In the end, my father didn’t attend the funeral.
His resolute decision to cut ties left with a bitter smile.
Not even a single call—just silence. It hit hard that we had beco even less than strangers.
"What’s the point of all this?"
The funeral felt hollow.
It reminded of that concert—when the person who mattered most didn’t show up.
"I want to play the piano."
Standing there in my black clothes, I felt pathetic. My fingers twitched restlessly, like caterpillars I wanted to squash against piano keys.
"Oh, poor thing."
Whether out of pity or politeness, every visitor's words grated on .
Things like, "She had such a hard life," and "Who could’ve expected her to go like this?"
All these people, who never called once, pouring out insincere comfort just to ease their own guilt, repulsed .
"I thought maybe we’d finally have a normal life."
I’d had a fleeting, sweet dream.
I’d imagined a happy, blended family, tossing out the broken pieces and filling a new vessel with peace.
"All wasted."
I regretted every minute spent on those useless fantasies. So, I called in the workers.
I carried the coffin with strangers, heard genuine words of comfort from people paid to be there, and watched as my mother’s body was cremated.
"Are you happy there?"
The question floated into my mind, but I got no answer. Watching the flas consu her coffin, I realized that there was no one left around .
I hadn’t invited any friends. There was no point in showing them this wretched scene.
Right now, even the thought of being pitied felt like an insult. All I could do was finish the funeral as quickly as possible and return to my piano.
In the dim world around , it was the one place lit by a solitary light—my narrow refuge.
And in that mont, I realized…
Ah, this place is my coffin.
"...."
The wave of sorrow washed over as soon as I broke imrsion.
Usually, I could keep a strict line between the characters in the script and myself.
But this ti, I couldn’t. I had felt that sa pain of losing family.
Though the circumstances were different, the outco was close enough that I couldn’t help but feel it.
And because of that…
"I won’t do it."
I decided not to film High Dream 2. It wasn’t just because the script was sad or because I felt too deeply connected.
"I said I’d rest, and then suddenly getting a script? That would just lead to problems later."
I wanted to keep my word.
If I broke my break for a good script, it would be like saying all the scripts I’d turned down before weren’t good enough.
No matter how well-loved the original had been, taking on High Dream 2 would be an insult to the works I’d previously declined.
Was it because of that?
High Dream 2, D
The mont I decided against it, the projected rating for High Dream 2 plumted.
"If I had agreed, it would have hit 35%?"
Despite the focus on Jaei, the shift was drastic.
Seeing how the ratings dropped instantly with my absence gave a clearer sense of my impact.
"This is the ti to be more selective with projects."
Of course, working with great people to create a aningful work was important, but even more crucial was the project’s success itself.
"What do you think? I honestly hope you rest the whole year, but you could change your mind."
Seokho’s words only strengthened my resolve.
"Resting when I should rest is the right thing to do."
There was no need to get dragged into anything out of attachnt.
"Yeah, I’ll just take this year off."
"Great, I’ll handle it tactfully. How about taking that overseas trip, too?"
"Overseas trip?"
"Yeah, the one you won on Golden Bell. Seems like a perfect ti."
"Oh, right."
I’d almost forgotten about that.
"They said I could go sowhere rich in culture and history, so Japan, China, or Europe, maybe."
Out of those, Europe seed appealing. I could upgrade to business class, so the long flight wouldn’t be an issue.
Besides, I’d already picked up so English thanks to Sims - The Real Life, so this seed like a good chance to put it to use.
"Mom is still pregnant, so she has to stay ho."
As I went through each option, one by one, I realized that no one was left to go with.
"Looks like I’ll be traveling solo."
Which wasn’t too bad. Taking my ti to relax would be nice.
Just as I was lost in thought,
Ding! Ding! Ding!
-[Judging a significant gap between the character and current skill level.] -[Proceeding with leveling asures.] -[Downloading the application ‘Amadeus.’]
Sims - The Real Life made its presence known, and in that mont, I understood why the success of this script hinged on .
"You set the bar way too high."
Jaei’s piano skills in the original were already impressive, but the sequel script required sothing on a whole new level. Without , it was destined to fail.
"If even I can’t do it without Sims, no one can."
This script was crafted with only in mind as the lead.
"Good thing I turned it down."
I concluded that it was best to stick to ads for this year. Just as I’d settled on that decision, a new KakaoTalk ssage ca in.
Donghu, my debut has been set. Will you… co to my first performance?
Jarin’s ssage couldn’t have co at a better ti.
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