AMGWPM 04

Episode 4. Twinkle, Twinkle (1)

The small notes I played on the piano completed my father’s song.

Father called me his lucky star and took me to his studio every day, playing the piano for me.

So, naturally, I was able to learn piano from him.

Well, I already knew how to play the piano.

But still, playing piano with my family was the most joyful thing.

Time passed, and before I knew it, I was 4 years old.
Though by international age, I was only 2.

Why does this country have such a complicated age system? Ah, whatever. I’ll just say I’m 4.

Anyway, my short tongue had lengthened, and my weak legs had gained strength, allowing me to run around. When I reached an age where I could move my body somewhat properly, I started playing the piano in earnest. Of course, I didn’t play alone. My parents enjoyed music with me. We spent harmonious days listening to good songs together and discussing any nice musical ideas that came to mind.

Then, one day…

“Heeseong should start thinking about going to kindergarten soon.”

It was November, when the cold winter wind slowly began to arrive. The house became a little bustling due to my mother’s muttering during a leisurely afternoon. Kindergarten. From the name, it seemed like a facility that took care of children.

I think we talked about this when I was one.

That meant I could see kids my own age. And it meant the start of my first social life.

Well, anywhere would probably be the same.

For me, with a 40-year-old self inside my head, whether they were 3 or 4, they were all just kids.

“That’s true.”
“Should we contact one nearby?”
“You’re resting. I’ll look into it.”

My father, who had been lying on the sofa, sprang up and headed to his studio. He then brought his laptop to the dining table and called my mother over.

“Daddy! Me too! Me too!”
“Okay. Come here, son. But won’t you call me ‘Dad’?”
“Haha…”

I had never had a father in my past life either, so the word “Dad” didn’t easily roll off my tongue. Father seemed inwardly disappointed, but there was nothing to be done. At least I was calling him ‘Daddy,’ which sounded affectionate, right? I sat on his lap, and our family began to focus on the small laptop screen.

“There are quite a lot more than I thought.”

My father, who had searched for kindergartens online, spoke. While passing by, I had seen one or two, but online there were many more.

“Let’s look near home first.”
“There’s an English kindergarten too.”

The two of them were busy talking, saying this one looked good, that place looked nice. I rolled my eyes following the direction of my father’s moving mouse. Then, my gaze fixed on a certain word.

Huh? This place…

Music Kindergarten.
Since ‘Music’ was in front of ‘Kindergarten,’ it seemed they focused on teaching music. To check if my judgment was correct, I tapped my father’s arm.

“Huh? What’s up, son?”
“Daddy, this one.”
“Let me see. What? There’s a music kindergarten near our house?”
“Really? Let me see.”

True to being a musical couple, as soon as they saw the words ‘Music Kindergarten,’ they began examining it as if spellbound.

“Han-seol Kindergarten? There was a place like this near us?”

My father tilted his head quizzically. Looking a bit further, it said it had opened a few years ago and was recruiting students. As my father scrolled down, my expression gradually became one of fascination.

Does that mean you can play a big piano like that…?

Han-seol Kindergarten’s homepage photos showed five large grand pianos. Of course, we had a piano at home too, but it was a digital piano, which always felt a bit lacking. We had an upright piano too, but unfortunately, my mother had sold it. Besides that, there were also small upright pianos, violins, trumpets, and acoustic guitars.

Does going here mean I can play pianos like that?

I absolutely had to get in. The thought of being able to play the piano to my heart’s content from a young age blinded me. However, reality wasn’t so easy.

“Aptitude test…?”

My father muttered as he read something.

“It seems they require an aptitude test.”

Aptitude. Another word for talent.

*But they have such a test for a 4-year-old? Does that mean it’s not an easy place to get into?*

My father began to slowly read the notice posted.

“They recommend an on-site visit. It seems they do the aptitude test along with the consultation.”
“Then, shall we go tomorrow?”
“Good. I’ll call them later to say we’ll visit.”

My father and mother said that and began looking into other kindergartens. However, my mind was already completely filled with that kindergarten.

Whatever test it is, I’ll pass it.

I clenched my small hands and made a vow. An early November day passed like that.

The next day, I woke up before anyone else. The thought of taking a test made me a little nervous, but it was okay. I had the knowledge from my past life, after all. Still, I planned to overcome the test with my own abilities as much as possible. I wanted to lessen my parents’ burden.

“Hee-seong-ah, let’s wash up with Mom.”
“Yes!”

After washing up and having a simple breakfast, the time had already passed 11 o’clock. Our family hurriedly got ready to go out and got into my father’s car.

“Alright, let’s go.”

The car began to move along with my father’s humming. At the same time, music started playing softly. My mother always said she got bored in the car, so she played music through a Bluetooth speaker. The mood and genre of the music changed every day, so it was fun to listen to. Today, the music was classical. Mozart’s Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star variations.

Hmm. It’s a good song, as expected.

Humming the melody of the variations, I watched the streets go by, and before I knew it, we had arrived at the kindergarten.

“Wow…”

I couldn’t help but admire the exterior of the kindergarten seen through the window. The phrase ‘Han-seol Kindergarten’ embedded in the large building’s outer wall looked rustic yet sophisticated. Even after getting out of the car, my admiration for the building didn’t stop.

