These Dangerous Girls Placed Me Into Jeopardy

She sank down—sank into the dark abyss.

The hole in the ice began to close. Eventually, it sealed completely, once again separating the two sides.

If possible, I really wish we could both appear together on the surface... But that’s impossible. One of us must remain on the other side to maintain the balance—otherwise, this place would collapse.

That being the case, it’s about time for me to leave too.

I could feel myself growing larger.

Expanding and expanding—until I could touch that light.

It wasn’t that my body was growing, but rather my consciousness was expanding. If I had to describe it—it was like I was dissolving into this space, filling it with myself. That’s why it felt like I was getting bigger.

The other me, she had come here through dreaming in order to trade places with me.

So if I just finish the "waking up" process she didn’t complete, I can return outside.

When I felt I couldn’t grow any larger—and touched the shell of the body—I knew what I had to do.

To wake up, first I need to open my eyes.

The longed-for light poured into my eye sockets—slightly dazzling.

My body still felt a bit numb. I curled my fingers and then slowly stretched them out one by one, gradually reclaiming the sensation of my physical form.

“You’ve awoken, my lady.”

“Good morning, Shirley.”

I turned my head and gave Shirley a small smile as I sat up.

Shirley’s eyes widened slightly. She covered her mouth in surprise.

She figured it out right away—just what I’d expect from Shirley.

Sitting by the bed was a woman in a white coat—Dr. He Mengyu, a psychiatrist. Today’s appointment was for her to come and assess our condition.

Apparently, she’d said she wanted to meet the other personality—me. That must be why she so casually traded places with me.

“Ah, you’re Dr. He, right? Thank you for coming all this way to examine me.”

“You... are the other personality of Lillian Ji?”

Dr. He cut right to the point, speaking bluntly and expressionless.

Hehe, how impatient. So direct—kind of reminds me of Ethan...

I nodded and replied with a smile.

“Yes, I’m the other personality.”

Dr. He narrowed her eyes and stared at my face for a long time. I tilted my head and smiled gently at her.

She was probably trying to judge whether I was just acting. After all, while the inside was different, the outside hadn’t changed at all.

It’s not like I’m some character out of a manga who physically transforms when personalities switch.

“If you have any questions, please ask them directly. If you stare at me like that, I’ll get embarrassed.”

“...Even though I don’t know you well, I can clearly tell—you’re very different from the person I met before. Unless your acting is truly phenomenal, I don’t think you’re faking this.”

“I’ve already told you before—there’s no need to deceive you. The young lady really does have a split personality.”

It was Shirley who had called Dr. He over this time. It seemed like she hoped I could reintegrate with the original personality—become one whole self again.

I couldn’t go against Shirley. And since the doctor was already at our door, I figured I might as well meet her...

And then the other me took the opportunity to switch with me directly.

“Well, when I heard that the eldest daughter of the Ji family personally requested an in-home psychiatric evaluation, I was really shocked. I’m a psychiatrist, not a general practitioner—and it wasn’t depression or anxiety being assessed, but a dissociative identity disorder, which is just as difficult as amnesia... Honestly, I thought at first it was just some bored rich girl playing games.”

“Hehe, that’s a natural assumption.”

In reality, the only ones who know I exist are Shirley and Ethan. Even the maids who serve me daily haven’t noticed.

That’s because she’s always held the dominant position. Even now, if she wants to, she could drag me right back into the abyss.

“So then—what’s your name?”

“Hmm? I’m Lillian Ji, of course. Hehe, I’m not so far gone I’d forget my own name.”

“No—I mean, as the other personality, don’t you have your own name?”

“Just call me ‘Soft Ice.’”

“‘Soft Ice’? As in soft-serve? ...How fitting. Did you come up with that yourself? Or did the other you give it to you?”

“Neither. It was someone else who gave it to me.”

Though it’s more of a nickname—but it’s ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ the name Ethan gave me.

Hehe~ I really love that name.

“...You know what my name is too. So that means—you share memories. Is that right?”

“Yes. But I can only observe those memories. I don’t have any actual experience of them. After all, I didn’t live them myself...”

So even though I can see them, I still longed to be on the outside.

Now that I finally have such a rare opportunity—I must make the most of it!

Ah~ When will this diagnosis be over?

I’m about ready to go see Ethan.

“Didn’t expect it to be true—shared memory, I mean... That’s extremely rare. Most patients with multiple personalities have independent, separate consciousnesses. They often aren’t even aware of each other’s existence. Fragmented memory is also common... But you two share everything...”

