I'd like to thank our Diamond member, "melonpan," for recommending this novel for translation.
--
Chapter 1: Reincarnation
Growing up living with my older sister might be the reason why I've always been particularly fond of internet novels since I was young. Even now, well past my twenties, I occasionally seek out the internet novels I used to read, particularly the one known as "Inso."
That day was truly no different from any other day. While walking down the street, a message popped up from my sister on KakaoTalk, recommending an Inso titled "This Kind of Ending" as a masterpiece. As I opened the link she sent and began scrolling...
Bam―.
A clacking sound, reminiscent of something from a drama, filled my ears before I could even register the pain that was about to strike. The phone, flying away before the pain could fully hit, came into view.
Thud!
As the phone hit the ground, my body followed suit. Amidst the dizzying sight, amidst the shattered screen, floating characters swam before my eyes, and a noisy buzz filled the air.
The throbbing pain that arrived a beat too late faded out like a faded scream.
"Kang Sihyun."
Blurry eyes held onto a single name. It was the last sight Sihyun witnessed before closing his eyes.
The face in the mirror felt unfamiliar. Sihyun, scrutinizing his face reflected in the flawless mirror, faced a boy within the walls, wearing a somber expression.
The skin covering his face was fair and clear. Every blink revealed thin, lush eyelashes gracefully sweeping up.
His original body wasn't unattractive, but this younger version of Kang Sihyun, barely six years old, was far more exceptional, to the extent that even an insult couldn't critique his appearance.
A face that could lend credibility even to celebrities or idols on the streets. Sihyun, pinching his face, narrowed his brow at the sharp pang of pain.
It wasn't a dream. That statement meant the current situation was real.
Being possessed in a novel.
Experiencing something straight out of a fantasy novel wasn't something he had ever imagined would happen to him.
From waking up on a strange bed on February 7th until it turned into March. Sihyun, who had wasted the past month in denial, only accepted that this wasn't a dream when the day he was supposed to start high school, a day after his graduation, drew near.
Despite hitting his face dozens of times, he hadn't returned to being 'Yoo Sihyun.' No matter how many times he woke up from sleep, the ceiling didn't change. There was even a moment when, in a fit of madness, he contemplated leaping off a building, only to be stopped by an unknown man on the rooftop giving him a sermon.
The last memory seemed to be a car accident...
He wondered if he had died and come to heaven or if, due to excessive immersion in "Inso," he was trapped in an "Inso hell."
Ignoring people knocking on his door for a week, suspecting he might be dead, Sihyun's parents, about to report him missing to the police, finally persuaded him to come out, only for him to sigh and ruffle his black hair as he entered the bathroom.
The light-blue eyes in the mirror sparkled. No matter how many times he faced them, they were unfamiliar and eerie.
Despite all his efforts and attempts, his body remained unchanged, and time passed. Now, forced to accept the truth, Sihyun, with a resigned gaze, scrutinized the figure in the mirror, elements that were indistinguishably similar to the secondary male lead and the female protagonist of the internet novel "This Kind of Ending."
"...It would have been better if I were crazy."
If he were hallucinating due to madness, he might have rejoiced at the sight. However, he had felt sharp and clear over the past month that it wasn't the case.
Tomorrow was Sihyun's first day at high school, his entrance day. Sihyun, gripping his fist over the hand clinging to the sink, pressed his lips together, looking at his reflection.
He had read internet novels for over ten years, believing that knowledge accumulated over ten years could give him an advantage in this situation.
However, the problem was that he knew very little about "This Kind of Ending." It was frustrating to be bound to an internet novel with only eight pages' worth of content.
Characters who transmigrated into fantasy novels usually knew the ending of the novel they transmigrated into, but Sihyun had no such cheat codes. He only knew the main characters through the information from the character descriptions he had read before starting the novel and the clichés from his ten years of experience with "Inso."
What should he do?
Knowing elements and the whole are two different things. Understanding specific elements of a particular genre didn't mean he understood all the works within that genre.
Lost in thought, Sihyun rolled his blue eyes.
One clear thing was that he knew only the main characters from "This Kind of Ending." So, perhaps, if he didn't get involved with them from the start, it might work out.
If he didn't fall for the female lead, Jeong Daun, and avoided entanglements with the supreme beings, there was a chance to avoid troublesome situations.
As an old saying goes, 'Do not look at a tree that you cannot climb.'
Sihyun, recalling the wisdom of ancient sages, turned on the water at the sink. After splashing his face with the refreshing cold water, his overheated mind cooled down.
He didn't know the way back or when it would happen.
Hence, if he wanted to quietly live and seek a way back to his original world, avoiding major characters like the female protagonist seemed to be the best plan. After all, in internet novels, the supreme beings were usually entangled only with the female lead. That was the rule of internet novels.
The names of the rude, cold, affectionate, and cute characters mentioned in the character descriptions flashed through Sihyun's mind as he pursed his dry lips.
Although avoiding Daun, who had knocked on his door every day for the past week threatening to kill him if he didn't open, seemed difficult, he had no other choice.
With a resolute gaze, his determined eyes blurred once again.
Although he had resigned himself to endure until he found a way back to his original world, the future seemed bleak and uncertain.
The sun rose, morning arrived, and it was the day of his entrance.
Living as a third-year high school student in South Korea should have been enough once. But experiencing that life twice over, feeling like he had to redo everything from freshman year, made him wish he had already graduated even though he hadn't yet started.
The hellish academic competition and numerous mock tests made him shudder just thinking about it, and an urge to escape surged within him, but there was no fleeing from it.
Stealthily, Sihyun in front of the mirror tidied his school uniform, which seemed like something an idol might wear. Perhaps it was because of "Inso," but the combination of a white shirt and ivory vest looked quite appealing.
Well, even if it's "Inso," it should be okay to take it easy with studies, right?
Yoo Sihyun's school life was a hell submerged in studies. Remembering the time he had studied tirelessly to secure a top university admission
, Sihyun retrieved his prepared crossbody bag, making a mental note that it was at least one aspect that was reasonably fine, considering that a crossbody bag was allowed instead of a school backpack.
However, apart from that, everything else felt unsatisfactory.
He wanted to return to where he originally belonged, with or without the crossbody bag.
Uttering a habitual phrase that wouldn't come true anyway, Sihyun cautiously approached the door before hesitating and stealing a glance back into the living room.
Even though it was the first day of the illegitimate son's high school, Kang Sihyun's parents hadn't come out to see him off. It was only natural.
The once lively and affectionate Kang Sihyun was now acting coldly, even to strangers, as if he were a different person.
Despite inhabiting Kang Sihyun's body, his inner self being Yoo Sihyun made it nearly impossible to interact warmly with Kang Sihyun's parents. The bond between parents and children didn't form overnight just because their bodies had switched.
"Sihyun..."
Suddenly, Sihyun recalled the voice he had ignored last night, and shook his head as if feeling guilty for no reason. He didn't want to treat someone else's parents as his own just because he was possessing someone's body.
And right now, what mattered wasn't Kang Sihyun's parents.
It was about avoiding getting caught by the female lead, Jeong Daun.
Over the past week, he remembered Daun banging on his door, shouting for him to come out so persistently that it felt like his door might actually break. He stared at the firmly closed door, feeling his hair stand on end.
Though he had never met her face-to-face, there was something he instinctively knew from the aura outside the door. If he were to encounter Daun, he had a premonition that Kang Sihyun's parents might lose not only their only son but also his body.
Sihyun tightly gripped his bag strap and cautiously took a few more steps, reaching out towards the closed door.
How would it feel if someone, a childhood friend, suddenly changed their attitude overnight, ignoring and turning away from you?
At that sudden thought, Sihyun's gaze sank. His mind turned slowly, contemplating calmly.
From Daun's perspective, it might be strange and disappointing, but it had nothing to do with "Yoo Sihyun." After all, this was a world in a novel, and these were people unrelated to him.
They were clearly strangers from the start. There was no need for guilt. Sihyun cautiously opened the door and stepped out, his heart pounding. He checked for the sound of footsteps and glanced back.
The wide-open space relieved him. He took out his phone, intending to find his way to school.
"Kang Sihyun."
A chilling voice pierced Sihyun's ears. Startled, he glanced at the source of the voice.
A girl with blue eyes, even though she had unremarkable brown hair and brown eyes, stood at the end of Sihyun's gaze. Even without anyone's explanation, her appearance made it clear that she was Daun.
She was beautiful, but there was no fluttering. He was originally twenty-three; being fluttery at seventeen would be absurd. Yes, he didn't feel fluttery. Fortunately.
He felt like he could die right then.
Sihyun, who had turned into a 23-year-old at the brink of seventeen, stared at Daun who approached him like she might devour him. The confidence to casually greet her, the calm face – that might be Kang Sihyun's, but it wasn't present in Yoo Sihyun who inhabited this body.
"Finally crawling out?"
"..."
From the girl who was clearly smaller than him, a fierce energy emanated. While he vaguely thought that he might die if they collided, he never imagined that his doorstep would become his grave.
"I've been shouting myself hoarse for a week, and now you finally crawl out."
Well, you have to go to school too, right?
Despite the ominous words, Daun's voice still sounded cunning. It didn't seem like her throat was sore, but her tone felt clearly irritated.
Sihyun clutched his bag strap as if his life depended on it and glanced around.
Did Kang Sihyun excel in running?
He vaguely remembered reading something about track and field in the character description.
Rolling his eyes, Sihyun secured a rough escape route while still eyeing Daun, who seemed determined to kill him.
"Uh..."
As Daun finally spoke, Sihyun's eyes widened. Awkwardly smiling at her with an expression asking for an excuse, Sihyun took a step back and swallowed hard.
"Sorry."
"Hey!"
With at least a bit of conscience, he muttered a brief apology and bolted. If the description about track and field was true, his body was incredibly light, rushing at a speed he hadn't exhibited before.
Surprised by the unexpectedly quick legs, Sihyun turned back to look at Daun.
As Daun rushed toward him as if to kill, she seemed like a ferocious beast. Yet, while Sihyun thought Kang Sihyun being in track and field would be fine, he realized Daun was in the volleyball team. One was in track and field, the other in volleyball. It was like dealing with two childhood friends at once, in a way.
"If I catch you, just wait."
Though there was quite a distance between them, Sihyun heard the words distinctly, prompting him to sprint with all his might. The thought that he wouldn't be mercifully killed if caught urged him on.
How long did he run? Despite a considerable distance, Daun's silhouette was still visible when he turned his head. Suppressing his breath, he continued running to maintain a safe distance.
If he could just escape Daun's sight for even a moment, he could change his route and outrun her.
His mind raced. Unintentionally, going to school was completely forgotten.
Thinking only of escaping, Sihyun urgently turned his body toward a side street. Turning the corner, he saw a crossroads. Hesitating, he dashed left, then at the next corner, there it was again.
If he could turn the corner over there, he might survive. With that thought, Sihyun put more effort into his steps.
"...!"
Suddenly, from the alley where he thought no one was, a person emerged.
Startled, Sihyun's eyes widened like a rabbit's as he stared at the boy in front of him. It was a dazzling platinum-haired boy.
Without a moment to react, the distance between them closed rapidly. For Sihyun, who had never shown such speed before, there was no chance to stop and avoid the collision.
"Danger—!"
His belated warning fell flat as the boy appeared right in front of him. Just as he thought they were about to collide, Sihyun, widening his eyes, unexpectedly met the boy's gaze. As he braced for the impact, the boy, too, widened his eyes and reached out towards him.
Wham! The collision was imminent.
"Ugh!"
Sihyun, who had been pushed back, staggered, leaning backward.
Thud!
The sound of their fall wasn't reassuring. Due to him being on top and using him as a cushion, the impact was absorbed by the boy. With a gasp, Sihyun quickly stood up, staring at the boy with astonished eyes.
He couldn't help feeling sorry for the unexpected collision, especially since he'd received the impact as he fell.
"I'm sorry. Are you hurt anywhere—?"
Looking into the platinum-colored eyes, Sihyun began to speak but, unconsciously, his gaze lowered, and he froze.
"..."
Forgetting to continue speaking, he stared blankly at what appeared in his sight.
Three letters were engraved on a white name tag.
'Yoo Seowoo.'
It was the name of the most affectionate among the four heavenly kings.
--
Table of content - Next Chapter
I'd like to thank our Diamond member, "melonpan," for recommending this novel for translation.
--
Chapter 2: Reincarnation
[Yoo Seowoo]
Yoo Seowoo was one of the Four Heavenly Kings, known for his amiable nature. Since childhood, he held positions as both the class president and vice president, all the while keeping his parents' identities as the CEOs of a renowned entertainment agency a secret. He starts to develop feelings for Daun, only to step back upon realizing her affection for Hamin.
As the name registered, the image of a boy emerged in the character description. His platinum hair shimmered in the sunlight, and his mysterious platinum eyes captivated attention. He seemed remarkably good-looking, prompting Sihyun to consider entertaining doubts before the collision.
