Chapter 33: Fantasy in the middle of the night

“Do you know why I started playing the piano?”

The performance that had once seemed endless came to a quiet end, followed by her indifferent words.

Izana lifted her hands from the keys and looked steadily at Sia, whose gaze still seemed slightly vacant.

Framed against the dying light of sunset, the blonde girl stared at her.

And for some reason, Sia felt overwhelmed.

After a moment of silence, she opened her mouth, her voice unsure.

“…How would I know that?”

“When I was ten—or I suppose, eleven by local standards—I happened to go to a concert with my parents. I used to think classical music was stiff and boring, but the piano solo I heard that day… it was mesmerizing. I think that was the first time I felt drawn to the piano.”

“So you started learning after that?”

“No.”

Izana’s reply was immediate, curt. She stood up in a sudden motion, her gaze never leaving Sia’s. Then she began walking toward her—slowly, deliberately.

“At first, I begged my parents to buy me the pianist who performed. But they told me you can’t buy people like objects. Even when I cried and threw tantrums, they still refused.”

She smiled faintly, then added with a voice so light it was almost teasing.

“Oh, and just as an aside, I was very cute back then. Even someone cold like you, Miss Sia, probably would’ve turned into a pedophile on the spot.”

“…”

“Anyway, they refused. But I couldn’t let it go. Eventually, I had an idea—if I couldn’t have the pianist, why not recreate that beautiful sound myself?”

Click. Click.

The sound of her shoes echoed faintly through the music room.

As Izana’s face slowly drew closer, Sia instinctively took a step back. Even so, those vivid green eyes kept their unwavering focus, solely on her.

“I started practicing the piano right then and there. But unfortunately—my fingers were far too short. Short, and stiff. In other words, I had absolutely no talent for it.”

“…How short are we talking?”

“Have you ever heard of brachydactyly? Mine were practically deformed. It was the only flaw in my otherwise flawless body.”

Her mirrored blue eyes were now just a breath away.

Still speaking in that chipper tone, like she was telling someone else’s story, Izana continued.

“But even so, little me just couldn’t give up. So I grabbed my short fingers one by one and—crack!—bent the bones. Twisted them into shapes more suited for playing.”

“…”

“My parents were furious when they saw, of course. But thanks to that, I got better. I was able to play more easily. Before long, I became as good as I am now! Amazing, right? Hard work always pays off. Though I did quit soon after.”

“…So? What’s your point? Why are you telling me this crap?”

The sweet music from earlier was already wiped clean from her mind. In its place was a sick feeling crawling up her spine. Sia snapped sharply, her voice edged with discomfort.

She’d caught a glimpse of Izana’s hand. The bones were twisted in strange, unnatural angles—nothing like the elegant, delicate hands of a typical pianist.

More like the hands of a brawler.

So when she said she twisted the bones herself… she had meant it literally.

Sia frowned, unconsciously.

“There’s no deeper meaning. I just wanted to tell you.”

Izana shrugged.

“Even though I barely feel desire for anything… when I do want something, I always find a way to make it mine. No matter what.”

She paused.

“So. Do you know what I want most right now?”

Though she was already standing too close, Izana stepped in even further. Close enough to hear each other’s heartbeats.

Her smile deepened, still gentle, yet darker than before.

Sia’s expression had hardened. But it was obvious—painfully so—that it was all an act. At this distance, Izana could see it all reflected clearly in those pretty eyes.

And they were trembling. Unstable.

Without hesitation, Izana dove headfirst into those dark, churning seas.

“I want your secret.”

“…My secret?”

“Yes. The things you’re hiding… all of them.”

As her voice trailed off, she reached out and tapped Sia’s chest lightly with her index finger.

Right over her heart.

The unexpected touch made Sia’s eyes go wide, and Izana burst into laughter.

It wasn’t a delicate or elegant laugh. It was a wicked giggle she couldn’t quite hold back.

“When I first saw you, you looked like you’d seen a ghost. And then… there’s your relationship with Kang Seon-a.”

“I’m sorry—why the hell would I tell you anything about that?”

Right on cue. Just mentioning the name Kang Seon-a was enough to change the air around them.

Her lips pressed tight with rage. Her glare turned icy. She looked furious—but to Izana, it seemed more like fear.

Like a dog suddenly facing its natural predator.

Or someone trying desperately to run from something.

Izana couldn’t see the full picture yet—not what Sia truly was, or what Kang Seon-a was—but one thing was clear: they weren’t just friends.

Not by a long shot.

“Wow. So there is something going on. I was just poking around, but that reaction says it all.”

“You’re really out of things to say, aren’t you? I’m leaving. Do whatever you want.”

Sia turned on her heel, storming off without another word.

But Izana called out to her back.

“Wait. I’m not asking you to give it away for free.”

Sia stopped.

“If you’re willing to tell me your secrets… I’ll pay you for them. In cash, of course.”

The sheer absurdity of it made Sia whip around, her face blank with disbelief.

“…What?”

“So—how much?”