Chapter 99

99

* * * *

I saw a few of his paintings.

Though ignorant, I want to possess them.

Everything reads like a Platonic ideal.

This is truly the work of a new Apollo, a new Apelles.

— Excerpt from a verse that Francesco Berni, who longed for Rome, once handed to Sebastiano —

* * * *

“No. What were you going to do if I woke up late, coming here so early?”

Thud. As he got into the passenger seat and fastened his seatbelt, Kang Seok asked.

In response, Go Dohan sipped his Americano through a straw, bought from a nearby café, and casually replied.

“Man, I came early so you could wake up at a comfortable time.”

I only sent a text message to avoid waking him up... How can someone be so light-sleeping in the morning? As Kang Seok, who had rushed out as soon as he saw the text, took the bread Go Dohan had bought for himself, Go Dohan muttered.

“Don’t you need sleep?”

Though his words were curt, Go Dohan quite doted on Kang Seok. He wasn’t the type to give affection easily, but once he did, he gave it intensely.

Kang Seok was a student Go Dohan openly cherished, to the point of having him participate in a solo exhibition where only his students were involved.

‘He fell for that Venus. Ah... I should have secretly kept it for myself, even if it was just a little.’

If Kang Seok’s paintings were something he could keep, Go Dohan would have wanted to carry them with him forever. However, Kang Seok’s talent was too big for his own vessel. Hiding such feelings, Go Dohan took out his sunglasses from the case and grumbled.

“You need to sleep more to grow.”

“I just woke up early. But if I sleep enough, will I still grow taller?”

“Isn’t that the case? I don’t know. I grew in the military. But you don’t want to sleep deeply, even when you don’t go to the academy or university... What is it, Seok? I heard you finished your work recently, right?”

As Go Dohan put down his coffee and fastened his seatbelt, Kang Seok looked surprised. To others, it might have just looked like a furrowed brow.

“Already? The news reached you, teacher?”

“Yeah, man. Do you only act like this with me...? Why do I have to be the last to know when even Teacher Jung and Teacher Ju know?”

“Ah.”

So that’s why you were upset. Kang Seok rubbed his nose with his fingerprint, looking awkward.

Usually, in art high schools, practical subjects are handled more by the practical teachers than the homeroom teachers, so news tends to reach the practical teachers faster.

But since Go Dohan, who taught sketching, heard the news later than Kim Su-hak, the homeroom teacher for the third year, he must have been quite upset.

“Do I have to hear your news from that witch Seol Yeo-jin?”

Thinking of Seol Yeo-jin, Go Dohan shuddered.

Do you know how annoyed I was during the preparation for your solo exhibition this winter, seeing her know more about you than me? After a long complaint, Go Dohan, who was holding the steering wheel, glanced sideways before starting the car.

“I’ll make sure to pass on the news next time.”

Wearing his sunglasses and his trademark low cap, Go Dohan slightly pouted.

“Alright. So, how have you been?”

Kang Seok smiled faintly.

He could sense Go Dohan’s concern in his words.

Would there be anyone else among the graduating third-year students who would make a separate appointment with a practical subject teacher? Thinking this, Kang Seok nodded.

“Very well.”

Indeed, Kang Seok had achieved a lot after the second semester.

Before others even left high school, he had found a place to live, participated in an international art fair, lent his works to a white temple in Thailand via Bongeunsa Temple, and became a famous YouTuber, with everyone wanting to own his works.

He had become a landlord, acquired a gallery-like villa in Miami, and planned to open a gallery in Korea.

All of this happened in just half a year.

If this isn’t living well, what is?

Moreover, Kang Seok was preparing to create new works again.

He could say he was living a very fulfilling life.

“You’re doing great.”

Starting the engine of the car that looked expensive at first glance, Go Dohan gripped the steering wheel. As the car moved slowly, Kang Seok relaxed and leaned against the passenger seat, asking,

“So, where are we going today?”

Go Dohan, who was leaning his index finger on the steering wheel, said in a calm tone.

“Where? I thought we could go to the Astronomer’s Village in Hongseong.”

“The Astronomer’s Village?”

Kang Seok looked quite surprised as he looked at Go Dohan. He had thought it would be a unique place, hard to describe in words, but the Astronomer’s Village was a holy site for stargazers.

At an altitude of 650 meters at the foot of Mount Chiak in Hongseong, Gangwon Province, the village is located high up, allowing one to see countless stars in the clear air, free from the light pollution of the city.

It is a famous observation site, attracting many people from both inside and outside the country.

— ‘...What is it? If it’s okay, I know a place that’s quite unique... It’s hard to describe in words, but I can take you there, right?’

The Astronomer’s Village, where stargazers gathered in 1994, was not hard to describe.

Kang Seok leaned back.

‘Well... the Astronomer’s Village isn’t bad, is it?’

Despite this, he felt a strange sense of disappointment. Why was he disappointed? Recalling numerous lists that flashed through his mind, Kang Seok bit into the bread as if to swallow his thoughts.

The bread was sweet.

As he chewed the bread like he was tearing it apart, just as the cream was oozing out, he opened his mouth wide to take another bite.

