Chapter 7: Assistant Day 2 (3)
“That’s right. Exactly.”
The teacher smiled with satisfaction.
“You shouldn’t slander me, the evangelist of happiness.”
“Right…”
I nodded blankly.
“Now you understand, don’t you? I’m doing this to make Miss Haneul happy.”
“Mm-hmm…”
“Haha. I even recorded it, so you can’t go back on your word later, okay?”
The teacher, who had been tapping his phone, put it down.
“Shall we have a conversation now?”
“Conversation…?”
“Yes. After we talk, I’ll give you a prize.”
“What kind of prize?”
He smiled slyly.
“Oh, if I tell you beforehand, it won’t be fun. I’ll tell you later.”
“Okay…”
Nod, nod.
“First, before we begin the experiment, there are a few things I’d like to ask.”
“Experiment…?”
“Yes. You promised me yesterday, didn’t you?”
“I don’t remember…”
“But I remember it? You definitely promised.”
‘Did I?’
“Yes. You did.”
‘Then it must be true.’
‘The teacher is a good person, so I can trust him.’
“Who is the most precious person to Miss Haneul?”
“The most precious person?”
‘Hmm. Indeed.’
‘Who would be the most precious person to me?’
“Han Yuseong?”
“Yuseong, huh. Why is that?”
‘He’s the savior who will pull this world out of despair.’
‘Putting aside personal affection for now, he’s my lifeline, who can ensure my basic survival.’
“But I don’t really want to say why…”
I hadn’t told anyone yet that this world was a novel and would soon be destroyed.
Because I was afraid of how I would be perceived.
“It’s alright. You can tell me.”
‘Still, I don’t want to say this…’
‘It’s embarrassing.’
As I hesitated and bowed my head, the teacher sighed.
“Haa. Romantic feelings are truly too childish to bear.”
“What did you say?”
“No! It’s not like that!”
It was such a shocking statement that my hazy mind snapped wide awake.
“Oh, really. But your face is quite red.”
“This is…!”
I touched my cheek with my hand.
It was hot.
But this was truly a ridiculous misunderstanding!
“Heal… heal…”
I tried to use my ability to calm the redness in my face.
“Oh dear. You can’t do that.”
But the teacher stopped me.
“It probably won’t have much effect, but just in case.”
My hands sealed, I shouted.
“Take back what you just said!”
“Are you referring to the comment that Miss Haneul likes Yuseong?”
“Yes!”
“But Miss Haneul said that yourself.”
Ugh.
“I don’t know. Anyway, it’s not like that…”
‘It’s a different meaning.’
‘And I can’t just blurt it out.’
“Well, alright. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it.”
The teacher released my hands again.
“But you must not use your abilities. Understood?”
I nodded again with blank eyes.
“Second question. Who is your closest friend?”
I was about to open my mouth without hesitation, but the teacher quickly added.
“Ah! Excluding Yuseong, of course.”
‘He doesn’t need to be that hasty.’
‘I was going to say a different name anyway.’
“Seorin.”
“Seorin, huh. Is she a student the same age as Miss Haneul?”
‘Same age?’
‘I’m not sure about that.’
‘Since I’m a transmigrator, strictly speaking, I’m a bit older.’
“Yes. We’re the same age.”
But I affirmed the teacher’s question.
‘Wouldn’t we be the same age since our physical ages are the same?’
‘I got a little younger.’
…Hehehe.
“Is she an academy student?”
“Yes.”
“And in the same Class B?”
“No. She’s in Class A.”
The teacher tilted his head.
“Class A? What’s her family name?”
“Baek. Baek Seorin.”
“The Baek family… That’s interesting.”
He took out a pen and jotted something down.
‘Uh… that sounds familiar.’
A faint sense of unease flickered, and I slightly frowned.
Tap!
“Miss Haneul?”
“Hmm?”
“You need to concentrate.”
“Oh. Sorry.”
‘It’s rude to be thinking of other things during a conversation.’
‘First, let’s answer honestly.’
‘He also said he’d give me a gift.’
“It’s surprising that you consider this Seorin person your closest friend. If your classes are different, you wouldn’t have had many opportunities to meet.”
“That’s right. It was hard getting close…”
It was really hard.
Because I had to become friends with someone living in a completely different world.
“But I worked hard.”
‘I had a humble background and humble talent, but I didn’t give up.’
‘Because Seorin was my favorite heroine.’
‘A shining being who emanates a bright smile and positive energy.’
‘Seorin, who inherently possesses the personality I’m trying to emulate, is my idol.’
“Understood. I clearly see how much Miss Haneul thinks of those two.”
Scribble, scribble.
“Hmmmm.”
