Chapter 158: December (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 158: December (2)
It was lunchtime.
“...This is really weird.”
Shin A-young muttered under her breath, half-slumped over her desk.
It was the conclusion she had reached after agonizing over it since this morning. No matter how much she thought about it, she kept coming back to the same result.
“...Hm? What is?”
Ji Nuri, who was sitting in the seat in front of her, replied while sipping on a Chocomong.
“It’s just weird.”
“...No, I mean, what is?”
“Sol, over there.”
Shin A-young gestured with her eyes toward the back of the room. She was looking at Lee Sol, who was standing by the window.
After checking to make sure Sol wasn't looking, A-young lowered her voice and whispered.
“Do you see that? She’s been acting different from her usual self all morning.”
“Has she?”
Ji Nuri crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. She studied Lee Sol for a moment, then tilted her head in confusion.
“...I don't know. Doesn't she look the same as always?”
“....”
Without a word, Shin A-young pressed her index finger to her lips. She hushed Nuri, telling her to be quiet and look again.
“....”
Lee Sol had a languid look in her eyes as she gazed out the window. Her long silver hair fluttered softly in the breeze. Looking at just that, she didn't seem any different from usual. It was the same Lee Sol as always.
However.
“...Hehe.”
Right then, a silly little giggle escaped through her teeth.
“See? Look at that. Did you see it just now?” Shin A-young whispered, having caught the exact moment.
Why was she laughing? It was impossible to tell what she was thinking. It was almost a little scary.
“...Um.” Ji Nuri nodded with a peculiar expression. “That is a bit weird.”
“Right?”
“Still. Maybe she’s just in a good mood today? You know, how there are just those kinds of days sometimes.”
What was she talking about?
“...There are days like that?”
This was honestly the first time A-young had heard of such a thing. How could a day like that even exist? Shin A-young turned to Ji Nuri.
“Wait, are you like that too?”
“...Not often, but occasionally?”
“....”
This one, that one—everyone was acting strange. Shin A-young turned back around and slumped against her desk again.
“...Anyway, everyone is being weird today.”
It wasn't just Lee Sol. Lee Seung-ho was the same.
“It’s like...”
Today of all days, she felt a strange sense of distance from him. It wasn't that he was overtly avoiding her. It was just that the gap between them wouldn't close.
The physical distance, that is.
Usually, they were close. She would often rest her hand on his shoulder from behind, or their arms would brush. She frequently approached him playfully and initiated that kind of contact.
But today, it felt like that distance was being maintained.
I really liked kneading those shoulder muscles of his, too.
“Slurp...”
Ah, she was drooling.
Embarrassment washed over her. She wasn't usually this kind of person. It was all Lee Seung-ho’s fault.
“By the way...”
Shin A-young scanned her surroundings. For some reason, she couldn't see him. The subject of her thoughts was nowhere to be found.
“...Where’s Seung-ho?”
Hadn't he gone to the bathroom? Why was he taking so long?
“Him? He went to play soccer after eating.”
“Soccer?”
“Yeah.”
Ji Nuri pushed herself up slightly and looked out toward the school field through the window. After tilting her head for a moment, she pointed to a spot.
“There he is.”
“Where... Ah.”
Shin A-young looked down at the field and spotted him. He was warming up in front of the goalpost. Because of his size, he was easy to find at a glance. It felt like he was getting bigger as time went on. He had to be nearly 180 centimeters by now.
No wonder. No wonder Lee Sol had been standing by the window this whole time.
“When did he even go down there?”
“The guys dragged him along because they were short on players.”
Ji Nuri leaned against the windowsill. She rested her chin on her hand and looked down at the field. It was obvious where her gaze was drifting without even looking.
“He doesn't even usually play soccer...”
What a shame. She had been planning to go to the snack shop with him when he got back. Shin A-young pursed her lips in disappointment.
“Hmm...”
Shin A-young turned around. Well, it couldn't be helped. Even if it was disappointing, she couldn't let this situation go to waste. He would be sweaty after playing soccer.
Shin A-young checked inside her bag.
“...Okay.”
Fortunately, she had it. Shin A-young carefully folded a handkerchief and gripped it in her hand.
* * *
Rumble—
As lunchtime drew to a close, the kids who had gone out to play soccer began returning to the classroom one by one. Lee Seung-ho was among them. He walked in, tugging at his collar as if he were hot.
“You must have worked hard out there. Look at the sweat on your forehead.”
Shin A-young smiled softly. She grabbed her handkerchief and pulled out a chair slightly.
“Sit here for a second.”
“...I probably smell right now.”
As she closed the distance, Lee Seung-ho stepped back slightly.
“Hey, it’s fine.”
