episode_0016

I was about to just head back to the dormitory, but I decided to stop by the cafeteria just in case, and there was Lena, still sitting there waiting for me.

The slightly melted and watery strawberry smoothie didn’t look appetizing at all.

“You took a while, huh?”

“Yeah, sorry.”

“You smell like cigarettes.”

Lena wrinkled her nose, covering it.

“Sorry.”

I apologized even though I hadn’t done anything wrong.

Lena glanced at me discreetly, then cautiously reached out her hand and placed it on mine.

“What’s wrong?”

It was a story that was so vague that I didn’t know where to start.

“Oh, nothing.”

I awkwardly smiled and brushed it off.

*

Back at the dormitory, I just lay there for a while. I didn’t feel like eating and I just felt lethargic. I kept sighing.

Lying on my side on the bed, the dormitory desk looked so pitifully useless, and it made me feel strange.

-Being with that guy makes me feel the most comfortable.

I used to think of it as a dark history from my childhood when I had a crush on him.

Why do I feel strange hearing those words now?

Is it a misconception that it’s not too late now, or is it really the right time?

-Jisoo, I… I actually like you.

I naturally expected her to accept it.

It was a funny thought, but even though we couldn’t get along and were incompatible, I vaguely thought that we would eventually get married.

We went to the same elementary school but not the same middle school. Then we were assigned to the same high school and met Jisoo again.

I felt impatient, afraid she might run away.

Just like when we were assigned to different middle schools and temporarily separated, there was no rule that we wouldn’t meet at a crossroads in our future lives.

My desperation led my actions.

And the result was not good.

-Sorry, Yujin.

-Why…?

-I don’t want things to get awkward between us. What if we meet and then break up?

-Who thinks about breaking up before even starting a relationship?

-But it could happen. What if it does?

Looking back now, Jisoo must have been quite puzzled.

At the time, it felt like a lame excuse, and I was annoyed.

-If you don’t like it, just say so. Why make up weird excuses?

-No! It’s not like that at all. I’m just worried…

-Forget it. I’m sorry for saying weird things. Just forget about it.

I tried to play it off as if it wasn’t a big deal.

There were no save or load buttons in life, and there were no second or third chances like someone’s joke.

I don’t know if I can make up for my mistakes as time passes.

Mistakes themselves last forever.

-Yujin, let’s just be friends. Let’s keep it like this even after 10 years, just joking around, laughing, and chatting, just friends… I like that.

I didn’t talk to Jisoo because I was upset by those words, and I didn’t draw her a picture for a while.

But it was difficult to ignore her as if she were a transparent person living in the upstairs apartment.

Somehow, we passed by each other, talked, and asked each other for favors.

We went back to how we used to be.

“But why are you saying this now?”

Thinking about the past made me irritated and frustrated.

I went to the bathroom to clear my mind and took a warm shower. After showering, while my hair dried, I decided to spend some time as usual with my tablet on the bed.

Today, I had a subject to draw, not just doodle.

“Have you heard of a makeover, Dakota?”

Regardless of the conflict earlier, Dakota was truly beautiful. I don’t know why she had to be the main heroine, but aside from that, from her face, hair, proportions, to her stunning hips, everything was perfect.

She was so enchanting that even calling her doll-like felt inadequate.

There was no need to dress up in front of someone like her.

I picked up my pen and started drawing the uniform pants. Tomorrow was the perfect time to wear the pants with the hole in the back.

“Do whatever you want, but even after 10 years, we’ll still be friends. Hurry up and date Dakota, you brat.”

With each stroke on the tablet, I felt a strange sense of determination.

*

The next day.

I woke up early to avoid being late and finished getting ready. Well, getting ready meant just drying my hair, skipping makeup, and not even applying lotion, so I had plenty of time left.

The uniform pants I drew yesterday looked good even to my eyes. It was satisfying to see the attention to detail I put into it.

I leisurely went to the restaurant for breakfast, brushed my teeth, and then headed to the main control room on the first floor. I thought I had prepared with plenty of time to spare.

