The face I saw as I felt something was strange, ran over, and asked what exactly was happening as I looked back at ‘Ha Hyun.’

At that time, in other words, at the last moment of ‘Ha Hyun.’

Regretfully recalling how I had belatedly apologized to Ha Hyun, it seemed it would have been better not to have done so at all.

‘I should have just remained a bad impression to make myself feel a bit less uncomfortable, no, to make him feel…’

Now, even I am confused.

I shouldn’t think like this before. It’s too disrespectful and rude to ‘Ha Hyun.’ A person who has occupied someone else’s body has no right to think this way.

Though I shouldn’t…

Releasing a small sigh, Ha Hyun, who had pushed me into the shade and stood in front of me blocking the sunlight, asked again.

“Are you really okay? You don’t seem like it.”

For some reason, the visage of the chaplain seemed to flicker over the expression he made as he asked, squinting his eyes. I eventually admitted it.

“That’s right. I don’t think I’m okay.”

“I knew you would be like this since you came out to wield your sword despite being told to rest.”

“It’s not serious, just a little rest should make it okay, so you can go about your own business.”

“……That’s easier said than done.”

Ha Hyun grumbled quietly. It seemed the shock he received when he saw me vomiting blood a few days ago just before getting possessed had not yet dissipated.

‘Otherwise, he’s not the type to act like this.’

In that respect, I am the culprit. When I awkwardly attempted to smile, Ha Hyun spoke with another sigh.

“I will be around, but if you don’t feel better, call for me.”

“No, I won’t be uncomfortable, but… alright.”

Letting out a small sigh at my answer, he returned to the inside of the practice yard.

I blankly watched Ha Hyun swinging his sword, then slowly lowered my gaze. The peaceful sound of lightly rustling leaves overhead brushed past my ears as a gentle breeze blew.

I inhaled and exhaled softly.

And I recalled the moment earlier when even my perspective seemed confused.

As I went over that brief instant, I mumbled softly to myself, as if engraving it in.

“……I am me.”
I lived under the name Ha Hyun.

However, living as “me” under the name Ha Hyun was one thing, but actually becoming the real ‘Ha Hyun’ was another.

I had arbitrarily taken over someone else’s body, and so, I considered myself the offender who had essentially stolen Ha Hyun’s life. Even though I never intended to, I first tried to consider things from the victim’s point of view. After all, I didn’t want to walk the same path as ‘Ha Hyun’ anyway.

So, I set becoming a respectable adult as my primary goal, and along the way, if the opportunity arose, I would strive to return the body. That was the only thing on my mind.

Yet now, I had glimpsed his memories, seen his entire past as if it were my own, and even claimed the talents of this body for myself.

“It’s certainly strange.”

Contrary to my intentions of returning the body, it felt as if the unfolding events were pushing me to become the complete ‘Ha Hyun’. As if the world was encouraging me to fully become ‘Ha Hyun’.

Through this, it felt like the real me was slowly disappearing.

“Hmm.”

Having thought up to that point, I lifted my head again.

Hoping that the complex emotions would dissipate along with my exhaled breath, this time I inhaled and exhaled much deeper.

‘Well, what can I do if it feels strange.’

No matter how strange the situation became, I was me; I could never become someone else.

As if making a vow, I intentionally looked up at the sky. The sunlight was glaring due to the clear day. However, it was still the mild sunlight of spring. A gentle warmth touched my skin.

Yet somehow, the chill in one corner of my heart didn’t dissipate easily.