Ch.70I Don’t Even Like a Quarter of Someone Like You (7)

There were first aid supplies like ointment and bandages at home.

In a physical training facility like a kendo dojo, it was always necessary to keep medical supplies on hand for emergency treatment in case of injuries.

So I didn’t really need to stop by the convenience store to buy new ointment and bandages, but there was one problem.

My dad was quite meticulous about running the kendo dojo.

The basement storage room was one thing—

it had a lock and was untouched by outsiders, so being a bit lax with management wasn’t a big issue,

but supplies kept in the office were handled by many people and would be used up quickly without anyone noticing.

And if we ran short when they were actually needed,

the responsibility would fall entirely on the dojo and my dad as the master.

“My child got a splinter in their finger at your dojo and was bleeding, but you didn’t do anything about it? My husband is absolutely furious and pacing around right now!”

When receiving calls like this, you can’t make excuses about running out of ointment and bandages.

That’s why our Bandogyeong would, if not daily,

check the quantity of first aid supplies in the office every few days.

The amount of ointment squeezed from tubes might be hard to track.

But items with exact quantities like bandages or patches would obviously be noticed if their numbers changed.

Then naturally, the question of who used the bandages

would lead to questions about who got hurt.

It would only be a matter of time before they discovered

I had called Do Hamin out in the middle of the night and caused him to get injured.

“There, all done.”

“Ah, thanks…”

“Whoa, smell this citrus scent from the band-aid. What genius came up with this? A band-aid that looks delicious.”

“You, you must be someone who really loves lime, like yourself.”

After returning home, Hamin and I

brought first aid supplies from the dojo on the first floor and did some basic treatment in my room.

Well, it wasn’t a serious injury to begin with.

All we needed to do was apply ointment to the disinfected wound and finish by putting on the lime-scented band-aid I’d just bought at the convenience store.

“Fortunately, the wound on your forehead can be hidden if you lower your hair. Dad won’t find out.”

“I-I’ll make up something if he does find out.”

“Hmm, well, if you say so.”

I wasn’t sure how well that guy could fool my dad with his terrible lying skills, but I left that part for him to handle.

Well, if we get caught, there’s nothing we can do.

We’ll just have to settle it with a bamboo sword to the back of the head.

“Ah, I think I can put weight on it now. I can walk by myself.”

Having finished the first aid, Hamin grabbed the bedpost and slowly stood up.

Fortunately, it seemed he could now walk on his own.

“Oh, these first aid supplies work great. Instant HP recovery, huh?”

“No, it’s thanks to you. You’re the one who took care of me, Ban Doyoung… Thank you.”

“Tch, save your thanks. Just return the favor someday.”

“Yeah. I will.”

“Well, I need to sneak these first aid supplies back to the dojo downstairs without Dad noticing. Hamin, you should go to your room and get some sleep. Oh, or should I carry you like a princess?”

“…No thanks. I told you I can walk by myself now. I’ll go on my own.”

“Yes, yes, Princess Hamin.”

“Why am I a princess?”

“Heheh, sleep well. Try not to have wet dreams about me.”

“Stop it already!”

After watching Hamin enter Ban Doyoung’s brother’s room,

I also went downstairs to the dojo with the first aid box.

Fortunately, Dad hadn’t woken up by then.

Friday’s classes must have really worn him out.

“Perfect crime completed.”

I put the first aid box back in its place

in the drawer under the office desk.

“Haah…”

*Plop*

In the dark office, now empty except for me,

I let out a deep sigh and collapsed into the wheeled master’s chair.

It was a sigh filled with a tangle of complicated emotions.

“Shit, I guess my legs gave out too.”

Even though Dad was sound asleep, he could wake up at any moment saying he was thirsty,

so I should have hurried back to my room as soon as possible, but maybe it was because my tension had finally released.

I just couldn’t get up from the chair.

“You’re something else, Ban Doyoung. Going this far to return to your original world.”

Slumped in the chair, I opened my phone gallery to check the photo I’d taken earlier.

It came out really well. So clear that it made my face flush.

“And calling him my boyfriend… I’m crazy, absolutely crazy.”

It was something that came out unconsciously when the part-timer asked who was hurt.

Thinking I should buy the band-aid and get back quickly, I brushed off the annoying questions without much thought.

What scared me more was the fact that

I said those words unconsciously, not after thinking about it.

Calling Hamin my boyfriend?

Even as a fake Ban Doyoung, not the original heroine, I could say that easily.

I had to say and act that way to return to my original world.

It was all part of an act, a performance.

I was fully conscious of that fact.

But at that moment, I wasn’t particularly thinking about acting as Ban Doyoung.

I only needed to act that way when teasing Hamin or behaving as the main heroine.

“Come to think of it, I called that part-timer ‘oppa’ without thinking.”

When I didn’t need to act as the main heroine,

or when my emotions were so stirred that I forgot I needed to act as the main heroine, I would speak or act with the premise that I was a man.

