Chapter 64
I Have Something to Say (2)
After the regular classes at the Academy ended, Soyeon and I leisurely began our walk home.
Since Soyeon mentioned wanting to walk for a bit today, we decided to walk part of the way home instead of taking transportation.
Step by step.
The sound of our footsteps echoed gently in my ears as we walked together.
We followed the path along the stream, where the bluish water flowed steadily.
The pleasant breeze and the moist air from the stream softly brushed against my skin.
Carp and gudgeon swam lazily in the clear, pristine water.
A few children were gathered by the water, watching the fish.
“It feels like it’s been a while.”
A refreshing, clear voice, like a rolling jade bead, tickled my ear softly.
“Since we walked home together, just the two of us.”
I subtly glanced toward the source of the voice.
There, I saw a beautiful girl with flowing black hair cascading down like a waterfall, her calm amber eyes gazing at me.
She looked like a star shining softly in the night sky.
A lone star in the dark, scattering light and capturing the eyes and hearts of those around her.
“Back in the day…”
Soyeon’s voice was tinged with a slight wistfulness as she looked up at the sky before cautiously turning her gaze towards me.
For a brief moment, we looked into each other’s eyes.
“It felt like we always walked home together.”
Was it because of the setting sun?
It seemed like a faint shadow covered Soyeon’s face.
“Don’t you think so?”
Soyeon asked with a slightly blurry expression.
T h i s w a s c o p i e d fr om k ing m tl . o rg
Just as she said, back in middle school, we were almost always together.
If I were to joke, we were like thread and needle, or a pair of straw shoes.
But not anymore.
We can’t be like that now.
“At some point, we’ve spent more time apart.”
“There was a lot to do… and we were both busy.”
Soyeon gave a bittersweet smile at my response.
“Busy…”
She glanced at me and spoke in a slightly weary voice.
“So, you weren’t avoiding me on purpose?”
“Huh?”
“…Just kidding, just kidding.”
Even though she immediately laughed it off, her laughter gradually faded.
I looked at Soyeon for a moment before trying to lighten the mood.
“Well, we did break up, after all.”
“Ah.”
“Wouldn’t it be weird if we kept sticking together?”
Thi s w a s c o pi e d fr o m k i n g m t l. o r g
For a brief moment, Soyeon’s large eyes trembled slightly.
A faint shadow fell across her eyes. The soft light lingered for a moment before fading away.
“Yeah, we broke up.”
“Well, it was a fake relationship anyway.”
“Fake relationship…”
Soyeon bit her small, rosy lips.
She gave me a quick glance, her eyes filled with a mix of guilt and bitterness, before averting her gaze.
“…It must have been hard. Because of my foolish request.”
“Well, I could see you were struggling. So, I could at least do that much for you.”
“……”
T h i s w a s c op ie d fr o m k i n g m tl . o r g
Even though I answered lightly, as if it was no big deal.
Soyeon’s expression twisted slightly, and she bit down on her lower lip.
“…I didn’t even realize you were having a hard time.”
“Soyeon?”
“…You always think about me.”
Soyeon muttered quietly with a distant look in her eyes before shaking her head as if to say now wasn’t the time for this conversation.
“Ah, let’s talk about this later, later.”
She forced a smile, though the slight trembling of her lips suggested it wasn’t entirely genuine.
“Oh, by the way, look here, look here. Do you remember when we played by this river during the summer festival?”
“…Yeah, I do.”
I considered addressing Soyeon’s unusually sentimental behavior today, but I decided to let it go for now.
I looked out at the water and raised my voice slightly.
“Wasn’t it the summer water gun festival?”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Soyeon nodded enthusiastically with a smile.
The memories of playing in the water with Soyeon at this very spot during a hot summer day came flooding back to me.
We had come with our parents and splashed water at each other until we were soaked.
I still remember how Soyeon pouted with her cheeks puffed out in frustration after getting completely drenched because of me. Though I felt sorry for her, she looked quite cute.
We shared many memories together as childhood friends.
“That was a lot of fun.”
“Yeah, it was.”
“Back then, we didn’t have any worries and could just play together without thinking.”
I let out a wry smile.
“Well, if we have time later, we can come back and play again. It’s summer now, after all.”
“Sh-should we?”
“It would be fun to bring the others along too, don’t you think? Like Lee Siwoon and Kim Seoyoon.”
“…Siwoon?”
Soyeon’s expression darkened again.
Did I say something wrong?
You like hanging out with the others, don’t you?
Is the atmosphere between you and Lee Siwoon still awkward?
Or maybe, could it be…
“What, did you want to hang out just the two of us?”
“W-what? No, I mean…”
Soyeon’s eyes widened, and she fidgeted slightly with her fingers.
The way she glanced at me suggested that might really be the case.
Come to think of it, I haven’t gone out with Soyeon alone lately.
We used to hang out all the time.
T h i s w as cop ie d f r om k i n gm t l . or g
But we’re not in that kind of relationship anymore.
How would Lee Siwoon feel if he knew about our relationship?
The reason we decided to walk home together today was because Lee Siwoon had rushed off to train with the Sword Emperor.
“We haven’t spent much time together lately, so… I guess I miss it a bit.”
