I Became the Childhood Friend of a D*ug Dealer

“Eh?”

She gazes at me as if something’s off.

Still seeming puzzled, she tilts her head.

“Is this Si-Hoo’s room? Huh? Or is it not?”

Confused, she checks the room number again and again.

She clutches a paper bag tightly in her hand.

Now what am I supposed to do?

Honestly, explaining is a hassle.

[2 hours 11 minutes]

I should probably sleep for another hour.

I’m feeling a bit tired.

If I take the medicine, it’ll wake me up.

“I’m sorry! I think I’ve come to the wrong place.”

She apologizes, looking slightly dazed.

I can always hang out with Si-Hoo later.

Are there really people who cling like this even during vacation?

That’s annoying.

“Ah, over there.”

“The dorm changed, right? You’re the new resident…”

“Actually, that’s…”

I can’t figure out how to explain.

My brain isn’t working well.

This is all probably due to the medicine wearing off.

“Yes?”

I did arrive newly.

I must be planning to enroll in the Academy.

“Si-Hoo’s still sleeping… If you give me the gift, I’ll pass it to him.”

Is this the best plan?

Now that I think about it, it sounds a bit strange.

The girl is staring at me with a blank expression, as if she’s in a daze.

Is she disappointed because the plan fell through?

If things went as they normally would, Si-Hoo would have greeted her.

He probably would start chatting while giving the gift.

Si-Hoo might have suggested she rest a bit in the dorm.

Or maybe they could step outside for a brief chat.

It’s the typical scenario where a heroine visits the protagonist’s home.

But right now, I’m here.

Sorry for not being dead yet.

“Ah…?”

She looks like her brain can’t keep up with the situation.

I’m also struggling to explain since my brain isn’t working right now.

She’d probably just answer if I shot a question her way.

Could she be setting up wild assumptions in her mind?

The longer the silence drags on, the more misunderstandings seem to grow.

“Ah, ah. That is, um… this is…”

She glances at the gift as she speaks.

Does she want to explain why she’s giving this gift?

“This is… um, from before, that…”

Her ears turn red.

It’s cute, but I have no clue what she wants to say.

She mentioned it was a thank you for something that happened before.

I’m curious about what that was.

“I’m sorry!”

As she says that, she bolts towards the stairs.

Leaving the gift behind.

–Thud!

The door slams shut.

Now I’m lost.

I place the paper bag on the table.

Not too curious about what’s inside.

I wonder if it’s just some snacks.

As long as I can use my medication properly, I don’t mind what it is.

[2 hours 8 minutes]

Should I wake up Si-Hoo now?

Not using the medicine while having it is like having delicious food in front of you and not eating it.

I’m quite hungry right now.

But as a person, I should know how to endure hunger.

Of course, that’s true.

If I were at home, I could use the medicine as I please.

I left some meds at home.

I should go get them.

“…Haha.”

I laugh out of disbelief.

When did I start living only to think about medicine?

Medicine…

Just medicine?

No, medicine is good.

It’s all for healing, after all.

[2 hours 7 minutes]

Time isn’t passing at all.

I really want to use the medicine.

Thinking about it makes me feel like I need to use it even more.

I’m wide awake now, though.

But there’s still 2 hours left of the medicine’s effect.

It’s still too soon.

I don’t feel that bad either.

They say using too much medicine isn’t good.

Let’s try to hold on a bit longer.

But I feel like I’ve already held on enough.

Damn it.

[1 hour 30 minutes]

After 30 minutes, I opened my mouth immediately.

I think I’ve waited long enough.

“Si-Hoo.”

Can I use the medicine now?

Just tell me where you put it, and I’ll use it myself.

Without it, I’m in a bit of a pickle.

Sorry for waking you up when you’ve barely slept.

“Si-Hoo?”

You got a gift.

It’s from a friend, so let’s check it out.

Wake up.

“…Huh?”

“Sorry for waking you.”

“Seo-Ah?”

“Yeah?”

Han Si-Hoo rises, half-awake with his eyes barely open.

I feel bad for waking him up.

I know it’s tough not getting enough sleep.

I understand that well, but I need to use the medicine.

“…Oh, it’s morning. It’s 7 o’clock.”

Despite just waking up, he shakes off the sleepiness quickly.

Does the protagonist have the ability to wake up fast?

It’s a bit tricky to immediately dive into the whole medicine thing.

Let’s start with another topic.

“Someone dropped off a gift.”

“A gift?”

“Yeah.”

“For me? When?”

Just a moment ago.

“A girl with long black braided hair. Is she a friend?”

“…Is that Yeon-Hwa? A friend from the Academy.”

I’ve heard of the name Yeon-Hwa.

Though my memories are hazy.

She’s definitely one of the heroines.

“When she knocked, I went to receive it instead.”

“I see, if I were awake, I would’ve gone myself.”

“I didn’t wake you since you were sleeping. The gift bag is on the table.”

Should I ask what happened?

Nah, it probably doesn’t mean much.

Being the protagonist, he’d have helped her out somehow.

“You sure have a lot of close friends.”

Receiving gifts and all.

I’m jealous because I don’t have many close friends.

Are friends easily made at the Academy?

