Chapter 129
Chapter 129
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: Class President Election
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— Pre-regression gossip from someone connected to Jeong Eun-seong's group "It's just talking for ten minutes, right? You can tell their heads are completely empty. It's not a lack of education—it's that their thinking feels so one-dimensional. Booze, money, women, luxury goods, games... They don't seem capable of thoughts beyond that. Like beasts, you know? To them, women—fellow humans—seem no different from luxury items or game characters. No matter what I say, they wouldn't get it. Forget differing opinions; real discussion seems impossible from the get-go. The moment I realize that, they don't even look handsome anymore. Seeing them snickering among themselves, tossing crude jokes and grinning like idiots—those handsome faces in all their variety start looking no different from my brothers back home, who never lift a finger to do dishes after meals. They rag on the one kid who doesn't join in, calling him a 'bookworm.' Yet they can't even make a peep in front of him. He was the only normal one in your group, and that's why he's the sole survivor so far. Wonder when you'll figure that out." "Seo Jae-kyeom, hi."
"Hi...."
"......"
"......"
"Seo Jae-kyeom."
"Huh?!"
"You sick or something? Your lips are all chapped."
"No... Just stayed up late last night."
"......"
"For real."
"Okay......"
I stared hard at Seo Jae-kyeom as he rubbed his cheek with the back of his hand. His face looked way too gaunt for just one late night.
Can a person get that rundown in just a few days?
No way it's because of me...
"......"
'If I tried to cross that line? Then I couldn't even be your friend?'
'What do you think?'
'......'
'Seo Jae-kyeom, you're smart. You get it without me spelling it out, right?'
A lot had happened since then, so it had been a while since I'd faced Seo Jae-kyeom like this...
Maybe I went too far.
That day, those words had slipped out before I knew it, and back home, I'd agonized over it for a good while.
Where had such a cold remark come from?
Turned out, it was something Seo Jae-kyeom had said to me months ago.
'I do like you—as a friend. But us dating? Even you know that's not right, Da-hye. Didn't you feel anything watching me with the girls I've dated? You and them... it's not the same.'
Right after regression, and eleven years ago. Twice.
Had the hurt from hearing it the first time lingered in my subconscious? I had no hard feelings toward Seo Jae-kyeom now, but I'd thrown those words right back at him without thinking.
Seeing the shocked look on his face after hearing me... As an adult, I'd been too harsh on the kid.
But the water was already spilled.
"...Why are you staring like that?"
I must've been staring too intently. Seo Jae-kyeom averted his eyes sullenly. His cheeks flushed faintly as he fidgeted—rubbing his neck, clenching and unclenching his fist.
It was kind of amazing.
That his pride let him still like me after getting those words thrown back.
I pretended not to notice and changed the subject.
"Homeroom teacher's downstairs getting pizza."
"Pizza?"
"Yeah, from your mom."
Judging by his expression, Seo Jae-kyeom hadn't known either.
"Ugh, Mom seriously."
Seo Jae-kyeom muttered, running a hand down his face.
"I'll go get it."
"How're you gonna carry all that alone? Come on, together."
"It's heavy."
"That's why we go together."
"...Fine."
Like going with me was something to bite his lip over.
We headed down to the second floor with handsome, now-sensitive-vibes Seo Jae-kyeom—who was already too good-looking.
"Jae-kyeom!"
"Jae-kyeom, you okay?"
"Jae-kyeom looks good even sick."
Every kid we passed in the hall greeted Seo Jae-kyeom. Guess I wasn't the only one noticing how worn-out he looked—the girls' faces were full of worry.
"Oppa Jae-kyeom!"
Even the freshmen.
Seo Jae-kyeom just scowled like it was a hassle, while I... walked beside him, careful not to accidentally brush arms. One accidental touch had made him flinch away in shock.
"Jae-kyeom's mom sent pizza 'cause it's Class President Da-hye's last day...?"
"Whoa...?"
"Thanks for the food...?"
"Da-hye, thanks...?"
Homeroom teacher clapped quizzically. The class, equally baffled, clapped along.
"One pizza and drink per person... Should we pass 'em out from the front?"
"Whoa...a?"
She glanced between me and Seo Jae-kyeom, clearly wanting an explanation. But I had nothing to say, and Seo Jae-kyeom still looked half-dead.
Jeong Eun-seong piped up from the back.
