Kapitel 142: Chapter 142: Her Final Performance part 2
New York JFK International Airport (JFK International Airport)
Norman Lebrecht, looking tired from the long flight, exhaled breaths that spoke of the cold winter season as he dragged his small suitcase along. After completing the immigration check, he stepped out of the airport doors and headed towards a smoking booth he saw at a distance, lighting up a cigarette he had been craving for hours. The initial dizziness from the first puff made him close his eyes momentarily to regain his balance. He frowned as he looked at the cigarette between his fingers.
"I should quit..."
Despite his words, the vibration of a phone in his pocket interrupted his moment with the cigarette. He smiled as he answered the call after checking the caller ID.
"Ah, Nal-se. You've just arrived, Abraham. Where are you?"
"Yes, sir. I'm at the airport parking lot. Which gate exit are you at?"
"Ah, I'm here by the smoking room, between gates 23 and 24."
"Alright, sir. I'll be there shortly. Please wait a moment."
After hanging up, Norman Lebrecht exhaled smoke while looking out at New York from the smoking booth's window.
"Has it been 3 years? No, a bit more than that. The last visit was for the Bronx Zoo performance."
He recalled the performance at the Bronx Zoo from three years ago, feeling chills on his arms.
"Just the thought still gives me chills. It's been 3 years, but the impression from that time hasn't faded."
As Norman shivered, he noticed a man with brown hair and horn-rimmed glasses running towards the crosswalk in front of the airport. After stubbing out his cigarette, Norman opened the door of the smoking booth and raised his hand, shouting.
"Abraham! Over here!"
Locking eyes with Norman, Abraham burst into laughter as he ran over.
"Professor!! How long has it been! Hahaha"
Abraham ran with open arms and embraced Norman, who returned the smile warmly.
"So, how have you been?"
"Of course, Professor! Let's head to the car."
"Indeed. Thank you for picking me up."
"Haha, don't mention it. It's the least I could do. Let's go."
After taking the shuttle bus to the parking lot, they boarded Abraham's luxury car. As Abraham stowed Norman's luggage in the trunk and settled into the driver's seat, he said,
"It must have been tough traveling all the way from London. Haha, it would have been easier if Kay studied in the UK, but having a student studying in the US must be hard on you."
Norman chuckled in response.
"Ha, indeed. Seems like long flights are getting harder for me as I age. Where's Kay?"
Abraham made a weary face and replied,
"Deep in practice at Juilliard. Journalists have been camping out in front of Juilliard every day, but Fantagio has been blocking their access in advance. Over twenty security personnel guard the Juilliard Opera House during Kay's practice times. Fantagio's stance is funny; they say you can't meet without an appointment, but when you try to schedule an interview formally, they just repeat that Kay is too busy with practice to accommodate interviews. What do they think of the public's right to know?"
Norman laughed off the comment,
"It's the journalists who violate personal rights and confidentiality in the name of the public's right to know, isn't it? Is a musician refusing interview time for practice infringing on the public's right to know? Haha, that's ludicrous."
Abraham smirked playfully.
"Haha, just joking. Without stories from people like Kay, journalists like me would starve."
Norman laughed and buckled his seatbelt.
"Make sure such remarks don't reach the ears of those you're covering. You won't get another interview otherwise."
Starting the car, Abraham laughed,
"Haha, that's why I contacted you as soon as I heard you were coming. I thought maybe seeing Kay's face and throwing a few questions might give me something to write about."
Norman looked at Abraham in disbelief,
"What? Didn't you know I didn't even catch a glimpse of Kay at the Bronx Zoo performance, let alone a shadow? I have no personal acquaintance with him. I just came to watch the performance. Of course, coming here early was partly in hope of meeting him, but well..."
Abraham chuckled as he steered the car.
"Haha, exactly. You'll try anyway, right? The chances of him meeting you are higher than meeting a lowly journalist like me. Is this a calculated kindness?"
"What? Hahaha, I've been had."
