IWUC 05

But she wouldn’t cry in front of me. That’s just the kind of person my sister was. I gave a small smile.

“Do you want to sleep here for a bit, noona?”

“At the funeral hall?”

“Yeah. There’s no one else coming anymore.”

“I have to work. Grandma sent all the helpers away.”

Those damn leeches. The funeral costs were already deducted from the inheritance—why are they interfering however they want?

“You’ve been the only one serving and cleaning up food since this morning?”

She nodded. My insides felt like they were burning. She hadn’t slept since the day Mom passed away.

That made it three days now.

I at least caught a few short naps here and there—but she hadn’t even done that.

“Get some sleep. I’ll handle the food.”

She stared at me silently, then let out a small sigh and nodded.

“This feels like a dream.”

“What does?”

“You acting like this. Maybe I’m not in my right mind after staying up all night.”

“Noona…”

“You’re right. I should get some sleep. If this is a dream, I’ll wake up.”

She laid out a cushion and lay down. I covered her with my jacket. She must’ve been exhausted—she fell asleep the moment she closed her eyes.

Listening to her soft breathing, I turned off the lights in the funeral hall filled with the scent of chrysanthemums and quietly shut the door.

A sigh escaped me.

Cha Dowon, you pathetic bastard.

You made her suffer until the very end.

I won’t live like that again.

Let’s succeed, noona. You’ll achieve your dream of becoming a doctor, and I’ll rise to the top.

Never again.

This time, I’ll protect you.

Just like you protected me.

I pulled out my smartphone. Beyond the bright screen, the leeches wriggled.

I looked at the bald men.

“First, I’ll deal with those guys.”

When I turned on the screen, white text still floated over a black background.

[cheat mode 1/3]

Loud laughter filled the room.

I quietly tapped the screen.

[Funeral Hall Room 301 → All people aged 50+ → Set hair follicles to 0 in 5 minutes]

The screen filled with white dots. What would the price be this time?

Soon, text appeared.

[Modification complete.]

I pressed confirm without hesitation.

[Side effect: Toes will feel itchy for 2 seconds.]

Huh. That’s weak.

[cheat mode 2/3]

So there’s a limit too?

Just as I was thinking, my toes suddenly itched. But two seconds passed in an instant.

What the hell. I let out a laugh.

“Nice. Very nice.”

I walked toward them.

The leeches, clueless as ever, were passing around slices of boiled pork and bottles of soju.

In five minutes, all their hair follicles would be gone.

May you rest in peace.

I clasped my hands in mock prayer—

Then suddenly, my grandmother—whom I hadn’t seen in seven years—spoke.

“Dowon, come here.”

I approached her.

“Yes, you called?”

“Have you organized the inheritance yet?”

The body hadn’t even been buried yet. That was fast.

“I’ll start soon.”

“Leave it to me. I’m good at these things. You’re the eldest grandson now—you should act like it. That fox-like woman took everything, and it burned me up inside. But now it’s good.”

I barely suppressed a laugh.

A fifteen-year-old acting as head of the family?

Right. Before my regression, this was exactly how they took everything Mom left behind.

Greedy old woman.

When I asked her to repay the money she borrowed, what did she say again?

Oh right—she cursed me out.

“Grandma.”

“Yes?”

“I had a dream yesterday. You know how spiritually gifted Mom was, right?”

Her expression changed instantly.

I straightened my shoulders and spoke loudly.

“The moment she saw me, she grabbed my hand and cried. She told me to trust only people who aren’t bald. And before she left… she said she placed a curse.”

It was nonsense, of course.

Mom would resolve karma if anything—but curses and dark arts were never her thing.

“W-What?”

“She said anyone who covets the inheritance will lose their hair. Anyway, she told me to trust people who still have hair.”

The murmuring stopped.

I looked around.

“Probably just a dream. I mean, there’s no way your hair would actually—”

At that moment—

My grandmother’s curly hair began falling out in clumps.

“AHHH!”

Wow. What a scream.

My uncles stared blankly at her—then grabbed their own heads.

Not like they had much left to begin with.

Pathetic strands fluttered down to the floor.

Trying to catch them in their hands was useless.

I watched leisurely.

This was…

A spectacle.

“Feels like modern art.”

The screams formed an orchestra—low and high pitches echoing through the funeral hall.

I covered my mouth.

I can’t stop laughing.

The food on the table was covered in hair.

Grandma clutched her fallen hair and shrieked.

“Cha Yeonhwa, you wicked woman!”

No matter how much she cursed, the dead do not speak.

Sorry, Mom.

I blamed you.

Though… you probably wouldn’t care.

I raised my voice again.

“If hair isn’t enough, she said she’d use another curse—”

“AAAAAH!”

My uncles scattered, hair flying everywhere.

I crossed my arms, watching.

Their heavy bodies flailing as they ran—

It was deeply satisfying.

“Nice.”

Watching Grandma leave last, clutching her handbag, I shrugged.

That was… surprisingly clean.

I looked at my phone and grinned.

