Character introduction + short story - Delight

Friends from Hwiwol Arts High School

변백현

A third-year vocalist at Hwiwol Arts High School. He's incredibly popular with the entire school, to the point where he's often called the "high school celebrity." He attends the school with Taeyong and Jongin. The top vocalist is undoubtedly Byun Baekhyun.

김종인

Kim Jong-in is a second-year student in the Practical Dance Department at Hwiwol Arts High School. If you were to ask who's the best dancer at Hwiwol Arts High School, it would undoubtedly be Kim Jong-in. He maintains the top spot in the Practical Dance Department.

태용

Taeyong is a first-year student in the Practical Dance Department at Hwiwol Arts High School and is famous for being ranked in the top 2 of the Practical Dance Department. Although he may seem kind to everyone, Taeyong is only affectionate to his own people.

도경수

A third-year vocalist at Hwiwol Arts High School. He is in the same class as Baekhyun and serves as class president. He is the son of Do Hyun-soo, the chairman of Hwiwol Arts High School. He is ranked in the top 2 in vocals and consistently ranks first in the entire school.

태일

A first-year vocalist at Whiwol Arts High School. He is close friends with Taeyong (classmates from elementary, middle, and high school). Taeyong is also a good dancer, but he was more interested in vocals, so he applied to the vocal department. He always performs on stage with Taeyong at festivals.

박지훈

A third-year vocalist at Whiwol Arts High School. He is Baekhyun and Kyungsoo's best friend. They were in different classes during their freshman year, so it was difficult for them to meet, but now that they are in the same class, the three of them often get together and hang out.

김영훈

A third-year vocalist at Whiwol Arts High School. She met Jihoon in her first year and became close with him. However, she is still developing close relationships with Baekhyun and Kyungsoo.

SKYTOWN People

Baekhyun's family

변요한

Hyunjin's husband, Baekhyun's father. He serves as the CEO of BH Group. He lives on the 70th floor, the very bottom of SKYTOWN. Having always lived at the top, he hopes his son will too.

서현진

Yohan's wife, Baekhyun's mother. A pediatric and adolescent psychiatrist at Cheongun Hospital. Hyunjin's parents hold high positions at the Cheongun Foundation, and she herself works at a hospital affiliated with the foundation.

Kyungsoo's family

도현수

Min-young's husband, Gyeong-su's father. He's the chairman of Hwiwol Arts High School. Unlike other fathers, he's relatively free-spirited. He's a loving father who lets his son do whatever he wants.

박민영

Hyun-soo's wife, Kyung-soo's mother. A space designer. Park Min-young is so famous that when someone asks what space designer comes to mind, the first answer is "Park Min-young." She is always supportive and encouraging of Kyung-soo's every move. She lives on the 60th floor of Skytown.

Jong-in's family

김남길

Jimin's husband, Jongin's father. Professor of acting at Hwiwol Arts University. His entire family graduated from art schools. He even wants his son to attend art school. He supports his son in whatever he pursues. He lives on the 63rd floor of Skytown.

한지민

Nam-gil's wife, Jong-in's mother. She's a professor of arts management at Hwiwol Arts College. She works at Hwiwol Arts College with her husband. Like her husband, Nam-gil, Jimin is also quite free-spirited. It was Jimin who helped Jong-in continue dancing.

Taeyong's family

이동욱

Jihye's husband, Taeyong's father. A pianist. He's one of the world's most famous pianists. While he may seem cold on the outside, he's kind on the inside. He's a loving father—even Taeyong's affection for his own people is a trait he inherits from his father, Dongwook. He lives on the 51st floor of Skytown.

서지혜

Dong-wook's wife, Tae-yong's mother. A violinist, she is one of the world's most famous violinists. Ji-hye wants her son to become a famous violinist like herself.

If we were to talk about the top 3 famous arts high schools in Seoul, we would name Seoul Arts High School, Cheonryeong Arts High School, and Hwiwol Arts High School.

Among them, the school with the highest competition rate is definitely 'Hwiwol Arts High School'.

