No More Thug Life, I’m Playing Music

Episode 14: Chaconne (4)

Seo Sooji and the orchestra members were taken aback.
This vast hall was completely packed.
They all knew who the audience had come to see, but the tension in the air couldn’t be helped.

Behind the stage, Seo Sooji gathered the students and spoke.
“Everyone, you’ve worked hard so far. After today’s performance, I’ll treat you all to pork belly.”
“Wow!”
“Relax and just play as you’ve practiced. And, tough guy—no, Seojoon.”
“Yes?”
“You look amazing today. Like a true leading man.”

At her words, all the students nodded in agreement. When Choo Minji had escorted Jung Seojoon out of the waiting room earlier, everyone had been speechless. He looked like an actor headed to an awards ceremony, his appearance so flawless that even the word “perfect” felt insufficient.

“Heh…”
Jung Seojoon let out an embarrassed chuckle.

With that, the performers began entering the stage one by one. A wave of applause erupted from the audience.
As the contrabass player, Jung Seojoon was the last to enter, positioned at the far end of the orchestra. The moment he appeared, cheers broke out.

“Wow!”

Seated beside him, Choo Minji gave him a thumbs-up.
“Who spilled the word for this many people to show up? At this rate, you’ll be a superstar!”

Seojoon smirked and lightly pushed her shoulder.
“How does it feel?”
“I don’t know. I just hope the day goes by without any trouble.”
“Ugh, tone it down with the old man vibe, please.”

The previous night, Jung Seojoon had a restless sleep. The dream he’d had felt so vivid, almost as if he’d experienced someone else’s memories firsthand.

“Shh.”
Seo Sooji’s signal for readiness.

The orchestra students, feeling more at ease, lifted their instruments.

****

The first part of the performance ended smoothly.
Now it was intermission.

The upcoming second half consisted of two ensemble pieces and two solo pieces. During the ensemble performances, soloists Kim Bom and Jung Seojoon had time to rest.

In Kim Bom’s private waiting room, she was meticulously wiping her violin with a pink microfiber cloth. Her expression was a complex mix of emotions as she carefully polished the instrument, stopping when she noticed something small engraved on the lower part: “BLISS.”

Her expression softened with a tinge of melancholy.

Knock, knock.

Someone was at the door.
Could it be Jung Seojoon?
Before she could respond, the door swung open.

“Hey, my sister!”

Standing at the entrance was a strikingly elegant woman. She had a tall stature, bronze-toned skin, and a snug-fitting gray school uniform. Though wearing American-style makeup, her exotic features blended seamlessly with it.

“What are you doing here?”
Kim Bom’s tone was curt, but the slight upward curve of her lips betrayed her true feelings.

“Why else? To see our pretty girl, of course~”

The visitor was Han Yeoreum, Korea’s top violinist and a childhood friend of Kim Bom.

“Yeah, right. You’re here for Kevin.”
“Oops, caught me?”

Han Yeoreum swayed her hips exaggeratedly as she walked into the room. Sitting down, she crossed her legs and pulled out an e-cigarette from her pocket. Kim Bom snatched it from her, shocked.

“Are you insane?”
“Why? Because I’m in a uniform? I’m a returning student—an adult!”
“You know smoking’s prohibited inside, right?”
“E-cigarette. Okay?”
“E-cigarettes are banned too. And stop speaking that cringe-worthy English. You only lived abroad for a few years; why act like this?”
“Excuse me?”

“Tone it down. You’re embarrassing.”
Kim Bom furrowed her brows as Han Yeoreum laughed out loud.

“Okay, okay. Anyway, where’s Kevin? I should say hi—it’s been ages. He’s turned into such a handsome guy!”
“The next waiting room over.”
“Oh!”
“Don’t bother going. He won’t recognize you anyway.”
“Oh, come on. Me? Really? After I kissed him?”
“Kissed? More like you forced a peck on his cheek because you thought he was cute.”
“Not forced! He liked it too.”

“Whatever. How do you expect him to remember you when you only met a couple of times at competitions as kids? Just don’t go.”
“Oh no… he doesn’t remember me?”

At Han Yeoreum’s disappointed expression, Kim Bom said nothing.

“Did I grow too much?”
“If you keep spouting nonsense, get out. I need to prepare for my performance.”

“But Bom.”
“Get out.”
“You’re quitting the violin, aren’t you?”
“…Who said that?”
“My mother.”
“Ugh… Your professor is unbelievable.”

Kim Bom recalled her recent encounter with Han Yeoreum’s mother, who had been a close friend of her late mother.
When asked about her well-being, she had answered earnestly.

“I’m planning to quit the violin.”
“…Laimi will be heartbroken.”
“I don’t want to stay in my mother’s shadow anymore.”

She had wanted to quit for a long time, deliberately failing the entrance exam to avoid attending an arts high school.

