I've decided
I've decided
"I don't know the cause, but it's a huge relief that the Guild Leader's condition has returned to normal."
The researchers couldn't hide their bewildered expressions, but since the Guild Leader's physical condition had returned to normal regardless, they nodded with relieved expressions and spoke.
Han Seol also looked down at her hand for a moment, then gave a small nod, appearing to accept the situation.
The atmosphere inside the examination room was still chaotic, but at least the results themselves seemed to be settling in a good direction, so it was a relief.
I had been a little worried that they might interrogate me, asking if I had done anything.
[It is considered unlikely that you will be caught.]
Since you can't ignore what's usually called human intuition.
Han Seol slowly walked toward me.
"Jia. It's over."
"Y-yes..."
Is it because of what happened earlier?
For some reason, it was strangely difficult to meet her eyes.
Of course, I couldn't be sure that Han Seol knew anything, but should I say I felt guilty for no reason...
I kept glancing at random places like her toes and fingertips for no reason, then carefully opened my mouth.
"Um..."
"Hm?"
"I don't know much, but... listening to what you were talking about earlier, wasn't your health not so good?"
"......"
"A-are you okay?"
At my question, Han Seol blinked for a moment, then stroked my hair once with a slightly softened expression.
"Just having you worry about me makes me feel like I'm all better."
Uh, uh...
That felt a bit too natural...
"Ah, no, that's..."
Of course, she was definitely older than me when I was a man, but since it was my first time having my hair stroked by a girl around my age, I looked up at her with a bewildered expression.
"Hehe, thanks."
Is there a reason to be thankful... It felt weird because her reaction was as if she had noticed what I did.
[Perhaps she is being considerate...]
Yeah... Still, I was slightly relieved that the situation didn't seem to have become complicated, but a strange feeling of discomfort still remained in a corner of my heart.
"Hmm... I think it would be best to stop here for today."
"Y-yes?"
"Jia, you just got discharged, too. You must be tired, so I thought it would be better for you to go home and rest today rather than moving around unnecessarily."
Home...
The moment I heard that word, my ears perked up without me realizing it.
Actually, I had been curious since earlier. What kind of place is the house Han Seol lives in? I had decided to follow her and live together, but naturally, I had no way of knowing where she lived or how she lived.
[Shall I look it up for you?]
'No... I'm going there anyway, so is there a need to find out... And that's a crime...'
I stopped Sis, who was trying to commit a crime so casually, and fell into thought.
If it's the Guild Leader's house, would it be a really nice place?
Or is it surprisingly ordinary?
Anyway, since it's the place where I'm most likely to be staying now, I couldn't help but be curious.
Of course, I think staying in the guild building would be fine, but because of everything that has happened so far, I wanted to go somewhere and rest. Since I could barely be alone when I was in the hospital room...
"I, I'll go..."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Han Seol nodded and looked back toward the researchers.
"Then I'll be going for today."
"You're leaving already?"
"I'm on vacation, so it doesn't matter. You guys work hard."
"Wow, that's mean."
The guild people seem really close.
Of course, Han Seol was talking bluntly as per her usual personality, but as much as possible, the people were all reacting kindly.
"Jia, get home safely."
"I'll have snacks ready when you come next time!"
"Hey, it's not a hospital, why are you preparing snacks?"
"Can't you even let me say hello to the kid?"
They even greeted me with bright smiles.
"No...!! Jiaaaaa~!"
Ju-yeon sent me off while crying as if we were parting forever.
I mean, I'm coming back here anyway...
I waved my hand back with a bewildered expression and replied.
Everyone reacted as if it were sudden when I said I was going home, but they didn't hold me back.
Anyway, it was vacation time, and we only came to check on my physical condition, so...
.
.
.
That's how we left the guild and headed home.
At first, I was busy looking around here and there because the outside scenery I was seeing anew was fascinating.
'Home, huh...'
As I thought about the new house I would be going to, I suddenly remembered the house I was originally supposed to return to.
