Genius of a Performing Arts High

Act 11: Slowly 6

Crossing his arms, Kwak Jungsoo quietly heaved out a sigh.

‘Hmm...’

Society.

He, who decided to take care of a society with his disciple’s request, wasn’t that worried at the start. It was because the person in question was none other than his disciple – Jo Yunjae.

A disciple too outstanding for him to lead, and a talent that made him seek advice from his own master. Since such a child had entered a society doing musicals, he must have had his reasons.

That was what he had thought.

‘But this...’

He took a breath in, before heaving it back out and gazing around. The tattered club room entered his sight, but that wasn’t important, as people were more important than a room.

But the members, the composition of the club was too weak.

‘Five that can sing, with three being freshmen.’

And the other two were unrelated to the field, that hadn’t even sung before.

‘Not good...’

Pressing on his temples, Kwak Jungsoo organised his thoughts. Doing a proper job with an opera or a musical required quite a number of people.

It was, after all, an artwork drawing forth a story and was natural for it to require various characters to allow a gentle flow of the story.

Five, and even seven was quite lacking. They could force themselves to do it, but due to the limited number of characters, the burden that had to be shouldered by each member would be bigger.

Due to the small number of members, it would be glaringly obvious if someone were to make a mistake. That meant that the few number of actors had to diligently match their teamwork but...

‘...’

Kwak Jungsoo stared at the three candidates for the female protagonist position with a bitter gaze.

First off, was the second-grade Opera Department girl called Hyeji.

Judging from how her lips were in a pout, it seemed like she wasn’t fond of first-grade students nominating themselves for the protagonist position, as it was normal for seniors to take the protagonist spot on stages like this.

A few second-graders at the back wore similarly discontent expressions, as if they were in agreement.

Well, so far, it was a common hierarchical contest between seniors and juniors.

The real problem, was the two freshmen – Song Mirae and Han Dasom who were blatantly keeping each other in check.

Even during the short period of time when she had entered late with Jo Yunjae, Han Dasom gave a sneer from Jo Yunjae’s side while Song Mirae scowled back so their relationship was a given.

It was that of a cat and a dog.

If their relationships were bad despite only having five actors, how could they even go about practising?

‘That’s why I told them to decide the protagonist by themselves and yet...’

If he were to favour someone in a situation like this, it might lead to a greater conflict between the two. There was also the fact that he wanted to test how hostile the second-graders were towards the freshmen.

And the final result was simple.

Han Dasom’s complete victory.

‘The second-graders aren’t standing for the second-grade girl as much as I thought.’

Or maybe the club president had better leadership than he thought.

Tilting his head, Kwak Jungsoo pondered as he stared at the front.

In any case, it was great that he earned answers to his questions but... at this rate, there would be another issue between Song Mirae and Han Dasom. Being defeated by Han Dasom whom she tremendously hated would obviously wound her pride.

‘Then, the outcome will be obvious.’

Kwak Jungsoo, who had been on countless opera stages while seeing countless wars of nerves between actors already knew. An actor that lost out on a fight like this, would usually be pushed down from the stage.

‘Or would leave with their own feet.’

Or, they might even ruin the actual performance.

Whatever the case, it wasn’t a future he desired.

‘That won’t be good right?’

Putting strength into his eyes, Kwak Jungsoo started glaring daggers at Jo Yunjae. As the votes continued, he was now the only remaining person.

‘At the very least, you must stand on Song Mirae’s side!’

Kwak Jungsoo opened his eyes into circles.

*

“Next up is you huh. Stand up.”

Hearing the teacher’s demand, I stood from the seat and slowly faced the front. I could see teacher Kwak Jungsoo quietly staring at me with crossed arms, and the three protagonist candidates sitting in front of him with tense expressions.

Seeing their faces, I scratched my hair.

“I just have to say who will be a better protagonist right?”

“Right, right. Who you think will be better. Think very carefully, and slowly. You can take your time, okay?”

“?”

What?

Sensing something strange from his attitude, I tilted my head before soon turning my gaze back to the three.

Han Dasom, Song Mirae, and the sunbae.

Who should be the protagonist?

“...”

