Chapter 18
As we finished eating and were about to head back, surrounded by these shady bastards, Ayumi made a suggestion.
"Why don't we keep meeting up like this from time to time? Even though it's just one more person at the table, it feels so much richer now, right?"
Of course, that was exactly what I wanted too. It was smart to stay on good terms with Ayumi long-term, and Yujin would serve as a solid link between us. But even setting aside those calculating reasons, just being around these two gave me real emotional stability. In a world where my relationships had basically reset due to possession, having people show me such pure goodwill meant everything. If that didn't move you, you'd have to be a straight-up psychopath.
"Next time, I'll treat. I'm not much of a cook, but I can't keep freeloading—it rubs me the wrong way."
"Ooh, can't wait! Yujin, you're excited too, right?"
"...Uh, wellll..."
Ayumi landed a light jab to Yujin's side as he trailed off ambiguously. He looked flustered for a second, but childhood friends who'd known each other for nearly twenty years probably pulled that kind of stuff all the time.
"Really looking forward to it."
"See? He said so!"
After coaxing the answer she wanted from Yujin, Ayumi flashed a smile bright as the sun. That sun-like smile would vanish in a week, according to the original story.
...But that was just the canon timeline. I sure as hell wasn't letting it happen.
"Alright, Yujin. You wouldn't let a girl walk home alone at night, would you? Escort her for me?"
"Huh? Nah, she's way stronger than me, so escorting... Oh, wait. Got it. I'll do it."
Yujin quickly backpedaled when he caught Ayumi's vibe. Ayumi grabbed his ear and whispered something.
"Wha— No, that guy's not the type for... That's... But... Uh..."
Whispering right in front of me? Even if you're tight childhood friends, it makes me feel left out.
...I could guess what she said, though.
"See ya, you two~ Catch you tomorrow!"
We left with Ayumi waving furiously until we were out of sight, then headed home.
"......"
"......"
Silence. Nothing wrong with keeping quiet if there's nothing to say, but Yujin's fidgety vibe made it anything but comfortable.
"Ayumi said it, right? To give us a shot."
"Huh!? How'd you know?"
He fell for my casual probe hook, line, and sinker. I wouldn't have believed a denial anyway.
"Girls love that stuff, don't they? They think friendship can't exist between guys and girls."
"She's at that age."
"And you're not?"
Acting all mature in front of someone ten years older. Kinda cute, this guy.
"What, other kids might misunderstand and that's that... You're not thinking that way about me, are you?"
I lobbed a warning shot, just in case he developed romantic feelings. Had to draw a hard line and build an iron wall.
"Pfft, what nonsense. I don't think like that."
"Good. I never see you as a guy either."
Yujin went quiet at my declaration, then blurted out,
"'Never' feels a bit much, doesn't it?"
Oh ho? Looks like my "you're not a man to me" line bruised his pride. Still thinks of himself as a guy, huh.
"Don't get the wrong idea. It's not like you're unmanly or anything. ...I just don't want to look at my very first friend that way."
"...Friend."
"Yeah. You're my first friend."
In this world after possession, anyway. The ones from my old life? Probably never seeing them again. Calling you my first friend isn't much of a stretch.
"...So we are friends?"
"What? You saying we're not?"
I don't make friends with rapist scum. But a guy who genuinely wants to help the world, even if he's a bit clueless? I'd befriend him in a heartbeat. If I could save Ayumi, the protagonist Yujin would stay on the straight path too.
Though I'd nudge him into some messy girl drama along the way.
"...Yeah, friends. Not bad."
He corrected his lame, spineless remark.
"Not bad? You should be thrilled. Becoming friends with a beauty like me."
"...Not embarrassed saying you're a beauty yourself?"
"Nope?"
What can you do? I am pretty.
Defying Ayumi's hopes, we split up midway and headed to our separate homes. I didn't need an escort anyway.
Plus, I had to consider the people dying to see me.
"I know you're all there. Come out already."
The shadows along the path stayed silent.
...No way, right? Was it really just my imagination? That'd be awkward as hell.
No need for it in daily life, but a line I wanted to try once doesn't land. No, but I'd definitely sensed it with Sense Qi...
Embarrassed, I considered just bolting—then finally got a response.
Answer quicker next time.
"Still got sharp instincts, huh, Joo Hyowon. How've you been?"
Someone who knew me. His tone suggested we'd talked before. But I didn't recognize him.
Dark skin, mohawk with a nasty scar. Huge build, muscles ready to burst. Gaudy gold chains dangling everywhere—pure poser vibe. If I'd seen this character in the original story, he'd stick in my mind, but nada.
Typical thug who'd pick a fight with the protagonist and get wrecked. But judging by the qi pouring off him, Yujin wouldn't stand a chance right now. At least he was trained.
I could strip him bare, no problem.
"Living the good life, eh? Hitting the academy, giggling with boys. Gotta say, I was shocked. Never thought you'd act like that... Guess you treat boys your age different?"
Giggling echoed from the darkness. Sense Qi picked up about a dozen hiding out of sight, forming a circle.
Massing this many to pressure me? Kinda underwhelming numbers.
"What's the deal."
I meant to sound cold on purpose, but no need—my maxed-out wariness spat ice without trying.
"Whoa, why so frosty? No need for that. We're comrades, remember."
Comrades. Yeah, that tracked.
I pieced together who they were. No matter how skilled original Hyowon was, she couldn't scout every gate and rush in solo. She'd have backup—and these were them. Barely cameos in canon, so nobodies.
"I figured our deal was done."
"Hey now! No way! Don't be so heartless. Comrades don't cut ties that easy. Even if you ditched us for the academy, we can't just drop you."
He smacked his head dramatically, shook it, and flung his hand out. All that flair, you'd think he was American.
"Couldn't stop you going to the academy thanks to Vivian's bullshit. But our link's not severed. Get it?"
I didn't know Vivian by name. But her face popped up quick.
That woman, huh.
The one who got me into the academy and set me up with a place. I'd suspected ties to whatever group I was in—looks like I was right.
"That bitch. Acting all high and mighty 'cause the old leader liked her. Now I'm the leader..."
He muttered under his breath. Too quiet for his goons, but clear to me.
Got the picture.
"So what. Spit it out or I'm gone."
"...Right, straight to it. I hate wasting time too."
His feral grin showed how pissed my attitude made him. Getting openly dissed by a girl who looked ten years younger? Had to sting. But charging in recklessly would bruise his ego worse—that frustration burned hotter.
"Gate opens in a week. Cooperate like always."
Nothing new to me. They didn't know, but I had spotty future sight.
...Still, not useless info.
"How do you know that?"