Chapter 52
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Ballet Lessons
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The first script reading wrapped up, and the team members dispersed with satisfied expressions.
On the way back to the dorms in twos and threes.
I was walking at the rear, organizing my thoughts, when I spotted Moon Woo-hyuk and Song Ha-na up ahead.
There had been something nagging at me even while analyzing the script on my own.
I'd confirmed it during my conversation with Yoon Jong-hoon after the reading.
And to flesh it out, I needed Song Ha-na.
“Song Ha-na!”
At my loud call, she whipped around.
Moon Woo-hyuk turned to look at me as well.
Even after ending up on the same team, the guy still couldn't stop giving me the side-eye.
I hurried over to where the two of them were.
“What?”
“I’ve got a favor to ask.”
At my words, Moon Woo-hyuk suddenly stepped in front of Song Ha-na.
What was this, her bodyguard?
“What is it.”
“Are you Song Ha-na?”
Song Ha-na wasn’t the type to just stand by and watch Moon Woo-hyuk act like that.
She shoved him aside and stepped forward.
“What is it?”
Moon Woo-hyuk, pushed out of the way, stood to the side with pursed lips.
Kids were kids, after all.
What I wanted to pick up more of for this musical was choreography.
Specifically, one thing came to mind.
“I want you to teach me some ballet.”
Learning the ‘ballet’ skill seemed like it would help.
In the play, Damious was set up as a noble count.
Running a hotel and entertaining noblewomen, syncing with Elpodi—it struck me that incorporating applied ballet movements would work well there.
It could also be useful when facing off against the new villain Yoon Jong-hoon had added to Moon Woo-hyuk’s character, adding delicate gestures for sharper contrast.
One thing I’d learned after the dance test was Song Ha-na’s ballet prowess.
Just by looking, her skills were top-level.
She held her own even compared to the ballet majors I’d met at the theater troupe before my regression.
Just to be sure, I’d asked Woo-sik, and the answers came spilling out.
Song Ha-na, true to her chaebol upbringing, had received genius-level training from the moment she could walk.
Ballet was one of them, and her standout specialty at that.
No idea how Woo-sik knew, but after checking around, it checked out.
Me, on the other hand? Total novice at ballet.
I’d taken first in the dance test using tap dance, but it wasn’t like I couldn’t handle other genres.
Ballet just wasn’t among them.
It was a style that required building your body from childhood to learn easily, and I’d never had the chance.
No pro, no matter how famous, masters every genre perfectly.
Still, learning it now didn’t seem like a bad idea.
I might not dive deep in the short term, but it’d definitely help this production.
Before regressing, I couldn’t imagine asking a classmate for something like this.
Pride or whatever held me back; saying it felt too hard.
Not anymore.
I’d already mastered admitting my weaknesses before regressing.
And realized it was a blessing.
Having people around who excelled where I fell short.
Now, classmate or not—even from an elementary kid if need be—I’d ask to learn without hesitation if there was something to gain.
Plus, with Song Ha-na, who’d no doubt trained under top masters, why pass this up.
“You want me to teach you ballet?”
“Hey. Broke or what? Just hire a tutor.”
Moon Woo-hyuk had to butt in every time.
Before regressing, maybe I’d have bristled at the broke jab.
But now? Back at this age, no reason to feel ashamed in front of money.
I knew full well you don’t blame a regular 17-year-old for being poor.
“Yeah, I’m broke for tutors, but isn’t someone like you better than most anyway?”
Admitting I had no cash shut Moon Woo-hyuk up.
Song Ha-na’s lips twitched upward, though.
Better than most tutors.
Probably the first direct compliment from Lee Do-hyun.
I could see her trying to play it cool, feigning indifference.
“Asking for lessons without offering anything in return feels off even to me…….”
I was broke, and money meant nothing to Song Ha-na anyway.
Still, reciprocating a favor like this was right.
Problem was, I had no clue what to offer.
Didn’t know what she liked.
Or if there was anything I could get her that she couldn’t.
Ah, maybe score some high-quality almonds somewhere.
“Anything you want from me?”
Remembering her glare last time about almonds, I avoided saying the word.
No choice but to ask straight up.
“From you? For Song Ha-na? Nah. She’s got everything. Right? Totally.”
Moon Woo-hyuk desperately chimed in beside her, leaving me momentarily speechless.
What was with this guy.
Was me learning ballet such a threat.
We were all aiming for a great show together—did even that bug him.
Seventeen was trickier than I thought.
Song Ha-na silenced him with her usual glare, no words needed.
‘One-on-one lessons with Lee Do-hyun…….’
She didn’t want anything.
