Chapter 355
Chapter 355
“Park Moon-dae!”
“You…”
“Are you alright?”
As soon as Seon A-hyun and I stepped into the dorm, we were greeted by the "warm" welcome of our housemates.
It was that specific atmosphere where they really wanted to scream, “Are you out of your mind, you bastard?” but were approaching cautiously instead, worried that I might have actually snapped.
I preempted them by offering a deep, apologetic bow.
“I’m sorry. I went out to clear my head and didn't realize I’d left my phone behind.”
“Ah…”
“Right, I see.”
Seeing that my face looked relatively normal, a wave of relief instantly washed over the room.
Cha Yu-jin, who was drinking a Coke, gave a boisterous response.
“OK~ Tell us next time!”
“What do you mean, ‘OK’? Everyone was worried sick because you suddenly vanished!”
Thanks, Bae Se-jin. Thanks for taking the heat.
Bae Se-jin, his face flushed red, turned to Seon A-hyun.
“And you! You should have at least said something before leaving… Seon A-hyun?”
“……”
“Hey…”
“Y-Yes! I-I’m sorry. For moving on my own… without a word. I’m sorry.”
“Uh, right. Well… good job getting back.”
Seon A-hyun walked into the living room with a dazed expression and slumped onto the sofa.
He seemed to be in deep shock.
Let’s look back at his reaction right after I made the declaration that I would ‘show him properly.’
—T-That… I, M-Moon-dae.
—You said you’d listen to whatever I had to say.
—…R-Right.
He had agreed verbally, but his face was screaming, ‘This isn’t what I meant.’
Of course, that’s why I gave him a carrot.
—And no matter what the conclusion is this time, you are absolutely going to counseling.
—…!
—You can even record me saying that.
—N-No…! Yeah, th-thank you… Thank you, Moon-dae…!
The guy who had been shouting so desperately was now in a state of total confusion, likely spiraling through every possible worry and scenario the moment we arrived at the dorm.
I massaged my neck.
‘I can’t let this drag on.’
Since I’d cleared the schedule and had the time, I had to do it now. I couldn't afford to cause any more losses for the staff and stakeholders.
‘How much revenue are we forfeiting by skipping three days of promotions?’
In terms of settlement earnings, it was already an amount that would make anyone start walking on eggshells. Moreover, to shut up the people who would surely start churning out rumors about our condition, speed was essential.
‘Hmm.’
Just then, the person I needed spoke to me.
“Did you two have a good talk?”
I looked at Ryu Cheong-woo and nodded.
“Yes. I’m sorry for alarming you.”
Ryu Cheong-woo gave a faint smile.
“Yeah. You really did.”
“The alarm was going off this morning, but the owner of the phone was nowhere to be found. Everyone was three or four times more shocked than when Yu-jin went missing.”
“I see.”
This was incredibly embarrassing.
I fell silent for a moment, recalling the things I’d said when Cha Yu-jin had disappeared. Ryu Cheong-woo patted my back.
“You did well.”
“Yes.”
He was giving me the medicine after the disease. I endured it, thinking of the karma I’d built up.
‘And the next guy is…’
Keun Se-jin.
He was standing next to Ryu Cheong-woo, typing something on his smartphone. He hadn't said a word when I walked in, and he still hadn't looked up.
“…What are you doing?”
He muttered as he lowered his phone.
“…Um, uploading.”
Ah.
I checked SNS. A new post had been uploaded to TeSTAR’s account.
*
[ㅠㅠ Cold and flu in this weather… We are so sorry. We’ll get better quickly and come see you. Loviewers, don't worry, we’re taking our medicine and cheering each other on! Let's go!]
*
It was a quick response.
“…Thanks.”
“For what?”
Only then did he force a grin and clap me on the shoulder.
“Are you feeling any better?”
“Yeah.”
In reality, what he probably wanted to ask was how things went with Seon A-hyun and what on earth I had been doing since dawn.
‘But he feels too guilty to ask.’
This isn't some Joseon Dynasty royal court; why are there so many guys blaming themselves?
‘I suppose it’s a relief that I can ask for a hand instead.’
I suppressed a sigh and got straight to the point.
“Actually… I need your help with something.”
“Huh?”
“You too, Cheong-woo Hyung.”
“Hmm? Me?”
“Yes.”
Should I start by overwhelming him with numbers?
Seon A-hyun took a deep breath.
His roommate had shouted, “Please, rest well!” before grabbing his electronics and heading to Bae Se-jin and Cha Yu-jin’s room.
However, Seon A-hyun’s mind could not rest. He kept repeating his resolve over and over.
‘This time, I’ll react properly.’
Yes. Perhaps this was an opportunity. An opportunity to mitigate the shock Moon-dae must have felt from his previous poor reaction.
“Phew.”
‘First, I’ll tell him thank you so much for speaking to me seriously, and then….’
After checking his planned reaction in his head several times, Seon A-hyun intended to visit Moon-dae’s room at the agreed-upon time.
But he didn't get the chance.
