Chapter 115: Autumn (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 115: Autumn (4)
Monday.
Ji Nuri crouched on the pavement, her fingers buried in a patch of fluffy fur.
“There we go, there we go.”
Meow— Meoooow—
Chun-sik the cat let out a plaintive cry.
After rubbing its face against the back of her hand and snagging a treat, the creature promptly vanished over a stone wall.
“……What the?”
Dumbfounded by the cat’s sudden departure, Ji Nuri stood up.
“Phew—”
She let out a short breath, closed her eyes, and then snapped them open.
“Alright….”
It was finally the Monday she had been waiting for.
“…….”
Waiting for Monday. It felt a bit strange to even say that.
‘But I can’t help being curious.’
What her sister had said kept echoing in her mind, nagging at her. She hadn't even been able to properly enjoy her precious weekend because of it.
“Ahem.”
Anyway. Once she got to class, Lee Seung-ho and the other two would be there. If she kept her distance and watched their expressions, she’d naturally be able to figure it out. She didn't usually pay much attention to people's faces, after all.
‘A-young and Sol like Seung-ho?’
She still couldn't wrap her head around it. Ji Nuri couldn't take her sister’s words at face value. It wasn't that Lee Seung-ho was a bad guy, but according to her sister…
‘It’s not just one person….’
Apparently, there were two. And it wasn't just anyone; it was Lee Sol and Shin A-young. They were the type of girls who probably received countless confessions.
“…Whatever. I’ll know once I see for myself.”
Ji Nuri shook her head to clear her thoughts. Her short hair slapped against her cheeks.
Slide—
She reached the classroom and stepped inside, her expression somewhat stiff.
“Morning, A-young~”
Ji Nuri greeted her cheerfully, just like usual.
“You’re here?”
Shin A-young looked back and returned the greeting.
“Oh? Sol, you’re here early too?”
Ji Nuri spotted Lee Sol sitting at her desk. She had been hidden from view by Shin A-young’s body. Lee Sol gave a slight nod of her head in greeting.
“…Midterms are coming up. I’m going to come in early to study for a while.”
“Oh….”
Ji Nuri let out a short sound of admiration. She was being diligent. Come to think of it, Sol did usually come in early during exam periods.
“…Hmm.”
The problem was that she was sitting there practically half-asleep. Lee Sol’s eyes were drowsy and unfocused. Despite her intentions, her body was being honest.
“Want one of these? Here.”
Ji Nuri rummaged through her pocket and pulled out a chocolate.
“Thanksss….”
Lee Sol picked it up with her slender fingers.
‘…She got almost all of these wrong.’
Ji Nuri looked down at Lee Sol’s workbook and gave a wry smile. Noticing her gaze, Shin A-young narrowed her eyes as if her pride were wounded.
“Seung-ho isn’t here yet, so I’m helping her out instead. It’s not going very well.”
“…You explain things too sporadically.”
Lee Sol made an excuse, her cheek bulging as she chewed. It seemed Lee Seung-ho really was a good teacher.
Speak of the devil.
Slide—
The door opened, and Lee Seung-ho walked in.
‘He’s finally here.’
Ji Nuri’s expression filled with grim determination. Now all four of them, including herself, were gathered. The investigation was officially underway.
“……?”
Lee Seung-ho’s pace slowed for a moment. His eyes darted around as if he were contemplating something, then he walked calmly to his seat as if nothing were wrong.
Ji Nuri brushed off that minor moment of suspicion.
This is sudden for a Monday morning.
“…….”
I hung my bag on the desk hook while looking down at Ji Nuri’s Mini-Me, which had started muttering busily.
‘…Did someone tell her?’
That had to be it. I didn't think Ji Nuri would have noticed the signs on her own. Who could have told her?
‘Hmm….’
No one immediately came to mind. Maybe Ha Seo-rim? But I didn't think she would have said anything….
‘Could it be Ji Nuri’s sister?’
She had picked up on the relationship dynamics the moment she saw us last time, and unlike Ji Nuri, she was quite perceptive. There was a high probability it was her.
‘I explained this to her a few days ago, and she still got it wrong.’
I started preparing for the first period while checking Lee Sol’s workbook as usual. Whatever Ji Nuri was planning to do, as long as it wasn't excessive, I intended to act like I always did. It wasn't like she was doing anything problematic, and it would be more unnatural to change my behavior.
‘Besides….’
It was Ji Nuri. If I acted differently, there was no telling what kind of wild conclusions she might jump to. It could just make things more complicated. In times like this, staying still was the best policy.
“…….”
……But what exactly did Ji Nuri plan to do once she found out?
Just as she had planned, Ji Nuri quietly observed the three of them. Her first target was Shin A-young. She was someone Ji Nuri couldn't easily imagine liking anyone.
However, had she been too obvious about it?
“…Is something wrong?”
Shin A-young turned her head and asked.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Startled by the sudden question, Ji Nuri shook her head vigorously. This was an unexpected situation.
