Chapter 6: Group Project
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 6: Group Project
Why does it feel so loud even though I’m just reading text? Seo Ye-rin seemed to have a talent for writing in her own way.
After all, she was conveying the speaker's intent with such absolute clarity.
I didn't want to answer, but since useless messages were piling up on my phone, ignoring her wasn't always the best policy.
Just the other day, didn't she send over a hundred inquiries in the middle of the night just because I didn't reply?
Her reply flew back instantly; her thumbs must be incredibly fast.
Is she actually insane?
Every single text made my head spin, so I finally decided to ignore her.
Another photo from Seo Ye-rin.
This time it was a shot of her butt, showing both cheeks clearly while wearing only panties.
I couldn't be certain, but it looked like she had taken this one herself as well.
"Sigh, what is she so frustrated about?"
With looks and a body like Seo Ye-rin's, she could grab any random guy passing by and ask him to go to a hotel, and he'd say yes.
Did she really have to hide behind the mask of anonymity to vent her desperate desires like this?
No more texts came from her after that. I boiled some ramyeon for a quick lunch before heading out for my afternoon lecture.
Being able to commute by walking along the trail without needing to take a bus was definitely a perk.
"Oh, the exercise manga is up."
Naturally, my routine on the way to school involved checking the Bamboo Forest. I arrived at the lecture hall while reading a post from a manga series I enjoyed.
I intended to time my arrival perfectly, but once again, I was earlier than expected.
I figured I could afford to leave the house a bit later next time.
Just then, a familiar yet exhausting female student entered the room.
Seo Ye-rin walked in.
I realized we had a few overlapping classes, but I pretended not to see her.
Rather than sitting next to me, Seo Ye-rin talked with the friends she came with.
Our eyes met by chance at one point, but she only gave me a brief greeting with a smile.
'Every time I see her, the disconnect makes me feel like the weird one.'
Regardless, I forced myself to look away to avoid giving her any attention. It seemed Seo Ye-rin was too busy talking to others to care about the community for the moment.
A few minutes later.
The professor entered, and the lecture began.
And then...
"This semester's assignment will be replaced by a single group project."
The professor made a truly shitty announcement.
"You are to film a short movie in English. It should be around 20 to 30 minutes long. I will explain the detailed evaluation criteria through the teaching assistant later."
I thought the professor looked kind and gentle, but to think he’d deliver such a massive blow with that pleasant smile.
"Story and acting will be included in the evaluation, but they aren't the most important factors. English subtitles are mandatory. It would also be good if you could prepare a script in advance to hand out."
'Ah, this is insane.'
The other students had similar reactions, though surprisingly, some of the freshmen seemed excited.
Perhaps seeing that reaction, the professor continued.
"I give this assignment occasionally, and the students usually respond well to it. Since you're making a movie, watching movies while you study will be very helpful."
The professor explained with a fairly confident voice.
"Today's lecture will only last an hour. I'll give you the other hour to gather with your group members and discuss."
A shorter lecture was good.
I just hoped I’d get good teammates and that doing my fair share would be enough.
* * *
I thought we might draw straws or something, but the professor told us to form our own groups and that anyone who couldn't find one should come see him separately.
"Ahem, well, I'll go submit this list of members to the professor."
A female senior, who looked like a second-year English Literature major, began writing down names one by one.
"Ahn Hyun-ho, Han-gang, Seo Ye-rin, and... what was your name?"
I answered the senior politely.
"It's Kim Woo-jin."
"Right, Woo-jin. I'm Min Ju-hee. I'm a sophomore in the English department, so just call me Senior Ju-hee."
"Yes, Senior Ju-hee."
"I don't trust you guys, so I'm just going to be the leader. I'll start a group chat, so if you don't want to die, make sure you reply within an hour every time."
Wasn't she a tough one?
She was incredibly reliable.
I was so grateful to Seo Ye-rin for calling me over and putting me in this group just as I was about to head to the professor.
"Ha."
Of course, the fact that Ahn Hyun-ho—who had openly declared in the Bamboo Forest that he would ruin me—was here was a bit annoying.
But he was the one who should feel uncomfortable, not me.
I just needed to trust our leader who was going to drive the bus, hop on the back, and wave my hands.
Step on it, Noona!
"I'm glad there are so many people from the English department."
Seo Ye-rin said to me with a beaming smile.
