Two Hours Alone with Senpai Every Day?
"What? You spent two hours alone with senpai every single day doing who-knows-what?"
"I'm out."
After a quick lunch from the convenience store, Seohwan stood up, saying he had an appointment.
"A girl?"
"Fuck... I wish."
Seohwan's eyes grew misty as he gazed up at the blue sky.
I should've taken up that gorilla girl's offer to hook me up...
I let greed for money blind me and chose friendship instead... Sorry, buddy.
"I've got awkward timing too because of performance eval practice."
"Lucky bastard... There must be girls there too."
"Uh-huh..."
Yeah, there were.
One uncomfortable girl and one fox-like girl.
Didn't know if it was good or bad, but they were female, at least.
"Fucking jerk... I'm off."
Seohwan punched my arm with a mix of envy and resentment before leaving.
About an hour left until my appointment.
"What to do in the meantime?"
My boredom got a savior pitcher in the form of Kim Minji.
Kim Minji was waiting for me at a café not far from where I was.
"Why'd you come out so quick?"
"Just~ Had something to talk about?"
She flashed me a seductive smile as she looked my way.
That eye smile. It really bewitches people.
Anyway.
Seeing her in casual clothes instead of the usual uniform made her seem like a totally different person.
The light makeup suited her well, and above all...
That short skirt riding up her thighs nearly locked my gaze in place.
"Hm?"
I hurriedly averted my eyes, and she seemed to catch on, slowly crossing her legs...
"What's up? Something wrong?"
She teased me shamelessly, acting like she had no clue.
If this isn't a fox, what is? Even a thousand-year-old gumiho could learn a thing or two from Kim Minji. How does she nail every single point guys love?
"Just a bit hot."
No choice—I took off my jacket and draped it over her knees.
If we'd been adults and I'd been drunk... the thought of having those thighs choke me wouldn't have left my mind.
Ah! It was the same now, though!
"Such a gentleman."
Kim Minji cutely handed me the drink she'd already ordered in response to my gesture. I slurped down the sweet beverage vigorously to banish my weird fantasies.
"So, what'd you wanna talk about? Couldn't it wait for KakaoTalk?"
"Nah, this is kinda fun~"
She sipped her bitterly black coffee while eyeing me.
"There's something more important than today's performance eval practice."
"Huh?"
"Namely..."
Kim Minji beckoned me closer, then whispered softly in my ear.
"Project: Get Lee Wooju and Chae Serin together."
"What?"
I couldn't help but be shocked.
Lee Wooju liking Chae Serin was something only I knew about, right?
Even Kim Taeyang, who stuck to him like glue, didn't know—how did Kim Minji find out?
No way... Was she a possessor like me?
"Why so surprised? Didn't you know?"
Kim Minji tilted her head, finding my reaction weird.
"No... I knew, but how'd you know?"
"Why would I tell you? It's obvious."
"Obvious...?"
"Yeah. The way Lee Wooju acts screams it. Anyone who doesn't notice is an idiot."
Wooju-kun.
Emergency.
Your actions are all see-through!
Is this why women have that sixth sense?
Or were we just that oblivious?
All he did was buy chocolate milk on snack runs, stare intensely for a few seconds every morning, try to pair up for evals or group work, and greet brightly on the way to/from school!
"Anyway, you'll help, right?"
Kim Minji poked my cheeks as I sat there seriously reminiscing.
"Of course. Wishing your friend's romance succeeds is true friendship. But how...?"
"I've got ways."
She gave a meaningful smile.
"Keep practice short and sweet today, then... ditch and leave Wooju and Serin alone."
"Ditch?"
"More like make a good excuse and bail."
I got it perfectly.
Forcibly create alone time for them—gotcha.
Normally, we'd all grab dinner after practice and call it a night.
But if Minji and I bailed?
They'd have no choice but to dine alone!
"Brilliant plan."
"Right? During practice, stick with me as much as possible. If Wooju clings, shove him toward Serin."
"Got it."
"And..."
Kim Minji grabbed both my cheeks and pulled my face close.
"Never go near Serin."
"Huh? Obviously not, but... if something comes up..."
"No. Don't."
Her expression was dead serious. And...
For some reason, those usually confident eyes were brimming with unease.
"Hey, Haon~"
When we arrived at the music room, Wooju was already there, guitar slung on, tuning it.
Chae Serin was warming up her fingers on the keyboard too.
"Why'd you come in together?"
She shot suspicious glances at us entering as a pair.
What's her deal lately? Was she trying to sabotage my love life? Couldn't stand seeing her bestie date a former thug?
"Ran into each other at the front gate~"
Nice save, Kim Minji.
"Yeah, total coincidence?"
"Really? Then why's Minji wearing your jacket, Baek Haon?"
