I Became the Childhood Friend Who Commits Suicide

Chapter 14

For a moment, I considered just skipping over her.

But no.

If I’m to make this petition truly meaningful, I need signatures from everyone in class.

Kim Si woo frowned and stepped forward.

“Is it that hard to help out?”

“Who said it’s hard? I was just asking why I should. Isn’t that fair?”

Right. How clueless can she be?

I thought for a moment about what to do, and then the class president, who had been quietly watching the situation, stepped in.

“Yeonhwa, if everyone in the class helps, it’ll be good for Si-hyun too. Please help us out.”

“Hm…”

With the class president stepping in, the mood in the class shifted in our favor. It wasn’t even a difficult task, and no one particularly disliked Han Si-hyun anyway.

After a brief pause, Hong Yeonhwa let out a sly smile.

“Fine.”

“…Really?”

She agreed so easily that I couldn’t help but ask again.

“Of course. But on one condition.”

“A condition? Hey, don’t push it…”

Kim Si woo was on the verge of another argument, but I quickly grabbed his sleeve to stop him. Right now, time was of the essence, and I was in a desperate position.

If she refuses out of spite, I’m the one who’ll suffer.

“What’s your condition?”

“Oh, it’s simple. Someone’s hurt my feelings by constantly painting me as some kind of bully or thug. I just want an apology. That’s all. Easy, right?”

She’s quite good at getting under people’s skin.

I glanced over at Kim Si woo, who was shaking with rage. Judging by his expression, I knew he’d never apologize willingly—his pride was too strong for that.

“Can I apologize on his behalf?”

“Oh? You?”

“No! Don’t do it! Let’s just forget about this whole thing.”

Kim Si woo pleaded desperately.

His reaction only seemed to pique Hong Yeonhwa’s interest further, her eyes gleaming with amusement.

“Well, I have no grudge against you specifically, so I suppose that’ll work.”

Fine. I could swallow my pride and bow if that’s what it took.

Not that I had much pride left to guard.

My wrist was going numb from Kim Si woo gripping it so tightly it felt like he might break it.

“Si woo, my wrist hurts.”

“…Yoo Hana.”

After staring at me for a moment, he reluctantly let go of my wrist.

I bowed my head immediately.

“Yeonhwa, I’m sorry. It was my fault. Please forgive me.”

“What exactly are you sorry for?”

“For… everything…”

She let out a small laugh.

“Raise your head. You’re being way too serious. I was just joking~. You know I like my favorite doggy best, right?”

She ruffled my hair roughly, messing it up. But finally, I managed to get Hong Yeonhwa’s signature as the last one.

—

Leaving the classroom, I headed back to the student council office with Kim Si woo.

But then, out of nowhere, he spoke up.

“Yoo Hana, come here for a second.”

“Hold on, I need to deliver this first—”

“Hurry!”

Why is he acting like this? He looked like he’d hit me if I didn’t listen, so I obediently followed him to a quiet spot.

“What’s up?”

Thud!

Wait a minute.

Isn’t this… a wall slam?

Kim Si woo’s arm blocked my way, preventing me from escaping. All I could do was look up at him.

“Si woo, this is a bit much for a joke…”

“Never.”

I stopped talking.

Kim Si woo’s voice was trembling pitifully.

“Never go along with what she says again.”

“It’s fine. I wasn’t hurt. It was just friendly teasing between classmates.”

“Promise me!”

Listen, right now, you’re more intimidating than Hong Yeonhwa. You’ve gone from kind lead to scary, obsessive character real fast.

“Okay.”

“And don’t go apologizing to others so easily.”

“Is that really important right now?”

“Hurry.”

“…Fine, I get it. Now can you please let me go?”

Finally regaining his senses, Kim Si woo stepped back. I had to wonder if he’d keep acting this way.

I finally arrived at the student council office, handing over the petition with all 35 signatures from Class A, including mine.

The student council president took it with a faintly exasperated look.

“…Honestly, I don’t know why you’re going to such lengths, but thank you. This will definitely help.”

“I hope so.”

I would be really devastated if this effort didn’t pay off. I might even cry.

“So, what do you think about actually attending the hearing and speaking in person?”

“…Pardon?”

“It would be much more effective than a written petition. I can guarantee that.”

Ugh.

When you put it that way, I don’t really have a choice.

“I’ll do it.”

—

The disciplinary committee consisted of nine jurors.

They were divided into three groups: the student body, the faculty, and the board of trustees.

However, it wasn’t just those nine in the room.

There was also the committee chair who would preside over the proceedings, the accused, Han Si-hyun, and myself.

Is this really how disciplinary hearings are usually conducted?

