I Became the Childhood Friend of a D*ug Dealer

---

“I’m going home. Together.”

Though my hand reached out, nothing happened.

A researcher, perhaps.

I want to go home too.

But that right was stripped away from me.

“Can I go home…?”

“Of course.”

“I don’t even know where home is.”

How would I find it?

“Let’s go together.”

So kind of you.

I smiled.

“Si-Hoo will be disappointed.”

“He won’t be disappointed.”

“I’m not a good person, you know.”

“It doesn’t matter if you’re not.”

Only sweet words come from you.

Thank you.

“I tried to hide the medicine but got caught…”

“That’s not your fault. It’s okay.”

This didn’t happen because I wanted it to.

“Yeah, it should be that way. Because it’s not my fault.”

No, I did want it.

If I hadn’t craved it, I wouldn’t have indulged in the medicine.

Hundreds, thousands of drugs.

“It’s not my fault. It’s not my fault. It’s not my fault. I didn’t want this.”

Even if I hadn’t been dragged to the laboratory, I would have crawled in on my own, begging for medicine.

Even if I’m set free as per my wishes, if I need the medicine, I’d be ready to live like a bug.

“What I did was unavoidable; there was no other way, so it’s not that I enjoyed it; it was just inevitable, so don’t blame me. If it weren’t for me, things would have been worse. What I did was actually for the better; what’s wrong with enjoying a little.”

Anyway, I did it because I wanted to.

If I truly hated it, I shouldn’t have even touched it.

Drugs and such.

“Hahaha, you would’ve done the same if you were in that situation. I was in pain, trying to get treatment.”

But I was happy.

The more I used the medicine, the more pleasure came, and I didn’t feel much pain.

So, I got something in return.

I didn’t just suffer; it would be unreasonable to call myself a victim.

Anyway, I felt good.

“That’s how it was… but…”

Drowning, yet it feels like drowning in chocolate.

Well, it was sweet.

It tasted good.

“You’re not at fault.”

“……”

Even when I hear such words, deep down, I feel otherwise.

It’s my fault.

It’s just that it’s not solely my fault.

So, I can repay the debt.

Then I’ve paid the price for my sins.

“So, let’s go together. Home.”

Who are you to say such things?

Finally, I paid attention to the other person.

“…Si-Hoo?”

“Yeah. Do you recognize me?”

“Is it really you, Si-Hoo?”

“Yep.”

Her expression brightened a bit.

Si-Hoo, huh.

Then, what should I do now?

I need to ask the most important question.

“Where’s Seo-A?”

“…What are you talking about?”

Since we were close, you’d know.

Thinking back, it was strange.

Since when had we been apart?

“Yoo Seo-A? She should be at home. Maybe eating an apple. Sounds delicious.”

She’s not a combatant.

There’s no reason for her to be out fighting.

She isn’t even a character meant for combat.

“Seo-A?”

Han Si-Hoo looked flustered.

The disbelief is on my side.

Do you think of me as Yoo Seo-A?

I must’ve introduced myself clearly.

“Seo-A. Everything will be okay. We can heal you, so…”

“Seo-A? I’m a drug-preserved canned tuna. The expiration date is…”

[10%]

“It’s 10% spoiled. Hehe, but 90% is still fresh. The drugs are probably preservatives, right?”

I feel like my brain is melting.

I like canned tuna.

If I lift my clothes, there should still be scars.

This one and several others.

There’s also a list of errands.

“I told you I don’t like vegetables, so why do I keep running errands? I said I don’t eat those, so why do I have to buy them? Why is there a shortage of memo pads?”

Why?

I don’t know the reason.

“…Sorry. I… like this…”

What are you saying?

I can’t understand.

Say it louder.

“It’ll be okay. I’m sure we can go back to how it was before.”

Back to the past?

I don’t want to go back to the laboratory.

Even if science advances due to my sacrifice and whatever else, I’m not going.

“So, let’s go together.”

No way.

-Ah, the results of this experiment… Actually, there’s no need to record them. I’m just curious to see how long I can hold out.

-There’s still some willpower left even in this state.

I refuse.

-It’s not willpower; it’s just reflex.

-You must feel good. Since you’re soaked in medicine.

Just because I feel good doesn’t mean the fear disappears.

-The dosage of the medicine is double the previous amount.

And I remember nothing.

Scattered memories that pop up are all strange memories.

I’m too scared to trace back the memories.

But those memories impose themselves against my will.

To a little farther back.

-For a monster, it looks very human.

-This?

-From what you’re doing, you certainly look like a monster.

“Step back, Han Si-Hoo. It’s a monster.”

I halted the flashback.

A girl with blue hair appeared.

A chilling aura stretches towards me.

“I told you not to come near, Chun Yu-Hwa. I’ll handle this.”

Chun Yu-Hwa.

Is it really Chun Yu-Hwa?

I’ve seen her at the academy.

During the entrance ceremony, perhaps.

“This is more dangerous than the monster that attacked our car.”

She points at me.

There seems to be a misunderstanding.

I’m not a dangerous person.

“You’ll see. With this level of magical power… you’ll be designated as a target for extermination. If you’re not someone like us, it would be hard to kill.”

Kill?

Who?

Why?

For fun?

I understand.

But I won’t die.

