Chapter 101 – Quick Answers

Thump.

Locked in my room for 3 hours. Dad knocks on the door.

“I have to stand… Go in?”

The door opens and a familiar figure enters. He looks at me with worried eyes and swallows his saliva. Curly hair similar to mine. Less shaved beard.

“Tell Dad if anything happens, huh?”

I thought I was convinced, but I wasn’t. Dad sits next to me with a concerned expression on his face. He pursed his lips. Open your mouth slowly

“Dad… Me.”

I have someone I like.

Let’s hear it.

The father’s expression goes into shock for an instant, but then a smile blooms in an instant. Then, he strokes his chest with his hand.

“You say you have someone you like?”

“Uh, uh… Dad…”

“Are you not going to the academy because of him?”

“That, that’s not it… I’m just shy…”

“Is there a person?”

“I don’t know… I don’t have it, I think…”

“Whoa.”

Dad smiles brightly. As if he had confided something. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen my dad smile so brightly. Dad slowly gets out of bed and pats himself on the back.

“What about him? Do you think he likes you?”

“Ugh… Uh, you’re very nice…”

Dad’s eyes light up. Then Dad strokes my hair. Feeling a little calm. Dad laughs and says.

“Seol-ah, but I still have to go to the academy.”

“Ugh, oh, I know…”

“If you stay still, you will only get farther away. Huh? I have to go and catch it.”

Dad wakes me up A mixture of worry and joy. He realizes that he can no longer escape. Just getting farther away The thought of meeting him again makes his heart pound.

“…Okay.”

…Let’s go to the academy.

*

*

*

Wednesday 23rd September.

Just before the start of the 2nd period. Arrived at the academy.

I arrived…

“…Ugh!”

Just looking at Taeho makes my heart explode. Those who come into sight run away. Even if I know I shouldn’t be like this, I can’t stop because I’m afraid my heart will be found out. If you get caught in the middle and touch the skin, you will immediately teleport.

‘Isn’t that cheating…!’

If you hold my wrist with such a worried expression, my heart will explode…!

It’s hard to make eye contact, but your body touches you? Absolutely can’t stand it!

After playing hide and seek for about 30 minutes. At last.

Haha… I found it! I have to wait a minute…”

I rushed to the corner of the library and Taeho surrounded me. It’s my heart, and it’s hard to come to my senses from the rough breath that touches my nose while sleeping.

‘De, you’re trustworthy…’

I can’t meet your eyes, so I lower my head. When I lowered my head, I could see my sturdy chest. If you hold me like this…

“Ugh, boo, I’m ashamed…”

Can not be done! Instinctively, my heart is completely exposed when I am hugged. The fact that I love Taeho is exposed from head to toe! She raised her arms and covered her blushing face with her hands.

“If it really only takes a moment, should I stand?”

“Ouch, ooh…”

Tae Ho swallows his saliva.

“I’m sorry.”

Suddenly say sorry

Yes?

“Mi, you don’t have to be sorry…”

“What? No no no? I’m sorry.”

I don’t have anything to be sorry about, but I say I’m sorry.

‘Why are you apologizing…!’

Rather, I’m more sorry!

“Oh, no… It’s just that I’m, uh… Shy…”

“No, Seol-ah, I’m sorry. I’m just like a couple in an aquarium-“

Both eyes light up. Kerr, sorry for being like a couple?!

‘It’s not? So more… Ugh, Joe, did you like it?!’

Cover your face with your hands again. Shame and bewilderment mix here and there, and I can’t think properly. I’m embarrassed. It’s very embarrassing. Only that thought I’m shy and I turn away and somehow avoid my gaze.

Why are you apologizing!

I think I’m going crazy because I like you right now. Because I fell for it, because I was eaten by love. I think you will be happy for the rest of your life. Why are you sorry…!

“Heh, heh, heh, heh… Stop talking… I’m ashamed…!”

“Sorry, I won’t do that again. Huh?”