Back when I was Hyun-woo, or to be precise, before I became this body.
I suddenly remembered the studio apartment I lived in when I was a man and the people around it.
The store manager.
The landlady.
The convenience store I often stopped by.
People I saw occasionally.
What would those people think if they saw that I had suddenly disappeared?
Without any contact... No, I was worried they might be surprised since I had suddenly disappeared without a trace.
If I had known this would happen, should I have properly taken my phone?
It wasn't a situation where I could have taken it even if I wanted to, but I couldn't help feeling that regret.
Maybe they might even file a missing person report.
If so, would it even be known to the people around me?
'She would probably be really worried...'
Thinking about my orphanage peer, my expression stiffened without me realizing it.
My body had ended up like this, and with the situation flowing like this, suddenly going and revealing the truth was no easy task.
If I went now and said something like, "Actually, I was a man in his 20s named Hyun-woo," who would believe me?
Not believing it is the standard, and even if they did believe it, wouldn't they ask if I had been deceiving them all this time and kick me out?
It might even cause a big disaster.
[Administrator.]
As I was lost in thought, Sis spoke to me quietly.
'Hm?'
[If you wish to reveal the truth, this point in time is actually close to the last moment you can reveal the truth without taking almost any risk.]
'... The last moment?'
[Yes. As more time passes, your life and relationships as Han Jia will become increasingly solidified. Conversely, right now, the special circumstance of being "just rescued from the laboratory" still remains, so even if you bring up the story from before you became a test subject, they can accept the shock and confusion as an extension of the situation to some extent.]
I couldn't say anything for a moment. Sis continued speaking in a very calm, yet clear tone.
[Especially, bringing up the story that you were originally a man, the story from before you became a test subject, is clearly not an easy thing to do.]
[However, if it's Han Seol, there is a high possibility that she will understand how difficult such a confession is.]
'... Would she really?'
[I cannot be certain. However... she is at least not the type of person to unconditionally deny or mock you.]
That was true.
Although I hadn't known her for that long, I couldn't not know that Han Seol was at least not that kind of person.
"Why are you like that?"
Han Seol, who was walking ahead, slowed her pace a little and looked back at me.
"Are you very tired? If you're not feeling well, you have to tell me right away."
"Ah, no..."
I hurriedly shook my head. Han Seol examined my face for a moment, then walked at my pace again.
"Since I don't know what happened there... if anything feels even slightly wrong with your body, you have to tell your unnie right away, okay?"
"Yes..."
After answering shortly, I asked Sis in my mind again.
'What would be the best thing to do...?'
I really don't know...
[I am in a role that assists the Administrator. It is not desirable for me to intervene deeply in the choice itself.]
'Yeah... I guess so...'
[However, if I may dare to advise you.]
Sis's voice lowered just a little.
[If you still cherish the connections from the days when you were a man, it is right to reveal it now.]
[Conversely, if you have a greater intention to organize those connections and accept a new life, living as the girl Han Jia is the cleanest and safest choice.]
'Ugh...'
Is that so...
In the end, it was a problem of having to choose one side.
Whether to hold onto the past or look ahead.
Of course, it's not something that can be cut and dried like that, but at least the direction is one of the two, isn't it?
And whatever it is, in the end, I have to reveal that I was originally an adult male, so the pressure was immense.
'I...'
I unintentionally clenched my fist.
The store manager's face came to mind.
The landlady also came to mind.
And at the same time.
The moments I was called by the name Han Jia also came to mind.
The sensation of Han Seol stroking my hair, the memories of Ju-yeon taking my side and treating me kindly.
The way everyone in the guild looked at me.
And the sensation of Han Seol stroking my hair at the end.
[Administrator.]
Sis called out quietly.
[Whichever side you choose, I will assist with that choice.]
'Ahaha...'
It feels like I've gained a life mentor.
I slowly inhaled and exhaled.
Then I made a determined expression.
'I've decided.'
On what I'm going to do from now on.
