I Became the Childhood Friend Who Commits Sui**de

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The sunlight is nowhere to be seen.

Covered by dark clouds, the world is drenched in sorrowful light.

I never used to hate the rain.

In fact, I think I used to like it.

But that day.

The day the boy lost his childhood friend.

It was as if the sky poured continuous rain to mirror the sorrow in his heart.

As he attended the girl’s funeral, Shin Woo came to hate the rain.

Even today, just like back then, the sunlight doesn’t shine through.

The raindrops falling down appear like his own tears.

On rainy days, Shin Woo always thinks of Hana.

It has already been half a year since Yu Hana died.

Yet still, the boy sheds tears, engulfed in sadness.

Just like the rain streaming outside.

*

Shin Woo arrived at school, unable to wipe away the traces of fatigue.

In the past six months, his expression hasn’t changed much from how it is now.

Even when he tried to force a smile, it looked awkward and pitiful.

Half a year since Yu Hana’s death.

In that time, the incidents Shin Woo and his friends caused and the scenes they witnessed were anything but ordinary.

Yet, he continues to attend school without any sanctions or penalties.

There was just one condition.

He wouldn’t disclose anything he had seen that day.

Why the academy leaves them alone is a mystery.

He simply followed a routine of going to school every day.

The classroom was similar to usual.

Kids chatted about various topics, some quietly read books, while others caught up on sleep.

A mundane scene.

Sometimes, as he observed that moment from the side, a thought crossed his mind.

How horrible it is that no one here mourns Hana’s death anymore.

That thought was only Shin Woo’s stubbornness.

No matter how sad or difficult things are, over time, one eventually adapts and heals. Even if one cannot overcome it, the ones left behind must continue to live.

That’s just how the world is.

Experiencing the loss of a loved one isn’t all that special in this world.

That’s why he strives so hard to become a hero who will fight against the monsters and protect humanity.

He understands all that.

Though he knows it in his mind, he cannot shake off the resentment.

What if you had been here in this everyday landscape?

Such meaningless thoughts were all he could muster.

So much has changed since that day.

Shin Woo looked at a girl, devoid of color, in a space drenched in vibrant hues.

Even with one side of her face covered in a white bandage, her striking beauty could not be concealed.

The girl, who coldly stared only at her book, was Han Si-hyun.

She too underwent many changes due to Yu Hana’s death.

First, she returned from Class B to Class A.

With three students gone, the need to adjust the roster was the reason.

If Hana had known about this, she would have chuckled in disbelief.

Who would have thought that the twisted fate of the original story would be resolved in this manner?

Her sister, Han Sehee, regained consciousness two months ago.

However, the aftereffects of her injuries were unavoidable, and she currently retired from her position and is recovering.

She might never return as a hero. If that happens, humanity would lose a very valuable talent for nothing.

Shin Woo and Si-hyun. According to their original fate, they were supposed to develop into lovers, but now they had become nothing more than strangers.

Regardless of intent, Si-hyun played a significant part in Hana’s death.

She herself seemed to feel considerable guilt about this fact, but Shin Woo lacked the courage to reach out and offer his hand.

And so, six months slipped by in this aimless fashion.

During the break after class ended.

The kids gathered in small groups, chattering as they enjoyed a sweet ten-minute respite.

Meanwhile, Shin Woo remained aloof, resting his chin on his hand in a daze.

A girl from his class, glancing over at him, gathered her courage and approached.

“Shin, um, hi?”

“…Hi.”

“Um, I was wondering… would you like to hang out with us after class today…?”

With her careful invitation, he promptly answered without hesitation.

“Sorry. I don’t think I can.”

“…Oh, I see.”

The girl turned away, slowly retreating.

After glancing at her back for a moment, he quickly lost interest.

Shin Woo grew increasingly accustomed to being alone. Now, he barely had a moment during the day to chat with anyone.

He had grown distant even from the girls he was once close with. At least Valentina would occasionally come over to talk, but even that Shin Woo only responded to half-heartedly.

The boy firmly locked his heart away.

Even the girls who once held affection for him gradually gave up one by one.

*

Lunchtime.

Shin Woo couldn’t bear the cheerful atmosphere in class and fled outside.

Without a destination, he aimlessly walked down the hallway.

When he came to his senses, he found himself standing in the first-year hallway.

Was it just a coincidence? Or did he subconsciously think of this place?

He stood there, staring at the science lab for quite some time.

The inside was dark as the light was off.

He absentmindedly placed his hand on the door, but unsurprisingly, it was locked and wouldn’t open.

At some point, it disappeared.

The mysterious man, whom he considered threatening and cautious.

Despite being a science teacher, he naturally approached Hana and seemed to be scheming something.

The only thing he knew about him was that he was a human with red blood.

Though, like Hana, that might have just been a manipulation.

If he wasn’t curious about why the science teacher suddenly disappeared, it would be a lie.

But even if he was curious, there was no proper way to find out.

After thinking for a while, he eventually decided to approach his homeroom teacher from first year to ask.

However, the teacher just shook his head, saying he had no idea.

It turned out he was someone who neither got close to his fellow teachers nor wandered around with them.

He continued on, passing by the locked science lab.

After leaving the school building, he wandered down the street. Memories he built with Hana resurface.

Especially the street colored by the sunset he saw before.

The way she bought rope at the hardware store and smiled, saying not to worry.

A wave of deep regret washed over him.

If only he had paid a little more attention back then.

If he had read his childhood friend’s pain and comforted her by his side.

Perhaps this outcome could have been avoided.

It surely would have been better than it is now.

A sense of self-loathing hit him.

He was in no position to blame others. In the end, it’s all my fault.

He realized it too late.

No matter how much he regretted now, the dead cannot return.

The joyful sound of bells echoed throughout the street.

It was the sound marking the end of lunch.

“…Let’s go back.”

Shin Woo turned his steps back toward the classroom.

*

All classes ended.

What he learned, the lessons didn’t stick in his memory.

That doesn’t mean he had given up on his studies. Rather, he was working even harder to grow stronger since that day.

However, he no longer felt the sense of achievement or pride toward his studies as he once did.

Even the memories soaked in those positive feelings felt distant.

It wasn’t just him.

Hadn’t they said there were three students missing from Class A earlier?

Sophie and Yu Hana, two girls, were parted from life by death.

And the last one.

Hong Yeonhwa voluntarily left the academy.

It seemed she felt deep disgust at the academy’s attempt to brand the innocent girl a sinner and have her killed.

He could somewhat empathize with that.

The scenery he saw in the academy’s basement on that day. The implications of hiding such underground facilities could only mean one thing.

They were shadows unsuitable for a place meant to nurture heroes to protect humanity.

The academy didn’t readily accept Hong Yeonhwa’s declaration of her departure.

In truth, those who awaken their abilities are required to enroll. But that didn’t seem to be the sole reason.

If that was the only reason, they wouldn’t have overreacted like that.

Currently, Hong Yeonhwa has become an international Level 1 criminal through the association’s designation.

Her level of danger was akin to that of a demon among monsters.

Upon encounter, immediate execution.

They were surely afraid that information related to that day would leak.

What in the world is this power called the Messiah that the academy goes to such lengths for?

Even Hana was a powerless person who hadn’t even awakened.

Yes.

The reason Shin Woo is still at the academy.

The reason he continues to live, fighting for survival, is solely one.

To uncover all the secrets related to Hana’s death that day.

To make them pay for their sins.

For revenge.