Chapter 53
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: A Glimpse into Their World
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Suddenly.
A genuine curiosity suddenly welled up inside me.
"By any chance."
Riding in this massive luxury sedan for the first time in my life, the unfamiliar sensation made me cautiously speak up.
"What's that?"
"Moon Woo-hyuk's family probably has a car like this too, right?"
Song Ha-na gave me a look like she couldn't understand why I'd ask something so random.
"It's the exact same car."
Her answer suddenly made Moon Woo-hyuk seem different somehow.
Their world. It really was their world.
I'd only heard about that elite life before, but facing it head-on made my head spin.
Before my regression, back in those days, I never even imagined lives like theirs. Experiencing it firsthand now, the gap felt even bigger than I'd thought.
Back when I knew nothing, I'd scrapped and fought just to keep up with kids like them—and I'd given it my all.
I was lost in these sentimental thoughts when Song Ha-na asked, looking puzzled.
"Why?"
"Just..."
I'd gotten my fill of gawking at the car from every angle and finally settled back comfortably.
"It really hits you how we're born into different worlds, you know?"
Song Ha-na looked at me like it was the most obvious thing.
"Yeah. The starting line's different, after all."
I couldn't help but laugh at how casually she said it, like it was no big deal.
It was such a classic Song Ha-na response.
Maybe it was the leeway I'd gained after regressing, but I thought it was better than fake humility.
"But you're poor, and you've got talent, right?"
To Song Ha-na, poverty wasn't something to pity.
It never had been.
Their lives were just objects of indifference to her.
What did poverty have to do with her? That's the vibe she gave.
Just as she and Moon Woo-hyuk had their own world, they probably figured everyone else had theirs.
Born rich, money was just... there.
Her matter-of-fact answer made me feel at ease somehow.
Rich without any malice, I guess.
After growing up, I'd never met anyone who gave off that vibe.
Maybe because I'd only run into those middling-rich types.
Anyway...
"So, you're acknowledging my talent now?"
Song Ha-na, admitting my talent.
Besides Kim Sun-woo, I couldn't recall her ever praising anyone.
"You're ranked higher than me. What choice do I have but to acknowledge it?"
She paused for a second, but out came another perfectly Song Ha-na reply.
She really was consistent.
With this personality, specs, and skills.
I'd never seen a character like her anywhere else.
"You're so unique. In every way."
"Me? How so?"
She shot me a displeased look.
Uh-oh. Feels like I said something wrong.
A strong premonition hit me.
This was going to be exhausting.
"Just... never mind."
I tried to hold back and turned my gaze out the window.
"What do you mean unique? In every way how?"
Song Ha-na couldn't stand not knowing and started grilling me.
Whoa, nice weather out there.
I can't hear a thing. Nothing at all.
The breeze in this expensive car feels extra nice.
"Hey. Lee Do-hyun. Didn't you hear me? What’s unique about me? How am I unique in every way?"
But of course, the great Song Ha-na wouldn't let it go.
She rapid-fired questions like some rapper.
See, that's part of the "every way" thing. Guess I should just shut up.
***
I'd thought I'd sorted out my feelings about their elite world in the car.
"..."
But that was way too hasty.
When we got out, I was speechless.
Standing there, I stared at Song Ha-na's house stretching endlessly to the sides and fell back into awe.
The mansion, built from beige rectangular marble, had wood tones finishing off sections here and there.
It felt like arriving at some ultra-luxurious overseas resort.
A resort might house a group, but this...
"It's a house, right? Not just for today—you actually live here, eat and sleep here normally?"
I couldn't believe it and had to ask.
Song Ha-na gave me a look like I'd said something ridiculous and walked ahead without answering.
And this wasn't even the main gate.
We'd passed the main gate earlier in the car.
After crossing a huge garden.
Oh, there was a fountain in the middle too.
Where we'd just gotten out was, technically... the side gate?
"What are you doing? Hurry up and follow."
At her words, I quickly followed her in.
Beyond the side gate, gray stones were stacked like in a temple, forming a path.
Behind that, trees like you'd see in a tropical climate lined up as street trees.
It really felt like stepping into an expensive luxury resort.
Walking slowly behind Song Ha-na, the vibe was totally different from the car ride.
This wasn't their world anymore—this was the gods' world.
And it wasn't just one building.
That structure far off was an architecture style I'd never seen before.
If I didn't know Song Ha-na, I wouldn't have even imagined houses like this existed.
Felt like I was on some trip.
Finally, I stepped into the house proper.
The floor gleamed like ice rink level.
"Cleaning can be an art form. One wrong step and you might slip and fall."
"Really? I should tell Mom."
What was she even going to tell her mom about that?
Hold on, I didn't say anything weird, right?
It came off as a compliment, yeah?
Like praising the maid enough for a bonus.