Knowing he was one of the Four Heavenly Kings, Sihyun would have done anything to avoid a collision. Even if it meant getting injured or hitting a wall, anything to avoid entanglement with the main characters.
Was getting injured the logical choice here? Being involved with the key characters could lead to kidnapping. Already in an unfamiliar place, it seemed better to break a bone than face threats from unknown individuals in an unknown situation.
Sihyun, who had set aside regrets, glanced at Seowoo. He didn't intend to get involved with one of the Four Heavenly Kings or situations likely reserved for the protagonist. He couldn't fathom why he found himself in a situation like 'colliding with one of the Four Heavenly Kings' that usually befits a female protagonist.
Or perhaps, it might not have been him who was supposed to collide with Seowoo today, but Daun. However, in his attempt to evade Daun, he had rushed forward and collided with Seowoo instead...
It was like avoiding a ghost only to encounter a tiger. Sihyun, seeing Seowoo half sprawled beneath him with a bemused expression, got up and shook his head.
The only relief was that the person he collided with wasn't the insufferable Hamin, but Yoo Seowoo, which wasn't significantly different. After all, being one of the Four Heavenly Kings remained unchanged.
"..."
Should he cover his face? Or perhaps, knock him unconscious? Would his attack even work? His opponent was from the Four Heavenly Kings, known for their combat skills.
Prolonging eye contact might lead to an uncomfortable situation later, like meeting in school and hearing, 'Hey, weren't you the one who collided with me in the alley...?' Not that as a non-protagonist, he was likely to hear such words. It was all so unpredictable.
"Are you okay?"
Seowoo, speaking up instead of the speechless Sihyun, helped him to his feet after stumbling. He seemed like a genuinely caring person, brushing off the dust from Sihyun's clothes and inquiring about his condition. Sihyun could only glance awkwardly at Seowoo, wondering if he should flee at this moment.
"Kang Sihyun!" Daun's angry call echoed nearby, bringing back Sihyun's memory of why he had run so desperately. Stiffening, he turned around, though Daun wasn't in sight yet. Somehow, he felt she would arrive any moment now.
With the Four Heavenly Kings in front and the irritated female lead behind, Sihyun contemplated his dire situation, observed by a concerned Seowoo.
"Are you being chased by someone?"
"Excuse me?"
"Shall I help?"
"Pardon?"
It was a series of perplexing events. The bewildered look directed at Seowoo and Daun's enraged cry reached Sihyun simultaneously. Alternating gazes between them, Sihyun tried to sort out which mess was lesser.
If it was Daun, it meant getting soaked in the rain and dragged into various incidents. For instance, scenarios like encountering a braggart from the Four Heavenly Kings claiming, 'You lost to me in the entrance exam,' or facing a cold guy saying, 'You annoy me.' Those sorts of situations.
But if it was Yoo Seowoo asking for help... he had no clue how to assist. What exactly did he expect Seowoo to help him with? Perhaps just asking Seowoo to step aside and running in the direction he had come from was the better choice.
"Just, if you could step aside, and I'll run that way."
"..."
As soon as the word came out to pull out the "horns," Seowoo smiled. He often wore a pleasant smile, yet he didn't yield. He seemed to want to hear a plea for help.
He was described as kind and affectionate. The descriptions of the characters seemed off. Or maybe it was only reserved for the female protagonist.
"It looks fun. Want to run away together?"
"No."
Sihyun, lost in thought, reacted immediately to the absurdity with a bewildered expression. He couldn't grasp why it was necessary to go to such lengths instead of simply stepping aside.
"Just step aside, please?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Well, do you like it here?"
"...Ah, yes."
Couldn't strike back at that. It's serious, yet she's playing around. Sihyun, tired of formalities he only used out of courtesy, sighed and rubbed his forehead, feeling exasperated. Seowoo's laughter intensified.
"Kang Sihyun!"
The suddenly closer voice brought impatience. Frankly, there was a way to push Seowoo aside and escape. But it was clear that doing so would only lead to trouble.
Humans have premonitions, and Sihyun was particularly intuitive. Especially when it came to ominous feelings, so he sighed and spoke with a resigned tone. It was just for this time.
"How are you going to help? Please don't hit or anything, it's better if you don't get caught, just stepping aside would be best."
Speaking in an even tone, revealing his thoughts, Seowoo smiled faintly, narrowing her eyes. She might as well be one of the Four Heavenly Kings; at least her appearance was outstanding.
"Have you seen a movie?"
"Yes?"
"Like pretending to be lovers, kissing while evading surveillance scenes?"
"……."
Without any response, seeing him, Seowoo approached, jokingly asking for some reaction. Just when his guard was up, holding the bag strap.
"Kang Sihyun!"
Daun's voice became even closer,
"Run!"
Abruptly, Seowoo grabbed Sihyun's wrist and started running.
Dragged along by Seowoo, who started running suddenly, Sihyun, wearing a bewildered expression, resumed the annoying jog with a feeling of 'whatever'. Both pairs of feet pounded the ground.
Still, despite thinking that his athletic background wouldn't let him fall behind, Yoo Seowoo was either faster than him or not trailing behind. Instead, she adjusted her pace to match his slightly faltering steps.
Only after turning a couple more corners and entering narrower alleys at two intersections did Seowoo, who had let go of Sihyun's wrist, pat the thin wrist she had held.
"It should be fine around here. Are there any marks?"
I was out of breath, panting heavily, while Seowoo, who had been pulling me, only seemed slightly breathless. Taking my hand back from Seowoo, indicating I was okay, I straightened up against the wall, trying to catch my breath.
Despite my track background, if Yoo Seowoo looked fitter than me, her Four Heavenly Kings buff was quite impressive. Or maybe Kang Sihyun was a sprinter and although he had superior instantaneous speed, his stamina was lacking.
Anyway, since my original stamina was better, I quietly caught my breath. While Seowoo checked the outside as she waited for her breathing to return to normal, Sihyun, feeling stifled, loosened his tie and lowered his head.
As I breathed in the air of March, the suppressed air touched my lungs. My blue eyes quietly settled in the unexpectedly mild feeling.
When I got hit by the car, it was in the midst of winter, so the air then was bitterly cold.
Lost in fleeting thoughts, Kang Sihyun shook his head and emerged from contemplation with a deep breath. As he shifted his steps toward Seowoo, scanning his surroundings, there was no trace of Daun's voice or presence. Relieved, Sihyun let out a sigh of reassurance.
"What's the connection between you two?"
"The person you were chasing?"
"Yes."
"Just a friend."
"If just a friend, why were you so scared?"
"...Because something was wrong."
Hmm. At Sihyun's muttered reply, Seowoo hummed softly. Sensing discomfort in Sihyun's meaningful gaze, he furrowed his eyebrows.
"Why?"
"What do you mean?"
"You kept staring."
"Well, it's nothing."
Beautiful, that's all. Sihyun's expression crumpled at Seowoo's casually added remark. Seowoo noticed Sihyun's subtle disgust at being able to say such things without flinching and let out a brief chuckle. The faint laughter resembled classical music.
"What are you going to do now?"
"What can I do? Just try to attend school properly. Thanks for helping."
Even though he could have escaped alone from the start. With this added jab, the platinum-haired boy amused himself again. Sihyun, swallowing his sigh at the unchanged demeanor, adjusted his bag and gave Seowoo a brief nod.
Though more a bother than a help, considering the debt from the collision, Sihyun decided to consider this as settling the score and planned to pretend not to know anything from now on.
"Thank you for helping, but now let's go our separate ways. Since we were strangers anyway, I'd appreciate it if you didn't acknowledge me in the future."
Saying only thanks and demands, he swiftly left the alley. Satisfied with a farewell no neater than this, a voice suddenly stopped Sihyun in his tracks.
"Weren't you a new student at Choa High School?"
"..."
Seowoo casually mentioned the school's name, causing Sihyun to abruptly halt, feeling slighted.
He just blurted out someone else's school name without realizing. Well, technically, Yoo Seowoo and I were from the same school, but still.
"Why?"
To express his reluctance to get involved further, Sihyun wrinkled his nose and responded, shrugging, as Seowoo pointed at his name tag.
The white name tag engraved with the name 'Yoo Seowoo' came into view again. It was something he had already confirmed.
"I'm also a student there."
"Oh, I see. That's nice."
"It might be fate. Want to go together?"
"No, thank you."
It might be fate indeed. Even if it were fate, it was undoubtedly a bad one. Rejecting firmly, even with his refusal, Seowoo, with an unchanged expression, moved his red lips.
"I want to go together, Sihyun."
"...?"
At the sound of his name, Sihyun's pupils dilated. Wondering why he knew his name, Sihyun looked at Seowoo with questioning eyes. Seowoo warmly smiled and tapped his name tag with long fingers. Sihyun glanced at his chest.
'Kang Sihyun.'
Come to think of it, there was also a white name tag on his chest.
--
Table of content - Next Chapter
I'd like to thank our Diamond member, "melonpan," for recommending this novel for translation.
--
Chapter 3: Reincarnation
"Sihyun-ah."
"Please don't call me."
Sihyun glanced at Seowoo, who was looking at the phone he held while checking the navigation app, and widened his strides, seemingly attempting to shake her off. Seowoo, seeing this, increased her pace with a smile.
Glancing at Sihyun's phone screen, Seowoo noticed a small red arrow moving as he walked.
"I could just guide you."
"This is more convenient for me."
"Even though I could guide you faster?"
"We have plenty of time. And please, let's decide if you'll use formal or informal speech. It's distracting."
Having left early to avoid Daun and wasted time in what seemed like a chase, it was only 7:30. Although he declined her suggestion due to overflowing schedules until 8:30 at the auditorium, Seowoo, who had been making a fuss, quietly followed Sihyun.
Though they seemed to have agreed to go separate ways, they ended up walking together. Even though they were both students at the same school, there couldn't have been only one route. Nonetheless, Sihyun felt uneasy walking alongside Seowoo.
"Do you know a quicker route?"
"Yes."
"Then let's go that way."
"I prefer being alone. Are you going to use formal speech or keep being vague?" Sihyun responded calmly to Seowoo's ambiguous reply, quickening his pace. Despite widening his strides to discourage her from following, he found himself increasing his speed to shake her off.
"We're both heading to school. Why do you dislike going with me?"
"I just don't want to go with you."
"Did I do something wrong? It's our first time meeting, right?"
It was an inquisitive question, but her tone wasn't sharp. Sighing, Sihyun, unable to answer as bluntly as 'because you're overly persistent,' asked the question he wanted to voice.
"Why are you so concerned about me when we've just met today?"
They were clearly strangers, yet he couldn't fathom why she was pursuing this so persistently. Ignoring his response, Seowoo blinked and smiled thinly. Her bending eyes intensified Sihyun's impression. Some felt uncomfortable, while others seemed carefree. There was simply no middle ground.
"You seem amusing."
"What on earth?"
"Uh… like a hamster?"
"……."
Seowoo laughed lightly at Sihyun's bewildered expression. Rubbing his forehead feeling a headache creeping in at her chilly assessment, Sihyun shook his head. It felt like dealing with someone who was mistaken in their approach.
"Will she calm down if I see Daun?"
Yoo Seowoo was one of the supporting male leads. Currently finding it amusing and seemingly interested in me, eventually, it would follow the original plot once I meet the female lead. Sighing to suppress his frustration, Sihyun glanced at his phone and resumed walking.
And by his side, Seowoo was still tagging along.
--
The distance from home to school seemed to be around a 20-minute walk, considering it from the alleyway. Sihyun estimated this as he arrived at school a bit past 8:10 AM, delayed by around 10 minutes due to the playful scuffle with Seowoo, who questioned why they used formal language despite being the same age.
He glanced back at Seowoo from a distance as he stood near the school gate, unaware of the countless gazes that might pour onto him once he stepped inside.
There was no desire in Sihyun to be at the center of those stares.
"I'll head in first, so take about 10 minutes before coming in."
"After coming this far with me?"
"Well, you're free to follow or not."
Seowoo's silence followed Sihyun's rushed words. Despite the teasing tone, Sihyun felt a sense of regret, pausing in his steps, which only drew more attention, prompting a furrowed brow.
"Anyway, let's leave it at that. Say goodbye here and pretend we don't know each other."
Anxiousness made Sihyun speak faster, yet Seowoo just looked at him silently. That emphasis on 'pretend we don't know each other' echoed vividly. Seowoo's nonchalant voice somehow made the statement clear, sticking in Seowoo's mind, contrasting Seowoo's unbothered demeanor and reminding him of Sihyun's engaging presence.
Initially unimpressed until the stumble, Seowoo found Sihyun's subsequent actions strikingly odd—acting cool then freezing as if startled, avoiding any interaction, even displaying clear annoyance at getting involved.
For someone actively trying to avoid getting involved, Seowoo found Sihyun's persistent attempts surprisingly intriguing.
It felt like dealing with an overly anxious hamster.
