"By the way, Sunbae," Sohee says, blinking as if trying to figure out my existence, "why are you here?"
I look around the apartment lobby to confirm where I am again… "I live here."
"Eh? Sunbae does?"
Her pink eyes widen, and they are a little unsure if I am joking or telling the truth.
Does Sohee, despite being so close to me, never find out where I live? I'd expect they'd exchange their home address by now.
"Then this must be some bizarre coincidence, then."
She nods her head a few times.
"You live here too, Sohee?" is what I assumed.
And like to assume that, since living so close to a girl who'd consent if I asked to comfort me, might be the best thing that's happened in this world.
"No," she answers.
Damn.
O world, why ought you take her away?
"It's Nelly. She lives here."
So she tells and laughs awkwardly, "It's such a weird chance, right, Sunbae?"
I nod. I would like to be surprised, but honestly, I just don't. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I know where Nelly lives—it's just that I'm not easily 'surprised' anymore ever since I came to this world. Nevertheless, having Nelly living so close by… I'm not sure what to think about that.
Varrie is one thing. But I think she just dislikes me since we are strangers. Nelly, on the other hand, is just so scared of me that it seems she'd rather choke herself before talking to me.
So living close to her wouldn't mean anything… except if I somehow get her to like me.
And the pink girl in front of me is the key to unlock that door.
"So you're here to visit her, right?"
Sohee nods, "Which floor do you live in, Sunbae?"
Room 21 is on the—"second floor."
"Oh, Nelly's thirty-one. Makes sense why you two never knew. Well, Nelly rarely ever goes outside anyway."
Room 31? I think that's the third floor.
"So how's… Nelly been?"
The plan was for Sohee to convince Nelly to attend the class, if I remember correctly. But she has been doing it for days, actually. Is it going to work?
The question makes her tug the tiny black necktie, "I think she needs more time. I think."
She's worried that her effort would go nowhere. 'I think she needs more time' is just as bad as saying 'I don't know what to say.'
Both of us knew that Nelly didn't need any more time. She needs something else. Maybe a push?
Sohee looks up at me with a weak smile, "I don't think I'm good at convincing others, like Sunbae is."
How's so? I'd do anything if you ask me something with those big doll eyes staring at me.
And also, I don't convince people. I lie, Sohee. Unlike you, I'm the worst kind of person you want to tell you something.
"We did plan for this to happen at a later date, but…" Sohee's looking at her feet for a moment… before finding my face again with a somewhat brighter face, "Maybe Sunbae should tag along with me for today."
Huh? "Sohee… you suggesting we visit Nelly together?"
Sohee nods. "Mmn. Nelly and I talked about this. She says it would be a good practice."
A lot to unpack there, but it's still before the afternoon, I don't want to make a thousand theories of what she said.
All I have to know is this: "Are you sure this is okay?"
Sohee nods, "It might be a good thing if you could get Nelly to have a conversation."
"Sure."
"Thank you, Sunbae. Actually, before moving, I have something to tell you."
"Is it about Nelly?"
"It's about the school's new regulation."
We stay in the lobby for a while longer… talking about stuff which I'm sure is important.
"You got all of that, Sunbae?"
"Yeah," nope. I lost you at 'school's new regulation.'
"If that's all right, then let us go."
She starts to walk… and then stops, turning to me. "Sunbae, do you want to change first?"
I take a look at the fabric covering my body. A white t-shirt. Black short. "Can't I?"
"Shouldn't you wear something… more appropriate if we're going to meet a student?"
"Should I also be wearing what you wear?"
"Sunbae!"
Her face blushes a little, and I laugh to make sure she knows I'm joking. I was just teasing her, of course, I have no actual desire to be in a high school girl uniform. I wear pants, not skirt… at least for now.
She sighs, "Maybe it is fine… just don't get too close later, okay?"
With Nelly? Though that sounds impossible to resist wanting to hold her, I'd try. "Okay."
And with that beautiful lie, Sohee leads the way.
To the stairs.
Sigh.
Of course, she chose stairs. She does recycling.