“Huh…”

“Wasn’t it a bit burdensome? I’m regretting it too. Seol-ah… I really did it wrong…”

It was not burdensome at all.
Seo, could it be that? Taeho treats someone who isn’t his current girlfriend like a girlfriend, afraid I might hate him… Are you saying he did this wrong?

‘How far… He’s kind…!’

Keep doing it and it will fall out again and again. I’ve already been caught and fell into the bog like ant hell. If you keep doing that… You’ll fall for more!

Fool, fool!

“Ah, no… Heh, boo, it’s not burdensome…”

“Huh?”

“It wasn’t too hard…”

Not burdensome. Rather… It was good. It’s not anyone else, it’s because Taeho does it. Nice This is only good because Taeho did it.

Because I like Taeho.

“Just, a little. It’s because I’m shy… I’m sorry…”

Taeho is not the one to be sorry for. I should be sorry for running away because I was embarrassed. He lowers his head, then wiggles his fingers.

“Now, I won’t avoid it…”

Now, I won’t avoid it.

“Mia-an…”

“…”

As soon as the words are over.

Silence.

The air settles. Hesitating in shame. Looking at Taeho, when their eyes met, he hurriedly turned his head.

Gee, I’m really fine…

*

*

*

Lunch hour.

Sit side by side on a bench along Taiho.

“Shall we eat?”

“Yes…”

He nods awkwardly.

I said I wouldn’t avoid it, but that’s all. I can’t even have a proper conversation, and the awkward atmosphere continues like blood. Uh, we have to talk somehow! Lick your lips

“Ugh…”
“Excuse me…”

Words overlap.

Again, static.

Taeho’s expression changes moment by moment. Same goes for my expression. I want to break this awkward atmosphere. However, the mouth does not fall. My heart is pounding with tension, and my hands holding the bread are trembling. I couldn’t do anything for a while and stayed still.

“Ah, Seol-ah. You said you like cats, right?”

Taeho opens his mouth.

“Ugh… I really like it…”
“Have you seen the movie? There’s a movie about that cat.”

Taeho somehow catches the subject. Me, I love cats! I don’t just like it, but when a cat is in front of me, I want to pet it, and when I see a cat, I like it so much that I somehow reflexively think ‘I like it’. To the extent that I’ve never thought of ‘no’ until now. Why, it feels like I am being forced to say ‘like’ for some reason…! I still like it a lot!

“I saw it… But it wasn’t very good…”

But that movie was a little different. Although I always instinctively like cats when I see them. I didn’t feel that big because it was mixed with humans.

“Isn’t it? I wasn’t too good at it either. Just, you know, something like that. Was it an unpleasant valley?”
“It was a bit awkward… I also came out while watching it in the middle…”
“That’s right. Because it’s called the Unpleasant Valley, you have to stand.”
“Yes?”
“Do you like horror movies or horror movies?”
“Ummm…”

Horror movie?

“I was scared in the past… But now I see it occasionally. But it’s a bit scary, so, let’s watch it with Dad…”

I used to be very scared. To the point where I shuddered when a ghost or something like that appeared. I was so scared that when I ran to the veranda… I couldn’t sleep.

‘I’m ashamed…’

Trying to hold back the embarrassment, I wiggle my legs.

“Which movie did you see?”
“Umm… Conjuring? I saw a movie with that thing, a chainsaw, and oh… That monster that kills with a sound…”

I look at Tae-ho and smile.

“I’ve seen more than I thought. But they all came out before the gate opened, right?”
“Eh. You like old things… Taeho likes horror movies?”
“I like it.”
“Oh… What kind of movies do you like?”

Tae-ho stares at the empty space for a moment and is lost in thought. I feel like the conversation is taking place now. His heart thumps at the feeling that he is slowly getting closer. Talking to Taeho makes me happy.

“Um… You know this movie?”
“Which movie is it?”
“This is an old movie too.”

Eyes meet with Taeho. The face that had been changing with each view has calmed down.

“You know ‘The Thing’?”

The thing?

I think I’ve heard of it somewhere…

“The Seeing?”
“This is the most recent movie I’ve seen. It’s just that some ‘alien creature’ takes away a human’s ‘body’…”

Ah.

