Chapter 101: Exam Period
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 101: Exam Period
“…….”
Today was Wednesday.
Midterms were already in full swing, and I had already finished three exams. Every lecture was a cycle of tension and exhaustion.
However, I could afford to relax and lounge around during this particular class.
“Fuck you!”
On the massive screen in the lecture hall, Yoo Ah-rin thrust her middle finger upward and spat out the curse.
From the subtitles at the bottom to the framing and direction, there wasn't a single part of this project that hadn't been touched by my hands. A sense of pride welled up inside me.
Senior Ju-hee, who had been staring blankly at the screen, leaned slightly toward me.
“It turned out great. It looks much better on the big screen.”
“I agree.”
It was the final day of viewing the film assignments.
Since the exam had been replaced by this project, today was the last lecture—a time to simply watch the submitted works.
The professor said there wasn't enough time to show every single project, so they would only play the ones that received high marks.
The fact that ours was chosen meant I could consider this course a success.
Seeing the faint smile on Ju-hee’s lips, it seemed she also felt we had done significantly better than the other groups.
“…….”
I glanced to my left to check Seo Ye-rin’s reaction. She was staring at her own image on the screen with a dazed expression.
I wondered if something was wrong, but she looked more moved than upset.
As the female lead, she had the most screen time, so she probably had a lot of feelings about it.
The movie ended with the death of the mastermind, Yoo Ah-rin. As the ending credits rolled—added solely to pad the runtime—the lecture hall erupted in applause.
The professor joined in the clapping, then looked toward our group with a bright smile while speaking into the microphone.
“I heard this group went through several incidents and accidents among its members, but they managed to submit a wonderful project with the help of other students. I’ve been giving this assignment for years, and this is easily in the top three.”
My heart swelled at the professor’s high praise. I felt a pang of regret; if I hadn't missed that one class because of drinking, I might have actually landed an A+.
“Now, moving on to the next one……”
Of course, the praise didn't last long since there were other groups to cover, but that was enough for me.
I turned my head slightly and smirked at the female seniors—my former group members—who had shown up just to scrape by with a D.
“That little shit……”
“Ha, what an arrogant prick.”
“Does he have no respect for his seniors?”
Normally, they should have been up there with us, getting a good grade for the film.
In a show of 'gratitude,' I gave them a big thumbs-up.
“……That’s your middle finger.”
“Oops, my bad.”
Beside me, Ju-hee chuckled at my 'little mistake.'
Eventually, the lecture came to an end.
“You really worked hard this time. It’s still exam period, so I’ll buy you a meal once this is all over.”
Ju-hee looked a bit different wearing glasses for the exams, but I didn't point it out and simply nodded.
Seo Ye-rin, still seemingly out of it, didn't respond, and Ju-hee didn't push her.
“Oh, right. Woo-jin, you have all the documents ready for Gold One, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Good. We’re leaving about a week after break starts, so make sure you have everything prepared in advance.”
“Yes, ma'am!”
Captain Ju, radiating her usual charisma, patted my shoulder and walked away.
“Hey, Seo Ye-rin. Let’s go.”
On Wednesdays, we had Basic Japanese Conversation together. Since it was a relatively easy exam, my steps were light.
“Ah, right!”
Ye-rin finally snapped out of it.
On the way to the next classroom, we stopped by a cafe on campus.
“Woo-jin.”
She called my name in a low mumble.
“You know, I actually got scouted before. They asked if I wanted to be an actress.”
“Are you bragging? You look the part.”
It probably wasn't just acting.
Idols, singers, models.
There must have been countless people trying to drag Seo Ye-rin onto a TV screen.
“Back then, I thought it was absolutely out of the question. I thought it was a completely different world from mine. I wasn't interested at all.”
“…….”
“B-but after doing this project…… I-I feel like it’s a bit of a shame.”
“Hmm.”
“I started thinking that maybe I should have at least given it a shot.”
Well, that makes sense.
Who starts out on a massive cinema screen? People usually grow their dreams through short films or club activities.
“It’s not too late, you know.”
“…….”
“With your face, I’m sure some place would take you in. You’d need to practice your acting, though.”
“D-do you think so?”
“I’m not saying you should go right this second. Think about it slowly. We’re still freshmen. We have plenty of time.”
Feeling a bit more at ease, Ye-rin gave a bright smile as she took the coffee I handed her.
“I paid for it, so send the money to my account. Got it?”
“Slurp. But Woo-jin, what was that about Gold One?”
Ye-rin asked as we walked out of the cafe.
“Oh? I’m working a part-time job during winter break. You know the Gold One Hotel in Gangwon-do?”
“……The Gacha Hotel?”
She’s lost it.
“The Casino Hotel.”
“Isn't that the same thing? Slurp.”
Ye-rin grumbled while sipping her coffee. Ignoring her complaints, I gave her a brief explanation.
