Chapter 16: Fragile Mind (2) - How Do I Block the Cho Yuli Route?
Yeah, you might think avoiding the Kim Hayan route is enough, but yandere games aren't that simple a genre. Especially with Cho Yuli—she's dangerous. To explain, if you go down her route, there are two endings. The first is Cho Yuli's suicide ending. You build up her affection, then deliberately neglect her in the late game, and she kills herself to get Choi Seonwoo's attention. Her death devastates not just Seonwoo but everyone around her, turning the heroines against him. In the end, he ends up completely alone.
If Seonwoo keeps paying attention to her even in the late game, you get the second ending. Terrified of losing him to the other heroines, she murders them all. Then she rationalizes it to herself, playing the victim. Both endings just leave a bad taste—nothing good about them. The real problem here? One of the heroines she kills is my sister, Kim Hayan. Sure, she's caused me no end of headaches, but I can't just let my own flesh and blood die.
"Taeyang, dinner's ready~"
"Got it!"
First things first—eat, then think.
———
"So Gahee was like, 'Maybe I should try it too.'"
"Yeah."
"I just did a little styling, braided my blonde hair and threw it over one shoulder, and bam—total American cartoon protagonist vibe, right? What was her name again..."
Mom works late a lot, so my sister and I often eat dinner just the two of us. We're pretty close, so chatting about our day over meals is our usual routine. Lately, she's been talking about Choi Gahee a ton—they must've gotten really tight.
"Your reactions are way too dry, don't you think?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm listening."
"Don't you wanna see it? Gahee's new hairstyle."
"Kinda do."
I nod vaguely, and Hayan noona grins mischievously. What's her deal?
"I even took a pic to show you."
"Yeah."
"I could show you..." She glances at me slyly.
Hmm... I don't really care, but if I don't play along, she'll pout. Gotta read the room.
"I'm curious. Show me later."
I fake some interest, and she says,
"Then buy me ice cream."
"Just buy it yourself."
"If you don't wanna see it, forget it."
"...Haaah, fine. We're walking after dinner anyway, so I'll grab some on the way. What flavor?"
"There's a new famous franchise spot in the next neighborhood over."
"Can't I just get it from the convenience store nearby?"
"I'll text you the address. Oh, peanut butter flavor, please."
"Yeah, got it."
No phones at the table—that's our house rule. Once dinner wrapped up, I got the address. Since she cooked, I handled the dishes, then checked my phone. Three chats from noona: the address, a pic of Gahee noona, and this.
"What kinda weird stuff?!"
Gahee noona really is pretty, though. She's flashing a bright V-sign at the camera, her long permed hair braided and swept to one side. Just like noona said, she looks straight out of an anime. Well, this whole world is a game. Her school uniform suits her perfectly too. I'd seen her in the game plenty, but this is my first time IRL. Neat, overall gorgeous. Though... that top button on her blouse is really struggling...
Ahem, no weird stuff.
"Can't peel your eyes off it, huh? Hehe."
Noona sneaks up, peeking over my shoulder. Did I stare too long? Feeling busted, I lock the screen.
"No need to hide it."
"What're you talking about? Anyway, gimme money. I'll head out now."
"Ehh? Weren't you buying it for me?"
"What?"
"I gave you the pic."
"I'll tell Gahee noona you tried to trade for it."
"Fine, here."
I take the cash and head out.
———
Philosophers often went for walks when deep in thought—famous story about Immanuel Kant taking the exact same route every day at the same time. Walking clears the head, helps sort things out. Surely the Cho Yuli problem would click too.
The neighborhood noona texted was new to me. I followed the map to the shopping street, weaving past shops closing up. Found the ice cream place still open for a bit.
"Yuyeong mentioned this spot last time. Popular with girls, huh?"
Lee Yuyeong had been nagging me to check it out together this weekend. Post-study group, she's back to her old clingy self—worse, even. Today she hounded me to visit soccer practice; barely escaped. Pricey, but seems worth the hype. Not too crowded now with closing time nearing.
