The Road to Glory

“It doesn’t seem like you have any intention of going to high school.”Sitting in a Japanese-style tatami room, Halo’s father spoke upon noticing his white hair on a Monday when the topic of high school enrollment came up.It was the first time the father, who had remained silent until then, brought up the matter.“Yes, as you know.”Halo calmly replied and sat in the front seat.If his mother’s face had turned pale at the sight of his hair color, his father didn’t seem bothered. He probably wouldn’t have cared even if Halo had dyed his hair in rainbow colors.“It’s good that you’re asserting your will, but your mother is about to faint.”“She said it suits me though.”“It does look neat.”Not only had he dyed his hair, but by trimming his bangs that used to cover his eyes, his expression was clearly visible. Thinking it used to look messy, Professor Roh Yunhyeon thought Halo had done a good job trimming it.“Honey, the meal?”“I ordered the basic omakase course. No alcohol.”The mother, who doesn’t like alcohol, nodded in satisfaction.Halo was about to put away the menu his mother handed him when he opened it and read it instead.What is omakase?There was no helpful explanation on the menu—not that he would have read it anyway—but there were photos of raw fish.‘Raw fish?’Not knowing that omakase refers to the chef’s special selection of dishes, Halo frowned.‘How can you eat raw stuff, not even cooked?’The idea of eating raw food made him uncomfortable, despite the well-presented photos on the menu. It couldn’t be helped that he felt averse to it, even though the food here had been delicious so far.At least, that’s what he thought at first.The five appetizer dishes that came out with the tsukemono (Japanese vegetable pickles) instantly dispelled Halo’s prejudice.From the sous-vide egg dish to dishes he had never seen before in his life, calling them “delicious” would be an understatement.“Is it tasty? Want more?”“It’s just the appetizer, he shouldn’t fill up yet. Let’s eat in moderation.”“But he’s still growing, so it should be fine, right?”“Then he can eat it all and order more.”This is just the appetizer?Halo had already licked his empty plate clean.Soon, the main dish, the omakase, was presented.His aversion to raw food had long since disappeared.Halo gulped down his saliva.“Originally, omakase is best enjoyed at the counter table, but I asked for a private room since we had things to discuss. Next time, let’s eat at the counter.”“That was a good choice.”The matter to discuss must surely be the high school enrollment issue that’s almost resolved.After finishing the sashimi and simmered dishes, and selecting the meal menu, the private room fell silent.Halo thought his father would speak first, but it was his mother’s voice that came first.“Haeil, you know what I think. I still believe you should go to high school. High school isn’t a place you can just go to anytime, right? And even if it seems like a waste of time, there are times when it’s necessary. I’m not just talking about Korean, English, and Math. The experiences you can gain there. Something like that. There’s also a saying that high school friends last a lifetime, you know.I’ll support whatever you do, but dropping out after middle school—. In Korean society, and for your future path, I think it’s not a good choice. Why don’t you consider going to a technical high school or something like that?”Her mother’s suggestion was clichéd.However, it was clearly principled and in line with social norms.Even Halo would probably advise against it if someone said they were going to drop out of high school and become like him.‘I’d probably tell them to try it once.’…But everyone is different; normally, people would object.Everything is created from experience.Just as he finds inspiration in his daily life and turns it into sound, then into music.High school will surely provide a different experience, one that can only be experienced there, a special one.However, the word “necessarily” remained.Does he necessarily have to associate with kids he can’t communicate with, necessarily follow the course set by society, and necessarily waste up to eight hours a day?Especially when there’s no immediate need or curiosity, and it doesn’t even seem fun.He has a lot to do.It’s not simply about becoming the past Halo.Recording his past albums is just about leaving a trace, but he has other priorities.The present.And the future.While recording his second album, he’s writing new songs.Some songs get discarded into the trash.Others end up as drafts, but he consistently creates new material.Becoming the past Halo is too easy.Too easy, and because he already knows he’ll succeed, there’s no tension.No sense of achievement or fun.He wanted more accomplishments.And that usually came with thrills and stress.At this time, when he wanted to quickly finish recording his past and move forward, the option of wasting time in high school wasn’t available to Halo.“I agree that high school can provide another experience.”Halo spoke after sipping his tea.“I also know that you’re worried about me.”His mother’s face brightened.Unfortunately, Halo hadn’t been persuaded.