Chapter 106: Arts Festival (10)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 106: Arts Festival (10)
"Ah, there he is."
It was Ji Nuri’s voice.
Perhaps because the performance was over, her Mini-Me’s voice came through even more clearly than before.
"Oof."
I felt a sudden weight pressing down on my shoulder and turned around.
"You’re not staying with the band kids? You came straight here?"
"Eh, if I hang around, they’ll just feel awkward. A good senior knows when to make herself scarce so the members can have their own time."
—"Now that is what you call being considerate."
The Mini-Me snorted, tossing its hair back with a flourish.
She seemed to think she’d just displayed some grand act of seniorly grace.
"Hmm."
Technically, wasn't Ji Nuri a member of the band too? Even if it was only temporary, she’d performed with them. I had a feeling the other kids might actually be disappointed that she’d left so soon.
"Oh, what’s with the jelly? Give me one!"
"O-okay…"
Ji Nuri pounced on the jelly Shin A-young was holding.
‘…I’ll just leave her be.’
Seeing how happy she looked, it seemed better to just let it go.
<The Myunghwa Arts Festival, which we’ve all enjoyed together, has now come to a close. To everyone who shared their laughter and passion with us today…>
The announcement from the broadcasting club echoed through the hallway speakers. The festival had finally reached its end.
Click—
I locked the club room door. The cleaning was done, nothing was left behind, and I had all my bags… everything was checked. I turned around after one last inspection.
"All set. Let’s just drop the key off at the teachers’ office and go."
I hung the key in the storage box inside the office. With that, today’s work was officially done.
Thud, thud—
I walked toward the school gate with the others.
"Ah~ I feel like I’m going to miss it already~"
Ji Nuri stretched her arms out wide, looking like she wanted to play for a few more hours.
—"Time really flew. It’s already past six."
It was fun, though. I hadn't realized it had gotten so late either.
"Want to go grab dinner together? And then karaoke?" Ji Nuri asked, her eyes sparkling.
Unfortunately, I couldn't join them.
"You guys will have to eat without me."
"Huh? You’re not coming?"
"I have something to do today."
At those words, Lee Seung-ah’s head whipped around.
"Wait, is today a work day for you too?"
"Yeah."
"Wow…" She covered her mouth.
—"Oh, you poor thing."
Even as she said that, her Mini-Me’s lips were quivering. She was clearly holding back a laugh. It even started dancing a little jig, celebrating the fact that it didn't have to go to the gym today.
…I really wanted to give it a noogie.
"I’m heading out first. See you next week."
I gave a small wave. Since tomorrow was Saturday, I wouldn't see them at school until next Monday.
"Yeah, see you next week," Lee Sol nodded, a faint hint of a smile playing on her usually expressionless face.
‘…See you tomorrow.’
Shin A-young mouthed the words silently.
"……."
I wondered what she meant for a second before remembering—she meant she’d see me at the gym.
I headed toward the bus stop across the street. The bench was empty, so I plopped down onto it.
"Phew…"
A tired sigh escaped me. I didn't want to work. I couldn't help feeling that way.
"Haa……"
I heard an identical sigh from somewhere nearby. I shifted my gaze and saw Ha Seo-rim standing there.
"……!"
She had been walking while looking at the ground, but when she saw me, she flinched and came to a sudden halt.
"…Hello."
She gave a small, polite bow.
"Hey."
She sat down at the very edge of the bench. Perhaps because there were only the two of us at the stop, the distance between us felt particularly pronounced.
I looked down at my phone and spoke.
"…On your way to work?"
"Yes."
A short answer came back.
—"Now that I look at her, she kind of looks like his sister."
I heard the Mini-Me mutter. Now that it mentioned it, maybe she did. I think Lee Seung-ah and Ha Seo-rim ran into each other today.
"I heard you met my sister today?"
"…Yes, she was in the club room."
"She didn't cause any trouble, did she? She can be a bit of a klutz."
"…No. It wasn't like that. She seemed to have a really nice personality…?"
"…Really?"
That was news to me. Still, I was glad nothing had happened.
Looking down at my phone, I sent the video files I’d taken today to Ji Nuri. Since I’d intentionally filmed them in segments, transferring the files didn't take very long.
"……."
As I watched the videos being sent, the image of Ha Seo-rim also flickered through my mind. She had played as if she were running across the stage. It was a bit unexpected. Since she always acted so sharp and professional at work, I hadn't known she could enjoy herself so freely.
"You played well today."
I tossed the compliment out casually.
"……."
Whether it was because it was so sudden, Ha Seo-rim didn't respond for a moment.
"…Thank you."
She turned her head away with an awkward gesture.
—"…Trying to get close to her like that, huh?"
The Mini-Me hopped up and down, acting like it had seen right through me.
"……."
I put my phone away and looked straight ahead. Fine. I’ll just keep my mouth shut.
"I’m hoooome."
Ji Nuri kicked off her shoes haphazardly as she entered the house. The sound of the TV drifted from the living room; she could sense a bustling presence. Did both of her parents get off work early today?
"Ugh— I’m so tired—"
Just as she was about to grab a glass of water and collapse onto the living room sofa…
"Hey, hey, I’m lying here."
A sharp, high-pitched voice rang out, accompanied by a hand pushing her away. It was a voice her body remembered well.
…It was her older sister.
"Wh-what?! When did you get here?"
Ji Nuri stumbled back in surprise. She couldn't help but be startled. Why was her sister, who had moved out, suddenly lying in the living room?
