The Returnee Wants to Live Comfortably

Song of the Curse

Five days remained until the start of the new semester.

After returning from Eunseol's mansion, Ah-rin, Sang-ah, and I needed to discuss our plans for the days ahead.

Along the way, Karen came by the house to give me a few reports. Karen was carrying a phone related to the Sura guild.

As a result, we were able to get advance information about any movements from the Sura guild.

The basic goal of the ones targeting Ah-rin—to plunge her into despair—remained unchanged.

Of course, dragging me into it for that purpose was the same as always.

But this time, I wasn't going to be the only one drawn in. They clearly intended to endanger even the people of Hand.

In order to prevent that, it was necessary for me to approach that woman, Ai Hoon.

'That's the problem...'

Ai Hoon was famous for avoiding face-to-face meetings.

It was suspicious by itself that someone who never even went overseas would come to Korea.

I had to thoroughly uncover what the guy was up to.

I felt a bit sorry for Karen and Vern, but it seemed they were going to have a hard time.

'I wonder what the other legion commanders are doing.'

I asked Vern, but he told me everyone was busy with their own tasks.

That was why they couldn't meet up with me yet, no matter how much they wanted to.

The World, the organization responsible for overseeing incidents across the globe.

It went without saying that if you're a high-ranking member there, you might as well have multiple bodies.

While I was lost in such thoughts, I heard singing from my room.

"How was it?"

Sang-ah, blushing, asked after finishing her song.

Sang-ah's voice had improved so much from before that everyone, myself included, sat spellbound.

We showered Sang-ah with all sorts of praise.

"Unni... That was amazing!"

"Unbelievable. No matter how much I practice, I could never reach that level."

Yunhee and Ah-rin exclaimed in awe and excitement.

Ah-rin even joked that the songs she sang in the karaoke room weren't even songs at all compared to this.

"Oh my goodness. Sang-ah, are you aiming to be a singer?"

"Seriously. All those idol songs we've heard until now are nothing in comparison. There's the real deal right here!"

Even my father and mother joined in the chorus of praise.

Both of them were passionate idol fans.

I'd heard so many singers since kindergarten that the songs nearly bored me, but if they gave such words of praise, Sang-ah's singing truly must have been incredible.

"That was awesome!"

"What a fantastic harmony!"

"Sang-ah! I'm a fan~!"

"Encore~ Encore~"

Our whole family burst out in cheers.

Even I thought that was completely justified after just one song; it felt like I was at a concert.

As for Sang-ah herself, she blushed deeply at the excessive compliments.

"All right... Please stop. It's getting hard to hold my head up."

Sang-ah seemed quite embarrassed by the over-the-top praise.

She was a rather shy girl outside of her rampages, so she must have been weak to these sorts of situations.

Still, she had to admit her own talent for singing—after hearing the recording of her own song.

"This is really me singing?"

"Yeah! Didn't you do an amazing job?"

Yunhee had recorded Sang-ah's singing on her phone moments ago.

Upon hearing it, Sang-ah was surprised by her own singing.

"Besides, this was a cover of an existing song, but you're in no way inferior to the original."

"That's strange. I never really practiced singing, though."

"... What?"

When she said that, Yunhee's eyes widened in shock.

Our parents were surprised too, but Yunhee's reaction stood out.

"You really never practiced?"

"No."

"You're lying! Even after years at the academy, I can't sing like that!"

"I promise, I really never practiced."

"That's impossible! Things like this just can't happen! It can't be!"

Yunhee, devastated, collapsed into Ah-rin's arms.

Maybe because she was my biological sister, Ah-rin gently comforted her.

Knowing Yunhee was attending a music academy, her reaction was understandable.

From Yunhee's perspective, Sang-ah must have seemed nothing but deceitful.

"Ah-rin unni... I really envy Mutamit...! What should I do?"

"But Yunhee, I'm Mutamit too."

"Oh, right?"

Honestly, even I found it strange.

That kind of voice was impossible unless it was innate.

While I was pondering, Sang-ah received a phone call.

–Sang-ah. Are you busy today?

****

"Sang-ah, where did you go recently?"

"I went to a water park with Seongjin's family. His little sister kept begging, so we went."

"I don't know what kind of sister she is, but your parents must have had a rough time."

The church members had contacted Sang-ah.

Having gotten lucky with some meal vouchers, they said they couldn't enjoy something nice just by themselves and invited Sang-ah.

So, instead of the church, everyone gathered at a large restaurant.

The priest, with a piece of meat in his mouth, continued the conversation.

"I suppose Seongjin is doing well, then. How about you, Sang-ah?"

"I've felt a lot better since I succeeded in molting."

"I see. It'd have been nice if that student could've joined us, too."

There was only one meal voucher left, so only Sang-ah could come.

Seongjin told her to eat as much as she wanted and sent her off.

Even after molting, Sang-ah's appetite hadn't changed.

With that in mind, her coming here was the most sensible.

"By the way, is there another trait among the dragon race besides rampaging?"

Seongjin explained that they were born with an incredible combative spirit.

Even the calm ones could turn terrifying in an instant if provoked.

In fact, Sang-ah herself used to throw punches before words when she was younger.

That sort specializing in other fields seemed unimaginable.

"Another trait, huh... I wouldn't say there isn't one."

"Is it perhaps related to singing?"

"Huh? How did you know?"

"Well, actually..."

