The Healing Life of a Music Genius - Chapter 33



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33 moonlight

* * *

“The knight is finally dead! We won! When you say something nice, release the hostage! “I came here because I knew tofu was here!”

“······.”

“Hehe! how is it! You won’t be able to move! “With this, the royal family is annihilated!”

“······.”

While I was lying on the floor and staring blankly at the ceiling, a sudden surprise attack began. Judging by the smell coming from the kitchen, it seemed to be dinner time. As it turned out, Suyeon’s notification was for meal time.

A little boy who climbed on top of my boat and continued the story with excitement. I lifted Sooyeon up with a hook.

It was a bonus to get a little tickling.

Suyeon cackled and declared surrender in just 0.1 seconds.

“Huh! Sorry! brother! It’s my fault!”

“I haven’t lost to you yet. Do you understand? “The count’s brat.”

“Kuuuuuuuuuu…. I’m angry! “If only I had been born 7 years earlier!”

“How dare you attack me with only 7 years!”

“Kyaa! Real surrender! surrender!”

After hanging out with Suyeon for a bit, I went out to the living room. Sooyeon, covering her side with her hand, follows me out.

On the table were grilled Spam, a fried egg, and soybean paste stew. Steaming soybean paste stew. Her mother filled her bowl with soybean paste stew.

“Shall I give you more?”

“I think this is enough. thank you.”

“What about Suyeon?”

“I am···. Just a little bit. “I just laughed so hard my stomach hurts.”

“So who wants to bother you? It’s all self-employed. First, eat as much as your mom gives you. Understand?”

“Hey… All right.”

As soon as my father took a bite of my mother’s soybean paste stew, he let out a sigh of admiration. They say it’s the chef’s taste. It can’t be this delicious.

Since it was commercially available soybean paste, my mother scolded me and told me to stop talking nonsense and just eat. She even glances briefly.

My father, who was enjoying the gaze for a while, asked me what I was up to.

“How is your school life these days? “Is there anything going on?”

“It’s okay. Unity with friends… No, I’m doing well.”

“right! I already got a call from my homeroom teacher during the day! You said you got perfect scores on all three tests you took! “Why didn’t you tell your mom?”

My mother slightly joined the conversation.

His expression is very smiley.

“It was just a passing test. “It wasn’t anything great.”

“You said you were surprised, teacher? In particular, English and science have increased significantly.”

“Teacher, can you tell me that too?”

“huh. But she asked how Seojin made her study at home, and did she hear her mother praise her? “Thanks to my son?”

My mother smiles brightly, just like Sooyeon.

Meanwhile, Soo-yeon analyzed the situation a little more seriously.

“Uhm. I’ve often heard that my brother is smart, but after going to Singapore this time, I felt differently. “Have I thought about the reason?”

“······.”

Suyeon, you can be sharp sometimes.

Instead of eating, Su-yeon walked over and grabbed a teddy bear. And holds it out to me.

“also. Could this ‘tofu’ that was bought in Hongdae be the cause? What do you think? Don’t you think he’s lucky? If I were to analyze the reason why my brother’s brain suddenly improved, this is the only one. This is it!”

Of course, what I meant was that he was sharp ‘sometimes’.

“I know. “Next time I get a chance, I’ll have to catch another similar one.”

“I didn’t mean to say that… “If you want to do that…”

“Suyeon! Instead of eating, you keep wandering around! “You have to sit quietly during meals!”

“oh. “I have no intention of doing so.”

A noisy dinner.

After emptying the bowl of rice and soup neatly, I started brushing my teeth. And went into the room.

I sat on the desk chair and looked at my smartphone. After repeatedly playing ⌜TEST⌟ that I had recorded in the music room, I searched the Internet.

‘What would you like me to use this for?’

If Uncle Miller had been around, he might have told me to start by registering the copyright with ASCAP or BMI, the two major American music associations.

But since this is Korea, we can’t do that.

The process for minors to register copyright in Korea seemed a bit complicated. There are many associations that you should join hands with your parents and visit here and there.

‘I don’t think there’s a need to do that right now…’

I haven’t started composing music in earnest.

However, I felt a little uncomfortable when I uploaded it on NewTube.

I started searching for more different methods.

I joined several portal sites and popular music communities and looked through the contents.

There are roughly three conclusions.

First, take an audition and become a trainee at an agency.

However, I also have to take the entrance exam. My current schedule is tight, but I thought it would be difficult to live as a trainee at a ‘much more intense’ agency. And I hated having to become a trainee.

Second, upload it on NewTube.

