Chapter 107
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Jin Si-won
The drizzle that had started falling picked up, drumming against the window. As Jin Si-won stared blankly at the raindrops trickling down, certain thoughts naturally surfaced in her mind.
No, it wasn't just this scenery. It had always been like this. The image of Shin So-hyeon, limbs severed and stuffed into a travel bag several months ago, kept flickering in her thoughts.
What if she had gone along when Shin So-hyeon proposed escaping? Would that tragedy have been avoided? No, adding just one more person surely wouldn't have changed the outcome.
Jin Si-won didn't think her reasoning was wrong. Still, regret lingered. If only she had stayed by Shin So-hyeon's side to help her, if only she had advised her not to get blinded by revenge. The end result might not have changed, but the process could have been different.
And she might not be harboring these feelings now. Clutching her chest, Jin Si-won twisted her face in anguish.
"There she goes, moping around again."
Ha Yoon muttered incredulously from atop Joo Yeon-hwa's back, who was crouched over crunching the apple from her meal ration. It had really been months of this nonsense.
Shouldn't she have gotten over her whining by now? She was leaving soon, and yet here she was. Ha Yoon wanted to pick a fight just to beat some sense into her and avoid seeing that pathetic sight, but Kim Seon-ah was watching, so she couldn't.
'Since when did she get so ruthless with me?'
She used to act like Ha Yoon was her everything, but now her hands were way too bold. She'd slam her to the ground with judo throws at the drop of a hat or straight-up rape her. It was like she'd changed into a completely different person.
Of course, it was Kim Seon-ah's desperate measure to handle Ha Yoon, who no longer held back. But Ha Yoon didn't know that.
Anyway, she finished her apple, leaving only the core, tossed it into the collection bin, and stood up. Of course, she didn't forget to grind down hard with her butt as she rose. Ignoring Joo Yeon-hwa's squeal as she toppled sideways, Ha Yoon headed toward Jin Si-won.
Her tray still had untouched food piled high, as if she hadn't eaten at all. Ha Yoon glanced at it and sat down nearby. Jin Si-won gave her a brief look before turning her gaze back out the window, as if disinterested.
Though facing the window, her eyes weren't seeing the view outside. It was like she was using the scenery as a screen to project something else. Resting her chin on the windowsill, Ha Yoon watched her for a moment before blurting out.
"Hey, Jin Si-won."
"..."
As expected, no reply. Ha Yoon called her name a few more times before giving up.
"Wanna run away with me?"
"...?"
"Finally looking this way, huh."
A smirk escaped at her puzzled glance. Ha Yoon lowered her chin-resting hand, made a pillow with her arms, and propped her face up to peer at Jin Si-won from below.
"So, what's it gonna be? You in or out?"
"...Run away? What are you talking about? Wanna fight or something?"
"Well, that wouldn't be bad either."
Even in this body, her fighting spirit and violent tendencies remained unchanged. Street brawls and ring fights had always thrilled Ha Yoon. She was just holding back now because she knew other fun, pleasurable things beyond that.
But Jin Si-won still looked confused (or maybe pretending to be).
"Then what do you mean? Out of nowhere."
"What else? Let's have sex. You want to, right? With me."
"That was... months ago."
It was around the time they'd first met, no less. After that, various events had occurred, making the proposal essentially fizzle out. Yet here Ha Yoon was bringing it up. Jin Si-won gave her a baffled look, and Ha Yoon chuckled.
"So, you gonna pass? No chance with me after this."
Jin Si-won's discharge date was set. Two days from now, in the morning. Another half-year drawing to a close.
Of course, things hadn't been idle in between. New trainees had arrived to fill spots left by Yoon Se-rin and Han Su-ah's discharges, and now Jin Si-won, whose time was near. The dorm had buzzed briefly with fresh faces.
Their names... honestly, no need to remember. Once Jin Si-won left, it'd be Ha Yoon's turn. She wouldn't see them long, and they weren't playthings like Joo Yeon-hwa anyway, so no point memorizing. Kim Seon-ah had warmed up to them quickly, though.
Anyway, that wasn't the point. Ha Yoon stared intently at Jin Si-won after saying her piece. Those cherry-blossom eyes gazed back playfully, and Jin Si-won unwittingly averted her gaze, mumbling.
"You... you've changed a lot."
"Everyone changes here. Even you—sold off that slutty vibe from day one and now you're pining like a chaste woman for your departed lover all day."
Unable to deny the teasing words, Jin Si-won bowed her head.
"...Does that mean no?"
"Who said no? Just clearing up your misconception—I'm not here to comfort you."
Ha Yoon meant it. Kim Seon-ah had insisted multiple times that they get along since Jin Si-won had helped them, but Ha Yoon had no interest in bonding with anyone but her.
