Chapter 148: Winter (7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 148: Winter (7)
Early morning, on the way to school.
Screeeech—
The bus pulled up to the stop with a heavy hiss of air brakes. The doors folded open, and Ji Nuri stepped down cautiously.
Perhaps because of the bulky cast on her leg, the other passengers seemed patient with her slow pace, giving her plenty of room.
"Phew..."
It had been a while since Ji Nuri had taken the bus. With her leg in this state, walking the whole way was out of the question.
As she hobbled toward the main gate...
"Hm?"
She locked eyes with Park Kang-soo, a boy from her class.
"Nuri, hi—"
Park Kang-soo started to greet her warmly but cut himself off mid-sentence.
"Wait, what happened to you?"
He doubled back, his eyes fixed on her leg.
"Did you break a bone? Did you tumble down the stairs or something?"
"I just strained a ligament."
Ji Nuri shook her head nonchalantly.
"It’s no big deal."
"...But you're in a full cast."
"Eh, it's nothing."
Ji Nuri spoke as if it were a minor inconvenience, even letting out a small, dismissive snort.
It really wasn't a big deal to her. She was used to casts. She’d been a restless, hyperactive kid and had injured herself plenty of times growing up.
"Ahem."
Park Kang-soo watched her for a moment before asking tentatively, "Want me to carry your bag to the classroom?"
"I'm good."
Ji Nuri waved him off.
"Forget it, you go on ahead. I'm going to take my time."
She tried to send him off quickly. She could handle it herself and didn't want to be a burden over something so trivial.
"Suit yourself, then."
Park Kang-soo nodded and headed off toward the building.
* * *
On the school path.
I walked along, scanning my surroundings. I was looking for someone.
It didn't take long to find her. She tended to stand out, after all.
"..."
I spotted a familiar back further up the path.
A brown bob, crutches, and a cast that was impossible to miss.
I trudged over toward her.
"Hi, Ji Nuri."
"Oh, u-uh. Hey."
When I offered a casual greeting, Ji Nuri responded awkwardly. She could barely meet my eyes.
Her pace quickened as if she were a criminal trying to flee the scene. She was moving remarkably fast for someone on crutches.
"...By the way, you're late today."
Ji Nuri looked at me, her expression puzzled.
"Yeah."
I nodded. I had come late on purpose. Ji Nuri always arrived at this time, so I’d timed my commute to match hers.
Since it would be difficult for her to move around, I figured I’d come and help.
—If I tell her I'm here to help, she'll definitely say she's fine.
So, I didn't say it out loud.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Ji Nuri leaned on her crutches, moving forward one step at a time. I watched her for a moment.
"Want me to carry that?"
Tap, tap.
I tapped the bottom of her backpack as I asked. I felt too guilty to just stand there and watch her struggle.
"..."
Ji Nuri’s crutches stopped. Her head hung low for a second.
"...I'm fine."
She shook her head vigorously and swung her crutches with renewed energy.
Not stopping there, I asked one more time.
"Give it here."
"I said I'm fine. It's okay."
—Seriously, I'm okay.
That’s what she said.
But...
At some point, her bag strap had begun to slide down her shoulder, threatening to throw her off balance.
"..."
I gripped Ji Nuri’s wrist to steady her so she wouldn't fall while she slipped the bag off. I took the bag from her arm, slung it over my own shoulder, and started walking again.
"...Th-thanks."
"..."
I gave a silent nod in response.
Step, step.
I matched Ji Nuri’s pace as we passed through the main gate and entered the building.
"Here."
In front of the shoe lockers, I pulled out Ji Nuri’s indoor shoes and set them on the floor. Then, I took her outdoor shoes and tucked them into the locker for her.
—Isn't this... a bit much...?
Her Mini-Me’s eyes wavered.
She seemed embarrassed to be looked after even for something as simple as changing shoes. Her face was significantly redder than it had been moments ago. Ji Nuri was a sensitive girl, after all.
"..."
After changing her shoes, Ji Nuri stood before the stairs, hesitating.
—How am I supposed to get up to the classroom?
She already looked overwhelmed. It was certainly going to be a struggle to climb the stairs in that condition.
—Wait, do I have to get a piggyback ride?
The Mini-Me stole a glance in my direction.
"..."
What piggyback ride? That was only because there was no other choice last time.
"Let's take the elevator. When else are you going to get a chance to use it?"
I gestured for her to follow me in the opposite direction.
"...Ah."
She let out a short exclamation.
"...Right. I can just do that."
She nodded stiffly. For some reason, she looked a little disappointed.
I pressed the button for the central elevator next to the stairs. Since she was in a cast, the teachers wouldn't say anything. And I could ride it under the excuse of carrying her bag.
Once we were in the elevator, we reached the classroom in no time.
Rattle—
When I opened the back door and entered the room, I saw the classmates who had arrived early.
"..."
Lee Sol and Shin A-young, who had been chatting in their seats, looked over.
"Oh."
Shin A-young’s eyes went wide.
"Nuri, your leg..."
"I just twisted it a bit."
Ji Nuri gave a smirk as she sat down. I hung her bag on the side of her desk.
"Really?"
—I'm glad it's not a major injury, but...
Shin A-young glanced at the cast.
"Won't it be hard to move around for classes?"
"It's fine—"
Ji Nuri stole a glance at me.
