episode_0022

Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14.

Moonlight Sonata.

Although it has been passed down with the nickname Moonlight because a posthumous critic described the first movement as akin to a boat floating on a moonlit lake brimming with moonlight, contrary to expectations, this piece is not as romantic as one might think.

A deteriorating sense of hearing for unknown reasons.

Love with a beloved partner hindered by family issues.

Composing Moonlight and a year later in 1802, Beethoven himself wrote a will contemplating suicide.

He was deeply immersed in despair at that time.

The moonlight reflected on the lake was not a brilliant blue light but rather, blood-red.

Enduring such terrible despair, the maestro created this song.

Armed with all kinds of experimental spirit, challenging the musical grammar of the time, the moment when the teacher poured his emotions into sound as they were.

First movement.

This could be a moonlit lake between mountain ridges.

It could also be a lake where light seeps through deep underground caves.

Or perhaps a field devoid of any wind.

It could be a field filled with the smell of despair.

I sat down with one leg crossed, leaning the almost empty bottle.

Struggling to express indescribable, insurmountable emotions, but no voice comes out.

Choked up with frustration.

No matter how loud I raise my voice, nothing comes out, nothing is conveyed, nothing is expressed.

Listen, someone, please listen to me.

Please…

At that moment, I realize.

Oh, it wasn’t my throat that was wrong.

The world wasn’t telling me anything.

I was being left out by the world.

I was clueless.

I stood up abruptly.

I ran across the field.

Underneath the distant cliff.

Into the flowing stream, I threw myself.

Clueless me will erase that existence on my own.

“Huh?!”

A sudden feeling that jolts you awake.

When I opened my eyes, I was in Kang Hwi’s embrace.

“Are you okay?”

I almost fell off the bed.

Did I fall asleep while playing the first movement of Moonlight Sonata on repeat?

“I don’t know how many hours have passed…”

The endlessly melancholic tone from the first movement.

Suddenly shifts to a cheerful tone in the short second movement.

I felt this part is similar to the final stage of anger, akin to acceptance.

Even if it gets increasingly melancholic, there comes.

Acceptance, acknowledgment, understanding.

These emotions naturally lead to emotional recovery.

However, those who have listened to the entire Moonlight Sonata know that a huge wave of emotions follows.

Yes.

This is just my interpretation.

Since even Beethoven himself couldn’t accept and embrace it, he shifted back to anger in the third movement.

After going through five stages of acceptance.

If acceptance is impossible, then a second explosion occurs.

After a big fight with someone, you calm down, maybe for a few minutes or even days, before rising again.

Describing elegantly the feeling of ‘Damn, is that my fault? This is so frustrating,’ isn’t Moonlight’s third movement.

Anyway, at times like this, you must sit in front of the piano and play the third movement.

Just like Beethoven did, I too must express my emotions through music, not curses and anger.

“I’m going out.”

“What? All of a sudden?”

“Prepare for number 4.”

“Oh, okay. Everyone!”

Clap clap.

Accompanied by the sound of clapping, the maid who had been waiting rushed in.

Embraced like a princess in Kang Hwi’s arms, I was led to the bathroom without a thought.

Splash.

“What temperature for the water?”

“Colder.”

“You’ll catch a cold.”

“It’s okay.”

Cold water. Shampoo. Rub rub.

Something slippery and fragrant.

Turning the head up and capping it.

The sponge gently caresses the body.

“Ugh.”

My senses felt odd even though I was still half-asleep.

Should have bathed alone, why did I stay still.

But it’s too bothersome.

Need to get ready quickly and go play the piano.

Otherwise, I might end up hitting Song Seong-hyuk instead of the keys on Sunday.

Enduring the itchiness, she waited for the body shampoo to wash away.

The hair that had been tucked into a cap came down.

Once more, she shot it.

She tried to let go of all thoughts in the cool water, but anger doesn’t easily fade away.

I have to hurry, I have to get out quickly.

Even so, everyone had taken care of Chaewon not just for a day or two, and preparation was quickly finished.

They say it takes an hour for women to bathe once.

Since many worked together, it took less than 30 minutes.

“If it’s too hot, let me know.”

“… Okay.”

Drying hair on one side,

busy choosing clothes on the other side.

After her hair dried, the cosmetic bag opened,

and a cream with a pleasant scent was applied to her face.

“It feels good….”

I want to live like this forever.

I wish someone would bathe me, feed me, and put me to bed every day.

…No, but still. It would be nice if Chaewon came back.

“I put together a skirt, oversized shirt, and a thin knit. Do you like it?”

Opening her eyes, a girl who seemed freshly scented, as if she had put on makeup but hadn’t, sat in front of the mirror.

She’s lovely.

Despite looking mature for her age, Chaewon suits this style well.

Just carrying a book bag makes her look like one of our school’s freshman girls.

Is it the power of makeup?

Although there doesn’t seem to be a significant change, there is a subtle, pleasing transformation in her appearance.

“It’s fascinating. Is this a skirt or pants?”

