The Road We Walk On

141 | Round 1

Flagey, Brussels, Belgium

December 4th was the start of the Queen Elisabeth Competition. Today was the first round for the piano category. Seokhoon had to arrive at the Flagey a bit earlier to do a short rehearsal and get used to the environment. Prof James accompanied Seokhoon down to the venue. Rona would arrive later to watch the competition. In total today there would be a total of 40 candidates for the piano section. This would be streamlined to 24 for the semi-finals.

The first round for piano, there was no specific category or theme that candidates needed to play. They were given 20 minutes but they can choose not to use the full 20 minutes. Seokhoon chose a piece that was about 18 minutes long, it was a piece that he was confident in playing and could show his technique and character well.

The candidates threw lots and the order was decided randomly. Seokhoon drew the 34th slot, which meant there was a bit of waiting time before it was his turn. He quickly sent a text to Rona to let her know that he would be in the afternoon slot, not the morning. Seokhoon was fairly nervous, he looked around and he could tell that he was up against stiff competition. Everyone who was here was the best of the best. Seokhoon felt nervous and excited at the same time. The fact that he managed to qualify in itself was a great feat.

After a long wait, it was Seokhoon's turn. He wore a simple white colour shirt with a navy blue jacket and pants. Before he walked onto the stage, he took a deep breath and calmed himself. When he was signaled to enter the stage, he walked up confidently. He didn't smile, he just bowed slightly to the audience and to the judges and sat down. A quiet second later, Seokhoon began to play his chosen piece.

Rona was in the audience, nervously watching. She knew in her heart that Seokhoon was good. But even in this kind of a situation, the best can still make mistakes. As she watched Seokhoon, she prayed in her heart that he would be perfect. Rona felt like she had held her breath for that full 20 minutes. It was only after she heard the clapping of the audience did Rona let out her breath.

Seokhoon was good, he was absolutely perfect. Prof James was really happy, this was definitely the best version that Seokhoon had ever played of this piece. He was confident, he was almost technically perfect and he managed to translate to the audience who he was as a musician. Prof James believed in his heart that it was easy enough for Seokhoon to make it to the semi-finals With that, Seokhoon exited the stage.

The news of the semi-finals were announced on the very same day. As the results came in, Rona held her breath again. She watched and listened carefully as the host read out the names of the 24 semi-finalist. Rona's ears perked up when she finally heard Seokhoon's name. Rona breathed out a sigh of relief when she heard Seokhoon made it. He did it!

6th December, Flagey, Brussels

With that, Seokhoon had made it to the semi-finals. Next was Rona's turn. The setting of the first round was similar to Seokhoon. The voice would also be given 20 minutes for their recital and the order will be randomly decided. The voice category had around 37 candidates in total. Rona drew her lot and she was the 35th. It seems her luck was rather good, she was in the second half of the competition.

For the first round, Rona chose one of the safer pieces. She went for a piece that she had sung multiple times in Juillard and had been mastering it for the entire semester. This was a song in which she understood the flow, the key change and the overall story of it. She felt that with this, she would be able to show the judges everything that she had. Out of the 37th, only 24 will move to the semi-finals.

Rona chose to wear a simple, off the shoulder red dress with her hair bunned up. Seokhoon arrived for the afternoon session, like how Rona felt the other day for Seokhoon. He too was nervous for her. He knew that Rona was one of the best but anything can happen in a competition.

It was finally Rona's turn. Seokhoon felt that she looked stunning. The dark red of the dress against her white skin really highlighted just how fair Rona was. She smiled and bowed to the audience, then the music began to play. From the first note, Seokhoon could tell if this was going to be good. Luckily, Rona started off strongly and well, strong and clear. With that Seokhoon breathed a sigh of relief. Rona was going to be perfectly fine.

As Seokhoon thought, Rona did well from start to finish. It was perfect. Her gratefulness, elegance and charisma showed itself on the stage. Prof Maria also knew that Rona would easily get into the semi-finals, she was probably one of the best of the voice category.

Soon enough, it was time to announce the semi-finalist. Rona's name was called first, with that the three in the audience all were relieved. To Prof James and Maria, they were so happy that their students made it. To qualify for the semi-finals is not easy, this has brought Seokhoon and Rona one step closer to the finals.

Note: For all my readers out there, I want to ask your comments on several things so far.

1. Do you like what is going on with the story so far? Is the progression of the chapters slow or fast?

2. Do you appreciate all the visual aids I provide? I basically have to search for different outfits to fit the vision I have every time I write. So do you like the college, the pictures or even the videos (music) I provide?

3. How are you feelings towards the Mature chapters so far? Do you find the writing a bit vugular or too descriptive? Is there anything you think you would rather change?

4. Is there anything that you think can be improved overall? Even with just the presentation of the chapter itself.

P.S. Do note that this story is long term, so it will follow Seokrona all the way through Uni and more, marriage, family and career. But also note that there will be timejumps, there has to be because one can only write so much about Uni and studies - so I hope you are okay with that.

Thank you for all your never ending support I hope you stick with the story as time goes!