episode_0069

“Yes, Father.”

Yoon Ji-yoo’s tone was stiff and businesslike, even when addressing someone, even someone she had once pushed aside, using a cheerful tone.

“Yes, I’ll be going in soon. Yes.”

She had changed.

Focused on the call, she had a fierce, snake-like gaze that seemed like she could devour anyone.

Although the distance was far and her voice couldn’t be heard, just by glancing at her, it was clear that she was very angry.

“…I understand. Yes, see you later.”

Ending the call, Yoon Ji-yoo clenched her phone in her hand and approached, exhaling so heavily that it felt like the world was going dark.

It was such an unfamiliar sight that I was taken aback.

Even though I seemed busy blowing on the hot tea, it was still surprising.

“Ah, damn.”

I had seen Yoon Ji-yoo up close more than any other human, and I had been taken advantage of by her many times. It was the first time I had seen her swear so openly in front of others.

She wasn’t someone who didn’t care about her image in front of others.

Does that mean she sees me more easily?

Or does it mean she relies on me more than I think?

‘No. Even this could be an act.’

I reflected on myself, almost falling for it like a fool.

I must maintain a defensive posture until the end.

Yoon Ji-yoo in front of me is a formidable enemy who must not be underestimated.

The moment you think you’ve won, she’ll turn the tables.

Sighs and curses were truly a first, but still, be careful—

“Hat-tu. Ttu ttu ttu.”

My hand trembled, and I bit my tongue.

If I had swallowed it in surprise, I would have bitten my throat. Fortunately, I calmly spat it out just enough not to overflow.

“Are you okay? Why did you drink it so quickly?”

“B-because it was hot…”

My tongue was numb, and my pronunciation was all over the place.

I didn’t ask for it, but I was turning into Hitori-chan on my own.

“Pfft… not a fool.”

Unintentionally, I led Yoon Ji-yoo to let her guard down.

“Shall we go after finishing everything? Father is calling.”

“Oh. Father?”

“Yes. He cares for his daughter so much. Even if she moves a little out of his sight, he gets like this.”

Who was Mr. Yoon Kwan-chul?

Although I had helped with Yoon Ji-yoo’s accompaniment many times, I had never been to her house.

Father is calling. Father is expecting. Father wants… I remember saying a lot of things like that.

That was all.

There was never a description of what kind of person, what kind of taste, what kind of feeling he had.

If my memory serves me right, Yoon Ji-yoo hated even mentioning her father.

‘I didn’t know she hated him enough to swear…’

Yoon Ji-yoo, who was drinking coffee with steam rising from it, was swallowing it down as if her insides were boiling.

Her glass was placed on the coaster with a loud clatter.

“Let’s go.”

“…Yes? But I just ate one macaron…”

“I’ll buy you more later. Let’s go in early today.”

“B-but…”

Does this mean I have to give up what my body wants?

I can’t do that.

Having eaten gelato several times in my past life, I picked up a ciabatta, which I was most curious about while being drawn to Yoon Ji-yoo.

Whether the white flour on the bread stuck to my hands or not.

I took a bite of the ciabatta in my hand.

Cutting through the tough crust and entering the chewy interior.

The texture was amazing. It was savory and delicious.

Rather than a specific strong taste, it was mild and subtle.

“It’s delicious…”

Yoon Ji-yoo only noticed that I had a ciabatta in my hand when we arrived at the bus stop.

“…Is it good?”

I offered her half of the bread.

“Do you want to try it?”

With one eye half-closed, Yoon Jiyoo let out a forced laugh.

The bread I handed her disappeared into her mouth in an instant.

“My ciabatta….”

I didn’t give it to her to eat it all.

Yoon Jiyoo, who devoured the ciabatta in one go, dropped the corners of her eyes and said, “Sorry. I didn’t have breakfast, so I was hungry.”

“Oh, no, it’s okay.”

I didn’t realize she would be so disappointed just because I took one piece of bread, so let’s call it even.

“Instead… let’s go eat again later.”

“Oh. Okay! Then! Like today, next time we have a practice together. How about that?”

“Sounds, sounds good.”

Yoon Jiyoo smiled and tightly held my hand.

A subtle emotion was conveyed through the slightly trembling fingertips.

“Shall we go?”

Strange.

This feeling of nostalgia should not be felt by the Yoon Jiyoo I know.

***

“I’m back.”

Finding out that Yoon Jiyoo was the daughter of a well-off family was thanks to Yoon Jichang, who spared no expense in his fandom.

At first, it was like, ‘Oh, I see,’ but after hearing the story of him spending a lot of money and getting scolded by his father, who turned out to be the famous violinist Yoon Gwanchul in Korea, I knew for sure.

A two-story house with a spacious garden and a parking lot built in an expensive neighborhood.

In terms of assets, it was triple A+, comparable to our Professor Baek Jung-eon’s house.

Of course, our newly moved house was more impressive, and even though I passed through the large gate, I didn’t feel much excitement.

