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I must leave the house. The idea rings in my head like an alarm bell, but it's followed by another, heavier thought: Where to? I don't know anyone in this world. No one... I paused for a moment, and my memory was pierced by an image: Han Si-eul, in that moment when I was on the edge of the abyss, she reached her hand out to me. Her nervous laugh, her confused glances.
Should I call her? That seems better than staying trapped here.
I reached for my phone to open the contacts and find her number, but I was surprised to find the phone locked. It asked me for the password. The passcode... What is it? Yatura... maybe? Tattoo... no. Then an idea flashed in my mind like lightning: Father's birthday?
I entered it.
What the hell! The phone unlocked.
I stood staring at the screen, frozen in shock. Why? For God's sake, why is she obsessed with him to this extent? This senile old man... I thought she would set the password as her lover's birthday, or a friend's, or even her own birthday! But her father? The one who never treated her like a daughter?! Despite my passion for reading novels, I've never seen a character with this level of obsession. She's sick. I mean, did she have to go this far? He never treated her well. I really can't understand her.
This isn't important now. Where... where is it? I found the name "Han Si-eul" in the contacts list. I pressed it.
• (Yuna): Han Si-eul! Are you okay? Do you want to get out of the house?
• (Han Si-eul): I have no problem with going out now? Tell me a specific place?
• (Yuna): I don't know, I haven't thought about that. Do you know a place we can go?
• (Han Si-eul): No problem at all! So, let's meet here. But... bring one person with you.
• (Yuna - shocked): What?!
• (Han Si-eul): Don't worry, just bring someone. I'll send you the location.
A message arrived with the place's address. A gaming cafe? Strange.
• (Yuna): Okay, I'm leaving now.
I ended the call while staring at the door. What if the guards stop me? The thought of resistance quickly crossed my mind. Yes, Yuna's body is weak, but my previous combat experience... I could crush them. I opened the door expecting the worst, but I passed right by them as if I didn't exist. They did nothing. Strange. At least, this makes things easier.
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The street was teeming with strangers. I had to find transportation. I raised my hand to hail a taxi. A car stopped in front of me. I got in, raised my phone toward him: I want you to take me to this place.
But the driver turned his face toward me, then a moment of silence. The same driver. From the accident on my first day in this body. The same face, the same look.
— You... you... are you following me?
— What?! Who follows a taxi driver who owns nothing but his old car? What are you talking about?
— My words are very clear. You're worthless then. Get out of my car.
— Okay. I'll complain immediately on your company's website about the mistreatment I received.
— Ji-hoon - panicked: What?! Stop! Okay... you can ride. Hahaha, I was just joking. What could happen to you anyway?
— Shut up.
— Enough talking, we've arrived.
I got out of the car and examined the place. It's an ordinary internet cafe. But suddenly, I remembered Han Si-eul's words: "Bring one person with you." Right! How could I forget! I leaned toward the car window.
— Hey, driver. What was your name?
— Ji-hoon. My name is Ji-hoon. And you can call me Ji-hoon Oppa. Why? What do you want with me?
— Can you accompany me to that gaming hall?
Ji-hoon stared at me in surprise: What?! This isn't my job!
— I'll give you ten times the amount you make in a full day.
— What... what?! Are you serious?
— Yes.
— Ji-hoon - after hesitating: Okay. Let's go.
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We entered the place, which was crowded with visitors. Ji-hoon was looking around.
— Are you meeting someone here?
— Yes. It's my friend.
Ji-hoon looked at me slyly: I thought you didn't have any friends. From your cold looks...
— Why do you think that? It's just an incident, nothing more.
Then, I saw a hand waving at me from a distance. Yuna! Over here! Han Si-eul was jumping from behind a table. And when we approached, I saw behind her... Si-eun. Her brother.
— Oh! Yuna! Did you bring someone with you? (She looked at Ji-hoon curiously) What... is this a guy? Do you have a boyfriend and I don't know?
— No. He's... just someone I know. From a while ago.
— What's his name? Your friend.
