Chapter 64 (2)

    Chapter 64 Part 2

    The charity concert was not very impressive in terms of the amateur teams performances, but their expressions were happy enough to make the sprouts smile.

    The third team was a group of children younger than Gray. They walked awkwardly on the stage with butterfly ties and suits, but they looked happy when they held their instruments. Gray watched them with envy.

    The charity concert continued until only the last performance was left, and then there was a 20-minute break.

    Lets go get ready. Gray!

    Okay.

    There was no hesitation in Grays answer.

    Rebecca and George smiled after a brief look of surprise.

    It seemed enough as it was, but there was still something left.

    Gray Vainys waiting room.

    It had been 20 minutes of break time, but it didnt take long for Gray to change into a black suit.

    Should I practice while waiting, he wondered, when George set up a monitor in front of him.

    ? What is this?

    Just watch. It wont take long.

    Gray nodded as he answered that he understood. His friends wouldnt do anything to harm him. Gray looked at the monitor.

    There,

    The interviews of his precious friends were playing.

    So this is where they reveal it!

    The audience watched Grays expression with bated breath and excitement. They were surprised too, but how surprised would Gray be, the person involved!

    [They are the people who sponsored you.]

    His breath was cut off, and emotions that he couldnt express in words swept over his heart. His chest was full and he felt like crying. He should have greeted them properly. He wanted to say thank you. Thanks to you, he was able to keep playing the violin.

    The friends on the monitor said that the sponsors were inspired by Grays performance and effort. He remembered the expressions of the sponsors who played with him. He also remembered the mother and the people of Downlock who smiled as they listened to his performance.

    Tears flowed out without him knowing.

    I,

    I must have done well.

    He must have met their expectations, and done well.

    The burden that had piled up silently melted away like snow, and turned into tears.

    [There is still the charity concert left. To be precise,]

    George said with a smile on the monitor.

    [Its a concert for Gray Vainy.]

    A concert for me?

    Gray spoke in a choked voice, and George and Rebecca nodded with a smile.

    Yes. This charity concert is for you.

    Do you know who the performers and the audience are?

    Huh?

    The sprouts blinked at Rebeccas words. The quick-witted ones seemed to understand what she meant, and soon opened their mouths wide.

    No way No way!

    Gray, you said it yourself. You wanted to help others like they helped you.

    They are the people you sponsored since you started making money.

    At the same time, the monitor showed the audience filling the Bread Hall. Gray looked at the monitor with trembling eyes.

    Following his gaze, the screen showed the audience seats. They looked happy regardless of age or gender.

    No, what are you saying?

    The sprouts opened their mouths wide.

    They thought they knew all the secrets of this documentary, but the surprise was not over with the interviews.

    And there are also the people who sponsored you. They all came to see you.

    The people who sponsored Gray and the people Gray sponsored were gathered in the Bread Hall.

    It was the power of the broadcasting station.

    Gray. Just like you didnt ask for anything when you helped these people, the people who sponsored you didnt ask for anything either. They just want you to play the violin happily.

    Grays face, which was already full of tears, became wetter. Because of that, Gray could only nod slowly instead of speaking.

    Gray wiped away the tears that flowed. But no matter how much he wiped, the tears didnt stop. He couldnt believe that the people who supported him and the people he sponsored were all here.

    And this.

    George handed him a violin case. It looked no different from a normal violin, but Gray Vainy recognized what it was at a glance and froze.

    Stradivarius.

    It was one of the three great instruments.

    The person who sponsored you sent this. They said they would like you to play with this Stradivarius from now on, if you dont mind.

    What?

    It was a voice like a scream.

    He was so surprised that he couldnt speak properly.

    Gray! Breathe! Breathe!

    He must have been really out of breath.

    He gasped!

    And breathed in. The blood drained from Grays face, which was already pale, slowly returnedor not. He still looked pale, and stared at the centuries-old violin in the case with trembling eyes.

    Iplay the Stradivarius?

    You dont have to play it if you dont want to.

    Gray turned his head at Georges words.

    Its up to you. If you want to do it, do it. If you dont, dont.

    Rebecca also said.

    Its all up to you. Gray.

    There was a sudden relaxation in George and Rebeccas eyes.

    There was not a bit of doubt in their eyes. They would trust and support him whatever decision he made.

