Chapter 16: Doki Doki literary club

The first order of business was to clean her up.

I carried her still-trembling body to the bathroom and turned on the shower.

The water, initially cold, quickly warmed up. I tested it with my hand, and the warmth felt just right.

I carefully sat Seon-a on a small bath stool, then reached for the buttons on her blouse.

But then I encountered a problem. A very serious one.

“…What’s wrong?”

“N-nothing.”

H-how am I supposed to undress her?

A bead of cold sweat trickled down my cheek.

A shiver ran down my spine. My hands froze on the buttons as I glanced at Seon-a. I’d only just noticed, but her soaked white blouse was practically transparent.

I’d always thought Seon-a was on the smaller side, but seeing her up close, I realized that wasn’t true at all.

What was I talking about? Her, her, che, che, ches—anyway, that.

Her breasts were a perfect size and shape, and her cute pink bra with lace trim was stretched taut.

I gulped involuntarily, my gaze lingering on the sight.

This person is sick, and I’m ogling her?. I quickly averted my gaze.

Seon-a looked at me quizzically, but I couldn’t bring myself to look back.

Even though it had been 16 years since I became a girl, I still wasn’t used to seeing other girls naked, besides myself and my sister.

It wasn’t that I felt aroused, but I felt a sense of guilt and shame, as if I was peeking at something I shouldn’t.

I wasn’t sexually excited or anything.

My male consciousness had faded considerably over the years.

This was different… well, not that sexual excitement was a bad thing, but, it was, well, you know…

Anyway! I was glad I wasn’t a boy right now.

If I were, I shuddered to think what state I’d be in.

“Are you embarrassed?”

“Gah!”

Her sharp words hit a nerve.

“…If you are, you can wait outside. I’m feeling well enough to undress and wash myself.”

“Thank you…”

I thanked her and stepped outside the bathroom, leaning against the door.

I heard the rustling of clothes, followed by the sound of running water for about ten minutes, then silence.

Seon-a emerged from the bathroom, wearing my t-shirt and sweatpants.

She was rubbing her damp auburn hair with a towel.

A sweet fragrance emanated from her, but it was just the same shampoo I used.

Feeling strangely flustered, I avoided looking at her face.

“I’ll go get the hairdryer… what’s this?”

“It’s nothing.”

As I reached for her hand to lead her to my room, I felt something strange against my palm.

I turned her arm over, and countless scars, thin and straight, crisscrossed her wrist.

The scars were neat, but their depth was unsettling.

I looked at her, worried. But she smiled reassuringly.

“It’s an old injury. It doesn’t hurt anymore, so don’t worry.”

“How did you get it?”

“It’s really nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

“…Okay.”

I still wanted to know what happened, but prying into her past wounds would be rude.

I lowered my head and closed my mouth.

“…Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”

“It’s okay. I’m actually happy you’re worried about me.”

Seon-a stroked her scars and spoke in a slightly melancholic tone, as if reminiscing about the past.

Worried that I might have triggered a painful memory, I apologized softly, but she just patted my back and reassured me.

She really is kind. Yesterday in the classroom, she must have been overly worried about me drifting away from her because of other friends.

She was my first friend, and I was hers. Of course, I would never abandon her, but I had unintentionally made her feel insecure.

Perhaps it was all my fault.

Choi Hyeong-gon’s sudden departure, Seon-a waiting in the rain all night… I had always thought of myself as mature, but when it came to relationships, I was clearly wrong.

“…Let me dry your hair.”

“Okay.”

Hiding my growing gloom, I carefully took her hand, mindful of her scars.

She squeezed my hand back. A sense of connection filled the emptiness in my chest.

I smiled faintly, feeling this emotion for the first time in this life.

I was still young and had a lot to learn.

So I would try to fix my mistakes.

I would learn how to be a better friend, how to understand people.

Then, someday, I would become a true adult, not just in name.

But for now, I had something to do.

I opened the door to my room and sat Seon-a down in front of my simple vanity table (which I rarely used).

I rubbed her damp hair with a towel and turned on the hairdryer. Hot air blew from the round nozzle, and I directed it at her hair, using my other hand to comb through the strands. The moisture quickly evaporated.

“Hey, we’re friends, right?”

Seon-a suddenly asked as I was drying her hair. I replied calmly, still holding the hairdryer.

“Of course.”

“Forever?”

“Yes, forever.”

“Then say you love me.”

“I love you—wait, what are you trying to make me say?!”

I quickly shut my mouth, realizing I’d fallen for her trick. Seon-a giggled mischievously.

“Sia, you’re such a dummy.”

“What did you say?”

Annoyed by her teasing tone, I dropped the hairdryer and opened my mouth wide.

“…Whoa! Wait, what are you doing?!”

“Gotcha!!”

“Aaah!! Stop biting! It hurts! That really hurts!!”

Of course it hurt. That was the point. If it didn’t hurt, I’d be a rock, not a human.

I didn’t stop biting the top of her head until she begged me to let go.