Chapter 13: Doki Doki literary club

Freshman Representative, Lee Sia.

The first time I saw her was in the grand auditorium during the entrance ceremony.

Her composed demeanor as she spoke before a large audience caught my attention as I idly passed the time.

Her aloof gaze, her clear voice resonating through the auditorium… Even though I was watching from afar, her small, pale face and long, black hair seemed more beautiful than any woman I’d ever seen.

I lacked literary talent, but if I had to describe that moment, it was a thrill, a shot to the heart.

An innate elegance. From that moment on, my eyes followed her.

And then the semester began. Before I knew it, I was constantly watching her.

The other students were hesitant to approach her, with her cool, somewhat chic demeanor.

Yet, whenever they gathered, they often talked about her.

She had a captivating aura, similar yet different from her older sister, the student council president.

But observing her closely, I realized she was surprisingly clumsy and prone to making mistakes.

They were minor flaws, so most people didn’t notice them. But to me, who practically scrutinized her every move, they were quite apparent.

My impression of her changed drastically from my first impression.

But rather than losing interest, my fascination grew, and I finally decided to approach her.

During lunch, I casually sat down next to her as she was eating.

However, her reaction exceeded my humble expectations.

It wasn’t a boast, but I’d always considered myself quite attractive.

Was I not up to her standards? Instead of a normal reaction, she seemed wary of me.

I didn’t show it, but feeling slightly annoyed, I nominated her for class president during the next class.

She looked flustered. And to get closer to her, I ran for vice president.

Well… it wouldn’t hurt to spend a little time with her.

Give me the ball.

Observing her up close, she was practically perfect.

Academics, athletics… there was nothing she couldn’t do.

From that description alone, she wouldn’t seem like the approachable type.

But her slightly clumsy nature added a touch of humanity to her doll-like perfection.

And contrary to her appearance, she had a straightforward personality.

She was intriguing. Someone you couldn’t hate even if she was a bit clumsy.

She had a subtle cuteness. Beautiful inside and out. The more I observed her, the more my interest grew, until it was more than just simple interest.

I did my best to catch her attention.

I wanted to overturn the unfavorable first impression I seemed to have made.

So I actively participated in the group project, even though I could have just done the bare minimum, and diligently fulfilled my duties as vice president.

But the process wasn’t without its challenges.

It seemed I wasn’t the only moth drawn to her flame.

One day, one of my classmates, her best friend, called me aside.

“Um, can you please stop approaching Sia?”

“Sia finds you very bothersome lately… Do you really have to keep pestering her?”

“If you understand, please stay away from Sia. You have plenty of airheaded girls fawning over you. If you’re that desperate for a girl, just pick one of them. Stop bothering decent people.”

Standing on the rooftop, a chilling aura lingering in the air, she spoke those words.

Her vibrant auburn hair fluttered in the strong wind.

Her expression as she looked at me was venomous, like a wounded animal.

Was everything she showed in front of Sia a lie? She left the rooftop without another word.

A cold gust of wind brushed past me, and I shivered involuntarily.

But I didn’t give up.

I carefully observed Sia, learning her likes and dislikes.

And after the group project meeting, I luckily had a chance to be alone with her, as the other team members had other commitments.

I invited her out.

I chose a familiar PC bang to avoid suspicion.

As expected, she didn’t object, as she always perked up whenever the boys were talking about games.

She looked so cute, fidgeting slightly when I asked if she thought this was strange.

“Ah,! Those bot lane! Are they playing with their feet?!”

At the PC bang, I discovered another side of her.

Immersed in the game, her guard down, she showed a tomboyish side, no different from the boys.

Honestly, it seemed far from feminine.

But I didn’t dislike it.

Rather, I found it amusing.

We had so much fun together that I thought it would be nice to just remain friends like this.

If she had been a boy, we might have become good friends. A ridiculous thought, though.

“See you later. Let’s play League together again sometime.”

After a few intense matches, we left the PC bang. Standing in the crowded street, she smiled at me, the corners of her pink lips curving upwards.

A pure, refreshing smile, like morning dew.

I was momentarily stunned, then I realized my heart was pounding.

I barely managed to calm my racing heart, which felt like a volcano about to erupt, in the face of her smile.

But the lingering tremors in my chest, her face etched in my mind… was this what they called love? I lacked the experience to define it.

My feelings for her were vague and uncertain.

I was just drawn to her.

I found myself instinctively searching for her.

But one thing was certain.

“See you tomorrow.”

Being with her made me happy.

I could say that with confidence.

.

.

“…You’re saying there’s really someone like that? Did you read some strange novel or something, Oppa?”

“No, it’s true.”

I swear, it’s true. I waved my hands, seeing her suspicious look. I was just telling her what I had seen and felt.

“Well, fine. If you say so, Oppa.”

Yes, that’s my good little sister.

I placed my hand on my younger sister’s small head as she lay in her hospital bed.

Her short hair, recently cut for surgery and not yet fully grown back, felt soft between my fingers.

She giggled, seemingly not bothered by my touch.

“But why did you suddenly decide to transfer schools, leaving her behind?”

“I wonder why.”

Um, Choi Hyeong-gon, right?

A soft voice calling my name.

A small figure barely reaching my chest.

The memory of that moment flashed through my mind at my sister’s question, and my throat tightened.

My chest ached.

Unable to come up with a decent excuse, I answered her question with another question.

I couldn’t tell her the truth. She would blame herself, even though she was the one who was sick.

She was a stubborn child who insisted on being a burden to no one, even while suffering.

I smiled wryly, and thankfully, she didn’t repeat the question.

“You’re the most precious person to me.”

“Oppa? Why are you saying such cheesy things?”

“So please don’t suffer too much, and don’t die and leave me behind. I’d be too heartbroken.”

I hugged my sister tightly, my heart aching.

The warmth of her body against mine brought tears to my eyes.

Even though I could never see her again, as long as my sister lived, that was enough.

“I called you because I want you to stay away from Sia. You’ve been bothering me, following her around.”

“You don’t want to? That’s a problem… Ah! I heard you have a sick younger sister. Her name is… Choi Ha-na, right? She’s currently hospitalized at [Hospital Name], isn’t she?”

“Don’t get too excited. I don’t want to do anything to your little sister. I understand how much you love her.”

“But… but I have a low tolerance for things that bother me. I’m the type who has to eliminate them, no matter what.”

“Do I seem like a strange person? Well, who cares. People become irrational in the face of love, don’t they?”

“Anyway, that’s what I wanted to say. Will you please stay away from Sia? And never appear in front of her again.”

“I really don’t want to do this, but if you don’t disappear… I don’t know what I’ll do to your sister.”

She was smaller and more delicate than me.

Her expression was so calm that I couldn’t tell if she was threatening me or making a request.

Her voice was soft.

She wasn’t holding any weapons.

But her eyes, as she looked at me, were terrifying.

As if she saw me as nothing more than an ant, her unfocused gaze seemed to pierce my soul.

I still didn’t understand why her family member wanted me to stay away from her.

But those eyes… because of those eyes, I realized she was capable of anything.

So I lied and transferred as quickly as possible.

Yes, I ran away.

From her, from those eyes.

And someone like me, a runaway loser, didn’t deserve a chance at love. I knew that all too well