The Echoes of the Piano

Spotlight

The morning after the opera performance was a whirlwind. Haerin barely had time to process her thoughts before the world outside her mansion came rushing at her. Her family's chauffeur arrived early, and as usual, Haerin was whisked away in the luxury car, the cool leather seats and soft hum of the engine doing little to calm the storm of thoughts swirling in her mind.

As the car approached the school, Haerin could already see the reporters waiting outside the gates. Flashing cameras, excited chatter—*It's happening again.* She had become a headline, a name on everyone's lips. Her victory from the night before was still fresh, and she was now the talk of the school. *I have to get used to this,* Haerin thought, but the thought left a bitter taste in her mouth. She wasn't sure if she wanted to get used to it. The attention, the constant scrutiny—it all felt suffocating.

The car rolled to a stop in front of the school gates, and as soon as Haerin stepped out, the reporters flocked to her like moths to a flame. Microphones were thrust in her direction, and flashing cameras surrounded her in a blinding storm of light. The questions came fast and furious.

"Haerin, how does it feel to be the star of last night's opera?"

"Are you excited to perform with the world's top opera singers in December?"

"How do you handle the pressure of being your mother's heir in the music world?"

Haerin kept her face carefully composed, the practiced smile never faltering. She had been groomed for moments like this, had been prepared to present the perfect image at all times. But as the questions continued, a sense of unease grew in her chest. *I never asked for this kind of attention.*

Just as the barrage of questions became overwhelming, Haerin felt a soft tap on her shoulder. She turned, slightly startled, and saw Minji standing there, a reassuring presence amidst the chaos.

"Don't worry, I've got you," Minji said, offering Haerin a quick, friendly smile. Without another word, Minji grabbed Haerin's arm and gently guided her through the throng of reporters. Haerin hesitated for a moment, but then allowed herself to follow Minji's lead.

Minji's calm, composed demeanor seemed to put the reporters at ease, and when they saw her guiding Haerin away, they reluctantly pulled back. Haerin's heart slowed, the tension in her chest easing for the
first time that morning.

As they reached the school entrance, Haerin gave Minji a grateful look. "Thank you," she said quietly. "I didn't know how to handle all of that."

Minji smiled softly. "You're welcome. It's not easy being in the spotlight. I know what it's like." There was a brief moment of understanding between them before Minji added, "I'm proud of you, Haerin. You really did an amazing job last night."

Haerin's heart skipped a beat at the sincerity in Minji's voice. It was rare for her to hear such words from anyone who wasn't family or a teacher. Minji's praise felt different, more real than anything she had gotten from the endless stream of congratulations from her relatives.

"Thanks, Minji," Haerin replied, feeling something warm stir inside her. But before she could dwell on the feeling too much, the school bell rang, signaling the start of the day. Minji offered Haerin a small wave before heading to her first class.

---

After school, Haerin's driver picked her up as usual. But to her surprise, it wasn't just her twin sister Hanni waiting in the backseat. Minji was there too, casually sitting next to Hanni, her backpack resting at her feet.

"What's going on?" Haerin asked, a little confused as she climbed into the car.

"We were thinking of going to the mall," Hanni said, a playful grin on her face. "Come with us, Haerin. It'll be fun."

Haerin's eyes flickered between Hanni and Minji. It wasn't lost on her that Hanni and Minji had become closer over the past few weeks. They often chatted after class, exchanged notes, and laughed together during lunch. In a way, it was a relief to see that Hanni and Minji had a connection. At least Minji wasn't alone in this strange world of wealth and expectations. Still, it left Haerin feeling a little disconnected. *It's not the same with me,* she thought.

But there was no reason to decline the invitation. Perhaps some time away from her usual routine would be a good distraction. And it wasn't like Minji was a stranger anymore, not after everything that had happened with the competition and the opera performance. Haerin could admit that there was something different about Minji. Something she couldn't quite place.

"Alright," Haerin said, adjusting herself in the seat. "I'll come."

The driver started the car, and they headed to the mall in silence, the soft hum of the engine and the occasional chime of Hanni's phone filling the space.

---

At the mall, the bustling energy of the place almost seemed to swallow them whole. It was a completely different world from Haerin's luxurious mansion and private music studios. The crowds, the noise, the stores lining every corridor—it felt like an escape, but not in the way she had expected. Here, no one cared about who she was or what she had accomplished. She was just another girl walking through a mall with her friends.

They wandered through stores, tried on clothes, and laughed over ridiculous fashion choices. Haerin found herself relaxing, a rare feeling these days. She hadn't realized how much she needed this simple break, this moment where she wasn't being watched or measured against some impossible standard.

Hanni and Minji had a natural chemistry, joking with each other and sharing inside jokes that made Haerin feel like she was witnessing a private connection. She couldn't deny that she felt a little left out, even if it wasn't intentional. The way Hanni would nudge Minji with her elbow or how Minji would smile at something Hanni said—it was clear they were close, and Haerin had to admit that their bond felt different from the one she had with her sister. There was something effortless between them, something light and carefree, while Haerin often found herself weighed down by her own responsibilities and the expectations of her family.

After a few hours of wandering, the three of them sat at a café in the mall, sipping on iced drinks and people-watching. The conversation shifted easily, and Haerin found herself laughing more than she had in a long time. Even Minji seemed more at ease, her usually reserved demeanor relaxed in the company of Hanni.

"So, Haerin," Hanni said, nudging her slightly, "how's the whole world-famous opera star thing going? I saw you on TV this morning."

Haerin rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile. "It's been a lot to handle, but I'm getting used to it."

"You've got this," Minji added, her voice warm and supportive. "You've worked so hard for it."

For the first time in what felt like forever, Haerin felt the pressure lift, if only for a moment. In this space, with her sister and Minji, she didn't have to be perfect. She didn't have to be the star. She could just be Haerin.

As the afternoon sun began to dip lower in the sky, the three of them continued chatting, laughing, and enjoying the rare, unguarded moments of normalcy. For Haerin, it was a small but welcome relief—a reminder that there were parts of life beyond the stage, beyond the constant pressure to succeed.

But deep down, Haerin couldn't shake the feeling that things were shifting. She was no longer the center of attention, and as much as she wanted to ignore it, a part of her couldn't help but feel a little unsettled by the way Minji and Hanni had come so naturally to each other. A part of Haerin wondered if she would always be on the outside, trying to fit in where she never quite belonged.