Chapter 130: The Compatriots (3)

“Come on, come on! Cherish the people around you! You’re the star of the romance that went down in the history of Shinseo Middle and High Schools. You shouldn’t make your girlfriend wait.”

The Inquisitor chased me out of the library. My mind was blank. I didn’t know what to say. After a brief pause, the library door closed.

“

Uhhhh...”

The school was quiet. The gray granite hallway looked smooth under the sunset. No one was coming and going in the hallway. All I could hear was the sound of students kicking a soccer ball in the distant playground, shouting “Pass! Pass!”

It felt as if I was sleepwalking.

“What’s really going on...?”

“The student council president will probably be waiting at the school gate today as well! You shouldn’t make your girlfriend angry!”

I had never been to high school, but I still attended middle school for about two years. I was quite familiar with school itself.

Let’s go to the school gate first.

The white pillars and walls of the hallway were painted with lines of light green. The color wasn’t a pretty shade of light green, though. It looked tacky, the color of artificial peas.

Stairs. There should be stairs nearby. Ah, found them.

As I reached the top of the stairs, I sensed that someone was nearby, so I looked up. There was a student standing in front of the metal door leading to the rooftop, staring because he couldn’t open it. It seemed that his gaze was on the chains and locks tangled around the doorknob. Perhaps the student had also sensed someone approaching, just like I had. He also raised his head and looked at me. I had never seen him before.

After giving me a nod and a bow, he silently came down the stairs and passed me. That was when I saw the collar of his school uniform dress shirt. The stains on his white collar made it look old. I could smell the familiar scent of poverty. Of course, I only got to see a glimpse of him as he quickly disappeared down the stairs.

—Positive Mental Attitude♪

—Have Fun In Life♪

—Keep Your Heart Happy♪

As I walked down the stairs of the empty school, I saw colorful slogans hanging on the walls. They were meaningless, so they were better left unsaid. The font and color were cute, as if desperately trying to hide the fact that they were useless. However, those slogans were just hideous.

It took some time before I came to my senses. “Yes, I have somewhere to be.”

I arrived at the school gate where a black limousine was parked in front.

Hold on. I had come down the stairs normally, passed the normal sandy schoolyard, and reached the school gate; that much was normal. But why was a luxurious limousine like those in movies parked in front of the gate?

The person closest to my heart was standing next to the limousine. “You’re a little late today.”

“Ra-Raviel...?”

“It’s a wonderful evening, Gong-Ja,” my love said calmly. “The sunset is even more beautiful now that I got to see you. I think the reason the sunset turns red is to hide the blush on your cheeks.”

Some students hadn’t returned home yet, still playing on the basketball court. Others were taking a short walk before going back to their night self-study session. The soccer field was also occupied with students kicking at a ball. However, everyone seemed to stop what they were doing and looked my way.

“Look at that sunbae...”

“Ah, he’s the one dating the daughter of a chaebol family, right...?”

“I’m so fucking jealous...”

“He confessed in front of everyone at the festival...”

What the hell?

“What’s wrong, Gong-Ja? Your goofy expression is your charming point, but you’re being a bit too goofy today. Are you trying to develop a new charm?”

“Raviel... Are you from a chaebol family?”

I felt dizzy. What in the world was I supposed to watch in this trauma? Was the whole purpose of this getting to see Raviel in school uniform? Should I take a picture and preserve it forever? Was that even possible, taking pictures within traumas and bringing them to reality?

“You’re saying strange things, my boyfriend... I was born into a chaebol family, and of course, that hasn’t changed.”

Oh, my god. Raviel called me her boyfriend. She called me her boyfriend!

What should I do? Should I record this using video or just sound? I was inclined to film the whole thing. I now really had to know if the technology that could transmit video recordings from trauma to reality had been developed in modern times. What were scientists doing? Wasn’t this negligence their fault?

“Ra-Raviel. I’m sorry, but how old are you now?”

“...I’m a second-year student at Shinseo High School.”

“What about me?”

“Butler, make an appointment with a psychiatrist right away. It seems my boyfriend is suffering from mild amnesia. To answer your question, Gong-Ja, you’re in the same grade as me.”

“Ah, I can’t believe I’m meeting you in high school... Am I really spending my school days with you? What is this blessing... I am the happiest person in the world...”

“Butler, cancel that. He’s just his usual self.”

We had an affectionate moment in front of the school gate. I was happy. Squeals and screams came from the schoolyard, but I didn’t care. Judging from what the Inquisitor had said, the two of us were an official couple within the school.

“Even if I were to be reborn in another world, I love you, Raviel...”

“I will love you in all of my lives. To me, you will always be the definition of love, Kim Gong-Ja. But for now, we have this life to live. Get in the car. I’ll take you home.”

To me, home meant the orphanage, so could she mean that she was taking me there? No. This world of trauma was clearly different from reality.

I had never been to high school or heard of a place called Shinseo High School. What kind of place was my home in this world?

“It looks like something big happened to your family yesterday, my love,” Raviel said as we got into the limousine, which was spacious and comfortable, but the two of us sat right next to each other.

“What? Something big?”

“Oh, you don’t consider an incident of this magnitude big? Well, you always hated talking about that guy. Of course, I do too... Still, family is family. I took care of everything, so please tell your parents not to worry. No, it would be better to deliver the news myself.”

I had no idea what she was talking about. Perhaps something happened and Raviel covered it up. However, I couldn’t help focusing on the word “parents”. I had parents...?

When I was young, I once called the director of the orphanage my father and an older girl who had come to volunteer “Mom.” But I only did that because I was an ignorant and mischievous child. That was probably not what Raviel was doing.

In this world, I had a home and parents. Somehow, it felt strange. Raviel had brought me a foster father for the wedding, but... it was closer to the joy of receiving a gift from someone I loved. It was sweet, but the sweetness never lasted.

