Chapter 132: Busan (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 132: Busan (2)
“…Did something happen?”
Lee Sol asked, noticing that Shin A-young’s mood was more subdued than usual.
“The Busan trip. She said she hasn’t gotten her father's permission yet,” I answered nonchalantly.
“Ah…” Lee Sol nodded slowly.
— “Hmm, I see…”
She tried to maintain a look of sympathy, but her Mini-me’s lips were twitching uncontrollably with hidden satisfaction. As if trying to regain control of her expression, Lee Sol patted her own cheeks.
“…It’s fine. I’ll get permission somehow,” Shin A-young muttered, a pouting look in her eyes.
— “If it really doesn’t work out, I’ll just sneak out…”
Her Mini-me’s eyes flashed with intense determination. Personally, I just hoped they could reach an amicable agreement.
“…….”
That aside…
“Seung-ho, are you done yet? How long has it been since I asked you to make me a drink?”
Ji Nuri sat in the Club President’s seat, boldly holding out a hand.
— “This is what power feels like…!”
His Mini-me burst into a hearty laugh. Perhaps because he had officially started his duties as the Club President today, he was already drunk on his new authority.
“…Whatever.”
Lee Sol smacked the top of Ji Nuri’s head with her notebook.
“Eek!” Ji Nuri rubbed his forehead, his face crumpling into a pout.
— “Geez… I’m the one doing all the work, can’t he at least do this much for me…?”
The Mini-me’s lips protruded significantly, its cheeks puffing up like a balloon. Meanwhile, Ji Nuri's slender fingers clattered away at the keyboard. He certainly did look busy.
“…….”
Fine, I could at least get him a drink.
The moment I opened the refrigerator, I looked down at my phone.
“Oh…” I let out a short sound while staring at the screen.
“What is it?” Lee Sol leaned in, reacting to my sudden exclamation.
I showed her the text history. “The former presidents. They said something urgent came up, so they can’t go to Busan anymore.”
“Min-ji?”
“No, the ones before her.”
I was talking about the college seniors we had met at the valley last time. At my words, Ji Nuri raised his voice.
“Huh? Then what do we do? We already booked the hotel and the train. The event tickets, too!”
“They said they’d cover the costs.”
“It’s still a waste, though…”
“They said they’re sorry, and if there’s anyone else we want to bring, we can give them the spots. Is there anyone?”
We could add up to two people to replace those who had dropped out.
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
We all looked at each other and fell silent. No one said a word. It wasn’t really my place to say, but our social circles were remarkably small.
“…Ah, what about Seung-ah?” Ji Nuri suggested.
The best person he could think of was my younger sister.
“I’ll ask her. But that aside, the real problem is something else.”
“What?”
“We need to find another guardian.”
Since those seniors were originally supposed to act as our guardians, we needed another adult. Otherwise, even with a hotel reservation, we’d have nowhere to sleep.
“If we can’t find one, does that mean we can’t go to Busan?” Ji Nuri’s eyes began to shimmer with tears.
“…We could go for a day trip, but we’d have to head back almost as soon as we arrived.”
“…….”
Ji Nuri’s mouth hung open. He looked like he absolutely couldn’t accept that. Then, as if he had made up his mind, he furrowed his brows.
“…Wait a second.”
Ji Nuri pulled out his phone.
— “Ugh, seriously… I really don’t want to contact this person… but since they live in Busan…”
His Mini-me looked genuinely uncomfortable. I could feel the awkwardness from here. Who could it be for him to act like that?
“Is there someone you can ask?”
“There is, but I don’t know if it’ll work.”
While Ji Nuri was busy sending a text, a knock sounded from outside the Counseling Office.
Knock, knock—
“……?”
I looked at Shin A-young. She shrugged her shoulders, indicating there were no consultations scheduled for today.
“Yes, come in.”
I let them in for now. At my call, the door to the Counseling Office slowly opened.
“…Hello.”
A blonde girl stepped through the gap. It was Ha Seo-rim.
“Huh? Seo-rim? Did you come to pick up Nuri?” Shin A-young looked at Ji Nuri. Since she had a history of coming to pick him up several times before, it was a natural assumption.
“Did you forget you had practice today?” I asked.
“…What are you talking about? Today isn’t a practice day.” Ji Nuri pouted at my question. Even so, his eyes darted around as he quickly checked the calendar.
— “See, I’m right. Wait, no I’m not.”
His Mini-me let out a sigh of relief. I guess he had been worried for a second.
Ha Seo-rim shook her head. “It’s not that. I have something to say to Seung-ho.”
“…To me?”
“Yes.”
Ha Seo-rim nodded. At that answer, the expressions on Lee Sol and Shin A-young’s faces became subtle as they watched her.
“…Right, well, come in for now.”
I couldn’t exactly kick her out. I led her into the inner room and quietly closed the door.
