"Why did you ask?"

"No reason. Just wondering... how many people are aware of that concept?"

"About masterpieces and grand masterpieces? Most professionals already know about it."

But Ms. Lee Ah-Reum has never mentioned it.

I slipped my hand into the pocket of my school uniform pants and thought carefully.

Ms. Lee Ah-Reum was definitely destined to become a professional. Yet, she had never brought up the term "masterpiece" during any of our conversations in the old school building.

Was she simplifying things out of consideration for me? Or did she have some other reason?

I couldn’t figure it out right now. Maybe I’d find out if I gave her a call.

"And Hong Ye-Hwa? The young amateurs probably don’t know yet, right?"

"That’s right. Their 'eye' hasn’t developed yet."

The eye that can perceive life and soul. Now I understood why Ms. Lee Ah-Reum hadn’t questioned it.

For most people...

"What kind of nonsense is that?"

...would be the typical response. Or, for those who are serious about art, they’d seek advice on how to acquire such an eye.

But Ms. Lee Ah-Reum? She just barged in, scolded me for touching someone else’s painting, and caused some (metaphorical) "violence."

Sigh. There was no way to figure this out right now.

"By any chance, is there an artist among the masterpieces with the pseudonym 'Mountain Night'?"

"I’ve seen countless masterpieces, but I’ve never heard that name. Considering there aren’t even a thousand masterpieces worldwide..."

"Right... it’s not exactly a common name."

Mountain Night. That was my pseudonym in my past life. It symbolized a black mountain, inspired by the nighttime mountains where I’d fallen in love with painting.

"So, do you have any idea whose painting 'Ho-Sung' is?"

"How would I know? There are so many painters in the world."

"Shame. I was hoping it might be a clue."

Hong Jin-Hoo chuckled, and I smirked back, feigning arrogance.

"Could it perhaps be the work of a genius like me?"

"An arrogant thought, but not entirely implausible."

As I watched Hong Jin-Hoo nod seriously, I asked, "Where did you find this painting?"

"There’s an auction house I frequent. I picked it up there."

Finding the artist would be like searching for a star in the sky—or a needle in a haystack.

"Just give up. Unless someone like me makes a public appearance, it’s impossible to trace."

"I agree. Ho-Sung caught my attention, which is why I bought it. But now, I find myself more interested in you."

"Sorry, but I’m not into men. Besides, you’re married."

"I’m not into men either. But you should know what interests me most, shouldn’t you?"

This man was as sly as a snake. There was definitely a mythical dragon coiled inside him.

"You can confirm that interest at the prize ceremony. Let’s end this here, shall we, Sun of Atlantis?"

"Heh. Fine. But I’m sure the other planets will be a bit jealous."

As he chuckled and slowly packed up Ho-Sung, I asked, "Why does Hong Ye-Hwa call you 'Father'? Is there a reason?"

Hong Jin-Hoo paused briefly before resuming his task. However, his lips curled into a melancholic smile.

"Hmm. It’s a family matter. But since it’s you, Lee Ha-Eun, I suppose I can share."

No, no, no. I was just curious. I didn’t need to hear about family drama.

Please don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.

And yet, I ended up listening to a full sitcom-worthy family story.

By the time it ended...

"...Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing. I just thought you matured early."

I glanced at Hong Ye-Hwa, who was playing with the kids in the living room.

Promising stars like her were expected to show their worth—whether through skill or character.

As someone who had carried her father’s name from a young age, she had become a "super rookie," burdened with high expectations.

Her demeanor and attitude, befitting those expectations, had become second nature to her.

And her mother...

'No matter what, it’s not appropriate to mention someone in the hospital.'

Talking about someone critically ill felt too insensitive.

Leaving the study, I helped Hong Jin-Hoo prepare and eat dinner. We chatted endlessly.

He just seemed like a cheerful neighborhood uncle.

Though with his physique, he looked like he could bench 700 pounds.

If Hong Jin-Hoo and Ha Soo-Yul fought at full strength, who would win?

I’d bet on Ha Soo-Yul.

Later that evening, we all returned to our homes, thanks to parental permissions for this eventful day.

Once home, I adopted a serious expression.

***

'My reincarnation and this world are connected.'

But why?

Why me? I was just a drunk painter.

How do the paintings from my previous life exist here?

Why are the artistic concepts I developed so widespread?

I had brushed this off at Hong Ye-Hwa’s house, but now I realized it was something worth thinking about seriously.

What kind of trigger brought me into the world of this novel?

And how exactly is this novel connected to me?

There was so much I wanted to know, but the fact that I couldn’t find out immediately frustrated me.

'Well, even if I knew, it wouldn’t change much.'

But knowing would probably make me feel more at ease.

I collapsed onto the bed and let out a heavy sigh.

It felt like this world expected something from me.

The protagonist is supposed to be Lee Do-Yoon. So why is it doing this to me?

To clear my tangled thoughts, I decided to meditate. I assumed the lotus position, as it’s commonly called.

"Inhale... exhale..."

Yeah. Nothing will change. I just need to keep living my life and enjoying my happiness.

Everything related to my past life is already over.

Lee Ha-Eun is a completely different person.

There’s no need to involve myself any further, whether masterpieces exist in this world or not.

It’s none of my business anymore. They have nothing to do with me now.

Thinking this way made me feel at peace.

I lay back down and closed my eyes.

For some reason, it felt like I’d fall asleep quickly tonight.

***

A month had passed since the exams.

