Chapter 93
I once saw a movie on TV. It was about a hero dressed in black, like a bat, who defeated villains, but in reality, Soo-hyun couldn't distinguish who the villain was while watching it. This was because, in his mind, the main character was also a villain.
There was a villain in that movie who looked like a penguin. The guy who was dancing outside the window with a bottle of alcohol and a funny expression was identical to that villain. Of course, the glasses and the innocent-looking face were far from the image of a bad guy.
Soo-hyun came out of the log cabin and headed for the piano stage. When no one was around, a sound was heard and the penguin villain turned around as he danced and walked towards him, moving unsteadily. The villain, who had to look up at Soo-hyun because he was so short, asked,
"New face? When did you die?"
Soo-hyun smiled bitterly.
'I'm not dead, sir.''Anyway, I'm glad his personality seems toxic. I think it will be better than when I was tormented by Uncle Beethoven.'
Soo-hyun bowed and held out the letter he was holding.
"Hello, sir. My name is Nam Soo-hyun."
Upon seeing the polite greeting, the smiling penguin villain spoke with a pleased face.
"Oh, you're a very polite person."
"I came here because I was told you would understand if I showed you this letter," Soo-hyun said, pointing to the paper.
The penguin villain opened the letter and, after less than a second, chuckled, placed it on the piano, and offered him a bottle of wine.
"Want a drink?"
Soo-hyun laughed.
"I'm not old enough to drink alcohol yet."
"Really? You're very tall."
Soo-hyun had grown a lot and was now just over 175 cm.
"I just grew taller."
"I see. Would you like to sit here for a moment?"
"Yes, thank you."
Soo-hyun sat on the piano stool the villain offered him.
'As I entered and stared at the penguin villain, I suddenly wondered what kind of letter Mr. Beethoven had written.'
A look of bewilderment and laughter simultaneously appeared on Soo-hyun's face as he opened the letter that was on the piano.
'It's me. Teach this boy.''This is a letter worthy of Uncle Beethoven. It's the first time I've seen such a brazen letter.'
As Soo-hyun was laughing on the bench, he saw the penguin villain coming out of the house carrying a pile of sheet music and books. Soo-hyun, who had been taught by his sister Ji-ye to always help an adult carrying something heavy, ran over.
"Give it to me."
"Oh, thank you. You're a very kind person."
"What is all this?" Soo-hyun asked as he moved the luggage.
The penguin villain smiled and nudged him on the shoulder.
"This is material to teach you."
'Now that I've read Uncle Beethoven's letter, I know I have to learn something. But when will I see all this? The pile of sheet music and books I'm holding seems to be over eighty centimeters high.'
"Excuse me… Master."
"Call me Peter."
'Peter? I don't remember any musician with that name. Who is this guy?'
"Peter…?"
"Yes, that's what my friends call me. They also call me by my middle name, since my first name is the same as Mr. Franz's."
'Mr. Franz. I guess he means Mr. Liszt. This man is also named Franz. But Franz Peter? I've never heard that name…'
Peter, who was watching Soo-hyun tilt his head, shook his hand.
"I was rude not to introduce myself first. My name is Franz Peter Schubert."
The name that flashed through Soo-hyun's mind.
'Schubert!! The king of songs…'
Soo-hyun's eyes widened. The reason he knew Schubert was because of Jaehee's influence, whose favorite musician was him. Schubert said, smiling playfully,
"So, shall we see what you can do?"
The Pianist's Village, Beethoven's house.
Franz, who had put Beethoven to bed after he had fallen asleep, approached Frederick.
"You probably just sent a letter saying 'Teach him!' without any explanation. Is it okay to send it like that? It would be better if we went first."
Frederick said with a smile,
"Don't worry, Professor Schubert will jump out of his sleep at the mention of Professor Beethoven."
Franz smiled.
"To be honest, I was a little surprised. I knew he was a very bright and cheerful person, but I didn't know he was so shy."
"Haha, that's the height of shyness. Have you heard the story of his meeting with Professor Beethoven?"
