Chapter 3

3

"Is this the latest model?"

I was worried that there might be a password on the phone, but fortunately, it unlocked with facial recognition.

I naturally started by looking for 'KakaoTalk'... but of course, it wasn't there on an American high schooler's phone.

"Except for a few popular SNS apps, everything else is so unfamiliar?"

There was a generational gap between me and 'Rohan Kim,' and the cultural differences meant that the apps he used were quite different.

Since I had plenty of time, I decided to open each app and thoroughly examine them.

"I feel like I'm committing a sin."

Despite the guilt of invading someone's privacy, I rationalized, "After all, I am Rohan Kim now, right?"

"......"

The result of quickly scanning through the phone was shocking.

"Why are there so many nude photos in the photo album??"

While it might be understandable for a vigorous high schooler to have nude photos of others, there were far too many of himself.

The 'thing' I saw in the hospital this morning was photographed from various angles.

Even though it was attached to my body, it still felt like someone else's, and I felt nauseous.

"What on earth was he planning to use this for...?"

The answer was found in a chat app called [Ghost].

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"My eyes!"

Even though I knew it wouldn't help, I ran to the bathroom to wash my eyes, ears, and face.

I even wanted to take a full bath.

"I've been tainted..."

Having lived a life far removed from anything lewd, I had no immunity to such things.

"......"

The most disgusting part was that my body reacted on its own when I read those provocative messages.

"I'm disappointed, Rohan."

Despite having such a great physique, he had ruined it with drug overdoses and showed no care for his own body.

I resolved to treat my body with more respect.

Other SNS DMs weren't much different. He would often hit on girls who were even slightly pretty, and surprisingly, there were quite a few women who showed interest in Rohan.

"There's no need to read every single one of these."

I felt pathetic for searching through them, hoping to find any mention of family.

Rohan seemed to avoid any mention of family, both in his personal accounts and in messages with others.

"Moreover, the people he usually hangs out with are very dangerous..."

I tried to map out the relationships centered around Rohan. I didn't know how long I would have to live as Rohan, but I thought it would be good to be prepared.

"I'll categorize people into those to avoid, those to remain neutral with, and those to get closer to."

Categorizing people was a habit from my previous life. Since I couldn't control my own body, I had to rely on others, and I found that people could be both helpful and harmful in life.

"Does a high schooler know so many people?"

I went through all the messages, categorized the people, and noted their characteristics. I gradually learned what kind of person Rohan was.

*

"Rohan, come eat."

I came out immediately when my mom called.

The kitchen smelled good.

"If you're not hungry now, you can eat later."

"No, I'm actually quite hungry."

I sat down at the dining table. My mom watched me strangely.

"Is this gumbo I see in movies?"

Gumbo, a dish popular in the southern region, is a type of soup.

The base is a roux made by simmering oil and flour. Vegetables like celery, onions, bell peppers, parsley, and okra are simmered in meat broth for a long time.

Finally, proteins like chicken, sausage, and shrimp are added.

Gumbo is usually served over rice or with bread, but considering my condition, only the soup was served.

"Thank you, I'll enjoy my meal."

I said a prayer and waited calmly.

"Why aren't you eating?"

"I was waiting for you to start first."

"Why??"

"Oh, is this a custom that doesn't exist in America?"

But from what I read, there is a culture of waiting for everyone's food to be served before eating together.

Then I realized.

"Rohan must have been impolite."

I smiled bitterly and took a spoonful of soup.

"Wow! It's delicious."

I couldn't help but exclaim. In my previous life, I couldn't fully appreciate the taste.

"Is this what healthy people taste like??"

I savored it in my mouth for a long time. It was a feast of flavors.

I heard it was quite a spicy dish, but it seemed to be made with minimal seasoning, considering I had just been discharged from the hospital.

Still, each spoonful was a new world in my mouth. I understood why it was called soul food.

I finished the bowl quickly.

"Should I give you a little more?"

"Yes, please."

Mom said "a little," but she gave me a much larger portion. I thought I wouldn't be able to finish it, but before I knew it, I had eaten the last bit of soup with a morning roll.

"Have you been starving yourself? It's good that you're eating well, but..."

"Rohan must not have been home much. From the way Mom is surprised, he probably didn't prefer home-cooked meals."

I tried not to miss any small clues.

While eating, I also observed the living room and kitchen.

But Mom was also watching me closely.

"Do you like these books? I don't know if they suit your taste, but take them to your room."

"Haha... I don't read books. You must be mistaken."

"...Really? You were reading a book, eating a bite, reading again, and eating another bite... Do you think I'd believe that?"

"Hmm... Did I do that?"

I wanted to maintain Rohan's image to some extent... but it was too cruel for a lifelong bookworm.

