The Genius Composer Starts Again - Chapter 12

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“….”

After much deliberation, I shook my head.

“No. I’ve never met him.”

I spoke in as calm a tone as possible.

“And while I appreciate the compliment, I think those words are still too generous for me.”

Jeong Tae-seong looked at me for a moment, then let out a hearty chuckle.

“Is that so? Well, I guess I was being too hasty. I’m sorry for making assumptions and making you uncomfortable, Seol.”

Jeong Tae-seong retrieved the photo and added a comment.

“I may not look it, but I’m quite fond of you as a student. If that’s what you say, then I won’t force anything, so don’t worry.”

Through those words, I could tell immediately.

‘He’s convinced it’s me.’

But since I didn’t seem eager to meet Jeong Do-hyun, he was going to pretend not to know for now.

‘It’s still a bit awkward.’

Jeong Do-hyun was one of those people whose thoughts I could never figure out, even in my previous life.

If possible, I wanted to meet him after the situation was more settled.

Just seeing his photo made me jump like this. If I actually met him, I’d surely panic and do something suspicious.

‘It’s not time to meet people from my past life yet.’

With that thought, my resolve was immediately set.

“Well then, rest well during the break. See you next semester.”

“Yes. Thank you for the tea.”

After bowing politely, I left the professor’s office.

Click.

As soon as I closed the door, I leaned my back against the wall and let out a long breath.

Only then did the tension lift, and my head began to think clearly.

‘Now all the preparations are complete.’

Since I could now take the same classes as Mun Ah-rin, I’d be able to observe her more closely.

Just thinking about being with that face that made my teeth clench whenever I saw it made my heart feel like it was sinking.

But soon I gritted my teeth and smiled.

Because I had resolved not to run away anymore and to face it head-on.

I clenched my fists and muttered to myself.

‘This is just the beginning. Mun Ah-rin.’

***

“Oh my.”

The shelter employee looked pleased.

“You’re choosing this one?”

“Yes.”

“How wonderful. I was worried because no one was looking for her, but this is a relief. There wasn’t much time left on the notice period.”

I know.

Originally, she was supposed to be miraculously adopted on the last day of the notice period.

It was fortunate that I remembered it was around this time. I had to search through all the nearby shelters to finally find her.

“Please come this way.”

The employee walked briskly.

“Have you raised a cat before?”

“…Yes.”

“So this would be your second one?”

“No, that’s not it. I’m alone now.”

“Ah, I see.”

During our brief conversation, we had already stopped in front of a cage.

“This is the one.”

The employee smoothly opened the door. Inside, a yellow cheese-colored cat that had been crouched up flinched.

“She’s quite timid. It might take time for her to adjust.”

“That’s fine.”

That didn’t matter to me.

Seeing her in person made my throat tighten sharply. Something hot seemed to get stuck in my throat.

“…Nuri.”

When I called her name, the young cat slowly lifted her head.

It was definitely her from the childhood I remembered.

-They said she might die tomorrow. I felt sorry for her, so I brought her home.

Mun Ah-rin’s voice, speaking as if it was nothing, was still vivid. I was so surprised by such a sudden adoption.

-Look at this. Isn’t she so cute~.

Mun Ah-rin, who had smiled so brightly then, gradually became indifferent once Nuri outgrew her kitten phase.

Around that time, I had taken a leave of absence from school and was practically living with Mun Ah-rin, so taking care of Nuri became entirely my responsibility.

That went on for 10 years.

‘Maybe you were trying to tell me something before the regression.’

You, who unlike usual, had slipped into Mun Ah-rin’s studio.

Your stubbornness despite my desperate calls—maybe it was to free me from Mun Ah-rin.

Anyone hearing this would think it’s foolish. But I thought maybe that could be it.

I carefully called the name that continued from the past.

“Nuri.”

Then Nuri cautiously walked out. She sniffed at my outstretched hand, then gently bumped her head against it.

“Oh my.”

The employee made a surprised sound beside me.

“She’s not usually like this. She’s very shy around strangers….”

Meow-.

Nuri made a thin crying sound. I gently petted Nuri while muttering to myself.

‘We meet again. You, who protected me.’

Thank you, Nuri.

This time, I’ll save you.

***

Meow-.

“Easy, easy. We’re almost there.”

Nuri stirred inside the carrier. She had been quiet the whole time, but suddenly became restless in front of the entrance.

