Minji's POV
*flashback*
"I rank first for three consecutive years, father" I stood firmly in front of his work desk. It became mandatory for me to report my achievement. I had always felt this suffocating feeling when I was in his room.
"I will be prioritized to serve the most prospective noble. As long as I prove my loyalty, our life will be guaranteed" I added, explaining how advantageous this achievement was, in case he didn't understand. Because all my life, he never understood.
I didn't expect him to shower me with praise, but I hoped to see a glimpse of happiness on his face. However, all I got was a poker face. He tilted his head, "Are you being proud right now?"
"Can I.... not?" I replied.
"I get your result. When I compare it to the second place, there's only 2 points difference. Do you understand what that means? You're not that SPECIAL even though you get the first place" he diverted his attention away from me as if he wasn't interested in talking about this topic anymore.
I persisted, "but I managed to get it under control! Until the end of the training period, I didn't let her get higher or even the same place as me!"
"Watch your mouth, Minji! If only you worked harder, then the difference would be higher!" he stood up and left the room furiously.
Why did he care about that? I already got the highest position... Was that not enough?
-
"I've already told you to accept it, Minji! Why won't you accept her offer?! WHY?" he was yelling in front of me. I just arrived home, and this was all I got. Surely, news traveled fast.
I got an offer to serve the daughter of Yeon family, an aristocrat whose name was already known for years now. She asked me to be the person in charge of her political matter. I have spent years learning about business and self-defense, yet she asked me to be none of them.
It was a truly great opportunity of course. That's why I kept fighting for another position she could give me, but there's nothing. So, I didn't have any choice other than to refuse.
Lee family had offered me a position they hadn't elaborated more about. I still had the chance there.
"Because it's not my passion, father."
"WHO CARES ABOUT PASSION? As long as you CAN do that, why WON'T you?!" my father kept yelling. I didn't even remember the last time we had a decent conversation. It always ended up with my father raising his voice.
"You're a disappointment, Minji. If you can't contribute anything, why don't you just disappear then?!" was the last thing my father said before leaving the room.
Again...
I ended up thinking...
Just whose life should I live for?
-
*Back to the present*
"So hypocritical, right?" I chuckled to myself, remembering what it was like living with him for years. "I hate living life with the standard he set for me. Now, I'm used to living with high standards, I want people to see what I see, feel what I feel, and achieve what I want to achieve. Hey, Y/n, if this is not selfishness, then I don't know what it is."
3rd person's POV
"I think that's not selfishness," Y/n said. The gasp from Minji somehow showed how taken aback she was. However, that's not the climax.
Y/n added her statement, "That's just daddy issue... At least, to me"
Minji burst out laughing. Well, that was unexpected, "You put it nicely. You don't have to pity me, just say what you want to say. I won't be mad this time I promise."
Instead of a response, Y/n opened the door, reminding them that they had been talking without seeing each other's face. Minji, whose forehead was still on the door suddenly was being pulled into Y/n's embrace as she couldn't feel anything to support her head. Now, her forehead met Y/n's shoulder instead.
Having a sudden rush of blood, Minji could feel her face getting red. She was about to pull out when she felt Y/n's hand on her nape. So, she stayed that way for a while.
"Is it weird... if I admire your ambition?" Y/n started.
"A-ambition?"
"Yes, it's not selfishness to me. The fact that you want to apologize. The fact that you want to introspect yourself. The fact that you're ready to hear my criticism. That's selfless."
This time, Y/n released the hug and cupped Minji's face to look at her, "You have outstanding hard skills and your traits, just wow, you are extraordinary. That's why you are ALLOWED to ask for someone with the same quality. Don't ever lower your standard just because people ask you to." And with that, Y/n showed Minji the widest grin she had ever given to someone.
Something shifted in Minji's mind (or maybe feeling as well) since that moment. She never felt this kind of thing, so she didn't know, but there was a difference between the first time Y/n greeted her and now.
It might be admiration or maybe an emotional attachment because she felt like she was understood. One thing for sure, Y/n had climbed Minji's priority list.
Minji's thought was disturbed by a rumbling sound from Y/n's stomach. They just stared at each other before bursting another laughter.
"Is dinner... still ready?" Y/n timidly asked.
"Of course, bro. We leave some for you" Minji pinched Y/n's cheek.
-
Morning came, Y/n and Minji already went to the yard for another training. Hanni who woke up early even was surprised.
"Don't make eye contact! Don't ask for help with your eyes!"
"Yes, master"
"Louder!"
"Yes, master!"
"If you follow the practice well, I'm an angel, but if you don't, you will know no break."
Hanni just stood there, literally representing a facepalm without the need to say it.
"The heck, do we miss something?" poor Dani was woken up by the loudness.
"Dani unnie, language..." Haerin yawned.
"But seriously, what drugs are they on?" now it was Hyein.
"Just go back to sleep, kids" Hanni ended the conversation.