Ghost Story Club

I had already planned what I was going to do after turning back time. The first thing that I had to do after going back was to contact the youngest member of Fourincess, Dasom, who was the first one to be aware of the mysterious phenomenon from the beginning. Hence, I had taken her contact number.

Now I knew the location where the body of the dead girl was buried.

Also, the criminal had confessed the way to get appropriate evidence.

As I mumbled the information in my heart to memorize, I looked down from the roof of the broadcasting studio where I stood.

I had to jump from somewhere really high to make sure I was dead.

I stared at the ruined city, preparing myself for my imminent death, when I heard the soft whisper of a voice I was very familiar with.

“…Joon.”

A girl with a small built, who looked younger than her age, wearing a school uniform, was standing at the entrance of the roof, peeking inside with a worried expression.

“Sunah, why did you follow me?”

“You’re standing there, why…”

“Are you going back now…”

As expected, she knew.

Before long, Sunah stepped forward with hesitating steps. It seemed she had something to say but couldn’t understand how to convey her message.

A ruined city was stretched in front of us.

Smoke coiled up from the always bustling city. From time to time, sounds of panicked scream could be heard amidst the destroyed city, which was once filled with laughter.

But for some reason, standing on top of a high rooftop and looking at the sun setting on the far West, painting the sky red, I felt the atmosphere was rather peaceful.

Sunah approached me slowly and peered over the wall where I stood, ready to jump and end my life to turn back time.

The wind from the high place blew Sunah’s black hair, framing her small face.

Suddenly, I couldn’t help but wonder if Gyeongwon was protecting the body well.

I was worried that there could be a variable If I suddenly pulled the body out. It could temper with the ghost stories which I’ve experienced so far.

The truth was, I still didn’t know exactly where the checkpoint was being updated.

Would it be at the end of every ghost story, when I succeeded in resolving a case?

Or would it be at the start of one of the previous ghost stories?

“Haa…”

I let out a sigh, not knowing the answer. It seemed I had new troubles to worry about.

Well, for now I should make sure no one touches the body.

Other than Gyeongwon, there were other members of Ghost Story Club and members of Fourincess, who were also in the waiting room. They would guard the dead body for sure.

Therefore, I decided to think positively.

Before going back in time, I thought that it would be great to have a moment of heart-to-heart talk with Sunah, who had been accompanying me through all the hardships.

“You did a great job today, Sunah.”

However, Sunah only held onto the railing and looked down at the city in the distance, and was silent.

After standing silently for a long time, Sunah opened her mouth quietly.

“You want to jump from here to turn back time, right?”

“Yes.”

Sunah slowly looked at me with a sad look on her face.

“I feel like we’re leaving you alone…”

Oh. Did she come after me because she was worried about that?

I sighed quietly.

“No, I’m just trying to turn back time.”

Although I said that, I had been worried too. Because even if I wanted them to help me, it was impossible for them to accompany me in my mission to go back in time since none of them had the power to do so, except me.

A day.

We went through an unforgettable event together, even if it was for a short time, I felt as if an eternity had passed.

Through the hardships that we faced and overcame, our bond must have become stronger.

Perhaps we began to understand each other better than before, perhaps our friendship had become deeper and stronger, and perhaps it may change in the future.

But, it was inevitable that I had to turn back to that time, I had to make everything better as it was.

Before the mysterious phenomenon that happened to me, no one had any inclination of the idea that they could be connected to ghostly stories.

“Sorry, Sunah. But you, we can’t live in a world like this.”

“A lot of people died. Probably my parents, too. The school, as well as the country itself, won’t be able to function without the authorities.”

“It would only be painful to live in such a devastated world.”

“Although I think everything would be okay as long as we’re with our loved ones…”

I was at a loss for words.

I had a vague idea why Sunah had followed me to the rooftop.

Even if she had enough reasoning, I had no intention of playing along with them. Honestly, I don’t think even my ancestors would have been able to convince me from jumping off the roof.

As long as the memories we had together stayed.

I would have no problem.

I reasoned with myself, a battle between my mind and heart had already occurred even before she came. I came to the rooftop determined to do as I had planned. Although I knew there was a chance someone would come to stop me, I still decided to follow my decision.

Sunah and I stood facing the golden setting sun at the top of the rooftop.

After a brief moment of silence, I opened my mouth.

“Sorry. I have to go back now.”

“Is there anything I can do for you?”

Sunah hesitated for a moment before asking with a lonely look on her face. Probably something came to her mind, realization dawned on her face and she hurriedly opened her mouth.

It seemed she also had a favour to ask.

“Tell me everything when you go back…”

“That’s what I had planned to do, but I don’t know if the past you will believe me…”

“I’ll believe you. For sure.”

Sunah replied with certainty.

I, too, nodded with a serious look.

“Okay. I’ll tell you everything.”

“Haha.”

Sunah suddenly laughed.

“Joon, I hate you…”

Something unexpected came out of Sunah’s mouth.