“I… um.”

Not much of a friend circle here.

I only have one friend.

Who disappeared and then came back.

Can I consider a doctor my friend too?

No, that’s not it.

“I think I have no one but you. Haha…”

I don’t have anyone.

How pathetic.

Why is Yoo Seo-Ah’s connection circle like this?

I guess it’s because I’m stuck living in the slums.

As if to nod in agreement, Han Si-Hoo says nothing.

Sorry for being such a sad friend.

“Can I make friends at the Academy?”

“…Of course. You’re nicer than me, so you’ll make lots of friends.”

Han Si-Hoo responds.

His expression seems a bit strange.

“And that gift was just for helping out with a minor issue before. It’s not that special.”

Why does it sound like he’s making excuses?

It doesn’t matter what it means.

It’s just a gift; Si-Hoo will probably get many more.

That’s something I don’t care about.

Let’s get to the point.

“Yeah. More importantly, Si-Hoo.”

“Huh?”

“Can you give me some medicine?”

[1 hour 25 minutes]

I need to get that medicine soon.

“Ah, okay.”

Han Si-Hoo takes a box down from the high shelf.

Inside the box are several pens.

Not pens, but syringes that look like pens.

“You use one at a time.”

“Okay.”

There’s also an instruction sheet.

So this is an organized product, huh?

If you open the tip of the pen, there’s a sharp needle.

It doesn’t really matter where you stick it in.

It’s my first time using it in front of Han Si-Hoo.

Well, it should be fine.

We’ll be seeing a lot of each other anyway.

–Poke.

This is new.

A fresh experience.

Yep.

[6 hours 23 minutes]

“…Hmm.”

Note it down.

The time is too short.

It’s not ineffective.

My mind seems to brighten.

Objects are starting to come back into focus.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

I do feel a lot better.

But it’s still not a super great feeling.

There’s something different from the medicine the doctor gave me.

“…Sorry.”

“Why?”

“Sorry. Just.”

Han Si-Hoo apologizes.

Is he sorry for not giving me good medicine?

I know where good medicine is, though.

I’m quite familiar with that ocean.

Because it’s home.

“Si-Hoo, I want to go outside.”

I want to grab the medicine left at home.

“Outside?”

“I can go alone if that’s okay…”

I can’t keep bothering him.

I should solve my own problems.

“No.”

Han Si-Hoo firmly refuses.

“Why?”

“First off, it’s too dangerous. You lack basic means to contact anyone.”

“Is that so?”

“Oh right. Seo-Ah, did you lose your phone? You haven’t answered calls for a while.”

“Uh, phone?”

His tone is slightly resentful about not receiving my calls.

But was there ever a way to reach me?

If I had a means of contact, I wouldn’t have gone through all this trouble to visit Si-Hoo at the Academy.

“Did I… have something? Me?”

I think I might have.

I remember having an issue charging it, so I hardly used it.

“What?”

“Uh, uh. I think I… sold it? Yeah.”

His tone is frightening.

Don’t be angry.

[6 hours 12 minutes]

When scared, time seems to fly.

Not good.

I vaguely recall Yoo Seo-Ah talking to Han Si-Hoo over the phone.

I probably sold it since I needed money.

But still, I should’ve kept the phone for last.

Well, I was desperate for cash.

“I see.”

Han Si-Hoo frowns.

Is he upset because I sold the phone he got me?

“Anyway, can I go out?”

“No.”

“I want to go home.”

I need to go get my medicine.

Though the medicine I’m using now isn’t ineffective, it doesn’t feel as good as the medicine I got from the doctor.

I want to bring back the medicine that’s left at home.

Even though it was free from the doctor, it was expensive, and it’s a waste to just toss it.

“…Why do you want to go home?”

Am I not allowed to return home?

It is my home.

Even if a student at the Academy lives in the dorm, isn’t leaving somewhat free?

“Well, I have the old meds there.”

“Medication?”

“I bought it, but I feel it’s a waste to leave it…”

It is quite pricey.

And the effects would likely be much better than what I’m using now.

“…Home is too far. As long as you’re not in a normal state, I’m sorry.”

So they won’t let me go outside unless it’s close by.

My home is a bit far from this Academy.

Anyway, the important thing is the medicine at home.

If Han Si-Hoo keeps me inside, I can’t help it.

Someone has to go home and bring back the meds for me.

Who’s gonna go in my place?

Looking for someone to go, there’s only one option.

“Ah, ah… then, Si-Hoo, could you go to my house for me?”

“Huh?”

“There’s a medicine bottle on the table at home. Please bring that. It’ll be better than what I have here… Please.”

I still don’t feel bad right now.

It’s just not as good as the meds I was using before.

The pen-like syringe isn’t bad either.

It’s convenient to use anywhere, so that’s nice.

However, right now, I need the doctor’s medicine.

Han Si-Hoo knows very well where I live.

Better than anyone.

He should have no problem bringing the medicine back.

Unless someone robbed my house, it should still be sitting right on the table.

It’s like an empty house, so the longer I delay, the riskier it becomes.

I don’t think anyone would steal it, but still.

“Could you bring it for me?”

Even after thinking about it again, the last medicine I took feels way less effective.

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