Like Moon Woo-hyuk said, anything she desired was hers for the taking.
But lessons with Lee Do-hyun piqued her interest.
She’d been curious what kind of kid he was.
Practicing with him felt like she might gain something herself……
Then it hit Song Ha-na.
He was her partner for this musical anyway.
One-on-one practice wasn’t weird.
No ulterior motives here.
Sorting her thoughts, she replied as coolly as possible.
“Nothing I want, but since we’re partners for the comprehensive eval, think of it as syncing up. I’ll teach you.”
Jackpot. Free master tutor secured.
A grin crept onto my face unbidden.
“But.”
But? Didn’t she just say nothing she wanted.
No such thing as free, huh.
A chaebol heiress with wants—surprising.
Or maybe that’s why she was sharper with deals.
“I can’t guarantee I’ll be a good teacher just ‘cause I’m skilled. Like you said, my level’s above most, sure.”
Phew, relief.
Not demanding anything after all.
She had a point.
Not every expert makes a great teacher.
Teaching took skills beyond raw talent.
Like how some without skills taught brilliantly.
“I get stuff quick—one demo and I grasp ten—so I might not get if you can’t keep up. Keep that in mind.”
Oops. Wasn’t about her teaching skills.
She was worried about the student—me—picking it up.
I started to laugh it off, but her dead-serious face, no hint of joke, shut me up.
Her blunt style wasn’t kidding around anymore.
At this point, it even felt considerate.
Yeah. That was Song Ha-na.
“Of course. Thanks, Song Ha-na.”
“Too early to thank me. I’ll check with my parents and text you the schedule.”
Ever the ice queen to the end, she turned on her heel.
Schedule—talking like a pro actor already.
That’s when the chat wrapped nicely.
“I wanna do it too.”
Moon Woo-hyuk blurted out.
The guy wanted in on everything I did.
Yoon Jong-hoon stuff, now lessons with Song Ha-na.
Didn’t bother me.
I just needed ballet from her.
I stayed quiet, figuring that, but Song Ha-na wasn’t having it.
“You joking?”
Her eyes flashed—dead serious.
She’d thought this was her chance to figure out what Lee Do-hyun was about.
Moon Woo-hyuk in the mix? Total interference.
“Go hire a tutor. How am I supposed to teach both of you? What, slave driver?”
With that, Song Ha-na spun and strode off.
“Argh, Song Ha-na! Wait up!”
Moon Woo-hyuk grumbled after her furious retreating back.
“Anyway, teacher secured.”
I’d half-worried she’d be picky, but it sorted easy.
Satisfied, I headed to the dorms at a leisurely pace.
***
Song Ha-na was quick about everything, as expected.
That night, she texted, and we set it for this Saturday.
Knew it’d be like this, but no trip home again.
Saturday morning came, and I headed to the meetup at the school back gate.
Scheduled for 9, but I arrived around 8:40, just in case.
A black luxury sedan was already parked at the gate.
With my pre-regression knowledge, I knew cars better than most high schoolers.
That wasn’t just expensive—it was a rare model in Korea.
Such a fancy ride at school?
“No way……”
Obvious answer, but I approached the sedan slowly anyway.
Then,
Whirr—
The window slid down, revealing a familiar face.
“What’re you doing. Get in.”
Song Ha-na, as expected.
Cheongyeom Arts High, where most kids rolled in rich.
But Song Ha-na and Moon Woo-hyuk were on another level of chaebol.
I knew they outclassed the others, but pulling up in that?
“Yeah, sure.”
Worried about snide remarks, I hustled to the car. A man in a black suit hopped out from the driver’s seat and opened the door.
I froze in surprise.
“Please, get in.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Ever gotten service like this?
Inside was the roomiest seat I’d ever sat in.
Probably the priciest car too.
Pre- and post-regression combined.
“You’re early.”
“Thought so, but apparently not.”
Watching Song Ha-na lounge like on her home couch felt oddly unfamiliar.
I glanced around the interior despite myself.
Thirty-three inside or seventeen, it was eye-catching.
“Man, nice ride.”
The awed 30-something slipped out.
I patted the seat and caught myself.
“…What’s with the speech. Old man?”
Song Ha-na furrowed her brow, turning to me beside her.
She’d always thought Lee Do-hyun was off from regular kids somehow.
Weirdly poised, like he knew everything.
Scanning kids with an adult looking down on children vibe.
A discomfort she’d never felt even around top chaebol kids raised in adult worlds.
Watching Do-hyun lean back against the seat, gazing out the window all prim, Song Ha-na resolved.
Today, she’d uncover the reason for that gaze.