“This house doesn’t even have a maid to greet us,” I chuckled.

It seems like living in Min Chaewon’s house for a month made me feel like a princess.

As I tried to follow Yoon Jiyoo heading towards the living room, it took me some time to take off my sneakers with Velcro.

As I hurriedly tried to catch up with Yoon Jiyoo, who was moving away briskly, I stepped into the living room after struggling with my sneakers.

Then suddenly, a tall figure appeared from the corridor on the left side of the living room.

Startled, I took a step back and raised my head, and a chillingly deep voice came from above.

“They said someone came as a friend. It’s you.”

The completely round glasses gave off a stiff feeling, contrasting with their flexible curves.

Perhaps it was because of the sharp eyes behind the glass, but the attempt to hide the wolf-like eyes with round frames was futile.

Looking at Yoon Jiyoo and Yoon Jichang, who had slightly softer eyes like their mother, I realized that Yoon Gwanchul, with his thick eyebrows, had a different vibe.

I had seen him a few times in pictures, but seeing him in person, his imposing presence was truly overwhelming. Maybe it was because of his tall stature that his gaze from above felt particularly piercing.

Yoon Jiyoo, who had rushed over, grabbed my arm.

“You’re scaring her by staring like that. She’s easily frightened. Let’s go, Chaewon.”

Guided by Yoon Jiyoo’s touch, I followed her inside, but suddenly Yoon Gwanchul called me.

“Are you Min Seokhyun’s daughter?”

“Yes. Yes.”

I couldn’t see Yoon Gwanchul’s expression properly as I was being led by Yoon Jiyoo, but judging by his long sigh, it seemed like he was feeling something close to ‘I missed you.’

“Seems like you know Chaewon’s parents.”

Perhaps Yoon Gwanchul had been one of the musicians invited to their house when Chaewon was young.

He might be one of the few people who had heard Chaewon’s rare performances.

As we quickly crossed the corridor, there were four rooms on each side of the wide corridor.

Yoon Gwanchul’s nameplate was only on one side of the door closer to the living room. Inside, Yoon Jiyoo and Yoon Jichang’s nameplates faced each other on the other side.

As soon as I entered the room, Yoon Ji-yoo slammed the door shut and wrapped her arms around my shoulders.

“Try not to get involved with our father.”

“He’s a famous… violinist, right…? I’ve been to a few concerts myself….”

I shouldn’t mention that. It’s Siwoo’s memory.

“… I was going to go. But I watched the concert on YouTube instead.”

Yoon Ji-yoo shot me a sharp look.

“If I tell you not to get involved, then don’t. I’m doing this for your own good.”

Honestly, Yoon Ji-yoo is the most dangerous to me.

That’s why she’s become a ticking time bomb.

“Oh… I understand.”

“Yeah. And even if he offers you something, never follow him! You know you’re really anxious, right? Worried you might just follow along.”

As I blinked and tilted my head, Yoon Ji-yoo sighed and ruffled her short hair.

Her straight bangs seemed to effortlessly fall back into place no matter how much she tousled them.

“Before that. Let me ask you something. Are you acquainted with our father?”

I have no recollection of that, so unfortunately, I can’t know if they’ve met in person.

But I do know there is some connection, so I just mentioned it briefly.

“Maybe when we were young… he visited our house, right? I… I don’t remember… very well…. Because I was young….”

“Are Conductor Min Seok-hyun and his wife still in Austria?”

“Yes.”

“And that’s where you used to live.”

“… Yes.”

There seems to be a hint of something.

Yoon Ji-yoo sighed, crossed her arms, and rested her chin.

“I guess we’ll have to change practice locations.”

“… Again?”

“We have no choice.”

She lightly squeezed my cheeks.

“I don’t want to cause you trouble for no reason.”

If it were someone else, they might have been touched by her words, but I’m not so easily moved.

If she wanted to reassure me, she shouldn’t have done that in a past life. If I had to choose, I would be more cautious of Yoon Ji-yoo, but from my perspective, both women look equally dangerous.

But, now I am Hitori-chan.

An innocent girl who doesn’t suspect Yoon Ji-yoo at all.

“T… Thank you. I don’t know why but….”

Yoon Ji-yoo, who was staring at me intently, suddenly hugged me.

“Huh?”

It started off light, but gradually her arms tightened.

“Ugh.”

It’s hard to breathe.

I’m not exactly small, but Yoon Ji-yoo is even bigger.

Breath, breath.

“Sorry. Did I hug you too tightly?”

“Yes. Y-yes….”

Yoon Ji-yoo scratched her cheek with a sheepish expression and suddenly apologized for the unexpected hug.

“I just… thought of my younger sibling who I parted with…. I’m sorry.”

My emotions are currently rocketing off into the distant universe.

“You felt a bit uncomfortable, right? We’re not even that close yet. I don’t even know why I’m telling you this in the first place….”

So, who is this person with an unfittingly sad expression?