episode_0049

I stopped playing the piano, pressing my palms on the keys.

“That phrase, wasn’t that something you always said to Siwoo…?”

The professor looked at me with surprise in his eyes.

“You… know Siwoo?”

“….”

Oh no.

“I, I don’t know.”

“What’s with you. Chaewon was so assertive just now. Was your usual demeanor fake?”

“Ah… no….”

Unintentionally revealing a glimpse of my true nature, I ended up exposing the fact that Siwoo and I were acquaintances.

“Wait.”

And finally, the professor realized.

“The girl who contacted me when Siwoo had an accident… it was you, right?”

“Ah, no… it wasn’t.”

“It was. Your voice sounds the same now. And your name is Chaewon.”

Indeed, a master of networking. Able to grasp the connections between people with astonishing accuracy.

I expected some stumbling, but…

“Where is Siwoo?”

“Don’t you know who your brother is close with?”

“I know. Except when he helps with accompaniment, they don’t talk much.”

“….”

Thanks to Yoon Jiyu, even Yoon Jichang became aware of Siwoo’s existence.

Fate is truly cruel.

No matter what I do, I seem to be moving in the direction that is already known.

“It’s still okay. I can handle it.”

I won’t give Siwoo a chance to accompany me. And thanks to Yoon Jichang, I already know about Yoon Jiyu, that she’s not a good person.

The problem seems to lie elsewhere…

“You said your name was Min Chaewon.”

It was our professor.

Seems like he’s trying to remember something again.

I want to run away, but if I don’t listen, something will happen without my knowledge, so I have no choice but to sit quietly.

“Since I’ve been looking at you, someone keeps coming to mind… where is your hometown?”

I stared at the professor, not saying a word.

“Is it Austria?”

Finally, he remembered.

That I am the daughter of Min Seokhyun, whom he met in Vienna 14 years ago.

“Even if I lie, if Chaewon asks her parents, they will know right away…”

I muttered resignedly.

“… Yes. That’s right.”

The professor, as if he had found his lost daughter, reached out to shake my hand with relief.

As I held his wrinkled hand cautiously, the professor continued speaking with a trembling voice.

“I never thought our fate would be connected like this. Will you recognize me? I’m Baek Joongun, who met Siwoo in Vienna.”

Could it be that Siwoo didn’t recognize Chaewon at once?

Thinking back to that time, I hesitated for a moment, buying time.

“Uh… yes. It seems familiar to me.”

“Thank you for remembering. So, are you feeling better now? Can you go around like this without any problems?”

It seems that Chaewon’s parents have been concerned about her health and mental issues due to her multiple personalities.

“Yes… that’s why I came to Korea.”

In that case, I can continue to use the hesitant history concept.

After all, even history occasionally reveals hidden courage.

“You came to inspect the Kanghwi Cultural Foundation building a while ago. Was that you?”

“Ye… yes.”

Haha. The professor laughed heartily and lightly patted my shoulder.

“I’m really glad. I’m so relieved.”

Whether this situation was awkward or not, Yoon Jiyu kept glancing at us with her crescent-shaped eyes.

“What? If you knew each other, you should have said something. Professor, you almost made me look like a fool for nothing.”

“Sorry. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, so I was confused.”

“Um… then. Chaewon, are you planning to apply to Hanyang University later? For the foreigner admissions in August?”

Is he trying to figure out how much longer he can take advantage of me?

I scratched my cheek hesitantly and mumbled.

“I… I’m not sure about… that.”

As soon as I realized that I was Min Chaewon, the professor seemed to immediately change sides and be on my side.

“Probably it’s too early to make a decision. Admission right now is out of the question. Maybe the earliest would be next year.”

Nice cover, professor.

Please don’t make Siwoo feel inferior by accidentally talking about me.

“What? So are we just going to play until then?”

Ah. So, was the point that it would be more impressive to delay admission?

This demon-like girl is really something.

“Well, how about hanging out with Unni? Do you like cake? How about macarons?”

Although I may be a villain, Yoon Jiyu has one interesting point.

No matter how much sugar she consumes, she doesn’t gain weight. Is she throwing up right after eating, or is her body not accepting it?

Under the excuse of meeting Chaewon, she dragged me around to various cafes, and even after eating so much, her waist was as slim as a celebrity’s.

At first, I thought her large chest was full of malice, but after seeing that, I realized that the fat all goes to her chest, a blessed body as women call it.

“Ah… I… ”

“Yoon Jiyu, don’t force yourself.”

“It’s okay, professor. I’m not doing this because I dislike Chaewon. Right?”

“Yes. Yes…”

“….”

The professor had a displeased expression, but seeing me silently leaving Yoon Jiyu alone, he didn’t nag anymore.

Stop following me around like a water balloon, you annoying girl, it’s heavy and stuffy.

“If you introduce me… I’ll follow you… I’m not used to going out much….”

