Blinking slowly, Leonthin Price turned her head away from her guitar and locked eyes with Sharon sitting opposite her. Seeing Sharon nod solemnly, she then cast her gaze out the window. The damp smell that muddled memories brought into focus the shower pouring down from the Irish sky outside.
The rain, seeming to have torn a hole in the sky to descend, felt more humid and damp than the refreshing showers back in the States. Inside the ballroom of Slane Castle, the echoing sound of the rain burrowed into her heart, and both Sharon and Gun, who had been gazing at her with persuasive eyes, turned to watch the rain spilling outside the window. After a moment, Leonthin Price looked up at Gun again. His steadfast, trusting gaze prompted her to speak in a slightly cracked voice.
"I have already announced my retirement, Kay."
Gun looked down at her with serious eyes, his mouth twitching. After chewing over his words for a while, Gun carefully opened his mouth that he had been holding back.
"What was the reason for your retirement, Professor Price?"
Sitting down, Leonthin Price neatly placed her hands together and lifted one of her wrinkled hands.
"It's because I've aged. In opera, the harmony between actors and staff is crucial. Forcing them to practice to match my stamina is a burden. The same goes for my life as a professor. Standing to lecture for two hours a day has become too much for me."
She finished speaking and gazed out the window with regret in her eyes. After a moment of silence swept through the ballroom, Sharon's guitar filled the room with music again. Sharon played quietly, Gun opened his mouth, feeling the round room's resonance.
"Don't use youth as an excuse for your shortcomings,
Nor age and honor for your laziness.
The greatest enemy of dreams is fear,
The biggest mistake you make in life is,
Being too afraid to make a mistake,
That you don't dare to challenge."
Caught off guard by Gun's beautiful voice, Siara stepped back in surprise. Leonthin Price trembled slightly at Gun's song. After finishing, Gun spoke softly.
"You remember this song, right? It's the last message you delivered to the world at your last performance."
Leonthin Price chuckled self-deprecatingly and nodded slightly.
"Yes, I remember. I sang it."
Though Sharon stopped playing, Gun began to sing again.
The last song I want to convey to you
Is only that you dream,
Whether young students or older adults,
If there are dreams yet unfulfilled, confront them.
That's the last word
I want to convey to you.
As Gun recited the last song from Leonthin Price's performance, her trembling hands became more pronounced. Noticing her change, Gun said in a deep, clear voice.
"An elder has lived a life with music. Never stepping away from music throughout life, but never bound by it either."
Leonthin Price looked up at Gun's resonant voice. Sharon, watching them, placed her hands on the guitar strings again and played quietly, murmuring in a low voice.
Age is a sneaky communicator,
Secretly revealing its thorns.
How splendid is life as communication,
For you to protect yourself,
Even if you bleed into the muscles draped over your thorns,
It's all for you to be pricked painfully,
I extend my hand to you again.
As if divided into black and white on the keyboard,
Fate's semitones are intertwined.
Don't be bound by the resonance of capital,
Until the blood that survives you flows,
Breathe deeply.
After Sharon's lengthy monologue, resembling a song or a soliloquy, she put down her guitar and looked directly at Leonthin Price.
"Do you remember, Professor? When Professor Richard, Professor Corigliano's teacher, passed away, you told us in front of his coffin. I can never forget those words."
Leonthin Price, looking back and forth between the two with a bewildered gaze, sighed and looked out the window again. The rain seemed like strings of a guitar from heaven to earth, and the leaves fluttering in the wind and rain looked like piano keys. The wind playing those strings and keys continued its performance from left to right, top to bottom. After a while, she sighed deeply again.
"I've already retired. Ho ho..."
Watching her elongate a self-deprecating laugh, Gun turned his head to Sharon.
"Professor Sharon, do you know Phil Collins?"
Catching on to what Gun was implying, Sharon smirked.
"Of course, a drummer and singer-songwriter from England."
Gun nodded at Leonthin Price.
"Phil Collins was a world-renowned musician like you, Professor. He announced his retirement in 2010 after his cover album 'Going Back' due to complications from spine surgery that made it impossible for him to play. However, he returned five years later. He wanted to show his children him performing on stage, but he toured in
East Asia and Australia without his children. So, what was it for that he overturned his retirement?"
Leonthin Price massaged her face and bowed her head. Gun placed his hand on her shoulder and knelt on one knee.
