Chapter 6
Chapter 6
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: It Seems My Childhood Friend Has Regressed
-----------------------------------------------------------------
#22
The moment I opened my eyes to the sound of Jun-woo's voice—the one I'd longed to hear so desperately...
In my disbelief at this unbelievable reality, I frantically checked the date right away.
Looking at my phone in a panic, the screen showed April 1, 2024.
The house fire had happened on May 3rd, and my discharge date was December 9, 2024. That meant I'd gone back nearly half a year.
Aah...
Thank you...
God. No, even if you're not God, I sincerely thank that great being who saved me from sinking into hell...
Sitting there, offering silent prayers of gratitude for this miraculous event, I felt tears streaming down my face but didn't wipe them away.
This time, they were tears of joy.
#23
Finally pulling myself together, I stepped out of my room. The nightmare vision of that day—the day everything went up in flames—flashed before my eyes, and my legs gave out.
The moment I collapsed with a thud right outside my room, Mom, who was preparing breakfast, and Dad, who was getting ready for work, both rushed over in alarm.
"Seo-ah! What's wrong? Are you hurt somewhere?"
Seeing my parents—not worn down by exhaustion and guilt from those six months in the hospital, but living their happy daily lives as they had back then—I couldn't hold back the flood of tears.
"Hic... Mom, Dad... Sob, sniff... I'm just so glad, really so glad... Sob..."
"Oh dear, our little girl. What's the matter? Did you have a nightmare?"
"I thought you'd grown up, but you're still our baby. Come here, sweetie. Don't cry now!"
Even though they were flustered by my sudden outburst, they comforted me just like always, wrapping me in their warm embrace.
Just like back then.
In that unchanging warmth...
Tears flowed endlessly.
#25
After crying my heart out from morning until my tear ducts ran dry, a wave of embarrassment hit me late. Leaving my parents, who were watching me fondly, I made an excuse about washing up and fled to the bathroom.
Creeeak—
Not the hospital room door that slid open smoothly, but in the bathroom where I turned the doorknob to enter...
Suddenly, I tensed up at the thought that I needed to look in the mirror.
After the accident, even I had found my reflection hideous.
Whoosh. I took a deep breath.
Then, with bated breath, I looked at the mirror on the wall.
There was...
The me from before the accident—the one I'd been too shy to admit was beautiful, the one everyone always said was pretty.
My past self.
So...
This is what I looked like.
Even after I turned into that... state, Jun-woo stayed by my side without a change.
A fresh wave of gratitude toward Jun-woo washed over me.
The change was so shocking even to me, yet he never showed it in front of me. He just smiled like always and stayed close.
Jun-woo.
What must you have felt, staying by my side through those six months—long if long, short if short?
I can't even imagine.
As if entranced, I reached out to my reflection in the mirror, vowing over and over.
Last time, I realized my feelings too late. But this life, I won't waste a single moment.
I'll spend as much happy time as possible with Jun-woo.
#26
Before meeting Jun-woo, I checked my carefully prepared appearance in the mirror one more time.
From curling iron to makeup, which I rarely bothered with.
Isn't this a bit much for school...? But yeah, better than showing him an ugly side.
The thought of seeing Jun-woo again soon made my heart pound with excitement.
Ding-dong—
It's Jun-woo!
"Mom, I'm off to school!"
"Have a good day~"
Clutching the warmth of Mom's send-off that I'd missed so much, I dashed over and flung open the door. There stood...
The Jun-woo I'd longed for.
"Jun-woo!"
In my overwhelming joy, I shouted his name loudly without thinking. His sleepy, drowsy expression jolted wide-eyed in surprise.
—So cute.
Though it had only been half a year, this Jun-woo still had a boyish innocence, unlike the mature, steady presence who'd been by my side back then—sometimes grown-up, always comforting.
How was he this cute? How had I not noticed before?
Suddenly, I recalled what a friend in a relationship had said.
"If your boyfriend starts looking cute, game over."
I hadn't gotten it back then... but now? Yeah, I get it.
While I was lost in thoughts of Jun-woo and our third daughter—what should we name her?—
Jun-woo suddenly clutched his chest and doubled over. Nightmarish memories from before the regression flashed, nearly making me collapse right there.
