episode_0015

Dakota, consumed by jealousy, was filled with anger.

Lager, avoiding my gaze after causing this situation.

And me, having to resolve this situation.

What should I do?

“Ale, Chloe.”

“Yes? …Yes.”

“Tomorrow’s shift, you’ll be going out with me. As you can see, Gedon can’t go on duty.”

“That…is true.”

“If you don’t want to go out yourself, you can find a substitute, is that possible? I remember you saying you didn’t have any friends.”

I shot a stern look at Lager, who seemed to be about to retort from behind, trying to stop her. If you speak up again, nothing will work out.

For now, I listened quietly.

She was the ‘lonely outsider,’ as it were. Her words were correct.

“Yes, I… don’t have anyone to switch with. Reina is in a more serious condition than Lager, as she injured her leg.”

“Reina?”

Dakota, furrowing her brow for a moment, seemed to recall the girl with crutches she had met on the first floor and nodded. “Anyway,” she quickly changed the mood and spoke again.

“Tomorrow’s shift is as I said. If you have any complaints or objections, speak now.”

Do you have anything to say? A questioning attitude.

Now it’s finally my turn.

During the brief time given, I calmly assessed the situation.

Dakota came here not only for Moonbyeong but also to adjust the duty schedule.

Maybe I can make good use of this situation.

Glancing at Lager, who was watching the situation with a resentful look, I thought to myself.

Lager Gedon.

In a world where people can die at any moment, to increase survival rates, he, who has the most information, is absolutely necessary.

To avoid the ‘female trap’ of this character, Ale Chloe, it is necessary to keep a certain distance from male characters in the world.

The most effective way to establish a relationship that is neither too close nor too far is…

Dakota Kale. Placing her between us.

“Oh, wait.”

Yes. If I place Dakota between us…

That’s how it should be.

“I have an objection.”

Dakota’s brow slightly furrowed.

“What is it?”

“We should also hear Lager’s opinion.”

“Didn’t he agree that he couldn’t go on duty? Does he look okay to you?”

“If he’s okay with it, the doctor said he could be discharged tomorrow.”

Lager stared at me with a puzzled expression, as if asking, ‘Why is he suddenly like this?’

Now it’s his turn.

I didn’t think there was a need to give or receive any signals. Even if he didn’t know, he wouldn’t have brought up the duty with the nurse if there was no reason to go out tomorrow.

I don’t know what the reason is, but for now, please go along with my plan.

“If you rest well today, you should be able to go out tomorrow.”

“What are you talking about…”

Dakota looked at him with a bewildered expression.

Now all conditions were met.

Approaching Dakota, I made a suggestion.

“Then let’s go out together.”

“Yes…?”

“Me, Lager, and Supervisor Sun. The three of us should go out.”

“Ale, that’s…”

“Do you not like it?”

I cut off Lager, who was about to raise an objection.

Just stay quiet for now.

Dakota frowned suspiciously. He might not find this proposal very pleasing, as he might think I’m trying to push him around for the second time.

“Why should I do that?”

“Because you should give him a chance to clear up any misunderstandings.”

“It seems like you’re mistaken, why should I go along with your plan? I have the authority to let Gedon rest and go out with you.”

Unexpectedly, Dakota was deeply surprised by the overwhelming power of the head of the Sun Do Clan, but she tried her best not to show it and instead put on a confident smile.

“But isn’t the head of the Sun Do Clan’s goal to separate me and Lager?” she asked.

“Wait, hold on….”

“Now it’s not even a secret anymore.”

Although both Dakota and Lager had known the truth from the beginning, Dakota felt like it would have been a decent time to confess as Dakota. She felt a bit sorry.

However, after going through all this trouble and being scolded by me (even though it was a misunderstanding), it was strange to see Dakota pretending to be tough while tears welled up in her eyes.

Dakota, seeming to know that, let out a shallow sigh and glanced at Lager for a moment before speaking.

“Yes. Maybe this method might be more advantageous for me.”