Since they happened to be three, I suddenly remember pokemon which I played back in the days. In fact, because I was going to choose the female protagonist who would be standing next to me, it was extremely similar in that sense.

‘Then the teacher is Professor Oak, huh...’

I threw a glance at the teacher with such baseless thoughts running across my head, when a strange sight entered my eyes.

Teacher Kwak Jungsoo was twitching his eyebrows, and sent a vague gesture with his eyes towards Song Mirae.

Seeing that, I slowly made a smile.

“I think Song Mirae suits the protagonist’s position more.”

His expression brightened up in an instant.

Hah, it’s easy sir. I was your disciple for twenty years so a gesture like that is a piece of cake.

I looked into his eyes with a triumphant light in my eyes when Chloe tilted her head next to me.

“Whyy?”

“‘Why’?”

As I cluelessly came to an abrupt stop, Yun Soojin-sunbae spoke with a smile.

“Sir told us to give reasons as well.”

“Ah.”

Right...

He definitely did say that, and just then, Yun Soojin-sunbae had also explained a few things. After coming to myself, I quickly started racking my brain.

Reason, huh.

A reason why Song Mirae was better than Han Dasom.

‘There aren’t any.’

No matter how I thought, our Dasom was better than Song Mirae. I had picked Song Mirae due to Yun Soojin-sunbae’s words and teacher Kwak Jungsoo but... Han Dasom was better at singing and her voice was also better. In fact, Han Dasom was prettier as well.

What is it Song Mirae? What in the world is your strong point.

I contemplated in seriousness but unable to withstand the endless silence, I opened my mouth.

“Umm... it’s difficult to explain but... it was just good...”

‘There’s no reason but Song Mirae is better than you’ – deducing that from my words, Han Dasom’s expression turned gloomy in an instant. Seeing that, I quickly reworded my sentence.

“In fact, Han Dasom was better at singing.”

“And?”

“That... there is a definite reason why Song Mirae should be the protagonist in this musical, and that is... it felt a bit different.”

While sweating, I was trying my hardest to think of words to say when the teacher’s expression that seemed to be saying, ‘A for effort’ entered my sight.

Umm sir, I was just following you...

Flaring up inside, I glared at the teacher and continued my words.

“That, how should I say it... it was easier to concentrate...”

Finally, teacher Kwak Jungsoo interjected with a clap.

“Good. Nice words.”

Eyes of the club members gathered at teacher Kwak Jungsoo. Returning every single gaze, he walked towards us and opened his mouth.

“Opera and musical! We all sing and act at the same time. Due to opera arias, you guys are probably more familiar with arias. Now, is there anyone here that knows the difference between a musical and an opera?”

Lim Suhjoon-sunbae replied.

“Aren’t musicals more modern? They use a mic as well.”

“Right. Using a mic is the first big difference. That’s why those two that do not know how to sing can also enter the stage, because there is no need to use the resonating chambers.”

Staring at Chloe and Yun Soojin-sunbae, teacher Kwak Jungsoo nodded and soon continued his sentence.

“Another difference would be the way we call people. In musicals, we usually call them musical actors, and we refer to those that do opera, as opera singers.”

“...”

Stopping his feet before us, teacher Kwak Jungsoo gazed down.

“An actor and a singer. Do you get what I’m saying?”

“...An actor must act.”

He gave a wide smile in response to Yun Soojin-sunbae’s reply.

“Yes. ‘Acting’ is more important in musicals than in operas. There are cases of old fat ladies performing as a princess but that is not the case in musicals, as they focus more on each character. That is a large difference between the two.”

Turning back to the front, he returned to his original position while laying out an explanation.

“Of course, that doesn’t mean opera singers don’t act at all. It is common for opera singers to receive a negative reaction if they can’t act but what is crucial, is the difference in the priority of acting and singing.”

After finally arriving before the three candidates, teacher Kwak Jungsoo touched the chair Han Dasom was sitting on. With a flinch, she shrunk her body.

“In that sense you were... a bit lacking. Your song was good but in terms of acting, there was no analysis into what sort of person that character was, as well as the reasons behind those actions.”

A character analysis.

Hearing those words, I flashed my eyes wide open.

