Hello

After leaving the place where I lived.

I headed straight to the meeting place where I had arranged to meet the protagonist.

It took quite a while for me to walk there.

That was because I lived in the slums, far from the city while the meeting place was located in the city center.

So, it took me a long time.

On the way, Kim Jihoon kept texting me, asking where I was.

I replied to him several times.

Eventually, I arrived at the meeting place.

It was a small café.

Inside, I saw the face of a boy— his jet-black hair and strikingly handsome features surprised me.

Even though there were illustrations of the protagonist in the novel, they were distant and blurry.

I stared at the protagonist for a while before snapping back to reality and stepping into the café.

The moment I entered, our eyes met instantly.

I lowered my gaze, feeling guilty.

That was because I had come here today to borrow money from him.

It was embarrassing to ask someone for money.

especially since I had never borrowed money from anyone in my entire life.

"...Ah, hello."

"Hmm, so what do you want?"

I greeted Kim Jihoon, but all I received in return was a cold gaze and an icy tone.

His eyes scanned my body, looking at my worn-out clothes.

before stopping at my arm, which was wrapped in bandages.

Aren't we friends?

That question popped into my mind. from those cold gazes he's looking at me.

I could only smile foolishly.

"Haha... Well... how should I say this..."

"Hurry up and say it. I don't have all day."

"Uh... um... I want to borrow... money."

I looked down at the floor, my fingers fidgeting anxiously.

"For what?"

"For... medicine and food..."

"....."

Silence fell between us for a long moment before he let out a sigh,

his eyes filled with contempt as he looked at me.

"Heh... Have you really fallen this low?"

Yes... I had fallen so low, to the point where I didn't even have a single penny.

I didn't even know how I would afford my next meal.

Just my medical expenses alone were already too much to think about food.

"I'm sorry..."

I could only mutter in a sorrowful voice.

I knew he was probably mad at me, even if it wasn't entirely my fault.

That was because…

We had fought before we stopped talking to each other.

And the reason was…

Because the original Han Seoyeon in the novel felt worthless and pushed Kim Jihoon, who had a bright future, away.

Even though Kim Jihoon had tried to be there in her life, her inferiority complex made it unbearable for her to see him.

So, Han Seoyeon had driven him away and hurled harsh words at him.

In the end, that was why they had fought and stopped contacting each other.

But I knew that a protagonist like 'Kim Jihoon' would never ignore someone who was once his close friend.

Yet this guilt… from trying to borrow his money made me feel even more guilt.

"...Forget it. How much do you need?"

"Uh..."

I hesitated at his response.

Inside my head, I calculated my medical expenses.

I didn't want to trouble Kim Jihoon any more than this.

I needed just enough to sustain myself until I could live on my own and pay him back.

"Ten million won..."

"..."

Ten million won—it was such an enormous sum that I couldn't even imagine it.

But medical treatment was expensive.

The medicine I used cost a million won per dose.

I used to take a much cheaper alternative,

but it didn't work as well as this one.

After injecting this current medication,

within just five minutes, my body would feel noticeably better.

My strength would return quickly, and the pain would vanish.

Not only that, but it would clear my mind and make me feel incredibly happy.

Though it had a downside— it made me not want to do anything and crave another dose constantly.

But… wasn't that still a good thing?

Because at least the pain went away.

"Did you gone crazy? What do you need that much money for? Tell me the truth."

"I-It's true... It's for my medical treatment."

I lifted my head to meet his gaze.

I didn't know why… but my eyes felt wet.

Was it because he didn't trust me?

But I understood why he wouldn't believe me.

Who would lend money to someone they had just fought with?

If I were Kim Jihoon, I wouldn't lend it either.

"....."

Kim Jihoon was silent for a long time before sighing as we locked eyes.

"Fine. But after this, we're done."

"W-What? No..."

I was shocked and blurted out.

"Why? You wanted the money, right? Then take it. I don't care what you need it for.

If you want it, take it but after this, we're done."

I stood there, frozen by his words.

What I was doing… was I selling our friendship?

But I didn't want to lose our bond.

Because if I did… my entire plan to live on my own would collapse.

And he's the protagonist of this novel.

I can't...

"Alright… I won't take it..."

I lowered my head. My eyes felt even wetter.

No… my tears were already falling.

I wondered what Kim Jihoon thought as he looked at his pathetic friend like this.

It didn't matter anymore.

What mattered more was— where would I get money for my medicine?

"...Since we were once friends, I'll give you some for food at least."

"...Thank you."

I clap my hands together as Kim Jihoon took out his phone.

Shortly after, my phone vibrated.

[You have received a notification: 1,000,000 won deposited into your account.]

One million won…

It was only enough for one dose of medicine.

But if I used it for food instead, I could survive for a month while figuring out another way to afford my medication.

But that meant enduring the burning pain in my body.

No… I still had some time.

The last dose I took would last about two days.

I had a day, and a half left.

I would find a way— I believed in my future self.

"Then, I'll go first."

Kim Jihoon said as he stood up and walked away.

But just before leaving the café, he suddenly stopped without turning back.

"...What happened to your arm?"

"Oh... I just tripped and fell on some glass shards..."

I answered nervously, hiding my arm behind my back.

I didn't know how to respond.

Should I tell him that my arm looked like this because of frequent injections?

Or should I say… that I was testing how much the medication could suppress pain?

Because my arm… was covered with knife scars from my own experiments.

"I see..."

After hearing my reply, Kim Jihoon walked out of the café.

Seeing him leave, I let out a deep sigh.

Now… it was time to go home.

My relationship with Kim Jihoon was still intact.

I hadn't sold it for a mere money.

No… Maybe... had I already let it go?

Because Kim Jihoon… didn't seem to care about me at all.

Never mind that…

I had to go back home first.