Taking Down My Psycho Prankster Roommate Chapter 1

My roommate was a prankster. One summer, while rock climbing together, he secretly untied my safety rope to amuse my girlfriend. My girlfriend laughed heartily at the sight of me dangling in mid-air. Immediately after, I fell from a great height and fractured my spine. Seeing me speechless from the pain, my roommate sneered, "It was just a joke. I didn't realize his physical fitness was so poor. What an embarrassment to us sports students."

After my injury, my lower body was paralyzed, my future was ruined, and I suffered from depression. I wanted to pursue criminal charges against my roommate, but my girlfriend stopped me, "You're already paralyzed. Do you really want Noah to not graduate?"

The day they publicly announced their relationship, I maneuvered my wheelchair and, in despair, jumped from the rooftop. When I reopened my eyes, I was back on the day of the rock climbing incident.

* * *

“Jacob, you’re so grounded, you don’t suit such stylish climbing shoes. Can I try them on?”

My roommate, Noah,’s voice echoed in my ears, startling me into a cold sweat. I quickly checked my hands and feet—they moved freely; I wasn’t paralyzed. Had I been reborn? In my previous life, after suffering academic setbacks and romantic betrayal, I chose an extreme way to end my life. But unexpectedly, I was reborn, back to the day of the rock climbing trip that summer.

Seeing me in a daze, Noah sounded a little impatient. “Jacob, what are you staring at? You’re not pretending to be deaf because you don’t want to lend me these shoes, are you?”

My thoughts were pulled back. I nodded. “Of course.” I added, “Try them on, go ahead.”

I had asked a friend abroad to buy these climbing shoes; they weren’t cheap, and I hadn’t even worn them once myself. Noah’s spirits immediately lifted. He grabbed the shoes and started putting them on. “These shoes aren’t cheap, right? Too bad you’re so unfashionable. Even the most expensive shoes look like bargain bin items on you.” He continued, “My style suits their price better.” Noah strutted in front of the mirror, posing with the shoes, making my stomach churn. If not for legal restraints, I would have long ago kicked him off the balcony. But I knew I couldn’t. And besides, if Clara found out, she wouldn't let me get away with it.

In my previous life, it was she who prevented me from pursuing criminal charges against Noah. She said Noah was her best friend and just liked to joke around. But if Noah had been the one injured, I suspect Clara would have still sided with Noah without hesitation.

Regardless, I had to find a way to prevent myself from being harmed again in this life. Clara and I were top students at the Metropolis Sports Academy. After a training session, the coach approached me, wanting me to participate in the school’s special selection competition for the national team. Joining the national team was every sports student’s dream. But there was only one spot, and my performance was more consistent. So, I followed his advice and signed up for the competition.

But unexpectedly, Clara’s mother unilaterally canceled my registration. “Jacob, if you’re serious about Clara, you need to plan for the future. What about the national team? Even if you join, what then? Can it buy you a car or a house? Don’t get me wrong, but how many young couples have fallen apart because of reality?” She pressed, “Besides, national team training is too demanding. If you neglect Clara, aren’t you afraid she’ll be snatched away by someone else? Love without money is just a pile of sand. I hope you can be down-to-earth and not waste your time on these things.”

After hearing these words, I was a little confused. “But, Mrs. Thorne, if I join the national team, I’ll have the chance to bring glory to our country in the future. That’s also my dream.” I questioned, “Do I have to give up my dream to be with Clara? Besides, I don’t think a marriage where one party is sacrificed for the other can last.”

But before I could finish, she interrupted me. “Oh, why won’t you listen, child? I’m doing this for your own good.” She continued, “Look at Noah, he’s about your age and already preparing to take over his family’s company. I don’t expect you to achieve anything grand, but at least don’t let my Clara feel embarrassed in public, alright?”

In my previous life, even though I was unwilling, for Clara’s sake, I still gave up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And the one who ultimately joined the national team was Clara. Three years later, with her beautiful looks, she became a well-known female athlete in the sports world. It wasn’t until she won an international competition and excitedly embraced Noah that I discovered I had only paved the way for someone else. If not for that accident, if I hadn’t given up the national team selection, would everything have been different?

Taking back what they stole seemed more impactful than mere revenge. This time, I wanted to see what kind of trouble these two would stir up without me, the naive fool.