It Seems Like My Childhood Friend Has Returned

The moment I opened my eyes, hearing the voice of Joonu, which I’d longed for so much.

In disbelief, I hurriedly checked when it was.

When I anxiously checked my phone, it showed April 1, 2024.

The fire at home was on May 3, and my discharge date was December 9, 2024, meaning I had somehow returned to a time nearly half a year earlier.

Ah…

Thank you…

God. No, even if you’re not God, I sincerely thank that great person who saved me from sinking into hell…

As I sat there, internally expressing gratitude for this miraculous event, I felt tears streaming down my face but didn’t wipe them away.

This time, they were tears of joy.

—

Finally regaining my senses and stepping out of the room, the nightmare-like scene of that day engulfed in flames flashed before my eyes, causing my legs to weaken.

As I suddenly collapsed on the floor coming out of my room, my mom, who was preparing breakfast, and my dad, getting ready for work, both rushed over, surprised.

“Seo-ah! What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

Seeing my parents not looking worn out and guilt-ridden from the six months in the hospital but instead enjoying their daily happy lives, I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer.

“Waaaah… Mom, Dad… oh, I’m so glad, I can’t believe it, waah…”

“Oh dear, what happened? Did you have a nightmare?”

“Thought you were all grown, but you’re still a baby! Come here, our girl. Don’t cry, stop!”

Despite being flustered by my sudden outburst, my parents comforted me just like they always had, wrapping me in their warm embrace.

Just like back then.

In that unwavering warmth, tears flowed endlessly.

—

After crying until my tear glands ran dry, a wave of embarrassment hit me, and I made an excuse to wash up, escaping to the bathroom.

Squeak—

Not through the sliding door to the hospital room, but turning the doorknob to the bathroom.

Suddenly, I felt nervous about having to look in the mirror.

After the accident, even I found myself hard to look at.

Taking a deep breath,

I nervously stared at the mirror hanging on the wall.

There, before me, was my past self—embarrassed to admit it, but always told by others that I looked pretty.

It was me.

So this is how I looked.

Even after becoming like this… Joonu stayed by my side without change.

I felt a renewed sense of gratitude towards Joonu.

Even I found this transformation shocking, and yet he didn’t show any change in front of me, always smiling and sticking by my side.

Joonu, during those six months that felt either long or short, what was going through your mind?

I couldn’t even begin to imagine.

As if entranced, I reached out to my reflection in the mirror, making a vow to myself once again.

Though I realized my feelings late in the past, in this life, I would never waste my time.

I would cherish every moment happily with Joonu, even if it’s just a little more.

—

Before meeting Joonu, I took one last look in the mirror at my best efforts to look nice.

From curling my hair to putting on makeup, which I usually don’t do.

Isn’t it a bit excessive to dress up like this for school…? But, ah, it’s better than showing Joonu my unattractive self.

I was excited to think that I would see Joonu again soon; my heart raced like thump-thump.

Ding dong—

It’s Joonu!

“Mom, I’m heading to school!”

“Have a good day~”

After soaking in my mom’s warm send-off that I hadn’t heard in a while, I dashed to the door and there he was.

The Joonu I had missed so much was standing there.

“Joonu!”

With a heart overflowing with joy, I called out his name loudly without even realizing it, and his drowsy expression suddenly turned to shock as his eyes widened.

—So cute.

Though it had only been six months, sometimes he seemed mature and other times relaxed, always by my side.

Unlike the steadfast Joonu from before, the current Joonu looked a bit younger.

He was so cute that I couldn’t believe I hadn’t realized it until now.

Suddenly, I recalled something a friend had once said during a past relationship.

If a boyfriend looks cute, it’s game over.

I hadn’t understood it back then… but now it clicked, I think.

As I was lost in thoughts about naming our future third daughter with Joonu, he suddenly clutched his heart and bent over, causing the nightmare of what I’d faced before coming back to dawn on me, almost making me collapse.

But then, seeing him grin and joke made me angry, yet I couldn’t help but feel my heart melt at how adorable he was.

But please don’t pull pranks like that.

I can’t handle it if you’re not around…

—

An unbelievable thing happened.

