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Seeing her father act as Yoo Dae-ae's father weighed more heavily on her heart than ever before. Even being in the same room as Dae-ae's mother was difficult. The other woman likely found it just as uncomfortable.
She wondered what on earth she was doing here. If it weren't for the sponsorship, she would never have come to such a gathering. Hee-jin looked around, feeling like an outsider who didn't belong.
The two families sat on opposite sides, centered around Chairman Go Shin-jae, who occupied the seat of honor. Sitting across from Seok-hyun, who was seated next to Dae-ae, was Hee-jin. Unexpectedly, Dae-ae's boyfriend was not Go Seok-hyun.
She should have realized when Dae-ae called him 'Oppa,' but she had been so preoccupied with the talk of sponsorship that she had overlooked the age difference.
"Hee-jin. I've heard a lot about you from Dae-ae. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is one of the Big Five in the US, isn't it? To join such a prestigious place as a principal... that's truly impressive."
Go Seung-woo, Go Seok-hyun's Hyung, praised Hee-jin with a kind smile. While the pride of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra came from its brass section, that didn't mean the strings were weak. Moreover, Hee-jin hadn't just joined as a principal; her skills were recognized within the orchestra, so she had every reason to be proud.
"I believe it's all thanks to the Chairman and the foundation. I've always wanted to express my gratitude, and thanks to Dae-ae, I've finally had the opportunity."
With a faint smile, Hee-jin bowed politely toward Chairman Go to express her thanks. Chairman Go looked at her with a satisfied smile. His eyes showed how proud he was of her for growing up so wonderfully.
"It is an achievement you earned through your own hard work, so there is no need to be humble. You have grown up very well."
No matter how small the land or how few the population of a country, there were always plenty of talented children. Chairman Go had spared no expense in supporting them so their talents could bloom, but not all of them blossomed as magnificently as she had.
"It's thanks to the Chairman. This violin changed my life."
Hee-jin spoke carefully, as if releasing words that had been filling her heart. She slightly lifted the violin case she had intentionally placed beside her chair. The case was worn from use, but that only made it a more precious object of affection.
Chairman Go's eyes wavered slightly as he recalled the circumstances under which he had given her that violin. However, upon unconsciously glancing at his youngest grandson's composed face, he regained his composure.
After all, it had been ten years; it would be stranger to still dwell on it. Chairman Go smiled with a relaxed mind.
"If it's alright, may I play a piece?"
Encouraged by the smile that warmed a corner of her heart, Hee-jin took a leap of faith. Now was the timing. An opportunity to showcase that she was worth sponsoring without ruining the atmosphere of the meeting.
When Chairman Go gladly agreed, Hee-jin carefully rose from her seat. Since inviting Hee-jin in the first place had been an expression of interest in 'violinist Yoo Hee-jin,' no one opposed. Dae-ae even clenched her fist under the table in a gesture of support.
Hee-jin opened the violin case and took a moment to catch her breath. Since joining the orchestra, she had been using a higher-grade violin, so she had only maintained this one without playing it. Suppressing the surge of emotion she felt the moment she first held this violin, she slowly gripped it in her hand.
After bowing, Hee-jin tucked the violin under her chin and lightly moved the bow.
Paganini's <Caprice No. 24>.
True to the notoriety of Paganini's works, it was not a piece that simply produced a beautiful melody. It required bold and brilliant execution, as well as meticulous and precise technique.
It had been the greatest challenge she faced as she grew, a symbol of testing her own limits. How much agony and frustration had she endured before she could confidently perform this piece before an audience? That was why she believed this piece was the only way to prove her skill.
While everyone held their breath, Seok-hyun did not take his eyes off Hee-jin. After finishing her preparations and closing her eyes, Hee-jin steadied her breathing and began to play. A clear, delicately tuned resonance pierced through the air, sending chills down the spine.
As expected of Yoo Hee-jin. Seok-hyun had attended countless concerts with his grandfather since the music camp, so his ears were quite refined. He had also acquired a fair amount of knowledge through interacting with musicians sponsored by the Gio Cultural Foundation. Even so, he had rarely felt such a magnetic pull.
Hee-jin's fingers performed a dazzling dance upon the strings. His body grew hot, as if every cell were reacting to the technique so precise it felt mechanical, combined with delicate emotional expression.
Even while navigating the high-difficulty sections of the piece, Hee-jin's posture did not falter in the slightest. It felt as though she possessed the confidence of someone strictly controlling every single note. Seok-hyun was completely immersed in the intense melody pouring from Hee-jin's fingertips.
The young girl who had shown a desperate level of effort beyond her years at the music camp had grown into such a magnificent violinist.
