episode_0023

Yoon Ji-yu. 21 years old.

One year older than me, a violinist at Hanyeda University and a top student in her second year.

In a few weeks, this young talented violinist will be heading to Tokyo to participate in the preliminary audition for the Paganini Concours.

… And in my opinion,

If there’s someone she can use, regardless of gender, she’s the epitome of a villain who thoroughly manipulates people to the core.

Numerous individuals fell under her spell, not just one or two, especially after she placed second in the Paganini Concours, which led to numerous rumors circulating about her.

However, there was no remorse or apology.

It wasn’t a massive scandal that required such actions, and she was completely oblivious to any wrongdoing.

Her agency did its best to protect her, putting immense effort into image-making and publicity.

While she didn’t discriminate in using people,

It seemed easier for her to manipulate men rather than women, with most of her victims being male students.

Her main tactics were beauty and charm, coupled with manipulation.

Of course, some were immune to her charms, so she sometimes resorted to malicious gaslighting, particularly effective against women.

Starting with compliments like “You’re really amazing,” she would gradually build rapport, subtly making requests under the guise of seeking help. Once the other party acquiesced, she would exploit them as she pleased.

One could say she was a psychological genius in a way.

Not only talented in music, but also exceptionally skilled in language.

Seeing how articulate her younger sister Yoon Ji-chang was, it must have been an inherited trait from their parents.

Of course, she couldn’t easily manipulate everyone like Nana Song Sung-hyuk. However, there were indispensable accomplices she needed.

To overcome her weaknesses.

Yoon Ji-yu, this woman captivated me with Chaewon’s name.

“My social skills are exceptional. So, I’ll help you, Siu. How about it?”

Deceived by her offer to assist with her concours preparation in exchange for relaxation, Siu sacrificed his practice and preparation time to help Yoon Ji-yu.

For several weeks, I found myself meeting Chaewon more frequently than usual. Thinking it was all thanks to Yoon Ji-yu’s help, I intensified her concours preparation even further.

I remember spending about half of my waking hours in September, a month before the concours, assisting her with her preparations.

And finally, the truth came to light.

“Oh, did you find out? I thought you’d never ask that clueless Min Chaewon.”

“Yeah. I didn’t do anything. We’re not even acquaintances. You just got lucky.”

She had informed me of a high probability of encountering Chaewon, who always made me anxious with her random appearances, on a specific date.

Chaewon frequented that café more often than I thought.

She had orchestrated it as if she had arranged the meeting herself, knowing I wouldn’t directly ask Chaewon.

For months, Yoon Ji-yu exploited my emotions, knowing I might be too foolish to confront her.

But perhaps I was indeed naive.

Unfortunately, during those few months when I was sidelined due to a rib injury, consumed by anxiety and restlessness, my health, which I didn’t want to lose, deteriorated further due to Yoon Ji-yu’s influence.

“Siu.”

“… Yes, Professor.”

“For now, go inside and rest. I’m considering an alternative approach for your second-semester assignments.”

The first-year second semester ended abruptly without completing assignments properly.

My peers had surged far ahead within a year.

Despite spending long hours in the practice room rather than at home until March of the following year when new students arrived,

It was not progress but regression.

Not recovery but loss.

And the pinnacle of these events was Chaewon’s return.

“I’m sorry, but I think I need to go home for something.”

“I wanted to stay here longer. I’m sorry.”

She had no ill intentions.

The importance of the matter was evident just by looking at her expression.

However, as my only pillar of support in life disappeared, I began to crumble like a sandcastle in front of the waves.

And so, one year passed, then two.

It wasn’t until the professor, who had always been sharp with me, started expressing concern that I chose to compromise with reality.

And not long after gaining enlightenment, I lost my life in an accident.

Three years that began happily but were consistently filled with melancholy. That was the only way to describe it.

“Sit down.”

“Umm…”

“What ‘umm’? Sit down quickly.”

“Yes…”

I said grandly, but Plan R was just a revenge plan.

Using Yun Ji-yu’s personality and traits against her.

A method to shock her and bring despair, perhaps.

Honestly, I don’t expect this to give her an overwhelming sense of defeat; she has a mentality that easily brushes off her own difficult experiences while leaving lasting emotional scars on others.

But even so, I can’t give up on revenge.

Exploiting me when I was naive, using me, then growing wings and flying away.

If I don’t make her pay for betraying human kindness and respect, I’d be remiss.

“Here, just turn it like this. How much time do you need to look at the music sheet?”

“I want to do something else…”

Yun Ji-yu gave me a wary look, then spread her hands towards the hall and said, “There will soon be a line of students waiting here. But if an outsider like you is holding onto the piano, won’t someone notice?”

