The Girls Falling for Him (3)
Lee Yu-ri ended up serving two weeks of after-school classroom cleanup duty with me as punishment. No matter how much of a top student and student council president she was, or how well she performed her duties and earned the affection of the faculty, skipping class without permission wasn't a minor offense that could simply be overlooked.
Instead, thanks to the impeccable behavior and reputation she had built up until now, the academy agreed that if she properly served her two-week punishment, they would cover up the unauthorized early departure and not even record it on her student file. It probably helped that the academy had something to brag about if Yu-ri got into a prestigious university.
"Aigoo~ This is so unfair, so unfair. How can the academy treat people with such blatant discrimination? How is a delinquent supposed to live like this~"
Of course, I wasn't spared. With all the other students gone home, the two of us were left cleaning the empty classroom, and I shouted it out loud. Yu-ri's expression became a mix of exasperation and guilt.
"If you had just behaved yourself properly from the start, this wouldn't have happened."
"Hmph. Even if I lived exactly like I do now, skipping without permission would've gotten me the same result anyway. It's only because it's you that the teachers give you special treatment."
"Um... sorry."
"Why are you the one apologizing?"
"No, it's just... they're discriminating so openly like this. I thought it might upset you from your perspective..."
"It's fine. I was joking. If I was the type to care about that sort of thing, I wouldn't have lived the way I did in my first and second years to begin with."
I opened the window and shook out the blackboard eraser. This was officially Yu-ri's first time being punished, but she'd already been helping with after-school cleanup under the excuse of monitoring me since last time, so we naturally divided the tasks between us.
"Ah, but can we finish the work in about thirty minutes? I have a part-time shift starting at four, so I can't be late."
"Got it. We'll just work as fast as we can. By the way, what kind of part-time job is it? Come to think of it, I never heard about that."
"Hm? Didn't I tell you? It's just a regular weekday shift at a convenience store. Except Fridays."
"A convenience store? Then can I come see you after your shift?"
"No!"
I immediately shut down Yu-ri's question. The convenience store where I worked was in a rundown, undeveloped area that was basically a slum crawling with delinquents. After the sun went down, if a girl—especially one with Yu-ri's level of beauty—walked around there alone, there was an extremely high chance something horrible would happen to her. It wasn't that far from her house, but she had probably never set foot in a place like this, and there was nothing good that could come from her visiting.
When I suddenly raised my voice, Yu-ri jumped in surprise, her eyes widening into perfect circles.
"You scared me. Why are you yelling? Is there some reason I shouldn't come?"
"I've only been working there a short time. It'd look bad if I brought someone I know right away. Plus, the place where I work is a bit... like that."
"A bit like what? Is it some shady black company? Did they not even give you a contract?"
"No, not in that sense... It's better if you don't know, so don't get too curious. Anyway, you're not allowed to come to my workplace."
"......?"
......
......
The cleanup was finished in thirty minutes. As soon as it was done, I grabbed my bag.
"Phew, I won't be late. Alright, Yu-ri! I'm heading out first for my shift!"
"Ah, yeah. I have to stay behind for student council work."
"Too bad. I was hoping we could walk home together at least."
"W-who said that?!"
"Since I don't have work on Fridays, let's hold hands and walk home together nicely then!"
"What are you even saying? Just hurry up and go!"
Even though she had nothing in her hands, Yu-ri made a throwing gesture like she was about to hurl something. I laughed at the sight and ran off like I was escaping.
Left alone in the classroom as she packed her bag to head to the student council room, Yu-ri couldn't stop Han Seong-jin's words from echoing in her head.
The surprise confession she had heard from him on Saturday—I like you.
Yu-ri hadn't been able to get those words out of her head for even a single moment.
No way... it can't be, but... is he actually serious...?
Seong-jin, who had consistently shown affection toward her. The confession he had let slip thinking she was too drunk to remember it. Now, every time Yu-ri pictured his face, her heart would pound. Without realizing it, she found herself blushing as she imagined walking home with him on Friday.
No, that's not it. There's no way. Yeah, he's probably just teasing me for no reason.
For now, she was still desperately trying to deny her own feelings.
When I was about to walk out the school gate, I heard someone calling me from behind.
"Eh? Seong-jin sunbae!"
