I Became the Childhood Friend Who Commits Suicide

Chapter 12

Han Si-hyun?

Why is she here?

I saw her in class today, but seeing her up close, she really is pretty.

I guess that’s why she’s the main heroine.

Oh, I need to hide the syringe.

I hurriedly shoved it into my bag.

I hope she didn’t see it.

“Why are you here?”

She’s asking what I was curious about.

Han Si-hyun calmly brushed back her hair and answered.

“I heard this is a science research club. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

How did she find out about that?

It must have been Kim Si woo who told her.

It shouldn’t be time for the two of them to get close yet.

“But it seems there’s only one listener here.”

“We pursue free activities here, so only those who want to come, come.”

“I see.”

What is this conversation?

As I tilted my head, my eyes met Han Si-hyun’s.

She didn’t look away, just stared at me intently.

What is this?

Does she want a staring contest?

The painkiller hadn’t worn off yet.

Normally, I would have looked away, but I felt like holding my ground.

The staring contest lasted about five seconds.

Then, Han Si-hyun suddenly spoke.

“Can I join this club too?”

“Hmm… Are you talking about the science research club?”

“Yes.”

What does she mean?

Did Han Si-hyun ever take science research in the original work?

No way.

The science research club was something I made up on the spot.

And there’s no way Han Si-hyun would already be connected to a demon.

No.

This messes up the original storyline.

At least not until I die; it shouldn’t happen.

I desperately sent him a look.

Absolutely don’t let her in.

If you let her in, I’ll seriously kill myself.

Thankfully, he noticed my gaze and nodded.

A huge relief.

“Alright, new members are always welcome.”

Relief? My foot.

That despicable demon can go die.

“However, it might be difficult for today.”

“Why?”

“The science research club hasn’t been formally established yet. You could say it’s still in the prototype stage.”

“Then, what about her?”

“Ah, Hana here is more like my assistant.”

Assistant?

Since when was I your assistant?

He said it so brazenly without even changing his expression.

“It seems strange, but okay, I understand.”

“By the way, I’m surprised. I heard Si-hyun is ranked first in her year. Wouldn’t it be more practical for you to join a combat-related club?”

The academy is fundamentally a place for teaching combat.

Combat courses carry much more weight than non-combat ones.

Han Si-hyun brushed her hair behind her ear again.

That must be a habit.

“I’m already number one in combat subjects without needing a club. That’s why I’m focusing on non-combat subjects.”

…

She’s even more shameless.

Even the demon was left speechless for a moment.

Han Si-hyun is definitely no pushover.

“So, when does the prototype science research club finish today? It doesn’t seem like you’re doing much.”

“You’re right. There’s nothing much to do today, so we could finish right now.”

“Oh, great. Then, can I borrow Hana for a moment?”

Aha. So that’s why she’s here, to borrow something.

I guess the whole joining-the-club thing was just a joke.

But what exactly does Han Si-hyun want to borrow?

“What would that be?”

“I told you. Hana.”

“…Me?”

“Yes.”

Ah, I didn’t realize she meant Hana.

—

Leaving the science lab, I headed to a cafe.

With Han Si-hyun, no less.

Hm. How did this happen?

Leaving the science lab is great.

Being away from that demon is obviously a relief.

But being with Han Si-hyun… that’s a bit…

Still, she really is pretty.

Sitting across from her, I couldn’t help but admire her.

Yoo Hana isn’t unattractive either.

If I think about it, she’s quite pretty, isn’t she?

But that’s not the point here.

Why did Han Si-hyun come to find me?

Clearly, the two aren’t close.

Not now in the beginning, and not even later.

If I were to summarize their relationship in one word:

One-sided inferiority complex. That’s all.

Han Si-hyun possesses everything Yoo Hana desires.

Outstanding abilities. The hero’s affection.

Those two things are everything Yoo Hana ever wanted.

Maybe that’s why I instinctively find her unpleasant, thanks to Yoo Hana’s influence.

I took a sip of the warm milk from my mug.

“Phew…”

Wow, it’s delicious.

I’m not usually a milk person, but Yoo Hana’s favorite food is milk.

A warm glass of milk felt much more comforting than any painkiller.

Comparing it to strawberry milk, well…

Let’s move on.

Anyway, there’s no connection between Yoo Hana and Han Si-hyun.

So why did she bring me here for a chat?

Han Si-hyun, sipping her espresso across from me, started speaking.

“This is the first time we’ve talked like this, right?”

“Yeah, probably?”

“Nothing special, I was just curious.”

“About what?”

“Are you being bullied?”

What kind of question is that?

I frowned at her directness.

Come to think of it, she’s not exactly a normal character.

