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“A-Rin hasn’t come yet…”

Yu Da On muttered as she changed the water in the vase.

Warm sunlight shone through the window, and beside her was a fruit basket.

The fruit basket left behind by the Team Leader, along with a mirror.

He had said he had some paperwork to handle, leaving just the fruit basket while he disappeared like the wind.

“By the way, Da On, did you hear anything?”

“There’s nothing to hear about.”

It would likely be the same even if it were the opposite, Yu Da On laughed, tidying the flowers before making eye contact with me.

“Anyway, you should take this opportunity to rest.”

“I’m well aware of that.”

Even while saying and thinking that I should rest, somehow incidents always seem to follow me around.

It’s said that life is not easy, but it shouldn’t have to be this tough.

“What about Jae Heon?”

“Oh, Jae Heon went to help the Team Leader with something. It was something only he could do…”

“…”

Everyone should gather to talk or not talk about it.

“…Are you worried about A-Rin?”

Yu Da On picked up a bright red apple and looked at me.

“…Hmm.”

How should I explain this?

I pondered briefly about my feelings.

I couldn’t clearly grasp the reason she hadn’t come to see me, so should I say I couldn’t act recklessly?

It might be self-reproach, or maybe it’s just fatigue from this situation.

If I were to hear, ‘Why did you come back?’ it would feel oddly harsh.

“…I am worried.”

And, in common terms, that’s usually what people call concern.

“Anyway, she hasn’t replied to texts or answered calls.”

“That’s true.”

Yu Da On rested her chin in her hand, thinking before she spoke.

“Maybe she’s on the roof?”

“On the roof?”

“Yes.”

“How do you know?”

“I went up there yesterday afternoon.”

“…It’s been a while since then.”

Surely, she wouldn’t be on the roof all day long.

Still, it might be worth a shot.

With a grunt, I pushed myself up.

“…Are you going to the roof?”

“I’ll just be a moment.”

“Okay. Be careful. I’ll peel the apples.”

Yu Da On waved as she smiled, and I slowly stepped out the door, making my way to the roof.

Ah, my side hurts.

*

The way up to the roof was an absolute struggle.

To be precise, it was difficult because of my body condition.

“Oof…”

Every time I climbed a staircase, a groan escaped my lips.

“I’m dying…”

Gasping and holding my side, I ascended the stairs.

Soon, I arrived at the door to the roof.

-Slam.

As I opened the door, bright sunlight greeted me,

“…”

And the sweltering heat attacked me.

Could A-Rin really be up here?

“A-Rin!”

Only my voice echoed in the empty rooftop.

Is she not here?

“…Do I really have to wait here?”

I’m not sure if I can handle getting hurt more.

“…Ugh.”

Sitting on the hot cement floor, I stared blankly at the sky.

“Right, will I die from my wound or reach the roof first—”

“Are you crazy?”

Interrupting my thoughts, a gruff voice hit my ears.

“What? If you’re here, at least answer when called.”

“…”

Song A-Rin was staring at me wide-eyed.

“You.”

“Yes?”

“…Why did you come when you’re hurt?”

She spoke with the same curt voice but examined my wound.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m not okay.”

“…”

Song A-Rin fell silent.

“So, you should come on time. Everyone else comes but when you’re late, I can’t help but worry.”

“…”

She turned her eyes away and muttered.

“I’m sorry.”

“That’s all I needed to hear.”

“…Aren’t you mad?”

“…Me?”

Me? Why?

As I genuinely puzzled with a confused expression, Song A-Rin stammeringly spoke.

“Because… you got hurt.”

“What does my being hurt have to do with you, A-Rin?”

“…I couldn’t protect you.”

Is she comparing herself to Yu Da On right now?

“You’re not Da On.”

“…”

She shut her mouth for a moment before speaking again.

“Right. I’m not the one with black hair.”

“And?”

“So, I shouldn’t have overestimated myself.”

Song A-Rin sighed.

“If I had done well, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“…”

All of a sudden, the picture of Song A-Rin’s artwork from the art museum popped into my mind.

<Gunhak Ilgye>

Standing alone among the shining crowd.

And in a room she wouldn’t leave unless XX was completed, simply longing for praise.

“…You’re doing well.”

“…”

“If it weren’t for you, who would have gathered the information?”

At my words, she lowered her gaze.

“That’s…”

“Come on, who else? Chaeyeon? Or Da On?”

“…”

She didn’t say anything.

“You see? You know there are things only you can do.”

Still, she kept quiet until she finally murmured in a small voice.

“It wasn’t perfect. If the ending isn’t perfect, it’s meaningless.”

“Humans can’t be perfect.”

Am I perfect?

No, I am not.