— Ji-hoon - confidently: Yes. Ji-hoon. That's my name.
— Ji-hoon... Are you older than us?
— Yes. By three years, I think.
— So... Ji-hoon Oppa! Do you know how to play video games?
— Yes. I used to play them a lot in high school.
— Then this is great! My brother Si-eun and I are a team, and you and Yuna are the other team. Is that okay?
— I have no problem with that.
Si-eun looked at me and Ji-hoon arrogantly and said: My sister and I will crush you!
Ji-hoon responded to Si-eun's words very coolly:
— We'll see!
Ji-hoon turned to me and said:
— You know how to play, right?
— Yes... I think so.
— What do you mean "I think so"? Have you played before?
— No.
— Whaaat?! Okay... just follow my orders.
The first round ended. A crushing victory for Yuna and Ji-hoon's team.
Ji-hoon amazed: What?! How? Didn't you tell me you don't know how to play?
— I told you I've never played. That's true.
— Ji-hoon - laughing in defeat: Haha... this is crazy.
He looked mockingly at Si-eun, who was frowning, and raised his finger in his face:
— Look at this loser!
Han Si-eul interrupted enthusiastically:
— This is amazing! Yuna, you never told me you were this skilled!
— True. I've never played these games before, but my quick reflexes and accuracy in aiming... Is this a remnant of my previous life? From my combat training and reliance on weapons? Yes, that's the explanation.
— Come on, let's play another round! This time, me and Yuna against you two!
— I object! Why do I have to be with him? Wouldn't it be better for me to stay with Yuna?!
— It won't be fun if we keep the same lineup. Change creates fun!
— My sister's words are clear. Let's start.
The second round ended with the same result. Yuna crushing them almost single-handedly. Si-eun shouted in frustration:
— Then, let's play another game! The "Guess the Idol" game! It's a fun game!
Ji-hoon looked disgusted: Is that even a game?!
— But there's a condition... Whoever loses will buy coffee for everyone at their own expense. An individual game, no teams. The loser alone goes to buy it.
— Okay. The game began. An idol's picture appeared on the screen. I stood frozen. Who is this? Han Si-eul quickly raised her hand:
— Han Si-eul: It's Park Seo-jun! A famous idol!
The rounds ended. The results were announced:
• Han Si-eul: 15 points (first)
• Si-eun: 6 points (second)
• Ji-hoon: 3 points (third)
• Yuna: 0 points (last)
Si-eun cackled with laughter:
— You really don't know anything about idols! Even teenage girls are obsessed with them, but you're emotionally dead! Morbid! So... go get the coffee now.
I got up silently. Okay. I'll get their damn coffee. On my way to the nearby cafe, I was thinking: Why should I care about these idols anyway? I came here to complete a mission, not to learn singers' names.
I reached the counter and paid for the orders. What a bunch of jerks. They knew I didn't know anything about idols.
While I was waiting for the order, the place was crowded with noise and movement. And suddenly, amidst all this noise, a sound pierced my ear. A rough voice, whispering, as if coming from right beside me:
"Little Yoonji... has friends who care about her..."
The world stopped. The blood froze in my veins. My lips lost their color and began to tremble. My whole body started shaking violently. I wanted to turn around, I wanted to run, but I couldn't move. My breath faltered as if the air had turned to glass in my chest.
Then... after a few seconds... the voice disappeared. As if it never existed.
I gathered what was left of my strength and turned around in fear. My gaze swept across the crowded place. Strange faces, no one was looking at me. No one.
I was imagining it. Yes, I was imagining it. I almost screamed this certainty at my own mind. How could he be here in the first place?! My phone rang loudly, pulling me out of the vortex of terror:
• (Han Si-eul - text message with a picture): Yuna! Where's the coffee? You're late! Come quickly before my brother kills your new friend! (Attached is a picture of Si-eun and Ji-hoon fighting while the cafe owner tries to mediate between them).
I looked at the picture. For a moment, I felt something resembling... warmth. Friends who care about me. Then the whispering voice rang again in my depths: "Friends who care about them..."
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