Chapter 43
Chapter 43
The condition he presented was unexpected.
I couldn’t gauge his intentions at all.
“Why that?”
“There’s no particular reason. Think of it as an extension of my last request.”
I didn’t need much time to think.
It wasn’t a difficult condition, after all.
“Alright, I’ll do it.”
“Good. Here you go.”
I took the pill immediately.
Instantly, a calmness washed over me, and a sense of happiness began to fill me.
“Ah…”
With a soft sigh, I closed my eyes, immersed in the lingering euphoria.
“Rest here a bit.”
“I’m heading out now.”
Getting closer to him wouldn’t benefit me. In fact, even accepting this pill was something I shouldn’t be doing.
But I’m okay, for now.
As long as I stay clear-headed.
I can stop right before it becomes truly dangerous.
I turned my back to leave the science lab.
I was about to walk out when I paused.
I turned back to approach him again.
“Something you need?”
“…Just a little more. Enough to last until tomorrow’s class ends.”
“You’re rather bold. Anyone would think you’re entitled to it.”
“…”
How ironic.
Even the irritation I felt toward this man quickly transformed into happiness.
It left me with an indescribable sense of discomfort.
“Very well.”
He handed me the pill without any fuss.
It seemed even more suspicious, but I didn’t have a reason to question it.
I took the pill and left the lab.
—
I returned to the dorm.
It felt like it had been ages since I’d been here.
There was a hollow feeling, as if something crucial had vanished.
Every corner of the room still bore traces of Sophie.
“…”
Sophie, who had been beside me, naturally moved to the kitchen.
“Are you going to eat dinner?”
Not really.
I wasn’t hungry.
I just wanted to fall asleep in this warm feeling of happiness.
Once the pill wears off, I’ll realize that it’s all an illusion.
I want to lose consciousness before then.
Sophie sighed and shook her head.
“You really should eat. Just for today, alright?”
Sorry.
Just let it go for today.
Starting tomorrow, I’ll eat properly.
I walked past the kitchen and approached my bed.
And then I stopped in my tracks.
“…Haha.”
A smile crept onto my face.
Laughter bubbled up from inside me.
Instead of my usual single bed, a strange bunk bed was now there.
“Haha. Hahaha.”
Now? They ignored me when I needed it the most.
Now that I don’t need it, they replaced it?
What is this?
What is this supposed to mean?
It’s utterly useless.
I couldn’t focus through this ridiculous joke.
Give it back.
Don’t take away the bed filled with memories of Sophie.
I laughed.
I laughed for a long time.
Because I was so absurdly happy.
Enveloped in brain-numbing euphoria.
It was almost enough to drive me insane.
Sophie, who was sitting on the bed, asked,
“Are you happy now?”
Yes, I’m happy.
So incredibly happy.
—
Si woo looked at the empty seat with weary eyes.
He hadn’t slept a wink last night.
He couldn’t get the image out of his head.
Of all times, why did the vice-principal have to appear then?
He clenched his teeth at the absurd coincidence.
Telling himself it was nothing, just his overreaction.
But no matter how much he thought, something felt wrong.
He couldn’t leave Hana and that man alone.
Ever since he had first seen Hana in pain,
Ever since he’d snuck into her dorm to check on her,
And found that man by her bedside.
He’d known then that this man was dangerous.
A venomous gaze, like that of a snake.
Who knew what he might do?
He would certainly lead Hana to ruin.
I have to stop him.
No matter what.
Soon, the girl Si woo had been waiting for entered the classroom.
Like yesterday, she wore a bright smile.
He immediately stood up and approached her.
Upon seeing him, Hana greeted him warmly.
“Oh, Si woo! Hi!”
“…Can we talk for a moment?”
“Huh? What’s this about?”
“Let’s talk outside.”
“Um… Sure, okay.”
Thankfully, Hana agreed without hesitation.
The two of them left the classroom and moved to a secluded corner.
“What’s so important that we had to come to a quiet place like this?”
“Be honest with me. Where did you go after class yesterday?”
“I told you, I went to see the nurse for a checkup…”
“Yoo hana, I asked you to be honest.”