Thinking of Seowoo's disdainful look at the 'hamster' comment, he shrugged it off and decisively walked towards the school gate, where Sihyun had disappeared, barely filling the promised 10 minutes.
Perhaps due to being with Seowoo, despite passing through the gate, it felt like students heading to class still cast occasional glances, either because of Sihyun or Kang Sihyun's face.
Feeling like a zoo monkey, Sihyun scratched his neck. Despite a few unexpected variables, successfully arriving at school served the purpose.
Now, the remaining task was attending the entrance ceremony in the auditorium without being noticed by Daun and then moving to the assigned class.
Not yet confirming the class, Kang Sihyun felt he probably didn't share the same class as Daun, as he was a minor character in "This Kind of Ending." Daun, however, was destined to go through all sorts of clichés as the main female lead among the Four Heavenly Kings. Imagining himself at the center of that chaos made Sihyun shudder.
Taking deep breaths, Sihyun headed towards the auditorium. Though he checked for any papers indicating the class, none were visible on the transparent door.
Nervously scanning the surroundings upon entering the auditorium, Sihyun searched for Daun. Amidst the bustling crowd, finding Daun wasn't too difficult. Spotting where attention was drawn, whether by hair color or any other reason, led him straight to Daun.
As soon as he entered, murmurs from some male and female students reached his ears. "Isn't he pretty?" said a male student, pointing at Sihyun. Startled, Sihyun inadvertently gasped, noticing Daun on the edge of the auditorium. He reflexively recoiled, avoiding her gaze, retreating to a corner before standing up straight.
Thankfully, Kang Sihyun was just an ordinary sub-character. If he were one of the Four Heavenly Kings or something similar, with red or blue hair, the stares would have been obvious.
Oh, but Yoo Seowoo had platinum hair. Remembering those shiny locks, Sihyun suddenly felt flustered amidst the commotion, pushing himself deeper into the corner, eyeing the entrance.
"Ahhh!"
As if an idol had arrived, screams erupted, and the world's attention shifted toward the entrance. Whether it was unbecoming or not, Seowoo, with his platinum hair, revealed himself at the entrance.
"Ah! Seowoo-nim!"
Sihyun, with a weary expression at the cries echoing all around, sighed deeply. Amidst everyone's clamor, he spotted three more figures entering behind Seowoo as if they were strutting down a runway.
One had black hair, another bright blue, and the third silver. Three individuals accompanied Seowoo into the auditorium. Sihyun, instinctively sensing their imposing presence, struggled to identify them.
Could it be…?
In the grip of unease, one of the female students standing beside Sihyun injected a nail of ominousness, "They're the Four Heavenly Kings, the mightiest of the school!"
Madness.
Startled, Sihyun covered his face with trembling hands. Goosebumps prickled his skin.
The Four Heavenly Kings.
What was once just printed words now heard in flesh and blood, it paralyzed him. Though spoken by the girl, the embarrassment seemed to weigh on Sihyun.
It's fortunate we left earlier. If we hadn't hurried Seowoo out of the gate, we might have encountered these four upon entry.
Even the thought was dreadful. Sihyun hugged himself, avoiding the intense gaze of the four figures, leaning his head against the stern auditorium wall.
Judging by their demeanor, one with black hair and another with blue seemed tough and aloof, while the silver-haired appeared more approachable. Being known as the Four Heavenly Kings suggested they were a force to be reckoned with since middle school.
And high school was set to be a continuation of confrontation, especially with Daun.
Given Daun's personality so far, if the tough one acted arrogantly, he might receive a fist to the face. That tough guy would probably brush it off saying, "You're the first girl to ever hit me," and Daun would just… brood.
What seemed fine in novels felt unsettlingly real now. Sihyun, biting back his unease, looked ahead, feeling pallid. Fiction becoming reality twisted his insides, making him nauseous.
Only after the Four Heavenly Kings safely entered did the bell chime, announcing 8:30. The grandeur of the military-like bell silenced the once-rowdy hall.
Click! The lights, which had remained off on stage, flickered to life.
A powerful woman, presumably the school principal, emerged on the now-illuminated stage. Despite appearing minuscule from their far seat, her commanding presence was palpable.
As the atmosphere sobered, Sihyun wondered if school inaugurations were usually this weighty. Suddenly, bangs from both sides accompanied firecrackers exploding. Colorful confetti rained down, and the principal's voice boomed through the speakers.
"Welcome to Mir Military Academy, the mightiest high school!"
"Wow!"
The auditorium buzzed with excitement. Amidst the festive fervor, Sihyun, detached like someone from another world, gazed at the platform where the principal stood with his azure eyes.
"Mir Military Academy."
Those nine syllables resonated, etching into his mind. Regardless of the details, it seemed that the Mighty High School was far from ordinary.
--
Table of content - Next Chapter
I'd like to thank our Diamond member, "melonpan," for recommending this novel for translation.
--
Chapter 4: Reincarnation
"You all must already know what Mirgun is."
Nope.
"So, all of you who have entered Choaegang High School have been eagerly waiting for this moment."
Nope.
"Now, let's begin the class test for new students!"
"Wow!"
"..."
If I were to describe my current feelings, it would be like that of a foreigner unknowingly barging into a neighboring country's festival. Amidst the excitement of students and buzzing conversations all around, Sihyun, wearing a perplexed expression in the midst of this solitude, quickly pulled out his phone and searched for 'Mirgun' in the green window.
Someone once said to search in the green window when you don't know.
Tapping on the search was daunting as thousands of articles flooded the phone screen. Though unclear, it seemed to be about a quite renowned group.
[Mirgun's 'Iha Hyuk,' a catastrophe-class irregular, eliminated. Ranked seventh globally, second in Korea as an 'S-Class Ranker']
[Incheon, sudden attack by irregulars, Mirgun arrived in time and saved lives...]
[Dangerous irregulars emerging off the coast of the US, resulting in 1,300 deaths. US citizens dissatisfied with 'IRS' response compared to 'Mirgun's']
[New irregular appearance, 'Mirgun Headquarters' designating this irregular as a 'warning'...]
"..."
I have no idea what any of this means. Catastrophe class? Irregulars? S-Class? These were utterly unfamiliar words, unlike anything I've read in online novels.
I thought I was just stepping into an ordinary world where there were school hierarchies and maybe a top-ranked individual, but "This Kind of Ending" seemed to have its own grand universe. No wonder my sister, who couldn't be satisfied with anything ordinary, was excited about Yoo Sihyun.
Feeling like I've been blindsided, Sihyun, confused by the unexpected turn of events, settled his bewilderment and calmly organized his dizzying thoughts.
So, simplifying things, it seems this world is where irregulars exist, and Mirgun refers to some special organization opposing these irregulars… Is this school where they cultivate Mirgun?
...I've never heard of such a thing.
Looking around after sorting this out, Sihyun checked his uniform again. The emblem clearly read 'Choaegang' on the school blazer. It was unfortunate for Sihyun, who held onto the hope that maybe he'd just mistaken the school he attended.
"…There are cases like this, too."
Being possessed by a fantasy world was a reality check. Sihyun, feeling utterly bewildered, let out a bitter laugh. It was evident that irregulars were dangerous beings. In the brief moment he skimmed the articles, the figure of 1,300 deaths stood out. A clear number of casualties due to irregulars.
How did I end up like this? What sins did I commit in my previous life to be possessed by such a world?
No, maybe if I die now, I might return to my original body. In his perplexed state, Sihyun vaguely entertained this thought, but soon shook himself out of it and searched 'class test' on his phone. There was still much he didn't know to just give up and stay disheartened.
After a few loading screens, he came across a blog post titled 'Awakening Class Explanation' and clicked on it. This was the most crucial information he needed right now.
[Explanation of Awakening Classes]
"Hi hi."
The posting is about explaining the classes of "Awakened Individuals" for those who might not be familiar.
First, let's clarify the basic terms.
"Awakened Individuals" are those who have awakened abilities. They represent just 7% of the population and apparently earn a lot once awakened. Usually, they awaken during their teenage years and need specialized education and testing to be recognized as genuine awakened individuals. Until the testing, they don't know what class they belong to. Until then, they can't use their abilities, only displaying the awakened mark on their bodies. These awakened individuals have been keeping us safe from "Irregulars," right?
"Irregulars" are widely known. Let's delve into the explanations of the classes, skipping some details for brevity.
1. Enhancement, Explosion, Control, Flight, and other single-skill abilities: These abilities lack proper class names. They are straightforward abilities, mostly D to E rank, not highly regarded among awakened individuals. There might be exceptions of powerful single-skill owners, but I'm not aware.
2. Tankers: They're easily identifiable, acting as shields due to their high endurance and strength. Their primary skill is provocation. They are the front line.
3. Inspectors: Among many classes, this one seems most reliant on talent. Even among inspectors, the skill levels vary based on their talents and efforts. There are C to S rank inspectors, so it's diverse. Iha Hyuk is an inspector, seemingly reaching S rank based on his talent.
4. Archer: Despite having sniping abilities, they're considered inferior classes. Agree?
5. Elemental Ability Users: Refers to individuals with specific elemental abilities like fire, water, air, earth, lightning, etc. I'm not sure about the others, but air elemental users are generally rated as basic A rank.
6. Snipers: Seemingly a higher-tier class than archers. There are specific skills, but it's unclear due to the relaxed nature of most snipers. Again, it varies based on talent.
7. Buffer: Capable of buffs and debuffs. Due to the rarity of suitable opponents, they're treated as a rare class.
8. Healer: Isn't this a genuine top-tier class? Perhaps everyone knows about them. Think of them as healers who deploy protective shields. They're as rare as buffers, to the point that some say if there aren't healers, buffs won't work.
There are many more classes, but these are the most famous and fundamental ones. There's speculation about intentionally undisclosed classes by the government, but that's speculation. Believe what you want.
Basically, each awakened individual is limited to one class, though exceptions exist. They're usually called 'scam characters'—typical genetic lotto winners.
1. All-Rounder: Unlike other awakened individuals limited to specific classes, they can choose any class they're suited for. However, they're still limited to one class. There are only a few of them among awakened individuals.
2. Dual-Class: Similar to All-Rounders but can choose up to two classes, essentially using two abilities. Very rare worldwide—only five known. Among them, three are S rank, authenticating their abilities. The other two inherited the class but not the talent. Still A rank, right? Seems like fate didn't completely abandon us.
3. Triple-Class: All-Rounder three abilities. Basically a cheat among cheats. Only one known so far, the top-ranked American S ranker. Need more explanation?
The criteria for being an All-Rounder are based on the abilities registered during the class test. So if a new class appears, the All-Rounder's status might change.
But nowadays, new classes are rare, so such occurrences might be unlikely.
End. Next time, I'll uncover information about Irregulars.
"..."
Sihyun, with his piercing blue eyes, quickly read through the text, gazing at his phone screen with a perplexed expression. It felt surreal, akin to describing video game professions. The sense of reality wasn't sinking in.
He thought it would be just about shooting and specialized training, not having abilities. This talk about abilities was unheard of in the character introductions. At least mentioning abilities should have been included.
Even in the fantasy world that Inso was part of, the existence of abilities was mentioned.
Confused, Sihyun, with his disheveled hair, leaned against the wall as if collapsing. Regardless, the crucial point was that his own class would be determined in the upcoming class test or something similar. That's probably why there wasn't any assigned classroom.
His rolling eyes, full of anticipation, observed the eager faces of the other students. Their expressions would change based on the class they'd receive.
Though still unsure about what an awakened individual really was, in his current state, Sihyun wished for something like Enhancement or Control, lower-grade classes, to live quietly and get by.
Lost in his thoughts, he glanced at the platform where the teacher, bustling with something in hand, began calling the names of five new students. Finally, it seemed like the test was about to begin.
"Kim Cheolsu, Hong Gildong, An Yeonghee, Nam Jihwa, Kim Miyeong."
As the names echoed through the speaker, the five students stepped onto the stage, placing their hands on a round device resembling a lie detector.
As they raised their hands, after a few moments, the black color of the device turned into a greenish hue, emitting a bright light. The teacher then looked at the tester and announced the classes.
"Tanker!"
In a buzz of excitement, the named students were called to the stage amid cheers and applause. It seemed customary to celebrate whoever came up next, regardless of the class.
How many students had finished the test by now? Initially intriguing, the repetition of the same scenario had made Sihyun yawn and close his mouth, gazing blankly at the stage.
When would it be his turn? He pondered this as the twentieth named student descended from the stage, and it was time for a new set of students to be called.
"Jeong Daun, Yoo Seowoo, Lee Hamin, Baek Geonu, Kang Haewoon."
"Wow―!"
Did they have to announce it like that?
The other four called alongside Daun were individuals Sihyun only knew from mere information, except for Seowoo, whom he'd met earlier that morning.
Regardless, since they were undoubtedly part of the famed Four Heavenly Kings, Sihyun straightened up and observed the five kids being called. Daun confidently walked towards the testing device, displaying a rather imposing presence.