“Both. Since you were stretching your legs yesterday, I thought you might be feeling confident this time. Just in case, I prepared both.”

Even if I pay attention, I’m sure to make mistakes.

To protect Chaewon’s image in advance like this.

Kanghwi is definitely a genius.

I smiled and gave her a thumbs up.

“Then I’ll go now.”

“Have a safe trip.”

Receiving farewells from the maid group, she left the hotel.

When she got into the taxi she hailed through an app, the driver, after checking the pre-set destination, chuckled.

“Oh, are you a student at Hanyang University?”

I used to be a student at Hanyang University.

Not wanting to explain, I just nodded.

“You’re not late for school, are you?”

“No.”

“Thank goodness, have a safe trip.”

What’s this?

Does he mean he’d transform into a bullet taxi with a three-stage booster if I were late?

Normally, taxi drivers wouldn’t even talk.

Ever since Chaewon became like this, I feel like these short conversations have increased.

Or maybe it’s because I don’t take taxis often.

‘Piano… piano….’

I closed my eyes and thought of the third movement of Moonlight Sonata.

Placing my hands on the transparent keys, tap-ta-da, tap-ta-da-da-da.

I’ve been doing this all day, but the urge isn’t going away.

There’s no sense of touch.

There’s no flow between the piano and me.

Argh, it’s frustrating.

“Sir.”

“Yes?”

“Please go as fast as you can.”

The driver looked at me through the rearview mirror.

“Did you fasten your seatbelt?”

***

The taxi that rushed me to Hanyang University in a swift manner that wouldn’t warrant legal punishment dropped me off.

“Sigh.”

Ah, the air filled with these notes.

“Haah.”

Dancers rehearsing on the grass while having a cup of coffee, senior musicians holding violins and cellos they couldn’t contain indoors.

As soon as I returned, I felt alive.

I must be insane.

‘After practicing so much…’

In the end, is this the only place I want to return to?

Well, I can’t help it.

For a layperson not affiliated with Hanyang University, the closest place where I can touch a grand piano is, as far as I know, Hanyang University.

It’s an expensive item, so there’s a disadvantage of surveillance cameras being ever-present.

Oh well. As long as I can play, it’s fine.

Above all, it’s tuned by a master craftsman for someone who will always come back.

With Chaewon’s financial status, getting a piano shouldn’t be a big deal.

However, there are only a few weeks left until moving into the new house, and I just want to vent my frustrations for a moment. Is it really necessary to go buy a piano?

“3rd movement… 3rd movement….”

I dashed like someone possessed.

The thought of dancing on the keys already had me excited.

Even after playing the piano for so long, I’m still thrilled and happy.

Indeed, the piano is the best.

It’s been quite a while since arriving at the Baekjoongun Hall with the grand piano, but internally, I must have thanked the professor about 200 times.

Thank you, professor.

Thank you for donating the piano.

Thank you for allowing public access.

Thank you for hiring a professional tuner for continuous maintenance. Yahoo.

“Piano!”

With a loud shout, I pushed open the heavy door of the hall.

Due to the accessibility of the grand piano, even just past noon, the queue can get quite long.

Mornings are fine.

Probably no one—.

“Oh.”

Someone was standing next to the piano.

And it was someone I knew.

“Oh my.”

A sharp bob with one side of her hair tucked back.

Sharp eyebrows that remind you of an idol and sparkling makeup.

A tear mole under her left eye and somewhat fierce eyes.

Holding the neck of a violin weakly, she had a strange habit of pressing the bow against her forehead in prayer.

I sensed trouble and tried to leave, but—

“Wait.”

“Eek.”

Before I could turn around, the woman next to the piano rushed over and stabbed the soundproof cushion with the bow.

“Don’t you know how to play the piano?”

As I looked closely, her sharp eye corners made me want to break them even more.

Chaewon isn’t exactly flat-chested either.

Leaning against the wall, this woman was taller than Chaewon.

“I-I don’t know how.”

Smiling slyly, the woman approached closer.

Even if they’re both women, she’s too close, damn it.

“You’re lying. You came here because you wanted to play the piano, right? You shouted ‘Piano!’ when you came in. This small hall was trembling.”

Damn, I wanted to play Moonlight Sonata 3rd movement.

‘Can’t be helped….’

Once the house is built, I can play the piano there, but I had planned to occasionally visit the school where Jung Siwoo monitors.

Since pretending not to know her face is impossible at this point, let’s just go with Plan R.

Ever since becoming Min Chaewon, from the moment I resolved to seek revenge, I’ve been thinking about how to exact that thrilling revenge.

“Ugh….”

“It’s okay if you can’t play, just help me for a moment.”

“I-I don’t want to.”

“Hey.”

That’s right.

This woman, who looks good with her black hair and navy blue dress, and who intimidates with a cold voice, is none other than—

“Let’s make a deal~ Okay?”

The villain, Yoon Jiyoo.

I pretended to choke up with a hesitant voice.

“Uh…”