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I really want to go home.

How much further do I have to walk before this endless dark path comes to an end?

Right now, my vision is darker than walking on a night road without a single streetlamp.

That’s because I buried my face in Shinwoo’s sleeve, completely blocking my view.

Overwhelmed by the eerie and unsettling atmosphere shortly after entering, my body froze up.

After standing there for over three minutes saying I couldn’t move forward, and sending several people behind me ahead, I finally gathered my resolve.

I walked as close as possible to Shinwoo’s arm, covering one ear and matching my steps with his.

“Wouldn’t it be better to just turn back towards the entrance?”

“W-we’ve already come so deep inside, how can we go back now! And besides, this is all your fault! Ow!? I stepped on something! What did I step on…!”

“…At this point, I’m starting to feel sorry for bringing you here…”

“You’re absolutely right…” Honestly, the two things I’m most afraid of in this world are mushrooms and ghosts.

You know that well, so bringing me to a place like this… You really… Just because you got a discount coupon doesn’t mean you should drag me along. This is too much…

Ssssss…

“Hyaak?!!! Wh-what was that… My ankle feels cold, hng…”

“It’s just dry ice for special effects, if you’re worried, check it out.”

“No way! Don’t move your arm!… I’m getting out of here like this!”

“Even so…this is a bit…too close…”

Uuuuh-

“Aaah!!!”

The sudden sensation of someone grabbing my shoulder made me feel like my heart dropped.

“Shinwoo…Shinwoo..hey..hey! Why aren’t you saying anything….”

Feeling even more uneasy due to Shinwoo suddenly becoming quiet, I slightly pulled away my arm to look up at him.

Shinwoo had a dazed expression, as if his ears were ringing, rubbing one ear with his palm.

“…I was more startled by your voice than any ghost… I thought my eardrums would burst…”

“So-sorry… But what was that just now….”

“The part-timer who tried to scare you ran away, startled by your piercing voice.”

“Ah…” “Not even a typical female singer could hit such high notes… Didn’t you ever go through puberty?”

Puberty or not, why did that part-timer have to grab someone they couldn’t see just to scare them?

Usually, scaring people is done to those who can handle it somewhat (?). What if someone has a heart attack?

The worst part was Shinwoo, laughing at me while I was scared out of my wits. I’ll get him back once we get out.

For now, escaping quickly was the priority, so I covered my face with Shinwoo’s sleeve again and walked forward.

“Is… Is this really the time for such talk!… More importantly, isn’t it over yet?”

“I think we just need to go a little further… More importantly, you really hate scary stuff, huh.”

“Of… Of course!”

Come to think of it, I could definitely start hearing the sounds of rides and people’s voices from outside.

The light grew brighter, and just as I thought it was ending and was about to reveal my face from the sleeve,

Clunk!

“Wha!?… A ghost neck suddenly fell from the sky… I let my guard down thinking it was the last one… Are you okay?”

“Shi…nwoo…. You… seriously…” “Haybyul! Hanbyul!… Byul!”

With that accursed voice calling my name desperately, my vision went black.

.

.

.

“Are you alright?… I didn’t expect you to be that scared.”

“You… you…”

“Hey, hey… I’m really sorry… I’ll buy you some churros over there, so please don’t be mad.”

“Do you really think I’ll forgive you just like that!”

“Then what do you want?”

How could he say that… Just one churro… One measly churro…

“Exactly!”

“…”

As expected from my childhood friend, he knows me well… But seriously, you think one churro will make up for it?

No way, I’ll ruin his allowance by adding ice cream to the bill… “Damn rich kid…”

“What are you muttering about since earlier?”

This guy doesn’t even receive an allowance; he earns his own money and lives off it.

All the friends around our department save money from their parents, and some even take loans to show off cars,

But this guy, despite having enough money to buy a car and even holding a Class 1 driver’s license, insists on living the pedestrian life just like me.

“…Why don’t you buy a car?”

“Huh… Suddenly? Do you want to go somewhere? What kind of car do you like?”

“No… Why do I need to give my opinion on your car purchase!… I don’t really have anywhere to go anyway.”

“Is that so? Then I guess I won’t buy one.”

What’s wrong with this guy? Even when going to school, he always times the bus perfectly…

Our university schedules, including lunchtime and general education classes, are all synced exactly.

“It’s not like we’re lovers or anything… Why would you ask me to choose something like that… Ouch, hot!”

