Chapter 105: Arts Festival (9)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 105: Arts Festival (9)
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“…And that is what it means.”
The student running the Prophecy House wrapped up his enthusiastic explanation. Just as he had done for Lee Sol, he was skillfully weaving words together to suit the mood.
In a way, it was impressive. He seemed like a natural at catering to people’s whims.
“Hmm… Is that so?”
— “Not bad.”
The Mini-Me, which had been wearing a fierce expression until a moment ago, was now nodding with a satisfied look.
“Phew… Then it’s time for the last person.”
He wiped his sweat with a handkerchief and shuffled the deck.
“Could you also pick three cards?”
“Here.”
I casually drew three and handed them over. I didn't put much thought into it, mostly because I just wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible.
— “Phew…”
His Mini-Me let out a sigh of relief as he looked at the cards I had chosen. It seemed I had drawn some fairly ordinary cards this time.
I let my guard down. Without much concern, I waited for his prophecy.
“The Magnet, the Ear, and the Bouquets. This is what we have.”
He laid the cards down one by one.
“As you can see, a magnet has the power to attract. This can also mean attracting people.”
— “Hmm…”
— “Hmph…”
Both Mini-Mes let out low groans. The reaction didn't come from me, but from the other side.
“The Ear is good at listening. This card indicates that through active listening, you can communicate comfortably and grow close to anyone.”
“Mhm, mhm.”
“…”
The two girls nodded in satisfaction.
“People of this type often don't stand out at first, but they tend to become increasingly popular over time.”
At those words, the two of them stopped dead, as if someone had hit a pause button.
“And these Bouquets represent that to such a person—”
“…Wait a moment.”
I cut him off before he could say another word.
— “Heh… interesting.”
Shin A-young’s Mini-Me let out a short, mocking chuckle.
— “Hmph… it’s just for fun anyway.”
Lee Sol’s Mini-Me put on a serious face, looking utterly unamused.
One thing was certain: neither of them was having a positive reaction.
It was strange. The more positive the prophecy about me was, the heavier the atmosphere became. It was a bizarre irony.
“I think I’m really fine without finishing this.”
I appealed strongly, my voice filled with desperation.
“…Ah, yes.”
He glanced at the girls cautiously before nodding.
I led the two of them out of the booth.
“……”
“……”
Shin A-young was wearing a faint, lingering smirk, while Lee Sol’s expression was stiff, her eyes downcast. Both were equally silent.
“…The performance is starting soon. Only a few minutes left.”
I held up my phone screen. It was almost time for Ji Nuri to take the stage. We had spent more time here than I had expected.
“Ah.”
“…Then we have no choice.”
Fortunately, the two of them relaxed upon hearing the reason. Instead, a sense of urgency took its place. If we were late, we’d have to deal with Ji Nuri’s nagging and pouting.
Trot, trot, trot—!
With a single purpose, we moved with hurried steps.
“There are so many people…”
I looked at the crowd inside the auditorium and carefully made my way in.
“This is the highlight of the day, after all,” Shin A-young noted, nodding.
‘Well, I guess this is better.’
I preferred the noise. The voices of the Mini-Mes were drowned out by the crowd and the booming speakers. I didn't have to worry about anyone else's inner thoughts.
“There are no seats…”
Just as I was wandering around looking for a place to watch, I felt a tug.
Tug, tug.
Someone was pulling at my sleeve.
“Oppa.”
I looked down to see Lee Seung-ah.
“Come this way.”
It seemed she had grabbed a spot early. Without having to search any further, I followed behind her.
“You were already here?”
“I came along with Nuri-unni.”
Since she had nothing else to do, she must have been enjoying the performances.
— “…I don't know. He’ll figure it out on his—”
Seung-ah’s Mini-Me muttered something, but it was buried under the clamor of the auditorium and I couldn't hear it clearly.
“By the way, everyone who went on stage was really good. Is it because it’s an arts high school? It’s definitely different.”
Seung-ah spoke with admiration about the performances she had seen so far.
Munch, munch.
Her cheeks were bulging as she chewed on something.
“Where did you get that?”
I was worried she might be eating something strange. Since it was Lee Seung-ah, it was a valid concern.
“Unni’s club members gave me some snacks.”
Seung-ah showed off the bags in her hands as if bragging. They were full of jelly.
“…”
Maybe I should try just one.
As I reached out my hand—
Slap!
The back of my hand was smartly swatted away.
“Unni gave these to me to eat, okay?”
Seung-ah tucked the jelly bags into her arms.
“……”
Fine, I didn't expect much anyway. I pulled my hand back.
“I’ll give one to Sol-unni, though.”
“I’m okay. I ate a lot earlier…” Lee Sol declined with an awkward smile and a wave of her hand.
“What about A-young-unni?”
“Thanks, I’ll enjoy it.”
A-young accepted a bag with a bright smile.
