episode_0220

Sssssssss!

Sua escaped the special perk hotel and returned to reality.

At the same time, welcome voices rang out all over the place.

─Sua sunbae, can you hear us? ─It seems like it’s getting through now. Whew.

A voice I could never mistake.

The Sua Association had returned.

‘You guys!’

Sua shouted inwardly with joy.

So to speak, Sua touched? Sua happy?

The words of the future Sua… or rather, ‘some possibility of becoming the future Sua’ were true.

As soon as I returned to reality, the Sua Association reappeared.

‘I thought I’d never see you again. I’m so glad.’

Sua truly felt relieved. She had grown very attached to the Sua Association. It can’t disappear!

At that moment, inner Yoo Han-soo murmured.

─To be honest, I was quite touched. I didn’t know Sua sunbae cared about us that much.

‘What, what. You were all listening? How embarrassing.’

As Sua felt a little awkward, inner Wi Ji-hye nodded with her arms crossed.

─I was a bit surprised too. I thought you would abandon us and quickly choose the easy path.

‘Ahem, ahem…. I’m not such a bad person.’

Sua thought. Even if I’m stupid, I’m not without loyalty. Before she knew it, she had accepted that she was stupid.

‘Anyway, you all better be grateful.’

Sua puffed up with pride. Sua confident.

‘…But, come to think of it, I have a question.’

─What is it?

‘What exactly was that entity? Really me from the future?’

Then Kim Yoo-han stepped forward to answer.

─It’s not a confirmed future, just a possibility. It seems like that’s what happens when Sua sunbae becomes obsessed with grades and starts relying solely on perks.

─Yes, it seemed to show a state completely consumed by perks. I felt that way too.

‘A country completely consumed by perks….’

Sua rubbed her chin.

The more she heard, the more questions she had.

‘But then, why did the perk show that side of itself? If the goal is to consume me, wouldn’t it be better not to show it? It’s better to seduce me while hiding your intentions.

─A sharp question, unlike Sua sunbae…?

‘…What do you think of me.’

Sua asked like that.

‘Never mind. Don’t answer what you think of me.’

She quickly added. Hearing it would definitely hurt me.

─Anyway, it doesn’t seem like the perk’s goal is to consume Sua sunbae. In my estimation, it seems to want Sua sunbae to grow personally.

‘Personal growth, huh….’

The expression somehow feels difficult.

Sua scratched her head.

‘I don’t know about that. I just thought that a life chasing after grades was too empty, so I just wanted to help Hong sunbae.’

In the meantime, the scenery of reality came into view.

“Ah.”

Hong Ye-ji was already far away.

I can’t let her go like this. Sua urgent.

“Excuse me, Hong Ye-ji sunbae-nim!”

Sua hurriedly shouted, following after Ye-ji.

This is not something to leave to someone else. Just like when consulting with Sun-il and Yeon-joo, and just like when comforting Yang Ha-rin. Sua has no choice but to do this herself.

Why? Because it’s a matter of sincerity.

Only Sua can express Sua’s sincerity.

“…Let’s talk for a moment!”

At that shout, Hong Ye-ji stopped abruptly.

Yes, now is the time to convey Sua’s intentions.

.

.

.

.

.

“Is Ye-ji sunbae’s choice really the right one?”

That was Sua’s first word.

Crackle─! Crackle─!

Actually, I already have a headache.

When this is over, I’ll definitely suffer the aftereffects of the overload. Will I be living in a pretty stupid state for a while? Sua knew that fact best.

But.

Still, I won’t stop.

Sua hated the thought of her precious acquaintance, Hong Ye-ji, regretting it later more than suffering an overload.

That’s Sua’s view on life.

Ye-ji nodded, flustered.

“Yes. My choice is correct.” “I can respect all of Ye-ji sunbae’s choices. But that, well, that’s….”

Crackle─! Crackle─!

My head hurts.

Thinking of certain phenomena and principles in your head and explaining them so that others can understand is as different as heaven and earth in terms of difficulty. Sua was doing her best to express her thoughts right now.

But fortunately, there is an effect to doing her best.

Soon, words to express this situation came to mind. Of course, this was also thanks to the Sua Association helping out from the sidelines.

