episode_0040

When feeling down or emotionally overwhelmed, there is nothing quite like a bath with the teachers.

Before entering Hanye University, and even after entering, whenever I needed peace of mind, I always chose to take a bath.

However, on the contrary, when my excited emotions escalated to the point of bursting, a different solution was needed.

“Ah——.”

It was a cold water splash intense enough to make my body shiver.

“Miss, you’ll catch a cold!!”

“It’s okay…….. I’ll just do this a little longer……”

After standing still for about 10 minutes while being splashed with cold water, now all the memories become clear.

I now realize why Chaewon said I could figure it out if I thought about it carefully. How could I not have noticed when we were so close?

‘Why were those memories so blurry back then…?’

Was it because happy memories were overshadowed by other unhappy memories?

But it wasn’t even that happy of a memory, I was just looking forward to the day I would see Chaewon again. It doesn’t make sense for it to be overshadowed.

‘Maybe it’s just been too long….’

It was when I was six years old, so with so many memories accumulated, it could have been a bit hazy.

I scold myself for not remembering the events with Chaewon. But even scolding myself won’t help me find the cause of the forgetfulness.

“Miss, let me dry you off so you don’t catch a cold.”

“Yes!”

Wheeiiing.

Three hair dryers move back and forth, drying Chaewon’s long hair, while I continue to ponder my thoughts.

I came to a conclusion.

‘I don’t know. But for now, I’ve confirmed Chaewon’s feelings.’

Even though it may seem like an easy conclusion, I’ve done all the confirming I can.

That day, I clearly followed Chaewon to her house and even after that, I went to her house multiple times at her invitation to hang out. Kang Hwi confirmed it all.

He didn’t know exactly what we did while hanging out, but it was a fact that I spent quite a long time at Chaewon’s house.

It was almost half a year. To have all those memories fade away completely. It’s quite strange.

But finally, I managed to.

I figured out the answer to Chaewon’s quiz, ‘Guess who I like!’

‘… Chaewon liked me.’

The feeling of love bursts in my head like popcorn. My lips curl up involuntarily, and I find myself giggling.

‘Chaewon… likes me…’

My heart beats wildly.

It beats so much that I worry it might be broken.

What should I do. The laughter won’t stop.

My face contorts into strange expressions on its own.

Oh, this shouldn’t be happening. I shouldn’t be smiling like this thinking about Chaewon.

Everyone, ladies and gentlemen.

Min Chaewon liked me.

Min Chaewon liked Jung Siwoo.

Aren’t you jealous? Aren’t you jealous?

The laughter won’t stop.

Save me.

I’m so happy. I feel so happy I could die.

“Hehe. Hehehehehe.”

Oh divine being who has resurrected me. I am grateful.

I am so thankful for the happiness you have given me.

Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.

However,

‘Isn’t this too much love?’

A blunt and straightforward comment that breaks the euphoria.

‘It seems like you’re forgetting something.’

It was the 992nd ego.

The villainous Song Seonghyuk love group that kept pushing me towards Song Seonghyuk.

He reappeared and started splashing cold water on me again.

‘When we met again, Chaewon never mentioned anything related to me. You don’t remember that?’

He stuck to the facts. His arguments were too perfect to refute, so I could only listen quietly as he laid out the stories.

‘It doesn’t seem like she was just shy and hiding her feelings in front of me, right?’

What do you know.

If she liked me. If her feelings were genuine. I would gladly step aside to let her be with me.

I ask my alter ego, 992.

So, what can you do?

Chaewon says I’m good.

What can you do?

“She ran away.”

Just a moment ago, 992, who was making so much noise that all the alter egos could hear, is nowhere to be found.

I have to admit.

No matter how much she tried to deceive me with various words, the truth was always one from the beginning.

We liked each other.

So, it’s okay to be honest with our feelings.

The awkwardness between us during that year can be fixed.

I don’t know what Min Chaewon thought.

But, in reality, I didn’t want to let her go.

Even after she disappeared beyond the door to go through the departure procedures, I stood alone at the airport for a long time, feeling miserable and resentful that I couldn’t even say a word like “don’t go,” “stay by my side,” or “I like you.”

So, this time, I won’t let her slip away.

I’ve received her permission several times.

Listening to her faint and longing voice while sinking in the cold water, miraculously resurrected me—,

“Can you tell me now?”

She is the cupid and the mediator she chose.

She is the fate’s thread that will connect us, who had to be separated because we were thinking too much.

She understands the complicated human, Jung Siwoo, the best, and can easily delve into his heart, the master key.

It was always just me from the beginning.

“Fighting!”

The Chaewon Love Squad, including 1, has grown larger.