But then he grinned mischievously, saying it was a joke. I was annoyed, yet that smile made my heart melt away.
Still, no more pranks like that, please.
I can't lose you now...
#27
Unbelievable.
Jun-woo, to me...
"You're so pretty." I never imagined he'd say that. It hit me like a bolt out of nowhere.
My heart, already fluttering since before seeing him, now thundered like drums pounding inside my chest.
What the—? What's this all of a sudden? This is cheating!
Fanning my flushed, apple-red cheeks, I looked up. There was Jun-woo, in the exact same state.
Seeing him like that filled me with happiness from the depths of my heart.
Jun-woo.
I want to throw myself into your arms right now and whisper "I love you."
But just a little longer.
Just a bit.
#28
Jun-woo said he watched porn.
All night.
Well... he could.
Everyone says boys all do it.
I'd thought he might watch like any other boy, but hearing it straight from him shocked me more than expected. I zoned out completely.
Class material wasn't entering my head at all.
It's okay... No, it's not.
I felt hurt. Angry.
That Jun-woo...
Got aroused seeing some other girl's naked body.
Not mine.
This won't do. I pulled Jun-woo aside and confessed my honest feelings.
If you can't hold back, tell me.
His mouth twitched like he was holding back words he wanted to say. I think I know what it is... but I'll leave that to you, Jun-woo.
Whatever you want, I'm okay with it.
#29
Maybe because I looked so different today than usual, Jun-woo even told his friends I was acting weird.
How dare he.
I'm not weird. Just more honest.
A lot more.
But since he looked a bit guilty for getting caught telling me, and it was cute how he shrank back, I decided to let it slide.
From his perspective, it was understandable.
We walked home laughing and chatting side by side, as if it were the most natural thing.
I knew he had plans to hang out with friends today, but I couldn't yield this time.
Jun-woo.
Do you know how much I missed this walk with you?
If I hadn't said those words back then.
If that accident hadn't happened.
This moment—nearly lost forever because of my foolish actions—was so precious and grateful.
Rain seemed imminent, but your bright smile shone like the sun. Too radiant to refuse. So I held back. Again.
You like seeing me smile, just like I love yours.
#30
"Phew..."
After getting home, I hit the shower with cold water first thing.
Something about Han Seo-ah today felt... different. She filled my head, and even after arriving home, thoughts of her lingered.
To forget and regain my composure, I took that cold shower.
—So what'll you do if I get in the mood?
"Aaaah!!! Forget it. Forget, I said, Lee Jun-woo!!!"
Han Seo-ah's like family—a 13-year friend, you idiot...!
You don't think that way about family...!
—But she's pretty, right?
"Grrr..."
This was troubling.
This situation where such thoughts crept in.
I knew better than anyone how pretty Han Seo-ah was.
I could detail every beautiful, alluring part of her body.
No one but a fool could spend 13 years beside her and not know.
She was that dazzling.
That's why I had to bury my feelings deep—lock them away tight. Lest she get startled if they ever came out.
"Pretty enough, damn it..."
If only that much, I'd worry moderately.
No matter the cold shower, I couldn't calm down. Afraid I'd catch a cold like this, I roughly dried my frozen body with a towel and shuffled—drip drip—back to my room.
Casually opening the door,
"Jun-woo, all done washing up?"
There, on my bed, lay the one who ruined all my efforts from moments ago.
—Damn.
Shaking off the unconscious thought flashing through my mind, I replied.
"What? When did you get here? More importantly, why are you lying on my bed?"
"I just showered too and came over. And why~?"
She rolled around on my bed with an innocent grin, chirping "Jun-woo scent~" Her presence was... dangerous. For me.
"Hey. Hey. Get up. Not my room—go to the living room and watch TV."
"Hng... But I wanna stay here?"
Chanting a silent prayer, I grabbed her arm to pull her up. A sweet strawberry scent wafted over.
...Gonna think of her when I sleep.
"Only computer's in here. What're you gonna do? You don't even play games."
Before the scent could intoxicate me, I clung to my senses and spat that out. Suddenly, she beamed, eyes sparkling, and a chill ran down my spine.
"Show me that porn you said you watched yesterday."
Ah.