I Became the Childhood Friend Who Commits Suicide

Chapter 16

Thursday Homeroom

Han Si-hyun’s seat is still empty.

Did she leave for Class B without even saying goodbye?

Well, it’s not like he left for a good reason anyway.

It’s okay.

Let’s just let him go quietly.

A young woman, the homeroom teacher of Class A, soon entered.

She’s a bit blunt but not a bad person, I think.

At least, that’s how she’s portrayed in the original story.

“As you all know, Si-hyun has been transferred to Class B starting today. From now on, I hope you resolve any issues among friends through words.”

For a moment, her gaze lingered on me, making me flinch.

I thought she was going to call my name.

If she had, I would have been disappointed, honestly.

That would have been inconsiderate toward the victim.

I wasn’t particularly hurt, but still.

“Instead, we have a friend joining us from Class B. Think of it as an exchange student.”

Not an exchange between schools but between classes?

This is a new concept.

“Come on in.”

As the teacher opened the door, someone nervously stepped inside.

I sized her up in one second.

She seems really timid.

I don’t believe in physiognomy, but there’s something about her aura.

Bright red hair.

Contrasting sea-blue eyes.

Innocent-looking freckles.

No way she has a bad personality.

But if it turned out she’s a villain, I’d be genuinely shocked.

“Would you introduce yourself?”

“…Hello. I’m Sophie.”

“Okay. Everyone, please be nice to her. Sophie, you can sit in that empty seat.”

The seat the teacher pointed to was right next to mine.

Wait a minute. Was that seat always empty?

No, a girl used to sit there.

Where did she go?

Looking around, I see she’s sitting in Si-hyun’s old spot.

What’s going on?

Is it okay to just sit wherever?

No way… Did she move because she dislikes me?

That’s depressing.

Sophie sat cautiously beside me.

Seeing her up close was even more surprising.

I didn’t think anyone would be shorter than me.

Yoo Hana is quite short, but Sophie barely looks like a high schooler.

This girl…

Her gaze is trembling all over.

Of course, she must feel so bewildered.

Suddenly getting transferred to a different class.

Why did it have to be her who switched?

I suddenly recalled what the old counselor had told me yesterday.

He said it might help improve my condition, right?

Surely, that’s not the only reason she was moved… right?

I felt a pang of pity.

Poor kid.

But of course, not poorer than me.

“Hi.”

So, I decided to greet her first.

Sophie looked at me in surprise, then smiled softly.

“…Hi.”

She’s a nice girl.

And she’s not even in the original story.

Which means…

She’s zero risk.

At least, I probably won’t get into trouble with her.

Not that I plan on getting close to her.

After all, I plan to die next week—what’s the point of making friends?

I won’t see anyone once I’m gone.

“And now, we need to choose a new vice president. Kyunga, who do you think?”

Without much thought, she pointed to one person.

“Okay. Si woo.”

“Oh, uh, sure.”

“Can I count on you to take on the role?”

“I’m not sure how well I’ll do, but I’ll give it my best.”

“Thank you.”

Without Si-hyun, Kim Si woo really is the best choice.

“That’s it for homeroom today. Please pay attention in your classes.”

With a click of her heels, the teacher left, and the students started chatting freely.

Judging by how often my name and Si-hyun’s are mentioned, it’s obvious what the topic is.

“Um…”

A voice beside me called.

When I looked, Sophie, who seemed hesitant, asked me.

“What’s your name?”

“Hana. Yoo Hana.”

“Oh, Hana. Um… do you know what the first-period class is?”

Ah. It’s understandable since each class has a different schedule.

Let me think… It’s Thursday, right?

So…

“I have no idea.”

“…What?”

Like I’d remember the schedule.

I’m just hearing what Thursday classes are for the first time myself.

“There’s a timetable at the back. Just check that.”

“Oh, thanks. Haha.”

Now that it’s mentioned, maybe I should check the schedule, too.

Let’s see what the first period is…

[Non-Ability Combat Training Practice]

Hmm. A practice class.

This is going to be rough.

***

Non-combat subjects aren’t much different from regular school classes.

So, no big deal there.

Combat theory—I don’t understand it, but I just pretend to listen.

I just daydream at my desk, and the class eventually ends.

The issue is combat practice.

Not only do I not understand it, but I also can’t even pretend to listen.

I have to physically participate, which is far from easy.

After changing into my activity clothes, I headed to the combat training room.

First period: Non-Ability Combat Training Practice.

Basically, training for fighting without using powers.

It’s a small mercy, I suppose.

I don’t have any abilities to use anyway, so it works out.

The instructor shouted.

“Always think of training as real combat! Remember, what you’re learning here at the academy is ultimately to defeat the monsters that threaten our world! Don’t think you can coast by as students forever! Become obsessed with combat!”

Ow. His booming voice hurts my ears.

Feels like I’m in the military.

Not entirely a wrong comparison, I guess.

The academy is very much like a military school.

