Chapter 170

EP.170 You’re Crazy

[Jihyuk! I bought a hairpin today, how does it look? ξ(✿❛‿❛)ξ]

Along with this message, a photo of Adeline, likely taken by Silvia, arrived.

She was smiling brightly with a flower-shaped hairpin on the side of her head.

I hadn’t noticed before, but from the side, her cheeks looked a bit chubby.

Cute.

[It’s pretty.]

[(๑ŏ_ŏ๑)]

What’s this? Is she mad?

Did she get upset because I just casually commented?

While I was wondering, another message came.

[(๑ò︵ò๑)]

Yep, she’s definitely upset.

[It suits you well. Where did you get it?]

[At the convenience store! Oh, can I go out with Silvia unnie for lunch today? I want to take a walk around.]

[If it’s just around the area, you don’t need to let me know. But… it’s 2 AM right now.]

[I know! Fighting for today too! ٩(๑• ₃ -๑)۶]

What’s this? Is she teasing me? Did something happen at the amusement park last time?

Lying in bed, I stared blankly at the screen before carefully placing my phone on the nightstand.

But my efforts were in vain as the Doctor woke up, ruining the moment.

“….Who is it…?”

“You’re awake? Adeline said she’s going for a walk with Silvia later.”

“Now…?”

“No, at lunch.”

“But why is she messaging now…? She should know better…”

“You know how she is. She’s a bit childish.”

The Doctor, yawning, turned her head and looked at me.

“True… She’s pure, I guess? It’s a bit worrying.”

“Silvia’s with her. It’s fine.”

“Let’s help her more.”

Nodding silently, I stroked the Doctor’s stomach and stopped her from getting up.

“Sleep more.”

“I want some water…”

“Drink my saliva.”

“You’re crazy…”

The Doctor chuckled incredulously, then gave me an affectionate kiss on the lips before getting up.

She’s been doing much better since that day at the psychiatry department.

It’s been three days, and she’s been fine, meeting me normally.

So normal that I wonder if we overdid it with the dopamine normalization. She’ll probably suggest making the device soon.

As I covered my forehead with my arm, lost in thought, the Doctor brought a cup of water and placed it on the nightstand.

Then she sat on the bed and started playing with my cheek.

“What’s wrong? Headache?”

“No. Just thinking.”

“Drink. I brought water.”

“I’m fine.”

“Drink it. You sleep with your mouth slightly open. Your mouth must be dry.”

I sat up and grinned at her.

“When did you notice that?”

“When I’m stressed or can’t sleep, seeing you calms me down.”

“What’s stressing you?”

“Just stuff… Drink up.”

She handed me the cup, holding it by the body so I could easily grab the handle.

This is one of the reasons I really like her.

She’s meticulous even with small things.

She’s quick to break down when it comes to me, but she’s also good at reasoning.

In short, she’s reliable.

I took a big sip of water, and the Doctor put the cup down and asked,

“You’re fully awake, right?”

“Yeah. You?”

“Me too.”

“Want to watch a movie?”

“Sure. Want to eat something while we watch?”

“Anything simple is fine.”

The Doctor smiled brightly, agreed, and headed to the living room. I picked up my phone.

There was another message from Adeline.

[Jihyuk, I have a favor to ask.]

No emoticon, so it must be something serious… A favor at 2 AM? I’m scared of what she’ll say.

[What is it?]

[Can you teach me how to use an unmanned taxi?]

Not a big deal… I feel deflated.

[Unmanned taxi…? You just input the destination, and when you arrive, you tap your card.]

[It’s hard. I think I’ll get it if I see it once.]

[Got it. I’ll show you tomorrow. And Adeline, 2 AM is usually when people are asleep.]

[Sorry. I thought you were awake since you replied… (Ó╭╮Ò)]

To be exact, I was awake, and I don’t think it’s weird to text at 2 AM… Whatever. I’m not in the mood to argue.

You’ll have to repay me with your body later, so I’ll let it slide.

[It’s fine. Have a good day.]

[Yes!]

“Kyaaaah!”

As soon as I finished texting Adeline, a piercing scream came from the living room.

A crashing sound followed. She must have dropped a plate.

I rushed to the living room and found the Doctor trembling, staring at the kitchen window.

Is her schizophrenia acting up? I need to clean up the glass first.

“Don’t move. Stay still. You might step on the glass.”

After saying that, I grabbed a broom and swept up the broken pieces.

“J-Jihyuk…!”

Her voice was filled with terror.

After clearing the glass, I carefully lifted her foot to check for any remaining shards.

“I don’t see any, but let’s wash your feet in the bathroom just in case.”

I carried her to the bathroom, and she wrapped her arms around my neck tightly.

Did she see a ghost? What’s going on?

Her ragged breathing gradually calmed.

