46 – Festivities (3) 46.
The long-awaited festival finally began.
Despite being called prestigious and full of geniuses, Seolwon Arts High School wasn't that different from other schools when it came to festivals. There were street vendors in front of the school, and students bought various snacks and useless trinkets while taking pictures.
[I wanted to join the sports day too ㅠ]
I glanced at Jin Sohyang's message and put my phone away.
The main event of the first day of the festival was, of course, sports day. Not that I participated. I've never been good at sports. I'm not flexible, and I can't run fast.
Soccer? Basketball? I like watching them, but I hate playing them. It's strange. I love watching athletes run around, and I love sports manga… but doing it myself? No thanks.
With that thought, I watched the kids sweating and burning their youth out on the field. Everyone was smiling like they were having the time of their lives.
And among them was Kim Taeyoung. He was running around enthusiastically, chasing the ball with a bright expression.
That didn't mean he was good at soccer. He was just… running really hard.
"He's got great stamina."
I sighed in admiration as I watched him.
Hmm. Exercise, huh.
I should probably work out too. Locking myself in a corner making music every day… I could feel my stamina rotting away. For the sake of the future, I really should start exercising.
Thinking that, I stood up.
There wasn't much to see on the first day anyway, so I went to an empty classroom and slept. If a teacher caught me, I'd definitely get scolded… but what could I do if I wasn't interested?
I came out when sports day ended. Apparently, the Performing Arts Department won.
Once sports day was over, the Practical Dance Department and the Classical Music Department started their stages. Those were actually pretty fun to watch. Especially the Classical Department's performance—it was genuinely good.
I really understood how much the same instrument can feel completely different depending on the performer.
As I watched, impressed, a sweaty Taeyoung smacked his lips and said,
"Tsk. That's not how you play the piano."
"Ah, you shouldn't play it like that."
"Sigh. Not like I can go up there and show them."
I guess to someone who used to win competitions, it looked lacking. Listening to him talk so smugly was annoying… but I couldn't exactly argue. Because Taeyoung was actually that good.
Still, it wasn't like he looked down on everyone. He even applauded the violinist who performed last.
"That kid's pretty good."
He's brutally honest.
Either way, that's how the first day ended.
And now only the second day remained.
In other words—
the day of reckoning.
§ § §
"Phew."
Second day of the festival. Early morning.
Walking to school with the members of Blue Aka, Kim Taeyoung rubbed his hands together and exhaled. His warm breath came out in white puffs. The early morning air was getting colder now.
He started to worry. What if he caught a cold? This was why he said they should drive.
But no.
"It's hard to park."
"The school is close, let's just walk."
Taeyoung hunched his body as much as he could. The wind carrying the cold air stung.
Seeing him, Won Seongmin—walking next to him—handed him a hot pack.
"If you catch a cold, it'll affect the stage."
"Ah, thank you, sunbae."
He held the hot pack in his hands. As his palms warmed, it felt like his whole body relaxed.
"Our rehearsal is later, right?"
"Let me see… ah, right after the first-years finish."
After checking the rehearsal schedule, Taeyoung said that and looked toward the stage. The rehearsal order was:
First-years → Guest performers → Second-years → Third-years.
"Then we can watch Hajun's stage rehearsal."
"Most likely."
Taeyoung nodded and kept walking toward the school.
Just two more performances. After enduring those, he would finally be free from that hellish practice. That thought made his steps feel lighter.
As soon as they arrived, Taeyoung headed straight for the stage set up in the schoolyard. Rehearsals were already in full swing.
Let's see…
Looks like Han Goyo already finished her rehearsal.
Hajun's turn isn't yet… right?
If Taeyoung had to pick the stage he was most looking forward to this festival, it would, without question, be Yoon Hajun's.
What kind of stage would Hajun prepare? He said he'd perform with his sister, but because of her, he couldn't attend a single rehearsal.
This was Hajun. There was no way he prepared something ordinary.
And from what Taeyoung had seen, Hajun really treasured his sister. Of course he prepared the best possible song.
Just thinking about it made his heart pound. How good would it be?
Could it… be even better than the song he gave me?
…No.
He shook his head. The song Hajun made for him was the best. No—even "best" wasn't enough. When Taeyoung first heard it, he subconsciously tapped his fingers as if possessed.
"When is Hajun's rehearsal?"
Won Seongmin asked from behind. Taeyoung pulled out the schedule again.
Hmm… so the student currently on stage is…
What was his name again? Crap. He remembered seeing him rehearse before, but he couldn't recall the name.
I mean, how was he supposed to memorize eighty names?
How could he find out the name of the student on stage?
As he was struggling, he spotted Han Goyo.
Thank god.
If anyone would know, it would be her. Not because she'd know that student's name—no, that was impossible. But because she'd definitely know when Hajun was scheduled. Because she was Han Goyo.
"Hey."
"Hm?"
She appeared out of nowhere, looking at him as he called her.
Taeyoung blinked. Something about her looked… different. She seemed blanker than usual. He couldn't explain it, but something was off.
Whatever. Probably just sleepy.
"When's Hajun's rehearsal?"
He asked, assuming she was just tired.
Han Goyo blinked once and answered.
"It's already over."
"…Huh?"
"I said, it already ended."