If it was Daun, undoubtedly an extraordinary class would emerge. And that, the person standing beside Daun, another of the Four Heavenly Kings, would likely be no different. Perhaps the loudest cheers in this fifth group would erupt.
Anticipating an extraordinary class from both a Heavenly King and the female lead, Sihyun observed Daun, who raised his hand towards the testing device without hesitation. The black testing device remained quiet for a few seconds before glowing in a bright violet hue, the color representing the attribute of a power user.
What attribute could it be?
Reviving the long-lost interest, Sihyun focused on the teacher's mouth shape, attempting to read from the paper in the teacher's hand. With a bright smile, the teacher eventually spoke.
"Air attribute!"
"Wow―!"
Having an Air attribute meant securing at least an A-grade entry. Remembering a blog post hinting at such notions, Sihyun clapped along with the students, suppressing a dry applause among the cheers.
Amidst expressions of disbelief like "Air? That's impossible," Sihyun knew. Up on stage, there remained the undeniable fact of four unconventional colors representing those remaining figures.
Slowly, Seowoo began to move her feet.
Truly unbelievable things were probably about to begin right now.
--
Table of content - Next Chapter
I'd like to thank our Diamond member, "melonpan," for recommending this novel for translation.
--
Chapter 5: Reincarnation
The ceremony for assigning guaranteed future classes, was underway. Even though he had secured a certain future class, Kang Sihyun, seemed discontented, a faint dissatisfaction etched across his face as Daun descended. Following her, it was Seowoo's turn. As she stood before the testers with a gentle smile, the same device that had remained dormant burst into a vivid blue as she raised her hand. It was a sight I had witnessed before.
"Examination!"
"Wow!"
Amidst the uproar, voices whispered, "Since it's Seowoo, you must have exceptional talent, right?" Although unfortunate, she was one of the Four Heavenly Kings. There was no denying it, nodding in agreement, as Seowoo turned abruptly towards Sihyun.
"..."
Their eyes met, and an eerie sensation gripped Seowoo, her gaze possessing an unnerving vision, powerful enough to discern our distance.
"No way."
Surely not.
She couldn't possibly be staring at me accurately from that distance. Brushing aside such thoughts, as I tried to stop dwelling on Seowoo, Lee Hamin stepped forward before the testers. With a hand in his pocket, his expression seemed rather arrogant.
Bam! Even before the results were out, screams erupted from all directions. Lee Hamin. He resembled the male lead from a novel.
And he was quite cocky.
[Lee Hamin]
"As one of the Four Heavenly Kings, he's the heir to a conglomerate, exhibiting typical arrogance. He's harsh in speech and awkward in dealing with people but treats my heroine well. His parents are chairpersons of an S-class company, and he feels inferior due to his more accomplished elder brother. His worries about chasing his brother's shadow fade as the heroine consoles him, leading him to fall in love with her."
A typical character setup. Observing Hamin, I glanced with a slightly peculiar look at his hair, which, despite not being red or blue, was simply black. Ordinary black.
A protagonist's hair being black in an online novel was odd. If Hamin's eyes weren't purple, they might have claimed it was an insult to the protagonist's usual variety of appearances.
Amidst such unconventional thoughts, as time passed, the tester, having completed emotions, emitted a white light. White light. It was a sight unseen before, igniting curiosity akin to someone unexpectedly pouring cold water over the previously heated atmosphere.
"Why's that happening?"
Even if it shouldn't concern me, I couldn't help but smirk, fixing my gaze toward the stage. Seemingly struggling, unable to speak, the teacher who had jotted something down on paper finally cleared his throat, then yelled loudly at the numerous students looking towards him.
"Dual-Class!"
"Wow!"
"Wow, Hamin-nim!"
"Oppa, so cool!"
"..."
It's chaos. Despite all being of similar age, their fawning expressions of 'Oppa' annoyed Sihyun, who, looking content, watched Hamin descend from the stage.
Dual-Class. Witnessing the sight of six of the world's five exclusive classes, there wasn't much enthusiasm. I assumed a protagonist would manage this much, so leaning against the wall, this time a boy with blue hair stepped before the testers.
His indifferent face observing the testers rendered him unassuming. It was undoubtedly Baek Geonu, tasked with the role of the cold member among the Four Heavenly Kings.
[Baek Geonu]
"As one of the Four Heavenly Kings, facially, he's so top-notch that some might dare to call him a top among the Kings. Since childhood, he's been immensely popular, often cast in street performances, leading to an exhausting life. He's childhood friends with Haewoon, yet despite being close to the Kings, he's curious about the heroine, who never initiates conversations, gradually turning his doubts into affection, eventually deeply falling in love with her."
Predictable. His facial appearance might exude a distinctiveness, but reading his character introduction, it was a shameless narrative. Sihyun, staring blankly at Geonu, muttered 'Tanker!' upon hearing the information, maintaining a composed expression even after hearing the students' enthusiastic reactions.
Even from a distance, it was blatantly evident he was good-looking.
The standards were high, hence, inconspicuously, Sihyun had a penchant for good looks. Even from afar, if this was the case, if I got closer, wouldn't I be completely captivated? Hence, Sihyun carefully assessed and decided.
Let's not get closer.
While Sihyun could endure Seowoo to some extent, Geonu was perilous. Determining not to get too close, Sihyun diverted his gaze from Geonu coming down the stairs, instead looking at Eunbaek, who was giggling softly. Her natural expression seemed mischievous and childlike. It was Haewoon.
Seowoo's laughter was tender but held a certain uneasiness, whereas Haewoon's laughter was innocent and sun-like. It felt like an angel had descended just to bring joy.
[Haewoon]
"As one of the Four Heavenly Kings, his innocent and charming personality amidst the larger, more imposing individuals makes him endearing. Being naturally small and cute amidst the larger crowd is his charm. With his distinct, natural demeanor and affability, he becomes the true soulmate of the heroine."
Around 173cm tall, maybe? Remembering the description of Haewoon being small and cute, Sihyun tried to estimate his height and couldn't help but chuckle. If Haewoon was small and cute, then Sihyun should be so tiny as to be invisible.
Honestly, it's unexpectedly...
He's been downplayed quite a bit, Sihyun.
Considering his role as an Impactor Dragon in track and being the childhood friend of the heroine, along with his handsome face, there wasn't much. He felt sorry for himself, feeling inadequate as a boyfriend to the protagonist due to his career. Sighing deeply, Sihyun snapped out of his reverie and focused on the scene before him.
Snap! The tester emitted a golden light, identical to Haewoon's eye color.
Similar to when Hamin's class was revealed, everyone held their breath in the unprecedented light. The teacher, seemingly moved to tears, announced Haewoon's class in a choked voice.
"Buffer!"
"Wow!"
"I love you, Haewoon!"
The crowd in the auditorium erupted in cheers as the class announcements were made. Amidst the jubilant students expressing their happiness, some boys even confessed their love for Haewoon, and Sihyun recalled a blog post he had read.
He remembered reading about how rare Buffers and Healers were, but witnessing the scene now, he realized just how scarce they must have been. It wasn't a Dual-Class, yet the impact of a single class on people was so profound, indicating it was an incredibly valuable class.
As Haewoon, smiling brightly, stepped down, the stage emptied. Everyone who had stepped onto that stage had left, making way for the announcement of the next five.
Feeling tense, Sihyun, clutching his bag strap tightly, stared at the teacher calling out names. Fortunately or unfortunately, his name wasn't among the five called. Relieved, he took a breath, but when he saw a student with a reinforcement class being announced and subsequently collapsing, his tension returned.
Yet again, in the next round, his name wasn't called. Though the number of students in the auditorium seemed to be less than a hundred, as it crossed eighty, Sihyun, feeling uneasy, stared intently at the teacher calling out names.
Ninety names were done. Ninety-one, then suddenly, the ninety-fifth. By this point, Sihyun was harboring a faint hope that he might have been overlooked on the freshman list. The teacher's words, "lastly..." shattered Sihyun's expectations.
"Kang Sihyun!"
Only on the ninety-sixth call did his name echo, and Sihyun, apart from the attention of the other 95 students, frowned slightly. Despite being called by the coveted name, the lack of joy confirmed the burden of being the last in this circumstance.
Under the weight of dozens of gazes fixed on his hesitant steps, knowing he was the last one, students were too preoccupied with their own anxieties about their classes. And among those gazes, there was one from Daun, filled with unbridled hostility.
He knew that making eye contact would be fatal. Trying to avoid crossing paths with Daun, Sihyun forced himself to look ahead, suppressing his lips against the countless eyes fixed upon him.
He felt nauseous.
Having never faced so many scrutinizing looks at once in his life, Sihyun, suppressing his unease, hurried up the stairs onto the stage.
As he scratched his neck nervously and walked, the kind-hearted headmaster guided Sihyun toward the tester.
The black tester, which he had only ever observed from afar, was now right in front of him. Taking a deep breath, praying for either enhancement, control, or flight, he fervently placed his hand on the tester, hoping for something safe and not too conspicuous.
While fervently praying, the tester, which had been whirring, suddenly stopped its motion after a few turns, emitting no light. It was the moment he anticipated.
Closing his eyes, hoping for a flash of green or yellow light, Sihyun's prayerful moment was interrupted when he opened his eyes to no change in the black tester. He turned to the teacher.
"Teacher?"
"This shouldn't be happening..."
Calling the teacher in a low voice, Sihyun watched as the teacher took the tester from his hand. Pressing a switch beneath, the teacher smiled affectionately and placed the tester back in front of Sihyun.
"It should work now."
"Yes."
Feeling puzzled about the malfunction, Sihyun nodded, placing his hand on the tester again. But to his dismay, the tester repeated its previous behavior, not emitting any light. It was exactly the same as before.
As the teacher examined closely with furrowed brows, attempting it thrice with no change, a stern expression settled on the teacher's face.
"Why is this happening?"
After a prolonged silence from the teacher regarding the results, the concerned headmaster asked. Lost in thought, the teacher, fidgeting with his chin, retrieved another tester from a box nearby.
Activating the new tester, the teacher gestured toward it with a determined expression.
"Want to try again?"
Cautiously responding to the teacher's question, Sihyun placed his hand on the tester.
Whirr, whirr.
The tester, despite spinning a few times, replicated the same situation as before. The teacher's expression turned rigid once again. Sensing something amiss, Sihyun nervously chewed the inside of his cheek.
"What's wrong since earlier? Is there some issue?"
As the perplexed headmaster approached, the teacher, fixated on the tester, finally spoke up.
"It won't display Kang Sihyun's class!"
"...!"
A sudden hush fell upon the surroundings. In the midst of the eerie silence, Sihyun, overwhelmed by everyone's gaze, faltered with a bewildered expression. His azure eyes, filled with confusion, met the teacher's and others'.
It felt unjust.
He hadn't hoped for mundane results, nor did he wish for incompetence.
--
Table of content - Next Chapter
I'd like to thank our Diamond member, "melonpan," for recommending this novel for translation.
--
Chapter 6: Reincarnation
Inside Sihyun Kang's confused mind, thoughts spun rapidly. Perhaps some issue had occurred because of my possession of Kang Sihyun's body. Surely, the sub-main character in my mind wasn't incompetent. If there were problems, they likely stemmed from the 'Yoo Sihyun' side. Sihyun, with a furrowed brow, acknowledged this possibility and glanced back at the teacher.
"Do you know why it's not showing?"
"Usually, if it's an unregistered or new class, or if someone is powerless, the results won't display."
'Powerless.'
That word made Sihyun's heart drop. He looked paler than usual. It seemed pitiable how drained he appeared.
What happens if I'm powerless? Should I just go home? Or will they chew me up, spit me out, and make gossip fodder out of me? How could I be powerless in a school seemingly only for awakened individuals? If I'm dragged off to some lab or something, what then?
Convinced that the tester's lack of response was due to his possession, Sihyun clenched his lips. The teacher, seeing his distress, kindly patted his back.
"Don't worry too much. There has never been a case where the awakening mark vanishes before the class engraving. Could you perhaps tell us where your mark is?"
"The awakening mark?"
"Yeah, like a symbol. It varies by person."
He had never seen anything like that. Not even a suspicious mark during washing. Frowning, Sihyun peeked at his wrist. The teacher mentioned it usually appears on the back of the hand or wrist, yet Sihyun's wrist was pristine.
Am I really powerless?
It was undoubtedly a variable caused by my Reincarnation. The feeling of ruining the once intact life of 'Kang Sihyun' brought a subtle sense of guilt. Just as he was about to nod to convey the absence of the mark to the teacher, a familiar voice intervened.
"It's on the back of his neck. It's a hard-to-see spot, so he can't confirm it himself."
"..."
Daun spoke up. When Sihyun turned to look, their eyes met. In Daun's dark eyes, there was an ominous glint. As if contemplating murder, he stared before casually brushing Sihyun's arm and diverting his gaze to the short-haired girl beside him.