“Oh really? Then Unni will say yes. I’ll order delicious things, fun things, and show you around. Trust me, Unni?”

“Yes. Yes…”

She smiled brightly while sweeping the floor with her eyes.

It was worth watching Hitorilack all day yesterday.

“Too bad.”

“What… are you saying?”

“I thought you were a young artist wandering without a master. I was planning to take you in as my disciple if you said you didn’t have a teacher.”

“Oh, I see…”

“Well, if you’re Min Jihwija’s daughter, I don’t need to interfere. Your mother will handle it well…”

The professor said he was giving up, but he kept looking unsatisfied.

I think I know the reason. It’s probably because he witnessed the changes and growth in me that Siwoo couldn’t see, right here today.

Before I die, when I become a fourth-year student.

“Didn’t I show you various things since you were young… I regret it so much.”

The professor blamed himself for my inability to grow.

“It would have been okay to complete your own musical world and then let the pros play. I wouldn’t have just accepted your flattery back then. Hehe.”

I only listened because I wanted to.

I only played along because I wanted to be like them.

The professor, who tried to blame himself and relieve my burden in any way possible, still can’t forget his appearance.

“Well then, I’ll go back. And…”

The professor whispered softly in my ear.

“Don’t get too close to her. You’ll be used and won’t be able to do what you want.”

Whether Yoon Jiyu vaguely caught on to what the professor was talking about, she quickly ran over and pushed the professor slightly.

“What are you two talking about so affectionately?”

“It’s nothing. Go in.”

“Please go in, professor! Do you have to keep your promise to connect us?”

“Yes.”

“Please go in.”

Slightly drooping shoulders that revealed a lonely heart.

Looking at the professor’s back, I reaffirmed the promise I had made before.

“Don’t worry.”

Jeong Siwoo is a genius at copying.

If he wants, he can forget all the performances he has learned so far and fill his own performance only with Chaewon’s color.

“I will definitely open up new horizons for Jeong Siwoo.”

Tak. Upon seeing the closed door, Yoon Ji-yoo let out a deep sigh.

“Ah~ Seriously. It’s not easy to invite a professor… right?”

“Uh… well….”

“Anyway, should we change the location next time? How about my place?”

Wow, this crazy guy.

He’s really trying to trap Chaewon in the shark’s mouth.

“To be honest, we met here today because Professor Soon-jun asked us to. So let’s go to my place. The grand piano there is more expensive than this one.”

Anyway, a grand piano that exceeds a certain price range is all the same.

The difference lies in the quality assurance period, brand value, and how good the piano’s durability is.

For luxury grand pianos like Stein-Suns, if maintained in the optimal environment, they can last up to 100 years.

But in Korea, a country with distinct four seasons, pianos made of wood, iron, and various complex parts often do not reach their designated lifespan.

Well, maybe with a dedicated tuner, conserving electricity, and maintaining a constant temperature and humidity in the room where the piano is placed, it might be possible.

“Wasn’t it the piano my mother used to play…?”

Yoon Ji-chang also heard that he lived with his mother at that piano when he was young.

I’m not sure if it’s okay for me to sit at the piano filled with family memories.

“Well… if a difficult situation arises, it’s fine as it is.”

Even if Yoon Ji-yoo doesn’t intend to, if Min Chaewon gets involved in something bad, Yoon Ji-yoo will ultimately be blamed as the culprit.

In seeking revenge, there’s no harm in collecting more evidence of her misdeeds.

“Hmm? Is something good happening?”

“Oh, no, no, no. Just… looking forward to the good piano….”

Click. Yoon Ji-yoo covered her mouth and smiled like a fox.

“Anyway. Among those who play the piano, there’s no one who doesn’t care about equipment. Anyway… shall we head back today? Well, should I buy you some coffee?”

The familiar kindness of Yoon Ji-yoo.

I won’t refuse. I’ll take more and be taken advantage of accordingly.

To repay her generously later!

“If you ever feel bored or anything, contact me! I’ll entertain you.”

“Is that… not a bother…. since the competition is coming up soon….”

“Huh? No? A bother? Finding such a great accompanist isn’t easy, you know?”

… But the more I look at her, the more amazing she is.

“Even though it’s not easy to go out, she helps me…. How can I not be grateful? Unnie is really something. I’ll buy you delicious food, whatever you want. Well… since you’re Ma Seok-hyun’s daughter, I don’t know if it’s appropriate for me to buy it. But still?”

To be able to hide her malice with an unchanged expression like that. If I learn that poker face, I might be able to use it later.

Just like learning Alpha Mail from Song Sung-hyuk and telling Jeong Si-woo. Learning from Yoon Ji-yoo how to be a bad woman and preparing it for Jeong Si-woo like a vaccine.

“By the way, do you know Si-woo from the piano department? How do you know him? Old friends?”

… Otherwise, you never know what this abyssal tentacled monster might do to Si-woo.