“It looks like a high school.”
“Right. It’s as big as the schools we attended?”

I tightly held their hands and looked up at the building.

“Daddy, hurry!”
“Okay, let’s go.”

My father said with a pleased smile. The kindergarten building we entered was a continuous series of surprises. I don’t know what kind of facility a kindergarten is supposed to be, but it was incredibly sophisticated. As the three of us stood dumbfounded at the entrance, looking around the interior, someone spoke to us.

“How can I help you?”

Turning my head at the sudden voice, I saw a young woman standing there. Judging by the cute apron she was wearing, she seemed to be a kindergarten teacher. My father, though flustered, calmly continued the conversation.

“Ah, yes. We made an appointment for a visit and consultation yesterday by phone.”
“Would you perhaps be Mr. Yoon Young-hoon?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then, could you follow me? I’ll guide you to the principal’s office.”

The young teacher, with a pleasant smile, kindly guided our family. Then, her eyes met mine. Smiling brightly upon making eye contact with me, she said in a higher-pitched voice,

“Hello! What’s your name, friend?”

I was glad she didn’t use informal speech but used polite language when asking me, despite my young age. Whenever I went for walks with my parents around the neighborhood, kids or students would ask me informally, like ‘Hi?’ or ‘How old are you?’

I kept thinking, ‘Are these young ones?’…

In response to her polite question, I also answered in a bright voice.

“I’m Yoon Hee-seong!”
“I see! Can you tell me how old you are?”
“I’m 4 years old!”

We walked while having this conversation. Then, suddenly, a small melody gently tickled my ear. Do-do-sol-sol-

Huh? That’s Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.

I could hear music, as if someone was playing.

“Eh? That’s piano sound…”

I unconsciously muttered to myself at the sound. The young teacher, hearing my mutter, listened for a moment and then opened her mouth.

“Ah, probably another friend is playing the piano.”

In response to her answer, my father spoke instead of me.
“Another friend, then…”
“Consultation visits usually take a long time. So, we temporarily watch the children in the music room next to the principal’s office.”

The young teacher said it seemed like another teacher there was playing the piano for them. But strangely, they kept playing the same part over and over. They seemed to stubbornly cling to it, as if unsatisfied. As we got closer to the principal’s office, the sound of music, full of discontent, continued to be heard. Soon, we were near the principal’s office.

“It seems the consultation with another parent isn’t finished yet. Would you like me to show you around the kindergarten in the meantime?”

The young teacher said that for us, who might be getting bored. My mother said that would be fine and then glanced at me slightly. Staring straight into my eyes, she suddenly grinned.

“Could you possibly look after our child for a bit?”
“Of course! I’ll let the other teacher know. Could you wait a moment?”

My mother said okay and then crouched down deeply to meet my eyes. She brushed back my stray hair and said,

“You wanted to play the piano, didn’t you? You can fool Dad, but you can’t fool Mom.”
“Hmm…”

Oh no, was I caught? It seemed my mother had noticed me constantly looking toward the music room.

“Our son is mature, so you can stay without crying and behave well, right?”
“Yes!”

My mother smiled as if proud and patted my head. I also answered with a happy heart. I did want to play the piano, but I hadn’t said I wanted to play it myself. That was only natural. It would have been bothersome for the young teacher, and demanding things was unfamiliar to me.

“Could you come this way?”

The young teacher, who seemed to have finished talking to another teacher, approached. She said she could look after me and guided me to the music room.

“Son, have fun playing.”

My father only said that. He didn’t say things typical to say to a young child, like “Don’t cry” or “Don’t fight with friends.” He just told me to enjoy playing the piano fun, and I responded with a happy smile.

Squeak—

The music room door opened, and another teacher inside said with a smile,

“Come on in!”

Following the other teacher’s bright voice, I entered the music room.

Wow!

There was a large grand piano there.

Ding~♪

And a little girl, much smaller than the piano, was playing it.

Oh, she’s good.

I took off my shoes and slowly approached the piano. While also listening to the performance of this unfamiliar child. However, perhaps my presence was a disturbance…

Bang-!

The girl slammed the piano fiercely. Then, she slowly turned her head to look at me.

“Who are you?”

She was a girl with long, straight black hair and slightly down turned eyes. I was slightly taken aback by her blunt, curt tone. But who am I? Having lived an adult life once, a child’s curtness was just cute to me.

“Me too, piano.”
“Piano?”

The girl stared piercingly at the piano once, then swiftly turned to look at me. Then, in a slightly softened tone compared to before, she said,

“You know how to play piano?”
“I’ve been playing since I was a baby.”
“Really? Then, show me!”

Saying that, she moved her body to make space on the piano bench. I didn’t refuse and sat down next to her.

“Hehe, thank you!”

Originally, a piano bench would be small enough for an adult to fully occupy. But for two small children, the space on the piano bench was more than enough.

Wow, it’s been so long since I’ve seen a grand piano…

I slowly swept my hand across the grand piano’s keys. My slow, savoring touch soon stopped and struck a single note.

Do—♪

And so, my performance began.