Chapter 233: Growth (6)

Chapter 233: Growth (6)

Translator: Dreamscribe

When Kang Woojin first talked with Asami Yusako, who was both an ardent fan of his and an aspiring voice actress.

He could already tell then.

"Do you have a favorite work?"

"Oh! I like 'Howl's Moving Castle'!"

The OST of the world-famous anime 'Howl's Moving Castle'. In other words, he knew the song 'Merry-Go-Round of Life'. He could play it on the piano right away. It wasn't just 'Merry-Go-Round of Life'. Other famous OST scores from 'Howl's Moving Castle' immediately came to Kang Woojin's mind.

It was due to his 100% acquired piano ability.

Of course, Woojin had listened to the OST of 'Howl's Moving Castle' but had never seen the sheet music. Nonetheless, it was clear. As if he had played it on the piano thousands of times.

His fingers itched to play.

The next thing Kang Woojin noticed was the white piano in the restaurant. The massive restaurant, with many guests either conversing or enjoying their food, and the restaurant staff busily working in between.

Amidst it all, the grandly placed piano.

'It's kind of- oozing with style?'

The white piano looked expensive and shiny even at a glance. Its presence alone caught the eye, and since there was no one playing it, it seemed to be telling Woojin to sit and play.

So, was that piano playable?

Honestly, Woojin initially thought the white piano was just for the restaurant's decor. Maybe it was just decoration? Kang Woojin asked the female staff guiding him in a low Japanese.

"Is that piano for decoration?"

The female staff, perhaps seeing an actor for the first time, stammered shyly.

"Ah, no. It's just empty now because it's not time. A pianist will come and play it soon."

Apparently, there was a regular pianist. It wasn't time for the performance yet. So, Kang Woojin sat at the table with the members of 'The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger'. Although the actors welcomed him and asked many questions, Woojin's gaze was fixed on the piano in the center of the restaurant.

'It's bothering me.'

If it wasn't there, he wouldn't mind, but seeing the piano in front of him kept drawing his eyes. It reminded him of the piano in the high school music room where 'The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger' was filmed a few days ago. Then Woojin muttered quietly to himself, naturally inwardly.

'Should I play it?'

It was a very simple thought. A proper curiosity and drawing of attention. The condition of that white piano seemed very good. Unlike the music room's piano, it would produce a graceful sound. Besides, Kang Woojin didn't have many opportunities to play the piano.

But if he played the piano here, it would lead to bothersome misunderstandings and misconceptions.

So what?

What's the big deal. Although Kang Woojin knew this well, it didn't matter much. He had already come this far, right? Woojin's surroundings had been a swamp of misunderstandings for a while now. It would just add a bit more weight to that swamp.

-Swish.

Woojin looked at the girl Asami Yusako, sitting at the entrance, who overlapped with his younger sister Kang Hyun-ah. She was happily talking with her family. The song would naturally be 'Merry-Go-Round of Life'. It was the most famous and popular OST of the work she liked. It was to support the girl's dream and also a birthday gift. In fact, for Woojin, it was more of a sincere action rather than a fan service.

In other words, it wasn't calculated.

Then he turned his gaze to Director Kyotaro sitting across from him.

'Come to think of it, the director also asked me to play the piano once.'

It was truly killing two birds with one stone. Kang Woojin got up from his seat without hesitation. Even in his concept mode, he had a 'no hesitation' vibe, but Kang Woojin's original personality also didn't dwell on decisions for long. Tomorrow is tomorrow. If a problem arises, he'd deal with it then.

When he asked the employee who seemed to be the restaurant manager, he said it was okay to play.

"Are you planning to play it yourself, Kang Woojin-nim?"

"Yes. Is it okay?"

"Of course. But have you ever played the piano before...?"

"Well, maybe?"

"What?"

And so, the piano melody began. Kang Woojin struck the black and white keys with simplicity.

-♬♪

The piano performance of 'Merry-Go-Round of Life' resonated grandly in the restaurant. Naturally, the heads of the guests in the restaurant started turning one by one. Toward Kang Woojin, who was sitting at the white piano. The spread was rapid. Within a few tens of seconds, all the guests' eyes were on Woojin.

The piano melody was too fantastic to ignore.

-♬♪

The melody melting in their ears surpassed what could be learned in one or two years. The guests were just enchanted and unconsciously fell into appreciation.

"······It's nice."

"Wow··· He plays well."