Or warning it's slippery and dangerous? No clue.
Cold sweat broke out on my back without me realizing.
I'd braced myself for something impressive after passing the main and side gates.
But once again, it blew past my expectations with an even grander interior.
"..."
A staircase this massive in the middle of the house.
Drama producers needed to get their chaebol house depictions right.
Walking around inside with shoes on.
It didn't match Korean sensibilities at all.
Plus, the palm trees from the entrance, the garden roses, the waterfall-like fountain.
"Haha. Next up's probably an aquarium, huh."
Song Ha-na, walking ahead, turned back in surprise at my words.
"How'd you know we have an aquarium?"
"Huh? What?"
I accidentally used polite speech.
That's how shocked I was.
"How'd you know about the aquarium?"
"You're saying there really is one?"
She nodded like, yep.
Haha. Of course there is. Everything.
I'd reached enlightenment.
"I see. An aquarium in the house."
"Why the face? Wanna see it?"
No, I'm scared. Feels like I'll have to pay admission.
I shook my head.
"Um."
"Yeah?"
Coming into a house like this wasn't an experience just anyone could have.
For an actor, experiences were crucial.
I had to let her know this wasn't mere curiosity.
So, I said it firmly.
"Can you show me around the house a bit?"
Because I was curious about the interior.
Song Ha-na heard me out and, since it wasn't a big deal, started giving me the tour.
"This is the café."
Yeah, okay. A café in the house.
We stepped into a wide terrace with a small stage in the courtyard.
"We usually have parties here when the weather's nice."
The scent of nature wafted strongly.
And similarly, palm trees were planted thick behind it.
"This is the dining hall. It's connected to the aquarium."
Fish swam across part of the ceiling.
Ah, not just an aquarium—a sea tunnel inside the house.
"This is the pool."
It was the nicest pool facility I'd ever seen, and I'd been to a few.
"This is the movie theater. Dad and I use it mostly."
The theater, with four large sofas lined up, rivaled a small screening room at a regular cinema in scale.
"This is my guest room. This is where I usually hang out with Moon Woo-hyuk and Kim Sun-woo."
"..."
Seemed like each family member had their own guest room.
Her saying "my" guest room made that clear.
Song Ha-na's guest room had billiards, darts, board games—stuff that surprisingly suited 17-year-olds.
"Oh, and this is..."
The door she opened led to a cute, cozy room.
It was the most normal-looking space in the house so far.
A bit bigger than my room, but finally something average-sized—I let out a sigh of relief unconsciously.
Until I heard Song Ha-na.
"This is our dog's room."
"I see. Ha, haha. Bigger than my room."
"Huh?"
She didn't even respond.
Probably thought I was joking.
And we arrived at the real destination for today: the practice room.
"This is the dance studio. And this is the vocal room."
Facilities way better than what popular idols used.
Just practicing here would boost your skills—that vibe poured out.
Of course, but still better than the school's.
Size-wise, school's were bigger.
...But this was Song Ha-na's solo practice space.
"Wait here. I'll change and come back. Your clothes are over there too. Change into them."
After showing me to the practice room, she left briefly to change.
No way I had ballet gear, so she'd prepared practice clothes.
I picked up the clothes she'd prepared.
Thankfully, not some embarrassing ballet outfit.
Comfortable, stretchy workout gear.
But,
As expected.
The logo was on it: Ner Hermes, the sportswear maker.
The luxury brand where one bag costs tens of millions.
I was beyond surprise by now.
The walk to the practice room had felt like a tourist tour.
"All changed already."
While I swapped into her prepared workout clothes, Song Ha-na came back changed too.
No matter what she wore, that classy aura didn't fade.
"So, why do you want to learn ballet?"
She asked while lightly warming up.
Looked casual, but her legs were splitting past 180 degrees.
Seeing her do it effortlessly, I regretted learning ballet for a second.
Too late now.
"It's not just about learning ballet specifically. I want to expand the range of dances I can do. In our show, adding ballet's precision to the jazz and tango vibes would make for way more beautiful choreography."
"True, ballet is precise."
She finished a not-so-simple stretch effortlessly, crossed her arms, and continued.
"But keep in mind ballet in musicals is ultimately acting. Today's lesson will focus on that, so pay attention and follow along."
Exactly.
Classic Song Ha-na.
She'd already thought of what I wanted to say first.
Reason for learning ballet: ultimately for musicals.
How to incorporate ballet into useful musical choreography—crash course.
She knew ballet but majored in musicals.
That's why I'd said she was better than a pro ballet teacher, and she'd nailed it.
"Still, basics matter, so we'll start from the fundamentals."
Song Ha-na showed me the basic moves first.
And the trouble started soon after.
"Split! Split, I said! Ugh, so frustrating!"
Her warning that she wouldn't be a good teacher.
Maybe I should've heeded it more closely.