I Became the Childhood Friend Who Commits Suicide

Chapter 23

As mentioned before, academy students have to meet very strict conditions to go outside.

If a teacher isn’t accompanying them as part of a lesson, students must carry an outing pass.

If a student is still outside the academy after the curfew at 10 PM, their location is immediately transmitted to the academy.

So, can’t they just throw away the pass as soon as they leave? No, that’s not possible either. If they get even slightly separated from the pass, the loss of their vital signals is detected, and their location is transmitted to the academy, dispatching a search team.

Some students complain this control is too strict. However, most understand and restrain from going out because they know that each academy student is a valuable hope for humanity against monsters.

But I’m one of the few who can’t accept it. This excessive control has prevented even the option of going out to end it all, so isn’t my reaction understandable?

Anyway, due to these complicated circumstances, I’m just waiting for the field trip next Wednesday. When accompanied by a teacher for lessons, there’s no need to carry an outing pass.

“Here, take it.”

“…Thank you.”

I accepted the pass from the guard with a sour expression.

Today is a sunny Saturday morning.

Normally, I’d be lazing around in the dorm for the weekend, but thanks to Kim Si woo’s scheme, I ended up going down to his hometown—along with Sophie.

“Hana, let’s go!”

“Yes…”

As I watched Sophie smiling so brightly, I could barely suppress a sigh of frustration.

Then Sophie leaned in with a smile and whispered to me.

“Don’t worry. I’ll help you!”

“Thanks, Sophie.”

I can always count on her.

—

Their hometown is quite a distance from the academy, so we have to ride the bus for a while. When we boarded the quiet bus with no other passengers, both of them called me over simultaneously.

“Hana, sit here.”

“Sit over here!”

After glancing between them briefly, I chose the seat next to Sophie. Kim Si woo looked at us with his mouth slightly open, then turned his head toward the window.

Hm. Was that too much? I do want to keep my distance from him, but if he holds a grudge, it could get complicated.

After some thought, I offered a compromise.

“Let’s all sit in the very back seat.”

“Of course! Hana, you’re so smart!”

“…Really?”

I didn’t think it was anything worth praising. Anyway, with me in the middle, Kim Si woo and Sophie sat on either side, and the bus set off.

The ride home was dull, as we had to spend hours on the bus.

It was inevitable that I began dozing off within minutes.

—

In the middle of my sleep, I heard whispers. The only people who could be talking on the bus were those two.

What could they be discussing? Are they that close?

Curious, I tried to focus, but sleep overtook me, and I drifted off completely.

—

Finally, we arrived.

As soon as I stepped off the bus, I stretched to shake off the stiffness.

This place is rural—a proper backcountry. It’s so isolated that there’s barely any sign of civilization. Nature stretches out in every direction, and there are very few people around.

“Wow, is this where you both lived?”

“Yeah, it’s been a long time.”

Of course, nothing came to mind. After all, this isn’t my hometown; it’s Yoo Hana’s.

As we walked down a narrow, unpaved road, a middle-aged man working in the fields noticed us and called out.

“Who’s there?”

“Uncle, it’s us.”

“Si woo and Hana? Good grief, what took you so long to come?”

“Didn’t I tell you we enrolled at the academy?”

“Eh? You did…? I think you did. It’s all a blur.”

It seems he’s an acquaintance from Yoo Hana’s past. To me, though, he’s just a stranger.

Kim Si woo asked him with a wry smile.

“Is everyone doing well? No monster attacks, I hope…?”

“Everything’s fine. We’re still alive and well. No monsters have come here. That incident was a rare one.”

The man clicked his tongue as he spoke.

“That’s good to hear. We’ll be on our way, then.”

“Alright. Heading there?”

“Yes, that’s our first stop.”

“Goodness… even the heavens are indifferent.”

After saying goodbye, we continued walking.

—

Eventually, I fell behind the others. The reason was simple: I’d run out of stamina.

But it couldn’t be helped. Walking up this rugged mountain path is exhausting, especially with Yoo Hana’s frail body.

The two of them could have waited a little. I mean, I told them to go ahead, but…being left behind does sting.

This is just human nature, I suppose.

I collapsed on a flat rock for my 32nd rest break.

Then, someone spoke up beside me.

“Sis!”

“Ah! You scared me!”

I almost cursed, barely stopping myself when I realized it was a little boy who’d spoken.

When did he appear?

“Who…?”

“What, did you forget me? It’s me, sis!”

Sorry, my mind isn’t in the right place right now. Besides, calling me ‘sis’ is a bit strange in this situation.

It seems he was someone Yoo Hana used to know. This is troublesome.

After a brief thought, I blurted out.

“…Deokchun! You’re Deokchun, right?”

“It’s Hansol! Who’s Deokchun? That’s such a country bumpkin name.”

Really? I thought it was decent. I guess it’s considered old-fashioned.

At least now I know his name is Hansol.

“Of course, just kidding. So, Hansol, what are you doing on this mountain?”

“I heard you and Si woo were back, so I came to see you. Where is he?”

“Oh, he ditched me and went up alone.”

Hansol’s expression turned a bit strange.

“Ditch you? Are you not getting along?”

“…It’s complicated.”

Actually, it’s very complicated. But that’s not something a kid needs to hear.

“Anyway, hurry up! The others are all waiting for you!”

“Alright, but don’t rush me. This isn’t exactly…what did you say?”

“I’m going ahead!”

With that, he sprinted up the mountain path without hesitation.

Watching him go, I tilted my head in confusion.

Something about what he said seemed odd.

The others are all waiting? Up there? That’s impossible.

“…No way.”

It’s probably nothing.

Leaving the strange feeling behind, I started the difficult climb again.

—

Finally, after struggling, I caught up with the two at our destination.

They were chatting happily when Sophie noticed me coming and waved.

“Hana! Why’d you take so long? Did you take a nap on the way?”

This girl. Is she subtly teasing me?

“Are you really okay? You used to be so lively.”

“I’m…fine…”

“You don’t seem that way.”

When I finally calmed down, I noticed the surrounding scenery—a large stone monument on the mountainside.

This is the place where, ten years ago, a peaceful village was attacked by monsters, leaving numerous casualties. The place most directly affected was Hope Orphanage, where Kim Si woo and Yoo Hana lived.

Everyone except those two died, and they swore revenge against the monsters.

Kim Si woo approached the stone and gently touched the names engraved there, recalling happy memories.

“I’m sorry…for coming so late…”

There was nothing I could say. In this place, I was just an outsider.

“Teacher, Yoo Jung, Ha Joon, Yena, Hansol, Jiho, Sujeong…”

“Wait, what did you just say?”

One name shouldn’t have been here, but it was clear.

Rushing to Kim Si woo’s side, I scanned the stone and found it in the center.

Baek Hansol.

How…

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