My body trembles. A monster hiding among humans.

Totally, that’s my story.

Deliberately, slowly. Approaching the side of Taeho. My heart aches slightly.

“Curious?”
“Hmm… Small?”

Smile as lightly as possible. Not curious. Don’t want to hear If you react strangely, I think you’ll find out that you’re a monster. Take care of your facial expression with all your might. Your field of vision automatically narrows. I can only see Taeho. Then.

Chin.

“Uh?”
“Yes?”

Someone grabs Taeho by the shoulder.

“…Lee Socheon-senpai?”

Why is Socheon Lee here…

“Kim Tae-ho.”

Voice in the castle. An icy voice rolls between us.

Yes?

“See you after school today.”

Saying that, the senior didn’t even look at me. Let’s just walk away and disappear from sight.

“Haha…”

Taeho catches his heart and takes a deep breath. His face is full of cold sweat and his expression is full of shock and bewilderment. What, what, what? I’m embarrassed too.

What the hell, why does Snowyeo… Tae-ho…

“Taeho, are you okay?”

I’m worried about Taeho. I can’t help but worry I see something. I asked Taeho, and he said if there was anything he could help me with. Shake hands saying it’s okay When I say he will help, he reassures me that I don’t have to.

‘Ummm…’

Are you really okay…?

After lunch break, break time. Looking for senior Lee Socheon.

Tae-ho said he was fine. A snow woman is a snow woman, there is no way I can’t be worried.

“Is this Lee So-cheon senior…?”
“Huh?”

Seniors look at me No, I’m staring. A mannequin-like face looks at me.

‘It’s more like a monster than a monster…!’

Afraid. Monsters are also made up of lumps of ‘flesh’ similar to humans, and it feels strange, just like the ‘unpleasant valley’ Taeho said. This guy is more

More like a monster than me!

I imitate humans as much as possible, though I feel less like that. Also a messy head. It’s because the words are all ‘monster’. Why, why is this person more awkward than me?!

Is this person also a monster? Is it like that?

To the extent of doubt.

“What’s going on?”
“That, hmm… Uh, um… Oh, no!”

Hurry up.

Get out of place

Wow, I’m scared…!

*

*

*

Next day.

A detached unit came to the academy. Being in the same space with someone strong enough to kill me. My heart beats more than ever.

She almost lost her mind as she was weighed down by one of Jia Kang’s spirits. Once again she wakes up to reality. Where I am now what class are you taking? Awaken all Even though it is directed towards everyone, it seems that it is only looking at me. She was eaten with horror.

It’s a monster.

The first time a humanoid monster, that is, an extremely high-risk monster, appeared. It reminds me of the fact that the detached team and the whole world joined forces to throw that monster into ‘outside the universe’. At that time, mankind was not strong enough to kill extremely high-risk monsters. They said it was thrown out of space… I could be that too.

Somehow, I gritted my teeth and endured the spirit. With all the signs and spirits unique to monsters erased. I held out with all my might.

As a result, I somehow made it into the 13th. I escaped fainting.

“Oh, I was scared…”

Sweeping away at his chest devoured by fear, he approaches Tae-ho, who is sitting in the corner of the auditorium. I knead my trembling legs and sit next to Taeho. Looking down, all the students are being transferred to their class.

“Are you okay?”

Tae-ho asks me.

“Yes…”

Not okay. There is a human strong enough to tear apart a super-dangerous monster right in front of you. It’s even weirder when you’re not nervous from a monster’s point of view.

I felt threatened for my life.

“Are you okay, Taeho? You’re shaking a lot…”
“Did you shake a lot?”
“Eh… I was a bit surprised though…”
“Huh?”

I look at Taeho with a slight smile. Eyes meet each other.

“You moved…”

Amazing. If you’re not surprised, that’s a lie.

“Everyone collapses… They just tremble, but only Taeho moved…”
“Ummm…”

Tae-ho puts on an expression that he doesn’t know. No, it’s really great. If you are praising Taeho, Han Yerin will approach you from afar.

