Chapter 44: Face-to-Face (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 44: Face-to-Face (2)
"Huh?"
At Lee Sol’s words, Shin A-young slowly straightened her posture. Looking puzzled, she pointed toward the clock at the front of the classroom.
"…But class is starting soon?"
"It’ll be quick."
Lee Sol’s tone was firm. Her expression made it clear: it was now or never.
"…Alright, I get it."
Shin A-young reluctantly turned around.
The two of them disappeared out of the classroom.
"…What was that all of a sudden?"
In the space they left behind, Ji Nuri narrowed his eyes, staring in the direction they had gone.
"…Do you happen to know anything?"
Ji Nuri whispered the question to me.
— “Wouldn’t he know something? He was with those two for a while.”
Ji Nuri’s Mini-Me peered at me with sparkling eyes, radiating the sheer conviction of a detective.
"No."
I shook my head, refusing to give him an answer.
— “Ugh, what?”
The Mini-Me slumped onto the desk in disappointment, grumbling about how boring I was.
"..."
Even with that reaction, there was nothing I could say.
Because I truly didn't know.
Lee Sol’s Mini-Me was still flickering with static. As for Shin A-young…
Since yesterday, she hadn't let out a single thought other than the fact that she was in a good mood.
Not only was there nothing I could be certain of, but there was no way I would just blurt it out even if I did.
"Hmm…"
If I had to guess, I suspected Lee Sol had called Shin A-young out because of what happened yesterday. After all, they had wasted an entire day when they didn't even have enough time to study.
— “…Seriously, what is it…?”
Ji Nuri’s Mini-Me muttered as it rolled around on the desk, its tiny toes twitching. His curiosity was endless. He really was a nosy fellow.
*
Step, step—
Lee Sol walked down the hallway.
Three or four paces behind her, Shin A-young followed.
"..."
"..."
No conversation passed between them.
Lee Sol was busy organizing her thoughts, while Shin A-young, perhaps sensing the strange atmosphere, simply tilted her eyebrows inquisitively. She didn't try to speak first.
They headed toward the end of the hallway on the top floor, a secluded spot where few people passed by. It was a place where they could talk freely.
Once they reached the spot, Lee Sol stopped.
"..."
Shin A-young stood a short distance away.
In that moment of strange confrontation—
"…Want some?"
Lee Sol pulled a small box from her pocket. It was the box of chocolates she had just received from Shin A-young.
"I just remembered I’m on a diet."
"..."
Shin A-young looked down at it, hesitated for a moment, and then reached out.
"…Then, maybe just a little?"
"Here. It’s fine, you can have the whole thing."
Lee Sol handed the entire box over.
"…How’s your exam prep going?"
"Exams?"
"Yeah."
Watching the chocolates return to A-young's hands, Lee Sol opened the conversation.
"Sports Day is coming up soon… and once that’s over, there isn't much time left."
"……So sudden?"
Shin A-young peeked at her.
Lee Sol had tried to lighten the mood in her own way, but perhaps the topic was a bit too abrupt.
"Just wondering how you’re doing."
"Hmm…"
Shin A-young thought for a moment before answering with a small smile.
"I’m preparing well enough. I study consistently anyway, so I don’t think it’ll be a big problem."
"Right… I see."
Lee Sol toyed with the edge of her sleeve. Her movements slowed.
She couldn't help but think how some people found things so simple, while others struggled for so long.
…But it was fine.
At this point, it didn't really matter.
It was true that she felt a bit hollow, but she had no intention of being jealous. Hadn't she received help because of that very fact?
"What about you, Sol? Senior Min-ji was teaching you yesterday. She’s really good at studying, isn't she?"
The question was turned back on her.
"Hmm…"
Lee Sol fell silent, tilting her head as she thought it over carefully.
"It’s not that she’s bad at teaching…"
She certainly wasn't bad at it. Saying she was good at studying wasn't wrong either.
If anything, she was a gifted teacher. Most people would probably be able to raise their grades just by listening to her explanations.
Except.
"It was hard for me."
For Lee Sol, it didn't fit.
It had been like that the whole time she was studying.
The regret that Lee Seung-ho would have taught her more easily kept lingering in her mind, making it harder to concentrate than when she was alone.