It really is an unusual case.

My memory’s fuzzy, but I think I originally was just one of her “thoughts.” But in the moment when she almost strangled Ethan to death, I burst forth and separated...

No—she probably intended for me to be stillborn from the beginning.

But in the end, I broke free and was born—out of the “womb,” filled with love for Ethan, emerging in a completely new form.

The polar opposite of her death-obsessed self—I was born from the joy of life. I’m the other side of Lillian Ji.

We’re opposite sides of the same person—not “face to face,” but “back to back.”

Which means we’d never be able to reach out and hold hands—

Well... though I do have hope~ Hehe. If she ever turned red-faced and reluctantly offered her hand to me, I’d grab it without hesitation~

“Let me say this first, Miss Ji—your case is extremely difficult. I’ve treated multiple personality cases before, usually through hypnosis to restore lost memories and integrate the identities. But in your case... I can’t guarantee fusion is even possible.”

“Is that so? Hehehe~ That’s actually fine by me~”

“Ah, it’s only because Shirley invited you that I agreed to meet. Hehe.”

Dr. He seemed like a smart woman. At this point, she should’ve understood my meaning.

Integration is impossible.

Even if I suggested it, she would absolutely reject it.

She’d probably scrunch up her face in disgust and say something like: ‘Accept you? Don’t make me laugh. Why would I accept something as disgusting as you—disgusting even to myself?’

“In that case, it seems my visit today was pointless... Still, since it was the maid who issued the request, I’ll fulfill my duty as a doctor. From now on, I’ll visit every Saturday. I hope you’ll cooperate.”

“No problem. Actually, I really do hope she’ll accept me... too bad she refuses. Hehehe~”

“I see... the dominant personality is resisting fusion. I understand. Then—can you bring her out now?”

“Nope~ She said she’s not coming out for a while.”

“...Understood. Then I’ll take my leave for today. I hope that next time, you’ll be able to tell me why she refuses to accept you.”

After the diagnosis ended, the other maids escorted Dr. He out.

I got up from the bed and began undressing. At that moment, Shirley softly called out my name.

“My lady...”

“I want to see him.”

“...My lady?”

“Shirley—tell me. Where is he? I want to go see him!”

“Young Master Ethan is currently at Tianfu Plaza... with Miss Kan Tsukiyo...”

Right now—immediately—I have to go see him.

I couldn’t suppress this feeling anymore.

I changed into the dress I wore on our first date and ran out.

I didn’t take the car—I ran.

Somehow, I could sense where Ethan was. I didn’t even need a map—I just knew where he was.

Halfway there, I caught his scent.

Ahh... to think I’d see the person I missed the most right after leaving the house...

I knew it—he was close.

I stood on the overpass, looking around for him.

But Ethan wasn’t there. Even though I’d smelled him...

Huh—?

It wasn’t Ethan.

It was Ethan’s sister.

Out of his two sisters, the more energetic one—the one with the ponytail.

Her name was Cora An, wasn’t it?

From the bridge, I could see her talking to someone.

I immediately asked Shirley, who’d been tailing me the whole time:

“Shirley, what are they talking about? Summarize in thirty characters or less.”

“Young Master Ethan’s sister is asking her friend for medicine that might help him.”

“Oh~ So she doesn’t know Ethan was discharged?”

“Young Master Ethan discharged himself. He didn’t tell anyone in advance.”

“I see... In that case, Shirley, let’s head back.”

“You’ve come all this way—aren’t you going to see Young Master Ethan?”

“...I’ll hold back today.”

...Though I don’t really want to.

But today, I’ll let Ethan spend time with his sister. He just got discharged—he should be with family.

If I just wait one more day—I can see him tomorrow! Hehe~

Just as I was turning to leave, I suddenly smelled something strange.

A pungent scent—coming from behind.

I turned around—and saw a tall, skinny man.

Dressed sharply in a suit, wearing glasses, a pretty decent-looking face.

But he reeked of blood.

That man—was looking at Cora.

With a crazed gaze—just like the way the other me stares at corpses.

In an instant, I understood.

This man and the other me were the same—they were both obsessed with the wrong things.

Cora had become his target?

No. I can’t let him succeed.

If Cora dies, Ethan will definitely be heartbroken... I don’t want to see Ethan cry.

So—

I’ll just eliminate him directly.