alone.

◎

“What was that phone call about this afternoon?”

“Oh.”

“…Hmm.”

That night, when I asked while sitting together on a bench, So-yul made a somewhat sulky face.

It had been quite a while since we’d arranged to meet at the path bench. Moreover, unusually, I had to be the one to call So-yul out. That’s why I’d sent a KakaoTalk message after school, fighting through the awkwardness.

[I have something I want to talk about tonight. Can I see you?]

Her reply came a few minutes later.

[I’m not mentally prepared yet…]

I had no idea what she meant.

Anyway, So-yul came to the meeting place without refusing. After exchanging brief greetings, this was my first question.

Soon So-yul looked at me with crossed arms. Her fair arms were particularly noticeable in her short sleeves.

“Well, putting everything else aside. First, how did you know I was on the phone?”

Then she even snorted as if for me to hear and:

“You weren’t hiding somewhere watching, were you?”

“I just happened to see while passing by.”

Though I did hide and watch too…

“Stupid lying stalker.”

Somehow my nicknames kept increasing.

Fine. Since she wouldn’t believe me anyway, I decided to accept being called a stalker. When I nodded quietly, So-yul let out an incredulous laugh.

But that didn’t last long.

Soon dropping her gaze to her feet, she whispered softly:

“There’s an international competition near the end of term.”

“International competition?”

“Yeah. It’s quite famous for youth pianists. Top pianists from around the world gather there. They even livestream it online. There are many people who play much better than me.”

So-yul explained this while adding a quiet bitter smile.

Come to think of it, hadn’t she mentioned a competition before? When deciding when to film with Juho, I remembered her mentioning wanting to avoid competition practice time.

Make time for filming just this weekend, then focus completely on practice from next week. Probably this kind of schedule.

Leaning back on the bench, I moved my lips:

“But at your level, shouldn’t it be easy?”

“What? Don’t talk about things you don’t know. The world’s so big. There are tons of people my age who can play as well as me.”

So-yul replied curtly with furrowed brows. Maybe she thought I was speaking nonsense since I knew nothing about piano.

I continued regardless:

“I’ve never seen anyone play as movingly as you.”

“…What are you saying. Really.”

So-yul grumbled while poking my side.

Judging by the relaxed smile on her lips, she didn’t seem to mind.

“Are you doing the piece you played for me in the piano room?”

“Yeah. Actually one of two pieces. This competition requires playing two pieces in succession.”

“Oh. Is that so.”

At the arts festival, So-yul had played just one piece. Even that was just a simple performance, so the pressure must have been less.

But this time it was a competition plus two pieces. Worried that practice would be more intense than for the arts festival.

Though she probably tried harder at the arts festival since her parents were watching.

Considering So-yul’s reaction during the phone call earlier…

“Your parents said they’re coming to watch the competition?”

“Geez. You really did eavesdrop on everything.”

So-yul glanced at me with hands on her hips.

Well, in this case staying quiet was probably best. I mimed zipping my mouth shut.

“…Really.”

So-yul snickered slightly then:

“Mom and Dad both said they’re coming. Honestly, having them watch in person makes me much more nervous and scared.”

“Why not tell them not to come?”

At my somewhat cold response, So-yul gave a fragile smile and:

“If I get good results this time, maybe my parents will acknowledge me.”

She shared this hope.

Well. Would it really work out that way?

If they disliked So-yul playing piano, wouldn’t any achievement be the same? Plus… if she happened to get bad results, it would only add more pressure on So-yul.

I wasn’t in a position to question So-yul’s decision. It was true she needed objective results to gain her parents’ acknowledgment. As her fake boyfriend, I probably shouldn’t meddle unnecessarily.

Right. That wasn’t what I needed to do.

Hiding my awkwardness, I offered a word of encouragement:

“Fighting.”

As soon as I said it, So-yul burst out laughing.

“I’d fight even without you saying it?”

“Saying it makes you fight harder.”

After shooting back without backing down, I turned away before adding my true thoughts:

“Still… I think you’re what’s most important.”

I heard So-yul draw in a breath from where she sat.

What I wanted to say continued:

“You’ll definitely do well so don’t pressure yourself too much. Tell me anytime if it’s hard. I’ll help however I can within what’s possible. …I’ll figure something out.”

I worried about So-yul who would pour everything into practice without holding back. But I had no right to go against her strong will.

All I was allowed to do was lend my strength. I’d already declared during the school trip that I’d help if things got too hard to endure. This much should be allowed even for a fake boyfriend.

After finishing these brief words, I closed my mouth.

For a while after sharing my honest feelings, nothing could be heard around the bench.

Soon, So-yul’s crystal clear voice broke that silence.

“For example?”

“…For example?”

I was caught off guard by the sudden question. Looking at her now, So-yul wore a playful smile with slightly pink cheeks. She must get itchy if she goes even a day without teasing.

“You said you’d help with anything possible, right? Then shouldn’t you tell me what’s possible?”

“No, that’s…”

Couldn’t you tell me what you want first, then I’ll think about what’s possible?

Of course, giving a serious answer would only disadvantage me. So-yul just wanted to tease me.

“Okay. Then.”

After this brief opening, I tried to think what So-yul might want. What was her most recent request? It didn’t take long to remember.

“From now on, I’ll definitely pat your head whenever you ask.”

“What? What’s that?”

So-yul covered her mouth and giggled as if it was ridiculous. Well, even I thought it was absurd. How often would she even ask to be patted?

“Still.”

Soon putting away her laughter, So-yul stretched as if refreshed and:

“Having my boyfriend’s support really gives me strength.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“I’m not exaggerating.”

So-yul shot back then:

“…Because I’m truly grateful.”

She whispered this afterward.

With an infinitely warm smile on her lips.

Eyes reflecting the clear moonlight. Cheeks tinged red and lips a vivid pink.

That face holding a delicate beauty I dared not touch was turned straight toward me alone.

It made me so happy, so cute, so lovely that.

I reached out one hand… and roughly patted So-yul’s head.

Her flying hair settled softly without tangling. As always, it felt like touching smooth fabric.

While savoring this sensation, So-yul just kept her eyes tightly shut. Her shoulders were raised high, perhaps ticklish from the sudden contact.

How long did this continue?

When my overflowing emotions settled, I slowly removed my hand. So-yul’s tightly closed eyes also gently opened. She was clearly pouting, probably quite embarrassed.

Then from her slightly parted lips came a thin voice:

“I-I hadn’t asked yet…”

A voice as if whining.

To this, I replied rather bluntly:

“I don’t know either.”

“W-what?”

“We’re done talking so let’s go back.”

After saying this, I immediately stood up. Though So-yul hesitated a moment at my sudden action, she soon hurriedly stood too.

Better to part ways tonight at this point.

With emotions running this hot, I might say or do something strange.

I gestured for her to go first while avoiding eye contact. So-yul didn’t question it, just slowly walked away with one hand on her chest.

I felt her glancing at me partway but deliberately ignored it.

After some distance formed between So-yul and me, I started walking too.

Gradually calming my wildly beating heart with each step.

When I finally reached the emergency exit of the dorm.

For some reason, my phone started buzzing in my pocket.

When I mindlessly took out my phone to check the screen:

[So-yul: What do I do…]

[So-yul: The girls’ dorm emergency exit suddenly won’t open…]

Looks like tonight was going to be a long one.