“Ugh…”

I glared at Han Ye-rin.

‘Are you trying to bully Taeho again?’

Can’t put it like that If I hurt the person I like, it hurts me too. Han Ye-rin is prohibited from approaching.

“Thank you.”
“Huh, that, no…”

The fear subsides, and my heart beats again. Her head is full of happiness.

‘Thank you.’

At her words, her face turns red, and her legs wiggle with uncontrollable emotions. Hey, is it okay to wait?

Slowly, she leaned her face on Taeho’s shoulder. My heart beats. I just heard a word of thanks. Why am I so happy

While I’m still, Han Ye-rin approaches. When she makes a magic formula with her hands, she runs away in a fright. Then Taeho stroked my hair.

‘Huh…’

It looks like it will melt away. Oops, that’s just petting!

Her whole body melts with anguish. The pounding heart slowly subsided each time Taeho stroked his head. Feeling of being calm. It’s just, being by Taeho’s side, everything is fine.

“Huh, you really hate Han Ye-rin…”

Taeho nodded.

“So, am I okay…?”
“Of course.”

As soon as I opened my mouth, Taeho answered. Quick answer. My eyes widen with happiness.

Hehe.”

In her verse comes her hum.

“Really, my best friend…”

Huh?

“Um… Yes…”

Wait a minute

“Of all your friends… The best?”
“It’s the best.”

Likewise.

Quick answer.

Wait a minute, no, wait a minute…!

No way. Are you not looking at me… As a member of the opposite sex?

Slightly, her lips turn blue.

“Eh… Um… Then, what about Arin…? The other day, Arin said that Arin is the best…”
“Iarin?”
“Eh… I like Arin better than you?”

That, but is it better than Arin? No, do you see me as the opposite sex? Eyebrows tremble slightly.

“Huh.”

Taeho immediately nodded.

Again, quick answer.

Oh no? But still… Is there a chance?

It’s just that Taeho doesn’t notice. No, it’s rather good Because you’ve never loved someone Still, there are many opportunities.

…Maybe.

“That’s right… I don’t play with Arin these days… What’s wrong?”
“Nothing happened.”
“Really? Umm… I think something is going on…”
“Nothing happened.”
“Um, that’s right… Anyway, am I better than Arin?”
“Huh.”
“…As friends.”
“Yes.”
“…Hmm. I get it for now.”

Quick answer.

Worry-free answer.

Something seems to be going on with Arin… These days, when Arin sees only her Taeho, she is often surprised… Her head is complicated. Then just treat me well because consideration is ingrained in your body? Did you really just help me without any intention…? I calmly tidy up my hair and look at the auditorium.

“Oh, it’s coming to an end…”

That one word that still confuses her head.

‘Really, my best friend…’

My head is… Complicated.

*

*

*

Aye, but you treated me that well. No way?

It doesn’t make sense that you don’t see me as the opposite sex.

But why.

Will I be too anxious?

‘I have work… I went out…’

Taeho suddenly looked at his phone and said something happened. I ran as if I was being chased to the bathroom. I wondered what was going on, so I secretly followed Tae-ho… I was sitting on a bench far away, holding onto her cell phone as if in a hurry, and talking to someone on the phone until I was out of breath.

“Whoa…”

Tae Ho strokes his chest, and with his blank eyes he watches the clouds drifting across the sky. He slowly approaches Tae-ho.

“Are you finished? What’s wrong…?”

Sitting next to Taeho, I carefully ask. What’s going on? Is there… A big deal in the house?

“Whoa… It’s nothing special.”
“It looks like something special… But, they were talking on the phone very hard. Who did you talk to?”

I’m curious. Mom? Brother?

“Girlfriend.”

…What?

“Mu, uh, what?”

The moment I heard the word ‘girlfriend’. My complexion turns pale and I can’t think of anything. His expression is contorted like a can in embarrassment, and his hands and feet tremble like an aspen tree in a storm. What, what?

“Girlfriend.”

Quick answer.