How could someone not like books? Especially after not reading for 6 hours. It was impressive that I had held out this long.

"I don't like books at all, but since it's your advice, I'll try. Haha."

"...Okay."

I stood up to get the books but noticed my empty plate.

Suddenly, I felt the urge to clean up, something I had never done before. It always bothered me that someone else did it for me, and I felt guilty for not resolving the mess I caused.

"What are you doing?"

Mom's eyes widened as I stacked the plates and headed to the sink.

"Oh, he wouldn't do this..."

I stood there like a broken robot, unable to go to the kitchen or put the plates back.

"I'm not going to make a sick kid do the dishes, so go inside."

"Yes, I'm sorry. No, I wasn't planning to do the dishes! Why would I?"

Did I handle it well?

I hurried back to my room, making sure to grab the books without Mom seeing.

"Because I brought them too quickly, I missed a few... but going back would look too suspicious."

I sighed and neatly stacked five books on my desk.

"Wow!"

Seeing the books, I felt my enthusiasm rise. I sat up straight and started reading. The English wasn't difficult, as it seemed to match the original 'Rohan's' level. For words 'Rohan' didn't know, I looked them up on my phone or inferred from context.

Two were novels, two were self-help books, and the last one was a cookbook. I usually didn't read cookbooks, but after not reading for 6-7 hours, everything felt interesting.

I read the books without noticing the time. I was so engrossed that something unusual had to happen to break my concentration.

"What is this terrible concept?"

A girl stood at the door, blowing a bubble gum and shaking her leg, her voice full of disgust and contempt.

"Who are you?"

"Ha, damn. You've really got the character down. Amnesia and a love for books? Do you watch K-dramas these days??"

"......"

I quickly pieced together the clues before she became suspicious.

It was 2 AM. If someone could freely enter my room at this hour...

"Could she be one of the many women Rohan messaged with??"

In America, high school couples often sneak into each other's homes, so it was a plausible theory.

But looking at her face more closely, she resembled my mom without makeup.

While I wasn't familiar with American facial features, her physical development and youthful face suggested she was my sister.

"Phew... That's a relief."

She looked me up and down with a displeased expression.

"What do you want? You haven't been home for months, so why come back now, acting crazy?"

"I just had nowhere else to go."

"Ha. Family is great, isn't it? You come here for money when you run out, and for a place to sleep when you have nowhere else. How can someone be so shameless?"

"Hmm, my sister seems normal."

If she was normal, she would naturally dislike such a brother.

I tried to come up with an excuse, but her words were too accurate, and I couldn't think of anything to say.

"Exactly. Why did Rohan have to live like this?"

"Ugh, damn, are you talking about yourself in the third person? You've really lost it."

My sister left the room, clearly not wanting to associate with me.

"At least try to act normal. Even if you don't have a brother, don't you feel ashamed in front of your parents?"

Then she slammed the door.

I watched her leave for a moment.

"Even a troublemaker like you is still my brother, and you still have affection for me."

It was a strange feeling. After meeting my mom and sister, I envied Rohan.

Is this how it feels to have a family?

*

The next morning, I finished my preparations on time for school.

"Times have changed; you can check your class schedule through the school app."

I was so happy to be able to shower on my own that I took a bit longer, but fortunately, I wasn't late.

I dressed as rebelliously as possible to fit the image, but I packed my backpack with as many supplies as I could find in the living room.

"Doesn't this kid have any notebooks or writing tools in his room?"

When I came out, Mom was making breakfast, and my mouth was already watering.

"...Rohan?"

Mom dropped the ladle as soon as she saw me.

"Ha..."

My sister, Liah, who was helping Mom cook, showed a series of expressions: shock, disgust, and shame.

"......?"

Not understanding what was happening, I stood there dumbfounded.

"Y-You're ready for school? How did you know it was a school day..."

"I checked through the school app. I thought being in a familiar environment might help my memory."

Liah clicked her tongue.

"I thought it couldn't get any more shameful to have you as my brother... but there's still a bottom."

"Liah! How can you speak to a sick patient like that?"

"Hey, if you want to be in a familiar environment, go to a bar or with drug dealers, not to school... Ah!"

Mom's backhand slap was fair to all her children.

Mom hit Liah to keep her mouth shut, and Liah, who had a lot to say but wanted to live, reluctantly held back.

"Being out of the room might be helpful! Liah, take your brother to school."

"Why should I... Fine! Fine... I'll report you to the police. Where do you find a mom who hits her own kids..."

Liah reluctantly accepted her fate after a few more slaps.

We finished breakfast in an awkward silence, and Liah left the house, gritting her teeth.

"Don't pretend to know me at school. I'll die."

"......"

*

Liah had already imagined the worst, but what happened at school exceeded her imagination.

"This kid... he's not in his right mind."

American physical genius 4