Chapter 45: Face-to-Face (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 45: Face-to-Face (3)
The hallway was silent, save for a cool breeze drifting through a cracked window.
Whether that was the cause of the chill on the back of her neck, or if it was something else entirely, Shin A-young couldn't say.
“Uh…”
Her vocal cords trembled. She stood frozen like a mannequin, her mind a complete blank. She could only blink in stunned silence.
“…Wh-what did you say?”
She couldn't process Lee Sol’s words. She asked again, certain she must have misheard. It was only natural; the confession was so sudden. It was the last thing A-young expected to hear.
“…”
At the question, Lee Sol knit her brows, her expression turning into a slight pout. A faint flush crept onto her cheeks.
“…You’re asking again on purpose, aren't you?”
“No, no!”
Shin A-young waved her hands frantically. Her brain was simply struggling to catch up.
“…Seriously? You… you like Seung-ho, Sol?”
“…”
There was no verbal answer. However, the deep crimson staining the tips of Lee Sol’s ears confirmed the truth.
It wasn't a lie. It wasn't a joke to be dismissed. It was a sincere confession of her feelings.
“Why…?”
The word escaped Shin A-young’s lips before she could stop it.
“What do you mean, why…?”
“…No, I mean… there must be a reason. Didn't you just find him a bit interesting before?”
Shin A-young clasped her hands together. She interlaced her fingers, but she couldn't stop them from fidgeting.
Until now, it had surely been nothing more than a passing interest. She wondered how those feelings had grown so quickly. She was desperate to know the reason. Surely, there must have been a turning point…
“A reason…”
Lee Sol muttered, staring at the floor.
“There are a few, but…”
She tapped the ground with the tip of her shoe.
“…Well.”
She averted her gaze as she continued.
“Isn't he… kind of handsome?”
Shin A-young’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
Coming from anyone else, it might have been a standard answer, but this was Lee Sol—someone who had likely received countless confessions from the best-looking guys around. To think she was calling Lee Seung-ho handsome…
“…”
A-young opened her mouth to retort, but the words died in her throat.
She froze.
“…Hmm.”
The memory of what happened at the ice rink flashed through her mind. Shin A-young slowly stroked her own forearm.
The moment he had grabbed her to steady her balance. It had only lasted a split second, but the memory of his face so close to hers was vivid.
‘…Well, I guess Seung-ho is…’
He wasn't ugly. Come to think of it, he was actually quite charming.
There were likely other reasons as well, but Lee Sol pressed her lips together, signaling she wouldn't say more.
“Mmm… I get what you’re saying, but…”
However.
Of all things.
“Why are you telling me this…?”
This was the part Shin A-young found most puzzling. Why go out of her way to tell her something she could have kept secret? And so early in the morning, before class had even started.
“…”
Lee Sol fell silent for a moment. After a few seconds of quiet, she spoke.
“…Just because. I felt it was right to tell you in advance.”
Lee Sol’s expression was more serious than usual.
“If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even have realized how I felt until now.”
“…”
“That’s all.”
As if her business was finished, Lee Sol immediately turned around.
“Let’s go. Class is starting.”
“…Oh, uh… okay.”
Shin A-young watched Lee Sol walk away. Her back looked refreshed, as if she had finally unburdened herself.
Perhaps it was because she felt she wouldn't be able to ask once they were back in the classroom, but A-young called out.
“Sol.”
Shin A-young raised her voice slightly. Lee Sol’s footsteps slowed to a halt. She turned her head back.
“…Yeah?”
“Are you… planning to confess?”
At the question, Lee Sol’s eyes widened ever so slightly. A faint tremor was visible in them.
“That’s…”
Her lips parted, then closed. Her gaze drifted along the hallway tiles. After agonizing over it for several seconds, she finally spoke.
“…Once I’m certain.”
“I see.”
So, not yet.
A-young’s heart felt like it was sinking, fluttering restlessly. She let out a shallow breath.
“…?”
Shin A-young blinked in confusion. She looked down at herself, trying to examine her own state.
Because it was a first for her, she couldn't clearly explain what that feeling was.
— “They’re taking forever… It’s almost time to move…”
Ji Nuri’s Mini-Me lay on the desk and let out a massive yawn. She looked quite relaxed, rolling around idly.
— “…Ah. Wait a sec.”
She suddenly stopped and bolted upright. Her round eyes darted around, and beads of sweat began to form on her forehead.
“…”
I remained silent, watching her. I was curious to see what she was thinking.
— “Whoa…”
The Mini-Me let out a soft exclamation and jumped to her feet. She then looked at me, her eyes trembling.
— “Crazy… So that’s what this was…?”
“…”
I wondered what kind of deduction she would make this time. It was starting to get entertaining.
— “Those two…”
Yes, yes. Go on.
— “Did they leave just to leave me and this guy alone?”
“…?”
…Excuse me?
I couldn't help but look at Ji Nuri, a mental question mark floating over my head.
“…”
“…!”
When our eyes met, she flinched, her shoulders jerking as she turned her gaze toward the window. She started humming a tune, trying to look natural. She was actually a pretty good singer.
— “I think I’m right…!”
The Mini-Me sounded certain. A large exclamation mark appeared over her head.
— “If she asked the others to make themselves scarce… it’s not entirely impossible…”
Heh.
A hollow laugh escaped me. I had no idea how to handle this. It wasn't like I could just blurt out that she was wrong.
“Oh, they’re back.”