“But I still think the same. It may seem like I’m being stubborn to you, Mother. But with a long way to go, I think going to high school would be a waste of time. I want to continue as I am.Also, I believe the value I’ll gain by not going to high school will be greater than what I’d gain from going.”Halo looked at his father, as if asking, ‘Don’t you agree?’His father, who had been listening to the conversation between Halo and his mother for a while, had his arms crossed with his eyes closed.“Haeil, you don’t know that.”After trying to bring up the topic a few times, his mother poked her husband’s side, as if asking for help.“You say something.”Finally, the father opened his eyes.After staring intently at Halo for a while, the father spoke.“I still don’t understand what confidence you have.”“No, not that!”His mother was startled, as if she had been doused with cold water. Before she could stop him, the father and son continued their conversation.“However, I don’t mean to scold you. Your assertive and logical demeanor is admirable.”“You…”She was exasperated that instead of scolding him as she had expected, he was now praising Halo like an interviewer.Still, Park Seungah had faith that her rational and logical husband would guide Haeil onto the right path.“Let me ask you one thing. Do you really want to do this? Sincerely?”The father suddenly asked.Park Seungah’s expression soured, as she wanted to end the high school enrollment issue quickly.“Yes.”Halo answered immediately, as if it were obvious.His response came without any hesitation.“Not because you don’t want to study, or because you think people on TV look cool, or because it seems easy, right?”Professor Roh Yunhyeon welcomed his son’s passion but didn’t understand it. Unlike his son, he had never been consumed by something with a fiery passion.His path had flowed like water, as it were.“Can you be sure you won’t regret it, even if you give up 900 million won and live in a small room for ten, twenty years, struggling with hunger? Can you endure that when you’ve never had to worry about money before?”The father doubted him and constantly lectured about his unclear future.In reality, Roh Haeil had probably never experienced economic or physical hardship.‘Roh Haeil’ hadn’t.But the Halo within him was different.From the beginning, Halo was born into an uncertain situation.He had starved, and found himself in situations where he wanted to give up everything.At that time, no one who approached him had good intentions, and those who approached him smiling were more like wolves eyeing his red hood.The father added:“Let me be clear, I won’t help you. You’ve already rejected my offer, so feel free to think I’m being heartless. Even if you’re struggling, I won’t help. I need to prepare for my retirement. When I retire, I plan to travel the world with your mother.”“Should I stop contacting you too?”“Then I’ll disown you. You should still contact us. Your mother and I are urbanites, so our phones won’t be unreachable.”As they both seriously made their remarks, the corners of their mouths turned upwards.Park Seungah thought the father and son’s mannerisms were uncannily alike when making pointless remarks.“Since I didn’t receive any investment, there’s nothing to return, right?”At Halo’s words, Professor Roh Yunhyeon couldn’t help but laugh inwardly.By now, he’s become curious about what Halo will do if he doesn’t go to high school. He’s heard about NuTube or something, but will he be satisfied with just that? Or will he aim for something bigger? Or will he end up a dropout? He’s not sure.The father suddenly said,“Then do it.”“?! No, honey!”Park Seungah, who had been listening quietly, was startled as if she had been doused with cold water. Before she could stop them, the father and son continued.“But only for one year. At your age, a one-year loss can be easily made up for.”Just the thought of Halo already assuming failure annoyed him. He didn’t like it.“I believe one year is enough to determine whether this is worth dedicating your life to or if it’s just a hobby you’ll be satisfied with.”“Then what about Haeil’s high school?”His mother’s face betrayed a sense of betrayal. She probably thought that the reason he had dragged out the high school enrollment issue from Monday to Thursday was to help her.But Professor Roh Yunhyeon had a different path in mind.A more efficient one. If he could take that path, he wouldn’t have to do what everyone else does for three years.“Well, following the course is easier. People don’t prefer it for no reason.”Suddenly, he picked up his chopsticks.He savored a piece of tuna that was part of the course meal.“What are you talking about now?”Although his mother reacted as if it were nonsensical, his father ignored her and spoke to Halo.“When you don’t know what to eat or what to eat first, it’s just better to go with the course. The chef will decide for you. We just eat what the chef serves us in order. Isn’t that convenient?”-Your ordered meal has arrived.Just in time, their meal arrived. The door slid open, and the chef served their dishes. The salmon roe bibimbap and samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) were the meals they had chosen.