episode_0051

[…Rental…uh…!]

My head is ringing.

A voice begins to stimulate my consciousness, as if pricking me with a needle.

I tried to ignore it by covering my ears, but instead of the voice getting smaller, it only got louder.

[…It’s…now…!]

I continued to ask for sleep.

Because the semester was over, I was completely free.

‘……Wait a minute, the semester is over?’

A small, momentary feeling of discomfort.

The moment when that sense of discomfort awakens the consciousness buried deep within.

The faint voice became clear.

[You! Get up! If you don’t catch the shuttle now, you’ll miss it!]

‘…ah?’

***

The start of the vacation.

The Academy transports students in the morning using its own shuttle.

A minimum of consideration for those who have come from far away.

However, this consideration only lasts in the morning.

People who leave after that have someone to pick them up.

You have to go far away and use public transportation.

The current time is 1:00 PM.

All the shuttles had already left long ago.

The only person left at the shuttle was the guide who was looking at me with pity.

[Then why did you pass out after drinking two cases of beer!!!]

‘Fuck, who pulled out that ultimate skill called petrification and ended up like this!!’

I was walking out of the shuttle location, having a petty argument with Peace.

[So what are you going to do?]

‘What should I do? I guess I’ll have to take public transportation.’

So I just walked out of the academy.

It was a vast plain with nothing to see, but we walked for about 30 minutes.

Finally, a bus stop appears, like an oasis in the desert.

Is there any law that says a person has to die?

There is a way to survive –

[….Was the electronic scoreboard originally nothing?]

‘I never thought I’d see something cleaner than my answer sheet.’

– I thought about that for a moment.

The first day of the Academy vacation is crowded with people.

As a courtesy to him, bus service is restricted in the area.

Thanks to this, the scoreboard looks so clean that you might wonder if it’s even turned on.

Coincidentally, on that same day, taxis also went on strike.

Because of that, I am now standing alone, unable to catch anything.

[It’s really hard to go home.]

‘Let’s just walk. The map says it’ll take about an hour.’

[……Isn’t that usually a distress cliche?]

‘Do you believe in clichés in such a messy and confusing novel?’

[That’s very convincing.]

Is there such a thing as a cliché in this day and age?

None at all.

Besides, I was confident.

‘It’s harder for Nopia to get lost than to advance into the sun.’

[That’s right. Where are you trying to go to the sunny side? Give up.]

‘Who gets lost in Korea in the first place? Like a retard.’

I got out of the bus stop and started walking along the road without any plan.

***

I am truly an idiot.

I don’t even know where I am right now.

‘Save me.’

[Idiot.]

It was when I checked the map app again that I started to feel something was wrong.

The time I checked at the bus stop was definitely 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Yes, that’s right.

That means one hour by car.

When it takes about 15 minutes by car, it takes about an hour.

Excluding numerous variables, it would take roughly 4 hours.

Except for variables, that is.

[Why is this map app so stupid? It gives directions in a straight line across the mountains.]

‘They say there’s a cliff in front of you, but they tell you to go this way?’

[I guess you set your destination as heaven.]

‘It’s a direct flight.’

In the end, instead of using the map app, I just walked along the side of the road, following the signs.

But even if the sign is accurate, how accurate is it for someone walking right now?

Departure time is approximately 1:30 PM.

The current time is 5:30 PM.

But, far from being a familiar sight.

All that comes into view is a sight without even a hint of civilization.

Eventually, I ended up lost in an unidentifiable location.

‘…How about a place to sleep?’

[No! Stop thinking about sleeping on the streets and start looking for a solution!!]

‘I’m lost and can’t even go to the academy. Should I just give up on everything?’

[No way! It’s only been one episode since I got the name!]

At that moment, a black car approached me from behind, honking its horn loudly.

A black car that was so well maintained that you could tell it was shiny even in the afternoon.

The interior seen through the glass was pitch black, so dark that it was impossible to see anything.

As if not tolerating even a single ray of light.

Meanwhile, the horn, instead of being quieter, was getting louder and faster.

The sound must have gotten louder because the distance between me and you is getting closer.

But it was a little strange that the cycle was getting faster.

‘What is this chewy?’

[That’s right. You’re not in the center, you’re on the outside.]

Then, without slowing down at all, it came towards me and passed me by so narrowly.

[You? Are you okay?]

‘These motherfuckers are fucking pissed off and they’re picking a fight?’

Of course, it was fortunate that it didn’t touch, but that alone was a considerable threat.

The moment you consider writing down the vehicle’s license plate number.

– Squeak.

The car that passed me suddenly stopped in its tracks not long after.

It’s as if he has business with me.

[Be careful.]

‘This car will be mine from today.

I started to loosen up and slowly approach the vehicle to execute the GTA-style car rental (forced).

As I looked around, I saw that there were no cameras in this place.

It was a blind spot in public security.

[Because there are no cameras around, they rush in saying, ‘I caught a fool.’]

‘If you take it legally, it’s not stolen property, it’s a loan, right?’

The moment the distance becomes close enough.

Quickly strengthen your legs and hit the ground hard with your heavy leg strength.

At the same time, I measured the distance to the driver’s seat.

About twenty steps.

A distance that is far and yet not too far.

As the distance quickly narrows to ten paces, he strengthens both hands and prepares to swing.

At that moment, the right rear door opened.

“Shinwoo, what are you doing here?”

“…Huh?”

