Chapter 3: The Secret of the New Semester’s Popular Girl (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 3: The Secret of the New Semester’s Popular Girl (3)
They say a person’s true colors are revealed in their moments of greatest crisis.
If that’s true, then the face Shin A-young was making right now had to be her real one.
“……”
Her eyes grew sharp, and a layer of pure bewilderment masked her usually fresh, bright expression. A kaleidoscope of emotions swirled across her features.
Is this the real her?
Of course, it only lasted for a split second.
And she’s back.
As if nothing had happened, Shin A-young’s expression returned to its usual composure. It was impressive to watch, in a way. Still, she was only human; she couldn’t hide the beads of cold sweat forming on her skin.
She pursed her lips for a moment before cautiously breaking the silence.
“……How much did you hear?”
As expected, that was her main concern.
I should start by apologizing. Regardless of the circumstances, it was true that I had eavesdropped on a confession.
“I didn’t mean to listen in… anyway, I’m sorry. It wasn't my intention to spy on you.”
“Oh, no, it’s fine. It was an accident.”
— “Aaaah…! No, this is crazy… he heard everything…!”
Shin A-young’s Mini-Me clutched its head and screamed. So that’s what it looks like when someone’s face goes pale with shock.
— “If word gets out that I cursed after rejecting him……”
This felt like seeing yet another side of her.
She’s surprisingly fragile.
She could swear like a sailor in her head, yet she worried about the smallest things. It wasn’t like a few bad words were a capital crime.
“But… what were you doing here?”
“Huh?”
I couldn't help but hesitate at the question.
“……Uh, well.”
Honestly, telling her I was eating lunch alone was embarrassing.
— “Was he watching on purpose?”
Her Mini-Me narrowed its eyes sharply.
No, you brat.
I didn't want to be misunderstood over something as trivial as a solo lunch. I had no choice but to tell the truth.
“……I was eating.”
God, this is so pathetic.
Shin A-young looked puzzled. Her gaze swept the surroundings.
“Eating? Here?”
“Yeah. Stuff I bought from the snack shop.”
I showed her the hamburger in my hand. The once-steaming burger had already gone cold and limp.
“……”
Only then did the suspicion in her eyes begin to fade.
“…Seung-ho. Lee Seung-ho, right?”
“Yeah.”
I was impressed she remembered my name, considering this was our first time actually talking. I wasn't wearing my name tag, which meant she had already memorized her classmates' names.
“……Hey.”
Shin A-young fidgeted with her fingertips. She looked hesitant, as if she had something to say. Then, she bowed her head low.
“……This is a favor, but could you please act like you didn't see anything? If you do, in return—”
“Sure, whatever.”
I thought it was going to be something serious. I could do that much; it wasn't a difficult request. In fact, she didn't even need to ask. I hadn't planned on saying anything anyway.
Besides, I wanted to avoid getting involved with her as much as possible.
“……Huh?”
Shin A-young’s eyes went wide. She looked like she hadn't expected it to be this easy.
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
Was there a reason to say no?
Ding-dong— dang-dong—
Right on cue, the school bell rang. Lunch break was over in an instant.
“Ah.”
Right. I never even got to finish my burger.
“Class is starting. Let’s go.”
I hurriedly stuffed the rest of the burger into my mouth and headed toward the classroom.
I wondered how things would turn out at first, but I think I handled that pretty well.
……Or so I thought.
Is it just my imagination?
It started during the fifth-period music class. I began to feel a gaze on me.
Somehow……
During the break after fifth period, I kept running into Shin A-young.
I think she’s following me.
By sixth period, this was no longer something I could dismiss as my imagination. Her gaze had been stinging the back of my head for a while now. When I stole a glance back, I saw Shin A-young staring intently in my direction.
This was exactly why I didn't want to get involved. You never knew what people like her were going to do next.
Regardless, the lesson began.
“I’m sorry to give you an assignment during our first class, but now that you’re sophomores, I plan to push you harder. Just so you know, our classes for the time being will consist of group projects.”
The classroom erupted in groans at the news of a project on the first day. I felt the same way.
“However, you’re free to form your own groups with whoever you want.”
“Ah……”
This was even worse. I already hated group projects, but having to find my own teammates was another level of stress. Looking around, the other kids were already starting to gather with their friends. In this situation, there was only one thing to do.
I’ll just go with whoever’s left.
I gave up on searching for a group and leaned back in my chair.