I'm Byun Baek-hyun, a third-year student at a prestigious arts high school. To briefly introduce myself... I can say it in three keywords.

The first keyword is "music." Music is indispensable to me. Music is what brought me here. It's what keeps me going. That's "music."

The second keyword is "best." I've always lived my life striving to be the best. Because of my father's ambition, I always strived to be the best. Now... I can't tell if the word "best" is poison or medicine.

The third keyword is '70'. The meaning of 70 is that I live on the 70th floor of SKYTOWN. Those who find out I live on the 70th floor can't treat me rudely.

Today was the first day of school for third graders. I entered my classroom with great anticipation, wondering what kind of teachers and friends I would meet.

As expected, as soon as I entered, I heard the children's whispers in my ears.

변백현

" ....... "

학생A

"Wow... Baekhyun Byun is in class 5...?"

학생B

"Yeah... Ugh... It's scary."

학생A

"Oh, right. He hangs out with a second-year student and a first-year student."

학생B

"Really? LOL"

변백현

" ....ha.. "

박지훈

"Oh, Byun Baekhyun!"

변백현

"Who is it again... Huh? Park Ji-hoon..?"

박지훈

"Are you in class 5?"

변백현

" huh. "

박지훈

"Oh, that's right, Do Kyungsoo is in the same class this time too. Haha"

변백현

"Really? But... Kyungsoo hasn't come yet? I can't see him..."

박지훈

"Do Kyungsoo, he's at the front of the first platoon. He's still here studying-"

변백현

"I guess I'm not the top student in the whole school."

This time, I felt relieved because I was in the same class as Jihoon and Kyungsoo. If we hadn't been in the same class... I probably would have been alone in the class.

After a brief chat with Ji-hoon, I walked over to where Kyung-soo was.

박지훈

"Hey, Do Kyungsoo-!"

도경수

"Yeah, why-..."

Kyungsoo turned around at Jihoon's call and our eyes met.

변백현

"Kyungsoo, hello."

도경수

"Are you here-?"

변백현

"Yeah, I'm glad I'm in the same class as you."

박지훈

"Hey- Byun Baekhyun, what about me?"

변백현

"Haha, I'm glad I'm in the same class as you."

Just as we were laughing and chatting for the first time in a long time, we heard the classroom door open.

The person who entered the classroom was none other than the teacher. As soon as he entered, the children quickly sat down in their seats.

선생님

"Hi guys! I'm teacher Lee Dong-hae, who will be teaching you for the next year. Nice to meet you~"

학생들

"Wow~"

선생님

"Since it's the first class today, I'd like to take some time to introduce myself. What do you think?"

학생들

"Oh, teacher... I don't want to do it!"

Although I heard voices here and there saying they didn't want to do it, I had no choice but to have a self-introduction session because of the teacher's insistence.

선생님

"Um... number 1 is Kang Daniel? Should I come out and introduce myself?"

강다니엘

"Hello, my name is Kang Daniel. I'm not a scary person, so please come to me! Then, please take good care of me for the next year."

선생님

"Well, next, should Younghoon introduce himself?"

김영훈

"Hello, my name is Kim Young-hoon. Nice to meet you. I hope you'll take care of me for the next year."

...

선생님

"Uh... next number is... 17? Do Kyungsoo-"

도경수

"Hi, Do Kyungsoo. I'm usually a nice person, but if someone messes with my friends or bothers me, I can't stand it. I get scared. So, please be careful. Oh, that's right. I especially can't stand it if they mess with Byun Baekhyun. Let's do well for the next year."

....

선생님

"Next is number 20..! Jihoon, come out and introduce yourself."

박지훈

"Okay~!"

Jihoon was next, so I was really nervous. Kyungsoo was also there, telling me not to be nervous, so I was okay. But I was a little worried that the kids would hate me and look at me coldly.

박지훈

"Hi~! My name is Park Ji Hoon. Nice to meet you- I'm old friends with Baekhyun and Do Kyung Soo who are sitting over there! I'm also close with Young Hoon! Let's get along well for a year without any problems-"

선생님

"Jihoon did a good job introducing himself~ Shall we have Baekhyun next?"