Franz thought for a moment.
"Are you referring to the story that Professor Schubert wanted to meet Professor Beethoven, whom he had always admired, but didn't have the courage to?"
"That's right," said Frederick. "The funny thing is that Mr. Schubert's house was only two kilometers from Mr. Beethoven's. It's said that he only worked up the courage just before the master's passing."
"The master said that while he was lying in bed, a small, fat Schubert came to visit him and showed him the music he had composed. The master regretted having met him so late."
Frederick nodded.
"Yes, but Professor Beethoven, who was already seriously ill, couldn't hear, so he asked him to write down what he wanted to say."
"At that moment, Professor Schubert saw the pitiful state of the musician he admired and felt so distressed that he ran out of the room without a word."
"But he still came to the funeral, right?"
"Yes, Professor Beethoven passed away just a week later. I still remember him crying like a little child."
Frederick, lost in thought, raised his wine glass.
"Everything will be fine. I'm sure Mr. Schubert will be kind to Soo-hyun."
Franz clinked his glass.
"Well, I have no objection to that. I'm just worried if Soo-hyun will be able to keep up with the professor."
Seoul, Korea, Korea University.
Kim Eun-joo, sitting opposite Professor Lee Chan-ho, handed him the next curriculum for Soo-hyun. The professor smiled.
"This time it's about happiness and joy. What a relief, I was worried you would only teach dark emotions."
"To be honest, all the plans I've tried so far have failed. I think I can do better this time, as I've done a lot of research," said Kim Eun-joo, adjusting her glasses.
"Yes, I fully trust the teacher. I'll leave it to you."
Footsteps were heard in the hallway.
"Who is it at this hour?" the professor muttered as he opened the door. He saw Chairman Park Ki-jun with his secretary.
"No, Chairman! What brings you here at this hour…?"
"Ah, I just remembered as I was passing by."
"What if I wasn't at school?"
"If you're not here, there's no connection."
"Oh, come in."
When Chairman Park Ki-jun saw Professor Kim Eun-joo, he bowed slightly. Professor Lee Chan-ho introduced them. As soon as the professor sat down, the chairman spoke.
"Professor, I'm talking about Soo-hyun's song."
"Yes, Mr. Chairman."
"Ms. Kim Ji-ye said that Soo-hyun refused to sign the contract. Do you know why?"
The professor smiled brightly.
"I don't know why."
'But why are you laughing? You're missing a moment that could be an important starting point in Soo-hyun's life.'
"Actually, I asked Ms. Kim Ji-ye after I found out," the professor said. "It seems the chairman really chose the perfect person."
"Yes?"
"Ms. Kim Ji-ye. When asked if it would be better to convince Soo-hyun, she replied: 'It is a complete self-indulgence to think that adults are right. I will let Soo-hyun make all the decisions for himself, and I will respect his decision'."
Chairman Park Ki-jun, who had a slightly dissatisfied expression, was lost in thought.
"It was my mistake. What Kim Ji-ye said is right."
"Haha, there are no mistakes. Everything is done by Soo-hyun."
"No, if I had thought like Ms. Kim Ji-ye, I wouldn't have wasted my time. She is absolutely right."
The chairman readily admitted his mistakes.
"That HUO…" the professor asked casually.
At the mention of the broadcasting station's name, Park Ki-jun made a gesture. As soon as Kim Eun-joo caught it, she gathered her documents and stood up.
"I'm leaving now. Go ahead and talk."
Eun-joo Kim left.
"It's a shame," said Lee Chan-ho. "If it had been included in 'The Emperor's Game', Soo-hyun would have become famous in an instant."
"That's enough. From the Chopin Competition to the Beethoven Competition, Soo-hyun is on an elite track. I think if he's exposed to the media for no reason, he might go astray."
"I agree. Being famous at a young age can bring money and fame, but also debauchery. That's not the kind of child we want Soo-hyun to be, is it?"
The night deepened for the three people who had the same thoughts; no, even for Ji-ye, who was at home researching what to cook for Soo-hyun.