I couldn’t save people in the theater, I couldn’t save those whose minds were shattered on the cruise, and I couldn’t save the puppets in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

I almost died because my deduction failed, and right now, I’m completely unaware of those who oppose me, struggling in solitude.

“There is no one perfect by themselves.”

If I had been alone, I would have died a long time ago.

“Isn’t it about helping each other through it?”

At my words, Song A-Rin remained silent for a moment before sighing.

“I’ll try to do better next time.”

“Don’t put so much pressure on yourself.”

At my words, she looked at me and then spoke again.

“For now, I’ll share the information I heard—”

“Oh, can you save that for when we’re all gathered together?”

“…”

She closed her mouth again, locking eyes with me.

“I’m fighting against a Reincarnator.”

“…”

“…A-Rin?”

At my words, Song A-Rin blinked in shock, as if processing them.

“A Reincarnator?”

“Yes.”

“…Could it be that the memory I lost was about this?”

“Yes.”

“Then you also know what I said?”

“Yes. You told me to tell others not to mention it as it’s dangerous.”

“Then why did you say it, you idiot!”

She raised her hand to hit my arm, but then her gaze fell on my side, causing her to lower it again.

“If I do this, I’ll definitely become a variable—”

“It’s fine.”

“…”

“It could be a variable, sure. But I’ve realized.”

This isn’t something I can deal with alone.

“I need the help of three people.”

“…Three? Are you going to tell the other two too?”

“I already told them.”

Song A-Rin froze.

“…Am I the last one?”

“Yes.”

I heard the sound of her teeth grinding, but just like that, she placed her hand on her forehead and sighed.

“Well, if that’s how you think, I should respect your view.”

“Exactly.”

“…Let’s go talk. Is anyone there?”

Song A-Rin took my arm and began to walk.

“Why?”

“You mentioned your side hurts. I’m just supporting you.”

Were you listening carefully to that?

Her hearing is impressive.

*

-Cut, cut…

In the empty room where the man had left, only the sound of fruit being peeled echoed endlessly.

“…”

As soon as he exited, the smile that had been shining on Yu Da On’s face vanished without a trace.

Only a nonchalant expression of the person peeling fruit remained reflected in the mirror.

“Ouch.”

With a soft sound, the knife cut her finger sharply, and bright red blood dripped onto the apple.

But as if the blood had never flowed, her finger returned to normal.

“…”

As she peeled the fruit, a hollow smile surfaced.

She resented Song A-Rin deeply.

“This is the only thing I can do.”

Wiping away the blood with her thumb, she muttered in despair.

Immortality, regeneration.

Some might call it a blessing, but for her, it was definitely a curse.

Even when poisoned at Gangseo University Hospital, feeling the agony of her insides being torn apart, she only yearned for eternal rest.

This time, she hoped with all her heart that this pain would end. That this terrible life would finally come to a close.

Yet, as always, her body betrayed her.

No matter how many times she died, she resurrected, and exactly a year after being hospitalized, she learned how to discard her own self.

If living in pain is because of looking forward to an end that will never come, then she could simply lay herself down like a puppet.

Then, the sudden freedom granted to her was far too burdensome for someone who had lived such a profoundly different life than that of an ordinary person.

Having stumbled upon luck and not long after found herself in the Management Agency, she is now living another life, yet she had never liked her abilities even once.

And ironically, it was now the only ability she could rely on.

Only with this could she stay by that man’s side and stand before him.

She was powerless.

Without the ability to kill a containment object in one room, and unable to control human hearts.

“…”

Only because she could die for him, she was allowed to stand here.

She could yield everything else.

If he went on a date with someone else or went on a business trip, she never intended to voice her disagreement.

She didn’t belong in that space.

But, when he was headed toward danger, that seat beside him had to be hers.

Happiness could be shared with someone else. Sorrow could be shared with others as well.

But, only the pain had to be hers to bear.

That was her only worth in being at his side.

However, this time, he chose someone else, not her.

-Clang!

The knife fell to the ground with a sharp sound echoing in the silent patient room.

“…I hate this.”

Holding her trembling hand, she muttered.

“I can give you everything else.”

She didn’t wish for happiness with him. That felt excessive.

She didn’t wish for conflict with him. That felt terrifying.

But.

“…Just don’t take away my worth of existence.”

Only her powerless voice echoed in the room.

Footsteps were heard.

A man’s, and a woman’s voice that sounded sharp.

“…”

She picked up the fallen knife and resumed peeling the apple.

As long as the blood that splattered on the skin could be peeled off, it wouldn’t matter.

After all, no one would ever know if the blood had stained it.

With a loud bang, Yu Da On entered, wearing the same smile as always.

“Did both of you come? I’m almost done peeling the apples!”

Could her laughter be the flesh of the apple or the peel?

Now, she couldn’t tell.