“But if you know what you want to eat, there’s no need to order a course meal, right?”The father said as he opened the lid of the samgyetang.“It’s best to just go to a specialty restaurant and buy it.”Furuuk.The aroma of ginseng filled the room.The father let out an “ah” in satisfaction.Halo also mixed his salmon roe bibimbap.And as he took his first spoonful, his father’s voice washed over him like a wave.“The world these days is so well-developed. Back in my day, it was clearly six years of elementary school, three years of middle school, three years of high school, and then university. But not anymore. These days, kids don’t necessarily have to spend 12 years in elementary, middle, and high school. If they want to go to university, passing the qualification exam is enough. From that perspective, high school seems a bit inefficient.”Some salt, please.At the father’s words, the mother passed him the salt.The father took a big pinch.“Ah, you know Assistant Professor Kang, right? Kang is one such case. She went to a gifted school, finished all the secondary courses by elementary school age, passed the qualification exam to graduate high school, and went straight to university. She became my slave efficiently, faster than anyone else.”“Slave?”“My mistake. He was my teaching assistant, but now he’s an instructor.”He added that Kang would be a part-time instructor at Korea University next semester.“But as I said, the freedom I’m giving you is only for one year.”The father, who had been speaking casually with a friendly face, turned serious.“If by then you don’t have satisfactory results and are still wandering aimlessly, you’ll do as your mother and I want.”“…”“You’ll take the qualification exam and aim for Korea University. Don’t think about defying us. But if you do get into Korea University, my offer to inherit my assets still stands, so do your best.”Then the father shook off his chopsticks.Muttering, ‘The samgyetang here is a bit salty,’ he asked,“Is everything settled now?”#“How could you say that so easily?”Park Seungah crossed her arms.Roh Yunhyeon, who had made the unilateral decision without consulting Park Seungah separately, loosened his sleeves and glanced at her.“It wasn’t an easy decision, but a smart one.”“What’s so smart about it?”“To persuade that kid.”“Persuade? It seems you were the one being persuaded.”She hadn’t expected him to just let Haeil do as he pleased, even about high school.“This is a game I’m bound to win, no matter what. I have nothing to lose.”“But you just mentioned losing something?”“Think about it.”Roh Yunhyeon sat beside Park Seungah.The bed didn’t even creak under the slight movement, showing its comfortable stability.“By investing one year’s time as the cost, I’ve purchased his future life. He’ll listen to us from now on. And I invested my time. No, I invested his time.”“But-”“If Haeil fails, then he fails, and he’ll do as we wish. If he succeeds, then great. It’s that simple.”Park Seungah still couldn’t understand.If he had persuaded Haeil well, he wouldn’t have had to invest that one year’s time. Haeil could have achieved both music and academics in a different direction.But Roh Yunhyeon refuted:“It’s also a good experience to be passionately dedicated to something. It’s far more productive and constructive than just following what other kids do.”He’d intervene immediately if he saw Haeil slacking off.Lastly,Roh Yunhyeon recalled Haeil’s NuTube channel that he had checked for parental consent regarding monetization. Although the scale wasn’t huge yet, and he didn’t know how much revenue it would generate,the view counts, likes, and comments showed its “value.”Regardless of how much revenue it generated, the experience of earning money would help Haeil.Even if the money wasn’t much. As a portfolio, it was sufficient.‘There’s no need to be fixated on Korea.’If he kept at it consistently, there was no need to insist on Korea University alone.In those numbers, he found value in his son.#Friday afternoon.When the setting sun peeked through the windows of Lake Palace in Jamsil,[You must watch this]When Halo opened his eyes, there was a message like a threat.Halo clicked his tongue and got out of bed.He had stayed up all night, so it was already 4 pm. A common occurrence.After taking some time to check his emails, he hadn’t received any from the NuTube headquarters yet.Yeah, those guys can’t be expected to work diligently.“Soyou episode 1 is today, isn’t it? Want to watch it while eating chicken for dinner?”Although his mother still didn’t seem convinced about the school enrollment issue, she hadn’t forgotten about the “Show Your Show” airing today. She was texting someone.Halo had no intention of watching Soyou, but at the mention of chicken, he spoke up.“I’ll have half seasoned and half fried.”Hi everyone, I've fully translated this series. If you love the series and wanted to binge read until the end, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. Instead of buying the advanced chapters one by one, you can buy them in one bulk (with discounted price too)!