The Echoes of the Piano

A Rivalry Brews

Monday morning arrived like a meticulously set stage, each moment orchestrated to perfection. The air was crisp, the sun bright through the large windows of the Jeong mansion as Haerin sat at the breakfast table, her fingers delicately twirling a silver spoon around her bowl of oatmeal. Her mother, seated across from her, looked the part of an immovable queen, her gaze sharp and calculating, even as she sipped her tea.

"Remember, Haerin," her mother said, her voice unyielding as she set her cup down, "you need to stay on top. No one else can take that spot. You have to be better than Minji. I expect nothing less than excellence. Don't let distractions cloud your mind. Understand?"

Haerin nodded, though her stomach churned at the thought. There it was again—the same unrelenting pressure. *Be better than Minji*. It felt like a constant echo in her head, like a drumbeat she couldn't escape. She wasn't playing music anymore. She was chasing a shadow.

But then her father spoke, his voice calm, soft, and filled with warmth. "Do what you can, Haerin," he said, his eyes filled with genuine affection. "I'm proud of you, no matter what. Just remember, you don't have to be perfect for me. You're already amazing as you are."

Haerin felt a small flicker of relief at her father's words, but she knew it would never be enough for her mother. Still, his support was a comfort she held onto as she stood up from the table, grabbing her bag.

The family chauffeur arrived with the luxury van, and Haerin slipped into the back seat, gazing out the window as the world passed by. Inside the van, everything was quiet except for the soft hum of the engine, the world outside a blur of glass and steel. As she neared the school, the weight of expectation settled back onto her shoulders. She felt the eyes of everyone around her, even if they weren't watching. *I own this place,* she thought, though it was a sentiment she rarely voiced aloud. It wasn't arrogance—it was survival. She had to believe it in order to stay afloat.

When she arrived at school, the students parted like the Red Sea, whispering and glancing at her in awe. The luxury van had already become a symbol of her family's wealth, and Haerin's reputation was growing by the day. She entered the building with her head held high, her back straight, and her steps measured. The world was hers for the taking, or at least, that's how it felt.

The music class began promptly, as it always did on Mondays, in a room filled with polished wooden floors and walls lined with grand pianos. Haerin's eyes immediately found Minji among the students, and a small knot tightened in her chest. Minji, the girl who had always been the star—who had set the bar so high that Haerin sometimes felt she was running a race she couldn't win.

Today, however, Haerin was determined to show everyone who was the real threat.

Their music instructor, Mr. Lee, a tall and imposing figure, smiled warmly as he addressed the class. "Today, we're going to have each of you perform a piece. I want to see what you've been working on," he said, his voice authoritative. "Haerin, why don't you go first?"

Haerin's pulse quickened in anticipation, but she kept her composure. She stood, smoothing the front of her skirt as she walked to the grand piano at the center of the room. The light from the tall windows above bathed the piano in a soft glow, making her appear almost ethereal as she sat down and began to play.

Her fingers moved over the keys with elegance, each note falling into place with precision. She lost herself in the music, each movement fluid, her fingers gliding as though the keys were an extension of her body. By the time she finished the piece, her chest rose and fell with the satisfaction of knowing she had done it perfectly.

The room was quiet for a moment, and then Mr. Lee's voice broke the stillness. "Well done, Haerin. Absolutely flawless. You've really outdone yourself this time. Your technique is impeccable."

Haerin smiled softly, feeling the familiar surge of pride. This was what she lived for—the praise, the acknowledgment. It felt good. It felt like winning.

Next, it was Minji's turn.

Minji stood with her usual quiet grace, making her way to the piano. She didn't seem affected by Haerin's flawless performance, but there was a quiet intensity in her demeanor as she began to play. The first few notes rang out, each one stronger than the last, and Haerin could feel the shift in the room. Minji's performance wasn't just *flawless*—it was transcendent.

Minji's touch was different. It was more than technique; it was emotion, something Haerin hadn't anticipated. Minji's playing filled the room with warmth, a tenderness that seemed to resonate deep inside Haerin's chest. Each note seemed to tell a story, to draw out an emotion that Haerin had never quite managed to capture herself.

By the time Minji finished, the room was alive with the sound of applause. Mr. Lee was smiling, clearly moved by Minji's performance. "Excellent, Minji," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "That was... beyond words. You've taken this piece to another level. Truly remarkable."

Haerin felt a sharp, unfamiliar sting in her chest. "Another level."The words echoed in her mind, and for a moment, she couldn't breathe. It wasn't just about winning anymore. It was about something deeper—something Minji had that Haerin didn't. Something that couldn't be replicated by technique alone.

After class, Haerin stormed into the girls' comfort room, her steps quick and forceful. She needed to be alone, to breathe, to calm the flame that was building inside her. The moment the door clicked shut behind her, she leaned against the wall, her hands curling into fists.

"Why does she always do this?* Haerin thought bitterly, her heart racing. *Why does she make it look so easy?"

She could still hear Minji's notes ringing in her ears, feel the quiet warmth of her performance. Haerin's jaw tightened. The hatred, quiet but intense, crept up from the pit of her stomach. Minji wasn't just a rival anymore. She was a reminder of everything Haerin wasn't. And in that moment, Haerin vowed—"I will beat you, Minji. No matter what it takes."

Just as Haerin was about to leave, the door opened, and to her surprise, Minji stepped in. Her expression softened as she glanced at Haerin, noticing the storm brewing in her eyes.

"Hey," Minji said gently, her voice calm, yet perceptive. "You okay?"

Haerin quickly wiped away the emotion threatening to spill over, her face hardening once again. "I'm fine," she replied coldly, her voice distant.

Minji seemed to hesitate for a moment, sensing the tension in the air, before giving her a small, almost reluctant smile. "Okay. Just... wanted to check in."

As Minji left the room, Haerin stood there, her fingers trembling at her sides. She was certain of one thing: this rivalry wasn't over. It had only just begun.