The gender ratio wasn't bad either.
It seemed they had balanced it out for the sake of filming the movie.
"First, let's divide the roles. Ye-rin is perfect for the lead, right?"
A handsome guy declared with a bright smile. Unlike the slightly delinquent-looking Ahn Hyun-ho, he was the epitome of a handsome, model student.
He was the kind of guy who looked like he stepped out of a drama.
'He's perfect for the male lead.'
Was his name Kang Han-gang?
Our Senior Han-gang, whose name was the same even when read backward, recommended Seo Ye-rin for the lead, but I thought Senior Han-gang should be the lead alongside her.
If they just filmed a romance or something and acted all lovey-dovey, they’d probably get a good grade.
If the visuals were good, they’d surely get extra points.
"Oh, the lead?"
Seo Ye-rin answered with an ambiguous expression. She didn't seem particularly keen on it, but the others wanted her to do it.
I felt the same way.
"Yeah, Ye-rin has that pure and innocent vibe, so if we do a youth drama or a romance, it'll come together in no time, don't you think?"
The others chimed in after Han-gang.
"Right, I think that'll work. Ye-rin has such a great face for it."
"We won't need many props for that, and we can just pick any location, so it won't cost much time or money."
"Wow, that sounds great."
Ahn Hyun-ho cut in smoothly, while Seo Ye-rin stood there looking hesitant.
I just watched the situation unfold with my chin resting on my hand.
If Seo Ye-rin became the lead, we’d likely get a good grade. Besides, it didn't look like she could handle filming or editing anyway.
"What's going on? What are you talking about?"
Senior Ju-hee, who had returned after submitting the member list, asked as she saw us making a fuss.
When Senior Han-gang gave a brief explanation...
"Yeah, no."
She immediately shot him down, raising a finger.
"We're Group 3, okay? From this moment on, Group 3 are no longer citizens of the Republic of Korea. There is no democracy for us."
Senior Ju-hee pointed to herself with her thumb and made a bold declaration.
"I am the dictator. I decide everything. If you want a good grade, just follow my lead."
"Wow."
An exclamation escaped my lips involuntarily. For a moment, everyone's eyes were on me, but they soon looked away.
Honestly, I almost clapped.
I felt like a raw recruit watching Joan of Arc gallop across the battlefield with her flag raised.
Whatever it was, it didn't matter.
Looking at Senior Min Ju-hee's confidence, my grade for this lecture seemed secure.
'So reliable.'
I love it.
Just thinking about doing my part and riding the leader's bus made me want to wiggle with joy.
Senior Ju-hee scribbled something in her notebook and tossed it to us.
"I've roughly divided the roles. Write down what you think you can do, leave your number, and then you can go. I'll post announcements in the group chat."
Could I call her 'Leader' from now on?
I was about to fall in love in just a few minutes.
After everyone else had written their parts, I was the last to write: filming and editing.
We’d probably use phones for filming anyway, and as for editing, I couldn't do anything fancy, but I could at least piece clips together.
"Oh, you know how to edit?"
Senior Ju-hee, who was watching from behind since I was last, asked.
"I can manage basic cutting and pasting."
"That's enough. They won't expect us to make anything grand anyway. There aren't many film majors in this class, so as long as it's not terrible, it'll be fine."
It seemed my position was already decided.
"Then, dismissed. I'll send a message to the group chat in a few days. Let's meet about once a week and make some progress."
Senior Han-gang whined playfully, saying he wanted to get it all done in one go, but Senior Ju-hee's iron-fisted rule was truly powerful.
As soon as she made a gesture like she was going to hit him, Senior Han-gang tucked his tail and backed off.
In any case, the group project seemed like it would proceed without a hitch. We had the carry machine and dictator Min Ju-hee on our side.
The lecture ended, and everyone scattered in small groups.
Ahn Hyun-ho's persistent gaze, which suggested he still had a problem with me, followed me fiercely, but I ignored him and headed to my next classroom.
Vrrr.
My phone vibrated.
I checked to see if Senior Ju-hee had already made the group chat.
Seo Ye-rin, who had been pressured into being an actress, had come to vent her stress.
As always, she was talking crazy.
I saw earlier that she had just written 'Actress' for her role.
Whatever it was.
Seo Ye-rin was vomiting out the things she should have said on the board to me instead.