“I will respect your decision if Ye-ji sunbae really chooses to do this. But isn’t this close to running away?”

“Running away?”

Ye-ji’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Sua nodded.

“Yes. It feels like you’re avoiding the situation and running away. Even though Alien Game has changed a lot due to the influence of other people, Ye-ji sunbae’s original draft is the starting point.”

“…No. This is the right choice for me.”

Ye-ji denied it. “Also, this is the best plan. If I touch it, I’ll definitely ruin the work. I’m sure I’ll disappoint the people who believe in me.” “Is it for the people who believe in Ye-ji sunbae?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“If that’s the case…. You aren’t keeping faith with the people who believe in Ye-ji sunbae.” “Faith? What do you mean?” “It means that the people around you believe in Ye-ji sunbae, but Ye-ji sunbae doesn’t believe in everyone.”

Sua held her aching head and continued.

Her head felt like it was going to break, but she gritted her teeth and endured it.

“I believe in Ye-ji sunbae, but that doesn’t mean I expect you to get high scores. It’s enough if you just do your best. Of course, it would be nice to have high scores too.”

Sua couldn’t bring herself to lie.

…It would be nice to have a high grade if possible.

“Thank you for your kind words. But you’re special, Sua-ssi, and others will be different.”

“But even they ultimately joined by their own judgment, right? You can’t blame anyone even if it fails.” “….” Ye-ji pressed her lips tightly.

In fact, Sua didn’t find it easy to do this kind of persuasion. The perk window was clearly visible in her eyes.

[ Alien Game ] ▶ Sufficient implementation elements ▶ Grade 1 → Grade 1.5 → Grade 2

The more Sua persuaded her to return, the more the grade noticeably dropped. Grabbing onto Ye-ji when everything was clearly visible wasn’t easy.

That’s why she keeps being tempted.

It would be a lie if she said she didn’t think about just letting Ye-ji go like this. Ye-ji’s thoughts were reasonable in their own way, and if Ye-ji regretted it later, she could just pretend not to know.

It’s Ye-ji’s life, not Sua’s.

But.

…Sua couldn’t ‘pretend not to know.’

Crackle─! Crackle─!

I want to use pretty metaphors, and I want to bring up flashy reasons, but my head is already at its limit.

“I guess I can’t force anything on sunbae.”

Sua finally said that. “Then, Ye-ji sunbae, let’s do this.” “Yes?” “Do as Ye-ji sunbae wants…. If, even just in the off chance, you ever want to touch Alien Game again, be sure to come back and use all your strength for it.” “Even later…. Come back…?” “Of course, you can’t just come back after a year or two. But your mind could change within a week, right? If that happens, don’t feel embarrassed and be sure to come back.”

“….”

Ye-ji pondered for a long time. “I don’t know if I can answer that I understand these words. It feels like too much of a conscienceless thing to do….” “It’s okay. Just think carefully about whether you’ll regret it later or not. Regret is a very unpleasant thing.” “I understand. Thank you so much until the end.”

That was the end of the conversation. Ye-ji left. “Hoo-ooo…!”

After Ye-ji disappeared, Sua wiped the sweat from her forehead.

This matter would be painful for Ye-ji, who was the person involved, but it was the same for Sua.

This doesn’t simply mean that my head hurts.

With every word she uttered, she wondered if her judgment was really correct, and she was also tempted. She had a great desire to protect the golden portfolio.

Even Sua might regret what happened today.

But.

‘One thing is for sure. Even if the portfolio is ruined, I won’t regret it as much as I would have regretted letting Ye-ji sunbae go.’

So it’s okay.

Sua chose the path she would regret less.

She felt like she had protected something precious.

Sua spoke to the Sua Association.

‘I’m sorry everyone, I guess I’m not that smart after all. I only pick things that make my grade drop.’

─I acknowledge that. ─You are stupid, indeed.

Kim Yoo-han and Wi Ji-hye immediately acknowledged it.

However, they were all smiling despite saying those words. Their master was now growing not only in acting skills but also in character.

Yes, that was important to them.

It’s a pity that one work is ruined, but it’s okay.

Their sense of pride is greater.

So I thought I should shake off my regrets…

A huge change happened the next day.