“Do you want a snack?” I picked up a container from the desk and held it out to her.
“No, I’m fine.”
Suit yourself. I popped a chocolate into my mouth and sat down.
“What’s up?”
“Well… it’s nothing major.”
Ha Seo-rim pulled a bottle out of her bag. It was filled with a thick, dark liquid. She placed it on the desk.
“I wanted to give you this.”
“Is this from last time?”
It was the plum extract I had tried when I went to Ha Seo-rim’s house.
“Yes. I put it in a small bottle. It should be enough for about three servings.”
“But why this…?”
“…….”
Ha Seo-rim’s lips wavered. Her gaze swept over the empty desk.
“…I felt bad because you ran into Ha-neul because of me. Things are… awkward between you two, right?”
“What? I thought it was something serious…” It wasn’t something Ha Seo-rim needed to worry about so much. “It’s fine. It was just a coincidence.”
I waved my hand dismissively, but Ha Seo-rim lowered her head.
“It’s been weighing on my mind.”
“…Hmm.”
I grabbed the bottle of plum extract. It seemed like she would only stop worrying if I accepted it.
“Alright, I’ll enjoy it.”
“Okay.”
“…….”
“…….”
Silence followed. I fiddled with the bottle before asking, “…So, is that all you had to say?”
“Pardon?” Ha Seo-rim looked puzzled for a moment. “Yes.”
Then she nodded. That really was all. Did she really come all the way to the Counseling Office with plum extract just to say that?
“You could have just sent a text if that was the case.”
“Still, I thought it was right to apologize in person.”
There was a strange firmness in her voice. She strictly followed what she believed was right; she was quite rigid in that regard.
“Ah, and…”
“Yeah?”
As I thought—did she still have something left to say?
“…No, never mind.” Ha Seo-rim shook her head.
— “Let’s not talk about Ha-neul yet.”
Her Mini-me muttered. I wondered what kind of conversation had passed between her and Yu Ha-neul over the weekend.
“Um… I heard you’re going to Busan this time? I hope you have a good trip,” Ha Seo-rim said, changing the subject.
I wondered how she knew, but the person who would have told her immediately came to mind.
“Did Ji Nuri tell you?”
“He seemed to really like the idea. He was bragging about it excitedly.”
Ha Seo-rim smiled faintly as she recalled it. She was usually such a blunt girl, but Ji Nuri must have really grown on her.
— “Busan… I’m jealous… I want to go on a trip, too.”
Her Mini-me let out a faint breath. She seemed to have let go of her earlier tension. Because of that atmosphere…
“…Do you want to come too, if you have time? The tickets are free,” I accidentally let the words slip out.
“…Pardon?”
“…No, it’s just that two spots opened up. Ji Nuri would be happy if you came, too.”
“…….”
Ha Seo-rim’s long eyelashes blinked. “…Can I think about it for a bit?”
— “…Free.”
I had just thrown the offer out there, so I expected an immediate rejection. But that wasn’t the case.
*
“…What are you guys doing?”
Ji Nuri muttered toward the two people crouching in front of the counseling room door. He shot them an incredulous look.
“…….”
“…….”
The two didn’t answer. Regardless, Shin A-young and Lee Sol remained focused on the conversation that might leak out.
“Can you hear anything?”
“…No,” Lee Sol shook her head.
“Tsk…” Shin A-young expressed her disappointment.
‘She said she didn’t know over text, but…’
Shin A-young didn't buy it. That was the reply Ha Seo-rim had sent to her text asking if something had happened with Lee Seung-ho.
‘Is it true…?’
She couldn’t believe it. She didn’t think that was the whole truth, and the weight of her suspicion grew. After all, Ha Seo-rim had come all this way in person. There was definitely something going on.
“…….”
As she continued those thoughts…
“…Do you know something?” Lee Sol asked in a low voice.
After contemplating how to answer, Shin A-young nodded slightly. “…It’s not for certain, but I have an idea.”
“…I have one guess, too,” Lee Sol said slowly.
In that case, the conversation would be quick.
“Then shall we say it one by one?”
“Fine.”
It was a quick agreement. Shin A-young stood up with Lee Sol, and they left the Counseling Office for the hallway.
“…….”
The two disappeared outside. Ji Nuri narrowed his eyes as he watched their retreating backs.
“…What’s with them?”
He was left alone. Ji Nuri leaned back against the plush Club President’s chair. Creak—creak— it groaned. His cheeks puffed up roundly.
‘Talking about things only they know.’
Hmph. If I get a secret, I’m definitely not telling them either.
“…….”
Vrrr—
The phone on the desk vibrated. The name ‘Mom’s Son’ appeared on the screen. It was a text from the second child of the family.
“…Mhm, this is it.”
Ji Nuri nodded with satisfaction.
Guardian: Secured.
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(!Signpost!)
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Ha Seo-rim