Seok-hyun felt a poignant regret that he had never once gone to see her perform. If he had heard her in person, he would have claimed Yoo Hee-jin for himself much sooner. The more he drowned in ecstasy, the more he felt driven mad by the waste of time.
The final note left a long, lingering resonance. Hee-jin slowly lowered the bow and exhaled. A heavy silence filled the space where the fluid melody had been. Everyone, including Chairman Go, held their breath, savoring the afterglow.
"Wonderful."
Chairman Go applauded with both hands. Everyone showered her with praise, and Dae-ae was happier than anyone. It was written all over her face that she was proud of her decision to invite her 'Unni,' Hee-jin. Hee-jin bowed her head deeply.
"I could feel how much effort you put in through this performance. I am truly proud of you."
Seeing the sincerity on Chairman Go's face, Hee-jin felt relieved, and her legs trembled as if she were exhausted.
Though it didn't sound like empty flattery, she still couldn't be certain if he would provide the sponsorship. Regardless, she had done everything she could. Hee-jin finished the performance without a single regret. Even if asked to play again, she didn't think she could do any better.
Steadying her legs, Hee-jin packed away the violin and sat down. Perhaps noticing she had sweated during the performance, Dae-ae handed her a handkerchief. As she took the handkerchief with mixed emotions and wiped her sweat, she felt a burning gaze from the front. Drawn by it, she looked up and locked eyes with Seok-hyun, who was staring at her with a meaningful smile.
To Seok-hyun, the music—filled with delicately conveyed emotions and sharp technique—still seemed to echo in his ears. It wasn't just because of her skill.
Immersed in the performance, Hee-jin seemed to be burning herself alive. It was an overwhelming aura, such that no one could have interfered with her playing. Just as she had been as a child, he could tell from this one piece how harshly she had pushed herself during the time they were apart.
"Seeing Hee-jin, I understand why Father emphasized the cultivation of promising talents so much."
Chairman Go nodded as he listened to his son. Except for very rare cases, it was safe to say that musicians are mostly completed in childhood. Thus, assuming one starts an instrument at three or four, the neural pathways are established by age seven.
"Indeed. How one builds their foundation in childhood determines their entire life. Hmm. It was an impressive performance."
Since Hee-jin had been in her third year of middle school at the time, Chairman Go had not expected her to grow this well, even while sending her abroad through the cultivation program.
Rather than the pull of fate, it was more fitting to say that heaven helps those who help themselves. Both then and now, Chairman Go liked children with grit. Those who carve out their own destiny and, even when faced with a wall, do not give up and climb over it until the end. Yoo Hee-jin was exactly such a person.
Chairman Go noticed that Hee-jin wanted to receive official sponsorship from the foundation. In truth, it was impossible not to notice.
When he thought about how much effort that young girl must have exerted to grow into such a wonderful violinist, he felt nothing but tenderness, but official sponsorship could not be decided so easily. Once sponsorship was decided, the foundation had to lend a violin worth anywhere from several billion to tens of billions of won and raise her as a world-class musician.
Was Yoo Hee-jin truly at a level to receive such sponsorship? It was an impressive performance, but deciding based on a single piece was excessive. The fact that she had joined an orchestra instead of establishing herself as a soloist spoke to her limitations as a performer. Better than an average prodigy, but not a genius. He remembered evaluating her that way when she was young.
"Well, since the meal is mostly finished, it's best if this old man excuses himself. You all talk amongst yourselves."
Hee-jin became anxious as Chairman Go continued to praise her but withheld any specific mention of sponsorship. She didn't know what result today's meeting and this performance would bring her.
The arrow had already left her hand. Just as she was bracing herself to think that she had done her best, Dae-ae nudged her with an elbow and gave her a thumbs-up.
"Unni, you were seriously the best. I got goosebumps."
"...Thank you."
Did she even realize this was her own formal family meeting? She must have invited her just to score points with her future in-laws, yet Hee-jin couldn't understand why she was being so considerate.
✾ ✾ ✾
After the meal, while specific wedding discussions were taking place, Seok-hyun headed to the study to find Chairman Go. Seeing Seok-hyun enter, Chairman Go took off the glasses he was wearing. Clicking his tongue, saying he couldn't read without his reading glasses, he motioned for Seok-hyun to sit on the sofa.
"You have a look on your face as if you have something to say."
Seok-hyun laughed because his grandfather spoke as if he already knew what he was going to say before he even brought it up.
"I want to sponsor Yoo Hee-jin. Since it seems Grandfather is conflicted, I'm here to say that I will sponsor her instead. Personally."
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