Chapter 150: Winter (9)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 150: Winter (9)
A break in the middle of our study session.
Shin A-young had stepped out, likely to the restroom, leaving Lee Sol and Lee Seung-ho alone in the club room.
Meanwhile, I headed to the school snack shop with Ha Seo-rim, the only one remaining. She had initially claimed she wasn't going, but the moment I offered to buy her something, she followed me right out the door.
‘What should I do…?’
Ji Nuri wandered through the aisles of the snack shop, still trapped in her usual cycle of worry.
How was she supposed to act?
Lee Seung-ho, Lee Sol, and Shin A-young. And then there was her, caught right in the middle of that complicated web. She wasn't sure what the right choice was in their current situation.
“…….”
Ji Nuri’s eyes darted to the side. Nearby, Ha Seo-rim was busy comparing the prices of two different drinks.
‘……I really don’t want things to get awkward with the girls, though.’
That was exactly why she had been honest with them about her feelings. But thinking back on it now…
‘It’s a bit….’
She felt like she shouldn't have said anything at all. If anything, her confession had only made their relationship more strained.
“Nuri unnie, haven't you picked something yet? Our break is almost over.”
“…….”
Ji Nuri fell into deep thought as she picked up two buns. If she wanted to avoid the awkwardness with the other two, there was only one real solution.
……She had to give up on Lee Seung-ho.
It was the simplest answer. No matter which of the two—Lee Sol or Shin A-young—ended up with him, she would just have to offer them her sincere congratulations. That was what it meant to truly let go.
“…….”
Ji Nuri played the scene out in her head. She imagined Lee Seung-ho and someone else gazing at each other with happy faces….
“…Ugh.”
Ji Nuri bit her lip hard.
Tight.
She unconsciously curled her toes, putting strength into her feet.
Ah. Wait a second. This is…
‘…I don’t think I can do it.’
No. It was just too difficult.
“…….”
Her ears began to burn. She felt a wave of flustered heat wash over her. The more she dwelled on it, the more intensely she felt the weight of her own heart. It was unexpectedly deep. Had she been falling for him since much longer ago than she realized?
“…Ah, seriously.”
Ji Nuri scratched her head aggressively, messing up her hair. She didn't want things to be awkward with her friends, but she didn't want to give up on Lee Seung-ho either.
“Am I being too greedy…?”
“…Yeah, you’ll get fat if you eat all of that,” Ha Seo-rim replied, having overheard Ji Nuri’s mumble.
“…….”
Ji Nuri blinked, startled. She carefully placed one of the buns back on the shelf. That wasn't what she’d meant by her self-reflection, but… since Seo-rim mentioned getting fat, it did bother her a little.
* * *
How much time had passed since we resumed studying? Just as my neck was starting to feel stiff…
“…Senior.”
Tap, tap.
I saw a slender index finger tapping on my worksheet. When I looked up, Ha Seo-rim gestured toward the clock with her eyes.
— “We have to leave now. Did you forget?”
“Ah.”
Right. It was time to head to my part-time job. I closed my book and addressed the others.
“Shall we call it a day?”
“Huh? Already? We still have some time left.”
Shin A-young stopped her pen mid-sentence.
“I have to head to the shop now.”
“…What? I thought you didn't have work today?”
“The schedule changed.”
There wasn't much I could do about it. Since I’d missed a shift last time to take someone to the hospital, I had to cover today even though it was originally my day off.
On the other hand, there was someone who welcomed the early finish.
“Nnggh—”
Ji Nuri stretched her shoulders with a lethargic expression.
— “Finally over. I’m gonna go straight home and—”
Her Mini-Me hummed happily. She stood up from her seat with excitement, seemingly forgetting the state of her body.
“…Ugh!”
Perhaps she put too much weight on her injured ankle by standing up so suddenly. Ji Nuri let out a pained groan.
Whoosh!
I hurriedly caught Ji Nuri as she lost her balance. Fortunately, I managed to steady her before she hit the floor.
“…….”
Ji Nuri was frozen in my arms in an awkward posture. Her eyes blinked rapidly as she looked up at me. Then, she slowly sank back down into her seat.
— “Ah, uh, er….”
The Mini-Me’s face was as red as a ripe persimmon.
“Sigh.”
I let out a small sigh and handed her the crutches.
“Please. Watch where you're going and remember your leg is hurt.”
“Sorry….”
Ji Nuri’s voice trailed off as she lowered her head.
— “This is so embarrassing…!”
The Mini-Me looked like she was about to burst into tears from the sheer flush of her face.
“Hmm…….”
Shin A-young, who had been watching the scene intently, tilted her head slightly. She leaned in and whispered softly to me.
“Me too.”
“Huh?”
“Help me up too.”
“…….”
“Please?”
Shin A-young held up both hands toward me like a child throwing a tantrum. A weary expression naturally crossed my face. I took her outstretched hands and pulled her up.
“Thanks.”
Shin A-young left the club room with a light laugh.
— “Hehe.”
Her Mini-Me smiled with her eyes.
— “……Th-That’s not fair.”
Lee Sol looked back and forth between the floor and me, caught in a half-standing posture. Then, as if she realized it was too late for her to pull the same stunt, she puffed out her cheeks slightly and stomped out of the club room.
……It felt like their jealousy had been getting worse lately.
Jealousy.
“…….”
I rubbed the back of my neck and shook off the stray thoughts before following them out.