Abraham started the car and began driving slowly.
"Which hotel are you staying at?"
Norman glanced at his watch and shook his head.
"It's too early to head to a hotel. Let's go to Juilliard."
Abraham turned
his head sharply with a delighted look.
"Really? You want to go there now?"
"Ha, whether we can meet him or not, who knows? If we keep showing up, he might see us eventually. Let's go without expectations and just try our luck, and if not, we'll grab a meal."
"Haha...to think that Norman Lebrecht, the world-renowned critic, could be turned away at the door. I envy such musicians."
"Ha, not turned away. They probably don't even know I've come. And I'm not that great. It's just musicians hoping for a good review who make time in advance."
With those final words, Norman, seemingly tired, turned his gaze out the window and gradually fell asleep. It was only after arriving in front of Juilliard that Abraham gently woke the deeply sleeping Norman.
"Professor. We've arrived."
"Ah..uh? Oh, that was quick."
"Haha, you've been asleep for over an hour. You must have been very tired."
"Has it already been that long? Ha, well."
Smiling, Abraham hurried to the passenger side to open the door for Norman, who chuckled as he got out.
"Such flattery, Abraham."
Abraham grinned shamelessly.
"Haha, I have to do this much to get a chance to meet Kay, don't I?"
"Haha, so brazen I can't even complain."
"Hehe, let's go."
As they moved from the underground parking lot to the opera house, they were stopped by a security officer in a black suit. The security officers, having been instructed not to intimidate visitors, spoke politely.
"This area is temporarily restricted to the public as the opera performers are practicing for an upcoming performance. Sorry, but please use another passage."
Norman, as if he had anticipated this, pulled out a business card and handed it to the security officer. The officer, without taking the card, looked down and asked,
"What's this?"
Norman chuckled and shook the card,
"Could you please tell Kay that I've come to see him? My name is on the card. Thank you."
The officer, finding it hard to refuse such a politely made request, took the card and radioed in.
"Chzzt, this is sector 3 of the underground parking lot. There's a visitor here for Kay. The visitor's name is Norman Lebrecht, a music critic from the UK. Please advise."
"Chzzt. Wait."
As the officer with the radio looked at them, Abraham quietly asked,
"Professor. If Kay agrees to meet, could we also see Kiska Miocic?"
Norman leaned in and asked,
"Kiska Miocic? The young genius who wrote the lyrics for Kay's new song? I've seen a photo of him hugging Kay, a cute kid, on the internet."
"Right, Professor. Despite not being a celebrity, the kid's gaining a lot of attention. He's incredibly cute and talented, even younger than Kay."
"Is he involved in this opera performance too?"
"Yes, the overall music direction is by Professor John Corigliano, the script by Professor Leontine Price, and Kiska Miocic contributed by writing lyrics that match Corigliano's compositions for the opera. It's amazing that a ten-year-old kid is writing lyrics for an opera performance. My daughter can't even write nursery rhymes."
"Ha, geniuses always surpass the imaginations of us mere mortals. If Kiska Miocic is in the rehearsal room, let's ask to see him too."
"Chzzt. Please come in with all due respect."
Finally, as a welcome response came through the security officer's radio, Abraham, unable to contain his excitement, raised his hands and shouted with joy.
"Yess!! As expected!!"
Norman, too, seemed thrilled and happy about the possibility of meeting Kay for the first time, smiling broadly. Following the security officer's lead, they sat in a café adjacent to the opera house, looking around the empty café caused by the restrictions, their hearts pounding in anticipation. After about three minutes, the back door of the opera house opened, revealing a beautiful young man's face, which made Abraham catch his breath.
"Gasp..."
Since there was no one else around, the stunningly beautiful man smiled brightly as soon as he saw them. His long limbs appeared no different from a Westerner's, but perhaps because they were slimmer and not as bulky, he seemed even taller as he walked towards them, causing Abraham to involuntarily take a deep breath.
'Gasp... How can a man be so beautifully made?'
