I Became the Childhood Friend Who Commits Sui**de

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Class has ended.

Shin Woo scanned his surroundings while remaining seated.

Hana was busy chatting with Valentina. The two seemed to have become quite close recently. Typically, it was Valentina who approached first to strike up a conversation.

As the bell rang, Yeon Hwa exited the classroom through the back door. Recently, she had been less involved in classes, focusing solely on her training. Since that incident, she no longer mingled with Hana.

There had been various changes.

He was no exception.

Since their conversation alone last week, a noticeable distance had formed between them. Of course, they still spoke and had attended school together like before. However, Hana’s attitude had definitely changed compared to the past.

He hoped today might serve as a turning point.

The health check that involved all students had just concluded. Of course, it was merely a facade; in reality, it was a blood test to distinguish the Mains. Not only the students but also all the teaching staff participated.

This meant that today it would be revealed whether that science teacher was a Main or not.

*

After finishing class, he naturally started to head towards the science lab.

It had become his routine to go straight to the first floor science lab once school was out.

Had it been about a week since his discharge?

He thought he had finally adapted completely to academy life.

Although the classes were still challenging.

He even sometimes asked class president or Shin Juhyun for help.

He wasn’t trying to score high marks. He had no particular interest in that. After all, he had completely given up on practicals.

His only goal was one.

Just avoid failing.

Let’s make sure to pass with the bare minimum to prevent getting held back or expelled.

Naturally, keeping up with the pace of the lessons was difficult.

The disdain and mockery he received as an incapable person were still present.

Nonetheless, it wasn’t worse than expected.

If only it had been like this from the start, he would have preferred it. If he had accepted that this kind of life wasn’t bad a little sooner…

On the day of that practical training. If only he had used the escape device instead of foolishly claiming he would commit suicide…

Would Sophie have lived?

Would he have been able to enjoy a happy academy life with Sophie like this?

He felt no sorrow.

Not yet, since the effects of the medicine hadn’t worn off.

He didn’t feel the dizzying thrill either.

Just a tranquil longing lingered in his heart.

Sophie.

Do you hold any resentment against me?

Sophie didn’t answer.

For some time now, her blue eyes had become invisible.

Should he really like this?

*

Before long, he arrived at his destination.

He opened the door to the science lab.

Inside, there was the same man as always.

The intellectual-looking science teacher wearing a white coat and glasses.

He greeted him with a relaxed smile.

“You’re here. Come and have a seat.”

“……”

He didn’t feel the need to respond.

Without outright refusing, he plopped into the seat the teacher had offered.

“Shall I give you the medicine right away?”

“You too did that today?”

“Hmm? What do you mean by that?”

He took out a vial from his pocket.

After glancing at it for a moment, he soon lost interest and focused on the conversation.

“I mean the health check. I saw they took blood too.”

“Oh, that thing.”

The blood of a Main appears a distinct black color, unlike humans. Anyone who isn’t colorblind would be able to distinguish it.

Originally, the method of distinction would have only been revealed in the middle of the story, but because of Sophie, it had long been known.

This means that this health check was certainly a test to expose the Mains.

He maintained his composure.

He answered in a way that was almost infuriatingly nonchalant.

“Of course. Health management is always important.”

“…Ha. I guess so.”

He murmured, even as he felt a bit relieved inside.

Wait. Relieved?

Why was that?

Because… if this man were to be in danger, he wouldn’t be able to obtain the medicine.

Without that medicine, he couldn’t be happy.

Yes. It’s because of that.

There couldn’t be any other reason.

Thinking of this, he decided to ask for the medicine.

It seemed the effects were starting to wear off.

“Enough already, just give me the medicine.”

“Did I fulfill the conditions I set?”

“…Yeah. I don’t know what the morning jog was supposed to mean, but.”

“Good. Here it is.”

Just as he was about to swallow the medicine handed over to him in one go, he suddenly hesitated.

He stared intently at the red pill in his hand.

“Why do you look like that?”

“…Mind your own business.”

He placed the pill in his mouth.

Swallowing it down, he closed his eyes for a moment to wait for any changes.

“……….”

It really did feel strange.

This wasn’t the first time he felt this way.

For several days, or perhaps even before that, he had slowly begun to notice something off.

The effects of the medicine were fading.

The profound pleasure he had felt when he first took it had long since disappeared.

Now, it was just a gentle comfort.

If he were to compare it to a mere fullness after being well-fed, that would be it.

He didn’t feel irritated.

