Chapter 19: ①⑥

Sounds Like A Plan____________

"Why do you like me so much, Sohee?"

The words slip out before I can stop them, hanging in the air like a challenge. Sohee's cheeks glow softly under the dim light, her lips parting as though caught off guard. She blinks, her tongue momentarily tied. Her pinkish eyes widen, staring at me as if I've just unearthed a secret she wasn't ready to confront. I've hit something exact, something she was hiding beneath that usual calm exterior.

Maybe I should rephrase. "I'm sorry, that was a misleading question," I add quickly, as if I can soften the blow. "What I really want to know is why you're helping me go through this. Why do you want me to stay here?"

Her laughter bursts out awkwardly, choking on her own embarrassment, her eyes never leaving mine. There's something in her gaze that lingers—an unspoken debt, perhaps, or a promise she's afraid to break. "Of course, that's what you meant." She tries to play it off, but I can see the weight in her expression. "It may seem obvious, but... I just want to return the favor for what you did 'that' time."

That time? I search my fragmented memories, scrambling to piece together what she could mean. A faint echo of something forgotten dances on the edge of my thoughts, but it slips away before I can grasp it. "Sure... right," I mumble, feigning understanding. But her expression tells me she knows I'm lost.

"You remember that, right, Sunbae?" Her voice sharpens, eyes narrowing at my hesitation.

"Our first meeting?" I try, though I'm not entirely sure. I can feel the question gnawing at her, her gaze narrowing further as my silence stretches.

"Don't tell me..." she whispers, her voice cracking with disbelief.

"I have amnesia," I blurt out, hoping to diffuse the situation.

She tilts her head, her bangs slipping over her ear as she processes my answer. "Sunbae, are you serious?"

"I might be." I shrug nonchalantly, keeping my tone light.

"Then what's your name?" Her eyes flicker with a mix of frustration and amusement, daring me to answer.

Crap. I stall, my mind racing. After what feels like a century of neurons firing at hyperspeed, I finally answer, "Sunbae…" My voice falters—too hesitant, too unsure. I can feel her affection slipping away as her face twists in disappointment.

"You don't look happy," I say, trying to salvage the moment.

"I'm not," she sighs, clearly exasperated. "I don't know if you're 'playing' or if you're actually serious." She pauses, letting out a long breath before continuing, "Look, Sunbae... No one would be happy to realize their... friend"—her voice wavers on the word—"forgot their first meeting."

I shrug again. "I can't even recall my first meeting with my mother."

Her face softens for a moment, as though she's considering how much to let that statement affect her. But then she sighs again. "You even took my first time…"

Wait. Hold up. What?

My mind stumbles over her words, my thoughts screeching to a halt. Did the old version of me really take Sohee's first time? Like, first first time?

"Sohee. You do know that some people use the word 'first time' as their first time having sexual intercourse, right?"

I am trying to make sure.

Her ears flush crimson, and she presses her hands to them as if trying to block out the vulgarity of my words. "Idiot!" she stammers, her voice catching in her throat. "Don't just say something like that out of nowhere!"

"My bad," I say, but I can't help the smirk tugging at my lips.

She squeezes her eyes shut, as though trying to force the memory of my words away. "And it's... it's not that," she chokes out, "it's the kiss..."

Ouh...

"Only this time…" she continues, her voice softer now, "It wasn't like our first meeting at all." Her eyes dart nervously around the room. "I—I mean, I was unconscious that time, and you were only trying to save me. There wasn't… anything like that between us."

Our earlier kiss was passionate—something she wasn't expecting. But if she thinks it's love I have a lot to say about that.

But the question still nags at me—what exactly did I save her from? A life-threatening situation? A curse? Did I kiss her to break some kind of enchanted sleep, like in those cheesy fairytales?

Something stirs inside me.

A writhing sensation. Dark, cold, and terrifying, curling at the pit of my stomach.

___________________________________________

Where am I?

The room feels too warm, too comfortable, almost suffocating. Sohee stands in front of me, her eyes filled with concern. I want to speak, to call out to her, but my body refuses to move. My mouth stretches, my tongue too heavy to form words.

Help me.

I saved her once. She should save me now. Pull me out of this suffocating darkness. I'm trapped. Dying.

___________________________________________

"Sohee!" I gasp, jolting back into the present, her name ripping from my throat.

She looks startled, her eyes wide. "Sunbae? Are you okay? You look pale."

I shake my head, trying to steady myself. "Sorry, I just... blanked out for a second."

Her concern doesn't waver, but she lets it go with a nod, her lips curling into a small smile. "Anyway," she says softly, "I'm glad it was you. You were kind to me. And... cool, too."

So the old user of this body saved you from drowning by giving you mouth by mouth CPR and you think that's cool?

...

Well, that's cool.

If only being cool can do more than I think it can.

Wait.

An idea flickers in my mind.

"I got it," I say, snapping my fingers.

"Huh?"

"I have to be cool," I explain, a grin tugging at the corners of my lips. "That's how I should be with them—the girls. Like I was with you. Someone who helps them when they need it."

Sohee just watches me, her brow furrowed in thought. "Like you were with me?" she repeats, clearly trying to understand. It feels like something bothers her, though.

I reply to her question, "Exactly." I lean back in my chair, feeling the pieces fall into place. "I have to be their friend, not just a tutor."

"Sunbae, does that mean you're going to... interfere with their personal life?"

I snap as if telling her she gets it right, "Tell me Sohee, why have the other tutors have failed so far. Was it really their incompetent?"

"N-no. I can't say that. But none of the tutor so far have tried to... get into their life outside."

"Then that could be the difference to make everything work."

Sohee's eyes brighten, understanding slowly dawning. "That… actually sounds like a plan."

I smile, the weight of the surreal moment finally lifting. "And you're going to help me, right?"

Sohee hesitates, but the smile she gives me feels real this time, not born out of obligation, but trust. "Of course, Sunbae."

And for the first time in a long while, I feel like I'm on solid ground again.

CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Little_Foxxy

{Are you enjoying the world so far? Oh, you shouldn't be too laughing and exploring to be inside here. We have our own world, readers. Even if you dad beats you up there.}

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