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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Harp's Unexpected Call
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The first Thursday of May.
The musical theater students had gathered for their final subject evaluation: the dance test.
Like the previous tests, the dance evaluation would take place in the small theater.
Today was special, though—with live instrumental accompaniment—which made the small theater busier than usual.
They needed time to set up the stage equipment for the test.
The last two tests had been performed without props, so the students just had to step onto the stage with their bodies ready. But this time, they needed "instruments."
String instruments like violins or flutes weren't an issue.
Students majoring in them could handle tuning and prep themselves before bringing them on.
Larger instruments like pianos or drums, however, required advance setup, so the small theater had been bustling since early morning.
"Stop! This spot looks good for the piano. Thank you!"
"Okay. Plenty of space here."
Behind the small theater stage, the instrument setup was in full swing.
Since the instruments were expensive and heavy, Jung Hye-seon and Kim Eun-jung were directing professional technicians on where to place them, based on positions decided in advance.
Students who would play the instruments had arrived early to check their spots.
"Drums all set?"
"Yes... Thank you."
Choi Sung-jin was inspecting the drum setup.
He sat down, tapped through each section a few times, then stood up right away as if everything was perfect.
I watched from the side and casually asked.
"You're not just saying it's fine when it's not, right?"
"No, it's good! Drum setup is crucial."
Choi Sung-jin bristled indignantly.
He could even get indignant now—he'd grown up.
I chuckled and said I got it, which twisted his expression.
His bangs hid it, but I could guess.
He was probably shooting me a sneaky glare.
I'd asked half out of concern, half joking.
The great Choi Sung-jin wouldn't skimp on drum setup.
"Got it, got it. Let's head out and run timings one more time."
As we finished checking and headed out of the small theater, one instrument caught my eye.
They'd even hauled a real harp here.
It dominated the space with its massive presence.
Today, a student would take their dance test accompanied by that harp.
"Hello."
Speak of the devil—the protagonist appeared.
Kim Sun-woo...
I couldn't tear my eyes away from him as he chatted with the harp player right after entering the backstage.
It wasn't the harp itself that surprised me.
This was Cheongyeom Arts High—any instrument was possible here.
It was Kim Sun-woo's choice that threw me.
In the first timeline, he'd definitely picked piano.
Before regression, Kim Sun-woo's dance test accompaniment had been a safe, standard piano—not something quirky like harp.
Piano was the most preferred backing for these solo instrument dances among musical theater students.
It was the reliable route.
Even within that safe choice, Kim Sun-woo's performance had stood out, so I still remembered it.
But this time, he'd skipped piano—no violin either—and gone straight for harp out of nowhere.
Why had Kim Sun-woo made a different choice from before regression?
Even as I left the small theater with Choi Sung-jin, the curiosity lingered.
***
Three weeks earlier, the day the musical theater department matched with music department partners.
After Lee Do-hyun shocked everyone by choosing a drummer, Kim Sun-woo fell deep into thought.
At first, he dismissed it as overkill.
But for some reason, seeing Do-hyun like that made it hard to pick a partner easily.
Among the options was a piano major—excluding Song Ha-na's partner—who was said to have the best skills.
Still, despite the flood of offers, he couldn't decide within the allotted time.
That evening, Kim Sun-woo returned to the music department building.
Watching Do-hyun had sparked a sudden urge to try something new.
Lost in vague thoughts, he wandered the music building.
Thanks to students practicing late into the night, instrument sounds echoed from rooms everywhere.
Piano, violin, flute, horn...
Strangely, none felt quite right.
Then, he heard the harp.
*This is it.*
The moment the harp sound reached him, a faint certainty bloomed: he could show something different.
He followed the sound straight to the practice room.
Conveniently, Kim Sun-woo was acquainted with the only freshman harp major.
He walked in without hesitation and greeted her.
"Long time no see, Yu-ra."
Han Yu-ra paused her harp playing and glanced at the door, surprised by the intruder.
"Kim Sun-woo?"
They'd gone to the same arts middle school.
They'd never really talked, just knew of each other.
But Kim Sun-woo was Kim Sun-woo, so of course Han Yu-ra knew him well.
She was startled by the sudden visit but not annoyed.
"How's the concerto prep going?"
Naturally, Han Yu-ra was a star in the harp world.
There weren't many harp players to begin with, and she was skilled enough to enter Cheongyeom Arts High.
Her instrument's nature meant she rarely got dance collab requests from musical theater.
"Eh, so-so? How'd you know about the concerto?"
How? I looked it up.
He'd quickly searched on his phone before entering.
If the concerto was imminent, she'd be too busy for his offer.
"I've always been into harp."
"You? Since when?"
Han Yu-ra narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him.
*You never spoke first in middle school, never came to a harp recital?*
Kim Sun-woo recalled being in the same class as her.
