I Became the Childhood Friend Who Commits Suicide

Chapter 17

“…What did you say?”

“I said, apologize to Hana.”

The teacher’s demeanor grew darker, but Si woo did not waver an inch.

“Are you implying that I was in the wrong?”

“I’m not saying your teaching method is entirely flawed, but mocking Hana by bringing up Si-hyun has nothing to do with the lesson.”

“Unbelievable.”

The teacher shot him a cold glare, and the entire room was on edge, unable to look away from the confrontation.

Meanwhile, Hana was curled up, murmuring quietly to herself. Si woo attempted to go to her, but the teacher stopped him.

“Don’t move.”

“….”

“I’ll ask you one last time: are you saying my methods are wrong?”

Si woo sensed that speaking now would mean a point of no return—a permanent rift with one of his core instructors.

At that moment…

“Wait! Please!”

Someone boldly entered the tense atmosphere. It was Sophie, the freckled girl with red hair, trembling like a small, frightened animal.

Facing the two’s sharp gazes, she shook even more, but stubbornly forced her words out.

“I… I just think Hana looks really unwell. Shouldn’t we… do something?”

Sophie’s statement was simple yet accurate. No one could look at Hana’s condition and think she was okay. She was clearly in a dangerous state.

The teacher fell silent as Sophie, hesitant yet determined, moved closer to Hana and began to check on her.

“Hana, are you okay?”

“S-sorry. I’m so sorry… I won’t do it again….”

“It’s okay. It’s me, Sophie.”

“Sophie…?”

Seeing Hana calm down slightly, Si woo let out a sigh of relief.

“Haa….”

The teacher also sighed heavily.

“We’ll discuss this after class. Return to your seats.”

An unofficial truce, it seemed.

Si woo’s response was immediate.

“I haven’t heard an apology yet.”

“…Is this really necessary? Fine. I admit I lost my temper and that my words were harsh. If it hurt her, then I apologize. But was there anything wrong with the substance of what I said?”

“I’m talking about those harsh words!”

“And do you think you’re showing the proper attitude of a student!?”

Round two began as the teacher, growing more irate, pointed accusingly at Si woo.

“Why are you so protective of that kid?!”

“Because she’s a troubled child who hasn’t found her footing yet.”

The answer didn’t come from Si woo. Instead, an unfamiliar voice echoed through the training room.

‘When did he come in…?!’

The teacher was startled, unable to sense the presence of the new arrival—a level of stealth only possible for someone truly skilled.

The man wasn’t a student. He was well-dressed, wearing glasses, with his hair neatly slicked back.

“…Who are you?”

“My apologies. I’m a teacher responsible for the first-year science classes.”

First-year science?

This was a training room for combat classes, used exclusively by second-year students. He had no reason to be here.

“You must be lost.”

“No, I’m here on purpose. I have business with a student in this class.”

He approached slowly, each step deliberate. For some reason, all eyes were on the science teacher.

“There she is, Yoo Hana.”

“You can’t take that student. And barging into a class without permission is inappropriate.”

“Inappropriate, perhaps, but I think you’re the one displaying a lack of decorum.”

The teacher’s expression hardened at the unexpected rebuke.

“Are you insane?”

“As I mentioned, Yoo Hana is in a very unstable condition. Surely you know that.”

“Monsters won’t accommodate such conditions.”

“Then maybe you should actually put her life on the line in these ‘real’ training sessions. It would certainly improve the effectiveness.”

“….”

Unlike the science teacher’s calm smile, the combat teacher’s face grew tense and rigid.

The same was true for Si woo. For the first time since that day, he met the science teacher’s gaze. After about three seconds, the science teacher looked away, ending the stare-off.

“What do you think the Board of Education would say if I reported this situation?”

“…Are you threatening me?”

“Just a friendly warning—from one teacher to another.”

He casually patted the combat teacher on the shoulder.

As a mere non-combat teacher, this frail man would easily die if he lifted a finger. But the combat teacher couldn’t retaliate.

It was clear who held the upper hand here.

“Glad you understand. Now, I’ll take Hana with me.”

