ICTV - Chapter 99
I change The Villain
The two sat facing each other in front of a sunny window. Violet looked at Rose, and Rose was just staring at her knees.
Violet asked blankly.
"Are you really Ji-hye?"
That question is already the 53rd time. But Rose nodded her head as if it was the first time she had hear the question.
Violet was dazed again. Certainly, from the beginning, she could feel Rose's unique aura of Ji-hye. And most of all, that expression. That expressionless face. Violet had a hunch.
This is Ahn Ji-hye. That is unconditionally Ahn Ji-hye. The only person who can make that kind of expression in front of a friend she hasn't seen in a long time is Ji-hye.
Violet thought about it inadvertently and thought, Oops. She can't believe she's disappointed that it's been so long since she decided not to judge based solely on what she sees.
"I didn't know that the rumored Rose Pale was you."
"...I didn't know Violet was you either. How did this happen? Even If you died in an accident...."
"Is that the only thing you wonder about when you see a friend you haven't seen in a long time?"
However, contrary to Violet's mind, her mouth moved as it pleased.
But usually in situations like this, they shed tears of joy, embrace each other, or something like that, right?
She is an old friend, no... How could she be so calm even after knowing that it was someone she used to know?
In a situation like this, shouldn't they be visibly happy? Violet clenched her fist and covered her trembling fingertips. And she deliberately spoke in a bright tone.
"I can't believe you're so calm, even in another world. I like you because you are so consistent."
"..."
"I wasn't consistent. You, therefore... What should I say.... "
Now her whole body started shaking. Violet finished his sentence with difficulty.
"I learned so much after you left like that."
"It's time to come."
"I didn't know the truth no matter how long I was with you. I only learned it after you disappeared. Isn't it funny? It's okay to laugh. It's funny even when I think about it. Oh, I'm a little thirsty. I'll have some tea for a moment."
Violet drank the still-hot tea in one gulp.
"I haven't been doing well since you left. I tried hard to write a full-length novel as soon as I graduated from high school, but I couldn't get anything done. I barely had to publish a collection of short stories with other writers and then go back to living in seclusion. It was very painful because something as natural as breathing that I had done all my life was suddenly no longer possible."
"..."
"And from time to time, what you said came to mind."
Ah, the words came out randomly. As a bonus, Violet's eyes also became moist.
"I had a lot of resentment at first. But I thought, no matter how much pain I was in, would it be as painful as you?"
Violet couldn't stay still even for a moment. It is said that people see magic before they die, but she's afraid that even the moment she dies, Ji-Hye will remember her as a person who speaks nonsense.
"I thought about everything as it relates to you. I've thought about it hundreds of times."
The words she threw out at Ji-hye. Her heart was pounding non-stop and her head was on the verge of exploding. But old habits are really scary. No matter how careful she is, she makes a momentary mistake and hurts someone.
Every time, Violet remembered Ji-hye and was overcome with excessive guilt.
Hearing so many things like, "You're too sensitive," or "It's not your fault at all, only made her feel more guilty.
But that was right then.
Clink.
As the plate fell to the floor, desserts, including Mont Blanc, were scattered messily on the floor. But no one paid attention to it.
"It's time to come."
Violet stared into space with an incredulous expression while being held by Rose. Rose said while hugging Violet tightly.
"I miss you."
"..."
Violet's eyes slowly turned red at that single word, the words she had longed to hear.
"Lie. You probably don't want to see something like me...."
"You were the only one who stayed by my side. "How can I not want to see someone like that?"
Thick teardrops flowed down Violet's cheeks.
"You are not Ji-hye. There is no way Ji-hye would say something like that. That's right, Ji-hye. Ji-hye stayed silent no matter what I said and had no choice but to reject no matter what I suggested."
“Ah.”
A sound, unknown whether it was a sigh or an exclamation, flowed from between Violet's lips. Violet asked the question she had been thinking about.
"Did you consider me a friend?"
And Rose answered that question so easily that it seemed empty.
"Of course."
"But why didn't you say anything to me?"
"..."
Rose was silent for a moment and then spoke frankly.
"I'm afraid my misfortune will be contagious to you."
"...What?"
"I also wanted to laugh like you, talking about the little things that happened every day."
But Ji-hye at that time was only bad from beginning to end. No matter how bright and positive a person is, they won't be able to handle it if they keep saying negative things.
