episode_0101

“I feel like I’ve realized something.”

“You realized something?”

“How to find colors.”

He said with a confident voice.

“Let’s go on a pension trip. To the place where you always film.”

I was about to ask him what exactly he had realized, but his hopeful expression made me just smile and stay silent. If it was such a happy thing, I believed he would tell me as well.

Sure enough, Siwoo opened up without hiding anything.

“When I’m with you… sometimes… my heart feels itchy.”

“Yeah. Yeah.”

“At those times, it feels like the colors are fading little by little.”

“Is that… so?”

Is that even possible?

Jung Siwoo was more talented than I thought.

Being able to pick out a specific block from the randomly stacked Jenga blocks and remove the black water, it seemed natural for him.

“It’s because he doesn’t have his own color, so it makes sense. The dedication he puts into playing is unmatched by anyone else…”

Impressive, Siwoo.

You’re indeed an amazing guy.

I patted his shoulder enthusiastically.

“Very impressive! Jung Siwoo!”

“What, what is it? Don’t suddenly put me on a plane.”

“Why, should I do it sternly? Like a professor? Siwoo. What’s up? Nothing has changed from yesterday, right?”

Although we didn’t look alike at all, Siwoo laughed heartily.

“You know, you could go out as an impersonator master later. At least all the kids at our school would burst out laughing.”

“I don’t look like him?!”

“You do. I must have seen the professor for a long time. If you remember even such small details, it means a lot.”

“He’s a copycat, isn’t he? It’s obvious.”

“That’s right.”

“Honestly, huh? Do you admit it too? If there were performance videos of our favorite teachers, there would be no one to match them.”

“That’s just copying, isn’t it…?”

“Where is that? Where can you find someone who can perfectly reproduce someone else’s performance in this world?”

“Right. You’re right. It’s amazing. I think it’s amazing too.”

The conversation didn’t stop.

As if we had been waiting for this time to talk like this.

There was never any difficulty in our conversations before, but now, look.

We didn’t hesitate to look at each other, didn’t fear getting closer, and approached each other without hesitation, without burden.

“You’re an amazing guy.”

“No. You’re more amazing. Didn’t you reach 1.3 million subscribers on NewTube?”

“Oh, that’s… It’s fake… anyway…”

“Hey! Do you think 1.3 million is just anyone? It’s a tough number even for classical music.”

“Ahem. That… is true.”

Both Siwoo and I didn’t blush and run away.

That’s how we continued the praise relay… and before we knew it, we became embarrassed and fell silent.

“Sh-should we stop?”

“Y-yeah.”

Is this what it feels like to praise oneself in two parts?

It’s nice to be praised continuously, but it felt strange to think that I was doing it in front of a mirror.

‘It’s nice to comfort each other, but…’

To avoid becoming a self-absorbed stubborn person, it’s necessary to objectively look at each other from time to time.

As we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses well, sometimes we need to have frank conversations.

To prevent the steering wheel from becoming a broken 8-ton truck.

‘Siwoo, you won’t get sulky like before when criticized…’

With increased confidence and, above all, with Min Chaewon, whom he likes the most, supporting him so firmly, Jung Siwoo will not crumble.

He won’t cower in front of Song Seonghyuk.

He will accept criticism uprightly in front of anyone.

“But do you know that? Finding your color. You haven’t even taken a proper step yet. So, the praise ends here.”

I thought it would be okay, but was it still too strong of an attack for the young Siwoo from three years ago?

“T-that’s right.”

Like hitting a solid hammer, Siwoo bent his upper body deeply.

***

A pension trip is a kind of mood change.

Even after becoming lovers, we always did the same things.

Taking Strelka for a walk in the morning. Playing the piano with Jong Siwoo when we had time. Occasionally going out to eat together. That was the extent of our dates.

Although it was a good time just to see each other’s faces every day, these were not things that left a lasting impression.

Maybe sitting in the couple seats at the movie theater we managed to snag. Or going to the Arts Center to watch an orchestra performance as a proper date.

Ironically, both times were abruptly cut short by unexpected interruptions. It felt like we were making progress, but it never quite stuck in our memories.

So Siwoo probably suggested it. Let’s go on a pension trip to make new memories.

…But why did we choose a place to go for video shoots every two weeks?

— Jong Siwoo: You haven’t seen the interior photos there, have you?

— Me: Yeah.

— Jong Siwoo: It’s no joke.

— Jong Siwoo: They’ve really recreated European houses.

— Jong Siwoo: You might feel the same comfort as being at home.

