Chapter 78: Exam Period (9)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 78: Exam Period (9)
The final day of exams had arrived.
The morning subjects were already a blur of the past; only the very last one remained.
Tap, tap—
I was flipping through my notes for a final review when a light tap landed on my shoulder.
"…Seung-hooo."
Lee Sol stood there hesitantly, her eyes practically pleading for a handout. It wasn't hard to guess what she wanted.
Chocolate.
"…."
I stuck to the routine we’d established over the last few days. Following the natural flow of things, I pulled a piece of chocolate from my pocket and handed it to her.
"…."
"Here."
She took it, and in return, held out a piece of candy. It was a fair trade.
I unwrapped the candy and popped it into my mouth. The sharp, refreshing burst of peppermint washed away my lingering drowsiness.
— "Hehe."
Lee Sol savored the chocolate with visible delight. Her Mini-me’s cheeks puffed out, looking plump and bouncy as it chewed away.
She really does love that stuff.
On the first day of finals, she had looked so incredibly high-strung that I’d offered her some snacks I had on hand. Since then, she’d been stopping by like clockwork, and we’d fallen into this habit of exchanging treats.
Well, if it helps her focus on the test, it’s a win for everyone.
. . . . . .
— Ring-a-ding, ring-a-ding!
The chime echoed through the speakers, signaling the end of the final hour.
"Everyone, pens down. If you touch your paper from this moment on, you’re getting a zero."
The teacher’s heavy baritone brought the room to a sudden standstill.
Clack. Clack-clack.
The sound of pens hitting desks echoed in a messy chorus. After gathering the answer sheets, the teacher gave a curt, "Good job, everyone," and swept out of the classroom.
Almost instantly, the room erupted into a chaotic roar of relief and chatter.
"Hwaaa…."
Lee Sol slumped over her desk, letting out a long, bone-deep stretch.
— "It’s finally overrr…!"
Her Mini-me’s face went instantly slack, eyes drooping as if it could fall asleep mid-air.
Tap, tap.
I knocked lightly on her desk. Unfortunately for her, our day wasn't quite done.
"Senior Min-ji said to meet in the club room."
"…Huh? Right now?"
"Yeah."
"What for…?"
"She said she’d explain once we’re all there."
"Ugh…."
With a look of pure reluctance, Lee Sol dragged herself upright. At least she was moving.
"We’re here."
When we stepped into the club room, Senior Min-ji was already perched in the center of the sofa. She was sipping orange juice with a refreshed, triumphant smile. Who even drinks juice out of a teacup?
"Did everyone do well on their exams…?"
As she spoke, an aura radiated from her that practically screamed she had aced every single subject. Now that she was a senior, she was getting weirder by the day.
Might as well play along.
"…How about you, Senior?"
"It was alright, I guess?"
Her tone was airy and nonchalant, but the corners of her mouth were twitching uncontrollably.
— "Gosh. I can’t just openly brag about this."
Her Mini-me giggled, its mouth twitching in perfect sync with hers. It seemed her self-grading results were exactly what she’d hoped for.
"So, why did you call us…?" Lee Sol asked, sprawling out on the sofa.
"Oh, right." Senior Min-ji got down to business. "I thought we should decide where to go this year in advance."
Since finals were over, it was that time of year.
"…For summer vacation?"
At my words, Senior Min-ji nodded enthusiastically.
"Yeah, it’s easier to plan the schedule if we decide early."
She already looked like she was halfway to the destination. Since she was a senior, I wondered if she should be spending that time buried in her books instead. But knowing her, she’d probably argue that if a single vacation could ruin her CSAT scores, they were already doomed to begin with.
"We get a vacation too…?"
Lee Sol, who had been lounging like a cat, jerked her head up. For once, she was actually showing interest.
Senior Min-ji nodded. "That’s just what I’m calling it. It’s more like a bonding trip."
We had gone on a similar trip last year. Back then, we went with the seniors who have since graduated. I wondered briefly how they were getting on.
"Oh…."
At the mention of a trip, Ji Nuri’s expression brightened as well.
"Of course, if anyone doesn’t have the time or just doesn’t want to go, feel free to speak up."
" "…." "
Silence. No one said a word. It felt like a scene from a corporate drama where the subordinates couldn't possibly withstand the subtle pressure from the boss.
"…I’m serious, you can really be honest?"
Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Senior Min-ji waved her hands in a flustered denial. "Sol, are you okay with it?"
"Me…? Why…?" Lee Sol tilted her head, looking surprised to have been singled out.
"I mean, I know you don't really like going out. If you’d rather just rest at home, you really can stay behind."
"I’m fine…!" Lee Sol’s shoulders flinched, and she shook her head vigorously.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Is that so…?"
Only then did Senior Min-ji relax with a sigh of relief.
— "Have Sol and I gotten a lot closer?"
Senior Min-ji’s Mini-me rubbed its nose, wearing a proud, self-satisfied smile.
— "Ahem… Well, Seung-ho is going too."
The reality was a bit different from what Min-ji imagined, but since they both seemed happy, I decided to keep my mouth shut.
"…?"
While I was at it, another Mini-me caught my eye.
— "U-umm…."
Shin A-young’s Mini-me was hovering nearby, its movements awkward and stiff.
— "So everyone’s going on a trip together…."
It toyed with its hair, casting longing glances toward the group. It was obvious she desperately wanted to join.
