I Became the Childhood Friend Who Commits Suicide

Chapter 22

Back at school, Si-hyun went straight to find Si woo.

“So, you and Hana skipped all the morning classes. Where’d you go?”

“How did you know Hana was with me?”

“Sophie told me.”

Si-hyun nodded, remembering the girl she’d run into in the dorm earlier.

“I explained last time why I hurt Hana, right?”

“…You mentioned it was because of something about abilities.”

“Exactly. I still believe the same thing. That’s why I took Hana to find out for sure.”

“Find out? Where?”

Should she tell him the truth?

The basement of the main building was off-limits to most students. Si-hyun’s sister, Se-hee, had made it clear to keep it confidential.

But Si woo wasn’t just anyone. Everything Si-hyun was doing now was for Yoo Hana’s sake. And Hana and Kim Si woo were practically inseparable.

“The basement of the main building.”

“…The main building’s basement?”

“I’ll explain more later. The important thing now is that we looked up Hana’s ability information.”

“You found her ability? How’d it go?”

Si woo was listening closely.

“We couldn’t see it.”

Si woo sighed, his tension easing slightly—until she continued.

“It was blocked as Level 1 classified information.”

“…Level 1? Why?”

He was baffled. What about Hana could warrant that kind of classification?

“I’m not sure yet, either. But one thing’s clear: Hana isn’t just an ordinary person without an ability. There’s something hidden.”

“…”

Si woo absorbed her words, clearly troubled.

“I’ll ask my sister. You should try to find out more, too.”

“But how…?”

Unlike Si-hyun, he didn’t have connections or resources.

“Hana’s an orphan, right?”

“Hey.”

“Not in a bad way! Just… isn’t she?”

She wasn’t wrong, but it felt strangely blunt.

“So, it means that you’re probably the closest person to her.”

“That’s true.”

“That’s why you’re the one best positioned to figure out her ability. Abilities often connect to a person’s life experiences.”

“I get what you’re saying.”

Si woo felt a weight settle on his shoulders. Could he really help her?

Wasn’t he the one who had been more of a burden to Hana recently? It was almost embarrassing to admit that a certain science teacher had done more for her than he had…

Layer upon layer of frustrating situations had left Si woo with a hidden sense of helplessness and inferiority.

Si-hyun watched him for a moment before pulling out a small piece of paper.

“Here.”

“…What’s this?”

Unfolding it, Si woo saw an unfamiliar script and frowned.

*מָשִׁיחַ*

“This is the only piece of information related to Hana’s ability. I quickly jotted it down when I saw it.”

“This…?”

“I don’t know what language it is yet. I’ll look it up, but you should too. Stop sulking and get to work.”

Her words were blunt, yet there was a trace of kindness hidden within them.

In that moment, Si woo felt like he understood Si-hyun a little better.

Then he noticed Hana peeking around the door, and their eyes met.

After a brief pause, Hana stammered an explanation.

“I-I was just wondering where you two had gone off to, so I…!”

“It’s nothing important. We just…”

“It’s fine! I didn’t see anything! I definitely didn’t see you two passing love notes to each other or anything like that! …But to think you’re already at that stage… Isn’t it a bit too soon?”

“…What?”

Si woo was utterly lost, unable to process what Hana was saying.

“I-I mean, anyway! I’ll just leave you to it! Good luck!”

Hana’s head disappeared, leaving Si woo standing there, staring blankly at the spot where she had been.

Meanwhile, Si-hyun didn’t seem fazed at all.

“Well, I’ve said everything I needed to, so I’ll be going.”

“…”

Alone, Si woo was left wondering how to even begin clearing up this misunderstanding.

***

Friday’s classes ended, marking the end of a tumultuous week at the academy.

Of course, Monday was missed due to a self-inflicted injury, Thursday had been mostly spent unconscious, and today was cut short for a pseudo-spy mission with Han Si-hyun. Minor issues.

All I wanted now was to head back to the dorm and relax. I was done with drama—I just wanted to spend a quiet evening with Sophie.