“So time-delayed attacks work too?”

This was incredibly versatile.

I glanced around. The hair-covered food looked pitiful.

Let’s clean this up.

I can’t let Mom’s final moments look like this.

Anyone would think a dog got shaved here.

A vacuum would clog… where’s a broom?

Just as I was thinking—

Someone entered the funeral hall.

“Ah…”

It was someone I hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Aunt.”

My aunt and uncle, dressed in black.

A faint smile formed.

Back then, I didn’t realize it—but now I did.

She really looks like Mom.

Well, they were sisters.

“Sorry we’re late.”

I shook my head and returned to the mourner’s position.

After exchanging bows, a quiet atmosphere settled.

“Where’s Sora?”

“She’s sleeping over there.”

“It’s quieter than I expected.”

I scratched my cheek.

“It was noisy earlier, but I kicked them all out.”

My aunt smiled faintly.

Ah—she thinks I’m joking.

Her smile looks even more like Mom’s.

For a moment, I missed her deeply.

I took a breath and looked at them.

Back then, I didn’t know.

That these were the people who would help me without expecting anything in return.

I spoke carefully.

“May I ask for a favor?”

My aunt looked at me.

“Please help me.”

She looked surprised.

I kept smiling gently.

“You’re the only ones I can ask. As you know… my paternal relatives are leeches.”

“Oh my.”

My aunt and uncle exchanged looks.

Then they turned back to me.

“What do you need help with?”

“The inheritance. I don’t know much about taxes. You’re both experts in this.”

My uncle, with a kind but lean face, nodded.

He works at a bank.

I exhaled softly.

“Please lend me your wisdom. My sister and I don’t know anything.”

They were silent.

In that brief moment, I swallowed my anxiety.

I could do it alone if I had to…

But as a fifteen-year-old, they were the only reliable family I had.

“Sora is twenty, right?”

I nodded.

“That’s a tough age to handle inheritance.”

My aunt placed her hand on my head.

“We were actually talking on the way here. If you asked for help, we planned to handle the legal side.”

Her gentle touch stroked my hair.

“But your relatives are… quite vulgar. If they got involved, I thought there wouldn’t be much I could do…”

She lightly tapped my cheek.

“Thank you for trusting me.”

I quickly shook my head.

“No, I should be the one apologizing for bothering you.”

“Leave the legal matters to us. My husband knows many professionals in this field. Right?”

My uncle smiled and patted my arm.

“I know plenty of legal scriveners. Don’t worry.”

Maybe it was their smiles—

But I found myself genuinely smiling too.

A heavy burden lifted from my chest.

I’ll repay this kindness.

When I succeed, I’ll give them the best of everything.

Whatever that may be.

So, Cha Dowon—

You have to succeed.

I touched the phone in my pocket.

Will this help me succeed?

Then my aunt spoke.

“Dowon, there’s something we need to settle first.”

“Yes, Aunt.”

“We can’t help you for free.”

…What?

It felt like cold water was poured over my back.

She smiled.

“There’s one condition.”

“M-Ma’am… what condition?”

“Dear, maybe we should—”

“Don’t stop me. This isn’t an opportunity that comes often.”

She rested her chin on her hand and looked at me.

I felt like prey before a predator.

“Dowon.”

“Yes?”

“Try acting cute.”

…What?

I stared at her, stunned.

She beckoned with her fingers.

“You can say ‘Auntie, please help me.’ Go on, try it.”

“Honey, that’s enough.”

“Don’t stop me! A cheerful, handsome boy acting cute? Do you know how rare that is?”

My uncle sighed and grabbed my shoulder.

“You don’t have to do it.”

“No! I must see it!”

I blinked.

Honestly…

This feels familiar.

Whenever I asked for more allowance, Mom used to do this.

I scratched my cheek.

“You really are sisters.”

“She used to brag about you all the time. You’ve grown a lot—but you’re still a pretty boy.”

“Well… I am pretty handsome.”

“Exactly. So just once—please?”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

She was so lively.

After laughing for a while, I wiped my tears.

Their gazes felt warm.

Why didn’t I realize this before?

If I had, things would’ve been easier.

I gently took my aunt’s hand and placed it against my cheek.

Then I smiled softly.

“Please, Aunt.”

“Oh my!”

She burst into laughter.

I could write my name with my butt too…

But yeah—maybe not.

“Oh my goodness! So cute!”

She hugged me tightly, then let go.

Wow. This is embarrassing.

I turned away, face flushed.

She patted my shoulder.

“Every time I see you and Sora, I envy your mother.”

“A-Aunt…”

“But don’t do that elsewhere. It’s dangerous. Oh my heart.”

My uncle stepped in.

“That’s enough. He’s turning red.”

“That’s what makes it better! A shy pretty boy!”

“Goodness… don’t mind her.”

…Was she always like this?

I remember her being strict.

But she was incredibly cheerful.

“Your mother must’ve had it hard—leaving behind such a beautiful child.”

…Did she just call a boy “beautiful”?