No More Thug Life, I’m Playing Music

Chapter 37: Stand-in (6)

“Damn it…”

Holding my instrument, I stepped out into the hallway after the assistant instructed us to wait for the next turn. From inside the examination room, the sound of a bass filled the air. Somewhere along the hallway, I heard a woman crying.

Turning my head, I saw a man and a woman wearing identical slippers. They were the bass majors who had been whispering about me earlier.

“I messed up… What am I going to do?”

“It’s fine. I heard no one did particularly well.”

“But my intonation was way off…”

“It’s okay. You know who’s on the panel this time, right? You think the teacher won’t recognize your sound?”

Their voices faded, replaced by another sound near my ear.

“The number you are calling is currently unavailable…”

Choo Minji wasn’t picking up her phone.

“Sigh…”

There was nothing I could do to help her. Just as I was about to inform the assistant that I would withdraw from the test—

Clack, clack, clack—

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway. A petite girl with bobbed hair flying behind her was running toward me. It was Choo Minji.

“No running, please!”

Only after the assistant scolded her did she slow down and approach me.

“I’m… not late, right?”

“Just barely. But are you sure you can do this without warming up?”

“I practiced this morning, so… I’ll manage somehow.”

Her face still looked grim, a mix of anxiety and resignation. The door to the examination room opened, and the assistant poked their head out.

“Next, number 78, please come in.”

“Let’s go.”

“Yeah…”

We stepped inside to find a white-walled room. In front of us was a white curtain, and behind it, I could sense four presences. Right in front of Choo Minji stood a camcorder, set up to record the examination.

“…Oh?”

Her lips twitched as she noticed the camera.

“How tacky…”

****

“You did well.”

“Really? Oh, thank goodness…”

It was true. Once she was in front of the camera, her nerves seemed to vanish, and she performed at her best. Ducheol arrived in a car to pick us up. Choo Minji got in first while I loaded the instruments. Just then, someone called out to me from behind.

“Kevin!”

Turning around, I saw a middle-aged man I recognized—a member of the KBC Symphony Orchestra who had visited the school before. If I remembered correctly, he was a principal cellist.

“Hello, sir.”

“Haha, so you remember me. By the way, you played the last accompaniment, right?”

“Yes.”

“It was flawless. Absolutely impeccable.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“So, I was wondering… If you’re available, could you accompany my son’s solo recital next month?”

As we talked, a faint clicking sound came from somewhere. Looking around, I spotted two students sitting on a bench in the distance—the same pair I’d seen earlier in the hallway.

“Hey… Turn off the sound.”

“Don’t worry. They can’t hear us from here.”

Were they taking photos of me? Why?

“…Could you do it?”

“Yes, I’d be happy to.”

“Thank you so much! Let’s have a meal together sometime if you’re free.”

“Sure.”

After the cellist left, I loaded the instrument into the car. Before getting in, I glanced one last time at the students who had taken the photo. They were still sneaking glances at me.

****

Exactly ten days later.

Several people gathered at Baekjung Studio. Choo Minji and Junsoo were fussing over a laptop, while Kim Bom stood behind them with her arms crossed, watching.

“Minji, even if you didn’t pass, don’t get too disappointed…”

“Shut up!”

Taking a deep breath, Choo Minji reached for the mouse, her hand trembling. But she hesitated and pulled it back.

“I can’t do it. I just can’t…”

“Should I do it for you?”

“No, wait…”

“Move.”

Kim Bom shoved the two aside, taking the mouse and clicking decisively.

“There.”

“Ack!”

“Oh wow…”

Moments later—

“…First alternate?”

That meant she ranked third, with only two spots available. In other words, she hadn’t passed. However, if one of the two successful candidates declined admission, the first alternate would take their place.

“Ah…”

“Hm.”

Junsoo and Kim Bom both looked disappointed. In contrast, Choo Minji threw her arms into the air.

“I did it, I made it!”

She jumped up and down, explaining excitedly.

“The bass section had Gu Dongro! If he drops out, you’re in second place!”

“Gu Dongro?”
“Ah, that delinquent?”

Kim Bom’s words brought to mind a male student—a lazy genius perpetually hungover. He had mentioned going to Korea University. If that was true, Choo Minji, as the first alternate, would naturally gain admission.

Hearing my explanation, Ducheol shouted from the kitchen toward the living room.
“Wow! Our Minji’s going to college?”
“Yes, Master!”
“Then this uncle is treating everyone to pork belly today! Let’s have a party at home!”
“Yay!”

