My Brother was a Genius

I made a song.

“Sorry”

As soon as I finished recording, the first thing I did was apologise.

What have I done ?

No matter how crazy I was with music, I shouldn’t cause nuisance to others.

I glanced at my phone.

It was 12.40

The thing that was wrong was…. It’s night, not day. I came and used instruments for three hours without any prior notice.

” I’m extremely sorry. I think…… I suddenly felt some kind of an inspiration….so…..”

“It’s okay, I understand. After all inspiration is the soul of musicians”

Said Seong.

I smiled bitterly at Seong’s reply.

Inspiration.

I’ve composed songs countless times, but I’ve only felt inspiration twice at most.

I don’t even know, whether I can call them inspiration..!?

Because I couldn’t even finish them….

May be I should call them, my inspirational nonsense.

Anyway, that’s why I don’t believe in inspiration.

I just make songs my own way.

I make countless melodies from start to finish. And put those melodies together. Cut out the weird part.

That’s my way.

I don’t know how to make an overall melody from scratch, or how to make a core melody.

That’s same even now.

The reason I recorded for 3 hours was because I made so many melodies.

I don’t know how many of those melodies will be used, or discarded.

” If you’re so sorry, you should play the song you made today to me later.”

“Yes.”

I nodded my head.

“I am really sorry and once again thank you so much!”

After greeting Seong once again, I left Howl studio.

It was completely dark outside.

Cold and dry breeze welcomed me as soon as I set my foot outside the studio.

I inhaled the outside air, and took out my cell phone.

There was a great commotion on my cell phone with 26 calls and 38 texts from my mother.

It seems that she was worried.

Well any mother would be worried, if their son doesn’t come home even after midnight.

But still…. 26 calls…. is a bit….

After sending a reply, I ran through the deserted streets and rushed towards home.

While running, I kept relaying the melodies I just made.

Although I recorded a lot of melodies, the core melody was yet to be decided.

Core melody is like an anchor, and I connect other melodies to it by cutting them from other tracks.

My mind was filled the thoughts ‘How about this combination ?, how about that ? What if it is made this way? If the core is like that will it highlight Suyeon’s talent ?

Without finding any answers, I finally reached home.

And of course, as soon I opened the door, I had an earful from mother.

# AA

The expression ‘cutting’ is more suitable for Hajun’s way of creating a song rather than the expression ‘making’.

He cuts the mass of melodies connected by countless melodies, which he cuts and cuts again, leaving only the core.

Of course it takes a lot of time.

That’s why Hajun invested all of his time in cutting songs except for the time, when it was Suyeon’s class, or his guitar lessons and studio recording sessions.

As a result the outline of the song began to appear to some extent.

And Seong, who heard the outline, exclaimed in a very pure astonishment.

– Incredible. I never thought that this kind of music would come from a melodic bundle.”

When Seong first heard Hajun’s song, he was spellbound.

“Oh my god, can you describe this as a song…!?”

“This is not a song or a track. If I try to put it into words, the closest I find would be a melodic bundle made by forcing the inconsistent melodies.”

“I don’t even know….how to give a feedback.”

However, as time passed, the outlines appeared, and today they have managed to reach a level that can be recognised as a ‘song

“Is it really okay..?”

” It will take a little more tidying up, but I think it’s very good.”

They were not empty words

There were still some cuber-some parts, but it’s still a good song to listen.

Seong believed that if Hajun kept cutting like this for few more times, he might get a really good song.

“By the way, are you preparing for a test…!?”

“ Uh………., how did you know?”

“Even during my time, there were quite a few students who prepared for First exam, even before entering the school.”

Ah….. Seong was also a graduate of Shibumi Art school. I completely forgot.’

Seong continued to speak to Hajun, who nodded his head.

“ Have you decided on a title?”

“Roughly.”

“You shouldn’t take it lightly. The title is very important in the exam. By the way, do you know how the composition department test works?”

“Isn’t it…. just playing the song during the exam.”

Seong nodded his head.

“Hmmmm….it’s correct…. But the exam doesn’t end with you just playing your song.”

“First, you have to choose a major instrument and play one of your own compositions.”

“While playing, if the length of the song is less than 2 minutes, then points will be deducted.”

“And….you also have to submit a work summary of the composition.”

“A work summary…!?”

“yes. You have to write about, how you felt while composing the song.”