“Was it your professor who spread the news about today’s performance?”
“Of course~ Naturally. A sensation like the lost prodigy making a return? My mother wouldn’t miss the chance to show off. She’s been saying Kevin’s presence alone will elevate Korean music to the next level.”

“Seojoon’s going to hate it. He despises unnecessary attention.”
“Don’t worry~ He’ll probably be relieved. My mother’s already announced to everyone to leave him alone. Today’s performance is just for one purpose: proof.”

“Proof of what?”

“Kevin said he wants to graduate high school here. Whether it’s a regular school, an arts high school, or going abroad, he could blow them all away. Isn’t that what he means?”

“Wow… impressive.”
“So sexy.”

Han Yeoreum stretched her arms before slumping into a relaxed posture.
“Anyway, I’m taking a break here. People keep asking for autographs—it’s stressing me out to the max… oops, my mistake.”
She winked playfully at Kim Bom, covering her mouth.

Kim Bom frowned at her antics.
“I’ll just leave instead.”
“Good thinking.”

Kim Bom headed for the door but stopped in her tracks.
“Oh, by the way, unnie.”
“What?”
“Your blouse button popped.”
“Wha—what! Again?!”

Startled, Han Yeoreum looked down at herself.
Kim Bom chuckled lightly.
“Such a great first impression.”
“Hey! Are you crazy?”
“Whatever.”

Kim Bom let out a rare bright smile, but Han Yeoreum’s expression grew serious.
“Yeah, that’s better. Smile a little. Why are you so uptight lately?”
“I don’t know.”

Kim Bom turned to leave, but Han Yeoreum’s voice stopped her.
“What are you going to do if you quit playing the violin?”
“Study.”
“Ha! What nonsense.”
“Same to you.”

Smiling faintly, Kim Bom stepped out of the waiting room. As soon as the door closed, her expression hardened.
Standing next to the door was Jung Seojoon, now dressed in a formal tailcoat for his solo performance instead of his usual black suit.

“You.”
Jung Seojoon blocked her path.
“You’re quitting the violin?”
“…What does it matter to you? It’s none of your business.”

When Kim Bom tried to walk past him, Seojoon gently grabbed her sleeve. Her expression was too unsettling to ignore.
“Is something going on…?”
“Let go. It’s for the best anyway, isn’t it?”
“What do you mean? How is it for the best?”
“Don’t tell me you don’t remember. When we were kids, you said it yourself—you told me I should quit playing the violin.”

Kim Bom spoke in an indifferent tone.

“…Me?”
“Yes. And today is exactly the day you were talking about.”
“Wait a minute.”

They knew each other as children?
Is that why Kim Bom had recognized him as Kevin right away?
Seojoon was bewildered, unable to recall such a memory. He also couldn’t believe he might have been so reckless and harsh back then.

“Why didn’t you mention this before? Anyway, if I did say that, I’m sorry. I was probably too young to know better….”

“But Seojoon.”
Kim Bom looked up at him with dry, emotionless eyes. There was sadness in them, but something else loomed larger.

“I never resented you. Honestly, I didn’t want to play the violin either. I only did it because of my mom. For her.”
“……”
“But meeting you again made me realize something. Music should be done by those who love it. Someone like me, with feelings like mine, shouldn’t play.”
“Still, wouldn’t it be a shame to quit now, after all this?”
“No. The sooner I quit, the better. From now on, I’ll do what I want.”

What I want.
Hearing those words, Jung Seojoon nodded.

“If that’s the case… but why does today have to be the last?”
“Because before I quit, I wanted to show my dad. A performance of Chaconne on my mom’s violin.”
“…I see.”

Seojoon hesitated, his lips twitching as if to say something. Kim Bom’s eyes grew increasingly red, but he couldn’t find the right words to comfort her.
Offering solace to someone, even as an adult, was never easy.

All he could manage to say was:
“Fighting. Aja, aja.”
“…Aja, aja.”

Kim Bom let out a small laugh.

****

Before the second half began, Professor Han and the principal of Poongkwang High School were waiting at the front entrance of the art hall.
A taxi soon pulled up, and two middle-aged individuals stepped out—it was Jung Seojoon’s parents.

“Welcome,” Professor Han greeted them with a warm smile.

Kang Jungsook and Jung Sangho responded with polite bows. After exchanging brief pleasantries, the conversation quickly turned to Seojoon.

Professor Han started.
“Seojoon has been diligently pursuing music. He always seems to enjoy himself.”
“That’s such a relief,” Kang Jungsook replied softly.
“There’s no sign of any issues. Moreover….”

Professor Han was about to continue when the principal stepped forward.
“The teachers tell me that Seojoon also has excellent relationships with his peers at school. Haha!”
“Ah, I see.”
Jung Sangho responded stiffly, still harboring some resentment from the past disciplinary hearing.

The principal, noticing the tension, hurriedly added,
“I truly apologize for back then. In my position, I must remain impartial and view the students without bias….”
“It’s fine. My son did raise his fists, after all.”
“Thank you for understanding. I’m deeply grateful.”

