‘This is bad.’

The moment I saw Yoo Hee Na stomping towards me with a furious expression, I panicked.

‘Is it because of Sung Ji Chan?’

Come to think of it, I realized I hadn’t told Yoo Hee Na about this crazy plan yet.

What if she really thinks Sung Ji Chan and I are dating?

Although Yoo Hee Na and I have become close enough to call each other friends, I couldn’t predict her reaction when it comes to Sung Ji Chan because she loses her mind whenever he’s mentioned.

She wouldn’t go as far as expelling the Four Heavenly Kings, would she? No, that might actually be good…

I tensely waited for Yoo Hee Na’s reaction.

Finally, Yoo Hee Na came close enough to grab my collar and whispered,

“What the hell are you and Ji Chan up to?”

Huh?

Surprisingly, Yoo Hee Na, whom I was most worried about, didn’t fall for our scam at all.

“You don’t like Ji Chan.”

I flinched at her firm words.

“How do you know that?”

“It’s not like I’ve only seen Ji Chan’s followers for a day or two. I can tell just by looking at your eyes.”

Yoo Hee Na snorted pretentiously.

“You don’t like Ji Chan, but… No, never mind. I don’t need to say that.”

I was curious about what she was going to say, but I didn’t ask. Anyway, Yoo Hee Na didn’t have the slightest thought that Sung Ji Chan and I were really dating.

‘…I can tell Yoo Hee Na.’

Only then did I explain to Yoo Hee Na about the crazy plan between me and Sung Ji Chan. After hearing the explanation, Yoo Hee Na nodded with an expression that said, ‘I knew it.’

“I knew it would be like that.”

“…But why did you come with such an angry expression?”

“Even so, does it make sense for you two to date? It’s annoying to even hear about it.”

Annoying is a bit…

Anyway, it was a good sign that Yoo Hee Na reacted this way.

I added one last thing.

“For the time being, just play along with us. We’ll break up as soon as we deal with Han Ye Won.”

“It’s not breaking up, it’s going back to the way it was originally.”

“That’s the same thing.”

“It’s different! You and Ji Chan weren’t really dating in the first place!”

She was so nitpicky. It was bothersome, but there was nothing good about rubbing Yoo Hee Na the wrong way, so I corrected my words.

“Okay, just bear with it for a while.”

And so, Yoo Hee Na also joined our plan.

Our absurd plan went surprisingly smoothly.

At some point, the kids started to naturally think of us as a couple. It seemed easy for them to accept because the false rumor that Sung Ji Chan and I were dating had already spread.

“…But how long do we have to keep doing this?”

After all the classes were over, Sung Ji Chan and I met in the infirmary as usual.

“Why, you don’t like it?”

“Yeah.”

“Not even a moment of hesitation.”

Of course. How could I possibly like it?

When I openly showed my dislike, Sung Ji Chan said with a laugh,

“Hey, but don’t you think we need to pretend to date for at least a month to make it look somewhat plausible? It’s not child’s play.”

“A month?”

That long?

I’m already sick of just eating together for one day, and now I have to keep doing this for another month. I sigh just imagining it.

No, will I even be here a month later?

‘Things might change after I meet Jin Hae Yul.’

I didn’t know for sure, but I was certain that Jin Hae Yul would have a clue to the happy ending.

So if I meet Jin Hae Yul this weekend and things go well, maybe I can escape from this world before even spending the next month.

‘Then, does that mean I’ll never see Sung Ji Chan again after that?’

Suddenly, I felt a strange feeling. As I stared blankly, Sung Ji Chan asked, “Is there something on my face?” I shook my head.

It won’t be just Sung Ji Chan that I won’t be able to see. I will never see everyone in this world again. Ban Ha Min, Yoo Hee Na, Seol Yu Hwa, Ji Seung Hyun.

And… Seon Woo Jin too.

Come to think of it, Seon Woo Jin didn’t come to the infirmary today. Looking around the infirmary, I asked Sung Ji Chan about Seon Woo Jin on a whim.

The answer was this:

“Would you come if you were him?”

No, I wouldn’t come…

Since we parted like that in the infirmary last time, I haven’t seen Seon Woo Jin’s face even once. It’s strange, considering we should have at least passed by each other by chance.

As if he had never been within my daily life from the beginning, Seon Woo Jin disappeared without a trace.

I muttered, thinking of Seon Woo Jin.

“Is he deliberately avoiding me?”

“Why are you asking me that?”

“Because you’re his friend.”

Sung Ji Chan pretended to think for a moment, then shrugged.

“I don’t know what that guy is thinking either.”

Well, who would know what Seon Woo Jin is thinking?

I rested my chin on my hand and blankly stared out the window.

‘Will I really not see him even once until the day I return to the original world?’

If Seon Woo Jin keeps avoiding me like this, there’s a high chance of that happening.