“Why? Not interested? Is there somewhere else you want to go?”

Go Dohan’s voice, subtly asking, reached his ears.

“If you’re not interested in the Astronomer’s Village, you should have said so.”

Adjusting his sunglasses, Go Dohan said.

“I have a lot of time today.”

Having taken a leave that extended into the weekend, Go Dohan looked at Kang Seok with a confident smile. After all, stargazing would involve staying up all night.

“Tell me if there’s somewhere you want to go. We can go.”

At Go Dohan’s consideration, Kang Seok’s lips trembled slightly. The Go Dohan he knew was not someone who said one thing and did another. He was a very transparent person. If he said he would go, he would really go.

At that moment, numerous lists flashed through Kang Seok’s mind, which never forgot what it had seen.

Amidst the countless lists,

A post from an anonymous user on an observation community, which he had only briefly seen, vividly came to mind.

Canopus.

In fact, the star Kang Seok wanted to see was that one.

The second brightest star in the night sky, after Sirius, excluding the planets in the solar system.

Canopus, also known as the Southern Cross or the Old Man Star in Korea, is an alpha star in the Carina constellation in the southern sky.

He wanted to see it.

At that moment,

His lips moved on their own.

Tongyeong or Geoje.

Kang Seok’s amber eyes sparkled.

“Teacher.”

“Yeah.”

“Then... how about Tongyeong?”

“...Tongyeong?”

Go Dohan, surprised by the unexpected name, repeated it. Soon, his eyebrows under the sunglasses twitched. Was this my fate, to come out early in the morning? Well, there’s no reason we can’t go. Thinking this, Go Dohan gripped the steering wheel.

“Shall we go?”

.

.

.

A clear sky.

The sky was so blue that it was hard to believe it was winter, and the air was so clear that even distant things were visible.

What a great night for stargazing.

Recalling some common knowledge he had recently learned, Kang Seok looked out the window at the sky.

4 hours and 16 minutes.

That was the time it took to get from home to Tongyeong. As they passed through the Tongyeong tollgate, Kang Seok turned on his phone.

Checking the time, it was still before noon. Despite it being his first time, Go Dohan, following the navigation’s quick guidance, recorded an incredible speed of 4 hours and 16 minutes.

Hiding his surprised expression, Kang Seok looked at his phone. On the screen were several maps. It was a road view. After scrolling through the screen, Kang Seok drew a line on a piece of paper on his lap.

“This place won’t work either.”

“Another one?”

“Yes. The buildings are too tall here.”

Kang Seok was drawing lines with a pen, marking places.

What he was doing was looking for a place where Canopus could be seen.

Canopus (Old Man Star) is a star that can be observed in the southern sky, so in the northern hemisphere, it can only be seen at the horizon of the southern sea off Seogwipo. That’s why Seogwipo advertises itself as such.

In the past, Canopus (Old Man Star) was considered a sign of good fortune when it could be observed, and there was even a rumor that if you saw it once in your lifetime, you would live a long and healthy life.

According to records, the author of the Taejeong Bipyeol, Toham Yi Jiham, said, “All the scholars of Joseon wanted to see this star,” and he himself climbed Hallasan three times to see the Old Man Star.

Even in those days, when buildings were not tall and there was no light pollution in the city, it was not easy to see this precious star... It would certainly be difficult to see it in Tongyeong if even the horizon was blocked.

Fortunately, it was January to March, the best time to observe Canopus (Old Man Star) in Korea.

‘It might take some time to find a good spot.’

Kang Seok twisted his lips.

At this point, it was fortunate that they arrived so quickly.

Observation usually starts after the sun sets, when the sky is the darkest. There was plenty of time.

Observation usually starts between 9 and 10 PM... There was plenty of time for the planned time-lapse photography and stargazing.

At that moment, Go Dohan, who had just passed through the tollgate, turned his head.

“If we can’t find a spot right away, we have plenty of time, so let’s have a meal and look around slowly.”

Let’s find a great restaurant. Whistling as he drove, Go Dohan asked,

“By the way, I told you to just bring your body, but when did you bring your sketchbook?”

While driving, Go Dohan wondered why Kang Seok had brought a sketchbook. After all, whether it was time-lapse photography, stargazing, or shooting Canopus or Canopus, everything was planned to be done with a camera or telescope. Was there really a need to draw?

The sky was clear, but just looking up wouldn’t make the stars appear clearly. Was there anything to record besides the scenery? Thinking it would just be extra weight, Go Dohan clicked his tongue.

“Is your seat uncomfortable? Do you want me to put it in the trunk?”

“No, it’s fine. I want to draw immediately if I get an idea.”

“...Is that so?”

If that’s the case, it’s fine.

With a relieved look, Go Dohan turned the steering wheel at Kang Seok’s nod.

Kang Seok, looking at the turning steering wheel, turned his head. Even through the closed window, he could smell the salty sea air. It’s the sea. Looking at the sea, which maintained its blue color even in the middle of winter, Kang Seok rested his chin.

Will I be able to find it?

Thinking of the distant night, Kang Seok straightened his gaze and lowered his head to his phone screen to search for a new road view.

* * * *

Time passed quickly.