I entered the passcode and opened the door.

My eyes met with the figure standing right in front of the entrance.

“…Mun Ah-rin.”

That name flowed out of my mouth without me realizing it.

Mun Ah-rin stood there with her arms crossed, staring at me in the darkened room.

Her usual gentle smile was nowhere to be found, and she looked utterly cold. Seeing that face, memories from before the regression overlapped.

“Why are you here….”

As I hesitantly stepped back, Mun Ah-rin smiled coldly.

Her chilly expression disappeared in an instant, returning to her usual coquettish look.

“Why, you ask? You were the one who gave me the passcode and told me to come over anytime I wanted. Seol.”

“Ah, right. I did. I just didn’t expect you to come so suddenly without any notice. I was a bit startled.”

“What~. How disappointing. Are we the kind of relationship where I need to call before visiting?”

Mun Ah-rin laughed cheerfully and grabbed my arm.

Screeeeech!

At the same time, Nuri started panting heavily inside the cage. Mun Ah-rin’s gaze rolled over toward the cage.

“But why a cat?”

“…I’m going to start raising one.”

“Huh? All of a sudden?”

“Yeah. All of a sudden.”

Without any further explanation, I set the cage down in a corner of the room. Mun Ah-rin suddenly burst into laughter.

“You’re doing things you’ve never done before. I used to beg you about wanting to raise a cat, but you always stopped me.”

“That’s right. But I suddenly wanted to raise one.”

“Seol.”

Mun Ah-rin firmly grasped my hand.

It gave me goosebumps and my whole body stiffened.

“What’s really wrong with you? Is there some big problem?”

“What are you talking about.”

“No, I mean it. During the entire break, you kept making excuses and avoiding me. You never once came to where I work part-time. I came to check on you because I was worried, and now suddenly you want to raise a cat.”

Mun Ah-rin’s large eyes were filled with worry.

In the past, I would have been touched by this kind heart, but now this thought came to me first.

‘Is she sincere?’

As I quietly stared at her face, I realized I had missed my timing to respond.

“There’s nothing to worry about. It’s not like there’s some problem.”

“You always say that, Seol. You always try to handle everything by yourself. Do you think I don’t know that?”

Mun Ah-rin bit her lips tightly and made a tearful expression.

She didn’t seem like she was going to let this slide.

‘Did I act too differently from usual?’

But I didn’t have the confidence to laugh and chat cheerfully with Mun Ah-rin either. Just facing her alone like this, I had to barely swallow down the anger surging up inside me.

‘Is this Mun Ah-rin the same Mun Ah-rin I know? When did you start becoming twisted?’

Such questions still occupied my mind.

Meow-.

Just then, Nuri made a crying sound at my feet. Seeing her wrap her tail around my leg, I composed myself.

“Actually, there was a reason.”

“I knew it, right?”

Mun Ah-rin continued as if she had expected this.

“Was your original composition not going well? That one you promised to let me hear. Well, of course. The pain of creation is no ordinary thing. With piano, you just play according to the written sheet music, but composition requires creating something from nothing.”

“No. It’s not that.”

“Then what?”

I pretended to be calm and casually blurted it out.

“I was busy preparing for the department transfer exam.”

“…Huh?”

Mun Ah-rin’s eyes widened.

Seeing that expression somehow made me feel pleased. I curled up the corners of my mouth and drove the point home once more.

“The department transfer exam. I took it not long ago.”

“…”

“Since I was trying to prepare by cramming, there was a lot to do. So I was incredibly busy. It wasn’t that I was deliberately avoiding you or anything.”

Mun Ah-rin seemed like someone who was completely speechless.

“I wanted to tell you as a surprise after I passed. But I got caught.”

“…Oh, really?”

Mun Ah-rin smiled a beat late.

“Wow. It would be so great if I could take the same classes as you, Seol!”

“Right?”

“But will it be okay? Our school’s department transfer exam is famously difficult. The Composition Department doesn’t have many spots either.”

Her tone was gentle, but I could sense an underlying intention to put me down.

“Of course it would be great to attend together with you, Seol~. But I’m happy with how things are now, so don’t push yourself too hard. Okay?”

“I should.”

I also gave a brief smile.

That’s when it happened.

Buzz-.

My phone vibrated, and a text message appeared on the screen.

[ Korea University Composition Department transfer exam results deliv(more) ]

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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