[Part 2 Start] Alcohol, Severed Memories

A large auditorium where all the students gathered.

How often would an event like this, where all the students gather, happen at school?

Today is the day of the graduation ceremony.

To think I’d be graduating high school again.

The graduation ceremony itself proceeded simply.

The teachers who were in charge of the 3rd graders came out and gave short remarks and farewell greetings, and the students also presented works they had created for the graduation ceremony.

In my case, I didn’t do anything.

That’s because I was playing Deron when my classmates were busy with graduation projects and whatnot.

,Hayeon-a.”

,Eung.”

I turn my head at the voice from beside me.

The last day of my third year of high school.

Sohee’s chest was even bigger than before.

How long is she going to keep growing, seriously?

As I was staring blankly at that huge chest, Sohee came a little closer and took my hand.

Soft touch digging between my fingers.

,You didn’t forget, did you?”

I quietly nodded.

The promise to go on a date alone on the day the graduation ceremony ends.

I didn’t forget. She kept asking me about it from a week before graduating high school, so there was no way I could forget.

It seemed Sohee wanted to keep a memory of just the two of us, as it was the last moment as a high school student.

Outside the auditorium after the graduation ceremony ended.

The wind was blowing fiercely, but the atmosphere was warmer than ever.

,See you later!”

I let go of the hand I was holding and said to Sohee.

That’s because I was planning to take a commemorative photo with my family who had arrived here and meet her again.

Sohee seemed to be thinking the same thing as me, as she nodded and waved her hand.

,Hek hek…”

A place I ran to across the playground for a long time.

I head to the entrance where the parents are pouring out.

I had no choice but to run because the entrances for students and attendees were different.

,Mom!”

In front of the entrance.

I waved my hand and shouted towards a familiar face.

People’s attention was focused for a moment, but I didn’t feel burdened today.

Wadadadat

I move my short legs diligently and hug my mom.

,Our Hayeon-i. Congratulations on graduating~”

A touch that carefully strokes my back.

I rubbed my face against my mom’s stomach for a long time, then turned my head at the stinging gaze I felt from the side.

Harang was standing there.

How long is this guy going to keep growing? He seemed bigger than I used to be.

Harang’s gaze was full of annoyance.

Given his personality, he would have preferred to be holed up at home taking a nap rather than coming here.

But no way. He must have been dragged out by Mom’s nagging in the end.

,Congratulations.”

Short words.

Harang said that and handed me a large bouquet of flowers.

My body falters at the huge bouquet that’s almost as big as my upper body.

,Euet…”

I, I can’t handle something this big.

I handed the bouquet to my mom.

After that, a family photo time began.

Everyone gathered and started taking pictures using their cell phone cameras.

As the click-click sound continued, data in the name of memories piled up inside the camera.

How long has it been?

A familiar voice was heard from behind.

,Hayeon-a.”

,Ah-“

I turned from the pose I was taking pictures in and greeted Sohee.

Did I take too long?

While I was thinking that, Sohee came closer and greeted my mom and Harang.

,Hello. Mother.”

,Ah, Sohee, you’re here. Welcome!”

Mom welcomed Sohee unusually.

Was it just my imagination that the affection in her eyes seemed so warm?

Sohee smiled softly and handed Mom a small shopping bag.

,This, this is…”

,Oh my… This is…?”

What could be inside that thing?

I took a step back and watched Mom and Sohee.

Mom doesn’t even check the contents of the shopping bag.

It was as if she was used to this kind of gift.

It’s too suspicious.

I watched with my arms crossed for a long time.

Finally, Mom and Sohee’s conversation ended.

Sohee changed her target and approached Harang.

Sohee bowed her head slightly as the distance narrowed.

Harang took a step back as if he felt a little uncomfortable with her modest appearance.

,Hello. Oppa.”

,Uh, uh…”

,Congratulations on being selected for the national team.”

,Ah, um… Thanks…”

The conversation with Harang ended there.

Sohee turned her head and met my eyes.

Sohee smiles brighter than ever.

She naturally reached out her hand.

As if she knew I would go there and hold her hand.

I looked back at Mom and Harang and approached Sohee.

I had already told them that I would hang out with Sohee until late in the evening after the graduation ceremony, so the two waved their hands at me.

,Have fun!”

,Are you coming home today?”

Then would I come home tomorrow?

I stuck my tongue out at Harang, who was asking crookedly, and turned around.

,Let’s go.”

While walking out of the playground with Sohee.

A small footstep was heard from afar, todo dot.

I can tell without turning my head. Because the other person’s footsteps were so familiar.

,Hayeon!!! Sohee!!!”

I was wondering why she wasn’t showing up.

A person who graduated high school with us.

,Ellie.”