It was different this time. The parents I was meeting had existed all along and would continue to do so.

I don’t even know how to feel about that...

The limousine stopped, When I looked outside the window, I saw a small, shabby house in an old neighborhood. In front of the house, a rugged-looking man with long hair was sweeping the leaves using a broom.

It was the Guardian. I almost lost my mind.

The man grinned. “Wow! Your girlfriend even gave you a limousine ride. You’re one hell of a lucky guy! This is all thanks to me passing on my good looks to you. Respect your father for the genetics!”

“How have you been, Father?[1]” Raviel asked.

“Oh, please don’t bow, Miss. You shouldn’t bow to a guy like me. Wait, has my son been rude to you? He has a good heart, but he still has the tendency to be a bit of a wacko...”

“It’s okay. I value every aspect of Gong-Ja.”

The Guardian sobbed. “How can everything that leaves your mouth sound so beautiful? Hey! Hey! Kim Gong-Ja, you rascal! Quickly kneel down and bow. If you do anything mean to her, I will no longer consider you my son. Do you hear me? I’ll disown you![2]”

Raviel and the Guardian were talking cordially face to face. My legs gave out.

Raviel caught me. “Speaking of which, Gong-Ja has been acting weird today. He asked me how old I am earlier.”

“He’s always strange. When he was five... Oh, would you like to have dinner at our house? I made some seasoned cockles today, and they turned out amazing.”

“I won’t say no to it.”

“You have such a kind spirit, Miss! Gong-Ja, what are you doing? Why aren’t you on your knees yet? Shall I bend them for you?”

I went into the house.

Teacher was sitting on the sofa and reading a newspaper. “Welcome, Gong-Ja. How was school today, son?”

I dropped to my knees.

“

Huh?

You even brought your girlfriend home. Welcome, Miss Ban Si-A[3].”

“Please call me Raviel, Mother. I’m more used to my English name.”

“Is that so?

Hmm.

I see. Children these days are quite unique.”

Mother. Mother. Mo... th... er...?

“Sweetie, you’re expecting too much from Gong-Ja. He doesn’t have the nerve to invite Miss Ban Si-A to our home. She’s here because of my seasoned cockles.”

“Aha, I see. You’re right, honey. It would be awful of me to expect that from our son. It looks like the soybean paste soup is done, so let’s...”

Sweetie. Honey. Sweetie... Honey... Swe... etie...? Hon... ey...?

「... continuing the report on popular singer Yoo Soo-Ha.」

The anchor’s voice came from the television in the living room.

「This is supposedly the moment of Singer Yoo Soo-Ha’s assault. The reveal of the video shocked many people yesterday, but a report came in this morning that the video was actually fabricated. Surprisingly, the report is from the very informant who had provided the video.」

I absentmindedly stared at the television where an ID photo of a handsome man with a long ponytail appeared.

「The informant said, “It was just a prank, so I had no idea how serious it would all turn out to be. I would like to give my sincerest apology to those who were shocked and heartbroken because of my video...」

The photos of Preta and Goldencup also appeared on the screen. The photos of the Fire Emperor, Preta, and Goldencup were lined up.

「The fellow group members—Estelle and Sylvia—are refraining from releasing an official statement.」

The video showed Preta and the Fire Emperor dancing while Goldencup was singing.

「However, it is expected that the group’s activities will inevitably have setbacks for the time being. The concert that was scheduled to take place in ten days has already been canceled.」

The fuck! What the hell did I just see? This was madness!

Teacher nodded and put down the newspaper, looking at Raviel with a serious expression on her face. “We have a lot to talk about at the dinner table. Gong-Ja, bring your brother. It’s been a while since we dined together, so the whole family should get together and have a meal. Would that be okay with you, Miss Raviel?”

“Of course.”

Brother? I didn’t just have a father and a mother, but also a brother?

“Where is he?”

“He’s in your room.” Teacher gestured toward the door with her eyes.

I was afraid for some reason. My father was the Guardian, and my mother was Teacher. So who was going to show up as my brother now?

Creak.

Carefully and slowly, I opened the door to my room. A man was lying on the bed, eating crunchy potato chips while reading a comic book from a rental store. The man looked at me and gave me a quick greeting with his grease-covered hand.

“Hey, it’s been a while. Did you see the fucking news too? Huh? I almost got in big trouble yesterday. He kept stalking me, so I got so annoyed that I punched him. And someone had to film the moment. Shit. My career as a singer almost ended.”

It was the Fire Emperor.

“I was lucky that fucker tucked his tail between his legs and ran.

Ugh

, Mom scolded the hell out of me...

Huh?

Hey? You okay? Your face is very pale. Kim Gong-Ja? Hey, dude. Have you lost your mind? Why are you staggering all of a sudden...”

I lost it and jumped on the bed. “Die! Die!!! Die, you crazy bastard!”

“Y-you really lost it. Hey, calm down!”

“You just called Teacher Mom, so how can I calm down, you son of a bitch? Die! Die and apologize to Teacher!”

“What bullshit... Wait, wow, what the fuck? W-when did you become this strong, you jerk...

Ugh, urgh... gah...

!”

I strangled Yoo Soo-Ha with all my heart. I could accept the Guardian showing up as my father. Deep down, I really couldn’t, but I had to try. But this motherfucking psychopath was my brother?

“Dieeeeeee!”

“M-Mom!” Yoo Soo-Ha screamed in spite of me choking him. “Gong-Ja is strangling me! Moooooom!”

Fuck me.

1. Even when Koreans aren’t married, they treat their lover’s family as their own to show their affection. ☜

2. It’s a common joke in Korea. ☜

3. A Korean wordplay on I “vansia” ☜