She still seemed upset, but her expression was a little more relaxed than before. It seemed she realized that she couldn’t stop me, so she was letting her heart ease for now.

I gently approached Sunah’s side and looked down the railing.

“Wow. It’s really high.”

“Yeah…”

Luxury buildings plastered with colourful marble and glass of the ChungDam neighbourhood were seen clearly from there.

The setting sun shone on the buildings, blanketing them with the majestic colours of red and golden, giving them an ethereal look.

Peep! Peep! Peeeeep!

All of a sudden, the sound of a car’s horn blasted from below. When I peered over, I could see the half-broken car of Teacher Hwaeun.

The car was surrounded by many people.

“It’s the teacher!”

The people around were surrounding the car of the teacher, as if she were some sort of celebrity.

For some reason, the scene was quite enjoyable as we watched it with a relaxed mind.

Peeep! Bam.

The horn died down, and the door of the car opened as Teacher Hwaeun stepped out and ran away.

The people in the broadcasting studio ran after the teacher.

“Teacher has become a celebrity.”

“Haha.”

Sunah covered her mouth, but even so she couldn’t stop the laughter that slipped between her fingers.

Perhaps she felt guilty for laughing at the moment of disaster, or perhaps she just wanted to let her heart out. The smiling face soon turned into a sharp expression.

“Joon, you’re such a bad friend.”

Once again, the cold wind of the afternoon blew our hair away.

Sunah’s black hair flew back and forth, curling around her face and sticking to her slightly red cheeks.

“I’m jealous of the Yoon Sunah who will be there when you go back…”

“But that’s you. Both of you are the same person.”

“But it feels like someone else…”

“It’s you no matter how you think. You don’t have to be jealous.”

“Hmmm…”

Sunah hummed, I couldn’t understand if she agreed with me or not.

Come to think of it, I had something to ask her.

I couldn’t bring it up before because I was worried that it would lead to an irreversible effect on my friendship with Sunah. However, since I was going to turn back time anyway, I wanted to know this one thing.

“Sunah, do you know what the word ‘Yandere’ means?”

“Yandere?”

Sunah tilted her head in confusion.

“Yes, Yandere.”

“Well…”

Sunah’s fine eyebrows frowned cutely. But soon she shook her head, showing that she didn’t know.

“Sorry, I don’t know…”

“Have you never heard of it?”

“Yes.”

“I heard it from Dukhun. He said it’s a Japanese word.”

“Japanese…”

“It means obsessing over something or someone.”

“In some cases, Yandere people even try to kill those whom they love.”

Sunah leaned her face against the railing and looked at the forest of buildings without saying a word, a look of melancholy plastered on her small face.

“Why would they do such a thing…”

“I don’t know. What do you think?”

I also leaned my arm against the railing, wondering along with Sunah.

“I can’t believe there are actually people like that.”

“Yes, they seem weird.”

“Yeah…”

“Yes, that’s what people say.”

In the distance, I could see Teacher Hwaeun.

She was running barefoot, it seemed she had thrown her high heels away while running.

I turned my head from the dizzying height and stared at Sunah’s side profile.

“Why do you think they want to hurt someone they love?”

Sunah gave me a puzzled look.

“Why…”

I collected my voice and asked again.

Although I didn’t know if knowing about it would be helpful, I wanted to make sure that my next life would be more peaceful if I know at least one thing about my friend.

“If you know anything, tell me about it Sunah, okay?”

“Um… why are you asking me?”

“I’m just asking everyone.”

“Well, um…”

Sunah began to ponder.

And then she spouted out things that weren’t difficult to understand but accept.

“Maybe, they’re afraid that someday, the person they love will disappear or will be taken away. Maybe that’s why?”

At that moment, a sudden message popped out from the system.

Pop.

[Your understanding of the character Yoon Sunah has increased by 10]

“Hmm!”

So she was right. Yandere people try to kill their loved ones because they’re afraid they’ll lose them!

I got a satisfactory answer.

Although I didn’t understand the reason fully, if a yandere person herself said it, then it must be true.

When I looked down, I saw that the infected people had finally caught the teacher.

“Teacher Hwaeun is finally caught.”

“….Ah.”

Some people grabbed the teacher’s hands so that they could put a radio or something like that next to her ears.

Teacher Hwaeun struggled desperately, trying to shake the people off. But soon her desperate struggle died down and gradually, the struggle changed into choreography. Eventually, she began to dance and sway her hips just like before in the clubroom.

“Teacher looks happy.”

“Joon, you really…”

Sunah opened her mouth again.

“Well, I should get going.”

I had taken enough rest. Rather than wasting time, I should do what I had planned.

I swung my legs over the railing and peered over.

There wasn’t much space to stand properly on the other side of the railing. I barely stood with my feet bent and my hands behind my back, holding the railing firmly.

“What?”

As I held the railing with my hand behind and supported my body, I suddenly felt a chill running down my spine.

