episode_0064

Chae-won, who had always put the piano as a priority, had a long way to go to express the gratitude that had been building up for 14 years.

But there was something that needed to be done first.

“I’ll take a shower alone today. Everyone’s busy packing up.”

“Miss, let me help you with your bath and then we can pack up.”

“No. I can shower alone.”

“In that case…”

“Just prepare the hair dryer and clothes for me later.”

Looking directly at Chae-won.

Expressing emotions as they are, without holding back.

Not just talking, but showing through actions.

That was my declaration of intent to no longer put Min Chae-won behind the piano.

If you like someone, you shouldn’t harm them.

Because you like them, you should strive harder.

That was obvious from the beginning.

Three years ago, when I had no time.

Putting down many things and starting a new life at an age where I could do something.

…Let’s start the first Min Chae-won appreciation event.

There was no time to admire the grandeur of the spacious new mansion.

It was not worth mentioning how spacious the rooms were and how magnificent the bathrooms were.

Swish, swish.

Opening and closing the sliding door, I stood in front of the mirror.

I looked at myself in the sink with a tense expression.

It seemed like Chae-won was speaking bluntly.

Saying that I would change, but nothing seemed different.

“It’s inevitable to be nervous…”

It was completely different from being scolded by the maid corps.

The feeling of being stripped unexpectedly and slowly undressing one layer at a time were completely, completely different.

To others, it may seem like just taking off clothes to shower, but to me, it could only be imagined as sitting face to face with her in first love and a closed space, carefully undressing her.

“I can tell without looking closely…”

I already know Chae-won too well.

Because I’ve been diligently observing her every time we meet.

Mysterious olive-colored hair and pure white skin that reminds you of a forest elf.

Sparkling emerald eyes that could be sold off without hesitation.

A wide heart that is visible even when wearing loose clothes, feeling shoulder stiffness every day.

On the contrary, a slim waist that even Venus would be jealous of and Hermes would use as an assassin.

Muscles honed through daily walks with Strelka draw a resilient curve on the lower body.

And even pretty feet that stand out no matter what fancy sandals she wears.

…Of course, even with all these descriptors, Chae-won seems dissatisfied.

Chae-won in the mirror shakes her head, calling herself pathetic.

“If we like each other, it’s natural to do these things… It’s a valid point but…”

However, it is rare for us to see each other’s naked selves shortly after meeting.

As a Confucian boy who only knew the piano, this pace is unfamiliar.

It hasn’t even been a month since I settled into this body.

Even if you combine the time spent with the Min Chae-won from my past life, it’s been a little over a year and a half.

Don’t you need to date for at least half a year to attend such an event?

Am I too conservative?

“Is it difficult to persuade stubborn Jungsioo? …Sorry, that’s just who I am.”

Even if there seems to be something wrong with Chae-won’s words.

Accepting it as it is might be the right thing to do now.

I was so absorbed in my thoughts from my past life that I couldn’t properly see Chae-won. Not even in this life. It’s not right to argue with each other even when facing each other in the same body.

There’s no need to be so strict with Min Chae-won as with others.

Chae-won clenches her fist, saying that it’s just a matter of courage.

She even rolls up the opposite fist into a ball.

But when I hesitate, Chae-won can’t stand it and shouts.

“If you’ve already seen it once, why are you so hesitant? What does it make you look like when you show yourself like this?”

“Just a moment.”

In an instant, my thought process came to a halt.

“I’ve already seen you naked. That’s a bold move. Did we bathe together too?”

I tried to recall, but why can’t I remember anything?

“I’m sorry, I really can’t remember.”

Perhaps it’s because of the times when we used to stick raccoon stickers from the ‘Protecting Precious Min Chaewon Committee.’

My mind is in a frenzy trying to piece together the torn puzzle of memories, but it seems like there are many missing pieces.

My memories from when I was six years old were only fragments of the day I found the Acodia doll for Chaewon and the day after that. The memories I saw in the album were the only ones that were restored.

“Is it because I can’t remember you and me… because I’m forcing a distinction…?”

Chaewon nudges my instincts and intuition to give me hints.

“Like the day you toppled the tower in front of the piano… we need to mix ourselves up…”

After painting with watercolors, my mind was in disarray, trying to completely turn myself back into Chaewon’s pink color so that all our memories would come flooding back.

“If I do that… I’ll disappear…”

You won’t disappear, you’ll just be reborn, so don’t be afraid.

