Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work - Chapter 334

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Even If I Fall Into a Ghost Story, I Still Have to Go to Work Episode 334

 

I opened my eyes!

 

It was a refreshing morning. I familiarly walked out from the Department Store Lobby. May 4th had begun!

 

Peaceful weather, a peaceful day, in my hand is a Rabbit Doll and in my pocket is a silver coin that has already faded so much it looks almost black.

 

But no problem. May 4th is a good day. I am happy.

 

It would be a good day to welcome hundreds and thousands of times.

 

Of course, that’s impossible though.

 

“Kim Sol-eum!”

 

“Good day to you.”

 

Somehow the business client feels familiar. As if I’ve been entertaining them every day? Hahaha. Now we’re going to the High School that person’s daughter attends.

 

“My kid goes here.”

 

“Ah, is your child’s School right over there?”

 

Very good! May 4th is a good day.

 

After that, the ‘Counseling Teacher’ who rushed out of the High School runs to the Subway Station.

 

Somehow the Counseling Teacher feels welcome and familiar. Like we originally knew each other? Hahaha. But now I’m more familiar with their back. As if I’ve seen only their back for far too long.

 

I see them off… no, I see off the business client who takes a Taxi back House.

 

The Counseling Teacher goes down into the Subway Station.

 

“Please take care!”

 

And I lift my head while holding an americano. On this good May 4th, I look at those walking the Sidewalk of Segwang Special City. I carefully observe the daily lives of the People I encounter…

 

My fingers tingle.

 

It’s been stinging like static electricity since earlier, but it’s bearable.

 

It’s fainter than expected.

 

I feel like this pain shooting from the coin should hurt more than this, but it must be my imagination.

 

I’ve never had this experience before May 4th!

 

I familiarly take out the coin to check it…

 

…

 

It’s pitch black.

 

Far from reflecting sunlight, it’s pitch black. Now it’s hard to even consider it metal.

 

A dirty thing so tarnished that even static electricity can’t properly spark from it.

 

Where on earth did I get this dirty coin?

 

…Wouldn’t it be better to throw it away?

 

“…”

 

I hesitated, then slowly put the coin in my Pocket.

 

There’s still a faint trace of silver remaining. There’s no need to throw it away.

 

“…”

 

Let’s go House.

 

I feel like there was something more I should have done, but it’s impossible.

 

Humans cannot realize things unless the conditions are met.

 

To follow the glimmer of the silver coin, look up, find a Window reflecting sunlight, and head to the High School, first the coin must sparkle.

 

If not, I have no reason to look at the High School Window.

 

I walked House.

 

The cold drink makes my hands cold.

 

And I passed by the High School…

 

“Transfer Student.”

 

…

 

“Pick up the note.”

 

I froze.

 

I looked up.

 

There was no one at the Window.

 

When I looked down again, I saw a white note fallen in a familiar shape under the wall.

 

I picked it up and opened the note.

 

Just stay here

 

Please

 

“…”

 

I.

 

Folded the note. Folded it small, and then…

 

Put it in my Pocket.

 

Since there’s no one at the Window.

 

There’s no need to throw the note to send it beyond the Window.

 

So this was a reasonable action.

 

I returned House.

 

I took out the Rabbit Doll from my arms.

 

I made a place for the Rabbit Doll with blankets and cushions, and placed it on top…

 

Even when I press its belly, no sound comes out.

 

“…”

 

It’s strange.

 

I don’t know what’s strange about it.

 

Everything was peaceful, and daily life was going on without any problems.

 

The Sky is blue and People are living well.

 

I also spent today well.

 

Now I’ll wash up, eat dinner, watch TV, and fall asleep.

 

What’s the problem?

 

The World is normal. Perfectly normal…

 

“…”

 

I reached out my hand.

 

As I took out the Rabbit Doll, something that came with it was attached to the Doll’s back.

 

A crumpled note.

 

When I unfold the page, the text written inside is revealed.

 

Just stay here

 

Please

 

I opened the drawer under the Bedside Table.

 

I took out a pen from inside and scribbled in the blank space of the note…

 

I don’t want to

 

“…”

 

I folded the note and put it in my Pocket.

 

And I kicked open the Door and came out of the House.

 

“Huff.”

 

I run until I’m breathless. The Street of Segwang Special City where the sun is setting brushes past me.

 

Without taking a bus, I strangely ran the distance of three or four Subway stations with my own feet.

 

And I arrive again.

 

At Sekwang Technical High School.

 

Sekwang Technical High School with its lights on was quietly in its place.

 

Since it wasn’t dinner time yet, the School was still operating.

 

However, all the Windows were tightly closed. Warm light and Classrooms could be faintly seen from inside.

 

“…”

 

I stepped inside the School’s Main Entrance.

 

3rd Floor. I’ll go to where the dyed-hair Student who spoke to me was and return the note.

 

I don’t know how I know about the dyed hair.

 

But that’s what I’ll do.

 

I moved my steps toward the School Building. Step by step, going inside, the Front Door approaches.

 

Thus, stepping foot in front of the high school’s front door, gently opening the door…

 

There was no one inside.

 

“…”

 

The school was completely empty.