“…”
After a brief silence, she finally spoke the truth.
“I went to the science lab.”
“Why did you lie?”
“I thought you’d worry.”
“And why did you think I’d worry?”
Si woo’s voice grew quieter.
“…Si woo, let’s stop. You’re scaring me.”
“What did you do with him?”
“Who do you mean?”
“The science teacher! What were you doing alone with him in the lab?”
Even as Si woo’s question turned into a shout, Hana didn’t flinch.
She wore the same calm smile as before.
“We were just working on club activities.”
“And I’m supposed to believe that?”
“Si woo, what answer do you want? Are you accusing me of dating the teacher or something?”
No.
This wasn’t some trivial matter.
Something about Hana’s demeanor was… strange.
His instincts screamed that the pure girl he’d known was changing.
It was a warning that this was becoming truly dangerous.
Si woo lowered his head and, with a trembling voice, pleaded.
“…Please. Quit that club.”
“Si woo.”
“We’ve been friends for 18 years. We’re like family. So just this once, do me this favor. Don’t be around that man.”
He spoke without holding back, practically begging.
“There are rumors about him, you know. He pretends to be kind on the surface, but he’s actually really sleazy, always harassing female students…”
“That’s not the kind of person he is.”
“…”
“I appreciate your concern, but please don’t talk about him like that.”
With that, she walked past him, saying,
“I’ll be going now.”
After Hana left, Si woo stood there, unable to move for a long time.
—
This is bad.
It seems Kim Si woo has started to catch on.
How did he figure out I went to the science lab yesterday?
But that’s not the important part.
Kim Si Woo is beginning to suspect the relationship between me and him.
This doesn’t bode well.
If he finds out that I’m dependent on the pills I get from him…
He won’t just stand by. He’ll try to stop me, no matter what.
I was lost in thought, only half-listening to the class.
This isn’t good. I need to focus on class.
But no matter how much I thought, no solution came to mind.
I couldn’t keep sneaking around, making excuses to avoid Si woo forever.
As my childhood friend, he’d keep worrying about me like he does now.
But what if we weren’t friends?
When I approached it from a different perspective, a clue began to form.
Why had I been so concerned with Kim Si Woo’s attention?
I could just sever the relationship.
“Hmm…”
A thrilling wave of euphoria coursed through me at the thought.
That I would cut the thread of 18 years of friendship between Yoo hana and Kim Si woo?
Why do I feel this way?
It should be sad and painful.
So why does it feel so good?
Am I broken?
I began to draft a plan.
Seeing Si woo earlier, it was clear that if I forced the separation, he wouldn’t accept it easily.
In fact, he might cling even harder.
Then I’d just have to make him want to cut ties himself.
How?
Make him disappointed, make him disgusted.
So much that he’s embarrassed to have been my friend.
But it wouldn’t be easy to do that while still committing fully to the academy.
I decided to take more time and think it over.
Sophie, who sat beside me, asked,
“Will that really be enough?”
But what choice do I have?
If things continue like this, we’ll both just end up miserable.
In the original story, Kim Si woo eventually abandoned Yoo hana, too.
I’m just speeding it up a bit.
“Will that really be enough?”
“…”
—
Lunch break.
I headed to the library.
It was my first time coming here since entering this world.
I’d been sure I’d never need to visit this place in my life.
The reason for coming to the library was simple.
To fulfill the condition he had set.
The task was straightforward: read five books of any genre and write a review for each.
I still couldn’t understand his intentions.
Even if it was an extension of living fully.
How does this relate to living a fulfilled life?
Anyway, I had no choice but to follow his instructions.
If I didn’t, he wouldn’t give me the pill.
The library was surprisingly busy with students.
Yet, it was quiet and calm, befitting its setting.
I walked softly, maintaining the silence.
What books should I read?
Since there were no restrictions on genre, I wanted to choose something light and easy.
Maybe a comic book or a children’s story would work?
While I was busily browsing, I heard a familiar voice beside me.
“Didn’t expect to see you here. This is a surprise.”
“Oh, hi.”
I met the eyes of Han Si-hyun.
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