"Fifteen... years old?"
Han Yu-ra burst out laughing at his rolling eyes.
"Pfft. What? You didn't even know the 'harp' starts with H back then."
"Don't people usually take the first letter?"
"H has a nice sound. Hhh."
Kim Sun-woo shrugged, but Han Yu-ra shook her head.
She kept repeating the "H" sound, saying she liked how it felt.
"But what's up? Here for a collab partner? Pick one yet?"
"Yeah. Picked one, already met them."
"Oh? Who?"
This piqued her interest.
Who had snagged an offer from the top enrollee in musical theater?
She remembered a few piano majors in their class gunning for Kim Sun-woo's accompaniment.
"You."
Han Yu-ra blinked blankly at his grinning reply, then pointed at herself.
"Me?"
"Yeah. Busy with the concerto?"
Kim Sun-woo scratched his head sheepishly.
He knew the concerto wasn't that close, but it was a bit of showmanship.
In his memory, Han Yu-ra had been interested in him originally.
Word from others, but more curiosity about his skills than romantic—wanting to see how good he was.
*'She's just hyped 'cause it's rare, acts like she's all that.'*
Song Ha-na had mentioned her offhand once.
"I was gonna focus on the concerto..."
Han Yu-ra hesitated.
She knew he was great at everything, so collaborating once sounded appealing.
Musical theater collabs were a big deal at Cheongyeom Arts High—big points, and even non-popular majors sometimes grumbled about missing out.
Kim Sun-woo waved it off.
"Nah, no need to push for me."
He smiled, easing her burden.
"It doesn't have to be harp...?"
Han Yu-ra faltered.
His quick "no need" left her unexpectedly disappointed, blurting it out.
"Well, sometimes you can't help it. Let's collab next time."
Kim Sun-woo smiled apologetically and turned toward the hall, pretending to seek someone else.
Then he glanced back.
"Oh, right. The fifteen thing? Totally serious about liking harp since then."
Fifteen—the year they'd been classmates with the harp major.
Seeing his grin as he said it, Han Yu-ra shouted without thinking.
Her cheeks flushed slightly, though she didn't notice.
"Let's do it!"
Kim Sun-woo, facing the hall, smirked faintly.
Then he wiped it away, turned back with a surprised, flustered look.
"Huh?"
"I said let's do it. The collab. I'll back your dance test."
Kim Sun-woo approached slowly, stopping right in front of her with a troubled face.
"You sure? Don't push yourself for me."
Han Yu-ra hesitated briefly.
With diligent prep, the schedule wasn't overwhelming.
She had no intention of admitting that to him, though.
"Oh, no. I think it'll be fun, that's why. Good experience too."
"Really?"
"Really. Why would I lie?"
Kim Sun-woo finally beamed.
"Thanks."
"It's not 'cause of you or anything."
"Of course. I know."
"Ahem. Let's do our best. I'll give it my all."
"Got it. Finish practicing. Sorry for interrupting. We'll talk collab tomorrow."
Kim Sun-woo left the room.
It had been an impulsive choice, but it felt right.
Amazed at himself, he stood a bit away and let out a small laugh.
"I've got this side to me too."
And so, in a way utterly unlike his usual self, Kim Sun-woo's dance test partner was decided.
***
As Kim Sun-woo chatted idly with Han Yu-ra, he spotted Do-hyun leaving the small theater and glanced that way briefly.
He'd always picked from those who approached, thanks to his skills.
Anyone would work; he'd excel and score high anyway.
No interest in pointless rivalries like "I wanted them, but they got taken."
But then Do-hyun appeared.
Someone on his level—no, who'd outscored him in the previous two tests.
Do-hyun's presence stimulated him.
It was what pushed him to this uncharacteristic choice.
Asking to partner first? Also a first.
"What're you thinking?"
Han Yu-ra asked Kim Sun-woo, who was staring off.
Realizing his expression had turned serious unconsciously, he smiled quickly.
"Just... wanna nail today's stage. No matter what."
***
All setups were complete.
Students took their seats in the audience per Jung Hye-seon's instructions, as always.
Jung Hye-seon soon stepped onto the stage.
"No need for long explanations after two prior evals. You know the drill: two teams backstage, rest of you focus—no slacking, show audience courtesy."
"Yes!"
She briskly introduced the judges for the day.
Five in total: musical theater choreography teachers from grades 2 and 3, plus music department teachers.
"Remember: enjoy it on stage. Let's have fun."
With those words she'd repeated for three weeks, she smiled and stepped down.
Thus began the first-years' final subject exam of the semester: the dance test.
"First team, enter."
At Jung Hye-seon's cue, two people appeared on stage.
Kim Sun-woo, in light athletic wear, stood center stage and bowed.
"Hello. I'm Kim Sun-woo, first-year musical theater major."
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