To put it simply, it was like a designer outfit in the wrong size. Expensive, but ultimately just a burden.
"Oh… really?"
"Just because someone is good at studying doesn't mean they’re good at teaching everyone."
"..."
Shin A-young brushed her hair back awkwardly.
In a way, she almost looked like she was walking on eggshells. She must have truly felt sorry about yesterday.
"It’s okay."
Lee Sol shook her head.
There was no need for that. She didn't have to worry about it.
After all.
"Seung-ho decided to help me with my studies today. I think he’ll keep doing that from now on."
So, it was fine.
At the somewhat probing statement—
"Oh. I see…"
Shin A-young responded with a gaze that had grown even more awkward than before. Unable to meet Sol's eyes, she stared down at the floor.
‘…What’s this?’
Seeing that expression, Lee Sol felt more certain than ever.
Normally, A-young would have just offered a beaming smile. For her usually unshakeable facade to crack like this was quite flustering.
"…So… why did you call me out?"
Shin A-young asked after checking the time. It felt as though she wanted to end this conversation quickly.
"I mean, you had something to say to me, right?"
"..."
Lee Sol’s lips parted slightly. She did have something to say.
‘What should I say?’
She recalled the things she had been weighing the entire walk here.
Should she ask for help in getting closer to Lee Seung-ho?
If she asked, A-young would likely agree readily. After all, she was the type who could hardly refuse a request.
But as she thought about it…
‘…No.’
That didn't seem right.
She remembered what had happened before.
Lee Sol shook her head inwardly. Whether intentional or not, A-young might end up interfering while claiming to help. Recalling that, she couldn't bring herself to ask.
‘…Even if it’s not that.’
Asking the current Shin A-young for help—she just couldn't do it.
"..."
Lee Sol gazed silently at Shin A-young.
Her expression was ordinary, no different from usual. To anyone else, she would look like her normal self.
However.
Lee Sol had recognized the subtle change in her expression the moment she saw it—the difference between the Shin A-young in front of Lee Seung-ho and her current self.
She couldn't help but know.
She didn't think she could bring herself to ask for help from her while she was in such a state.
…Instead.
She had something else to say.
"…Remember back then?"
Lee Sol said, tapping the end of her loose necktie. She felt a little nervous.
"You asked me something before. Do you remember?"
"Before… when?"
Shin A-young curved her lips, her face expressing her confusion.
"During the school trip. At the lodging."
The memory was still vivid.
On the first night of the school trip, Shin A-young had suddenly asked that question. Back when Sol hadn't even realized it herself. Without any warning at all.
"…You asked if I had feelings for Seung-ho."
"Huh?"
Shin A-young’s expression froze. Her pupils dilated as if she hadn't expected that topic to come up.
Even as she watched that reaction, Lee Sol continued. If she didn't say it now, she felt like she never would.
Slowly, as if reciting a letter, she pulled the thoughts from deep inside her and brought them out.
"I told you then that he was just on my mind."
"Oh… yeah, you did…?"
Shin A-young stared at Lee Sol’s lips, fidgeting slightly. Her heels shifted back.
"But now……"
Now.
Lee Sol’s voice caught in her throat.
"..."
Lee Sol lightly pressed the back of her hand to her cheek. Her face felt hot enough to burn.
Her breath hitched, and blood rushed to her head.
Even though she was only saying this in front of Shin A-young, it was this difficult. She only now realized just how shy she truly was.
It was a new discovery.
But it wasn't a bad feeling.
"Whew…"
Lee Sol took a small breath and jerked her head up.
She decided to act before her hesitation could stop her.
"Now."
It wasn't just that he was on her mind.
It wasn't just a crush.
"…I think… I love him."
Finally.
She spat the words out.
She couldn't even put into words why she felt this way, or why it was love rather than just a simple interest.
But just because she couldn't describe it didn't mean the feeling was a lie.
"……."
She wasn't asking for help. She could handle it on her own.
She had no intention of doing anything about whatever feelings Shin A-young might have. Those were A-young's own feelings.
…But.
That she had liked him first.
That was the one thing she wanted Shin A-young to know.