The next day, the atmosphere at school completely changed.
The most noticeable change was, of course, the students.
To be honest, the students weren’t necessarily bribed to behave that way, but rather they were naturally being cautious.
In other words, it was always possible for them to change their attitude based on their own judgment.
Thinking about how Choi Na-kyung acted recklessly, even harming others, I thought it was a bit dangerous, but… I decided to trust Nam Da-un’s words.
In fact, there was no evidence to believe the rumors going around.
Some say it was handled well, but… how, exactly?
“So, you’re saying you think all of it is a lie?”
“That’s right.”
During class, I confidently shared my thoughts with So-hee and Ha-neul.
No matter how this world is not the Korea I lived in, but a world like a dating sim, the society here isn’t much different from the one I used to know.
The wealthier and more famous someone is, the more they’re spotlighted by the media, and the public demands higher morality from them.
Of course, people here didn’t care even a tiny bit about public opinion, just like the world I lived in.
But still, even that ‘tiny bit’ is enough to prevent certain actions.
Sexual assault or harassment can happen.
Those kinds of incidents can easily be covered up with money within an organization.
But usually, the people who suffer disadvantages in those cases aren’t the ones in high social positions.
They tend to be ordinary and unfortunate individuals who can be easily handled and silenced.
However, to completely destroy a medium-sized business and deal with the entire family?
And that too, causing significant damage to the Eugene Group?
Setting morality aside, it’s something shareholders would never tolerate.
In a capitalist society, the most frightening thing is capital and the people who move that capital.
The reason a company’s stock price is high is because many people want to buy its stock, and the stocks are limited.
If there’s decisive evidence—or even just a simple rumor—that the chairwoman destroyed a whole family, the stock price could easily plummet.
The company might not disappear, but the chairwoman’s head could certainly roll.
Well, since Choi Na-kyung was Eugene Electronics’ largest surface shareholder, she wouldn’t be removed that easily.
But it would still be enough to push her to the backseat.
Even if she holds nearly 9% of the shares, the other 91% won’t sit still.
Moreover, it’s not like there’s no replacement for Choi Na-kyung.
“So, I think the rumors might be pretty exaggerated. Honestly, there haven’t been any other victims since, right?”
“That’s true.”
So-hee nodded.
“Especially since we’re fine right now.”
Ha-neul also nodded in agreement with my words.
Exactly.
Even though people know it’s ‘impossible’, they constantly doubt the possibility.
They know it’s just a baseless rumor, but part of their mind entertains the thought, and they think it’s better to be cautious just in case.
The classroom remained silent.
No one in our class had the courage to speak to me directly yet.
But the atmosphere had certainly changed.
They no longer ignored me as if I didn’t exist.
However, they seemed unsure how to approach me.
When I passed by, they would step aside.
If I asked them something, they’d answer.
They just seemed too scared to continue the conversation.
That’s why I deliberately brought up this topic.
In the middle of class.
What I was saying was merely speculation.
But when the ‘person involved’ makes a ‘speculation’, the weight of those words isn’t small.
Like how the media consults experts whenever an incident occurs to ask about future developments.
To be honest, I hadn’t been in this body for even half a year, so I couldn’t call myself an expert.
“There.”
Since we were blatantly talking during class, the teacher reacted.
Unlike before the disciplinary committee, this time the teacher definitely responded to us.
Of course, when I glanced over at the teacher, they flinched and their shoulders trembled.
Yes, even the teachers couldn’t ignore us anymore.
The money they received was undeniable.
And they didn’t know what I might do if they continued to ignore me.
It was only natural they couldn’t say anything after seeing me, the one who had confidently filled a travel bag with money and distributed millions, asking them not to ignore me.
Well, I didn’t plan to confront Choi Na-kyung head-on with money, but there was no need to show that to the teachers.
As long as they remained scared, it would benefit me.
Still, I couldn’t just leave things as they were.
At the very least, this situation couldn’t reach Choi Na-kyung’s ears.
“Don’t talk during class.”
That’s why the teacher, with beads of sweat forming on their forehead, said that to me.
Now they were trying to assert their authority as a teacher.
If they’d done that before I started causing trouble, it might have worked a little.
But now?
After they’d taken bribes from students and parents alike, there was no authority left.
Should I confront them?
I thought about it for a moment, but decided to just sit back down.
Well, I had already achieved half of my plan.