"Hee- It's amazing, isn't it?"

Even about a dozen restaurant employees stopped working.

Yes, time seemed to have stopped only in this restaurant in the world.

"······"

"······"

"······"

It started that way, but gradually a different atmosphere formed. Who is he? Who's that black-haired man? Who's playing the piano? Dozens of guests wondered about the man playing the piano. Naturally, they soon recognized that it was Kang Woojin.

"That man······ Kang Woojin??"

"Kang Woojin? Didn't he just come in and sit with the actors over there? He was definitely by the window."

"Why is Kang Woojin playing the piano?"

Their shock was doubled.

"My, my goodness. Kang Woojin is playing the piano?"

"It's amazing, too amazing??"

But Kang Woojin's performance became even more brilliant.

-♬♪

Shock mixed with astonishment.

"That Korean actor- was he originally a pianist?"

Because he played so well. It wouldn't be wrong to think this was a large hall and a concert was being held.

The climax and then the softening piano sound.

The grand atmosphere was enveloped in tension. The overwhelming excitement faded slightly, but the guests couldn't take their eyes off Kang Woojin. It was because of the anticipation for the next climax. His piano had a superb control of tempo.

Thus, the girl in the wheelchair, Asami Yusako, had tears welling up in her eyes.

"······I, I said I liked 'Howl's Moving Castle'. That's why Kang Woojin-nim is playing this song for me. Mom, Dad. I think I'll never forget today. How could I forget such a gift..."

He looked radiant. That noble man playing the piano with composure. It was just amazing that such a being existed in the world. Even if it was a dream, it was fine. As long as this feeling, this emotion remained, it was enough.

In the end, Yusako had to wipe her eyes.

But the girl's parents had no time to comfort her.

"Is this what actors are originally like? No, it's not. Playing the piano for the birthday of a fan who just exchanged a few words..."

"Putting aside being an actor, his humanity itself is amazing."

The parents were so overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation that they had never experienced before that it was beyond words. It was enough to wash away everything they had to endure in the growth of their daughter in a wheelchair.

The girl's father and mother's eyes also became moist.

-♬♪

The piano touching hearts. Some of the guests in the restaurant were the same. For some reason, they wiped away tears. Watching Woojin, they recalled their warm past. The melody heard was the same, but the emotion it brought to everyone was different.

Some remembered the past, some the present, some the future, some cherished people, some their current wounds.

Some people who were not engrossed in the moment took pictures of Kang Woojin. They recorded videos or snapped photos. Some had been filming from the beginning, while others started midway or just now raised their phones.

"This kind of rare sight, where else could you see it?"

It was true. An actor, and a famous Korean actor at that, was in Japan playing the piano. Mesmerizing everyone.

It was something only imaginable in dreams.

At this point, someone slowly entered the restaurant filled with piano melodies.

-Swoosh.

"······Huh?"

A woman with her hair tied up. She was the originally scheduled pianist. As she arrived, Woojin's performance was nearing its end, and she found herself stopping and listening to the performance unknowingly, then suddenly furrowing her brows. She asked a nearby male employee, who was frozen in place.

"What's going on? Did you hire another pianist besides me?"

"What? Oh- no. That's Kang Woojin-ssi."

"Who, who?"

"Kang Woojin-ssi. The actor, the Korean actor."

"Wait······I know that, but are you saying that this piano playing is by an actor?"

At that moment.

-♬♪

The gradually diminishing piano melody abruptly stopped. Kang Woojin's performance had ended. However, no one in the restaurant moved immediately. The lingering emotion and awe still permeated their bodies.

"······"

"······"

Soon.

-Swoosh.

Kang Woojin, who had been sitting at the white piano with a quiet expression, stood up. Only then did the dozens of guests come to their senses, and applause started from the table near the entrance.

-Clap clap clap clap!

It was Asami Yusako and her parents. The three of them were busy clapping for Kang Woojin. Naturally, all the guests stood up as well.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap!

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!

The restaurant was filled with overwhelming applause and praise. It was all sincere. They expressed deep gratitude to Kang Woojin, who had given them such a sensational sight, even if it was just for a short moment. Where else could you see such a scene if not in a movie?

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!

In between, words of thanks, appreciation, admiration, and amazement were mixed in. Kang Woojin, standing in front of the piano, maintained a nonchalant face, but inwardly he was feeling extremely embarrassed.

'Oh my- that startled me, what should I do at times like this? Is it okay to just stand here.'

Though it was applause from only a few dozen people, to Woojin it felt like it was from thousands. Ah- yes, first, I should bow. With a poker face, Woojin gave a small bow to everyone. Then he turned his gaze to the entrance.

He made eye contact with Asami Yusako.

He just wanted to say it all. Happy birthday. I support your future dreams. Understanding this, Yusako, sitting in her wheelchair, bowed her head repeatedly to Woojin.

The only words the girl could say were.

"Thank you, thank you."

Of course, not everyone in the restaurant knew the story between Kang Woojin and the girl.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!

Not yet, at least.

Afterward.

The applause directed at Kang Woojin in the restaurant continued. Meanwhile, the team of 'The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger' at the window side were frozen. Except for a few actors who were clapping, they couldn't even move.

They were utterly astonished.

Mifuyu, who had been sitting next to Woojin until just a moment ago, was clearly infatuated with him.

"Crazy, how can that be just basic piano playing? What is this? This is cheating. It's ridiculously cool."

The other Japanese actresses were no different. They had similar expressions. Director Kyotaro, with his graying hair, had a similar face to the actresses, but what he felt was different.

'Possessed acting, Japanese language, sign language. His singing is top-notch too. With so much talent, what's with this piano skill? Why······'

Director Kyotaro couldn't understand at all. No, isn't it impossible in reality? But that impossibility was unfolding right in front of him. There's no formula, but the answer exists? He didn't know. He couldn't understand.

Then, Director Kyotaro reached a similar conclusion to Choi Sung-gun.

Ri, right. The important thing is that Woojin exists, anyway. That's enough. Yes.'

He gave up on making sense of it. He just decided to accept whatever he saw.

Around this time.

"What the heck-"

Choi Sung-gun rushed into the restaurant. Whether he had heard the news late or not, he came in a hurry, wearing slippers with his comfortable clothes. Choi Sung-gun paused for a moment at the sight of the restaurant guests standing and applauding, then quickly moved to Woojin, who was in front of the piano.

Understanding the situation could come later, leaving first was the priority.

-Swoosh.

Barely out of the restaurant, Kang Woojin and Choi Sung-gun got on the elevator. As soon as they were inside, Choi Sung-gun asked Woojin.

"What's going on?? What happened? Why were the guests applauding you- did you put on an act there??"

He asked urgently, but Woojin's answer was low and concise.

"There was a piano, so I played a song I knew."

"...What did you play?"

"The piano."

"Piano."

"Yes, I got the idea for the piece from the girl fan we saw earlier."

No, that's not what I'm asking? What's with the sudden piano? The look in his eyes seemed to say, but after taking a long deep breath, Choi Sung-gun didn't say more. This wasn't the first time something like this happened.

Asking would only destroy common sense.

"Oh- right. The piano. You played a piece you knew."

"Yes."

"It just so happened there was a piano in the restaurant."

"That's correct."

"Yeah, the piano. Well- you did well."

"Thank you."

Meanwhile.

"Wow!! Kang Woojin!"

"Amazing! To see something like that! Did you record it??"

"Of course!"

"I wanted to hear one more piece!"

"I'm a Kang Woojin fan from today."

Inside the restaurant where Woojin had left.

"He must have originally played the piano before becoming an actor."

"With that skill, he must have performed in concerts. Should we look it up??"

It was filled with talk about him.

Two days later, January 31st. Sunday.

Sunlight was streaming through the window. Thanks to the sunlight, specks of dust danced softly and settled on the various instruments lined up by the window.

It was a music room.

And it was quiet. The faint scent of wood and the sound of wind blowing through the slightly open window were all that could be heard. Occasionally, the beige curtains fluttered thanks to the breeze.

At that moment.

"Hi- Action."

With a voice heard from somewhere, the door to the music room creaked open. Someone entered. It was about 10 seconds later that his lifeless footsteps, which had been still by the door, moved. Tap, tap, tap.

-Clatter.

Someone sat in front of the old black piano. His actions were slow as he slowly placed his hands on the cover. He didn't open the cover. He just rested his hands on it.

As if opening the cover would trigger a flood of memories.

"······"

But eventually, he opened the piano cover. The white and black keys were lined up in a row. The keys, with their small scratches, seemed quite aged.

Then he placed both hands on the keys.

-Inhale.

It was 'Iyota Kiyoshi'.

*****