Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Familiar Faces as Judges
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Following Aram Go came people everyone knew.
Professor Im Hayoung, CEO Kwak Cheolwoon, and Executive President Jeong Wooyeol, whom I'd met before.
At their appearance, Daeun quickly ran over and greeted them.
"Hello!"
The people were surprised by Daeun's deep bow from the waist.
"Wow! It's Daeun!"
"Oh my! What brings Daeun here?"
"Here I am, seeing Painter Daeun Lee."
"Oh! Painter Lee! You've come too?"
The three warmly welcomed us, and I smiled as I greeted them back.
"Hello. Nice to see you again."
"Senior, did you plan to come here today too?"
"No, not exactly. There was something I wanted to discuss, so I stopped by with Daeun for a bit. But what brings all of you here?"
Professor Im answered on their behalf.
"It's nothing much—just stopping by for the social contribution special exhibition. The director said you already knew about it."
"Ah, that. I mentioned it. It's a joint event with other schools."
"I heard, but no way..."
At the "no way," CEO Kwak burst out laughing.
"We've all agreed to serve as judges that day."
"Yes."
Then Executive President Jeong spoke up shyly.
"I somehow ended up joining too."
The professor was representing the school, President Jeong the corporation, and CEO Kwak seemed to be there on the director's recommendation.
Who would've thought everyone would end up as judges for the social contribution special exhibition.
At that moment, Aram Go, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.
"So, is Daeun participating in the contest too?"
Whoosh!
At her question about Daeun's participation, all three turned to look at me and asked back.
"Daeun's joining too?"
"Will we get to see Painter Daeun Lee's work again?"
"I might not be able to judge if that's the case."
Daeun asked curiously too.
"Daddy, Daeuni draw too?"
Everyone was staring at me.
Just as their gazes started to feel a bit burdensome...
Click.
The door to Arnia Gallery opened, and out came Director Go.
"Of course Daeun will participate."
"Director."
At my words, the director patted Daeun's head as she looked up at her, then turned to the others.
"Aunt, what do you mean Daeun's participating too?"
"Just what I said. Daeun will participate."
Well, if the director says so, we'll have to do it.
But I disagreed with her decision.
"Wouldn't there be a bit of a problem if Daeun participates?"
Smoothly.
At Director Go's puzzled expression, I continued with more explanation.
"If everyone here is a judge, it could raise fairness issues. Others might think personal feelings would play too big a role."
This was one of the common injustices in art competitions.
Unlike math, art doesn't have fixed answers.
Since rankings depend entirely on the judges' judgment, connections with judges inevitably become a plus factor.
"Did you think I'd have Daeun enter the special exhibition?"
"Isn't that it?"
Deep wrinkles formed on Director Go's forehead.
"What do you take me for? Of course not."
Then Director Go pulled a business card from her pocket and handed it to me.
"She's not a judge or a participant—she'll join as staff. Fairness is the top priority for a social contribution special exhibition."
"Staff?"
"Yes. The staff helping with the special exhibition are volunteers anyway. She can do it with you."
I hadn't realized the director had thought this far ahead.
I'd assumed she'd just have her enter as a participant.
Then Daeun asked the director curiously.
"Then Daeuni no draw picture?"
At that, the director knelt down with a slightly relaxed expression.
"Yeah, not drawing pictures yourself, but helping the people who are drawing. Daeun can do that well."
"Daeuni help."
Daeun's eyes sparkled intensely.
Did the idea of helping make her feel a sense of responsibility?
"Daeuni can do it."
"Of course. If Daeun helps, won't her friends draw even better?"
Daeun's face gradually brightened.
"Yes! Daeuni help friends! Daeuni good at helping!"
"Good. Then this auntie will count on you."
With that, she stood up.
"By the way, why are you here?"
Wasn't that a bit late to ask?
"Just stopping by. There was something I wanted to talk about."
At that, the director seemed to grasp why I'd come and spoke to the people at the gallery entrance.
"Then I'll leave everyone in good hands. Aram, do that errand I asked."
"Yes, Aunt."
"Daeun, let's go in."
"Yes!"
With that, the director took Daeun's hand and went inside.
"Then see you at the special exhibition, Painter Lee."
"Yes, take care going in, sir."
Then the professor spoke.
"Kanghyeok, take good care of the special exhibition."
"Yes, take care. I'll contact you separately."
With that, the two nodded and headed to the gallery parking lot.
And so everyone...
"Um..."
No, one person was still there.
"Ah, yes, President Jeong."