While sitting on the bench muttering and repeatedly pressing and releasing my legs, I suddenly felt warmth on one side of my cheek.

Looking up, I saw Shinwoo holding a churro in one hand and pressing a hot chocolate can against my cheek with the other.

“What’s wrong with that? It’s normal for friends to recommend things to each other, right?”

“Is that so…?”

“Yeah, I asked what you’d buy… Did you actually expect me to buy you a car?”

“Make some sense… Your jokes need to be appropriate for me to agree with them….”

Looking at me with pity, Shinwoo handed over the hot chocolate and churro, muttering with a defeated expression.

“I could’ve actually bought you one…”

“What are you talking about… Hot, hot… Instead of hot chocolate, you should’ve gotten ice cream… Goes well with churros…”

“Ice cream? In this weather? Do you want to freeze to death? Who asks for ice cream in this weather?”

Annoyed by my complaints, Shinwoo started nagging at me with a pitiful look.

“Ugh… I don’t want to hear it…” “Don’t want to hear it? Last time you caught a cold and were bedridden, and thanks to you, I caught it too and suffered.”

“But I told you not to come that day… You insisted on coming to take care of me… Ow!”

“Sigh… This fool listens to advice with one ear. Seriously…”

“I’m not a fool! I passed the medical school entrance exam!”

“And then you catch the flu eating ice cream in winter? If that’s the case, eat moderately!”

Amidst the barrage of nagging, Shinwoo flicked my forehead again.

“Ow! Stop hitting me!”

Well… Honestly, I had nothing to say that day either.

The first day I ever earned money on my own through private tutoring,

I wanted to buy something, so I went to a nearby ice cream discount store and bought a bunch of ice creams.

However, my fridge broke down, and not wanting the ice cream to melt, I ended up eating it all and catching a cold.

“Even after being that sick, you still haven’t learned your lesson.”

“Alright, alright… Got it… Are you my mom or something?”

Thanks to this guy fixing my fridge and taking me to the hospital nearby to get medicine, I recovered quickly.

But how can anyone resist ice cream?

Though cold, its sweet, brain-freezing taste somehow feels even better in winter.

“Do you know what ‘Ice Death’ means? Even if I freeze to death, I’d still eat ice cream.”

“Nonsense, and you tripped over that. That’s not what it means.”

“Ahh!”

He’s a good guy, but sometimes he meddles too much… And he’s violent…

Despite being someone who shows zero interest in girls, acting like a fortress…

Even though we’re childhood friends, his behavior sometimes borders on obsession, making me question his preferences.

“Why are you staring at me like that? It’s starting to get dark… What do you want to do?”

“Hmm… What’s that? People are suddenly heading somewhere…”

Following my words, Shinwoo looked at the procession of people passing by and seemed to realize something.

“Ah, the parade must be starting soon. I remember seeing a sign saying it happens around this time.”

“Parade? Sounds fun, let’s go watch! Oh… Right, I need to bring this…”

Rushing to join the parade, I almost forgot the paper bag I left under the bench and came back to retrieve it.

“Isn’t that the thing the part-timer gave us at the entrance when we came in? What’s inside?”

“Th-this… Well…”

How should I explain this…? One thing’s for sure: I can’t show it to him.

“It’s not that important… Just something I received as a gift and decided to keep…”

“Is that so? Let me see it then.”

“It’s really nothing! Let’s go watch the parade!”

Seemingly giving up on my skillful deflection, Shinwoo smirked and followed after a brief glance.

“Alright, let’s check that out later.”

…Oh, maybe not… He’s not the type to force himself on something I clearly dislike…

If I show him this, he’ll definitely make me wear it…

“Hey… Look at this, Byul.”

The amusement park lights dimmed, and soon sparkling fireworks erupted from the sky,

and Christmas carols began to echo through the streets.

The warm melody flowing from the speakers mixed with the laughter of children, creating a cozy feeling.

“Wow…”

A sigh of admiration escaped me without realizing it.

Gentle snowflakes began to fall one by one above our heads.

Just in time, the white crystals glittered under the streetlights, dancing as they descended from the sky.

Despite the cold air seeping into my warm coat, making me shiver, my chest swelled strangely.

“Is this your first time seeing it?”

Shinwoo, who had been looking at me, quietly asked.

His gaze followed the softly fallen first snow.

“Yeah. It’s my first time seeing such a big parade.”

I think it’s the first time I’ve enjoyed such a festive atmosphere.