I never imagined Joonu would say that I was too beautiful.

My heart, which had been thumping since before meeting him, now felt like someone was drumming in my chest, thud-thud-thud-thud.

What? What’s going on suddenly? This is unfair!

As my face flushed like a ripe apple, I looked up to see Joonu with the same flustered expression.

Seeing that, happiness surged deep within my heart.

Joonu.

I want to whisper that I love you and bury myself in your arms right now.

But I’ll hold out just a bit longer.

Just for a moment.

—

Joonu said he had watched adult films.

All night, no less.

He… could do that.

Boys apparently all do it, I had thought.

But hearing it straight from him hit harder than I anticipated, leaving me feeling dazed.

I couldn’t focus on the lesson at all.

He shouldn’t… no, that can’t be.

I felt upset and angry.

Joonu.

Seeing another girl’s naked body and feeling aroused.

I couldn’t let this go on anymore, so I called Joonu aside to confess my true feelings.

I told him to let me know if he couldn’t hold back anymore.

I could see Joonu’s mouth moving, like he was holding back words.

I think I knew what he wanted to say… but I’d leave that to you, Joonu.

I’m okay with anything you desire.

—

Today, my appearance seemed remarkably different than before, and it looked like Joonu told a friend I was strange.

That was unjust.

I hadn’t changed; I had just become more honest.

A lot more.

But seeing him look a bit crumpled after saying that made me feel a bit more affectionate towards him.

Given how he might have felt, it was natural.

As we laughed and chatted, walking home together, I learned Joonu was planning to hang out with friends today, but this time, I couldn’t give up.

Joonu.

Do you know how much I missed walking this path with you?

If I hadn’t told you those things back then.

If that accident hadn’t happened.

This moment, which I almost lost forever due to my foolish actions, was precious and made me grateful for it.

I felt like it might rain, but your radiant smile shone like the sun. Bright and blinding, I held back. I endured.

Just as I like seeing you smile, I know you do too.

—

“Phew…”

After returning home, I took a refreshing cold shower first.

There was something… something about Han Seo-ah today that kept swirling in my mind even after I got home.

To forget, I took a cold shower to regain my usual calm.

—So what are you gonna do when you feel lustful?

“AAAHHH!!! Forget it. Just forget it, Lee Joon-woo!!!”

Han Seo-ah is practically family, a friend of 13 years, you lunatic!

You don’t think about that stuff with family…!

—But she is pretty, right?

“Grrrr…”

This situation was troubling.

It was hard to ignore these thoughts now.

I knew better than anyone that Han Seo-ah was beautiful.

I could describe in detail what made each part of her body stunning and appealing.

Anyone who isn’t a fool would know after 13 years of being around her.

She was that dazzling.

So, I had to bury my feelings deep inside and keep them hidden.

Because if I ever spoke of them, she might be surprised.

“She’s just moderately pretty, damn it…”

Had it been just that, I’d have thought it over.

No matter how many cold showers I took, I couldn’t calm down, and fearing I’d catch a cold, I roughly dried my frozen body with a towel and trudged into my room.

Thinking nothing of it, I opened the door when—

“Joonu, did you finish showering?”

The person who made all my efforts dissolve into thin air was lying on my bed.

—Wow.

I quickly pushed aside the thoughts that flashed through my mind and spoke.

“What the heck, when did you come? No, more importantly, why are you lying in my bed?”

“I just finished showering and came over. And why? Because it smells like Joonu~” he said with a bright smile, rolling around on my bed, making Han Seo-ah seem… dangerous in many ways.

“Hey. Hey. Get up. Let’s go to the living room and watch TV instead.”

“Aww… I want to stay here!”

Pulling on Han Seo-ah’s arm as she laid there chanting ‘Namu Amitabha,’ I caught a hint of sweet strawberry scent.

…Looks like I’ll think of her when I go to sleep tonight.

“There’s nothing to do in my room except the computer. You don’t even play games.”

Before I could get lost in the scent, I blurted out, but then I felt my spine tingle as Han Seo-ah suddenly brightened up and sparkled her eyes at me.

“Show me the adult film you watched yesterday.”

Ah.

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