I Became the Childhood Friend Who Commits Suicide

Chapter 26

“Huh?”

Something felt off, so I glanced back, but nothing unusual stood out. The academy grounds looked just the same as usual.

“What’s wrong?”

Juhyun asked as I tilted my head in confusion.

“Nothing. I think I just imagined it.”

It felt like someone was following us, but… it was probably just a trick of my mind.

“Oh, we’re at the dorm already.”

Lost in conversation, we’d reached our destination before I realized.

“Take care, and thanks for the help today.”

“It’s no big deal. It wasn’t really difficult.”

Actually, I’m the one who should be grateful. I don’t know how to explain what happened in the cathedral, but I feel like it genuinely helped.

I waved goodbye.

There’s something else I’m thankful for, too: it turns out friends really should stick with supporting characters with minimal story relevance.

Until this morning, I didn’t even remember Juhyun’s existence, yet now I realize he’s a pretty good guy.

Humming to myself, I entered the dorm. Today, I feel unusually lighthearted. Maybe it’s because the pain has disappeared? The constant, sticky fatigue that usually clung to me is gone, too.

From behind, I thought I heard a familiar voice, but… it’s probably just my imagination.

—

“Hana.”

“Yes?”

“Are you in any club?”

That’s the first thing Sophie asked as soon as I got to the room.

A club? Where did that come from?

In a flash, my mind jumped to that grimy, creepy science lab—and even worse, the insufferable science teacher.

My face twisted involuntarily, and Sophie flinched.

“…S-sorry. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”

“No, it’s not that. I just remembered something unpleasant all of a sudden.”

Even though Sophie’s been opening up more and acting friendlier, she’s naturally quite shy. Other than me, she doesn’t really talk to anyone in class.

So, I try to make an effort with her. I can’t help but feel a bit sorry for her… and there’s something relatable about her situation too.

“No, I’m not in any club.”

To answer the question, no, I’m not. The Science Exploration Club? That was just a hastily created excuse to avoid Kim Si woo. Thanks to Han Si-hyun’s unexpected appearance, it’s on the verge of becoming an official club.

“That’s perfect. So, do you want to join a club with me?”

“…Suddenly? What kind of club?”

“Hmm. I haven’t decided yet.”

That answer was… surprising. She’d sounded so confident I assumed she already had something in mind.

“So, you’re planning to start one from scratch?”

“Yup! As long as we meet the conditions, we can start any club we want. What do you think?”

“Uh…”

Is there any reason I really need to be in a club? Besides, I won’t even be here after Wednesday next week.

But eventually, I realized that it might not be such a bad idea. For one, it’d mean I wouldn’t have to join that awful Science Exploration Club.

I’d honestly rather spend time with Sophie, who’s kind, than with that loathsome teacher. And didn’t Han Si-hyun say she’d join that club too? Spending club hours with the two of them would be torture.

“Alright, I’ll join.”

“Really? Great! Now we just need one more member!”

“…It’s just the two of us so far, huh.”

When I think about it, it makes sense. Aside from each other, we don’t really have any other friends.

“All we need are three members and an advisor, and we can officially register.”

“Members aside, do you think we can find a teacher to sponsor us?”

While it’s true that it’s still the beginning of the term, most clubs have already been established, and the teachers are usually already assigned as advisors. So finding a teacher might be tough.

“Don’t you know a teacher? I mean, I saw you with the first-year science teacher…”

“No. Absolutely not.”

“Oh…? But maybe just asking wouldn’t hurt…”

“No.”

The rejection came out so quickly that the air turned awkward for a moment. I cleared my throat and quickly added an excuse.

“He’s already in charge of another club. That’s why.”

“Ah, I see! You almost gave me the wrong impression!”

No, that’s probably not a misunderstanding. You’re on the right track.

“Since we’ll have to approach teachers directly at school anyway, let’s first decide what kind of club we want to create.”

“Sounds good! What kind of club would you like, Hana?”

“…I haven’t really thought about it.”

After all, I’ll only be in the club for a few days at most. Actually, just two if you don’t count Wednesday.

So, maybe it’d be best to pick a club we can enjoy without worries—something unrelated to academics or combat.

“Why do you want to start a club, anyway?”

“Hmm, I just… want us to hang out together?”

