Chapter 63 : Talent (2)

Sung Jihoon’s performance ended, and Han Geunseok, who had been watching with keen interest, nodded slowly.

“Lee Haram, why do you act like that?”
“Like… what?”
“Your performance… it’s too… intense. Too raw.”
“Is it?”
“If you’re not aware of it, that’s a problem. If you can’t control your emotions, you can’t control your performance.”

His smile didn’t reach his eyes, his words a cold, sharp assessment. I tilted my head, confused, and he continued, his tone gentler now.

“If you can’t control it, you have to… minimize it. Not everyone can handle… that level of intensity.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Think of it as… ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ A powerful talent requires careful consideration.”

Despite the smile on his face, his eyes were filled with a deep sadness, a bittersweet melancholy that made it impossible to dismiss his words.

A sudden weight on my shoulders brought me back to reality.

“Why the long face? What’s bothering you?”

It was Hansongi, her casual tone a deliberate attempt to lighten the mood.

“Just… thinking about what… he said.”
“Yeah, that old man was weirdly harsh on you.”
“He wasn’t wrong, though.”
“He was wrong! Why would he say that to someone who’s clearly talented?”

I smiled, grateful for her support. She was like a cat, pretending not to care, then suddenly appearing, offering a comforting presence.

“This is… suffocating, by the way.”
“Are you making fun of my height?”
“No, seriously, I can’t breathe. And you shouldn’t assume everyone is obsessed with your height.”
“You are making fun of me.”

Hansongi was much taller than me. I tapped her arm, and she released me from her hold. I looked at her, a mischievous glint in my eyes.

“You’re… surprisingly considerate, Senior.”
“I… I am? Well, seniors are supposed to take care of their juniors.”
“Really?”
“Wh… What? Do you have a problem with that?”
“No. I… appreciate it.”

Her concern was… strangely comforting. I smiled at her, and she looked at me, a strange expression on her face. She sighed.

“Do you… talk to everyone like that?”
“Of course not. Just you, Senior.”
“You… you little…”

She trailed off, shaking her head, as if trying to clear her thoughts. Just then, Hyelin rushed over, almost tripping in her haste.

“H… Haram, are you… going straight home?”
“I am, yeah. Why?”
“Do… Do you have a… minute? I… I wanted to… ask you something.”

I hesitated, glancing at the sky. It was past 7 p.m., the sun already setting.

Dojun followed Hyelin. He avoided my gaze. I turned to Hyelin.

“Is this about him?”
“Y… Yes…”
“Right. You two need to talk.”

I nodded, and Hyelin’s face brightened. Hansongi, watching us, spoke up.

“Did you have a fight with… that guy?”
“That guy?”
“The… creature named Han Dojun.”

She clearly hadn’t forgiven him for the amusement park incident. She hesitated, then asked,

“Can I… come too?”
“If the others don’t mind, I’m fine with it.”
“I… I don’t mind!”

Hyelin readily agreed, and Dojun nodded. Hansongi grinned and started walking.

“Let’s go! Time for some senior intervention.”

She seemed oddly enthusiastic about this. I realized that Hansongi, despite her mature demeanor, was only a year older than us. A single year might not seem like much when you were older, but to us… it was a lifetime.

The cool autumn air was refreshing. The sky was darkening, but the city lights kept the streets bright, each streetlamp a small beacon in the encroaching darkness.

We reached the park, and Hansongi returned with two black plastic bags.

“Friday night! Let’s have some fun!”

Hyelin gasped at the contents of the bags: beer, soju, and snacks. ( TL note : Soju is a Korean alcoholic bevarage)

“You… delinquent…”
“What was that?”
“N… Nothing…”
“You seem quiet, Hyelin, but you have a sharp tongue.”
“I… I do…?”

I frowned at Hansongi.

“What’s all this?”
“I have a friend who works at a convenience store. Easy access.”
“Why did you buy alcohol?”
“You two had a fight, didn’t you? You need some liquid courage to make up.”
“…That’s… not wrong.”

“You too, Haram?” Hyelin muttered under her breath, but no one paid her any attention.

“This park is…popular with the police. They patrol regularly. Are you sure it’s okay?”
“Where should we go then?”
“I know a place.”

One of us had made the mistake of revealing his access to a private residence.

“Han Dojun.”
“No, my sister’s home tonight.”

He seemed to sense what was coming and immediately refused. But I had an ace up my sleeve. I showed him a message on my phone.

“Yuri-sis says it’s okay. She’s even buying chicken.”

His face fell.

“Your dad will smell the alcohol on your clothes. He’ll know.”
“Who said anything about going home?”
“What?”

I smiled sweetly.

“I’m sleeping over at Hyelin’s, and she’s sleeping over at my place.”
“H… Haram…? What…?”

I covered Hyelin’s mouth with my hand as she started to protest, and looked at Hansongi, who grinned.

“And I’ll crash at your place, Haram.”
“…I give up,” Dojun sighed, then turned and started walking.

Making up with a sulking teenager required…adult intervention.

We arrived at his apartment. Gu Yuri, wearing a white T-shirt and pajama pants adorned with cartoon characters, greeted us at the door.

“The delinquents are here?”
“Hello. Aren’t you the delinquent adult enabling these delinquents?”
“It’s better for them to drink under my supervision than… unsupervised. Besides, I could use a drink myself.”
“Just admit you wanted to drink.”
“Daughter-in-law, you’re so perceptive.”

Dojun went to change, and we started setting up the drinks and snacks. Hyelin, still looking slightly apprehensive, fidgeted nervously.

“Hyelin, are you still…worried?”
“Are… are you sure… this is… okay…?”
“Probably?”
“But… it’s… illegal.”
“Rules are meant to be broken. Just don’t get caught. Now, help me set the table.”

Hyelin, still looking unsure, started arranging the plates and cups. Dojun emerged, freshly showered and changed, and sighed at the sight of the fully stocked table. He looked at us, a frown on his face.

“You’re drinking in your school uniforms?”
“Oh, right.”

Gu Yuri beckoned us over.

“Come on, I have spare pajamas. Go change.”
“Why do you have so many pajamas?”
“They’re comfortable.”

We changed, and when we returned, Yuri was holding a glass filled to the brim with beer, a serious expression on her face.

“What’s this?”
“Sit down and drink. My arm is getting tired.”

I sat down and raised my glass.

***

The sound of birds chirping rang out.
I woke up, holding my head which felt like it was about to break from the bright sunlight coming in through the window.

‘I don’t remember anything.’

A blackout caused by excessive drinking.
It seemed like I’d confused this body with my past life’s body again and exceeded my alcohol limit.

Just then, Hyelin made eye contact with me, then turned her head away.
I had no idea what had happened yesterday, so my anxiety just kept growing.
Gu Yuri, who had found me, made a devilish smile.

“She was so cute last night.”
“…Y-Yes, she was.”

Hyelin’s face turned red as she spoke.
Hansongi, who came out of the bathroom, saw me and held back a laugh.

“Hehe, our Haram’s awake?”

That made me make a decision.
I asked Yuri, who was still smiling,

“What floor is this?”
“The fourth. Why?”
“Hmph… then it’s kind of ambiguous.”

Gu Yuri showed interest as I immediately stood up and put on my shoes.

“Where are you going?”
“The roof. Thanks for everything, everyone.”
“Hey, hey! I’m sorry. I won’t tease you.”

Her apology didn’t console me at all.