As Kay approached, Norman rose with a smile, extending his hand.
"Ha, Kay. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Norman Lebrecht."
Kay grasped his hand firmly, returning the smile.
"Nice to meet you. It's our first time talking, isn't it?"
"
Ha, indeed. Thank you for taking the time to talk. Please, have a seat."
Kay took the seat Norman offered, and as he turned to look at Abraham, Norman patted his back, saying,
"Let me introduce him. This is Abraham, a reporter from the New York Herald. Would you mind his presence?"
Kay shook his head and extended his hand to Abraham.
"Not at all. Nice to meet you, Abraham."
Abraham, looking honored, shook Kay's hand.
"Ah, the pleasure is mine. If you had found it inconvenient, I would have excused myself. Thank you for allowing me to stay."
With a smile, Abraham saw his chance and hurriedly said,
"If you permit, may I write about our meeting today? If it's uncomfortable for you, I promise not to write anything under my name."
Kay laughed, showing his teeth.
"Go ahead. I've been feeling bad for avoiding interviews with journalists anyway."
"Ha, thank you. Then, if you don't mind, I'll start recording."
As Abraham placed his phone on the table and turned on the recording feature, Geon Kim opened the conversation with Norman.
"Did you come to the performance at the Bronx Zoo as well? I received the information quite late that day and missed meeting you."
Norman burst into a hearty laugh, realizing that the security had indeed relayed his message that day.
"Ah, I see. I thought the security guard I asked to deliver my message hadn't managed to do so."
"Ha-ha, it was a bit late, but I did receive your message. I felt sorry for not being able to meet you in person, especially after you traveled all the way from the UK to attend the performance."
As Norman smiled warmly, Geon returned the smile slightly.
"The look in your eyes was so challenging during your tour in the UK, it's hard to adjust to seeing you so different now. Ha-ha."
Norman, scratching his head, replied with an embarrassed look.
"Ah... About that article... I should formally apologize again. I acknowledge it was hastily written without proper verification of facts."
Geon waved his hand, indicating it wasn't necessary.
"I've read the correction you published. There's no need for another apology, Norman."
"Just call me Norman. After all, I only call you Kay, ha-ha."
"Ha-ha, sure, Norman."
As the atmosphere became more amiable, Abraham started to glance around, noticing which Geon smiled and then checked his watch.
"I've been practicing non-stop for about four hours before you arrived, so this break is a bit longer. Don't hesitate to ask anything, Abraham."
Upon receiving Geon's prompt approval, Abraham cautiously asked.
"Then... Miss Kiska Miočić...?"
Geon, who seemed to have anticipated the question, replied with a regretful look.
"Unfortunately, Kiska is not here. She is working with Professor Corigliano."
Although Abraham showed disappointment, he quickly shook his head and said.
"Ah, no, it's my fault for asking suddenly. Then, I'll just ask Kay a few questions."
"Please, go ahead."
"Kay, your career moves are always groundbreaking. Your handsome appearance coupled with your musical genius shines even more because of these bold moves. Was the idea to sell the opera performance as PPV also from Director Son Lin of Fantagio?"
Geon smiled and responded.
"Yes, that's correct. Many of the performances and videos that have become a topic of conversation involved Director Son Lin's touch."
"So, we can say Kay is a musical genius, Kiska Miočić a literary genius, and Director Son Lin a marketing genius. It's no wonder it's such a sensation when three geniuses gather in one place."
"Ha-ha, that's too much praise."
"Ha-ha, you might be the only one who thinks it's an overstatement. Fantagio hasn't officially announced the PPV sales figures. Do you happen to know how well it sold?"
Geon pondered for a moment before replying.
"Well... I do know, but it's something I shouldn't discuss before an official announcement is made. I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. It's understandable. Is there a reason you came to the US early before resuming your studies?"
"Yes, actually, after being discharged from the military, I came back to the US early to loosen up my stiff hands and focus on practice. Then, I learned that Professor Leontine Price, whom I greatly admire, was preparing for her retirement performance, and I wanted to contribute."
