There are a few crucial crossroads in life. Moments that can change everything.
Right now, I'm standing at one of them.
My breath grows shallow from nerves. My hands are shaking. With those trembling hands, I carefully tore open my report card.
First, written tests.
These don't matter.
30 points, 54 points, 42 points. Pathetic scores. Whatever—skip.
Only one thing matters. The major exam.
In the major exam, the most important part is the practical performance—the one where we submitted and performed our original composition. The event score and performance practicum come after.
Out of 72 total points, the major performance alone is worth 56 points. Events are 8 points. The remaining 8 are music theory, sight-singing & ear training, music history, and performance practicum.
Sure, I didn't study at all—but I'm confident in music theory and history. I studied them my whole previous life.
Well, honestly, even if those scores were trash, it wouldn't matter.
The scholarship I'm aiming for—Outstanding Student Scholarship—is awarded to the student in each major with the highest practical score. In other words, as long as my original composition and event scores are high, I'm good.
I check the final section of the report card: Specialized Courses (Music).
[Music Theory 2]
[Sight-Singing & Ear Training 1]
[Music History 2]
[Performance Practicum 2]
Good. So far so good. Except for sight-singing & ear training, everything is the highest score.
Next most important: "Event."
[Event 8]
My hand clenches into a fist.
Let's go. That's done. Full score! Damn, all that effort paid off.
Now there's only one score left.
"Phew… phew…"
I take a deep breath and check the last score.
[Major Performance 56]
"YES, FUCK!"
I swore without even realizing it. People stare. Taeyoung looks at me like I'm insane. I ignore them all.
Do your opinions matter right now? Huh?
I GOT THE SCHOLARSHIP!
Major performance is graded relatively, not absolutely. So perfect scores almost never happen. At most, maybe two people? Sometimes none at all. And I just got a perfect score.
Sure, Han Goyo might also get full marks—but she's Vocal major. I'm Composition major. Different categories. It's fine.
"God… what a relief."
I muttered, leaning back in my chair. I felt completely drained.
The scholarship notice comes with the tuition bill during vacation. It's only half tuition… but who cares? That's huge. And if I get the Outstanding Scholarship twice or more, I qualify for the Success Scholarship—full tuition exemption. Amazing.
The big plan I had since admission… I'm starting to see it take shape. It's still a long road, but the beginning is what matters.
Let's go. Let's fucking go. Just keep going like this.
§ §
"So, what was your score again?"
"Perfect."
"All of it?"
"Yeah."
Goyo nodded.
Taeyoung let out a shocked noise. Perfect written and practical? Is she even human?
Hajun, however, was rather calm. He already knew how insane she was. As expected of an honors student. Not only does she sing well—she studies well too. Completely absurd.
Hajun took a bite of his cheap hamburger. Mmm. The taste of health deterioration. Sometimes you just crave this.
Next to him, Taeyoung munched on chips.
"Ah, break is soon."
"Yeah."
Vacation was just around the corner. Not that anything grand was planned. Hajun would prepare the festival stage with Suyeon. Taeyoung would work with Blue Aka.
Then what about Goyo?
Hajun glanced at her as she drank chocolate milk. She was serious about chocolate milk. She wasn't even watching others—just focused on the drink. There were already three empty cartons beside her.
Hajun asked, "What are you doing during vacation?"
"I have to come to school."
"School?"
"I'm doing the opening stage for the Contemporary Music Concert."
She looked at him. As if she had more to say.
Hajun tilted his chin slightly—go on.
Goyo hesitated, then spoke.
"Will you come watch the concert?"
"I have to. I'm going with my sister."
"Okay."
"Do your best."
Goyo's expression lit up.
His words made her happy. She didn't know why. Something felt strange. Her heart was restless. Just one sentence from him made her feel… light.
"I'll do my best."
In the end, she couldn't say what she really wanted to say. But she said something else. Maybe… that was enough. She truly believed so.
§ §
Before vacation, Suyeon and I finished our third song.
"The Reason I Left You," completed with her lyrics, became the most mainstream song we ever made. But that didn't mean the response was bad—actually, it was our best yet. Views were the highest.
And most importantly, SomSom's comments were the most intense.
I'm literally gonna die
Why is this song so good??
Please debut already…
Can I call you unnie? Even if you say no I will…
Unnie…
No matter how I think about it, Suyeon is probably younger than her comment style suggests… You could call it cringe stan behavior, but hey—she supports us. I'll take it.
