Zelkova piano stage. Two people, each leaning on a different piano, contemplate the emptiness between them. There, at the central piano of the three, a child used to sit practicing his interpretation.
"He's gone.
"Yes, he left.
It's empty.
Both feel loneliness after saying goodbye to someone who was like a son for seven years. A short period, yes... but for them, infinitely significant.
Although the size of the regret was similar, Franz—who had eaten and slept next to him—had a more bitter expression.
Frédéric, understanding his friend's feelings, offered words of consolation:
"Soo-hyun can come back whenever he wants, right?" Do not worry.
"..."
"It's not like we'll never see him again, right?"
"Did I do it right?"
"Huh?"
"I mean... by letting Soo-hyun go.
"Listen. Soo-hyun was alive. He was not a child who belonged in this place, where only the dead can come. He returned to the place where he was supposed to go. What are you talking about?
Franz sighed. He scratched the smooth body of the piano with his fingernails, without knowing why.
"I'm worried that he won't be able to adapt. He can only play the piano."
Frédéric sighed briefly, perhaps sharing that uneasiness, but then shook his head.
"It takes a turning point to change life. To live differently from others, to achieve something higher. Soo-hyun needs a strong pick-me-up."
"Mmm...
"Your technique is almost perfect. But it lacks emotional expression. It's because he hasn't lived with people. He needs to feel love, sadness, joy, happiness... You more than anyone know how important that is for a pianist.
"Ugh... you are right.
Frédéric smiled, pleased to see Franz accept him, and looked back at the piano where Soo-hyun used to sit.
Franz, who was watching his friend, asked:
"Frédéric.
"Mmm?"
"Who was your first teacher?"
"The teacher with whom I had my first lesson was Wojciech Żywny.
"It's the first time I've heard that name.
"Of course. He was a violinist, not a pianist.
"Did you take piano lessons with a violinist? You're weird too... And your first piano teacher?"
"It was Professor Wilhelm Würfel, pianist at the Warsaw Conservatory."
"How old were you?"
"Fourteen.
Franz licked his lips before speaking:
"They say my teacher was Carl Czerny. But in reality, my first teacher was my father. I grew up with him... He played the piano, cello, violin, and even guitar. Music came to me naturally.
"Was that so?"
"But, Frédéric...
"Yes?"
"What would have happened if you had met Professor Würfel when you were six years old?"
"Mmm?"
"Would it have been different if you had known him with six instead of fourteen?"
"Mmm... Well, I'm not sure. Perhaps he would have reached technical perfection faster. And since humans live a finite life, I would have had more time to develop, to reflect. But that doesn't guarantee reaching a higher level as a musician.
"I've never heard of the professor you mentioned. That is... He is not a famous musician. Don't get me wrong: I know that there are extraordinary musicians even if they are not known.
"Haha... yes. Having a good teacher is very important. If I had met someone like you when I was young... Maybe I'd be a better musician than I am now.
Franz looked up at these words. She looked him in the eye.
"What if I had taken lessons with a musician like you..." When I was six?
"Hehe... what are you trying to say?"
"I'm not asking you to get on a plane. I'm serious. The genius Frédéric Chopin... not the young man, but the mature Chopin, the one who has lived. I'm curious what would have happened if Soo-hyun had learned from someone like you. From someone who has dedicated more than a hundred years to music... even after his death.
Frédéric smiled.
"Would you like to try it right now?" Haha... you too. Why fantasize about something that can't be realized?
Franz looked at his friend's smiling face, and then nodded to the empty piano.
"Recently, a child who had experienced something similar came into the world."
"..."
✴︎✴︎✴︎
Bern, Switzerland.
The spacious lobby of the embassy had a luxurious brown leather sofa, with an antique but elegant look.
A woman in her thirties sat across from Soo-hyun, who was holding a cup of steaming black tea on a table ten times larger than the one in Franz's house. The woman looked directly at him and began to speak.
"From now on, listen carefully to what I am going to say. It's shocking, so mentally prepare yourself.
Soo-hyun looked up. Judging by the voice, it seemed to be the same woman who had taken his call five years ago.
He had a friendly face, round glasses and a sober gray suit, as befits someone who works in an embassy.
"Are you talking about your parents?"
Realizing that she had been too direct, the woman adjusted her glasses awkwardly.
"Huh?" Ah, yes...
"I know.
"..."
The woman was quite surprised by Soo-hyun's extremely calm attitude.
His face—as he continued to adjust his glasses—was filled with sadness, discomfort, and a certain amount of shame.
"Do you remember the call five years ago?"
Soo-hyun, staring at the woman's face, asked:
"So you told me your name?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I should have introduced you first.
The woman handed him a business card.
"I'm Kim Ji-ye, an administrative officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I have been working in Switzerland for eight years.
"Yes. I'm Nam Soo-hyun.
"I know!" I've been looking for you for a long time.
"What should I do now?"
Kim Ji-ye looked at him with compassionate eyes.
Where do I start? This boy seems indifferent, even after having lost his parents...
Of course, if you remember that phone call, the weight of grief surely faded little by little over time.
"Ha—what should I say to you to comfort you—"
Although it wasn't his fault, Kim Ji-ye seemed to apologize. It was evident that he had a good heart.
"I'm fine.
"There's no way you're okay!" How is a thirteen-year-old going to be okay? Now you're all alone...
"Well, then I'll start with the important stuff. Listen carefully to what I am going to say from now on. You may find it difficult, but you must remember it. It is ok?
"Yes.
"When Swiss government officials arrive, they will ask you questions about what happened: where you lived, what you did, with whom. It will only be a formal procedure, so don't get nervous. The important thing is that you have returned alive. Before that, I'll explain what will happen.
Kim Ji-ye said this while flipping through a thick document.
"First, I'll explain what is related to the properties. The villa in Guui-dong, Seoul, where you lived with your parents, was rented. At that time, the rental deposit was 140 million won. When the contract ended, the government withheld that money. No interest can be charged, but you can receive a full refund.
Soo-hyun pondered with difficulty.
I don't know much about money. I don't remember receiving allowances, and the last time I asked for something was... when I wanted to eat something special.
"Even if I hear it... I still don't understand it.
"But listen. You have to remember as much as possible. The assets of the other deceased were liquidated by their relatives, but in the case of Nam Soo-hyun... there was no family. Ah... I am sorry.
"What does it mean?"
"It's just that... you have no relatives.
Kim Ji-ye was silent, as if thinking: Since your parents died, you are now completely alone in the world.
But Soo-hyun didn't even seem to understand what it means to feel lonely.
With a brief sigh, she continued:
"The next thing is about the compensation of the Swiss government. Compensation for the death of your parents will be delivered... and the one corresponding to you too. Payment will be made in about a month. The amount is around 400 million won. Since your parents didn't have life insurance, that will be the only formal income left.
"How much is 400 million?" You said something about jeonse before. I don't know what it is, but it seems like it's money to find a place to live. It's like triple, so it must be a lot of money.
"Eh... and on the subject of school: in the case of Nam Soo-hyun, he did not receive primary education. He is currently thirteen years old according to Korean age, so he should start high school next year. However, as your basic knowledge is very limited, you could fall behind if you attend a regular high school.
Soo-hyun nodded. Franz and Frédéric had spoken of this many times.
"Is there a lot to study?"
"Well, it will be quite a lot. Especially in areas such as mathematics... you probably fail a lot. Oh, by the way, did you happen to learn another language while living in Switzerland? If you did, they might send you to a school for students with language talent.
"What is a school for gifted people?"
"It is an institution that provides specialized education to students with exceptional abilities in a particular field."
"Aren't there other things besides language?"
"Of course I do. There is mathematics, language, science, art, sports, etc.
"If it's art... does playing the piano also come into play?"
"Of course. Instruments such as piano, violin, and cello can be studied.
"I play the piano a little.
Kim Ji-ye frowned slightly. To what extent can a child who grew up in a remote village and without communication tools play the piano? Moreover, it seemed clear that he never received formal instruction from any professor.
"That's a little...
"Is it difficult?"
"No, it's not that... You would have to take a practical exam...
"I'll see."
"It's not that easy...
"If I don't succeed, I'll think of another way.
"Well, if you mean it..." I will contact Korea.
"Thank you, Mrs. Kim Ji-ye.
"Ha, ha, ha...
Although she was educated and professional, she was curious that a thirteen-year-old boy called her by her full name.
He probably didn't grow up in Korea... He thought, as he moistened his lips and continued to explain:
"When you return to Korea, you will be able to stay for a while in a hotel, thanks to the consideration of the Swiss government. It will be until you find a place to live. The hotel will be in Jamsil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, and will be luxurious. Keep that in mind.
A hotel in Jamsil? Yes, that's the place for the department stores and amusement park. I went there with my parents just before I went to Switzerland. We also visit the huge Avenuel, newly built...
It's a place full of memories with them. You should visit it when you return.
Kim Ji-ye, who had already explained the essentials, got up and pulled up his glasses out of habit.
"Good. I'm going to meet with a Swiss government official. Don't worry, it won't take long.
✴︎✴︎✴︎
Two days later — Incheon International Airport, Seoul.
Soo-hyun entered the arrivals hall accompanied by two Korean embassy staff, including Kim Ji-ye.
The appearance of the airport was immense and majestic, incomparable to those in Switzerland.
Soo-hyun, who had not seen more than thirty people gathered at the same time—not even when officials surrounded him—now saw thousands of faces at once.
Where is everyone going? Where do they all come from?
People with bright expressions. People with tired expressions. People with dark expressions.
What are they thinking? Where will they go? All these people cross paths as if in a labyrinth. Some seem lost, with no clear clue as to what to do with their lives.
There are so many people living in the world...
Next to Soo-hyun, who was watching blankly, Kim Ji-ye said:
"Welcome back, Nam Soo-hyun, after seven years. I'd like to ask you how it feels to see the landscape of Korea again after so long, but since it happened when you were so little, I imagine it will be a feeling more novel than nostalgic. If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to let me know. So... shall we go to the hotel?
"Thank you, Mrs. Kim Ji-ye.
"Haha... Come on!
He said this while looking out the window, just as they were leaving the airport in a waiting car.
"We have postponed announcing Nam Soo-hyun's return to the press. We did this because we thought it would be too confusing for you if the news came out suddenly. But... It's hard to keep something like that a secret. This is not bad news, so the Swiss government will not try to hide it either. Mentally prepare... The press could appear soon.
Soo-hyun nodded and turned his head towards the window.
But what is a reporter?