"What is the theme of this performance?"
"It's a performance narrating the life of Professor Leontine Price, who has lived through tumultuous times as an opera diva."
"And what role does Kay play in this performance?"
"That's a secret. You'll have to come and see it on the day."
Abraham frowned, "I wish I could come and see, but unlike Mr. Norman, I wasn't granted entry. Ah, but I did buy the PPV."
"Ha-ha, so you were a customer?"
"Customer? Ha-ha-ha."
After a brief laugh, Abraham glanced at Norman, waiting his turn, and then asked one last question.
"Rumors among journalists suggest the PPV sales are beyond imagination. Do you know why?"
Geon pondered with a slight pout before shaking his head.
"I'm not sure, do you know?"
Abraham grinned and began, "The first reason is you, Kay. The return of a genius after more than three years of inactivity has drawn significant attention. Second, the PPV is much cheaper than sports events. Considering it's a three-hour performance, the price is very reasonable. Third, unlike sports PPV where people gather at a friend's house to watch, 100% of the proceeds from this performance go to helping children in Africa. People gather at a friend's house want to
participate in the charity, so each buys a ticket."
Geon nodded, surprised.
"You journalists are sharp. I hadn't anticipated the third reason."
Abraham looked directly at Geon and continued, "What's more impressive is all this came from the head of Director Son Lin of Fantagio. Journalists believe she calculated and moved with all these factors in mind."
Norman nodded deeply.
"That makes sense. She must have a remarkable knack for marketing, better than any I've seen."
Geon, already amazed by Lin, smiled silently. After exchanging thanks and pleasantries, Geon checked his watch, stood up, and extended his hand.
"It was a pleasure meeting you today, Norman, Abraham."
Norman warmly shook Geon's hand, while Abraham, uncharacteristically for a Westerner, bowed and shook hands, causing Geon to look surprised. Abraham quickly replied with a charming laugh.
"Ha-ha, I'm actively flattering you in hopes of being invited again. Here's my business card. Call me anytime you need the power of the press."
Geon accepted Abraham's business card, read it carefully, and then pocketed it, nodding.
"I'll definitely contact you. It was a pleasure meeting you today. Sorry we couldn't spend more time together. See you next time."
"It was my pleasure meeting you. Take care."
"See you again!"
As Geon entered the practice room, Abraham slumped onto the cafe sofa.
"Wow! An exclusive interview with Kay... Other journalists would kill for this."
Norman sat next to him, smiling, as Abraham leaned in and asked.
"Norman, Kay is still in his early twenties, but his aura is no joke. Has he always been like this since you first saw him?"
Norman closed his eyes, recalling his first encounter with Geon, then opened them and smiled.
"Yes, that was my first impression when I saw Kay during his tour in the UK. I had no prejudice against his race, but he seemed too young, almost like a kid, especially when he claimed he would replicate the legendary guitarist Dimebag Darrell. But as soon as the first song started, I became a fan. That's why I've been following Kay's performances everywhere. From the beginning, whether you call it aura or charisma, he's just a regular, kind young man offstage, but he transforms into someone else entirely when performing music."
Abraham, without realizing, extended his recording phone and asked, "How is he different?"
Norman looked at the closed doors of the opera house for a while before answering.
"It's as if a musical angel or demon possesses him. You've seen his demeanor. He's not arrogant or pretentious, but remember the confidence he exudes on stage? If you've seen the tour videos, Kay's presence overshadowed the other band members in Asia. Think about the personalities of rock stars you know and compare them to Kay's; the answer will be clear."
Abraham nodded emphatically.
"Right. I knew he was humble and straightforward from rumors, but seeing him in person, he seems even nicer. For a globally popular musician, he feels more like a popular and cool college student next door."
"That's it. But as I said, once he's on stage, he completely changes. How can I not have high expectations? Though I don't know the details, I'm sure this performance will be something extraordinary."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein