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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: The Lucky Charm
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My long-lost mentor ended up making me do all five hundred reps.
Well, he didn't even count the ones where my form slipped even a little, so in reality, I must've gone way past five hundred.
I clutched my stomach like I had food poisoning and barely dragged myself back to the dorm, collapsing onto my bed.
My abs were already screaming, not to mention my whole body lacked muscle, so there was no way I could handle Ji-woong's practice on top of that.
But for some reason,
Pfft-haha.
I buried my face in my pillow, and laughter bubbled up on its own.
Anyone seeing me might think I'd lost my mind, but even though my body felt like a ton of bricks, my heart was light and happy.
A voice that didn't hurt no matter how hard I pushed it, proper training, and a chance to start over.
It was the kind of situation that made me smile without trying.
Times like this called for steeling my resolve.
No rushing it—take it slow and steady for the long haul.
Right then, Woo-sik came back from his shower and flinched when he saw me.
"Why are you grinning like a maniac all by yourself again?"
"Just. School's fun."
Woo-sik couldn't wrap his head around my answer. He dried his hair in front of the mirror and asked,
"You didn't lose it after that first practice with homeroom Teacher, did you?"
Looks like Woo-sik had heard the rumors that Huh Ji-woong was a little creepy too.
Who cares? Lose it? Nah, it was just tough—the practice itself was amazing.
"Yeah. I lost it. Totally lost it."
I wasn't actually hallucinating from going crazy, was I?
These past few days had been such a nonstop dreamlike fantasy that even silly thoughts like that popped into my head.
Oblivious to my situation, Woo-sik smeared on some lotion with a smack-smack sound, eyed me suspiciously, then grabbed his laptop and came over.
"Wanna watch the ongoing evaluation videos after dinner?"
I hauled my heavy upper body up and sat on the edge of the bed, telling Woo-sik,
"I've got a prior engagement. Sorry."
"What prior engagement this time? You've got friends besides me now?"
"Haha. Unfortunately, yeah."
Shocked, Woo-sik spun around, insisting it was impossible, then spotted something on my desk.
"What's... this?"
His eyes narrowed at what looked like a woman's hair tie.
Listen up, Woo-sik. Advice from your life senior.
"You don't show up empty-handed to an important date."
I said that, then quickly snatched the hair tie and shoved it in my pocket.
Woo-sik's face turned dead serious in an instant as he asked gravely,
"Lee Do-hyun, you..."
"...?"
"You're not seriously..."
Why was he dragging it out like that?
"You meeting girls without me?"
Woo-sik's expression was downright scary.
I stayed silent, invoking my right to remain quiet.
Then we'd meet together.
"You serious? For real? Real real?"
"It's not like that, so do your homework while I shower. I'll eat dinner with you."
Tch, just say no then, he grumbled inwardly, clamping his mouth shut.
Woo-sik pouted and shuffled off my bed.
"Nyeh nyeh. Do-hyun hyung. No, Uncle. Gotta get clean before your date."
I shook my head at Woo-sik starting up with the uncle bit again and headed out of the dorm first.
***
By now, the sun had dipped low, and dusk was settling in all around.
After dinner, I met up with Lee Cheong-ha and walked side by side along a riverside path near school.
To avoid other students' eyes, we'd come to the river walk lined with benches.
"Ha. So full."
Watching Lee Cheong-ha pat her belly as she walked made me smile involuntarily.
I should've known from last time at the restaurant, when she polished off two plates solo and even dessert.
"How many bowls today?"
"You think I'm a pig or something? As if."
She hid her arms behind her back and put on a straight face at my teasing question.
But that didn't work on me anymore.
Now that I knew exactly what kind of girl she was, she couldn't fool me with that expression.
It was so cute that I chuckled softly and asked again,
"So, how many?"
"Two bowls..."
"Really? Not much today."
"Half..."
As expected, Lee Cheong-ha's appetite hadn't gone anywhere.
How she didn't gain weight eating like that was a mystery.
She didn't seem to move around that much at school either.
Teenage metabolism was no joke, I guess.
She'd confessed to two and a half bowls straight-up, but something still bugged her, judging by her sour expression, so I added,
"Good job. Singing, acting, dancing—they all come from a full stomach."
"Right? That's why I eat extra on purpose."
She perked up instantly at the praise, and watching her was genuinely fun.
How did a girl like this stay so quiet in class?
"Haah. Weather's perfect."
March brought a nicely cool breeze along the clear-aired riverbank.
A few people were out exercising, but not many.
The weather and vibe were perfect for a walk, and Lee Cheong-ha smiled happily as I cautiously asked,
"Given it any thought?"
She dipped her head slightly, lost in thought for a moment, then looked up and answered,
"Yeah."
"You sure?"
Her quicker-than-expected yes made me stop in my tracks without thinking.