"When? What do you mean, when?!"
"Before the third one."
At her answer, Taeyoung let out a sigh.
He was finally going to hear that precious song Hajun prepared for his beloved sister… and now he'd have to wait until the actual performance.
Clicking his tongue in disappointment, he muttered,
God, I'm so curious…
Unable to suppress it, he asked cautiously,
"How was it? His stage? Did his sister sing well?"
Han Goyo frowned.
Taeyoung's eyes widened.
No way.
He didn't know she was capable of making that kind of expression.
With her brows furrowed, she hesitated as if unsure how to put it into words. She repeated that silent motion a few times before letting out a small sigh and speaking.
"I didn't like it."
"…Huh?"
"I said, I didn't like that stage."
After saying that, she turned away from the stage and headed toward the classroom building, as if she had nothing more to say.
Taeyoung blinked in disbelief.
She… didn't like it? Her, of all people, saying she didn't like Hajun's stage?
"What the hell happened…?"
Completely baffled by Han Goyo's words, Taeyoung stood frozen and stared at the stage.
At some point, the rehearsal had ended, and the stage was now empty, being prepared for the next group.
§
The second day of the festival—
the day of reckoning—had begun.
Ah… I'm more nervous than usual.
Our first and only rehearsal—just me and Suyeon—went pretty well. But I felt a little guilty. I think I pushed the staff harder than usual.
Still, to make the best stage possible, there was no helping it.
"Hmm… what should I do?"
The performances start at 5 PM. There was still plenty of time. What should I do until then? Maybe just walk around the school?
As soon as the rehearsal ended, Suyeon went back to her school. She said she'd come back around 4 PM. If it were me, I would've just skipped school entirely. She really is diligent.
I pondered for a bit, then decided to just wander aimlessly. I didn't have anyone to hang out with, and nothing in particular to do.
Taeyoung was currently being held hostage by Blue Aka. Apparently, because of a mistake during rehearsal, he had to practice hard until the actual performance.
And apparently that was my fault.
How the hell is that my fault?
He screws up and blames someone else. Unbelievable.
I grumbled internally while looking around.
The school, unlike usual, was decorated with events prepared by the departments and clubs.
As I walked around checking things out, someone tapped my shoulder.
I turned around.
And of course, it was Han Goyo.
She looked exactly the same as usual. Even today, when casual clothes were allowed, she was still wearing her uniform—making her stand out even more.
"What?"
"Can I walk around with you?"
I nodded. I didn't have anything to do anyway. Perfect timing.
So we walked around the school together.
Not that we particularly enjoyed anything. Han Goyo wasn't the type to react much. Whether eating something tasty or seeing something strange, her expression barely changed.
And I was the same. If I were still a normal high schooler, I'd probably be excited… but I wasn't exactly a kid anymore. It all felt a bit childish.
Heh.
Where did my childlike wonder go?
"What are you doing now?"
After wandering around for a while, we entered a classroom that had been turned into a café and sat down for coffee.
Apparently, the coffee club was running this event, and the coffee was surprisingly good.
At my question, Han Goyo thought for a moment, then said,
"I don't know. You?"
"I'm not sure either."
I checked my phone. It was already 2:40 PM. About an hour and twenty minutes until Suyeon arrived.
"I'll probably just walk around until my sister comes."
Or maybe just stay in this café. The desks and chairs were the same as always, so it was a bit uncomfortable, but it was quiet. That was nice.
Han Goyo nodded.
"Then I'll do that too."
"Suit yourself."
That was the end of the conversation.
But it wasn't awkward. I was used to this. That's just how she was. So I felt no discomfort.
I sipped my coffee and looked at my phone. It was full of messages from Jin Sohyang.
[I wanted to watch the rehearsal!!!][How's your sister??][Did the rehearsal go well?][Are you asleep?][We finished our rehearsal…]
And on and on.
I started feeling a little guilty. After thinking for a bit, I sent her a reply:
sry just saw this
As I lowered my phone, my eyes met Han Goyo's.
She was sipping cocoa and staring directly at me. But… her eyes looked different from usual. Normally, her eyes were calm and indifferent.
But right now, they seemed… displeased. Dissatisfied.
Something like that.
"What?"
Did I do something wrong?
As I wondered, she spoke.
"That song you sang at rehearsal."
"Yeah."
"Did you make it?"
"Of course."
I nodded and took another sip of coffee.
At my answer, she made a complicated expression. I was amazed. Who knew Han Goyo could show such varied facial expressions?
"Why? You didn't like it?"
I asked, just in case it wasn't her style.
She hesitated, then nodded slightly.
Hmm. I see. She didn't like it.
"Well, not everyone has to like the song."
Music is subjective. There's no such thing as a song everyone likes. Besides, her taste is more like "Blame."
"Come Home" is the complete opposite in vibe—it makes sense she might not enjoy it.
But she shook her head vigorously.
"It's not that I didn't like the song."
"Huh?"
She looked straight at me. Her big, beautiful eyes locked onto mine.
"I didn't like the atmosphere."
"…The atmosphere?"
I frowned slightly, confused.
She nodded, still staring at me.
"And the person singing it."
"You mean you didn't like the atmosphere between me and my sister?"
"Yeah."
She answered like it was obvious.
.
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