I just want us to be friends again like before. I guess that’s just my selfish wish.

Life is difficult… I never thought I would worry about this kind of thing here.

I tried to push thoughts of Seon Woo Jin out of my mind and changed the subject.

“Hey, let’s go somewhere together on Sunday.”

At my words, Sung Ji Chan pretended to be surprised.

“What’s that? Are you asking me out on a date?”

“Are you crazy?”

Seeing my disgusted face, Sung Ji Chan laughed.

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding. But why all of a sudden?”

I thought for a moment and said,

“There’s just a place I want to go with you.”

Saying it like this makes it seem like there’s really something, but I didn’t mean it in ‘that’ way.

I was planning to take Sung Ji Chan to see Jin Hae Yul.

Originally, I was going to go alone. I didn’t know exactly what kind of relationship the Three Generations and Jin Hae Yul have right now, so I was worried about what might happen if I made them clash without knowing.

But if it’s Sung Ji Chan who lost his memories, Sung Ji Chan who still considers Jin Hae Yul a friend, I thought there might be a meaningful conversation.

“Really? But sorry, I’m a bit of an expensive guy.”

…I feel like I may have misjudged.

I held up my fist towards Sung Ji Chan with a rotten face.

“So, will you do it or not?”

“I’ll do it.”

Anyway, that’s how I made plans with Sung Ji Chan.

‘Good. It’s going quite smoothly.’

Now it’s really the final stages.

I had a lot of questions about Jin Hae Yul. Why he grew apart from the Three Generations, what kind of relationship he has with Choi Yu Han, and why he didn’t appear in the original work.

I think I can get those answers this weekend.

I unconsciously opened my mouth.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“To what?”

“This weekend.”

Then Sung Ji Chan said with a serious face,

“This is a problem. Our relationship is a contract. Sorry, but I can’t accept your love.”

Should I really hit him…?

I wanted to punch him, but since I also misspoke this time, I decided to let it slide.

As I talked with Sung Ji Chan, it was already time to go home. I got up from my seat without hesitation.

When we were saying goodbye to go to our respective homes, I made one last request to Sung Ji Chan.

“You really have to come out on the weekend.”

Sung Ji Chan thought deeply about something for a moment, then opened his mouth.

“You said this Sunday, right?”

“Yeah, why? Do you have something to do that day? Tell me now if you do.”

“No, I don’t have anything, but…”

“You don’t have anything?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

It’s completely suspicious. I narrowed my eyes and glared at Sung Ji Chan.

“Are you trying to pull something again?”

“What do you mean, pull something?”

Sung Ji Chan said with a relaxed expression,

“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely go.”

“Really?”

“Yup.”

Sung Ji Chan grinned. What’s with that smile? It’s annoying…

He wouldn’t really not show up after saying that much, would he? Then he wouldn’t be human.

“Okay, you promise?”

Sung Ji Chan nodded confidently.

‘It’s so suspicious.’

I headed home, questioning Sung Ji Chan’s sincerity.

That weekend.

“Ah, I’m late!”

I overslept.

‘Why today of all days!’

I hurriedly got up, washed, and got ready to go out. The meeting time was 11 a.m. It takes 20 minutes to get to the meeting place, so I had to leave right away.

No, I might be late even if I leave now.

‘I should call.’

I called Sung Ji Chan on my cell phone.

“I’m sorry, but I think I’ll be a bit late. Just wait a little!”

– Okay, got it.

Sung Ji Chan’s voice over the phone was nonchalant. What, is he going to be late too?

I was anxious, but I decided to just trust Sung Ji Chan since I shouldn’t carelessly suspect people.

‘Let’s go quickly.’

After getting ready, I ran to the subway station, our meeting place.

“Huff, puff. I’m dying.”

When I was almost there, I caught my breath and swallowed my saliva.

‘Where is he?’

I looked around for Sung Ji Chan. I thought I could find him quickly because he stands out, but for some reason, Sung Ji Chan was nowhere to be seen.

‘What, did he really not come?’

It was a reasonable suspicion. I immediately took out my cell phone and called Sung Ji Chan.

– Hello.

“Hey, where are you?”

– Me? Okay, wait a second.

And the call was abruptly cut off.

I stared at my phone, dumbfounded. What the heck?

After a while, the phone rang again.

– I’m on the first basement floor right now.

“Where on the first floor?”

– In front of the café.

“Okay. You stay right there.”

I hung up without even waiting for a response.

‘I have to hurry.’

I took the escalator down to the lower floor.

Sung Ji Chan always attracts attention anyway, so there was no way I would miss him. I mentally reviewed today’s plan one more time and ran to the café.

But there, I encountered a person I never expected to see.

“…Huh?”

The person in front of the café was not Sung Ji Chan, but Seon Woo Jin.