I couldn’t help but doubt my eyes.

A pair of red hairs, darker than blood.

Golden eyes that do not lose their color even at this time.

A wild hyacinth has appeared.

***

“What kind of idiot would dare walk that distance!!”

“…That idiot is coming.”

“Please contact me if you need any help!”

“But…….”

“But just throw it away!!”

Currently, I am dependent on Hyeji’s car.

Comfortable ride. Spacious and luxurious interior for a mid-size car.

Even a comfortable chair.

Everything was good.

Except for the fact that Hyeji gets scolded in real time from the backseat.

“But Hyeji. Why were you passing by there?”

“I was on my way back home after stopping by for a bit because I left something at the dorm.”

[You must be quite stupid to not even think of asking for help.]

‘I don’t think you’re in a position to talk about others, Mr. Peace.’

Then I remembered the car that had passed me earlier, honking its horn and threateningly passing me.

“Why did you pass by so dangerously earlier?”

“I told you to give me a signal because you kept ignoring me.”

Hyeji says that no matter how you look at it, it’s a threat, but it’s just a signal.

As expected, the way of thinking was different.

“If you give me the signal twice, the next place I’ll see will be the mortuary.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take responsibility even if you lose an arm or a leg.”

“Does that mean I’ll put it back on if it falls off?”

“I’ll think about that.”

“……”

[I guess it would be a good idea to pack a few prosthetic arms.]

‘…Don’t assume that it’s already gone.’

I tried to ignore the ominous feeling and looked out the window.

Then Hyeji looked at me and opened her mouth.

“So where is your home address? I’ll take you there.”

At that moment, a familiar sight began to come into view.

It was within walking distance.

“Get off over there.”

“Where are you going? I said I’d take you there.”

“It’s too far from your house. Just drop me off and I’ll walk the rest of the way.”

“Speak quickly.”

“It’s okay. Really, don’t worry. I’ll be there soon.”

I was about to get off because I felt sorry for not being able to help you anymore.

“Say it.”

“Okay…”

Hyeji pushed hard with a curious look in her eyes.

As if he absolutely had to check my house.

In the end, I had no choice but to reveal my home address to Hyeji.

“It’s not that far?”

“At your house?”

“Yeah. Since it’s come to this, can I go over to your house to play?”

“Our house? Why?”

It’s a house that doesn’t have much to show for it.

Besides that, I’m a little reluctant to invite anyone.

however.

“……I don’t have any close friends, so I’ve never been to someone’s house to play.”

Because of Hyeji’s last remark, I had no choice but to take her.

The atmosphere inside the car suddenly became solemn.

Even the driver started to cough in vain.

“Can’t it be done?”

” If you refuse there

“Really? Thank you!”

[You? Why do you feel reluctant to invite Hyeji?]

‘I still have that fucking CD that Mr. Kang Hyuk gave me a long time ago in my room.’

[No, are you fucking retarded???? Why do you still have that!!]

‘I didn’t get the timing to throw it away. This is a big problem.’

It is confirmed that Hyeji will come.

So, first of all, we need to clean the room quickly.

“But I’ve never invited anyone before, so my room is a bit of a mess.”

“…..Is this my first time?”

“Right. So, should I make the cleaning a little simpler?”

“Yeah. Yeah. I’ll wait as long as you want!”

Luckily, I had enough time to clean the room.

Hyeji answered as if she felt better.

In contrast, the driver in the driver’s seat began to grumble as if he was uncomfortable with something.

Soon we arrived in front of the house.

The current time is 6:30.

Everyone, it’s time to eat dinner.

“Here it is.”

“Really? You really don’t stay that far from my house?”

Then Hyeji leaned toward the driver’s seat and made a notification that wasn’t really a notification.

“I’ll get off here too! I’ll walk home later!”

“…….Yeah, come early.”

A rather uncomfortable tone for someone who is giving consent without question.

I felt something, but I had to get home first, so I got out of the car.

The midsize sedan that had dropped us off began to move away from us and become a small dot.

“But Shinwoo? Can I go in without contacting you?”

“You won’t accept it anyway. Just go.”

The moment I stood in front of the door lock, I couldn’t remember the password.

After being locked in a different space for six months, it’s only natural that I’d forgotten things.

But my hands entered the password so naturally.

As if the head remembers on your behalf even if the body cannot remember.

“Don’t expect too much, it’s really nothing special.”

“Are you still looking forward to it? This is my first time doing something like this.”

“Well, going to a friend’s house to play is secretly difficult.”

“…..Yeah….Friends. Fuck.”

[I wish you would just be more conscious.]

‘Aren’t you closer than colleagues or classmates?’

[Ugh, what the fuck.]

Somehow Hyeji’s eyes began to darken, but the first priority was to go home.

As soon as the password was entered, a cheerful notification sounded and the door opened.

All that can be seen are people sitting at the table just about to eat dinner.

Men first.

The black hair mixed with gray hair and the deep wrinkles around the eyes were impressive.

Next are women.

With a youthful appearance, Yoon-gi gathered his brilliant jade-colored hair into a bundle and let it fall down to his shoulders.

Look at the way he picks up his spoon and tries to pick up the side dish.

It seemed like they had just started eating.

And when I appeared, the two of them stopped moving their spoons and started staring at me.

I too stared at them.

I took out the words that I had kept deep in my heart.

“……Who are you?”

They were people I was seeing for the first time.