As I gathered my things, Kim Si woo approached.

“Hana.”

“Oh, hey?”

What was it this time? I really hoped he’d stop paying so much attention to me and focus on his love life.

When did they start dating, anyway? In the original, they didn’t get together until late in the story, mainly because of the harem dynamic and all the rival love interests.

Hana was more of a vague bystander than a competitor in that lineup.

Maybe my possession had caused some butterfly effect. It made me appreciate how delicate these changes could be.

“Are you free tomorrow?”

“Hm? What’s happening tomorrow?”

Of course, I had plenty of time—I didn’t have plans. But I wasn’t keen on spending it with Kim Si woo.

“If you’re free, want to go out?”

“…Out? Outside the academy?”

“Yeah. It’s been a while since I’ve been home. Haven’t seen the teachers or other kids in ages.”

I didn’t expect that suggestion.

But it made sense. We came from the same orphanage; in a way, we were family. But why was Yoo Hana overlooked in the original story? Maybe it wasn’t disdain—maybe they were just too familiar.

The same way people often miss their parents’ pain while fussing over their friends’ small issues.

It was a sad reality.

Perhaps Si woo’s recent, almost obsessive focus on Hana was like that. It’s the kind of guilt you feel only after realizing too late what you’ve overlooked. Hearing about Hana’s pain from someone else might have jolted him.

…Stupid guy. Why couldn’t you have cared sooner?

It wasn’t even really me he was talking to anymore.

As I forced a smile, I felt a pang of guilt. It felt wrong to stain Hana’s memories like this.

But there was no other choice. Telling the whole truth would only lead to greater chaos. Nothing would remain but regrets and scars.

So I smiled. Forcing it as I always did.

“Sorry. I actually already have plans with Sophie tomorrow….”

“Wait, with me?” Sophie chimed in.

“…Sophie? Weren’t you heading back to the dorm?”

I could’ve sworn I saw her leave earlier.

“I was waiting to walk back with you!”

“Oh…”

“Wait, were you two talking about me?”

“Well, uh…”

Before I could answer, Si woo stepped in.

“Could you push back your plans with Hana until later? Just this once?”

“Hm…”

Sophie looked at me, and I braced myself, unsure what she’d think of my fake plan. I shut my eyes, waiting for her response.

“Alright, I’ll let you have her this time.”

“Really? Thanks!”

“On one condition.”

With a small smile, Sophie turned to me.

“I want to come along, too. That’s okay?”

“…Oh? Uh, sure, I guess.”

I agreed without thinking. That wasn’t how this was supposed to go.

Now, I was headed back to Hana’s old home—with Sophie and Si woo.

***

On the way back to the dorm, I couldn’t resist asking Sophie.

“Why didn’t you call me out just now?”

“Call you out? On what?”

“The promise we made—it was a lie.”

“Hehe. Was it?”

Sophie smiled, spinning around playfully before turning to face me.

“You seemed uncomfortable, so I just went along with it!”

“…That’s it?”

“Huh? Isn’t that enough?”

I guess… the way she put it, it seemed like I was the one overthinking.

“That’s just something friends do for each other, right?”

“Friends…”

“What? We’re friends, aren’t we? You agreed to that!”

“Yeah… We’re friends.”

“Hehe, good. For a second, I was afraid I was the only one who thought so.”

As our conversation paused, we continued toward the dorm in silence. The streets were tinged with a soft, orange hue as the evening sun dipped lower.

Just a few days ago, I saw this same view with Si woo. But tonight, it was Sophie walking beside me.

“Being around Si woo is awkward, huh?”

“Eh? Oh… yeah, a little.”

“You’re uncomfortable being with him?”

“That’s…”

The words caught in my throat. She’d hit the nail on the head.

But how could I admit that? Everyone knew Hana and Si woo had been childhood friends.

“If that’s the case, then I’ll help.”

“…Huh?”

“It’s okay. We’re friends, remember?”

Sophie’s bright smile softened as it glowed under the fading sunlight.

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