I Became the Childhood Friend Who Commits Sui**de

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The original story has begun.

That means Hana will continue to face trials ahead.

I wanted to help her in any way I could, but there was no appropriate method available.

If she doesn’t become the savior through her hardships, the entire cause and effect will collapse.

The persona that has formed within Hana right now is nothing but a fake created based on the knowledge she shared and my personality.

This will gradually merge with her original self as she loses her memories, and the moment she regains her memories through the power of the Holy Grail, she will fully become Hana and realize everything.

This was the best outcome.

And this is the method Hana chose for herself.

The core of her painstakingly devised plan.

“…”

Yet still, an overwhelming feeling churned deep within my chest.

Is this truly the best solution?

Could there be a better option?

No matter how much I try to understand logically, it was impossible to view the current Hana as just a mere pawn in a long-term plan.

Let’s think about it.

The absolute best option where no one gets hurt.

*

The flow of past events vividly lingered in my memory.

It wasn’t difficult to assess when I should intervene.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I slipped into the dormitory.

Tonight, Hana will attempt to hang herself in her room.

With the rope we bought together.

The one who saved her back then wasn’t me at that time.

It was me now. That is, my future self who is a science teacher ten years later.

This meant if I don’t save Hana now, the entire narrative will be completely twisted.

What if Hana succeeds in her suicide and dies here?

Then, the future where I become a Black Goat, lose my memory, and become White Lamb would completely vanish.

If that happens, we would never reach a perfect ending.

As I grasped the doorknob and twisted it, I cocked my head for a moment.

It seemed as though the lock had melted away from the heat.

Could someone have arrived before me?

As soon as I entered, I squinted my eyes.

The sight of a girl hanging limply in mid-air, struggling to cough, was starkly revealed before me.

Could it be that the timing is this precarious?

I rushed over, cut the rope, and held Hana in my arms.

I already knew. That Hana was trying to end her life today.

But witnessing it in reality made my chest feel tight, as if it were constricted.

So, this was how much pain she was in.

I had no idea at all.

A deep wave of regret washed over me.

“You mustn’t die, Miss Hana.”

Hana simply shed tears without any words.

That sight was so pitiful that I could only taste bitterness on my lips.

“Cough… Cough!”

Hana, who was coughing violently, looked utterly devoid of strength.

Her fragile neck bore the clear mark left by the red rope.

“Let go… Let go!”

Yu Hana had lost all her memories. She believes that her current self is a foreigner possessed from another world. Thus, she knows nothing of the year’s worth of memories we’ve built together.

The emotions reflected in her eyes were filled only with hostility and vigilance.

Perhaps it was natural. By now, she must have already taken the medicine I gave her yesterday.

“Are you okay?”

There was no answer.

She only grimaced while clutching her head, as if dizziness had struck her the moment the blocked air suddenly rushed in.

“That was extremely dangerous. You were on the brink of death.”

“Put me down… Please.”

Her desperate plea weakened my resolve.

I would have to endure scenes like this for another six months.

Could I really bear to watch Hana suffer continuously?

First, I cautiously lowered Hana onto the bed.

“Lie down. You must be quite dizzy right now.”

“…How did you get in?”

“Somehow, the door’s locking mechanism was melted away. Did someone use a laser or something?”

Hana’s expression shifted into one of disbelief.

Does even the homeowner not know the cause of this situation?

This requires some investigation.

“How did you get into the dormitory?”

“Isn’t it fine for a teacher to come and check on a student?”

I crafted my excuse as shamelessly as I could.

It doesn’t matter if she doesn’t believe me, as long as I don’t get caught as Kim Shinwoo.

The only important thing is not to reveal that I’m not Kim Shinwoo; any suspicions wouldn’t amount to much.

“…How did you know?”

“What are you referring to?”

“You knew I was trying to die and stopped me, didn’t you?”

Of course, I knew and acted to stop her.

I’ve known since ten years ago.

But I couldn’t respond in such a straightforward manner, so I shrugged and replied nonchalantly.

“Hmm. I happened to learn about it. That you were attempting suicide.”

Naturally, Hana didn’t seem to buy it easily.

Soon, she appeared to ponder something, and then her expression suddenly shifted.

Was she slightly frightened?

“W-were you here to kill me?”

