Chapter 15: Doki Doki literary club

The next morning.

I pulled up my skirt, buttoned my blouse, and put on my navy blazer.

After adjusting my clothes, I was ready to go.

My reflection in the mirror looked perfect, as always.

I ran a hand through my long hair and headed to the kitchen.

Breakfast, prepared by my sister who had already left for school, was on the table.

Steam rose from the freshly toasted bread. I pulled out a chair and took a large bite, the crispy sound and the buttery aroma filling my senses.

[The bodies of a man and a woman were found near OO District last night. Based on the method of killing and the extent of the injuries, the police suspect the recent serial killer is responsible and are actively investigating.]

—Swoosh

The morning news, as always, delivered grim news, and heavy rain was falling outside.

The rain from last night hadn’t stopped.

I finished my breakfast, watching the gloomy scenery outside, and licked the butter off my lips.

After brushing my teeth, I grabbed a blue umbrella and stepped outside.

The sky was overcast with dark grey clouds, and the rain was coming down hard.

It must be tough for those who forgot their umbrellas.

I thought nonchalantly about the well-being of strangers as I opened my umbrella.

And then it happened.

“Ah…”

A faint moan reached my ears from outside the front door.

Thinking a wounded animal might be nearby, I looked around.

But what I saw was a girl about my size, collapsed against the door.

For a moment, I was speechless, staring at her drenched auburn hair.

Our eyes met as if by some prearranged signal, and we recognized each other.

I looked down at her, Kang Seon-a, and she looked up at me, her eyes clouded.

We stood there in silence, exchanging unspoken words in the pouring rain, for a fleeting moment.

“How long have you been here?”

A blunt question escaped my lips.

I was worried about Seon-a, her face flushed and her breathing heavy, but at the same time, I was angry.

I was more angry about her being in this state than about her being here.

“Since last night… I’ve been here. I wanted to… apologize…”

Had she really been waiting here all this time, just to say that? Looking like a drowned rat, soaked to the bone in the heavy rain?

I must have frowned without realizing it.

Her delicate shoulders flinched, and she started looking at me cautiously, as if trying to gauge my reaction.

Seeing her acting like a frightened animal, I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white.

She was such a fool.

“Do you think a simple apology will make me forgive you?”

“I’m sorry… Please, about yesterday…”

“I’m not angry about yesterday.”

Seon-a’s words yesterday were harsh, but mine were just as bad.

She was my closest friend… my first true friend. I could have said things differently.

I’d lost my temper and crossed the line. I would have been angry regardless, but I didn’t realize it would upset her this much.

Anyway, yesterday’s incident had nothing to do with my current anger.

I was angry at her for a completely different reason.

“Are you stupid? Are you missing a screw or something? You’ve been here since last night? That’s amazing! And you were waiting in front of my house like this?”

“Say something. Are you that speechless?”

“…Sorry.”

My voice became harsher without me realizing it.

Waiting outside in the rain all night, wearing only a thin uniform… it wasn’t a joke. She could have gotten seriously ill.

I wouldn’t have been so angry if she had cried or complained about being sick.

But the first thing she said after all that waiting was an apology for yesterday. That’s what made me angry.

“You really…”

“I’m sorry… I’m really sorry.”

“…Sigh.”

Her small voice extinguished my fiery anger.

I sighed softly and suppressed my boiling rage. I felt foolish for being angry.

Continuing to yell at her here was pointless, and I wanted to get her inside as soon as possible.

I put down my umbrella and lifted her into my arms.

She was so light, and I was stronger than most girls, so it wasn’t difficult.

But her limp body, like a half-dried squid, was burning hot.

“Sia’s arms…”

She mumbled something strange, a smile replacing the worried expression on her face.

I couldn’t bring myself to scold her. What was I supposed to do with her?

I decided to postpone her punishment for later and carried her inside.

It seemed I would have to miss school again today.