I didn’t like this method right away because of the copyright issues that Uncle Miller had been talking about. In the future, when copyright registration becomes easier, you can try it from then.

Third, try a composition contest.

From large entertainment companies to small labels, you are given the opportunity to debut as long as you win a contest. It had merit because it was completely different from being a trainee.

The third method caught my attention.

So I started looking for composition-related contests.

There were many types.

A popular music contest that anyone can participate in, regardless of age.

Planning a broadcast program that gives the winner a chance to stand on a big stage.

Classical composition competitions for teenagers, etc.

Just by looking briefly, there were over 20.

Among them, I bookmarked one contest that stood out.

It was not because the contest was from a large agency or because the prize money was huge, but because the perks of the excellence award seemed quite fun.

One grand prize winner: 5 million won in prize money + opportunity for music release and debut.

3 grand prize winners: 2 million won in prize money + support for music release.

20 Excellence Awards: Prize money of 500,000 won + 1:1 expert feedback.

“It’s expert feedback…”

The only feedback I received was from Mr. Miller. A person who always pointed out sharp points. Mr. Miller even told me that my skills were better than most PDs.

But aren’t the arms bent inward? My daughter and I are living on a deserted island, so how much can I do if I criticize her?

I needed an opportunity to have my song evaluated objectively.

The label hosting the contest seemed to be medium-sized.

After looking at a community site where certified employees directly evaluate the company, it seemed like a company that was quite good for artists, even though there was a lot of internal politics.

At least it didn’t seem like a place to trick people.

Then, there is only one thing left.

“This… “I have to make it into MIDI…”

It was not possible to simply send a file recorded with a piano.

As written in the contest submission method, it seemed that the format had to be ‘a file of 30MB or less produced in MIDI and compressed in WAV or MP3’.

The playing ⌜TEST⌟ recording file was paused.

It also exited the smartphone web browser.

And then I ran the MIDI app.

The composition was virtually complete, but the midi work had to be done separately.

I moved my hand as carefully as I could and took a picture of a point on the MIDI app.

“Oh my…”

Because of the small screen of the smartphone, the MIDI image right next to me was captured.

From now on, the so-called no-power was needed.

‘Let’s see if you win or I win.’

It is labor in vulgar terms.

I started stamping the midi one stitch at a time.

* * *

Lunch time at a lively Saebom Elementary School.

Today, again, I headed to the old building.

Smartphone in my pocket, music paper notebook in one hand, two breads and a cool piece in the other hand.

It couldn’t be richer than this.

I submitted my broken phone to my homeroom teacher in the morning and put my smartphone aside. This was information she learned after giving three jetties to the child in the class next to her.

‘They’re like smart elementary school students…’

I borrowed a broken phone (my mother’s) from home, and the dummy phone was currently stored in a drawer on my homeroom teacher’s desk.

4560.

Music room that can be easily unsealed.

I sat down on the piano chair and played with my smartphone.

I thought I could create the final file if I worked hard until today.

With a chocolate conch bread in his mouth, he touched the smartphone with his left hand and played the keyboard with his right hand.

Whenever I remembered a lyric, I wrote it down next to the staff.

‘I said I didn’t have to write lyrics for the contest… Well, because that’s how I feel.’

I munched on the bread and hummed a song.

There was really nothing to envy about this moment in the music room.

* * *

“Sorry. “Of course, it’s lunch time.”

“are you okay. I ate all my food. Then, can I just bring two janggu from the old building’s music room?”

“huh. Two is enough. Please.”

“It’s something I definitely have to do.”

“Thank you, Haeun. After all, there is no one I can trust except the class leader~”

Lee Ha-eun bowed to the teacher and hurried out of the classroom.

As I was walking down the hallway, I saw some strange groups of people. Children betting with rock, paper, scissors. Cheers and sighs flow out.

What comes and goes in their hands…

It was Jetty.

I don’t even know who started first.

‘I’m afraid they’re kids…’

Lee Ha-eun shook her head.

There was no time to worry about things like this.

These days, Lee Ha-eun’s concern is Chopin.

This is what Seojin pointed out last time.

Even though I heard the correct answer, I couldn’t follow it.

‘I never thought it would suddenly become like this…’

Lee Ha-eun thought back to her childhood.

I heard the sound of a piano while passing through an alley with my parents.

The music playing at the piano academy was still vivid.

Mozart’s Little Star Variations, which I thought was just a children’s song at the time.

Lee Ha-eun stopped walking as the 12 variations began after the commonly known theme.

Twinkling notes.

Variations that were so enjoyable that it made me laugh.

When I think about it now, the performances I heard at piano lessons were all a mess.

