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It couldn’t go on like this. That was the conclusion Pi Chaewon reached. But no matter what she tried, she couldn’t stop herself from becoming blurry.
-If you disappear from this world, what happens?
-No idea. Never disappeared before.
Clinging to a sliver of hope, the two of them went ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) into the auditorium.
Because inside it was the band practice room. Chaewon was carrying a guitar she couldn’t even play, and Jun sat down in front of the drum set. After tapping the drums a few times with the sticks, Jun eventually played with smooth proficiency.
-What? You know how to play the drums?
-A little.
-Should’ve put that in the setting. It fits the rebellious male lead perfectly.
-I’m already regretting that I didn’t.
Chaewon, still holding the guitar, flopped onto the floor.
-When we go back, I should learn guitar too. I always wanted to.
-Then why didn’t you learn?
-Because I was studying. I didn’t make many friends either because I was studying. Felt like a waste of time.
The two of them talked in the music room about things they hadn’t said. It felt like an ordinary slice of life, yet also like their final conversation before parting ways.
Calm enough, close enough.
-If I knew it’d be like this, I would’ve just learned it instead of studying. I was heading home late and then the car....
Beeeeep—.
In the middle of talking, tinnitus rang in Chaewon’s ears. Her vision darkened for a brief instant.
Crash—! A thunderous noise. Someone shouted, “What do we do! There’s a student here—!”
The scream sounded muffled, distant.
-What?
-...Nothing. It’s nothing.
Her focus slowly returned. Jun had come closer beside her and plopped down. Twirling a drumstick in one hand, he spoke.
-Hey.
-What.
-Still... I was kinda glad.
-....
-I’d been alone this whole time. But when you came, I dunno. It was something.
-But how did you know I wasn’t from this world?
-The first day, your skirt was way too realistic. And a few days later, I found a Black Label bottle under your desk.
Hina never came to the band room. Their waiting was for nothing. Their guess that Hina might show up to play music in the next development was wrong.
Jun and Chaewon left the auditorium.
And then they froze at what they saw.
-...What is this.
-Cherry blossoms....
The cherry blossoms blooming on the school field were pouring down endlessly.
It was proof that time was moving. But they couldn’t be happy. Even if time flowed normally, without Hina beside them, their screentime was in danger. Their existence was fading.
-...Your body.
Jun’s body was beginning to turn translucent. Chaewon grabbed his hand and ran without thinking. Their destination was the rooftop.
Bang!!!
Chaewon yanked the rooftop door open, frantic in a way she never was, desperately searching for Hina who might be somewhere.
-You’re here, right?! Come out!!!
She waited for Hina to show up with the guitar strapped on like last time, but Hina wasn’t there. She was nowhere on the rooftop.
Jun stood by the railing and calmly soothed Chaewon.
-It’s okay.
-How is this okay?!
-It might not be dying. It might be returning to normal.
-...But what if it is dying?
-....
-What if we’re not going back... and we’re just... dying forever?
Chaewon’s voice, usually expressionless, trembled.
The sun was setting. BGM slowly began playing. Music that didn’t match the situation at all — bright, cheerful, like tomorrow would be wonderful as always.
Chaewon, head down, gripped Jun’s shirt tightly.
-Don’t go.
Her eyes were filled to the brim with tears. She looked like she was desperately holding them back, afraid that if she cried for real, Jun would vanish.
-Huh...?
The shirt in Chaewon’s hand was crumpled tightly. Jun didn’t answer.
-Don’t go....
Chaewon slowly lifted her head. The sorrow-colored sunset brushed her right cheek.
In an instant, unable to withstand the weight, tears streamed down.
Once they started, they wouldn’t stop. Chaewon didn’t dare blink, afraid Jun would disappear the moment she did.
-....
Jun slowly raised his hand and placed it atop Chaewon’s head. Then he gently stroked her a few times — carefully, like handling something precious.
It wasn’t to fulfill some heroine screentime quota. It was for the farewell that was coming.
-We’ll definitely meet again. You and I.
-...How can you be so sure... about that...! ƒrēewebnovel.com
Sunset washed over Jun’s face. Jun smiled calmly as if nothing were wrong.
-Because that’s the cliché.
The hand stroking her hair slid slowly down to her cheek. His thumb brushed over her tear-soaked cheek—just as Chaewon blinked once.
-...!
And by the time she opened her eyes again, Jun was gone. As if he’d never existed. Chaewon sobbed silently right where she stood.
-Chaewon....
A voice called out.
-Chaewon....
Beeeeep—.
Tinnitus rang again.
* * *
“What the....”
Aetami realized she was crying without noticing. Crying while watching such a childish drama.
“Ah, damn....”
The farewell had been decorated with music that didn’t suit the situation at all.
On-screen, Chaewon had awakened in the hospital and was undergoing rehabilitation. With teary eyes, Aetami left a comment.
Input: If it ends like this the director dies I swear I won’t say it twice revive him in thirty seconds
Aetami refocused on the drama.
Back in reality, Chaewon realized why the genre had suddenly shifted midway. It was because of her mother’s choices — reading a different manga to Chaewon each day as she slept.
She had bought a manga featuring a rock band protagonist because Chaewon once said she wanted to learn guitar.
Chaewon slowly opened the manga.
Unrealistic high school life. Ridiculous clichés. Tears blurred the page.
Jun must have been fictional too. Like Hina. Like all the countless characters.
And yet Chaewon still wanted to see him. As she cried, the camera slowly lost focus and highlighted the school uniform hanging on the wall.
Before long, the location shifted back to school.
Not the romance-manga uniform, but a regular high school uniform. Chaewon stared out the window.
Coincidentally, the seat was the back row where Jun had been. White curtains fluttered.
Step— step—.
Footsteps approached from afar. Sneakers came into view. The camera slowly panned upward. A sports jersey appeared.
Clatter—.
The front door opened. Chaewon kept staring at the fluttering curtain.
-All right. We have a transfer student. He had a car accident and had to repeat a year, so he’s a year older than you guys. What’s your name?
A strong gust of wind blew the curtain over Chaewon’s face.
-I’m Heo Hyeonjun.
Beyond the white curtain, a familiar voice.
The curtain settled back into place — and in front of Chaewon appeared:
-Give the class a quick greeting.
Their eyes met. As if the two of them were the only ones in focus in the vast classroom.
BGM played. Bright, cheerful, and full of tomorrow’s promise, just like always.
-...Nice to meet you.
Jun lifted the corner of his mouth in a smile. Chaewon, too, smiled back — a new, radiant smile unlike before.
[The Cherry on the Parfait Belongs to the Heroine!]
Episode 8 ended. A perfect finale.
