"Do you remember the fantasy?"
Hirose smiled faintly. This is because there have been many people who have become interested in Stradivarius recently. Tanaka, just like before, had sweat dripping down his forehead. It was the queen he had met again, but as always, she had a strange magic that made people tremble.
"How could I forget?"
Antonio Stradivari always pursued endless melody. He made violins with the same numbering and selected the best among them. The rest that were not the best were destined to disappear into ashes. Someone said that. Being so obsessed with melody was proof that he sold his soul to the devil. The best instrument was born that way.
"Fantasy and ecstasy."
The only violin with the same number left behind by Antonio Stradivari. Even he, who sold his soul to the devil, could not distinguish the melodies of the two instruments. Each had such different tones.
"A few decades ago, two Stradivarii were sold at Sotheby's at the same time. I was a novice violinist at the time. I spent a lot of money because I wanted to see the Stradivarii with the same number that I had only heard about."
Tanaka swallowed hard and his eyes lit up. Seeing that, Hirose felt like he wanted to tell the story he had been keeping hidden for a long time.
"Even though they shared the same numbering, the two instruments were completely different. They had a stark contrast, like summer and winter, or night and day."
If only the joy were as hot as the blazing sun.
"In the end, the two instruments were sold to one person. He was a gentleman of a certain age. One day, he came to me out of the blue and said,
The illusion was as cold as the thick darkness.
"Violinist, create endless melodies with this Stradivarius."
Tanaka's eyes widened. He couldn't believe it. Even though it was decades ago, the price of the Stradivari was beyond imagination. Moreover, it was known to the world that the Queen herself had purchased the Stradivari several decades ago. So what was the truth? Tanaka's mind was confused.
"I still don't know who that old gentleman was. I'm sure I saw his face, but I don't even remember what he looked like. I just haven't forgotten the promise we made back then."
"Why did he give Mr. Hirose joy?"
Clearly, the Queen's eyes were not telling a lie.
"The old gentleman said at that time that the Stradivarius is an instrument that seeks its master, and that he has only been taking care of the Stradivarius. You can dismiss all of this as a fairy tale. That way, you will feel much better."
Her white hair rippled. Tanaka was concentrating as if she was listening to a legendary story.
"Then what happens if the owner of the Stradivarius doesn't show up?"
At that moment, Hirose showed a strange smile.
"It will just turn into a handful of ashes."
*
"Brother, please have this."
Did he come from watching a historical drama? He has fingers too, but he is trying to feed him with chopsticks. It is even more pitiful to see him sitting so awkwardly. His mother smiled and watched him.
"Son, is that person still filming?"
My mother seems to be concerned about the camera. I also felt a sense of intimidation from the distracted man holding the camera all day long, and it was not very comfortable. What more so, my mother, who is not used to being filmed, must be feeling. The only person here who is not conscious of the camera is an ice bucket.
"PD, how long will I be filming today?"
"I'm sorry if it was uncomfortable, but I really like seeing the family together. By the way, Hyun, if it's okay, can I interview your mother and sister? I swear I didn't mean to bother you, so if you don't want to, feel free to decline."
My mother was surprised that I was speaking English fluently. I understood since I had never used English in front of her. By the way, Leah mistook Son Yu-ha for my younger sister. She probably thought that in the East, it was a culture for younger sisters to take care of their older brothers like this. My head suddenly started hurting.
I told my mother and Yuha about Leah's proposal.
"I want to do it!"
"I'm okay too, son."
Son Yu-ha readily accepted first, and her mother followed suit, nodding. She must have wanted to help me, and Leah's earnest eyes seemed to have played a part. No matter how I look at it, she seems more like a celebrity than a PD. Now that I think about it.
"Oh, Mom, what happened to my school?"
School will start soon.
"The principal came to my house in person."
The principal?
"My grandfather called me in advance and said that I wouldn't be able to go to school for a while because of the contest. I decided to take my time looking into transferring schools."
Even without looking, the picture was vivid. He was the principal who had been struggling even with the PTA president. Of course, if he knew who his grandfather was, he would not have been able to help but be surprised.
"Son, and the old man from Pyeongchang-dong sent me a violin. Was it expensive? Aside from Yuha, many other people came because of the violin."
Mr. Pyeongchang-dong? Oh, he must have been watching her since she was little, so from my mother's perspective, he was the uncle. Chairman Wang would not have sent Son Yu-ha, the precious jewel, alone, and with the Stradivarius, he must have needed many hands.
