“…Huh?”

I stammered in bewilderment.

“W-what do you mean?”

Instead of answering, Seon Woo Jin stared at me for a moment before standing up.

“Let’s go out.”

“What?”

“I said, let’s go somewhere else.”

All of a sudden?

I had no idea what was going on. Puzzled, I followed Seon Woo Jin.

“Where are we going?”

Seon Woo Jin paused for a moment as if thinking about something, then soon spoke to me.

“Do you want to go to school?”

What?

[This is the timeline separator]

And I actually came to school with Seon Woo Jin.

‘How did it come to this.’

I couldn’t understand.

Since it didn’t seem like the right atmosphere to argue, I just went along with him for now, but once we arrived, all I could say was that it felt awkward.

‘Coming to school even on the weekend…..’

The school’s main gate was locked, but there was a way to get in. We entered and naturally headed towards the second infirmary. Seon Woo Jin had the key.

“The school is quiet on the weekend.”

Usually, there would be loud chattering heard from here and there, but today, it was silent wherever we went.

The school without children had a special atmosphere to it. Feeling newly intrigued, I looked around as I walked.

Inside the infirmary. I casually sat on the bed as always. Seon Woo Jin also sat across from me.

Come to think of it, this was also the place where we first met.

One by one, the things that happened with Seon Woo Jin came to mind. It hadn’t been that long, but why did it feel like such old memories?

“Lee Ju Eun.”

At that moment, I snapped out of my thoughts at the sound of my name being called.

“Huh? Ah… yeah.”

I turned my head back towards Seon Woo Jin. He was quietly looking at me. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, I shifted my gaze slightly to the side.

‘It’s still awkward after all.’

It can’t be helped. I’m too timid to act casually around Seon Woo Jin. I’m not sure if the word ‘timid’ suits me though.

‘I should have just parted ways earlier.’

I regretted grabbing onto him to talk.

I could have naturally left while cursing at Sung Ji Chan. My thinking was too narrow. I shouldn’t act on impulse in the future.

While I was lost in my own regrets, Seon Woo Jin asked.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Me?”

What was I thinking about…. Old memories?

“I was just thinking about when I first met you.”

I said while tapping on the bed I was sitting on.

“You were lying on this bed back then. Remember?”

Seon Woo Jin chuckled.

“I remember.”

I really had no idea it would turn out like this back then. It hadn’t been long since I possessed this body and I was still adjusting to this world, so I would have been terrified of the Threetops.

‘If someone told me back then that I would become this close with Seon Woo Jin, I definitely wouldn’t have believed it.’

Not only would I not have believed it, I might have gotten angry and told them to stop lying.

‘You really never know a person’s life.’

If I had known it would turn out this way, would I have tried not to enter the infirmary that day? Maybe I would have. And there wouldn’t have been any involvement with the Threetops.

‘Then the current situation would have been completely different.’

Anyway, I felt fortunate that I entered the infirmary that day. Because thanks to that, there were many enjoyable moments. Of course, there were more difficult times, but looking back, aren’t they all memories? It was a pretty good experience in its own way.

…Though it seems a bit too beautified.

I tried to change the subject.

“But why did you come here?”

When I asked, Seon Woo Jin hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth.

“No reason. I just wanted to say it here.”

“Say what?”

Seon Woo Jin didn’t answer. I wonder what he wants to talk about, making me wait like this.

‘How strange.’

This doesn’t happen often.

Seon Woo Jin was always willful and assertive. If he wanted to say something, he said it, and if he didn’t want to, he didn’t. Words like ‘hesitate’ or ‘falter’ didn’t suit Seon Woo Jin.

‘Could it be something important?’

I waited patiently.

And finally, Seon Woo Jin spoke.

“I like you.”

The moment I heard those words, my body froze on the spot.

“…Huh?”

There was a faint smile on Seon Woo Jin’s lips.

“I said I like you, Lee Ju Eun.”

My heart sank. It felt like time had stopped.

Piercing through the silence, what came out after a long while was a foolish remark.

“What do you mean?”

Seon Woo Jin quietly gazed at my face and spoke.

“You knew it already. That I like you.”

