episode_0049

Morning arrived.

Eyes filled with determination and strengthened arms.

Having endured so much pain, finally achieved victory.

To kill Kim Jiwon, that bastard.

Even memorized all the strategies for every character in the game.

Now it’s time to make a move.

“Really… Let’s rest a bit.”

Perhaps pushing too hard, feeling overwhelmingly tired.

Thinking of taking a short break, climbed onto the bed and closed my eyes.

There’s an afternoon lecture today.

Just a little… let’s get some real sleep.

With that thought, closed my eyes and lay down on the bed.

Soon drifted off to sleep, succumbing to exhaustion.

As evening approached, thoughts of disciplining Kim Jiwon brought a smile to my face naturally.

Truly… let’s just rest a bit…

**

“Jihu? Are you asleep?”

Waking up from sleep, I saw Jihu’s shoes by the shoe rack.

Did he skip school due to gaming yesterday?

Opening the door, I checked on Jihu.

Lying on the bed, calling my name with a bright smile.

“Why… why are you calling me?”

In my dream, what was he doing to keep calling my name, I wonder.

Continuing to observe Jihu, he kept smiling and calling my name.

“You… Kim Jiwon… will be beaten… with a bat…”

“A… bat?”

This… perverted guy! Was he looking at me like that just now?

In my dream, engaging in various activities, I felt irritated.

Thinking this, I looked at Jihu.

He had a gamepad in his hand.

Could it be… he’s determined to beat me all night long.

Should I admire his dedication or call him foolish?

Striving so hard just to beat me, really…

Is it foolishness or just pure innocence?

Thinking this, I gently stroked Jihu’s head.

He started to smile happily, even looking cute.

I’m starting to feel something I never felt when he was a boy.

Before, I would have just thought Jihu was smiling.

Now, I even find him cute.

Continuing to stroke Jihu’s head.

Ring–

The phone vibrated with an alarm tone.

Initially, I thought it was Jihu’s phone.

Turns out, it was mine.

Strange. My phone should be off, unable to receive calls.

Checking my phone, it wasn’t a call but a voice message.

Oddly enough, the caller ID showed as (Unknown).

Can someone actually call from such a status?

After staring blankly for a while, I went outside Jihu’s room and answered the call.

“Who is this…?”

Upon answering, I was nothing short of shocked.

The caller was none other than…

“Dad…?”

**

“Ugh, damn it.”

Turning off the alarm on my smartphone, I woke up.

Feels like coming back from the dead. How do these zombie bastards rise after falling? Forced my unmoving arms to turn off the alarm, then sat up.

This isn’t a bed, it’s a damn coffin. Damn.

“Ugh…”

I’m going to die from exhaustion, seriously.

Is it because of the game or staying up all night?

My body was telling me not to move.

Every slight movement made my muscles curse me.

Got to prepare for the afternoon lecture soon, so let’s get ready.

Heading back to Jiwon’s room to announce, “Jiwon, you’re dead.”

But Jiwon wasn’t there.

Why is the house so clean?

Jiwon’s usually messy room was incredibly tidy.

Did the kid clean the house for some reason?

And did the laundry…?

This guy… could it be… has he finally turned over a new leaf?

The person who seemed like they would never reincarnate suddenly did, and that thought started to scare me.

Was it because of something I said in the game yesterday that made me feel guilty for no reason?

But now is not the time to dwell on that.

I grabbed my bag and headed to afternoon classes.

I sent a message to Jiwon on KakaoTalk asking where they were.

Decided to wait until I got a reply.

So I went outside, went to school.

Although I intended to wait until I finished class for Jiwon’s response.

By the end of the lecture, there was still no word from Jiwon.

What’s going on? Did I do something to upset them?

Did I say something to anger them?

Was it because I was yelling too much while playing games yesterday?

I can’t figure out why this is happening.

After much contemplation, realizing the lecture had ended.

I decided to go home first and talk to Jiwon.

They’re not the type to ignore messages.

Even though there have been times when we didn’t contact each other for two months, back then I didn’t reach out either, so it’s only natural.