“Good morning, Chloe.”

Dakota Kale, the haughty main heroine with her purple hair elegantly styled, greeted me with a cold look in her eyes.

She had arrived early and was already checking today’s schedule. Facing her beauty that could make even the tired eyes of the male staff in the control room perk up.

I secretly hoped that today would go smoothly as planned.

“Hello, Dakota.”

When I purposely lowered my voice, her eyebrows subtly furrowed, but she quickly regained her composure and replied nonchalantly.

“You’re wearing pants today.”

“I guess pants are more comfortable for moving around.”

“It must be uncomfortable with your tail. …Oh, you got it altered.”

As Dakota casually nodded, I was shocked and sighed silently.

Why didn’t I think of getting it altered? What a fool I am…

While blaming myself, Dakota swiftly ran her hand up and down the hem of my pants.

“…It looks pretty.”

I turned away with a clear hint of ‘Are you judging me?’

She looked so transparent when she did that, it was cute. I didn’t really want to confront her. It might turn into a good relationship, but for now…

I need to solve the problem in front of me.

“I’m here.”

Gordon greeted with a sleepy tone and a yawn.

You’re the reason for my current suffering, yet you’re so calm, you brat.

“Shall we go then?”

The current time is 7:51 AM.

The unusual weekend patrol with three people had begun.

If we headed north yesterday, today’s route was southwest. The schedule was to visit the village of ‘Pahilo’ in the southwest fence area, the inland city of ‘Kayora,’ and another inland city ‘Baha,’ and then return.

It took two hours by subway to Pahilo.

As we sat in three adjacent seats on the subway, I subtly pushed Dakota towards Gordon, sat a seat away, and focused on drawing on my tablet.

“Why are you sitting a seat away?”

“Because of my tail. It often makes people uncomfortable.”

Of course, it was an excuse. When I used the ‘leg-crossing skill’ I learned yesterday, I could briefly control my tail to fold it inside my body to not bother people around me.

But now was the time to move aside. Knowing when to step aside is a beautiful sight. Hehe.

Quietly praising herself in her mind, she focused on her drawing.

As expected, just like the last time, guns were the best for combat equipment. From sniper rifles to submachine guns and pistols. As she created an armory inside the tablet, time flew by quickly.

[This stop is the final destination of our train, Pahilo. Pahilo Station. The doors will open for…]

Glancing at the two people, they were awkwardly keeping their distance, but there was no cold atmosphere between them.

Yeah, everyone starts like this. As the one continuing the conversation, this much was enough to keep things flowing.

After walking around the perimeter of the station for about 30 minutes and confirming that there were no unusual circumstances, she returned to the station.

“I’ll go to the restroom for a moment.”

Since they had to ride the subway for quite a long time, Lager suggested it, and she also decided to go to the restroom.

“I’m fine.”

However, Dakota, who was wearing a fluffy skirt uniform just like yesterday, shook her head. She didn’t even want Lager to see her going to the restroom.

“Well then, I’ll be right back.”

“Since we have some time until departure, take your time.”

Dakota said that and was about to go outside the station, but she turned back towards me and stopped me as I was heading to the restroom.

“Oh, Chloe. Can I hold the tablet for a moment?”

“It’s okay. Why all of a sudden?”

“I thought it might be uncomfortable for you.”

“What kindness? It’s awkward.”

“Don’t misunderstand. It’s not because I appreciate your efforts. I just wanted you to come back from the restroom quickly.”

So that’s what she meant by being grateful.

“Fine, whatever. Hold onto it for a moment.”

“Hmph.”

Pretending to fart, Dakota took the tablet and went back outside the station.

She must have moved outside just to be in a more atmospheric place near the turnstile than in front of the restroom. The more you see, the easier it is to understand her personality.

Entering the women’s restroom was still awkward, but she didn’t hesitate. People tend to adapt quickly to repetitive tasks every day.

“Sigh.”

She pulled down her pants and sat on the toilet, scrolling through her phone.

After finishing her business and trying to get up.

“Huh…?”

Where did her pants go?