So, May was already over. Tomorrow was June.

"Time flies. It’s not even vacation yet, but the days are passing so quickly."

It felt like some kind of invisible fourth wall was present, an inexplicable force accelerating time.

After that day, I searched the internet and conducted some research.

But there wasn’t much information about masterpieces or grand masterpieces. The only articles I found were dumbed down for the general public.

"Concepts only professionals know? That’s just childish."

The "eye" develops naturally once someone reaches a certain level.

Talent doesn’t play much of a role in it. If anything, effort is the key.

The more you observe, the more you feel, the more your "eye" grows.

Sure, the process can take an incredibly long time, but anyone can acquire it.

For those like me, whose "eye" developed early, there are definite advantages.

For example...

"Ms. Lee, you missed a line in the upper-left corner."

This ability allowed me to critique Ms. Lee Ah-Reum, who was currently working next to me.

"Ah, that line doesn’t need to be there."

"Really?"

"...Actually, it does. Thanks."

Is this woman really eight years older than me? Sometimes I wonder if she’s younger.

Ms. Lee Ah-Reum, who was stubbornly drawing while maintaining her pride, was currently in my studio.

Not the school, but my personal studio.

Why?

Well, I wouldn’t really have a proper answer if you asked me.

[Chat History with Ms. Lee Ah-Reum]

Ms. Lee Ah-Reum: "Ha-Eun! Is there a studio near the school I could use??!"
Me: "Not near the school, but isn’t there one inside the school itself?"
Ms. Lee Ah-Reum: "It’s the weekend! How am I supposed to get into the school?!"

Don’t teachers normally have access to school buildings?

Me: "There’s nothing near the school, but I have a studio. Would you like to come?"
Ms. Lee Ah-Reum: "Is this flirting? A forbidden relationship between a teacher and a student..."
Me: "Alright, deleting your contact. We’re strangers starting now."
Ms. Lee Ah-Reum: "W-wait a sec! I was kidding! Please, let me come over..."

And so, Ms. Lee Ah-Reum arrived at my studio and bombarded me with an endless stream of TMI that I didn’t want to hear.

"Why did the fire have to break out today of all days?!"

"You really didn’t need to emphasize that."

Apparently, her studio was in a mixed-use building, and there had been a fire there.

I’d seen it on the morning news and thought, "Huh, that’s wild," but who would’ve guessed someone I knew was involved?

"Ms. Lee, I’ve got a question."

"Can’t you see I’m busy?"

"You’re just staring at your phone."

...And this woman is supposed to be 25?

"How did you even pass the teacher certification exam?"

"Because, you see, I’ve got a brilliant mind."

"Sure. Whatever you say."

Our school might be private, but they only hired people who passed the certification exams.

S Group really operates on another level.

"Do you have a boyfriend, Ms. Lee?"

"Oh my, a forbidden-!"

"Stop."

"Watch your tone."

I leaned back in my chair, chuckling.

Just then, my little sister walked into the studio.

"Oppa! After lunch, we were supposed to go out and-!"

Yoon stopped mid-sentence, blinking at Ms. Lee before pointing a finger at her.

"Another woman?!"

"It’s not like that. She’s my teacher."

"No matter how handsome you are, Oppa, a teacher?!"

"Let’s just not talk about this anymore."

Why is there always some kind of chaos in my life?

Ms. Lee, oblivious to my internal suffering, was busy doting on Yoon.

"Aww~. I wish I had a younger sibling too..."

"Could you pick whether you’re going to use formal speech or not?"

"Why did the heavens have to create someone like Lee Ha-Eun...?"

"Am I some kind of object to be created? For your information, my mom gave birth to me, not the heavens."

Sitting on Ms. Lee’s lap, Yoon picked up a paintbrush.

"Oh? Like brother, like sister?"

But Ms. Lee’s hopeful expression quickly turned sour.

"...Well, that’s... something."

"Ms. Lee, your disappointment is showing."

With an extra person in the studio, it became lively and noisy—a warm and cheerful atmosphere.

"Ms. Lee, when are you heading to the U.S.?"

At my question, she touched her chin and looked upward—a gesture I’d only seen in manga. Who knew someone would actually do it in real life?

"Probably right after summer break?"

"Isn’t that a bit late?"

"Wait, you didn’t know? Our school’s summer break starts at the end of June."

"...What?"

Is this a university or something? Why is summer break two months long?

"Then let’s go together."

"Oh my, are you-?"

"Alright, isn’t this joke getting old? Are you going to milk it even more?"

"...I’ll send you a plane ticket. Be on time, okay?"

"Thanks. And don’t worry, I’ve never been late in my life."

Our conversation ended when Yoon began whining for attention again.

"You’ve come all this way, so why don’t you stay for dinner?"

At my mom’s invitation, we all ended up eating dinner together.

But seriously, why did Ms. Lee contact me first?

"Ugh... I’ll never understand her..."

"Excuse me, but you’re talking about your teacher here."

Honestly, I didn’t want to delve into it any further.

Now that I think about it, wasn’t Ms. Lee a supporting heroine in the original story?

This could turn into a real mess.

"Oppa, don’t you think it’s time to stop adding more women to your life?"

"My dear sister, this face of mine will keep attracting women until I have a thousand palace maids—"

"Ugh..."

With a heavy sigh, Yoon walked into a room and shut the door.

But, dear sister, that’s my room.

It was a month before Ms. Lee’s trip to the U.S.