“No, you just keep staring at me. I thought you had something to say.”
“…Oh, I wasn't staring.”
“Really?”
Shin A-young nodded, but a look of suspicion remained in her eyes.
“…….”
Ji Nuri rested her chin on her hand and averted her gaze toward the window.
Was I being too blatant? I need to be more careful.
‘…Let’s put A-young on hold for now.’
She seemed the same as usual anyway. If I keep watching her, she’ll just keep questioning me. And it wasn't like Shin A-young was the only target.
“…….”
Ji Nuri poked her head out through the gap in the door. She found her target among the students moving busily for their elective classes.
“Hwaaaaah—”
Lee Sol let out a long, drowsy yawn.
“…Sol, open your eyes. Class is about to start.”
“Mmm.”
With her eyes half-closed, Lee Sol was practically being dragged along by Lee Seung-ho.
“Where’s the next class?”
She heard a voice asking in a gentle tone.
“Practice room.”
“The practice room?”
“…….”
A nod.
“Here, have some water.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Lee Sol grabbed Lee Seung-ho’s sleeve and followed obediently behind him.
“…….”
Watching them, Ji Nuri tilted her head.
‘……Is this really what "liking someone" looks like?’
Ji Nuri fell into thought as she secretly trailed behind the two of them. It felt a bit different from what she expected. Lee Sol’s expression was just dazed and sleepy, and Lee Seung-ho was simply helping her.
‘Calling this "liking someone" is a bit of a stretch….’
No matter how she looked at it, it didn't seem that way. They were physically close because he was leading her along, but…
‘Isn't this something just friends can do?’
It was just a small act of assistance. Unless Lee Sol was intentionally acting helpless to get Lee Seung-ho’s attention.
“…Ha.”
Ji Nuri let out a hollow laugh at her own thought. It wasn't even worth considering. The Lee Sol she knew wasn't that kind of girl.
But it was still ambiguous.
“Mmm….”
As Lee Sol followed Lee Seung-ho, she didn't look like she disliked it at all.
‘I don’t know.’
She didn't think she could be sure just by watching like this.
‘Is there another way besides this…?’
She needed a clearer method. She kept thinking, wondering if there was a way to know for sure at a single glance. Of course, the most certain way was to just ask….
‘But that’s a bit much….’
That didn't feel right. What if she asked and it wasn't true? She was worried that she might make things awkward between them and Lee Seung-ho. She didn't want that.
‘And even if it is true, that’s its own problem….’
The latter was even more of a headache than the former. Wouldn't she be stuck in the middle, not knowing what to do?
“Ah.”
The break was almost over. Ji Nuri quickly turned around. Since it was an elective subject, she was in a different classroom than the other three. Thanks to her quick movement, she managed to reach the classroom just in time.
‘Hmm…….’
Ji Nuri’s dilemma continued even during the lesson.
“…….”
Tap, tap, tap.
Ji Nuri absentmindedly tapped her desk with her finger.
‘What if I try to provoke them on purpose?’
The thought occurred to her. What if she acted clingy toward Lee Seung-ho? If they really liked him, they would be wary of another girl’s touch. If they didn't, they wouldn't care.
The method was a bit questionable, but…
‘…It would be certain.’
She couldn't think of a more definitive way. That being said.
“Hmm….”
Ji Nuri rested her chin in her hand. To do this, physical contact was inevitable. Surprisingly, she didn't mind the idea.
‘Is it because it’s Lee Seung-ho…?’
It wasn't just anyone. If she thought of it as approaching him playfully as a close friend, she didn't feel much resistance. They had spent a lot of time together, after all. Club activities, the school trip, the anime event, summer vacation…… and several other things.
‘There’s actually quite a lot.’
When she actually thought about it, they had done a surprising amount together. Didn't that mean their internal intimacy had grown that much?
“…….”
So, how should she approach him?
‘Holding hands is a bit much.’
As she walked down the hallway, she considered how to get close to him. Excluding excessive contact… the most natural thing was…… putting an arm around his shoulder.
“Ah.”
Ji Nuri spotted Lee Seung-ho walking ahead. Conveniently, Lee Sol and Shin A-young were right beside him. It was the perfect opportunity to gauge their reactions.
To think the chance would come so quickly. There was no reason to hesitate.
Patter, patter, patter!
Ji Nuri quickened her pace.
“Hey, Lee Seung-ho!”
The moment she raised her arm to put it around his shoulder.
“……Oh.”
She couldn't reach.
His shoulder was much higher than she expected, so she had to lift her arm much higher than she had planned. As her posture became awkward, she felt a strange sense of distance from him.
Ji Nuri awkwardly lowered her arm.
“What is it?”
At Lee Seung-ho’s question, Ji Nuri shook her head.
“Oh, nothing, I just wanted to go to the snack shop together. You guys are coming too, right?”
Ji Nuri hurriedly changed the subject.
……When did Lee Seung-ho get this tall?
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