The girl who ran over with her snow-white hair fluttering was Ellie.

Ellie, wearing a snow-white fur coat, approached, sniffling.

,I, I came to say hello…!”

Saying that, Ellie started rummaging through her pockets.

Soon, two beautifully packaged small letters were caught in her small hands.

A very luxurious-looking letter sealed with wax and engraved with a seal.

Seriously, who seals letters like this these days?

I smiled lightly and accepted the letter that Ellie handed me.

,D, don’t look at it now. I hope you read it at home later…!”

If that’s a request…

I nodded and put the letter in my pocket.

It was small, so it fit perfectly inside my pocket.

Sohee also turned the sealed letter back and forth before nodding.

,Okay.”

,Hmm, hmm… By the way, where are you two going?”

,Graduation mem…”

,A date for the two of us.”

,Ah… I see… I understand. Then next time, see you in Deron!”

Sohee’s words that cut me off.

Ellie nodded as if she had realized something and hurriedly left the spot.

I looked in the direction Ellie disappeared with a regretful expression.

It would be nice if everyone could be together to commemorate the graduation, but it seems Sohee only wants to spend time with me.

I can’t help it.

I grabbed Sohee’s hand and left the school.

As I left the school, I began to realize that I had become an adult.

My steps naturally became lighter and the corners of my lips slightly lifted.

Becoming an adult.

That meant a lot.

The Deron play time will be even longer than before, and I will be able to drink as much alcohol as I want, which I haven’t been able to drink until now.

Where else would there be a happier day than this?

After leaving the school, I looked around.

Whenever I was about to move somewhere with Sohee, a sedan would always come to pick us up.

But what’s going on? That familiar black sedan that I had always seen was nowhere to be seen.

,This way.”

But Sohee didn’t care and pulled my hand, heading to a nearby parking lot.

The place we arrived at was in front of a bright red sports car.

I can tell at a glance. That this car is very expensive.

As if to prove my thoughts, there was not a single car parked next to the bright red sports car.

Bbibit-!

The moment Sohee put her hand in her pocket.

A beep sound was heard from inside the sports car.

,No way…”

,That’s right. It’s mine.”

,No… What about the driver ahjussi…?”

,I don’t need him anymore.”

Sohee said that and opened the door of the sports car.

A door that opens upwards instead of sideways.

I stared blankly at the sight.

When did Sohee get her license?

,Come here.”

,Huh…?”

Sohee, who got into the driver’s seat, said, patting her lap.

Surely she doesn’t want me to sit there, does she?

I hesitated slightly and approached Sohee.

But why wouldn’t she?

Sohee reached out and lifted my body up.

And then she naturally sat me on her lap.

,I, isn’t it dangerous to go like this…?”

,It’s okay because it’s self-driving.”

,Ah…”

Self-driving…

Only then was I able to realize that this world was somehow strangely twisted.

There’s a perfect virtual reality game, so why wouldn’t there be self-driving cars?

Sohee took out the seat belt, secured me and her body, and closed the door.

After that, Sohee reached out and activated the functions inside the car.

I opened my mouth while watching her.

,But where are we going? Capsule room? Movie theater?”

,Hayeon-a.”

,Eung?”

,We’re adults now.”

,Uh…”

,Do you… like alcohol?”

Alcohol.

Surely she’s not saying we’re going to drink?

I nodded vigorously.

Why wouldn’t I? I like alcohol.

I wasn’t a heavy drinker, but I hadn’t been able to drink it, so my thirst for alcohol was very strong.

Sohee smiled lightly and hugged my body gently.

,Shall we get going?”

,Eung!”

I nodded and started looking around inside the car.

Surely all the functions are controlled by AI?

There was a steering wheel, gear, and pedals that I had often seen inside the car, but Sohee didn’t touch any of them.

I’m excited, excited.

To think I’d be able to drink alcohol right away today.

I erase from my mind the plan to buy a can of beer when I head home late in the evening after playing with Sohee.

Seueueu-

The sports car, which started moving with a quiet sound, smoothly left the parking lot and started running into the city.

I smacked my lips while looking at the scenery outside the window that was passing by quickly.

What kind of alcohol will I drink?

Beer? Of course, chicken goes with beer.

But it’s a bit heavy.

Then soju?

If I went to a street stall and had a bowl of spicy fish stew with a shot of soju, I felt like I could spend a warm day like today.

,Ihihi…”

Whatever it is, it’s a pleasant imagination.

I relaxed my body at Sohee’s touch that gently stroked my stomach.

The fast-moving sports car stopped in front of a neat building.

A place different from my expectations.

It wasn’t a chicken restaurant, nor was it a street stall.

,Here is…?”

,A place to drink alcohol.”

Sohee said that and grabbed my hand, heading into the building.