She looks perfect on the surface, but she’s pretty twisted inside.

Occasionally, she even shows some creepy traits.

Some might call it a psychopathic tendency.

Of course, later she softens after dating Kim Si woo.

“I… don’t know.”

How many people would admit they’re being bullied?

And honestly, I’m not sure myself.

Hong Yeonhwa seems to pick on me, but the rest just feel indifferent.

So maybe I’m more of a voluntary outcast.

“Why do you think you’re being bullied?”

…

I just said I’m not sure.

Why do you assume?

“It’s because you’re powerless, isn’t it?”

“Probably.”

“The only powerless student in the academy. Doesn’t that seem strange to you?”

What’s strange here is your attitude.

At this point, most people would either get angry or start crying.

Right now, my favorability towards Han Si-hyun is dropping sharply.

Yoo Hana, you were right. I don’t want to befriend someone like her.

I’d rather become a villain and fight her.

“Do you know the conditions for admission to the academy?”

“Uh, money?”

“First, you must be under 19. Second, you must have an awakened ability.”

Oh, so that’s how it is.

So if you’re over 20, you can’t join? That seems discriminatory.

“Most ability users awaken their powers at birth. But a few meet certain conditions and awaken later.”

“I get it, but why are you telling me this?”

Han Si-hyun took another sip of her coffee before answering.

“Every student here had to have awakened to qualify for admission. In other words, an unawakened person like you wouldn’t have been admitted at all.”

That’s…

Wait, so…

Is that how it is?

But that wasn’t in the original story.

Yoo Hana is powerless. She’s bullied at the academy because of it.

That’s all the original work says.

Han Si-hyun’s explanation never appears.

“I didn’t cheat or use any connections…”

Yoo Hana couldn’t have any connections.

What is this?

It doesn’t seem like Han Si-hyun is lying.

Was it a system error?

Is that how Yoo Hana got admitted by luck?

That doesn’t make sense.

“Right. That’s not what I meant. I’m saying you may be an awakened one, after all.”

“Are you saying I’ve already awakened?”

No, of all things, that’s impossible.

Yoo Hana doesn’t have powers. She only awakens upon death.

She even mentions it herself in the original story.

“If I truly had powers, I would be able to use them, right?”

Ability users instinctively understand and wield their powers.

How much they improve is up to them, but they can use their power from the start.

“Unless you’re a passive type.”

“Passive type…?”

I understood the concept a few seconds later.

There are various types of powers, and that’s one of them.

The power stays active permanently.

Mostly with physical abilities.

Increased strength, speed, sharp vision—traits that don’t disappear.

“So, do you get it now? If you’re not powerless, then there’s no reason to be bullied. Let’s try finding your power. I’ll help you, so find your confidence…”

“I’m definitely powerless.”

“Don’t be so sure.”

“There’s nothing special about my body.”

“Passive powers aren’t always physical.”

Why does she keep dismissing my words?

Why?

I told her it’s not possible.

If that’s true, what’s the point of everything I’ve done so far?

What was all the suffering for?

Without knowing anything…

I know everything.

I’ve read the entire story.

You’re just a character in a novel.

“I’m leaving.”

“Running away?”

“What? Running?”

“Don’t place all your suffering on having powers. That’s foolish and self-pitying. Instead of playing the tragic heroine, finding solutions is far more productive.”

Don’t blame it all on powers?

Foolish and self-pitying?

Playing the tragic heroine?

At that, I snapped.

What do you know?

What do you know?

Have you ever suffered as I have?

Knowing nothing.

How much pain I’ve endured.

You know nothing.

“Why don’t you tell that to your brother?”

“…What?”

“Tell your brother who killed himself the same thing…”

Swish

Warm liquid ran down my cheek.

It wasn’t water.

It was blood.

In Han Si-hyun’s hand was a brilliant sword.

A drop of blood formed on the tip of the sword and fell with a plop.

“Say that again. What did you just say?”

…

I couldn’t open my mouth.

I could only tremble, pinned down by the intense, murderous aura pressing against me.

Frustration.

Annoyance.

Fear…

Everyone in the cafe had their eyes on us.

Then, an outsider stepped in, and the situation was brought to an end.

“What’s going on here?”

…

“Unauthorized use of abilities and injury to a fellow student within the academy. This won’t end with just a demerit.”

A senior with a sharp gaze and a cold expression spoke.

On his arm was an armband labeled “Disciplinary Committee.”

“At minimum, this calls for serious disciplinary action.”

“Expulsion is also possible.”

Those words quickly extinguished the heated atmosphere.

My returning sense of reason flashed a warning.

The original storyline is on the verge of collapsing.