She declared.

“Lager Godin. I like you. I can’t gauge how deep our relationship is, but I’ve liked you since the first time I saw you.”

“…Dakota.”

“So, because I’ve liked you all this time, I’m confident. You will definitely come to like me.”

After making that declaration, she turned her head sharply to look at me, then took a step closer to me and whispered softly.

“It’s a game. Where shall we do it? Tomorrow morning at 8 o’clock. Don’t be late.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll make sure you regret it later.”

With determination, Dakota left the hospital room.

The tense and oppressive air that filled the room gradually dissipated.

Only then did Lager speak up.

“What are you thinking?”

“About what?”

“Are you really going to go along with connecting me and that girl?”

“Why not?”

“Hey!”

Lager shouted so loudly that it hurt my ears.

Without batting an eye, I left the room and threw a word at him.

“There’s a smoking area on the rooftop. Go there first. I’ll buy cigarettes and join you.”

*

As soon as I got off the elevator on the first floor, I headed straight to the convenience store I had seen earlier.

There are 8mm red cigarettes in this world too. The quality was annoyingly cheap, but I had to commend this one point.

I took the elevator back up to the rooftop. It had been almost a week since I had landed in this world, which meant I hadn’t smoked for a week.

Actually, when Lager was admitted, I missed the cafeteria on the facility map, but I definitely checked the smoking area.

As a former heavy smoker, this level of observation was basic.

Lager was sitting on the rooftop smoking area in patient attire, waiting for me absentmindedly.

The setting sun, slowly setting, was beautiful.

I skillfully tore open the cigarette pack and took one out, putting it in my mouth. I lit the cigarette with the lighter I bought along with it.

Phew.

Feeling slightly drowsy as the nicotine circulated through my body felt good.

But as I took the second puff, my chest tightened as I started thinking about what I had to say next.

By the time I took the third puff, just thinking about what I had to say made me feel nauseous.

After smoking the entire cigarette in silence, I flicked off the ash with my finger, put out the flame, and asked, reaching into my skirt pocket.

“What did you mean by what you said earlier?”

“What do you mean?”

“You said it’s most comfortable for you when you’re with me. Why did you say that in front of her?”

“Can’t I just say it’s comfortable?”

“Anyone would interpret that as me liking you.”

“What.”

With a smirk, I crossed my legs and asked Lager.

“Do you like me, by any chance?”

At my words, a smile subtly disappeared from Lager’s face. Suddenly, he lifted his head and looked at me.

Why are you looking at me like that, you?

Unluckily.

Just thinking about cigarettes made me immediately put another stick in my mouth. Maybe it’s because it’s a high-nicotine cigarette, but the smell of smoke seemed to be emanating from my body already.

Rather nice.

With a flick of the lighter, I emphasized the cigarette in my mouth towards him.

“Don’t like me.”

“Don’t like you.”

“That’s the agreement we made, right?”

“…I know.”

“You’re the one who suggested it.”

Bringing up that time again made me feel uncomfortable.

To calm myself, I took a deep drag of the cigarette and exhaled a light puff of smoke.

Yet, my mood remained the same.

Back then, we drew the line like that, so why are you saying strange things now?

Offering help.

Promising protection.

Saying you feel most comfortable with me.

When I confessed as soon as we entered high school, did you say those things back then?

Now, having a man’s body and spouting such nonsense, what’s the point?

Even though I’ve become a woman, my core is still male.

“Be ready for discharge preparation at 8 a.m. tomorrow. Don’t be late.”

“Where to?”

“Out. I’m going.”

I flicked off the cigarette with my finger. The extinguished cigarette landed on the floor, emitting smoke as it burned out.

“Lager… No, Min Jisoo.”

It feels like it’s been a long time since I called him that. Lager also seemed to find his own name unfamiliar, as his response was a beat late.

“The promise to remain friends even after 10 years. Keep that.”

Leaving those words behind, I moved on again.

The sunset was deepening.