    Ten years ago, Imiyeon had taken out the commemorative ticket at this scene. And she felt a tremendous impression. It was the same now. Her chest was so full that she felt like her breath stopped.

    This was the last scene of [Over the Rainbow1]!

    She thought it would end here, but unlike [Over the Rainbow1], Grays words didnt end there.

    And I also want to thank the people who came here overcoming difficulties. It was a really wonderful performance.

    Wow!!

    The people who had been sponsored by Gray Vainy cheered with gratitude.

    I have a song I want to play for you and my friends.

    George and Rebecca, who had been clapping their palms until they burned with red eyes behind the stage, opened their eyes wide. He felt like he knew what expression his friends would make without looking, and Gray said with a small smile.

    The title is For My Friend.

    Gray put down the microphone and stood under the spotlight.

    And he placed his chin on the Stradivarius that the sponsor had given him and drew his bow long.

    The violin, which had met many violinists and played beautiful sounds for hundreds of years, also gave a great melody in Grays hands.

    He saw someone who was alone.

    He was lonely and tired and sad and lonely.

    It was Gray Vainy.

    It was himself.

    He closed his eyes and pressed the strings of the violin and drew his bow, and Gray let go of the sadness and tears that he had not realized until then through the song.

    As if he had fallen into a swamp, the depression that had slowly eroded Gray was too late to realize.

    In the swamp of depression where he couldnt even budge, Gray squeezed out his last strength and reached out his hand.

    His face was buried in the heavy mud, his breath was blocked, his eyes were covered, and he just reached out his hand desperately, without anyones comfort, without any meaning. The emotion of that time, the sound of Grays stifled sob, resonated with the listeners heart.

    Save me.

    Someone.

    Me save me.

    Even though he knew there was no hope, he just reached out his hand meaninglessly, like a last struggle, with loneliness deeply buried.

    Something touched me.

    It was warm.

    The loneliness that clung to his hand like mud fell off one by one.

    Led by the hand that held me, I slowly rose up, pulled out of the swamp of gloom.

    -

    The owner of the warm hand asked me.

    Are you okay? with a gentle voice.

    - -

    The flow of the song changed.

    Each and every note was filled with warmth and blissful tenderness.

    The vessel of emotions in my heart was filled to the brim and overflowed, filling me from head to toe. My chest was bursting with too much emotion, not knowing what to do.

    [For My Friend]

    The beautiful and pure melody relaxed my whole body and I closed my eyes.

    At the word friend

    The sponsors and the sponsored who were sitting in the audience thought of Gray Vainyy,

    George and Rebecca thought of Gray,

    Gray thought of George and Rebecca, and the people sitting in the audience.

    They didnt shake hands or exchange stories and bond directly, but the melody for the friends who were connected through the special bond of crowdfunding and sponsorship flowed from the Stradivarius and filled the Brad Hall.

    -

    It was so quiet that even the sound of a needle dropping could be heard.

    No one made any sound. Even the children who lost their concentration easily listened quietly. The melody of the Stradivarius that was full of Grays emotions was truly fantastic.

    -

    Even the overflowing tenderness and affection and love had an end.

    As if he had played with all his strength, Grays breath quickened as he ran towards the end. He was sweating profusely as he expressed the emotions that burst out under the hot spotlight with the appropriate melody.

    But Gray Vainyys expression looked very happy.

    Like the old musician in Cleveland, like the three musketeers in Chicago, like the Linda family in Kansas City.

    And like the young Gray Vainyy ten years ago.

    -!

    The long bow drew the last string.

    Haa- Haa-

    Only Gray Vainyys rough but satisfied breath echoed in the silence.

    Clap!

    There was a sound of applause from behind the stage.

    It was Rebecca, who was crying and smiling. Following her, Georges applause, who was sniffling, was also heard, but

    Clap clap clap clap!!

    Wow!!

    It was buried by the applause and cheers from the audience.

    In the midst of the loud applause and cheers.

    Gray Vainyy, who had the happiest face in the world, bowed to his beloved friends.

    Clap clap clap clap!!

    The theater was also filled with applause. It was really, an unbearable emotion.

    Along with those sprouts, Imiyeon, who was clapping her hands until they hurt, soon took out the commemorative ticket from her bag, like that day ten years ago.

    [Imiyeon. Thank you for your deep friendship and love.]

    [Your friend, Gray Vainyy.]