Gaslighting after a long time. My nerves twitched as soon as I heard it.

“I’ll cover for you. Besides, you’re a violinist and a second-year top student.”

“Umm…”

“Just help a bit, okay?”

I hesitated, scratching the piano keys with my lips.

“A friend?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Thank you so much. I knew you would help.”

As the vile younger brother who hoped his sister would fail miserably instructed, I portrayed a timid girl to an exaggerated extent.

“Our sister is surprisingly sloppy when dealing with herbivores.”

“…Really? She seems to tear everything apart thoroughly.”

“No. You know those people who seem to say ‘Wow, that was easy’ right away? They won’t suspect even if you do something suspicious. If you push hard enough, they’ll eventually listen to you.”

Flipping through a notebook-sized apple pad, I carefully examined the music sheets.

“Sarasate, Sarasate, and Rondo Capriccioso.”

A violin-piano duet piece that embodies Spain’s passionate sensibility while also incorporating Italy’s bright capriciousness.

The starting violin looks slightly melancholic.

The piece calmly envelops the audience’s inner emotions, gradually revealing hidden energy.

After the violin part ends, like a shoe sliding on solid marble floor, the piano begins to reveal its fiery nature.

The piece is Yun Ji-yu herself.

An energetic and passionate Spanish dance.

A dancer in a deep red dress, captivating everyone’s attention.

It’s the self-assertion of a woman who has lived her whole life in the spotlight.

“After building up that trust, now it’s about intercepting the man your sister likes. That would be quite a shock, wouldn’t it?”

“It doesn’t seem like our sister would break down like that.”

“No. This is a fatal blow. Why? Because she’s never lost in the game of one-upmanship. Even if she doesn’t show it on the surface, she’ll be boiling inside.”

Yun Ji-chang was eagerly anticipating the moment Yun Ji-yu’s expression would be revealed.

Please, let the day come when I can finally execute this plan that I’ve been waiting for so long.

“… So where and how do you plan to find a timid-looking woman to involve in this operation?”

“That’s something you’ll have to figure out from now on.”

“Damn it.”

Unfortunately, women suitable for the operation were rare.

It was due to the demanding conditions.

Playing the piano at a high level, capable of charming the picky Yoon Jiyu by appearing somewhat weak when fluttering her eyelashes.

Finding a woman who was close to both Song Seonghyuk, the man Yoon Jiyu couldn’t have, and Min Chaewon, wasn’t an easy task.

‘This is a heaven-sent opportunity for revenge…’

Of course, Chaewon herself was not exactly the timid girl we had hoped for.

As I am now, if Chaewon is mostly in a half-and-half state, it might work.

Although the grown-up Jung Siwoo had overcome his timid past self, he still kept that old self hidden somewhere in his heart.

A crucial moment.

I have become the perfect girl to fill the leading role in a well-organized unit that was missing before.

While we can’t be sure about the relationship between Song Seonghyuk and Min Chaewon, helping with running a channel in secret for everyone is something.

It’s just a request to hang out for a while, which I will gladly fulfill.

Just by showing up together and looking friendly, Yoon Jiyu will be furious to the core.

It might not matter at other times, but considering the important concours coming up in October this year, the impact could be significant.

Of course, I would be angry too…

But come to think of it, all the messages exchanged between Song Seonghyuk and Chaewon were related to work.

You’d have to delve further into the past to know, but it’s more like a dry business partnership than a flirty relationship.

That’s how it should be.

It’s definitely not about personal feelings.

“Are you ready yet?”

“Well… just a moment. It’ll be done soon…”

“Okay, okay~.”

Pressuring with questions about whether it’s done yet.

This is a kind of test Yoon Jiyu is conducting to find a suitable accompanist.

Although it was a bit of a rushed decision, she accepted the request to accompany despite some coercion.

What kind of person is the one I coincidentally met?

How skilled are they?

This is a stage of detailed assessment.

“When I first prepared the accompaniment, it took me about 5 minutes to read the sheet music.”

So let’s make it shorter for Min Chaewon. Let’s say 4 minutes.

Under the same conditions, Yoon Jiyu would choose me over Jung Siwoo.

To prevent me from wasting my time unnecessarily.

And to gradually make her rely on me.

All for a desperate revenge.

“58, 59, 60….”

Counting exactly 4 minutes, I turned the page back to the first sheet of music.

“A… it’s done.”

Yoon Jiyu opens her eyes, revealing a subtle sense of surprise.

“Hmm…” She took the bait.