Choo Minji, after bouncing around the house in joy, suddenly collapsed onto the floor. Her expression turned into a teary grimace as if the weight of her struggles came crashing down.
“Sniff… I need to visit my grandmother first.”
“Alright, I’ll drive you.”
“I’m coming too. Don’t misunderstand—this is for my dad’s sake.”
“I’ll come as well! Seojoon, you’re coming too, right?”
“Sure, why not.”

****

A little later, we were all gathered in the private hospital room where Minji’s grandmother was staying, eating fruit together. Her grandmother watched Minji with a warm smile, her gaze never leaving her granddaughter.

“Yes, Mr. Seojoon. Gu Dongro has been admitted to Korea University.”

I showed the text message from Yoo Ahra to Minji. Upon reading it, she burst into tears, crying as though she were finally releasing all the emotions she had been holding back.
“It’s… done now…”

Minji approached her grandmother and hugged her tightly.
“Grandma, I’m going to college… I’ll keep my promise, I swear…”

We all knew Minji’s story, and each of us watched the moment with a warm smile.

Bzzt—
At that moment, Minji’s phone buzzed on the table. The caller ID read Kyungyi University Department of Music.
Everyone immediately looked at the phone, expecting it to be a congratulatory call for her acceptance as the first alternate.

“Yes! This is bass player Choo Minji speaking!”

Minji answered the call with excitement, but I could hear the voice on the other end of the line. It was about a cheating accusation against Minji.

****

We arrived at Kyungyi University. Minji, her bass instructor, and I were here for a confrontation with the person who had accused her of cheating. The accuser, shockingly, was one of the panel judges—a professor who taught bass at the university, Professor Yoon.

“Sigh…”

Minji took a deep breath, and her bass instructor patted her shoulder reassuringly.
“It’ll be alright. A cheating accusation? This must be a misunderstanding.”
“Yes, sir…” Minji replied tearfully.

The meeting was set to take place in the department chair’s office. Upon entering, we found a spacious room where a distinguished-looking man was waiting—the chair of the music department. He greeted the bass instructor briefly before turning to me.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. Why are you here, though? This makes it harder for me to face Professor Han.”
“I was there when it happened, so I thought I should come.”
“Fair enough. Take a seat, everyone.”

Shortly after, the cellist I’d met at the parking lot last time entered. His face was full of anger, as if he were ready to lash out at anyone. The bass instructor stood up and greeted him first.
“Hello, senior.”
“Yes, Wook. What on earth is this about?”

The cellist raised his voice deliberately before glaring at Minji.
“Student, do you know me?”
“No, sir…”
“Have we ever met privately?”
“Of course not…”

The cellist then turned to the department chair.
“You see, Professor, why would I do such a thing? Is it because I’m an alumnus of the same school as Instructor Jang? Or because we’re in the same orchestra? Or because I supposedly hold a grudge against Professor Yoon for taking my position?”

After venting his frustration, he sat down, clearly agitated. The department chair shook his head, looking equally perplexed.
“I understand. But we can’t ignore the complaint since it was formally filed… Let’s wait for Professor Yoon.”

“If this turns out to be nothing, I won’t let it slide.”
“Understood. Calm down.”

The cellist, still fuming, finally sat down and gave me a small wave, which I acknowledged with a nod.

The atmosphere was tense when the door opened, and a chubby young man entered with a jovial smile.
“Ah, professors! My apologies for being late.”

No one greeted him, but Professor Yoon, unfazed, continued to grin.
“Professor Kwon, Instructor Jang, and our esteemed department chair, I’m deeply sorry for this unpleasant situation.”
“Take a seat.”
“Yes, sir.”

The meeting began immediately. Professor Yoon’s basis for accusing Minji of cheating was a single photograph.

“Please, take a look at this.”

He placed a tablet on the table, displaying a photo of me with the cellist, shaking hands warmly while carrying a contrabass.

…

No one said a word. The photo’s implication was unclear to everyone present.

“What is this supposed to mean…?” the department chair asked incredulously, but Professor Yoon interrupted.
“A student submitted this photo. A test candidate casually greeting a judge? Coincidentally, Instructor Jang and Professor Kwon are personally acquainted and in the same orchestra…”

Scratching his protruding belly, he continued.
“Looking at the scoring sheets, they gave the highest marks. As someone who loves Kyungyi University, I couldn’t overlook this. To resolve this matter without escalating it further, how about we move this male student’s alternate rank back and end it there?”

He wore a smug expression, seemingly unaware of the exasperation and disbelief on everyone else’s faces.

“Wh-what the hell…?”