Still, for Lee Ha-eun, the musician was Mozart at that time.

The music that started like that was so enjoyable.

No matter where I went, I heard that I was a gifted child, and wherever I went, I heard that I was a genius.

But at some point, we started falling behind.

Children moving ahead one by one.

Adults who no longer look at me.

The confidence that was praised as a genius disappeared, and the confidence that won the competition seven times also disappeared.

In the end, I ended up not knowing what music was.

And around that time.

Even the tutor gave up on Lee Ha-eun.

‘If you don’t like the piano, try something else. Because you are such a bright child. There’s no need to hang on so hard.’

“······.”

Lee Ha-eun stopped walking for a moment.

The thought of that time came to mind and my fists clenched.

The teacher who left me.

Maybe that’s why the confusion arose.

It was something I was good at.

I can do it too.

On the other hand, there was also a child who played quietly despite the indifference of adults. A kid I became friends with because we ran into each other at competitions and went to the same academy.

Seojin was always passionate.

Even if I made a mistake, I practiced, and even if I didn’t win a prize in the competition, I practiced.

So I asked one question.

‘Why on earth are you playing the piano so much? ‘No one acknowledges it.’

At that time, Seo-jin’s answer hit Lee Ha-eun on the head.

‘It’s fun. Then why do you play the piano? Not funny? ‘He’s a strange kid.’

Seojin Han had passion.

Maybe that was why.

After experiencing an accident in Singapore, Han Seo-jin became a much better piano player than Lee Ha-eun.

It didn’t cause any jealousy.

The person who knew best what Han Seo-jin had been through was Lee Ha-eun herself.

Aside from that, I wanted to be recognized again.

I wanted to be acknowledged once again by the teacher who left me.

I wanted to stand in front of the teacher in the story again.

Because then I can become a pianist.

Because then I can become famous.

Han Seo-jin didn’t care.

He was a different species from the beginning.

There is no human who can deal with a different species.

In that case, I can just leave things as they are and go my own way.

Lee Ha-eun entered the first floor of the old building.

But I heard the sound of a piano in a place where I thought no one was around.

It was a genre of music I wasn’t familiar with. First of all, it wasn’t a classic.

As we walked towards the music room in the old building, the sound got louder. She stood in front of the music room door and tiptoed her toes. I could barely see inside the classroom.

Someone was playing in the classroom. It seems very relaxed. It even looked like he was eating something in a bad manner.

And yet…

Even though I don’t know…

The music was good.

A melody that tickles the heart.

The emotional melody suddenly turns passionate.

Also, what about the lyrics of a song sung by a child muttering something to eat?

Lee Ha-eun burst out laughing for a moment.

‘You can still make music like that.’

For Lee Ha-eun, who had only been running down one path, it felt like a new world.

‘But was there a kid who played practical music at our school?’

Lee Ha-eun tried to check who it was by putting more strength on her toes.

But at that moment.

The musician looked back.

Lee Ha-eun thought she had stopped breathing.

So I curled up without even realizing it.

So that the person in the music room can’t look at me.

The performance ended quickly.

And the door to the music room swung open.

* * *

“Wow!”

“Wham!”

It’s a surprise!

A girl curled up starts hiccupping.

Heep! – It makes a sound like a frog.

I just looked at him and he looked familiar.

I expressed my dissatisfaction slightly.

“hey. I thought you were a ghost. “I was surprised to see that only the top of her head was floating.”

Lee Ha-eun stared at my face for a long time.

“Han Seo-jin…?”

“why.”

“no. that is···. “What are you doing here?”

“I was playing. More than that, you’re really small. Here, no one will notice you if they see you in the hallway. “Just my head is floating.”

“··· hey.”

“huh?”

“Say you’re short one more time. “Then you’ll bite it right then?”

“······.”

Lee Ha-eun’s sharp tone made me a little nervous.

I said it without thinking.

Do you hate being called short?

what···. In that case, you should apologize as an adult.

“sorry. “I didn’t mean to.”

“······Are you being sarcastic?”

“no. I’m serious. sorry. And you’re not that short. It’s going to grow quickly anyway. “Why don’t you get up first?”

“······.”

Lee Ha-eun held the hand I held out. He pulls my hand hard and stands up, then asks me.

“But how did you know the password here?”

“I have a source of information at the school.”

“······?”

“Hmm! So what’s going on here?”

“I’m running an errand for you. “What are you doing here?”

“I was playing the piano.”

“no! “That’s not it!”

A very angry expression.

I have no idea why.

“you! Why is that… You’re playing music! What about classics?”