Like when I unconsciously called the female employee at the glasses store “noona.”

I was definitely doing that until recently.

It’s only been a month.

In that time, I wouldn’t even have finished basic training.

I’m leaving. You’re still a newbie who’d boil with anger at the sound of drill commands.

Am I unconsciously starting to think of myself

as the main heroine of this world?

“…Haha.”

No, that can’t be.

What just happened was nothing more than an April Fool’s joke I played on myself.

Isn’t my very existence in this world something like a lie?

So when I encounter April Fool’s Day, naturally my bluffing ability increases.

I’ve reached a level where I can naturally lie to myself.

Unconsciously repeating lies to myself and effortlessly accepting them as truth.

Yeah, it’s all because of April Fool’s Day.

It’s because it’s April Fool’s.

Because it’s April Fool’s.

Once today passes, once April 1st ends, I’ll be fine.

The great Ban Doyoung wouldn’t be swayed by something like being in a woman’s body.

Of course not.

“…”

Still, just to be safe,

I should limit masturbating in Ban Doyoung’s body to once a week.

“…Twice should be fine.”

.

.

.

“…The rolled omelet is delicious.”

“Right? The master is trying it for the first time today. This kid Doyoung wouldn’t let me have a single bite yesterday, saying she had to feed you first, Hamin.”

“I-I see… I feel somewhat sorry.”

“That’s why I made it for you this morning. No complaints now, right?”

The next day, Saturday morning.

Hamin was planning to take the 11 o’clock train home.

Since it was my turn to make weekend breakfast,

my rolled omelet was once again on our dining table as a side dish.

“Delicious. I thought I’d be tired of eating it every day, but maybe because it’s exactly like your mother’s rolled omelet, I never get sick of it. Did you two eat something this delicious as a late-night snack yesterday?”

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”

“No, no. I’m not angry… How could I be angry? You stayed up late helping Doyoung study, and… I’m sorry about yesterday. Falling asleep first… Dumping my daughter’s studies on her friend while I went to sleep…”

As expected, Dad seemed unaware of what happened yesterday, having fallen asleep early.

Not that it would be good if he knew.

“How was… everything yesterday? No problems?”

“Yes, it was fine… I slept well, thanks to you.”

“But for someone who slept well, you have dark circles under your eyes.”

“Hiccup.”

“You too, Doyoung. You usually sleep so well. Why do you look sleep-deprived today?”

“…”

“Don’t tell me you two… were studying until dawn?”

“S-something like that.”

“Impressive… I wonder what Hamin’s study method is like to make my daughter so dedicated to studying? Maybe Dad should learn from you too sometime.”

“Ahaha…”

I could never admit that we were wandering outside after midnight,

kissing under the cherry blossoms.

Still, I completed all the assigned problems I needed to do yesterday.

So I had nothing to be ashamed of regarding studies.

“Still, don’t push yourselves too hard. Rest when you’re tired. Health always comes first.”

“O-of course. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Hey, Hamin. Start packing your bag. It’s almost time for the train.”

“Oh, you’re right. I’m sorry, Master. I’ll get up now.”

“Sure. Thank you so much for yesterday and today. I’m counting on you in the future too, Hamin.”

“Yes, I’ll see you next week…!”

Hamin changed back into his school uniform that he wore in the morning,

packed his bag, and left our house.

“Are you going with him, Doyoung?”

“Yeah, I’ll see him off and buy some Zero Lime on the way back.”

“Did you already finish the one from yesterday?”

Since I was in the position of a student who received study help,

I decided to accompany Hamin to the train station to see him off.

Just in case.

It could be dangerous if his legs, which gave out yesterday, caused trouble on the way to the station.

.

.

.

“The day feels so long. It’s still April Fool’s.”

“…Yeah.”

“How many minutes until the train arrives?”

“Three minutes… I think.”

After arriving at the station, we sat on chairs with a view of the electronic display board,

making light conversation while waiting for the train.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Honestly… no. I didn’t sleep well. Napping during the day was part of the problem, but… I kept thinking about what happened yesterday.”

“Heheh. This is why you shouldn’t be single. Getting all worked up over just a kiss and losing sleep.”

“Y-you have dark circles under your eyes too, Ban Doyoung.”

“…Can’t help it. It was my first time as a virgin too.”

“…”

“…”

But even as we continued our conversation naturally,

whenever we recalled what happened in the early morning, both Hamin and I would fall silent for a moment.

The gaps in our conversation were filled only with the noise around the station.

“Hey! Doyoung!”

“Huh…?”

Just then, a familiar voice jumped into the silence filled only with ambient noise.

“Choi Sahyang… Yu Hyerang…”

“Well, well. Doyoung and Hamin. Why are you two at the station together?”

“And Hamin, why are you in your school uniform? Didn’t you go home yesterday?”

“…Um.”

Why the hell are you two here?