Before Cellist Kwon could rise from his seat in fury, I stepped forward.

“Dean.”

I raised my hand slightly, and Professor Yoon scowled at me.

“Student, do you not understand where you belong? This is not your place to speak.”

His open disdain was evident. Cellist Kwon scoffed, unable to hide his disbelief.

“Do you even know who this young man is?”

“Who else would he be? A bass examinee, obviously.”

“You idiot. The pot is calling the kettle black, and you’re trying to drag an innocent into this.”

“Excuse me? Pot calling the kettle black?”

“Don’t think we don’t know your students also took this exam. Do you think we’re unaware of your illegal private lessons?”

“Ah, now that’s a dangerous accusation. Do you have any proof?”

“You… you…”

Of course, he wouldn’t. Payment for private lessons would have been made in cash, with no witnesses to testify.

“Enough.”

The dean, who had been quiet until now, intervened. He turned to me, his expression conflicted.

“Alright, Seojoon. If you have something to say, go ahead.”

“Thank you.”

I faced Professor Yoon directly and began.

“First, let me introduce myself. I’m Jung Seojoon, a piano major.”

“…Piano?”

“I’ve brought someone to help clarify the situation. May I?” I asked the dean.

“Do as you wish.”

I quickly operated my phone, and soon the office door opened to reveal two women entering with their heads bowed low. They were the accompanists I had seen during the exam—chatting about who was whose student. Professor Han had identified them precisely based on my description.

The sight of them made Professor Yoon’s eyes widen in shock. They were the accompanists for the two students he had given private lessons to. They had met him under the guise of rehearsals for their accompaniment.

“I’ve brought the evidence you wanted.”

*****

“Thank you so much, Seojoon.”

Outside the music department building, Bass Instructor Jang approached me with gratitude.

“I didn’t do much. It was all Professor Han’s influence.”

If not for Professor Han’s foresight, those accomplices would have denied everything to the bitter end.

“You were the one who anticipated this and prepared accordingly.”

“Well…”

Being in the spotlight as Baek Jinseong in the past had made me hyper-aware of situations involving photos and public perception. My instincts had sharpened over time.

“And perhaps you don’t know Professor Han well enough yet, but she’s someone who values propriety above all. For her to act personally in this way… it’s extraordinary.”

A few days prior, after Minji’s entrance exam, I had a lesson with Professor Han. During that lesson, I asked her a question that had been on my mind—about private lessons by university professors.

I knew it was illegal, but my curiosity stemmed from our unique relationship. After all, I was her only current student who wasn’t attending Korea University.

‘Kevin, you’ve been my student since childhood, haven’t you?’
‘Yes.’
‘And have I ever charged you for lessons?’
‘No.’
‘I discovered a piano prodigy by chance, and our relationship is simply a continuation of that. You could call it my contribution to the development of Korean classical music—a form of volunteer work.’
‘I see…’
‘Don’t worry about anything. Just keep the promises you’ve made to me.’

Those promises included attending Korea University instead of studying abroad, refraining from signing with foreign managers, and continuing to receive piano lessons exclusively from Professor Han.

That conversation made me realize something. Professor Han’s unwavering support wasn’t purely out of goodwill or nostalgia. She had her own goals in mind, and she intended to use me to achieve them.

Once I understood that, I didn’t feel upset—rather, I felt at ease.

Fine, if she intended to use me, I would use her too. With that perspective, I felt liberated.

‘Professor, if I may, could I ask you for a favor?’
‘Of course. Ask away.’

Reflecting on that exchange, I nodded to myself.

“She truly is remarkable.”

“Indeed. Both you and Minji have been fortunate to have such a great mentor, don’t you think?”

Instructor Jang turned his gaze to the music department building, where Minji stood smiling brightly, her expression full of joy.

“Ah… Minji is lucky to have met you. From now on, I hope she only experiences happiness.”

“Let’s hope so.”

Minji, basking in the warm gaze of both Instructor Jang and me, was on the phone with her grandmother’s caregiver.

“Please, put me on speakerphone! Grandma! Grandma! I got into college! I’m going to college! I’ll make sure to be a good granddaughter, so please stay healthy for a long time! I’ll come see you soon! Mwah!”

As Instructor Jang watched Minji, he patted my shoulder.

“Well, I’ll be off now. The dean wanted to see me. With Professor Yoon’s position now vacant… perhaps?”

“Haha, take care.”

“Alright. Bring Minji over to my place soon. I’ll cook something delicious for you both.”

“Will do.”

****

A few days later, we met again.

This time, it was at the Shinhwa Hospital funeral hall.