학생들

"Wow...it's Baekhyun Byun."

I was afraid that they would curse me, but the reactions were unexpected.

학생C

"The vocalist and TOP1 are from our class... This is impossible..."

학생D

"Baekhyun, I'm your fan!"

변백현

"Hello, my name is Byun Baekhyun. As you all know, I'm a vocalist and a TOP1. That's why there are often kids who find me difficult... I'm not a scary person. I hope many people will come to me. Please take care of me for the next year-"

After finishing my self-introduction, I quickly returned to my seat. Kyungsoo and Jihoon praised me, saying I did a great job. Thanks to the supportive kids, I was able to finish well.

If it weren't for those kids, I might have given up.

20 minutes later

Now the painful self-introduction time is over.

Self-introduction was a painful time, but there was an even more difficult time ahead.

선생님

"You all know that when a new semester starts, there's always one assignment, right?"

학생들

"I hate homework, teacherㅠㅠ"

It was an assignment that was given every new semester. I don't know why it exists, but it seems to be meant to test your skills and encourage you to do well this year.

선생님

"This week's topic is duet. It doesn't matter who you duet with. Just make sure you write up the report the teacher gave you earlier."

학생들

"Yes~"

The bell rang to signal the end of class, and the teacher said he would see us next time before leaving the class.

When break time came, the kids were so busy talking about their homework that they lost their minds.

백현

"Um...it's a duet..."

박지훈

"Who are you going to do it with?"

백현

"Yeah... I don't know either."

Drumroll-

While I was talking about homework with Kyungsoo and Jihoon, I heard the door open and someone calling my name.

종인

"Baekhyun hyung~"

변백현

"I think Jong-in is here. I'll be back shortly to talk~"

박지훈

"..When Baekhyun talks to us, he doesn't do that, but when Jongin comes, he seems to feel better.. "

도경수

"He smiles a lot at us too. You know he doesn't usually do that."

박지훈

"That's true.. "

변백현

"What's going on here..?"

종인

"I came because I missed you, hyung. Or just came."

변백현

"Hey...it's embarrassing, so can you please stop saying things like that..?"

종인

"Okay~ Did nothing happen today?"

변백현

"Yeah, it's okay - Jihoon and Kyungsoo are in the same class this time.."

종인

"Is that so? That's fortunate."

변백현

"I don't think you came here to say this..."

종인

"As expected, hyung is smart. Today is Lee Taeyong's entrance ceremony. I was wondering if you wanted to go together."

변백현

"Oh right.. Today is Taeyong's entrance ceremony, right? Haha, of course I have to go~"

종인

"Do you really like me, hyung? Do you like Lee Taeyong?"

변백현

"I like you all, don't you?"

종인

"As expected from Baekhyun hyung. Haha"

The final bell sounds--)

선생님

"Everyone worked hard today, and by the way, the teacher didn't tell us the deadline for submitting the assignments - the deadline is March 18th, and the duet stage will be held in the auditorium on the 19th. Everyone, prepare your assignments well! That's all for today! See you all tomorrow~"

학생들

" yes~!! "

After the ceremony, I quickly went out of the classroom.

As soon as I went out, Jong-in was standing in front of the door, so I was so surprised that I almost fainted.

변백현

"Wow..!! This is surprising!"

종인

"What are you so surprised about-?"

변백현

"If you were me, wouldn't you be surprised? Mr. Woo..."

종인

"Hahaha I'm sorry bro"

박지훈

"Sigh... Kim Jong-in is like that~"

종인

"ㅡㅡ Jihoon hyung, what does that mean?"

박지훈

"It's nothing."

When we went to the auditorium, there were a lot of people gathered there. I wanted to find Taeyong, but there were so many kids that it was hard to find him.

I thought today would be a fun day. But... today wasn't that day either.

변백현

" ..ha.. "

I sighed softly, almost too quietly for the kids to hear. I just... waited for this moment to pass quickly.

1 hour later-)

The entrance ceremony concluded successfully, and as soon as it was over, I breathed a sigh of relief. I just wanted to get out of this auditorium as quickly as possible.