I Became the Childhood Friend Who Commits Suicide

Chapter 19

“It’s… decoration.”

“That?”

I managed to blurt out an excuse, though it seemed Sophie didn’t fully believe me.

Who in their right mind would hang such a morbid decoration?

Grrrr.

“Oh….”

At that moment, my stomach let out a loud growl. Sophie chuckled, looking slightly embarrassed.

“Hehe… it’s almost time for dinner.”

“…”

Please, don’t say it like that. It’s embarrassing.

“So, Hana, how do you usually eat dinner?”

“I just buy something at the convenience store.”

I’d only been in this body for about a week. I didn’t know anyone well enough to go to the dining hall with, so I’d been getting by with convenience store meals.

“That won’t do! You need proper meals.”

“But it’s a hassle.”

I had bigger concerns than focusing on that.

Still, Sophie seemed unwilling to back down. She stared at me with determination and announced, “From now on, no more convenience store dinners!”

“Uh…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll cook for you.”

“You can cook?”

“Just a little! Don’t expect too much. Hehe.”

Honestly, I didn’t mind either way. My funds were nearly out, and as I’d mentioned before, Yoo Hana was really poor.

“Alright, let’s go.”

“Why? Aren’t we eating here?”

“We don’t have any ingredients. We need to go shopping first.”

“Oh….”

It was starting to feel like too much effort. Couldn’t we just buy something or go to the dining hall? Sure, I’d still have to pay for a meal ticket, but…

“Come on, let’s go!”

“Ugh….”

In the end, Sophie dragged me out of the dorm by hand.

***

The academy grounds are vast. You could almost call it a small town. Besides the school facilities, there’s a convenience store, a cafe, a library, a gym, restaurants, and even a hardware store like the one I’d visited before.

Why not just let students go outside?

The reason is simple: they’re trying to keep students inside the academy.

For most, that’s fine. But for me, it’s inconvenient. If I could go outside, I’d quietly end it in a secluded place.

The thought frustrated me, and I sighed. Sophie, noticing, asked, “What’s wrong?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Eventually, we arrived at the supermarket, grabbed a cart, and headed to the grocery section.

Do we really have to shop for groceries together like a newlywed couple?

“So, what are you planning to make for dinner?”

“Hmm, is there anything you like?”

“I eat anything.”

“How about kimchi stew, then?”

Kimchi stew. Just thinking about it made my mouth water. How can it sound so delicious just by name alone? Kimchi stew truly is a gift from the gods.

“Wouldn’t it be easier to just buy this?”

I pointed to a pre-made kimchi stew mix, the kind you just heat and serve. Sophie shook her head.

“It’s not bad, but it’s just not the same.”

“Why?”

“Well, cooking it yourself makes it taste better, don’t you think?”

“…Maybe?”

I wouldn’t know; I’d never cooked before. But if that’s what she thinks, who am I to argue?

“Cooking with hand-picked ingredients makes it taste better.”

“Then hurry up and pick them. I’m starving.”

“Hehe, alright.”

What ingredients go into kimchi stew anyway? Kimchi, obviously, but…

Whatever. Sophie will handle it. I trailed behind her as she picked out kimchi, garlic, green onions, tofu, and so on.

“Uh… I don’t have much money, you know.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll pay.”

You’re rich? I’m jealous.

We picked out some stew meat from the butcher’s section and were about to head to the checkout when we ran into an unwelcome sight.

Hong Yeonhwa was slouching around, hands in her pockets, sucking on a lollipop. For a second, I mistook it for a cigarette because of her tough image.

I tried to avoid eye contact, but she caught me. She glanced at Sophie as well.

“What’s this?”

“Uh… huh?”

“The fuzzball and the transfer student are hanging out.”

Transfer student? Sophie didn’t transfer here. But details like that didn’t seem to matter to Hong Yeonhwa.

“What’s your relationship?”

“We’re dormmates….”

Hong Yeonhwa tilted her head at Sophie’s careful answer.

“You have a single room. Don’t try to lie.”

How does she even know that?

“I moved. We’re in the same room now.”

“Hmph. So what?”

Her tone was as irritating as ever.

Hong Yeonhwa chuckled and added, “You two match well, being so small. Like a couple of little kids hanging out together.”

Sorry for being short. Glad you’re tall, I guess.

Of course, I kept that thought to myself. I had no abilities to defend myself, and Hong Yeonhwa is currently the second-strongest in our class after Kim Si woo.

“We’re leaving. See you tomorrow,” Sophie said with a brave smile, though her legs were shaking.

I tried to push the cart and get away quickly, but it wouldn’t budge. Hong Yeonhwa had her foot on it, stopping me from moving.

She glanced at the groceries in the cart and snorted.

“Looks like you’re planning to eat something good?”

“Uh… yeah. We’re making kimchi stew in the dorm….”

“I love kimchi stew, too.”

Wait, what?

“Let me join you for dinner, yeah?”

…What?

***

So, Hong Yeonhwa ended up joining us.

How did it come to this?

There was nothing I could do; Sophie surprisingly agreed. Sure, she left the decision up to me, but I knew what that meant.

Sophie’s innocent; she probably thinks this will lead to some happy ending where we all get along.

Still, isn’t this too much?

With her arm slung over my shoulder, Hong Yeonhwa walked us back to the dorm.

It’s not that I’m scared of her.

It’s just… awkward, I guess.

But when I think about it, Sophie might have a point.

So far, Hong Yeonhwa hasn’t actually done anything terrible to me.

Let’s go over the past events.

The first time we met, she tried to borrow money, and when I refused, she dragged me off. But I managed to escape thanks to Kim Si woo showing up at just the right moment.

Later, when we gathered signatures about Han Si-hyun’s disciplinary case, she demanded I apologize, but that was all.

Sure, her words and actions can be rough enough to make people cringe.

But even in the original story, she didn’t start bullying right away. That comes later, after a particular event in the middle of the story.

The point is, Hong Yeonhwa might be unpleasant, but she hasn’t crossed any lines yet.

So maybe she’s not a lost cause…?

“Hey, what’re you thinking so hard about?”

“Ah, nothing….”

“This is heavy as hell. You’re letting me carry it all while you guys just coast along?”

“You volunteered to carry it….”

“Wow. Talking back now, huh? Look at you, all grown up.”

Ruffling my hair, she continued to walk.

Could she be… redeemed?

When we left the dorm, it was just the two of us. By the time we returned, there were three, making the small single room feel cramped.

Especially since Sophie and I are on the smaller side, while Hong Yeonhwa… Well, she’s taller. In more ways than one.

“This room’s tiny.”

“It’s a single.”

“Then why are two people sharing?”

“No idea. The dorm supervisor just said so….”

“Heh. That lady has her own quirks.”

Not more than you, I’d say.

Hong Yeonhwa flopped onto a chair at the table, grabbing a glass of water without asking.

Such a delinquent.

“Just so you know, I can’t cook. Mind if I just watch?”

“Sure, just wait a bit. I’ll handle it,” Sophie replied with a smile.

I said nothing. I can’t cook either.

“Hey, fuzzball.”

“Huh?”

“Got any interesting stuff around here?”

“No.”

“Don’t lie. I bet you’ve got something naughty stashed.”

“I don’t!”

“Trying to act innocent? I know everything, girl. Let’s see….”

Hong Yeonhwa stood up and began snooping around my room.

Then, she looked up, squinting at the ceiling.

“Hey, what’s that?”

Oh… I forgot to take that down.

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