She must have felt safe in my arms. I decided to calm her down.

**

After thoroughly washing her feet, I laid her on the bed and covered her with a blanket.

As I tidied her sweat-drenched hair, she spoke.

“I… I saw my ex-husband. Edward…”

“Edward Parsons?”

“Yes… He looked at me and walked past. From right to left… It was like he was floating, no movement at all…”

Her breathing became irregular again.

Her eyes were watery, as if she was about to cry.

Hallucinations? Is her schizophrenia flaring up again?

I need to stay calm so she doesn’t get more anxious.

“Did you hear any voices?”

“No…”

“Do you want to take your meds? Or go to the lab and use the medical device?”

“I… I don’t want to go anywhere right now…”

“Then I’ll get your meds.”

“Don’t go!”

She shouted and grabbed my wrist tightly.

I silently agreed and lay down beside her, holding her gently.

“You haven’t fully moved on yet.”

She admitted it.

“I guess… His presence is still strong in my subconscious… I want to move on, but I don’t even want to think about it… I’m sorry…”

“I think it’s a natural emotion. You loved him deeply and missed him for a long time.”

“I want to let him go peacefully… But when he appears in any form, I resent him. I want to be happy with you, but it feels like he’s interfering…”

Her eyes turned sharp.

She continued.

“I can’t stay like this. It’s hard for me, and it’ll be hard for you too…”

She suddenly sat up and told me to follow her, then headed to the utility room.

She threw Edward Parsons’ golf bag out of the living room and brought out albums and picture frames.

Then she looked at me and said,

“It’s because of these. His spirit is attached to me because of these.”

She’s talking crazy.

But her determination is impressive.

I seriously searched the shelf and took out her prescribed medication.

“If you’re not going to the lab, take this now. You’re starting to delusion.”

“Delusion…? You think I’m delusional…?”

“You’re saying his spirit is attached to you. Isn’t that a delusion?”

“In a world where demons with strange powers exist, it’s not impossible… I’m not taking it. I’m perfectly sane.”

“You’re seeing hallucinations and calling yourself sane?”

“…..”

She glared at me resentfully, as if asking why I’m stopping her.

I wasn’t trying to stop her.

I’m doing this to bring out her violent side and help her accept those emotions deep inside.

After a moment of eye contact, I asked,

“Won’t you regret it? The golf bag and frames are one thing, but the album… It’s full of memories of you and your husband.”

“They’re useless now.”

“Why?”

“I only see you now. I want to forget all my memories with him and be happy with you.”

“You’re really angry right now. You’re doing this in the heat of the moment. You’ll regret it later…”

“Are you on my side!? Or his!?”

She cut me off and shouted.

His side? She’s really gone far. I’m getting heated.

I calmly tried to calm her down.

“I’m on your side.”

She threw the album at me.

It hit the floor with a heavy thud…

She stomped over and poked my chest with her finger.

“If you’re on my side! Why! Are you stopping me from throwing this away!? You hate it too! You hated it so much!”

“I’m saying this for you.”

“Then throw it away yourself. That’s what’s best for me.”

“Take your meds first. Then we’ll think about it.”

“I said I’m not taking them! I’m sane! And there’s nothing to think about!”

She shouted, shaking the living room.

I stayed still, and she glared at me as if she wanted to kill me.

Then she suddenly grabbed the golf bag and headed to the living room window.

She opened the window and tried to throw the bag out, struggling.

When she couldn’t throw it all at once, she started throwing the golf clubs one by one.

While she was doing that, I sat on the sofa and picked up the fallen album.

I crossed one leg and calmly looked at the photos of the Doctor and Edward Parsons.

She finished throwing the clubs and came over, snatching the album from me.

“Don’t look at this. It’s not worth it.”

I shrugged and replied.

“You’re completely different from when you cried because I wore his clothes. It’s unfamiliar.”

“Don’t act fake. Who said humans are inherently violent? You did.”

I sighed lightly and stood up.

“Yeah, I did. Do you feel better after throwing it away?”

“No.”

“Then what? Should we burn all the photos?”

“…. That’s a good idea.”

She kept muttering, “That’s a good idea,” as she took out all the photos from the album.

Then she gathered them and asked me,

“You’re okay with this, right? We should get rid of this annoying stuff. Right?”

“My answer might make you feel better, but only temporarily. I think you should do what feels right.”

I meant she should make her own choices and face the consequences.

She nodded, understanding perfectly.

She threw the photos on the floor and suddenly took off her T-shirt.

Then she said,

“You’re a good person, incomparable to my ex-husband. I want to forget him, who’s clinging to me even after death.”

“So?”

“He’s probably watching us from somewhere. So put it in. Then he’ll let go and never appear before me again.”

She’s really gone mad. Completely crazy.

But I’ll do as she wishes.

I nodded and silently approached her.

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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