Chapter 97 – D-Day (3)

Wow, so many people came.

Looking around the auditorium packed with spectators, that thought crossed my mind.

Having returned to the auditorium after So-yul with some time in between, I found countless people swarming before my eyes.

From the little ones who were today’s stars, to the parents who had brought them.

From ordinary people who seemed interested in music, to our school’s students sitting with indifferent expressions and chins propped on their hands.

The spacious auditorium had virtually no empty seats. Even if a few people were missing, no one would notice.

Yet the school insisted on mandatory attendance for everyone even in this situation. It was such a stifling place.

Well, I suppose it had always been suffocating. I shrugged it off with a smile and made my way to my assigned seat.

As I walked, I noticed other faces in the crowd.

People sitting with perfect posture, or with legs crossed, staring at the stage where the curtain had not yet risen.

At a glance, they all had seasoned, experienced faces. They were probably music experts who had come from various places.

Indeed, So-yul’s mother was sitting among them.

She sat with folded arms, looking at the stage with a sullen expression. Apparently impatient for the show to start, she occasionally glanced at the clock on the wall.

It was only 2:55 PM, so she’d have to wait a bit longer. And So-yul’s performance was still far off. What a peculiar personality she had.

After the performance ended, what kind of light would be reflected in that face?

My heart had already begun pounding with a mixture of anticipation and concern.

If I was nervous myself, I wouldn’t be able to give So-yul strength. Suppressing my racing heartbeat, I stepped toward my assigned seat.

After I sat down and waited, the MC appeared.

A neat suit and a trustworthy smile. The seemingly skilled MC stood in the center of the stage and slowly looked around the audience.

That alone was enough to draw everyone’s attention. Silence immediately fell over the previously noisy auditorium.

Finally, the MC opened his mouth to address the packed audience.

“Thank you all for coming all this way.”

After a brief pause, he declared in a resonant voice:

“Now… let the orchestra club’s special charity concert begin!”

As the MC announced the opening, march-like background music flowed from the speakers on both sides of the stage.

The children in the audience and their parents all welcomed it with enthusiastic applause. Of course, the distinguished guests who always acted so precious remained perfectly still.

And so the charity concert began.

So-yul was merely a side participant in this event. Even in the pamphlet distributed at the entrance, all it said about So-yul was “Special Performance: Ms. Han So-yul.” Naturally, most of the event time belonged to the orchestra club.

At first, I was able to immerse myself in the performance.

Though not as outstanding as So-yul, these were students considered excellent talents. Having practiced under good teachers and performing with a famous conductor, the quality could only be superb.

Of course, I was merely guessing since I knew nothing about music.

But there were limits to how long I could stay focused.

After about two hours, my concentration hit rock bottom. I kept checking the time and sneaking peeks at my phone. I had lost count of how many times I’d yawned.

Some in the audience had already fallen asleep. Several people were quietly leaving the auditorium with crying children. They were indeed too young to enjoy such a performance.

But now the moment was gradually approaching.

Looking at the pamphlet again, the total performance time was 2 hours and 30 minutes.

There was really not much time left until So-yul’s turn.

“…Ladies and gentlemen. Have you enjoyed today’s charity concert so far?”

About 10 minutes later.

The MC, who had only been introducing pieces since his opening declaration, now spoke words that sounded like closing remarks.

Some audience members, thinking the performance was over, were getting ready to leave. Some were even standing up. Seeing this, the MC hastily continued:

“Wait, it’s not over yet. There’s one more student joining our orchestra club’s special charity concert today. We’d appreciate it if you could wait just a little longer.”

Only after hearing this did they seem to remember. Audience members who had stood up nodded and returned to their seats. Those who had been preparing to go home put their belongings back down on the floor.

Only after confirming that everyone was seated did the MC say:

“As soon as the stage is prepared, we’ll begin the final special performance.”

Then, in a somewhat more emphatic voice:

“The special performance that will conclude our show today… will be presented by Ms. Han So-yul, famous as a piano prodigy.”

Flinch. My shoulders jumped up without me realizing it.

My heart must have been beating much faster than that.

Those words meant that So-yul’s piano solo would begin shortly.

So-yul’s performance was also our counterattack. It was only natural to feel tense. My heart was pounding as if I’d just finished running, making even my breathing labored.

I wanted to stay seated and calm myself… but that wouldn’t be possible.