“Hey, we’re supposed to be broken up, remember? What would people think if they saw us together?”
“…I-is that so?”
“And I should try dating for real at least once. It would be awkward if rumors started because we were hanging out together. You’re not trying to sabotage my love life, are you, Soyeon?”
I shrugged and joked with a light tone.
But Soyeon only responded with a faint smile and trembling eyes, as if she were feeling guilty about something.
“Ah, haha. Yeah… You should try dating…”
Soyeon’s voice trailed off as she spoke, and then she fell silent.
She hesitated for a moment, her head slightly lowered.
There was a brief pause in our conversation.
T h is w as c op i e d f ro m k i n g m t l . o r g
A slightly awkward silence settled between us.
“……”
“……”
Soyeon is acting a bit strange today.
Th i s w a s co pi e d f r o m ki n g m tl . o r g
Her reactions are a bit off too.
Th is w a s c op i e d f r o m k i n g m t l.o r g
I shifted my gaze.
The walkway we were on was beautifully decorated with fresh greenery, vines, and flowers. It was well-maintained, given how frequently people used it.
T h i s w a s c op i e d f ro m ki n g m t l.o rg
In the distance, I could see the dusk settling among the vibrant leaves.
Oh, is it evening already?
Before I knew it, darkness had fallen, and the lights along the path were casting a warm glow.
Soyeon and I admired the beautiful lights for a moment before feeling a bit hungry and deciding to stop by a street vendor to buy some chicken skewers.
When I said I’d pay, Soyeon waved her arms and said, ‘You don’t have any money, so I’ll treat you today!’
T h i s wa s c op i ed f r om k i ng m tl. o r g
But what she didn’t know was…
I’m actually loaded.
I’m not kidding, I’m making money every time I breathe.
If she found out how much I’ve made from stocks, she’d be shocked.
I finished the card payment before Soyeon could, and she gave me a sharp look before sighing and thanking me.
The awkward atmosphere between us melted away as we enjoyed our snacks, admired the scenery along the walkway, and had a light-hearted conversation on our way home.
Even though it was just a simple walk home, it felt like we were back in the old days when we used to chat and have fun together.
Back in middle school, it was normal for us to walk home together, chatting and goofing off.
But ever since I regained my past life memories, I’ve kept my distance from Soyeon, and we’ve hardly spent any time together.
Maybe Soyeon felt a bit lonely because of that?
The fact that she wanted to walk home together today and brought up old memories might be a sign that she misses our old relationship.
To be honest, it didn’t feel bad to indulge in a bit of nostalgia.
But our relationship can’t go back to the way it was.
Never.
***
“So, coffee? How about that?”
“You’re being generous today.”
“It’s for the chicken skewers.”
“Is that so? But no thanks, it’s already pretty late. I need to go to bed as soon as I get home.”
“Ah, you’re right.”
Before we knew it, we had arrived at Soyeon’s house.
Since we had walked partway, it took a bit longer to get there.
But it wasn’t a bad walk. It had been a long time since we walked home together, just the two of us.
Soyeon and I casually dropped our bags and jackets and headed to her room.
“So, what did you want to talk about?”
“Umm.”
Soyeon hesitated, sitting on the bed, so I took the initiative and spoke up.
“Should I go first then?”
“Ah… Sure. You said you had something to say too, right?”
“Yeah.”
I had something to say and something to give her.
Should I start by lying and saying I’ve awakened a future foresight ability?
I wasn’t sure how Soyeon would take it, but I should say it seriously enough that she would believe it’s the truth rather than just a joke.
I needed her to believe I had a foresight ability for the future.
“Soyeon.”
“Yes?”
I sat in the chair by her desk and looked at her with a slightly serious expression.
Did she notice the atmosphere change?
Soyeon straightened her posture a bit.
“The truth is, I have a confession to make.”
“…A confession?”
“I’ve been keeping it hidden all this time, but given the situation, I think I should tell you.”
“…Wait, what? What are you saying?”
I was about to say, ‘Actually, I’ve been hiding a foresight ability!’ but Soyeon’s reaction was more flustered than anticipated.
Her eyes darted around, and when our eyes met, she quickly looked down, fidgeting with her fingers.
…How should I put it?
Her expression was a mix of confusion, anxiety, guilt, and perhaps even a bit of regret.
Oh no, did Soyeon misunderstand?
Did she think I was about to confess my love or something?
Well, considering I suddenly got serious and mentioned a confession, it’s an understandable misunderstanding. I guess my choice of words was a bit off.
‘Well… from Soyeon’s perspective, it’s understandable that she’s flustered.’
If your childhood friend suddenly confessed, it would definitely catch you off guard.
‘But normally, Soyeon would think I was joking and just laugh it off.’
This w as c op i e d f ro m k i n g mt l . o r g
Soyeon wasn’t the type to think I liked her.
‘But her reaction…’
I scratched my chin for a moment and decided to continue.
Even though it was somewhat amusing to see Soyeon flustered, I couldn’t let this misunderstanding go on, so I needed to clear it up quickly.
“A c-confession, Jinhyuk, I…”
“The truth is, I’ve awakened a foresight-related unique ability.”
“…?”
For a moment.
Soyeon’s expression turned blank.
End of Chapter.