Chapter 36

"Why would someone without talent even join the art department?"

The classroom fell silent after that one line.

Lee Do-Yoon froze, showing neither reaction nor emotion.

I could feel the vein in my forehead throb like a crossroad sign, and I was just about to get up when—

"I just... wanted to try something."

Finally, Lee Do-Yoon opened his mouth, and the conversation began.

I pushed myself back into my chair, raising an eyebrow as if to say, "Go on."

To others, my reaction might seem excessive, even strange.

But this was my chance to change Lee Do-Yoon’s life—or rather, guide him to the path he was meant to take.

Lee Do-Yoon has to transfer to the performing arts department. That’s the only way his future won’t derail.

It’s only been a day since school started, and transfers are allowed within a week. There’s still time.

Why am I so adamant about this?

Effort? It can't compete with talent. That’s the harsh reality of the arts.

But Lee Do-Yoon isn’t just anyone. He’s the protagonist of this world, for crying out loud.

Of course, someone like him would have an overpowered ability—a talent for acting, one that’ll flourish in the performing arts department.

In the future, Lee Do-Yoon becomes famous as an actor. By the time he graduates, he’s so popular that people call him “The Ten-Million Actor.”

How could I let someone like that wither away here?

And honestly, this isn’t just about the original storyline.

Unless you’re an exceptional outlier, surviving in the art world is brutally difficult.

There’s a reason parents prioritize academic tutoring over art classes. It’s because they know the truth.@@novelbin@@

Only those marked as prodigies in their fields make it in the arts.

Everyone else ends up scrambling to find another path.

Only a handful survive.

So yeah, I’m worried. As his childhood friend.

I can’t just sit by and watch Lee Do-Yoon fail to realize his talent and fade away in the art department.

Of course, the choice is his. I can’t force him to do anything.

But as a friend, I can at least offer advice, right?

Once again, Lee Do-Yoon opened his mouth.

"Ha-Eun, you, Ye-Hwa, Ye-Seo, Soo-Yul, and even Yoo-Seol... all of you have talent in your respective fields."

I stayed quiet, listening.

"But I don’t feel like I have any talent. And because of that, it feels like all of you are drifting further and further away from me."

Lee Do-Yoon starts his acting career in the second semester of his first year. Until then, his life is more like a slice-of-life story.

"Thinking like that made me... a bit impatient, I guess."

His bitter smile didn’t seem bright at all.

"Out of all the departments, why the art department?"

My voice came out calm as I asked.

"Well... there’s only one reason I applied to the art department. Because my friend was in that class."

"You mean me?"

"Yeah, haha."

"What are you laughing about, idiot?"

So he applied because of me? I mean... I guess that makes sense.

But that’s not enough of a reason.

"There has to be something else. Another reason."

"...I was jealous."

Lee Do-Yoon hung his head low, clenching his hands tightly.

"We’re the same age, yet you always shine so brightly."

He’d reached out to me after my award. Maybe it started then.

Or maybe it had been simmering since we were seven years old.

I furrowed my brows, watching him. He wasn’t done yet.

Lifting his head, he scratched the back of it awkwardly with a hollow laugh.

"So I went to a drawing academy, tried my best... but it didn’t work out."

No matter how hard you work, there’s always a limit. That’s the cruel truth about talent.

"I wanted to be like you, Ha-Eun, but I guess that was just my own selfish desire."

Though his face looked dejected, his lips still curled into a faint smile.

"Do you regret it?"

Regret what? I was the one who spoke, but even I wasn’t sure what I was asking.

"...A little? By the time I came to my senses, I was already in the art department."

He doesn’t need to worry about that. Transfers are still open for another week.

For a moment, I felt relieved. At least he seems to realize he doesn’t belong in the art department.

But then, I started to worry again.

This is adolescence—a time when self-reflection and identity crises are par for the course.

These phases pass, sure, but they can always come back.

I narrowed my eyes at him. This soft-hearted fool was grinning sheepishly.

A little envy, a little jealousy at others getting ahead.

It’s something everyone experiences. I’ve felt it too.

But not everyone handles it the same way I did—by quietly channeling it into art.

"Haah... So, how do you feel about it now?"

I let out a heavy sigh and asked. He seemed to know exactly what I was getting at.

He vigorously waved his arms in denial.

"Not anymore!"

"Then why do you act so awkward around me?"

"...It’s embarrassing, I guess."

...What? I rubbed my arms as a sudden chill ran through me.

"You don’t have some weird—"

"No! Don’t get the wrong idea! I just felt bad about feeling that way, that’s all."

Right, the typical dense and frustrating rom-com protagonist quickly gets over their jealousy.

And then they extend a hand to the very person they envied. Classic cliché.

Well, at least I don’t need to worry anymore.

"Just stop fidgeting and smiling awkwardly around me, okay? It makes you look like some tragic drama character."

...Not that he isn’t one. But the person he’s fixated on happens to be me.

I stood up, rubbing the back of my neck.

I grabbed my bag, slung it over my shoulder, and gave him a light tap as I walked past. Consider it compensation for worrying me.

"And remember, transfer applications close in a week. Fill yours out properly."