"Welcome~"
I scan the display case—tons of flavors. Peanut butter first...
"Sorry, we're out of peanut butter."
"Oh, okay."
I call noona. As the ringtone buzzes in my ear,
Ding-a-ling—
Someone enters.
"Yeah, Taeyang?"
"......"
"Taeyang?"
A girl comes in and speaks to the employee.
"......Excuse me."
The worker's turned, washing dishes.
"......Excuse me?"
"Ah, yes!"
Her voice is tiny, like a mosquito's. The second I see her, I freeze. Hime-cut black hair, long and straight; black dress with white frills; heavy makeup, red blush on her eyes and cheeks framing a doll-like pretty face.
Cho Yuli.
"Taeyang? Something wrong?"
"N-no. Hold on. They're out of peanut butter."
At that, Yuli whips around. Her eyes go wide, pupils shaking.
"Yes, anything you're looking for?"
"P-peanut butter..."
"Sorry, we're all out today."
"......Oh..."
"Miss?"
Yuli trembles slightly, head drooping.
"Sorry."
No reason for her to apologize, but she does—the worker's flustered. Yuli bolts out without looking back.
"Sorry, noona—say that again? What flavor?"
I buy a different one she wanted, leave the shop. Glance around, but the menhera girl's long gone. No point chasing; got ice cream anyway, and even if I found her, nothing to say right now. Head home.
"Hmm... just maybe?"
Did the walk help? Suddenly, a plan hits me like Eureka! But executing it means Yuli has to show up late again.
"Nah, probably won't."
Popular spots run out near close—that's why crowds hit weekdays. Two people just asked for peanut butter; must be hot. Gotta come early.
"Still, might as well check tomorrow."
If not, no biggie. Wasn't banking on it anyway—and I've got a rough plan now. How to block the Cho Yuli route.
———
Next day, I switch up my walk to the next neighborhood. Destination: ice cream shop. Just testing the waters. Otherwise, find another way to run into Yuli.
In Love Chain, her main stages are school and home, so I roughly know where she lives. Sounds stalkerish, but I'm not showing up uninvited or tailing her creepily.
Anyway, at the shop.
"Sorry, out of peanut butter again today."
"......Yeah..."
"Come before 6 PM, we should have it."
"Sorry."
Yuli leaves. I pretend no luck and bail too. She trudges off listlessly.
"Guess crowds aren't her thing."
She mutters to herself. Barely audible mosquito voice, but quiet streets carry it. Makes sense—popular place, she'd hate the bustle.
"Still wanna try that peanut butter so bad, though..."
I nod, assessing. Things are going smoothly. Back home, I skip washing up, plop at my desk, open a notebook.
Alright, let's do this. Operation The World Is Still a Warm Place! to block the Cho Yuli route.
———
"Taeyang~"
Break time hits, and as expected, Lee Yuyeong from the next desk sidles over.
"What."
"Whatcha doing after school today?"
"Got plans."
"Hmm, okay. With Hayan unnie?"
"Yeah."
Yuyeong beams. Nice smile, but every time I see it, I wanna scream.
"Oh well. Oh, if you change your mind, soccer practice visit anytime. I'll put in a good word."
"Yeah, never happening."
Whew~ Ignoring Yuyeong, I review today's plan. Not much of one—just buy ice cream there. And deliver it. Buy peanut butter ahead for Yuli, ask the worker to hold it till evening. Show up incognito, "bump into" her "by chance" as she hunts for it. Some kind soul gifts the listless Yuli the ice cream and vanishes. Mission complete. Kickoff of Operation The World Is Still a Warm Place!.
Once she sees kindness everywhere, her obsession with Seonwoo—as the only one who's ever nice—should fade. That's her big trigger.
"Heh heh heh..."
"Huh? Talking soccer got you reminiscing about old times?"
Yuyeong, please just go away.