"Why'd their mom send you stuff?"
"We're close...?"
"Close?"
"He's my friend."
"Since when?"
"...Last month."
"Got close during tutoring?"
"Yeah... something like that."
"Hmph. Teacher Ju Do-bok's in trouble now."
"It's Ju Do-hyeon."
Don't tease the student teacher I'm grateful to. He made a betrayed-kitten face when I scolded him. Aigoo.
"I'm good at hiding my feelings, but Ju Do-bok wears his heart on his sleeve."
"Is that so?"
"Alright, eat up and listen! We're starting the second-semester class president election now, kids! Strongest Sophomore Class 2-2! What are the four principles of elections?!"
This time, homeroom teacher—who'd hauled in a full-on mock polling station from home and was always dead serious about voting—shouted with manic glee in her eyes.
"Who in our class can't run for class president this election?!"
"Kang Da-hye!"
"Why?!"
"'Cause class president can't serve consecutive terms!"
"Right! Then why can't a kid from next door—like Ji-su from 1st period, Han Ji-su—be our president?!"
"Oh, Han Ji-su can't? But she's pretty."
"Hey, is our class a colony of 1st period?"
"Ooo~ Pro-1st faction~"
...At this rate, we won't finish before school ends. Fast-forward to the results already.
🏆 ELECTION RESULTS 🏆 Sophomore Class 2-2
>Second Semester Election 👑 Class President: Ye-su-a ⚖️ Vice President: Gyeong Se-in "Gyeong Se-in, congrats."
The election wrapped up with a heartwarming handshake between Jeong Na-jun—who'd run for vice alongside her and lost by a hair—and Se-in.
Sensible characters, transparent process. A smooth transfer of power.
Mm~ Democracy.
Savoring this rare taste of common sense these days, I handed Ye-su-a the cat headband I'd worn during the first-semester election.
Gyeong Se-in, receiving the bunny headband from Seo Jae-kyeom, giggled happily.
I clenched my fist inwardly.
'Se-in's student record!'
Our Se-in was one step closer to Seoul unis!
"Time left over. Great, kids! Quick review of first-semester material in the meantime..."
"U~~~~"
"Boo!"
"Don't wanna study~~"
"Tell us about your first love~~~"
"Teacher, you're old and decrepit—you don't remember your first love!"
"Then tell us about your last love~~~~"
"Tell us about your most disastrous romance~~~~"
The kids flailing to avoid studying at all costs,
and homeroom teacher flailing to cram even one more fact into their heads.
"Yes! Then I'll tell you about my last love—democracy!"
"A failed one?"
"Hey! If that fails, we're doomed!"
In the spear-vs-shield showdown, Seo Jae-kyeom quietly folded the polling station and gathered the headbands.
"Need a hand?"
"It's fine. These are sharp."
"That's why we do it together."
"No... Ah."
"You okay?!"
I grabbed Seo Jae-kyeom's hand after it grazed the shopping bag holding the headbands. Luckily, just a light cut—no real blood.
"That hurts."
No need for ointment? While I checked his hand, Seo Jae-kyeom turned his head away, avoiding my gaze.
"......"
His hand trembled faintly in mine.
No. I'm going crazy here.
This his first time getting rejected by a girl? That's why he's like this?
"......"
Agh.
"Seo Jae-kyeom."
"...Yeah."
"Even if I fantasize a million times about punching Park Su-hwan, they can't punish me unless I actually do it."
"......"
"Actions are what matter."
So even if I caught on to your feelings, as long as you don't act on them, we're still friends.
No need to worry I'll suddenly despise or ignore you just 'cause it showed a bit. Who do you think I am?
Smart Seo Jae-kyeom seemed to catch the hint.
I shrugged at him, eyes all misty as he looked my way.
"Anyway. Got some math homework I don't get—can you teach me?"
"......"
"If not, whatever."
"...No! Sure!"
"Good."
I patted the back of his hand, his face visibly brightening.
'Straight up, if you'd been Do Ha-jun, I wouldn't care if you liked me or not, or if you pined yourself to death.'
Anyway, in two months, your feelings will fade. Until then, let's both play dumb and get through it.
Two months from now, even without me doing anything, you'll kick off the covers yourself going, 'Why'd I fall for someone like Kang Da-hye?!'
You'll end up thanking me then. For ignoring your little whim.
"Hang in there. Just two months. You got this."