Glass Mental (4)
This time, it was something super simple, so let's wrap it up quick and hit the hay. There's actually another way to approach Cho Yuli—online. Since she doesn't have many friends IRL, she's totally immersed in the internet world.
I grabbed my phone and downloaded the SNS app with the blue bird logo. It's the one mostly used for anonymous fan stuff. I planned to use it just for managing Yuli.
First, I made an account. To avoid suspicion, I followed a few anime info pages, some production companies, and a couple of chuunibyou-style accounts.
Alright, now for Cho Yuli's username... @glass_mental.
I'd found the "Glass Mental" handle. Just like in the game, she was using the same one.
Let's check out her posts first.
"......Whoa."
I could only let out an exclamation, and not in a good way. After reading her most recent post, I wondered what kind of abyss I'd just peered into.
......How do I even describe this? Yeah, no clue. In short, it's insomnia mixed with bad memories from the past.
Scrolling down, there were a bunch more like this. Zero likes, zero comments. Of course. What kind of reaction do you expect to that?
As an anonymous user, I figured I should be nice to Yuli. Time to drop some praise.
I liked her latest post and left a comment.
Perfect. Coming on too strong at first might freak her out, so just the follow and this comment, then done.
To get familiar, I started reading her older posts from the bottom up. Yeah: curse of the sand hourglass, maybe I'm Lucifer, two years of suspended sentence in the prison called school. And so on. Good read.
"Time to sleep for real?"
My head hurt even more now. Anyway, eyes shut.
——
......How long did I sleep? Still felt chilly and shivery. Phone said it was still 11 PM. And there was a reply.
This is good enough. The foundation for Operation: The World Is a Warm Place! is set. Getting hungry now.
Checked the kitchen—sis had made porridge. Ate it up deliciously. Nothing else to do, so off to the hospital.
Lunch break's at 1 PM, so timing's perfect. Changed clothes, pocketed my phone, and headed out.
And up until then, I hadn't heeded that famous philosopher's warning. The one from Nietzsche: If you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.
——
Got to the hospital, checked in, and waited. Naturally, pulled out my phone—texts from a few people.
Gahee sent a gift.
They're all worried about my health, at least. If only they weren't yanderes.
Was about to reply one by one when more notifications popped up.
Yuli usually posted at dawn. What was this daytime post?
Tapped the message and opened the app.
Three photos attached: an empty infirmary bed, a peanut butter ice cream tub, and a screenshot of my comment.
"Nice, it's working."
Of course, I didn't think this would cure her issues. Mental stuff needs pros. Me trying to "fix" her would be irresponsible and arrogant.
Liked it and commented: "Fighting! Good things are definitely coming."
Then out. Now replies to the others...
Hmm... Ignore? No, gotta play nice online friend. Sent: "May only good things happen to you! 🥰" with a cute emoticon.
Now, thanks to Gahee-unnie for the gift first.
She's waiting for replies? Answered in under 10 seconds? Better stop. Keep going and she might obsess over "FridayAngel." Can't boost her yandere levels. Feels creepy too.
Ignored and texted Gahee-unnie.
Cute emoticon too. Next, Iri-unnie.
Dying cute character emoticon. Next, Hayan-unnie.
No need for emotes with actual sis. All replied. Stretched—and it was my turn.
Felt like I forgot something... Oh, right. Yuyeong. Blocked her last time, why's she texting? Oh yeah, she nagged about unread chats, so I unblocked briefly.
After the doc checkup, sent Yuyeong just "👍". Got a shot, prescription, then at the pharmacy checked more replies while waiting.
Done checking, about to turn off—another reply.
What's a soccer club manager gonna do visiting? Instant reply shutdown.
Phew~ Time to stop staring at the phone and rest. Meds in hand, headed home with phone pocketed.
Back at the living room, flop on the sofa, watch TV? Nah, computer? Decided to savor that "sick day off school" vibe.
Lounged on the sofa, flipped through boring channels, grabbed phone. Call sis first.
Unlocked—and froze.
Persistent reply demands freaked me out. Doesn't chat usually die out? Ah, can't treat Yuli like normal people.
Gotta clear the misunderstanding. Stay as kind anon. Commented:
Phew~ Deep sigh, then called sis.
"Hello."
[Taeyang-ah, back from hospital?]
"Yeah, sis. Just shot and meds."
[Got it. Rest up. Want anything, tell me.]
Sweet sis mode is the best. Heart warming, was about to ask for hamburger steak.
[Kim Taeyang, you okay?]
[Yeah, Iri-unnie.]
Rustling and faint voices, then Iri-unnie took the phone.
[Idiots don't catch colds, or so they say.]
"What're you getting at?"
[Hahaha! Just wanted to say it.]
"So Iri-unnie doesn't catch colds?"
[Wait right there! Coming after class.]
"Don't come, you'll catch it."
Bickered a bit, then switched.
[Taeyang-ah. Rest easy.]
"Yeah, Gahee-unnie. Thanks for caring. Better than Iri-unnie."
[What?!]
Chaotic noises, then Hayan wrapped up.
[Sleep more. Fever needs to break.]
"Yeah. Oh, and hamburger steak."
[Got it.]
Sis is right—more sleep. No gaming urge, maybe watch that anime Yuyeong recced, but mind foggy from meds. Eyes closed, back to sleep.
———
Woke again—headache lingered, but fever gone. Meds and sleep, fully recovered soon.
Time check: slept long, sis due home soon. Hungry—beg for tasty food.
Up to wash face, clear head—then a sudden thought. Yuli probably stopped by now? Just in case, checked phone.
Three replies.
Phew~ Chat ended, good. Scrolled for rest.
Fl flinched, but "cold care" is just well-wishes. Already caught it anyway. Still, asked to check.
Instant reply again. Gotta bow out politely.
Oh, you won't get it. What happened last time was...
Long-ass essay threw me off. How far she planning to go?
Deep sigh. Delete account and ditch online? Wondering if I messed up. Eh, might get more Yuli intel, so keep it. If she shows signs of going out, dispatch the "unknown people."
Thirsty, heading for water—front door noise. Sis home.
"Back."
"Hey~ Kim Taeyang! What'd you say earlier?"
Loud voice. Iri-unnie too.
"You'll flip when you see my get-well gift!"
Down to living room: Iri-unnie held a massive fruit basket.
Just a cold...
"You bought that?"
"How's this? Unnie takes good care, right? Matches Gahee."
"Anyone'd think you hit the ward. Thanks anyway."
Grateful, took it in.
———
Yuli grinned at her phone. Happy. Lately, nice people kept showing up. From Seonwoo, the ice cream guy, to her new SNS friend.
"FridayAngel..."
Most comfy was "FridayAngel." Seonwoo good, wanna get closer, but he's popular—big hurdle. Lives in a different world from gloomy Yuli.
Ice cream guy: brief encounter, face hidden, hard to find. Back at shop? Nah, just that night for his pickup.
But FridayAngel different. No side-eye approaching. Few followers, not popular vibe. Hard to talk IRL, but chat forever. And accepts Yuli's inner self.
Her dawn emo posts she hides IRL—FridayAngel reads without bias. Even praised her writing.
"Hehe, FridayAngel. To me, you're an angel every day."
A real angel came to this fallen one.