She didn't mind that at all.
“...Well, I mind.”
Lee Seung-ho walked naturally back to his own desk.
“Hmm.”
Was he being shy? Since that was a possibility, she reluctantly just handed him the handkerchief. The opportunity had slipped away.
...The problem was that it didn't end with just that one incident.
The sense of distance persisted after that. Whenever she playfully moved closer, Lee Seung-ho would step away by the same amount. It seemed like Lee Sol and Ji Nuri didn't notice the distance. Then again, neither of them were the type to actively seek out physical affection.
“....”
She felt a lump in her throat. She didn't know what to do about this strange distance she’d felt since morning. Shin A-young’s expression stiffened awkwardly.
Perhaps it was to suppress that growing anxiety.
“...You’re going to the gym after school today, right?”
She asked somewhat abruptly while they were alone on their way to an elective subject class. They hadn't been able to go recently because of the exam period. At the very least, there—
“About that.”
Lee Seung-ho shook his head.
“Let’s take a break for a while.”
Shin A-young came to a dead stop.
“For a while?”
“Yeah.”
“Suddenly? Until when?”
“....”
An answer didn't come easily. Silence stretched between them.
“Let’s just rest for this week, for starters...”
The way he said it made it sound like that "for a while" would go on forever. It felt like he was suddenly pushing her away. Her chest tightened.
“...Ah.”
Wow. Seriously.
Something she had been keeping down began to flare up. For the first time in a long while, her temper surfaced.
“Hey, come here.”
Shin A-young grabbed Lee Seung-ho’s arm. She felt his weight. Whether it was because of the size difference or she just lacked the strength, his body didn't budge an inch.
“We need to talk. It’ll only take a second.”
Lee Seung-ho nodded and turned his steps.
“...Alright.”
* * *
She was close.
More than anything, the physical distance was narrow. I swallowed hard as I looked down at her. The pressure was making it hard to breathe.
Shin A-young’s hand pressed against the wall beside my shoulder.
“Why do you keep avoiding me?”
“....”
While I was debating how to answer that.
“...What’s been wrong since this morning? Did I do something wrong?”
Shin A-young’s words poured out.
“No, it’s not that.”
“Then what is it? Why are you being like this? Keeping your distance, and suddenly saying you won't go to the gym with me.”
Shin A-young’s interrogation continued.
“....”
There was no more room to escape. It was better to be clear about it. I took a small breath and nodded.
“Let’s just keep our distance for a bit.”
Let’s stay at a distance that’s appropriate for just friends. I needed time. If I had to make a choice right now, this was it. Before things got any deeper, let’s have a cooling-off period.
“....”
Shin A-young’s head dropped as if she were sinking. A sharp breath escaped her lips. Gradually steadying her breathing, she asked back.
“Was I making you uncomfortable?”
As she spoke, Shin A-young’s gaze was fixed on the wall behind me.
“....”
I really did need to keep some distance. The way Shin A-young ignored personal space wasn't exactly what friends usually did.
“Was I uncomfortable?”
Shin A-young asked again. This wasn't a question I could dodge. If I said I wasn't uncomfortable, I could easily predict what her next move would be.
“...Yeah.”
I nodded. I reached a conclusion before it was too late. Answering like that was—
“...I see.”
Her reaction was strangely calm. Her tone felt slightly higher than usual.
“But.”
A faint, short laugh escaped Shin A-young. She looked up at me steadily.
“Why doesn't it look like you hate it?”
The corners of her small mouth curled up slightly.
“Do you know your ears are a little red?”
At those words, I reached up to touch my ear. But I didn't feel any heat.
Ah.
“Hehe.”
Seeing that, Shin A-young’s smile deepened.
“....”
I tried to step away. Shin A-young pressed her upper body closer. Her brakes had completely failed. This position was getting dangerous. I thought I should at least get out of this corner.
Thud—
Her other hand slammed against the wall. She had blocked my escape route.
“Was I uncomfortable?”
The question came again.
“Really?”
She leaned in closer and closer.
“Hey. Stop.”
I hurriedly grabbed her shoulders, stopping her there. Shin A-young’s questions showed no sign of stopping.
“Hmm? Was I uncomfortable?”
The sharp slant of her eyes softened. What should I do? I didn't think I could get through to her.
— “Hic.”
Just then, I heard the sound of a Mini-Me hiccuping. Turning my gaze toward the noise, I saw two figures coming down the stairs.
“...What the.”
A girl I recognized was covering her mouth. A white first-year name tag. Ah, it was her. Ha Seo-rim’s friend from the band club.
And, next to her.
“....”
Ha Seo-rim.
Standing on the stairs, she was looking down at us in silence.
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