The teacher, with a pen between his fingers, twirled it and mumbled.
“Then how should I tamper with it? First, common sense alteration? No. I’ll save that for later enjoyment…”
I quietly watched him.
He hadn’t said the conversation was over yet.
“Ah! Were you still standing there quietly?”
It seemed he had only just noticed my gaze, which had been blankly staring at him.
“You’re truly obedient. You were so rebellious earlier.”
Swipe, swipe.
“The current Miss Haneul is truly pure.”
The teacher toyed with my hair.
“As expected, it would be a shame to end it like this. Miss Haneul has such an interesting mental state.”
‘Uh… I don’t know what that means, but is it a compliment?’
“Of course, it’s a compliment.”
Hehe, then I’m happy.
Being praised is always enjoyable.
“First, let’s put out the candle.”
Puff.
The teacher blew out the flame on the candle’s wick.
Since the pink smoke had long since permeated the space, nothing changed even when the flame was extinguished.
“Since you cooperated so obediently, I’ll give you the gift I mentioned earlier.”
“Wow…”
Clap, clap.
I clapped my hands, full of anticipation.
‘What kind of gift could it be?’
“Here you go.”
A notebook popped out from inside his gown.
‘Huh?’
‘What is this?’
‘My name is written on the cover.’
“Did you write my name on it because it’s my gift?”
“Pardon?”
The teacher was momentarily flustered, then burst out laughing.
“Ah, I didn’t realize some memories would be altered.”
He shook his head, still chuckling.
“That’s your item.”
‘My item?’
Curiosity piqued, I opened the notebook.
The contents on the very first page.
Things that must be kept.
‘That’s right. It’s my handwriting.’
I continued reading.
Absolutely no contact with the Nurse Teacher.
‘What is this?’
‘I don’t know why I wrote something like this.’
‘The Nurse Teacher is a really good person.’
‘I must have been ignorant when I wrote this.’
I closed the notebook without much thought.
“Are you alright?”
The teacher asked in a subtle tone.
“Hmm? What?”
“Are you not feeling any increased wariness towards me or anything?”
‘I don’t know why he’s asking that.’
“Not really.”
“I see.”
He gave an unfathomable smile.
“Do you like my gift?”
“Mm-hmm…”
“You can be honest.”
I hesitated, then mumbled softly.
“Not really…”
‘I don’t know why he gave me something like this.’
‘I was excited because he said it was a gift.’
“I see. Still, keep it for now. It seemed like something you held very dear.”
‘I don’t feel anything though…’
‘If the teacher says so, then it must be true.’
I put the notebook into the pocket of my school blazer.
It slipped right in.
A strange sense of pleasure filled me at how perfectly it fit.
‘This, it might be alright?’
“Since you seem disappointed, I’ll give you one more gift.”
‘Oh! He’s giving me more?’
I looked at the teacher with sparkling eyes.
‘What is it this time?’
The teacher took something out from inside his gown again.
‘What a strange gown.’
‘How wide is that pocket, anyway?’
‘Last time, there was a syringe in it…’
‘A syringe?’
Tap!
“Miss Haneul. Are you not going to take it?”
The teacher held out his hand in front of my eyes.
Snapping his fingers as if to make me focus.
“My arm hurts.”
“Ah, right.”
I took the object resting on his hand.
“It’s a bracelet.”
It was a plain bracelet.
I wasn’t particularly fond of accessories, but it would be good to show my appreciation, considering his effort.
“Thank you. It’s pretty.”
I put the bracelet on my wrist.
Strangely, it fit perfectly.
“I’m glad you like this one then.”
‘I don’t particularly like this gift either, but since it’s free, I shouldn’t show my displeasure.’
‘I shouldn’t complain.’
“Alright. Shall we proceed to the final stage now?”
“Final?”
“Yes. Today we took the time to learn about Miss Haneul, so next time, I’ll prepare some interesting experiments.”
Saying that, the teacher took off his glasses.
“Wow…”
I couldn’t help but admire his eyes.
Because they were a very, very beautiful purple.
“They’re really pretty.”
“There’s no need to say ‘Look into my eyes…’ I suppose.”
The teacher moved his face even closer.
“Miss Haneul? Was your time with me enjoyable?”
Nod, nod.
“Good. I’m very much looking forward to what will happen when memories with such contrasting feelings are restored all at once.”
Tap!
Again, the sound of snapping fingers shook my head.
“When I count to three, you’ll forget your memories of me again. You’ve already done it once, so you can do it twice, right?”
“Yes…”
“Haha. I wonder what kind of reaction you’ll show next time we meet.”
The teacher licked his lips and counted.
“One, two, three!”