"My grandfather said he would lend it to me only during the concours. I don't know if it's expensive."
I can't even say the price of a single building in downtown Seoul.
* * *
Crunch!
The British rookie William clenched his teeth hard. He felt like he might bleed. The cold sweat dripped down his face and ran down his chin to the floor. Not only his left hand that was holding the string, but even his right hand that was holding the bow was trembling, but he didn't stop what he was doing. He finally stopped bowing when he couldn't raise his arm any more.
"William, are you okay?"
Joseph, who was also a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, could not hide his surprise at William's appearance. William was always neat and tidy, and he gave off a feeling of being measured. But what was he like now? His clothes were all wrinkled and his hair was disheveled as if it had been swept by the wind and rain. There was even a faint blood stain on the tip of his nose.
"Do you think I'm going to break down here?"
What is this?
William was always full of high self-esteem. Even at the Royal Academy of Music, where only the most talented people gather, didn't he look down on everyone except himself? Even in Brussels this time, he had even shouted out loud that he would prove himself to be the best newcomer. But no one criticized him. It wasn't just arrogance, it was his ability that backed it up, and originally, a musician had to think that he was the best.
"William?"
Joseph called cautiously, but there was no answer. William's eyes were already thinking of someone else. He was a small child, barely above his waist. Moreover, according to rumors, he had only been learning the violin for a little over a month. Was this how Paganini, Jascha Heifetz, and Eugène Ysaÿe were when they were young? It was hard to believe even as I watched. The sight of his left and right hands playing freely without any restraint gave me goosebumps, and the unbelievable melody made my heart pound.
"Did you know I would become Salieri?"
William clenched his teeth again. The reason his arm, trembling like an aspen tree, was raised was simple. Someone had lit a burning fire on the dry wick. Joseph wondered if he should force his friend to stop. The second round of examination was just around the corner.
That was when.
"William. Your nose, your nose!"
Blood flowing from his nose caused him to stop playing.
*
The second round of judging was to select 12 out of 24 people. The unique characteristic of Queen Elizabeth is that it is not restricted to any genre of song with the theme of free song. The mother's eyes showed a look of regret. The second round of judging was not open to the general audience.
"Mom, don't worry too much."
It seems that he was quite worried about his young son competing with unknown people in a foreign country. He quickly smiled, fearing that I might be nervous and flustered.
I'll do my best, Mom.
"Brother―!"
Now, Son Yu-ha, who has become accustomed to the word "Orabeoni" instead of "Oppa-ah," is shouting "Fighting" with her small hands, and her appearance is cute and adorable. Now, she is starting to look like a child of her age. Before that thought could even leave her, Son Yu-ha ran to her mother and clung to her. As expected of a daughter of a wealthy family, she is good at dealing with the world.
It was Hagrid who captured all of this on camera without missing a beat.
"Okay, I'll be off."
Unlike the first round of judging, each person was given a waiting room because the number of people was noticeably reduced. Even at a glance, the old violin case was the focus of the camera, and even Leah's eyes were focused on it. It seemed like there were many things they wanted to ask, but they didn't bother my time. Since I've filmed the Queen Elisabeth documentary, I know how sensitive the violinists are before the competition.
Thump thump thump.
My heart was beating wildly even though I hadn't even taken out the fantasy yet. It was as if the guy in the violin case was screaming for me to get him out. Wait, I'll help you show your true worth. Let's work together properly today.
"Number thirty-seven, get ready."
Just then a voice was heard from beyond the waiting room.
I carefully took the violin out of the case. Leah closed her eyes again at the black strings between the red soundboards. The violin had an eerie appearance like the devil's hand. She must have seen it somewhere, but she wouldn't remember it right away. Hagrid, who was holding the camera, also became tense at the appearance of the violin that was different from others.
The soft lights heading towards the stage illuminate me once again.
For some reason, I didn't feel nervous. Unlike last time, instead of feeling my whole body tense, my heart felt like it was burning hot. I guess expensive things are good. When I go back to Korea, I have to get this guy from Chairman Wang no matter what. He knows how to make money.
"Thirty-seven times?"
The judge who was calling out the numbers suddenly stopped talking.
Alexei, who had been crossing his arms, uncrossed his arms, doubting his eyes. Deng Lun was also surprised, and seemed ready to cross over to the judges' table. Hagrid was shaking his neck and taking alternate shots of the maestros and the contestants on stage. At that moment, the silver strings of the Stradivarius swayed as if it was about to burst into tune.