—He'll help me. It's his fault I got hurt, anyway.
The Mini-Me gave a small cough.
Technically, she tripped while running away on her own, but I wasn't entirely blameless. I accepted that readily enough.
"...Hmm."
Pop.
Just then, Lee Sol pulled out a felt-tip marker. She began diligently scribbling something onto the cast.
"Me too, me too!"
Shin A-young licked her lips and pulled out her own marker. She could never miss out on something that looked fun. Drawing on a cast was a classic move, after all.
I thought about writing something too, but...
"..."
I looked at the position of the cast and put my pen back down. Given where it was, if I tried to write there... it would look a bit awkward. I decided to pass.
—Is Seung-ho not going to write anything?
Ji Nuri’s Mini-Me hovered around me with an expectant look.
—Why isn't Seung-ho writing anything?
She looked dejected for a moment.
—Ah.
Then, as if realizing the reason, she abruptly turned her gaze toward the window. Her ears were suddenly burning red.
* * *
Lunchtime.
"..."
Ji Nuri’s eyes darted around the room. Lee Seung-ho had stepped out for a moment to go to the restroom.
I should tell them...
She had to tell them about the feelings she’d realized she had for Lee Seung-ho. It was a bit embarrassing, but it felt like the right thing to do. After all, didn't the other two like him as well?
And Lee Seung-ho isn't here right now.
This seemed like the only time to talk. Ji Nuri took action immediately.
"Hey, guys."
She turned around and called out to the two girls behind her.
"I have something to tell you. Do you have a minute?"
"Something to tell us? All of a sudden?"
Shin A-young looked up from fixing her makeup.
"I'm fine, but..."
She glanced to the side toward Lee Sol. Sol was slumped over her desk like a small animal. Fortunately, she wasn't asleep yet.
"Yawn..."
Lee Sol yawned and turned her head. She remained slumped over, only her eyes looking their way.
"...What is it?"
"...I can't say it here."
That was why she was asking them to step aside.
"Mmm..."
Lee Sol blinked. Once. Twice. Her long eyelashes fluttered.
"...Too much work."
Then she closed her eyes again.
"Oh, come on—"
Ji Nuri pouted. She knew this would happen.
"It'll only take a second. Please?"
Ji Nuri shook Lee Sol’s shoulder vigorously.
"...It's about Seung-ho," she whispered into Lee Sol’s ear in a desperate voice.
"..."
Sol’s eyes snapped open. Her brow furrowed slightly as she slowly sat up.
Sigh.
Lee Sol let out a small breath and gestured with her chin to get it over with.
...
Ji Nuri led the two of them to the Band Club practice room. She figured she could speak freely there. Just to be safe, she checked the surroundings several times. There was no one nearby.
"...So, what is it you wanted to say?"
At Lee Sol’s question, Ji Nuri checked the area one last time. Okay, good.
"..."
Inhale... Exhale...
She took several deep breaths.
"..."
Her breath hitched. This was... well, it wasn't easy to say.
"...If you have nothing to say, I'm leaving."
"Wait!"
Ji Nuri grabbed her urgently.
"It's..."
"It's?"
"It's...!"
Oh, whatever.
"I... think I li..."
Blood rushed to her face.
"Li...!"
Saying it out loud was harder than she’d thought.
"I... think I like... Lee Seung-ho."
She finally managed to pour her heart out. Beads of sweat broke out on her forehead.
"..."
Ji Nuri squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn't even begin to guess what their reaction would be. Would they be shocked? They probably would be.
"...?"
But when no sound came, she slowly opened her eyes.
"..."
"..."
The two of them stood there in silence. The atmosphere felt as if they were waiting for her next words—even though she was finished.
"""...?"""
The three of them looked at each other, mental question marks floating above their heads.
"Uh... is that all?" Shin A-young tilted her head.
"Uh... yeah."
Ji Nuri nodded. That was it.
"Why are you bringing this up now? It's nothing new..."
Lee Sol’s eyes narrowed. Ji Nuri was startled by the reaction.
"W-what? You guys already knew?"
"I mean... it was pretty obvious."
Ji Nuri’s mouth hung open. Her expression went blank.
"...Obvious? That I like Seung-ho?"
"It was a little obvious, wasn't it?"
"...Yeah."
The two of them nodded nonchalantly. Ji Nuri felt like her mind was falling further into a labyrinth.
"H-how?! In what way?!"
What part of her behavior gave it away? Even she hadn't known until recently. Why did they know before she did? No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't figure it out.
"What part was obvious?!" Ji Nuri pressed them.
"Well..."
Shin A-young began counting on her fingers with a subtle look in her eyes.
"The other day, you were rubbing your chest against Seung-ho."
"You were practically grinding against him," Lee Sol added.
"W-when did I do that?!"
Ji Nuri was horrified. Her body wobbled. She couldn't even jump in shock because of her leg.
"...You did it at the snack shop. I saw everything clearly."
Lee Sol crossed her arms with a pout.
"Right?"
"Yeah."
The two of them nodded in agreement.
"Th-that was...!"
"Weren't you trying to seduce him?"
At Shin A-young’s suffocating interrogation...
"Ah..."
Unable to bear the shame any longer, Ji Nuri let out a scream.
"N-no, I wasn't...!"
*
(!Signpost!)
(Scroll down for illustration!)
March Cover: Ha Seo-rim