His voice was calm. Not reproachful or sad, just a composed tone as if stating facts. I felt my face flushing.

“I….”

I didn’t know what to say. Should I say I had no idea at all?

No. I clearly knew. Maybe I subconsciously knew long before I consciously realized it. That’s probably why Seon Woo Jin is saying this.

I hung my head low. It was hard to meet Seon Woo Jin’s eyes.

I clenched my fists tightly on my lap and carefully asked.

“W-what should I do?”

Only foolish questions spilled out in my confusion. Seon Woo Jin stared at me for a while, then calmly replied.

“You don’t have to do anything. I just wanted to say it.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s hard to bear.”

Seon Woo Jin’s expression as he said that was calm as usual.

“I feel like I can’t hide it anymore.”

It was a composed confession.

I bit my lip. I didn’t know how to respond. I knew it in my head but strangely, the words wouldn’t come out.

Seon Woo Jin said with a smile.

“I didn’t say it to make you look like that.”

What kind of face did he see me making? It must be a mess.

I tried to force a smile but failed. In the end, I lowered my head.

‘I have to answer.’

Reject him clearly. Say I’m sorry. That he’s a really good friend but I can’t accept his feelings.

I spoke, trying my best to act nonchalant as if it was nothing.

“…I’m sorry.”

In my head, there were all sorts of words I couldn’t bring myself to say.

I can’t accept your feelings. Because I’m someone who will be leaving soon.

After some time, I will never be able to see you again. You won’t even remember me, but it’s not the same for me. So I can’t.

I can’t live forever missing you by myself.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, tears welled up. I didn’t know why.

“Why, why am I doing this?”

I wiped away the tears with my hand. But the tears kept flowing.

Seon Woo Jin approached me with a startled expression.

“Are you okay?”

I nodded vigorously while crying.

Seon Woo Jin looked at me with pity in his eyes, then quietly embraced me. I sobbed in his arms.

I heard Seon Woo Jin’s soft voice in my ear.

“I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”

My heart pounded. Only then did I realize.

I like Seon Woo Jin.

On the day I rejected Seon Woo Jin’s confession, I became aware for the first time that I felt the same way as him.

[This is the timeline separator]

That night.

I returned home and collapsed onto my bed.

My mind was in turmoil. As I lay there lost in thought, staring at the ceiling, something suddenly appeared in front of me.

[Ms. Ju Eun!]

It seems like it’s been a while.

I glared at the system with my swollen eyes.

“Why did you appear?”

[Just because!]

I’m already distressed enough, and now the system is tormenting me too.

Not wanting to see the system, I turned onto my side. Then the system that was on the ceiling reappeared before my eyes.

[Cheer up! I’m always by your side, Ms. Ju Eun ㅇ_]ㅁ< So mean!]

Seeing it suffer was a bit refreshing.

But before long, I felt empty. Right. What's the point in cursing at it? It's something that already happened anyway.

I let out a sigh.

[ㅇ_ㅇ…… Are you feeling a bit better now?]

No.

…I wanted to say that, but I was too tired to curse and didn't feel like venting my anger anymore.

'But I can't help feeling troubled.'

I felt like I could see Seon Woo Jin's face in front of me. Even if I closed my eyes tightly, that earlier scene kept coming to mind.

Burying my face in the blanket, I muttered.

"I guess I got too attached to this world."

[It's understandable. This world is that amazing after all! ㅇ_ㅇb]

No… I don't think that's it.

I still thought it was a foolish world. A strange place where nonsensical things happen routinely.

But I came to like the people of such a weird world.

If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have gotten close to them from the start.

If I had known parting would be this hard, I definitely wouldn't have become close with them.

They say regrets always come too late. That was indeed the case.

If time were to rewind and I was given the chance to choose again, would I choose the path of not getting close to those kids? Probably not. Because I've already grown too fond of them.

'But I can't stay like this forever.'

I needed a solution after all. Isn't there a good way to resolve this whole situation?

I fell into thought for a while. And the more I thought about it, there was only one conclusion.

Finally finishing my thoughts, I clenched my fists tightly.

"I've made up my mind."

[About what? ㅇ_ㅇ]

I declared firmly.

"I'm going to end this novel."