The World Is Still a Warm Place! (1)
A bit of time passed.
After a while with no reply, GlassMental finally seemed to make up her mind and cautiously messaged again.
It was the reaction I'd expected, but that alone wasn't a sure thing. GlassMental had trouble going to crowded places.
But judging from her experience hanging out with Seonwoo and even coming on the school trip, she wouldn't completely bail if she had someone close with her.
Plus, GlassMental was the type to go out of her way for trivial things, like saving some random uncle's number just because he'd given her cake.
By dropping a subtle hint of expectation like that, she'd probably show up.
"Phew~ At least I've set the stage successfully."
This could be a dangerous choice. If I slipped up, I might get caught.
But if I turned this risk into an opportunity, the payoff would be worth it.
I double-checked my plan, then closed the notebook.
Headed straight for bed.
With everything that had happened today, I didn't feel like studying or anything.
"Ugh! I'm exhausted."
I just wanted to pass out like this. But a single text jolted me awake again.
Probably spam or family. I picked up my phone.
"Right, this too."
I'd been so wrapped up in the Yuli issue that I'd completely forgotten about this.
Seong Juyeon only had one reason to contact me. If it were any other worry, she'd go to one of her many friends instead of me.
Looks like drama hit right in the middle of flag-building.
"That one's even more embarrassing, isn't it?" Thanks for being so direct—I could piece together what happened.
According to the original flags, when things heated up and they instinctively leaned in for a kiss, Yuli would've interrupted. But she didn't, so Seonwoo probably snapped out of it and pulled back.
She got upset because he didn't reciprocate, and he's probably clueless, thinking, 'Whoops, almost touched by accident—did that piss her off that much?'
From a guy's perspective... First, from Seonwoo's side, it definitely wasn't rejection due to lack of interest. Most visual novels are like that, but Love Chain has plenty of service scenes. Every time Seong Juyeon's came up, the descriptions showed Seonwoo fully aware she was a girl—lingering on her skin, blushing, turning away abruptly.
And no matter how much she grumbled, as childhood friends, he knew her patterns and didn't mind.
Did Seonwoo ever not see any heroine as a girl? Thinking back to playing the game, all his descriptions of their bodies popped up. Put 'em together, and the guy seemed like a perv.
Whatever. Time to reassure Juyeon first.
That seemed to settle Seong Juyeon down. I turned off my phone, and exhaustion hit again. Forgot to shower and crashed right there.
Family was at relatives' anyway, not back till tomorrow evening, so no one to nag.
Though noona called again around bedtime, so I showered then slept.
The park in front of the busy street.
Being the weekend, the park around the huge lake was packed with families out for the day and couples. Everyone wore happy faces.
GlassMental let out a small sigh watching them pass by.
"Shouldn't have come after all..."
She'd known it'd be like this. Their happiness wasn't wrong, but it blew a cold wind into some deficient corner of her heart.
Happiness. Where was it?
It was great fodder for GlassMental, who wrote cringey lines that'd make others groan. Fantasy always sparked the imagination.
But she shook off the thought and cautiously scanned around.
"Should I ask?"
The reason GlassMental dragged herself here despite the crowds was to see someone.
FridayAngel. That person was here now.
The one who read her emotional dumps like a torrent and empathized. Praised her writing. Responded to every weak whimper, pondered with her, encouraged her.
Always there like magic when she was down, reaching out first.
Obviously a good person, but as an anonymous stranger, meeting was daunting.
So she'd planned to do it secretly.
"No clues like this."
Even checking FridayAngel's SNS gave zilch beyond their chats. No other posts. SNS friends: just GlassMental and some manga newsletter.
"Haa~"
Feeling stuck, GlassMental sighed deeply. She fiddled with her phone, opening SNS she never used.
Maybe they had a similar account here? Searched, but nada on FridayAngel.
'Crowds are bad—maybe just go?'
Staying longer might make something bubble up inside again. She staggered up from the bench, adjusting her pink backpack.
'Put effort into new clothes too...'
Light pink blouse with lacy fluttering hem, black skirt swaying. All cute in her eyes.
Chosen with care this morning in case she crossed paths with FridayAngel, even if not meeting directly. Boldly wore stuff too pretty for everyday, stuff she'd only eyed before.
But what was the point?
'No place for me here anyway.'
Suppressing the regret, she headed for the park exit—
Ding-!
Her phone chimed. Hoping, she hurriedly checked.
It perfectly captured GlassMental's feelings. FridayAngel's first post ever.
The photo was the spot she'd walked past earlier. Her heart pounded.
She'd planned to leave, but the chance to meet...
Staying put meant they'd leave. Wanting at least a glimpse, she left a chat and dashed toward the photo spot.
"Huff... huff..."
GlassMental frantically looked around. No way she'd know, of course.
Calming her racing heart, she sat on a bench and pulled out her phone.
She'd asked after all. Strangely, the desire to see overrode the fear.
Waiting anxiously—no reply.
"Shouldn't have asked? What if they hate me now?"
Even close online, a stranger hunting you down was scary. And "close" might just be her delusion.
No defense if they freaked and bolted after seeing the chat.
"FridayAngel... sorry..."
GlassMental mumbled in a quivering voice.
"...GlassMental, maybe?"
Someone called her. She froze, startled. Heart about to burst, she slowly turned.
"GlassMental, right?"
A very young girl's voice. And...
"Oh, wrong person. Sorry."
"N-no!! I mean, uh, yes!! It is!!!"
Flustered and fumbling, GlassMental blurted.
"A-are you... FridayAngel?!!"
"Too loud."
"Eep! Sorry!"
She clamped her mouth, glancing around. Nearby eyes turned their way.
Not just from her shout, probably.
GlassMental turned back, wide-eyed at FridayAngel.
Couldn't picture their look, but this? Never imagined.
"Wanna go somewhere else to talk?"
The girl in the teddy bear costume, doll mask on, extended a hand.