"You know, Professor. Why he came back."
When she raised her head, two streams of tears were flowing down her cheeks. After wiping the tears with her hands, she took a deep breath.
"He must have wanted to make music as long as he could breathe."
Gun wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks with his hand.
"That's right, Professor. You know better than anyone. Unlike me, who only knows in theory, you are experiencing it in the present. Reversing retirement isn't shameful."
Leonthin Price, facing Gun, chuckled softly.
"But as I said earlier, what I've done involves coordinating with others. I can't just think of myself and cause harm to others, Kay."
Gun shook his head vigorously.
"Have you been doing opera all your life, Professor? Or have you been doing music?"
Her eyes widened at Gun's words. It took a while for the focus to return to her eyes, which had momentarily lost their sharpness. Noticing her changed gaze, Gun quietly left her side and sat next to Sharon. Sharon gave him a thumbs-up as if to say 'well done.' Gun wrapped his smiling face around her raised thumb and sat down, listening to the rain with Leonthin Price.
'Revered Professor. You already know. What decision is right.'
Noticing Leonthin Price's slight movement after a long silence with Sharon, her expression was now full of vitality. Alternating her gaze between Sharon and Gun, she smiled brightly.
"I'm the professor, but I've learned from my student, Kay. Yes, I did music, not opera. Music isn't just about opera."
Gun stood up abruptly and rushed over.
"That's right, Professor!"
Sharon also stood up and approached Leonthin Price, hugging her from behind.
"If the conditions aren't right, then we do music that fits the conditions, Professor."
Leonthin Price smiled softly at the two.
"Would pop music suit my voice?"
Gun wiggled his index finger and laughed.
"There's also a genre called popera. I don't know much, but if Professor tries that genre, existing popera singers might not even dare to present their business cards in front of you. Haha."
Leonthin Price covered her mouth with her hand and lightly slapped Gun's back with the other.
"Ha ha, flattering. But thank you, I feel good."
Sharon, hugging Leonthin Price from behind, pressed her cheek against hers.
"I'll help you, Professor."
Leonthin Price, holding Sharon's arm around her neck, smiled sweetly and shook her head.
"No, I'll try it on my own."
Sharon was about to retort but ended up smiling lightly, respecting her decision. As the atmosphere lightened, Siara approached with a puzzled look, having received a whisper from a staff member.
"Is that true?"
The staff member nodded several times.
"Yes, Director. What should we do?"
Siara rushed to the three and looked at Gun.
"Uh, Kay! Does anyone else know you're here today besides us?"
Gun tilted his head in confusion.
"Huh? Why?"
Siara quickly approached the window and looked outside, then turned and shouted.
"Outside! Thousands of people are gathering!"
"Really?"
At Siara's words, Gun ran to the window and saw thousands of people cheering at the sight of Gun through the window, braving the rain.
"Wow! It's really Kay!"
"We did well to believe!"
"Woohoo!!!"
Gun covered his eyes with one hand and muttered softly.
"My goodness... Lizzie and Daniela were there yesterday..."
Siara, also looking outside, asked.
"What should we do? According to the staff, it seems people are surrounding the entire castle. There's no way out."
Gun sighed deeply and stood in front of Leonthin Price and Sharon with an apologetic expression.
"Actually... It seems that the people I was with when I was introduced to this place yesterday spread the word that I would be here today. There are so many people gathered, what should we do? Will you go out first? I'll find another way out."
Sharon, peering out from the window sill, chuckled and shook her head.
"Thanks to my popular student, I'm having a unique experience. Hmm... What should we do..."
Leonthin Price, always smiling gently, looked at the two.
"What do people want? Just to see Kay's face, did they brave this rain and come all this way from the city?"
Sharon, leaning against the wall next to the window frame and crossing her arms, replied.
"I wonder, do they want to hear Kay's music?"
Leonthin Price clapped her hands and nodded.
"If we
know what people want, we can give it to them and find a way out."
Gun looked at her in surprise.
"Professor? Are you suggesting we busk here?"
Leonthin Price winked at him.
"Is there a reason not to?"
Gun looked at Sharon, who was already picking up her guitar.
"Let's give them what they want and leave. Ha ha, Siara? Can we borrow an amp?"
As Gun turned to Siara, she was already instructing her staff to move the amp outside, her face bright with excitement.