At least they always answered calls or texts.

So, thinking that someone who usually responds suddenly doesn’t, made me start feeling uneasy.

Upon arriving home, the light that was always on was off.

I turned on the lights in the room and opened Jiwon’s door.

Jiwon was nowhere to be seen in the room.

Did they leave the house?

I thought they might leave at some point.

But did they really leave this quickly?

I don’t know what to say.

As I stared at Jiwon’s empty room for a while.

Their belongings were still there.

The laptop and the carried bag were untouched.

Which means they didn’t leave the house.

The sky was getting darker.

But if they went out until it got this dark.

Could it be… Did something happen to them, like being kidnapped?

As Jiwon didn’t come in, anxious thoughts crept in.

In this day and age, kidnapping…

Just in case, should I report it to the police?

If it’s a kidnapping case, at least it might get resolved, I thought, dialing 112.

It’ll be okay, it won’t be such a big deal.

While worrying for a long time.

Ring-

A message came from Jiwon.

[I’m coming in a bit late.]

Fortunately, it was just about being late.

[I saw your text late. Sorry.]

The delayed response was due to them seeing the message late.

“Damn, I worried for nothing.”

I even started to feel anxious, thinking they might have been kidnapped.

Since it’s nothing serious, I feel a bit relieved.

Until they arrive, maybe I should prepare dinner.

With a relieved mind, I decided to prepare dinner.

This Kim Jiwon guy, if you think you’ll be late, just let me know in advance.

I worried for nothing.

So, I went to the kitchen and started preparing dinner.

I should make it ready for Jiwon when they arrive.

**

“I’m here.”

About an hour later, Jiwon came in.

“Hey, you’re here? Wash your hands before dinner.”

As soon as Jiwon entered, I started preparing dinner.

However, Jiwon went straight to their room, laid down, covered themselves with a blanket, looking completely drained.

Is something wrong with them?

Usually, they would say, “It smells so good, I can’t wait to eat!!” and rush to wash their hands.

They seemed low on energy since entering the house.

Did something threaten them on the way here?

I wanted to ask Jiwon if they were okay.

“Hey.. Kim Jiwon, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.. Just feeling a bit low on energy today.”

Saying that, Jiwon continued to lie under the covers.

“Hey! Did you go out for no reason and get bullied by high schoolers?”

“No.”

“Or is it middle schoolers this time? Or elementary school kids?”

“Ah.. Stop talking nonsense and leave me alone!”

Seeing Jiwon getting annoyed for no apparent reason.

I didn’t understand what was going on, but I asked them to come out for dinner.

Jiwon agreed and stayed quiet.

“Sigh.. Just come out when you’re ready.”

Having said that, I set the table and waited for Jiwon to arrive.

After about 10 minutes, Jiwon came in.

We sat down and quietly started eating.

Jiwon seemed hungry like a wolf.

Watching Jiwon eat as if possessed, I finally felt a bit relieved.

Thinking I should eat too, I scooped up some rice with my spoon and began to eat.

While eating, Jiwon kept staring at me.

Seeing Jiwon staring at me, I noticed that the corners of their eyes were red.

“Hey, have you been crying?”

I asked upon seeing the reddened corners of their eyes.

In response, Ji-won nodded.

“Where does it hurt? Why are you like this?”

I checked Ji-won’s head, but there was no fever.

Could it be a stomach ache?

Is this kid in pain from menstruation again?

As I was about to ask where it hurts while touching Ji-won’s stomach…

“Jihu… I have something serious to talk about.”

“What is it?”

Seeing Ji-won so serious, unlike usual, I couldn’t joke around this time.

“What’s wrong? Why so serious…?”

As I began to speak, Ji-won stared at me for a while.

After taking a deep breath, they continued.

“I… have thought seriously about this. And I’ve prepared myself several times to say it.”

“Okay…”

I didn’t know what they were about to say, but I decided to listen seriously.

After maintaining silence for about 5 minutes, Ji-won finally spoke.

“Let’s break up.”

I received a breakup announcement in an ordinary manner.

“What…?”