When I turned around, a stunningly pretty girl with her dyed blonde hair tied in a side ponytail was waving at me. She was covered in dangling accessories—earrings, bracelets, hairpins, the works—and had a voluptuous figure that could easily rival Yu-ri's. Her skirt was shortened to the extreme, looking like it might flash her underwear with every step, and her lightly tanned skin carried a faint golden-brown glow.
"Su-yeon, why are you only coming out now? You're always here before me."
"Then why is senior only leaving now?"
"I got after-school cleanup duty for skipping, so I'm heading out late."
"You do remember who you skipped with, right?"
"Ah."
Choi Su-yeon had received the exact same after-school cleanup punishment as me. Yet even after getting disciplined, the smile never left her face.
"Hehehe. Winning love is always a laborious task! But a little punishment like this from the academy could never stop my pure and noble love!"
"...Aren't you overreacting just a tiny bit over one text message?"
"Overreacting? The beginning of a great love always starts with these small first steps!"
Su-yeon jumped up and down, completely dismissing my point. Then she suddenly looked at me, grinned mischievously, and leaned her head against my shoulder.
"But senior~ Isn't it such a shame?"
"A shame? Me? Why?"
"On Friday you tried so hard to seduce me that, honestly, I almost fell for it. But now it's turned out like this. Honestly, I think I'm better than Yu-ri sunbae. Hehehe."
"Oh? You're better than Yu-ri? Look at all that confidence."
"Eh? Are you underestimating me right now? Hehe, but too bad. Even if I wanted to prove it to you, Seong-jin sunbae, I can't anymore."
"Hmm, you do have a point. Well, since it's turned out this way, congratulations. I'll take some congratulations too. Let's both do our best."
Su-yeon nodded her head vigorously, looking thrilled. For some reason, that expression made her look like a squirrel. Still, outward congratulations were one thing—I still needed to confirm the important details.
"So, have you two officially decided to date?"
"Not quite there yet... but it's only a matter of time!"
"What? You were talking about love this and love that without even going on a single date? You're still way behind."
"What?!"
"This senior right here went on an all-day date with Yu-ri on Saturday. We hit up DDR, coin karaoke, an escape room café, and even a DVD bang—"
"D-DVD bang?! Wait, does that mean you already did it?!"
Su-yeon clapped both hands over her mouth in shock. I corrected the statement that could easily be misunderstood.
"Not what you're thinking. We really just watched a movie. Anyway, after dinner and drinks, we've already reached the point where only the final line remains. Compared to you and Gong Yeong-bae, who haven't even been on one date, it's like the difference between heaven and earth."
"Ugh... W-we're going to go on a date too!"
"Really? When?"
"Probably this weekend...?"
"Even that's uncertain? Well, good luck with that~"
Su-yeon pouted and started poking my side repeatedly.
"What was that supposed to mean? It sounded like 'it won't work anyway but struggle all you want~' right?"
"Is that how it sounded? This is why quick-witted guys are..."
"Senior!!"
After yelling at the top of her lungs, Su-yeon walked all the way to the convenience store with her lips stuck out, clutching her phone and tapping away at the screen. It looked like she was texting Gong Yeong-bae—most likely trying to set up a date.
Su-yeon's texting continued periodically even after we started our shift. Whenever she had a spare moment, she was glued to her phone without fail. Then, about an hour before closing time...
"Senior! Look at this!"
Su-yeon smiled brightly as she shoved her phone toward me. The screen showed her text inviting him out on a date this Saturday, along with Gong Yeong-bae's acceptance.
My eyes sparkled at the sight.
It's here!
I kept my expression as calm as possible on the surface and asked, "You were staring at your phone the whole time instead of working—was it all to secure this date?"
"Oh my? I was working hard, you know? Because I'm a capable woman who can handle both work and love at the same time."
"You finally got the promise. Congratulations. Have you decided where you're going?"
"Hmm. If we start with a fancy Seoul date course right away, won't Yeong-bae sunbae think I'm some burdensome girl?"
"Probably."
"What did you do for your date with Yu-ri sunbae?"
At that, I gave a satisfied smile and told her all about the date course Yu-ri and I had followed. I deliberately mentioned the exact names of the places we visited, subtly steering Su-yeon's thoughts in one particular direction.
After hearing about our date, Su-yeon kept nodding and began taking notes.
And after my shift ended that day...
After parting ways with Su-yeon, I sent a text to Yu-ri.