Chapter 5: Shin On-yu-1
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 5: Shin On-yu-1
I spent a good while poking around the computer, but I couldn't find any porn—or even anything remotely close to it.
"How is this possible? Is this guy even a dude?"
He was a hot-blooded high schooler living alone. It made no sense that there wasn't even a trace of a file.
It would be one thing if he watched everything via streaming, but his internet history was spotless.
"It’s actually impressive how clean this is."
The browser history had been completely wiped.
Did he really feel the need to clear his history every single time when he lived by himself? It felt a bit suspicious. There weren't even any sites where he stayed logged in.
After clicking the mouse a few more times for no reason, I shut down the computer.
It was around 11:00 PM.
"Maybe I should go out for some fresh air."
A single bowl of ramen wasn't nearly enough to satisfy me. I needed to grab a triangle gimbap or something from the convenience store.
Even with memory loss, the wonders of modern civilization made life easy. Thanks to the map on my phone, I could find my way to a convenience store a bit far from the house without getting lost.
I walked slowly through the neighborhood, trying to familiarize myself with the area and clear my head.
Given the season, I immediately regretted my choice to wear a windbreaker.
There were slight differences, but this was definitely Korea. Had the bitch who possessed me into this body shown at least a shred of conscience?
When I’d looked at the list of worlds available for dimension transfer, there were places like fantasy worlds. If I were to die here and be forced to move again, there was a chance I’d end up in a place like that. If I were transported to a world where swords and magic ran rampant, I’d probably die within a few days.
'Since I don't really have any special perks other than the fact that I'm possessing someone.'
[Dimension Transfer Notice-1]
[In the event of death or falling into an irrecoverable unconscious state in the current dimension, a dimension transfer will occur.]
Seeing the number '1' attached to it suggested there were rules to this possession phenomenon. Therefore, dying recklessly would be a problem. It took a lot of time to adapt to a new place.
Primary goal: Survive, eat well, and live a good life here until I die of old age.
Secondary goal: If I do happen to die, hold out in the current world for as long as possible.
The biggest obstacle to both goals was 'Shin On-yu.'
Not provoking Shin On-yu was the thing I had to be most careful about.
Tinkle.
A bell chimed as I pushed open the convenience store door. I opened the glass door just wide enough for my body to slip through and squeezed inside.
"Welcome."
A slightly husky voice drifted from the back. The part-timer wasn't at the counter; they seemed to be restocking products.
While I was agonizing between the Tuna Mayo and the Kimchi Tuna Mayo in the fresh food corner, the part-timer returned to the register.
After about five minutes of deliberation, I picked the Tuna Mayo. I walked to the counter and held it out.
"Yes, that'll be 1,100 won..."
The husky voice trailed off.
Thinking something was wrong, I looked up at the part-timer.
The first thing I noticed was her black ponytail. Then I saw her dark brown eyes, wide with shock, and her slightly parted lips, making it clear she was utterly stunned.
"You... You..."
"...Do you know me?"
I took a step back as she reached out with trembling hands.
"Ah...?"
A sound of confusion escaped her lips as if she couldn't understand my reaction.
"In-ho. It's me, Nuna."
She opened the counter gate and slowly approached me. Intimidated by her intensity, I backed away step by step, and with every step I took, she took one toward me.
This cycle of advancing and retreating repeated until my path was blocked by the refrigerated cases. I couldn't go back any further.
"It's really... In-ho..."
She reached out with both hands to fumble over my face, then suddenly collapsed into a crouch and began to sob.
Tinkle.
A man in a tracksuit walked in and witnessed the scene.
"......."
A man standing over a girl sobbing at his feet.
The man looked back and forth between the woman and me with pity, then shook his head and walked right back out.
It’s not what it looks like.
The woman cried for a long time. Somehow, the situation felt similar to what happened with On-yu.
"Have you calmed down a bit?"
"Mm-hmm... Thank you."
Well, I didn't really do anything to deserve thanks.
"I don't have a handkerchief or anything."
Her eyes were swollen as if she’d cried a river in that short amount of time.
"It's okay. I carry one."
She went back behind the counter, pulled a handkerchief from her bag, and wiped her eyes.
"I only heard that you’d been in an accident. I didn't know which hospital you were in, so I couldn't visit. I'm sorry."
"Ah... about that..."
I explained that I had been in a coma and was now suffering from amnesia. At first, she seemed unable to believe it, but as she realized I truly didn't know anything, she eventually nodded.
"So, On-yu has been taking care of me a lot. I was able to come home today because of her."
"I see... Wait, On-yu? Shin On-yu?"
She responded as if she’d heard something incredibly strange.
*
On-yu was in a good mood.
It was because In-ho, whom she thought she might never speak to again, had miraculously regained consciousness.
It had been two months since a sudden 'accident' left him in a coma. She had considered that period a time of divine punishment.
'I'm so glad.'
At first, she had even entertained extreme thoughts of ending her own life. A life where she couldn't communicate with In-ho was meaningless.
But she couldn't bring herself to do it. If she died, he would be left all alone in his coma. She was relieved now, knowing that holding on hadn't been the wrong choice.
'In-ho, that will never happen again.'
I'll never leave you alone. I'll take care of you by your side.
When you lost your parents and cried in my arms, I made a vow. I vowed to protect and cherish you.
Honestly... I was so good to you, wasn't I?
Anyone would agree if I told them.
Elementary school, middle school, high school.
I only looked at you, only thought of you, and only loved you. I ignored every guy who confessed to me. It was all because I love you.
On-yu saw that the lights were out at In-ho’s place and went inside just in case. The house was cold; even the boiler wasn't on.
In-ho wasn't home, perhaps out for a walk. She pulled out her phone, wanting to check on him immediately, but she hesitated to press the call button.
'No. In-ho will feel pressured if I do this.'
Suppressing the urge to track his location, she picked up the empty cup ramen container in the kitchen and put it in a trash bag. After tidying the table, she forced a smile to calm her heart.
'He probably just went out for a stroll.'
Feeling a sense of pride that no one would ever know, she left the house carrying the trash bag. She thought In-ho would be more comfortable if she took care of the small chores around the house.
"In-ho..."
Seeing In-ho walking toward her from a distance, she was about to greet him happily. But when she saw someone walking beside him, she hid.
In-ho. Why are you doing this?
They were walking close together, looking like they were intimate.
On-yu bit her lip hard. Along with a crushing sensation, blood trickled down her chin.
Why are you doing this again?
You lost your memory... so why are you doing this again?
Why are you with that bitch again?
I'm enduring so much just to be with you... why won't you recognize my efforts?
If you keep acting like this...
I might make another mistake.