# Chapter 122
There were two people waiting, one was someone I knew and the other was a person I was seeing for the first time. It was Yoon Taean and a sharp-looking man wearing glasses.
Yoon Taean, upon seeing me, asked in a somehow cautious tone.
“Ah, you’re here? I heard you were doing rehabilitation. Did it go well?”
“Yeah.”
At my answer, the guy blinked his eyes with an expression that suggested something was odd. I could guess why he was reacting that way—it was because I was showing a friendly attitude. And he must’ve been really surprised that I even went through rehabilitation training.
I really want to see with my own eyes how Yoon Taeho had been behaving to make everyone react like this.
Barely managing to support my tired body, I approached the bed and sat on it. When Yoon Taean reached out to help support me, I waved his hand away with a small smile.
Instead, I glanced at the man sitting on the sofa and made a gesture with my eyes asking who he was.
“Ah, that… I heard from Mom. She said your condition has improved, so I contacted them. Since you seem to have the energy to talk now…”
Seeing that he wasn’t introducing who the person was and was bringing up something else, I thought my communication had failed, but then I let out a small gasp at what followed.
“So I came with the prosecutor. He’s probably busy, but he came right away when I contacted him, so don’t just send him away like last time.”
It seems the case had been transferred to the prosecution as I’d heard, and this must be the prosecutor in charge. He looked exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes, suggesting he really was busy.
I bowed my head to the man dressed in a dark blue suit and greeted him.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
At my words, both the prosecutor and Yoon Taean looked at me with strange expressions. Ah, I inwardly sighed for a moment, then smiled bitterly at the familiar feeling. I can’t even act picky, this is driving me crazy.
“Thank you. I introduced myself last time as well, but I’m Byeon Seungho.”
The man who had risen from the sofa approached me as I was smiling slightly and introduced himself first. It seemed like a courteous gesture. I considered whether I should also give my name but just nodded and replied, “Yes.”
I had noticed it while he was sitting, but the man had quite a good build. His face wasn’t exactly what you’d call handsome, but he had a movie-star-like aura and charismatic impression.
He looked young, and I thought he must be popular, but then I frowned slightly at the familiar name.
“You certainly seem to be in better condition than when I saw you last time.”
“…Yes.”
“Then, can you now give the statement that you couldn’t provide at that time?”
I pondered for a moment about how to benefit Yoon Taeho, but then quickly dismissed such unnecessary thoughts.
What do I mean by ‘benefit’? Clearly, making a statement would be good for Yoon Taeho too. I could somewhat understand why this guy hadn’t said anything, but it wasn’t something I could fully comprehend.
Since I had returned anyway, I decided to help Yoon Taeho in his future life. To help him breathe easier and prevent him from ruining himself further.
“Yes. I’ll do it.”
At my clear answer, Prosecutor Byeon Seungho raised and lowered his eyebrows. His face showed suspicion at my suddenly changed attitude, but soon he subdued his intensity as I continued to respond cooperatively. It wasn’t the kind of attitude one would show to a victim rather than a perpetrator, but it seemed that Yoon Taeho had been quite stubborn.
* * *
“So these students were also there, you say.”
“Yes.”
Looking at the photos presented to me, I pointed out several students with my finger. They were the ones who had gathered on the bridge that day and made me fall. Although Ye Abin had caused the most direct harm, these guys weren’t completely uninvolved either.
The trial will be handled well by Byeon Seungho at the upcoming public hearing anyway.
“Do I need to attend there as well?”
“No. You can if you want, but it would be difficult with your condition, so you don’t have to attend.”
“Does that mean I don’t need to appear as a witness?”
Byeon Seungho glanced at me and pushed up his slightly lowered glasses with his index finger.
“Normally, you would need to attend as a witness. There was no video footage showing whether you were deliberately pushed off. There is dashcam footage from the car Yoon Taeho fell onto, but it only captured the falling motion, which was unsuitable as evidence. The only evidence we had was the victim’s statement…”
“…Will that be enough to secure a sentence?”
Byeon Seungho was putting the photos he had shown me back into a notebook when he looked at me as if surprised. When I stared back at him plainly, he answered casually.
“You really want them to be punished, don’t you?”
“Of course. …Even if I forgive them later, it’s not now.”
Byeon Seungho nodded and took out a new photo from another file and handed it to me. Seemingly satisfied with my answer, there was a smile on his lips.
“This photo was taken by Yoon Taeho’s friend.”
“My friend?”
“A friend named Ko Kyungsu, who said he took this during club activities.”
Surprised, I took the photos and examined them carefully.
In one corner of the photo, there was Jo Youngmin holding water bottles in both hands. It just looked like he was getting water, but the position where he was sitting and where the water bottles were placed was suspicious.
“This is probably where I was sitting.”
“Yes. Sodium azide was found in small amounts in the water bottle that Seoheon-ssi drank from. It’s a pesticide ingredient that causes vomiting or brain damage if ingested.”
As I bit my lip at the shocking news, even more surprising information came out.
“Originally, they intended to feed it to Yoon Taeho-ssi.”
“What?”
“Although the person denies it, the fingerprints were found in verification, and based on student testimonies, it’s certain, so this case will definitely go to trial.”