Since eating the medicine, he wouldn’t feel any negative emotions.

Separately from that, he genuinely felt confused.

“What have you done to the medicine?”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“Don’t play dumb. You’ve been giving me weaker stuff over time.”

At his words, the teacher smiled unpleasantly.

Just looking at him fueled the anger to rise. It was as if he would have felt that way had he not taken the medicine.

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding? Just a matter of feeling?”

“Well, even if the meaning is different, the essence is similar. What has changed is not the medicine.”

“…Could you say that in a way I can understand?”

He had always seemed to enjoy speaking in a cryptically unclear manner.

Perhaps he derived happiness from confusing others?

What a twisted taste.

With that kind of reaction, it was clear he wouldn’t get answers no matter how much more he asked.

So, he decided to just give up and move on.

“By the way, what about the conditions today?”

“Oh, there are none now.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. Hana has fulfilled the basic conditions today.”

He had fulfilled the basic conditions?

But he hadn’t done anything special today.

Compared to the last week, nothing particularly stood out.

“Of course, aside from that, the very first condition I imposed must always be fulfilled.”

“The first? The one about being diligent?”

“Yeah. That’s right.”

To be honest, he had no recollection of the first transaction.

At that time, he had been in a rather anxious state while staying in the hospital.

However, the teacher had repeatedly emphasized that initial condition.

No matter what he had been thinking during that transaction, the condition he proposed was utterly outlandish.

In the end, all the later conditions were merely extensions of that first condition too.

“I was worried that I might run out of time, but thankfully it’s all good.”

“Yeah. I don’t know what it is, but it seems to have gone well for you.”

He held onto his sarcastic tone without losing his smile.

There was no reason to stay here any longer, nor did he want to.

Getting closer to this man wouldn’t bring anything good.

All he could do was use him.

The Main remained my most dangerous existence.

“Are you leaving already?”

“Why? Trying to hold me back?”

“Be careful on your way back.”

“…Hmph.”

Still pretending to be kind, huh.

I will never fall for it.

No matter what plan you’re scheming, I won’t play along.

At the moment he was about to leave the science lab, he heard him call from behind.

“Be careful.”

“Huh? Be careful? Of what?”

“I’m warning you since this is the last time.”

He spoke with a more serious tone than ever.

“Don’t trust anyone.”

“……….”

“Of course, that includes me too. Be suspicious of everyone.”

“I’ve never trusted you even for a second.”

At his words, the teacher let out a chuckle.

“That’s a relief.”

*

With a trembling heart, Shin Woo headed towards the student council room.

The health check had just finished today, so the results probably weren’t out yet.

But for a young boy, the test results didn’t matter much.

Only the color of that man’s blood.

That was the only thing he needed to confirm.

Having made arrangements beforehand, the student council president would provide the results right away.

At the door, Shin Woo took a deep breath.

His heart was racing like mad.

Was it natural to feel this way?

So many things would change depending on this result.

Deep down, was the wish that he hoped the man was a Main truly something to be condemned?

Whatever the outcome, he would accept it humbly.

After all, it was the path for Hana.

Shin Woo grabbed the doorknob.

The moment he opened the door, someone rushed out from inside.

“Oh, pardon me.”

He made eye contact with the vice principal, who was coming out.

There was an inexplicable, unsettling smile on his face.

Why was he coming out from here?

No, it isn’t weird for the vice principal to be in the student council room, but why did he feel this ominous premonition?

Without a word, he left the student council room and disappeared.

Thinking of the urgent matter, Shin Woo entered the student council room.

Inside, the president was sitting alone.

At a glance, her condition didn’t seem good.

Her flushed red cheeks and slightly blurry gaze.

Seeing her like that, he couldn’t help but ask.

“Are you okay?”

“…Huh? Oh, it’s you. Of course, I’m fine.”

“I just saw the vice principal coming out of here.”

“Ah… Yeah. He was helping with student council work.”

Is that so?

Well, it makes sense now that he thought about it.

What mattered more was not that now.

Shin Woo hesitated for a moment, resolved himself, and asked.

“…That person had a check-up too, right?”

“Yeah. He did.”

“What were the results?”

Sehee answered.

“It was bright red. He’s human.”

“……”

*

Yu Hana tilted her head.

“…What? What did you say?”

“The original teacher is on a business trip, you know?”

A business trip?

All of a sudden?

“Oh, when will he be back?”

“Hmm. I think it’ll take about three days?”

Three days…

Then…

What about the medicine?