Patting Daun as if consoling, the girl attempted to placate him, or more accurately, it felt like saying, "Be nice, Daun. Just look once. Just this once."
"Indeed..."
Having been told it was at the back of his neck, Sihyun hesitantly showed his neck, partially covering it with his hair, to the teacher, who then confirmed the distinct blue mark on Sihyun's neck.
"The mark is still there."
"Then..."
This time, he felt uneasy for a different reason.
Looking at the teacher with uncertain eyes, Sihyun received a comforting pat on the shoulder and a mix of relief and laughter from the teacher before they addressed the 95 students.
It was the class announcement.
"New classes!"
"Wow―!"
Amidst the tension and silence, the deafening cheers erupted. Though lower-level classes like reinforcement or control might appear, there could also be new advanced classes like healer or dual-class. Encouraged by the teacher's words, Sihyun listened attentively.
A new class, huh? It would have been nice if it were some mediocre ability, not something as mundane as tripping on the street, but the sub-main character in my mind wouldn't have such an insignificant ability. A new class. At this point, isn't that almost like a protagonist?
Feeling like he urgently needed to retract the sympathetic thoughts about Kang Sihyun's career, Sihyun, feeling irritated, muttered the words he had considered several times before.
This talk...
He genuinely couldn't hear it.
"Congratulations, Sihyun!"
"Hey, Kang Sihyun! Congratulations! Please act like you know something from now on!"
Feeling utterly exposed and wanting to dismiss everyone laughing while oblivious to his inner turmoil, Sihyun's gaze dropped. Suddenly, he met eyes with Hamin Lee, who was below the stage.
Grinning or sneering, Hamin, with deep purple eyes, stared at Sihyun. Avoiding his gaze felt like losing, so when they locked eyes, Hamin, finding it amusing, slightly raised the corners of his mouth.
Without uttering a word, Hamin seemed to mock or jest with his mouth, looking at Sihyun with an intimidating gaze before lightly touching someone next to him, a girl with short hair.
Inaudibly conveying something with his mouth, Hamin met Sihyun's puzzled gaze. Soon, a resentful glare could be felt.
Quietly turning his head, Sihyun found Daun. Holding his lips in, Sihyun, with a groan, touched his forehead. It was a complete mess.
It felt like someone had splattered ink on his carefully painted canvas.
When the chaotic and bewildering class test finally ended, teachers began distributing two rings to the students. Just as he wondered if they were admission gifts, the principal began speaking.
"The silver rings we're distributing now are called Assist Pairings. They adjust to fit the wearer's finger circumference. They record the owner's name, class, and heart rate. Inside our school, they serve as IDs instead of student cards. And the remaining one of these pairings is..."
Pausing there, the principal looked at the students with a grin, almost like seeing his grandchildren.
"The remaining pairing is for your partner for the next six months."
"Partner?"
The headmaster tapped the microphone as if urging the murmuring students to quiet down, then resumed speaking once the auditorium had reached a certain level of silence.
"During your three years at Choaegang High School, you will meet a total of six partners. These partners will accompany you in partner classes and assist during the bi-monthly evaluations."
After a brief pause, the headmaster continued the explanation.
"There are no restrictions on choosing partners. It can be a friend, someone compatible with your class, or if it's difficult to decide, teachers can help pair up the remaining students. Once you've chosen a partner, you cannot change for six months, so please be mindful. Partner registration is completed automatically when both wear the pairing device. For any further inquiries, please ask the teachers on the right side of the auditorium."
With that said, a silver pairing device arrived for Sihyun as well. While the headmaster momentarily surveyed the students, holding one bland-patterned device and another in his hand, he confirmed that every student had received their pairings before speaking again.
"That concludes the entrance test. Class-specific imprints will be given tomorrow, and from tomorrow until the end of summer vacation, you'll reside in the school dorms, so please bring your belongings. Now, budding students of Choaegang High School, let's begin partner registration!"
"Wow!"
Despite the long speech, the students, their eyes sparkling, erupted into cheers as soon as the headmaster finished, engaging in conversations among themselves.
Amidst whispers of "Do you want to be partners?" echoing around, Sihyun, still shocked at the news of spending the next four months in the dorms alone, gazed around while the bewildered headmaster descended from the stage.
At the end of the ceremony, Daun, whom I thought might rush towards me, seemed to have already chosen a partner. She was exchanging rings with the short-haired girl I had seen earlier, pushing away the approaching boys.
No way! A cry of disbelief echoed in Sihyun's mind as he witnessed the uproar of cheers.
"Haemin, be my partner!"
"Seowoo, how about partnering with me?"
"Haewoon, I love you! Let's get married!"
"Don't touch Geonu; he's everyone's!"
Astounded.
What a strange statement about 'everyone's.' Haemin and Haewoon, enjoying as much popularity as their classes, and Geonu and Seowoo, both tankers and inspectors, stood amidst the cheers. Sihyun observed the uproar of people cheering indiscriminately and shuddered, stepping back.
Wanting to distance himself from the commotion, Sihyun walked towards a corner of the auditorium, searching for a teacher.
His class was undetermined, implying nobody knew what class they would belong to. New classes required self-discovery of abilities, a process expected to take some time. Until then, nobody could determine if their class would be mediocre or exceptional. Hence, there wouldn't be anyone eager to partner with him.
High risk, high return. It was either a hit or miss. Sihyun reluctantly prepared to call the teacher.
Suddenly, a brash voice echoed behind Sihyun.
"Hey."
Turning at the sound, he faced an impudent face with faint wrinkles on the smooth forehead.
'Why is he calling me?'
Though Sihyun had made sure to avoid causing trouble and giving a wide berth to popular people, he couldn't comprehend why Haemin approached him with an odd request.
There was no memory of doing anything to offend Haemin, so Sihyun, observing Haemin's disheveled appearance, reached out towards him.
"…?"
Unexpectedly, Haemin smiled as Sihyun blinked in confusion. It was an unfortunate smile.
"Hand it over?"
"What?"
"Give me the ring, and I'll pair up with you."
"…."
It was a confident and unreserved demand. The look on Sihyun's face made it evident that he hadn't even considered rejecting the proposal. Yet, before Sihyun could decline, a sizable hand swiftly wrapped around his shoulder.
Out of nowhere, an arm emerged from behind and pulled Sihyun close. Feeling the firmness of the arm against his back, Sihyun raised his head, meeting a familiar face.
"Sorry, he already has an owner."
Accompanied by a gentle tone, the familiar face spoke softly.
--
Table of content - Next Chapter
I'd like to thank our Diamond member, "melonpan," for recommending this novel for translation.
--
Chapter 7: Reincarnation
"……."
For a moment, silence fell over the auditorium. When Sihyun raised his head, he met Seowoo's gaze, the discomfort evident on her face as she tightened her hold around him, visibly displaying her displeasure, her slender frame dwarfed by Seowoo's sturdy build. Sihyun's pride was crushed.
"You…."
"You're using informal language now?"
"……."
Is that really important right now?
As Sihyun's gaze fixated oddly on Seowoo, it seemed like they had asked each other for help from a strange place. Pretending not to know each other seemed futile; despite the lack of familiarity, Seowoo seemed adept at picking up on people's conversations, even though he didn't seem interested in the partner he didn't know.
Where did they see friendliness and affection in all this? No matter how much I think about it, the personality keywords posted about Yoo Seowoo in the novel "This Kind of Ending" seemed to be somewhat off.
"Keep your nonsense in check."
After attempting formal speech several times and failing, Sihyun eventually opted for informal language, glancing at Seowoo's arm that held onto him. It seemed like Seowoo had no intention of letting go until I spoke.
"Let go."
As Sihyun gestured to release his arm, Seowoo, with a surrendering gesture, raised his hands and chuckled harmlessly. Sorry. Before I could make a pointed remark, an apology rang out, leaving me unable to even make a subtle jab.
There wasn't really a situation to make jabs in the first place.
Unaware of their positions and having created a scene, both of them drew all the attention in the auditorium towards me. In this situation, being careful about what I said was necessary to avoid becoming the subject of gossip about 'What did he say to one of the Four Heavenly Kings?' or 'Who's that guy?' in case I misspoke.
Already drawing unwanted attention due to the class test, I suppressed the rising dissatisfaction, not wanting to attract more attention than necessary. Hamin and Seowoo, inadvertently engaging in a silent battle, exchanged glances. Sihyun's gaze filled with disdain fell upon the two main characters.
Why are you doing this to me? You've got the wrong person.
Confirming Daun, who, like others, was staring in my direction, I refrained from saying anything that would make me sound insane.
Suddenly, in the midst of wondering why they were focusing on me instead of the female lead, a hypothesis flashed through my mind. Alternating between Daun and Hamin, I considered the possibility. While Hamin looked at Seowoo, Daun's gaze was fixed on Hamin, catching Sihyun's eye.
Ah….
Finally, Sihyun let out a small sigh. It was because of the plausibility of the absurd situation where the secondary male lead was demanding a partnership from the primary male lead.
I'm the bridge. To make Daun and Hamin acknowledge each other.
By now, Daun might view Hamin as a nuisance troubling the friend she wants to protect. Then one day, despite being the one who was a nuisance, she would appear before Hamin, warning him not to trouble her friend, and Hamin might end up falling for her against his will.
As this absurd plot unfolded naturally, Sihyun couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. No matter how weird the progression seemed, that's how these plots usually unfolded.
Falling for the extraordinary female lead with exceptional beauty and personality is quite predictable. So, my ridiculous hypothesis seemed somewhat plausible.
Of course, if you were to ask, "Did Hamin have to request a partnership from me, the primary male lead?" There was a doubt, but considering that the childhood friend of the female lead always gets tangled up in various incidents, it was somewhat understandable. Although that childhood friend turned out to be the secondary male lead.
Yes, Hamin's unusual behavior could somehow be understood as playing the role of 'the primary male lead trying to attract the attention of the female lead's friend.' However, the other guy was different.
He wasn't the true male lead, nor was he a friend of the female lead. What's with Yoo Seowoo?
Even if it was okay for Hamin, there was no reason for Seowoo to act this way. From the morning until now, I couldn't decipher his intentions. Observing the ongoing battle between the two, Sihyun, with thinly veiled eyes, felt Seowoo's hand touch his fingertips. Tap-tap, as if playing a childish prank, touching his fingertips and suddenly gripping his hand, Sihyun, taken aback, looked at Seowoo. His lips formed a perfect arc.
"Think about who's pretending to be friendly."
His soft voice seemed to suggest that we were close. Hamin's eyebrows twitched.
"So, are you saying you're close now?"
"Well…"
Neither of them was close to me. I simply wanted to remain strangers forever.
"To be clear, you didn't even know Sihyun's name, Hamin. Why, interested in the new class?"
Seowoo's calm voice seemed to scratch at Hamin's nerves. Marveling at his ability to touch people's minds with such a soft voice, I was caught admiringly as Hamin, affected by Seowoo's words, burst into a stifled laugh and took a step back.
"Why, Yoo Seowoo. I never even touched you first."
"Sihyun isn't some object. And let's get this straight, I was ahead of you."
That's true.
Initially, I considered intervening, but it was becoming ridiculous for me to insert myself between them and say something like, "Don't fight because of me!" The cause of their childish fight had become more tiresome than anything else. Sihyun, enduring being the cause of their petty quarrel, nodded in agreement with Seowoo, who eloquently expressed his thoughts.
Perhaps noticing my reaction, Hamin's face contorted noticeably. He seemed to be good at noticing unnecessary things.
"Move, Yoo Seowoo."
Suddenly, Hamin's voice was lower than before. Seowoo, with a smile that belied the tension, despite his confrontational stance, didn't anticipate Hamin's threatening approach.
"What are you going to do? Ask to be my partner?"
"It's not 'that guy.' It's Sihyun."
"Then, when did you suddenly start pretending to be close and taking someone else's partner?"
When was I ever your partner?
What seemed like a simple confrontation oddly turned into a strange conversation. If they wanted to fight, they should fight amongst themselves, not make a fuss about me.
As I looked at them with narrowed eyes, Seowoo's hand reached mine. Tap-tap, as if playing a prank, touching my fingertips and unexpectedly gripping my hand, Sihyun, taken aback, looked at Seowoo. His lips formed a perfect arc.
"Think about who's pretending to be friendly."
His soft voice seemed to suggest that we were close. Hamin's eyebrows twitched.
"So, are you saying you're close now?"
"Well…"
Neither of them was close to me. I simply wanted to remain strangers forever
.
"To be clear, you didn't even know Sihyun's name, Hamin. Why, interested in the new class?"
Seowoo's calm voice seemed to scratch at Hamin's nerves. Marveling at his ability to touch people's minds with such a soft voice, I was caught admiringly as Hamin, affected by Seowoo's words, burst into a stifled laugh and took a step back.
"Why, Yoo Seowoo. I never even touched you first."
"Sihyun isn't some object. And let's get this straight, I was ahead of you."
That's true.