The two who had left finally returned. Ji Nuri looked toward the back door, expressing her relief. I felt the same way.
“…?”
But then I felt a sense of confusion. For some reason, the states of the Mini-Mes were the exact opposite of when they had left.
Lee Sol’s Mini-Me, who had looked serious before, was now letting out a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, a shadow had fallen over Shin A-young’s Mini-Me.
“…”
Just then, my eyes met Lee Sol’s.
— “…?”
Lee Sol’s Mini-Me stopped in her tracks when our eyes met.
— “---Is something wrong?”
She stopped in front of a mirror and patted her bangs into place.
“…”
I shifted my gaze to the side, toward Shin A-young.
— “--Sol likes Seung-ho…”
Shin A-young’s Mini-Me’s voice was incredibly low. Noise flickered across her figure here and there.
— “---I knew she had a crush-- but I didn't-- know-- she’d say it like that.”
She walked unsteadily, looking as if she had received a physical shock.
‘Could it be…?’
I rested my chin on my hand as I listened. Did Lee Sol tell her? Based on what the Mini-Me was saying, it seemed so. Given the circumstances, it appeared Lee Sol had shared her situation with Shin A-young.
‘Why?’
I wondered why Lee Sol would tell her. One thing that came to mind was that she might have wanted Shin A-young’s help. After all, Lee Sol was quite shy.
‘But if that’s the case…’
Why on earth was Shin A-young’s Mini-Me covered in Noise? It didn't add up.
I lightly rubbed my eyelids, my brow furrowing slightly.
— “…As I thought, is she disappointed we couldn't be alone together…?!”
Ji Nuri’s Mini-Me was yapping away beside me.
“…”
I relaxed my expression and looked straight ahead.
Nuri, please. Just be quiet for a second.
“—If you look at the third paragraph of the text—”
“…”
Even as the teacher proceeded with the lesson, Shin A-young’s expression remained subtly downcast. The words weren't registering. She scribbled aimlessly with her mechanical pencil, replaying what had happened earlier.
‘…Nothing changes, right? I already knew.’
That’s right, nothing changes. She already knew Sol had a crush on him. Her relationship with Lee Seung-ho would remain the same, and she would maintain her friendship with Lee Sol.
…She reached that conclusion internally, but…
“……”
Her chest felt heavy, as if she had a bout of indigestion.
“Shin A-young. Aren't you going to the snack shop?”
When she looked up, she saw Lee Seung-ho.
“…Ah.”
She checked the clock. Class was already over. Lee Seung-ho, who had been in a different classroom for an elective, had returned.
‘Right, what’s the point in worrying?’
Shin A-young shook off her stray thoughts. She gathered her textbooks and stood up.
“Of course I’m go—”
Just then, Lee Sol, standing next to Lee Seung-ho, entered her field of vision.
‘…I think… I like him…’
At the same time, the words Sol had just spoken flashed through her mind. Even now, those words made her feel a strange heat.
“…”
Lee Sol was looking back and forth between Lee Seung-ho and Shin A-young, looking restless. Watching her, A-young suddenly had a thought. Was what she was doing… flirting with the guy her friend liked?
“Do you guys want to go without me? …My stomach suddenly feels a bit upset.”
“…!”
Lee Sol’s eyes widened.
“Huh? Are you okay? Should I go to the nurse’s office with you?”
At those words, Ji Nuri scrutinized Shin A-young’s complexion. Shin A-young stepped back, insisting she was fine.
“It’s not that bad. I’ll be fine if I just rest for a bit.”
Ji Nuri nodded but added one more thing.
“Tell me right away if you feel worse. I’ll take you there.”
“…Okay.”
From a distance, Lee Sol’s lips moved silently.
‘…Thank you.’
Shin A-young didn't respond to the silent message. She quietly averted her eyes.
“…”
The heavy feeling in her chest remained. The strength left Shin A-young’s arms. She slowly slumped onto her desk, the cold surface pressing against her forehead.
“Sss…”
She took a breath.
“Whew…”
She forced herself to take a deep breath, but nothing changed. She just felt dazed.
“…”
Shin A-young forced strength into her fingertips. She knew. Hadn't she known for a long time that Lee Sol’s interest would develop into love?
Was the reason she felt so heavy now because she was worried they wouldn't even be able to remain friends? Perhaps she had grown closer to Lee Seung-ho than she realized, enough to worry about such things.
……
After all the classes were over, club activities ended as well. Shin A-young picked up her bag from the floor.
“A-young. Do you want to go study today?”
A senior from the Drama Club immediately approached her.
“Finals aren't that far off.”
“I’m sorry. I have a bit of a headache today. I’m going to head home early.”
Shin A-young declined in a flat tone. She didn't have the energy to speak in her usual manner. She truly felt drained.
“Oh? Really? Then go home and get some rest.”
“I’m sorry.”
Shin A-young quickly left the club room.
“…”
She habitually started toward the counseling office but stopped herself.
“Ah.”
…Come to think of it, they said they were studying together today. Going to the counseling office now would only be an intrusion.
‘…Should I just go to the PC café by myself?’
She considered it for a moment but then thought better of it. What was the point of going to a PC café alone? She should just go home and—
“Hey, Shin A-young.”
A familiar voice brought her to a halt. Thinking she must have misheard, she was about to take another step when—
“Hey.”
A figure suddenly popped out from the side.
“Huh…?”
With a strangely frowning expression and earphones in his ears, it was Lee Seung-ho.