* * *
“……Well then.”
Ha Seo-rim, who was walking ahead, stopped in front of the main gate.
“Unnies, we’ll be going first.”
Ha Seo-rim gave a light nod to the three of them.
— ““……We?””
The Mini-Mes of Lee Sol and Shin A-young muttered in unison. Their tone suggested that specific word choice bothered them.
— “Hmm.”
Soon, Lee Sol’s Mini-Me took a deep breath.
— “…We’re filming soon anyway. I’ll be with Seung-ho every day then. So this much is fine….”
I’d be quitting the part-time job soon anyway. It seemed she didn't mind much, convincing herself it wasn't a big deal. Lee Sol let it slide with an air of nonchalance.
On top of that…
“Seung-ho, work hard.”
Lee Sol handed me a Chocomong. She pressed the chocolate milk into my hand and scurried away. When did she even have time to buy this?
“I’ll enjoy it.”
Since she gave it to me, I accepted it gratefully.
— “…Oh.”
Ji Nuri’s Mini-Me looked at the drink and licked her lips.
— “Sh-Should I give him something too…?”
She looked around frantically and shoved her hand into her pocket.
— “…I ate it all.”
Nothing came out but a bit of lint.
I figured as much. It was so typical of Ji Nuri that I couldn't help but let out a silent chuckle.
* * *
We arrived at the shop.
“Hello.”
I offered a greeting as I opened the back door. Inside, I could see the part-timers who were finishing their shift.
“You’re here?”
Kim Su-young, who was sitting in the waiting room, gave us a slight nod.
— “…The two of them are together a lot lately.”
Her Mini-Me muttered as if in passing. She also looked like she was holding back a laugh for some reason.
There was plenty of room for misunderstanding. Since I couldn't really defend myself without sounding suspicious, I turned away without a word.
I changed in the locker room and came out. After a short wait for the shift change, I started working immediately.
……Time flew by.
The shift passed in the blink of an eye. I stayed busy, staying one step ahead of the new part-timer to prevent any mistakes. Eventually, as the flow of customers thinned out, I finally found some breathing room.
It was enough to finally sit down and catch my breath. That was when Ha Seo-rim approached me, glancing at me tentatively.
“Senior.”
“Yeah?”
“If you have nothing to do, let’s go organize the warehouse inventory.”
Since I was free, I nodded and stood up.
“Give that to me.”
I took the load Ha Seo-rim was carrying. As we opened the warehouse door, the characteristic cool air settled on the bridge of my nose. We began organizing the inventory in silence.
“Senior.”
“What.”
I replied as I shoved a box into place.
“You don't plan on working here much longer, right?”
“…Suddenly?”
I glanced toward her. It was a rather unexpected question coming from Ha Seo-rim.
“The manager was whining to me.”
“Really?”
“The new part-timer is also a bit….”
She trailed off, but I understood what she was trying to say.
“Just because—”
— “…It’s comfortable working together.”
I wondered what kind of 'comfortable' she meant. In the past, I thought she would have cheered if I said I was quitting. Thinking about that made me feel a bit mischievous. The corners of my mouth curled up slightly.
“What?”
Ha Seo-rim narrowed her eyes when she saw my expression.
“Why? Are you going to miss me?” I asked teasingly. We were close enough to joke around like this now.
“No?”
Ha Seo-rim’s low voice carried a sharp edge. “Not at all.”
Her eyes were half-closed in a deadpan stare.
— “……Who said they’d miss you?”
The Mini-Me huffed, her cheeks puffing out.
If she says no, then I guess she won't. I nodded and continued organizing the inventory. We were almost finished.
Ding!
[ Ji Nuri: What do you guys want to do on the day exams end? ]
A message popped up on the screen.
[ Shin A-young: ? ]
[ Shin A-young: Weren't we going to the PC Bang? ]
[ Ji Nuri: We went there the weekend before last too. ]
[ Shin A-young: (Hmm… dog emoticon crossing its arms) ]
I scrolled through the messages.
[ Ji Nuri: Sol, what about you? ]
[ Lee Sol: (Hamster emoticon lying down blankly) ]
[ Lee Sol: (Hamster emoticon shrugging its shoulders) ]
That meant she hadn't thought of anywhere.
“Hmm.”
Seeing Ji Nuri bring this up—
[ Lee Seung-ho: Do you have somewhere in mind? ]
I figured she probably did. Just as I sent the reply and was about to put my phone away…
Vrrr—
The vibration went off immediately, as if she had been waiting for my text.
[ Ji Nuri: How about an amusement park? ]
[ Ji Nuri: Lot World! ]
[ Shin A-young: Oh. ]
[ Lee Sol: (Hamster emoticon giving a thumbs up) ]
Both of them seemed to agree.
“…What are you looking at so happily?”
Ha Seo-rim glanced over. She looked quite curious.
“The Counseling Club kids want to go out on the day exams end.”
I put my phone away.
“Really? Are you going to Busan again?”
“No, Lot World.”
“Hmm…….”
Ha Seo-rim nodded and walked away. She maintained an indifferent expression, but…
— “…It’s damn expensive.”
A small mutter came from the Mini-Me, who was looking down at her own phone.
=========
(!Signpost!)
(Scroll down for illustration!)
=========
I couldn't think of anything else to post. So, for the first time in a while, I'll show you the school uniform Seung-ah will wear when she enters high school.