The focus is always on combat.

For general subjects like Korean, math, and English, they’re all lumped under non-combat subjects.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes!”

“Good! Then let’s begin training!”

Most of the practical classes are conducted using holograms for virtual training.

Bringing real monsters into the academy would be hard and dangerous.

In this training, there’s only one rule:

No abilities allowed.

Other than that, anything goes.

There’s no such thing as cheating in a fight with monsters, apparently.

We go in order of our student numbers.

The setup is a one-on-one fight with a monster.

Not many students actually win in the combat.

Without abilities, most of us are closer to ordinary students than soldiers.

But some students do stand out.

The best, without question, is Kim Si woo.

“Kim Si woo. Are you ready?”

“Yes!”

“Good. Then begin.”

The space around him transformed into a destroyed urban area through virtual reality.

In his hand was a sword.

As the monster lunged, Si woo swiftly dodged.

He quickly stabbed the monster’s weak point with the sword.

Such speed.

How is he that skilled?

Impressive.

The fight ended with Si woo, of course, as the victor.

The instructor smiled approvingly, nodding.

“That was good. You based your swordsmanship on Han Si-hyun’s style, right?”

“Yes.”

“Sometimes, a fellow student can be a good teacher, especially a prodigy like her. Of course, her personality is a different issue.”

Why did I flinch at that?

Many other students fought afterward, but none could match Si woo’s skill.

It’s hard to believe Si-hyun is even stronger than him.

If she wanted to, she could have killed me in that café.

“Next.”

It was Sophie’s turn.

Could she fight well?

The weapon she held was a long staff.

Didn’t particularly suit her.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes… I think.”

“Begin.”

I watched closely to see if there would be a twist.

The outcome was simple.

“Eek!”

There was no twist.

She was easily knocked down, out of the fight.

It was the most lackluster battle so far.

Even the instructor clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“Tsk.”

The other students laughed.

They probably just found it funny.

But it might be deeply embarrassing for Sophie.

I couldn’t laugh.

That’s likely my future.

Probably worse than that.

After a few more turns, my time finally arrived.

“Next. Yoo Hana.”

“….”

With a trembling heart, I stepped forward.

The instructor raised his eyebrow at the weapon in my hand.

“Are you sure you want to use that weapon?”

“…Yeah.”

“Hmm. Alright.”

The weapon I held was a pistol.

Honestly, I can’t handle anything else.

The surprised expressions of the students caught my eye.

Even Kim Si woo looked concerned.

What’s with that look?

I understood later.

“Grawwr—!”

“…Wait.”

I never imagined the monster’s level would increase based on the weapon.

I had no idea.

“Are you ready?”

“Well, actually….”

“Begin.”

I wasn’t ready!

I didn’t even have time to protest.

The monster was already lunging at me.

My hands shook.

It’s my first time in practice.

It’s the first time I’ve seen a monster like this!

How am I supposed to deal with this creature?

I tried to aim somehow.

I don’t know if I’m doing it right; my hands are shaking too much.

Might as well shoot.

Let’s see what happens.

Bang! Bang!

Nothing happened.

The shots went wide, missing the monster by a lot.

The monster charged at me.

Unable to overcome my fear, I screamed and curled up.

“Ahhh!”

“I can’t bear to look. Do you think this is child’s play!?”

The urban setting and the monster vanished, leaving only the instructor with a stern look.

My head knew I should stand, but my body wouldn’t cooperate.

He grabbed my collar, forcing me up.

“Do you think the monster will disappear if you cower?”

“I… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“Do you think you’re the only one at risk? No! Your weakness endangers the entire group! Everyone will die because of you!”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”

My mind went blank.

The world spun, and the monster came for me.

The fear of death loomed.

It felt like a noose tightening around my neck.

My heart ached as panic gripped me.

No.

I don’t want this.

Just then…

The door burst open, and someone stormed in.

It was Kim Si woo, glaring this way with a heated expression.

“…Ha. This is so ridiculous, it’s almost funny.”

The initially surprised instructor quickly sneered.

“What is it, Kim Si woo?”

“…Please let go of Hana.”

“Hana? Oh, this piece of trash? Fine. I’ll let her go.”

Thud. I fell weakly to the ground, trembling.

The instructor approached Si woo.

“Do you think my teaching method is wrong?”

“….”

“Answer me. Between me and this trash, who’s in the wrong?”

“This isn’t about killing monsters or not. Did I ever get angry for failing to kill a monster? For failing to fight? No. This is about attitude. A student with an attitude like that is useless.”

“People are dying to monsters even now. The reason you’re enrolled at the academy is to protect the world. Can this one fulfill the role of a hero for humanity?”

“Han Si-hyun is the one I pity. Facing disciplinary action because of an idiot like this.”

At that, Si woo finally spoke.

“Apologize.”

“…What?”

“Apologize to Hana.”

TL Note: Rate us on NOVEL UPDATES