As soon as I finished speaking, cheers erupted from afar.

“Wow! They’re coming!”

A beautifully lit carriage approached slowly, adorned with dazzling lights.

On the carriage pulled by pure white horses, Christmas fairies and Santa waved their hands. The red and golden decorations were blinding.

Following behind was a procession featuring a stage shaped like a Christmas tree, with performers dressed as Santas playing cheerful carols as they marched.

“Beautiful…”

Spellbound by the parade, I muttered. At that moment, a sudden warmth touched my fingertips.

“You’re cold.”

Shinwoo took off his gloves and held my hand. Startled, I looked up at him,

only to find him smiling quietly as he watched the parade.

“…Don’t do this…”

Why does he do this? He’s always like this, but today seems especially worse.

By now, even someone as oblivious as a lifelong singleton can tell, this behavior isn’t just…

Even if we’re childhood friends…

“…If you keep doing this… I might misunderstand…”

“…What if it’s not a misunderstanding?”

“…What?”

Turning my head, I saw Shinwoo looking at me with a serious expression.

Then, slowly approaching, I instinctively started stepping back.

“Wh-what nonsense are you spouting… Hey, hey… Wait a minute…”

“You already know, don’t you? Byul.”

“Wh-what do I know… Uh…”

.

.

.

Backing up until I hit a wall, I panicked when Shinwoo placed his hand beside my head against the wall.

Is this guy really crazy!? Why… Why so suddenly… No… This is too unrealistic…

“You… You’re really insane? Why are you doing this….”

“I’m perfectly sane. Why don’t you stop pretending you don’t know, alright?”

“C-calm down… No matter how I think about it…”

“What’s the problem?”

“What’s the problem?! Obviously… Obviously… I’m… a man!”

“…”

His breath was so close I could feel it, and overwhelmed by an inexplicable pressure and trembling, I shouted.

After a long silence, Shinwoo said,

“…What do you mean by that?”

“What do you mean? No matter how you feel, we’re the same gender…”

“No, that’s why… What nonsense are you talking about?”

“…Eh?”

Opening my eyes and looking at him, Shinwoo spoke to me with a look as if he was seeing a strange person.

“Byul, you’re a girl, what nonsense are you spouting?”

“Wh-what…?”

Me, a girl? What nonsense is this guy spouting…?

At that moment, I noticed a strange sensation below my chest. Looking down, I realized I couldn’t see the legs I usually saw.

No… Come to think of it, I never really saw them clearly before… Because of my chest…

It wasn’t ‘sudden’… It’s as if it’s always been like this… Huh…?

“You’ve been mistaken about one thing.”

“Mis-taken…? Eh?”

Before I could sort out the myriad questions in my mind, Shinwoo’s voice tickled my ear.

“You were never a man… You’ve always been a woman, both in body and mind…”

“Eh…? W-wait a moment… Shinwoo, you shouldn’t touch there…”

“Acknowledge yourself… Byul… No… Stella.”

“No… This can’t be… It can’t be!”

.

.

.

“…Miss Stel-la!”

“No… Shinwoo… Hyaat!?… Eh…?”

“Miss Stella!… Phew… Finally awake…”

“…Shia? This is… the dormitory room…”

The first thing I saw upon opening my eyes was a girl in a pristine white miko outfit with braided black hair.

It was Shia, my roommate who always clung to me, chatting cheerfully.

Recognizing her and realizing I was in the girls’ dormitory of the academy grounds, I thought,

‘Ah, shit, it was a dream.’

“But who was that male name you called out in your sleep? Could it be… a secret lover? Oh my oh my…”

“Shiiit…”

“Wait… Miss Stella… Calm down for a moment…”

“Aaah!!!”

It was truly a terrible dream… Really…

After gathering my senses and washing up, Shia predictably continued interrogating me about my sleep talking.

“So, so! Who exactly is this Mr. Shinwoo?! Is he your boyfriend?! I never imagined you’d have someone like that! Does Nova know?!

No! Absolutely don’t tell Nova about this! Or rather… Maybe it’s better to tell him now…”

“What nonsense are you thinking about… Wait… What’s that?”

Pointing to the paper bag in her hand, Shia innocently smiled and took out its contents.

“This? Didn’t I say this yesterday! Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve… With this, we can knock Nova out in one shot…”

“No… Wait a moment…”

Why isn’t this a dream… I really want to escape back into my dreams.

 

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