Seeing that, the teacher let out a grin and continued.

“That is probably why you guys thought Song Mirae was a better protagonist.”

“Ah... that’s why...”

Eyes of admiration faced Yun Soojin-sunbae and myself.

...This doesn’t feel that good though.

I watched teacher Kwak Jungsoo with a bitter gaze, as he avoided eye contact and changed the topic.

“Well, with this, my advice for the first votes has ended and it is time for you to choose your protagonist through a second voting session. Do this yourselves. You can vote, or do a scissor paper rock. Just send me a message on who the protagonist is going to be, and I will recommend a few scripts that match the protagonists.”

“Yes sir~”

“I’ll get going then.”

*

After the teacher left, the club room was replaced by a rowdy atmosphere. Other sunbaes were blabbering around Yun Soojin-sunbae.

“Whoa, as expected of our president! How can you tell that apart in that short period of time?”

“I know right. I’m also amazed myself~ Maybe it’s because I did a musical back in my first grade.”

“I thought that girl called Han Dasom was better... but it’s true that Song Mirae appeared more like she was acting. It was indeed easier to concentrate.”

There was also Lim Suhjoon-sunbae next to me, starting a conversation with a smile that read ‘not bad’.

“A prac high-achiever is different from others huh? I only realised after listening to the teacher’s explanation.”

“... No that... it’s just.”

Hearing my mumble, he patted my shoulder before turning around.

“Anyway, you did a great job today as well. See you next week. I’ll start a vote on the group chat so don’t forget it.”

“Yes.”

Waving my hand, I thought in silence while holding my phone.

The vote... I guess should definitely go to Song Mirae right?

After all, it was none other than Song Mirae, who had been the female protagonist in this society before the regression.

‘But our Dasom is good as well...’

I was in the middle of a long contemplation when I found Han Dasom slowly walking towards me.

...It was making me feel a bit guilty.

When I stealthily avoided eye contact, Han Dasom made a faint smile before resting herself next to me.

“Are you voting...?”

“Yeah...”

Han Dasom probably felt slightly hurt due to me choosing Song Mirae considering the sheer amount of time we practised together. Even I wouldn’t be feeling great if I heard Han Dasom evaluating me under someone else.

Because in the end, we were all people crazy for music.

Our insides boiling up after realising we were worse than others was a mentality we couldn’t do anything about.

Scratching my hair, I was wondering what to say when Han Dasom suddenly opened her lips.

“I’m fine, Yunjae.”

“What?”

When I turned my head around from the sudden words, I found Han Dasom quietly staring at me. Her tidy set of facial features, as well as her lips curled into a smile entered my sight.

“It’s okay for Song Mirae, to be the protagonist. I mean it...”

“Really?”

This was a bit unexpected.

I examined her expression in case it was a sarcastic comment when she raised her knees up and embraced it before opening her mouth.

“Though I’m a bit sad... the teacher also said Song Mirae is better suited so... nn, I’m fine Yunjae.”

“...”

She really must be someone without a single bit of greed. Wasn’t she at least frustrated, after losing out on a competition?

Feeling a little stuffy inside, I heaved out a sigh and reprimanded her.

“Hey you can be a bit greedy for things like this. Although it’s just a club activity, it is still a protagonist role.”

Han Dasom, who let out a ‘hehe’ smile like a kind fool, matched her line of sight with mine.

“It’s the stage you’ll be going on...”

“Un?”

Her eyes warmly bent down.

“I wish for it to be the best stage possible.”

“...”

Best stage.

As I closed my mouth in silence, she whispered.

“So it’s fine. If there’s a better actor on the stage... wouldn’t it become a better stage...?”

“...You might be better than her.”

“I don’t think so...”

Han Dasom, this child. She was sharper than she looked. Letting out a grin, I took my phone out and opened the voting system.

“I’m going to be voting for Song Mirae then, okay?”

“Nn. If she bothers you, by any chance, tell me.”

“Seriously you...”

Right when I was about to tell her off by saying something, my phone started vibrating.

[Teacher Kwak Jungsoo]

...He just left though, so why is he calling?

I blinked my eyes a few times, and accepted the call.