His eyes widened in surprise.

"Oh, and make sure you transfer to the performing arts department. That talent you’re so fixated on will bloom there."

"...Really? What talent is that...?"

His voice trembled slightly, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

At least he hasn’t given up yet.

"Acting. You’ve always been good at making exaggerated expressions and ridiculous gestures."

"Ahaha. Yeah, I guess I did."

"I recommend you become an actor. See you at lunch tomorrow."

I walked off like the protagonist of a shonen manga, waving my hand behind me.

Lee Do-Yoon sat in his chair, staring after me in a daze.

I closed the classroom door behind me.

...Damn. Even I have to admit that was cool.

Just as I was reveling in the surge of satisfaction—

"Pfft...!"

A sound from around the corner snapped my attention.

I turned my head to see a cluster of heads stacked like a totem pole.

From the bottom up: Ha Soo-Yul, Choi Ye-Seo, Hong Yea-Hwa, Baek Yoo-Seol... and even Teacher Lee Ah-Reum?

What the hell are you doing here?

The culprit who made the sound was Choi Ye-Seo.

"Puhaha! ‘I recommend you become an actor! See you at lunch tomorrow!’ Pfft!"

"Soo cool, Eun."

"Lee Ha-Eun... you’ve got quite the unique personality. I’ll respect it, at least."

"......"

"Ha-Eun must read too many webtoons! But hey, it was entertaining~."

...Go away. And seriously, Teacher Lee Ah-Reum, what are you even doing here?

***

After that day, Lee Do-Yoon and I went back to how we used to be.

Of course, for a while, I had to endure the silent death stares from the girls around us, but it was bearable.

If I hadn’t stepped in, Lee Do-Yoon might’ve ended up starving in the future.

His transfer went smoothly, and thankfully, he joined the first class in the performing arts department.

Maybe it was because of my influence, or perhaps my words gave him confidence, but as soon as he entered the class, he became one of the insiders.

"Do you have a management company? Let’s have a talk, shall we?"

Not long ago, while the six of us were walking home together, someone approached to cast him.

Judging by how well-prepared they were, they’d done their homework and knew all about Lee Do-Yoon’s personality.

Before he knew it, he’d signed a contract and was already on his way to becoming an actor.

His range of facial expressions had expanded noticeably.

Still a first-year student, yet already showing talent in acting.

...It was supposed to start in the second semester, but oh well.

What’s the harm in debuting a little earlier?

...Though I can’t shake this tiny bit of unease.

Now that the issue with Lee Do-Yoon is resolved, it’s time to deal with my own problems.

"Ugh... Should I start over again?"

It’s still not sitting right with me. If I fix this part, I’ll probably end up revising the whole thing.

From the corner of the room, my mom sipped her hot chocolate and frowned.

"Again? This is your third time. What if you don’t finish before the deadline?"

"I know, but it’s just... something feels off."

"From what I can see, it doesn’t look any different from a week ago."

"That’s because ordinary people can’t comprehend the perspective of a genius."

"You know your YouTube channel is under my control, right?"

Tch. She always uses my YouTube channel as leverage. I know she’s joking, but still, I have to play along.

"By the way, are you feeling okay?"

I set down my brush and turned to look at her.

I was asking about her health.

She shrugged her shoulders casually, signaling she was fine.

"It’s perfect here. Honestly, on a day like this, you can’t feel comfortable without an air conditioner. This place is the best."

As I’ve said before, the way an artist perceives things is entirely different from how ordinary people do.

I’m bundled up in a padded jacket while my mom is lounging in a light cardigan.

To my eyes, this room is a snowy mountain whipped by a blizzard. To hers, it’s a serene snowfield with softly falling flakes.

Such is the difference on a psychological level.

"Can I have some hot chocolate too?"

"Already made you one. Here."

The other mug next to her was mine? Could’ve given it to me earlier.

"So, what’s bothering you?"

Mom got up and came over to my side.

I picked up my brush again and pointed to the part that was bugging me.

"Here. This section of the snow mountain—I was trying to use an Art Deco style, but there’s a slight misstep in the curve."

"I’ve never even heard of that style. Is this the only part that needs fixing?"

"Yeah. After that, I’ll just do some spot-checking."

"Looks perfect to me..."

Mom’s eyes darted thoughtfully as she considered my work. It could probably still place in the top tier of the competition in its current state.

But I just wasn’t satisfied.

"Hmm... Maybe add a bit of oil paint to smooth it out?"

Her advice came like a lifesaver. How did I not think of that?

"...So very perfect. Exactly."

I gave her two enthusiastic thumbs up. Thanks to that, I managed to finish early and enjoy the day with my family.

Time passed, and while observing the romantic comedy that was Lee Do-Yoon’s life unfolding—

"Alright, let’s pick the participants for the sports festival! Unfortunately, it’s mandatory for everyone!"

Teacher Lee Ah-Reum suddenly dropped that bomb during homeroom and walked out.

Once again, I was planning to skip out.

"Hihi, too bad, Ha-Eun, you have to participate too."

What the hell. And, Teacher Lee Ah-Reum, why do you look so happy about this?