“Why you made the highlight part here, and things like that…. So the title is very important here. If the title is rough, there are chances of getting points deducted.”

“Ah….!”

And….. you also have to play chord score of the song you wrote on the piano.”

“The evaluation is divided into three stages like, and points are distributed for the three stages.”

Oh my gosh…….Isn’t just playing the song not enough ?’

At Seong’s words, Hajun put on a serious expression.

The exam for the vocal major he took in his previous life was simple.

Just sing in front of people and cameras.

That’s it.

So Hajun thought the composition test would also be in a similar fashion, but it seems he was mistaken.

In particular, he never imagined that, there would be a work summary.

” Thank you.”

Had I not known this…..’

While Hajun was thinking about the new hurdle, Seong spoke

“Do you know how to play the piano?”

” I know but……. it’s not as good as the guitar.”

“Hmmm…”

Seong moaned as if he was vague.

Hajun’s guitar skills were average.

Of course, the average here is based on the benchmark of Shibumi Art school students.

And this the level he’ve reached thanks to receiving lessons from Seong.

Before that, his skills were below average.

“Would you like piano lessons?”

At Seong’s sudden question, surprised Hajun responded

“…..I’m really thankful, but is it okay with you, Senior.”

” Its okay….. It’s always fun to have lessons with Hajun”

Seong smiled brightly as if he was taken a liking to being called ‘Senior’.

It was a smile that didn’t go well with his shaggy beard.

He’s a really…..a very unusual person’

“Ah…. do you know how to write chord sheet music?”

“Yeah, I know that.”

“That’s good, then we can increase the lessons to twice a week before entering the school. Tuesday is for guitar, and Thursday is for piano. How is it?”

” Thank you so much for your benevolence Senior.”

“And after opening of the school, you can take classes on the weekend.”

Hajun nodded his head.

And after thinking about it for a while, he said cautiously.

“Excuse me, senior.”

“Oh…what is it ?”

“Is it okay if I bring my sister to the classes on the weekend?”

“Your sister…..!?”

“ Yes.”

‘Brother and sister

“Come to think of it didn’t Hajun say before, that the reason he doesn’t want become a singer is because of his younger sister.’

In Seong’s opinion, Hajun’s singing ability was not bad.

Even among the vocal majors at Shibumi Art school, it will be at a pretty good level.

Such Hajun gave up being a singer, just because of his sister!

Seong couldn’t win over his curiosity, so he just nodded and said

“Sure”

As I was working on the song, the entrance ceremony was approaching

To be honest, I’m not too worried about the entrance ceremony.

It’s a school I’ve already attended once, so what is there to worry about?

But mother and Suyeon didn’t seem to be like that.

They trembled more than me and took care of things.

“Is it really okay for you to go alone? Do you want mom to go with you?”

“That’s okay mom, you also has work to go. And, also they start classes as soon as the entrance ceremony is over.”

“Are you really okay going alone…brother?”

I can understand mother’s concerns, but why….. is Suyeon worrying about me…her elder brother.

Anyone who sees it will think, that I am her younger brother.

“Don’t worry about me, you study hard.”

At my words, Suyeon replied with a stern face.

“I study better than my brother…so you don’t need to worry about that”

I was little startled and little irritated at Suyeon’s small muttering words.

I never thought Suyeon would speak so comfortably to me to the point, she made fun of me.

Maybe she became comfortable with me because of all those music classes.

In the past, there was always a wall between us.

Might be because, I never paid attention to Suyeon.

At that time, my mind was always filled with training, academy. and studies.

So I never had a proper conversation with Suyeon

Even to a someone like that, Suyeon continued to stay by the side and support.

A dictionary example of a Great sister and a worst brother.

“Here.”

As I was reminiscing the previous life, Suyeon offered me something.

A beautifully packaged small box.

I took it and opened it.

There was a wallet.

“It’s a gift to my brother for entering high school.”

“….thanks.”

Before I could overcome my emotional outburst…

” This is a present from mom.”

This time it was mother.

A shopping bag much larger than Suyeon’s

When I opened it,

there was an earphone from an expensive brand.

“Congratulations, son..”

Seriously, my whole family is so nice.

Why are they so nice…..

to…someone….like me….. ………a trash like me.

Sob

Somehow, water started coming out of my eyes and nose.