I Became the Childhood Friend Who Commits Suicide

Chapter 18

“Han Si-hyun?”

I hadn’t expected to hear that name here.

Why would he bring it up?

“Han Si-hyun has been investigating you.”

“…What?”

It was hard to believe. Han Si-hyun is looking into me?

…Why?

“Maybe my wording was off. She’s been looking into the admissions records for both you and Si woo.”

“Ah, I see.”

I could guess why. It was probably related to what she’d mentioned last time.

Does she still think I’m a permanent ability user?

“But why are you telling me this?”

“Doesn’t it concern you?”

“Hmm. Not particularly.”

Maybe Han Si-hyun’s suspicions are right. It’s possible that something’s twisted within me because I’ve possessed Yoo Hana.

But it doesn’t change my ultimate plan. Even if I do have abilities, I don’t know what they are or how to use them.

In the end, there’s still only one way: stick to the original plan and end it all.

Initially, Han Si-hyun’s words had made me question and hesitate, but after thinking it over, I decided firmly.

My reaction seemed to surprise him, and he made a small sound of disappointment.

“If that’s all, I’ll be on my way.”

There’s no benefit to staying here with this man any longer. I should keep my distance from villains, especially those close to the protagonist.

Without waiting for a reply, I got down from the bed. Why is there a bed in the science lab, anyway?

The surroundings feel unfamiliar, like a lab within the science building.

As I tried to pass him and leave, a sharp pain in my chest stopped me. I bit my lip hard.

Another attack. They’ve been getting more frequent lately. This isn’t good.

Thankfully, this one was milder, but it was still just as painful.

Why does pain never become easier to bear?

I couldn’t move my feet forward.

Painkillers.

I need painkillers.

But my syringe is in my bag.

My bag is in the classroom, and I’m in the science lab. So no painkillers here.

“Ugh…!”

Unable to stand on my own, I leaned against the wall, clutching my chest and willing the pain to pass.

“You seem to need some help.”

His relaxed tone felt like mockery, especially with the vial in his hand. Just seeing it made me want to scream.

“…Get lost.”

“Hmm. That’s unfortunate.”

I wanted nothing more than to get out of this awful lab, but moving was impossible until the attack subsided.

Finally, with a deep sigh, the pain faded, leaving me weak, collapsing to the floor in relief.

Meanwhile, that irritating voice continued beside me.

“Are you rejecting pills? You refused the liquid form last time, so maybe you’d prefer an injection?”

“Please, just shut up.”

“Or I could turn it into a cigarette.”

Honestly, that’s tempting. If I had a cigarette, I’d be tempted to burn that smug mouth of his.

Frustrating.

With trembling legs, I forced myself up and exited the lab. He didn’t try to stop me.

***

I collected my bag from the classroom and headed straight for the dorm.

My phone was flooded with missed calls and messages from Kim Si woo.

Isn’t this a bit obsessive? He never used to be so protective of Yoo Hana.

The last message read:

– Are you okay? Did something happen?

He really cares, doesn’t he? Well, collapsing during the first period and not being seen until the end of the day would make anyone worry.

I sent a brief reply.

– I’m fine.

That should be enough.

As I walked, I eventually reached the dorm entrance, thankfully without running into anyone.

People like Kim Si woo, Han Si-hyun, or Hong Yeonhwa.

Those nuisances always appear at the worst times.

Sophie, at least, is much better. She’s kind and not even in the original story, so there’s nothing to worry about.

Though, I didn’t anticipate this new turn of events.

“Why are you here?”

“Oh, hi… heh.”

***

How did this even happen?

I walked into my dorm room to find someone already inside.

And it’s Sophie, the very person I’d just been thinking about.

“You must be in the wrong room. This is my room.”

“No, I’m in the right place.”

“Then how did you get in? You don’t have a key.”

I’d had the door lock fixed, reporting it to the dorm supervisor. Surprisingly, the culprit had been our class president. Who knew? The class president really can’t be trusted.