Even though the alter ego who shouted “Fighting!” as 0 is not visible, I’m not afraid.

Since the moment I woke up in the hospital.

We have been together all along, and we will continue to be together.

Just leave it to me, Min Chaewon.

I will definitely capture Jung Siwoo.

“Capture! Capture! Capture…! Wait a minute.”

… Me directly?

992 disappeared, and there was no trace of denial in my inner world.

The cheers of the Chaewon Love Squad were getting louder.

“Really? Do I really have to do it?”

Although there was no response from alter ego 0, the direction of determination was clear.

Min Chaewon was dating Jung Siwoo, and she was hoping to make a pact for a hundred years.

… And she left that task to me, the mediator.

Was this about finishing what she started because she didn’t know when she would return?

Is it right to pass everything on to me?

The beginning and the immediate aftermath of a relationship are said to be the most enjoyable by relationship experts.

So, what are you trying to enjoy, Min Chaewon?

“Kang Hwi….”

“Yes?”

Still no answer.

Shouldn’t I have realized something was wrong when there was no expiration date on the contract?

“I think I’ve been scammed.”

“Scammed? What scam?!”

What the hell.

It’s a job scam.

***

– Yoon Jichang: Are you really okay?

– Yoon Jichang: I can stop it if you want

– Me: As long as you don’t ruin it, it’s fine, right?

– Yoon Jichang: Haha, is that so?

– Me: Okay, quickly give me your number

– Yoon Jichang: 010XXXXXXXX

– Yoon Jichang: As promised, I will watch over Siwoo

– Me: Please

– Yoon Jichang: Leave it to me!

– Yoon Jichang: If it’s a request from my idol A!

It’s really strange.

Usually, when you get scammed, nothing goes right, but I’m still as enthusiastic about managing Channel Aclerect for Chaewon as I am for Siwoo.

Maybe it’s just because I feel relieved while driving.

Or is it because my inferiority complex towards Song Seonghyuk disappeared after knowing Chaewon’s true feelings?

I must be crazy to think it’s lucky to be caught by Min Chaewon.

“Chaewon probably doesn’t know much about dating….”

Even if I push the relationship forward, am I worried that it might twist when she comes back?

So, do I have to marry Siwoo and have a child to get her back? Is that it?

“… Ugh.”

Oh shit. I just had a really dangerous thought.

Spending the night with Chaewon, the perspective suddenly flipped, and a horrifying image of my face appeared.

“Is it cold? Should I turn on the heater?”

“Oh, no. It’s okay.”

I quickly snapped back to reality.

Chaewon will come back. Or not.

“But what kind of pension has a studio and a grand piano?”

“He used to be a pianist.”

“I see.”

To distract myself from bad thoughts, I returned to reality and focused on my conversation with Song Seonghyuk.

So, we were on our way to the studio for a new video shoot.

“You’re getting older and going back to your hometown. Running a pension, playing the piano, and lending it to those in need.”

“You’re living the dream. Living so elegantly.”

— Clang!

“Regular studios don’t allow dogs, but this one does. That’s why we’re going.”

Because of his great love for the piano, the owner would occasionally play for tourists who visited and wanted to hear him.

Having obtained a piano tuning certification, the piano in the studio was always perfectly tuned.

“But are you close with the owner?”

“Somewhat.”

“Ah, through Professor Baek?”

“Something like that. His connections are extensive.”

He often complained about not managing his students due to managing his connections. But because of his extensive network, the professor could place his students in better positions.

Even someone like me, whose concours results were a mess, was promised a recommendation letter to a famous domestic orchestra by our professor. So, if the professor recommended someone, anyone could trust them.

“We’ve arrived. You’re already here.”

“Oh. I just got here.”

— Clang!

After lifting Relka off my lap and straightening the leash, the pension owner rushed over and stood in front of me.

Why is this person so tall?

He must be at least 2 meters tall—.

“Guten Tag! (Hello!)”

After hearing the incomprehensible foreign language, my gaze finally met the face of the tall pension owner.

Bright blond hair. Blue eyes. A Viking-like aura.

And a generally robust physique.

“Uh….”

This man with a Santa Claus-like beard.

He’s the kind man Chaewon saw on KakaoTalk.

“Wie ist es dir ergangen? Ist das Leben in Korea gut? (How have you been? Is life in Korea good?)”

“Natürlich! Ich habe Gewicht gewonnen, weil die koreanische Küche so köstlich war! (Of course! I gained weight because Korean food was so delicious!)”

The man who was loudly speaking German with Seonghyuk now reached out to pat my head.

“Astrid! Du bist immer schöner geworden! (Astrid! You’ve become even more beautiful!)”

Can I run away now?

I don’t know German.