At that absurd question, I couldn’t help but furrow my brow.

“What are you talking about? I rushed over out of concern that you would make an extreme choice, Miss Hana.”

“Hah. Sure, you would.”

Hana seemed to regard me not just with suspicion, but as an outright enemy.

Could it be that the memory manipulation from yesterday wasn’t thorough enough? It was casually mentioned in an attempt to confirm.

“Honestly, I was a bit surprised. When I saw you yesterday, I thought you were bright and pure, but I never imagined you were suffering enough to want to end your life.”

In an instant, Hana’s expression soured.

It seemed the fake persona had taken root quite well.

The real Hana would never have made such a face at anyone.

Next, it was time to check if she had taken the medicine.

“Did you not take the medicine I gave you? If you had, surely you wouldn’t even think of suicide.”

The response came swiftly.

Hana flinched, mumbling in a small voice.

“I-I don’t like strawberry flavor.”

A complicated reaction.

If I just brushed it off with a laugh, my bittersweet memories with her tied to candy would linger.

“It seems you did eat it. I’m not sure whether to call it foolishness or commendable.”

“I will never eat that suspicious vitamin!”

In the midst of her vehement protest, Hana slowly began to succumb to sleepiness.

Her eyelids were growing heavy, and her gaze became hazy.

Yet, for some reason, perhaps because I was in front of her, Hana desperately fought to stay awake.

“You realized, didn’t you? The medicine I gave you is not a vitamin.”

“My medicine brings happiness. It will help you completely forget the pain that tormented you, Hana.”

“…Get lost.”

Showing hostility toward the medicine isn’t a good sign.

Until she awakens, the pain from her illness will only grow stronger.

Soon enough, simple painkillers won’t suffice.

No sooner had I finished my sentence than—

Hana suddenly opened her eyes wide and bit her lips tightly.

There could only be one reason for such a reaction.

A seizure is beginning.

I didn’t want to see Hana writhing in pain anymore.

“You seem to be in a lot of pain.”

I’m sorry.

That I could do nothing but this.

“You already know how to eliminate that pain, don’t you?”

The one thing I could give her was only Hana.

“You can be happy by taking this. Of course.”

I took out her favorite, strawberries.

“Ultimately, the choice rests in your hands, Hana.”

Hana’s gaze fixated on the red pill in my hand.

As she stared intently at it, Hana finally opened her mouth to respond.

“Why don’t you just eat it yourself?”

“………”

Oh my.

I can’t believe Hana is swearing.

“Alright. If you dislike it, there’s no need to push further. Instead, how about we make a bet?”

Before Hana could spew out her refusal, I added.

“It’s regarding your childhood friend.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“A boy will soon arrive at this room. I’ll put him to the test. Don’t you want to see how he reacts when he tells him to stop seeing you, Hana?”

“………”

The girl who had been deep in thought surprisingly accepted the bet.

“Fine. But make sure it’s done right.”

“Of course.”

The reason I made such a proposal was simple.

Today’s experience completely changed me ten years ago.

The question thrown by the science teacher on that day became the turning point of my life.

As my feelings for her, which had become so familiar, reignited, I recognized for the first time the state of Hana, whom I had been ignoring until now.

It’s also reasonable to speculate why Hana accepted this proposal.

Currently, she’s in the position of a possessor, likely trying to distance herself as much as possible from Kim Shinwoo.

A dramatically agreed-upon bet aligning both our interests.

She pretends to sleep quietly and overhears the conversation we share.

Through him, she would watch what decision Kim Shinwoo makes.

In a few minutes, he arrived in the room just as I predicted.

“Haah… Haah…”

The one who entered the room let out rough breaths.

Then, he seemed to notice me sitting by the side of the bed.

“Who are you?”

A cold question.

The tension contained within it.

Memories from ten years ago began to resurface vividly.

“So, it’s you, Kim Shinwoo.”

“Who the hell are you?!”

His long strides brought him closer to me.

Then, his presence suddenly vanished.

The scene he is witnessing now. The sight of my hand brushing through the hair of the sleeping Hana.

I knew better than anyone what that feeling was like.

In an instant, I was caught by my collar.

The solid-faced version of me before him glared daggers at me.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Oh, me? I’m a science teacher.”