Unless it was to enslave them like Joo Yeon-hwa. Watching her steal glances like a horny dog despite being shoved down, Ha Yoon turned back to Jin Si-won.
"I just came to see if we could fuck once."
"...You have your own, and Kim Seon-ah—"
"You only eat home cooking?"
Jin Si-won's mouth snapped shut at Ha Yoon's incredulous retort. Really just that reason? Doubt filled her eyes, but Ha Yoon clucked her tongue shortly.
"Forget it. The old Jin Si-won is totally dead. All that bragging about your hand skills was bullshit."
With that, she stood without lingering. Staring blankly at her retreating back, Jin Si-won let out a deep sigh.
As she'd said, the old Jin Si-won was as good as dead. The one who loved sex and chased pleasure was gone.
All that remained was a woman groping at an empty void.
Jin Si-won hadn't realized Shin So-hyeon's presence loomed so large inside her. They'd just met at this academy they were forced into, thought she was cute, and started dating. That was it.
Not a serious relationship by any means. Just mutual comfort, sometimes craving pleasure. Sex friends, if anything.
But when Shin So-hyeon attempted escape and returned in that state, Jin Si-won felt a gaping hole in her chest.
Sex no longer brought joy—only pain. She couldn't even get aroused, like she had frigidity.
Because of that, every time she was called for trainer duty and had to fuck them, it hurt like hell. So tight it tore every time, like the first penetration, blood flowing.
Losing just one person felt like everything was stolen. Jin Si-won turned her head blankly again to watch the drizzling raindrops.
Plip-plop—the faint sound soaked into her chest.
Two days flew by. Jin Si-won woke before dawn, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Soon the sun would rise, and her ride would arrive at the parade ground.
Then she'd spend the rest of her life serving some stranger. Until death.
Just months ago, she hadn't felt much about it. If anything, positive—hoping for someone not too violent who was good in bed.
But now? She absolutely didn't want to go. She no longer liked or enjoyed sex.
Above all, her heart still hurt. She didn't want more wounds while these hadn't healed.
But escape? Impossible. Her owner was decided, just like the others before her.
Except one way. Silently, Jin Si-won rose and slipped out of the dorm.
Muffling her footsteps, she reached the bathroom. Entering a stall, she locked the door and stripped. Then tore the clothes with brute force.
Trainee uniforms were flimsy enough for even a victim's grip to shred. She twisted the shreds like rope, tying knots into a noose.
Securing it firmly to the door handle, she slipped her neck in.
One way to flee fate: death. Muttering inwardly, she went limp. Instantly, the thin, sturdy cord crushed her windpipe and carotid.
Vision blurred, consciousness faded. Gurk, gurk—saliva drooled out. As she slowly closed her eyes, thinking relief at last—
"Si-won!"
Something thudded into the stall. Hands pried into the noose, creating space. Fading awareness snapped back.
Jin Si-won thrashed wildly, coughing harshly. Death's approach triggered panic.
Even amid the chaos, the intruder calmly untied the knot. Freed from the death grip, Jin Si-won wept rivers, gasping ragged breaths. A worried voice patted her back.
"You okay?"
"Kek... K-Kim Seon-ah...?"
"Yeah, it's me."
She didn't ask how she was here. Squeezing her eyes shut, Jin Si-won choked out.
"Wh-what are you doing? Why save me?! Living's just suffering!"
No Shin So-hyeon, no more sex enjoyment. A trained sex slave who couldn't enjoy or have sex? Obvious end: whittled down by sadistic acts until collapse and death.
Better to suicide. Her cry halted the patting hand. But Kim Seon-ah didn't pull away, speaking slowly.
"Honestly, I know no words will convince you."
"Then...!"
"But how can I watch someone try to die in front of me? Ha Yoon might, but I'm not that heartless."
A cold assessment of her lover. But it snapped Jin Si-won back to reality.
"...Sorry."
"It's fine. Today, right? Your discharge."
"Yeah..."
"Not sure if it helps, but I asked Teacher Gan. Where you're going."
"Where I'm...?"
Kim Seon-ah nodded.
"To a hospital."
"A hospital...?"
"Yeah, for new drug trials. Guess not all trainees go for sex work."
Teacher Gan said the hospital cared somewhat for trainee welfare. Had to keep them healthy mentally and physically for experiments.
Kim Seon-ah added that and said.
"At least that's good. Hospitals are decent places."
"Even a 'good' place won't fix my life. I..."
Jin Si-won buried her face in her hands, unable to continue. As sobs began, Kim Seon-ah patted her back. Platitudes came to mind, but they'd mean nothing now.
"Still, hang in there."
Jin Si-won didn't reply to Kim Seon-ah's words.
Morning came, and a sleek car pulled into the parade ground.
The driver was a middle-aged man in neat attire, glasses lending an intellectual air.
Head bowed, Jin Si-won boarded.
Like those before her, the car soon left the academy behind.