Initially, I considered intervening, but it was becoming ridiculous for me to insert myself between them and say something like, "Don't fight because of me!" The cause of their childish fight had become more tiresome than anything else. Sihyun, enduring being the cause of their petty quarrel, nodded in agreement with Seowoo, who eloquently expressed his thoughts.
Perhaps noticing my reaction, Hamin's face contorted noticeably. He seemed to be good at noticing unnecessary things.
"Move, Yoo Seowoo."
Suddenly, Hamin's voice was lower than before. Seowoo, with a smile that belied the tension, despite his confrontational stance, didn't anticipate Hamin's threatening approach.
"What are you going to do? Ask to be my partner?"
"It's not 'that guy.' It's Sihyun."
"Then, when did you suddenly start pretending to be close and taking someone else's partner?"
When was I ever your partner?
Though the conflict seemed trivial at first, the conversation took an odd turn. If they wanted to fight, they should fight amongst themselves, not make a fuss about me.
In the showdown between those two, regardless of who wins, Sihyun had no intention of becoming the Supreme King or forming a partnership. They've been tight since middle school, and all they needed was to stick together and film a youthful movie, so why complicate things?
From the start, they're supposed to be Supreme Kings, why are they so intertwined?
No, it's not that they're intertwined, but did Seowoo somehow manage to catch Hamin's attention abnormally?
Based on the conversation he just overheard, Sihyun roughly figured out their relationship, nodded in agreement, and scanned the surroundings. The gazes that had been focused on him due to the squabble were now directed at them.
It seemed like the perfect time to slip away from Yuseowoo's slightly awkward approach. Sihyun subtly stepped back. And at that moment,
"Why not just let Sihyun choose?"
A naïve voice ruined the moment, distorting Sihyun's expression.
"Why are you meddling again?"
Hamin frowned as he intervened after observing from the sidelines. Turning towards Sihyun with silvery hair, he waved.
"Hey!"
"..."
Hamin's perfectly delivered greeting met Sihyun's gaze. Not only did this ruin the chance to escape, but the person who significantly emphasized their presence had nothing appealing about their greeting. Sihyun fell silent. Though impossible to spit on a smiling face, it wasn't a moment to reciprocate the smile either.
Grinning, Hamin tilted his head slightly at Sihyun's silence. It didn't seem like he expected an answer in the first place.
"I'm Kang Haewoon, and this is Baek Geonu! Thought it'd be fun to bring him along. Say hello!"
When Hamin gestured toward the boy behind him and smiled, Sihyun, who briefly glanced at the perfectly aligned blue eyes, swallowed hard. Those two different shades of blue eyes seemed to intertwine. If his was a diluted wall in clear water, Baek Geonu's eyes were as vivid and bright as his hair color.
Breaking the gaze that seemed to have lasted quite a while, Sihyun was the first to look away. Regretting what he inadvertently witnessed, he turned his head only to catch a glimpse of eyes that had met a moment ago.
With slightly raised eyebrows and long eyelashes, coupled with a nonchalant and chilly cat-like demeanor, the person had a brief encounter and left Sihyun feeling uneasy. Having momentarily observed too much, Sihyun nervously turned towards Hamin. He didn't even glance at Geonu.
"So, are you Sihyun?"
"Huh."
Caught between answering or staying quiet, Sihyun hesitated, feeling akin to Yuseowoo's polite demeanor. As he was about to respond, Hamin, seemingly at ease, stepped closer. Sihyun instinctively stepped back. A sense of foreboding arose from Hamin's approach.
"We're both Kangs, huh?"
"...What?"
The nonsensical words sounded so nonchalant that bewildered eyes met him. Chuckling, Hamin covered his mouth. Only then did it register that he was responsible for handling one of the Supreme Kings. It seemed an emoticon like 'ㅁ' should be drawn next to that laughter.
"So, who do you want to partner up with?"
The topic returned to the essential discussion after the digression. Feeling like it had drifted far away, Sihyun looked around, thinking it'd be better to head all the way to the Arctic if they were going to go that far. But precisely at that moment, Sihyun caught the eye of Seowoo and Hamin, staring directly at him. Taking a deep breath, Sihyun glanced around. Even if they finished talking here, the argument between those two would likely continue beyond.
"Why ponder? Even a Dual and Inspector are on a comparable level, aren't they?"
"I can do well too, Sihyun."
...Why me?
This isn't a one-on-one partner dance. Sihyun redirected his discontent towards Hamin, who was trying to appeal to him. If it weren't for him, Sihyun might have slipped away smoothly. Hamin ruined the plan of subtly fading away when his presence had turned into dust.
How can they all be so unhelpful?
With a gaze full of dissatisfaction, Sihyun glared at Hamin, who smirked in response.
"I'm fine too! Haven't partnered up yet."
"Yeah."
"Haewoon?"
Why are you doing this to me?
Apparently, staring too intently was a mistake. Hamin's cheerful words and the presence of Geonu beside him as a potential partner made the situation worse.
"Sure, Geonu is fine too!"
Where did his intent go?
Suddenly, with the addition of a partner candidate, the trio started babbling about who came first and various nonsense, stimulating Sihyun's desire to escape. Glancing around anxiously, Sihyun swallowed hard as he looked at Seowoo and Hamin. Whatever he said, the issue would end with a single statement, but the argument between those two seemed far from over.
"Why do you suddenly interfere?"
"Hahaha, it looks fun."
"Annoying."
Watching the three bicker, it finally seemed like they were friends who teased each other. Even though Hamin was holding onto Geonu and Seowoo touched his forehead, it seemed that way. Despite appearing ambiguous, it seemed okay to slip away now.
Thinking swiftly, Sihyun took a step back. The crowd parted at the movement, feeling like a modern-day Moses.
"Oops, he's running away!"
Darn it.
Whether it was the split in the crowd or Hamin's struggling movements that caught everyone's attention, Hamin yelled out. Seowoo and Hamin's gazes turned towards Sihyun. Ultimately, even the second attempt to sneak away failed.
"You have to make a choice, Sihyun."
"Frustratingly dragging this out."
"So, who do you want to partner with?"
The continuous barrage of words spurred Sihyun's desire to flee. Desperately scanning the surroundings, Sihyun suddenly noticed Daun at the edge of his vision. Unwillingly, though thinking that any of the four would be better than the situation at hand, Sihyun sought help.
In a rush, as if fleeing, Sihyun's eyes landed on a boy with black hair at the far end of his vision. A seemingly ideal boy that caught Sihyun's attention.
Compared to the Supreme Kings, this boy seemed like paradise.
Perhaps because he hadn't yet formed a partnership, the boy wore a single ring on his finger and was glancing at the remaining one. In this situation, he didn't look at Sihyun, but that alone was a bonus point, and Sihyun felt a glimmer of hope.
What was it they used to say about this situation?
Ah, right.
"It's complicated."
--
Table of content - Next Chapter
I'd like to thank our Diamond member, "melonpan," for recommending this novel for translation.
--
Chapter 8: Reincarnation
Kang Sihyun raced fearfully to make a decision, grabbing the hem of the boy's clothes abruptly. Startled as the boy's ring fell, Sihyun stooped to pick it up. Even though his eyes were hidden behind his hair, he slowly opened his mouth, seemingly about to speak to the boy.
"Hey, have you chosen a partner, by any chance?"
"Huh?"
"Sihyun?"
"Uh, yeah?"
Several responses echoed after the words were spoken. Among them, the one he wanted to hear wasn't there. Looking at the boy, Sihyun saw him slowly nod as he hesitantly responded.
"Um, no..."
"How about partnering with me?"
He didn't want to pressure the boy into anything. He seemed timid and scared, so Sihyun tried to speak as gently as possible, hoping he wouldn't be scared. As he asked, the boy nervously bit his lip.
"Hey, you wouldn't..."
Though there was a murmur from behind by Lee Hamin, Sihyun didn't pay much attention.
Is it because of the new class?
Seeing the boy struggling to answer, Sihyun thought if he pushed further, the boy might end up partnering with someone he didn't want to. Eventually, the boy lowered his head as if finally making a decision.
"N-no, I'm okay with you..."
"That's what I was going to ask. Is it okay if it's me?"
Even though you might not seem like a prominent figure on the surface, you're better than someone forceful. Suppressing what he really wanted to say, Sihyun asked the boy again, who finally nodded his head.
As the boy nodded from top to bottom, a sigh of relief escaped. It felt like a release from the constant pressure.
"I've decided—"
Seeking approval, Sihyun grabbed the boy's wrist and turned to see the disappointed Supreme King. While Haewoon and Geonu remained indifferent, seeing the remaining two looking at him made him feel somewhat satisfied.
Smiling faintly, Sihyun slid the boy's ring onto his ring finger.
"I'll partner with him."
A clear voice emerged from between red lips. Hyuk's expression contorted in displeasure.
"Are you serious?"
Seowoo, who had been smiling all along, lost her smile at once. As she nodded, Hamin, with a frown, looked at the dark-haired boy. Squinting his eyes and furrowing his brows, it seemed as if Sihyun was hiding the taller boy behind him.
"Take it."
Quickly offering the pairing, the silver ring was received hesitantly by the boy. Holding his hand firmly to show his resolve, Sihyun stared at the boy's elongated fingers, pondering where to put the ring.
Where to place it?
The middle finger seemed appropriate, but the boy already had a ring on his left middle finger. Putting two on the same finger seemed odd, and the right middle finger didn't seem fitting. As the pinky finger was not suitable and neither the thumb nor the index finger, Sihyun, in confusion, placed the ring on the boy's ring finger.
"Ah..."
A sigh or a gasp escaped the boy's lips. As the silver pairing settled on their ring fingers, a soft sound indicated, 'Pair registration completed.' Only then did a relieved Sihyun lightly smile and release the boy's hand.
"Please take care of me."
"What a pain."
"..."
Trying to create a friendly atmosphere with a smile, one uttered word ruined it all.
Sihyun turned to Hamin, narrowing his eyes. A seventeen-year-old who seemed to exude dissatisfaction stood at the edge of his vision.
"Hey."
"..."
"Don't hide. Haven't seen you even during the test. Where did you come from?"
As Hamin directed a cold voice towards the boy behind me, the surroundings stirred. Indeed, the boy standing on the stage wasn't in Sihyun's memory.
Intrigued by a valid doubt, glancing at the boy behind me drew everyone's attention, and he, surprised, grabbed Sihyun's clothes like a lifeline. It seemed an instinctual action driven by a sense of danger rather than conscious awareness.
"Well... I already took the test last year..."
"Last year?"
Hamin's pupils contracted at the boy's response. The boy, shivering, spoke as if muttering. His words about being bedridden for a year due to poor health left Sihyun's eyes widened.
He's the older brother?
If he seemed timid like a younger brother, he did indeed look like one, but Sihyun hadn't expected an older brother. After all, to Sihyun, who was originally twenty-three, whether seventeen or eighteen, they were both kids. But if his body was 'Kang Sihyun,' it changed things, starting with the way they were addressed.
"You're the older brother?"
"...Yeah."
Quickly switching to formal language, the boy looked at Sihyun. Despite being taller, he seemed to shrink, making it feel like the boy was constantly looking down at him. It felt strange being stared at like that. Like a small dog wearing boots? Or a big dog wearing boots? It felt like facing an unexpected situation.
"You don't like it...?"
"No, it's nothing."
He uses formal language because he's the older brother. While recalling Confucian teachings about respect, Sihyun casually replied, perhaps relieved. He didn't seem like an older brother, after all.
"You're a troublemaker."
"Why can't he catch this guy?"
He probably meant to partner up, so Sihyun felt it was his responsibility to take care of him in this situation. Despite being eighteen and acting immaturely with informal language, it was rather pathetic. Lost in his righteous thoughts, the impudent one stepped closer to Sihyun.
Normally, Sihyun would have stepped back, but this time, feeling like an older brother who needed protection, he held his ground.
"Back off."
"What did I do?"
Hamin chuckled. It was unfortunate.
"You make a hobby out of hitting on other people's partners?"
Though the words sounded mocking, the tone remained flat. Hamin, frowning at the words uttered in an indifferent tone, cast a disdainful look at the boy obscured behind Sihyun. The disparity in stature bothered him, not just the smaller boy hiding behind. And Sihyun, who had dismissed him to partner with that guy, was no different in Hamin's view.
"What kind of class makes you ditch Dual-Class and pair up with him?"
"Why should I tell you that?"
Truthfully, Sihyun didn't know the boy's class. While he could check via the pairing device if he wanted, he wasn't inclined to indulge Hamin's wishes, especially not in front of others.
"That's not your business."
It was evidently directed at him. Raising one eyebrow in response as if answering, Hamin's gaze shifted to the boy, almost conversing with his eyebrows.
"What class are you?"
"..."
The boy pressed his lips together. Sihyun, noticing his reluctance to reply, signaled Hamin not to pay attention by simply obscuring the boy with his body. From up close, the boy seemed about 185cm, but hiding 185 behind 172 wouldn't make much difference; nevertheless, Sihyun hoped it might change something.