As Sang-ah explained her own singing ability, the church members reacted with surprise—not because they didn't know, but because they were intrigued.

"Oh ho. So it manifested in you after all."

"Manifested?"

"Your mother, the princess, also had a beautiful voice. When she sang for fun, the fighting among dragons would stop."

"Ah..."

If it was a trait inherited from her mother, that would explain such outstanding singing ability.

Sang-ah felt deeply moved by this revelation as she ate her meat. But there was more.

"Of course, that wasn't just her special trait. Occasionally, other members of the dragon race would manifest it."

"But it never appears in males. Only in females."

Only female dragons could manifest it, the nun beside her said while chewing meat.

When Sang-ah asked why that was, the nun swallowed and continued.

"Who knows? We haven't figured that out yet. Not every female dragon wakes up that trait, either."

"Anyway, the princess's singing really was beautiful."

The priest added that no dragon had a voice as lovely as her mother's.

Apparently, many dragons competed for her because of that singing.

Especially since her mother was of royal blood, the rivalry was fierce.

"By the way, Sang-ah, are you interested in singing?"

"Not really. I was just curious..."

It was odd that her voice improved so suddenly one day.

It wasn't that she wanted to be a singer or anything.

She was asking simply because she was curious.

Hearing that, the priest spoke with some foreboding.

"Just in case, I have to ask. After your voice improved, how much have you been singing?"

"A lot, I guess. Lately, Seongjin's little sister has been asking for songs."

"It's a shame, but I recommend you not sing too much."

The priest poured himself a drink and spoke.

When Sang-ah asked why, he explained further.

"In fact, that wonderful singing comes with a side effect."

"A side effect?"

"Don't worry. It does no harm to those who listen."

There was no harm to others, but the problem arose for the singer herself.

What if, the more she sang, her voice grew worse, or in the worst case, she lost her vocal cords? But fortunately, that prediction was off.

"Singing doesn't strain your throat. But if you keep singing, you'll become obsessed."

"Obsessed?"

"The more you put your heart into your songs, the worse it gets. If you have someone you're attached to, many choose never to sing at all."

If they sang, males would be drawn in by that voice.

But if a dragon already cared for someone, they would avoid singing altogether.

Why?

Because they wanted their song to be for that special person only.

"That's kind of... romantic."

For a side effect, it sounded pretty sweet.

As Sang-ah drank a glass of water, the priest shook his head, refuting that interpretation.

"Romantic? That's a misconception. It's not called a side effect for nothing."

"...?"

"In any case, it's best to avoid singing now, if you don't want any regrets later."

"So I can never sing for the rest of my life?"

"That's not quite it."

The sound of meat sizzling on the grill rose up.

As new meat was added, the flame grew stronger to cook it.

"When you ascend to the next stage, you'll overcome it. Although your mother never reached that stage..."

"..."

"But, well, who knows when your time will come..."

****

One day until the entrance ceremony.

Although there was a day left, Seongjin's belongings had already disappeared.

He'd gone on ahead to Hand because he had business with the chairman. Only Ah-rin and Sang-ah remained at home.

But tomorrow, they, too, would be returning to Hand.

"Sniff... Are you two really leaving already?"

Ma Yunhee was sad about seeing them go.

The impression of "good unnies" had been imprinted in her mind.

"We'll see each other again soon, so no need to cry."

"But there aren't any unnies better than you—definitely not my oppa. I only felt safe having you two around that goblin of a brother."

When Yunhee complained about her brother, Sang-ah made a slightly uncomfortable face.

Having spent lots of time with Seongjin, she couldn't really deny that.

Still, she didn't think it was good for close family to badmouth each other.

"But Seongjin is a good oppa. Don't talk bad about him behind his back all the time—try complimenting him once in a while, okay?"

"... Yeah."

With all their things packed, Ah-rin and Sang-ah opened the front door.

"Well, Yunhee, take care."

"We'll come visit again."

Since the entrance ceremony was tomorrow, it was better to go ahead of time.

Seongjin just happened to leave earlier than expected.

Just as they closed the door and said goodbye—

"Unnies, wait a minute!"

At that moment, Yunhee ran out of Seongjin's room carrying something.

"This... Oppa left this behind. Mom asked me to give it to you."

It turned out to be a pair of Seongjin's underwear.

Judging by the worn spots, it clearly wasn't new.

"These look pretty old. Does he still wear these?"

"Yeah. He's probably had them since elementary school?"

"You remember the things he forgets. Guess you don't totally hate your oppa, Yunhee."

"W-well... You told me to not only criticize. Anyway, see you!"

As Ah-rin and Sang-ah left through the main entrance, their parting with Yunhee was complete.

Once they exited the apartment, Sang-ah looked down at the bag containing the underwear.

"Seongjin's old underwear, huh..."

Sang-ah murmured softly, about to place the bag in her backpack.

That's when she began to quietly smile.

"Sang-ah, why are you suddenly smiling?"

"Huh? Did I?"

"Your complexion looks off, too. Did your face get puffy from too much singing?"

"Oh, don't be silly."

Sang-ah, claiming ignorance, stuck the bag inside her already stuffed backpack.

Adding another item just made it heavier.

"Let's go!"

"Yeah."

But, despite the heavier load, Sang-ah smiled brightly.

When the bus arrived, even the bus driver was stunned.

He'd seen the sly smile Sang-ah had while boarding the bus.