Thankfully, it seems Sophie’s thinking along the same lines.

“Then how about a board game club?”

“Oh, that sounds fun! Or maybe a manga club?”

Either would be fine, but will there be a teacher willing to sponsor it? Pure hobby clubs like that don’t have the best reputation.

“Then tomorrow, let’s pick up the application form and register right away!”

“Sure.”

“Hehe, I’m excited. Aren’t you?”

“Yeah.”

We stayed up late into the night, discussing the club we’d create. We even ended up sharing the same cramped single bed to sleep, still in a cozy huddle from our conversation.

They still hadn’t given me the top bunk they promised.

“…Hehe. Hana… I really like you…”

Sophie murmured in her sleep, hugging me tightly. I chuckled and closed my eyes.

…Maybe life at the academy isn’t so bad after all.

—

Early the next morning, the two of us headed to the teacher’s office. Our homeroom teacher handed us the application form without a word.

At first, I thought he just didn’t care about his students, but now I think he might actually have his own, quieter way of looking after us. He’s rather stoic, but not cold exactly.

Back in class, we looked through the club list.

“Looks like there’s already a manga club.”

“Guess that one’s off the table.”

Unfortunately, we can’t apply for a duplicate club. Apparently, even if the names are slightly different, applications tend to get rejected for being too similar. For example, they might consolidate a soccer club and a futsal club.

“Anime club, webtoon club, web novel club… they’re all taken.”

“Why do those even exist?”

Academy students—how bored must they be to create clubs like these?

“At least your board game club idea hasn’t been taken. Should we go with that?”

“I’m fine with it.”

“Then it’s settled!”

Now that we’d picked our club, we needed members. During our chat last night, we agreed on one thing: no Kim Si woo.

Thanks to Sophie’s thoughtfulness, she wanted to help me keep some distance from him.

The problem is, aside from him, we don’t really have close friends in class. But maybe it’ll work out somehow.

“How about Juhyun?”

“…Juhyun? Are you close with him?”

“We’re not exactly close, but I ran into him yesterday. He’s nice.”

“Hmm… He’s okay, but…”

Sophie pondered the suggestion longer than expected.

“Alright, if it’s someone you chose, I trust you. Hehe.”

“…You can say no if you don’t want to.”

“No, I think Juhyun would be fine.”

So, our new recruit target was Shin Juhyun. Since I suggested it, I’d be the one to ask him, of course.

With my nerves in check, I got up from my seat.

The result was… no one paid me any attention. It was break time, so nobody cared.

Well, except for one person. I made eye contact with Kim Si woo.

Why’s he looking at me like that?

He seemed… a bit upset, for some reason.

What’s wrong with him? Oh, could it be because things aren’t going well with Han Si-hyun?

It’s still hard to believe they’re dating, but… since the original story is already off course, I guess it’s not too surprising.

Ignoring Si woo, I approached Juhyun.

“Hey, Juhyun.”

“…Yeah?”

“Hi! Did you get home okay yesterday?”

“Yeah. What’s up?”

He asked, looking slightly uneasy, and kept glancing over his shoulder.

When I looked back, the only one who seemed to care was Kim Si woo. I guess he’s watching proudly, seeing Yoo Hana—who’s always been a loner—finally approach someone.

“Do you want to join a club?”

“A club? What kind?”

“It’s, um… a board game club. Sophie and I are starting it ourselves. …What do you think?”

Ugh, so embarrassing. I couldn’t help but fidget.

I heard someone grinding their teeth from behind, clearly annoyed.

Juhyun smiled awkwardly. “Sorry, I’m already in a club.”

“Oh… Well, that’s okay.”

“But thanks for asking.”

“Which club are you in?”

“The Bible study club.”

“Ah.”

That’s… so Juhyun.

I returned to my seat, empty-handed.

“We struck out.”

“Oh well, we’ll just have to find someone else!”

“But we don’t really have anyone else to ask.”

Sophie chuckled and pointed somewhere.

“Right there.”

“…Huh?”

I followed her gaze and immediately locked eyes with the person.

“Honestly, I thought you’d ask her first. You guys are so close.”

Close? That’s a misunderstanding. It’s really not like that.

I quickly looked away, but it was too late.

She was already getting up and walking toward me.

“Hey, mutt. What’s with that look on your face?”

I am not!

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