Chapter 3

"What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you that I didn't want to see you ever again?"

Dressed in an exercise tank top with her hands wrapped in bandages under her boxing gloves, Miranda was punching away at a sandbag. She didn't even blink when I approached her.

I scoffed. "What use is there in you punching at a sandbag here? You're nothing but a loser. So what if you're my biological sister? Mom and Dad still love Leslie more.

"As for Gabriel, if you're so capable, why don't you go snatch him from Catherine? What does it matter that you knew him first? He would still rather spend time with my wife and daughter at the kindergarten's family activities than come see you!

"In conclusion, you're just a loser, through and through!"

The wind whistled in my ear as a fist whizzed past, landing on the wall behind me.

Nonetheless, I didn't even flinch, my gaze unwavering as I continued to taunt her.

"Go on, then, beat me till I'm dead! There's no need for all this bluster if you're so great, is there?"

Once upon a time, Miranda would never have treated me so violently, but after Gabriel entered our lives, she began to grow more and more suspicious of me.

"Noah, have you ever thought about why they only pick on you and not anyone else? Do you seriously think that you're completely blameless in all this?"

Being too weak was probably the only fault a victim could have, and so, I tried being strong once, when Gabriel falsely accused me of stealing from him.

"Noah, I'm begging you, please give it back to me! That watch was a birthday present from Miranda!"

Tears streamed down Gabriel's cheeks pitifully while a group of classmates had me surrounded in the classroom. No matter what I said, no one seemed to believe me.

At that moment, Miranda charged over.

I initially assumed that she would trust me and stand in front of me like she usually did to protect me.

Unexpectedly, she moved to stand behind Gabriel like she was the most loyal of knights.

"Noah, hand it over. You shouldn't steal Gabriel's things just because you're jealous."

How ridiculous. The person who once believed me unconditionally was accusing me of being jealous of how well she treated Gabriel.

From then on, my bullies grew increasingly bold and aggressive.

Back in the present, Miranda's gaze turned sharp at my mockery, but she still didn't respond and simply turned to leave.

Nevertheless, I refused to give up. I continued harassing Miranda, even resorting to shoving her.

I thought to myself, "Come on, get angry! Get so mad that you'll kill me with a single punch! That way, I can finally go home."

I said aloud, "Miranda Suller, you're just a coward!"

Miranda abruptly halted in her steps, her expression darkening.

"Get lost!"

With that, I was kicked out of the boxing gym.

Not once did Miranda lay a hand on me. By now, her disgust of me had grown to the point that she wasn't even willing to spare me a glance.

A sense of helplessness washed over me. Sitting down on the stairs, I called out to the System, "System, is there any other way for me to die?"

"My apologies, Host, but if you want to return to your original world, you have to be killed by one of the female leads."

I genuinely missed my original parents so much that I was willing to do anything to see them one last time.

Natalie was just five years old, so she certainly didn't have the ability to kill me. That left Catherine, who was a doctor.

"System, can I use my points to teleport?"

"You can."

Since none of them were willing to do it themselves, I would have to resort to an accident to end my life.

"System, could you teleport me right under the wheels of a car a female lead is driving?"

"I cannot do that."

That wouldn't work either, huh?

Just as I was feeling rather disappointed, the System's mechanical voice sounded again.

"However, I can teleport you near any one of the female leads."

"Then which one of them is driving right now?"

"Leslie is currently speeding toward where Gabriel is."

"Alright, then take me somewhere near her."

It seemed like Leslie didn't feel even a hint of guilt after our argument. Not only that, but she was still completely focused on Gabriel.

Following that, the System teleported me to an intersection.

"Ten seconds till Leslie turns left and crosses this intersection. Please prepare yourself, Host."

It then began a countdown in my mind. Just as it reached "one", the bright beam of a car's headlights appeared in my line of sight.

My lips curled up slightly. I didn't feel even a shred of fear. After all, I was finally about to return home.

"Mom, Dad, I've missed you two so much!"

A loud crash rang out, and my body was sent flying through the air, as though I were as light as a feather.

Leslie slammed on the brakes before opening the door, her long, slender legs exiting the vehicle first.