Knock, knock.
“I’m coming in.”
“…!”
Park Moon-dae had arrived before the appointed time.
And he went straight to business.
“I came a bit early because I have some things to set up. Let me use Rae-bin’s computer for a second.”
Computer?
“Let’s get started. Oh, Kim Rae-bin told me to give you this.”
“Uh, uh…”
“Drink it while you listen.”
Park Moon-dae, who had entered the room, handed over a cup of tea he was holding and set a notebook and pen down in front of himself.
‘A notebook…?’
Then, without giving him a moment to breathe, he began relaying information.
“I’m going to start with the witnesses.”
“…W-Witnesses…?”
Park Moon-dae paused for a moment, then spoke with a slightly strained voice.
“…I didn't tell you before because I thought it would confuse you more, but actually, I’m not the only case of someone returning to the past.”
“…??”
It was a statement he had never even imagined.
Seon A-hyun froze with the tea in his hand.
However, Park Moon-dae immediately began bringing out the people he had recruited.
[Well.]
VTIC’s Cheong-ryeo. The great senior they had just met was wearing a blatantly insincere smile.
[Wouldn't it have been easier to do this when we met earlier?]
“Yes. The situation has changed.”
[You’re certainly quick.]
Cheong-ryeo continued to exchange brief, almost argumentative words with Park Moon-dae in a tone that made it hard to tell if he was mocking or smiling, but he soon admitted it readily.
[It’s true. I’m someone who knew the future before Moon-dae… and Moon-dae, or rather Gun-woo, was next.]
“……”
Was this really reality?
[Since my junior is technically older than me, he even speaks informally to me. Did you not hear him earlier?]
A-hyun had simply thought they had become so close that it slipped out occasionally. And he had been a little envious.
[It’s also funny how he’s insisting on using formal speech now, even though he said he wouldn't record or film this.]
“Be quiet.”
[Haha!]
Cheong-ryeo finished his endorsement with an unbothered face.
[You’re going to owe me a lot, Junior.]
“Get lost.”
[Oh my. He can’t even deny it.]
And then Cheong-ryeo disappeared from the screen.
“Whew.”
Park Moon-dae took a deep breath as if suppressing his irritation.
“He’s an annoying guy, but anyway… for those reasons, we check in on each other occasionally.”
“……”
While manipulating the computer again with a stiff face, he added in a slightly proud tone.
“There’s no manipulation. It’s not even my computer, it’s someone else’s, and you saw that I didn't touch the storage media.”
“……”
“If you want, we can go check it again right now. Hmm, shall we?”
“N-No, it’s okay.”
Seon A-hyun replied reflexively.
However, his mind was filled with exclamation points and question marks.
“Then let’s move on. Next is the guy who’s experiencing this strange situation after me.”
“Uh-huh….”
“Oh, if you have any questions, feel free to write them down in the notebook and ask later. Anything is fine.”
“……”
So… that’s why he brought it?
Seon A-hyun reflexively grabbed the notebook, but his limbs were creaking as if they were broken.
And when another familiar face appeared on the screen, he screamed internally.
[Whoa, Hyung, it’s been so long! How have you been?]
Kwon Hee-seung.
It was the face of the junior Park Moon-dae inwardly referred to as ‘Gold 2.’
[So you’re telling A-hyun Hyungnim this time… Ah, Hyung, hello.]
“H-Hello.”
Seon A-hyun pinched his thigh, but it only hurt.
The Kwon Hee-seung on the screen excitedly told his story—how he saved someone, fell into the Han River, and came back to the past!—and even grumbled to Park Moon-dae.
[Hyung, aren't you collecting too many teammates?? Weren't we like a secret organization? Something like that?]
“If you’re so upset about it, you tell your members too.”
[Well… our group isn't quite at that stage yet….]
After saying a few things like, ‘I tried to hint at it to my parents, but they just smacked my back and told me to get my head straight,’ Kwon Hee-seung ended the call with a sigh.
For the record, Seon A-hyun hadn't been able to write a single character in the notebook.
“Now, that guy is the one who returned to the past after me.”
“……”
“Actually, the return on the stocks he’s been buying since he came back is about 15 times. He said he’d show you proof if you want.”
“…That.”
“By the way, I’m the only one among these cases whose body changed. There’s a reason for that.”
You said you’d take questions…!
Seon A-hyun countered Park Moon-dae internally, which was rare for him, but Park Moon-dae was running like a runaway train.
“So, I’ve called the person involved.”
Wait.
Another one?
Seon A-hyun was mentally panting.
He asked himself: Is it possible to justify one's own delusions so extensively, involving so many people?
It should be impossible….
‘No, no.’
Someone as smart and incredible as Park Moon-dae might be able to do it.
‘If I just believe whatever is convenient for me, then Moon-dae….’
Wait.
“…Huh?”
Seon A-hyun noticed a contradiction.
‘Even if I believe him… Moon-dae said he would go to counseling no matter what.’
Then… wasn't it okay?
‘No matter what I think.’
