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Chapter 6: I'm the Only One Who's Ugly Because I Took After You!
Ju-kyoung sat quietly in the car, her heart pounding faster than a racing drum. Her trembling hand pressed against her lap.
"What were you doing up there?" she mumbled to herself.
The driver shifted uncomfortably, pretending not to hear the girl sitting in the back.
"When you don't even have the courage to go through with it... you idiot," she muttered, her voice rising in anger.
She sighed, wiping her tears. "Those were fairly new glasses... Mom's going to be furious."
Her mind drifted back to just one hour ago—when she was standing on the rooftop.
> "After the beep, you'll be forwarded to voicemail and charged accordingly..."
Ju-kyoung clutched her phone tightly. Her decision was made. She looked up at the blue sky, now fading into a breathtaking sunset.
She sat on the edge of the pavement, her broken glasses beside her.
Then, finally... her mom picked up the phone.
Ju-kyoung took a deep breath. "Mom... I just wanted to hear your voice," she whispered. "Never mind."
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she looked up at the sky, the breeze brushing gently against her face.
"I don't think I can do it... after hearing your voice."
Her voice broke with emotion. "Thanks for having me. And for raising me these last eighteen years... I'll reincarnate as your daughter in the next life. See you then."
She sobbed, her voice almost fading. "Please... please make me pretty next time."
She sent the voice message.
Back to the present...
Ju-kyoung sat in the car, frozen in shock.
"Oh no..." she gasped. "My phone!"
She scrambled for her bag and pulled out her phone, panic gripping her chest.
"What if she already heard it? No... no, no, she can't!"
Her hands trembled as she dialed her mom's number. No answer.
"Why isn't she picking up?" her voice cracked.
She looked up at the driver. "Please, drive faster. Please."
The driver nodded silently.
"Thank you," she whispered, sinking back into her seat, clutching her phone like a lifeline. "Please... pick up..."
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Meanwhile, at the Ju-kyoung household...
Her family was gathered around the table, the room heavy with tension.
Ju-kyoung's mom sat on the floor, unmoving, staring at the empty space before her. Her younger son sat beside her. Her eldest daughter, Hee-Kyung, was by her side, while their father sat sweating on the couch, his undershirt soaked.
The room was quiet—except for the sound of breath and grief.
Suddenly, Ju-kyoung's mom grabbed a tissue box and threw it at their father. He flinched and fell back, clutching the box.
"Let's take her to her room," Hee-Kyung said urgently, rushing forward with her brother. They tried to hold their mother back.
Her clenched fists shook with rage as she screamed, "You idiot! What's in the sea near Ulleungdo?! A treasure ship?! Is that what you bought?!"
She reached for an umbrella to hit him, but her son held her back.
Their father stammered, "It's... it's not completely unbelievable... Historically, in the 1800s—during the Russo-Japanese War—"
"Forget about the Russo-Japanese War!" Ju-kyoung's mom shouted. "You and I are about to have a war!"
She broke free and lunged at him.
"Mom, please!" Hee-Kyung pleaded, struggling to hold her down.
Their dad clutched his chest, eyes wide with fear. "It's a historical fact! The cruiser Donskoi sank!"
"My whole life is sinking because of you!" his wife snapped, eyes red, tears fighting to escape.
She kicked him hard. He collapsed again, groaning.
"Is half a billion won a joke to you, you rotten bastard?!"
Another kick, this time to his face.
He whimpered, trying to defend himself.
"Why did you invest that kind of money?!" she screamed, her fury shaking the walls.
"How can you still be living in a fantasy at fifty?!"
"Dad, just say you're sorry!" Hee-Kyung cried.
Their father fell to his knees, sobbing. "I'm sorry, Hyun-sook. Please forgive me. Just once."
"Forget it! I'll kill you tonight!" she yelled. "And gladly go to prison for it!"
He grabbed a cushion and ducked, running around the living room while pillows flew in his direction. Her rage was untamable. Her children stood by, speechless, drained.
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Elsewhere...
The boy who had saved Ju-kyoung entered his house and switched on the lights. The room was large and elegant—a blend of antique and modern.
He sighed, running a hand through his dark, wet hair, and headed toward his spacious bedroom. His bathroom was nearly the size of a pool, carved like a luxury cave. He stared at his reflection in the mirror, a bruise catching his eye.
He touched it gently, the memory still fresh.
Just an hour ago, he'd seen a girl on the rooftop. She was standing dangerously close to the edge. Another boy had been there too. And then—she vanished.
He had rushed forward, vision blurred, and when he opened his eyes again... she was lying on top of him.
Now, back in his bathroom, he sank into the warm water of the tub, soaking quietly.
Later, at his computer, his mind wandered again—back to what the girl had said:
> "The dead... wouldn't want the people they left behind to suffer so long. So... please be happy."
He turned to a photo hanging on his wall. A boy, his age. The same one he thought he saw on the rooftop.
His eyes filled with tears. He wiped them quietly, then turned back to his screen.
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Back at home...
Ju-kyoung burst through the door. Hearing her mother crying, she ran inside.
"Mom?! Don't cry... please!" she said, breathless.
Her voice dropped when she saw her mother sitting on the floor, sobbing, tissues clutched in her hands. Her siblings were trying to comfort her.
"I'm going to kill myself," her mom said, tears streaming.
Ju-kyoung froze. "Mom... why would you say that?!"
Hee-Kyung looked up in surprise. "You're home?"
Her mom's cheeks were red from too much crying.
"How could I possibly leave you all behind?" her mom murmured, grabbing both daughters' hands, her son sitting in front of her.
She stood slowly. "Okay then... let's just die together."
"No!" Ju-kyoung cried, tears flooding her eyes. "I won't say anything like that ever again."
Her mom looked at her through wet lashes. "How could I not cry in this situation?" she whispered, pressing a hand to her chest. "Gosh... what is happening to my life?"
Ju-kyoung choked out, "Why didn't you make me pretty instead?"
Her mother blinked, confused.
"Hee-Kyung and Ju-young... they take after Dad," Ju-kyoung said louder now. "That's why I did it."
Hee-Kyung and their brother exchanged shocked glances.
"What?" her mom whispered.
"Am I wrong? I'm the only one who's ugly... because I take after you!" Ju-kyoung wailed.
Hee-Kyung stared at her in disbelief.
"What did you just say?" their mom asked.
"Read the room, Ju-kyoung!" Hee-Kyung snapped.
Ju-young furrowed his brow.
Ju-kyoung wasn't done. "I won't kill myself... just let me get plastic surgery. Then everything will be okay."
She shook her mom's hand. "Please... just let me get surgery."
Her mom could only whisper, "What...?"
"What kind of nonsense is this? I could kick you too!" she exclaimed.
"You must also prefer a pretty daughter over an ugly one!" Ju-kyoung yelled.
Her mother rubbed her forehead, overwhelmed. "Please... don't add to my troubles. Leave!"
"I said leave!" she screamed.
Ju-kyoung broke down. "Let me get surgery! I'm the only one who looks like you!" she cried as her siblings pulled her away.
Her mother looked at her daughter, discouraged beyond words. Her tears started to fall again—heavier than before.
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