— Me: I already feel like I’m in Europe.

— Me: (Photo)

In a selfie taken sitting on the bed, Kang Hwi was caught drawing a V while tidying up the room.

— Jong Siwoo: That’s true, but

— Jong Siwoo: It’s still a bit different!

— Jong Siwoo: It’ll definitely be nice.

— Jong Siwoo: And…

— Jong Siwoo: Practice the fantasy piece for your hands before we go.

— Me: Oh, the sheet music you gave me?

— Jong Siwoo: Yeah.

Fantasy piece for your hands.

It is said to be a piece composed while dreaming of an affair between Schubert and his pupil Caroline, which the composer himself never fulfilled, making it a poignant anecdote.

— Jong Siwoo: We’ll play in the valley and have a barbecue during the day…

— Jong Siwoo: And when the sun sets, let’s play together.

— Jong Siwoo: I’m looking forward to it.

It seems like Siwoo is enjoying his first pension trip with his girlfriend. He even revealed his excited feelings in the chat.

“If your heart feels itchy… the color fades away, right?”

Then let me help you make it even more itchy.

But if I overdo it, Siwoo might explode like before.

How can I naturally make Siwoo excited? Should I buy and read some dating books for women?

— Jong Siwoo: I’ll prepare all the necessary items, so you can start practicing the Fantaisie Impromptu.

— Jong Siwoo: Okay?

— Jong Siwoo: You said you practice for almost a week every two weeks for your videos.

While I worry about Siwoo, Siwoo worries about me.

Wow, our timing for thinking about each other is completely in sync.

— Me: Oh, really~

In reality, I don’t practice.

I didn’t mention that I came from three years in the future, and I just made up an excuse that I’m working hard because I feel like I’m playing too much.

Because Min Chaewon’s performance was perfect, I receive praise just by following her.

Of course, these days, I do have some concerns about the future.

Two years later, will I be able to stop uploading to NewTube like Chaewon did in her past life?

Remembering how many fans, including myself, were deeply disappointed by Chaewon’s activities being discontinued.

I’m starting to think too much for no reason.

— Me: Thank you for your consideration, but

— Me: You do know that the end of the semester is coming up, right?

— Jong Siwoo: I’ll prepare for the practical exam, so don’t worry.

— Jong Siwoo: And if you can’t find the right color, your score will be the same as usual.

It would have been nice if the pension trip was right before the final practical exam.

— Me: But isn’t that weird?

— Jong Siwoo: ?

— Me: They said the pension reservation is only available on June 26-27.

— Me: And all the dates around it are fully booked.

— Jong Siwoo: Crazy.

In the end, in the first semester of his freshman year, Jung Siwoo’s practical exam result is almost confirmed to be a B+.

Increasing our dates might help us realize something quickly, but since it’s not just about the practical exam, it was Siwoo’s time that was lacking, not mine.

Of course. As a freshman, with required major courses like Western music history and score reading techniques, not to mention the elective course in art history to avoid wasting credits.

The score reading techniques should be fine since I’ve been reading scores for ages. As expected, the real challenge lies in Western music history and art history. Apart from practicing for the practical exam, I practically have to become a historian in my spare time.

It’s a delightful time meeting my favorite classical music teachers, but it was like hell having to read and understand their music, contrary to my expectations.

Thinking about what I could do to help Siwoo, who would be busy studying day and night for at least three weeks, I came up with a good idea.

— Me: How about studying at our place?

— Me: I’ll help you with your studies

— Me: I can point out the expected questions while you read the book

— Me: Wouldn’t memorization be faster this way?

Siwoo’s response was surprisingly quick, as if I could imagine his puzzled face through the phone.

— Siwoo: That sounds exciting

— Siwoo: It’s something I’ve always wanted to do

— Siwoo: Studying for the exam together…

— Me: Then until the exam, I’ll help you with your practice and studying

— Me: It’s nice to have more time together!

Right. Going to the library with my girlfriend to study was one of my small wishes.

— Siwoo: Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

Studying for the exam together in my quiet room, even quieter than the library, along with a cozy date. You must be so happy, Siwoo. Is pink just naturally oozing out of your body?

— Me: By any chance, do you know?

— Me: Will all the questions I’ve marked appear on the exam?

— Siwoo: What are you talking about haha

If Siwoo studies hard without getting distracted, I’m thinking of giving him a reward.

With my good memory, having come from three years in the future, I remember almost all the questions that will be on the final exam of the first semester of freshman year…

An A+ is just a piece of cake.