This felt more like a courtroom trial than a school matter.

Han Si-hyun was seated far ahead of me, so all I could see was her back.

Even the back of her head looked annoyingly neat.

The chair briefly summarized the case. Of course, everyone present already had detailed statements, so they were likely familiar with the incident.

Once the summary ended, a faculty member raised a hand.

“This is a serious incident that cannot be taken lightly. Using an ability in a place as public as a cafe to threaten and injure a fellow student warrants severe disciplinary action!”

The initial statement was severe, and what made it worse was that a few jurors nodded in agreement.

Then, a student representative, the student council president, raised her hand.

“No one is denying the severity of the defendant’s actions. However, we need to look deeper into the specific circumstances. The defendant did not intend to harm a classmate. This was an impulsive, accidental incident due to a momentary loss of temper.”

A white-haired, elderly woman from the board of trustees then spoke.

“Isn’t that simply an excuse? I believe the victim’s perspective should be our primary consideration.”

“You’re absolutely correct. That’s why the victim is here in person to testify.”

Then, a spotlight switched on and focused on me.

This is so embarrassing…

Everyone’s gaze fell on me.

The chair spoke in a solemn voice.

“Are you Yoo Hana, the victim in this incident?”

“Yes, that’s correct…”

“Please give your statement.”

I swallowed hard and began speaking.

“Sh-Si-hyun was just trying to look out for me, and she was offering advice. But… I got stubborn and prideful, and I ended up crossing a line… That’s the only reason Si-hyun got upset. So, if there’s anyone at fault, it’s entirely my fault.”

Good.

My voice trembled a little, but I got it all out.

The chair nodded and turned to Han Si-hyun.

“Defendant, is her statement accurate?”

“No.”

…Huh?

“Hm. So it’s not accurate?”

“Yes. It was my fault. I didn’t fully understand Hana’s situation and, thinking I was advising her, ended up hurting her. My behavior was inappropriate.”

Now their statements were at odds.

This foolish Si-hyun! Why are you complicating things? All you had to do was agree, and this would be over!

I was beyond frustrated.

The jurors looked puzzled as well. Seeing two people arguing about who was to blame was hardly typical. I never expected things to go this way either.

“I’d like to present a petition confirming the defendant’s exemplary conduct and honesty. All 35 of her classmates signed it.”

“Is there any possibility that the student council president used her authority to pressure students into signing? I understand she is the defendant’s older sister.”

“This petition was not prepared by me but by the victim, Yoo Hana.”

…

The room fell silent.

The fact that the victim was going this far made it harder to view Si-hyun as the sole one at fault.

At that moment, Si-hyun looked back at me. Our eyes met, and I awkwardly smiled. Her expression became strange.

What? Do you have a problem with me doing this?

This is all to save you, okay?

So just go along with it, please.

From there, similar arguments went in circles until the chair finally gathered everyone’s opinions.

“It’s time to make a decision. Jurors, please raise your hand if you believe the defendant should receive serious disciplinary action.”

Please. Please. Please.

“With a total of six votes, Han Si-hyun will receive serious disciplinary action.”

“What!? But I’m saying I’m fine with it! As the victim, I’m saying it’s fine, so why are you doing this?”

For that moment, I forgot my embarrassment and shouted in frustration.

I can’t believe this. Si-hyun can’t be expelled.

“Ahem! Han Si-hyun’s actions have clearly disturbed the order within the academy. If we overlook this with mere demerits, similar incidents could occur in the future.”

…

“However, considering the victim’s earnest plea for leniency and the petition signed by all her classmates, there is room for compromise.”

Oh. So… does that mean it’s okay?

He’s using such convoluted language, it’s hard to tell.

“Therefore, the Disciplinary Committee rules that Han Si-hyun will receive 10 demerit points, 30 hours of community service, and be reassigned to Class B. Are there any objections to this ruling?”

The unanimous vote disregarded my raised hand.

Reassigned to a different class?

This is a disaster.

Then, one of the board members raised their hand.

Oh! Could it be an objection?

Please, I’m counting on you!

“It is mandated that each class maintain a fixed number of 36 students. If the count decreases, the entire curriculum for that year collapses.”

Good!

Just objects like that! I don’t fully understand, but please, go ahead!

Then, a teacher raised their hand.

“There should be no issue with that. After all, there’s that child in Class B.”

“Oh, are you suggesting a swap with that child?”

“Exactly. Then everything will be balanced.”

…Wait, what?

The board member who had raised an objection nodded in agreement.

“That’s a viable solution. I think it’s an excellent idea.”

“Then, is there any further opposition?”

“No.”

“Very well. This concludes today’s disciplinary hearing.”

No!!

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