As if he had said everything he needed to, Byeon Seungho began packing up his things.
“I’ll contact you again later, so take good care of your health.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
Since my body was in this state, I couldn’t see him off, but I should show some courtesy, so I forced myself to get up. It seemed unnecessary, as he gestured for me to sit down, and I plopped back down on the bed.
“Then I’ll be going now.”
Byeon Seungho greeted Yoon Taean and me before opening the door. Before he left, I realized something I hadn’t asked and stopped him.
“Ah, just a moment. Um… what if, regardless of punishment, they harbor a grudge over this and try to use violence against me again? Is there any protection or method to prevent that?”
I needed a way to ensure Yoon Taeho wouldn’t suffer more harm when I returned. The best solution would be a transfer or studying abroad far away, but I couldn’t decide that on my own.
At my urgent question, Byeon Seungho paused and looked at me for a moment before slightly lifting the corner of his mouth. It was a smile that seemed both incredulous and somehow confident. My eyebrows raised at this expression I’d never seen before.
“Don’t worry. They will receive actual prison sentences. Honestly, it’s because Yoon Taeho-ssi showed an attitude of wanting to let it go quietly, but if you testify actively, it won’t be difficult. And you don’t need to worry about secondary harm either. They won’t be able to do that.”
I was speechless at his firm answer. I wondered how he could guarantee it, but his confidence was reassuring. And if my guess was right, he probably had the power to make those words come true no matter what.
Yoon Taean expressed his thanks to Byeon Seungho as he left, and soon the door closed. Only after Byeon Seungho’s figure disappeared and some time had passed did I ask Yoon Taean.
“That prosecutor is Byeon Seungha’s hyung, right?”
“Huh? Yeah.”
Yoon Taean made a face as if asking why I was asking something I already knew, but it seemed he didn’t want to speak his mind, so he closed his mouth.
It seemed like he might be feeling sorry toward me, as he kept showing a submissive attitude. Well, if it were me, I would be worried first if a family member was seriously injured, and I couldn’t show a cold attitude to a patient.
I nodded inwardly in understanding, then cautiously brought up what I had been curious about.
“Is everything okay at school? Is Moon Seoheon doing well?”
That was what concerned me most about returning to the original world. Maybe because there were so many issues I’d left behind, the kids would sometimes come to mind.
I wondered if Moon Seoheon was okay now after all this time. And The Four, were they just fine? The last time I saw them was when Moon Seoheon collapsed and they were gritting their teeth in anger. Come to think of it, although somewhat different, things had progressed similar to the animation. Though unlike the animation, fortunately no one was seriously hurt.
“…Well, they’re doing fine. Why? Are you planning to get along with them again?”
Yoon Taean frowned. He seemed to be trying to gauge my thoughts but looked confused as if he couldn’t understand at all. And there was also some wariness mixed in.
Judging from his words, it seemed that Yoon Taeho had been keeping his distance all this time. I frowned slightly out of perplexity.
I already have many things to resolve, and this just makes it more difficult.
It was fortunate, if anything, that not much time had passed here due to the significant time difference between where I had been living and here.
Even so, the competition period had already passed, and although there was still time left for the presentation, I couldn’t participate together in this condition.
I felt very sorry. More than that, the biggest issue was whether my relationships with the kids had deteriorated. Even Yoon Taean, who I thought had become more affectionate, was now showing such unfavorable emotions.
I contemplated for a moment. Since I’d be returning again anyway and could come back, should I explain the truth that I’m not Yoon Taeho and ask for help? After all, they’re family, wouldn’t they help out somehow?
For now, I decided to talk slowly so they could understand, rather than telling everything at once.
“Actually… my mental state isn’t good.”
Yoon Taean’s eyes widened in surprise at my words.
“You probably think it’s strange that I keep changing back and forth, but there’s a reason for it all, so could you wait a little bit?”
I needed mental preparation to bring up the preposterous story of souls switching. And thinking about it, it would be good for the parents to know as well, not just Yoon Taean.
Yoon Taean’s pupils trembled slightly, looking quite perplexed. But soon, as if he understood, he said he got it.
I felt like I needed to rest now, so I lifted my legs onto the bed one by one. When I grunted with effort, Yoon Taean came over to help. The rehabilitation training must have been quite exhausting because as soon as I lay down comfortably, my body felt languid.
“But you came early. I thought you’d come in the evening since you said you’d come after school.”
It wasn’t even five o’clock yet. I had thought we might eat together when he arrived, but I couldn’t keep him waiting for long, so it would be better to just send him off.
“I came right after classes ended… Are you not angry with me anymore?”
“Hm? Ah… Did I get very angry with you? That was just because I was having a hard time, so don’t worry about it.”
Was I angry? I thought he said I hadn’t spoken at all. Anyway, this is something I need to fix.
I should contact Ko Kyungsu first to thank him. I also need to apologize to Moon Seoheon for not keeping my promise. But given the circumstances, Yoon Taeho must have already met them, so suddenly apologizing would be strange and confusing.
A sigh escaped me, and as I breathed out softly, Yoon Taean, seeing my half-closed eyes, told me to rest well. At those words, I fell asleep without even realizing it.