Now, I just needed to accomplish the other half.
*
Maybe it was because so much had happened, but time flew by quickly.
To be honest, aside from the disciplinary committee, there weren’t any major incidents.
Hmm, thinking about it now, maybe time passed quickly not because of everything that happened, but because life became more comfortable.
The number of students ignoring me at school began to decrease rapidly.
Some still ignored me, but even they wouldn’t last long before talking to me eventually.
Especially the transfer students who had been accused as the perpetrators—they made sure to greet me every time they saw me.
If anyone had the brightest expressions when they saw me, it was them.
It seemed the money they received back then was quite helpful.
Money really is nice.
The teachers also couldn’t ignore me.
They weren’t exactly friendly, and some teachers were still passively resisting for some reason, but I was sure that wouldn’t last long.
Otherwise, they’d be the ones to disappear.
They’d be fine financially since they’d received the money, but still.
Anyway, these responses weren’t bad.
I’m not someone who always seeks dramatic retribution, but when it comes to those who torment the characters I like, I’d prefer them to suffer as much as possible.
In fact, Ye Sara is a character I came to strongly sympathize with after crossing into this world… but well, what does it matter?
So, the days passed by in an instant.
And the weekend came around.
On Saturday, I prepared thoroughly and waited for Choi Na-kyung.
She had visited on a Saturday last time.
And if she really wanted to see Ye Sara, I figured she would come as early as possible.
Well, it wasn’t much of a preparation.
“Should I wear that outfit again?”
When I asked, Yang Hye-in shook her head.
“No. I don’t think that will be necessary.”
Right?
I was planning to break all of Choi Na-kyung’s rules.
There was no need for me to follow her plans.
So, I just showered as usual and wore the school uniform I always wore the most, waiting for her.
…But Choi Na-kyung didn’t come.
There was no contact, either.
“…Seems like she’s not planning to come today.”
When I muttered that, the others who were waiting with me also nodded.
Not just Soo-ah and So-hee, but even Ha-neul was here.
She had packed her things as if planning to stay until tomorrow, just like last time.
“Shall I contact her?”
“No.”
I shook my head at Yang Hye-in, who asked me.
It was true that Choi Na-kyung and I had only agreed on ‘the weekend’ and hadn’t set any specific time.
Whether she came on Saturday morning or Sunday night, she wouldn’t technically be breaking her promise.
I didn’t know if she was trying to play some sort of mind game, but I didn’t feel the need to rush and meet someone I didn’t even want to see.
If that’s what she was hoping for, it would be silly for me to fall into that trap.
“She’ll probably come either today or tomorrow.”
When I answered like that, Yang Hye-in looked at me quietly.
It wasn’t a long gaze, but still.
Come to think of it, Yang Hye-in had mentioned she found my suicide note and showed it to the others.
I should probably set aside some time later to have a private talk with her.
First, to ask why she searched my room.
Yang Hye-in’s face still didn’t shine with light.
Judging by her actions, it seemed she genuinely harbored goodwill towards Ye Sara.
But since her face didn’t shine, that goodwill wasn’t the only trigger.
Thinking of how Son A-reum’s face shone, there must be another trigger, but I still wasn’t sure what it was.
…Really, to figure anything out, I need Ye Sara’s memories.
Maybe by tomorrow, I’ll learn something.
*
Just like she wanted to play hard to get, Choi Na-kyung made me wait all day Sunday, only to show up at the mansion at 8 p.m. after dinner.
I went down the stairs in my school uniform, just like yesterday.
Behind me were the three friends I had made here.
It would be a lie to say I wasn’t scared.
That sticky feeling from last time… it was the kind of emotion I’d never felt in my life.
The kind that felt like I’d be swallowed up if I let my guard down, or that I’d be dragged into it.
But this time, I had to face it head-on.
To find Ye Sara, who might be hiding within it.
After descending the stairs, I stood in front of the reception room and took a deep breath.
“…I’ll open the door.”
After waiting a moment to give me time, Yang Hye-in spoke.
I nodded.
Yang Hye-in pushed the door open, revealing the back of a woman standing inside.
When the door opened, Choi Na-kyung turned around to face me.
For some reason, she looked slightly more haggard than when I last saw her.
“…Chairwoman.”
“Yes, daughter.”
The moment I heard that voice, Ye Sara’s sticky emotions began to seep out from my heart.