Chapter 58 : The aftereffects are really severe

The aftereffects are really intense.

“Ugh. I’m tired.”

I sat on the bed and ruffled my hair.

My whole body feels sluggish, and I have no energy.

But it’s not like I’m in pain or anything.

It’s just that something keeps following me.

Ever since I played a horror game yesterday, it’s been like this.

When I close my eyes, that scene comes to mind.

A bathtub covered with talismans.

Screams.

Whispers.

[I’m going to pick the beautiful flowers by the dock and offer them to the gods~]

That voice.

“Really, the voice actor was great…”

I quietly breathed in and out.

It was just a game.

A fictional story, a created scene.

But still, I can’t erase that scene from my mind.

I had nightmares for two days straight.

At first, it was a dream where hands popped out from the bathtub.

Then, it was a dream where a small shadow was watching me from a dark room.

And this morning, at dawn…

“A dream where the house light won’t turn on…”

I really freaked out, thinking it wasn’t a dream.

I picked up my phone and checked the time.

10:37 AM.

I slept longer than I expected.

But I can’t say I slept well.

My head feels heavy, and my body is stiff.

I don’t think I really rested.

I slowly got up from the bed.

Normally, I would just get up, wash, drink coffee, and draw.

But today, every movement feels slow.

The room was quiet.

I couldn’t hear anything, yet something felt on edge.

Even though it’s a familiar room, it suddenly feels unfamiliar.

“Heh. Ghosts? That’s funny.”

I chuckled softly and messed with my hair.

To be this sensitive just because I played one game.

The world outside the blanket is dangerous.

I used to joke like that, but now, it’s really uncomfortable outside the blanket.

I knew that after playing a horror game, I’d feel uneasy for a couple of days, but this time, it seems to be lasting longer.

I slowly stood up and headed for the kitchen.

A glass of water should help.

“…Ugh…”

I turned back once for no reason.

There’s nothing there.

I turned my gaze back and opened the fridge.

I poured cold water into a cup and took a sip.

“Ha…”

As the cold water went down my throat, I felt a little more grounded.

This is just the aftermath of a horror game.

Nothing happened, and nothing is following me.

Even thinking that, there’s still something in the corner of my mind.

I closed the fridge and looked around the living room.

There’s nothing.

It’s just my usual room.

Yet, I still feel like something is there.

“Ah, whatever.”

I returned to my room and threw myself onto the bed.

The more I think, the more tired I become.

Maybe I should play fewer horror games.

“Well, the reactions were great, though…”

But if I stream it, the viewers would probably like it.

Horror game content got a good response, and the highlight video already has high views.

If I play again next time, it might be even more popular.

I closed my eyes and sighed.

Still, I shouldn’t do it for a while.

“Ah, shit. I spilled water.”

…Until my mind clears a bit more.

“Okay. Shall we start getting active?”

Today is a day filled with the lingering effects of the horror game.

My body is tired, but strangely, I’m not hungry.

I still have to eat something.

Luckily, I have the ramen I bought yesterday.

I slowly stood up and headed for the kitchen.

Making ramen sounds a bit annoying, but… my hands will move anyway.

I grabbed the ramen bag placed on the countertop.

“Hmm.”

I quietly breathed in and tore open the ramen bag.

The sound of it crinkling crisply.

The dry texture of the noodles.

And the smell of roasted flour spread.

“One serving… I can’t eat that much.”

I can live just fine without eating rice…

As usual, 1/3 should be enough.

“Hoey.”

With my usual movements, I took out a pot and filled it with just a little water.

While waiting for the water to boil, I blankly stared outside the window.

It’s quiet.

The outside still looks peaceful, with a morning-like landscape unfolding.

Somehow, this moment feels oddly unfamiliar.

I’m just making ramen, after all.

‘Was it always this quiet…?’

Somehow, it’s so peaceful.

With a clink, the lid rattled, and the water began to boil.

I snapped back to reality and carefully put in just 1/3 of the noodles.

I folded the bag back neatly, leaving more than half of it, and gently stirred the remaining noodles in the pot.

Once they cooked a bit, I added the flakes and seasoning.

The ramen broth spread and filled the kitchen with a familiar smell.

I stirred the noodles quietly with chopsticks instead of a ladle.

Not to extract too much of the broth, just enough.

“Alright. Done.”

The ramen was ready.

I carefully turned off the heat and took out a small bowl without intending to pour all the broth.

I poured just enough broth and carefully transferred the noodles without breaking them.

This should be enough.

“…Light.”

Ah, 1/3 of the weight.

This alone should be enough to fill my stomach.

Slurp.

I picked up the chopsticks and quietly slurped up the noodles.

“Hoo.”

They’re hot.

But that hot sensation is familiar.

One bite, two bites.

I chew and swallow quietly.

The broth, neither too salty nor bland, spreads gently in my mouth.

“Haa…”

After a few more quiet bites, I started to feel my stomach fill.

This is enough.

I thought if I ate more, I’d be too full.

I set down the chopsticks and took a spoonful of broth.

That warm sensation spread through my body, giving a subtle sense of calm.

There were still a few noodles left in the bowl.

The broth was about half left.

But I couldn’t eat any more.

I sighed quietly and stared at the bowl.

“Such a waste.”

As usual, a little was left.

I can only eat about 1/3 of the portion.

It’s always inevitable to leave some behind.

I slowly looked at the remaining broth and noodles, then slowly got up from my seat.