 

No students, no teachers, no security guard.

 

Only the seemingly warm indoor lighting illuminated the place. The bright interior revealed an eerily empty and hollow view of the school grounds with no one around.

 

I stood frozen at the entrance, then turned my head.

 

A piece of notebook paper was stuck to the front door.

 

Nap Time

 

I staggered as I opened the front door and came out of the school.

 

And when I turned my head, I could still see the school with bright lights and the sound of students’ laughter.

 

“…”

 

This is strange.

 

Strange, strange!

 

‘Let’s go home.’

 

Not my studio apartment now, but my family home!

 

I had to check. I opened my smartphone and searched. Starting from Segwang Special City, going down to Bundang… no, going up to Bundang, I searched for transportation.

 

That’s right! I’ll take the subway to Segwang Station and then take the high-speed railway!

 

That should work.

 

Yeah. Let’s go that way.

 

I checked the subway station near the high school. And I ran down to the subway station…

 

…

 

* * *

 

I opened my eyes.

 

It was a refreshing morning. I familiarly walked out from the department store lobby. May 4th had begun…

 

…

 

“No,”

 

No, no…

 

No!

 

“…!!”

 

I rushed out of the department store. I could see Segwang Special City with passersby coming and going.

 

…Familiarly.

 

‘Wait a minute.’

 

I gasped for breath. Reflexively, I raised my hand and rummaged through my pocket to find the silver coin and rabbit doll.

 

The coin had completely faded in color.

 

Black as if dead.

 

“…”

 

Wait a minute.

 

Wait a minute…

 

I gasped at the piercing premonition I felt in my head.

 

I definitely, definitely…

 

Didn’t I see this coin when it was silver? That was, so when was it…

 

May 4th.

 

…

 

‘…Wasn’t yesterday also May 4th?’

 

No.

 

The day before that too.

 

The day before that too.

 

The day before that day too.

 

The day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before the day before…

 

“Huk.”

 

I gasped for breath.

 

May 4th is… May 4th.

 

May 4th, May 4th, and again May 4th!

 

‘What is this.’

 

It’s a nightmare, right? It must be a nightmare?

 

Then how far is the nightmare? Am I still dreaming now? Or have I finally woken up from the dream and this is reality? I…

 

I pinched my arm as if tearing it.

 

“…!”

 

Sharp pain traveled up my arm.

 

‘…It’s not a dream?’

 

Then…

 

I suddenly came to my senses and ran.

 

To Sekwang Technical High School.

 

“Huk.”

 

My breath rose to my throat. I urgently entered the high school’s main entrance. And I ran to the front door and grabbed it…

 

“Hey, young man!”

 

“…!”

 

I turned my head.

 

A security guard rushed out from the small security office near the main entrance.

 

“Show me your entry permit!”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

“Permit! These days, due to safety issues, all outsiders need to get permission before entering the school.”

 

The security guard looked at me suspiciously with an expression that seemed to say ‘why is a normal person acting like this.’ I wiped my sweaty hands and answered as calmly as possible.

 

“I’m sorry. There’s a student I’m looking for. …That student dropped something.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“…”

 

Well.

 

“A note.”

 

“What?”

 

A note will be dropped soon. But that’s after the reception… no, but there’s definitely something.

 

I had to check inside this high school… that’s right.

 

“Um, could I meet with the counseling teacher at this school?”

 

“What?”

 

Eyes looking at me as if I was being ridiculous.

 

“The counseling teacher hasn’t been coming to work lately.”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

“No, they’re on vacation so they’re not at their desk. But why are you looking for them?”

 

…What?

 

“But… definitely,”

 

“Definitely what.”

 

The security guard’s eyes gradually changed to look at something suspicious, and I became more and more confused.

 

‘Check… just one check.’

 

I think I just need to see inside the school once.

 

If I could just confirm that there are many students inside, I felt like I could be relieved that this is reality and turn back.

 

So I kept glancing at the school building…

 

Then I saw it.

 

A piece of paper falling from the window.

 

“…!”

 

I ran and caught it. I could hear the security guard panicking and chasing after me from behind, but I focused all my attention on unfolding the note.

 

So, clearly the sentence ‘just stay here’…

 

Stop it

 

“…”

 

I looked at the window.

 

No one was there.

 

I came home.

 

I left school as if being chased away by the security guard. It seemed like it almost became a situation where they’d call the police, so I couldn’t insist on barging in any more recklessly.

 

Because it felt like reality too.

 

No, because I couldn’t guarantee at all that it wasn’t reality…!

 

‘What the hell is this place?’

 

Frustrating, eerie anxiety within incomprehensible tranquility pulses in my head.

 

What am I, what am I doing?

 

What is May 4th?

 

Why won’t it end?

 

Now… is it over?

 

‘Strange… I need to organize the strange points.’

 

Right.

 

I picked up a pen. I organize with my throbbing head. Strange points…

 

-Department store / Why did I wake up here?

 

-Counseling teacher

 

-Note

 

-Silver coin

 

And…

 

There’s one more thing I don’t know where it came from.

 

-Rabbit doll

 

I took out the rabbit doll from my pocket.

