READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 33
The surface reason was simple.
“I think it’d be better not to let others see me in this house, so just play outside for a bit, okay?”
Given my current situation, it was an understandable reason, and not particularly difficult either.
At least, that’s what I thought…
“Do I really have to go out?”
I asked again, just in case. I was feeling quite a heavy burden about going out. No, it wasn’t just a simple burden. It was a fear of the unknown.
“Yeah, almost there.”
Haa…
Letting out a sigh at the reality that approached me, I was a bit startled. Even to my ears, it sounded way too feminine.
‘Isn’t this normal?’
It wasn’t strange. No matter what anyone said, I was a woman now. Not just any woman, but a heavenly beauty that you’d rarely find.
Wasn’t a sigh like this nothing to worry about?
‘…Or maybe not?’
Maybe it was because of the sudden distress that I felt out of sorts. Where am I? Who am I?
‘…This isn’t the time for that.’
I quickly pulled myself together and started gathering my clothes.
There wasn’t much to coordinate. Just a thick gray fleece hoodie, jeans, and if I put on a long padded coat and pulled down the cap of my baseball hat, I could create a comfy yet warm look while minimizing exposure.
‘Oh, right.’
I also remembered to wrap my face tightly with a scarf, thanks to past experiences. Indeed, you don’t know until you try everything.
I didn’t forget to gather my possessions either. Though, there really wasn’t much.
My smartphone and a check card. The so-called “mom card.”
When I finally stood at the front door with trembling steps, the first obstacle appeared.
‘What were my shoes again?’
There was an astonishing number of shoes lined up in the shoe rack. It wouldn’t be surprising to find at least one pair that belonged to me among them.
“Hmm…”
Last time I went out, Mother and my younger sister had taken out my shoes for me, but not this time.
That said, I didn’t want to ask Mother or my sister for help just to find one pair of shoes. I didn’t want to show that I was reliant on them over a silly thing like this.
I was home alone, and I had to step outside on my own.
‘…Is this one mine?’
I picked up a pair of shoes that I was somewhat familiar with. They were black UGG boots that seemed to fit my size at least.
I didn’t think my mother would wear such cute shoes, so even if they weren’t mine, they were probably my sister’s. Besides, if they were truly my sister’s, who would mind if I wore her shoes?
‘Hmm.’
It felt oddly unfamiliar just to wear shoes. Even though I had worn them many times before, it seemed there hadn’t been many opportunities for me to wear them.
Ding ding!
I tried to shake off my fears as I stepped forward, hoping not to run into any guests. It was possible since it wasn’t my first time stepping out of the door.
“Ugh…”
As I met the world painted completely white, a chilling cold seeped into my skin.
Huff, my breath formed clouds in the air.
“…It’s freezing.”
Even though I didn’t have much experience, I dare say that the snow piled high in winter is only nice when seen from a warm room; facing it directly isn’t so pleasant.
It’s damp, slippery, and cold.
Of course, many people might find this sensation enjoyable, but it’s not my cup of tea. Not at all.
Creek-
I opened the frostbitten door to face the world.
The world seemed foreign.
It wasn’t my first time stepping outside. However, it was always when I was either in a car or being wheeled out by my mother. This time, I was thrown out alone.
I stood there, clueless about where to go, my feet barely moving.
“Where should I go?”
The bald monk’s question echoed in my head.
“Where should I go?”
Am I the bald monk, or is the bald monk me? An absurd identity crisis began to brew.
In the end, I chose the park in front of the house as my first destination.
That park I had seen whenever I looked outside.
Though I didn’t have any memorable experiences to call my own, I still liked this park.
It was quiet.
In my memories, the park was always bustling, but perhaps the frigid weather made it feel unusually cold and harsh today.
‘Well, it’s good for me.’
Still, I was nervous being around people.
I walked around the park, turning in circles. Despite my burdensome physique, I felt surprisingly light on my feet.
Maybe it was the excitement of finally being outside after so long.
How strange that is.
Hooah.
My white breath billowed out.
Even though I had experienced this several times, it was still entertaining.
With my heart racing, all I was doing was wandering aimlessly around the park.
I usually would’ve checked my smartphone, but unfortunately, it was too cold to pull my hands out of my pockets.
‘So, this is how it looks.’
Of course, it wasn’t my first visit to the park. However, since it had been so long and I was being wheeled around last time, the view was bound to be different when standing on my own.
Above all, the snow-covered scenery made me question if this was truly the place I’ve seen before.
How long had I wandered the park?
Chatter—a commotion in the distance.
A group of elderly people entered the park, chatting loudly.
They naturally settled in a pavilion on one side, as if they had come out for a trip from a senior center.
“Ah, you won’t believe what that old man said!”
“Really? Who would believe that?”
“Seriously!”
The once white park that seemed like another world suddenly transformed into a completely different space.
Even though it was a public area, I felt as if my personal space had been invaded, making it clear that I was a hopeless introvert.
Given the circumstances, perhaps my presence was indeed quite unusual amidst the elders’ routines.
Naturally, I stood out.
“Hmm? Why?”
“Over there.”
I felt a gaze from around me.
After all, no matter how bundled up I was, my appearance was still too noticeable to blend in.
“…I haven’t seen you around here. Are you not from this neighborhood?”
“Goodness, what a sight! How could someone look like that? I couldn’t even… twenty years ago…”
Even though they weren’t speaking loudly, their voices echoed in my ears.
I’ve noticed since a while back, but my senses were clearly different from before, almost off the charts compared to the average person.
At that moment…
“Hey girl! Come over here and warm yourself by the fire. Your cheeks are so red. Aren’t you cold?”
One of the elderly ladies called to me.
I honestly didn’t expect anyone to suddenly talk to me, so I stumbled, trying to find the right words.
“Uh… Ah! I have an appointment, so goodbye!”
And just like that, I had no choice but to flee the park.
“Why did you call that girl who was standing still? She ran away!”
“I just thought she looked cold…”
“Sigh.”
I felt a strange sense of guilt.
But what could I do?
Having always been miles away from socializing, I ended up sprinting out of the park while wandering the streets.
“Where should I go?”
Once again, I found myself wandering like that bald monk and eventually arrived in front of a café.
It wasn’t a big franchise café. Just a small café you find in any neighborhood.
There weren’t many customers, so I figured it’d be okay to spend some time here.
“….”
I paused in front of the café door.
All I had to do was open the door and go in.
But stepping into a new space I had never entered before required a courage beyond imagination.
They say the first step is always the hardest, but that first step was terrifying.
Ultimately, I had no choice but to escape again.
On my way, I passed several large PC bangs as well.
But regrettably, like with the café, I didn’t have the courage to enter.
“Where to go…”
There was nowhere to go.
I had money and time, yet in this irony of being alone with nowhere to go, I realized I needed someone’s help.
But who?
Naturally, my connections were so lacking they might as well be nonexistent.
My relationships outside my family were strictly limited to Legends of League, and even then, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they were entirely disconnected from the reality I lived.
Then…
Yuri.
I decided to message my sister, who was likely the most free among my family.
[Me: Are you free right now?]
The reply came quickly. Apparently, my contacting my sister was a rare occurrence, so she must’ve sensed something was up.
[Yuri: Is something wrong?]
What should I say?
As I pondered my words, I quickly typed a message.
[Me: I left the house.]