"…What are you talking about?"
Ji Hyori, Nuri’s sister, looked at her with an exasperated expression.
"I told you I was coming up for a bit today. Don't you remember? You forgot again, didn't you?"
"No, I remembered!" Ji Nuri snapped back.
…Now that she thought about it, she might have heard something like that. She hadn't been paying much attention, so she didn't remember clearly, but a faint memory lingered.
"I was just a bit distracted today, so it slipped my mind for a second," Ji Nuri retorted with a snort. She was too proud to admit the truth.
At that, Ji Hyori adjusted her glasses and spoke.
"Distracted? You spend every day at school exactly the same way."
"It was the school festival today, okay?"
"Ah~"
A short response. Despite being the one who asked, she had zero interest in the topic. She gave a half-hearted nod and buried herself back into the sofa.
Vrrr— Vrrr—
Just then, the phone in Nuri’s pocket vibrated.
[The stuff I filmed today.]
A link had arrived from Lee Seung-ho. When she clicked it, she saw videos being uploaded to a cloud channel one by one. From the first song to the last, the videos were neatly clipped by part.
"…He’s got sense."
She felt like she’d have to treat him to something really delicious later.
[Thanks]
[(Dog emoticon giving a thumbs up)]
Ji Nuri sent a reply immediately.
"…Who’s that? A guy you’re seeing?"
"Ack!"
Ji Nuri recoiled in shock, putting some distance between them. Her sister had crept up behind her without a sound and was peeking over her shoulder. Nuri’s heart was pounding.
"Seriously, stop it!"
Despite Nuri’s temper, her sister pressed on.
"So who is it? Is it really a guy you’re seeing?"
"It’s not like that! He’s just a friend. A guy friend," Ji Nuri answered while shielding her phone screen against her chest. Why was she so interested in other people’s social lives?
"Ah~ Is he the one? What was it, Min-sik?"
"Seung-ho."
"Ah. His name is Seung-ho?"
"……."
Ji Nuri’s eyelid twitched. She’d walked right into that one.
"Wait… if it’s Seung-ho, is it that guy? The one you went on a trip with this summer?"
"Huh? What? How do you know about that, Sis?"
"Mom told me."
"……."
Ji Nuri’s face crumpled. She screamed her mother’s name in her head. She really didn't understand why her mom did that—telling her sister useless things like that.
"Hehe…."
Look at her now. She was already smirking. She had the eyes of a predator that had just found something to tease her with.
"…Whatever. I’m going to my room."
Ji Nuri chose to flee to her room with a huff.
"If things go well with him, tell me the story later~" her sister waved from the sofa.
"I told you, it’s not like that…!" Ji Nuri shouted back as she slammed her bedroom door.
Slam—!!
"…The, the wind caught it…!"
The sound was louder than she’d intended.
Creak. Thud.
She muttered an excuse and closed the door again properly.
"Sigh……."
A sigh escaped her automatically. It had been a while since she’d seen her sister, but she’d been hit with a mountain of stress the moment they met.
Flump—
Ji Nuri flopped onto her bed. She played the videos she’d downloaded.
[Yo.]
Lee Sol’s puffy, round face filled the screen.
"……What’s this?"
The moment she saw it, Ji Nuri let out a silly laugh. Her furrowed brow gradually relaxed. Seeing something cute definitely improved her mood.
"Slurp."
Just as watching a mukbang made one hungry, she felt the urge to squish Lee Sol’s soft cheeks.
‘…Ah, it’s starting.’
The curtains drew back, and the lights came on. The screen zoomed in, revealing her own figure standing on the stage.
"……Ahem."
Seeing it like this felt strangely embarrassing. So this was how she looked to others when she was performing on stage.
[Oh….]
A low, mid-range voice could be heard faintly during the intro.
"……."
Ji Nuri’s eyes blinked slowly. Blink, blink. She closed and opened them. She rolled over onto her stomach and dragged the playback bar back slightly.
[Oh….]
That voice flowed out again.
"…Hehe. It is Seung-ho."
Hearing it again, she was certain. A giggle escaped her. Was he that surprised by her performance? Since Lee Seung-ho was the type who rarely got surprised, even that small exclamation filled her with a sense of pride.
"…I was in pretty good form today."
Even she thought her fingerwork had been perfect. Her voice had been in good condition, and the band’s coordination had been satisfying.
"Huh?"
While watching the second video, the focus of the screen shook slightly. It tilted to the side. Why did he make a mistake like this after filming so well?
"……Could it be?"
Ji Nuri stroked her chin. Did he take his eyes off the screen because he was too focused on the stage? If that was the case, everything clicked into place. She was almost certain. It seemed obvious.
"Good grief…."
Ji Nuri chuckled and shrugged her shoulders. He really has it bad, doesn't he?
……Nearly a week passed. And finally, Thursday arrived.
"Hello. I’m Lee Seung-ho."
I gave a polite bow, my voice tinged with nerves. It was a different kind of tension than what I’d felt during high school or part-time job interviews. And for good reason. The person sitting in front of me was the one creating that atmosphere.
"……Right, it’s been a long time."
Long, flowing hair and languid eyes. A subtle sense of distance. She looked exactly like what Lee Sol would look like if she grew up just as she was.
I was facing Lee Sol’s mother.
This was the day of our scheduled meeting.
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(!Signpost!)
(Scroll down for illustration!)
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I couldn't think of what to draw, so I drew Lee Sol’s mother. I wonder if Lee Sol will really grow up to look like this when she matures...?