As long as Park Moon-dae could see a professional if he needed help, regardless of what Seon A-hyun thought.
‘That’s… true.’
Feeling the lump in his throat slowly subside, Seon A-hyun took a small breath.
The fear of making the wrong choice melted away. The fixed conclusion had served its purpose exactly as Park Moon-dae intended.
Moreover, all of this was… somehow… not at all the direction Seon A-hyun had predicted and prepared for.
‘I thought… we’d have a deeper conversation.’
He thought they would talk, but the atmosphere was exactly like collecting data while working at a composition camp!
“……”
The funny thing was that even amidst the shock and confusion, Seon A-hyun’s reason began to exercise judgment.
The submission of evidence was just so fluid and natural.
This wasn't a counseling session; it was a presentation.
[Hello, A-hyun-nim…!]
“Now, this is Ryu Gun-woo, who was originally Park Moon-dae. Our bodies are currently swapped.”
“……”
“For your information, Cheong-woo Hyung was my cousin on my father’s side.”
But the situation that followed… was a supernatural proof that even Seon A-hyun hadn't anticipated.
After arranging a brief greeting, Park Moon-dae suddenly asked Seon A-hyun a sharp question.
“The fact that I said I see holograms probably bothered you the most, didn't it?”
“……”
“It’s a hallucination. That’s the most serious part.”
Park Moon-dae smirked as he saw Seon A-hyun’s face darken.
“Then, before we get into the details, let’s start by proving that it’s not a hallucination.”
“……”
“You have a question written in the notebook.”
“Y-Yeah.”
“Show it to me. But before that…”
Park Moon-dae stood up and turned the monitor away.
“This way, ‘Ryu Gun-woo’ on the screen won't be able to see your notebook. Right?”
“T-That’s right….”
“No. Wait.”
Park Moon-dae turned the monitor off entirely.
“…!”
“Now only the speakers are active. I can’t use any tricks. It’s not even my computer to begin with.”
“……”
Seon A-hyun had no idea what Park Moon-dae was doing.
But Park Moon-dae didn't stop.
“Now, show me the notebook.”
“……Okay.”
Without resisting, Seon A-hyun quietly turned the notebook with trembling hands and showed it to Park Moon-dae.
It was written in elegant cursive.
—Why did Moon-dae swap bodies with Ryu Gun-woo?
It was a question Park Moon-dae was about to explain.
To be precise… Park Moon-dae easily guessed it was closer to ‘Why on earth does he think they swapped?’
But Keun-dal was different.
[I received so much help from Gun-woo Hyung… I wished for his happiness, but things got twisted in a bad way!]
“…!!”
Seon A-hyun couldn't believe his ears.
The turned-off monitor.
The speaker next to it.
[Of course, I think the result is fine. It’s really cool seeing Hyung active as an idol….]
A pleasantly kind male voice was flowing out smoothly.
[Um, but the subject here is Hyung, right? Is it… me? Anyway, the answer doesn't change much…….]
“……”
It was an answer to the question written in the notebook.
Thud.
The notebook fell to the floor.
With a feeling of his blood running cold, Seon A-hyun looked down at the notebook… then looked up at Moon-dae.
Park Moon-dae nodded nonchalantly.
“It’s connected through the hologram window.”
Goosebumps erupted all over A-hyun's skin.
“Just write anything and show me. I’ll relay it through this.”
Seon A-hyun bit his lip and picked up the notebook.
Then he wrote down a random thought. Something that could never be guessed.
A foreign language.
—pas de deux
And then, a voice rang out.
[I’m sorry… I don't know what that means. Pas de des?]
“……”
[Ah, ah~ It’s a ballet term. I see. Since A-hyun-nim originally did ballet!]
This… this?
Seon A-hyun gripped the table. His vision began to spin.
Common sense… was being destroyed.
This was his room. He knew there were no devices, and Park Moon-dae hadn't had any opportunity to install anything.
Park Moon-dae even spoke up first.
Dressed in a white short-sleeved shirt and pocketless pajama pants, Park Moon-dae lightly hopped in place.
“It’s impossible to hide a miniature camera in what I’m wearing… but I’ll borrow your camera detector just in case.”
“……”
He picked up the camera detector sitting on the corner of Seon A-hyun’s desk and swept it around his body and the table.
Of course, there was no reaction.
‘Ah.’
Seon A-hyun blinked.
‘Then, then….’
But before a logical conclusion could be drawn in his head.
“But of course, one person’s word isn't enough for full credibility.”
“…??”
Seon A-hyun looked up.
Park Moon-dae was nodding seriously.
“Let’s involve other people now. I’ll call Cheong-woo Hyung and Lee Se-jin over.”
“……”
“Besides that, if there’s anything else you’re suspicious of, tell me immediately.”
Park Moon-dae smiled.
“We have plenty of time until tomorrow.”
It was the beginning of a plan to thoroughly provide empirical proof before unfolding the story.
And so, Park Moon-dae’s demonstration continued until the sun went down.