I approached the sink and quietly poured the remaining broth down the drain.

“I’m done.”

Saying that, I quietly returned to my room.

I gently leaned back on the bed and quietly wrapped my hand around my stomach, still warm from the ramen.

It felt just the right amount of warmth and fullness.

This is enough.

“It feels like it’s been a long time since it’s been this peaceful…”

How should I put it.

If only my daily life could continue like this…

I slowly closed my eyes.

The faint warmth of the remaining broth wrapped around my stomach, and a strange sense of calm spread.

If only… if only it could stay like this…

Knock, knock.

“Huh?”

I opened my eyes.

A knocking sound echoed from the front door.

I doubted my ears, but it wasn’t my imagination.

“Sigh. No way it’s connected.”

I got up with a tired face.

Who could be visiting at this hour?

It was too late for a delivery, and there was no one who would come looking for me at this time.

FlyingCloud? No, that wasn’t it. FlyingCloud wouldn’t bother knocking.

If she came at this hour, she would just punch in the passcode and walk in.

Then, could it be…

“It’s not a ghost… right?”

I stared at the entrance for a moment.

Ever since playing that horror game, I’d started hating opening doors at night.

Maybe that’s why…

“Where did I put that…?”

For the first time in a while, I remembered something my older brother had taught me.

On a late night when the winter air had cooled sharply, the city lights cast faint shadows by the window.

In front of the door of a small, quiet studio apartment, two girls stood.

One had her arms crossed, standing upright while staring at the door.

The other was holding something in one hand, knocking excitedly with the other.

Knock, knock.

“Hmm… this should be the right place?”

The girl in front of the door, Joo Ah-rin, playing the role of Yoshida Misa, mumbled quietly.

Her long purple hair was tied into two ponytails.

Suppressing her usual playful and mischievous personality, she furrowed her brows as if suspicious of something.

“Maybe Mama’s sleeping?”

The girl beside her, Seo Ah-hyun, playing the role of Hanasaki Yui, tilted her head cautiously.

Her sparkling blonde hair and emerald-green eyes shone clearly, even in the dim hallway.

Ah-hyun held a small envelope in one hand, and with the other, she was about to knock again.

“Well… if she’s sleeping, we just have to wake her up.”

Ah-rin stared at the door again, her face indifferent.

Ah-hyun chuckled.

“Aren’t you being a bit too bold?”

“Of course. We brought something important for Mama.”

Ah-rin pointed at the small envelope Ah-hyun was holding.

Inside was a plane ticket, printed with bold, clear letters.

The destination: Japan.

And the departure date: tomorrow.

“But Mama doesn’t know yet.”

“That’s why we’re here to tell her now, right?”

Ah-rin shrugged nonchalantly.

Ah-hyun nodded at her and knocked again.

Knock, knock, knock.

This time, a little louder.

But still, there was no response from inside.

“…She’s still not coming out.”

Ah-hyun pouted.

She felt a little disappointed. They had talked so much about this back on Deokchun Island.

“Then, should we knock harder?”

Ah-hyun confidently clenched her fist.

Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock!

A surprisingly powerful sound echoed through the hallway, almost unbelievable for her small frame.

Thud!

Loud enough to startle the person inside.

Ah-hyun glanced at Ah-rin with concern.

“Isn’t that too hard?”

“The walls are soundproof. We need this much force to be heard.”

Ah-rin answered indifferently, raising her hand to knock again.

But before she could, Ah-hyun suddenly shook the envelope in her hand as if she had an idea.

“Wait, Misa! Show her this!”

“This?”

Ah-rin lifted the envelope as Ah-hyun pointed at it.

“Yes! We came to give this to her, right?”

Ah-hyun grinned mischievously, her eyes glinting with playful excitement.

“If we tell her about this, Mama will definitely open the door!”

Ah-rin thought for a moment, then nodded.

“That makes sense.”

They were simple and straightforward, as always.

Then, without hesitation, they shouted in the hallway:

“Suhyun! Let’s go to Japan!!!”

Shouting inside an apartment—what a nuisance.

At least they were smart enough to use “Soo-hyun” instead of her full name, considering the risk of exposure.

Still, there was no response from inside.

But then, a faint sound of movement came from beyond the door.

And soon—

Clatter!

A sudden noise of someone standing up abruptly.

Ah-rin and Ah-hyun exchanged glances and chuckled.

“She reacted.”

“She’s coming out now, right?”

Ah-hyun stepped closer to the door, smiling brightly.

“Alright, let’s see what Mama has to say.”

Creeeak—

‘Suhyun! Let’s film a Japan vlog togeth—’

Click.

A flash of silver gleamed.

It was a knife.

For a brief moment, Ah-rin’s breath caught as she locked eyes with the icy blue gaze before her.

“Okay. First, the carotid artery… ah.”

“S-Suhyun…?”

Ah-hyun’s voice trembled as she tried to process what she was seeing.

The moment the door opened, they were met with—

A glinting tactical knife.

Held in a professional grip, at a perfect angle.

And beyond it, Suhyun, narrowing her eyes slightly, tilting her head as if deep in thought.

“…Oh. So you’re human.”

Lowering the knife, Soo-hyun muttered softly.

Her voice was oddly empty—whether in relief or disappointment, it was hard to tell.

At that moment—

Ah-rin and Ah-hyun both felt cold sweat trickling down their backs.

‘Did we… almost just die?’

That day, Shirahane Yuki was removed from the LumiLive hidden camera target list.