Today was her only day off, but she had been forced to wake up early because of her persistently ringing phone. It was Soo Min.Why was she calling this early? Had something bad happened?
"Soo Min?"
"Aera, are you okay?"
"I don't understand."
"I saw your videos on the internet. Did you really do it?"
She had been trying to limit her exposure to the internet as much as possible. The last thing she wanted was to see what people were saying about her and have her mood ruined.
"Yeah... some things happened, and well—surprise, I'm here now."
"The internet is blowing up. The video of the trainee girls bullying you is everywhere. People are commenting, demanding their disqualification. Wow, you really have a solid support group behind you."
"My support group? You must be mistaken."
"Nope. There are even fan pages popping up under your name. That's my girl! I'm so glad you finally stopped putting your life on hold because of those damn ghosts. I'm already bragging to everyone that you're my friend."
But she had wanted to handle all this quietly, without attracting attention.
"Don't be ridiculous, Soo Min. Focus on your studies and become the kind of doctor I'll be proud of when you graduate. Talk later."
She searched her name online. She hadn't had the courage to check what was being said about her, but after what Soo Min had said, she was too curious to ignore it.
—Why are these trainees bullying instead of focusing on their skills?
—Hey Lotus Company, maybe try teaching your trainees some basic human decency?
—Is the company blind? Why haven't the bullies been disqualified yet?
Of course, not all the comments were supportive.
—Is there really something going on between her and Chuwon oppa?
—Why did you include someone with no prior training among talented trainees? Maybe the girls were right about the favoritism.
She closed her phone before she could read more.All she wanted today was to focus on her performance—but it seemed like she needed to act.
The spirit that had taken over Jackie's body still wasn't leaving the house, and she didn't want to waste any more time. The longer she waited, the more out of control things felt.
Jackie was nowhere to be seen—probably off trying to control the ghost again. When he got back, she'd talk to him about all of this.
She found an empty studio and began working on her choreography.As things started to take shape, she felt more motivated. After practicing for about 2 to 3 hours, she collapsed onto the floor. Her legs were giving out. She was exhausted, but also satisfied—she had finally created the choreography she had envisioned.
She had recorded herself on video so she could rewatch it, catch her mistakes, and remember the choreography better.
Just as she was about to get up and leave, she saw Chuwon standing in the doorway, watching her.
"Chuwon sunbaenim, I just noticed you. How long have you been here?"
"Not long. I was just passing by and saw you, so I wanted to say hi. But you looked so focused—I didn't want to interrupt. By the way, I have to say this: watching you dance gave me goosebumps. The more I get to know you, the more I regret everything I said about you at the auditions."
"Thank you, sunbaenim. I'm just trying to do my best. I still have a lot to learn. Now if you'll excuse me—"
"Are you going to eat? I was headed there myself. Join me."
Without even asking if I wanted to eat alone, he grabbed my arm and pulled me along. With an entire army of trainees waiting to pounce at the first opportunity to tear me down, why was he drawing more attention to me?
"Sunbaenim, maybe it's better if we sit separately."
"Am I making you uncomfortable?"
"No, not at all, it's just…"
Chuwon looked hurt. "I was only trying to be your friend, but if you don't want that, there's nothing I can do."
He walked away. I hadn't meant to hurt him, but he needed to understand. Still, I felt guilty. His disappointed posture haunted me. His fans were scarier than some ghosts I'd seen. The stress of everything I'd been through had already crushed my appetite. I ate just one sandwich and went back to my room.
Nothing had ever been easy, and I had a feeling things were only going to get harder. Just the thought gave me chills. I didn't know if I was ready for what was coming.
Since I had no way of contacting Jackie, I could only wait for him to show up. And I had no idea when that would be.
I was supposed to practice the song, but I wasn't in the mood. My eyes fell on my grandmother's gayageum, standing beside my desk. Jackie had complained endlessly about me bringing that huge thing, but I had started music with this instrument. After teaching me, my grandmother had gifted me her beloved gayageum.
I took it out of its case. It had been so long since I last played. As the strings began to sound, memories washed over me. Everything had seemed easier and more beautiful back then. Oh, my sweet grandmother. She always tried to hide it, but my father abandoning us hurt her deeply too. She had been my only family, and now all I had left of her was her house and her gayageum.
As I played for myself, my thoughts drifted. Then suddenly, an idea struck me—I could open the song performance with the gayageum. I quickly found the notes and began practicing. It was coming together beautifully. Two days before the performance, there would be a check to review our preparations. I had only just managed to piece everything together. I was so behind. That morning, when I looked for a studio to practice in, I saw some trainees had already completed everything and were rehearsing.
While I was in the middle of all this, Jackie finally arrived.