With Aram off on her errand too, Executive President Jeong remained standing.
"There's something I'd like to ask."
Something she's curious about?
Her sudden comment piqued my curiosity.
"What is it?"
"Hmm, it occurred to me while looking at the picture Daeun drew yesterday, but was that her first time drawing?"
The picture from yesterday must mean "Loving Hands."
I knew CEO Kwak had bought it at the end, so why ask this now?
"It's her first time drawing in front of people, but she draws at home often."
"Ah! I see."
Her expression brightened.
"But why do you ask...?"
Was she regretting not buying yesterday's piece and wanting another?
But the atmosphere felt different.
"I don't know how many pictures she has, but if you two are okay with it, how about holding an exhibition with them?"
"Yes?"
What? Hold an exhibition?
"An exhibition. If I'm not mistaken, yesterday's picture couldn't have been done in just one or two tries. That means she must have quite a few. Holding an exhibition with those—no extra prep needed—would make great memories for Daeun."
I appreciated the suggestion, but there were concerns.
Most were sketches from sketchbooks, drawn casually.
The only finished pieces were the ones hanging in her room.
And my biggest worry upon hearing this was something else.
"Thanks, but I don't think so."
"Why?"
It was the burden Daeun would feel.
"Is it about money?"
Money? Is that what she thinks?
"No, it's not that..."
Even though I denied it, President Jeong seemed convinced it was about money.
"If it's money, don't worry. Our department store promises industry-leading treatment for exhibiting artists, and commissions on sales are the lowest..."
"It's really not about money."
"Then why?"
"Well, Daeun's still young. Even adults feel huge pressure from exhibitions. I'm not sure if she could handle it."
When I had my first exhibition, I couldn't sleep for days.
I know Daeun's young and may not get it, but would she really feel no pressure?
I couldn't guarantee it.
"If it's too much to ask, that's fine, but I really want to hold an exhibition for Daeun—just know that."
I understood President Jeong's feelings completely.
She'd gone this far.
After a moment's thought, I said,
"I'll talk it over with Daeun later. If she wants to, I'll contact you."
Her face lit up.
"Yes, anytime. I'll be waiting. Then."
With that, President Jeong left, and as I watched her go,
'An exhibition, huh.'
I headed into the gallery with somewhat mixed feelings.
* * *
Clink.
Sitting in the office chair, I took a sip of the tea Director Go had brewed.
"This tea is always delicious, no matter when I drink it."
"It's expensive tea."
"Ah..."
I wanted to ask how expensive, but held back, fearing it might be too pricey.
"So, I can guess the results, but I suppose I should hear them anyway."
"Yes, that's why I came. The teacher said there's no big worry. But since she remembers things more intensely than others, she might be a bit sensitive. It's important for her to find ways to overcome hyperthymesia through experiences like now."
"Hmm."
The director sipped her tea as she listened.
"And the other matter?"
The other matter... I looked at the director's face with slight worry.
As if reading my thoughts from my gaze,
The director let out a short sigh.
"Sigh, so you've heard."
"..."
I knew asking this was rude in itself, but from her reaction toward Daeun, I could tell it was something I'd have to hear eventually.
"It's been 11 years already since my daughter left."
The director tapped her teacup with her finger and continued.
"Go Suryeon—that was my daughter, beautiful like a flower. She had autism, but she was kinder and sweeter than anyone..."
Tremble.
Her lips trembled heavily as she spoke.
"..."
Seeing the director's intense emotions for the first time, I couldn't say a word.
I just quietly looked down at my teacup.
"I wanted to trade my life for hers, but I couldn't. And only after Suryeon left did I realize what I'd done wrong."
I could feel the director's pain.
Her lips shook the whole time she spoke, her hands unable to stay still unlike usual.
Her breathing grew ragged, as if she might collapse any moment.
Seeing her like that reminded me of a story I'd heard before.
A woman who loses her husband first is called a widow, a man who loses his wife first a widower, but there's no word for parents who lose a child first.
What name could capture the grief of losing a child?
"Looking at her empty room after she went like that, it suddenly hit me. Why hadn't I made more memories with her while she was alive?"
Listening carefully, I cautiously asked the director,
"Do you regret it?"
At my question, she shook her head with a self-deprecating smile.
"No, it's lingering attachment. Attachment over why I couldn't do more for her, why I couldn't give more love... why I couldn't say 'I love you' more..."
The more she spoke, the more her emotions surged, until finally.
Drip.
The cold, icy director shed tears.