At the last moment of ending my life and turning back time, I was quite scared. Perhaps because the uncertainty has taken over my reasonings, I started to have second thoughts on jumping down.

‘Oh, fuck. It’s not right…’

The cold wind blew over, chilling me to the bone.

As if my mind had become clear, I sobered up instantly.

Looking down at the ground below, I could clearly feel the distance. Unlike when I looked at the distant landscape, my legs shook with the wind.

‘Oh? Why is it so scary?’

If my foot slipped even a little, I would fall down.

Well, that’s what I had planned to do. I needed to jump down. But my legs became soft the moment I was about to take off my foot.

To calm my heart, I talked to Sunah, who was still looking at me.

“Su-Sunah.

“Do you want to jump with me?”

Sunah looked at me as if she was dumbfounded. The sudden request of jumping down together probably surprised her. Knowing that I had just requested something ridiculous, I quickly assured her.

“It’s okay, I’ll jump alone.”

“Yes, goodbye…”

“I’m really jumping.”

“Yes…”

“Aah!”

“….you should jump at once.”

Damn it. I knew well that I’m a scaredy cat who couldn’t even have the guts to face exams, let alone master the courage to jump down.

Jumping from so high without anybody…….

“Don’t tell me! Oh my! You’re not jumping not because you’re not ready but because you’re scared!!”

Sunah leaned her body on the railing and burst into laughter.

“I’m ready. I’m very much ready.”

Even when I was saying this, my body shook. The hands outstretched behind couldn’t help but curl, bringing me closer to the railing. I took a deep breath and said to myself once again.

“I’m going to jump now…”

Slip.

Before I knew, one of my feet slipped and my body leaned forward faster than I thought.

“Mom, help me Aaaaaaaaah!!!”

In a hurry, rather than letting the railing go, I lifted myself up and grasped it more firmly, holding it with all my strength.

I couldn’t jump again.

“Su-Sunah…”

“Scared?”

Sunah asked me smiling, a teasing tone mixed in her words.

“Help me…”

Her smile suddenly reminded me of the lady ghost, Laughing Girl from the ‘Manual Ghost Story’, the one who laughed in an unusual manner.

At that time, I was scared to go alone, so I took Sunah with me to guard my back.

“Let’s go together.”

Sunah, smiling happily, immediately swung her legs over the railing.

“Aren’t you scared, Sunah?”

“Not really…”

Sunah is so reliable!

Soon after, Sunah came over, smiled bashfully and supported herself just like me and stood next to me.

“Since Joon wants to…”

“Let’s die together, Joon.”

Sunah’s mouth gently went up.

“No one can take you away from me…”

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

I let out a scream.

“You finally showed your true colours!”

“Wha…”

I scrambled sideways, trying to get to the corner on the railing.

“There’s a Yandere, save me!”

Sunah chased me with a bashful smile as I hurriedly walked sideways, following my steps.

“She will kill me, cut me into pieces and eat me up! Help!”

Sunah burst out laughing instead of chasing me.

“Hahaha! You’re joking… What are you talking about! Hahaha…”

“You’re going to lock me in the fridge!”

“Aha, hahaha.”

Sunah pulled back one of her hands and wiped away the tears that fell from laughing too much.

“Ahaha, really, stupid… hold still.”

Soon, Sunah slowly stepped sideways and began to cling to me. Since I had stopped moving sideways, she caught up to me soon.

She crawled behind me with her legs raised over my thigh, and began to adjust herself on my back as if she was on a piggyback ride. When I stretched my hands, her body tilted along with me as if she was lying on top of me.

“Su-Sunah…what?”

Sunah’s soft chest pressed on my back, and her black curly hair tickled my nose.

The smell of Sunah’s body made me feel dizzy for a moment.

“If I don’t push you like this, you won’t be able to jump off…”

“Well, I admit it, I’m a coward.”

I could feel Sunah smiling from the back bashfully.

“Okay. On the count of three, I’ll push you and you’ll jump! Now, three… …”

“Two!”

Whoosh.

Even before the counting was finished, Sunah pushed the railing with her feet as hard as she could. At the sudden force behind me, my hands slipped from the railing before I could comprehend and gravity instantly took us in its embrace.

“Aaah, aaaahh!”

I screamed as hard as I could, flailing my limbs in the air. I probably looked like a clown with my hands and feet flapping all around like a baby bird learning it’s first flight, but I couldn’t help it.

The feeling of weightlessness stayed for a moment, before gravity did its magic and our bodies soon tumbled down.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

“Kyaaaaa!”

I screamed frantically. Beside me, Sunah had her eyes closed tightly while screaming along with me.

“Help me!”

I swung my hands arbitrarily, but as soon as something or someone reached my arms, I caught it and hugged the person tightly.

“Kyaaaaah!”

“SUNAH, save me!”

“We are supposed to die….really….”

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

We fell for a long time, hugging each other in the air.

Thump!

Then, with a sudden strong shock breaking through my body, I died.

[You’re dead.]

[You’ll start again from the previous checkpoint.]

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