Oh shit.
Forgot to grab the jacket I'd draped over her at the café.
Think. One way to navigate this crisis...! If not, our conspiracy's busted!
"Haon said he was hot, so I snatched it from him and wore it~ I dressed kinda light today."
Kim Minji shrugged off the jacket to show her outfit.
The mood got weird again.
Clap!
I clapped loudly to intervene.
"Alright, enough. We're all here—let's practice quick and go."
Weren't these two besties? Why did they always bicker like this?
Kim Minji shrugged and pulled out her guitar; Chae Serin resumed warming up on the keys.
"Speaking of, the drums? You practiced?"
The topic shifted back to me.
"Ah, that..."
Wooju opened his mouth to spare me embarrassment, but...
"Shh."
I shut his chatter with one finger.
Wooju-kun. No defenses needed here.
Prove it with skill.
I gripped the drumsticks, adjusted the stool height.
It looked a bit worn compared to the band room set, but a true craftsman doesn't blame tools!
Everyone held their breath, watching. I took a short deep breath, flicked my wrists.
Ching-ching-ching-ching! Boom-boom-boom-boom!
"Whoa..."
"What the...?"
The piece I'd drilled day and night for a week under intense training. Not an audition—this wasn't the place for mistakes.
No way.
"As expected of Baek Haon. No wonder he passed band club tryouts."
The girls stared in awe post-performance; Wooju grinned like a proud dad.
Kid... Yesterday you said I sucked. Boosting me up for the girls, huh.
Your coach was deeply moved!
"How...?"
"This in just a week...?"
Chae Serin and Kim Minji freaked out like it was impossible.
Was it that impressive?
"Drummers said it's basic basics...?"
At my words...
"Haon, you aren't pulling that 'beating' thing on us now, are you?"
Wooju shook his head in disbelief.
"Even someone with a year of drums would struggle with that."
"Didn't you already know drums?"
"W-Wait. It's that hard? Sensei said it was the easiest for passing auditions."
Kim Minji searched the song on NewTube and showed me.
There...
"Uh...?"
Reviews matching what my friends said, thumbnails screaming "DO NOT PLAY IF BEGINNER."
"Who the hell'd you learn from...?"
Sensei.
My feelings right now are complicated.
Why didn't you tell me from the start!
Thanks for the tough love, but I despaired thinking I had no talent the whole practice!
Honestly? Never thought to search.
No need when a pro instructor demoed and guided me—why bother?
I figured sensei's word was gospel!
"Even academies don't assign that to newbies."
"My senpai taught me."
"Senpai? That band club senior from the snack shop?"
"Yeah, two hours after school every day for a week."
"Two hours?"
"Alone?"
Chae Serin and Kim Minji's voices rose.
"Yeah, thanks to that I nailed it and passed band club..."
"Ha..."
"Should've marked my territory back then."
Why were they acting up? Jealous of my mentor-student bond with sensei?
Makes sense. A first-year bonding with a senior early in the semester is enviable. Especially a talented, capable one!
"Shouldn't we sync up now? We didn't rent the room solo..."
Wooju glanced at the clock and suggested.
"Yeah! This body trained hard—everyone be happy!"
I boomed to lift the sagging mood, but...
"..."
It sank further.
Practice flowed smoothly despite the mood.
Sensei drilled such high-level stuff that mastering this would take two days tops.
The others weren't bad for first-timers either.
Only issue left: leaving Chae Serin and Lee Wooju alone.
"Wanna grab drinks?"
I cautiously opened.
"Sure? Let's go together."
Kim Minji bit instantly, reading my intent.
Good, good—this seals it perfectly...
"I'll come too."
Uh...?
Why was the silent-til-now Chae Serin tagging along?
"Me too."
Wooju-kun.
Read the room, you maniac.
"Four people for drinks? Vending machine run—two's enough."
I sorted the disaster fast, but they wouldn't budge.
Playing hardball, huh?
"Then Wooju and Serin go. Why you wanna go so bad?"
We stay here then.
Wooju stood awkwardly but naturally; Chae Serin looked displeased, opening her mouth again...
"Be back soon. Anything specific?"
Wooju seized the chance faster.
Operation: perfect success.
In this awkward vibe, specifically assigning "You two go!" makes refusal awkward.
Reject here? You'd hurt the suggester's feelings.
Chae Serin only trash-talks me like that.
"Success?"
I offered Kim Minji a high-five.
Thud-crash!
"Wh-Why...?"
This fox pretended to high-five and slammed me to the floor.
"This won't cut it..."
"W-Wait."
I struggled, but she pinned me completely, hands bound.
"Perfect... imprint..."
Her face drew slowly closer.
Kim Minji's eyes were utterly unhinged.