“I have a key.”

Clink.

A key dangled from Sophie’s hand, adding more questions rather than answers.

“Who gave you that?”

“The dorm supervisor.”

“…Why?”

“Hana, it seems like we’ll be sharing a room from now on.”

Sharing a room? With Sophie?

Why? How?

“This is a single room.”

“It’s a bit cramped, but I think it’ll be okay, right?”

“And the bed is single-sized.”

“…Then I’ll sleep on the floor. Heh.”

That’s not what I meant. That was a polite way of saying no.

It’s true I said good things about Sophie. Compared to the others, she’s way more tolerable.

But that doesn’t mean I want to share a room. I prefer being alone.

“What’s the reason? Where’s the room you were staying in?”

“I was with a friend from Class B… but I moved to Class A.”

“What does that have to do with it? You could stay with your old roommate.”

As far as I know, the dorm rules don’t require you to change rooms based on your class.

“I didn’t want to change either… but the dorm supervisor insisted.”

“I don’t get it.”

I paced around the room, trying to understand why I’d suddenly have to share a room with Sophie. After eleven laps, I still had no answer.

“This won’t do.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I’ll have to ask directly. Something’s not right.”

I headed straight downstairs to find the dorm supervisor, protesting as best I could. The response was simple.

“It’s the policy; you’ll have to comply.”

“What policy?! At least give me a reason!”

“Because it was determined to be the best solution.”

This is insane.

She wouldn’t give me a straight answer, only telling me to accept it.

“My bed is single-sized….”

“We’ll have a bunk bed delivered by tonight. Just hold on for today.”

Nothing I said got through, so I had no choice but to return to the dorm room.

Sophie gave me an awkward smile.

“Sorry… I didn’t mean to cause you trouble.”

“Sigh. It’s fine. It’s not your fault. Just adult business, I guess.”

It’s always the kids who have to bear the brunt of it. This world is brutal.

“Still, I’m happy! I get to share a room with you, Hana. Hehe.”

“Saying that makes me sound so mean… not that I mind.”

Sure, it’s mostly a surprise, not outright dislike. If my new roommate had been Han Si-hyun or Hong Yeonhwa, I would’ve staged a hunger strike to have it canceled.

But it’s Sophie, right?

I can manage with Sophie.

“I brought as little as possible.”

“So that’s what you were doing in the science lab…?”

“Yep, it was moving preparation. Heh.”

A pause in the conversation led to an awkward silence.

Honestly, I don’t remember the last time I had a normal conversation with a friend like this.

Ever since possessing Yoo Hana, every day has been chaotic. These have been difficult days, though I’ve adjusted by now.

“Um, Hana.”

“Yeah?”

“I think I know why I’m here.”

A sudden confession?

That piqued my curiosity.

“What is it?”

“I think it’s because of my ability…?”

“Ability? What kind of ability?”

“It’s nothing amazing. It’s a passive ability that calms the minds of people around me.”

A passive ability… and one that soothes people?

The more I thought about it, the more it seemed ambiguous.

It didn’t sound useful in combat.

Then I recalled what the counselor had mentioned—that my condition would improve if Sophie was around.

That’s probably why they made her move into my dorm.

A passive ability, which means it’s probably affecting me now?

Not sure. I don’t feel any different, though.

“…I’ve heard a bit about the rumors with Si-hyun…”

“The rumors are exaggerated. It was just a minor argument.”

“Yeah, I didn’t think you’d get into a serious fight either.”

Of course, Sophie believes me.

Just thinking about that disciplinary committee still makes me so angry I could cry.

Even after defending myself as best as I could, they handed down a harsh punishment.

Well, I guess if it led me to meet Sophie, there’s a silver lining.

“So, um….”

Sophie fidgeted, then raised her finger cautiously. As I followed her gaze, I noticed something.

“What’s with that rope hanging from the ceiling…?”

Oh, I hadn’t taken that down yet.

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