The voice of Ciara resonated through the ears of those surrounding the rain-enshrouded Slaine Castle, conveyed by a microphone connected to the outside.
"In 30 minutes, at the square in front of Slaine Castle, we will formally greet everyone, including Professor Leontine Price, Professor Sharon, and Kay. We kindly ask all of our guests visiting our castle to move orderly to the concert venue."
Despite Ciara's announcements being repeatedly broadcasted through the external speakers, people, seemingly distrustful, continued to shout amidst the falling rain.
"Don't lie! If we go elsewhere, you'll just use it as a chance to escape! You ran away at Grafton Street too!"
"Right! We'll wait, so show us your face!"
As the castle's main gate opened, the crowd's attention was drawn to it. Six employees, clad in red, dashed out towards the lawn in front of the castle and began setting up a large tent. Noticing it wasn't a residential tent but an open parasol-like structure, some in the crowd murmured amongst themselves.
"So, they really are coming out to greet us?"
"Darling, shouldn't we hurry to the front to secure a good spot?"
"Let's go first!"
As some began to rush towards the tent, many others quickly followed suit to secure spots at the front. Those who realized too late hurried over, but the prime spots had already been taken by the more quick-witted. After setting up the tent, the employees went back into the castle and came out with an amplifier, causing the rest of the crowd to scream.
"They have an amp! Looks like there will be a performance!"
"See! I told you we should've hurried! It's your fault!"
"Run, there might still be spots where we can see their faces!"
As more people moved towards the tent, those remaining started to hesitate. Just then, another announcement was made.
"In 10 minutes, there will be busking at the square in front of Slaine Castle. Those around the castle, please move to the square for smooth progression. If movement is difficult due to the crowd, it could affect the busking. Please move quickly."
Hearing this, the audience in front of the tent, now pointing and shouting at those still in front of the castle.
"Hurry up! If you don't, we might miss Kay!"
"Yeah, hurry over here, or you might not even catch a glimpse of Kay!"
As thousands gestured and shouted, those stubbornly remaining in front of the castle began moving towards the square. When finally no one was left surrounding the castle, another announcement was heard.
"Thank you all for your cooperation. The musicians will now move out, so please stand in your places and maintain order for the proceedings. We appreciate it."
"Okay!! Just come out already!"
"Screams, they're really coming out!"
"What do I do? My phone got wet and I can't take pictures!"
As anticipation filled the air even amidst the rain, the massive doors of Slaine Castle finally opened.
"Ahhhh!!! It's Leontine Price!"
"Ahh!! Grandma, you're beautiful!"
"Is the woman next to her Professor Sharon? It's my first time seeing her."
"How ignorant! Do you know how famous she is? That's why you should stop chasing pop singers and listen to quality music!"
"Ridiculous, who says pop singers are low-class? Absurd!"
The first to emerge, Leontine Price, waved at the crowd, eliciting a massive cheer. Sharon simply stood by her side with a smile, then turned her gaze back. Sensing Kay's imminent appearance, thousands screamed in unison.
"Woahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
"Kyaaahhhhh, Kay!"
"Look here, Kay!"
"Buy me a dark beer too!"
"I'll buy the beer, just talk to me for 10 minutes!!"
"Over here!! Over here!!"
As thousands waved and cheered, the area in front of Slaine Castle became a sea of people. Gun, seeing such an enthusiastic crowd for the first time since the Lollapalooza performance, looked on in bewilderment before awkwardly raising a hand, prompting an even louder cheer than when he first appeared.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
The echoes of the cheers, amplified by the mountain where Slaine Castle sat, reverberated ceaselessly. As castle employees quickly approached with umbrellas, Leontine Price and Sharon took them and moved towards the tent. When an employee offered an umbrella to Gun, he declined, choosing to stand in the rain with the others, which sparked another round of cheers.
"Ahh!! He wants to get wet with us!"
"No, dummy! He feels bad being the only one with an umbrella while we're all getting wet! Forgot Kay's nickname?"
"The Angel of the Current World! The Angel of the Current World!"
As Gun walked towards the tent in the rain, thousands began chanting in unison.
"Angel! Angel! Angel! Angel!"
Noticing a young boy about eight years old, soaked but smiling brightly on his father's shoulders, Gun approached them, dumbfounded, and reached out.
"Hand him over! He'll catch a cold like this!"