A mind-boggling answer. At the distant sight, my heart beats out of sync.

No girlfriend, yeo, girlfriend, uh, yeo, girlfriend…!

“Ugh, huh? A girlfriend? Taeho, did you have a girlfriend?”

“Huh? Yeah. Didn’t I tell you?”

“That, uh, uh…”

‘Did he have an owner…?!’

The whole body cannot overcome the emotions and reacts violently. His feet were moving, his fingers wiggling, and his head lowered and raised. He expresses the emotions rushing in like a torrent with haste and distraction. My head is dizzy, my vision is far away. I’m going to lose my mind

So, what have you done well so far…!

“That, gram… Why are you usually nice to me, ugh…”

“Uh…Because they’re friends.”

“Ugh, huh?”

What?

Are you friends?

Was I just a friend of the opposite sex? He, are you just doing that to all your friends? Wasn’t it just me?

Didn’t you like me?

…Because he has a girlfriend?

Hold the heart with your hand.

“Tae-ho… Do you like me?”

“Huh.”

“Ummm… As a ‘friend’?”

“Huh? Yes.”

Quick answer.

“…”

Silence.

“Seol-ah, I hope you like me-“

“Ugh, ugh! Ah, no no!? No no no!?”

I clap my hands with all my might. I desperately refute that it’s not like that. If you say you like it here, it becomes awkward. The relationship itself becomes awkward!

Not as much as that.

A body that already has an owner. If I even confess… I’m sure I’ll be rejected. So, no.

Don’t confess

“What I like-“

“Ugh, ah, no…! Hehe! No, no, no…”

I foolishly repeat that I am not with my head down. I didn’t even confess, but it felt like a dump. No, feeling deprived. The rice cake in the picture. End as soon as it starts. Taeho’s hand approaches me.

‘Eww, uhhh…’

Phut-

Before reaching your hand.

The light bursts and the surrounding scenery changes rapidly. The hot sun. Glowing rooftop.

“Huh, uh, uh, uh, uh… Uh, uh…”

She leaned against the railing as if collapsing, and shed tears.

“Yeah, I had a girlfriend… Heh, heh… Heh…”

Had a girlfriend casually In front of me, I said I was just a friend and treated me well. He has a girlfriend…

My heart feels like it’s going to break It’s like there’s a hole in your chest. I wanted to give you love as a human being. Don’t monsters even have a chance?

The only person I love, the opposite sex…

“This, say this… Hig… Just…”

It’s unrequited love

It’s a half love that only I do.

Even if my skin gets hot on the hot railing, I ignore it and cling to it. Clinging, hanging, regurgitating tears. This feeling, the feeling of losing love, haunts me.

It seems like the whole world is telling me to give up. Tell me to stop giving up I have a girlfriend, so stop approaching me.

But.

Still.

Even if you have a girlfriend.

Although selfish.

…I want to stay by Taeho’s side.

Because I love Taeho. Because I don’t want to forget Taeho. Because I only have Taeho. The only person I love as a member of the opposite sex, as a human, and as a monster is you. Because it’s only Taeho.

“More than friends…”

I am not your ‘friend’. I want to be your ‘girlfriend’. Already, oops, this, already…

“Huh…”

Again, the tears flow. The tears won’t stop I learned love for the first time, but I’m already graduating. My heart wants it wildly. I want to share love with Taeho. He wants to become one with Taeho.

Feeling despair as a reason, the instinct as a monster wells up.

“That, just…”

If that’s the case, just.

…Just.

“Oh, no way… Um, absolutely no way…”

No sex But, still… Instinct keeps insisting on me. If you already have an owner, if you can’t get your mind.

Even the body.

“Huh, huh…”

Grit it No, no. Unstable. Feeling of instability. You can’t eat Tae Ho. So… No.

I want to remain… As a friend. Even if that’s the next best thing, I’ll do it. Taeho, I don’t want to leave your side.

“And then…”

Let’s stay as usual.

That’s the best I can do right now.

Only that.

“Whoa…”

Take heart

“Tae-ho…”

…Love you.