This was blatant discrimination, but I didn't have the energy to argue. It was the giver's prerogative, after all. I gave up on the jellies and turned my attention to the stage.
“…When is it starting?”
The waiting time between performances felt unusually long. When I pulled out my phone to check the time, the top of the screen was blinking with notifications.
[Where are you??]
[The stage is starting soon!]
I wasn't sure when she had sent them, but there were several messages from Ji Nuri.
[Arrived]
I sent a short reply and put my phone away.
“Ah, I think it’s starting now.”
At Shin A-young’s words, I looked up to see the red curtains slowly parting. I raised my camera toward the stage.
“…Are you going to film it?” Lee Sol asked curiously.
“Yeah, she asked me to. Said she wanted to watch it later.”
She’d asked me to make sure she looked pretty. It was a favor Ji Nuri had requested before going on stage. Since there was no one else to ask and she promised to buy me something delicious later, I agreed.
“…Really?”
Lee Sol let out a soft hum.
“Then…”
Suddenly, Lee Sol’s face popped into the frame. It was a total extreme close-up.
“…Put me in too.”
She said it even though she was already dominating the shot.
“Just at the end, then.”
I nodded. Knowing Ji Nuri, she’d probably like seeing her friends' reactions. I’d film the performance properly and then include the others at the beginning or end.
— Waaaaaaaah!
Just then, the cheers of the students erupted. The curtains were fully drawn, and bright lights illuminated the performers. Even from a distance, the person standing in the center was clearly Ji Nuri.
Tap, tap, tap, tap—!
The prelude began with the driving beat of the drums.
“Oh…”
A small exclamation escaped my lips involuntarily.
“!”
I quickly shut my mouth. I was worried that might have been recorded. It would be a total amateur mistake to have the cameraman’s voice mixed into the audio during the performance.
“……”
I was just that surprised by this different side of Ji Nuri. I’d heard her sing at karaoke, but hearing her on a big stage like this was something else entirely.
‘…She really is good.’
The atmosphere was completely different from usual. Ji Nuri continued her performance with a serious expression—at least while she was singing. Her eyes were strangely sharp, creating a sense of distance that almost made me think back to our first meeting.
“……”
At that moment, Ji Nuri’s gaze landed right in the center of the recording screen. Her eyebrows twitched slightly. With a mischievous smile that was hard to tell if it was playful or just joyful, she continued her energetic performance.
…Ji Nuri is still Ji Nuri.
Seeing that expression brought the thought back to mind. I refocused on the recording, capturing her image in the camera.
Lee Seung-ho’s gaze was fixed on the stage.
“……”
And her own gaze had been fixed on Lee Seung-ho this whole time.
Even though Shin A-young knew this, she couldn't look away. Strangely, her eyes wouldn't go toward the stage.
‘I hate this too…’
It was only natural to watch the stage during a performance, but thinking about how his gaze was constantly fixed on another girl made it increasingly difficult to keep a bright expression on her face.
‘Is it greed?’
She wondered if these feelings were perhaps abnormal. Seeing Lee Sol enjoying the performance normally only deepened those thoughts.
‘Why am I like this?’
Why did she feel this way? Was it because the person Lee Seung-ho was looking at was Ji Nuri? No, she didn't think that was it. Come to think of it, even if it were someone else, it probably wouldn't be much different. She would hate it just the same.
‘…I’ve really got it bad.’
Shin A-young pressed a hand against her chest. The feeling only grew as time passed. She could feel her simple crush growing into something more.
Yet, it wasn't a bad feeling. On the contrary, she felt like she wanted to share this feeling with Lee Seung-ho.
“Go, Ji Nuri!”
“Nuri is so pretty…!”
When the first song ended, Lee Seung-ho cheered and clapped along with Lee Sol.
“……Ah.”
Shin A-young’s head tilted down.
…She really couldn't do this. She had tried to hold back, but she desperately wanted to turn his gaze toward her.
“……”
And there was a way to do it.
The rustling texture of the jelly bag Lee Seung-ah had given her lingered at her fingertips. She gripped a piece of jelly in her hand.
“Seung-ho.”
While the second song was playing, she called his name softly and reached out.
Tap, tap.
She nudged her index finger into his closed fist. She pressed a single jelly into his palm.
“…?”
Lee Seung-ho’s eyes turned toward her. For a brief moment, she had succeeded in turning his gaze to herself.
‘Shh.’
She placed her index finger over her lips. She made a gesture telling him not to get caught, since she was giving it to him behind Seung-ah’s back.
“……”
He gave a small nod. He quickly popped the jelly into his mouth. Seeing his cheeks move as he chewed, she almost burst out laughing despite herself.
…Ah, seriously, why am I like this?
Shin A-young brushed her hand over her mouth. She was surely making a strange face. She might even be wearing a foolish grin. Just looking at him sent a wave of inexplicable happiness through her.
“Hmm……”
Shin A-young looked at the camera he was holding.
…The video might have ended up shaking a little bit just now.
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