Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: 17. Kim Pokttal's Adventure (4)
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ What should I do?
I wish I could at least let him catch his breath.
Or wipe away his tears.
But Seonghyeon is in no state for that.
What could make him so sad?
Did something bad happen today?
I hope not.
I can't read other people's feelings like Seonghyeon can.
So even if there was sadness hidden behind his cheerful smile, I wouldn't have noticed.
I'm the most useless friend in the world.
I hate myself like this.
I want to be his strength.
"Seonghyeon, what's wrong? Can you tell me? Don't cry..."
"If you go back now, you'll just sleep in that room of yours."
Seonghyeon's voice was so choked with sobs that it was hard to make out, but that was the gist of it.
He's right. He'd already seen my embarrassing room.
I go back there to sleep.
But why bring that up now? And while crying like this.
"No windows, so when you wake up in the morning, you don't even know if it's day. Can't turn on the AC even if it's hot, always eating packed lunches and instant ramen. You'll keep doing that."
That's true too.
It's a bit shabby, but I'm grateful for what I have.
My real world is Billion Saga, after all.
"Can't you just not go? If you leave, it hurts my heart too much. I won't be able to sleep. Please. Please, Dahye. I'll beg you. Come to my house."
With those words, Seonghyeon collapsed right there.
And he really started begging, hands clasped together.
My mind went blank. I couldn't even breathe.
I was the culprit.
Meeting Seonghyeon had been so joyful that I'd forgotten one important fact.
Seonghyeon is someone who has more love to give than anyone.
He shared his affection with me, making me happy, but in return, he took on my pain.
The depth of his care for me wounded him just as much as my misery did.
What is this?
Anyone can see I'm the pitiful one.
Seonghyeon lives a wonderful adult life.
So why is he the one pleading, and I'm the one listening?
Why doesn't it hurt me, but it hurts him?
You were always bright, smiling, pulling people in by the hand.
Life was fun because of you.
All I can do is pathetic things that hurt you.
There was nothing I could do.
I hugged Seonghyeon and cried.
I didn't even know I could cry like this.
I didn't know I missed someone so much.
Tears streamed down my face in a mess, and from my mouth came nothing but "Mom, Mom" over and over.
I missed my aunt so much that I kept sobbing.
No matter how poor or hopeless my life was, I'd never felt miserable.
Because I had the hope Seonghyeon gave me.
But right now, in this moment, I feel so utterly wretched that I want to run away.
But the place I'd run to, leaving a hurting Seonghyeon behind—
That life there—
Would hurt him even more. And with that realization, I've lost even my place to escape.
Seonghyeon is a good kid.
He's not someone who should cry because of me.
If I could just stop my tears, I'd do anything.
Let's pull ourselves together.
"Seonghyeon, can you stand?"
"Uh..."
"If we go to your house, you won't cry anymore?"
"We'll go?"
"Yeah."
"Then I won't cry."
Only then did Seonghyeon stop crying and wipe his face roughly with his sleeve.
I helped him up and we walked.
We were both way too drunk.
Sometimes we'd get tired and sit anywhere, then get up and walk again when we came to.
My legs were shaking, but it was okay.
Seonghyeon wasn't crying anymore.
At his house, I laid him on the sofa.
What now?
He was too drunk to think straight, but he couldn't sleep either.
He kept groaning.
I wanted to look after him until he fell asleep.
I laid his head on my lap and stroked his hair.
Now he's breathing easily.
I wish this were a game.
I'm confident in my healing.
Even if health is critically low, as long as there's a sliver left, Great Heal brings them back in one shot.
But right now, this is all I can do.
"Ttaek!"
But look at that? It worked.
The heal must've landed.
Seonghyeon made a weird noise and revived.
He sat up like a zombie, wiped me down, stripped off my clothes.
Then he did the laundry, took a bath, and shoved me into the bathroom.
After my shower, he gave me water. Then blow-dried my wet hair.
Even I can tell Seonghyeon isn't in his right mind.
Not that his actions are weird—just his condition.
It's not just the drunkenness; he hasn't slept much. He's practically a corpse.
Yet with a body like that, he dries my hair until it's fluffy.
Muscle memory, I guess.
Even blackout drunk, he's used to taking care of someone.
Whoever it is, I'm jealous.
As I tried to put Seonghyeon in bed and leave, he grabbed me again.
"Dahye, don't go..."
"Seonghyeon, I'm not going."
"You're going now..."
"I'm not. I was gonna sleep on the sofa."
"Don't go..."
No choice.
Sorry to whoever that someone is, but I'm sleeping here tonight.
As I lay in bed, Seonghyeon hugged me tightly from behind.
A familiar warmth spreads.
The warmth from my aunt's hand on my belly, from Kwon Seonghyeon Fighter's lololol—now it's all over my body.
For the first time, I prayed to God.
I've never prayed before, so I must have a ton of rollover points saved up.
So, just this once—can you grant my wish?
Please extend it.
Make this moment last as long as possible. Scrape together all my life's luck to stretch out this time.
If all that only buys me one second, I'll be satisfied.
So please, make this warmth, this time, last.
I spend the night listening to Seonghyeon's soft breathing.
Dawn breaks.
Luckily, this dreamlike moment lasts one more day.
And finally.
Here I am.
"I've granted three of your wishes, so grant me one. Park Dahye. Just live here. It's my wish."
Whoa. Did you see that?
God, your specs are top-notch!
A few seconds would've been enough, but how much did you extend it?
Anyway, thank you.
I have nothing left to wish for, so take care of your health now, God!
My heart feels like it's melting.
Now I hum softly, listening to Seonghyeon's breathing against my back.
Isn't it amazing?
Seonghyeon falls asleep the moment he leans on my back.
I think of that time at the cafe with the team lead.
He's explaining the menu in his gentle voice, and I'm listening.
No matter how many people are around, no matter how insignificant I feel there, it doesn't matter.
In my eyes, there's only him, and all his attention is on me.
My heart feels at ease.
It's the same now.
No matter what my future holds, my heart is at ease enough that it doesn't matter anymore.
I'm so glad I started playing Billion Saga.
[Your journey no one else has walked.]
My adventure, begun with that slogan,
Followed the ugliest, loneliest path no one treads, step after step, until I arrived here.
Happy moments are fleeting, and the dark paths will probably continue.
When that time comes, I'll walk those pitch-black roads with bloodied feet again.
But so what?
My mid-save point is this beautiful.
I'm not scared anymore.
If I close my eyes tight and keep walking, maybe another moment like this will come someday.
So until then, I'll stay here with all I've got.
Chin up!
I feel strength welling up.
** I went on and on, huh.
That's the end of my monologue.
How was it?
I was talking to myself because there was no one to listen, but you stuck with me to the end. I'm happy.
I hope a bit of my joy reached you.
If there's a chance, come back next time.
I have no friends, so I always need you guys!
Thanks for listening.
This has been Park Dahye!
The exit is that way...
Ah, wait a sec.
If you all rush out now, you might wake Seonghyeon.
So hold on just a bit, like 10 minutes.
I have something to do.
Seonghyeon's back hug feels great, but honestly, this is just the tutorial!
I found something even better yesterday.
I can only do it once he's asleep.
10 minutes up?
Shall we try?
First, take off the pajamas.
And... carefully... unbutton Seonghyeon's pajamas too.
Then...
Like this!
Snuggle right into Seonghyeon's arms...
Kyah... this... skin-on-skin feel...
It's all warm and toasty—way better than a back hug!
I'm sleeping like this till tomorrow!
When Seonghyeon wakes up in the morning, just play dumb!
Poof!
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