The principal bowed deeply, knowing how crucial Seojoon was to the school’s reputation. With his certain acceptance to Korea’s top university, he would become a shining alumnus for years to come.

“And to have such a talented student join our school….”

As the principal began rambling, Professor Han stepped in to cut him off.
“Sir, why don’t you head inside? I’ll bring them in once Seojoon comes out.”

The principal bowed deeply and entered the front entrance.
At the same time, down the side path leading directly to the stage, designated for staff and performers, Kim Bom was crouched in the shadows.

“Since when did you care so much about the kids?”
She snorted as the principal’s words came to mind.

Sliding her dead earbuds into her pocket, she stood and brushed the dust off her skirt. She walked deeper into the dimly lit staff pathway. From inside the performance hall, music had already begun to play.

The piece was “Merry-Go-Round of Life” from the Howl’s Moving Castle soundtrack.
[Thump-thump, cha-cha, thump-thump, cha-cha.]
Seo Sooji had chosen it, confident it was a melody that even non-musicians would recognize. But, contrary to expectations, the art hall was packed mostly with musicians, leaving their lackluster skill more apparent.

“Poor teacher,” Kim Bom muttered.

Buzz.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out to find a text from “XXX.”

I’ve arrived. I see you’ve chosen that piece. I’ll enjoy it.
“Okay.”

As she approached the side entrance of the art hall, a voice from the direction of the storage area behind the hall caught her attention.

The voice was familiar, too familiar to ignore. Curiosity got the better of her, and she peeked around the corner.

The sight made her gasp.

“Baek Junsoo!”

Baek Junsoo was crouched on the ground, clutching his stomach.
Standing in front of him was a large man wearing a hoodie with the hood pulled low over his head. Kim Bom recognized him immediately.

“Choi Pilwook! Are you insane?”

“Well, look who it is,” Choi Pilwook sneered, pushing his hood back. His face was twisted with malice, as though he feared nothing in the world.

“I was planning to deal with you eventually, but what perfect timing.”

“…What?”

Choi Pilwook lunged forward, gripping Kim Bom by the throat before she could react. The difference in size and strength left her unable to resist. She clawed at his hand around her neck in vain.

“Shut up,” he growled, now grabbing her by the collar and yanking her forward. His glare bore into her as he spoke.

“You led me straight to that bastard’s house, you bitch. Do you know how much I’ve been running around because of you?”

“Ugh…” Kim Bom grimaced in pain but managed a retort.
“Oh, how tragic for you….”

“What’s with the attitude? You, who always acted like some untouchable princess, suddenly hanging out with trash like that? Seeing you and Choo Minji walk out of that bastard’s house… I couldn’t believe it.”

“Oh, you saw us? Then why didn’t you do anything?”
“……”
“Scared of Jung Seojoon, weren’t you? Cowardly little punk….”

The word coward made Choi Pilwook’s face twist with rage. He grabbed her by the collar and shoved her hard against the wall.

“Agh!”

Kim Bom hit the wall and collapsed to the ground, her wrist bending painfully as she tried to break her fall.

“You crazy bitch, weren’t you the one who begged me to get him expelled? Now you’re throwing a fit?”
“I must have been insane to get involved with someone like you.”

“Ha! Weren’t you the one who happily led him to me when I told you to bring him over?”

Kim Bom didn’t respond—because it was true. Back then, she had been furious at Seojoon. When she ran into him out of nowhere at the auditorium after seven years, she had been too shocked to speak. Her attempt to confront him later at the cafeteria was partly to warn him to stay away and partly because she was curious.

But Seojoon hadn’t recognized her. The boy who had left her with a lifelong grudge couldn’t even remember who she was. She had been so bitter about it that she’d made a mistake. She thought she could stop a bunch of thugs whenever she wanted, but it hadn’t gone as planned.

“Why so quiet now?”
“…Shut up.”

Kim Bom slowly stood, her gaze fixed on Choi Pilwook with a venomous glare.

“What are you going to do, glare at me to death?”
“Shut your mouth.”

“Isn’t that Seojoon guy just pathetic? Why would he even let you off the hook—”

“Shut up, you thug!”

Slap!

Kim Bom’s hand lashed out, striking his cheek. Choi Pilwook’s head tilted slightly from the force, and he turned back to her with an incredulous expression.

“Wow… you’ve got some nerve.”

His gaze turned icy.
“Just because you’re rich, the school pampers you, huh? You think the world’s got nothing on you? What, you think I won’t hit you just because you’re a girl?”

Thud!

His fist slammed into her stomach, hard enough that she couldn’t even scream from the pain. Holding her abdomen, she crumpled forward, nearly losing consciousness.

“God, this is so infuriating.”

Still seething, Choi Pilwook grabbed her by the hair and yanked her up. He raised his hand to slap her—

At that moment—