“You play classical music and this kind of music?”

“It’s not that… No, then…!”

For a moment, the brain circuitry seemed to be twisted.

Fortunately, it quickly returned to normal.

“Aren’t you being too greedy? “I think my head will explode with just Chopin’s entrance exam song!”

“I’m just doing it concurrently. It’s a bit of an analogy, but people can’t live by eating rice alone, right? “I play classical music and popular music.”

“that···. “Then it’s betrayal!”

“What am I betraying?”

“Classic.”

“I never betrayed you. “I’m working really hard.”

“lie!”

“Really. “These days, I even rent a grand piano practice room to practice.”

“······.”

“But why are you here? “Did you say it was an errand for the teacher?”

“Oh right! Jang-gu!”

Lee Ha-eun glanced at me and entered the music room. After looking around, he found a piece of equipment on a bookshelf.

but.

“······.”

I’m not tall enough.

It’s true that he’s small.

I had no choice but to drag a chair and put down the janggu instead.

“But being tall helps, right? how is it?”

“you···. “Are you really going to bite me?”

“I never told you I was small?”

“That’s what it means!”

Lee Ha-eun growls.

Still, he said thank you after receiving the janggu.

“So, are you always staying here? “You want to play the piano?”

“That’s right. “Is it a secret from you?”

“······.”

Look at this? Know the basics of negotiation. I took out two jetties from my pocket and held them out. Lee Ha-eun looked at me as if asking what this was.

“what?”

“As expected, he is the god of negotiation. “Then I’ll suggest three this time.”

“No, what is this?”

“Is this some kind of bribe? “Put it away.”

“······ Ugh. I don’t need any of this. What good is this? “If you eat things like this, you’ll only gain weight.”

‘What?’

I quietly added a word to Jetty’s dismissive remarks.

“Still, I think you might be taller.”

“hey!”

Lee Ha-eun is furious. I had to hand over three jetties free of charge as an apology.

Then I sorted out the case.

“Starting tomorrow, I won’t use it here. It’s against the school rules, right? “I also have to follow the rules.”

“······ I wish I knew.”

“Instead, can you turn a blind eye today?”

“What is that…”

This was a decent negotiation.

Anyway, ‘Jeti’ worked.

Lee Ha-eun walked awkwardly while holding two equipment the size of her body. Lee Ha-eun, who barely passed the door, hesitated for a moment and then asked me.

“But what song was that just now?”

“sing?”

“You know what you were playing. I was willing to listen a little bit. “It seemed okay.”

I had to think for a moment about what to say.

Then, it suddenly occurred to me that there was no need to lie to my child.

“It’s just a song I wrote.”

“······ You composed the music?”

“The title is ⌜TEST⌟, but the music hasn’t been created yet, so you can say it’s in the midst of being finalized.”

“······.”

“Is it explained at this point?”

“······.”

“And it’s a secret from other people? “I haven’t told anyone that I’m composing music yet.”

“······.”

Lee Ha-eun’s expression was quite colorful. I feel like I’m worrying for no reason when I could easily say it out loud. Anyway. They say that the vocabulary of elementary school students these days is a problem.

Lee Ha-eun sighed for some reason and then opened her mouth.

“just now···. I liked your song. I hesitated because I couldn’t believe you composed the song. Well, let’s focus more on classics from now on! okay? You were always a kid who liked Mozart! So, I’m telling you to be polite to Mozart! “We’re into classical music!”

“······?”

What does that mean?

“Uh, anyway! It’s about being polite. I’m leaving now. And next time, tell me I’m short one more time. “I won’t leave you alone!”

Lee Ha-eun is spilling out words.

He’s definitely a unique kid.

Lee Ha-eun left the music room only after saying one more word.

“however···. If you just keep things organized here on a regular basis… I will also keep my mouth shut from now on. So make sure to clean it.”

“······.”

It looks like some storm has passed.

Fortunately, it seemed like the free pass for the music room in the old building was still valid.

I looked at the door Lee Ha-eun left out for a while and then started to move.

This is because there are only two minutes left until class starts.

* * *

That night.

I barely finished the MIDI work with my smartphone.

A huge step forward!

This was a great leap for one man!

“Whoa.”

Anyway, the work is finished.

I connected my smartphone to my PC and transferred the WAV file.

Then I opened Google Mail and wrote an article according to the format.

This contest is conducted anonymously for fairness.

The only personal information I recorded was my email address and phone number.

After reviewing it a few times, I hit the send button.

A composition contest held by ⌜Wolgwang⌟, a mid-sized record label in Korea.

It was the first time my song left my hands.