"No reason for me to tell you."
"Hah."
Hamin let out a deflated laugh, reminiscent of a chaebol's in a drama.
Didn't expect things to escalate this far.
Simply should have kept going after the initial conversation without looking back. Though the current situation was ongoing, Sihyun couldn't fathom how he'd handle the aftermath the next day, glaring at Hamin as if he might strike. The boy's intimidating stance had shifted toward him. Unsure if it was fortunate or unfortunate.
But shouldn't someone intervene?
With one of the Four Heavenly Kings bickering like chickens, wasn't it time for someone to step in?
Ordinarily, the female lead would have intervened, but Sihyun was already firmly entangled with her. The start was wrong.
Glancing at Seowoo, Haewoon, and Geonu, Sihyun checked their expressions. Seowoo seemed lost in thought, Haewoon gazed as though watching an amusing movie, and Geonu... uncertain about his thoughts but definite about not intervening.
Might as well give it a try.
After losing parents and sustaining through life on scholarship money from his sister, Sihyun dedicatedly studied, only to face a traffic accident. And now, Reincarnated in this Inso novel world [possibly a virtual world] was the cherry on top of his unfair and tumultuous life.
Even on the first day of school, why were there so many incidents? Frustration surged, tangled in unwanted affairs, making him feel indignant.
It's all their fault.
The female lead was an inevitable childhood friend, but the Four Heavenly Kings were different. As it was their first encounter today, there were ample ways to avoid entanglement. Yet they all approached him, and Sihyun, not wanting to know why, bit his lip, grabbing the boy's hand abruptly.
"Let's go, hyung."
"Huh, huh?"
Bemoaning his situation, feeling awkward facing Hamin, Sihyun dragged the boy toward the exit.
Step by step, the crowd parted again. It was troublesome dealing with Haewoon earlier, but now, in this situation, it was a relief.
"Kang Sihyun."
Though Hamin called my name from behind, I paid no heed. This time, I decided not to turn back.
"You'll regret this."
A chilling warning, yet it had no impact. Regret was overflowing even now. From not running away when I first saw Seowoo to not ignoring Hamin's call, not finding a way out, regret lingered in every decision.
As we continued walking, Hamin's voice faded. Seowoo hadn't said anything since a while ago, seeming lost in thoughts, but I decided to erase all four faces from my memory. Sihyun passed the murmuring students, exiting the auditorium, still holding the boy's hand.
As we left the auditorium, I turned to the boy, still holding my hand, attempting to meet his unseen gaze, and slowly spoke.
"Now's the time. What's your name?"
"I... Ban, Ban Haru."
"What?"
The name struck a chord, though unfamiliar, it carried an oddly profound sense of nostalgia. Sihyun's pupils wandered in bewilderment.
"Even if your appearance may fit a pivotal role in Inso, there's still a chance you're not that person. Yet, compared to the Four Heavenly Kings, you're better off."
The thoughts I had just moments ago flashed through my mind.
Something felt off.
--
Table of content - Next Chapter
I'd like to thank our Diamond member, "melonpan," for recommending this novel for translation.
--
Chapter 9: Reincarnation
"Hyung."
"...Yeah?"
As Sihyun's expression turned serious, Haru, feeling like he might have done something wrong, cautiously responded. Sihyun's mind started racing at his reaction.
Ban Haru.
What an extraordinary name. In a place like Inso drama, having 'Ban' as a surname is definitely not something ordinary. Just look at Ban Hwi-hyeol. Doesn't that name seem like it could rank first nationwide, or even globally? On the other hand, Ban Haru...
It sounded like the name of a male lead. Not just any male lead, but one with an intriguing backstory. A male lead you'd expect to see in a melodrama. Now that Sihyun thought about it, Haru mentioned earlier about being sick for a year... Sihyun's mind raced to that point and he grabbed Haru's shoulders urgently.
"Is there somewhere hurting?"
"Huh, what?"
"Do you have a chronic illness or heart condition? Are your organs not in good shape? Are you planning to donate them because you're sick and waiting for a donor?"
"...?"
Haru was taken aback by the sudden barrage of questions, but Sihyun wasn't done.
"Or are you planning to donate your organs later? Will you sacrifice yourself if someone you care about is in a life-threatening situation? Will you even give your eyes? You haven't done that already, right? That's why you're covering your forehead...?"
"N-no, it's not like that..."
"Really?"
"Yeah..."
Despite not knowing much, Haru, seeing how serious Sihyun looked, nervously fidgeted with his fingers. Seeing Haru's reaction, Sihyun, now feeling like he might have gone too far with the excitement over Ban Haru's name, quickly apologized.
"Sorry. I got too excited."
"Oh, no, it's fine."
"Anyway, you don't have plans to donate organs or receive donations?"
"No..."
"Then where does it hurt?"
Ah... Haru fell silent at the continuation of the questions. He slightly parted his red lips and then closed them again, clearly indicating his reluctance to answer.
Tic-toc, Haru scratched his nails with his hand. To Sihyun, it seemed like a sign of anxiety.
"Don't want to answer?"
"..."
Haru remained silent. A firm refusal.
Tic-toc, continuously scratching his nails and biting his lips, Haru's behavior made Sihyun feel like he'd intruded into someone's personal crisis. Sihyun reached out to stop Haru's actions. Only then did the intermittent sound stop.
Silence lingered for a while. It wasn't heavy, nor was it light. It was an ambiguous silence. Sihyun, looking into Haru's unseen eyes within that ambiguous silence, sighed and slowly withdrew his hand, which had been covering Haru's.
It wasn't just a matter of low self-esteem; it felt like he had gone through something significant...
Sihyun was curious about what kind of life Haru had lived, but he knew asking would probably lead to no answer.
He seemed innocent enough to follow if promised candy, but was it really just that, or was he heavily guarded?
Sihyun, contemplating Haru, ran his fingers through his neat hair. Despite the tousled appearance due to his fingers, Haru didn't say a word.
"I just wanted to be cautious. Not to burden you."
"..."
"But still, as partners, if you don't tell me where it hurts, it feels odd. You don't have to say it's necessary, but it'd be good to know how and where it hurts, so please tell me when you feel okay."
"Anytime is okay." Calmly and reassuringly, Haru, who had been silent, finally spoke.
"...Are you mad?"
"Huh?"
The questioning tone became louder. Sihyun didn't know how he appeared in Haru's eyes, but he was used to enduring. Enduring till his insides felt swollen was something Sihyun was incredibly familiar with. Besides, he wasn't naturally prone to anger.
"I'm not mad."
"...Really?"
"Yes, really. So, lift your head. It's weird if I'm saying this when you're the older one."
In a playful attempt to lighten the subdued mood, I let out a teasing remark, hoping to elicit a laugh, but a voice chimed in, "If anyone saw this, they'd think I'm tormenting my older brother. What if people misunderstand and think I'm the one hitting my brother?"
As the atmosphere settled, there was an underlying tone of recognition in those words. Yep, you're definitely not that kind of kid... I chuckled softly without even realizing it. It felt like I should be carrying something that triggered both a sense of unease and a protective instinct.
Six months of carrying that weight, perhaps it was time to improve his stumbling speech, that habit of tilting his head down at the slightest provocation, and to teach him how to speak with confidence.
Sihyun, who had been scratching his chin, finally lifted his head, casting a glance at me. A question surfaced in his mind as he looked at Haru, and it was something that needed addressing.
"Hyung, by any chance, do you know someone named Ban Hwi-hyeol?"
"Hmm?"
"Ban Hwi-hyeol."
"..."
"It's okay not to know, hyung. Just because you worry about it doesn't mean you'll suddenly know someone you didn't know before."
"Ah... yeah..."
He could've just said he didn't know. Instead, I nodded slowly, hearing Sihyun's acknowledging reply amidst his inner turmoil, which seemed to be furiously trying to figure it out.
That was probably enough for now. I wasn't sure what was bothering him, but at least it didn't seem like a heart condition, and there were no plans for organ donation. He also mentioned no intention of donating organs, so he should be fine for the time being.
"Oh, by the way, is there anything you're curious about regarding me?"
"…Yeah."
As much as I wanted to answer within the limits of what I could disclose, he simply nodded quietly without further probing. Sihyun glanced at the silver pairing device in my hand. Suddenly, Lee Hamin's voice echoed in my mind.
"What class are you?"
"..."
Sihyun's gaze turned towards Haru. He seemed hesitant to ask before; I wondered if he felt uncomfortable asking now.
Just as a line drawn across what seemed like a smooth path in my life by the Supreme King, Haru could also be a figure of great significance like that. Sihyun, who had mulled over this fact, concluded that it might be better to ask directly rather than peering through the pairing device.
"Hyung, earlier you mentioned something about classes."
"Ah..."
"What class are you? Can you tell me?"
"Well, that's..."
Haru hesitated for a moment, then bowed his head deeply. It hadn't been even 10 minutes since we met, yet Haru bowing down felt oddly familiar. The difference was, this time, it seemed he bowed not out of discomfort but out of embarrassment.
Although I thought it might be a mistake, seeing a faint blush on the back of his neck confirmed my thoughts, and after a brief moment, in a timid voice, he revealed his class.
"…Assassin."
"What did you say?"
When I asked again because the words were faint and unclear, Haru raised his head, fidgeted, and then averted his gaze from Sihyun. He resembled a boy about to confess his feelings, feeling awkward.
"…Assassin."
"……"
Though Haru bravely disclosed his class again, he shyly covered his mouth afterward. Watching this embarrassed youth, Sihyun, with a look of sympathy, gazed at him.
Um... amidst your obvious shyness, I must say, perhaps let's not talk about that kind of class so timidly.
...
"Oh, what's up with that?"
This is so much fun! I'm really into this!
With a hearty chuckle echoing in the quiet auditorium after Sihyun left, Haewoon slapped Geonu on the shoulder, alone in the echoing silence. Geonu, who had been smiling as if about to collapse while patting his shoulder, glanced casually at the thunderously calm Hamin, then shifted his gaze meaningfully towards Seowoo, who was smiling mischievously.
"I never expected this..."
Seowoo sighed dramatically, observing Sihyun and Haru standing conspicuously by the transparent auditorium doors. Sihyun, engaged in a lively conversation while leaving me behind, appeared amusing to Seowoo. It was already the second time.
"He was smiling like that just a while ago."
Even when they lightly smiled at each other when announcing their partnership, they continued to do so after they left together. It was a different sight from the one where he seemed reserved and uncomfortable, trying to distance himself and act indifferent. Seowoo, amused by that sight, turned her gaze toward the seemingly serious Hamin.
Hamin, quietly and eerily staring at the transparent door, let out a sigh, pursed his lips, and then slipped his hand into his pocket after checking his vibrating phone. The screen on the phone that emerged from his jacket displayed an incoming call.
[Hyung (Brother)]
Hamin's eyes darkened at the name displayed on his phone. Clutching the phone tightly, his hand's veins bulged noticeably.
Buzz, buzz...
Without answering the call but looking down at his phone screen instead, Hamin felt a sense of urgency emanating from the black phone. Despite ignoring it several times, the phone persisted in its buzzing. Realizing that it would probably call back if ignored further, Hamin sighed and walked towards the entrance, leaving behind a chilly atmosphere.
Sneaking a glance at the auditorium and then at his phone, Hamin reluctantly moved his fingers slowly over the screen. As he pushed the call button and brought the phone to his ear, the atmosphere around Hamin became heavy.
"Hello."
[Hamin.]
"Why did you take so long to answer the phone?" The voice, sounding tender, made his lips tremble. It felt like the voice was squeezing his throat.
"Did the entrance ceremony go well?"
Asking about everyday things in a gentle tone, the voice that imitated a kind and caring older brother made Hamin close his eyes, swallowing a sense of dread. It was eerie and unsettling. Hamin knew better than anyone that this person wasn't someone who would call to ask about his well-being.
"Just tell me what you want."
[A new class has been released.]
"...?"
"Did you find a partner?"
I knew this would happen. Feeling a headache come on from the moment he found out about Sihyun's class, Hamin pressed his temple with his thumb and index finger.
What if I confess I didn't get the new class and didn't partner up?
The image of an ominous and disapproving gaze flashed in his mind. Imagining it alone made it hard to breathe, and Hamin reluctantly glanced at Haewoon inside the auditorium before speaking.
"I partnered with a Buffer."
[What about the new class?]
The inquiry returned as expected. Frustrated, Hamin loosened his tie around his constricted throat.
"We don't know what class will come out. Why, disappointed that your little brother didn't gamble and mess things up?"
Exaggerating his voice deliberately, he immersed himself more than ever in the role of the impudent younger brother. Beyond the phone, there was a brief silence.
[Hamin.]
"...?"
A moment later, upon hearing the voice, Hamin slowly swallowed his breath, feeling his heart thump.
"If you were going to act, you shouldn't have shown your hand."
"...?"