Suyeon even replied politely:
[Yes, you can call me unnie!]
Seems she likes SomSom. Well, since SomSom commented from the very first song, it makes sense. Even I feel something's missing when I don't see her comments.
"So, are we starting the next song right after vacation starts?"
"Yeah."
"How are we making it?"
"Just by talking."
"Talking?"
"We'll talk in a comfortable place."
There are many ways to make a song. Not the method of composition itself—but where the ideas come from. It's different for everyone.
For me, I get the most ideas in a small room. But Suyeon might be different. Some people think of ideas outside. Some only in the practice room. Some… weirdly, only in the bathroom.
"But I have to go to cram school."
"We'll work around that."
"What about you? Aren't you doing anything during vacation?"
"…Not sure."
I was looking for a part-time job, but it's tough. Maybe because I'm just a first-year high school student. This might be a problem.
"Hmm… oh, right. How are we practicing for the festival?"
"Normally, we'd need stage time—but that's impossible. We'll practice in Haul Studio's practice room."
"I see."
She kept asking questions—mostly about the festival. It's her first stage, so of course she's curious.
"Then are you getting on stage too?"
"No. I'll be handling stage production."
"Mm… is that okay?"
"It's fine."
I popped gum into my mouth.
My family still doesn't know I changed my major to Composition. If Mom knew the singing kid suddenly switched, she'd worry. If Suyeon knew it was for her, she'd feel guilty.
So I plan to tell them in 2nd year: "I tried singing but lacked talent, so I switched." Until then, I'll just say Composition is my sub-major. They'll understand. If I say I lack talent—what can they say?
"Oh, right! At your school festival, will Jin Sohyang be there?!"
"Probably."
"Kyaa!"
Suyeon squealed in excitement. Right—she's a Hwayangyeonhwa fan. Especially of Jin Sohyang, who's close to her age.
Jin Sohyang, huh. She's kind of awkward to evaluate. As an idol group member, she's top-tier. But as an individual… she's barely second-tier. Honestly, just judging her vocals, it's a miracle she got into our school.
If she wasn't a currently active and already popular idol, she wouldn't have been admitted.
"If I meet her, can I ask for a signature? A photo?"
"…Not sure."
I'm not that close with her. We've never spoken personally. And she hardly comes to school, so she's like a background character. She's not an outcast though. If anyone's the outcast, it's me and Taeyoung.
…Wait. That kinda hurts.
"Anyway, let's start making the new song right after break starts."
"Yeah!"
Suyeon nodded energetically.
§ §
"Excuse me, do you have a moment?"
The day before vacation—the last day of school. Someone spoke to me as I was searching for part-time jobs on my phone. I looked up.
"?"
It was someone very unexpected. Like, insanely unexpected.
Jin Sohyang.
"Me?"
"Yes."
"…I have time."
"Could we talk outside?"
Not here, but outside? Ugh. Annoying.
I thought for a moment, then nodded.
Taeyoung looked at me in shock. He didn't say it, but his face read: Since when the hell did you two know each other?! You sneaky bastard.
Idiot.
Ignoring him, I stood and followed Jin Sohyang. She took me to an empty practice room. There, she looked at me. I looked at her.
She was an idol. And like an idol, very cute. Short—maybe high 150s. Colorfully dyed hair down to her shoulders. Ears loaded with piercings. All thanks to school leniency.
Seolwon Arts has an Entertainment Department and many trainees, so dyed hair and piercings are no big deal. Even so, Sohyang was on the excessive side. If she wasn't an idol, she'd definitely be scolded.
But why did she call me here? Does she want something?
…Don't tell me she likes me?
I snorted. Hanging around Taeyoung must be rotting my brain. Why would someone from the idol world—full of pretty boys—like me?
As I was thinking that, she spoke.
"Do you have anything planned during vacation?"
"Huh?"
"During vacation. Anything special?"
"Not really."
"Then… could you help me?"
"With what?"
Sohyang let out a deep sigh. She twisted her hair around her finger. Then spoke.
"I'm going to be on the opening stage of the Contemporary Music Concert. I was hoping you could help me with it. Of course, I'm not asking for free. I'll give proper compensation under a freelancer contract."
"??"
What the hell does that mean?
Jin Sohyang is performing at the Contemporary Music Concert? Why?
Wasn't the opening stage supposed to be Han Goyo and Kang Seonghun?
Continue reading up to chapter 40+ at Novelshub.org