“I won’t kill you. Seo-A, you’ll be fine—”

Because the canned tuna is an inanimate object.

It’s just that there was something alive inside.

“Han Si-Hoo, I didn’t expect you to be this weak. Even when facing a monster… Just looking at those eyes, it’s not human.”

“Yeah, I’m a canned tuna!”

Can a can become a person?

“…Huh?”

Chun Yu-Hwa tilted her head slightly.

“This isn’t your place to interfere. Step back. This is as nice as I can be.”

Han Si-Hoo warned.

“You’re not in your right mind. Is that your friend?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t know your circumstances well. But without a proper explanation, I can’t let this one go. If you don’t exterminate the monster, the damage will escalate—”

“She’s not a monster, so it’s okay. Seo-A is a person. What happened to her isn’t her fault.”

The argument continues.

“That’s clearly dark magical power you’d expect from deep dungeon monsters. Can you really claim she’s a person? …Even if she was a person once, it’s impossible to change this much. I’m sorry if I touched a nerve, but this is the truth.”

“So, are you planning to attack?”

“If you can’t persuade me, there might be no other way left. In my eyes, it only looks like you’re presenting a monster and insisting it’s a person.”

“It’s better not to believe everything you see.”

The atmosphere grew tense.

Are we going to fight?

Normally, I would think Han Si-Hoo would easily win.

But for some reason, he’s covered in blood and quite exhausted.

“If I’m not mistaken, you were in a fight just moments ago.

This being, to be exact. It was, but your attitude suddenly changed—it’s strange. I suspect you might have been under mental control.”

Was he fighting this being?

When?

This one only attacked the researcher.

But when did Si-Hoo get here?

I’m not sure.

No, I should know by now.

So let’s think clearly.

There was clearly a researcher in front of me.

Where the researcher was, Han Si-Hoo now stands.

-I’m starting to suspect that you might have been under mental control.

Mental control.

Manipulated thoughts.

Hallucinations and auditory hallucinations.

I close my eyes.

And when I open them, surely the hallucinations will be gone.

I open my eyes.

The strange teal surgical room lighting comes into view.

“Ah, um…”

This can’t be happening.

This is bad, this is bad, this is bad.

I close my eyes again and then open them.

It’s still a white room.

The operating room.

“Ah…?”

You must be joking.

I was just with Si-Hoo.

Just a moment ago, I was outside.

Please.

I close my eyes.

And open them again.

Is this a hospital?

No, no, no way, no.

I’ve never been to a hospital.

I’m not sick.

“Seo-A?”

Someone grabs my arm.

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

Oh god, oh god, oh god.

It’s a dream. It has to be a dream. Someone tell me it’s a dream.

This isn’t real.

Si-Hoo will wake me up.

It’s morning.

The sunlight will come in.

I close my eyes and open them.

I’m back on the sidewalk.

My head is spinning, but the glinting metal is clearly visible.

“Get that knife away.”

Is that really a knife?

No, it’s a toy. Yeah, it’s a toy.

Plastic. It’s plastic.

The one Si-Hoo and Seo-A used to play with back then.

Could it be, could it really be touching my abdomen?

It doesn’t hurt. It can’t hurt.

This is a dream. Right? It’s a dream.

“Hey, since I took the medicine, it won’t hurt…”

It’s not supposed to hurt.

Don’t use a knife.

You’re trying to kill me.

I’m not a monster.

No, I’m not.

“I’m not a monsternonnn….”

I’ve said it hundreds of times, but no one listened.

“I’m not a monster…”

Even if I say it, no one believes me.

It’s not like there’s anyone to stand by me anyway.

Most are hostile, and at best, neutral.

“Ah…”

I’m all alone.

A trashy loser.

It’s pathetic.

“……”

And really, I am a monster.

If everyone sees me as a monster, then that’s what I am.

And I see myself as a monster too.

I think it’s about time to admit it.

I read in a novel that a dragon appeared as a mid-boss.

After Han Si-Hoo caught it, his level increased significantly.

He dropped good items too.

“I…”

Who am I?

Common sense says I cannot be a canned tuna.

A canned tuna can’t move.

“Monster…”

Not bad, actually.

Since I’m already finished, let’s die and become experience points.

If I die, will I drop good items?

“Perhaps…”

If possible, I’d like something cool.

A dragon would be nice.

Right?

“Perhaps.”

Then let’s fight!

It’s time to fight.

Oh, medicine, please make me a sword.

I’m wielding a weapon.

I’m a refined monster, after all.

Ready to attack.

Ready.

Ready…

I raise the sword and aim at the target.

Who am I facing?

My vision is blurry.

But honestly, I don’t want to fight.

I want to go home.

Home.

Even though there’s no comfortable bed, I’d be satisfied just lying on the floor.

Let’s eat something delicious.

There’s no TV, but I can read books.

Can you cook something tasty?

No, I’ll do it.

“Hey…”

Thud.

I dropped the knife on the floor.

I don’t need a weapon.

“Do you want ramen? Let’s go home.”

My vision is blurry, but I know who’s in front of me.

Han Si-Hoo.

I barely remembered.

My memory is a mess, but I still believe he’s my friend.

“I’ll cook for you…”

After hesitating, I opened my arms.

Maybe suggesting a hug.

Maybe just a gesture of welcome.

Let’s make up.