“I heard some students from our school are doing their practicum there. I decided to join them for a part-time gig. They pay well, and room and board are provided.”
“……How long are you going for?”
Ye-rin looked at me with an anxious expression.
“Two months? Basically the entire break.”
At best, I’d have a week off at the start and a week at the end.
Ye-rin suddenly jumped up and shouted.
“What?! Then what about me?!”
“What about you?”
“I was planning on practically living at your house during the break!”
I didn't bother asking what she planned to do while 'living' there. I looked around and was relieved to see no one else was nearby.
“Keep it down.”
“Keep what down! We’ve only done it once! Do you even realize what kind of relationship we have?!”
I don't.
What the hell is it, anyway?
“Clear your schedule before you go.”
“No.”
“Fine, then don't!”
Ye-rin huffed and stomped ahead of me with long strides.
I watched her, wondering why she was acting like that, when I suddenly remembered something I’d forgotten.
“Hey! Send me the coffee money!”
“Slurp!”
At my shout, Ye-rin scurried away with the straw still in her mouth.
“Hey! I said send it!”
“Slurp! Free coffee tastes so goooood!”
* * *
“Hey, look at this.”
Do you know how people go crazy during exam periods?
I know it well. Because I feel like I’m about to go crazy myself.
Yoo Ah-rin, who for some reason was studying at my place, tapped my shoulder and stood up.
She stretched her body this way and that, and I wondered what she was doing.
Suddenly, she leaned one hand against the wall and slowly raised one leg.
She ended up in a perfect vertical split, flashing a relaxed smile.
“Pretty impressive, right?”
“So what?”
I didn't know how I was supposed to react to that. It was impressive, but it also felt a bit suggestive, so I intentionally kept my expression indifferent.
My lack of reaction seemed to annoy her, and she held the pose while scowling.
“You’re seeing this and you’re not impressed? It’s amazing.”
“It is amazing. Your lack of a sense of crisis while doing stupid shit during finals is truly amazing. Didn't you say you had to do well on your exams this time?”
“Ha, look at this guy.”
Driven by spite, Ah-rin lowered her leg and pushed my mattress aside.
“Hey, what are you doing?!”
“Just watch.”
She dropped into a hero landing pose and then—
“Cyclone!”
She shouted a bizarre technique name like something out of a sentai show and started doing a windmill!
Am I dreaming right now?
How is a normal person supposed to process a female classmate from the same department doing a windmill in their bedroom?
She was spinning as smoothly as an actual windmill. I thought she had finally lost her mind from studying.
Wait.
Actually watching it, it looked pretty damn cool.
“How was that? Impressive, right?”
“Yeah, that was actually cool.”
Only after hearing my answer did Ah-rin stop her windmill. She stood up with a flourish, then staggered, complaining of dizziness.
She rested her hand on a nearby drawer. When she saw the Tengas standing tall there, she reacted with disbelief.
“You have these on display?”
“I forgot to tell the guys to take them, so I just left them out.”
“Good grief.”
Then, she suddenly stared intently at the Tengas.
“Hmm? Weren't there four last time?”
“There are three.”
“No, there were red, blue, black, and white. The blue one is missing.”
Her memory is terrifyingly good.
No, why the hell does she even remember that?
“Let’s just study.”
When I tried to change the subject, Ah-rin stared blankly at the Tengas before realizing something and shouting.
“You crazy bastard! You used one, didn't you?!”
“Let’s study.”
“Study, my ass! Where is it?! Where did you hide it?!”
“……I said let’s study!”
“Ugh.”
Clicking her tongue, Ah-rin grabbed her bag. I thought she was leaving, but what she pulled out was—
“……I came to return these.”
A thick, vibrantly purple dildo and a whole box of condoms.
“W-why do you have those?”
Those were the items I had bought at the adult store when I was drunk.
Ah-rin’s face flushed as she began an awkward explanation.
“Y-Ye-rin and I-seo grabbed them when we were drinking last time.”
Ah, I did hear about that.
Seo Ye-rin calling me while holding the dildo and Choi I-seo counting the condoms while the three of them were drinking.
Those girls are nothing but trouble when they drink.
……Actually, things did get pretty troublesome with Seo Ye-rin.
Anyway, moving on.
“So I put them in my bag to stop them from messing around, but I forgot and took them home.”
“I see.”
A joke was on the tip of my tongue, but I felt like it would be crossing a line, so I just nodded.
“I-I didn't use it!”
Ah-rin grabbed the end of the dildo and pointed it at me, shouting.
“I didn't ask.”
“Ugh!”
I didn't know if she actually used it or not, and I didn't care.
Suddenly, Ah-rin said she had a great idea and snatched up a Tenga.
“Hey, don't.”
“They’ve found their match.”
Watching Ah-rin shove the dildo into the Tenga with a satisfied grin made my head spin.
It was exam period.