Don’t forget that I am Jungsioo who came from three years in the future, Chaewon said, correcting my thoughts.

It’s not about someone disappearing and only one side remaining, but a permanent evolution through fusion.

That’s the only way to retrieve lost memories, Chaewon said.

“No. Even if we had the same ego…”

“I think the piano egos are different.”

As Jungsioo said a while ago, there’s a three-year gap between me and that guy.

In this world, I am Jungsioo, but not Jungsioo, and I don’t seem to be Chaewon, but I am Chaewon.

“26, created based on the Jungsioo of three years later.”

I am just a girl who will conquer the fortress Jungsioo, instead of the hesitant Number 0.

“Got it, let’s move.”

I quickly unbuttoned my blouse and let it fall down.

Taking off my arms, I slowly undressed and placed them next to the sink.

“….”

In the mirror, I was only wearing underwear and a camisole.

Even though I didn’t want to reveal it, a huge presence was on display.

Impressive. I’m truly impressive.

“… Gasp.”

When I came to my senses, I found myself turning my head away from the mirror.

My heartbeat was shaking my whole body as if I were standing next to a giant woofer in a concert hall.

A strange sense of alienation emerged.

It’s my body. It should be my body.

“I need to look straight… I need to look straight!”

Even with a strong will, my body was uncontrollable.

My heart, which had started to race, wouldn’t calm down.

At this rate, I would collapse before I could even take off all my clothes.

I increased the intensity of the brainwashing.

I had to make my body accept it somehow.

Constantly shout that the presence in the mirror is not someone else but myself.

“It’s my body. It’s my body. It’s my body. It’s my body. It’s my body. It’s my body. It’s my body. It’s my body….”

I have always had soft, smooth, white, flawless skin since I was born.

The big and beautiful thing was not my lower body, but what was attached to my chest.

The face inherited from my mom and dad was the best beauty in the neighborhood.

Austrian. A rare color type with olive-colored hair and green eyes.

“This is me. This is me. This is me.”

With both hands gripping the sink, I spent how much time trying to stop the rampage of my heart.

Finally, the vibrations throughout my body began to calm down a bit.

The once high waves gradually became calm.

I realized once again that running away would not solve any problems.

When there’s no answer, being blunt and straightforward is the best way.

“Alright. You’re doing well.”

I closed my eyes tightly, then opened them to gaze through the thin fabric at Chaewon’s upper body.

Because my head kept repeating the same words, it seemed like even my heart was starting to be deceived.

I accepted that I am Min Chaewon.

“I’ll be up all night taking off my clothes….”

To speed things up a bit, I carefully pulled the strap of the camisole hanging on my shoulder.

A piece of white cloth falls down and hangs on my waist. Now, there is only one thing covering my upper body.

“So beautiful.”

Just her existence is lovely.

I want to love her with all my might.

Something hot is boiling inside my heart.

…Darn it!

My right hand slapped my forehead like a lightning bolt.

“Tsk.”

I rubbed my throbbing forehead to clear my mind.

“Calm down. Next.”

I moved my hand again and unbuttoned the skirt I had been wearing all day.

I took off the camisole hanging on my waist and placed it next to the blouse that I had unbuttoned.

I revealed more bare skin in the mirror.

My eyes naturally follow the curves and bumps.

I felt dizzy at the sight of Chaewon, whom I had never seen before.

“It’s me. It’s me. This is me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me….”

But no matter how much I brainwash myself, the heat of my boiling heart just won’t subside.

Did I really like the piano more than Min Chaewon?

Even though Chaewon looks much better?

I was someone who could suppress instinct with reason.

At least, the me who compromised with reality was like that.

But this is crazy. My heart won’t listen.

I’m holding a standing microphone, shouting “I love Min Chaewon” and tap dancing.

This is torture.

Horrible torture.

Am I supposed to be that cute creature trembling in fear in the mirror?

Am I unable to embrace this lovely woman?

Do I have to become this woman?

“… Is this a lie?”

Bang!

“What will you do if you deny it?”

I couldn’t help it and slammed the sink.

My thin palm trembled.

“I–!!”

Shout. Raise your voice.

Distort the concept of self that I’ve built up for 24 years.

“You’re so beautiful–!!!”

In fact, Chaewon’s heart, feeling overwhelmed by Jungsu, went crazy.

And it wasn’t until three days later that I realized I had gone wild.