The older brother pointing out his immaturity made Hamin's expression harden. No matter how much I struggle, I'm ultimately in my brother's palm. Realizing this fact was disgustingly revolting.
As he racked his brain to find a way out of the interrogation and reprimand, a sigh seeped through the phone, feeling like a reprimand saying, "What should I do with you?"
[If that's how you are, then I guess that's it. Buffers aren't a bad combination. Still, where's your Dual-Class?]
If you missed the new class and didn't even get a Dual-Class, how disappointed would Father be? The calm and composed voice, with its relaxed and soothing low pitch, pressed down on Hamin like a giant hand. The countless syllables circling in his ears felt like nooses around his neck. It felt like he might suffocate any moment.
"Your father was very pleased to hear the news about becoming an S-Class."
"..."
"I'll be expecting great things from you."
With those words, the call ended. The abruptness of the call being cut off after delivering the message made Hamin nervously mess up his hair as if tempted to impulsively throw his phone.
It was suffocating. Even after loosening his tie to breathe, it was still suffocating, and even as he took deep breaths to try to inhale air, it remained relentlessly suffocating. Frustrated by the suffocating sensation, Hamin frowned, lowering his hand from his neck. His trembling hand, gripped tightly, made his wrist tremble. It felt like even if his blunt nails dug into his palm, it wouldn't be strange.
"Hyuk, right?"
Trying to find solace through deep breathing, Seowoo, who had been checking on Hamin's condition outside the auditorium, spoke softly and cautiously. Not wanting to respond, Hamin furrowed his brow, and in that silence, Seowoo, interpreting on her own, patted his shoulder lightly.
"Feeling bad, huh."
"If you're going to pity me, just go away."
"Is it because of what Sihyun missed?"
As the words slipped out naturally, Seowoo only made her own statement without waiting for a response. At Seowoo's attitude, Hamin's expression twisted. Suddenly, something crossed his mind, and with narrowed eyes, he looked at Seowoo. Unlikely, but if it were the person right in front of me, it was entirely possible.
"Did you really anticipate it?"
"Somewhat."
"Did that guy leak information?"
"Hasn't he?"
Sihyun was the one who chose, but if it weren't for him, I wouldn't have acted this way. Ultimately, we both ended up in a dog-chasing-tail situation. Who could've guessed Sihyun would pick someone else?
I was quite confident Sihyun would choose me.
Though my words sounded regretful, laughter bubbled in my voice. I seemed intrigued by someone intriguing. Now, with Sihyun's temperament turning whimsical, Seowoo, who smiled as if in a good mood, shifted her gaze toward the school gates. Thinking of someone who might have walked away with steady steps, a sense of joy filled me.
"Is he really that special?"
Today was the first time Hamin laid eyes on Sihyun. Seowoo probably shared the same experience. Yet, despite that, there was a strange obsession with Sihyun. Looking at Seowoo with a question brewing, Hamin raised an eyebrow, and she, in response, narrowed her eyes slightly, as if to say, 'You've noticed now?'
"It's intriguing."
"Where, exactly?"
Apart from his class, Sihyun wasn't someone particularly exceptional. Sure, he was a bit handsome, but that was it. If being handsome was intriguing, then it should have been the brown-haired girl who stood beside me during the class announcement. Sharing my thoughts, Seowoo, smiling as if finding it amusing, lazily closed her eyes.
"I don't feel like saying."
"What?"
"I want to keep him to myself."
You know I'm quite possessive.
She retorted playfully, then gently laughed and rested her hand on Hamin's shoulder.
"While you sought after his class, I'm interested in him as a person."
"..."
"So, I hope from now on, you only seek after his class, Hamin."
Don't bother taking an interest in people in general.
Seowoo gently smiled, as if to say, "That's enough," as she put some weight on her hand resting on Hamin's shoulder before retracting it and gracefully walking towards the auditorium.
"Stop it and let's go to Haewoon. If it weren't for Sihyun, you'd only have Haewoon as a partner. If we don't hurry, Haewoon might get irritated again and try to partner with Geonu."
Just a moment ago, she seemed to be threatening, and now she was worrying about their situation again. Hamin sighed at the utterly uncontrollable attitude and swallowed a sigh of resignation.
Despite knowing each other for three years, defining Yuseoowoo was difficult for Hamin. It was far easier to read the inner thoughts of Geonu, who always walked around expressionless.
"What do you think about him?"
"Who? Ah... Sihyun's partner?"
"Yeah."
Without needing to explicitly say it, Seowoo, who could deduce things on her own, slipped the phone Hamin had been holding into her pocket. Hesitatingly pondering, Seowoo shrugged her shoulders once and pushed the closed doors of the auditorium.
"Sihyun made the choice, so we just have to let it be, right? What can we do about it?"
"I thought you'd do something."
"The partner has already been decided. I'm just..."
"Just?"
As Hamin was about to finish speaking but hesitated, curious about Seowoo's blurred words, she glanced at him and lifted the corners of her mouth, speaking almost like singing.
"I just need to focus on making Sihyun look good in my eyes."
Embarrassed, Hamin covered his mouth as if to stop something he heard by accident. Seowoo, finding his reaction amusing, patted Hamin's back cheerfully and entered the auditorium.
Can't believe she's trying to catch a person. As they left the hall after their conversation, there was Haewoon, upset as usual. Hamin and Seowoo had to make a tremendous effort to placate him, thinking, 'Did he really get upset because we were talking?'
--
Table of content - Next Chapter
I'd like to thank our Diamond member, "melonpan," for recommending this novel for translation.
--
Chapter 10: Engraving
After parting ways with Haru, Sihyun headed home. He still felt awkward greeting someone else's parents during the customary bow before washing up and heading to Daun's house. It was unnecessary to say he was searching for it since it was right next door.
Even if the first button was wrongly fastened, it took quite a while to notice. Sihyun had sensed the need to correct that mistake since meeting Seowoo while avoiding Daun, realizing his entanglement with the other Supreme Kings made fixing the initial misstep imperative. It seemed like everything might unravel from that poorly fastened first button.
When contemplating living out the rest of this unfamiliar life under Daun's pressure or simply confronting it head-on, the latter option seemed obvious. Continuing to flee and be watchful was exhaustingly tiresome.
However, that didn't mean he'd start spinning tales about being Kang Sihyun from a neighboring country who suddenly found himself in this body belonging to Yoo Sihyun. Simply apologizing and seeking forgiveness was all he intended.
The problem was that those two words might cost him dearly.
Nervous and parched, Sihyun cautiously tapped on Daun's front door. Instead of the expected gentle sound, a rough thud reverberated from the once-anticipated door.
Maybe he should've rung the bell.
His nerves heightened, even the sound of the door irked him. Concerned about potential misunderstandings with Daun, he pondered until a solid thud accompanied the tightly shut door finally opening.
"..."
"What?"
Though he considered greeting the awkwardness, Sihyun remained silent, prompting Daun, who had just opened the door while holding the handle, to furrow his brow. He didn't seem as aggressively hostile as before. However, a noticeable discomfort and resentment lingered in his demeanor.
Seeing Daun's emotions, Sihyun, now seventeen, pursed his lips, reading the unspoken feelings from Daun's expression.
"If you have nothing to say—"
"Sorry."
"..."
"I'm sorry."
There was something he had to apologize for. It wasn't feasible to sever all human connections associated with inheriting someone else's body. Despite knowing this, Sihyun had busied himself with evasion for the past month, expending emotions along the way, especially towards Daun, his parents, and childhood friend.
Considering what was apparent with a bit of thought, Sihyun, who selfishly ignored it, apologized belatedly, making Daun's eyebrows twitch. Apparently, people in the know could communicate through eyebrows.
"... It's fine."
"..."
This time, it was Sihyun who was surprised. He had expected at least a shoulder jolt or maybe an escalated confrontation.
Daun surprisingly let it slide without further ado. The weight of the book Sihyun had brought in case of a confrontation felt noticeably lighter, fearing it might be used as a weapon.
"...Aren't you going to hit me?"
"I was going to kill you."
Right, that was it. As Sihyun feigned death with closed eyes, recalling the words of the girl he met at the entrance ceremony.
"I wanted to ask what was wrong. She seemed to have her reasons. She said she had known you for a long time, but if you're not talking, it must be something quite difficult."
If that were the case, waiting for her to speak first might be best. Until she opened up.
As Daun, who usually had a bird-like face, matured into a swan-like demeanor and spoke softly, Sihyun, who was tense, tightened his lips, grasping the doorknob harder.
"...You must have your reasons too."
"..."
Blinking slowly, Sihyun's eyes widened. Daun, who had pondered several times before pursing his lips, sighed and locked eyes with Sihyun. The once irate tone had softened considerably.
"You've changed."
Sihyun stared at Daun, neither flinching nor reacting, just silently gazing at him.
"No, it's not a change. It's more like something's off. Since you didn't come out of your room for a month."
"..."
"Not smiling like before... Something's off. So, tell me what happened, even if it's late."
"Uncle and Auntie are very worried."
For someone used to angry retorts from Sihyun, this gentle version left Daun speechless. Sihyun felt a lump in his throat. He knew who 'Uncle and Auntie' referred to. Simultaneously, he realized that the figure he saw as Daun was probably the real Jeong Daun, not 'Yoo Sihyun.'
What should he answer? His mind went blank at the unexpected question. A punch to end it all might have been better.
Should he speak up, even if it's late? About what?
"I'm not the person you knew. Today marks our first real encounter, so you're seeing me for the first time too. There's no need for us to treat each other with familiarity or expect me to be like Kang Sihyun to you. Let's avoid interfering in each other's lives from now on."
"I'm not your family's son but someone from beyond the pages. Treating me as your son is challenging. I'm sorry. What am I even saying?"
Thankfully, not being treated like a lunatic was a relief.
Sihyun, with a wistful smile, turned away from Daun slowly.
"I'll go."
Those two syllables were all he uttered. Not 'thank you' or 'I'll talk to you later,' just 'I'll go.'
Nothing made sense, and nothing seemed real. Sihyun swallowed every fact he knew as if it were a taboo, heading towards the house. The building in sight didn't feel like his home. The air felt unfamiliar, carrying the scent of paper. He closed his eyes, thinking about Kang Sihyun's parents, who might be worried about him in that spacious house, so different from the cramped, old room he imagined.
It felt suffocating. Undoubtedly, he was the only one unwelcome and misunderstood in this place.
Sihyun, lying on the bed, gazed at the ceiling, once a stranger's soft mattress. Skipping lunch due to lack of appetite, staring at the ceiling, he felt emptiness.
Everything was alien.
He was convinced that no matter how much he explained, people wouldn't understand his feelings. Even a newborn knows the milk in their mouth is theirs. Unlike that, everything Sihyun held felt like someone else's. Not a single touch or breath belonged to him.
A perfect life crafted by a perfect stranger. That's why everything felt unfamiliar and challenging for Sihyun. Breathing in this space even felt like someone else's.
Suddenly, thoughts of fantasy novel protagonists he sometimes read about in books crossed his mind, and he covered his eyes with his arm.
How could everyone act so naturally? How could they accept things so effortlessly and live their lives breathing so casually?
Sihyun was sensitive to change. His reactions to people around him and his heightened senses were different. Even if he didn't hold onto relationships and remained indifferent to various emotions, he wasn't insensitive to senses.
Realizing this fact vividly through his possession, Sihyun continued in the strange atmosphere, surrounded by a heavy silence. He felt the need to survive by assimilating someone else's life.
How could he act like them?
Maybe he wasn't immediately in a life-threatening situation. Thinking so, Sihyun smirked and chewed on his lip, pressing his palms against his eyes.
Since there was no imminent danger of dying, Sihyun felt suffocated and overwhelmed by everything about 'Kang Sihyun'.
Of course, there were moments he lived desperately. Like the protagonists in novels. Moments of desperation, although short-lived, had an undeniable essence.
He lived desperately to avoid Yooseowoo, to escape Daun, to overthrow the Four Heavenly Kings. But in those 'moments,' even if they were desperate, they were fleeting and ultimately insignificant.
He lived desperately because he wanted to live quietly.
Even if the day came when he reverted to 'Yoo Sihyun,' he hoped not to cause harm to 'Kang Sihyun.' He was desperate in his own way.
A bitter taste lingered in his mouth.
As the sense of owning something foreign became clearer, he longed and became greedy for his own, even if it meant craving his own death. Even though his life wasn't particularly happy.
Sihyun, gasping for breath, curled up under the blanket.
Perhaps his original body was already dead. But Sihyun believed, if the chance came, he'd willingly return to his deceased body.
This place, except for the weightless world within a piece of paper, was entirely of his own making.
Tick-tock. The sound of the clock was the only thing breaking the silence in the room. Sihyun exhaled heavily within the almost hypnotic sound, seeking comfort, despite it being an unusually early hour for him. He'd learned to sleep without rest over the past month.
Slowly, closing his eyes, he sought solace, letting consciousness sink leisurely. It was a chosen slumber, an escape from the burdensome reality.
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