"Stage fright might be harder to beat than you think."
At the end of our last practice, I'd asked about her resolve.
Whether she wanted to tackle her stage fright in this vocal duet test, or if she needed more time.
No one could force this.
Sure, my grades were on the line too, but I wasn't going to push.
She was my chosen partner, and nagging wouldn't fix it anyway.
Her own will was what mattered most.
"I'll give it my all. With you, Do-hyun."
She walked a few more steps, stopped, turned back with a bright grin, and replied.
I stood still, gazing at her clear face.
She was smiling now, but giving that answer must've been tough.
Some might dismiss it as lighthearted.
But I knew it took serious resolve to say something like that.
"You made the right call. Overcome the stage fright, and you'll be the best actress out there."
With her determination set, I had to give it my all too.
I offered encouragement and started walking again.
We walked in silence for a bit, then came to a fork splitting several ways.
Luckily, barely anyone around now.
I glanced down the open path, then turned to Lee Cheong-ha.
"Wanna start today?"
"Huh? Start what?"
"Uh, well. Lee Cheong-ha's grand quest to conquer stage fright...?"
Don't sound like an uncle.
Can't come off as old-fashioned, so I tried to end it upbeat like kids these days.
It worked—she burst out laughing.
"How we starting? Practice room? Or head downtown for karaoke?"
She looked around curiously, genuinely wondering.
"Follow me."
"Wait! Where we going!"
I strode off down one branch of the path from the walkway and stopped at the end.
Perfect, no one here.
"Right here. This is where it begins. Your grand quest."
Lee Cheong-ha looked flustered and scanned around.
"H-Here?"
"Even small is fine. Just a whisper so only I can hear."
"You're serious...?"
She hesitated at my words, then clenched her fist like she'd made up her mind.
"I'll do it."
That's it. I grinned and gave her an encouraging look.
"Oh, right."
Before starting, I remembered and dug in my pocket.
I pulled something out and handed it to her.
"Here."
"What's this?"
Lee Cheong-ha took the hair tie strung with dense round beads.
The one Woo-sik almost swiped earlier.
Vintage vibe, moody design—seemed safe, but would kids like it?
"Like a good luck charm?"
"A charm...?"
"Yeah. My grandma dreamed of being a singer."
I scratched my cheek, awkwardly bringing up my grandma for no reason.
Sorry, Grandma.
She never dreamed of being a singer her whole life.
I'd give her an hour massage next visit.
"It's her lucky charm she always carried."
At that, Lee Cheong-ha examined it closely.
She like it? Okay?
"Wow... Your family's full of artists for generations!"
She admired it with oohs and aahs.
I'd accidentally rewritten my family history, a little pang in my chest, but whatever.
Ancestors, your descendant's one step closer to Broadway now.
"So cute and dainty. Thanks."
She fiddled with it, then slipped it on her wrist like a bracelet.
Good, the design passed muster.
Lee Cheong-ha took a deep breath, then a few more.
She was trembling, couldn't start right away—I watched quietly.
"When you're scared, close your eyes and touch the beads. It'll help."
She nodded, shut her eyes.
She caressed each bead, focusing on mind control.
"Take it slow. No one's rushing you."
"No. I'll do it now."
Despite my worried tone, she replied eyes closed and steadied her breath.
Then the song began.
The river's flow as accompaniment, her clear voice leaked out.
In the open air, faint with ambient noise, barely audible to me—but it didn't matter.
Clear enough to make out perfectly.
Like earphones plugged in, I got lost in the bliss, a happy smile creeping on my face.
"The face of yours, carefully choosing which words to use
Hands moving slow, then fast"
Fully immersed, eyes closed, she sang flawlessly, even gesturing a little.
"The world pouring from your fingertips onto the paper—"
By the end, passersby glanced over; her volume had risen.
Not stage-ready yet, but.
"Fuha."
Lee Cheong-ha opened her eyes and looked around.
A few people passing, but only me there.
Just one audience member—me—and she beamed anyway.
"Awesome! I did it!"
She scanned the open riverbank again, face flushed with joy.
How long since she'd sung a full song? Ages.
All thanks to meeting Do-hyun.
She grabbed my hand tight.
"Thanks, Do-hyun!"
"You did it yourself. What'd I do?"
"Still... Ah!"
Realizing whose hand she'd grabbed, her face flushed red, and she yanked it back.
I'd stayed still, but flustered Lee Cheong-ha awkwardly removed the bracelet and handed it over.
"The bracelet helped a ton. Must be a real powerful charm."
"Oh. Keep it."
"Really...?"
Her eyes went wide; she hadn't expected me to give it.
Watching her fiddle with it, face pink, filled me with pride.
Grandma, borrowed your name, but it worked.
Your grandson'll raise a proper musical actor in your stead.