 

Instead of making a spot with a blanket on the nightstand, I carefully, urgently sat it on the bed.

 

And I speak desperately.

 

“Um. Hello.”

 

No answer.

 

“What kind of situation is this? Do you happen to know?”

 

There’s no way there would be an answer.

 

But why do I keep asking?

 

“…Why doesn’t it work?”

 

There’s no way the rabbit doll would answer back.

 

“…”

 

I gripped the rabbit doll tightly with both hands.

 

I felt its soft texture.

 

That was all.

 

Somehow, I felt like something was welling up inside me…

 

“…”

 

No. Then, then…

 

How about this.

 

I took out the note I had brought from my chest.

 

‘Strange points’.

 

“Um, I’ll leave this note here, so if you can read it, I’d like you to read it. …I’m curious what this means.”

 

I placed the note carefully in front of the doll. After thinking, I rummaged through the nightstand, took out a pen and laid it in front as well.

 

Then I looked away, left the bedroom entirely and washed up.

 

I felt a strange anticipation.

 

Somehow I felt like something would change. Since I put strange things together, wouldn’t something bizarre happen.

 

And when I carefully entered the bedroom again.

 

I saw.

 

“…”

 

Nothing had changed.

 

In front of the rabbit doll on the bed were the note and pen just as I had left them. I hurriedly unfolded the note but…

 

Stop it

 

It was the same.

 

“…”

 

Something wells up in my chest.

 

I picked up the pen and scribbled an answer.

 

I don’t want to

 

I crumpled the note violently and threw it at the window.

 

Ting, it hit the officetel window and bounced off.

 

I ran over and unfolded the note again but there was no change.

 

“…!”

 

I hit the window with my fist.

 

Bang! Bang!

 

I repeated it several times.

 

My knuckles got bruised and bloody but eventually the window cracked and finally shattered. Broken glass fragments embedded in the back of my hand.

 

“…”

 

I could see outside through the gaps of the shattered window but… nothing had changed.

 

Nothing.

 

Peaceful Segwang Special City, a moment of May 4th.

 

Nothing happens at all.

 

“…No.”

 

This was something strange.

 

It wasn’t.

 

Things that should happen don’t happen. Why doesn’t the situation change? Why? If I noticed, shouldn’t something change? It should return to normal…

 

What is normal?

 

“…”

 

I sat in front of the TV.

 

Let’s wait like this. Without sleeping, I’ll wait for May 4th to pass. If I wait until midnight, there might be some change. I can do it.

 

I put on something random from the OTT service.

 

A children’s animation plays. I watch it. Watching, watching…

 

May 4th ended.

 

* * *

 

I opened my eyes.

 

It was a refreshing morning. I familiarly walked out of the department store lobby. May 4th was starting…

 

“Please.”

 

I banged my head against the department store wall.

 

But nothing changed. Screams could be heard around me and guards restrained me and sent me outside the department store. I could faintly hear someone who was watching say they should call an ambulance. I left that place as if fleeing.

 

Fear rises up.

 

However, as if calming that fear, the everyday scenery and my good condition make me peaceful.

 

This ominous tranquility.

 

“Huff.”

 

I came to my studio apartment.

 

The window I had broken was intact, and nothing had changed.

 

The rabbit doll had returned to my pocket. I hurriedly searched and took it out, gripping it in my hand. Just that alone brings a strange sense of relief.

 

But the silver coin that was in the other pocket…

 

No, I can’t call it that anymore.

 

“….”

 

I dropped the coin onto the bedside table.

 

The silver coin was now so blackened that no silver color was visible. Not at all.

 

Even the shape of the pattern couldn’t be seen properly.

 

“…Ah.”

 

What is it?

 

What am I forgetting?

 

I can’t figure it out. I can’t escape. As if I shouldn’t escape, as if I should stay here….

 

“….”

 

Should I just, stay?

 

I can enjoy a peaceful and quiet daily life, can’t I.

 

May 4th is a perfectly wonderful day. Warm, clear, a day I can take off work to play. An even happier day because the next day is Children’s Day so I can rest one more day. An energetic day because it’s the day after the weekend.

 

I sat on the bed.

 

I’ll organize the bedside table and make a spot for the Rabbit Doll with a cushion and blanket. I’ll seat it there comfortably, and I too will lie peacefully on the bed.

 

I grabbed the blanket and folded it. Just like on that past May 4th, the soft blanket….

 

….

 

I unfolded the blanket again.

 

I saw something I hadn’t noticed before.

 

Something strangely eye-catching, an unimportant detail of today, a byproduct of actions, yet some element that now caught my eye….

 

The pattern on the blanket is a white lizard.

 

“….”

 

I turned my head.

 

As if I shouldn’t be caught by someone, I looked around, then looked at the blanket again.

 

Lizard.

 

It wasn’t a character usually used on blankets. Especially with such an unusual color combination of white background with red eyes.

 

Setting that aside, it strangely bothers me.

 

As if it’s a symbol of something.

 

“….”

 

Whose symbol, you ask.

 

….

 

….

 

“Manager.”

 

“Noru.”

 

A hand emerged from the blanket.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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