Surprised, the father gladly handed the boy to Gun, who wrapped the child in his coat and scolded.
"Even so, what kind of father lets his child get wet in this weather?"
The father, scratching the back of his head but still smiling at his son in Gun's arms, replied with laughter.
"Ha, sorry. He's the apple of my eye, but I lost my senses seeing Kay. I did bring an umbrella, but using it here would've bothered others, so I kept it closed. Don't look at me like that, I'm not a bad dad. Ha."
Gun, not minding his own wet clothes, wiped the boy's soaked body with his coat and gently stroked his cheek.
"Aren't you cold? What's your name?"
The boy, grinning widely, waved his hand.
"Andrew! Kay! Kay!"
"Haha, right, Andrew, I'm Kay. You're as cold as ice. Come, let's move forward. You won't get wet under the tent."
Gun then lifted the boy and spoke to the father.
"I'll take him to the tent for a while. Come to pick him up later, okay?"
The father snapped to attention and saluted crisply.
"Of course!! Loyalty!!"
Laughing at his over-the-top gesture, Gun entered the tent, where Leontine Price reached out to take the child.
"Give me the child."
She took the boy and began drying him off with a towel passed by an employee. As the audience watched this tender scene quietly, Ciara approached and handed over three set-up microphones. Leontine Price, busy drying the child, and Gun, who was removing his top to dry off from the rain, left Sharon to grab the microphone first.
"Um... Hello, I'm Sharon, a professor from Juilliard."
"Wowwwwww!!! The Goddess of Guitar!!"
"Oooh! You're still beautiful, Professor!"
Though the applause for Sharon wasn't as loud as for Gun, the crowd welcomed her with clapping, prompting a fresh smile from Sharon as she took the microphone again.
"Ha-ha, I'm so grateful that some of you recognize me. I'm not that remarkable, so please, no need for such applause. You're here to see someone else, aren't you? Ha-ha."
"We wanted to see you too, Sharon!"
"Right, we came to see both of you!"
As some in the crowd responded, Sharon, covering her mouth with laughter, spoke again.
"Ha-ha, those are polite words, but they make me feel good. Kay, are you ready? The people are waiting for you."
Gun, finishing drying his hair with a towel, hastily grabbed his microphone without being able to fix his disheveled hair. As soon as he took the microphone, another round of cheers erupted.
"Kyaaaah!!! Look at his wet hair!"
"My God, he's so handsome! Even more than on TV!"
"Ah, those wet locks, those soulful eyes!"
Gun, unaccustomed to compliments about his appearance despite his fame, scratched his cheek and took the microphone.
"Um... Hello, everyone?"
Once again, thousands cheered, and as the noise died down, Gun, widening his eyes, asked.
"But how did you all know I was here?"
A man in the front row raised his phone high.
"It was posted on social media! If we came here today, we could see Kay!"
Realizing his suspicions were confirmed, Gun sighed.
"Ah, I see. I guess I need to be more discreet next time."
"Ha-ha-ha!! Don't do that!"
"Ha-hat!! We'll find you no matter what!"
As the crowd laughed at Gun's joke, the rain began to ease. Looking up at the sky, Gun touched the still-falling raindrops and said.
"It seems the rain is letting up a bit, but it hurts my heart to see you all getting soaked. Can you stay here for a long time?"
"Aaaaah!!! We can last ten hours!"
"Right!! We can stay here till tomorrow!"
Laughing at their response, Gun turned back to see Leontine Price, who had finished drying off the child, smiling at him. He approached her, extending his hand, and announced loudly.
"Let me introduce you. This is one of the three professors I respect and am proud of, Professor Leontine Price!"
The crowd raised their hands and applauded. After enjoying the sound of their cheers, Gun pointed to Sharon and said.
"You all know her, right? My professor
, the Goddess of Guitar, Professor Sharon Ismin!"
Once again, a massive cheer erupted, and as the noise died down, Gun took the microphone again.
"The reason I came to Ireland was because of a trip with Professor Leontine Price."
A woman in the front raised her hand and shouted.
"I know! A retirement trip, right?!"
Gun smiled and shook his head.
"Ha, no. It's a journey for the second act of Leontine Price's newly reborn life."
As the crowd murmured, not fully understanding, Gun pointed back and smiled.
"Let me introduce again. Not as an opera diva, but as a musician embarking on a new life, here's Leontine Price!"