The night, which seemed like it would never come, arrived quickly.

And after eating until their stomachs were full, sitting side by side in the passenger and driver seats, just past 10:50 PM,

Kang Seok, who had been staring intently at his phone, muttered.

“I found it.”

It was a murmur of joy, reminiscent of Archimedes shouting “Eureka” when he saw the overflowing water in the bathtub.

At this murmur, Go Dohan, who was attaching a lens to his camera and making various preparations, looked up.

“You found it?”

“Yes. I found it. I think we can see it from here.”

Kang Seok held out his phone.

Go Dohan took it quickly and checked the location, then, saying he understood, handed the camera with the attached lens to Kang Seok.

“Come on, let’s go.”

Starting the engine, Go Dohan pressed the accelerator.

The dark, deep, and blue night.

Go Dohan’s car, which had been parked at a port with orange lights, slid along the rocky road.

.

.

.

After arriving,

Kang Seok quickly got out of the car.

His amber eyes, resembling the red soil, scanned the sky in the darkness. The eyes, which had been checking the south, soon fixed on one spot. Go Dohan followed behind.

It was 11:10 PM.

Go Dohan, who seemed to be checking on Kang Seok, moved busily to take out the camera and tripod. It would be a shame not to do time-lapse photography or stargazing, given that they were shooting Canopus and staying up all night.

Go Dohan glanced up at the sky.

There was little haze, and the sky was clear of clouds. The location wasn’t high, but perhaps because it was Tongyeong, there was no light pollution from the city, and there were almost no tall buildings. Looking around the secluded, untouched area, Go Dohan whistled.

He wondered how Kang Seok found such a place.

To create the best possible conditions, Go Dohan even turned off the car and checked on Kang Seok. Kang Seok was scanning the sky.

‘He won’t miss Canopus or Canopus, will he?’

What if he’s disappointed if he can’t find it? Go Dohan subtly checked as he set up the tripod.

“Ah.”

Kang Seok, with his head straight as if looking beyond the sea, let out a short exclamation. Go Dohan, who was setting up the tripod, stood up.

“Teacher.”

Go Dohan understood what this call meant.

As he slowly approached Kang Seok,

Kang Seok, without even turning around, was staring intently at the bright, yellowish-white giant star hanging over the hill-like island.

It was bright.

It was clear.

In the last moments of the moonless night, it hung like a fragment of a broken moon, small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, as if it had fallen from the sky.

That’s it.

Even without a camera, he could tell that this was the star he wanted to see.

In terms of actual brightness, excluding the sun, it was the second brightest star in the night sky, and in terms of absolute magnitude, it was the fifth brightest among the first-magnitude stars visible in the night sky, after Deneb, Rigel, Betelgeuse, and Antares.

A yellowish-white supergiant, 17,000 times brighter than the sun, was clearly visible in the small, amber eyes.

Can it be seen with the naked eye?

Is it a good night?

Is it a miraculous phenomenon?

I don’t know.

It was just yellow and red.

The yellowish-white giant star, originally not a red star, was also emitting a red hue due to the thick atmosphere near the horizon, absorbing the blue light.

It was like a small sun in the night sky.

So intensely imprinted in his heart, the surrounding stars couldn’t capture his attention.

‘This is it.’

Looking at Canopus (Southern Cross, Old Man Star), which has been called the star that governs human lifespan in Korea since ancient times, Kang Seok quietly picked up his pen.

‘This can fill a corner of the night sky I saw that night.’

Yes.

It can fill a corner.

In the darkness, the white paper was clearly visible as Kang Seok moved his pen.

His eyes, filled with Canopus, made it seem as if a god was dwelling in his gaze, and his hands moved busily like a slave.

Go Dohan approached as if enchanted.

The pen, dancing in the darkness, was invisible, but he was certain that a great work of art lay beyond this darkness.

‘I’m glad I came.’

To witness Kang Seok receiving inspiration like this.

He had always seen Kang Seok absorbed in his work, but never the moment of inspiration. Go Dohan looked beyond the darkness with a reverent gaze, as if receiving a baptism.

Kang Seok was already a rising star and a blue chip in the Korean art world.

And now, he was a genius about to spread his wings to the world. While Go Dohan, who was also acclaimed internationally, had returned to Korea to settle down, Kang Seok would fly even further.

To witness the completion of such a work by Kang Seok...

As someone who loved Kang Seok’s works, it was incredibly thrilling.

At that moment,

Kang Seok’s lips moved.

His hands were still drawing in the darkness.

The sharp sound of the pencil scratching the paper echoed.

“Teacher, I’m sorry, but could you call Mr. Jo Dong-beom on my phone? We need...”

“Need?”

“A lot of glass.”

“...Glass?”

What is he planning to work on?

Go Dohan, looking at the unseen drawing in the darkness, slowly nodded in understanding.

Taking the phone handed to him in the darkness, Go Dohan walked away.

To avoid the phone’s light interfering with Kang Seok’s stargazing.

And behind Go Dohan’s back, Kang Seok continued to draw.

What Kang Seok was drawing in the darkness...

It was the soul of the star Canopus.

100. The dimming night sky