"At that time, I looked fine on the outside, but you probably didn't know how much anger I had built up."
"..."
"At that time, I was like a ticking time bomb. And the only person I felt comfortable with was you. I was so anxious that I would use you as an emotional trash can and that I would cause you trouble as well."
"... You should have done that."
"What?"
Rose's dressing gown became increasingly wet with tears.
"It would have been better that way It's time to come. You shouldn't say something like that even lightly.
"I don't say this lightly."
Violet firmly denied it.
"I can't be the strength to a child who is already having a hard time, but I was just as violent as your family."
"How can you be just like those people?"
"I realized how cruel the words I unconsciously blurted out were to you, and how oblivious I was back then. If I had known anything about your situation, I would never have said that you were frustrated. Not to mention my parents."
Rose let go of the hand that was holding Violet.
"You didn't know."
The white back of his hand stole the corner of Violet's eyes.
"You're not some kind of superpower."
"..."
"If you don't tell me, how could you have known about my misfortune?"
Ah. Only then did Violet realize why no matter what she thought or what she heard, it was of no use. Da-seo only wanted to hear those words from Ji-hye, who had made mistakes, and from the friend she cherished the most. Even if she hears those words from a third party, she can't confirm whether the child really intends to forgive her.
"I want you to... I'm afraid you'll blame me... I feel like I haven't been able to trust you as a friend because of the comments I've made so abruptly...."
"It must have been very difficult."
The anxiety and guilt that had been controlling her entire body gradually melted away. And relief and joy took their place. Violet's arms hugged Rose.
"I do even when it's hard."
"Do not say that."
"I'll be careful what I say from now on."
Warm tears, with a different meaning than before, flowed.
There is no need to be anxious or act sensitive anymore. There's nothing more to confess... Oh, no. There is one more thing left to confess.
Violet looked up at Rose.
"You know, Ji-hye."
"Yeah, what is it? Is it all right?"
Violet unconsciously avoided Rose's eyes.
"I arbitrarily took revenge on your family."
Rose's eyes widened at those words.
"You made your family label you a domestic abuser for the rest of your life."
"... What are you talking about?"
"Please don't be angry. No, get angry. Because I still did something cheap."
Rose's face slowly hardened. Violet's speech gradually became faster.
"You were wrong. I wanted to ask for permission, but at that time, I really thought you were dead."
"..."
"The person who treated you so poorly and then gave it to your relatives at the funeral should live. I'm so annoyed by all the talk and bullshit!"
Rose's face was still frozen. Violet quickly grabbed the hem of Rose's clothes.
"I was wrong. Sorry. I'm really selfish...!"
Tuk.
Rose lightly touched Violet's forehead. Violet blinked her tear-filled eyes. Rose said.
"I'm not angry."
"... Really?"
"I'm not as good as the main character in the book. You have no idea how grateful I am to you right now."
"You're not intentionally pretending to be okay when you're not okay because you think about me, are you?"
"No, thank you very much. I was just a little surprised."
"Really...?!"
Rose nodded. She remembered something she once read in a book. It is said that revenge gets revenge, and revenge destroys oneself. With those words, the characters boldly give up revenge.
But Rose couldn't sympathize with them. She thinks to herself,
"That guy must hurt as much as I hurt and seems likely to seek revenge even if it means asking someone else for help. I'm just curious."
Rose spit out impulsively.
"But even if that's the case for me now, was it worth it for me in the past?"
"What?"
"Actually, I've never been able to figure out why you hang out with me."
"..."
"I don't know how you took revenge, but it must have been difficult for you back then."
A look of guilt appeared on Rose's face. Violet, who was looking at Rose like that, opened her mouth.
"There is no reason."
"What?"
Rose's eyes widened.
"It is true that I first became interested in you after seeing what you wrote, and after that, I enjoyed reading whatever you wrote."
Violet held Rose's hand tightly.
"I would have continued to go with you even if you didn't write."
"Why?"
"Why, why? At some point. I just started liking you."
"... What?"
Violet shyly lowered her eyes.
"Even if we weren't doing anything. it was fun just being with you."
"But..."
"Of course, I was anxious because you didn't say much."
Violet's hand holding Rose's hand gained strength.
"I liked you so much. I have so many things I want to tell you. How much I love you and how sorry I am. And..."
Violet made eye contact with Rose again.
"How did you get revenge on those guys?"
Anyone could see that Violet saying that was unusual.
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