"He'll be coming to the company next week. He still doesn't feel well enough to go out during the day, but the company said if he doesn't show up soon, his contract will be terminated. That stupid ghost is going to ruin everything for me. Thankfully, the company believes he's really sick and agreed to let him sign ad deals and sponsorship contracts at night. That gives us a huge opportunity."
"Then we've got only one week to come up with a solid plan."
"Yeah, but him coming at night is our biggest advantage. The company's too crowded during the day—catching him then would be impossible. But at night, we've got a real shot."
"Is your manager always with you?"
"No, only when I need him. From what I've seen, nothing's changed."
"Then here's the real question: how am I supposed to knock out someone twice my size and drag him to my place? I'll need help carrying him."
Jackie stared out the window, lost in thought.
"Aera, come here."
I stood up and went to him.
"What do you see?"
I looked where he was pointing. Just an old man pushing a cart.
"Only an old man. What does this have to do with anything?"
"Think, Aera."
"Oh, come on. Where are we even going to find a cart like that?"
"I saw some cleaning staff at the company using similar carts."
"That sounds completely ridiculous."
"Then let's hear your genius idea."
"Isn't your brother a god? Can't he just wave a hand and fix this?"
"If he could, would I be asking you for help?"
I pouted. Wasn't he a god? He could've done something.
While standing by the window, I saw the other girls getting ready and heading out. I was jealous. Okay, not just a little—very jealous. Jackie had done a lot with me, but it wasn't the same as spending time with girlfriends.
I turned away. I didn't want to see it anymore.
Jackie noticed my mood. "Do you want to go out too? Or do something else?"
"I'll go for a walk. I want to be alone."
Lost in thought, I walked aimlessly.
"Aera?"
"Hmm?"
My dad was standing right in front of me. I was going to walk past him, but he grabbed my arm.
"Please, just hear me out this once. If you still want me gone, I'll never come back."
He looked determined, so I agreed. We got some coffee and sat in the garden.
"You've grown up so fast. You're a beautiful young woman."
"I didn't grow up fast. It might've seemed that way to you, but not for me."
"You're right to be angry. But I had no choice."
"What kind of 'no choice' makes a father abandon his child? You hated me just like Mom did, didn't you? Don't be afraid to say it. She told me all the time."
"No! Never think that. I never hated you. I left because I didn't want to hurt you both any more. Just let me explain, and then decide. My lawyer scammed me and left me with massive debt. Everything was seized. I put the house in your mother's name so at least we could keep that. But she couldn't give up her luxurious lifestyle. She secretly took a loan and used the house as collateral. Eventually, the bank took it. I filed for divorce, but I couldn't afford to take care of you. So I left you with your grandmother and went abroad to work. If I had stayed, I would've been jailed for my debts. Years later, an amnesty let me return, but I was too ashamed to face you. Your grandmother always sent me your photos and updates."
"You chose to abandon me instead of explaining."
"I didn't abandon you. You had your own life… and I—"
"You what?"
"I'm quitting my job here soon. I don't want to be a burden to you, Aera."
Why would he be a burden? Then I remembered what Jackie had said. He'd been getting sick often lately.
"Are you sick?" I was terrified to hear the answer. I prayed he would say, "I'm fine."
"Don't worry about that, sweetheart."
"You kept me at a distance all these years. And now I find out everything I knew was a lie. Please, just be honest this time."
He was sad. And clearly hiding something. We sat silently for a moment.
"I'm in the final stage of lung cancer."
He had said what I feared most.
"Are you sure? Have you seen other doctors? Isn't there any treatment?"
My voice trembled. My throat tightened. I felt utterly helpless.
"I've gone to several. They said chemo might slow it, but it's too advanced now."
I reached out and held his hand. We were both crying.
"You've tried to shoulder everything alone. And now I find out you wouldn't even have reached out if we hadn't crossed paths here. If you'd just shared your problems with me, I would've helped carry the load. But instead, you chose death. You chose to abandon me again.
You can't leave me. I can't take any more of this."
"I love you so much, sweetheart. I wanted to be the kind of father who always had your back. But I failed. When I learned how bad my condition was, I thought I shouldn't burden you with more pain. But like everything else, I failed even in that. I'm so sorry."
I stood and hugged him.
"When does chemo start?"
"After I resign this week. I'll be admitted on Friday and start chemo Saturday."
Saturday was the day of our performance, but right now, none of that mattered.
"I'll be there for you."
"You don't need to come. Visitors won't be allowed after chemo starts. You wouldn't see me anyway. That day is so important for you. I'll watch from the hospital."
"At least let me be with you when you get admitted."
Even his smile looked tired.
"Deal."
We talked a bit more, then the sky began to darken.
"Don't wear yourself out. Go rest."
"Okay. It's a long way back, or I'd stay longer."
"Be careful. Message me when you get home."
After seeing my dad off, I returned to my room. My mind was too full to carry anything else. From here on, all I could do was rely on luck."