I stood up abruptly. Of course, the gazes of nearby students all turned toward me. Ignoring them, I carefully made my way between the chairs with sideways steps.

When someone asked “Where are you going?” as I passed, I vaguely answered, “Just for a bit.”

Under the scrutiny of others, I arrived at the left front side of the auditorium.

Just like during the arts festival, it was a spot where I could clearly see the VIP seats.

In fact, it was a place I had scoped out earlier when looking around the auditorium.

Glancing around, I noticed that the VIP seating arrangement was similar to how it had been during the arts festival. I figured that if I stood in the same spot as before, I would be able to see So-yul’s mother’s reactions.

As expected… from here, So-yul’s mother’s face was clearly visible.

Her expression suggested she was just waiting for So-yul’s performance to begin, with her legs crossed.

Her posture, which seemed almost arrogant at first glance, gave the impression that she looked down on the entire world.

I was curious to see how long she would maintain such composure.

Snickering to myself, I looked toward the stage where So-yul would appear.

Finally, the MC’s voice flowed from the speakers.

“Thank you for waiting. Now that preparations are complete, let’s enjoy the final performance.”

Silence fell over the auditorium where small whispers had been circulating.

As if filling that void, my heartbeat pounded loudly.

Please calm down. If her boyfriend was this nervous, I’d have no face to show my girlfriend.

I composed myself with continuous deep breaths. This was all I could do for So-yul, who must be much more frightened than I was.

In the completely silent auditorium, without even the sound of fidgeting:

The MC’s declaration finally rang out.

“…Ms. Han So-yul’s piano solo.”

Our counterattack… had finally begun.

As all the lights dimmed, the interior of the auditorium went completely dark.

Then, the only illuminated spot was the center of the stage where the piano was placed. It was the space where the star of the final performance would showcase her playing.

There was the sound of footsteps slowly walking toward that spot.

Steady, confident, yet elegant without losing dignity.

A young girl walking straight ahead while receiving the gazes of hundreds of people.

It was, of course, So-yul.

Smooth, snow-white skin. Long eyelashes that moved every time she blinked her large eyes. Honey-brown hair showing off its beautiful color.

Her lovely frilly dress gently swayed with each step. Her pinkish lips were firmly closed, holding her determination.

I thought I heard someone swallowing hard from somewhere.

Indeed, So-yul’s beauty seemed captivating enough to enchant many men.

With each step So-yul took, hundreds of gazes followed her.

Despite being in a situation that would cause considerable pressure, So-yul didn’t seem bothered at all.

She even seemed much less nervous than me, her boyfriend.

Finally reaching the piano bench, So-yul stopped in her place.

Then she slightly turned her body to face the audience.

She glanced briefly at where her mother was sitting.

I saw So-yul’s mother giving a fierce look, as if already trying to find fault.

Though she must have seen this, So-yul smiled without even the slightest hesitation.

I could hardly imagine how much she must have steeled her resolve backstage.

Following that, So-yul bowed politely, bending at the waist.

When she raised her head again, her face was filled with an utterly serious expression.

It was a natural reaction considering she must be imagining what consequences her actions would bring.

So-yul then turned her back and gently seated herself on the piano bench.

Placing her long, beautiful fingers on the piano keys and softly closing her eyes—this was likely to shake off any remaining tension.

Along with So-yul, I too tightly closed my eyes.

In the darkness of my vision, I recalled the time when I’d pondered ways to stand up to So-yul’s mother.

The moment when I asked So-yul not to change, as she was contemplating whether to abandon her playing style and follow her mother’s demands.

And…

I quickly opened my eyelids.

At the same time, as if by agreement, So-yul’s eyes also snapped open.

Eyes reflecting firm determination. An expression revealing resolute conviction.

The audience held their breath watching her, while So-yul’s mother deliberately furrowed her brow as she observed.

In the auditorium where numerous emotions intersected, all eyes were on the single piano.

So-yul, sitting alone before it, finally raised her delicate fingers and began to press the keys one by one…

“…!”

Simultaneously, So-yul’s mother flinched in surprise and took a deep breath.

She widened her eyes and glared at So-yul, who had just begun her performance.

From her cold, fierce gaze, one could sense uncontainable anger.

I knew well why So-yul’s mother was so furious.

One reason was that So-yul had started playing freely as usual, not following her mother’s orders.

And the other reason…

Was because the piece So-yul was now playing was the same one her biological father had performed at a concours in the past.