Come to think of it, Shin A-young had tagged along today as well. Technically, she wasn't a club member, so she was standing a short distance away, looking a bit like an outsider.
"…."
I saw her, but I didn't step in. That was because…
"Oh, right. A-young, you’re coming too, right?"
Senior Min-ji asked her first.
"Me?" Shin A-young’s eyes widened in genuine surprise. "…Is that okay?"
"I was going to ask you anyway. It was weighing on my mind."
Well, Shin A-young was practically an honorary member at this point. She had helped us out several times when things got busy. Since this wasn't an official school event and just a private bonding trip, having one more person wasn't an issue.
"Of course, if you don't want to—"
"I’ll go."
"Oh, okay… sure."
Senior Min-ji nodded, looking a bit taken aback by the sheer intensity of the response.
. . . . . .
After returning home, I flopped onto my bed and scrolled through my phone.
Should I buy a new swimsuit?
Most of the locations being tossed around in the group chat involved water. I’d definitely need one. The one I wore last year didn't fit anymore—likely due to a sudden growth spurt. I’d shot up again recently, putting me just over 174cm.
"Oppa."
Lee Seung-ah poked her head through the door. "I’m ordering a late-night snack. Want in?"
"…What are you getting?"
"Tteokbokki."
"Your treat?"
"…."
She gave me a look that suggested I’d lost my mind, so I just nodded. We were splitting the bill, as usual. For a kid with plenty of allowance, she was incredibly strict about going Dutch.
"Fine, go ahead and order."
"Ordering the usual."
"Yeah."
Tteokbokki for a late-night snack. I’d have to exercise twice as hard tomorrow to burn it off, but Lee Seung-ah skipped away giggling, blissfully unaware of my internal struggle.
"Hmm."
The food arrived quickly.
"Hwaaa…."
Lee Seung-ah was happily munching on the steaming tteokbokki when she spoke up mid-chew.
"Oh, right. Mom told me to ask you where you want to go for vacation."
"Really?"
Now that I thought about it, there was the family trip to consider too. Summer break hadn't even officially started, but my schedule was already packed. It was going to be a busy summer in more ways than one.
So, it’s finally break.
Shin A-young fell into deep thought as she dried her damp hair with a towel.
"Hmm…."
She liked school breaks. Who didn't? But her reasons were a bit different this time. She liked the idea of not having to worry about everyone’s eyes on her at school every day.
It’s the break, but…
She wasn't as happy as she used to be. In fact, she felt a little empty. The reason was simple.
"…."
At the face that suddenly flashed in her mind, Shin A-young buried her face in the towel. Heat rose through the damp cloth, turning it warm in an instant.
…But at least I’m going on the Counseling Club trip.
She cooled her flushed face with the wet towel. That was a win. A big win.
But… if possible, she wanted a day where they could meet just the two of them. They would see each other even less during the break, after all.
Is there a way to meet naturally…?
She worried that flirting too openly might be burdensome. If she got rejected after being that obvious, she’d be too embarrassed to keep living. She needed a natural excuse.
"…."
The pondering continued long after she retreated to her room. Shin A-young hugged her pillow and flopped face-down onto her bed.
"Ah."
An idea struck. Her eyes, visible through the gaps in the towel, sparkled with the light of a strategist who had just conceived a brilliant move.
Tap, tap, tap.
She immediately sent a text to Lee Seung-ho.
— [Shin A-young: Seung-ho, do you have time during the break?]
— [Shin A-young: Want to go see a movie later? For study purposes!]
That was the hook. Lee Seung-ho liked movies. So did she. Since they were both in the Theater and Film Department and shared a common interest, it felt like a perfectly natural suggestion. Even to her, it seemed like a flawless plan.
— [Shin A-young: My dad gave me some tickets.]
— [Shin A-young: (Golden Retriever emoticon smiling brightly)]
…In truth, she hadn't received any tickets. She had just added a little "seasoning" to make the invitation feel less forced.
— Ding.
After a short, agonizing wait, his reply came back.
— [Lee Seung-ho: When?]
Shin A-young, who had been lounging, sprang up like a coiled spring.
— [Shin A-young: How about the Saturday of the week break starts?]
"…."
Her heart began to drum against her ribs.
— [Lee Seung-ho: Ah]
A short response. Then, consecutive messages.
— [Lee Seung-ho: I can’t then.]
— [Lee Seung-ho: I have something else going on.]
Ugh. Shin A-young’s face stiffened. She shook off the disappointment and quickly typed a follow-up.
— [Shin A-young: Then… how about the following Monday?]
— [Lee Seung-ho: That works.]
"Whew…."
She let out a long sigh of relief. It wasn't that he was rejecting her; he really must have had an appointment. That was a relief, at least. She had managed to set a date.
"…."
Shin A-young fell into a strange silence. Her black hair slid down her shoulders. For some reason, a nagging sense of unease bubbled up in her chest.
[Shin A-young: Sol, do you happen to have time on the Saturday break starts?]
Tap— tap-tap.
She quickly sent a text to Lee Sol.
"…."
…No, there was no way.
[Lee Sol: Can’t then, I have plans]
"Ah…."
Shin A-young’s lips parted slightly, a faint, shaky breath escaping. This was it. Two people with plans on the exact same day? Could it really be a coincidence?
— Ding.
[Lee Sol: (Hamster emoticon giggling)]
"…."
The skin under Shin A-young’s eye gave a very slight… but unmistakable twitch.