Slide—
As I waited for the others to finish forming their teams, a shadow fell over my desk.
“?”
I looked up to find Shin A-young standing there. Why her?
“If you’re okay with it, do you want to join us?”
“Huh?”
I blinked blankly at her sudden proposal.
“Oh, did you already promise to work with someone else?”
“…No. Not exactly.”
“Then let’s work together. I’ve already found the other members, so we just need you.”
I considered refusing, but I had a feeling that rejecting her kindness would lead to even bigger trouble. Was she planning to keep an eye on me? That was exactly what her eyes were saying.
“…Sure.”
Let’s just see how this goes.
I stood up and followed her. As I did, I caught Park Jin-su’s resentful gaze lingering on me.
“……”
— “Wait, why him?”
He looked like he couldn't comprehend why Shin A-young had approached me first.
…Come to think of it, this is all your fault, you jerk.
I arrived at the group station. The members were mostly people Shin A-young was close with.
“I was wondering who the last person would be.”
There was Ji Nuri, who had served as the vice president of Class 2 alongside Shin A-young last year.
“Oh, hi~”
And Lee Sol, who was already famous for her modeling work.
Fortunately, their reactions were mostly welcoming. The atmosphere wasn't bad so far. Once all the groups were formed, the teacher spoke up.
“Since it’s the first day, some teams might still be a bit awkward, right? Let’s start by dividing up roles while you get to know each other.”
That would be this team, Teacher.
“……”
Ji Nuri looked back and forth between me and Shin A-young before asking, “…Wait, did you two know each other?”
“Something like that?”
The answer came from Shin A-young, not me.
Since when were we close?
I had a lot to say, but I decided to let it slide for now. No need to make things complicated.
“Should we start by dividing the roles? Anyone want to do something specific?”
Ji Nuri naturally took charge. She seemed used to this kind of role; her leadership was quite fluid.
“I’m fine with anything, so you guys go first.”
— “As long as it’s not the PPT, I’m good.”
Lee Sol rested her chin on her hand with a lethargic expression.
“I don’t mind what I do.”
— “Honestly, research is the sweetest deal… should I wait and see how the mood goes?”
“I’m fine with anything too.”
When Shin A-young also deferred, Ji Nuri tapped her pen against the desk in frustration.
“…No, tell me what you want to do. It just makes it harder to decide.”
She let out a short sigh and turned her gaze toward me.
“What about you, Lee Seung-ho?”
At that moment—
— “Maybe----because----inside----”
A crackling static hit my ears.
Ugh.
What now?
The noise was coming from Shin A-young’s Mini-Me. Her thoughts were being drowned out by interference. This usually happened when intense emotions were leaking out, and that phenomenon was happening to her right now. This kind of harsh noise usually indicated negative emotions.
…Is she anxious? About what?
Honestly, it was a bit baffling. Did people usually react this strongly just because someone caught them swearing once? It almost felt like an obsession.
“……”
Anyway, let’s deal with the group project first.
“I’ll make the PPT. Anyone want to do the research? If not, we can decide with rock-paper-scissors.”
“Me! Me!”
Lee Sol raised her hand abruptly. It was an all-out appeal. Checking the others' reactions, the remaining two seemed fine with it.
“Okay. Lee Sol, you do the research… Anyone want to do the presentation?”
Ji Nuri glanced at Shin A-young before lightly raising her own hand.
“I’ll do it.”
“Then only the report is left. Shin A-young, are you okay with doing that?”
“Yeah, okay.”
— “How---ly---------”
The noise persisted. Shin A-young’s gaze remained fixed on me.
“Let’s end today’s class here. The deadline for the project is next week, so come prepared.”
As soon as class ended, I stood up. It was seriously chaotic. Faint voices kept drifting into my head.
— “I think this is the first time I’ve seen Shin A-young hanging around a guy.”
— “What was his name again? Lee… Lee… Lee Seung-hun?”
It’s Lee Seung-ho.
On the surface, the other kids didn't seem interested in this side of the room at all. Only I knew. They weren't showing it, but I was forced to hear their thoughts against my will. To be honest, the attention resulting from Shin A-young was nothing but a burden.
— “----------------”
Moreover, the constant noise was giving me a headache. If I left this alone, I’d be the one to collapse first.
“Sigh……”
I turned around toward her as she followed me, pretending not to. Shin A-young stood there blankly as I came right up to her.
“Hmm? What is it? Do you have something to say to me?”
You’re the one with something to say.
“Can we talk for a second?”