As the science teacher passed by the combat teacher and approached Hana, the combat teacher made a final desperate outburst.

“This is my class! You think you can just barge in and take a student? Ridiculous!”

“Indeed, you’re absolutely right.”

He shrugged, turning back with a smirk.

“But what can you do? It’s break time. I guess you were so engrossed in teaching that you didn’t hear the bell.”

“What? That’s impossible…!”

The combat teacher quickly checked his watch and gritted his teeth.

9:52 a.m. It was indeed break time.

“Or were you too busy arguing with a student? That could be a problem, too.”

“Ugh….”

The combat teacher fell silent, having nothing left to say.

The science teacher confidently approached Hana.

Seeing this, Si woo instinctively reached out but hesitated.

He shouldn’t let him take her.

Hana shouldn’t be with him!

But then who else could handle this situation?

Could he?

With the limitations of a student, there was only so much he could do.

In the end, he had to let it go. He couldn’t ignore the growing sense of helplessness and self-reproach gnawing at him.

Is this how it always ends?

Was he truly incapable of helping Hana?

The science teacher finally reached Hana, who was still with Sophie.

Sophie looked up, her eyes meeting the science teacher’s gaze.

“Thank you for your efforts.”

***

Ugh…

Tossing and turning, I slowly opened my eyes.

What happened?

My memories felt jumbled. It was like my brain was rebooting, taking its time to start up.

Oh, right, I was in class.

I chose a gun for a combat drill against a monster… but ended up terrified, curling up instead of fighting.

Everything’s a blur after that.

The image of the monster comes to mind—the horrible form of something I’d never seen before.

The tremor in the ground as it charged, its chilling cries, the foul stench, and those eyes filled with killing intent…

…Was all of that really just a hologram? Or was I so scared I hallucinated?

I can’t say for sure. Just thinking about it makes my legs weak.

As I regained my senses, I realized I was lying down.

Where am I?

This doesn’t look like the infirmary…

“Oh! You’re awake!”

Someone entered with a bright, cheerful smile that instantly put me at ease.

Seeing Sophie brought back a vague memory of her hugging me and comforting me when I lost it.

If not for her, I might have completely broken down.

In a way, she saved my life.

Though, that might actually be a bad thing considering I planned to die anyway…

“Glad to see you’re back to yourself!”

She’s genuinely worried about me.

We only met this morning.

We’ve barely even spoken.

How can someone be so kind?

It’s almost unbelievable.

“Where is this, by the way?”

“Oh, the science lab.”

…What?

“The science lab?”

“I see you’re feeling better. That’s a relief.”

I turned to see a man entering, and my expression soured immediately.

My face twisted involuntarily.

“…What’s with that look? You wound me.”

“Whatever.”

“The science teacher said he had something to discuss with you, so I came along because I was worried.”

Something to discuss with me?

That doesn’t sound good at all.

“You were asleep for quite a while. It must have been a shock.”

“For a long time? What time is it?”

“It’s after school.”

“…What?”

I fainted during the first period, but it’s now after school?

Are you serious?

Sophie nodded in confirmation.

Wow. Was it really that terrifying?

Yeah… it was.

Fighting a monster was too much for me.

“Wait, Sophie, were you here the whole time?”

“Yup.”

“What about your classes?”

“Friends are more important than classes.”

“….”

Seriously, she’s such a nice character.

Her level of kindness rivals even the original Yoo Hana’s.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I quickly changed the subject.

“So, what did you want to talk about?”

“It’s a bit complicated to explain here….”

“What?”

What is that supposed to mean? He brought me here just to say it’s complicated?

“If it’s because of me, I can go. I’ll head out now.”

“Leaving already? Stay a bit longer.”

“No, I’ve seen that you’re fine, so I’ll head back to the dorm. I have things to do. Hehe.”

Sophie left before I could thank her.

Now, only the two of us were left, and the atmosphere turned chilly.

I’d wanted to keep Sophie here for a reason.

“Now, let’s get to the point. What do you need from me?”

“It’s simple.”

He gave me a peculiar look and opened his mouth.

“It’s about Han Si-hyun.”

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