「To thank him. Because of him, our math trip to Jeju Island changed to an overseas trip. He promised to provide all the plane tickets.」
“What? Is that true?”
「Yeah. So now there’s a vote on where to go, and it’s chaotic.」
Dajeong couldn’t close her wide-open mouth.
Taesang taking care of me was already something I had gotten used to as part of my daily life. But I didn’t know he was taking care of Yeongjin behind the scenes.
He was truly a man who cared not only for my body but also for my heart.
Dajeong said she would provide the number and kindly requested him to behave. After that, they exchanged updates on each other’s well-being for a while.
Mostly filled with cheerful jokes and banter, Yeongjin suddenly lowered his tone and spoke.
「But, Nuna.」
“Yeah?”
「Are you really coming this week?」
“This week? Ah… I am.”
This Saturday was the scheduled day for Yeongjin’s concours. It was a gathering where highly anticipated classical prodigies attended—the Seoul International Concours. It was a competition Yeongjin participated in every year, and Dajeong attended every year to show her support.
“Why do they hold it there when the facilities are mediocre?”
A disapproving voice lightly touched her ears.
Yeongjin’s dissatisfaction was due to the fact that this year’s competition was held at the precise Sehan Art Hall.
“The piano is in good condition; what’s the fuss about the facilities?”
Understanding her worried younger brother, Dajeong playfully retorted.
“The waiting room isn’t great, and the building structure is complex. Anyway, I don’t like it.”
“It’s okay, little brother. The main hall is where the competition takes place, right? You’ll just pass by the annex. What’s the big deal?”
“But… what about Hyung? Is he coming too?”
“Yeah, we’re going together.”
Dajeong replied with a mischievous smile.
“Oh, really? That’s great.”
Although he spoke nonchalantly, there was a noticeable sense of relief in his tone. Dajeong, with a full smile, continued.
“Make sure you play the piano well since my talented brother will be accompanying you. If you don’t win first place, I’ll transfer you to an ordinary high school. So, keep that in mind.”
“I’m tired of first place.”
The tone was so casual that it led to a forced laughter. Getting tired of winning first place. The meeting of genius talent and arrogance was not a particularly pleasant combination.
“I want to play dominoes with your trophies. There should be a few more, so don’t just talk; bring one more. Got it?”
“I can still play dominoes now, but… Anyway, I got it. See you on Saturday.”
Yeongjin cleanly ended the call with a straightforward voice.
…
Even after the call ended, Dajeong continued to tightly hold her phone for a long time.
In the silent room, it felt like someone was faintly asking.
“Are you okay? Will you really go back there?”
The voice in her mind kept getting louder, almost as if seeking confirmation. Dajeong sat on the bed, hunched over, tightly hugging her shoulders.
Without a strong opponent to put up a facade, her vulnerable side came out instantly. In the tension that rose unconsciously, her fingertips became cold.
In the pitch-black room.
The cool air from the air conditioner circulated in the air, and the thin summer blanket maintained the perfect temperature.
However, at some point, her breathing became rapid. In the boundary between consciousness and unconsciousness, Dajeong unknowingly broke into a cold sweat.
“Don’t cry.”
Was the instruction not to cry, or was it that I was crying?
Dajeong focused all her attention on the voice ringing in the distance. Then, the scene of that familiar day gradually brightened before her eyes.
As always, her parents were only looking at Yeongjin.
He complained about his hurting heels due to the newly bought shoes and even grumbled about being hungry. Nevertheless, her parents waved to the stage, busy taking pictures.
It would have been better if there wasn’t a genius younger brother.
Dajeong glared at the stage with a displeased expression.
The sight of Yeongjin in a concert costume caught her eyes.
Her younger brother, dressed in a concert outfit, seemed clueless about what the concours was.
He just sat in front of the piano, looking at the adults with eyes that seemed to ask, “Can I play now?” with a bright smile.
After a while, the pure sound of the piano filled the concert hall. It was a sound she was already tired of hearing at home.
Dajeong slipped off her chair like melting jelly. She casually stretched her legs, and the aisle reached her toes.
Quietly, she slipped away from her seat, bending her waist as she climbed the stairs. As everyone’s attention was focused on the stage, there was no notice of her departure.
But not receiving her parents’ attention was still unjust.
Until you come looking for me.
Dajeong stared at the audience for a while before moving her steps outside the concert hall.
There was no meaning to the unconventional escape. She just wanted to monopolize her parents’ attention for once.
Dajeong, who came out to the lobby, looked around the concert hall, searching for a place to hide.
The first things that caught her eye were the coffee shop and snack bar. It would have been perfect for staying a long time, but unfortunately, she didn’t have any money.
Dajeong went out through the main entrance and sat crouched in a corner of the stairs.
It didn’t matter if her newly bought pretty dress got wrinkled.
I’ll stay here.
With droopy eyes and hunched body, she remained seated. From one side, men in work clothes began to pour out.
“I heard the beef soup in front is good.”
“Mr. Kim, it’s hot outside; why beef soup?”
The men, wiping their faces with towels around their necks, were large in stature, and their clothes were far from neat. Dajeong, who rarely saw adult men other than teachers and her dad, involuntarily lowered her head.
Why did I even come out…
There was nowhere to go, and regret surged, making her feel uneasy. At that moment, a faint thought crossed her mind.
People going to eat means there’s an empty place somewhere, doesn’t it?
My Ex-Girlfriend Is The Regent In The Female-dominant World (Male lead transmigrates to the matriarchal world)
Two years ago, Gu Sui picked up a homeless woman in ancient costume from the street.
Apart from occasionally claiming to be a princess from a female-dominant country due to illness, her figure, appearance, intelligence, and martial arts skills were impeccable.
Naturally evolving from roommates to girlfriends, as time went on, Gu Sui found it increasingly difficult to tolerate her queen syndrome.
“Mu Jiulu, can you stop controlling me inside and out? Let’s break up.”
Gu Sui made a breakup call, and since then, he couldn’t find any trace of her.
A year later, Gu Sui, who was planning to move, woke up the next day and found himself in a different place.
“Young Master, today is the day you choose your Wife-master through martial arts competition at Jade Dew Pavilion. Please get up quickly.”
Gu Sui: Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?
As the only son of a general’s mansion in a female-dominant dynasty, the young empress personally issued a decree allowing Gu Sui to select his Wife-master through martial arts competition. Whoever could defeat him could marry him.
Gu Sui: “……”
He didn’t inherit the original owner’s martial prowess, so anyone could defeat him! And what the hell is a Wife-master?
Forced to come to Jade Dew Pavilion, the densely packed women below made Gu Sui’s agoraphobia act up, and his face was full of resistance.
Until he saw the Regent sitting on the second floor, with a smile on the corner of her lips, her eyes wicked and nonchalant.
Hmm… she looked a little familiar.
It turned out that the Regent also found him a little familiar.
Mu Jiulu fiddled with her bone clasp, her deep gaze locked on the man who was out of place in this world.
“Finally, I found you.”
Male transmigrates into female-dominant world
One-sentence summary: What goes around comes around, taking turns in the crematorium
